The Punching Bag Barracks

Levi woke up early and sat up stretching his arm letting out a yawn. He soon leapt out of bed and stretched his stiff muscles and popping several bones in the process. He walks over and takes his prosthetic fingers from his nightstand and attach them via the leather strap.

He opens and closes his hand to make sure things are function before thinking about the leathers of this world. He always made his own from the game animals he caught after he found out most of the animals here were sentient.

He got dressed and then sat down on his bed to think.

He looked at his fingers and thought of Celestia with a chuckle, "Kind of is an engagement ring of sorts," he sighs and flops back recalling the events of him and Celestia telling the others.

Two weeks ago...

"Excuse but you and the princess are like together?" Shining says as he points a hoof. "And she's pregnant with your foal?" After shocking several passing guards he'd managed to reduce his floof down to nearly nothing. "BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" He belts as he fell back, limbs flying erratically. "Oh-oh, that's a good one Teach BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA!"

*WHACK!*

"OW!" Shining cries out in pain. Rubbing the top of his head he sneers at his fillyfriend, "What was that for?"

He looked at Cadence who was shaking her hoof in pain, "Sheesh, you have a hard head that really stings," she says blowing on her hoof. "And it was for laughing in their faces numbskull. Auntie and Levi spend-" She looks at Marmy who'd nudged her the Strawberry motioning to Twilight with her head, clearing her throat she 'carefully' continues, "They spend time together. They've known each other for like six over six decades now. What so funny about this to you?"

"What I don't understand is how?" Marmy takes Twilight off her back. "You've always said you couldn't have foal grandfather. So how did this happen?"

"Trust me Marmy I'm just as shocked as you are," Levi sighs holding up a hand. "But she is caring our foal. She even did another DNA test to confirm it."

"If this foal truly is yours why is Marmy so shocked?" Cadence asks outright still confused. "She's your granddaughter, after all, your descendant."

"That's because my great grandmother was adopted Cadence," Marmy explains. "It was always thought he was sterile or genetically incompatible, but it must have been the other way around with the former."

"That's the conclusion we came to as well," Celestia gives a single nod.

"What do you plan to do with the foal?" Marmy asked as Twilight watched the adults intently. "Are you going to keep it a secret and put it up for adoption? Or give it to us to raise? If I'm being honest, I would prefer the first part about the secret and the second about the Strawberries raising it. At least then it would be safe."

"Levi is still, a myth in the eyes of most," Celestia sighs. "Whenever he goes out it in his mask to keep him hidden and he uses his gear to move through the city. The only few that have any real constant contact are the guards and they're sworn to keep him hidden. Most of the ponies in the city still think of him as a sort of... a mass hysteria-based illusion. The Sparkles are the only ponies besides the Survey Corps and guard or castle staff with regular contact."

"I'm afraid I don't understand Auntie?" Cadence raised a hoof.

"She saying she does agree with Marmy Cadence," Levi points out. "I'm still not well-known so it would be easy to keep the foal safe and unknown. And while I do agree it would be, I don't want that to happen. I want my daughter to grow up knowing her mother and her father."

"I understand now," Twilight speaks up. "The Princess has Mr. Levi Foal in her belly and when she's born, she would have to go away for her mommy and daddy. Because the princess doesn't want what happened to me to happen to her baby. But Mr. Levi can't be there because he's watching me," she looks down and sniffles.

"You're so much brighter than anypony realizes little Sparkle," Marmy pulls Twilight into a hug.

"Twilly," Shining says to himself.

"Come here for a minute Twilight," Levi pats his leg.

"Kay," she says as she glumly walks over allowing Levi to pick her up and put her on his knee.

"Don't be sad little one," Levi says wiping away her tears. "Nothing is your fault. We've already discussed what we're going to do."

"So, what are you going to do?" Marmy asks raised a hoof.

"We're going to raise the foal," Celestia says boldly. "Her name is going to be Stella Aria. Levi is going to be here to help raise her and I'll be here as well. I may be a princess and ruler but that doesn't mean I can't set aside time for the little things. I made the mistake of choosing the former before, not this time."

"I'll be here to watch over you still Twilight and by the time Stella is born Spike well be right around a year old, so he'll be a bit more independent," Levi says. "He will be a big brother to Stella and I hope you'll be a big sister to her. She'll need some pony to teach her magic."

