Blaze the Pony Tale

by Wolven5


348. Darkness Before Dawn

Barely a week had passed since that evening a brief flash of daylight that spanned Equestria declared the birth of a new alicorn, and rumors spread to all corners of the nation quicker than a racing Wonderbolt. Ponies everywhere were talking, from the humble and most down-to-earth farmer to the snootiest and most posh noble, discussing the jubilant news that at long last their much-beloved Princess of the Sun had finally become a mother. 

Nobles and commoners alike were sending their best wishes… along with their hopes to see the newborn prince with their own eyes. However, Prince Sombra, Celestia’s loving and protective husband, had respectfully requested their subjects allow mother and child to rest before the formal introduction of his son to the nation, which was about to take place. 

Rather than within the castle, the Canterlot Triarchy had opted to hold the celebration in Canterlot Public Park so that stone walls and towers would not bar everypony’s chance to see the little prince, which of course meant security was going to be on high alert. Indeed, Sombra would allow for no chances for any harm to come to his son. 

So naturally, Sombra had requested Twilight organize the celebration and for Midnight to provide additional security. 

As the two alicorn princes walked through the verdant meadows of Canterlot Public Park, they took in the preparations being made under Twilight’s meticulous supervision, for not only ponies from all over Equestria would be coming to attend this happy occasion but so too were foreign leaders and ambassadors from neighboring and allied nations coming to attend the formal introduction of the little prince to the world. Thus certain accommodations had to be made, for the attendance of several different species! 

“And you are certain there will be no chance of any possible threat to my son?” asked Sombra.

“I give you my word, Sombra,” Midnight assured, “I’ve called in my very best Hoods to be in attendance during the celebration. They will each be in key positions, constantly vigilant, unseen and unheard, no one will so much as glance in their general direction and notice them in their black cloaks. 

“If and when all goes well, then once the celebration has concluded and the little prince is safely inside the castle, the Hoods will slink away as if they were never even here. Your son will be safe, my master. I swear it upon my life,” vowed Midnight as he gave a wing-salute. 

Nodding with fatherly pride, Sombra smiled at his apprentice with deepest appreciation, “You always come through, Midnight. It means so much to me to know my son is safe under your careful watch. 

“Time and again you’ve made me proud, not so unlike the pride I felt the moment I gazed upon my foal for the first time hardly a week ago, but…”

Sombra trailed off and Midnight chuckled, “I understand. Though we share blood and I do love you like a father, Sombra, I imagine it’s a very different pride to have in your actual child compared to your… Goddess knows how many times great-grandson, or something.”

“In a way, yes,” Sombra nodded before surprising Midnight by pulling the smaller alicorn stallion into a strong and paternal hug, “but in all ways that matter, you are my son too. Not only that, you are my heir while my foal is his mother’s heir. Already, ponies are calling him the Son of the Sun and though I am his father, I agree the legacy he should carry on is his mother’s.

“You, my apprentice, already understand sacrifice and duty, and you have made difficult choices in the most trying of circumstances. Even your brother, young Twinken, has accepted a burden along with an honor that promises great responsibility in his future. It gladdens me to know my bloodline has produced such exemplary ponies as yourself and your brother.”

“Thank you, Sombra,” Midnight replied, feeling proud yet humbled by his forefather’s words when they heard hoofsteps and looked to see Twilight coming their way, Spike following with a clipboard. 

“Prince Sombra, you’ll be happy to know that preparations are coming along nicely and we are actually ahead of schedule,” Twilight declared proudly, “the decor is almost finished, as is the catering, and the roped-off sections for the pony attendees have been set up as well as the places for the visiting foreign leaders and representatives.”

“That is good to hear, Twilight,” Sombra smiled with warm regard, “Remind me again, who among the VIPs are we expecting to attend my son’s celebration?”

“Let’s see…” Spike looked at his clipboard and lifted a paper, “There’s… King Godric of Griffonstone and his sons, the Sultan and Sultana of Saddle Arabia, a representative from Zebrabwe is coming, a diplomat from the Dog Nation’s capitol of Sirius, a dignitary from the minotaur royal capitol Minox- Eesh… Prince Rutherford from Yakyakistan, and… huh. An ambassador from… Mt. Aris? Never heard of it.”  

“I think that’s the home and kingdom of the hippogriffs,” commented Midnight. 

“Um, Sombra,” Twilight spoke up, “do you mind if I have a private word with my husband?”

