Sol hadn’t left his office in weeks, since the abduction incident. The list of names grew after the first week. He felt responsible for not listening to Discord’s warning about something big coming. Sol felt he was too big to fail, between the stars, constellations and figuring out his magic.

Yet, he could not protect the citizens who believed in him. The ones who trusted him to look after their stands, stores, and foals. Sol loved the citizens of Canterlot and he was going to figure out how to bring them home. Cinnamon was staying in the castle for the time being.
Sol gave his room to the colt, one to take responsibility for his father disappearing and two Cinnamon was so damn adorable.

“Gods, I need to understand this magic shit,” Sol mumbled to himself. He was growing increasingly frustrated with himself. After the incident Sol struggled to focus on his magic. The stars and constellations at night were harder to move around. His other magic suffered greatly. He couldn’t focus, and he found combining magic harder than usual. He knew why too, and yet knowing didn’t make it any easier.

“Mind and body are outta sync. Between this and how I feel about… everything I just ca-” Sol was interrupted by a knock at his door. Before he could move to answer the lock on his door undid. The door flew open and Sol winced hearing the door slam into the bookcase behind it.

“SOL HAMEL!” Multiple voices yelled at him.

“My full name really? I was coming to the door Could you guys wai-” Sol was interrupted by a muffin thrown at him. He caught it in mouth, and looked at the ponies in the doorway with surprise. There was little cinnamon standing sheepishly in the doorway. Behind him was Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Argus.

“Mate, I know you’re upset but you need to ya know… Live a little” Said Argus rubbing his temple.

“All of the information regarding what’s happened. To be brief, a place thought sealed and long lost has returned. The crystal empire has come back, and the dark magic sealing it was released.” Celestia said, using her magic to put a document on the mess in Sol's office.

“Ah, I-I… Thank you. Thank you all” Sol said, bowing his head.

“Don’t give me that shi- uh Stuff. Just buy my next round.” Argus correcting himself. He was in the presence of royalty and he thought he ought to halfway act like it.

“Mhm, we will go over the finer details later.” Celestia said, turning to leave. “Ok I have said my piece, and Argus has plenty to do to help us right?” Winking at the dragon he blushed and nodded.

“Duty calls my friend” Said Argus saluting and leaving with Celestia. The patient Cinnamon finally saw the opportunity. He ran up to Sol and hugged him.

“Big Brother I missed you. It’s not your fault dads gone right now. Please…don’t be sad” Pleaded Cinnamon.

“Ahh don’t look at me like that or I'll feel worse.” Said Sol. He stroked the colt's mane as he hugged him.

“Like wha?” Cinnamon asked. Sol thought of a way to say what he meant carefully or as PG as he could.

“That! Gods you are gonna be trouble with the lad-”Sol caught himself, “I mean mares” Coughing into his free hoof. Watching Cinnamons nose scrunch up hearing that made Luna and Cadence giggle.

“Ew! I’ll stop big brother, I don't want cooties” Said the Colt.

“Alright then, Cinnamon do me a favor would ya? Go after Celestia and ask her to send this to
Twilight” Asked Sol. Levitating a note to Cinnamon, the colt nodded excitedly.

“You got it big bro! We are gonna save dad! I’ll be back!” Cinnamon exclaimed, running out of the room.

Sol looked at Luna and Cadence still in the doorway looking at him. The looks on their faces were flushed red.

“Well? Come on, you both clearly have something you need me to hear? Sol said, motioning them in. He sat at his desk as the two came in.

“Yes sunshine you're right…” Cadence said, taking a seat in an open chair.

“We appreciate the time dear Sol,” Said Luna, not making eye contact. Sol figured this was going to be a tough talk. Or it was going to be something he could resolve. Hopefully he was ready for this mentally.

After a long awkward silence between the 3 of them Sol spoke up first.

“So what is it that you two need from me?” Sol asked. He was concerned because the two of them sat down. Neither had bothered to look up from his desk. They were both fixated on the letter from Sage, Queen Novo’s daughter. Before Sol could ask any further questions Luna spoke up.

“It would be about our neighbors, the concerns of a new Alicorn have finally settled in.” Luna said.

“But I’ve been here damn near a year or longer, why would they care no-” Sol was cut off when he looked at Luna. Her pupils big, and eager to keep speaking. This made Sol’s voice hitch before he could speak further. He nodded and let Luna continue.

“They were under the impression, with your lineage, that you would be a scholar. It seems they now realize that you help create the stars in the night sky. For this they think you are a threat now. They wish to have some confirmation that you are not.” Luna said, looking down again.

Cadence noticed the confused look on his face, “They want you to marry somepony from their kingdom or kingdoms. The Dragon king, Griffon King, and Hippogriff Queen will all be here within the next week.” Cadence said. Sol was shocked to say the least. He really hadn’t come across a problem like this since being here.

“I am just confused, why does it have to be a marriage? I have had no troubles here in Equestria with um …Mares.” Sol paused for a moment. “The school I am opening is all inclusive, is that not enough?” he asked.

“It is power and politics my dear Sol that is why,” Luna said. “Our advisors seek to use all kinds of methods to control us, and their goal this time. Seems to be you” Luna finished.

“As for why you don’t have trouble with mares is because they smell…Us” Cadence said. Motioning to her and Luna.

“It was not intentional at first. Then we grew fond of you. ” Said Luna. It made sense to Sol, and because of the two in front of him. He did not have to be bombarded by the women of this world. Only the ones he cared about and they helped him. Him being close to Cadence and Luna; they saw him as an opportunity.

“I…I appreciate that both of you Candy, Lu-Lu.” Said Sol. His eyes were closed as he smiled and said this to them. He was grateful to have them care for him. This only strengthened how he felt about the two of them.

