//------------------------------// // The Explanation // Story: A Beautiful Night // by bakersong //------------------------------// As they walked side by side back to the palace the squad of guards that had wanted to take him back to prison surrounding them. Though he could feel their cautious and suspicious stares he didn't mind because he was finally after all of this time reunited with the one he loved. But the only thing that still stood in the way was the creature, what will happen to him once he tells them what he's been through? "So, is it honestly really you? As in you can remember?" She asked for a fourth time, and he again gave a small chuckle at this. "Of course my princess, and I've missed you so much in my time of sleep." He said nuzzling her. "Sleep? What do you mean?' She asked giving him a very curious look, but there was that spark of doubt in there as well. "Like I said I will explain once we're with Celestia, for she needs to hear this as well. Though I do expect to go back to prison and finish out my sentence, however long that is." He said looking away. "Wait, you don't remember how long you were sentenced? But how, that was only a two months ago. It's now the middle of summer." She said looking at him now with her own suspicion. "Well, I guess I can explain that much right now. Everything that happened to me since I've been back is a bit fuzzy, I can still remember things. But only certain stuff, like being drawn into the cave and finding out that the creature was inside of me. You there doing your best to help me, and also before I was sent to prison I remember meeting your new coltfriend." He said giving her a playful bump. "But don't worry, I understand why you would want to get over me." "But I didn't get over you, I thought I did. I mean when you came back with no memory except saying you remembered my smile, I thought I had no choice but to get over you." She said with a pained expression. "But I was a fool trying to fool myself into thinking that." "No you are not! You were only trying to heal your heart Luna, many ponies after losing the ones they love can barely do that and remain the same. Also I thought it was cute how you tried to restore my memory with that spell. And before you say anything, even though I was sleeping in two ways I knew tried." He said giving her a knowing smirk. "I think you just remember my sister or me telling you I tried that." She said blushing. "Mmm, nope. I was a little bit conscious at the time. Though one thing i'm surprised you didn't do was go into my dreams, and don't tell me you can't because you first used that dream walking spell on me." He said. "Oh right, well I was distracted at the time." She said averting her eyes. "I know, and listen just know that no matter what I will always love you. Even after death." He said giving her a small peck on the cheek. They continued their trip, it was going rather slow since they had some guards forming a circle around them. And also the citizens of Canterlot were roaming around the streets. Most looked in a daze, and some looked like nothing had even happened and continued about their business. As they walked though they also came across some injured ponies, some of which he had personally rescued. They also came across some allies blocked off by guards, and he figured that they were hiding some dead bodies back in them. Most likely some changelings weren't lucky enough to be in an open enough space and got crushed in between the wall and the magic blast that was sent throughout the city. One guard in particular caught his attention a little bit, one that had his helmet off and his cutie mark was one of a bow and arrow, the arrow was on fire. He was a red earth pony with a black mane with tiny red stripes in it, and they looked eyes for a second. The guard walked over and join the other guards surrounding them and he got a closer look at the somewhat beaten up guard. "So your Baker Song huh? The one that supposedly died and then reappeared after a little while?" The guard asked. "Yes, I am. And though my memory is a bit fuzzy since I've been out of touch for awhile, I think I remember you from somewhere. What's your name?" He asked. "Names Quick Shot, though most call me Hot Shot due to my thing for wanting to shot flaming arrows. I'm the lead archer in the Equestrian Archers though for a little bit i'm a temporary guard." Quick Shot answered. "So I take it you're headed back to the palace?" "Yes, we are." She answered her tone making him back off a little. "Hey I was just hoping to join you. As you my recall Princess Luna I am Onyx's best friend and I want to make sure he's alright." Quick Shot replied. "That's fine, but what happened to Onyx?" She asked concern in her voice. "He decided to have me run decoy to lour some of the guard changelings guarding the front door of the palace. Though as I was running away something popped back into my mind, that there might be a lot more inside the palace. So i'm pretty sure he either got captured or..." Quick Shot didn't finish as he looked away his stare distant. "I wouldn't worry about it, if the changelings can since any kind of love off of him then they wouldn't kill him. They probably brought him to Chrysalis so she can decide what to do with him, and well food is food. And emotions especially love is food for them." Song answered. "And how do you know all of this?" Another guard asked. "For one I was kidnapped by them, and for two I am just over two hundred years old you know." He answered a look of the same sadness she seen on him before. "But how are you over two hundred years old? The only way in order for anypony to live that long is either becoming attuned to a celestial body, or if they practice dark magic." The same guard that asked the question said, making all of the other guards stare at him ready to attack. "No I have not been practicing dark magic. What actually happened to me is considered top secret, only few