“Not at all, Twilight. I must go check on my wife and son anyway,” Sombra responded before he spread his wings. 
“Keep up the good work, my dear young friends!”

As he took flight, Twilight sighed, Midnight asking, “What’s wrong, Twily? Tired?”

“No, it’s just… oh!” Twilight fussed, “I still can’t believe Sombra and Celestia won’t tell anyone the name of the baby! Even Luna doesn’t know her nephew’s name and you saw how annoyed she was when we saw her earlier.”

“Heh-heh, they said they wanted to introduce him here and today at his big celebration for all the world to hear,” reminded Midnight, “It’d be kinda unfair if we got to hear his name first, royalty or not.”

“And besides, it’ll be even better to hear his name for the first time once Celestia announces it during the celebration,” added Spike. 

“I know… He’s just so adorable!” gushed Twilight, her face brightening up at the memory of when they were invited to Canterlot castle the day after Sombra sent them that message that Celestia had given birth so she, Midnight, and all their friends in the Council of Friendship got to see the baby alicorn colt for the first time.
“He’s so like his parents and at the same time so- So… unique! Oh, our niece Cora is still the cutest little baby ever but the little prince is a very close second.”

“We’ll see how you feel when we have foals of our own one day,” teased Midnight, and the moment turned so awkward that Spike flustered and excused himself, saying he wanted to check on the catering. 

I’m sorry, Twily, I…” Midnight rubbed the back of his head, uncertain of what else to say. 

“No, uh- It’s okay, Midnight,” Twilight assured him by nuzzling up to his side, and he nuzzled back, resting his chin on top of her head. They stayed like that for a long and comforting moment before Twilight said, “Believe me, Midnight… I want to become a mother, I want to give you foals, I want for us to start our own family, it’s just…”

“I know, I’m scared too,” Midnight pulled back and cupped his wife’s cheek in his hoof, seeing Twilight’s yearning that matched his own. 
“It’s a huge commitment and a perilous journey, raising a foal from infancy to adulthood. Always wanting to love them, to teach them, to guide them, but also wanting to protect them and keep them safe.”

“Exactly,” Twilight held her husband’s hoof in her own, “and as much as I want to be a mother, I- Well, you know me, Midnight, I worry about every little thing! Sometimes I still have moments of panic over things that are ultimately trivial and meaningless because I let my anxiety get the best of me. 

“With a foal?! Well, the way I am, I’d be worrying about our child whenever I couldn’t see him or her and wasn’t completely certain that they’re safe or even happy! Then assuming we got past the baby years and our foal started moving about, talking, maybe get into trouble because we weren’t watching them closely enough and they got hurt because of it! And then when our child got older, they’d be getting more independent, more certain about themselves but might not have the proper knowledge or maturity to handle big problems and would feel like we’re suffocating them with our-”

“Twily!” Midnight raised his voice but in a gentle way, his wife halting her anxiety-building rant over their theoretical child’s growth and development, and she saw him hold his hoof over his chest and take a deep inhale. 

She did the same… and they did Cadance’s calming technique of breathing in and breathing out while waving the worries away.

“Feel better?” Midnight asked with a knowing smirk.

“...yes,” Twilight answered meekly when she felt her husband wrap his wings around her.

“Twilight, it’s good you’re thinking about all this and taking the prospect seriously,” Midnight said, “but seriously! There’s no need to rush. There’s plenty of time to plan and to talk and to prepare. But I don’t mean to plan and prepare for any and every possibility, because we both know that didn’t work out so well for you after your little temporal paradox, remember…?”

“Ugh, please don’t remind me,” Twilight groaned, recalling what was among the worst weeks of her entire life. 

“What I’m saying is, if and when we discuss starting our family,” Midnight went on, “we’ll be honest, open-minded, patient, and of course realistic… Odds are, any foals we have will be alicorns too, just like Cora and the little prince. Thankfully, we have Spike, Starlight, Sunburst, and all the rest of our amazing friends to help us, especially Fluttershy and Mac. They’re doing great with Belle and Sandow, and I’m perfectly sure they’ll be more than happy to give us pointers in being good parents. Not only that, our foals will have so many great aunts and uncles and the rest of our family to love them and teach them as we will.  

“And Twilight, we’ll be great parents. I’m not saying we won’t make mistakes because there’s no such thing as the perfect parents. I mean, think about how you’ve brought up Spike. Sure he’s more of a little brother to you, but you’ve always made sure he was healthy, educated, and happy, and honestly when it comes to foals that’s what matters.”

