Promise Me

The day had come for the blessing of Sunlight. Ponies gathered outside of the castle to get a glimpse of the newest princess. Security was bumped up for the event and it seemed as though everything was accounted for. However, this did little to quell Twilight’s nerves.

Inside she did her best to stand still as Rarity added a few finishing touches to the ensemble created just for the occasion. Twilight twitched every now and then, only to be repositioned by the irritated Rarity.

“Twilight, darling, do try to stand still.”

“I’m sorry.”

After a few more minutes Rarity finished her work and took a step back to admire her work. Twilight saw herself in the mirror and she smiled at the beautiful work that Rarity had done. There was the clink of a lock. Twilight looked in the direction of the sound, and saw Rarity levitate a small pin of Sunset Shimmer’s cutie mark. The seamstress then pinned it on the collar of Twilight’s dress.

“I may have only known her for a little while, but I know how much she meant to you. So I made this for you.”

“Oh Rarity, this is beautiful.”

“Even though today is for your baby, it doesn’t hurt to make you beautiful.”

“Rarity, you’re the best.”

“Anything for a friend.”

They hugged then left to retrieve Sunlight. Entering the room she smiled as she saw Rainbow holding Sunlight. The cyan pegasus smiled at the baby. She was acting unlike herself.

“Rainbow?” Twilight asked.

The shocked Rainbow Dash quickly put Sunlight down and whistled. Twilight smiled and shook her head as she trot up to Sunlight. She picked up the baby and held her out to Rainbow.

“Hold her.” Twilight said.

“I did.” Rainbow said.

“You look cute holding her.” Twilight said.

“I do say, it’s quite a touching sight.” Rarity added.

Rainbow took hold of the baby and flew out of reach of anyone. She couldn’t help but smile at the baby. There was something about the little Sunlight.

“I’m not cute.” Rainbow declared.

“Flying out of reach doesn’t help your case.” Twilight said.

At that moment the others arrived and stared up at Rainbow Dash.

“Well I’ll be. Looky here at RD all gushy fer the young‘un.” Applejack said.

Rainbow flew higher to avoid the sneers of her friends.

“Rainbow you have to come down so we can get her ready for the ceremony.” Twilight called out.

“Fine.” Rainbow called back.

As she descended she couldn’t help but smile. Twilight took Sunlight from Rainbow.

“I promise that you can see hold her again later.” Twilight said.

“Real-er I mean that’s cool.” Rainbow said.

Twilight then gave her to the others to help prepare Sunlight for her big day. The others have held the baby at few times but none of them had such a reaction as Rainbow did. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Rainbow holding Sunlight.

When they were done the baby glowed like the sun. The colors of the gown she wore complemented her velvety golden coat, and the tiara they placed on her head brought out her burgundy, yellow, and purple mane. Twilight loved Sunlight as much as she loved Sunset. She loved that she saw a lot of Sunset in her.

Princess Celestia entered the room with Luna and Cadence in tow. The jubilant princess approached Twilight and Sunlight.

“So beautiful, much like her mother.” Princess Celestia said.

“Thank you.” Twilight said.

“Come now, we mustn’t keep the ponies waiting.” Princess Celestia said.

With a royal entourage they headed out to the balcony that overlooked an enormous crowd of ponies gathered to get a glimpse of Princess Sunlight. Ponies cheered as the princesses neared the edge of the balcony.

Twilight gazed out at the crowd and tried to keep calm. A feeling of anxiety started building up as the waves of ponies turned into an army of soldiers. She took a step back.

Not now, Twilight bit her lip and tried to find an escape route. She felt a hoof on her shoulder and she glanced up at her sister-in-law. The loving smile on her sister’s face calmed her down enough to bring her back to reality.

Princess Celestia gave a speech that Twilight couldn’t really pay attention to. Twilight was fading in and out of reality during the speech. However, it came time for her to say a few words. She gathered her courage and stepped forth.

“I’d like to thank all of you for coming out today. It’s great to be back home.” Twilight said. She took a deep breath before continuing. “They say that in times of combat and uncertainty, you find yourself. What they didn’t say was that you also find those you love and care for. However, that is not a place to cultivate such things. As I was off on this mission, I found someone I loved and then just like that, I lost them. It’s all a sad story, but in the midst of the sadness and chaos I found my light. My daughter is my light in the darkness. I may not have come back with the one I was searching for, but I did come back with my daughter, my light, and the newest princess. I now present all of you with my light, Princess Sunlight.”

They raised Sunlight up and the ponies below cheered. There was an ember that gently floated above the baby and it made the infant smile and giggle. Twilight smiled as she lowered her daughter. Now she was face to face with the flesh and blood of the one she loved so much that she traveled to ends of the earth to save her. Sunlight resembled her mother, she even had her smile, but Twilight knew that she had to let Sunset go if she wanted to be there for this beautiful foal.

Twilight gazed up at the sky and watched the ember fade away. She then held Sunlight close to her and nuzzled her.

“My baby, my light, I’ll always be here for you.” Twilight whispered to Sunlight.

The princesses smiled at the sight of mother and child having a moment together. Twilight ignored the others as she made her way back into her castle. As she walked along she didn’t feel the creeping darkness or the suffocating loneliness, instead she felt love. She noticed that Rainbow followed closely, behind her were her brother and sister, and behind them were the others.

She led them to Sunlight’s room and that’s when she laid the little princess to sleep. The entourage sang a sweet lullaby to the baby and they watched as she fell asleep. Twilight watched as Princess Celestia then cast a spell.

“To you I gift the sun, may its light guide you and keep you warm.” Princess Celestia said.

Princess Luna followed her sister and cast a spell on Sunlight.

“To you I gift the moon, may it provide light in the dark of night. I also gift the night sky, may the stars remember the fondest of memories and help you remember when you may have forgotten times of happiness.” Princess Luna said.

Princess Cadence cast her spell that turned into a heart.

“To you I give you love, not only of family, but of friends as well.” Princess Cadence said.

Twilight then placed her horn on Sunlight’s and cast a spell.

“To you my baby, I promise to love you unconditionally. I will protect you from all that may try to harm you. I will comfort you when you fail. I will be there for you. My little Sunlight, no matter how old you get you will always be my baby. I gave you the gift of life, and you gave me the gift of light, I can’t thank you enough for being there for me. Now I shall return the favor by being there for you.” Twilight said.

“To you my baby, I gave you life and a chance to live life.” Sunset Shimmer said.

Twilight looked up to see Sunset standing on the other side of the crib. Time stood still and the world seemed to disappear.

“No one can hear us or see us. To them you are standing there looking at Sunlight.”

“You...you’re here.”

“For the moment.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I couldn’t save you.”

“It’s okay. You saved her.”

“She looks like you.”

“I know.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

“I promise that I’ll keep her safe, to love her, and to teach her all she needs to know.”

“Twilight.”

“Yes?”

“Promise me, Twilight.”

“I promise.”

“I have to go now.”

“I know.”

Sunset leaned over and kissed Sunlight then turned around then started to walk away. The room returned to normal and Twilight simply smiled.

“I have to let you go.” Twilight whispered. “So I can focus on our baby.”