"I don't like this Grandfather," Marmy states. "What is your plan? To keep your pregnancy secret?" she turns to the princess scowling.

"No Marmy," Celestia shakes her head. "I will have an announcement to address this. Levi on the other hand will remain the foal's secret father in a way while also being her father openly. He will not be in the spotlight or make appearances. It would draw attention to your family and the Survey Corps is already known to exist, just not who you are, but this would open too many doors for many bad ponies."

"Especially seeing as a myth is the sire of the princess's foal," Levi points out. "It will be tough and much chaos will ensue but we will not back down from this. We will rely on all of you here."

"You know you can count on me," Marmy puts her hoof to her chest. "Just be more careful from now on Grandfather."

"Yes, I intend to," Levi vigorously nods.

"Maybe mom and dad will help out too?" Shining adds as he looks at Levi. "We do owe you a great debt Teach, one that we can never fully payback. I'm sure they would be up for it when the foal comes."

"We would be most grateful to you," Levi nods. "I will ask them later on when we bring Twilight and you home for the night."

Meanwhile Twilight busied herself pronking about, "I'm going to have a baby sister!"

Spike claps at the site.

"When will you make your announcement?" Marmy asks.

"I think the Gala will be best," Celestia sighs. "I really don't want any more stress than necessary right now. It would be bad for the foal."

"We understand Auntie," Cadence smiles softly. "You should really get some rest now. It's time to set the sun to. We should get everypony home."

"Grandfather, you stay with Celestia tonight," Marmy said adamantly with narrowed eyes. "I'll take them home."

"I was going to ask the same thing Marmy thank you," Levi nods.

Present...

He looks over to the old portrait of Strawberry Surprise he carries with him, her smiling face staring back at him, "I miss you so much and I know what you'd say, 'She's your daughter and she'll need her father and she'll need her mother'. Well, Strawberry, I'm going to be the father she needs, and the father we always talked about that I was for our girls. I promise."

He walks over to his dresser and gets ready for the day. After getting dressed for the day he heads over to a nearby chest and opens it.

He gives sigh and then a smirk, "Only Tia would come up with a plan like this. It should keep the nobles' noses out of the palace for the next few months until Stella is born at least. It'll definitely give her a laugh," He closes the lid on the chest. "But for now, I need to the Sparkle house."

He placed his mask on his face and threw on his cloak before heading out.

Levi easily zipped through Canterlot unnoticed by every pony on the streets. Using his maneuvering gear he can quickly ascend or descend to nearly any build on the mountainside city. Using his mask made sure that he went unseen by most except for the occasional pegasus with a sharp wit but he was always too fast for them to really identify him other than a blur or passing large bird. With the use of his gear and what Shining referred to as free running, he soon arrives outside the Sparkle family home.

Twilight Velvet was outside watering her plants. She had made it clear to her office that she was going to start working from home more sense the kidnapping. She wanted to keep a closer eye on Twilight since the filly was living at home off and on again instead of just staying in the castle. Being and editor author-publisher allowed her to do this and the fact she was well-known allowed her more freedom being the head of the branch of the company she works for.

Levi lands in the backyard and walked around front removing his mask, "Good morning Velvet."

"Good morning Mr. Ackerman," Velvet turns. "No Marmy today?"

The mare had become a staple in the family seeing as she'd adopted Twilight as her niece and become Shining instructor part-time. She'd been around the home so much without her gear that even the neighbors knew her.

"Marmy has the day off right now," Levi explained.

"Can I get you something while you wait for Twilly?" Velvet smiles.

"If you have some tea brewed that would be nice but if not then don't bother yourself," Levi says with a warm tone.

"I just put the kettle on a few moments ago in fact," Velvet set her watering pale down. "Come inside and I fix up nice spearmint tea with Rosemary biscuits."

"Thank you very much," Levi gives a slight bow.

Following the mare inside he ducks under the small doorway. The two spent a few minutes speaking about books mainly while they waited for the chalder to rise. It was the weekend after all and they need to sleep for tonight.

"So, are you attending the Gala tonight?" Velvet set her cup down.

"I will be going to attend for a bit, but I won't be there the whole time," Levi explains sipping his tea. "I have to attend to something after Tia's announcement"

"Princess Celestia's announcement," Velvet slowly taps her hooves on the table, "It would happen to be about her foal would it?"

