Author's Note

Hello! If you read the original post of Chapter 1 and are confused, I apologize. You have already read the prologue and most of this chapter. However, there is a NEW scene at the end of this chapter for you.

If you're here for the first time. Please disregard everything is fine for you.

Again, sorry for the confusion

Chapter 1

Twenty Years Later

Sundrop Moonbow’s hooves graced the velvet carpet as she strode towards the royal throne. Her cadence was slow yet elegant. A well rehearsed regal walk fitting for a Princess; or at least a member of the royal court. Her yellow fur was covered by a sparkling green ceremonial dress that poofed up in the back. Her pink mane was wrapped up in an elaborate bun with star shaped barrettes. This silver constellation held her fancy hairdo in place. She could feel the rich, luxurious quality of the carpet under her hooves. The usual carpet had been covered up with this special one for today.

Trumpeters flanked the walls on either side of the long throne room corridor. There was a small audience full of royal court members behind Sundrop standing where her march began. In front of her, ready and waiting at the end of the hall, was Princess Celestia. The Princess sat neatly in her sun drenched throne. The mid morning light shone on the Sun Princess through the stained glass windows. Behind Celestia were three stained glass murals. One of the Sun, of the moon, and of the starry skies. Her gold encrusted magenta throne matched the velvet carpet that Sundrop alone walked down. Next to Celestia, her throne, and the sun mural behind her head, was another magenta throne encrusted with silver. It was smaller than hers and had the mural of the moon behind it.

However, there was no moon Princess who sat on this throne. Instead a portly silver colored pegasus sat there in his own ceremonial robe. It wrapped around his shoulders like a toga and he wore an olive branch crown on his head.

The trumpets blared with each step Sundrop made towards the dual thrones. Their song was bright and triumphant yet loud enough that Sundrop wished they would quiet down or stop altogether. As the obnoxious brass tubes attempted to shatter her eardrums, she forced herself to not wince or react. She walked on, keeping her eyes on the Princess. Her princess, and her teacher. This was her big day, the finest hour so far in her life, and she carried on through the nerves and noise fueled on pride alone.

Perhaps not just pride, but love as well. When she looked at the Sun Princess, her heart was full of joy. She loved her Princess. Celestia represented everything good and harmonious in the world to her. Thanks to Celestia, Equestria knew wonders and wealth beyond the imagination of many creatures in neighboring nations. This peace and prosperity was unprecedented and they owed it all to her. She was the shining example of friendship. A beacon of hope who raised the sun and moon itself. The rebellion of twenty years ago was the only black mark on Celestia’s rule so far. However, Sundrop wasn’t about to dwell on that. Not today. Not on the day of her ascension and recognition.

Her methodical steps finally brought her to the foot of the throne precipice. The carpet continued up the steps right next to the thrones themselves. On either side of the steps were a series of fountain bowls that flowed running water down into each lower bowl. After the third bowl, the water ran into a moat that traveled all the way to the back of the hall. The practicality of such a hall was limited, but for ceremonial purposes it was rich and gorgeous. She held her gaze on the Princess. Sundrop’s face tried to remain neutral but her eyes betrayed her earnest smile. Celestia returned her loyal subject’s smile and Sundrop felt her heart flutter.

“Sundrop Moonbow.” The wide framed pegasus announced as the trumpets mercifully went silent. Sundrop hoped that Celestia would be the one doing the talking, but there were traditions and protocols that must be observed.

“You have been chosen by our great Princess to be her personal Confidante. In practice, this position of Confidante will make you the student, acolyte, and protege of Celestia herself.” The pegasus continued to pontificate. His tone was regal but his expression was amused. As if this whole ceremony was somehow entertaining to him personally. “Such a privileged position comes with great responsibility. As the Princess’s personal protege, you will become privy to state secrets and forbidden knowledge. Such an honorable position will require you to take an oath of loyalty...”

“I’m ready to take the oath. I’ve been ready my whole life.” Sundrop knew she spoke out of turn, but she didn’t care. She would make any vow, fulfill any promise, to serve her Princess.

