//------------------------------//
// A Father's Hope, A Mother's Love 
// Story: Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox 
// by Rakoon1 
//------------------------------//

Strongpaw, Hard Stone and the Fourth Unit were still waiting for the reincarnated regents who were still advancing calmly to the place where they were. At the top of a rock formation, the two regents were talking.

“We can’t retreat any further” Hard Stone saying, while hovering a few inches from the rock. “It’s time to make a stand right here, right now.”

“Yes…” Strongpaw agreed.

“The first thing the two of us should do is to launch long-range offensives and see how the enemy responds” Hard Stone said.

While the regents were advancing, King Platinum sensed something and then said:

“They were slowing retreating, but it seems they have made up their minds.”

“Fighting other from other kingdoms is understandable, but I don’t care in fighting the ones from my own kingdom” King Gusty Blizzard said. “Curse the General of Death and her damn curse!”

“You and I have never seen eye to eye, but, for the first time ever, I think I agree with you” Platinum said.

“Do not lament” King Alder said. “This is not all bad. I’m sure our children were able to surpass us. They’ll make a stand and they’ll stop us.”

They stopped and then Chief Sandstorm said:

“I really hope you’re right.”

“In coming” Platinum said. “There are two of them.”

And a big sand wave started to approach them. 

“Now that’s a lot of sand!” Gusty Blizzard exclaimed with a smile.

Sandstorm knew that move very well. That was the power of Shukaku, the One-Tail. He reacted by stomping his front hooves and creating a big wave of gold dust.

“Gold dust?” Alder said, looking to the dust at the air. “I see… You’re the pony-panther that control dust with magnet nature.”

The gold wave shocked with the sand wave, being able to subdue it and stop it.

“You stopped it” Alder said. “Nice.”

“Gold dust is more heavier than sand” Sandstorm explained. “So if I simply mix some gold dust into the sand, I’m able to slow it down.”

“I’m impressed that you’ve been able to defend it so fast and effectively” Gusty Blizzard commented.

“When Shukaku, the One-Tail, would run amok, I would stop his sand just like this” Sandstorm explained.

It was then that he saw him. Floating in some sand over the gold dust was Strongpaw. That had caught him by surprise as he were sure it was Shukaku who was attacking. And so Strongpaw made a gesture and the sand that was mixed with the gold dust erected and caught one leg of the regents, except Platinum that was able to dodge by retreating. But he then sensed somepony else.

“From above!” he exclaimed, while looking up.

And he saw Hard Stone flying above him, preparing to use his particle nature. He made a cone, ready to use. Recognizing him, Platinum said:

“You’re an old stallion, my son! Do you owe your long life to the particle nature?!”

And he also prepare to use particle nature, creating an cylinder.

“Atomic Dismantling Spell!” the two exclaimed.

And they all expanded the objects vertically and they shocked, creating a silent explosion that obliterated any tall rock formation that came into contact with it.

“My father’s particle nature is as powerful as ever” Hard Stone commented.

He positioned himself besides Strongpaw.

“His sand is more powerful than before” Sandstorm commented, touching the sand that was holding him, what cause it and the one that were holding the other two to fall.

“That was particle nature” Gusty Blizzard observed, looking to Hard Stone. “Don’t tell me that’s your son Hard Stone, Platinum. Oh boy, now I do feel like I have travelled through time.”

“Father, it’s been a while” Strongpaw said to Sandstorm.

“Yes, Strongpaw, but where’s Shukaku?” he asked.

“He’s long gone” Strongpaw replied. “And I’m no longer a jinchuriki that you created, father.”

“You’re no longer the jinchuriki?” Sandstorm asked. “What do you mean?”

“Some time ago, those who now control you removed Shukaku, the One-Tail, from me” Strongpaw replied. “And after they did that, they tried to kill me. Fortunately, my friends were able to rescue me in time.”

“Wait, you said friends?” Sandstorm asked. “Are you telling me that you actually have friends?”

But Strongpaw remained silent.

“You didn’t think he had any friends?” Gusty Blizzard asked to Sandstorm. “Did you really think your son would be alone this all time? He was a kid. Everypony has friends at that age.”

“Six, father” Strongpaw said. “You made six attempts to kill me. And in each time, my fear and hatred of you increased. But I no longer arbor any hatred for you now. I even came to understand why you did it. I have become the leader of our kind and it’s a leader’s duty to eliminate any threats against one’s subjects that we must protect.”

That revelation really surprised Sandstorm who then asked:

“You are… the leader of the pony-panthers?”