"I'm not surprised you figured it out," Levi sets the cup down. "You're a mother twice over not to mention, Twilight's mother after all," he gives a few slight nods. "It's about the foal. She intends to make it known that she is carrying it and that she will be raising it, or her actually."

"Are you really all right with that?" Velvet says somberly. "You have a first-hand account of what happened with Twilly. If you were to take it... her, sorry, then she'd be able to live a much simpler quieter life than if she was raised in the palace."

"Not surprised you know I'm the father, too," Levi crosses his arms. "Yes, she could have a quieter life but then she would be robbed of what's most important. A loving family. Sure, the Strawberries are close, but they still wouldn't be the foal's real mother and father and I’ve never had the chance to raise my own child from birth," He shook his head. "No, it'll be easier to raise her here around her mother or father, who can be here for her. Not to mention the other family she'll have. Once our girl come to the age group where she'll be able to be much more independent, then Tia will have to refocus on her duties. I'll be free than she is so I can look after our daughter more than she can after the foal is born, but she'll still need to Tia too. My presence is known at the palace so that won't be an issue but outside it will be. And that brings me to what I wanted to ask you my good mare?"

Velvet tilts her head.

"Tia and I talked it over and we were hoping you and Nightlight wouldn't mind helping look after her when I or Tia can't," Levi ask with the most sincerity he can muster. “We also wanted to make the two of you her godparents.”

Velvet just looked at the human and blinked a few times, "You. both of you... want my husband and I to help you care for the unborn princess?" She says dumbstruck. "I... are you sure? We couldn't even protect Twilight! I don't then we could... Is this an order?"

"Velvet you don't have to," Levi held up a hand. "I just think it would be nice for Stella to grow up have you two as role models instead of Tia and Myself all the time. I care about Celestia very deeply and I do have a form of love for her but if we were to say, get married think of the backlash she'd take for being married to a mythical beast, let alone the Butcher of the Battlefield. Not to mention I can't really marry Tia. Like I said I do love her to some degree, but I still love my wife too. I also think our relationship could turn very toxic."

"We owe you so much that we could never pay you back for what you’ve done and are still doing but this," Velvet sighs. "I... I don't know. I barely trust myself to have Twilight and Shining here. I don't think I could handle the responsibility of what might happen to your and the princess's daughter. Can I have some time to think about it?"

Levi nods, "Take all the time you need," he says softly. "Talk to Nightlight about. Like I said it's a request not an order."

"Thank you, Levi," Velvet sighs.

"Hungry..." complained a sleep filly who just walked in rubbing her eye.

"Just who we were waiting for!" Velvet quickly turns chipper. "How about I make some pancakes?"

"Waffles..." Twilight counters still wobbly. "Please?"

"Waffles it is then, with chocolate chip," Velvet giggles walking over to the stove.

"Yea," Twilight says throwing her forelegs up and then starts to fall forward.

"Easy there little Sparkle," Levi chuckles as he catches the sleepy filly and puts her in his lap.

"Papa Levi!" Twilight announces and she proceeds to wrap the human up on the biggest hug she could muster.

"Looks like somepony is up now," he smirks. "How about I show you how I wake up my recruits if Shining isn't up by the time your mother is down with the first waffles?"

"Yes please!" Twilight vigorously nods at the aspect of learning, but mostly at the aspect of torturing her older brother.

Canterlot Castle Ballroom...

Celestia was sitting at the doorway greeting the ponies as they came in for the Gala. Soon a group of very familiar faces shows up. Shining and Cadence.

"Good evening you two," Celestia smiles. "How is your evening?"

"Good evening princess," Shining bows.

"Can you believe that Princess Cadenza's consort is that low-ranked trash?" he heard from a passing noble. "Indeed, she could do much better," another said.

*Tch* Cadence clicked her tongue. "They have no right to take about Shiny like that<" she starts after the couple that made the remark.

"Let it go Cadidy," Marmy trots up with an unfamiliar stallion with a brown coat and a silver striped mane in a tuxedo and the rest of the Sparkle family in tow.

"Aunt Marmy," Shining trots over and hugs her neck. "Who this?" he looks to the stallion.

"Name's Solid mah boy, Solid Bedrock, nice to meet ya," He extends his hoof. Shining takes the older stallion's hoof who then vigorously shakes with a very firm grip, "And it doesn't matter what these pompous plots think. The only thing they care for is their reputations and their finances."