Twilight gave it a thought before she softly smiled, “I guess in a way I have been something of a mother to Spike.”

“Yes, you can be a great mother, Twilight,” Midnight smiled while rubbing noses with her as they gazed into each other’s eyes, “After all, I have foreseen it.”

They stood like that, just enjoying being together, before Twilight nuzzled and hugged her husband and said, “Thank you, Midnight.”

“Always, Twily,” Midnight hugged her back.

The attendees were arriving by the dozens and dozens! Ponies were told to keep to the fringes and not enter the sections designated by velvet ropes, the Royal Guards all standing vigilant. There was excited chatter in the air, as well as clouds for many pegasi to have a bird’s eye view of the events about to unfold. Earth ponies and unicorns that couldn’t get closer instead stood upon balconies and rooftops as all eyes gazed inwards to the park, towards a grand tent of white fabric hemmed with golden material, the Equestrian flag flying above it. The tent was not in the middle of the meadow but rather to the side, as inside the tent Celestia and Sombra were getting ready. 

Peeking out the tent flap, Celestia couldn’t help but feel her heart race, feeling nervous and excited. 

Or nervou-cited, as Pinkie Pie would say, she thought with a soft laugh.

“Are you alright, my love?”

She turned to her husband, and again thanked her lucky stars he was here as she so often did in moments like this. She stepped up to him, raising her hoof to caress his cheek as he looked upon her with his pure green eyes with wonder and contemplation, as though he could not believe this moment was real. 

“I… I’m just beginning to feel overwhelmed,” Celestia answered to her husband, cherishing his touch as he reached up to hold her hoof. 
“For centuries, I have been a princess, a ruler, a teacher. I broke the bond of sisterhood I shared with Luna and could have lost her forever. I ruined what we had and turned you away, and I thought I lost you as well. Now here we are, husband and wife, father and mother!

“Oh, Sombra! Until I heard his cries, felt him in my hooves, the role of mother always seemed like a beautiful dream just beyond my reach, and here we are, about to introduce our son to the world! And yet, I… I don’t know, I’m…”

Sombra wrapped his vast and powerful wings around his wife, and touched his forehead to hers, minding their horns, as he gently whispered, “Ours has been a long and difficult journey, Celestia. We have made mistakes, some we redeemed, others we could not, but you know what?”

He pulled back and lifted Celestia’s face before giving her a deep and loving kiss before saying, “I wouldn’t change even one moment of it, because in this moment, this here and now after the long way we have come, I can say with nary a doubt that it was all worth it.”

Then he looked to the nearby crib and Celestia did as well, their eyes falling upon their beautiful son. 

He was wrapped snugly in a baby blanket colored a gentle sunshine yellow and was hugging a stuffy that looked like a generic Royal Guard pony, and to their mutual relief he was waking up. The way he yawned and stretched his wings before rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Sombra and Celestia felt their hearts well before Celestia levitated the little prince and held him in her wings while gently removing the blanket so he wouldn’t get too hot. 

The little prince had a coat of white much like his mother's but while Celestia’s coat was tinted a soft pink her child’s was tinted a gentle orange like a sunset. His mane was black, like his father’s, but it also had streaks of gold, sunshine orange, and pastel blue and green like from his mother’s mane. His eyes as they were opening revealed them to be a beautiful bluish-green as he smiled at his mommy and daddy.

A fanfare outside let the happy parents know as they shared each other’s gaze and Sombra stated with a proud smile, “It is time.” 

Outside, Pinkie Pie, Cheese Sandwich, Party Favor, Sugar Belle, and Mr. & Mrs. Cake were making sure the buffet tables were fully stocked while Big Mac and Fluttershy kept their foals, Belle and Sandow close and were even watching the Cake Twins with the help of Cadance, who had brought Cora with her while Shining Armor kept a careful watch alongside all the Royal Guardsponies, Rarity was chatting it up with some of her socialite friends about how she was going to make baby clothes for the little prince and Blueblood was discussing business matters with Jet Set. Starlight and Sunburst were talking to Trixie, who’d gotten permission to light up some of her magical fireworks, Rainbow had wrangled Soarin to come talk to Spitfire and several other attending Wonderbolts to make an aerial display to help celebrate the big day, Applejack and Thunderlane were hanging out and just enjoying each other’s company, and Midnight and Luna were talking with King Godric and Doran as they stood near the other foreign visitors.

