> Midnight Star: Recovery
>  by Nebula Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Wind Chill
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midnight Star: Recovery
By Nebula Star


Wind Chill
***


Silence. 

Not a sound could be heard throughout the canyon. Only a few hours had passed since the canyon had been filled with the chaos of war. Only a few hours since the battle had come to a sudden end with everypony fearing for their lives. Now the only ponies moving through the canyon did so in silence; holding back their tears of grief as they went about the grim task of searching for survivors. Retrieving the dead would come later, when they were sure that all survivors were accounted for.

Unseen in the dim light of the late evening, a single windigo returned to the battlefield. What drew it back, none could say. Perhaps it was seeking more of the feast of strife and hatred that the battle had provided; or perhaps something else was calling it. Perhaps it was even loyalty to its trainer that had drawn it back to where it had last seen them. Whatever the reason, the windigo didn't find what it was looking for. 

The only emotions now were sadness and grief, both of which came from the love of ones lost and were not emotions born of hatred. The only ponies moving about the battlefield were warm and full of love; certainly not the windigo's trainer. And if something had called the Windigo there, it didn't seem to know who or why.

In silence the spirit beast wandered aimlessly among the dead, not knowing what to do now that its master was gone.

Then it felt something.

Something that made it afraid.

It tried to run, but it was already too late; it was already caught by the strange magic. It wasn't any known spell, nor did it have any structure or form. It was savage, instinctual magic; magic of one desperate to survive.

It tore at the windigo; clawing at it's very being. The windigo let out a cry of pain and fear as it felt its magic, its life force, being torn away by the strange magic. Desperately it tried to pull away, tried to escape the magic's grasp, but it was a fight it could not win. Even as the echos of its cry faded from the canyon, the windigo's magic and life force were torn from its being and it burst into a fine mist that slowly drifted away, dispersed by the gentle breeze.


~~~


“What was that?” Evergreen gasped looking out over the battlefield trying to locate the source of the sound. An earth pony; she'd been in one of the few reserves that hadn't fought in the battle and so had volunteered to help search for survivors.

The pegasus lieutenant in charge of her search party looked toward the sound as well seeming worried. “That sounded like a windigo,” he said and the circlet he wore glowed with magic as he drew his crystal sword, one of the hundreds that Midnight Star had made for the pegasi during the battle. “This way,” he ordered, leading the group toward the sound. 

They were making their way across the canyon behind the first defensive wall. Most of the dead here were ice unicorns as the majority of the Equestrians had managed to retreat after the landslides had broken the forward defense. Even so, Evergreen felt herself shivering as she looked out over the dead. They were approaching a group of fallen ice unicorns, most of them missing limbs or heads, wounds clearly inflicted by a sword. But a few seemed almost untouched, except that their necks were bending further than they should.

Evergreen shivered again seeing the violence.

“Hmm, no sign of whatever made that sound,” the lieutenant said softly but kept his sword at the ready, just in case.

Evergreen and the rest of the group began to spread out searching through the area for any signs of life. It didn't matter if they were Equestrian or ice unicorns, their orders were to save any that still lived. With Equestrian's the first way to tell if they may be alive was with a simple touch. The dead wouldn't have retained body heat this long. With the ice unicorns it was a bit more difficult. Evergreen however, had always been able to sense when life was present. Part of her earth pony magic, she supposed.

So when she came across an ice unicorn mare with a broken horn among the dead, she immediately knew that she wasn’t dead.

“This one's alive!” She called out quickly crouching down by the mare to examine her condition.  It didn't seem all that bad to her; other than the broken horn, her only other wound was a large lump on the side of her head where it looked like she'd been kicked or punched. Either way it was in the shape of a hoof.

The lieutenant and a couple others soon joined her.

“Broken horn, and severe head trauma, likely a concussion,” their group's nurse said as she looked over the ice unicorn. “She's not in good shape; this needs to be treated immediately. I don't have the supplies here.”

The lieutenant nodded. “You two,” he said gesturing to two of the group's unicorns. “Transport her to the medical tents.”

They nodded and together levitated the ice unicorn and headed back up the canyon, the group's nurse leading the way.

Evergreen watched them go. Though she was an ice unicorn, Evergreen hoped the poor mare would be alright. The war had caused more than enough suffering already.


~~~


A crash shattered the silence of one of the longest halls of the Dodge City hospital. Sergeant Blazewing didn't hesitate, throwing the door open, he dashed into the room where the sound had come from.

“Sergeant! Help me restrain her, she's going to hurt herself!” The nurse cried trying to hold down the patient as she thrashed, trying to get loose. She had been tied down to the bed, but the bindings weren't meant to restrain her, just prevent her from accidentally falling off the bed; they still allowed her quite a bit of free movement. 

Seeing the nurse was right, Blazewing leaped forward with a beat of his red-orange wings. He caught both the ice unicorn's fore-hooves and pinned them down at her sides while the nurse moved to restrain her hind legs. Absently, he noticed that he felt no warmth from her hooves. It wasn't that they were cold so much as they seemed to be the same temperature as the room.

“LET GO OF ME!” The ice unicorn cried in outrage.

“Ma'am, please calm down.” Blazewing said as he held her still. “You're in a hospital.”

She paused in her thrashing and looked up at Blazewing, eyes narrowed as if she didn't believe what he was saying. He went on anyway.

“You had a severe head injury and you've been in a coma for almost two weeks.”

“Why am I here!? We're at war!” She exclaimed, though she was at least no longer struggling.

“The war is over,” he told her calmly. “What was left of your army surrendered after Midnight Star took down your general and his guard.”

Her eyes widened. “No, that's impossible! The general's guard defeated your most powerful alicorn, nopony could have beaten them!”

“You were unconscious for the last part of the battle so I understand your disbelief,” he told her. “But believe me when I say, you and the rest of your army that survive are lucky to be alive. From what I heard, Midnight Star lost control and tried to end everything, starting with your army.”

She glared up at him. “That's impossible.”

“I wish it were. What that alicorn did...” He shook his head. “I thought the world was ending. We're all lucky to be alive, frankly.”

He loosened his grip on her a little to see what she'd do. She was still tied down, but she did have some freedom of movement. “Now so long as you don't give the nurse more trouble, I'll let go.”

She just continued to glare up at him as he slowly released her fore-hooves. The nurse released her hind legs as well. 

“Where are we?” She asked finally.

“Like I said, this is a hospital. The Dodge City hospital to be exact. You were brought here for treatment when you were found comatose after the battle.”

She looked him over noting his armor and looking almost disgusted at the sight of his wings. “You're not a doctor.” 

“No, I'm Sergeant Blazewing of the Dodge City guard. I've been assigned to watch over you while you're here.”

“So I am a prisoner then,” she stated coldly.

“Well, yes technically,” he told her, partially because he wasn't too sure himself. “I am here to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't cause any trouble. But I'm also here for your protection.”

She looked up at him seeming confused and angry. “My protection? Why in Tartarus would anypony here want to protect me?”

“I told you; what was left of your army surrendered, but there are plenty of ponies who don't believe you deserve any mercy. You've all been placed under the protection of the crown until things cool down.”

“That shouldn't take long, you Equestrian's are good at forgetting...” She muttered. Blazewing wasn't sure how to reply to that, not that she gave him a chance. “So how long am I stuck here?” She asked.

“I'm afraid I don't know that answer. You were in severe condition when you were brought in; the doctors may want to keep you here for some time, just to be safe.”

“I alerted Doctor Scalpel when you woke. He's been in charge of your case and will be here shortly to tell you more,” The nurse offered hoping to help her relax.

She just frowned then finally laid back in the bed, glaring up at the ceiling. Blazewing watched her for a moment then shook his head. “You want me to take those bindings off? We only tied you down because we were concerned you may hurt yourself if you woke suddenly.”

“I thought I was your prisoner?” She said sounding confused. 

He smirked. “Yeah, well, technically. In any case I'm stationed right out your door and considering you just woke from a coma, I doubt you're really feeling up to causing any real trouble, especially without your horn. Sure you might try to just run away, but we're on the second floor, so I doubt you want to go jumping out the window, and like I said, I'm stationed right outside the door.”

She looked at him seeming to consider what he was saying, then glanced toward the window to confirm that, yes, they were on the second floor and jumping out the window would likely result in a sprained ankle at the very least.

He smiled. “You may be our prisoner, but that doesn't mean we can't allow you to at least be comfortable. So do you want me to take off those bindings?”

She hesitated a moment more, then simply held up one fore-hoof toward him as far as she could lift it. He understood and went to work undoing the bindings. “So, what's your name?” He asked conversationally while he worked.

She just looked away seeming unwilling to answer.

He snorted. “You may be here some time; I'm willing to bet 'hey you' will get old pretty quick.”

She let out a snort but still didn't answer.

Blazewing sighed and started undoing the binding on one of her hind legs.

“Tundra,” She spoke up finally. “My name is Tundra Blossom.” 

He smiled. “Well I'm glad to meet you, Blossom.”

“Tundra Blossom!” She corrected sharply.

“Blossom is easier.” He said with a shrug undoing the binding on her other leg. She glared at him a few moments more, then just turned away again as he finished undoing her bindings.

The hospital room was silent for a time after that.

The silence was only broken when the door opened and Doctor Scalpel entered the room carrying a clipboard and quill in his magic. “Ah, finally awake, we were getting worried.” He said in a kindly tone.

“I'm supposed to believe that?” Tundra Blossom asked bitterly.

The doctor didn't let her tone phase him. “Every doctor worries about their patients, no matter where they're from.” He told her calmly, she just snorted in response. “Now, I'm Doctor Scalpel and I've been in charge of your case since you were brought in, miss...”

“Tundra Blossom,” she provided grudgingly, knowing that Blazewing would if she didn't.

Doctor Scalpel took a moment to write it down. “Miss Tundra Blossom, then. To update you on your condition; you were brought here the day after the battle. You suffered a snapped off horn, judging by the break, I'd say it was caused by a blunt impact, in which case you’re lucky it broke as cleanly as it did and didn't splinter. As it is, your horn should regrow fully in about seven months’ time. Though you may be able to, I would recommend not attempting any magic until at least six months.

“In addition, you suffered severe blunt force trauma just below your right ear, which was likely the injury that rendered you unconscious.”

As the doctor spoke, Tundra Blossom raised her hoof, first to her broken horn then to the side of her head wincing as if remembering the blows that had caused her injuries.

“You were found after the battle having lain in the cold on the battlefield with a concussion for several hours. With all that in addition to your previous condition, to be honest, we weren't sure you'd make it when you were brought here.”

“What do you mean; 'Previous condition'? I was in perfect health before the battle.” She asked, seeming to think he was making something up.

He gave her an appraising look. “I take it you weren't aware then.”

“Of what?”

Doctor Scalpel set his clipboard down on the bedside table and regarded her seriously. “Miss Tundra Blossom, you're pregnant.”

For a few moments she just stared at the doctor, blinking. Then her eyes narrowed into a furious glare that she split between the doctor and Blazewing. “Which one of you bastards did this to me!” She shouted accusingly.

Doctor Scalpel snorted in amusement at her reaction. “Considering you were more than a month and a half in at the time of the battle, I highly doubt anypony in Equestria is responsible.”

“THAT'S...” She started furiously but then froze seeming to remember something. “Alright, maybe it is possible...” She muttered finally.

Blazewing couldn't help laughing at that, earning a glare from her.

“Is it safe to assume then that you don't wish to contact the father then?”

“He's probably dead anyway.” She muttered, though she didn't seem too concerned.

“In any case, due to the trauma you went through, as well as some oddities we picked up in our magical scans, we're concerned about possible complications. We'd like to keep you here under observation for the duration of the pregnancy.”

She turned her glare on him. “And if I don't want to stay here?”

The doctor sighed. “Then we will have to release you into royal custody, and you will be sent to the settlement that is being built in western Equestria for your people. I understand most are living in tents until they can build homes for themselves, of course in your condition, I doubt you could handle the work. 

“We can't keep you here against your will. But honestly, if you refuse our help, I'd be appalled that you'd care so little about your daughter.”

She blinked. “Daughter? How could you possibly know it's a filly already?”

“I've had to perform numerous medical scans while you were comatose, and your pregnancy is far enough along for the sex of the foal to be determined,” he explained.

She seemed surprised by that. Blazewing watched her for a moment as she seemed to consider her options. It was entirely possible that Equestria's medical techniques were more advanced than her homeland's, and she was likely taking that into consideration.

Finally, she sighed. “Alright, I'll stay.”

“A good choice,” the doctor told her smiling. “Now that you're awake, I'll make arrangements to have you moved to one of our long term recovery rooms so you can be more comfortable.”

She nodded absently.

“In the meantime, if you need anything, there's a button there on the side of the bed to call a nurse,” he told her. “And I'll be checking in on you regularly as well.”

With that he bid her good day, and left the room.

For a time, the room was Silent. Blazewing stayed by the door while the nurse checked to make sure all the sensors connected to the medical equipment were still properly attached. Tundra Blossom just laid there, staring up at the ceiling. Eventually the nurse finished her work and left as well, leaving just Blazewing in the room with the ice unicorn. He was just about to step out as well when she finally spoke again.

“What did he mean, about my people building a settlement in Equestria?”

Blazewing looked over at her, a little surprised by the question but he understood her curiosity. “After the battle, when what was left of your army surrendered, the princesses made them an offer. Rather than putting them in prison camps, they were given land north of Las Pegasus and supplies to build a home for themselves there. They're under guard, and confined to those lands, but otherwise they're free to live as they wish. I understand that in time, if they prove that they can live peacefully and not cause trouble, they even have the possibility of becoming Equestrian citizens.”

She looked over at him in shock. “But... we're your enemy! Why would your princesses offer such a thing!?”

He smiled. “Our princesses are nothing if not forgiving. And all of Equestria strives to live up to their example. Nopony is perfect, but we try to be the best we can be. That's why Equestria is the land of harmony.”

She stared at him a few moments more, before finally looking away again without another word.


~~~


“What happened to you?” Blazewing asked the nocturne mare on duty outside Tundra Blossom's recovery room the next morning when he arrived. Her helmet was off and she was holding a bloodied cloth to her snout. Past the cloth he could see that the area around her right eye was puffy and swollen.

“I went in to introduce myself,” Whisper Song grumbled. “Apparently she's never seen a Nocturne up close before.”

Blazewing snorted as he tried to hold back his laughter. “I take it; it didn't go well?”

She just glared at him.

He laughed. “Well, maybe it will go better with me here to introduce you,” he offered, and went to open the door to the recovery room.

Tundra Blossom looked up startled as he entered and for a moment looked like she was about to make a grab for something to throw when recognition crossed her face. “Oh, it's you...”

“Good morning. You seem a bit jumpy today.”

She glowered at him. “You would be too if you woke up to find some monster-pony in your room!”

“I'm not a monster!” Whisper objected.

Tundra Blossom looked past Blazewing to see the nocturne mare and her eyes widened again.

“Relax, Blossom,” Blazewing intervened, stepping between them before she could grab for something to throw. “Whisper Song isn't a monster. She's a nocturne.”

“What in the frozen hells is a nocturne?”

“Well, basically they're a tribe of nocturnal pegasi. Their wings and eyes are adapted to night-time living,” he explained as Whisper took a hesitant step into the room so that Tundra Blossom could see her.

“And the fangs!?” the ice unicorn demanded. As far as she was concerned fangs were something only predator's, flesh eaters, had.

Whisper just shrugged. “We love fruit, and many of our favorites have thick rinds. Our fangs help us get through the rinds to get to the juices within.”

Tundra Blossom glared at her suspiciously a few moments more. “I guess...” she conceded finally, though it was clear she still wasn't comfortable with the fanged pony. “Why were you in my room?”

Whisper rolled her eyes. “I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm a member of the night-guard here in Dodge and I've been assigned to the night shift, watching over you. You know, so you're still protected while Blaze here gets his beauty sleep.”

“You mean to make sure I don't escape.”

Whisper snorted. “I'm not really worried about that. Yes, it's part of the assignment, but honestly, a pregnant unicorn mare alone in an unknown country with a broken horn. How far do you really think you'd get if you tried to run? Even if nopony went after you?”

Tundra Blossom glared at her a moment, but eventually looked away without a word.

“Anyway, like Blazewing said, my name is Whisper Song. I'll be here every night after Blazewing leaves. I'd appreciate it if you could refrain from throwing things at me from now on.”

She didn't respond. After a few moments of silence Blazewing sighed, and, with a shrug, Whisper Song left.

“You know; everypony here is trying to help you. You've received some of the best medical care Equestria has to offer, you're staying in a comfortable room instead of a prison camp, and you have day and night guards to make sure nopony that might hold some resentment towards ice unicorns can cause you any trouble. What's more, both Whisper and I volunteered for the assignment. The least you could do is show some appreciation,” Blazewing told her then stepped outside and shut the door; leaving her to think on his words.


~~~


Tundra Blossom looked up as the door opened and blinked in surprise as Whisper Song stepped into the recovery room. “Evening,” Whisper said in greeting.

“What are you doing here?” Tundra demanded. It was barely after six and Whisper usually didn't show up until nearly nine. She'd long since gotten use to the nocturne in the months since they'd first met.

“Didn't Blazewing tell you? He had to take off early tonight, his sister is graduating from the guard academy tomorrow in Canterlot and he had to catch a train this evening to make it in time. Iron Hoof is going to be here tomorrow covering the day shift.” Whisper explained. 

Tundra thought about it a moment. “Hmm. Whatever...” She muttered remembering Blazewing mentioning something like that. As usual he'd spent most of the day in her room, telling her about everything from recent events in Equestria to his rather large family and their exploits, as well as trying to coax her into talking.

“Anyway... I'll be outside if you need anything, or you can use the bell-call to call the nurse if you think something is wrong,” Whisper told her, knowing it would be futile to try and talk to her. Or it would have been, but lately there had been something on her mind that she could stop wondering about.

“Can I ask you something?” Tundra asked quickly before the nocturne could leave.

Whisper turned back, looking surprised. Even though they'd been on fairly good terms, this was the first time Tundra had willingly started a conversation. “Sure.”

“Why are you a guard?”

