Chapter 31: The gift of life

"Oh God, no! No! No! NO!" My mind repeated over and over again like a broken record. Some piece of me wanted to believe it was all just a terrible joke. Even as I raced as fast as I could towards Canterlot, I knew it was no joke. Yet, I still refused that it wasn't. My heart would have none of it. I'd get there, see Luna again for the first time in a while, she'll say she missed me, I'd say the same, she'll say the baby is okay and everything will be hunky-dory!

Even though that wouldn't be the case...

Before I knew it, Canterlot was roaring beneath me and the Hospital came into view faster than I anticipated. I folded my wings against my body, but the speed I was going made it impossible to stop in time. I could hear the ponies in the lobby of the hospital scream and scramble out of the way as I tumbled, rolled and flipped across the room, slamming into the front counter. I could hear ponies quickly asking if I was okay, but I just stood and ran, trying to find where Luna was.

As I ran, a passing Doctor yelled out, "Third floor, room 312!". I kept on running until I found the stairwell, causing surprised nurses to quickly scurry out of the way and yell angrily. I didn't care, because the only thing that I ever cared for was laying in a hospital bed, wondering why her foal was...

"No, no!" I cried out again, trying to convince myself it was a lie, a mistake, or something! I finally ascended the stairwell to the third floor, counting off the doors on the left side of the hall. 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310... I took a deep breath and peeked through the window of 312, seeing both my lovely wife and her sister sitting by her bedside, comforting her as she just laid there, a look of shock, or was it horror, etched on her face. I let out the breath I was holding and tapped the window lightly, getting both of their attentions.

Luna's lips began to move, but no sound came out. It was as if I was deafened by the weight of the situation, and just refused to hear it. I didn't want Luna to say anything right now. I just wanted her to know I was here, that no matter what has happened, then I would never abandon her. It was hard for me to even move from the doorway. Was it perhaps that I was just scared of moving forward, content to keep my delusions of a better scenario alive for just a moment longer?

I told myself, despite what I wanted to hear, that this was the truth. That I was now in the worst situation ever to befall a parent. That... That my child, something that I helped give life, was snuffed out before it was even given a chance to breath its first breath. All I could do was just stand there. I didn't want to just stand there! I wanted to move forward, accept it, and let Luna know that I loved her with all my heart.

Finally, my mouth was the first to work. I just looked at my wife, my love, knowing that no matter what I said, the situation would be the same, so I just said the first thing that came to mind.

"I love you..."

And that was all it took for my legs to move again. It was as if those were the magic words that sent me at a sprint towards Luna, wrapping my arms around her neck and giving her a kiss that would have ignited a burnt out fire pit in a rainstorm. Luna's lips were foreign to me now. The time away from her had made me almost forget the taste of my own wife. And that frightened me a little.

I could feel Luna sobbing as we kissed. Her tears ran down her cheeks, plopping to the bed beneath us. It was time for us to deal with the situation, to finally have... well, not closure, but a sense of peace knowing that we tried. Even still, this was the most heart wrenching thing that has ever happened in my life.

"Dearest... I-I'm so sorry! I have failed as a lover and a mother! Please, do not be mad at us! T'was not our fault!" Luna rambled through the sobbing. I just stared at Luna in shock. How could she even think this was her fault? If anything, the child shouldn't have even been possible, even with magic! It was a miracle we even conceived, let alone made it this far.

I took Luna's cheeks in my hands, tenderly rubbing the soft fur and muscle. I knew this was the way to get Luna to relax. I could feel some of the tension melt away, but a lot was still there. Understandable after your child was taken before it could be born.

"None of this is your fault, Luna... Not a single second! I-I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, to be with you during this... I'm the one who has to apologize here, not you!" I argued, feeling my tears run free. Luna let out a soft coo and pulled me into the bed with her, snuggling up next to me as Celestia, who had remained quiet the whole time, spoke up.

"I'll leave you two alone... If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask." And with that, the Princess vanished in a ball of yellow light. Now, Luna and I just laid there, for what seemed like an eternity. I watched as the sun lowered, just a little streak on the horizon. I knew it was time for Luna to raise the moon, but the mare was locked in my arms, the look on her face was one akin to a traumatized child. There was no way she could do anything at the moment, and so the world would have to do without the moon tonight.

Or so I thought.

Luna looked up at me, her elegant eyes staring into mine as she asked, "Love, do you... Do you think you can raise the moon for me? I-I don't think I can..."

I stared at Luna for a long moment. Me, raising the moon?! I may have been gifted these powers, but hell if I knew how to do that! Twilight's teaching only granted so much, and this was an untapped power of mine. Who knows what could happen.

"Please..?"

That one word took away all the apprehension I had. What was the harm in trying it out anyway? At worst, I wouldn't be able to do it, and maybe Celestia would realize something wasn't right and raise it herself.