ponies know about what I've been through. And only the princesses and I are the only ones who can talk about it." He answered, but there was something in there that didn't seem right. A part of his tone told Luna he was hiding something. "Let's not discuss this in public, we have to get to the palace to talk to my sister." She said earning a grateful smile from Song, and they finally started their slow walk to the palace. --- "Are you okay princess?" Twilight asked as Celestia was freed from the cocoon, and right beside her student was Feather looking concerned but ashamed. "I am just fine Twilight, but I am wondering if my sunshine is alright. I think we should have you looked at by the palace doctor because this stress can't be good for the baby, and you looked a bit worse for wear." Celstia answered standing up and looking at Feather with pure love and concern. "Y-you aren't mad at me for not telling that I-I was pre..." Feather was cut off as Celestia pressed her lips against her, and there was a long and dramatic 'Awww..' from somewhere else. "No I am not mad at you my love, for this news maid my day far more brighter since I failed at protecting my kingdom." Celestia answered a sad look in her eyes. "You didn't fail anypony Celesti, not me nor your citizens. What everypony needs to remember is that you are also a pony as well as they are." Feather said wrapping her hooves around the princess. "It is good to hear that from my future wife, and a expecting mother as well." Celestia smiled at the thought of being a real mother. "Oooh, this is just so romantic!" Rarity said taking a hidden hooferchief from somewhere to wipe her eyes. "Um, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked, and when Rarity looked at her she let out a small 'eep' that only mad Rarity smile at the cuteness. "I-if y-you don't mind me a-asking, but w-what Chrysalis s-said about you h-having feeling for me..." "Yes, I remember." Rarity said a blush forming on her. "Well, is she right?" Fluttershy managed to very quietly ask shaking in place, but Rarity had grown accustom to Fluttershy's speaking so she heard the question. "Y-yes, I do have feelings for you my dear Fluttershy." Rarity spoke almost as quiet as Fluttershy as she just admitted her feelings, all chips and bets on the table now. "W-what about what she said about..." Rarity never got the chance as Fluttershy tackled her in a big bear hug locking lips with her. On the inside Rarity and Fluttershy were squealing with happiness that they both had the same feelings for each other. But on the outside all anypony saw was a yellow blur tackling Rarity and the yellow blur suddenly kissing the white mare, both had their eyes closed. "Ahem!" A sudden voice said. "I-I hope i'm n-not disrupting anything." They all turned to see Onyx sitting grimacing in pain, but Twilight didn't seem to notice as she leapt for her own lover and locked lips with him. "I'm so glad your okay! I thought you might have, that they were only saying that you're alive and showing us..." Twilight started but was cut off noticing that he was grimacing even worse now, and she let go and looked at him. "What happened?" "I-it's fine really, just some cracked ribs and a burn. Nothing to be concern about." Onyx said the grimace still on his face. "B-but I think they cracked some of the ones that healed, but it doesn't hurt as bad when I know that you're safe." "How did you get your injuries?" Celestia asked. "Oh, w-well I-I was tricked by one of those c-changelings. He had made himself l-look like Twilight." Onyx said looking away in shame. "I-I managed to figure out that it wasn't the real her, b-but he already f-feed enough to get a lot of power. I couldn't defend m-myself because I-I couldn't use magic, and took a full p-powered blast in the chest." "Oh my, we need to get you checked out as well. Though I see that you already had a visit with one of the safe zones." Celestia said nodding to the blood stained bandage around his chest. "Y-yeah, right before the c-changeling finished me off and b-before I passed out a mysterious cloaked stallion s-saved me. And t-took me to one of the s-safe zone. B-but one of the nurses helped me r-recover enough to make my way here." Onyx answered. "That's right, why were you trying to break into the palace when you knew that it would be heavily guarded?" Twilight asked giving him a glare. "Well I wasn't alone a-at first, Q-quick Shot was with me. B-but I made him run decoy to get as many of t-the changelings guards o-outside to chase him. I-it slipped my mind about h-how many there was on the inside." He answered. "I'm just glad your safe my stargazer." Twilight said gently pecking him on the cheek. "B-but there is something e-else I should tell you Twilight. I-it's something that i-i'm not proud of." Onyx said. "And what would that be?" Twilight asked looking very concerned. "W-while I thought the c-changeling was you, I-I kissed it..." Onyx answered looking away not wanting to see the hurt in her eyes. "Y-you kissed a changeling?" She asked though her tone didn't seem to contain any bad emotion, just more concern. "Did it still, um, look like me?" "Y-yeah, that's why I kissed it. B-because I thought it was you." Onyx said still averting his gaze. "Well as long as you don't kiss another girl again, i'll let this one slid. And remember if I say not to leave a tip then don't, cause if you do we might cut the party short next time." Twilight said turning his head to look at her as she winked at him, but as he looked past her for a second he could see Rarity and Applejack stifling laughter, and Fluttershy had a deep red blush on her face. "So does t-this mean that y-you don't care that I kissed somepony e-else?" Onyx asked. "It does, but I can understand that you thought it was me. Later maybe you can tell how you figured out that it wasn't." Twilight answered giving another affectionate kiss on the cheek. "Sister, I am so sorry I am late." Luna