Whisper blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Whisper Song doesn't really sound like a guardmare's name,” she elaborated. “And I saw your mark...”

Whisper glanced back at her cutie mark; two wavy lines with three musical notes looking almost as if they were being carried by a gentle breeze. “Yeah, I guess that's true; my special talent really doesn't have anything to do with being a guard.”

“So why are you then?”

Whisper stepped back into the room, closing the door behind her. “Has Blaze told you much about Nocturne?”

“Not really,” she said, shaking her head.

Whisper sighed. “We're more alike than you may realize. When I was a filly, my kind, the nocturne, we were hated and feared throughout Equestria. My family lived in hiding; rarely interacting with other ponies. The town we lived near was a small, quiet town. Friendly enough, I guess. Most the townsponies would tolerate us at least. At first anyway.

“My parents just wanted for me to have a normal life, so they enrolled me in school with the other foals my age... The first day I was to attend, my parents walked me to the school only to find a mob waiting to drive us out of town. They would tolerate us nearby... but they didn't want a little monster like me going to school with their foals.”

Tundra Blossom winced, remembering her own reaction when they'd first met. Whisper didn't seem to notice though.

“After that, my parents did their best to home school me, but they knew it was futile... I would never be able to live a normal life among other ponies. None of us would. 

“Then everything changed...”

“What happened?”

Whisper looked up at her and smiled. “Princess Luna,” she said, her voice filled with wonder and respect. “I was nine years old when she returned. Within a few months we started to notice ponies seemed... more accepting of us. Before long, we came to a town where for the first time, a few ponies actually welcomed us. I was able to start school there; met some foals my own age, even made a few friends.

“I didn't know what had changed then; but I was happy. It wasn't until I was almost fifteen that I found out what had happened. The nocturne, even in ancient times had held Princess Luna in the highest regard and in return were beloved of the princess. When she returned, and found our people so mistreated and despised, she immediately began working to correct the wrongs that we had suffered. She even brought it to the attention of Princess Celestia, and together, they both worked to ensure a better future for the nocturne. But it wouldn't have happened at all, if it weren't for Princess Luna.”

Whisper smiled again, her eyes shining with the gratitude she felt for the princess. “When I found out what had turned my life around, why ponies had suddenly accepted me and my family; I knew right then that I wanted to serve Princess Luna with all my heart. So, I joined the night-guard, and though my special talent had nothing to do with being a guard, I worked hard to be the best guard I could be; to do all I can to repay the Princess for all she did for my kind.”

Tundra stared at her a few moments in silence. Finally, she looked away. “I see...” she said softly, then rolled onto her side facing away from the guardmare. Remembering now how she had reacted to Whisper and now hearing how the mare had suffered she felt... well she didn't know how she felt. She felt something, but it was an emotion she didn't recognize – guilt? Whatever it was, she didn't like it.

“Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

Tundra shook her head, and after a moment she heard hoofsteps leaving the room and the door shut, leaving Tundra to her confused thoughts.


~~~


“Morning,” Blazewing said in greeting as he entered Tundra Blossom's recovery room.

She just glanced at him then turned back to looking out the window as she had been doing when he opened the door.

He sighed and rolled his eyes, even after almost seven months she still refused to be friendly. It wasn't that she wasn't happy. She tried to deny it, but he'd been around her enough to know that deep down, she was glad to be here. Not just here in the hospital where she was being taken care of, but in Equestria in general.

Though it hadn't helped that when her horn had healed enough that she could use magic, the captain of the day guard had demanded she be fitted with a suppressor. She was still a bit bitter about that.

“And how are you today?” He asked, hoping to get a conversation going as he often did.

“Still a prisoner, still stuck in this hospital getting heavier and more uncomfortable every day.” She grumbled.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Not unless you can speed up time and get this foal out of me.”

He laughed. “I'm afraid not.”

She just glared at him, making it clear she hadn't meant it as a joke.

“But maybe I can help you get up and around for a bit. It will probably make you feel better. Besides, you haven't gotten a whole lot of exercise the past few days.”

She turned away, looking out the window again for a few moments in silence. “Okay,” she said finally to Blazewing's surprise. Normally she waited until the doctors basically ordered her to get some exercise before she'd grudgingly let Blazewing escort her around the hospital courtyard and neighboring gardens.

“Alright then,” he said, stepping forward and offering her a helping hoof as she rolled out of the bed. As far along as she was in her pregnancy, it was starting to get more and more difficult for her to move around on her own.

“So, do you just want to go for a walk around the gardens?”

“Yeah.” She said with a soft sigh, sounding almost resigned.

Blazewing smiled to himself as he started leading the way. He knew she really enjoyed the gardens, even if she didn't want to admit it. Gardening was her talent after all.

It wasn't a long walk and though she was weighed down in the middle, it only took them a few minutes to reach the gardens. As usual Blazewing let Tundra Blossom wander the garden on her own, staying in sight, but giving her space. 

She ignored him for the most part, and Blazewing would watch as she admired the various flowers, sometimes leaning close to take in the scent. Every so often, a hint of a smile would start to touch her lips, but whenever that happened she'd quickly scowl and throw him a glare as if to dare him to say anything. 

It was a little over an hour later that Blazewing noticed that she seemed to be getting tired. “You ready to head back?” He asked softly, moving to her side.

She sighed heavily and cast one last longing look at the gardens. “Yes,” she said once again sounding resigned.

When they got back to the recovery room, Tundra climbed into bed, trying to get comfortable. Blazewing watched her for a moment as she finally got herself situated and turned to look out the window as she often did. She would often spend hours staring out that window. Blazewing had tried getting her books to read, and other things as well, but she'd refused anything that was purely for entertainment. He'd suggested other hobbies that could be productive, but she'd shown no interest in any of his suggestions. 

He sighed, she needed something though. Something to keep her from her constant brooding. He just didn't know what. “If you need anything, I'll be right outside.”


~~~


Tundra looked up as a pot of flowers was set on her bedside table. She looked at Blazewing raising an eyebrow. “What's this?”

“I thought you might like something to brighten up the room. You've been here a few months after all, you've got to be getting tired of the same plain white walls all day long.” He told her with a shrug. “And I figured you'd rather have something you can take care of and continue to grow rather than a vase of flowers that would wilt in a few days’ time.”

She glanced at the potted flowers, they weren't in the best of shape, but it wasn't anything a little time and care couldn't fix. She didn't blame him for not noticing. He was a guard after all; flowers probably all looked the same to him. It was a nice thought, though. She could really use something more to do with her time.

Scowling, she looked away. She'd almost let herself be thankful for the gift! Why couldn't Blazewing just treat her like a prisoner!? Why did he have to be so kind to her?

Blazewing waited a moment then, when it was clear Tundra wasn't going to say more, he turned to leave.

“Thank you...”

He almost didn't believe what he'd heard. Slowly, he looked back over his shoulder and smiled. “You're welcome.”

With that, he left the room.


~~~


Tundra sat in her bed, holding the potted flower in her lap, her eyes ahead, focused on some distant point. She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that, her thoughts were so tangled and confused that the passage of time didn't even register.

“Evening.” 

Tundra Blossom jumped at the unexpected greeting; she hadn't even heard the door open.

Whisper Song grinned seeing her reaction. “Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.”

Tundra stared at her a moment in silence, not seeming to be completely there. Eventually she sighed and looked down at the potted flower in her lap. “It's alright.”

It wasn't the reply Whisper Song had been expecting. She could tell Tundra wasn't her usual self and by the way she kept staring at it, whatever was bothering her seemed to be tied to the potted flower she held. “Where'd you get that?” She asked, curiously.

“Blazewing gave it to me,” Tundra answered softly. “He said he thought it would give me something to do.”

“Oh yeah? That was nice of him,” Whisper said with a smile

“But why? Why is he being so nice to me?”

Whisper just continued to smile. “Well, if you really want my opinion; I think it's because he likes you.”

“Likes me!?” Tundra squeaked in distress.

Whisper Song laughed. “Yeah, silly. I mean, I can't be sure. But considering how much time he spends talking to you and helping you, taking you out to the gardens, and now giving you gifts. None of that is really part of our assignment you know; really he could just stand outside your door all day and never even acknowledge you, if he wanted. I could too for that matter.”

Tundra looked up at her. “Why don't you?”

Whisper smiled. “Because you seemed like you could use a friend.”

“But... we're enemies,” she said weakly.

“No, we're not, Tundra,” Whisper told her gently. “We may have once been; but not now. Don't you think it's about time you accepted that?”

Tundra stared at her a few moments in silence, not knowing what to say, how to respond. Whisper smiled and stepped forward, gently placing a forehoof over hers. “We all just want to help, Tundra. Whether you believe it or not, some of us do genuinely care about you.”

The surprise in Tundra's eyes was clear, as she realized that the nocturne was being completely honest; she truly cared about her and perhaps even considered her a friend. 

Whisper gave her fore-hoof a gentle pat. “Like I said though, I can't be certain what Blazewing's feelings are toward you, but it might be worth it to find out, don't you think? He is a pretty nice guy.”

“But... I...” Tundra stammered, not knowing what to say. Blazewing liked her? No, that couldn't be, Whisper Song had to be wrong. How could he possibly have come to like her? She'd never been nice to him; she never even showed the slightest interest... had she?


~~~


“Morning,” Blazewing said in greeting as he stepped into Tundra's room.

She glanced up at him for just a moment, then her eyes narrowed and she turned away, without saying a word.

Blazewing sighed, wondering what he'd done wrong. Things had been going so well, he'd finally started to get through to Tundra. Even gotten her to relax a little. True she'd still been far from friendly, but he'd managed to find a few things she enjoyed, gotten her to smile a few times, and even gotten her to actually participate in a few conversations.

Then about a week ago, she'd suddenly turned cold again. She refused to talk to him, or even listen, she wouldn't ask him for help with anything and refused any offers he made to help her get up and about. He wasn't about to give up, but every attempt he made seemed to only anger her more.

“Is there anything you need?” He asked.

She didn't answer at first and just laid in her bed, staring out the window for a few moments in silence.

“Tundra, you really should get up and walk around a bit. I'll help you down to the gardens if you want.”

She said something then, too softly for Blazewing to hear.

“What was that?”

“Get out.” She repeated angrily.

Blazewing sighed again. “Tundra, did I do something to upset you?”

“Get out!” She shouted, finally turning to glare at him.

“Alright, I'm going; just call if you...” He had to duck as Tundra threw the bedside clock at him. “Tundra! What are...” She tried to grab something else to throw, but lost her balance and started to fall out of the bed. Eyes wide, Blazewing leaped forward to catch her before she could fall. “Careful!”

“Let go of me!” She shouted trying to push him away as he tried to help her back onto the bed, thrashing and kicking, nearly falling again as she did.

“Easy I'm only trying to help!” Blazewing told her as he struggled with her, getting her back up on the bed. She didn't stop fighting him though and Blazewing was forced to pin her down so she wouldn't fall again. “Tundra, stop this! This isn't good for your foal!”

She thrashed, trying to break free of his grip, and threatening to throw herself off the bed again. “Let go!”

“Tundra, I'll leave, just calm down!” She glared up at him, her blue eyes shining with anger and something else, but she didn't stop struggling. A surprisingly strong buck got one of her fore-hooves free and the next instant she wrapped it around his neck. He braced himself, wondering what she would do.

It wasn't what he expected. She pulled him down to her and the next instant their lips met. Blazewing's eyes widened in surprise as she kissed him, and his mind almost completely shut down, only managing to latch on to one simple detail; she was warm. Her lips, her hoof around his neck, her entire body was radiating warmth like a normal pony.

Finally, the kiss came to an end and she loosened her grip on him. Blazewing stayed leaning over her, looking down into her eyes. The anger was gone, without a trace, leaving behind a multitude of other emotions: fear, confusion, hope... slowly he smiled, a gentle, reassuring smile. “Well that was unexpected. But definitely not unwelcome,” he said softly, releasing his hold on her and gently caressing her cheek.

A bit of the fear faded from her eyes at his words. “I... I've never felt this way before,” she whispered. 

“It's alright, you don't have to fight it.”

“We're supposed to be enemies.”

Blazewing gave a long suffering laugh. “No we're not. I've been telling you that since the first day you woke up.”

“But I... I don't know what to do.”

“Neither do I really.” He smiled down at her caressing her cheek. “But I definitely want to see where this goes,” he told her softly.

Slowly she smiled, looking up into his eyes and seeing the sincerity of his words. “So would I.”

He leaned down again, and gave her another, more gentle, kiss. Then he smiled. “Can I call you 'Blossom' now?”

She smiled the most genuine smile he'd ever seen from her. “Yes.”


~~~


“Morning, Blossom, Whisper,” Blazewing said as he stepped into the room to find the ice unicorn and nocturne guard seemingly in the middle of a friendly conversation. A lot had changed in the past week since Blossom's breakdown. The room itself was far warmer and more inviting, thanks a great deal to the numerous potted plants giving the once stark hospital room a much homelier feel. 

More important however, was the change in the room's primary occupant. Blossom had changed almost completely from the cold reserved pony that she had been. She'd finally given up holding on to the anger and hatred that her people had taught her to cultivate from the time she was a foal and instead let in the happiness and warmth that had been besieging her from every side since she'd awoken in Equestria. She'd had a near constant smile ever since.

“Hey Blaze!” She called happily from the couch she was resting on. Another part of her change was that she was more active, at least for a mare as far along in pregnancy as she was. She was often up and moving around the room now, usually taking care of the many potted plants she'd received after admitting how much she'd liked the first. Blaze had gotten most of them for her, though Whisper had also gotten her a few once Blossom had warmed up to her as well.

“How are you doing today, Blossom?” He asked as he crossed the room and gave her a brief nuzzle, noting the warmth he felt from her as she returned it.

“I'm doing pretty good. It's getting harder to move every day, but that's to be expected.”

“Yeah, I suppose it is...” He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “Blossom, there's actually something I need to talk to you about. And Whisper, you should probably hear this as well.” He sat down facing Blossom, making sure he had her full attention. He took a deep breath, bracing himself. “It occurred to me, that now that we've started a relationship with each other, that I'm going to have to ask to be reassigned.”

Blossom blinked. “What? Why!?”

He smiled sadly. “It's a conflict of interests. Since part of the assignment is making sure you don't run off, it puts me in a position where I could be tempted to disobey orders to protect you.”

“But I'd never ask you to...!”

“I know, I know. But still, it's the right thing to do.”

Blossom looked up at him, her eyes beginning to shimmer with tears. “But... I...”

Whisper gently stretched a wing around her and gave her a squeeze. “Blaze is right, Blossom. Being friends is one thing, but the two of you are more than just friends. If he doesn't ask to be reassigned and the captain finds out how close you are; he could get in trouble.”

Blossom looked down and sniffed sadly. “But, when will I see you?” She asked softly.

He moved a little closer and put a hoof around her, with his snout just touching hers. “I'll most likely just be reassigned to daily patrols, so I'll have my evening's free. I can come visit you then.” He grinned. “And I won't have to wear this clunky armor,” he said letting his helm clink against her nearly regrown horn.

She gave a weak smile. “But, who will be here the rest of the time?”

He sighed. “I don't know for certain... Possibly Iron Hoof.” Pulling her closer, he nuzzled her neck, affectionately. “It's the right thing to do.”

“I know...” She said, though it was painfully clear that she didn't like it.


~~~


By now Tundra Blossom knew the hospital garden like the back of her hoof, though she still enjoyed walking the paths whenever she could. She’d always enjoyed gardening. Every ice unicorn had something they enjoyed, that they tried to keep secret… Nopony ever succeeded, however, not for long. Not with what they enjoyed emblazoned on their flank. And once what a pony enjoyed was known; the rest of the community would deprive them of it. She’d tried to keep a small garden, hidden inside her home once. It only lasted a month.

But here in Equestria, everything was different. Here ponies were encouraged to do whatever they enjoyed; most made a living doing the things they loved; and nopony would ever try to deny somepony else what they love.

Even so, the garden wasn’t providing her with much enjoyment tonight. She was too worried about something else she’d come to enjoy. Something she was worried she might lose.

“What are we going to do?” She asked softly.

Blazewing looked over at her, walking close by her side. He’d been reassigned, but as he’d promised, he’d come by almost every night after his shift to spend time with her. Being off-duty, he was out of his armor. It had taken her a bit to get used to seeing him without it, but after she did, she’d started to realize just how hansom a stallion he was with his orange coat and golden mane. Even being a Pegasus. “What do you mean?”

Tundra Blossom didn’t answer at first. Instead they continued slowly walking along the garden path. “I don’t want to lose you,” she said at last, almost too quiet to be heard.

“Lose me? What are you talking about, Blossom; I’m not going anywhere.”

“But I am…” She sniffed. “Once I have my foal, they won’t have any reason to keep me here anymore. I’m still a prisoner of war… they’ll have to send me to the settlement with the rest of the ice unicorns.”

Blazewing was speechless. He hadn’t even thought about that. But it was true, the only reason she’d been allowed to stay here was because the doctors were concerned about the health of her and her foal having been in a coma for two weeks early on in her pregnancy. Once her foal was born, if all was well, she’d be released into the custody of the crown, to be sent with the rest of the prisoners from the Frozen Empire. Somehow, he’d completely forgotten.

“We’ll figure something out…” he told her, trying to sound confident.

“But what if we can’t? What if…?”

“Shh…” He nuzzled her neck comfortingly. “We still have time. I’ll look into what options we have. If worse comes to worse, I suppose I’ll just have to go with you.”

She looked up at him sharply. “But this is your home! you have responsibilities! Your position with the guard!”

“I know. I’ll try to find some other way; but if I can’t…” He gave her a smile. “I don’t want to lose you either.”

Tundra Blossom looked at him stunned, then slowly smiled, tears filling her eyes. He smiled in return before leaning in and giving her a kiss.

