Work of the Heart

So when Mother, Patch and I enter Sugar Cube Corner, the lights are off. There appear to be eleven guests. I can’t tell exactly who they are, it being so dark in here, but one of them flips the switch in the back, turning the lights on.

SURPRISE!!! everyone shouts. With the lights on now, it is revealed that Twilight has her old friends with her, along with Starlight, Aita, Pinkie, Spike, and who is presumably Starlight’s father. The room is decorated with streamers, balloons, and favors near the ceiling, multiple buffet spreads, games strewn throughout and a piñata hanging at the center.

Everything happening all at once startles Patch slightly, but he quickly regains his composure. “Anyone wanna explain what this is?”

Twilight approaches the three of us. “It’s a party. Make yourself at home, Patch.”

“Uh thanks, but no thanks. I don’t attend parties.”

I walk over to him and put my hoof on his back. “I understand. And it appears to be because of my actions. I was so focused on giving my most loyal subjects power, I never stopped to consider what you were going through. And now that I realize how easily power can be gained when I share love, I thought I’d reconcile with you through a party courtesy of the one and only, one we could bond over like we were supposed to when you lived in the hive.”

Patch walks away from me and grabs a bat lying around and hits the piñata once.

“And you believe this is gonna cut it, huh? Why wouldn’t it? You know, after the many times you let me down as a kid? Sure, the disaster that cost Areola her life was out of your control, but what about the aftermath, huh? What about almost giving into your own injuries? Surely you’re aware of letting us go hungry by failing every venture into Equestria! Then you kidnapped Carina without even considering her livelihood! You never did that with Synth, Carve or Thorax!”

When Patch brings up Carina, Aita looks a bit sad. Patch continues however through tears of his own. “And don’t even get me started on that wedding! The fact you used a groom for cheap power made me finally realize you’ve damaged my development beyond repair! That my life in the hive was awful after Grandma retired because of ALL! YOUR! FAILURES!”

Patch lets out a scream and gallops into the kitchen, breaking down into tears from there. Everyone else is looking at each other, distraught over the scene playing out, especially Twilight and Aita after hearing Patch mention what I did with Carina as well as the wedding in Canterlot.

Starlight and Moondancer gesture me and Firelight respectively to come with them into the kitchen and check on Patch. He’s lying on his stomach with his face behind his hooves.

Moondancer is the first to approach him. “Patch…” He looks up. “I know how it feels to have your view on someone come crashing down around you. But my friend Twilight showed me just because she failed me doesn’t mean I close myself off to others.”

Firelight and Starlight come next, the former stroking Patch’s back. “I know you experienced quite a lot, Patch, but your mother has clearly learned a lot since you left. I myself have set aside everything my Starlight has done for that very reason.”

“There’ve been quite a few changes since the Canterlot incident. The very same queen Thorax and I confronted well over a year ago is now one of my best friends. And she has since come by our side several times over.”

Firelight moves out of the way for me to hug Patch. “I’ve faced criminals, my own grave in another timeline, a variety of circumstances. But seeing how my actions affected you, that was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had, so from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry, Patch.”

After several seconds, Patch finally returns the hug. “T-thank you, Mom. I had no idea how much I needed to hear that… and I’m sorry for the way I acted back at the trailer.”

“It’s okay now.” I stop and think. I sent Pharynx to Patch to deal with something, right? Why yes, I did. “Patch, you said you were looking for a place to stay, correct?” Patch nods. “Why don’t you live in the hive, that way we can maintain our newfound bond more easily. I understand if you’re still a little cautious.”

Patch and I let go when he tries to think. He looks at me, trying to decide what to do. “Wow… I was so focused on your past, I never stopped to look at you now. You really have changed. Was this from befriending these ponies?”

“Well, it was more from Twilight. She was a bit like how you were, in fact she was the last one I befriended.”

For the first time since we got here, my son finally smiles. “Alright, Mom. I think I’m ready, ready to live with you.”

“That’s splendid to hear, my son. And I think it’s something worth celebrating. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Absolutely.” Patch and I hug one more time. “Let’s finish this party.”

So, the two of us are the first to head back into the dining room, followed closely by Starlight, her father, and Moondancer.

Twilight and Aita are first to walk up to Patch. “I see you and Chrysalis finally made up. It might’ve stung for me to be reminded of the wedding or for Aita to be reminded of his mother, but I’m glad to see that it eventually led to you making amends.”

“Thanks, Twilight. But it couldn’t just take Mom to do that. It took everypony else who came to me. Starlight, Firelight and Moondancer helped show me just how much Mom had changed since I fled to Silver Shoals.” Patch walks past Twilight and Aita over to Mother and gives her a hug. “I know you’re going to miss me Grandma, but just know I’ll be perfectly fine living in the hive.”

“Will do, Patch.”

Patch lets go and jumps into the air with joy. “Now come on, everyone! Let’s party!”

Everyone cheers, Pinkie Pie hammer-spacing a party cannon and firing it off. Well, glad to see everyone in a much better mood now.