The large pegasus master of ceremonies grinned. He took a moment to appreciate the eager zeal of the young protege. Perhaps enjoying her naivety a little too much.

“I believe you young one.” He nodded his head. Some of the royal court members in the back of the hall murmured and whispered with each other. Sundrop’s outburst caused a bit of a stir. Protocols were strict in an official ceremony. However, since neither Celestia nor the master of ceremonies chided the young student, the matter appeared dropped.

“I must caution you before you take your oath. It is not simply idle words and sentiment. Not only will you be legally bound to the oath, but magically bound as well. The oath itself is an incantation. Once recited, your soul will be connected to Celestia. Any betrayal or abdication of your duties will result in…” The pegasus paused, not wanting to bring down the mood of the room with unneeded threatening language. “Shall we say, dire consequences?” He tilted his head. “With that being said. Are you sure you are willing to take the oath?” He stared at Sundrop who’s stalwart gaze never wavered.

“I am ready.” She replied simply.

The master of ceremonies smiled. This season is certain to bring me quite an entertaining show. He thought to himself.

“Very well.” He waved his hoof indicating that Sundrop may begin her oath.

Sundrop rolled her shoulders back and puffed out her chest. She held her head up high as she spoke.

“The light of the sun shines brightly in my soul.” As soon as she began, her horn glowed with a gentle light that intensified with every line she recited.

“My heart beats to the rhythm of the sky and all its wonders.” She looked at Princess Celestia again, beaming with pride. “I pledge my loyalty to the Sun Princess. My service shall be unwavering.”

The master of ceremonies twitched, breaking decorum just slightly for a second but soon readjusted his expression to hide it.

“My hooves, my words, and my actions are hers. I swear I will follow no other and I will follow forever.” A golden beam emitted from her horn towards Celestia. The Princess leaned her horn forward and caught the light. The two ponies were tethered together in magic.

“Domine Celestia Pax Aeternam.” Sundrop’s spirit lifted as the light of her spell elevated her off of the ground. Her eyes glowed bright white as waves of light swam around her floating body. Celestia’s eyes glowed as well. The Princess returned the spell with a new beam back into Sundrop. Celestia’s magic placed her newly appointed student back on the velvet carpet. The touch of Celestia’s magic on young Sundrop was as gentle as a mother laying down her newborn baby for bed. When Sundrop regained control of her hooves, she bowed until she was prostrate on the floor.

“I accept your oath, and welcome you as my confidante.” Celestia smiled at her young protege. Even if she wrote a ten thousand word essay, Sundrop would be unable to describe the warmth of her teacher’s approving smile. “Rise, Sundrop Moonbow and face the court of your peers.”

Sundrop stood and turned to gaze upon the regal ponies in attendance. Calling them peers was somewhat an exaggeration as most of them were at least twice her age.

“I present to you my loyal confidante, Sundrop Moonbow.” Celestia proudly declared. The room burst into enthusiastic although subdued applause. After the rebellion twenty years ago, seeing a confidante anointed was a welcome, and much needed, return to normalcy for the royal court. The fact that Princess Celestia could trust anypony to this extent barely a generation since her sister betrayed her, was a tremendous sign of healing. Despite their joy, royal court members could only get so rambunctious in their cheers without appearing uncouth. Therefore their applause was polite but earnest.

Sundrop took in their approval. To be recognized like this so young was such an honor. She would work tirelessly to make sure she served her Princess well. A promise to herself to see that she truly earned the honor and recognition.

After the ceremony, Sundrop spoke with Celestia and the pegasi alone. They were now free to speak more openly in their relative privacy. Only a few stoic guards remained in earshot of their conversation.

“I’m sorry for speaking out of turn. I should have waited…” Sundrop began but Celestia just grinned as she shook her head.

“It’s alright my dear. Honestly, I think it added something to the moment. Wouldn’t you agree?” Celestia shot a side eye at her pegasi assistant.

Sundrop blushed.

“Princess, you flatter me.” She looked down at the fancy carpet. Celestia laughed, causing Sundrop to blush more.