“We’ll figure something out.” He told her confidently, and she rested her head against his neck as they continued their walk along the garden path.


~~~


Whisper Song stumbled groggily toward her apartment door as a loud knocking repeated itself for the third time since it had wakened her. It was still relatively early in the evening for her to be waking up; she wasn’t on duty for another three hours. The knocking repeated once more by the time she reached the door. She opened it to find a somewhat frantic looking pegasus stallion standing there. She blinked in surprise. “Blazewing, what are you doing here?”

He sighed, sounding relieved. “I need your advice… about Tundra Blossom.”

“My advice? Blaze, you know her better than me…” 

“I know… it’s not that… I’ve been looking into how I can keep her from being sent to the ice unicorn colony when she’s released from the hospital.”

Whisper blinked. “I see… why don’t you come on in; I can start getting ready while we talk.”

He blinked then his eyes widened. “Oh ponyfeathers, did I wake you?” He asked sounding sincerely apologetic. 

She shrugged. “I usually get up about this time anyway,” she lied, and stepped back, holding the door open to let him in. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what’s on your mind?” She said, gesturing to one of the cushions she had lying around her living room / dining room / kitchen. Sometimes she wished she’d been posted in one of the major cities where they had cheap housing available specifically for members of the guard. Unfortunately, Dodge wasn’t quite large enough to make that a necessity, and so this small apartment was all she could afford on her nightguard salary.

Blazewing took a seat, seeming ready to explode at a moment’s notice. Whisper thought about offering him something to drink, but she decided it would probably be best to let him talk first. “So, what have you found out?” She asked as she went into her bathroom to grab a brush for her mane. That was something she could easily take care of while they talked. Like many of her own possessions, her brushes were made to be easily manipulated with her wings.

“Not much.” He admitted with a wince. “From what I’ve been able to find out; the only ones with any authority when it comes to prisoners of war is the house of lords or the princesses themselves.” He sighed. “I suppose I could take a petition to the princesses that Tundra be allowed to stay here in Dodge; but there’s no guarantee that they’ll approve. Otherwise; the only other option is if she were to become a citizen. But as a prisoner of war; the only way that could possibly happen is if… well… if I were to marry her.”

Whisper paused in her brushing and looked at him concerned. That hadn’t just been a statement of fact; the way he said it, it was clear that it was an option he was seriously considering. “Blaze?”

“It’s the best option I’ve found to keep her here.”

Whisper dropped her brush and moved directly in front of him. “Blazewing? Do you love her?”

He only had to think for a moment before nodding.

“Do you want to marry her?”

He looked down for a moment, clearly thinking seriously on the matter. Finally, he looked up again, looking her in the eyes. “Yes.” He said confidently.

“Then don’t.” Whisper said firmly. “Not to keep her here.” She clarified when his expression turned shocked. “If you truly love her, and want it to work between you. Then you can’t have something like that hanging over you; or else every time things get hard, any time you get into an argument, that thought will always be there; that you were forced to marry her, that you rushed into it.” She reached out her wing to gently touch his shoulder. “Promise me you won’t do that to yourself. We’ll find another way to keep Tundra Blossom here.”

He sighed heavily but reluctantly nodded.

Whisper smiled reassuringly. “Everything will work out.”

“I still want to ask her to marry me though,” he told her. “We’ll just plan to have the wedding after she has her foal; whether she can stay or not… and if not; we’ll just have to have it at the ice unicorn colony.”

Whisper smiled and nodded. “It’s for the best.”


~~~


Whisper Song was on duty a week later when Blazewing came and asked Tundra if she wanted to go for a walk in the garden. So she was there, some distance away but still within sight when Blazewing knelt in front of Tundra, presenting her with a traditional horn-ring.

Tundra looked surprised and mostly confused at first, but as Blazewing spoke, her surprise turned to shock, and then to pure joy. She threw her hooves around Blazewing; her answer obvious to all that saw as she kissed him again and again. Whisper Song watched with a smile, resolving to do everything in her power to ensure that things would work out for her dear friends.

After all, she had a special line to the princesses; one reserved for the nocturne. And while this wasn’t exactly what it was meant for; she didn’t think the princesses would mind.


~~~


“Have you heard anything about your petition?”

Blazewing sighed, laying by her side, watching while she tended to some of her flowers. Surprisingly she didn’t need her magic to do so; having always preferred to do almost everything by hoof anyway. “No, nothing. For all I know it’s sitting in a pile in the castle mail room waiting for some secretary to decide whether or not it’s worth the princess’s time… I’m starting to think I may have to go to Canterlot in person to plead our case.”

“You mean my case?”

With a smile, he put one hoof around her hugging her to his side. “Our case now. We’re in this together.”

Tundra Blossom felt warmth spreading through her at that smile. They’d discovered that while her body would drop in temperature to match the surrounding environment normally, or when she was filled with negative emotions; when she was happy, her body responded by heating up becoming warm blooded like a normal pony. She liked being warm. “Well if that’s what it takes… I just hope they listen. I don’t want you to have to give up all you have here.”

“I think they’d listen; the princesses are very generous and kind. The question is if their aids will think it’s important enough for the princess’ valuable time…” He said ruefully.

She smiled sadly and nuzzled his neck.



Whisper song sighed. Though the door was closed, her hearing was acute enough to pick up what Blazewing and Tundra Blossom were talking about. And though she usually tried not to listen, their current conversation had caught her attention. She wished she had some good news for them, but her own efforts in that regard had yet to produce any results as well.

Tuning out her friends’ conversation again she leaned back against the wall where she was sitting just outside the door. The Nocturne emergency line she’d used was supposed to be very quick; a direct line to Princess Luna. She’d thought for sure that she’d have received a response by now.

“Are you Guardsmare Whisper Song?”

“Yes…” She answered looking up to see who was asking. When she did, she nearly choked and dropped down into a deep bow.



Blazewing and Tundra Blossom both looked up when there was a knock on the door before it opened a moment later and Whisper song stepped in. She didn’t say anything though, and instead turned back bowing while holding the door open. Then one of the last ponies Blazewing would have ever expected stepped into the room.

“Princess Luna!” Blazewing exclaimed getting to his hooves and bowing respectfully.

“Please, no need to trouble yourself.” Princess Luna said quickly as Tundra Blossom struggled to get up and bow as well. “You must be Sargent Blazewing and Tundra Blossom.”

“Y…yes, your majesty.”

Luna smiled, a kind, gentle smile. “Please, be at ease.”

Blazewing slowly straitened from his bow, still nervous, but then who wouldn’t be when receiving an unexpected visit from royalty. Luna continued to smile though, and Blazewing felt himself relaxing a little more.

“Now, I’ve looked into your situation and know the basics of what is going on. I understand that you wish for Tundra Blossom to be allowed to remain here in Dodge even after she’s released from the hospital.” Luna said calmly.

Blazewing nodded. “Yes, your majesty; though I never expected you to respond in person… I actually was beginning to worry that you hadn’t even seen my petition.”

“I may not have,” Luna told him sparing a glance at Whisper Song who was standing at attention, doing her best to show the utmost respect for the princess. “If it weren’t for a friend of yours sending a second message concerning your request through a more direct line.”

Blazewing looked at Whisper in surprise, and she smiled and gave a quick nod.

“Our aids, had unfortunately filed your petition as unimportant and it would likely have been months before we would have seen it if we ever did at all.” Luna went on. “I intend to speak to them about what they deem priorities when I return,” she sighed.

“We were afraid that might be the case…” Blazewing admitted.

Luna nodded, smiling. “In any case, I would like a chance to speak with Tundra Blossom alone.” 

Tundra and Blazwing shared a nervous look, but neither would disobey the princess. “Of course, princess.” Blazewing said and gave Tundra a comforting pat on the shoulder before leaving the room with Whisper Song.

Tundra looked up at the princess nervously. Luna noticed her fear and gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s alright, I simply wish to ask you a few questions.”

She nodded, still nervous, but feeling a little better.

Luna continued to smile reassuringly as she pulled a cushion over and sat down. “First of all, I’d like to hear from you directly; why do you wish to stay here in Dodge?”

Tundra hesitated. “I… I like it here.”

Luna gave her a knowing smile. “It is my understanding that you have not left the hospital grounds, so how can you know that you like it here if you’ve never even seen the city? What’s more, Dodge city was the closest to the battle and so was affected the most of any city in Equestria. As much as I wish it weren’t so; there are likely many here who will resent you, simply for what you are. So why would you wish to remain here?”

Biting her lip, Tundra lowered her eyes “I… I don’t want to leave Blazewing.” She admitted.

“And why is that?”

She swallowed, nervously, then took a deep breath and looked up at Luna. “I love him.”

Luna tilted her head slightly. “You don’t sound entirely sure.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.” She said honestly.

“But you believe it to be love?”

Tundra nodded.

“So why do you feel that way about Sargent Blazewing?”

“I… I don’t know. I didn’t want to. It just…”

Luna smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with falling in love,” She assured the nervous mare.

“Not here…”

“I am aware of the culture of the frozen empire.” Luna told her. “But I simply wish to know why you feel so strongly for Sergeant Blazewing?”

Thinking back, Tundra took a deep breath before answering. “He wouldn’t give up. No matter how badly I treated him, how much I tried to push him away; he just kept on being nice to me. I think he knew the truth… that I liked the attention he gave me, even if I was afraid to admit it.

“Then he gave me a gift;” she reached out and very gently caressed the leaves of one of the potted plants on a nearby table. “I didn’t know what it meant… I was so confused. I asked Whisper Song about it and she told me she thought it was because he liked me. I suppose that scared me; I really tried to push him away after that, but still he just kept on being kind to me.”

Princess Luna smiled. “So, when did you decide to stop pushing him away?” 

“When I realized it would never work.” She said with a wry smile. “And I realized that I didn’t want to. I grew up being taught that I could never have what I wanted; that I could never do what I enjoy. But here, Blazewing has tried to help me do things I enjoy and has given me gifts that he thought I would enjoy almost from the first day I woke… He told me how here in Equestria, everypony is encouraged to make a living doing the things they enjoy most. That you encourage ponies to use their talents.”

She smiled sadly. “I realize now that it was our leaders that wanted us to be miserable, to fill us with hatred to strengthen their pet windigos… I hope the others will come to realize that as well.”

Luna smiled reassuringly. “I think they will, in time. But for now, I’ve heard enough.” She looked toward the door. “Sargent Blazewing, Guardsmare Whisper Song, you may come back in,” she said loudly enough to be heard through the door. A moment later the door opened and Blazewing entered followed by Whisper Song. Blazewing went to Tundra’s side and they exchanged a brief nuzzle as he sat down next to her.

Princess Luna waited until they both looked up at her again before speaking. “As I’m sure you know, after the battle, the other princesses and I offered your people a deal; If you could prove to us that you a willing to live peacefully among us and be a productive member of this nation; then we would grant you citizenship in Equestria.” She smiled warmly. “I don’t think any of us expected it to happen so soon, but in my opinion you have done just that; Tundra Blossom.”

Blossom and Blazewing exchanged hopeful glances as they realized what Princess Luna was saying.

“I hereby decree that the ice unicorn, Tundra Blossom, shall be, from this day forward, a citizen of Equestria; entitle to all the rights and privileges that that entails.” Luna finished with a proud smile, removing the suppressor from her horn as she did.

Tundra Blossom let out a squee and threw her hooves around Blazewing in a crushing hug.

“Congratulations, Tundra Blossom.” Luna said smiling.

“Thank you, Princess Luna! Thank you!” Blossom said happily and turned to Blazewing. “Now we can plan our wedding!”

Princess Luna blinked in surprise. “Wedding?”

Blazewing nodded. “Uh, yes. Tundra and I plan to be married after she’s had her foal. We just didn’t want to make any plans until we were sure she could stay.”

Raising a brow, Luna glanced between them. “You do know that by Equestrian law, that once you’re married, Tundra would have automatically become a citizen of Equestria.”

Tundra’s eyes widened and she looked over at Blazewing, while he just nodded. “I know… I didn’t want that to be the reason we married.”

Whisper Song smiled.

Princess Luna slowly nodded in understanding and smiled as well. “I see.”

Tundra glanced between them confused at first, then understanding came to her eyes and she smiled joyfully. Blazewing smiled back and leaned in for a quick kiss.

“Well, in that case,” Luna cut in. “Then I would ask of you one favor.”

They looked up again. “Of course, Princess! Anything!”

“Allow me to preside over your wedding.”

Their eyes went wide. “We… we would be honored.” Blazewing breathed while Blossom sat next to him, speechless. 

“Just send me the time and place once you’ve made your plans.” She glanced at Whisper Song. “On second thought, have Whisper Song send them through the Nocturne network. That way we can bypass my well-meaning aids…” she said with a smirk.

“I can do that.” Whisper Song agreed.

Luna nodded in approval. “Until then, I shall bid thee farewell. Congratulations, Tundra Blossom of Equestria.”

“Thank you, Princess. We’ll send you our plans as soon as we’ve made them.”

Luna nodded in agreement and turned to go. “Gaurdsmare Whisper Song, a word,” she said as she stepped out into the hall.

Nervous at being addressed herself, Whisper followed the princess, shutting the door behind them. “Yes, Princess?”

“For now I’m going to leave guards in place here for Tundra Blossom’s protection. But only until she leaves the hospital. After that, I’m afraid she will be on her own. I would ask, that you keep an eye on them for me, and report directly to me should they have any problems.”

Whisper Song nodded. “Of course, Princess.”

Luna nodded in approval. “Thank you; and also thank you for bringing this to my attention. This has given me hope, that our mercy was not wasted on the ice unicorns.”


~~~


A few weeks later, Blazewing found himself sitting next to a bed which held a thoroughly exhausted Tundra Blossom who was lying, smiling down at the tiny blue and white foal curled against her side, smiling a radiant smile as the filly rested, her coat still damp from birth.

“She’s beautiful.” Blazewing said softly, one hoof placed over Blossoms.

“You’ll be her father; won’t you?”

He smiled. “Of course. I’ll treat her as if she were my own,” he told her, leaning in to give her an affectionate nuzzle.

Blossom smiled, and breathed a tired sigh. For a moment the room was silent as they both watched the filly sleep, content just being together.

“What are you going to name her.” Blazewing asked finally, knowing that the mother would usually have a spark of inspiration concerning their child’s name when they were born.

Blossom smiled looking down at her daughter. She knew just what the filly’s name should be. “Wind Chill,” she said softly. “Her name is Wind Chill.”
> Chapter 2: Rainbows and Stars
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midnight Star: Recovery
By Nebula Star


Rainbows and Stars
***


“Wind! It's so good to see you again!”

Wind Blade just stood staring dumbfounded at the strange mare standing on the doorstep of his and Midnight's home. She was an attractive earth pony mare with a golden-brown coat and a reddish-brown mane and tail, but Wind was fairly certain that he'd never met her before in his life. “Um... can I help you?”

She went from ecstatic to hurt in the blink of an eye. “You... you don't recognize me?” She whimpered, sounding as if he'd put a knife in her heart.

His eyes widened. He hadn't meant to upset her, but he was still pretty certain that he'd never met her before. Then he saw it, a tiny twinkle of amusement in her eye and it clicked. “You're a changeling, aren't you...?”

She burst into a grin. “There you go!”

“I still don't know who you are though. I've met a few changelings.” He told her.

“Well maybe this will help,” she said and with a small flash of green flames a scar appeared running nearly halfway across her chest.

“Commander Sallis!?”

She smiled. “Just Sallis. We only use our military titles when we're actually going into battle.”

“Oh good, so you're not here to take over Ponyville?” Wind asked with a sly grin.

Sallis snorted. “Of course not. Actually, I wanted to talk to Midnight, is she up to having company?”

“Well, she's awake...” He said with a slight roll of his eyes. “Whether she's up to having company or not is the real question,” he told her as he stepped back, letting her in and closing the door behind her. “You can take your true form if you want. Midnight warded all the windows so nopony can see in through the glass.”

Sallis nodded, and with a flash of green, shifted back into her true body. “It’ll be nice when I can just be my real self all the time without ponies freaking out.” She sighed. “If we ever get that far…”

Wind gave her an encouraging smile. “Hey, we’ll get there. It may take some time, but you’ve got both Midnight and Twilight on your side. Anyway, let me go get Midnight.”

Sallis smiled as she looked around the livingroom of Midnight and Wind’s home. It wasn’t exceptionally large or fancy, but it seemed perfect for the young couple just starting their family together. Even if one of them was technically royalty.

Stretching, she went over to one of the cushions near the couch and took a seat to wait.

A few minutes later, she heard hoof-steps coming from the hall. “Sallis? Hey, what are you doing here?”

She smiled looking up at Midnight Star as she slowly made her way into the room, clearly straining a bit with every step. “Oh wow, you look about ready to pop!”

Midnight laughed weakly. “I feel like it… But I’m not due for another two weeks.” Carefully, she lowered her gravid form onto the couch, Wind doing his best to help.

“You need anything?” He asked, loving concern filling his voice.

She smiled up at him. “Some chocolate covered strawberries?”

He gave a soft laugh. “I’ll see what I can do.” He said then, with a nod to Sallis, he left, heading for the kitchen. 

“So, what brings you to Ponyville?” Midnight asked once he was gone. “I’m assuming you came to talk to me specifically since you have an ambassador in Canterlot now.”

Sallis nodded. “It’s a personal matter actually. I was hoping you would give me a recommendation to live in Equestria for a time.”

“You want to live in Equestria? What for?”

“I’d like to learn a new trade. I already know the basics of blacksmithing and metalworking, but I was hoping to learn jewelry making. And I thought it would be a good way to help improve our relations with Equestria.”

Midnight raised a brow. “You planning on staying in true form?”

Sallis bit her lip. “Well no, not at first anyway. I’d probably stay in pony form most of the time, but I’d make sure everyone I work with knows what I am and if anyone asks I won’t lie about it. Maybe once ponies got more comfortable with the idea, I’d start staying in true form, but that could be a while.”

Midnight nodded then winced, drawing in a breath through clenched teeth, her whole body tensing.

“Something wrong?” Sallis asked concerned.

Relaxing, Midnight shook her head. “I’ve just been having contractions all day, but the doctor told us that this early it’s probably just a false alarm.”

“Oh. Yeah, that’s fairly common.”

“They still hurt though.” She sighed. “Anyway, I think it would be a good idea for you and any others that want to, to start working with ponies more openly, let them see for themselves that you’re not the monsters many think you are. I’d be glad to give you a recommendation.” Her horn lit up and she levitated over a quill and some paper as well as a book to use as a writing surface.