Cadence turns to Marmy with a cheeky grin, "How did you two meet? And does Uncle Levi know?"

"We met in the market about a month," Marmy smiles.

"She was out with little Twilight and some bullfrog buying ingredients for a potion the filly was wanting to make," Solid adds.

"And we're friends," Marmy promptly cuts off the Cadence's chain of thought.

"Yes, friends," Solid nods. "And Marmalade has told me about this Levi pony before. He sounds like a very good pony. But she never told me she was part of the royal family and the nobles," He turns his head scrutinizing the Strawberry pony.

"Oh, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding Mr. Bedrock," Cadence interjects. "Marmy isn't part of the royals or nobility."

"Levi is just a very good and old friend of mine," Celestia adds. "So much so Cadence has started to refer to him as uncle quite recently in fact. The same goes for Shining and Marmy. They aren't related by blood, only the bonds they formed with each other. Marmy is actually one of Shining's part-time personal teachers with Levi being the other."

“Its alright your highnesses,” Solid bows. “I can understand as we do something similar in the guard stations at where we’re posted over time.”

"It was actually my little sis that started it," Shining points to Twilight.

"Hi, Mr. Bedrock it's nice to see you again," Twilight giggles. "Do you like my dress?" she asks showing off a light purple gown with pink sequences.

"You look very pretty Twilight," Bedrock pats her head and then turns back to the adults. "And I fear with those details left out she has forgotten to tell me who Levi is to her exactly. You mention he was extended Family, and a teacher to you but nothing beyond that."

"Oh um... Well... you see... he's-" She says, "My grandfather, "She smiles.

"Oh, is that all, well, seeing as he is your teacher and grandfather I can see him as protective," Solid nods. "But he's not as protective as a father would be at least you told him I was your date tonight, Right?"

"Um..." Marmy's ears flattened against her head. "It may have slipped my mind.

"You haven't told him?" Celestia looked at the Strawberry. "Oh, dear?"

"What it can't be that bad?" Shining said. "The only issue I've had are the nobles."

"That's because I don't have family outside Auntie and Blueblood Shiny," Cadence sighs shaking her head. "Colts."

"And the nobles won't miss with you as well," Celestia adds. "Because they'd rather not earn my eye or Cadence's. Especially seeing as we won't put up with any of their crap and Blue has been stripped of everything but his Prince title in name alone."

"Ah, yes I had heard rumors of that," Bedrock rubs his chin. "So what did the former prince do exactly?"

"He pissed me off acting like the spoiled asshole the nobles raised him to be and demanded I punish somepony for not bowing to him in the hallway as they passed him," Celestia grumbles. "So I took away all his toy sand grounded him. He wants to act like a child I'll treat him as such."

"A bit harsh don't you think princess?" Solid raised an eyebrow.

"Not at all." came a voice from the opposite direction.

Everypony turs their heads to see a quite large grey pegasus coming toward them. He was taller than most ponies around but still at least two heads shorter than the princess. He had a black tail and mane the was parted down the middle at the top covering both sides of his head. His left eye was a dark bluish grey and the other was a light lavender, pupil and all. On the right side over his was a set of deep scars that ran down to his chin. Around his neck was a white ascot and his right hooves were partially made of metal and clinked as he trotted over while wearing a black suit. His wings were a bit odd as his primary feathers were a dark-bluish grey like his left eye. It wasn't completely unheard of for two-tone feathers in pegasi but it was uncommon in this day and age and was usually seen more in the nobility of pegasus ponies.

"If ask me you had given him more than enough chances to fix his problems and his behavior," He comes over and sits down next to the princess. "And he didn't. You gave him the chance to fix his problems by going to a local school and he still didn't."

"So he screwed that up to aye," Solid looked at the pegasus and then to Marmy, "Marmalade, who is this guy? An old coltfriend? He's very large," he turned back to the new pony. "No offense big guy. So," he turned back to Marmy only to see his pretty unicorn friend lucking away with a bit of a nervous chuckle.

"Uh, Solid Bedrock," She motions to the pegasus. "Meet Levi Ackerman Strawberry, my grandfather, and mentor," Solid's eyes shrank to the sizes of pinpricks.

"Ah, h-hello sir..." Solid shakily lefts his hoof.

