Author's Note

Forewarning, this chapter holds a substantially greater amount of seriousness than the previous chapters, if you manage to make it through this without any feels, then... you should probably see a physiatrist or something, that or you have nerves of steel, if so, good for you.

Anyway, love y'all, and goodbye for now.

Hello...

"She's my mother," said Anton in a downtrodden tone, his face instantly morphing from fear to disappointed sadness.

The red humanoid turned her head, sending her gorgeous raven locks cascading around her back. Her eyes soon met Anton's and she instantly let out an excited gasp.

"ANTON, MY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY," said Anton's Mother starting to skip merrily over to him.

Anton glared at his mother angrily "so now you want me."

Anton's words sent a painful pulse through her body, stopping her in her tracks.

"Anton, dearest, when I left I did it for you, I did it because I love you," said Anton's Mother, her voice suddenly cracked and strained.

"Is that why you left me to rot in that box Discord put me in, because you loved me," said Anton, getting more and more angry as the seconds ticked on.

"My Baby Boy," said Anton's Mother placing a hand on Anton's cheek tenderly "I left because I wasn't fit to raise you."

"What does that mean," said Anton with angry tears stinging the corners of his eyes as he carelessly swatted her hand away.

Anton's Mother took a deep, controlled breath before steadily letting it out.

"Anton, My Dearest Little Boy, I left because I would have been a bad influence on you, I left because I wanted you to grow up to be good, like your older sister, Harmonia. Your sister always hated me, and rightfully so. I left you in your eldest siblings care in the hopes that you could get Discord and Harmonia to stop fighting long enough to raise you right, not fight over who's side you would inevitably join," said Anton's Mother, tears flowing down her crimson cheeks.

Celestia walked over to the duo, gaining their attention by clearing her throat.

"Miss," questioned Celestia.

"Ignus," replied Anton's Mother, crossing her arms.

"Miss Ignus, did you ever wonder how your foals felt," asked Celestia calmly.

"Every second of every day," said Ignus, anger rising in her voice "not a single moment passed that I didn't wish I'd stayed, but I knew that they'd, specifically Anton, would be better off without me in the picture."

"They'd be better off," Celestia's gaze shifted, becoming more accusatory "or was it really you who was better off."

Ignus was taken aback, she couldn't believe this mare was talking to her like this.

"Not at all," said Ignus, her tone laced with unsurety.

"Is that so," said Celestia raising a brow.

Ignus' gaze fell, she stared at the ground for what felt like an eternity, but was in actuality only a matter of moments.

"You're right," said Ignus her voice was shaky and uneven "I'm such a fool."

Ignus dropped to her knees, streams of tears running down her face. In an attempt to hide her overwhelming shame Ignus covered her face with her hands. Doing this had little to no effect though, it only served to make her more ashamed of herself. The mere fact that she couldn't face her youngest was crushingly painful, she wouldn't (couldn't) even meet his gaze. Everytime she tried, she felt like she was kicked in the gut, then hit across the back with a sledgehammer. Her body felt cold and numb as her tears streamed unendingly. All of her past doubt and all her past regret came crashing down on her mind all at once. Her son could never love her after what she did to him. She'd never earn or deserve his forgiveness. The bitter thought that her own son would never look at her in the way she'd always dreamed. Hatred and disgust will forever fill his gaze.

It started to dawn on her, it didn't matter that she was in pain. After all the agony she put her motherless son through, she deserved every second. Ignus sobbed uncontrollably, wallowing in her self-hatred. In an instant, that all changed. Ignus felt warmth coming from her shoulder, looking up she saw Anton gazing lovingly down at her. She couldn't think properly, her mind abuzz with confusion. Most of all, she couldn't believe her eyes. Anton's gaze was filled with much more than just love. Buried just beneath the surface Ignus could sense a multitude of emotions, most of them confusingly pleasant. One feeling that stood above even the love radiating from him, was forgiveness.

"Why," croaked Ignus, her voice broken.

"You're my mother, yes you abandoned me, but I now know why. Now that I know for a fact that you did in fact want me, I can begin to heal, as can you," said Anton softly.

Ignus wiped some tears from her face before quickly pulling Anton into a warm and loving hug.

"My Baby Boy, how you have grown. I highly doubt that there is a mother, in all of history, more proud of one of her children, than I am right now," whispered Ignus softly.

"I'm so happy to finally have you in my life," said Anton, tears once again flowing down his cheeks.

Ignus squeezed her son protectively "I promise that I'll never leave you like that again, from now on, I'll be there for you no matter the time, no matter what, I'll protect and care for you."

"We have a lot of catching up to do," whispered Anton jokingly.

"I know," said Ignus with sadness soaked into her tone.

It wasn't that she didn't realise that he was joking, it was more like she did, but felt it hit too close to home to truly be funny.

Anton nuzzled into his mother's neck affectionately "I love you mom, and I hope that we'll find a point in our relationship that we can finally be on completely stable terms."

"Me too My Sweet, me too," said Ignus returning Anton's affection "My Strong Little Boy."

"What's up with you, why do you keep referring to me like I'm a little baby," huffed Anton in annoyance.

"I missed almost all of your childhood years, as well as your awkward teenage years, let me at least have this," whispered Ignus lovingly "besides, adult or not, you'll always be My Baby Boy."

"Whatever mom," said Anton laughing wholeheartedly.