Sallis smiled thankfully. “Thanks. I’m hoping my example will get others to brave living in Equestria more openly.”

Midnight nodded while writing. “And until ponies get more used to the idea, it’s probably a good idea to stay in pony form, even if they know you’re really a changeling. No point in making ponies more uncomfortable than you have to.”

“That’s what I figured.”

Midnight took a few minutes to finish the recommendation letter, then levitated another pre-made letter and gave them both to Sallis. “There you go, a letter of recommendation and written permission to travel further within Equestria. You probably won’t be bothered in pony form, but if any guards question you, just show them the first letter.”

Sallis nodded. “Thanks, Midnight.”

Midnight started to nod, but instead winced again in pain. Then her eyes went wide. “Wind!” She called urgently.

“What is it!?” He called back, rushing into the room.

“The contractions weren’t a false alarm!”

Both Wind and Sallis’ eyes went wide.

“We’ve got to go!” Wind exclaimed rushing to help Midnight up.

“It’s not that urgent yet.” Midnight told him, trying to keep him from panicking. “But let’s hurry.”

Sallis slipped the letters into her saddlebags and quickly went to help Midnight as well. The wet spot on the couch where she’d been laying made it clear what had happened. “Do you have a way to get her to the hospital?”

Wind nodded. “There’s a carriage in back,” he told her already guiding Midnight that direction. Together they got Midnight to the carriage and got her settled, then Wind went about hooking himself up to pull.

“You want me to help?” Sallis asked.

“Wind can handle it.” Midnight told her. “But could you go tell my mom for me?”

She nodded. “Of course!”

“She lives in the Golden Oaks library in the center of town.”

“I know the way!” With a flash she shifted back into pony form, though this time she’d given herself some wings. “We’ll meet you there!”

Midnight smiled thankfully as Wind set off at a swift but smooth pace toward the ponyville hospital. Sallis gave them a wave, then took off, heading to what was likely the best known library in Equestria. Swift as she was in Pegasus form, it wasn’t long before she arrived. As usual, the library was guarded discretely by two armorless royal guards who were nearby, but not obtrusive. Being normal business hours, the library was open to the public so Sallis went straight inside. There she found the only armored guard in sight, standing at the base of the stairs that led to the princess’s residence.

Quickly, Sallis approached the guard. “I have an important message for Princess Twilight!”

“You’ll have to make an appointment, or if you like, I could relay the message to her.” The guard replied calmly.

“That won’t be necessary, Backslash.” Princess Twilight Sparkle said, appearing at the top of the stairs. The guard nodded respectfully and stepped back out of her way as she started down the stairs to join them. “You said you have a message?”

Sallis nodded. “Midnight sent me, she just went into labor, she and Wind are headed to the hospital now.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. “What!? I… we have to go now!” She turned toward her guard. “Backslash, I need an escort to the hospital, and you, miss…” she trailed off knowing she didn’t know the mare’s name.

“Golden Spark,” Sallis supplied automatically. “Or, um… Sallis, if you prefer.”

Twilight did a doubletake. “Sallis?”

“I’m a changeling.” Sallis said, knowing it was probably for the best not to hide it.

“Oh… You’re supposed to go straight to Midnight to get her approval to travel through Equestria.”

“I know, that’s why I was there when Midnight went into labor.”

“Right… did she give you her approval?” 

Sallis nodded and pulled out the letter.

“Alright, well, thanks for bringing me the news. I guess you can be on your way.”

She hesitated. “Actually, if it’s alright with you, I’d like to come with to the hospital.”

“You would? Wait… Sallis? That sounds familiar.”

“I was Midnight’s escort when she visited the hive a few months ago. That and I led the squad that protected Princess Luna during the badlands battle.”

Twilight nodded. “That’s right. Luna was rather impressed with you. Well, if you want to come with, that’s fine with me.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s get going.”

By the time they got outside, two of Twilight’s Pegasus guards were waiting in armor. They knew their princess well enough to know that she’d want to fly herself. It was a short flight to the hospital and Twilight went straight inside, Sallis and her guards trailing after. Inside, one of the receptionists quickly bowed.

“Princess Twilight, Midnight just checked in. If you’ll follow me.”

Twilight smiled. “Thank you.” She said, following the receptionist down the hall. She led them to the maternity ward waiting room, where she opened the door for them.

“Someone will come to keep you updated.” The receptionist said, letting them in. To Twilight’s surprise, they weren’t alone.

“Rarity, Fluttershy, what are you doing here?” 

Fluttershy looked up from where she was sitting with her youngest curled up against her side looking confused, while Rarity raised a brow. “What do you mean, Darling? We’re here because Rainbow finally went into labor.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. “Rainbow’s here!”

“Yes,” Fluttershy said softly. “But if you didn’t know that, then why are you here?”

“Because Midnight just went into labor!” Twilight told them.

“Oh my, I thought she wasn’t due for a few more weeks.” Rarity said in surprise.

“She’s two weeks early.” Twilight told them, entering the room. Sallis followed her in, hesitating for a moment at the door. She didn’t go unnoticed.

“Oh, who’s this?” Rarity asked looking up at her. “A new member of your guard?”

Twilight shook her head. “No, my guards are stationed out in the hall. This is Sallis.”

Fluttershy looked at her confused. “Sallis? That’s an… interesting name.”

Sallis tensed slightly wondering how they would react. “Well I’m… a changeling.”

For a brief moment fear filled Fluttershy’s eyes and she hugged her son close, but then she glanced at Twilight and seemed to relax.

“Oh, that’s um… interesting…” Rarity said sounding a little nervous as well. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you here?”

“I was on my way to Canterlot, but we’re supposed to check in with Midnight before traveling further through Equestria. I happened to be there when she went into labor, and she asked me to tell Twilight.” Sallis explained.

“I see, and I suppose you wanted to make sure she got to the hospital alright?”

She nodded. “Midnight is important to the changelings. Queen Chrysalis believes she may be the key to establishing a lasting peace with Equestria, and I think she’s right. Besides, I fought alongside Wind Blade in the badlands, and I was Midnight’s escort when she visited the hive, so I like to think we’re friends. I hope you don’t mind if I stay.”

“Of course not,” Fluttershy said, seeming to be at ease again.

“Thanks, and if you like, you can call me Golden Spark. It’s the pony name I chose for myself.”

“That’s a lovely name darling.” Rarity said, smiling. “Come on in and relax; we’ll probably be here a while.”

Sallis gratefully took a seat across from them while Twilight sat down next to Fluttershy.

“Has anyone sent word to Pinky and Applejack?” Twilight asked.

Rarity nodded. “Yes, we sent Scootaloo to tell everypony, you must have missed her.”

“What about Sky and Copper?”

“Oh, no, we didn’t send word to them since we didn’t know about Midnight…”

“That’s alright.” Twilight said with a smile. “I’ll just contact Sky myself.”

Reaching out with her magic she began to sense the magic of all those around her, casting her senses outward further and further until she was sensing almost all of Ponyville. Most ponies she couldn’t tell one from another like this but there were several in town that she’d learned to sense; finding one of those she cast a spell, creating a link between them. “Sky, this is Twilight; Midnight just went into labor. We’re at the hospital now. It will probably be a couple hours though so just come when you can.”

Twilight sensed an acknowledgment from Sky and broke the connection. “Alright, Sky knows.” 

“You can just contact ponies with magic?” Fluttershy asked surprised.

Twilight nodded. “Yes, it’s a bit limited though, I can send fairly clear messages but I only get vague impressions back. And I have to know how to recognize a pony’s magic to even find them.”

The door opened and they all looked up as Applejack entered the waiting room with Apple Bloom right behind. “Howdy y’all.”

“Did Rainbow have her foal yet?” Apple Bloom asked excitedly.

Rarity smiled. “Not yet, darling. She only went into labor twenty minutes ago. It’s going to be a while still. But there’s more exciting news.”

“Really!?”

“More?” Applejack raised a brow, wondering what she meant.

She nodded. “You want to tell them, Twilight?”

Twilight smiled and turned back to the Apple sisters. “Midnight went into labor too.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes went wide. “She did!”

“Well Ah’ll be. So Rainbow and Midnight’s foals are goin’ to share a birthday?” Applejack asked smiling.

Twilight nodded. “Yep, unless one of them has an unusually long labor, it looks like they’ll both have their foals today.”



It was nearly four hours before they heard any news from the medical staff and then it was just a nurse telling them that Rainbow Dash was about to give birth. By then Scootaloo had arrived with Pinkie Pie, having stopped by the library only to find Twilight was gone. They had been followed soon after by Sky and Copper. And finally Big Mac had arrived as well with the rest of he and Fluttershy’s foals: a three year old filly and four year old colt. The young family was all together in the corner of the waiting room, Fluttershy and Big Mac, doing their best to keep the foals entertained with Pinkie Pie’s help.

Finally, the door opened and the large group of ponies looked up as a nurse stepped in with a bright smile. Seeing she had everypony’s attention, she didn’t hesitate to tell them the news. “Rainbow Dash would like to introduce you all to her newborn foal.”

“Everything went well then?” Twilight asked eagerly as she and the rest of the group got to their hooves.

The nurse smiled and nodded. “Both mother and foal are happy and healthy. Though they are tired so we shouldn’t keep them waiting.

They didn’t need any more encouragement, all of them heading for the door. All except Sallis. Twilight glanced at her noticing that she wasn’t moving to follow.

“You coming?”

Sallis smiled but shook her head. “Nah, I don’t really know Rainbow Dash. I shouldn’t intrude.”

“Alright. I doubt we’ll be long.” Twilight told her then left with the rest of the group, following the nurse to the delivery room where Rainbow was waiting with her family.

Valor was sitting right next to the bed where Rainbow lay, looking more exhausted than Twilight had ever seen her Pegasus friend. But despite her exhaustion, she had a radiant smile on her face as she looked down at the bundle she held against her chest. The group gathered around, eager to see the new foal.

“Everypony,” Rainbow said softly, when she saw that everyone was there. “Meet Spectrum Spell.” She turned the bundle in her hooves so they could all see the tiny colt. With a blue-gray coat a little darker than his mothers, and a rainbow mane and tail, he clearly took after his mother, but with one major difference, instead of pegasus wings on his back, he had a tiny horn poking through his mane.

“Well Ah’ll be; a unicorn.” Applejack said smiling.

“Well he got everything else from his momma, he had to take something from his daddy too.” Pinkie Pie said grinning.

Rainbow just continued to smile looking down at her son with pride.

“He’s beautiful, Rainbow.” Twilight said softly.

“He’ll be quite the dashing young colt.” Rairity agreed.

Rainbow looked up at her friends, her face radiant with a look of sheer happiness like they’d never seen from her before. “You’ll help teach him magic, won’t you, Twi? When Valor isn’t able too?”

Twilight smiled. “Of course, Rainbow. But I’ll make sure Valor always has time to spend with his family.” She added with a wink.

Rainbow grinned at that and Valor smiled thankfully as well. “Thanks, Twilight.”

The room fell silent for a few moments, everypony’s attention on the newborn foal sleeping soundly in his mother’s hooves. Finally, Twilight noticed Rainbow’s eyes starting to droop. “Why don’t we let the new family get some rest.” She suggested and the others nodded in agreement.

“Oh, but before we do. I have an exciting bit of news for you two!” Twilight told them.

“What’s that?” Rainbow asked and Twilight grinned.

“Midnight went into labor just a little after you did!”

Both Rainbow and Valor’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?!”

Twilight nodded. “Yep, so your foal and hers are going to share their birthday.”

“Wow… heh,” Rainbow grinned. “Lucky her; getting out two weeks early, instead of a week and a half late.”

Twilight laughed. “Well, we’ll let you get some rest.”

“Thanks girls…” Rainbow said sounding tired and with one last chorus of goodbyes and congratulations, the group returned to the waiting room.



It was nearly a half hour later that a nurse came to tell them that Midnight was about to give birth, at which point Twilight couldn’t hold still any longer and began pacing the room. Sallis couldn’t help grinning a little at that. Though she had to admit; it was a bit worse waiting. Usually, in the hive, she was present whenever one of her brothers and sisters were born, having long ago learned the trade of a midwife.

Twilight for her part, couldn’t help pacing. She’d never had a foal of her own, she didn’t know what Midnight was going through. She’d read every book she could find, of course; but one thing she’d learned over the years, was that all the book learning in the world couldn’t compare to actual experience. It had been a hard lesson for her to learn, but an important one.

After what seemed an eternity, a nurse finally stepped into the waiting room, an oddly excited look in her eyes. “Midnight would like to see you, Princess, as well as Sky and Copper.”

Twilight blinked and glanced around at all the rest of her friends. “Just us, is everything alright?”

The nurse nodded smiling. “Everything is just fine; she just wants family for now.”

“Okay.” Twilight said, still hesitating slightly.

“Go on, Sugarcube, Ah’m sure we’ll have plenty of chances to meet the youngin’.” Applejack said, making a shooing gesture toward them.

The nurse led the way down the hall to the room where Midnight was, which was right next door to Rainbow’s room. They entered, finding Midnight lying on her belly, wing outstretched, presumably covering her newborn foal. She was a mess; her mane had reverted to its normal form, likely due to her exhaustion and was matted with sweat, her coat also showed signs of a great deal of exertion, and even her posture spoke of extreme exhaustion. Wind was next to the bed, one wing stretched over Midnight. They both looked up as their family entered.

Midnight smiled. “Mom, I’d like you to meet your granddaughter,” she said softly, then slowly lifted her wing, revealing the tiny filly curled up against her side. She was a pale purple in color, with a mane and tail of an icy blue-purple that seemed to shine in the light. The little filly whimpered slightly and nuzzled her mother’s side; but what really caught Twilight’s attention were the tiny wings, and stubby horn.

Twilight gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth. “She’s an alicorn!?”

“I’d like you all to meet Star Bright.” Midnight said smiling, joyful tears in her eyes. Though they still didn’t know whether partial blood alicorns were immortal or not, the evidence so far seemed to indicate that they at least had an extended life span. Even nearing forty; Cadence still had the body of a twenty-year-old mare.

Twilight couldn’t hold back, she stepped forward, wrapping her daughter in a hug, knowing what a gift this would be for both of them. Midnight hugged her back, careful not to disturb the sleeping filly. Finally, they separated again and Twilight looked down at her granddaughter. “Hello, Star Bright.” She said softly though the filly didn’t respond. “She’s beautiful Midnight.”

“Way to go, Wind.” Sky said with a grin; “an alicorn…”

He smirked. “I think that was a little more Midnight than me.”

Sky moved closer to get a closer look at her niece. “She’s so cute!”

Midnight smiled tears in her eyes. “I keep thinkin it’s too good to be true… then I look at her again.”

Sky smiled up at her understandingly. “Congratulations, Midnight.” She said, then gave her sister-in-law a hug, careful not to disturb the sleeping filly. Then she looked up at her brother. “I’m not quite sure whether to congratulate you or feel sorry for you, Wind; raising an alicorn isn’t going to be easy!”

Midnight laughed softly. “He won’t be raising her alone.”

Sky giggle. “She’s beautiful, Midnight,” she said then gave a meaningful look to her husband. Copper caught her meaning and snorted.

“I highly doubt we’ll have an alicorn.”

“It doesn’t have to be an alicorn!” Sky objected. Copper laughed putting a hoof around her shoulders and hugging her.

“You’ll have your own soon enough.” He told her.

She gave him a smoldering look. “You promise?”

Copper blushed and simply gave her a squeeze.

Twilight laughed softly at the young couple’s antics. “Well, congratulations. Are you up for more visitors? The rest of the girls are here with their families; as well as your changeling friend, Sallis.”

“They’re all here?” Midnight said in surprise. “I didn’t think they would all drop everything to be here.”

Twilight grinned. “Well it’s not just you they’re here for.”

“It’s not?”

“Rainbow is in the next room.”

Midnight’s eyes widened. “Is she…!?”

“She had her foal about an hour before you did.” Twilight told her. “A hansom little unicorn colt named Spectrum Spell.”

“Wow… I can’t wait to meet him. Tell her congratulations for me, when you get a chance.”

“I will, So are you up to a visit from the others?”

Midnight took a deep breath. “Yeah, as long as we keep it short.”

“I’ll get them.” Sky offered and left without waiting for a reply.



Sallis looked up at the door opened, and Sky Slice looked in. “Everypony; Midnight’s up for a short visit now.”

Everypony in the room got up, including Fluttershy and her family, and they were soon crowding into Midnight’s room. Sallis stayed at the back, standing in the doorway while the rest of Midnight’s friends and family gathered around. Midnight was laying in her bed with her wing outstretched, presumably covering her foal.

“Everypony; meet Star Bright.” Midnight said, lifting her wing and revealing her daughter. Several gasps were heard as they all saw the foal’s horn and tiny wings. Even Sallis’ eyes widened. An alicorn!?

“Oh wow!” Apple Bloom said, being one of the closest to the bed. “She’s adorable!”

Several others expressed similar sentiments and offered their congratulations. Sallis didn’t pay attention though. She couldn’t help herself; she just had to share the news with her mother. ‘Mother! Midnight Star had her foal, and it’s an alicorn!’

She sensed surprise come back from her mother. That’s wonderful news? A filly or colt?

‘Filly, her name is Star Bright.’ Just then, the tiny filly gave a yawn and tried to wiggle her way tighter against her mother’s side. ‘Oh, she’s so adorable!’

Chrysalis seemed amused by her oldest and most respected daughter showing such a soft side, but didn’t say anything, knowing Sallis well enough that it wasn’t unexpected. Well, tell her congratulations from me; this will be quite a gift for her.

‘I will.’

Fluttershy was letting her own children get a look at the newborn foal; while keeping them in check so they wouldn’t disturb the little one’s sleep. Young as they were, they soon grew bored of just looking and Fluttershy guided them back away to let somepony else get a good look.

“Sallis? Thanks for sticking around.”

Sallis looked up and smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it, Midnight. And by the way; Queen Chrysalis says congratulations as well.”

Midnight laughed. “Tell her ‘thanks’, for me.”