"Miss Sundrop, your performance was impeccable." The portly pegasus beamed.

"Thank you, Constantinople." Sundrop met his gaze and returned his grin.

"Please call me Constance. My full name is such a chore to say." He waved his hoof, laughing off her nervous formalities. The olive branch and toga get-up looked a bit ridiculous now that the ceremony was over. Sundrop felt the same way about her lavish green dress. She simply wanted to get back to her studies now that her connection to her teacher was official. She had been privately studying under Celestia for nearly a year at this point. This ceremony was simply formal acknowledgement of that commitment.

At least that’s how Sundrop saw it.

She could now appear publicly and carried a certain level of authority befitting a student of Celestia.

Almost noticing that everypony was getting a little self conscious about their own outfits, Celestia decided to release them from their formal duties.

"Sundrop, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning for lessons, correct?" She cocked her head sideways at her young pupil.

"Yes, my Princess." Sundrop bowed all the way to the floor once again.

"No bowing during lessons, by the way. We won't have time to get anything done at that rate." Celestia giggled at her own joke.

"I'll keep that in mind." Sundrop politely nodded to Celestia and turned to walk back down the long throne room corridor.

"I’m sure you’re anxious to go see your mother and tell her everything. Make sure you get some rest this evening. And tell your mother I said hello." Celestia called out to her student.

"Yes Princess." Sundrop waved her hoof as she walked off.

Constance removed his olive crown as Sundrop stepped out of the open double doors at the end of the hall and disappeared from the room.

"Princess, either your new pupil has memorization issues, of which I highly doubt, or you didn't have her recite the full oath." He gave a side-eyed glance to Celestia.

Celestia sighed.

"I went with a condensed version. The full oath is littered with outdated traditions that simply aren't necessary anymore. The language of it is rather crass if you ask me." Celestia shook her head.

"I see." Constance gave a single nod. "Well I noticed the spell still functioned regardless. You must have reworked the spell with the annotated text."

"It wasn’t difficult. The loyalty binding functions all the same." Celestia yawned, bored with their conversation.

"And what happens if Miss Sundrop fails or refuses to see through her duties? What exactly are the 'dire consequences' tied to this new modern spell?" Constance stroked his chin.

“I’d prefer not to think about that, Constance.” She shook her head. “Sundrop is intelligent and full of potential, that’s why I wanted her as my student. She doesn’t strike me as the type who would turn on me, would you say so?” She glanced side-eyed back at Constance.

“No.” He replied in a sing-songy manner. “She doesn’t strike me as that at all. However…” Constance’s gaze met Celestia’s. He held her attention for a beat and she knew he was serious.

“There was a time when Luna’s betrayal was unforeseeable on the horizon.”

Celestia stiffened her neck.

“Indeed.” Was all she said in response.

Constance cleared his throat, ready to change the subject.

“Be that as it may, there are still many foreign powers who have quite a few grievances with you. Obviously, they can’t get to you personally without exercising great risk. However, with a new young confidante being announced so publicly, they may try to harm her as leverage against you, Princess.” He looked concerned at Celestia.

“I know.” Celestia’s responses remained curt.

“She’ll require a guard detail, I assume. Shall I arrange for a company of royal soldiers to accompany her?” He frowned and stroked his chin. “Hmm, that does seem a bit cumbersome doesn’t it.”

“One guard will be plenty.” Celestia smirked. Her knowing glance matched the mischievous nature of her portly assistant.

“Only one?” Constance looked surprised.

“Yes. And I have just the stallion in mind.”

****

Everypony froze when Bathalar landed on the concrete floor of the factory warehouse. His impact, along with the thrust of his wings to slow his descent at the last moment, sent a shockwave into everypony in the considerably sized room. Paper stacks blew over, manes were tossed around in the gust, and the table and chairs shook where three nefarious looking ponies sat. Their table had glasses of liquor and cigarette ashtrays decorating it. Some sort of card based gambling game was spread out with golden bits in the center representing a pot for betting. The factory had crates and sacks stacked on pallets almost like a maze. There was barely enough room to move around or even see the assembly line behind the ponies with their drinks and card game. Bathalar stepped forward into their play space. The only space in the warehouse that was opened up for some comfort. These three stallions were clearly the ponies in charge.

