Chapters "HELP!" Giovanni the gryphon shouted as he flew away from the young black unicorn that was in hot pursuit. This unicorn was frightening by the fact that he was dashing in the sky using his magic to make shields that served as footholds. The Gryphon was flying at top speed but it was no match for the pony was slowly catching up. The unicorn's horn glowed brighter as a black chain flew form the tip and zeroed in on the terrified gryphon. There was a scream of dismay as the chain bound it's victim into a helpless stance and the unicorn lowered the two to the ground.
"Let! Me! Go!" Giovanni shouted recieving a quick buck to the beak.
"Shut up. If you know who I am then you must know how much I despise gryphons." The unicorn spat levitating his prey beside him as they started heading for the nearest town.
"Come on Star, if you hate me that much then why don't you kill me on the spot?" Giovanni asked struggling against the chains that bound him.
"The only reason you're alive is because your bounty drops by half if you're turned in dead. Though it says nothing about roughing you up." Star grinned greedily.
"I'll make you a deal, if you let me go I'll show you where I attacked a couple. They might still be alive." The gryphon pleaded.
"You're a liar, thief, and murderer. Why would I believe you?"
"Even Discord will tell the truth to get out of a fix." Geovanni grinned. But his bartering tactics having failed to tempt the unicorn had sealed his fate.
"Star Guardian, you are the best rookie bounty hunter in all of equestria." The unicorn patted himself on the back as he walked toward his forest home. The capture of Giovanni had netted him a pretty 20,000 bits to add to his already large savings. Though what Giovanni said still nagged at the back of his mind.
Meh, he was just trying to escape, but I'll look anyway.
He scoured the whole forest and found nothing until he neared his house. There, lying on the ground were both a mare and stallion. From just a glance anypony could tell what had happened. "Gryphon attack." Star mouthed in shock. He ran over to the stallion but felt no pulse. He was startled by the mare who had shifted her position slightly. Upon closer examination she was still alive but was fading fast. She lifted her hoof revealing a tiny yellow foal. The baby gazed upon Star with big bright eyes before grabbing his hoof and laughing.
"Maple." The mother choked out as the last of the light in her eyes was replaced by clouds. Star looked at the foal with pitiful eyes, knowing exactly how it felt to be utterly alone in the world. He gazed at the autum leaves that were still on the trees and began to ponder.
"Maple Leaf. That's a pretty name." He finally said scooping up the foal, and continuing the trek to his house. Once home he pulled out his map of equestria and tapped his hoof on a small town. "What do you think about moving to ponyville? I've heard it's peaceful this time of year." He asked Maple who began laughing again. "Then it's settled! We're moving to Ponyville!"
"Daddy? You're still comming to family apprreciation day right?" The bright eyed filly with twin pigtails asked.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Star grinned happily, getting a squeal of happyness from Maple.
Several years had passed since they'd moved to Ponyville, Star had stayed home with Maple until she was old enough to go to school and even then he got a job only to kill time until she got out.
"Seeing as today's the last day of school let's have family appreciation day outside." Cheerilee said as she lead her students to where the black unicorn was waiting. "Mr. Star, would you please tell us about yourself?"
"It's just Star, and sure. I work for the Ponyville construction agency, we're responsible for building new houses, stores, and other structures. Like the Ponyville clock tower."
"Psh, boring! And you don't even look like a construction worker." Scootaloo interruped. "Besides you don't even have a construction cutie mark."
Star gazed at the shield with the double cresent moons on his flank and sighed. "You're looking for my cutie mark story, right?" He asked the orange filly who rolled her eyes. "I came from a small village where powerful unicorns were said to hail from. That village had been putting its members into the royal guard for centuries, one day we held a tournament to see who would get a scholarship into the royal academy and I won. That's when my cutie mark appeared, but a few days later a gryphon raid burned down the whole village and wiped out everypony that was living there. They didn't know I was alive and you can't give a scholarship to a dead pony so I didn't get to go."
"Yeah right. I'd sooner believe that Discord was a fairy princess." Diamond Tiara said getting a glare from Cheerilee but a chorus of laughter from the other students.
"That was a very interesting story." A purple unicorn said as she walked over to Star.
"Twilight? What are you doing here so soon?" Cheerilee asked.
"You said that you were letting the children out early and you wanted to grab some lunch with me." A puzzled Twilight replied.
"Yes, we were. Star is there anything else you would like to add?" Cheerilee said not wanting to make Twilight wait.
"Have we met before? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." Twilight said to Star.
"I'd say so, you were Maple's tutor. I greatly appreciated the help you were able to provide." Star replied with a nod of the head.
Twilight's eyes went wide when she realized where she'd seen the pony, "Star Guardian? The famous rookie bounty hunter? Celestia was going give you a medal for the capture of the fifth most dangerous outlaw in equestria!"
The fillies who had lost interest had suddenly perked up due to this new information. Star facehoofed the moment Twilight's words escaped her lips, and even she seemed to had known what she had done. Since this info had come from Ponyville's famed egghead it had to be true.
"A real life bounty hunter? That is so awesome!" Scootaloo said as she ran over to the unicorn, "Please show me your awesome moves!"
"I regret to announce that I have no 'moves'. I could show you how to lift a steel beam using magic though." Star desperately tried to change the subject, though nopony was buying it.
"One little demonstration wouldn't hurt anypony right?" Twilight pleaded wanting to see this unicorn in action.
"No. I gave that up a long time ago. And nopony will convince me otherwise." Star rejected them.
"Okay," The purple earth pony said like scolding her students "have a funny summer!" Nopony had a chance to leave the scoolgrounds though as an angry griffon screeched above them. All of their eyes went wide as they traced the noise to it's source, the very happy griffon looming overhead.
"Everypony! Hit the deck!" Star commanded as the Griffon dived straight for them. All of the ponies did as they were told allowing Star to put a barrier over all of them. But oddly enough the Gryphon gently landed on the shield and eyed Star hungrily.
"Star, just how stupid do you think I am?" A familiar voice said through the dome. Star's eyes were the size of dinner plates as he came face to face with equestria's fifth most dangerous outlaw, Giovanni.
"I'll fight you, but only if you agree to my conditions." Star began to barter.
"No, I've still got a score to settle from last time." Giovanni grinned as his powerful beak punched a hole in the barrier.
This turn of events was enough to scare all of the fillies into running for their lives most ran into the school but the cutie mark crusaders followed Maple in climbing the nearby tree. Star and Twilight stood their ground as Cheerilee ran into the building to console her students.
"Still gonna deny being a bounty hunter?" Twight asked as she stood at the ready to duke it out.
"Only if I die here." He smirked as the gryphon prepared to strike.
"The princess's personal student? What a big bonus I'm going to recieve." Giovanni said hungrily.