Sallis nodded, glad she’d chosen today to come to Equestria. She’d have to wait until tomorrow to continue on to Canterlot; but this was definitely worth the delay.
> Chapter 3: The Help
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midnight Star: Recovery
By Nebula Star


The Help
***


Spring, three years after the Battle of the Badlands

A loud knock on the farmhouse door surprised Applejack as she was just finishing washing her dinner dishes. She hadn't been expecting anypony and there was nopony else in the house. It was often quite this time of night at the farm. Ever since Big Mac and Fluttershy had married and Mac had moved in with Fluttershy, it had just been her and Apple Bloom most nights. But this evening, Bloom had gone out with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle for a night together while Sweetie Belle was in town between tours.

Wondering who would be coming to the farm at this time in the evening, she dried her hooves and went to answer the door.

Whoever it was, knocked again before she got there. 

“Ah'm coming, hold yer horses.” She grumbled as she reached the door. With a click, she opened it. Then blinked in surprise. Standing on the porch was a young nocturne stallion that was perhaps in his mid-twenties. With a dark slightly bluish-gray coat and darker, nearly black mane and tail, he was a prime example of his race. “Well howdy. Can Ah help you?”

“Uh, yes,” He said, sounding nervous. “I mean, you're Applejack, of the Apple family, right?”

“Sure am.”

“I... My name is Rainfall. I actually wanted to talk to you about something, if you have time, that is.”

Applejack shrugged. “Sure, Ah recon Ah could spare a minute or two to talk,” she said then held the door open for him. “Come on in.”

He looked surprised by her hospitality and managed a small smile. “Thank you.” Applejack lead him into the living room and took a seat in her favorite chair while he took the couch.

“So, what brings ya to Sweet Apple Acres? We don't have a lot of Nocturne around Ponyville and Ah recon Ah know all of them, so Ah'm guessin' y’all are from out of town.”

“Yes, well, sort of...” 

“Sort of?” Applejack wondered aloud. “What is it y'all wanted to talk about?” 

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Well, it’s actually somewhat of a confession really.”

Applejack raised a brow at that, but let him continue.

“You know how my kind were treated before Princess Luna’s return, don’t you?”

She nodded, “Sure do; never did sit right by me, the way some ponies treated y’all just because you look a little different. Glad the Princess put an end to that.”

He winced slightly looking guilty as he went on. “Some tried to live peacefully among other ponies, but most of us just tried to make it on our own, living in hidden colonies. My own clan made our home out in the Whitetail woods. We did what we could to grow our own food, but it wasn’t enough. Nocturne like more fruit in our diet than most ponies, but we couldn’t exactly stay hidden if we started clearing trees to plant orchards. So, in order to get fruit as well as other more luxurious foods; we would raid nearby farms and orchards… Including Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Really? Ah can’t say Ah recall ever noticing any lack in our harvest.”

He nodded. “I was just a colt at the time, but I participated when we would raid your farm every year around harvest time. We were very careful not to get caught and only took a few apples from each tree, but it was still a significant amount. I suppose, as young as I was, I just thought it was exciting… but now that I look back on it, I realize it was wrong. We could have gotten by on just what the forest provided. But my clan wasn’t willing to just get by. And so, we stole from you and many others.

“And while the rest of my clan is content to leave it in the past; I just can’t. I want to repay you. I don’t have bits right now, but I’m willing to work as long as you want to pay off the debt.”

Applejack smiled. “Well, that’s mighty honest of you, sugarcube, but from what Ah understand, Princess Luna pardoned y’all for all such crimes. So as far as Ah’m concerned, it’s no debt owed to me.”

He nodded. “I know the Princess pardoned us; but it still doesn’t sit well with me. Please, just let me repay the debt. I won’t be able to rest easy until all my debts are paid.”

She frowned. “Well shoot, Ah can’t really fault you for wanting to be honest and square your debts. And to be honest myself, we could use some more help around here. Y’all ever done farm work before?”

Looking up eagerly, he nodded again. “Yes, I always helped in our colony with the farming we did; it wasn’t much, but I also already spent a year working at another farm we used to raid on the far side of the forest.”

“Well sounds like you know your way around a farm at least.” Applejack said with a nod. “So do y’all still live out in the Whitetail woods?”

“No, my clan moved to Canterlot after Princess Luna returned; a lot of them actually joined the night-guard.” He told her.

“So, you don’t have a place to stay here in Ponyville then?”

He shook his head.

Applejack considered it a few moments more. They may have just met, but he seemed like a decent, honest, young stallion. And while she still felt like it wasn’t really a debt he owed her, especially not him alone when it was his entire clan that carried out the raids; she could certainly understand him wanting to clear his conscience on the matter. “Alright, Ah’ll tell you what; Ah’ll let you work here at the farm however long you feel you need to on one condition: You allow us to provide you with room and board for as long as yer here.”

He looked up sharply. “But I… I wouldn’t want to impose.”

Applejack gave him a smirk. “Ain’t no imposition; we have two empty rooms in this house, leastwise since Big Mac moved out.”

“I… thank you, for giving me this chance. I won’t let you down.”

“That’d be a hard thing to do, considerin’ yer working for free.” Applejack said rolling her eyes. She smiled and held out a hoof. He gladly took it and gave it a shake. “Well, we’ve got some time before it’s completely dark out, how about Ah show you around the farm?”

“That would be great.”



“So, you’re good at making sure plants get just the right amount of rain?” Applejack asked as they made their way along a path through the west orchard.

Rainfall nodded. “It’s my talent; that’s why I was always involved with what little farming my colony did.”

“Well, Ah’ll have to get you in touch with the local weather team so you can coordinate with them. Can’t remember who is in charge of them these days; Bloom would probably know. Her friend, Scootaloo, just joined the weather team.”

“That would probably be a good idea.” He agreed. “Bloom?”

“Apple Bloom, my younger sister.” Applejack told him. “She’ll probably be back soon, and you can meet her.”

“Oh, alright.” He blinked. “Is there anypony else living here?”

“Nope, like Ah said, Big Mac moved out when he got married so it’s just me and Bloom these days.”

“Oh… okay…” Rainfall said suddenly feeling a little nervous as he realized that he’d be living in a farmhouse out on the edge of town with two mares, one of which was likely around his age. He was an honorable young Stallion; but that was why the thought of living alone with two mares made him nervous. He had to do this though; he would never be able to sleep soundly until he’d paid off his debts.

“You okay sugarcube?”

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine.” He said, realizing he had zoned out for a moment.

Applejack raised a brow but decided not to worry about it. “Well, like Ah was sayin’, Big Mac still comes and works on the farm during the day, so you’ll probably meet him, though I’m guessin’ you’d be more comfortable working at night.”

“I can do either; whatever you need me to do really. I mostly worked during the day at the last farm I worked on.”

“Alright, in that case it would be best if you work during the day at first, at least until we can show you the ropes; after that it will be up to you when you want to work.”

“Sounds good.” He said with a nod.

“There you are AJ!”

Both Rainfall and Applejack looked toward the voice to find a young mare with a yellow coat and red mane, perhaps a year or two younger than Rainfall, trotting toward them. The large pink bow tying her mane just at her shoulder complimented her colors well.

“Hey there, sugarcube, you and your friends done already?” Applejack asked smiling.

She nodded. “Yeah, Scoots has weather team training early tomorrow, so we decided to keep it short tonight,” she answered then looked over at Rainfall. He shifted a little, nervous about the way she looked him over. “Who’s this?”

“Oh, right; Bloom, this is Rainfall; Rainfall, this is mah little sister, Apple Bloom.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Apple Bloom said holding out a hoof.

“I’m pleased to meet you too,” Rainfall said, giving her hoof a shake.

“So, what brings you to Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Well, uh…” He stammered a bit wondering just where to start.

“Rainfall here is going to be working on the farm.” Applejack answered for him.

Apple Bloom looked back at Rainfall in surprise, then gave Applejack a smirk. “Really. So ya finally decided to hire some extra help, eh sis?”

“Well, sort of…” Applejack told her.

“I actually offered to work for free… to pay off an old debt.” Rainfall told her.

“Debt?” Apple Bloom raised a brow, curiously. 

He sighed and nodded. “When I was younger, my clan used to live out in the whitetail woods, and would raid nearby farms for food, including Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Oh, Ah see. So, you’re the reason Ah didn’t get more Hearth’s Warming presents when ah was a filly!” She said, glaring at him accusingly.

His eyes widened. “I… uh…”

Her glare vanished in an instant, and a huge grin spread across her face. “Ah’m just kiddin’,” she said with a laugh. “So, you want to work on the farm to pay us back?”

Rainfall nodded. “Uh, yeah.”

“But Ah thought the princesses pardoned y’all for that kind of thing, because of how you were mistreated.”

“They did… but that’s never sat well with me.” He sighed. “I won’t be able to rest easy until I pay back all the farms my clan used to raid. And Sweet Apple Acres is the last one.”

Apple Bloom smiled. “Well, that’s mighty honest of ya.”

Applejack smirked. “That’s what Ah said.”

Bloom just shrugged. “Well, ya did practically raise me, sis.”

With a smile Applejack stepped next to her and put a forehoof around her in a brief hug. “Anyway, Ah told Rainfall that he could work here as long as he feels he needs to, and we’ll provide room and board for however long that may be.”

“Really?” Apple Bloom looked at her sister in obvious surprise before turning back at the young stallion. “So, you’re going to be living with us!?” 

Rainfall felt another wave of nervousness as he was reminded of that detail. “I guess I am…”

“He going to take Mac’s old room?” Apple Bloom asked her sister.

“Might as well. It ain’t like Mac needs it anymore.” Applejack nodded then looked up at Rainfall. “You have a place to stay for tonight?

“Uh, no… I wanted to make sure I’d be staying before I got a place. I should probably head into town before it gets too much later.”

“Nonsense. Y’all might as well stay here. You’re goin’ to be livin’ with us for some time, after all, no point in waitin’. Mac’s old room is mostly empty, but it does still have a bed.”

He looked back and forth between the sisters, just a little wide eyed. “I, uh…” He’d found out enough in town about the Apples to know they were held in high regard, and of course now he knew it was just the two sisters who lived on the farm; but he hadn’t considered that they might invite him to live with them while he worked to repay the debt. Alone, in a house with two strong and undeniably attractive mares… One of whom he knew to have saved Equestria on more than one occasion. 

“Ah think he’s a might intimidated.” Apple Bloom said with a smirk, seeing the look on his face.

“Here now, we’re not that intimidating, are we?” Applejack asked, amusement clear in her eyes.

Great, now they’re teasing me. Valiantly he tried to collect himself. “No, of course not.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Sure, you do know AJ is the element of honesty, don’t you?”

Applejack just grinned. “Don’t worry, Ah get ya. Living alone in a house with two mares, Ah’d be nervous too, if our roles were reversed. But there’s no reason to be nervous, we’re all adults and it’s not like we’ll be sharing a room.”

“Of course, it’s just. I hadn’t considered you might invite me to live here…” He managed.

“Well, you might as well.” Apple Bloom told him. “And it really is for the best, Trust me. A few good days of work and you’ll be glad you don’t have to walk back to town.”

“Darn right, we work hard on this here farm.”

Rainfall looked between the two of them, it was clear they meant what they said; they truly thought it would be for the best if he stayed at the farm. Why was he so nervous anyway; he knew the Apple family’s reputation after all, and it wasn’t like he was going to do anything; besides, either one of them could likely break him in half if he even tried; so what was there to be afraid of? Still he couldn’t quite shake his nerves completely. “Alright, thank you. I promise, I’ll work hard, you won’t regret it!”

Applejack smiled. “Ah’m sure we won’t.”


~~~


A couple weeks passed and in no time, Rainfall had found himself falling into a routine. As Applejack had said, once he’d proven that he knew what he was doing, they’d allowed him to move to a more nocturnal schedule; though he’d elected to still get up earlier in the evening so that at least part of the time he could work alongside the Apples. He’d help with whatever chores needed doing in the evenings then spend the rest of his night tending to the trees and ensuring every part of the orchard got just the right amount of water.

It was near sunset one evening when he happened upon Apple Bloom, sitting on one of the orchard’s hills, under its lone tree. He hesitated; she appeared to be deep in thought and he wasn’t sure if she wanted to be disturbed. But it was already too late; his arrival hadn’t gone unnoticed. 

Apple Bloom looked over at him and saw his hesitation. “It’s alright, you can come and sit down if you like. Ah don’t bite.”

After a moment’s more hesitation, he went ahead and took her invitation. “I just wasn’t sure if you wanted company; you looked rather deep in thought.”

She raised a brow, giving him a doubtful look as he sat down next to her. “Is that all?”

The question confused him. “Well yeah, I wouldn’t want to disturb you if you wanted to be alone.”

Apple Bloom watched him a moment more but seemed to accept he was telling the truth. “Oh; ah thought maybe you’d heard some of the rumors about me in town.”

“Rumors?”

She sighed. “About me bein’ a flip-tail.”

His eyes widened. “What? Why would anypony spread rumors about you being a flip-tail?”

She looked over at him. “Because Ah was,” she said simply.

He stared at her in shock. After past couple weeks working with them, that was not something he ever would have believed of the youngest Apple.

Turning back to look out at the sunset, she was silent a moment. Rainfall waited, not wanting to press her, but hoping she would explain. Finally, she did. “When Ah was just finishin’ up school, Ah went through a phase where Ah had a different coltfriend every couple weeks; and was buckin’ every one of them by the second date… some even on the first.” She sighed heavily, clearly regretting it now. 

“Ah grew out of it eventually, but not before ah’d earned quite a reputation in Ponyville... And also, not before ah’d nearly destroyed mah relationship with mah sister, and completely lost her trust. Not that Ah didn’t deserve it. Ah betrayed her trust so many times in those years; sneaking colts into my room or sneaking out of the house; telling her Ah was at a friend’s when Ah was really with a colt.

“Our parents died when Ah was still a foal. Ah hardly remember them. Most mah life, Applejack has been the closest thing Ah had to a mother. And Ah nearly threw that away because Ah was a stupid hormonal teenager. Ah’ll never forget the pain and disappointment in her eyes each time Ah broke her trust. There was a time Ah feared she’d never trust me again.

“That’s what really surprised me when she said you were going to be staying here: Not that she would trust you… but that she would trust me.” She smiled sadly looking off into the sunset. “It really meant a lot to me when she told me that she’d invited you to stay with us. Ah don’t think she would have even a year ago. Ah don’t think she would have trusted me to be in the same house as a colt, even then. That Ah’ve managed to earn back my sister’s trust, even a little… It means a lot to me.”

Rainfall watched for a moment in silence; it was clear how much her relationship with her sister meant to her. He really didn’t know what to say, other than the truth. “Honestly, if I had heard those rumors in town, I definitely wouldn’t have believed them; not after getting to know you these last couple weeks.”

She smiled. “Thanks. But now you know if you do hear them, that there was at least some truth to them… It’s probably for the best that you know.”

“Well, if anyone tries to tell me you’re still that way, I’ll be sure and tell them that you’re not that kind of filly anymore.”

With a soft laugh and a smile, Apple Bloom got up on her hooves. “Thanks, but don’t worry too much about it. Ah’ve got a couple chores Ah’d better get to back at the house. You said you’re going to work in the south-west orchard tonight?”

He nodded. “Yeah, a few of the trees in that section were looking just a little bit parched.”

“Alright then; Ah guess Ah’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“You too.” He said and with one last wave, Apple Bloom headed back toward the house. Rainfall watched her go for a moment, thinking about what she’d told him. Since he’d arrived, he hadn’t noticed any sign at all that the sisters’ relationship was strained. True he only had a couple weeks to go off of; but from what he’d seen, Applejack seemed to have completely forgiven Apple Bloom at this point. Could it be that Apple Bloom’s own guilt was keeping her from seeing it as well? He sighed and shook his head. It really wasn’t his place to interfere. 

Spreading his wings, he took off heading for the South-West orchard. He had work to do.


~~~


Though he tried not to think about it, over the next couple weeks, now that he was aware of it; Rainfall couldn’t help noticing more and more, how strained Apple Bloom’s relationship with her sister was, due entirely to her own guilt. What was more, the more he saw, the more he was convinced that Applejack didn’t even realize it. She seemed to think all was well between her and Apple Bloom. She never noticed how much Apple Bloom deferred to her. How she never spoke up, even when she looked like she wanted to. And by then, after working with them for so long, he was beginning to care for the sisters. Eventually he decided he had to say something.

He got up early one evening, perhaps a full hour before sunset. As he’d come to expect, though she’d completed all her actual chores for the day, Applejack was out in one of the fields they used for other crops, working on some repairs to the sprinkler lines in preparation for the next season. It wasn’t something that had to be done anytime soon, but one of the many little jobs around the farm that Applejack would work on whenever she had free time.

“Hey, Applejack. You have a minute?” He asked as he landed softly nearby.

Applejack looked up from her work, nodded, and set down her tools. “Sure thing, what’s up?”

“It’s about Apple Bloom actually.”

She raised a brow seeming to notice the concerned tone in his voice. “What about her?”

He sighed, trying to think of what exactly to say. “A few weeks back, she mentioned the rumors about her, about her reputation around town, and told me why…”

“Well Bloom ain’t that kind of filly anymore!” Applejack said firmly.

“I know, at the time I could hardly believe her even though she was telling me herself.” He assured her. “But she also told me how much it hurt your relationship with her, how she betrayed your trust and how sorry she was for that.”

Applejack smiled sadly. “Yeah, Ah’ll admit Ah was mighty upset with her at the time. It hurt not bein’ able to trust my little sister, but she’s honest as an Apple should be these days, ya’ll don’t have to worry.”

“I know,” He agreed, deciding he should get to the point. “Applejack, you have forgiven Apple Bloom for those times, haven’t you?”

“Of course, Ah have!” Applejack said seeming surprised he even had to ask.

“Have you ever told her that?” Rainfall asked getting to the heart of the matter.

She looked taken back, and had to take a moment to think back. “Well, no, Ah reckon Ah can’t honestly say Ah have, but Ah’m sure Bloom knows.”