"Hmm..." Levi's eyes drift down and then reached up with his right hoof and took hold of Solid's and shakes it, "If you hurt her, I will hurt you back," he leans over and glares down, "Badly."

"G-g-g-g-grandpa!" Marmy yells out in embarrassment.

"Levi, you're embarrassing her a bit much don't you think?" Celestia giggled.

"Not at all," Levi turns his nose in the air. And then looked to the Sparkles getting up and walking over. "Where's my little Sparkle?" he says looking around mockingly.

"I'm down here!" Twilight giggles. "You look so good Papa Levi!"

"Yes, indeed you are quite fetching Mr. Levi," Velvet adds.

"I may have to keep you away from my girls if I don't want to get a divorce Levi," Nightlight chuckles, but every pony could tell there was a bit of truth to his words.

"Oh, honey you know I'd never leave you," Velvet nuzzles her husband.

"Silly daddy, you know I’ll love you always," Twilight giggles going over and hugging his leg.

"You don't need to worry Nightlight," Levi smiles. "I don't think the mares in my life would think to highly of me if I caused a divorce and took the mare for myself. Would you girls?" He turned to the mares in his life or at least a few of them. They all shook their heads, "See."

Solid look around. "Uh... What do you do exactly that put you in such a good position... Uh, sir?" He looked at the 'much' older stallion, "Pardon me for asking sir but you don't seem like... uh the noble type sir."

"You're a recent guard transfer from the countryside aren't you kid," Levi looks at Solid throwing off the questions.

"Ah... yes sir, how'd you know?" Solid asks baffled.

"You smell like you dumped about three bottles of cologne on yourself, you slicked your hair back with so much gel it's passable for a noble, your tuxedo is low tier noble at best, and," Solid took a big gulp as Levi lists off the standouts as Celestia and Cadence giggle while Marmy scowls at her grandfather who was hurling degrading details at her date, "You have a very good hoof shake."

"What?" Solid said looking dumbstruck.

"You have a good firm hoof shake," Levi says again. "You'll do fine. Now I have a dance with the pretty mare," He turns to Twilight, "She'll we dance my little lady?"

Twilight's eyes got big, "Really?!" she turned to her parents, "Can I?"

"Levi is your bodyguard so there is no pony safer than him to dance with," Velvet giggles. "Have fun but listen to him."

"Yes ma'am," Twilight giggles happily and walks off with Levi.

Solid was still processing everything., "Marmalade what does your family do again?"

"Most of us are strawberry farmers," Marmy says. "Others are... well... I can't really say without my grandfather's permission."

"Why?"

"He's the oldest living member of our family making him the patriarch and head of our family," Marmy sighs. "It can make things be kind of, touchy, about certain aspects of our family, so whenever we start relationships, we have to be very cautious. The good thing is he likes you so far, but... just don't do anything to shake the boat," She giggles leaning into the stallion with a nuzzle

"O-o-o-o-okay," he says with a bit of red tint on his face.

"Let's go, I want a couple of dances before my shift," Marmy giggles while trotting off.

"YES!" Solid yelps.

"My, those Strawberries sure now how to pick'em," Cadence says.

"Looks who's talking," Velvet adds.

Sometime later...

Stage in front of the crowd...

"I have my corps in the crowd Tia," Levi says reassuring the solar princess. "If any creature tries anything funny beyond yelling in outrage they'll act."

"Not harm them too much I would think," Tia eyes the creature in front of her disguised as a pony. "That form suits you, Levi. You are quite the handsome stallion, and a pegasus to boot. I honestly thought you'd be an earth pony. I do wish I could've adjusted it for a smaller disguise though. You're technically more of a horse than a pony."

Levi shrugs, "I have to say this form took me by surprise to, but I liked it once I got used to it."

"You know..." Levi looked at the stallion. "We could make it permanent if you want. You wouldn't have to hide from anything anymore."

"I appreciate the offer Tia I really do," Levi places a hoof on her chest. "But then I wouldn't be me anymore. I am who I am meant to be Tia, nothing more and nothing less."

"Truer words have never been spoken old friend," Tia sighs with a nod and looks at the stage and back at Levi. "Will... Would you come with me? I don't think by myself."

"As you wish milady," Levi bows, and then the two head out on stage.

Levi walks ahead of the princess and up to the podium.

Levi clears his throat then, "SILENCE!"

"Who is that?"

"Taaaallllllll..."

"Oh, my what a handsome sand large stallion."