The gryphon was much faster than last time, in the blink of an eye Twilight was sent sailing through the air like a pegasus and Star's back was to the tree. Star smirked as a pair of black chains erupted from the ground and attempted to bind Giovanni, but he was too fast. The gryphon was up in the air before the chains got near him. With an ear piercing screech he dived towards the ground pinning Star in the process. This was too much for Maple's eyes, she knew that she had to do something but what? An idea popped into her head, not a bright one but it was her only shot. She jumped out of the tree and onto the gryphon's back. She took in a deap breath and before Giovanni had time to react she'd burried her face deep in his feathers clinging onto them as tightly as she could with her teeth, she then proceeded to flail helplessly on his back. The gryphon was in pain but proceeded to finish with this target before moving to the one on his back. "Come on crusaders, do you wanna live forever?" Scootaloo asked loudly as she followed Maple's example, causing Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to join in the fray. The pain was unbearable as the gryphon's focus momentarily changed to the four fillies flailing around on his back. Star used this window of opportunity to launch a chain right into the gryphon's jaw knocking him off balance before rescuing the filies on his back. A blast of violet light crashing into his legs was enough to finish the job as Giovanni crashed into the ground before being chained up by Star.
"You mentioned getting paid to kill us. Who is your employer?" Star barked.
"Kill me." Giovanni moaned. "I failed, I'm a dead gryphon anyways."
"But." Twilight started to object as Star put his glowing horn to Giovanni's throat.
"Any last requests?" Star whispered quietly enough that only the two of them could hear.
"Yeah, take down the organization that hired me, the Shadow Alliance." Giovanni's breathing began to slow.
"How will I find them?"
"Just follow the blue sphere." Giovanni said with his dying breath. His body lie there for a moment when a blue sphere left his mouth and darted off towards the notheast.
"Did you kill him?" Twilight asked getting a quick nod in reply.
"How could you kill him?"
"Euthanisation spell. It was the cleanest and most painless way to go." He snapped at her. "Look I'm going to need a sitter for Maple. Can I trust you with the job?"
"Why?" Maple asked with teary eyes. "Don't you love me any more?"
"I love you very much, but I'm going where it's dangerous and I don't want to see my precious little girl get hurt." He replied pulling her into a hug.
"I'm going too." Twilight interrupted completely ruining the moment. "They came after me too, and I want some answers."
"You realize it'll only be the two of us right?" Star asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"If that's what it takes to get answers, then yes." Twilight adamantly replied.
"I'll watch over Maple." Cheerilee sighed having heard the whole discussion from the schoolhouse.
"I'll behave." Maple pouted thinking that it was going to be one boring summer at Cheerilee's house.
The two ponies walked in the direction the sphere had gone as they set off on their adventure.
The Difficulties of Living
Night was falling fast as Twilight and Star were walking through a forest trying to figure out where the hay they were.
"We should set up camp." Star said as he snapped off several tree branches and began a small fire.
"I agree, if we were exhausted we wouldn't be able to protect ourselves." Twilight said curling up beside the warm fire. The forest was deadly silent except for the crackling of the fire creating an atmosphere of unrest. The two unicorns jumped into a defensive stance as some bushes near them started rustling.
"Hello!" Maple said walking out of the brush. She looked nervously at the two unicorns who appeared ready to kill her.
"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to be left behind." She began to cry. Star relaxed as he walked over to his filly and pulled her into a hug.
"Shh. It's okay, daddy's here." He whispered as Maple burried her face into his chest and continued to cry.
Twilight stared dumfounded at the two, who would've guessed that as powerful a pony had such a weak spot. Feeling very left out the purple mare walked over and started stroking the filly's mane until she'd cried herself to sleep. Star gently levitated the sleeping pony over to the fire as Twilight followed her.
"I'll take the first watch." He said turning his back to the two.
"You were so cute back there." Twilight said causing Star's face to turn as red as Apple Bloom's hair.
"I-I'm her father aren't I?" He stuttered trying to regain his composure.
"What I don't understand is why wouldn't you leave such a cute filly in her mother's capable hooves while you left?" Twilight asked. Divorces in equestria, though rare, weren't completely unheard of.
"She doesn't have one. I'm all the family that she'd known." Star replied sadly, confusing Twilight.
"Maple's not related to me by blood, I adopted her. I found her parents almost dead near my house, it was obvious that a gryphon attack was the cause. The only thing I found out about her was her name before they died. I know how it feels to have your family taken away from you, so I adopted her. She doesn't know yet and she think's I'm her real father."
Twililght teared up a bit at the story, feeling sorry for the blissfully sleeping pony.
"That's not the worst part, the gryphon that attacked us earlier was the one who killed her parents."
"So that's why you killed him." Twilight said curling into a sad little ball.
"You should get some sleep, your shift will be here before you realize it." Star warned. Twilight agreed as she gently dozed off.
The first rays of sunlight hit Twilight's eyes causing her to stir. She didn't want to wake up but there was something off, there was a soft warm ball of fur snuggling into her tummy. She gently cracked one eye which was met with a vision of golden hair. She carefully sat up, making sure not to wake the still sleeping filly.
"You're finally awake."A very fatigued Star said with a yawn.
"You've been up all night? Why didn't you wake me?" The fully rested unicorn inquired in a loud whisper.
"You two were so adorable. It was like I was looking at a mother and her foal, I simply couldn't bring myself to ruin the moment." Star bashfully admitted. It was Twilight's turn to become the red faced pony as she turned away from him.
"Well it's your turn to sleep, just don't take too long." Twilight said getting a much needed thanks from her companion as he took her place next to the foal.
In all truth Twilight had never considered herself motherly, that was Fluttershy's and Pinkie's job. Twilight had never wanted to become a mother, the 11 months of pregnancy followed by all the screaming and crying for the next few years just wasn't all that appealing to her. Her eyes wandered to sleeping family behind her and she began to consider that maybe one of these days having a foal of her own might not be that bad.
"Wake up! Wake up!" Maple shouted as she bounced on her father, as he lay unmoving on the ground. "Daddy?" There was a hint of worry in Maple's voice as she stopped bouncing and gently nuzzled her father.
Maple screamed like a victim in a horror movie as Star scooped her up and began to tickle her.
Twilight had been watching the entire thing for five minutes laughing as she remembered her father pulling the same trick when she was that age.
"Let's get going." Star grinned as he put a still giggling Maple on his back as they continued their trek.
"I'm hungy." Maple said after about an hour of walking, seeing that they'd expected to be roughing it they completely forgot to bring any food. The group kept an eye out for any friuit bearing plants and after another five minutes they stummbled across a blueberry bush. There were only enough for two ponies so Star put Maple down and stepped back.
A perfect gentlepony, Rarity would love to meet you. Twilight thought to herself, as she and Maple were eating the berries. The two walked back to Star who was about to put Maple on his back again when she playfully ran behind Twilight.
"We're not going on ahead until you eat too." Twilight said levitating a leaf with some blueberries on it off her back. After the ponies gave him a look of assurance he began to eat. It wasn't much but it made him feel a lot better.
"We better keep an eye out for these." Twilight said as Star finished eating. He looked up from his food and saw that Twilight had Maple on her back as she led the way. They kept going the rest of the day stopping only for food and restroom breaks. They stopped at a lake in the middle of a clearing, it was the first body of water they'd seen all day and they all dashed at it as they started gulping down as much water at they could.
"That was refreshing."Twilight sighed after she had her fill.
"So full. Can't budge." Maple said flopping on her back causing the adult ponies to giggle.
"What's on your mind?" Twilight asked noticing that Star was focusing on the lake.