“I don’t think she does.” He said softly shaking his head. “From what she’s told me, the way she acts when you’re around; she’s always on edge, like she’s walking on eggshells, as if she’d afraid of ever stepping out of line.”

Applejack looked up at him, concern starting to show. “She is? Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I can tell that you’ve forgiven Apple Bloom. But I don’t think she can see it. I think she still feels too guilty about all she did; it’s blinding her to the truth.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, and I think it would do her a world of good, if you let her know, that you’ve forgiven her.”

Applejack looked down a moment, then nodded to herself, and went about gathering her tools. “Ah’ll go talk to Bloom then.” She said as she closed the toolbox. The sprinkler lines could wait. Getting back to her hooves she placed the toolbox across her withers and started back toward the barn. She’d only gone a few steps when she paused and looked back at Rainfall. “Thanks for tellin’ me this, Rainfall.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome.”

She gave him a nod and then hurried back toward the barn and small tool shed.

With nothing else to do, he decided to go get ready for the night’s chores. He had a fair amount of work to get done and would need a few tools himself, so after a few moments he followed and set about getting what he would need for the night.

He’d managed to finish one quick chore by the time the sun was setting and went to return the tools he wouldn’t need anymore. As he came out of the toolshed, he happened to spot the sisters on the same hilltop where he and Apple Bloom had spoken weeks before, under its lone tree. He couldn’t hear anything from that distance, and they weren’t much more than silhouettes against the setting sun, but the two were clearly talking. He watched for just a moment, until Apple Bloom suddenly threw her hooves around Applejack and the sisters embraced. Rainfall just smiled and went on with his work, glad he could be of help.
> Chapter 4: Terra Flora
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midnight Star: Recovery
By Nebula Star


Terra Flora
***


Summer, three years after the Battle of the Badlands

The room was stark and sparsely furnished, with simple cement walls painted white and only a small table with a couple small benches to sit on. Only one door, currently closed, adorned the wall in front of Midnight and to the side was a large two-way mirror. Neither held her interest. Her eyes were down, looking at the table without really seeing it.

She’d lost track of how long she’d been waiting. Really, she hadn’t thought about it. She’d been lost in her thoughts. They both had.

The door was locked of course, not that a locked door would have stopped her if she wanted to leave. Nor could the dozens of city guards or the Manehattan police officers that were in the building. No, she stayed by choice. There would be consequences she knew, but she wasn’t going to run. She’d gladly take whatever punishment was coming. It was worth it.

There was a soft click and the door opened admitting a single pony. Tall with a slender build, her dark blue coat shown in the harsh lighting of the interrogation room, but her immaculate grooming was overshadowed by her flowing aethereal mane. Like a living piece of the night sky, it flowed gently on a wind that neither could feel.

Midnight barely glanced up at her. Even so, she caught the glare Princess Luna was giving her. She could feel the other alicorn’s anger. 

The door clicked shut again and locked even as Midnight felt Luna casting a spell; likely one for privacy. Glancing at the two-way mirror, her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the sheet of darkness covering the glass.

“You’ve read the reports?” Midnight asked softly, not really expecting her to answer with anything but a positive.

“I have.” Luna said in a tone that could freeze a pony’s blood as the room seemed to chill around them. “But I wanted to give you a chance to explain yourself.”

“Does it really need explaining?”

“Indulge me.” She commanded.

Midnight sighed. “Fine.”


~~~


“MOMMY!”

The terror filled scream, heartfelt and blood curdling as it was; barely reached the sidewalk where Midnight Star and Wind Blade had been walking back to their hotel. They were heading back from a late show on Bridleway with their daughter, Star Bright, asleep in her carrier, when they’d heard the scream. In fact, if they hadn't been passing the narrow alley where it had originated, they most likely wouldn't have heard it.

But they had heard it, and it set every nerve in Midnight's body tingling. 

The area they were in was far from the worst part of Manehattan; but the alley wasn’t well lit and had an ominous feel to it. 

“Wind…” Midnight said softly as she carefully levitated Star Bright’s carrier over to him. “Stay here.”

“Midnight, what?” He asked confused but didn’t have time to say more as Midnight became a cloud of magic and sped into the alley. Dodging past trash bins and stacked pallets she followed the echoes of the cry to an old door with a broken lock. Unlatched it was slightly ajar and swung open noisily as she barreled through. She didn’t bother with stealth. There was a foal in danger. The room she found herself in was some kind of shipping warehouse with crates of all sizes stacked in haphazard rows that left much of the room in shadow.

She heard a shout from further back and a foal’s cries. Like a wraith she sped through the aisles searching for the source of the cries. She reached a back corner, where the stacks of crates formed a small enclosure, and there found a scene she would never forget.

Several stallions were there looking like they’d been just about to leave. What they’d been doing was all too clear. A mare, beaten bloody, lay motionless on the hard floor, blood pooled around her, and the smell… The scent in the air made it all too clear what they’d done.

Those bastards! Midnight hissed in their mind, though Midi maintained control, her eyes seeking the foal. There, a filly, still years from earning her cutie mark, held by one stallion that had clearly been in the process of tying her muzzle shut. The tiny earth filly’s tear-stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes spoke volumes. They’d made her watch.

Rage filled Midnight and in an instant her cloud form engulfed the stallion even as the rest shouted in fear and began to bolt. Wrenching the filly from the stallion’s grasp, she swatted him away. His body hit the wall hard and he fell to the floor unmoving, unconscious or dead, Midnight didn’t care. 

The filly screamed in fear, unsure what was happening. Ignoring the fleeing stallions to care for the foal, she carefully severed the filly’s bindings even as she rematerialized, wrapping her in a gentle embrace.

“Shh, shh, it’s alright now, I’ve got you.” Midnight said with her most motherly voice, the same soothing tones she used to calm Starbright when she cried. 

“Mommy! I want my Mommy!” She cried, struggling to get free.

A glance was all she needed to know that it was already too late for the mare. Wrapping her wings around the filly she held her tight, not wanting her to see more than she already had. “She’s gone, little one… she’s gone.”

“No! Mommy! Let me go! Mommy!”

“I’m sorry… She’s gone.”


~~~


“It is indeed a terrible thing to happen.” Luna said softly. “They were predators of the worst kind. They offer loans to desperate mares with young foals and nopony else to turn to, then use what underhanded schemes they can to make sure that they cannot pay off the debt; all the while still wringing what money out of them that they can. When the time is right, they take what they were really after. That filly would have been sold into slavery, and the mare… well she was likely too old to be worth the effort, and they couldn’t let her live.”

“They made her watch!” Midnight hissed glaring up at the night princess.

“I know, Midnight.” Luna said firmly.

“THEY MADE HER WATCH AS THEY BRUTTALY RAPED AND BEAT HER MOTHER TO DEATH!” Midnight was on her hooves as she shouted with all the strength of her alicorn lungs. The walls shook and dust fell from the ceiling tiles.

Luna’s eyes hardened and her horn flared, forcing Midnight to sit back down. She didn’t resist. “I am not denying that you had good reason to be angry!” Luna told her, her voice showing a little anger of her own. “But you brought the filly in, reported the crime! Why didn’t you just leave it at that!?”

Midnight looked down. Why hadn’t she? She’d spent the hours alone before the princess’s arrival pondering that very question. She’d saved the filly; why hadn’t she just been glad and left it at that? Sure she’d crippled a stallion in the process, likely for life, but it was in defense of the filly. Perhaps she could have been more careful, but no one would have blamed her for using a little excessive force in that situation.

Perhaps it was because she’d never thought she’d have to see a filly suffer so in this world. Sure after the war, there were a lot of colts and fillies that had lost parents; but they had been shielded from such horrors by distance. They hadn’t been forced to watch. Not like her. Even now she could see clearly the hydra’s teeth piercing her mother’s body, pulling, tearing, as two of the heads fought over the meal; and the gruesome sight as they both claimed their prize.

She’d seen terrible things during the battle in the badlands, but none really compared. They were terrible to be sure, but by then she’d been hardened by the lives she’d lived. Not so when she’d lost her mother. Back then, she’d been an innocent filly. Sure, she’d lost her brother the year before, but she hadn’t seen that; he’d simply left one day and never come back. After being brought to this world; especially after the war; she’d hoped she’d never witness another filly go through such horrors. Hoped that no one would ever suffer as she had. 

Seeing what that filly had endured… and at the hooves of ponies no less, not even monsters. Monsters at least were just following their nature, for ponies to subject a filly to such horrors… She hadn’t ever felt such rage before. Terrible as they were, none of her crimes in her past life had compared to this.


~~~


Midnight watched through the window as the young filly spoke with a mare with a kind smile and gently understanding eyes. She wasn’t saying much. She hadn’t said much of anything since Midnight had brought her to the station. She’d sent Wind back to their hotel with their daughter, telling him she didn’t know how long she would be. He’d gone reluctantly, knowing that Midnight wouldn’t be able to rest until she’d taken care of the filly.

Focused as she was on the filly, she still didn’t miss the sound of the local police captain approaching. “Any news?” She asked without even looking at him. So far only the stallion she’d injured while rescuing the filly had been caught, the rest had fled the scene abandoning the injured stallion. He’d regained consciousness, but his injuries were severe, and the doctors didn’t think he’d ever make a full recovery. Due to this, questioning wasn’t an option yet.

The officer didn’t say anything at first, and instead took a moment to observe the filly as well. “It’s tragic,” he said softly.

“It is,” she agreed, then asked again; “Any progress on finding the other suspects?”

He sighed. “None, but they were definitely members of the Triad.”

Midnight looked at him questioningly.

“It’s… a gang that’s known for organized crime. One of the largest in the city. The one found injured at the scene has the mark.” He explained.

“What mark.”


“Three lines scarred into their necks, where it can easily be hidden under their manes. Every full member of the Triad has that mark. Unfortunately, just having a scar isn’t evidence enough to arrest them.” He shook his head. “At this point, I’m afraid that, except for the stallion you injured, the rest of the killers of that filly’s mother will get away with it.”

She stared at him in shock. “What!? No! Those bastards have to pay for what they did!” Unable to stand still she began pacing back and forth. “I showed you my memories! We have their mane colors, coat colors, even a few cutie marks!”

“Their mane and coat colors were changed by spells or temporary dyes; and the cutie marks were all fakes.”

“What!?” Midnight gasped, turning to face him.

He sighed heavily. “It’s how the Triad operates. Every group acts individually, with little communication between them. And whenever any of them do commit crimes, they’re always disguised at the time. So unless we capture them at the scene, it’s near impossible to tie the individuals to any specific crimes. By now all those you saw will have completely different appearances, they might even style their manes and tails differently”

“So you’re just giving up!?”

“We’ll continue to search the crime scene for clues, but there’s not much else we can do at this point.”

Midnight shook her head, feeling her anger at the situation rising. “No, you said that all the members of this triad have that mark, the scar!”

He nodded, patiently. “Yes, all of them. But not all of them were involved in this crime. Most of them probably didn’t even know about it. Like I said, each group acts individually; what’s more we believe the members of each group change almost daily. For pre-planned crimes, usually just one individual will know the plan and inform the rest group that night. Almost none of the crimes are on the orders of the gang’s leadership. Because of this, by law, we can’t charge the entire Triad with any of the crimes; we have to charge those crimes to the individuals involved. We also can’t charge the leaders with any crimes unless we can prove they gave the orders, which of course, they almost never do.”

“So they’re just going to get away with it!?”

“Most likely.” He said sounding more than a little bitter about it himself. “We’ve had dozens of murders and foalnappings in just the last few months that we know were committed by the Triad gang, but we haven’t been able to do a damn thing about it.”

“Foalnappings!?”

He nodded. “We’re fairly certain they’re involved in slave trafficking.” He gestured to the room where the filly was. “That’s probably what they wanted her for; they were likely going to sell her. It was probably why they killed her mother. So far, we haven’t found any other living relatives; it appears the mother may have been an orphan, never married. The most we’ve found is a few friends, none of whom sound particularly close. She was an ideal target for them. If you hadn’t caught them in the act, it may have been weeks before anypony even noticed she was gone, and that little filly would have been long gone.”

“And who is buying these foals that they steal!?”

He just shook his head. “As far as we’ve been able to find out, they’re being sent out of Equestria, to some distant pony lands. But that’s all we know.”

Midnight stared at him, rage building deep inside. “How many? How many foals have those bastards taken!?”

He was starting to look nervous now, having noticed Midnight’s mood. “There have been seventeen foalnapping cases that we were able to tie to the Triad in the past year…”

“How many total!?”

He winced. “I don’t know the exact figures, but for foalnappings, it’s around two hundred, over the last seven years…”

“And in how many of those cases were the mothers murdered!?” Midnight demanded through clenched teeth.

“More than two thirds of them.” He said sounding almost scared.

It was then that Midnight realized why; in her anger, she’d lost control of the flow of magic to her mane and tail. They’d transformed into their ethereal form, spreading out, filling the hall and surrounding her in a pitch-black night sky with only the faintest of stars. She didn’t bother changing them back. “And I take it that’s not the only crimes they’ve committed?” She asked, her voice cold.

“N-no… we’ve also linked them to numerous other crimes including dozens of other murders.” He told her reluctantly, clearly not wanting to anger her any further.

“And you haven’t done anything about it!?”

“We can’t… not unless we catch them at the scene, or in the act.”

“You’re telling me, that the stallions that forced that filly to watch them rape and murder her mother, as well as many others that have committed similar crimes are going to get away with it!?”

He swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid so.”

“No.” Midnight said softly, her anger reaching a critical point. “This ends now.”

The police captain’s eyes widened. “Lady Midnight, there’s nothing that can be done legally.”

She glared down at him, her horn lighting ominously. “Are you going to try to stop me?”

“The princesses won’t approve.”

“Then they should have done more themselves to protect their ponies!” With that she became an ethereal cloud and sped from the station before he could object further. Once outside she rematerialized flying toward the hospital where she knew the stallion she’d caught was being cared for.

‘Midnight,’ she thought to her other self. ‘I need you to take control.’

Are you sure? Her voice came back icy cold, her own rage possibly even more intense. You know what I want to do.

‘I know. It’s what I want as well. I just don’t know if I could go through with it myself.’

I don’t want you blaming me for this later! No regrets, got it!?

“Agreed,” Midi said softly, then surrendered control to her other side. Immediately her ethereal mane and tail both began thrashing about in a more chaotic manner than their normal gentle wave, and with a strong beat of her wings, Midnight Star accelerated toward her first target. The injured stallion would know how to find at least one of the others. Each of those he knew would then lead her to others…

When she arrived, it only took a few moments for her to locate the room where the stallion was being held. Using her ethereal form, she had no trouble entering the room without anyone seeing, despite the guards at the door. Immediately as she materialized, she cast a sound blocking spell around the room. The stallion was awake and glared at her as she let her own fury show in her crimson eyes.

“You!” he rasped clearly still in a lot of pain despite the drugs she knew he was likely on.

“Who were the others!?” Midnight demanded knowing he wasn’t going to answer.

“You’ll get… nothing from me!” He said defiantly, wincing in pain.

Midnight gave him a cold, threatening smile. “You don’t have to give me anything; I will take what I need!”

Her horn lit and her magic enveloped him. He screamed but she hardly noticed as she delved into his mind, digging out every bit of information he had of the Triad. It wasn’t much, he was a fairly low thug, having barely earned his mark. He did have three contacts, one of whom he had been working with that night. In addition, she also saw just how they earned their marks, and even that made her blood boil. They weren’t given their mark of the Triad until they’d committed three murders in service to the gang. Every pony that bore that mark had gotten away with at least three murders.

She dug deep, not caring if she was causing his mind any lasting damage as she did. There wasn’t any more information on the Triad itself, but she found his memories of the three murders that had earned him his mark. Two of them had been mares and he’d raped both before killing them. Upon seeing this, Midnight’s anger surged and without hesitation she used her magic to crush his heart.

Alarms began blaring as the monitoring equipment he was hooked up to registered his heartbeat ceasing. The door burst open even as Midnight returned to her ethereal form. She didn’t care if anypony saw her; she was just getting started. The stallion’s contact that had been with him earlier was next on her list. By dawn, the Triad gang would be no more!


~~~


“You killed them all.” Luna stated coldly having been given the full report, though more dead were being reported every few minutes, already nearly fifty had been reported killed during the night all bearing the mark of the Triad. Though there were no witnesses for most, Midnight had admitted to all of them.

“Yes… every pony that bore that damn mark… all but one.”

Luna raised a brow, that had not been in any of the reports. “You let one of them live? Why were they spared your wrath?”


~~~


Stone Grade tossed his head to the left as he made his way through the dark halls of his home. It was a habit he’d had for years to make sure his mane was hanging down the left side of his neck. There wasn’t anyone to see, and dark as it was, it probably wouldn’t matter if there was. But still, he always kept his mane hanging down the left side.

Quietly as he could, he walked down the hall to the kitchen to get a glass of water. He didn’t turn on any lights; he didn’t want to wake anypony, and there was enough light to see filtering in through the windows. Pulling a glass from the cupboard he then went to the enchanted ice box, pulling out a pitcher of cold water. After pouring, he replaced the pitcher, closing the ice box. He sighed contently, and took a drink.

Everything went black. It wasn’t bright to begin with but still the sudden loss of all light startled him. Then small points of light appeared all around him like stars.

“Who’s there.” He breathed, still not wanting to wake anyone.

For a moment there was no answer, then a soft and icy cold voice spoke. “You bear the mark…” What mark the voice meant was made clear as he felt his main pushed up away from the left side of his neck. He knew what lay there. It was something he’d once displayed proudly like the fool he was, but now kept carefully hidden. A scare; three parallel lines.

He knew there was no use claiming it was anything other than what it was.

“I’ve already ended the rest of the Triad. Only you remain. You were a founding member. One of the leaders… and yet only one of the others even knew about you.”

“I was one of their leaders; once…” He admitted softly. “I saw where things were going; I knew I had to get out while I still could.”

“Three lines… three lives ended… and that was only the start of your crimes.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “I know… I knew that my past would catch up with me one day. I know what I deserve.”

There was no figure to watch, no body language to observe, but he got the distinct impression that whoever this was were surprised by his words. “You’re not going to resist?”

“There’s no point. I could never atone for the things I did. For what I helped start. If you’ve truly ended the Triad; then I thank you, for correcting the greatest mistake of my youth.

“You still deserve to die.” The voice said after a few moment’s silence.

He nodded. “I know… may I ask you a favor though? A last request?”

“Perhaps…”

“Make sure my son isn’t the one that finds me… I don’t want him going through something like that.”

Again he felt surprise and hesitation form the darkness surrounding him. For several moments nothing happened. Then as suddenly as the star studded darkness had appeared, it vanished, leaving him again standing in his kitchen. But even as it did, he heard the voice speak one last time. “Don’t waste it.”

He gasped, falling to his knees, tears coming to his eyes as the realization hit him. “I won’t!” He breathed, not even knowing if they would hear him. “I won’t.”