Twilight and Spike were making some last-minute checks on the raised platform and podium as well as insuring the camera pony would have an excellent shot to feed live footage for the projectors to display the little prince’s close-up. 

“Check, check, and… check!” Spike declared as he held up the checklist, “We are ready to get this celebration underway, Twilight!” 

“Alrighty then, Spike…” Twilight took a deep breath, “Signal the guard.”

Spike nodded as he hurried over to some guards holding some really large trumpeting horns and gave them the go-ahead. They nodded as they raised their horns to their mouths and took a deep breath before sounding a well-rehearsed fanfare that they’ve done hundreds of times, alerting the vast crowd of attendees that it was time. 

There was hushed chatters that quickly died down as Twilight stood at the podium and concentrated before speaking using the Royal Canterlot Voice. 

“Fillies and gentlecolts, visitors from near and far! Thank you all so very much for coming, for today we celebrate Princess Celestia and her husband Prince Sombra, but most important of all, we celebrate their foal, the little prince, the Son of the Sun! In just a few moments, they will step up here to speak on their child’s behalf before we are finally introduced to their heir! And as Princess Celestia’a former student, I simply cannot say how happy I am for my old teacher. 

“For centuries, Celestia has been ruler of our nation, but more than that, she has also been a mother to all little ponies in her own way. She watches over us, she guides us, and she protects us. She encourages us to follow our hearts and become the very best of ourselves that we can be, and she wishes nothing but the best for all creatures great and small, especially our visitors from nations all over the world. So on behalf of Princess Celestia, I say thank you for being a part of this wonderful occasion.”

Many ponies in the crowd cheered and even called out thanks to the VIPs as they waved and smiled.

“So now, it is time for us all to give a well-wishing applause to the Royal Family of Princess Celestia, Prince Sombra, and most of all the Little Prince!” 

Cheers rang out as an applause built up to honor them as Celestia and Sombra stepped out of the tent, Celestia’s wings obviously holding a certain bundle of joy yet keeping him hidden as she and her husband stepped up onto the platform. She gave Twilight a thank-you nuzzle as the lavender alicorn stepped aside. Celestia carefully gave Sombra their child for him to hold while she stepped up to the podium and cleared her throat.

“For over a thousand years, I have dedicated my life to be a servant, a guide, and a protector to my little ponies. Too often is the role of leader misunderstood and assumed to be a role of power and entitlement. I made that mistake when I was a young and naive filly and it drove a wedge of resentment and miscommunication between myself and my sister. Out of hubris, I ignored my sister’s feelings while allowing myself to become a high horse, and my selfishness led to one of the darkest chapters of my life. 

“The blame was my own yet the punishment was hers, and the guilt I carried thence weighed upon my heart as the centuries passed me by. I endeavored to be a better leader and to serve and protect my subjects with a wisdom for which I paid a heavy price. I still made mistakes, some more costly than others, and yet it was the hopes and dreams and efforts of many an extraordinary pony I had the privilege of knowing, many exemplary individuals who would come to me even at my deepest lows and most vulnerable of moments and would somehow inspire me with the will to keep moving forward. It is a never-ending struggle, especially for those whose lives span the pages of history. 

“All the same, a truth has persisted in my struggle, a truth that I began to lose touch with because as much as I appreciated these individuals for helping me to pick myself up and carry on, their parts in my story ended all too soon. But now… now that I have at long last embraced the role I have only dreamed of for so long, the role of mother, and have laid eyes upon the foal I carried within my own womb this past year, that truth has never shined brighter in my mind and in my spirit. 

“Life… is beautiful! It is precious. And it must be protected. 

“So to you all that have come to honor my child, I make this vow: I vow to persist. I vow to stand by my duties. I vow to continue to serve, to guide, and to protect, for as long as I carry the mantle and responsibility of Princess, for by the birth of my son never has my resolve been stronger! For now, I am more than a Princess. More than a ruler. Now… I am a mother. And so, fillies and gentlecolts, friends from far and wide, it is with deepest pride and most profound of joy that my husband, Prince Sombra, and I present, for the very first time…”

Celestia stepped aside as Sombra came forward and held out his wings while Celestia conjured something in the air… and as Sombra pulled his wings back, he revealed the little prince sitting upon the podium, looking out with foalish wonder at the many before him while his mother placed a tiny circlet of white-gold with a pristine topaz as its crown piece upon the alicorn colt’s head.
“...our son, Prince Solaris Corona Eclipse!” 