Bathalar creeped towards them on his hind legs, his wings spread to their fullest extent. His saber extended from his right hoof and just barely didn’t scrape the floor. In his left hoof, static lightning rumbled and cracked.

One of the stallions panicked.

“It’s him!” The slight pegasus pointed with horror on his face. “It’s the Umbra Mortis!”

“Shut up, will you?” The unicorn closest to Bathalar chided him. He raised his hoof in the air, trying to establish some kind of control or dominance over the situation. He wore a purple vest that exposed his over teased brown chest hair. His chest fluff was darker than his light brown fur tone. Several gaudy gold chains adorned his neck.

“You seem upset, young colt, how can I help you?” The boss sang his greeting to Bathalar, as if a customer had just entered his quaint little shop in a small town. A conniving smile crept across his mug.

“It’s over.” Bathalar stated. “This whole operation ends tonight.” He pointed his sword at the boss, bringing the point just under his chin.

The boss held up both of his hoofs in surrender. He tried his best to stop the terror from slipping out into his eyes. He swallowed deeply, possibly for the last time.

“Look, whatever she’s paying you, I’ll double it.” He said with his grin returning, but it vanished again as Bathalar pushed the sword even closer to his neck, he sent a small static shock of lighting into the boss, making him jump in response. “Triple it! Anything you want. There’s gotta be something in Equestria that you desire. I’ll get it for you.” Even as he spoke, his horn glowed with an intense light. He tilted his head forward, ready to send a spell into Bathalar.

Lightning ripped from Bathalar’s left hoof as he thrust it towards the rogue unicorn. The lightning went straight into the unicorn’s horn, knocking him back in his chair and muting his spell. He shook and screamed as the voltage ripped through him. When it subsided, he was shaken but fine.

“You really are a bastard, you know that.” The unicorn boss gasped for breath while trying to hold the gaze of the imposing bat pony. “C’mon, we can all be reasonable here. Let’s make a deal shall we?” His attitude returned to one of bargaining.

“A slave cannot dream of riches or wealth. He can only see his master’s wish fulfilled.” Bathalar said with a flat tone. A halo tattoo flickered across his brow.

“Boss, maybe we should…” The earth pony in the middle of the table began but was stopped.

“I’ll handle this, ok? I’m working on it.” The boss briefly took his eyes off of the Umbra Mortis to reprimand his 2nd in command. The pegasus gang member merely held his hoof to his mouth, doing his damndest not to panic.

“What do you want from me, Umbra? We’re just trying to run a business here. Who are you to judge us, mister ‘shadow of death?’” The boss’s chains jingled as he pointed at Bathalar, yelling his accusations. “You think your crazy nickname scares me? I’ve seen tougher guys than you, buddy.”

“Business? Is that what this is?” Bathalar ignored the boss’s insults and spied a palette on his left stacked up to his height in brown sacks. He swung his sword at one of the sacks on top, bursting it open. A white powder seeped onto the floor like a waterfall of sand. “These drugs you’re pedaling have wrought a public health crisis onto Equestria. Your product is getting into the hooves of children and you profit hand over hoof.” His eyes flared, scoffing at the drug kingpin. Disgust dripped off of his expression.

“It’s not my fault ponies are addicted to the stuff. I just provide what ponies want. It’s not like I’m giving it to the kids myself, why don’t you bug the street dealers near the schools. That’s not on me.” The kingpin rationalized. He casually waved his hoof.

“Tell that to the parents of children who are dying in droves from seizures, and epileptic shock. I’m sure they’ll see it your way.” Bathalar approached the unicorn boss again.

“Ok, ok, ok so what? You want me to stop? Then I’ll stop. I’ll make sure it doesn’t get in the hooves of kids. I’ll do anything but…” The Kingpin paused.