“And that’s not all of it” Hard Stone said. “He’s been named the commander of the Alliance’s troops in battle. He not only has that position but he also has the respect of the other regents, both from the Pony World and the Enchanted Forest.”

“Now all makes sense” Platinum said. “I found it odd that sensing multiple energy reading coming from a very diverse type of beings all mixed together. Just imagine, the kingdoms of the Enchanted Forest working together…”

“Well, I have to say that what he lacks, he sure compensates in power and charisma” Gusty Blizzard commented. “Now that I come to think of it, I’m just like the same.”

“That explains that sorry excuse for a mustache” Platinum said to Gusty Blizzard.

The former king of the Evermist didn’t like to hear that, but he remained with his posture and said to Strongpaw and Hard Stone:

“If you’re going to seal us, why don’t you start with the stone brain here? I’d be more than happy to cheer you on.”

There was a pause and then Alder said to Strongpaw:

“So that’s your son… I can see that he became a wonderful warrior.”

But it was like he wasn’t listen. He was recalling the moment Strongpaw was born…

In the past, in the pony-panther’s oasis…

Strongpaw had just born and the midwife showed him to Sandstorm who said:

“He’s so small… He’s premature… Are you really sure he’s going to be all right?”

“I’m not certain, but he’s adapting, sir” the midwife said. “Of all the children we’ve tried, he’s the only one that’s compatible. He still will need a lot deal of care.”

It was then that Sandstorm’s wife, after the effort of delivering a baby, started to have difficulties in breathing, but, even so, she struggled to say:

“Let me… Let me see… my baby face…”

Sandstorm came rapidly to her side and asked:

“Are you all right, Sand Jewel?!”

“My baby…” she just said.

And so the midwife placed the little foal besides her. Looking at him, a fragile smile appeared on her face.

“He’s just… so tiny…”

One of the medics approached Sandstorm and told him:

“It’s Lady Sand Jewel’s vital signs, sir… They’re dropping…”

“Then do something about it, now!” he exclaimed to him.

But it was too late, as Sand Jewel ended up dying, much to his sorrow, with her having the face of her deer son as the last thing she ever saw…

Years after that, things with Strongpaw had become problematic, as the pony-panthers feared him terrible. It was obvious that he was another failure as jinchuriki to the eyes of the elders. If they didn’t do anything, Shukaku could get released and go amok and harm innocents. Even if he was his son, he had to do what was best to the pony-panthers. So he decided to test him and see if he could contain the One-Tail.

Turning to his brother-in-law, the one Strongpaw had a very close relationship with, Sandstorm in charge him with an attempt to kill him and provoke him emotionally, even if that meant to tell him about his mother. If he was able to control the beast, than he would spare his life. Strongpaw’s uncle wasn’t sure about that, but Sandstorm knew that it was necessary. They needed to take the only think he loved the most.

Strongpaw’s uncle then went to do Sandstorm’s orders and, while his young nephew was looking at the full moon, he attempt against his life, with Sandstorm observing everything to the use of the Third Eye Spell. Obviously, Strongpaw’s Shield of Sand protected him, what caused the young one to react and fatally attack him with the sand, but with the latter telling him that his mother hatted him and that he also hated him for being the cause of his sister’s death. Because of all that, Strongpaw let himself be controlled by Shukaku, who immerged from him. Seeing the tailed beast, Sandstorm said:

“Another failure… Strongpaw is useless to us now.”

In the present…

Strongpaw and Hard Stone descended, but still floating over crater on the sand created by the collision of the two particle natures. The unit could be seen at some distance behind them.

“It seems this Reincarnation Curse may have some merit after all” Sandstorm said. “Come and show me. Let me determinate if you’re worthy, Strongpaw. Can you defeat me or can’t you?!”

“Yes, Hard Stone, you must stop me” King Platinum said to his son. “Against the particle nature, the number of opponents doesn’t matter. You’re the only one that can defeat me.”

“I’m aware of that” Hard Stone replied.

“And also you must remember what happens to allies after a victory” Platinum continued. “Once the war is over, the alliance is too and becomes fights for the spoils of victory. That what’s truly decides which kingdom is the victor.”

“Hey, knock it off, Platinum!” Gusty Blizzard exclaimed to his old rival. “You’re just playing dirty right now.”

“I won’t let that happen” Alder told.

“I don’t have any intension in doing that, my father” Hard Stone said. “Not at all.”

That made everyone turn to him.