For only a moment, there was reverent silence, and then the moment ended. 


The crowd erupted into cheers and whoops and happy smiles, confetti and balloons and Trixie’s fireworks  filling the air with color and joy while journalist ponies took pictures (none with flashing lights however as the guards had explicitly forbidden flash photography). The little prince began to shake and whimper from all the loud noises and commotion when he felt himself lifted in the warm and secure hold of his mother’s magic and was happy to be given a comforting nuzzle from both his mommy and daddy, the proud and happy parents shedding tears of joy. 

For Celestia, this would be among the brightest and happiest days of her long life. For over a thousand years she denied herself this most natural yet sacred of roles, a self-punishment for all the wrongs and misdeeds she’d done. Yet in this moment, standing side by side with her family, she’d never felt so light.

For Sombra, this day was most bittersweet. Long ago, he fathered a daughter he would never know with a crystal pony he had known only for a short while but had loved her all the same. Yet this day that belonged to his son, with the pony who first stole his heart, was the warmest he’d ever felt. 


In the front row, Twilight couldn’t stop the tears of her own as she looked upon her old teacher and her family. Never in all the years she’d been Celestia’s student had Twilight ever seen her so happy. She felt a bump to her rump, making her gasp ,and saw the silly smile on her husband’s face as Midnight regarded his wife with deepest love, and they shared a nuzzle, cheek to cheek. Without saying a word, they agreed that one day, that pride and joy on their mentors’ faces would be theirs, along with a foal to call their own. A foal to love and guide and watch with truest pride go out one day to change the world.

Blueblood looked upon his aunt, who had always been more a mother to him since she took him in after his parents’ passing. It filled him with such joy and wonder to see her with her own family at last. He would always cherish the memories of his colthood after Celestia first comforted him upon the deaths of his parents, yet as he stood by his wife, a jewel he treasured above all else, he gave a silent thank-you to his aunt for raising him to be the stallion he was today, especially as Rarity nuzzled up under his chin. Rarity sighed as to her there was nothing so beautiful as love, no matter form it took, though love of parent and child was a type of beauty in a class of its own. Though she was not ready yet, the thought of having a filly of her own to dress up and make clothes for filled her with a hopeful delight.

Big Mac and Fluttershy smiled at each other and their own babies, understanding the joy Celestia and Sombra felt. Somehow, Belle and Sandow knew this was a happy day as they clapped their tiny little hooves together, which made the hearts of their mama and pa swell so big they couldn;t contain their own tears of joy. Usually, Macintosh was a stallion of few words and Fluttershy’s old lack of social confidence had made it so hard for her to speak around others. But standing side by side, they felt a warm and appreciative pride in each other for they one brought out the best in the other. 

Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich were bawling their eyes out, so happy for Celestia and Sombra and for their wonderful baby colt, Prince Solaris Corona Ecli- “Let’s call him Sol for short, ya think, Cheesy?”
“That’s an awesome nickname, Pinks!” 

Applejack and Thunderlane stood together, looking stoic yet happy and wishing nothing but the best for the new royal parents… when Thunderlane stole a kiss from the earth pony beside him, leaving her stunned and blushing. Thunder went still as a statue, hoping he hadn’t offended the mare who’d unknowingly crept up on him and stolen his heart… when he felt a punch to his shoulder, making him stifle a whimper only to gasp as he felt Applejack nuzzle up to him and when he dared to meet her gaze she kissed him back and smack on the lips. They held each other’s gaze, and kissed again. Longer and more intimate.

Rainbow Dash was struggling to keep her cool when she saw how Soarin was beginning to blubber and try to stay calm yet he looked to be on the verge of ugly-crying. 
“Aw c’mon, Soar! Don’t cry or you’re gonna make me cry!”
“I-I-I-I c-can’t help it, Da-ha-shie! I-it’s just… so beautiful!!!” 
“Aw the hay with it, c’mere ya big lug!”
And they ugly-cried together. 

Starlight and Sunburst stood together and when they shared each other’s gaze… a blush spread across both of their faces though they became strangely transfixed with the others’ eyes. Their friendship since childhood had been nearly forgotten after Sunburst had left and Starlight took a misguided path, only to lead them back together, and in this moment they both wondered, was there something more?

Finally, the applause soon died down despite the cheer that lingered in the air… only to give way to a sudden chill. 