Snapping back to realiy, "I was going to see if I could warm this up and make a bath for you two." Twilight looked at her reflection then looked around, they all needed a good cleanning but this lake was freezing cold and she didn't want hypothermia. Star's horn glowed for a minute before the lake started radiating steam. Twilight was dumbfounded, she didn't know of any spell that could do this.
"How did you do that?" Twilight absentmindedly asked.
"A little trick from my bounty hunting days. You just superheat one small section of the water with a fire spell and it heats up the water around it." He blushed as he turned around to go get some firewood.
"Where are you going?" Twilight asked levitating a decent sized glob of lakewater.
"Firewood?"
"Not without a bath you aren't!" She playfully shouted as she launched the water at the black unicorn, completely soaking him. Star turned around with an angry expression on his face, causing Twilight to regret her actions.
Maple's eyes went wide as she knew what was comming from her experiences at home, wanting to avoid the crossfire she quickly jumped into the lake.
"You soaked me?" A seemingly delusional unicorn asked her, "What makes you think you can soak me and get away with it?" He shouted as he charged at her. Twilight flinched totally forgetting to put up a barrier as he closed the distance. With one fluid motion he had the mare on his back and they landed in the lake. Maple laughed as she splashed them with water, getting involved with the massive water fight. After a good hour of fun they fianlly setlled down enough to where they could actually wash the dirt and grime out of their fur.
Twilight was in the middle of helping maple get some dirt off of her back when she noticed Star staring at her from the lakeside causing her to blush a bit.
"I'm going to get the fire started!" He shouted before turning around and walking off.
After finally getting the dirt out Maple spoke up, "Do you like my daddy?"
This question was totally out of the blue but Twilight could only stutter as nonsensical words left her mouth until a real one accidentally escaped, "Yes."
"Yay! I like him too!" Maple cheered giving Twilight a big hug.
Twilight released a sigh of relief that the conversaition had not headed where she thought it was going to go. They went back to dry land where Star was already drying himself by the fire.
"That was fun." Star said noticing the girls.
"I've never had a water fight before." Twilight admitted joining him by the fire.
"Then you can come have one with me whenever you want." Maple sleepily said, the day's events finally taking their toll on her energy.
"I'll keep that in mind." Twilight said as Maple snuggled into her side again.
"Goodnight . . . daddy." Maple yawned.
"Good . . . night . . . mommy." she finished as she failed to stay awake any longer. Twilight was in shock at what the filly had just said, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.
"Aww, that's just adorable." Star said with a gentle smile, however Twilight's reaction was quite the opposite.
"Your daughter thinks I'm her mother! How is that not reason to panic?!" Twilight asked in a hushed whisper.
"It's partially my fault, because I asked you to tutor her. You spent so much time tutoring her I guess she sees you as a member of the family, or in this case her mother." Star said sadly knowing this was all his fault. "I'll sort everything out with her when she wakes up."
"Don't." Twilight insisted. "At least not yet, it would crush her." She blushed at what she said.
Star's eyes became the size of marbles as he began to stutter. It took her a moment to realize that he wasn't looking at her, but at something behind her. She craned her neck so she could see behind her, she gasped at what she saw. The largest, meanest, hungriest hydra they'd ever seen was comming right at them.
The two unicorns were caught completely off guard by the hydra as it got nearer and nearer. With some quick thinking from Twilight, the ponies were teleported out of harms way as a massive foot crushed only their fire. All four heads zeroed in on the ponies and one opened its giant maw. Star jumped in front of Twilight and Maple as a powerful blast of water escaped it. Star had put up a shield but the forceful stream of water was quickly eroding it away.
"Take Maple and run." Star commanded as he put up another shield. Twilight's eyes showed signs of hesitation but she did as she was told. Maple was on Twi's back and they ran into the forest. Now to focus on the problem at hoof, Star thought barely avoiding the blast that had broken through his shield, and buy them as much time as I can.
Twilight was dashing through the forest as quickly as she could trying to get away from the monster that Star was distracting. A bright flash of blue came from behind her followed by a pained roar. She felt her heart skip a beat as she came to a stop.
"What's going on?" Maple asked as she started to wake up.
"I'm going back, I can't let him fight alone." Twilight replied as she did a 180 and dashed back towards the hydra.
Star was thanking whatever had shot that blue arrow, for it had saved his life.
"You okay down there?" An unfamiliar voice asked him from behind.
The hydra had been temporarily dazed by the flash of light but had finally regained its senses which it expressed with a royally ticked off roar. A red maned blue unicorn jumped out of a tree revealing herself to Star.
"What can you do?" She asked Star.
"Shields and restraining magic." He replied not letting the hydra's heads out of his sight.
"Can you give me a clear shot to one of their heads?" Star replied with a nod as he shot a chain which smashed into one of their heads causing them great pain. The middle head opened its mouth again as he attacked with the continuous spray of water. Star had put up his shield again but was quickly becoming fatigued from all of the magic he had expended. Several bursts of violet light blasted each head once each causing them to once again cease their assault.
"I've come to help." A worried Twilight said dashing over to see if Star was alright. He was out of breath but otherwise unscathed.
"Can you get a clear shot in the mouth?" Star asked the blue unicorn.
"Sure, just present me with the target." She said pointing to the bow on her flank.
They had no more time to talk, as one of the heads decided to try to snap them up. They all jumped out of the way in time, not noticing that the rest of the heads had decided to blast them to kingdom come.
"Watch out!" Star shouted knocking Twilight and Maple to the ground as the blue pony let out a yelp. All three blasts that were aimed at Twilight forcefully blasted Star into a tree behind them. The blue unicorn didn't let this opportunity go to waste as she launched three arrows simultaneously, watching them all burst into flames once they impacted their target effictively burning the inside of their mouths. Everypony was startled, even the hydra, but Twilight poured all of her strength into a magical shockwave that knocked the hydra off his feet. The hydra fell to the ground with a thud that shook the entire forrest, and thus the hydra was now safely immobilized. Twilight payed this no attention as she ran over to help her injured friend.
"Are you okay?" She asked Star who hadn't moved an inch. Upon closer inspection Star wasn't as damaged as he first appeared. The powerful spray of water had removed a patch of fur the size of a watermellon and it was aparrent that he'd broken a leg due to the collision with the tree, but that was the extent of the damage.
"Daddy? Please wake up." A teary eyed Maple begged her father who continued to lay unmoving on the ground.
"Don't worry Maple. Daddy's just sleeping. He'll wake up in a few hours." Twilight said trying to comfort the filly.
"You promise?" Maple's voice had gotten quieter as she stared up at Twilight with big watery tear filled eyes. She nodded gently pulling the scared filly into a much needed hug.
"That was awesome, is he still alive?" The unicorn asked walking over, causing Twilight to stare daggers at her and hug the worried filly even tighter.
"He'll be awake in a few hours. But he broke his leg." Twilight said with a sigh of relief, as Star let out a tiny groan.
There was a pause before the unicorn spoke again, "Well that was awesome, Taking a direct hit from equestria's third most wanted criminal and living to tell the tale. That takes some skill. My name's Erza by the way." Twlight barely listened to what Erza said because she was too busy using a healing spell in a feeble attempt to fix Star's front leg.