Bathalar’s eyes went cold as he reared up his blade. The kingpin dropped to his knees.

“Please. Please Umbra Mortis. Don’t do this. I beg you. I’ll listen. I’ll stop. I’ll do anything!” He brought his hooves together in a praying position.

“You were given warnings. You were offered compensation. You were given time. And you refused. You valued your profits over the lives of innocents.” Bathalar spoke his judgment.

“Please, tell the Princess…”

Bathalar interrupted the boss.

“A slave cannot negotiate nor grant mercy. I am merely her sword.”

“Mercy!” The Kingpin screamed as Bathalar swung his sword with both hooves. The other two drug lords gasped and jumped out of their seats as their boss’s head landed on top of their card game. His dull, glazed over eyes stared back at them. Their brash and confident boss’s face now blank and empty. They both dropped to their knees. The pegasus sobbed out loud, holding both of his hooves over his mouth. He looked like he was about to vomit.

“Make it quick, Umbra Mortis.” The 2nd in command lowered his head towards the floor as he spoke with resignation. The flat side of Bathalar’s sword reflected light into the 2nd’s eyes, forcing him to blink a bit before looking up to Bathalar. The sword was lowered and not positioned to strike.

“He was the only one on my list.” Bathalar’s voice was calm, almost reassuring.

Both ponies breathed a heavy sigh of relief. The small pegasus lost control of his stomach and vomited all over the floor.

“Three days.” Bathalar sheathed his sword. The silent warehouse echoed the swishing sound of his steel returning to its home. “You have three days to destroy your stock and shut everything down. If you fail to do so, if even one gram remains, my orders are to come back and kill everypony.”

The 2nd in command nodded with such vigor, he looked like a bobble head toy gone wild.

“Of course, of course.” He turned to his remaining partner for concurrence. The pegasi was convulsing in the fetal position. The stench of his vomit started to waft around the room. The 2nd turned back to face Bathalar.

“We’ll get it done.” The 2nd said for both of them.

“See that you do, for your sakes.” Without another word Bathalar turned and launched himself towards the open loading dock door he had used to fly in.

****

Sundrop entered her mother's room at the assisted living facility, stepping on the tips of her hooves so as not to make too much noise. She left her dress from the big ceremony behind but decided to keep the starry barrettes in her hair. Her mother slept on the hospital bed with her faded amber fur wrapped up in the blue blanket and white fitted sheets. Sundrop’s mother still looked young in her complexion but the edges of her eyes were already worn like a pony several decades older. With the lights off, only Celestia's sun gently piercing around the closed curtains gave the room any light at all. The only muffled sounds that could be heard were the occasional hoofsteps from the hallway.

Sundrop sat on the cushioned wooden chair next to her mother's bedside. She watched as her mother's chest gently rose and fell in her slumber. She didn't know exactly how long she spent sitting in silence. She was just happy to be there in her mother's presence.

The bed ridden pony's eyes flickered open. She looked over at her daughter smiling at her from the side of the bed.

"Sundrop." Her voice was full of joy as she said her name. "How long have you been there? Why didn't you wake me?" She sat up in her bed, revealing the IV needle in the crook of her elbow as the blanket slid down.

Sundrop took her mother's hoof into hers.

"You looked like you needed your rest. I didn't want to disturb you."

Her mother squeezed Sundrop’s hoof back.

“Oh sweetheart, you could never disturb me.” Her eyes drew to Sundrop’s intricate hairstyle. “I love your hair.”

“Thanks, the palace stylists really out did themselves.” Sundrop rubbed her bun with her free hoof.

Her mother gasped in sudden memory.

“Oh Celestia, the ceremony was today wasn’t it? I completely forgot. I should have been there to see you.” Her mother looked guilty.

Sundrop shook her head.

“Mom, I know it’s hard for you to be on your hooves for a long period of time. I wouldn’t have asked you to go.”

Her mother nodded. “I suppose rolling me out there in a wheelchair would break decorum, wouldn’t it?” Her somber and resigned voice made Sundrop want to cheer her up.