~~~


“So you spared him because he was like you.” Luna observed.

Midnight looked up at her. “I spared him because he was better than me!”

The princess raised a brow.

“He chose to leave his old life behind to be a better pony… I had to be forced. I don’t think I ever would have made that choice on my own.”

“I see… Well I suppose I’m glad that you weren’t so far gone in your anger that you couldn’t recognize that.”

Midnight lowered her eyes to the floor again and for a moment the room fell into silence.

“So what now?” Midnight asked.

“I’ve yet to decide.” Luna told her coldly. “You murdered dozens of ponies, Midnight.”

“Every one of them deserved to die!” Midnight growled.

“Whether they did or not is irrelevant! You do not have the authority to make that call!”

“Then where were you!? Or Celestia!? Where were Equestria’s protectors when your subjects needed you!?” Midnight shouted back.

Luna glared back at her for a moment before answering. “For your information; my Nightguard has been gathering sufficient evidence on this and several smaller gangs in Manehatten for me to justify taking direct action against them! We were days away from rounding up the Triad members for judgement!”

“Days away.” Midnight snorted in disgust. “What comfort is that to that filly in there!?” She gestured vaguely toward the door to the rest of the station. “That’s days too late!”

“What happened to the filly is tragic; and I do wish my efforts had been in time to prevent it.” Luna said firmly. “But even for a princess there are rules that must be followed; a certain trust that we must maintain with our subjects, lest we become tyrants.”

“Well I’m not a princess.”

“No, you are not;” Luna said firmly. “I happen to agree that the ponies you killed deserved to die. Non the less; you have not been entrusted with the authority to pass judgement, nor to execute punishment. And yet that is precisely what you did. But truly acting without authority is the lesser of your transgressions!”

“Then what’s the greater?” Midnight asked.

“That you acted in anger! You let your wrath control you! And for somepony of your power, that is something that cannot be allowed!” Luna practically shouted.

Midnight stared at the floor in silence, both her sides recognizing the truth of that statement. In her first life she had constantly let her emotions control her. Let her bitterness and anger turn her into a monster, and all of Equestria had suffered because of it.

“Do you understand?” Luna asked.

Silently, Midnight nodded.

Luna watched her a moment more, then finally nodded. “Good…” she sighed heavily. “Midnight, I do understand how you feel, and in your place… I don’t know if I would have done differently. I’d like to believe I’ve learned to have more control than that, but I cannot honestly say that for sure. But at the same time, whether I agree with your actions or not, I cannot allow you to take the law into your own hooves.”

“I understand.” Midnight said softly.

“I really hope you do, because this cannot happen again.”

Midnight looked up at her, catching the implication.

Luna looked her in the eye making sure she had her full attention. “In repayment of the debt we owe you, and for the sake of your family; I will cover for you this one time.”

Midnight’s eyes widened in surprise. Luna was clearly still upset with her, but there was understanding there as well, and perhaps a little guilt? 

“I have told the captain that you have been working with my nightguard in these matters and though your anger caused you to act prematurely, we were intending on dealing with the Triad and other gangs, and you were therefore acting under my authority.”

“Luna… I…”

“This one time!” Luna repeated firmly. “But if you ever lash out in anger like this again, we will be forced to act against you.”

Midnight nodded understanding. “Thank you, princess.”

Luna’s expression softened. “In the future, if you wish to help protect the ponies of this land, I would prefer if you would work with me; I could certainly use your help in such matters.”

Midnight considered it for a moment and nodded. “I’ll help however is needed.”

“Very well. I will be sure to contact you the next time I have something I believe you can help with.” Luna agreed. “For now, though. I am certain your family is worried. I will finish clearing things up with the police and local guard.”

Midnight nodded, then glanced at the door. “Luna; what’s going to happen to the filly?”

Luna sighed heavily. “Little Terra Flora is currently asleep, but I understand that they have not been able to find any living relatives; it appears her mother was an orphan herself. They also have searched the mother’s apartment and questioned her neighbors, but still have found nothing concerning who her father may be, nor have they found any will or even emergency contacts. It’s still too early to say, but if they don’t find anypony, she will likely be sent to a city orphanage.”

“No.”

Luna looked at her in surprise. “No?”

“What that filly’s been through… she watched her mother die.” Midnight said softly. “She’s going to need somepony who understands; who can help her work through it; who knows how to comfort her. She won’t get that at an orphanage.”

“What is it you propose then?” Luna asked.

“I watched my mother die…” Midnight said, the true Midnight having taken control. “And I didn’t have anypony… Nopony that understood that pain.” She looked up at Luna. “If she doesn’t have anypony else, then let me take her. I’ll be there for her.”

“Are you saying you wish to adopt her.” Luna asked.

“Yes.” Midnight said simply.

“You don’t wish to discuss this with your husband first?”

“Wind will understand.” Midnight told her confidently.

Luna frowned. “Even so, perhaps it would be best for you to discuss it with him and think it over. This is not something to rush into. The police will need time to complete their investigation, anyway.”

Midnight looked about to insist, but then realized Luna was probably right. She should at least discuss it with Wind before she made such a life changing choice. She knew it was what she wanted, and that he would understand and likely agree, but he would be hurt if she left him out of such a choice. “Okay… But assuming they don’t find anypony; will you make the arrangements if we do decide to take her?”

Luna looked at her a moment more, then nodded. “I think you are right that she will need special attention. And I suppose you are one of the few who could truly sympathize with her.” She took a deep breath. “For now, though, let’s get you back to your family; Speak with Wind, get some rest, and if you still wish to adopt the filly when the investigation has concluded, then I will see what I can do.”

“Thank you, Luna…” Midnight said softly.


~~~


It was nearly two weeks later by the time the investigation had concluded and arrangements could be made. No family was found, nor friends that were close enough that they’d be willing to care for little Terra Flora. True to her word, Luna had made the arrangements for Midnight and Wind to take her. All that remained was gaining the filly’s approval. After all, Luna would not force the filly to go with Midnight if she didn’t want to. When they received word, Midnight and Wind returned to Manehattan. Starbright, they left with Twilight, who was happy to watch her granddaughter for a few days. 

Midnight had told Twilight everything, including her desire to take in the orphaned filly. And while, like Luna, she’d been disappointed in Midnight for letting her anger control her; she also understood.

It was the morning after they’d returned to the city that they made their way to the orphanage where the filly had spent the past two weeks.

“You’re here for Terra Flora?” The matron asked nervously seeming to wish there was more than just a desk between them.

Midnight would have sighed, but ponies being nervous around her had become far too common in the last couple years. So instead, she just nodded. “Yes, if she will have us.”

“Uh, yes, right… we received word that you would be coming… um… this way.” It was clear the matron wanted to simply get this over with as quickly as possible.

Midnight glanced over at Wind, he shrugged and followed the matron out of the office, Midnight right behind him. She led them down the hall to a small room with some chairs and a couch. 

“Wait here.” She said, “I’ll go get Terra Flora.”

Midnight gladly took a seat on the couch Wind sitting down next to her.

“Do you think she’ll want to come with us?” He asked having never even met the filly.

“I hope so,” Midnight said softly, looking anxiously at the door.

Wind looked over at her. They’d spoken often over the past few weeks about Midnight’s desire to adopt the filly. Wind had been hesitant at first, but the more they’d spoken about it, the more he’d realized how much it meant to her and had decided to support her in the choice. It wasn’t only Midnight’s choice, however. “If she doesn’t want to; we can’t force her.”

“I know…”

With a reassuring smile, he stretched his wing around her, holding her comfortingly. A minute or so later, the matron returned holding the door to let little Terra Flora enter. She walked in, her eyes turned downward, clearly not happy to be there. She didn’t look up until the matron had closed the door behind her, then recognition flashed through her eyes when she saw Midnight.

“Hello.” Midnight said softly, with a smile she hoped would convey how much sympathy she had for the filly and what she’d been through.

“You’re the one who saved me.” She said softly looking at Midnight.

“Yes. My name is Midnight Star.”


“You didn’t save my mom.” There was no accusation in her tone; it was merely a simple statement of fact. Still, it pained Midnight.

“I wish I’d been in time to save her. I really do,” she said, tears coming to her eyes.

Terra studied her for a moment in silence seeming to be considering whether to believe her or not. “Now you want to replace her.”

Midnight was rendered speechless for a moment, that wasn’t a response she’d expected; and yet, she should have. Of course, that’s what it would look like to the filly. Midi wasn’t sure what to say, but Midnight did and took control. “No! No of course I don’t want to replace her. Nopony could ever replace your mother; I know that… I wasn’t much older than you when I lost my mother. I know what that’s like; and I know that nopony could ever replace her… I know…” With her wingtip, she futilely wiped the tears from her eyes only to have more take their place. She’d avoided thinking of her mother’s death and the pain it still caused for so long

“Then why are you here?” She asked softly.

“Because I want to be there for you… to be whatever it is that you need me to be. I just… I want you to know that you’re not alone.”

Terra looked at her a moment longer then glanced over at Wind. “Who’s he?”

“This is my husband, Wind Blade.” Midnight introduced.

“Hi.” Wind said softly. “I’m pleased to meet you, Terra Flora.”

She looked at him a moment. “Just Terra.”

“You prefer going by Terra?”

She nodded looking down again. “Only my mom used my full name.”

“Then Terra it is. I’m pleased to meet you.” He said with a gentle smile, though she wasn’t really looking to see.

“Pleased to meet you, too.” She said softly knowing it was the proper response. 

For a moment there was silence in the room. Midnight wasn’t sure what to say and Wind was at a loss as well, finally it was Terra who spoke. “Where do you live?”

“Ponyville,” Midnight answered. “Have you heard of it?”

She shook her head without looking up.

“Well it’s a fairly large town; but nowhere as big as Manehattan; and it’s just south of Canterlot. We have a great view of the mountain and the castle.”

“Is it nice?”

“It’s a very nice town. With some of the friendliest ponies you’ll ever meet.” Midnight told her.

She was silent a moment, not looking at any of them. Midnight glanced over at Wind, her worry clear.

“Okay.”

They all looked at her in surprise. “Okay?” Midnight asked softly.

“I’ll go with you… I don’t like it here.”

The matron looked at her, surprised. “Are you sure, Terra!?”

Midnight gave her a look. The matron knew very well she wasn’t to interfere or try to influence Terra Flora’s decision, and it was all too clear she was one of those that didn’t think highly of Midnight. She likely thought she’d be protecting the filly by convincing her not to go with them. Seeing Midnight’s look, though, she fell silent.

Terra Flora just nodded again not even looking up.

Midnight smiled, with unshed tears in her eyes. “I… We promise, we’ll do everything we can to make our home yours as well; and to be whatever it is you need us to be.”

Terra sniffed, still not looking up, but then slowly raised her eyes to meet Midnight’s. Midnight locked her gaze with the filly, trying to convey all her sympathy and understanding through that gaze. Suddenly, to her surprise, Terra jumped forward throwing her tiny hooves around her. Midnight caught her, out of reflex, but then wrapped her wings around her in a comforting embrace as she whimpered softly. She didn’t say anything; neither of them did. She simply held Terra, letting her know that she was there for her. 

In that moment, holding Terra in that small room at the orphanage, she knew; that while it wouldn’t be easy, she’d do everything she could to ensure Terra would have the same chance at happiness that had been given to her. She knew she would do anything for this filly. She’d gained a second daughter.
> Chapter 5: A Mother's Plight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midnight Star: Recovery
By Nebula Star


A Mother's Plight
***


Late summer, three years after the Battle of the Badlands

It wasn't much further. Even in the dim light of twilight she could see the Ponyville library tree ahead. But every step was torture. Feeling the bundle on her back shift, she carefully nudged it back into place, but even that movement took more strength than she could afford. Nearly stumbling, she continued on, timing her shallow breaths with each step she took. She just kept putting one hoof in front of another, one step at a time, just one hoof... in front... of another.

“Ma'am, are you alright? Do you need any help?”

She barely heard the stallion calling to her from across the road. Raising her eyes, she realized that she'd reached her destination; the front door of the library tree was right there. She was nearly gasping for breath as she reached up and knocked; two loud knocks were all she could manage before her strength failed completely and she collapsed on the doorstep.

Darkness was creeping into the edges of her vision as she lay there, her last hope fading with every moment the door remained closed. She could hear hoof-steps galloping toward her, but it didn't matter; her last hope lay on the other side of the unopened door. Unable to hold on any longer, her eyes slowly drifted shut. It had been a fool’s hope anyway.

She was barely aware when the door latch clicked, and light flooded out as the door swung open.

“TRIXIE!”

It was the last thing she heard.


~~~


Twilight sat next to the bed watching over the sky-blue unicorn that currently occupied it. Her horn was glowing, channeling her magic into her one-time rival, trying to give her strength. Trixie's breathing was weak but steady, a good sign that she was beginning to recover, but it had been close.

It had been quite a shock finding Trixie unconscious on her doorstep, malnourished and exhausted to the point of collapse. Possibly the bigger surprise was what Trixie had been carrying. Twilight glanced over at the small basket bed where a tiny pegasus foal lay, sleeping soundly. Again she wondered if the filly, less than a year old, could really be Trixie's daughter. With a strawberry coat and a golden mane and tail, she didn't look like it, but that could just mean that she took after her father. In any case, the foal was in better shape than Trixie herself. She could only assume Trixie had been neglecting herself to care for the foal.

After bringing them inside Twilight had sent one of her guards to fetch a doctor, then did a quick examination of them both herself. Trixie was on the edge of starvation, her ribs showing clearly and her legs seeming shrunken, as if her skin were wrapped around nothing but bone. The foal was better, but still was showing signs of malnutrition. When the doctor arrived, he'd done what he could for both of them, which wasn't much, but then assured Twilight that so long as they both got plenty of rest and food, they should recover, and that hospitalization shouldn’t be necessary. After that, he had taken his leave.

It had been almost seven hours since then. The foal had woken once and Twilight had given her a bottle, glad she'd watched Star Bright a few times for Midnight, and had supplies on hoof. She seemed to be sleeping soundly now that she'd been fed and would likely be just fine. It was Trixie that worried her. She hadn't woken at all. As the doctor had recommended, Twilight had gotten her to drink some fortified fruit juice, but that had been all, and it definitely wouldn't be enough. But it was all she could do until Trixie woke.