"You guys look like you could use some muscle. At least until you can get back on your feet. Want some help?" She offered.
"Thanks, we need all the help we can get." Twilight smiled happy that they were lucky enough to meet a kind and powerful pony in their hour of need.
Twiilight levitated the unconsious stallion onto their back as they began to look for a new place to camp. However both Maple and Twillight failed to notice the fact that a member of their party had been straggling behind.
There was a blue flash as the hydra ceased all movements and a light blue sphere escaped their mouths before flowing into their new home, a blue unicorn with a fiery red mane.
Star watched in horror as he was too late and the forceful spray of water blasted Twilight and Maple to dust. A crushing depression enveloped the stallion as he stood over their remains.
A flame burned deep in his eyes as a single thought overcame his mind, revenge. With no concern for his own safety he charged at the massive monster. It responded in kind by attempting to devour the unicorn, though failing to do so as he jumped out of the way. His horn glowed fiercely as black chains eruped from the ground and started to strangle the hydra. The chains spread until all of the heads were suffering from asphyxiation. A look of helplessness was the last thing Star saw as their eyes clouded up. Even though the monster that had murdered his companions was dead he still didn't feel any better. He started tearing up as he stood over their ashes, pondering what exactly he was feeling. He was crushed that they were both dead, Maple's death left him heartbroken because she was his little girl and he'd loved her with all of his heart. Twilight's death oddly enough left him just as heartbroken is Maple's. It was inexplicable, he'd met her only yesterday and now her death was crushing him from the inside out.
"I miss you both." He said as a few tears fell into the pile of ashes.
"You wanna join them?" Erza said grinning evilly, her horn glowing brightly. Not waiting for a reply he watched as she fired an arrow which inched closer to his face until. . .
"Stop!" Star shouted gasping for air.
"Daddy!" Maple cheered giving him an enthusiastic tackle. "Don't do that again!"
"You really had us worried." Twilight added with a gentle smile on her face.
Twilight's stomach was filled to the brim with butterflies as Star had pulled her and Maple into a much needed hug.
"I'm so happy you're both okay." He choked out in happiness.
"You had a nightmare didn't you?" Twilight said swallowing her courage as she began to stroke the stallion's mane. Star gave a weak nod as he immediately felt better from their company.
"He's awake, let's eat!" Erza shouted bringing them back to reality. Star's dream flashed back to him as he spotted the blue unicorn.
"So what's your name?" Star asked cautiously.
"Erza. Now for the last time, lets eat!" She shouted burrying her face into an apple.
Twilight and Maple brought Star some food, and the three ate together.
"What happened to the hydra?" Star asked.
"For some reason my arrows burst into fireballs when they hit the hydra, then your fillyfriend there knocked it off its feet, and we ran away." Erza said tossing aside an apple core. Twilight and Star blushed furiously at Erza's words as they glued their eyes to the ground.
"I'm not his fillyfriend." Twilight hesitantly explained, her eyes still glued to the ground.
"Good. A unicorn as beatuiful and powerful as you could do so much better." Erza grinned.
This hurt Star for a reason he couldn't explain, not that he needed to say anything. Maple already had that covered.
"Mommy? Why's the blue lady being mean to daddy?" Maple inquired of Twilight. The ponies faces were so red at this point that steam was practically comming out of their ears.
"Maple, don't pay attention to the blue unicorn." Star and Twilight said in unison causing Erza to break out laughing.
"I see, you two are on a second honeymoon." Erza choked out, "Though most parents tend to leave the foal at home."
"We're not married!" They snapped in unison at Erza causing her laughter to cease.
"Come on, I was just teasing. Two unicorns having an earth pony child, how stupid do you think I am?" Erza said lying down by the fire.
"How is your leg feeling?" Twilight asked. Star hadn't noticed until this point that his leg was stiff and it hurt to put pressure on it but it was no longer broken.
"Its a little stiff, but I think I can walk." He replied stretching his leg in an attempt to dispose of the stiffness.
"I'm glad that you're feeling better." She responded with a shy smile.
"Yo loverboy! You better thank her! She spent the last hour healing you non-stop." Erza shouted causing Twilight to blush.
"You really did that for me?" Star asked.
"Sure did! Mommy and I stayed by your side until you woke up." Maple cheered bouncing around her father. "Did I do good?"
"Yeah you both did good." He replied ruffling her mane. "And here's my thanks." Star whispered into Twilight's ear before gently kissing her on the cheek.
"We've got an early morning coming soon, and I'm getting some sleep." Erza said curling up beside the fire.
"I'll take the first watch." A very flustered Twilight said as she stood up. "And I hope you have plesent dreams." she whispered into Star's ear before taking her post.
It was morning when Star slowly emerged from his slumber to the relaxing scent of, lavender? I must still be dreaming. Star thought as he noticed a large ball of fur snuggled up against him. He carefully cracked an eye which slid along the ground until stopping at the purple pony who was sleeping next to him.
"Twilight?" He asked gently nuzzling her.
"Five more minutes Spike." She mumbled snuggling deeper into his fur.
"Spike? Who's spike?" Star asked.
"You're my number one assistant, silly." She yawned as she sat up. She opened her eyes to see not a baby dragon but a full grown stallion. Twilight let loose a victim scream as she tumbled over backwards, waking everyone else up in the process.
Erza immediately snapped awake and shot an arrow that shaved an inch off of Star's mane. Maple on the other hoof looked around sleepily, not even fully comprehending what was going on, before plopping herself onto a comfortable patch of grass right next to her father.
"Don't scare me like that!" Erza shouted as she bopped Star on the head.
"Twilight? What was that about?" Star asked as he nursed the large bump on top of his head.
"Sorry. I was expecting somepony else." She nervously said with a shy giggle.
"Yes, some Spike character if I do recall." Star grumbled as he curled up into a ball around Maple who promptly snuggled into his stomach.
"Spike is a nice and respectable dragon. And I won't have you using that tone when talking about him." Twilight snapped at him causing him to flinch.
"I just bet you're dieing to go home and tell Spike all about this adventure." Star said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I can't believe you! Getting jealous of a baby dragon!" Twilight said turning her back on him.
"I can't believe you're . . . wait a sec, a baby dragon? You mean he's not a stallion?" Star said confused.
"Yes. He's my precious family and . . . you thought he was my coltfriend didn't you?" Twilight pieced together before facehooving herself. "I never mentioned him before?"
"Nope, we've been too busy taking care of Maple and fighting monsters." Star replied feeling incredibly stupid.
"You guys are hillarious." Erza began laughing again, "You should take your stories to the theater, boy would you be rich."
"Ignoring her," Twilight rolled her eyes, "I never told you I had a baby dragon at home?"
"Nope, I guess that's another thing we have in common, our children are adopted." Star said with a chuckle as he looked down at his precious little girl.
"I'm sorry I screamed. I just don't know what came over me." Twilight said with a pout that just made her too adorable to stay angry at.
"I can't stay mad at you." He said resting his head on her hoof, for in that moment they were in their own little world.
