Nightlight
Well it's official.
My kids are mad at me.
Pharynx was mad that I had put Thorax in danger the way I did.
Honestly I thought I ensured that his roll was one of the safest.
Cadance was probably the most justified in being upset with me.
Shining Armor has to play devil's advocate for me since he had always had an idea of what kind of stuff I was willing to do.
Spike was unsure of how to feel but decided that I had my reasons for doing what I did even if not all of them were correct.
Twilight was upset about her life being manipulated the way it was.
Apparently it's okay if Celestia did it but not me.
But now is not the time to worry about that.
Starlight had arrived at the castle to settle the friendship problem between the princesses.
I avoided her and she never came looking for me so that was good.
When Grand Pear moved back to Ponyville I knew that I would have to come clean about what I really did to them.
I had promised to come clean eventually but I'm not yet ready.
When Thorax arrived in Ponyville for advice he had explained that it was because Chrysalis said that he should try to find out on his own or ask a friend for advice.
When Zecora cought swamp fever I could have cured it but I did not want to take Fluttershy's achievement.
As for all the journals in Mage Meadowbrooks' home well I had read through them on my own just in case I needed the medical knowledge within them.
When we took the family trip we had invited Thorax and Pharynx along with us.
Pharynx had wanted to politely turn it down but Thorax got him to come along.
When Iron Will tried to pull his con I put a stop to it immediately.
When he asked about the other guests.
Twilight
Dad whispered something into Iron Wills' ear and suddenly Iron Will became nervous and left.
Almost as soon as Iron Will left and an announcement came on over the loud speaker apologizing for the inconvenience and offering full refunds.
We all looked towards dad and he said that he was going to pay Iron Will back double while offering him exclusive rights for producing a product from another world.
It was obvious that he also threatened Iron Will.
When I asked he said it was only blackmail.
When I said that I didn't need him to fight my battles he started to discuss the importance of a good work life balance.
Nightlight
Okay so lecturing her was not the best choice.
Why am I so bad at this.
Shining Armor was much better with his altitude sickness due to being part pegasus so that went well at least.
Pharynx was also no longer mad at me...
For the most part, it's hard to tell with him.
Soon after the trip Sunburst took his own trip to Ponyville.
When he made the trip to Ponyville I remembered when I had brought up to Celestia that Star Swirl was more than likely alive I knew that I would have to keep an eye on the events and still not interfere.
I had told Celestia and Luna that we couldn't do anything to save Star Swirl and the pillars until the time was right.
I told them that it would soon be time.
Though if they ever really need my help I will.
In fact Spike even suggested asking me if I knew where Ponhenge was.
Which gave me insight on what most of them thought about me.
Fluttershy after talking about it with Discord thought that I was in a lose lose situation of doing nothing or at the least trying to do something.
Rarity felt that I was likely just as hard on myself over everything.
Though she quickly glanced towards Applejack.
Applejack disliked that I had kept secret about it but felt that I was just protecting my kin.
When she said that I looked to the basement door and sighed.
Rainbow Dash seemed to want to punch me in the face for what happened with Brave Shield.
I mean I get it but she is like third on the list of individuals who want to punch me for that specific thing.
Pinkie Pie was not in the room at the time.
Twilight and Starlight shared the opinion that I would give my help if I felt it was needed.
I was tempted to send a letter to confirm but chose not to.
Sunburst on the other hoof was more interested in how my ability worked.
Eventually the situation was resolved and we were in the throne room. I could feel the excitement coming off Celestia and Luna.
They had always thought that their old mentor had been lost, and now Equestria has he and the pillars were back once again.
Hearth's Warming is a magical time of year.
Twilight was hosting a dinner party inviting the family of her friends.
Though I was invited the letter made it clear that Twilight would prefer that I not show up.
At my request Velvet made two requests.
The first was for two extra seats for 'her' parents.
The second was to ask for seats next to the Apple Family, since it has been a long while since she caught up with them.
Applejack
We were on our way to Twilight's party with Grand Pear.
On the way to her castle I noticed her mother Twilight Velvet.
She would often come by during zap apple season for a jar.
Nightlight had done it before but then my parents passed away.
It was something I never really noticed until he came clean.
When we reached Velvet she asked if she could walk with us.
We had no problem with it of course.
As we walked Velvet got quite as we got closer.
When I asked what was wrong she sighed and said that Nightlight wanted to talk to us.
She said that she would show us to a side room in the castle for it.
The rest of my family was a little confused about why I became quite.
I said that we would.
When we arrived at the castle Velvet whispered to Spike who greeted us and then asked us to follow.
We quickly came to a door and she said that this was it and she would make her way to the dining hall.
On the far side of the room Nightlight was scuffing the floor with his hoof and asked us to come in.
He didn't really look at us preferring to look at the floor.
Nightlight
I had taken Bright Mac and Pear Butter out of the stasis chambers and had them under a blanket next to me.
I cast spells to keep them asleep for a bit and to hide them from view.
Apple Bloom and Grand Pear seemed to be quite confused.
Granny Smith and Big Macintosh had known me before I did it and stopped coming by.
But Applejack was the only one that knew my secret but even she couldn't guess what I did.
I started with telling those who were not in the know a brief summary of my abilities.
I gave them a moment to process it.
Twilight
Most of the guest arrived but Applejack and her family should have showed up by now.
My grandparents had not shown up yet either.
When Spike walked in with Scootaloo and her aunt's I asked him what my grandparents will do when they arrived if he was not there.
Mom then said that the seats were actually for someone else.
Dad would apparently bring them here with Applejack and her family.
Before I could leave to search for them my mom put her hoof on my shoulder.
She told me that dad was not perfect but he tried his best like every pony else and that he was harder on himself than anyone else.
She added that this was something he had to do.
What surprised me was Raritys' response.
She apparently had an idea of what he needed to talk about with the Apple Family and that it would be for the best.
I sighed and said I would let him.
Nightlight
After it was clear that they understood I told them that I had never seen a timeline where Bright Mac and Pear Butter survived.
So I saved them.
This caused them to gasp.
I then said that since I could not risk their presence causing problems so I put them in a state of suspended animation.
I then removed the blanket and revealed them.
Without realizing it I had reverted to my true form.
Apple Bloom was the first to move, walking in front of her parents and started nudging them.
Since they were pointing to side as they stirred up they did not see the others.
The two of them were confused after all the last thing they would remember is running into the Everfree Forest to save a reckless filly.
Now they were laying on a crystal floor with a different filly calling them mom and dad.
It took a moment but when they realized that it was Apple Bloom in front of them they were more than a little shocked.
I began to explain what I had already told the others, but I added that I made sure Rarity was okay at the time.
I also explained that Applejack and Rarity were elements bearers and what that meant.
I closed my eyes and waited for what I had coming to me.
I stole years of their lives with their family.
But...
They thanked me.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Why?
Bright Mac walked up to me and said thank you.
I asked why he was not mad at me, since he should hate me.
Bright Mac said that I was it a difficult position and did what I thought was right.
Whether or not it was right is different but even so I had watched over their family for them.
I was not entirely sure on how to react.
I decided to let them catch up in private and went to the dinner party.
When I entered most seemed to try and ignore me, Velvet smiled at me and nodded.
Igneous Rock Pie asked what business I had with the Apple Family.
I said that it involved the two guests that I had brought along with me and left it at that.
Changing the topic I brought out a box and gave it to Scootaloo.
The caused some confusion but when I explained that I had been aware of her issue with flying since before she was even born and had prepared this for her.
It was about then that the Apple Family walked in.
There are no words I can use to describe the reactions of those around the room when the Apple Family walked in.