*Clap...clap...clap...clap...clap…*

Along with a slow and obviously sarcastic clap. Murmurs of confusion spread amongst the crowd as to where that clapping was coming from when it made itself known by a voice that sent chills down the spines of three ponies in particular. 

Midnight, Starlight, and Celestia. 

A voice as soft as crushed velvet yet belied a most subtle wickedness. 

“How sentimental. Truly, if it grows any more saccharine I’m going to stick a finger down my throat.”

She stood up on two legs, yet she was not a minotaur. She wore a long and flowing dress of burgundy red with a fluffy white collar around her neckline that reached down past her ample bosom to reveal her abdomen. Her fur was a pale shade of brown, her face a dark golden, and her long and voluminous hair was a resplendent ginger. A long and lithe tail swayed behind her as her paw-like hands stopped clapping and her feline green eyes narrowed with subtle excitement upon her old teacher.

Whispers of confusion spread throughout the crowd, as to who this mysterious creature was. 

“Midnight, is that…?!” Twilight whispered to her husband.
“It’s Catrina…” snarled Midnight. 
“What does she want here?” Rainbow Dash raised her wings, ready for a scrap, only for Blueblood to shhh her.

With a brazen boldness, Catrina slowly and confidently made her way towards the platform, something about her so disturbing that the crowd parted before her while she paid none of them any mind. Celestia felt her heartbeat madly in her chest yet she held her composure and her son while her husband held them both protectively as Catrina soon stood only a few yards away from the platform. 

“Well, well, isn’t this quite the menagerie, Princess Celestia? Griffonstone, Zebrabwe, Mt. Aris, and…” Catrina’s eyes drifted towards the Council of Friendship. 

She saw barely-contained hatred in Midnight’s eyes while Starlight looked so terrified she could hardly breath, amusing Catrina so that she quipped, “How quaint. Even the boonies.”

“Oh, I’ll show you ‘boonies!” Rainbow snapped as she tried to fly at Catrina, only for Soarin to frantically hold her back. 

Ignoring the prismatic pegasus, Catrina returned her eyes to Celestia, “Though I must confess I was rather bewildered as to why I never received my invitation.”

“Because you weren’t sent one…” spat Midnight with undisguised animosity. 

“I wasn’t se-” Catrina echoed in mock surprise before laughing as though embarrassed, “Oh dear, what an awkward situation...

“I merely thought it to be an error on the part of my former teacher. As it is, I suppose I shall take my leave.”

“Then… you do not begrudge us, madam?” asked Sombra hesitantly. 

“Why no, Your Majesty,” Catrina responded graciously, “On the contrary, I shall give you a gift in celebration of your child.”

“We want nothing from you…” the voice came from Celestia in a tone very few had ever heard her take. 

It was cold, hard, and the look in her eyes as she bore them into the Cat was seething though Catrina was not cowed. 

“And yet you shall have it. My gift to you, is this happy, happy day… Cherish it, revel in it, remember it fondly for once its sun has set my real work begins. You vow to protect this nation, Celestia? Well, hear this vow of mine...” Catrina’s gracious tone turned increasingly hard and cold with every breath she took as her face became twisted with spite and hate. 
“All that you hold near and dear to your heart, bit by bit, piece by piece... I will take it from you, and from the ashes of your despair will rise my victory! So help me if it is the last thing I do, I will destroy everything you love…”

“You insolent fool!” 

From out of nowhere, a Royal Guard charged, spear raised to pierce this witch’s heart, ignoring Shining Armor as he cried out,”NO, DON’T!!”

The guard roared as he lunged for Catrina, who merely smirked… and span `round his assault as she raised her claws, radiating a fearsome green, as she raked the guard’s flank, drops of blood glistening in the sunlight, and he cried out in agony while tumbling head over hooves onto the ground.

“SEIZE THAT CREATURE!!!” roared Luna, several guards, Royal, Crystal, and Lunar along with ponies in black cloaks charged forward to surround the witch.

“Stand back, you fools!” Catrina sneered with a feral hiss as she raised her hands, a pulse of power spreading throughout the park that was felt by everyone in Canterlot, causing the attendees to flinch while a flash of green light cracked with the sound of thunder and Catrina’s mocking laughter left a lingering echo as she had disappeared before their very eyes. 

As Celestia stood there, utterly struck by what had just transpired, her sweet baby colt began to cry, and she felt her heart squeeze as she shuddered and struggled to contain her own tears. Tears of fear. For her subjects. For her kingdom. 