"Guys, hello? Is there any brain function in there?" Erza asked as she waved her hoof in front of their faces. "Come on!" This returned them to reality, albiet a little angry at their comrade.
"Fine, you're so smart, where exactly are we going?" Star inquired with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"We're going to Smokey Mountain where the Shadow Alliance's headquarters is, duh!" She exclaimed.
"We never told you where we were going, or why." Twilight's eyes narrowed as she turned on Erza.
"It's the only reason anypony would traverse this Celestia forsaken forest. Beside's we've already taken down one of them." She explained to the ponies. Star and Twilight each cocked an eyebrow as they awaited a better explaination. "The hydra, he was on their list of elites. And look, the hydra would've just ignored you if you weren't on their hit list.
"And how do you know so much?" Star asked skeptically.
"The organization picked a fight with equestria and my parents died before the princess could intervene. They left me all of their knowledge about the organization, I've been using it ever since." A disheartened Erza sadly replied.
"I'm sorry, but you're right about what's happened to us so far. We're on their list and they're out to get us." Twilight apologized.
"Still, we should get going. If we hurry we could make it there before nightfall." Erza said quickly turning away.
"That's one thing we agree on." Star said slowly getting up.
"I'll take care of Maple until your leg is completely healed. Twilight said as she gently placed the sleeping filly on her back.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Star said gentling nuzzling Twilight who gladly returned the favor. She thought she now knew why this unicorn made her feel like she did, and if so what would her parents think?
"Why are we stopping?" Erza asked obviously annoyed. The group was taking their third break and had barely made any progress.
"I can only walk so far on an injured leg." Star glared at her.
"Ignore her, just take as much time as you need." Twilight said as Maple wandered over and gently kissed Star's injured leg.
"Does it feel better?" Maple asked her father with an innocent gleam in her eyes.
"Yeah, my leg feels much better." He replied with a smile.
"Fine, I'm going to scout ahead. Just lay about until I get back, you lazy bums." Erza snapped at them as she walked on ahead.
"At least we can see the mountain." Star muttered pointing at the colossal structure in the distance.
"Can I talk to you about something?" Twilight asked taking on a serious tone. Star looked a little shocked by her tone but nodded. "It's about this morning."
"If it's about Spike, I'm sorry I got jealous." Star appologized as Twilight sat down next to him.
"No, it's about w-when we woke u-up." Twilight stuttered as the blood rushed to her cheeks.
"It's okay." Maple said as she squirmed her way into a spot inbetween the two ponies. "I sleep like that with Daddy all the time."
Twilight looked down at the filly who then looked up at Star.
"I don't mind somepony sleeping next to me if I really like them." Star replied with a shy little smile on his face.
"But I'm a mare and-"
A blushing Star cut her off, "Like I said if it's somepony I really like, then I don't mind."
"O-oh, okay." Twilight quietly replied as she gently leaned on Star, who was gently leaning back. The two ponies closed their eyes as they entered their own little world where it was just the two of them.
"Mommy? Daddy?" A frightened Maple nudged them as she saw the massive beast approaching them. Fortunately, Maple had snapped them out of their little trance and they heard her scream, "Manticore!" Star instinctively put up a barrier that withstood the beast's first strike as Twilight took an offensive stance.
"Get behind me Maple." Star commanded as he put down the barrier. Twilight had prepared her attack and blasted the monster the moment the shield was down, causing him to sail through the air and land with a mighty crash. The beast's speed was impressive for he was evading every attack Twilight threw at him. The beast was about to slash at her with his mighty claws when a forcefield protected her at the very last minute. The manticore saw the opportunity and was almost instantly behind Star as he attempted to attack Maple. His claw met Star's horn as the two cancelled each other out. Star flashed a mishevious grin as from his horn black chains encompassed both of them causing them to fall to the ground beside Maple who was already running for cover. A magical shield appeared horizantally in the air as Star shouted, "Now Twilight!" She used the shield as a springboard to get above the chained creatures before launching a volley of violet blasts at the manticore's head. They were all direct hits as Star released them from their bonds and rose to his hooves.
"Nopony attacks Maple and lives to tell about it." Star growled giving the unconsious creature a powerful buck to the head to make sure that he was out cold.
"That was our easiest fight yet." Twilight sighed as Maple ran over to her.
"Is the scary manticore dead?" Maple asked peeking at it from behind Twilight.
"Don't worry, the big bad manticore can't hurt you." Star said as a blue sphere left the manticore's mouth. Oddly enough the sphere didn't speed toward the mountain but away from it.
"Did we?" Twilight asked in shock.
"We did." Star agreed looking at the lifeless manticore. "Still, we don't have time to worry about that now. We need to get moving." Twilight nodded in agreement as the party of three continued on.
"Damn. Injured and they still manage to kill Morty." Erza silently cursed from the trees behind them as the blue sphere entered her body. "That only leaves me with draco." Pondering her options she quietly followed the ponies as they continued forward.
At this rate they might even take out Draco, and they're working better than ever. I've no choice but to intervene." She sighed as she released a blue arrow that sailed high into the sky, signaling her last warrior to battle.
The ponies barely had any time to rest from their last battle as a mighty roar came from the sky.
"Is that . . ." Twilight started, her eyes the size of dinner plates.
"A dragon?" Star finished, as the mighty beast landed in front of them.
The red scaled dragon looked big enough to devour all of sugarcube corner in a single bite, and right now it didn't look too happy to see the ponies. There was a flash of blue as Twilight and Maple passed out and landed haphazzardly on the ground. The dragon saw this and let loose a massive fireball that flew straight at them. Star felt a surge of power as he dashed in front of them and set up his shield. Much to Erza's surprise the shield held as the fireball blasted it at full force.
"You're not laying a claw on them." Star shouted defiantly as he determinedly stood between the dragon and his very special someponies. Draco repeatedly fired fireballs that Star's shield blocked but it was aparrent that he was quickly becomming fatigued. Draco let out a pleased grunt as he finally broke Star's shield. Star was gasping for breath as he collapsed on top of Twilight and Maple.
"This is your end!" Draco roared as he let loose the fireball that was to blow them all to the next world. Just before impact Star clung tightly to the unconsious ponies as he used the last of his strength to teleport them out of harm's way.
"Wake up." An exhausted Star futially tried to shake the sleeping ponies awake. He could hear somepony coming his way so he covered the exhausted ponies with fallen twigs and leaves before trying to run off.
"Hello." Erza cheerily greeted him. "Where are the others?"
"Cut the act. I know you're a traitor." Star said as he felt his knees grow weak.
"Then you also know why I'm here." She grinned as a pack of diamond dogs jumped out and grabbed him. "Put the limiter on him, we don't want him getting away." Star thrashed as much as he could before they put a jeweled ring on his horn.
You're no longer a threat to me now." Erza grinned as she commanded the dogs to lock him up in the castle.
"What did you do to Maple and Twilight?" Star growled.
"They're still alive. I used my knockout arrows, so they'll just sleep for a few hours. Had I killed them then you probably would've been a much larger threat to me. I needed you on the defensive so I could capture you, and siphon your powers. Now all I need to do is do the same to Twilight and I'll be strong enough to take down equestria single hoofedly." Erza grinned as she dismissed the group.