"Alright... Here goes nothing." I said as I got to my feet. I went over to the window, opening it up and letting the night breeze roll in. The smell of the night air intoxicating me in its peaceful embrace.

Regaining my focus, I remembered Twilight's teaching; "You must focus on the object you wish to control with your magic. If you don't it won't work. Focus is key."

I placed all my thoughts on the moon; every crater, every detail of it. It also got me thinking of Luna; my sweet, loving moon goddess. With these thoughts, I could feel something growing inside me, a well of power, previously untapped, bursting fourth with magic. I could feel my body tingling, my hair growing back into its uncomfortably long splendor, and my feet rising from the floor. Was I doing it? Was I raising the moon?

Absolutely not, because the next thing that I remembered was my hands glowing a bright white on Luna's stomach, as she screamed in agony.

My body, now untapped from that magical well, had somehow managed to make its way to Luna and do... something, something I didn't intend to do. I quickly removed my hands from Luna and flew backwards as a group of Doctors rushed in to check on her, one asking, "What the hell happened?!"

I got up from the floor, just looking at my hands. "I-I don't know! She asked me to raise the moon, a-and then all I remember was... my hands on her stomach, and her screaming! I-I didn't hurt her, did I?!

Before the Doctor could answer, another one shouted out in shock, "I-I got a pulse!" Well, of course he did! Luna wasn't dead! She was screaming, and rightfully so! Who knows what I could have done to her!

"I-I got... another?!" The nurse on Luna's other side stated in shock. I took note that their stethoscopes were not on Luna's chest, but on her stomach. I was trying to think as to what that could mean, but I didn't have to think long before the hopeful thought came to my head.

"D-Did I save the baby..?" I asked automatically, like I wasn't the one asking it. The words just kind of... came out, as if I already knew, deep down, that I had used my magic to save my child.

Wait... Another heartbeat?

"TWINS?!" I shouted to my own accord. Luna's screaming had subsided, and she stared at me in utter fascination, as if I were a sideshow in some circus act. The look in her eye, I could tell Luna had never seen anything like that in all her years of life. What I had done... what I did on magical instinct, seemed to shock her to the very core, as well as all in the room.

The shock died down as Luna began to giggle and cry and hop for joy all at once. In an instant she had me tackled to the floor as pressed her stomach against mine.

"Feel them, Nathaniel?! D-Do you feel them?!" She asked with glee. "I can feel my child... children, jumping for joy! Y-You saved them! You saved our children!" Luna practically lip tackled me once her praise had concluded, and I just laid there, feeling the tiny kicks against my stomach. Whatever I had done, I needed to find out about, because these powers didn't feel... natural.

The next day brought a flurry of emotions with everyone at the Castle. Princess Celestia was in tears of joy as she and Luna embraced in a long hug, and Twilight, Applejack and the others seemed to be equally relieved, and impressed to the circumstances that saved the children.

After a formal party with just close friends, myself, Celestia, Luna, and even Cadence set up a small meeting in the Throne room. It was just the four of us; the four most powerful beings on the planet. It felt cool to call myself that, but the way these three were looking at me as we all sat down was nerve wracking. It seemed as if I had done something wrong.

"Nathaniel, we must talk about this... power you possess." Luna said, with Celestia and Cadence nodding in agreement. I remained silent and nodded as Celestia started.

"As you are aware, each of us represents our magical ability. Luna's magic lay in the moon, mine the sun, and Cadence in the emotion of love. Since these are our magical elements, we have great power over them. You must know why I am telling you this, Nathaniel?" She asked me, to which I simply shrugged. I had no idea, and I was hoping she would explain. The sun, the moon, love, friendship... I never thought that I would see it in my eternal life, but... Nathaniel, you have one of the most important and controversial powers that a magical Element can possess."

"Which is?" I asked, practically on the edge of my seat.

"Which is, the Element of life. You have the power to decide if somepony lives or dies. You are the keeper, and the giver, of life. Surely you understand why we are all so hesitant about this?"

I nodded in understanding. "I-I do... Holding this kind of power... it's not something I want, but I guess I have no choice. Do... Do you all not trust me with this?" I asked, a bit hurt.

"It's not that." Cadence chimed in. "To hold the power of life in your hands is... What if somepony you loved were dying, which is the natural course of life, but you decided to keep them alive? Forever? You understand that is something you cannot do, right? Even your family can't be on the receiving end of this power. It's just too much and it will disturb the natural order of Harmony!"

"We recognize that you saved your children," Celestia continued. "which was out of your control at the time. We will not see that as a hurtful thing to the Harmony of life, since your children hadn't been given a chance to live yet. But, you must not let this power consume you. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you should use it. Is this understood?" She asked.

I felt a little odd about the whole situation explained to me. Yes, the power of granting life, even eternal life, to someone was just way beyond the level of normal in the natural order of things. But, the way they were scolding me like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar... were they angry at me for having it?

Were they jealous?