For her son.

That night, Canterlot remained on high alert. Shortly after Catrina’s uninvited visit, Sombra, Shining Armor, and Midnight had scrambled the guards and all other armed forces present in Canterlot to search for the witch. They’d been told to search everywhere. The castle, the districts, the crystal caves beneath the castle, the mountainside, the surrounding areas of Mt. Canterhorn, to leave no stone unturned. 

The sun set and the late hours; arrival yielded no sign of her, as though she had disappeared into thin air. 

In the throne room, the Council of Friendship (minus Fluttershy, Big Mac, Cadance, and the foals), along with Starlight and Sunburst stood before Sombra and Luna. 

“No sign of her, not so much as a whisker…” growled Sombra as he shook with anger. “This… this was supposed to be my son’s day! A day of joy! A-a day of…” 

“I am sorry, master,” Midnight bowed, ashamed that the day had been ruined. “I thought we were ready for anything, and yet Catrina walked in without any of my Hoods noticing.” 

“Don't beat yourself up, Midnight, “Shining Armor said, feeling equally as bad, “The Guard shares the shame.”

“Well, at least our allies have put the word out on Catrina,” Luna brought up, “She is now officially a fugitive of Equestrian justice, to be pursued with extreme prejudice.”

“Why wit’ so many countries lookin’ out fer her, tha’ no-good varmint Catrina’ll have nowhere t’ run `r hide,” Applejack commented. 

“I wish it were that easy, Applejack,” Midnight said bitterly, “I really do…”

“Sombra, how’s Celestia?” asked Twilight softly.

“She is in the nursery, watching our son sleep,” Sombra answered, “She’s hardly said anything since Catrina vanished…”

“Okay, so she’s a scary and nasty witch with a bone to pick with Equestria,” Rainbow Dash commented, “Big deal! I mean, sure she can make trouble but she’s still just one enemy! What’s the worst that could happe-”

“NO!!!” Pinkie and Cheese clamped their hooves over Rainbow’s mouth. 
“Never tempt fate, Dashie!” 
“Asking that question is always a bad idea! ALWAYS.”

Pushing them off, Rainbow debated, “Yeah right, it’s not like somepony’s gonna rush in and say we have an emergency.”

Not two seconds passed when the throne room doors flew open and in ran the royal physician, yelling, “YOUR MAJESTIES! We have an emergency!” 

All eyes turned to Rainbow Dash who shrank back while uttering a sheepish laugh.

The physician led everypony to the castle infirmary, saying, “The guard that tried to attack the Cat? He- I… Oh, your Highnesses, it’s horrible, horrible! I’ve never seen anything like it!!”

“Calm yourself,” Sombra bade gently, “What is the condition of the guard?”

“You have to see this for yourself, Sire…” the physician uttered direly as she led them to the guard’s bed.

The guard was sleeping but seemed to look… strangely dull and not quite as healthy as he did when he’d bravely tried to subdue Catrina. His coat and mane seemed lax in color, his breath was raspy, and he appeared as though he were thoroughly exhausted. Something about him looked familiar to Starlight when Sombra asked, "What is wrong with him? Did the witch curse him or something?"

"Or something..." the physician answered as she pulled the guard's blanket back... and everypony gasped in shock at the sight of the poor guard's flank!

It was blank! Blank of a cutie-mark, with nothing but the claw-marks healed from the physician's magic, and Starlight began to shake in fear.

"What... what is this?!" Sombra was utterly stupefied. "Where is... where is this pony's cutie-mark?!"

"That's just it, Your Majesty..." the physician answered woefully. "We ran numerous tests upon this poor pony. Apart from the obvious there's nothing physically wrong with him. Yet our tests showed that his magic has become weak, and-"

Starlight stepped forward and lit up her horn, her mana spreading over the guard's form, the physician taking offense, "Excuse me, young lady, what do you-"

"Let her continue," Midnight interrupted and they waited for Starlight to do whatever it was she was doing... until she stepped back in sheer horror, shuddering as though she were struggling for breath.

"No... it's- It's not possible!" uttered Starlight, unable to believe what she'd just discovered.

Sunburst hurried over to hold Starlight, and she clung to him, desperate for comfort of any kind though it did little good

"Starlight..." She looked to Midnight and Twilight as the sapphire alicorn hesitantly asked, "His cutie-mark... it's been stolen?"