"Eeouch!" One of the diamond dogs hollered. "Stupid pony bit off one of my claws!"
"Suck it up! Or else I'll take even more of your precious gems!" Erza shouted as the dogs hurried Star off to the mountain.
Night had fallen when Twilight and Maple had woken up.
"Daddy? Daddy?" Maple called out desperately for her father who was tied up in the dungeons of Smokey Mountain. Twilight used her magic to illuminate the area and saw the signs of a struggle. Twilight's heart stopped as all of the possibilities of what could've happened filled her head.
"What happened to my daddy?" Maple asked though barely holding in tears.
"They got him, they got Star." Twilight said not wanting to believe it herself.
"You've gotta save him! Please save daddy!" Maple begged Twilight as tears started to flow down her face.
"Don't worry. We'll save him." Twilight comforted the filly before adding in something Maple couldn't hear, "I hope." Twilight scooped up the filly onto her back and dashed off towards the mountain at full speed.
"I need a break." Twilight gasped as she put the filly on the ground. The distance she'd covered really was amazing, at this distance the mountain was a monolith towering above them. Twilight knew it wouldn't be long now until they were there and they needed to be at full strength to rescue Star.
Maple had found some berries and brought them over to Twilight who was more than happy to have something to eat.
"Maple, can I ask you a question?" Twilight asked as she popped a berry into her mouth.
"Ask away Mommy." She cheerily replied.
"Why do you call me mommy?" Twilight asked curious to see how maple would respond.
At the question Maple's ears drooped as well as her tail. "If I'm bothering you I can call you Ms. Twilight if you want." She said in the saddest little voice that Twilight had ever heard.
"I don't mind, it's just I'm not your birth mother so I was wondering why you'd call me mommy." Twilight said not wanting to make the filly cry again.
"It's just that, I learned in school that your mother was somepony who was always there to help you with your problems, somepony that would always treat you with care, somepony that would always be behind you cheering you on. I know you were my tutor but I felt like you treated me like something more. You were always there when I needed you, like when daddy couldn't make it to sport's day you offered to come and watch in his place. To me it felt like I had a normal family, with both a mommy and a daddy. I love my daddy lots but there are sometimes I want a mommy too. I know I'm selfish but I just wanted a normal family. And the only pony that treated me like that was you. I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to be a bother." Maple started to tear up again, it was aparrent to Twilight that she'd kept this bottled up for a long time now.
"Come here." Twilight offered a hug to the filly who hesitated only a moment before burrying her face into the mare's purple coat, staining it with her tears. Maple was bawling like a newborn foal, which was understandable because she'd lost her father and almost lost the person that she'd considered her mother all in the same evening. It took a while but after a good cry Maple calmed down enough that she could talk again.
You feel better?" Maple weakly nodded with a few hiccups. "What if I were to become your mommy for real?"
"Wou-ould you rea-lly?" Maple hiccuped as she looked up at the pony who at this moment was all she had left in the world.
"You'll be my little pony, that is if your dad says okay." Twilight winked at the filly who's face immediately brightened. Twilight couldn't explain it but in a few days she'd fallen in love with not only Star, but it was like Maple was already her daughter.
"How touching." Erza smirked as she walked within their line of sight. There was something about Erza that put Twilight on her guard. "What's wrong? Don't trust me?"
"Where is Star?" Twilight demanded.
"He's in my dungeon waiting to have his powers sucked out of him." Erza grinned.
"Give him back." Twilight lowered her head as she prepared to charge but a group of diamond dogs jumped out and surrounded the two ponies.
"Or you could come and join him? That would be easier on everypony," Erza said as the diamond dogs inched closer.
Maple jumped on Twilight's back as the two charged towards freedom.
"Don't let them get away!" Erza commanded as Twilight's horn began to glow brightly. The two ponies almost made it but at the last second Maple was snatched off her back before Twilight telpported away.
"Maple!" Twilight shouted as her hooves were back on solid ground again. It was too late, she had no idea where to teleport to find Maple and it was freaking her out. After hopelessly calling out her name for several minutes Twilight turned to face the monolith that towered in front of her. She knew that Erza would use Maple as bait to lure her inside but that didn't matter. All that mattered to Twilight right now was, getting her foal back. The sun began to rise as Twilight made the final sprint to Smokey Mountain.
Draco roared fiercely as the lavender unicorn approached him, for he had been standing guard over the mountain.
I so don't have time for you right now. Twilight thought as she tried to run past the fierce dragon.
"No, you are my prey." Draco roared as he slammed his mighty tail in her path.
"Let me pass or you're going to regret it!" Twilight hissed as her horn began to glow fiercely. Draco grinned at the challenge and launched a fireball in response.
Twilight what have you gotten yourself into? She complained to herself knowing that all of her spells would have no effect on the dragon. She was dodging fireballs left and right as she racked her brain for a method of defeating the dragon. Remembering the latest Daring Do novel she decided to take a gamble.
"Yo scaly butt! Can't catch me!" Twilight shouted before running back into the forest. Draco roared in anger as he fell for the unicorn's taunt and followed her. Twilight stopped in an area full of trees and placed a huge magic barrier around them.
"Silly pony, you're supposed to put up a barrier that I can't get inside." Draco laughed as he shot another fireball at her. Twilight dodged just in time, she watched happily as the trees behind her caught on fire. Twilight snapped off a burning stick and attempted to set as many things on fire as she could while still dodging the dragon's attacks. It had become considerably warmer in the dome as the flames continued to dance, though not as fiercely for they were running out of oxygen.
"You're going to suffocate us? You'll be dead long before that." Draco roared launching a feeble fireball that no longer had the strength to burn. Twilight ran towards the edge of her dome and quickly teleported herself out of it.
"No," She gasped as her lungs recieved clean air," but do you know what happens when you add large amounts of oxygen to a dying fire?" Twilight opened a hole in the top of her shield and watched as the fireworks began.
Draco flapped his wings as he headed for the opening but the mighty downdraft sent him earthbound again. As the new source of fuel hit the dying flames they burned even hotter than before and a mighty explosion had engulfed the dragon. Twilight's shield had somehow been powerful enough to withstand the whole event, she looked happily at her work as a blue sphere darted away with the smoke at the top. She lowered the shield as the crumpled and crushed remains of the once powerful dragon lay at her hooves.
"Never mess with an egghead." She grinned as she dashed off towards the mountain.
"Idiots." Star grinned as the ropes binding him fell away and he spat the claw out of his mouth. He'd used the claw to pick away at the ropes and was now in the process of smashing the magic limiter. The ring crumbled away with a satisfying crunch, and Staw levitated the claw which he then used to pick the lock. Star's pulse quickened as there was a loud rumble from the outside followed by diamond dogs running for their lives.
"Hello misplaced aggression." Star evilly shouted as he followed the frightened dogs attacking them every chance he could.
Erza sat bored on her throne while levitating Maple in midair.
"They'll stop you! You can't beat us so easily." Maple defiantly shouted causing Erza to increase her grip which was already hurting the filly.
"I'm now the strongest creature in equestria, so together? They just might accomplish that, but with one of them locked up? They're doomed to failure." Erza smiled as Maple's body fell limp. "Passed out already? Oh well, at least you lasted longer this time."