“I see…” Platinum said. “So it seems you didn’t turn into a stubborn old geezer.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that yet” Gusty Blizzard said. “In any case, we can’t control our bodies right now. We have been sent to automatically neutralize any spell that the enemy may use against us. So, hurry and kill us to return us to the afterlife. We’ll even tell you about our powers and weaknesses.”

“But, still, it will be up to you to stop us” Alder said. “And it’s not going to be an easy task.”

And then sand get out of Strongpaw’s bag and went against the reincarnated beings. Automatically, Sandstorm sent gold dust. The two attacks collided, with none having any advantage. But then Strongpaw made two talons of sand get out from the sand.

“Move in, everyone!” Hard Stone exclaimed to the unit.

And so they all advance, starting to cross the crater. King Alder through the crater, while King Hard Stone flied towards his father who was running against him as well. While the battle between the sand and the dust continued, Strongpaw raised his hoof and said:

“Now, sand.”

And a shower of sand fell from the main stream, starting to fall over King Alder. Sandstorm reacted by making the gold dust around him to act as a shield. But, by doing that, he got distracted and, realizing that, he looked down and saw the sand under him starting to involve him, Gusty Blizzard and Alder. The sand he used before was just a distraction to make him remove the gold dust. 

When Sandstorm only had a hoof, his shoulders and head were the only things out, the sand that involved him started to get the form of a faceless mare. With his free hoof, Sandstorm tried to use his gold dust to attack his son from up. But the Sand Shield reacted by making two big sand hooves cover him. That made Sandstorm become speechless, as he couldn’t believe how Strongpaw had evolved.

“You have truly grown up… Strongpaw” he reincarnated pony-panther said, while the sand covered his free hoof.

Strongpaw became a little disturbed seeing his father making a remorseful look. The latter then said:

“What parents need to do is to believe in their children… That one simple thing. It’s the real treasure…”

The surprise in Strongpaw intensified even more. Sandstorm, that now was involved by sand that took the form of a mare that was involving the former leader of the pony-panthers with a strong hug, while his gold dust started to fell, said, but not to his son:

“Isn’t that the whole truth, Sand Jewel? Now I see it clearly. I didn’t possess the ability to judge the true value of things.”

“What do you mean by that?” Strongpaw asked.

“No matter what, the sand will always protect you” Sandstorm said. “But that is not Shukaku’s power. It belongs to your mother. It’s Sand Jewel’s. You’re mother… loved you.”

That made Strongpaw become in shock by hearing those words.

“Father, did you… just said that my mother loved me?” he asked. “But, at that day long ago, when my uncle came after me…”

“I told him to lie you then” Sandstorm confessed. “He was merely following orders. I had to see if you would lost control of the tailed beast inside you if you were distraught… for the sake of our kind. If there was somepony that your uncle hated was me and not you. I forced his sister to suffer the sealing of Shukaku. But he was true pony-panther warrior and was loyal to me. He followed my orders for the sake of our kind. It was all a mistake. Sometimes it seems that everything that I did was a mistake. I burned you unnecessarily. I’ve decided that you didn’t have any utility to our kind or to anypony else. I took away your future by turning you into a jinchuriki, wrath to your mother and I poisoned you against her. I took away everything: your ability to not love others. I even tried to take your life. And finally, there’s one thing as a parent that I gave you… the only thing that you got from me was a broken heart.”

Those words even caused more confusion to Strongpaw as a turmoil of emotions happened inside him. Tears covered his eyes and then started to fall on the sand beneath him. The hooves that were protecting him belonged to another mare made of sand whose face were now revealed as being his mother’s. Sandstorm looked at her with his distraught look and then lowed it, saying then:

“Mothers are powerful. Yours protected and believed you, even after death. She’s the one that made you who you are today. She allowed you to get your full potential as the leader of the pony-panther and to make friends. She gave you bonds to your community. All the things that I took away from you. As your father, all I ever did was to torment you. I don’t even deserved to be called your father.”

And so, after his silent crying, Strongpaw said:

“My mother was amazing… Thanks to her, I know got from you what I needed to cure my heart, father.”

Looking at his son, tears appeared on his eye and then he said:

“Strongpaw… my son…”

And a paper containing a sealing spell appeared on the sand and the sand covered all of Sandstorm, while a smiled appeared on his face with tears falling from his eyes and saying his last words:

“You’ve surpass me long ago. I leave our kind to you… Strongpaw.”

And the gold dust fell completely, after its user was completely sealed…