"No, not stolen..." Starlight could hardly bring herself to say it, but it had to be said as she gulped and finally answered, "His cutie-mark... is destroyed!!!"

Everypony present felt their blood run cold with such incredulous horror that for a long and heavy moment. It was Luna who eventually broke the silence.
"We must find her, at all costs! We must keep this contained, secret! If word of this gets out-"

"It won't work," Midnight shook his head woefully, "This wasn't simply a declaration of undying vengeance, this was a warning! She has a power that will strike straight into the heart of ponykind and she will use it again! We can't keep this secret!!"

"A cutie-mark getting destroyed..." Spike shuddered, "Is that even possible...?"

"This is my fault!" Starlight was beginning to sob, no matter how much Sunburst tried to comfort her, "She-she invaded my mind! Gleaned through my most secret thoughts! She took what I created and made it far worse than I'd ever intended even then!"

"Starlight Glimmer..." Everypony turned to Sombra as he gave the young unicorn a hard look.

Starlight gulped and pulled away from Sunburst, hard as it was, and stepped before the dark prince before bowing in shame.

"Your creation was born of a misguided and self-righteous ideal that led you down a dark path," Sombra narrowed his eyes and spoke with a soft and deliberate tone of authority. "Now that creation is in the possession of an enemy the likes of which we have never faced before, twisted and turned into a most fearful weapon that could spell disaster for ponies everywhere.

"Though this is not your doing, you are the catalyst for the threat we now face. Thus... I charge you with this task: You must discover a way to protect ponykind from this magic that destroys cutie-marks, and, if possible, find a way to restore what has been broken. You, Starlight Glimmer, must make this right."

"I will," Starlight swore as she looked up and into Sombra's eyes with resolve despite the tears staining her cheeks, "I promise you."

"And you won't do it alone," Twilight stepped forward. "As your teacher, you shall have my aid."

"And mine," Sunburst added.

"And mine," added Midnight, and the rest of their friends present made the same vow.

Sombra and Luna shared a look of slight relief. The heroes that had defended Equestria were again answering the call without hesitation and with resolution. It was then however, Blueblood asked the question, "And what about Aunt Celestia? She has to know what we've just learned."

"Luna and I will tell her, but not just yet," Sombra promised, knowing how hard his wife was going to take this dreaded news. "Just for a little longer, let her have peace. Let her enjoy these blessed fleeting moments of serenity with her child..."

In the royal nursery, Celestia laid upon the soft and comfy blanket in the middle of the floor, her beautiful foal by her side, sleeping peacefully. The walls were painted with scenes of natural beauty Celestia had seen and witnessed firsthoof across the centuries, such as Rainbow Falls, the Tree of Harmony, the white sandy beaches of Horseshoe Bay, the lush and wondrous wilderness of Whitetail Woods. There was a tall bookcase filled with story books and picture books, a large sofa, a toy box, stuffed animals and toys set everywhere, a changing station with plenty of fresh diapers, a crib with a mobile from which hung stars, moons, flowers, clouds, a crystal lava lamp that had been a gift from Shining Armor and Cadance, the magic storybook that played vivid illusions of the stories inside that had been a gift from Midnight and Twilight had been set aside after Sol fell asleep during the first story, and as he snoozed so peacefully with his tiny head on a little plush pillow, under the quilt spun of cosmic wonders and constellations dancing upon its patches that had been a gift from his Auntie Luna, Celestia just watched him.

Her baby. Her boy. Her colt. Her son. Hers...

So quietly, so gently, she reached over and brushed a stray lock of his mane off of his beautiful face, listening to his every breath, she made a new vow. Speaking as softly as she could so as not to disturb her most dearest treasure, she vowed, "With all my strength, with all my will, with all my power, with all my heart and soul... I will protect you, whatever may come. I will allow nothing to bring you harm. I will keep you happy and safe. I will see you grow into the stallion I know will change the world and make me so proud. Because never before have I had something so precious to protect as you..."

She leaned over to give her child a soft kiss before she laid back down, her eyes upon him as she slowly allowed herself to drift away into blessed slumber. The double doors that led to the balcony gently opened as a tall figure walked inside, the gossamer curtains parting to reveal her as an alicorn with a coat soft white, a long mane the gentle red of love, her cutie-mark a maroon quill and inkwell, and her eyes a deep blue that gazed down upon her daughter... and her grandson.

Her lips pulled back into a bittersweet smile as she very gently caressed her daughter's cheek, something she hadn't done in over a thousand years.