Erza jumped when the blue sphere flowed into her. Somepony killed Draco? That can't be, he was my strongest ally. She was beginning to panic, but the purple unicorn across the room from her refused to give her that luxury.
"Put Maple down and I might spare your life." Twilight threatened.
The amount of bloodlust in the room was astonishing, Twilight was as angry as a mother bear who had her cub stolen from her. Erza had to calm herself for a moment before replying, "Why would I? I have your daughter." Erza figured that as long as Star was locked up she would be able to win this fight.
The air was full of screaming as frightened diamond dogs rained down from the balcony above.
"Monster pony! Run!" The leader of the diamond dogs shouted as they all scampered throught the exit behind Twilight.
"Sorry I'm late." Star grinned as he dashed into the room. He then took a good look at what was happening and his smile turned into a glare aimed at Erza. There was a massive adreneline rush as the sensation of anger surged through his body. Erza began to sweat as she sensed all of the bloodlust in the room being aimed right at her. She could tell that these ponies wanted nothing more than to rip her to shreads and not stop until after she was long dead.
"Don't move or Maple gets it!" Erza shouted in desperation. The odds of her winning and her confidence were now diminished, and she knew that she was in for one heck of a fight.
Star made the first move, he teleported right beside Erza and attempted to stab her with his horn. Being caught off guard she barely had time to dodge his initial attack but not Twilight's. Erza screamed as her horn was pummeled by Twilight's magic blasts, the pain was so immense that she couldn't keep a hold on Maple who dropped safely onto Star's back. The loss of her bartering chip had Erza shifting into defense as she ran for her life away from Twilight's barrage of attacks. Erza's horn began to glow as a red sphere of light began to form at her muzzle, with a quick jerk of the head the sphere of light was heading for Twilight. Star dashed in front of her and summoned a shield that blocked the attack in it's entirety, however it forced Twilight to cease attacking. Erza pointed her horn at the two as she braced herself. There was a massive blast of water that erupted from Erza's horn that nailed the shield right away that quickly dissapated forcing the ponies to move from their current position. The two unicorns didn't shrink back from this fierce attack, instead they rushed Erza forcing her to shoot arrows at them in defense. Erza was in disbelief as her arrows were easily dodged, even by Star who couldn't feel the excruciating pain in his leg due to the adreneline rush. Erza prepared another fireball forcing Twilight and Star to stop several feet away, knowing she had one shot at escaping alive Erza jumped into the air and launched the scarlet ball of flaming energy directly at the ground. The force of the explosion sent her skyward as she kicked off the wall trying to clear the ponies in a feeble attempt to escape. The exit was comming closer and closer but a powerful tug on her back legs sent her crashing into a wall. Spotting the black chains on her legs she quickly destroyed them with an arrow as she returned to her feet. Erza took a deep breath as she launched a blast of water at the two approaching ponies. Twilight put up a forcefield that protected her from the massive volumes of water. Star jumped off the forcefield as his horn glowed, Erza had predicted this as she launched a fireball at Star. Erza screamed as Twilight had used the opening to launch a powerful bust of magic that nailed its target. Star had used a the shield he was now standing on to protect him from the attack Erza's overprediction was to be her downfall as Star's chain wrapped around her aching body and lifted her high in the air.
"I-I can't move!" Erza exclaimed as her head was propped up and the chain around her neck was slowly squeezing the life out of her. Fear entered her mind as she realized that this was it. She was to be killed by two unicorns and not a mighty princess. "How? I'm the strongest creature in all of equestria, I can't lose!"
"You made one mistake. Nopony hurts Maple and lives to tell about it." The two unicorns said in perfect unison.
"Don't worry your death will be quick." Star promised as he gave the chain a violent shake. In that one motion there was a snap as Erza's neck broke in two. After gently lowering her to the ground the two ponies watched as her breathing slowly came to a halt. After making sure that she was dead, Twilight lead the way to the exit.
"Finally! I'm so glad that's over." Twilight cheered as the sunlight warmly shined on her face.
"I can't believe that Maple didn't wake up." Star laughed as he glanced at the filly on his back. "Twilight, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, ask away." Twilight replied with a slight twirl. Star had never noticed how pretty she was when the light shone on her just right, and it wasn't making what he was tring to say any easier.
"When we get back to Ponyville, would you like to grab some hay fries? O-Or something?"
Twilight giggled like a school filly seeing how flustered Star was, "Or something sounds nice, dinner maybe?" She replied teasing his nose with her tail.
Their breathing began to get heavier as the whole ordeal that they'd just gone through began to catch up with them. The enormous amount of energy that they'd just expended caught up with them all at once as an explosion of pain streaked up Star's leg.
"Star? What's wrong?" Twilight asked through deep breaths.
"It's nothing I'll be fi-" Star was barely able to get out before passing out on the ground.
"We're getting back to Ponyville." Twilight determinedly gasped. She'd run out of fuel herself and was going on sheer willpower as she tried to move the two unconsious ponies onto her back. After several failed attempts her body demanded rest as she collapsed on top of the black unicorn.
Twilight had to fight to wake up as her body demanded more sleep.
"You're finally awake! Yippee!" The pink pony cheered as she bounced around the room.
"Pinkie? I thought I changed the locks." Twilight yawned as she snuggled deeper into the bed.
"You're not home silly! You're in the hospital!" Pinkie gleefully shouted getting an angry hush from Nurse Redheart.
"Hospital?" The bleary eyed unicorn asked as she tried to look around the room. Once her vision cleared up she noticed that she was in fact inside the hospital.
"Twilight! It took you long enough. You sleep even more than me." Rainbow Dash smiled as she came in to relieve Pinkie of watch duty.
You had us worried there for a minute."
"What happened?" Twilight asked, her mind still in a haze. A familiar squeek from behind the dividing curtains piqued her interest. She pulled the curtains back to see a yellow filly looking helplessly at a black unicorn who was still asleep.
"We're a little fuzzy on the details ourself." Dashie nervously admitted.
"By that she means we have no idea!" Pinkie blurted out.
"Pinkie!" Rainbow hissed.
"What?" The oblivious party pony asked.
Rainbow sighed before looking at the yellow filly. "You two probably owe her your lives."
"Maple?" Twilight asked, getting the little filly to look up at her with her tiny eyes full of worry.
"She screamed herself hoarse until help arrived, if it weren't for her you two would probably still be laying outside that mountain." Rainbow genty smiled as she ruffled the pony's mane. Twilight scooted over and patted the side of her bed, Maple gladly accepted and jumped into the bed beside Twilight. Close up it was aparrent that the little filly had missed a lot of sleep and was exhausted.
"Awww." Pinkie sighed as Maple crawled under the covers and snuggled up to Twilight. She put her hooves around Twilight as the gift of sleep was immediately given to her.
"When did you become so motherly?" Dashie asked feeling that there was something that Twilight was withholding.
"I'll tell you later. How's Star?" Twilight asked trying to change the subject.
"Poor pony, he still hasn't woken up. But the doctors said that you'd wake up first, so he should be along any day now."
