//------------------------------//
// Love of a Mother 
// Story: Promise Me 
// by JTHailstorm 
//------------------------------//

	A few days later, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence arrived in Ponyville. Twilight met them at the train station. They hugged the young princess, and Twilight couldn’t help but feel better.
 
“We came as soon as we could,” Cadence said.
“I knew you would,” Twilight said.
“So, what’s this about a baby?” Shining Armor asked.
“It’s a long story, which is why I wanted to talk to you two,” Twilight answered.
“It’s too public here to discuss this. Let’s go to the castle.” Cadence said.
“Before we get into this, I just want to say how glad I am that you’re safe,” Shining Armor said.
 
Twilight led her brother and sister-in-law back to the castle. She was glad they were here, but part of her was a little nervous about telling them what was going on. Deep down, she didn’t want to worry them with her issues.
She led them to Sunlight’s room and let them hold her. Shining Armor was filled with pride, and Twilight could tell by the sparkle in his eye. Cadence smiled so lovingly at Sunlight, and whispered something to her. The room was filled with joy and peace.. Twilight smiled as she watched her family welcome and accept the infant.
 
“What did you want to tell us?” Cadence asked.
“I want to tell you everything in confidence,” Twilight said.
“Confidence?” Shining Armor asked.
“If the information were to spread about the truth, I fear that there would be terrible repercussions,” Twilight explained.
“I’m listening,” Cadence said.
“So am I,” Shining Armor said.
 
Twilight took a deep breath then cleared her throat.
 
“It all started when Sunset came back through the portal…” Twilight said.
 
She explained everything that had happened since Sunset Shimmer came back through the portal. Twilight even talked about the short-lived romance. Each word that came out of her mouth tasted of poison, and she wanted to stop talking, but she couldn’t stop. Not if she wanted release. When she got to the end, she had to stop and turn away.
 
“Twilight...” Cadence said.
 
Twilight glanced back and saw her sister-in-law standing beside her. Cadence hugged Twilight.
 
“It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t share the same blood as you. All that matters is that you love her as if she were yours.” Cadence whispered.
“She does kinda look like you. It’s believable.” Shining Armor said.
“Your secret is safe with us.” Cadence said.
“Why does it have to be a secret?” Shining Armor asked.
“If someone were to know the truth of her parentage, I fear she would die.” Twilight said. “My companions that continue to hunt the monster down hate him and all who are associated with him. If they find out he is her father, then she would die.”
“Who were your companions if you don’t mind me asking?” Cadence asked.
“Ponies who have been hurt the same way as I by this monster. They wouldn’t tell me their real names, only nicknames, Victarion, Raven Wings, and Justice.” Twilight said.
 
Cadence nodded to Shining Armor and he nodded back.
 
“I will make sure that no harm comes to my niece. I will find out who these ponies are.” Shining Armor said.
“Speaking of nieces, where’s Flurry Heart?” Twilight asked.
“She’s with mom and dad. They’ll be here when Princess Celestia blesses Sunlight.” Shining Armor said.
 
Cadence smiled then trotted back to Shining Armor.
 
“Cadence, I can’t stop thinking of her.” Twilight said.
“You loved her, I would go through the same thing if I lost your brother.” Cadence said. “The only thing that would comfort me in a time of darkness is my light, our daughter.”
“And I have a light.” Twilight said.
 
Twilight looked at Sunlight and smiled. She never would’ve thought that such a small thing could make the darkness go away.
 
“Yes you do.” Cadence replied.
“I can’t thank both of you enough.” Twilight said.
“We’re always going to be there for you.” Shining Armor said.
“Yes we will, and Congratulations. I know you will make a great mother.” Cadence said.
“Hey, Sunny is well-tempered. Maybe we could trade.” Shining Armor joked.
“No.” Both Twilight and Cadence said at the same time.
 
The three of them shared a laugh. For the first time in a long time Twilight started to feel better. She didn’t feel alone, and she felt as though she was ready for this challenge. Most importantly she felt as though she could keep her promise.
That night Twilight stood on the balcony gazing up at the stars. She was starting to feel that everything was going to be okay. The only thing that was still bugging her was her broken heart.
A gust of wind rushed through and blew her mane. Memories started to fill her mind as the starts started to shift into images of her lost love. As painful as they were, she managed to smile instead of cry.
Her ear twitched as she caught sound of someone behind her. She glanced back but there was no one to be seen.
 
“Come out, I know you’re here.” Twilight called out.
“But where’s the fun in hide-n’-go seek if you aren’t willing to search for me.” Discord chuckled.
 
The god of chaos transformed from a potted plant to his original form. He slithered towards her with a grin on his face. When he was close enough he poofed to the in front of Twilight.
 
“Or would you rather me take on a different form? Like this one.” Discord said.
 
With a snap of his claw he transformed into Sunset Shimmer. Twilight closed her eyes and looked away. She didn’t want to take any steps back.
 
“Stop it, Discord.” Twilight growled.
“Come on, Twilight. Open your eyes.” Discord said.
 
Discord tried to open Twilight’s eyes but she was able to make him stop. She sent out a shockwave that pushed the pestering draconequus back. Discord reverted to normal then hovered in front of Twilight.
 
“Do that again and I swear that I will turn you back into stone.” Twilight threatened.
“Temper. Temper. I was just showing you what you wanted.” Discord said.
“She’s gone so let her be.” Twilight said.
“You’ve kept some of her, and I’m not only talking about the memories you hold. Though I must say they are very juicy memories.” Discord said.
 
Discord materialized a magazine with an image of Twilight and Sunset on the cover. He flipped through the magazine and grinned.
 
“Discord!”
“What? Are your thoughts off-limits as well?”
“Yes.”
“Though there is one that I can’t see. You keep it locked off.”
“What’s it to you?”
“Oh I just want to know what secrets you have, after all friends share secrets with friends.”
“This is a secret that no one may know about. I didn’t even tell my brother or Cadence about it.”
“Tell me about it.”
“No.”
“Please?”
“No”
“Pretty please with sugar on top.”
“No. I have all night to say no to you.”
“Fine. Just let me see the little pipsqueak.”
“You can’t see her until the ceremony.”
“But you let Fluttershy see her.”
“That’s because she saw her at the train station, and plus she didn’t turn into my…you get the point.”
 
Discord looked at Twilight with a pouty face. He folded his arms and floated in front of Twilight.
 
“I’m sorry.”
 
Twilight glared at Discord. She did not like that he had tried to invoke the darkness inside of her by turning into Sunset, nor did she like the fact that he made fun of her inability to save her love. A part of her was sore about his actions but for the most part she wanted to forgive him like a true friend.
 
“Tomorrow. You can see her tomorrow if you bring Fluttershy with you.”
“Oh goody.”
“And Discord.”
“Yes, your highness.”
“Stay out of my thoughts.”
“If you say so.”
“I mean it.”
“Fair enough, without further ado I bid you adieu.”
 
Discord waved then snapped his claw he disappeared. Twilight sighed in relief after Discord had left. She then picked up where she left off. Her eyes focused on the stars and watched as the star ponies played in the darkness of the night sky.
Together the Twilight and the Sunset constellations then bowed to each other and between them a foal was created. Sunlight had the brightest star on the tip of her horn. From there stars gathered to make a heart around the family.
A mother’s love is not restricted by blood, it extends to those we take into our lives and it is up to us to show them the love that a mother has for her own. Sunlight is mine, and she always will be, Twilight continued to gaze at the stars with a smile on her face and a stream of tears flowing down her cheek. She knew that everything was going to be okay.