Before Sundrop could answer, a tan colored unicorn burst into the room.

“Screw decorum!” He shouted. His boisterous voice booming in the tiny room. “I would have wheeled you out there myself if somepony had thought of it ahead of time.” This eccentric unicorn flicked the lights on as he bounded towards the night stand carrying a bouquet of roses.

“I can just hear those posh ponies saying…” He imitated a prissy upper class sounding pony, “Oh you can’t bring a wheelchair into the great hall, it’s not proper.” He placed his roses in a pre-set vase on the nightstand.

“And then I’d say ‘this is the mother of the Confidante to the Princess.’” He emphasized the Phrench pronunciation of “Confidante” as he stuck his chest out. “We will do whatever we please.” He pointed his hoof as if getting in the business of an imaginary pony. The two mares shared the same amused smirk as his theatrics went on.

“Uncle Baxter, I think you’re being a bit loud for mom.” She stifled a laugh as she shook her head.

“Oh please, darling, I’m not that fragile.” Her mother waved her hoof. “If your uncle could harm me with his outbursts, I’d be dead by now for sure.”

“Mom!” Sundrop’s jaw dropped, taken aback by her mother’s morbid comment. Uncle Baxter and her mother just burst out laughing.

Baxter walked over to Sundrop’s chair. She stood up to meet him. He was wearing a loud dad vacation shirt with blue waves and surfboards on it. His brown mane looked a bit messy as always.

“It’s good to see you, Uncle Baxter.” Sundrop embraced him in a tight squeeze.

“You too Drip Drop.” He went to rub the back of her head.

“Don’t mess up the mane!” She shouted, breaking the hug. Baxter looked embarrassed as Sundrop inspected her hair style with her hooves. A single section of hair had been jostled loose.

“I am so sorry, Drippy. I have offended the Princess’s Confidante.” He held his hoof over his head hoping to make a dramatic play out of the situation. “Here, allow me the honor of correcting such an egregious offense.” He reached for her mane again, but she withdrew from him, dodging to the left.

“No, it’s ok. I’ll take care of it.” She fiddled with the strand for a moment before giving up. “You’re not gonna let me live down my new title for a while are you?” She narrowed her eyes at him while grinning. He returned her grin with his own, dripping with sarcasm.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re basically royalty now.” He bowed his head to her. She rolled her eyes in response.

“Please tell me you didn’t wear that shirt to the ceremony.” She sighed.

“I’ll have you know I was looking quite dapper in my best evening jacket. Although they still almost didn’t let me in. Maybe I need to spring for a fancier jacket? I look like a poor pony apparently.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“I can’t believe they gave you grief. I had you listed as my plus one.” She scoffed. “If I had known they were going to disrespect my family, I would have made them let you in wearing whatever you want, even your signature surf shirt.” She and Baxter giggled together. “That would show ‘em proper decorum.”

“I can’t wait to tell your father. He’s going to be so proud of you when he gets home.” Sundrop’s mother had a single tear running down her cheek. Sundrop and her uncle shared an anxious look with each other. All of the joy in the room evaporated as a dead air stood between Sundrop and her mother.

“Mom.” Sundrop began. Her timid voice afraid to say even another word. “Dad… he…” Her throat locked up and Baxter took over.

“He may be a little delayed tonight, Sapphire. But we’ll tell him as soon as he gets here.” Baxter swallowed as he said it, trying to keep a happy expression on his face.

“He should be here. Where is he, Baxter? Where is my husband? Where is Bronze Sentry?” Sapphire’s voice got more desperate with each question.

“It’s ok, Sapphire. Everything is fine.” He knelt by her side gripping her hoof as she continued crying harder. “Everything is gonna be ok.”

“Bronzie, where are you?” She all but screamed at Baxter.

“Please Mom, not again.” Sundrop held her hoof over her mouth, trying to keep her own tears from surfacing.

“Sapphire, look at me. Please look at me.” Baxter tried to calm his sister in law down. Her eyes darted all around the room. Her breaths quickened as she panicked..