"I know what would wake him up! A party! And it could be a wake up sleepyhead and a welcome back to Ponyville party!" Pinkie cheered as she excitedly ran out of the building barely avoiding the white alicorn that had just entered.
"Twilight! I'm pleased to see that you are awake." Celestia said in her typical motherly tone.
"How long was I asleep?" Twilight asked her mentor.
Celestia paused to count the days before replying, "About three days. Now could you please fill me in on what exactly happened on your little adventure?"
Twilight began to retell the story and everything that she'd remembered, leaving just enough detail out so nopony could figure out her crush on Star.
"Wow. You took out a dragon using something from a Daring Do novel? That must have been so awesome!" Dash was estatic about Twilight's adventure, "I've gotta tell everypony about this!"
"Now hold on a minute," Celestia warned the rainbow maned pegasus, "I still think Twilight needs some more rest. And we don't want ponies barging in here and asking her questions when she supposed to be resting, right? Dash opened her mouth to protest but a stern look from the mighty alicorn stopped it in its tracks.
"Yes ma'am." Rainbow sighed in defeat.
"Good, now I must head back to Canterlot. I hope you feel better soon." Celestia excused herself.
"That leave me with only one question. Why did she refuse to leave your side?" Rainbow inquired pointing her hoof at Maple who was still sleeping soundly.
"I'll tell you later." Twilght yawned as she lay back down in bed and wrapped her hooves around Maple.
"We're not done talking! Don't make me sic Pinkie pie on you!" Rainbow threatened, but it was already too late. Twilight was off in dreamland.
Star's eyes flew open as a surge of pain shot through his leg. He looked around the dimly lit room where the only source of light was from a single moonbeam that shone in from the window. He gazed down at his aching leg and saw Maple giving it the biggest hug she could manage.
"Maple? Where are we?" Star asked the little filly.
"We are in the hospital." A purple unicorn said as she stepped into the moonlight. Star was awesruck at the sight. The silver moonlight fell on her silky lavender coat as those flawless amythests stared straight into his soul.
"Twilight? We made it out alive? But how?" Star whispered almost in shock.
"Our little Maple stayed by our side and kept calling for help until it arrived." Twilight said slowly walking towards the two ponies.
"You did a very good job Maple." Star praised her as he pulled the filly into a hug of his own. Twilight silently glided over and put her hooves around them, as the happy family was reunited once more. Maple had on a smile that would've make Pinkie proud as she looked up at her parents. That night the two unicorns made a silent vow to never let that smile disappear from the world, they crossed their hearts and hoped to fly, sick a cupcake in their eyes.
Several months later
"I look beautiful! Thank you so much Rarity!" Twilight beamed as she hugged the white unicorn.
"Well it is your wedding day, and you deserve the best." Rarity replied looking over the dress again for even the smallest of problems.
"I bet this was how Cadence felt. After the changeling invasion of course." Twilight sighed as she recalled her brother's wedding almost a year ago.
"This is a big decision Twily. Are you sure you're ready?" Shining Armor asked as he walked into the room.
"I've given it a lot of thought and yes I'm ready." Twililight said calmly before she started giggling like a school filly.
"There's something about that stallion that I don't trust." Shining said giving her a concerned look.
"I'll just let you two have a moment alone." Rarity excused herself when she saw how the situation was going.
"You doubt my choice in stallions, and on my wedding day no less?" Twilight sadly said turning away from her brother.
"It's not that! It's just I haven't gotten a good chance to meet the guy! So I know nothing about him, and I'm just trying to look after my little sister." Shining panicked as a yellow flowerfilly bounced into the room.
"Mommy? Did thid bad pony hurt your feelings?" Maple said peering at Twilight worriedly.
"Perfect!" Twilight said immediately cheering up, "Shining, meet the one pony who has known Star longer than I have! Maple, this is Uncle Armor."
"Uncle Armor? You mean she's your daughter?" The shocked unicorn asked before looking angrly at the door, "When I get my hooves on that little-"
"As of today at least." Twilight interrupted, halting Armor in his tracks.
"So you two never-?" Twilight shook her head allowing her brother to let out a sigh of relief.
"She's adopted, but Star loves her very much. And so do I." Twilight whispered into her brother's ear.
"Maple? Maple? Oh there you are." A canary yellow pegasus sighed as she came into the room, "Come on Maple, we don't want to be late for your mommy's big day."
"Ms. Fluttershy, you've known Star longer than I have, what's your opinion on him?" Shining armor asked.
"Star? Why, he's a perfect gentlepony who's always willing to go the extra mile. Also, he made plenty of time for Twilight and Maple. I believe that Twilight's truly lucky to have found such a wonderful stallion." Fluttershy said as she ushered Maple out the door.
"See! Even Fluttershy likes him." Twilight pointed at her as she walked out of the room. The white unicorn took a look at his sister before forcing himself to come to terms with what was happening.
"I'm sorry Twilight." Shinging Armor sighed, knowing that this wouldn't be easy. "All my life you've been my little sister, and now you're all grown up. I just want to make sure that you're not making a rash decision, and I see know that you're going to be just fine. A smart little bookworm like you knows when she's found the stallion of her dreams and she's not making a mistake. I believe you Twilight, and I want only the best for you. But above all else I trust your decision, and I want you to be happy.
Twilight was in shock, she was not expecting her brother to give in. "You really mean it?" Twiligh asked with joy filled eyes.
"Yes, he has my blessing. Which is kinda important since dad couldn't make it." Shining Armor said with a small grin.
"You're going to be walking me down the isle?" She squeeled in happiness and gave her brother a big hug as the bells began to ring.
"That's our cue." Twilight said as her brother escorted her out.
Almost everypony on Twilight's side of the room was looking in confusion at Star's side of the room. His section was blank and the only groom's stallions he had were an odd bunch. It had taken some coaxing but eventually Star had beside him Big Mac, Braeburn, Mr. Cake, and Dr. Whooves. Octavia's group began to play as Maple adorably skipped down the aisle spreading flower petals all the way, followed by Twilight with her brother at her side.
"Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today, To celebrate the union of Twilight Sparkle and Star Guardian." Mayor Mare began as she continued to recite Celestia's lines. "Marriage is a solemn institution to be held in honor by all, it is the cornerstone of the family and of the community. It requires of those who undertake it a complete and unreserved giving of one's self. It is not to be entered into lightly, as marriage is a sincere and mutual commitment to love one another. This commitment symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives and still enhances the individuality of each of you."
"Star Guardian, do you take this mare to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Star said looking at Twilight.
"Twilight Sparkle, do you take this stallion to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
Twilight met Star's gaze with a shy smile before clearly stating, "I do."
"May we have the rings please?" Mayor Mare asked of Spike who prouldy presented the rings.
The two unicorns gently placed the rings on each other's horns as Mayor Mare happily declared, "I now pronounce you mare and colt. You may now kiss the bride." The newlywed couple looked at each other before leaning in and no sooner had their lips touched than an explosion of cheers came from Twilight's friends.
"So, where are we going on our honeymoon?" Twilight flirted.
"I heard that the crystal empire to the north is nice this time of year." Star grinned.
"So to the crystal kingdom it is." She replied as they walked out of the wedding chapal together.