She could only hope that Trixie would wake soon. The sooner she could get the unicorn to eat the better.


~~~


Warmth was one of the first sensations that Trixie became aware of. Soon though she became aware of the softness that surrounded her. She was comfortable. She didn't want to wake up. She just wanted to stay in this wonderful comfort forever. Then her memories started to return.

With a gasp, she remembered where she'd been headed and why; remembered what she'd been trying to do, who she'd been trying to protect. She tried to get up, to open her eyes, but her body felt sluggish, and didn't respond to her commands at first. Still, she fought her uncooperative body, trying to get up.

“Easy, it's alright, you're safe.” A voice said from somewhere above and to the side of her. 

Finally, her eyes drifted open. It was a mare standing next to the bed she was in; an enormous mare with a long sharp horn silhouetted by a glowing ethereal mane in the dim light of the room.

Trixie panicked, lunging away from the strange mare. Or at least she tried to, the condition she was in, she was only able to back herself against the bed's headrest. The mare's eyes widened at her reaction.

“No, no, it's alright, it's me, Twilight!” Her horn lit up, brightening the room.

Trixie froze, seeing the mare's lavender coat and familiar violet eyes. They were all that were the same as she remembered. Her snout was longer, her body slimmer, wings... well the last time she'd seen Twilight had been before she even had wings. Probably the most spectacular difference was the glowing ethereal mane that looked like a piece of the night sky edged with the warm glow of a coming sunrise. “You look different,” She breathed.

Twilight smiled, sitting back. “Yes, becoming an alicorn can do that to a mare,” she said, and Trixie finally relaxed, laying back against the headboard. “I was really worried, when I found you on my doorstep...”

Trixie's eyes widened as she remembered why she'd come here. “Where's my daughter!?”

“She's right here,” Twilight told her calmly, with a gentle smile, carefully levitating the basket bed up onto the mattress next to Trixie. “She's woken a couple times, and I gave her a bottle each time. She's doing very well, all things considered...”

Trixie reached out and gently caressed her daughter's mane, a sad smile on her lips. “Thank you...”

“So, she really is you're daughter?” Twilight asked softly, making Trixie look up at her. Twilight shrugged. “I wasn't really sure, I mean, it's not like she looks like you.”

Trixie sniffed and nodded understandingly. “She's mine,” she confirmed simply, continuing to smile sadly and gently caress her daughter's mane; too weak to do more. 

After a time, Twilight levitated a serving tray up onto the bed. “Here, you should try to eat this.”

Trixie looked to see a bowl of a thin vegetable soup on the tray as well as a couple pieces of toast and what looked like apple juice. Immediately she became aware of her ravenous hunger and automatically tried to levitate the bowl to her. The almost non-existent glow around her horn matched the weak aura that surrounded the bowl, but nothing happened. Trixie focused but no matter how hard she tried; she couldn't get the bowl to move.

“Here.” A vibrant magenta aura replaced Trixie's and the bowl raised up to her, the spoon scooping up some soup and offering it to her. Trixie froze for a moment, mortified; she was being fed. She was a grown mare and she was being fed like a foal, and by a princess no less.

“I can...” she started to object, but Twilight gently put a hoof on her own.

“Don't push yourself, Trixie,” Twilight said gently and again moved the spoon closer in offering. Not knowing what else she could do, Trixie let herself be fed.



“Thank you,” Trixie said softly when she had finished her meal. Twilight just gave her a smile as she levitated the tray aside to take care of later. Feeling a bit better with food in her stomach, Trixie reached out to her daughter once more and began gently stroking her mane, longing to hold her but not having the strength to lift her from her bed magically or physically.

Seeing Trixie's expression, Twilight understood and very carefully levitated the foal into her mother's hold. Trixie thankfully hugged her daughter to her chest, feeling her instinctively cuddle into her mother's warmth.

“What's her name?” Twilight asked, a warm smile gracing her lips as well.

“Rhea; Rhea Fireheart.” Trixie told her, smiling as she watched her daughter sleep, safe for the moment, in her mother's hooves.

“That's a beautiful name,” Twilight complimented, softly.

Trixie just smiled, enjoying the simple pleasure of holding her daughter a few moments more, glad she had made it this far. She wished she could stay in this moment forever, holding her daughter close.

But it couldn't last.

“You'll make sure she's taken care of, won't you?” Trixie asked softly, her voice quavering slightly.

Twilight looked at her confused. “Trixie, what are you talking about; you're going to be just fine...”

“I can't stay. I have to keep moving. I just... had to get her out of their reach. But they'll find me here. Please, just promise me you'll make sure she's taken care of.”

Twilight was more than a little alarmed now. “What? Trixie, you're in no shape to go anywhere!”

“I can't stay; they'll find me...”

“Who will find you? Is someone after you?”

Trixie averted her eyes.

“Trixie? Is someone after you?”

Reluctantly, Trixie nodded. “And they don’t care about laws or princesses… They’ll find me here. I can’t stay.”

“Who are they?” Twilight asked, her voice firm.

“I can’t…”

“Trixie! You are not going anywhere! Now tell me who is after you!”

She looked down at her daughter for a moment in silence until Twilight was about to press for more when she finally spoke. “I don’t know what they call themselves… they’re a gang from Manehattan… but they have ponies everywhere, they’ll find me!”

“What happened?” Twilight asked patiently. She knew well enough about the gang problems in Manehattan thanks to Midnight’s rampage a few weeks back. She understood why Midnight had done it, even so, she was disappointed in her daughter’s lack of control. Fortunately, Luna had informed her that she had been planning on rounding them all up for judgement and most likely execution herself, so at least she knew that the ponies involved had been among the worst in Equestria.

Trixie kept her eyes down on the bedcovers, not really seeing them as she thought back to how everything had started. “I was having a hard time… I needed bits to get my show back together, but I needed to do shows to make bits. Nopony would give me a loan… then one of their ponies offered.” She shook her head thinking back. “I knew they were shady, that it was risky. But I was desperate, and I thought for sure that I could make the money back in time.”

She sighed and looked at her daughter again. “And I was doing fine, I was well on my way to paying back the loan months before it was due… then Rhea happened. Her father was so charismatic… so caring… I thought I was in love, and that he loved me as well. But as soon as I told him I was pregnant, he disappeared without a trace.” Her eyes turned angry remembering that betrayal. “I tried to find him, but apparently, he wasn’t even using his real name.

“After that I couldn’t recover in time; the loan came due, and I didn’t even have half of what I owed. At first, they seemed generous, giving me more time, but now I realize they were just waiting until Rhea was old enough to be taken from me… they came to the room I was renting and tied me up and then I heard one of them talk about selling Rhea. I was terrified, but I’d been practicing escape acts. Usually of course, there would be some trick to the bindings in a stage act, but I have learned a lot about knots and ropes… I managed to get free, grabbed Rhea and ran. We’ve been on the run ever since.”

Twilight looked at her for a moment frowning. From what Midnight hat told her, that sounded like something the Triad would have done, and if so… well Trixie likely could have stopped running weeks ago. She’d have to make sure though, but she had no idea how she could confirm if the gang that had been after Trixie had been the Triad or not. She didn’t, but perhaps Midnight would. “Alright. Trixie, I understand how scared you’ve been, but I want you to trust me. Princess Luna has been dealing with the gang situation in Manehattan and… and my daughter as well. I’m going to send for Midnight and I want you to talk to her. She might know something about the gang that’s been hunting you.”

Trixie looked up at her fearfully. “You… you don’t mean Midnight Star, do you?”

Twilight gave her an annoyed look. “Yes, I do. She’s my daughter, Trixie, and yes, she’s done some bad things in the past but for the past decade everything she’s done has been in defense of the innocent ponies of Equestria. Don’t believe every rumor you hear.”

She lowered her eyes looking a little contrite, but still afraid.

After a few moments Twilight sighed. “She’s also a mother and has a daughter around the same age as Rhea, as well as an older daughter she just adopted. Believe me, you have nothing to fear from her.”

Reluctantly, Trixie nodded.

Getting to her hooves, Twilight went to ask one of her guards to send for Midnight.



Even living halfway across town, it didn’t take long for Midnight to arrive. Twilight spent the time trying to reassure Trixie about meeting her controversial daughter, and at least got her to just be nervous and not cower in fear when there was a knock on the door. Twilight answered and was glad to find Midnight standing on the other side.

“You wanted to see me, mom?” Midnight asked looking up at her. Though Midnight was starting to grow into her alicorn stature, she was still only a bit taller than the average mare. Hopefully noticing that would also help Trixie feel more at ease.

“Yes, come in.” Twilight said stepping aside so she could enter. “Midnight, this is Trixie Lulumoon.” She said gesturing to where Trixie was still lying in the bed, holding her daughter.

Midnight looked at her surprised. “You mean the stage magician you told me about?”

Trixie seemed surprised that Midnight would know about her, but Twilight just smiled. “Yes. Trixie recently had a run-in with one of the Manehattan gangs, and it sounded a lot like what you told me of that Triad gang.” Twilight told her, getting right to the point.

Midnight’s eyes went to Trixie’s daughter and her eyes widened further. “They tried to take your foal?” Midnight asked, just to confirm it.

Silently Trixie nodded holding her daughter close.

“Trixie has been on the run for some time and is afraid that they’re still after her.”

“Not if it was the Triad.” Midnight said with a little anger in her voice.

“Exactly. I was hoping you might be able to think of some way we confirm if it was them or not, and if Trixie is still in danger.”

Midnight frowned for a second, then looked over at Trixie. “Every full member of the Triad had a mark; three parallel lines scarred into their necks, usually just to the side of their mane where it could be easily concealed. Do you remember seeing a mark like that on any of the ponies that attacked you?”

Trixie stared at her for a moment wide eyed as she recalled. “Yes… I saw a mark like that on two of them.”

Midnight nodded solemnly. “Then it was probably the Triad. But why don’t you tell me exactly what happened just to be sure.”

Trixie looked at her for a moment then nodded. “Alright…” she said and went into recounting the events once more.



When she was done, Midnight sighed and nodded. “That does sound like the Triad…” She said and looked down at Trixie’s daughter. “Did her father have a piece of jewelry or clothing that he never removed?”

Trixie looked at her a little confused, but nodded. “Yes… a gold band he wore around his right forehoof; he said it was a gift from a zebra shamare he’d once helped.”

“And were you using a contraceptive spell?”

“I… I was, but I forgot to recast it or maybe miscast it.” Trixie told her.

Midnight looked down sadly. “I don’t think you did… I really hate to tell you this… but your daughter’s father was probably working for them.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Are you sure!?”

“I can’t be certain. But they did have a number of stallions working for them that their jobs were to seduce the mares indebted to them and make sure they got pregnant. They weren’t full members of the Triad; just worked for them.” Midnight said as gently as she could. “And they were all equipped with items, usually pieces of jewelry that had two enchantments on them. The first was designed to break most common contraceptive spells. The second when activated, would increase a mare’s fertility by inducing them to go into heat out of season.”

“You mean they had stallions purposefully impregnating mares just so the foals could be sold into slavery!?” Twilight gasped.

Trixie looked shocked as well but then let out a sigh and looked down at her daughter sadly. “I… I suspected, when he disappeared…” She sniffed back sudden tears. “And when they tried to take Rhea…”

Midnight put a hoof on one of hers in a comforting gesture. “The good news is you’re safe and you don’t have to worry about them anymore.”

“How can you be sure?” Trixie asked looking up at her.

She sighed. “Because I killed them all.”

Trixie’s eyes widened. “You… you killed them? All of them?”

Midnight nodded. “That mark I mentioned. To earn that mark they have to have committed three murders in service of the gang. So when I… I found a mare less fortunate than you; and found out what those marks mean… I hunted down and killed every pony in the gang that wore that mark.”

Some of the fear Trixie had shown when Twilight had first mentioned Midnight returned and she hugged her daughter close.

“Trixie. If you hadn’t escaped, they were likely going to rape you repeatedly and beat you to death, then take your daughter and sell her as a slave in some distant pony land. The mare I was too late to save, the filly wasn’t a newborn; she’s old enough to remember, and they made her watch as they raped and murdered her mother.” Midnight told her softly. “Trust me; they deserved to die.”

Trixie looked at her a moment longer, and slowly nodded.

“How is Terra doing?” Twilight asked softly.

“She’s… well, she’s doing as well as can be expected, I guess. She’s getting used to her new home; but she’s having nightmares every night. Luna’s been working with her on those and I’m there for her when she wakes.” Midnight sighed. “It’s going to take time though. She’s still young enough that her mother was her whole world… and now she’s gone. I’m doing my best to be whatever she needs me to be, but she’s still worried I’m trying to replace her mother.”

Trixie looked between them. “Is Terra the filly…”

“That I rescued; yes. She didn’t have anypony else, so I adopted her.” Midnight confirmed.

Twilight smiled sadly and gave her daughter a brief hug with one wing. “Well, we’ll let you get back then, in case she needs you.”

Midnight gave a more hopeful smile. “Hopefully not. She was actually playing with Starbright when I left, I think she even almost smiled.”

“Still, we’ll let you get back to them, thanks for coming and confirming that for us.”

She nodded, then looked over at Trixie. “It was nice meeting you, Trixie. I hope you recover quickly.”

Trixie blinked seeming a little surprised but then nodded. “It… it was nice meeting you as well.”

Midnight smiled and with one last wave left the room. Twilight followed, seeing her daughter out, then returned to the bedroom, smiling as she entered. 

“So, now that we’ve got that cleared up. The doctor said that you’re going to need plenty of rest and food while you recover, so I’m going to be setting up a room at the Ponyville inn for you for when you’ve recovered enough to get around. Until then you can stay here in my extra room.”

“I don’t want to impose,” Trixie said sounding a little nervous.

Twilight waved a hoof dismissively. “Don’t worry about it, besides, the doctor said you should be back on your hooves in just a few days with good food and rest. You’ll want to take it easy for a few weeks after that, but you should at least be able to get around.”

“I… thank you.”

Twilight smiled and reached out, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Trixie. Consider it an apology from the crown for not preventing what happened in the first place.”


~~~


Twilight was taking a moment to relax the third morning after Trixie had shown up, when the door to the guest room opened. She looked up from her book and smiled when she saw the former showmare emerge with her daughter on her back. “I take it you’re feeling better?”

“Better than I was,” she agreed as she walked over and carefully laid down on a free cushion. “I still feel so weak though.”

“That’s to be expected,” Twilight said gently. “You were on the edge of starvation after all.” As she spoke, she noticed little Rhea reaching toward her aethereal mane and smiled. Taking control of a small part, she moved it over within the tiny filly’s reach. She giggled and batted at the tendril of starfield with her little hooves.

Trixie watched a little surprised. “You can control it?”

Twilight nodded. “It’s a technique Luna taught us.”

“Huh… it’s a little weird.”

“You should see what Pinkie can do with her mane.” Twilight said with a grin.

“Your friend? Doesn’t she have a normal mane?”

“I think you’ll find that ‘normal’ can rarely be applied to anything related to Pinkie.”

Trixie looked at her a little confused.

Twilight just watched Rhea continue playing with her mane for a moment. “You should probably stay here a couple more days, recover a little longer.”

“If that’s alright.”

“Of course, it is.” Twilight told her with a smile. “I don’t mind having you and Rhea here.”

“Thank you…” Trixie said softly, letting her daughter keep playing with Twilight’s mane a moment more. “So why do you have so many toys and foal supplies?”

Twilight laughed softly. “Well, it’s getting so more of my friends and family have foals than don’t these days. I told you Midnight has a foal about the same age as Rhea. But so does my friend Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy has her three, and we just found out that my friend, Rarity, is pregnant; though she refuses to tell anypony who the father is.”

Trixie blinked. “Your fashion friend? She’s not married?”

“No, she’s not.”

“So she went and got herself pregnant?”

Twilight nodded. “She told me it was entirely her fault and doesn’t want to tarnish the father’s reputation with her own mistake.” 

“Hmm… never really thought I’d have something in common with her. Though in my case, I definitely wouldn’t be worried about tarnishing… his reputation.”

Twilight gave her an understanding look then decided to change the subject. “So have you put any thought into what you’re going to do once you’ve recovered?”

Trixie looked up at her for a moment in surprise. “I haven’t really thought about it… I left everything behind in Manehattan. I didn’t dare go back to my apartment after I escaped…”

“Oh right… we should see about recovering your possessions.”

“If we still can… it’s been weeks, after all.”

“We’ll see what we can do.” Twilight assured her.

“They’re just things anyway… I have Rhea; that’s what’s important.”

Twilight smiled, understanding what she meant. “Well, we might still be able to recover some of it.”

Trixie nodded then thought for a moment. “I don’t know what I want to do…”

“Do you want a more stable home for Rhea?” Twilight asked.

She looked back at her daughter, still batting away at Twilight’s mane with foalish giggles. “I would… but being a traveling showmare is all I’ve ever known…”

“Well, I was thinking about that actually. You know I help run the branch of Celestia’s school here in Ponyville? Well, we’ve been expanding our arts programs recently and we already have a few classes in stage productions, but one thing we don’t have is a class on stage magic.”

Trixie looked at her surprised. “You want me to teach?”

Twilight smiled and shrugged. “It was just an idea I had. Would you be interested in something like that?”

“I… I don’t know, I’ve never been a teacher before.”

“But you have years of professional experience, and sometimes that can be even better than teaching experience,” Twilight told her.

She glanced back at her daughter again. “I would like a stable home for Rhea…” Noticing she had her mother’s attention, Rhea giggled again then jumped down off her back and galloped over to the small toybox Twilight had for whenever Midnight, Rainbow or Fluttershy brought their foals to visit.

Twilight smiled as they both watched Rhea pull out one of the toys and begin playing. “It’s up to you, and you have plenty of time to decide; you wouldn’t be able to start until next semester anyway. Though if you decide you want to, you’ll need to take some time to come up with lesson plans, so you’d be hired right away.”

“How much would I have to teach?”

“Well, being an elective, for the first semester, we’d probably only have you teach one class, then if there’s enough demand, we can add more classes as needed. But you’d make decent pay; it is Celestia’s school after all. Though the Ponyville branch does teach pegasi and earth ponies as well so keep that in mind.”

Trixie nodded understanding. “So I’d need to focus on the completely magic-free stage magic.”

“You can still teach some tricks specifically for unicorns as well, and for pegasi if you know any. But yes, you’ll need to focus on teaching things anypony can do with practice.” Twilight agreed.

“That would be fine, I know plenty of stage magic that doesn’t use any unicorn magic at all.” She smiled thinking back. “It’s always fun seeing other unicorns wonder how I’m doing things without my horn glowing. I had one stallion accuse me of finding a way to cast spells without lighting up my horn.”

Twilight laughed, casting spells without lighting one’s horn was impossible as far as she knew. You could dim the glow, but not put it out all together. “So, are you interested? You could stay here in Ponyville, give Rhea a stable home to grow up in, and as a bonus, there will be lots of other foals her age that she could be friends with.”

Trixie looked at her a moment curiously. “You really want me to stay?”

“Of course! We may have gotten off on the wrong hoof at first, but you apologized, and besides, that was so long ago, we’ve both changed and learned a lot since then.”

Trixie smirked looking up at her. Even both lying down, the top of her head was just about level with Twilight’s snout. “I think you have me beat in the change department.”

Twilight laughed and glanced back at herself. She had certainly changed a lot since the last time they’d met. Between her growth in recent years making her closer to Cadence in size than the average mare she had been, her wings, and her aethereal mane, she’d definitely changed a lot more in appearance than Trixie had. “I suppose that’s true. But yes, Trixie, I would like for you to stay.”

“What if nopony wants to take my class?”

Twilight frowned. “Well, I don’t think that would happen, but if it does, I suppose we’ll just have to find something else for you to do.”

“We?” Trixie raised a brow.

Twilight shrugged. “If your class happened to fail, I’d feel a little responsible so I’d be glad to help you find other work in that case. But like I said; I doubt it would come to that. There’s been pretty high demand for most of the new art programs we’ve added. I bet there’s a lot of students at the school that would love to learn some stage magic, especially among the non-unicorn students.”

“But if I teach them all my tricks…” Trixie said a little worried.

“You wouldn’t need to teach them everything. Just cover the basics such as how to plan and create new tricks of their own.”

Trixie’s eyes brightened. “That might actually make a good final project for a class; have them make a new trick all their own; a big trick! A headline act kind of trick, and I could grade them on how well they pull it off!”

“Exactly!” Twilight agreed with a smile. “Teach them what they would need to become their own stage magicians. Obviously, most of your students may never make a career out of it, but learning that kind of creativity and ingenuity could certainly help them in other fields as well.”

Trixie smiled thinking on it. She could have them make smaller tricks as well for regular assignments; they could do a section on slight-of-hoof…

Twilight continued to smile seeing Trixie’s eager expression as she continued to consider the idea. “So; are you interested?”

Trixie looked up at her then glanced over at her daughter where she was pulling out yet another toy from the toy box, several others already discarded around her. It would mean a steady home for Rhea, while she’d still get to be doing what she loved. “Yes. Yes; I’ll do it!”

Twilight grinned. “Well then, Welcome to Ponyville, Trixie! I really think you’ll like it here!”

“Thank you, Twilight!” Trixie said, gratefully.