“No, no, no, no!” Sapphire thrashed wildly on the bed. Her hooves flung around in all directions. Baxter tried to hold her still by the shoulders, but her hoof swiped over the night stand, knocking the vase of flowers off. The vase shattered on the floor scattering the roses.

“Sundrop, go grab the nurse please.” Baxter gripped his brother’s wife’s shoulders as she struggled in his embrace. He needed her restrained but didn’t want to harm her. Sundrop couldn’t watch as her mother spasmed and screamed.

Her gaze fell to the shattered vase, and then to the scattering of rose petals having broken free from their blooms against the tile floor. Her heart broke with them, laying in similar pieces.

“Sundrop.”

She held her stare at the roses on the floor. The water that the roses sat in seeped out in all directions on the hospital floor as if the vase was bleeding out.

“Sundrop!” Baxter’s eyes pleaded with his niece as she finally snapped out of her trance.

“I’ll get the nurse.” She ran out of the room and over to the nurse’s station. In a few moments, three nurses rushed into her mother’s private room. Sundrop couldn’t bring herself to watch what happened. She just sat in a chair outside of the room, listening to the shouting. After a few minutes, the assisted living center was quiet again. The nurses returned to their station and Baxter found Sundrop in the hall. Her head was buried in her hooves.

“They had to sedate her. She was on the verge of a seizure again.” He rubbed his hoof on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I tried to calm her down, but it’s hard to predict what will set her off anymore. Sometimes I can help her avoid an episode like this, but lately…” He trailed off.

Sundrop shook her head, her mane all sorts of messed up now. So much of her hair had escaped the starry barrettes that they served little function at this point.

“No, I should be the one helping her with the episodes. But I… I just can’t deal with her when she gets like that. I’m sorry, I just freeze up and I…” She tried to explain, but he stopped her.

“It’s alright, it’s alright.” He knelt down and hugged her and Sundrop returned the tightness of his grip. “We’re a family and we take care of each other. That means taking care of your mother, but also taking care of you. This can’t be easy on you. You have to stop and make sure that you’re doing ok too.”

She pulled back from their hug to look him in the eye.

“But who takes care of you?” Sundrop sniffled as she asked. “It’s not easy on you either.”

He smiled at her, thawing the cold tension in the hall.

“You do, of course.”

She looked away.

“By freezing up on you when I’m needed?”

“You’re working very hard with the Princess to make us all proud, but you still come see your mother every day. You’re a very dedicated young mare. Just watching you succeed and seeing how much you remind me of your mother from better times it…” He took a deep breath. “That’s all I need to keep me going.”

Sundrop couldn’t think of anything else to say so she just nodded.

“She’s sleeping again. You should go get some rest too. It’s been a big day.” He stood up.

“Get some rest, that’s what Celestia told me earlier too.” She rolled her eyes.

“Well she’s a wise teacher, and she cares about you.”

Sundrop’s voice dropped suddenly to a low whisper. “Were you there when Dad died?”

A long moment of silence hung between them, as her Uncle didn’t answer right away.

“I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to talk about it. Nopony has ever told me much about the details.” Sundrop looked sheepish.

“I guess I was always worried that you didn’t want to hear the details.” He nodded slowly. “I wasn’t on the battlefield when it happened. I was in the infirmary. He was a sergeant in his company and they came under heavy action. I still wish I could have been there with him. It kills me that I was injured while your father was out there keeping all of Equestria safe.” He sighed for a long second.

Sundrop shook her head quickly.

“Don’t do that to yourself. You were injured. It couldn’t be helped.” She looked at him as his eyes lit up with gratitude.

“See what did I tell ya?” He smirked at her. “You take care of me too.”

“Now please go home and relax. I’ll be here when your mom wakes up to make sure they don’t screw up her dinner again.” He started walking back into Sapphire’s room.

“Thank you uncle Baxter.” She saw her uncle give one more cheerful look before disappearing into her mother’s room. Her smile faded as she once again sat alone in the hallway.

****