I expelled those thoughts, nodding to the three Princesses. "I understand. I don't think it would be wise to use this power either. I'll do my absolute best to control it." I affirmed, but that didn't seem to appease Celestia one bit.

"No. You must control it fully! The balance of nature could be irreversibly thrown off by even one incident. You must control it, no exceptions! Am I understood?" She asked, her tone seeming to border on menacing. Even Cadence and Luna had to give Celestia a second take at her tone.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of anger rising in me. The thought that this power angered Celestia to the point of threatening was unexpected, and strange. I had always thought of Celestia as the figurehead of power in this world, but as for her apparent fear towards what I possessed? It had all the markings of feeling in control; to have a power no one possessed, people feared.

It felt good... Really good.

But, I couldn't let Celestia know this, lest she think I was turning evil or something. Just because being powerful felt good, that didn't mean I was going to let it get to my head. Gritting my teeth, I nodded to Celestia, who upon receiving my acknowledgement, went right back to having a smile on her face.

"Good! Now, it's getting late. I think it would be wise if we all got some sleep. Nathaniel, you are excused. I must speak to Cadence and Luna alone.

Now I was being excluded? Okay, this was not sitting well with me, and I absolutely wanted to bring that up, yet I held my tongue, bowing to the Princesses as I quickly left the throne room for mine and Luna's room.

Once Nathaniel was gone, Celestia turned to Cadence, asking, "What did you sense about his emotions, Cadence?" Luna had to do another double take at the question being asked. Did Celestia not trust Luna's husband? Was she that afraid of his powers? Luna cast a glance at Cadence, who seemed to be going along with the whole thing!

"I could sense frustration, confusion, jealousy... anger." Cadence said the last one quietly, and now Luna knew what was going on. Celestia wanted to see what this power would do to her beloved. If it would corrupt him, as Luna's own power, darkness and hatred corrupted her.

Celestia clicked her tongue and nodded. "I see... all of us must keep an eye on Nathaniel. If this power gets to be too much for him to control, I fear he may have to... be dealt with."

Luna couldn't take it any longer, and finally spoke up. "This is ludicrous! You are talking about my husband! A fellow lover! We know him better than anypony on this planet, and we shouldn't think him a monster! It was not his choice to have such powers, yet he has them! For what point and purpose, I cannot say, but there hasn't been an Element of Life in over fifty-thousand years! Since the time of our great, great grandparents! Nothing ill happened then, and we have no reason to believe anything will happen now!"

Celestia narrowed her eyes at her younger sister. "Need I remind you, Luna, that the power of Life was held by our great, great grandfather, who was a pony? Humans, by nature, can be greedy, forgetting their duties for the greater good for self satisfaction! He may seem different from the others, but the fact is he is still human. No amount of alteration from this world will change that. Now, go to him, get some rest, and do not, under any circumstances, tell him what we just discussed. Am I understood?"

"...indeed..." Luna mumbled, which angered Celestia further.

"AM I UNDERSTOOD?!" Celestia shouted, startling Cadence out of her seat and causing Luna's ears to droop as she silently nodded, slumping out of her chair and slowly hobble out of the room. "I will know if you tell him, sister!" Celestia warned as Luna slammed the Throne room doors shut.

Cadence got back into her chair and stared at a clearly frustrated Celestia. "Auntie, are you okay? I haven't seen you this angry since... ever! What is it about his powers that have you so spooked?"

Celestia let out a sigh and turned to Cadence. "It's not his powers I'm worried about. It's that he has them, and what will come next." She said, almost foreboding.

Cadence leaned in, further interested by Celestia's revelation. "I almost don't want to know, but if it's a danger, then I must. Auntie, tell me, what will come?" She asked with concern.

Celestia, knowing she couldn't keep it secret, lest the dangers actually do come true, decided to tell Cadence to prepare her. Being prepared was better than being caught off guard, which had happened too many times in the past few years.

"As I said, my great, great grandfather held the same power. It's all about opposites with these powers, Cadence. The sun, the moon, even love and friendship are opposites. One cannot exist without the other. So, tell me, Cadence. What is the opposite of Life?"

Cadence sat in her chair, stunned, scared. "D-Death..." She stuttered. Could that mean a pony with the power over death would arise? What would that mean?

"I fear our lives just got more complicated. Death is coming, Cadence, and I will not let Nathaniel be the cause of his arrival."

Author's Note

Been forever since the last update, but I'm tired of not being active! Here ya go, kiddies! Chapter... fuck I can't remember. 31! Ah! There we go! Man, 31 chapters?! Jesus Peezus! Well, now that I'm getting active again, I think the next story to update is A Woman Called Eris. Or, whatever that stories called. Been a full YEAR since I last updated it! A YEAR?! WHERE THE FUCK DOES TIME GO?!?!
Anyway, enough life crisis rambling. Enjoy this chapter, and the next one shouldn't be up in too long. Then again, I don't know where life'll take me, but let's hope it won't take too long, right? LUL!