"You stay away from my wife!"

"Look at those scars."

"He has duel wing color."

"A high noble from Cloudsdale nobility."

"I wonder why he's up there?'

"EYES FORWARD!" Levi bellows out into the amplifier crystal Everypony quickly and looks to the front. "Her, highness, Princess Celestia has an announcement of the utmost importance to make! You will be quiet; you will hold all questions until she is done! That is all," he says then steps back and Celestia steps forward.

"My little ponies, it was only a few short months ago that we were met with much despair as my dear student, Twilight Sparkle was foalnapped from her home. I would like to say that she has gotten much better in overcoming the trauma with help of my dear friend Mr. Levi Ackerman who was also the one who rescued my dear student from the group that had taken her," Celestia motions to Levi. "Today is a celebration of his exploits but more importantly today is a day we have gathered to eat, drink, and merry with old friends and new alike. We have come together to see faces we known and yet don't know. To speak about events and exchange stories with those we call our friends and family. For foals to meet and play and dance with one another and form bonds that will hopefully last the test of time into the future," she takes a deep breath. "Speaking of our foals and the future I wanted to it known to everypony that I am currently expecting a foal."

There was a very pregnant silence.

"That is preposterous!"

"How could this!"

"The princess can't be with a child! She is the princess!"

"Who would dare defile our princess!"

"This is an outrage!"

"I'm not surprised, she is a mare, after all, an old one but a mare nonetheless..."

"Yes, we have needs that need to be met..."

"She's probably had children at some point before as well but never said anything..."

"Remember that awful Sunset Shimmer filly..."

"Yes, and we lost our chance when the brat disappeared..."

"We'll be sure to keep a closer eye on this one..."

Levi had heard quite enough by now and was ready to cut some throats, but he decided to yell and that a show of power would leave a much longer-lasting impression than slaughtering the useless lot. He steps up and puts a hoof on Celestia's shoulder. The princess looks at the father of her foal as he gave her a warm smile and then slightly pushes her back a bit.

"I'll take things from here. You go and watch from behind the curtains," He says smiling. Celestia returns his smile and then he turns to the podium and hardens his gaze into a stern scowl. Finally, he takes in a deep breath and then,

"SHUT UP AND BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASSES!" Levi shouts shutting the whole crowd up.

Everyone was silent with either a gaping mouth or trying to keep from missing themselves.

"How dare_"

"I SAID SHUT IT!" Levi yells shamming his metal hoof down causing a loud ding. "Most of you ponies have forgotten that your princess is a pony just like yourselves, a mare that has needs that need to be met and desires that she wants to be fulfilled and some of those desires can only be fulfilled by a stallion!"

"Then she should've let us know, we have known the best-"

"Shut your mouth!" Celestia flies out enraged. "None of you have any rights to know about what I want in a partner! I will love whoever I choose! I will bed whomever I like! And I will bare their foal if that is the result of a night with the stallion, I call my partner! You can all go to HELL!"

"May we at least know the father of the foal?" Some random noble adds,"We best start making plans for this foal."

"You're looking at him," Levi says flatly, "And don't think I didn't hear that last part you think you said under your breath my pompous scumbag of a piece of shit. You nobles will have no say in the raising of our child, you will not even be permitted within more than just speaking distance of Celestia. I am a patient pony and I keep my promises. First and foremost, I am no noble but a mercenary, so don't even think you can bribe or threaten me. These are my followers," he says using wing as several masked Survey corps members zipped onto the stage. "Many of you will recognize them as the one who worked very closely with the guards some months ago."

"If you're so confident in them why are their faces hidden?"

"For their own sake due to their line of work," Levi says coldly. "You won't even know when they're next to you so all of you better listen and listen well... Try to do anything to the princess, her foal, me, or anyone close to her highness, and your heads will find a new place on my wall as a personal trophy!" He dusted off his sleeve. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He and Celestia then exited the room and party all together.

Celestia leans into Levi slightly and gives him a slight nuzzle, "Thank you so much."

"Tia, I know it may be hard for you to believe but a do have feelings for you and I really want to be here for you and for our child," Levi leans into her. "But at the same time, I don't want to cause you any unnecessary stress and I'm still deeply in love with my wife. I don't think I'll ever fully be over her but perhaps one day we can be truly together, so until then..."