“Of course our dear Sol,” Said Luna. His statement made the two mares in front of him blush. Seeing Sol down had made them sad they couldn’t comfort him.

“We would not have it or you any other way sunshine” Cadence said.

“But while you two are here… I have been wanting to say this for a while” Sol said. He paused gathering himself. He did not want to mince words or stutter with what he had to say.

“Sunshine what is it?” Cadence asked. She had not seen him look so stone faced in a while. Cadence had seen him serious before, but not like this.

“I… Luna, I like you too and I treasure your company as much as Candy's. I do not want to lose you. So I ask both of you, what are your thoughts on this?” Sol asked. He had wanted to ask Luna this sooner. He neglected to do so due to his own indecisiveness and cowardice. He was scared to ask. His emotions clouded his judgment more than he thought.

“Sunshine, I’m glad you said it first but we were already ‘sharing’ you. Albeit unofficially.” Cadence laughed.

“T-This is true, we were planning to wait until we solved the kidnapping. But…” Luna said trailing off.

“It’s aight, I needed to get that out. And besides, I haven't been very open. So some reassurance that I still very much want you.” Sol said motioning to the two of them. All three began to laugh. It wasn’t so much the situation was funny, they were all just relieved. Relieved they felt the same way, and got their feelings understood.

“So what dost you plan to do about…that?” Luna asked. She levitated the letter on Sol’s desk over to her and examined it..

“Ah well you will have to see about that, I don’t plan on adding anyone else to our little group. And I need to find out why the citizens went missing. I will have to see what Celestia gave me and talk to her about it” Sol said.

He was ready to do something productive and stop being all mopey. He had too, or he wouldn’t be able to face Cinnamon or anypony else who trusted in him. Though it was a lot harder thought than done.

Sol was tired, not physically but mentally. Even with every pony supporting him, he still felt an immense amount of guilt. As Sol walked through the halls towards Celestia’s office he saw a familiar face. He tensed realizing who it was and quickly turned, but it was too late.

“SOL my dear! You hadn’t written back. I was growing worried about you.” Sage, the hippogriff called out. Sol groaned face hoofing, why did it have to be her he thought. It hadn’t even been an hour since he was told she would be here.

“Hello Sage I’m fine, just been very busy. I'm sure you understand.” Said Sol. He slowly turned around to meet the alabaster hippogriff. Her vibrant jade green eyes beamed at him as he met her gaze.

“I understand that…But I missed you so much. So I was wondering if-” Sage began to say. Sol held up his hoof to stop her from continuing.

“I have somewhere I need to be, some ponies of this city are missing. I need them back.” Sol said. Beginning to walk down the hallway he was met by Celestia and Novo at the end of it. He saw the look on Celestia’s face. As she saw him she gave out an exasperated sigh which caught the Queen's attention.

“Celestia dear is it really tha-, Oh my there you are!” Queen Novo said. Looking at Sol and his irritated expression.

“Hello Your highness, A week early I see,” Sol said. He was told a week, a week to mentally prepare and get his shit together. Needless to say he was less than happy with the way the current events were going.

“Well you have Sage to thank for that,” Novo said, “She was Very excited to come see you. So here we are.” She finished. Sage walking up next to Sol, blushed as she looked at him.

“Mom, stop it!” Sage said. “You promised not to say anything”

“Sky will be here later too right?” Sol asked. Sage’s sister came across as wiser and frankly easier to tolerate when it came to negotiation talks. Sage puffed out her cheeks and huffed looking at Sol.

Queen Novo giggled, “Would you prefer my other daughter then?” She asked. Sol merely rolled his eyes and looked at Celestia.

“I assume you have things to do, I’ll give them a walk around for you” Sol said. Praying Celestia took the opportunity to leave. She and Novo were the last 2 beings he needed engaging in “banter” together. As petty as they both were, they were smart enough to push all the right buttons to get at each other.

“You assume correct, I'm sorry my friend but he has insisted” Celestia said. She bowed and hugged Novo. The hug was brief and Celestia then turned to leave. Sol could have sworn he heard the breath she was holding finally leave her lungs. Sol then looked at the two hippogriffs and sighed.

“Aight, I’m all ears what do ya want?” Sol asked. He was getting over being pissed and was beginning to think straight again. He knew Novo wouldn’t show up early for no reason.

“My straight to the point, Now I see why my Sage likes you so much” Novo said. She winked at her daughter who shook her head and blushed.

“Right… I’m still waiting.” Sol said. He was growing impatient with the lack of sleep, and stress.

Giggling, the Queen looked him in the eyes. “I simply wanted my daughter to-” She stopped.

Sol looked at her in her magenta eyes, “Cut the bullshit. You weren’t this easy going in any of our meetings before, don’t use Sage as an excuse to start now.” He said frowning.

Novo sighed, “Your temper has grown young one. But fine I will cut to the chase, Marry my Daughter and we shall aid you.” She said, Sol's starry pupils shrank in anger as he stared at her. He had a feeling she was trying to get a head start on the others that were coming next week. Deciding to bite his tongue before he said something he’d regret, he took a deep breath.

“You will have to wait until next week, at the designated time to discuss this. I will prepare to do this with you as an ally, or not.” Sol said. It took every fiber of his being to not say anything further. He was angry that to every pony he had known for the past year, he was now an object to them.

“Oh and you think you can do that, without the support of the advisors you trusted? They won’t even look you in the eyes.” Novo said to him. She made a good point, but she missed an important detail.

“Who said I was asking Canterlot for their help?” Sol said, smirking. Hopefully little Cinnamon had gotten his note to Celestia’s office. Sol was going to need help from outside the city, and hopefully they got there within the week.

Author's Note

Sometimes you need someone(pony) To pull your head out of your own ****. if ya like the story please leave a like, or comment! I love feedback from you guys! <3