suddenly ran through the door hugging her sister. "I'm glad to see you to Lulu, but are you not ma..." Celestia stopped what she was about to say as she saw who was standing by the door. "H-how can this be?" "That's something i'm about to explain, but please have your moment with your sister. Oh and it's good to see you all again, and Feather you seem somewhat different than the last time I saw you." Song said a look of confusion crossed all of their faces, for all most of them knew he was in prison for being a host of a dangerous creature. And this confusion ranged double for Celestia and Feather as they thought he was dead. "Yes, he said he'll explain everything. And guess what? He's actually back, both physically and mentally this time! He got his memory back!" Luna exclaimed excitedly. "Yes, well though this news is a bit of a surprise me and Feather have our own news to share. This news will probably be just as shocking." Celestia said looking at her little sister. "Oh, and what's that?" Luna asked both her and Song looked between her and Feather both had big smiles, and Celestia went to stand by Feather again and gave her a kiss. "So do you want to tell them my sunshine?" Celestia asked Feather with more love than Luna had ever seen her sister showed towards Feather since they've been engaged. Not that her sister didn't love Feather, it's just she has to maintain a certain level of public display of affection. "It's okay Celesti, you can tell them." Feather answered nuzzling Celestia. "Well the news is that Feather is pregnant with our child." Celestia said, this making Luna gasp in shock and surprise and Song only smiled. "B-but how? You two are mares." Luna asked. "Well, I think it happened when Celestia here wanted to try a spell while we were, well you know." Feather said, and Luna just nodded. "And well long story short, for a short time she had a certain private part and it's been proven that the spell can in fact get mares pregnant by other mares. It's been recommended by doctors to mares who want a foal of their own but don't want to either adopt or, uh, go to a donor." Feather answered looking away in embarrassment. "Yes, well this is mostly my fault for not using protection. But this is still an en-joyous occasion for all of us, but it will have to wait until after we hear about what Song has to say." Celestia looked at him with suspicion which he knew was coming. "Alright, I guess i'll start from the prison. Though the details are fuzzy since I got my memory back so here goes nothing." He said taking a deep breath. --- "Please no...Ahhh!" He screamed in pain as it felt like something was trying to dig it's way out of his body. "Hmm, yes you are the one I've been looking for. I'm sure you know about what you're hosting?" Chrysalis asked in Cadence's voice. "W-who are you?" He managed to say through the pain. "You can call me Queen Chrysalis, or for you just Chrysalis. Now do you know what you are hosting?" She asked in annoyed tone. "A-a creature that should be dead." He managed to say. "My my, looks like somepony doesn't know exactly what they're hosting. Other wise you should feel honored, though it seems that you have only have part of the mother inside of you." She said looking away her horn glowing again and the same pain returned. "W-what are you doing?" He asked once again through the pain he felt. "Well don't worry i'll explain later, but for now i'll have to come back for you." She said walking away. As the pain he felt started to leave he finally managed to breath. What was she, and who was this mother? She surely didn't mean the creature, and what was that about him only being a host to part of it? For all he knew he was the only one to host the creature, and how was it possible if there were two host? He laid there in his bed his body not wanting to respond for some reason, and then he heard some movement from outside of his cell. A guard had taken up position on the outside, and he recognized the guard as Private Dancer. But little did Dancer or Song know that this would be the last time anypony would see Dancer as a whole. "Ah, guard I want to go inside of this ones cell to talk to him." Chrysalis said still pretending to be cadence, and another prisoner was behind her. "Are you sure Princess, and why is that prisoner with you?" Dancer asked. "Don't worry, I just want to run an experiment with two prisoners. And I need your help as well, I need you to go inside with me." Chrysalis said. "I understand Ma'am." Dancer said nodding his head. Song wanted to warn him about the danger, that he shouldn't listen and alert his fellow guards. But whatever Chrysalis did to him made him lose the ability to speak as well. As Dancer picked up the keys and unlocked the door stepping inside he turned to the princess to ask if she was coming. "Are you..." Dancer never even finished as he was blasted knocked out. "Ha, that was great now time to make sure no pony looks for you Song. Because I know that with you being lovey dubie with Luna they'll send a search party for you if they think your still alive. Now my servant remove the guards armor and place it upon yourself." She said and the prisoner walked forward his eyes glowing green. "Y-you're sick." He managed to say. "Yes, I am love sick. Also if your wondering about my new friend here, he's hosting the other part of the mother. And he'll also help you get out of here." She said giving him an evil smirk. But before he could say anything she again lit her horn and this time he instantly fell asleep. Though in his sleep this time he heard a voice call out to him. The same voice that he thought was the creature talking to him, but he knew that it was his own voice. This voice sounding older and than what he knew his youth was, and had a sadness to it, and it said to him very simple but frightening words for some reason. "Let it take over, I promise everything will be fine." His own voice rang in his head in his sleep.