"I'll be here waiting for you no matter how long," Celestia looks at him lovingly. "And it's not like you'll just disappear on me and never come back. You do what needs to be done Levi, I'll be here whenever you're ready to be with me, or whenever you just need a friend to talk to."

"Thank you, Tia," Levi says and his ear twitches slightly, "Who's there?" he calls out over his shoulder.

Out from one of the nearby hallways steps a pegasus mare. She had strong orange eyes and her mane and tail consisted of a vivid orange with brilliant amber stripes with her coat color being a brilliant gold. She was wearing a military-style uniform.

"Ah, Private Spitfire," Levi fully turns.

The mare comes over with a wary look on her face, "Hello, may I speak freely?"

"Spitfire you know you don't have to be formal with me when we're alone," Celestia sits down.

Spitfire looks at Levi then back to Celestia, "Mother, if this is some sort of joke with your latest boy toy I'm not laughing," She turns to Levi, "If she somehow goaded you into this then you should just back out now. No one knows that she is my mother and it is better that way."

"I've known all about you since you were born little," Levi says s shocking the young pegasus.

"H-how?" Spitfire said confused.

"There are very few creatures that Celestia truly trusts and I lucky enough to be counted amongst them," Levi says. "There aren't very many places she could've gone to have you and your sisters either."

Spitfire reels back a bit," Y-you knows about my little sister?!"

"As he said before, I completely trust Levi," Celestia sighs. "He knows that you, Sunset Shimmer, and Summer Shine are all my girls. He was there when you were born, he's the one who's been looking out for you since your father passed away and when I wasn't able to Spitfire. He's the only one I trusted to do it."

Spitfire looked at the tall stallion, "You're the one who looked after me, but what about my sisters?"

"My people have kept an eye on you. As for the twins, Tia wanted to look after the twins, but the nobles became suspicious of her activities when she'd disguise herself to visit you and your father. When she found out she was pregnant again it was right after she'd heard about your father's accident at the weather factory. She couldn't risk the twins' fates, so we found nice foster families for them," Levi explains. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to stop the influence of the nobles with Sunset once she took up a place in Celestia’s school and by the time Tia took notice and made Sunset her student it was too late."

"You're not lying," Spitfire was flabbergasted. "You're aren't... lying about anything... You're really going to raise the foal, together..."

"A filly," Celestia walks over and hugs her daughter. "Spitfire I know I made a mistake staying out of your life when I thought I was protecting you and you little sisters’ lives, but I won't make that mistake again, never again. I would like it if you would be here more and get to know your baby sister."

Spitfire let out a sigh. "I'll be busy with my military career most of the time, but I will make time for her, but for her sake, not yours. That doesn't mean we're going to be on good terms either, mother."

"I understand Spitfire," Celestia leans down and nuzzles a bit. "But just know I am so sorry, and I did love your father."

"Speaking of fathers," the youth looks at Levi. "I get the feeling you're not exactly what you seem. Especially given how you speak and look."

"Very astute little one," Levi nods. "I am in fact a little over twice the age of the oldest ponies in the main hall. When I said I am old friends with your mother it isn't an exaggeration. I have been friends with her since before even your father was born."

"So, you're not just some one-night stand and gone the next day at all. You've been with my mother before," Spitfire stands up and walks over, "Are there any other siblings I don't know about out there?"

"From your mother and I," Levi tilts his head. "No," he shakes his head. "Yes, we have been together before but never has it resulted in a foal. I always believed that I couldn't have foals, so I gave up on the idea long ago and my wife and I adopted, and before you say anything my wife is dead, has been for almost a hundred years now," He stands up. "I look forward to speaking with you more," he turns to Celestia, "We should go. Spike needs his bottle." he turns back to Spitfire. "Come meet your foster brother, he's a dragon. We can have tea and cookies while we speak a bit more."

"Um... okay, but I'm not gonna call you dad," Spitfire retorts.

"I don't want you little one," Levi says. "I met your father a few times he was a good stallion and I have no intentions of replacing him, ever."

They all walked on onto the night

Author's Note

About twice as long as the regulars chapter posts but I got a bit carried away and stuff. A shout out to KittyrinnAiko for their concept of the Sun siblings. I hope you guise enjoy this, it took me a bit to piece it together . I really am trying to make this a good story. If you have any ideas you may like to see placed into this story feel free to message me.

Ghost Alvasa out!_!

PEACE