//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: The Stallion of my Dreams // Story: The Gift of Life // by hell00001 //------------------------------// The Gift of Life Chapter 21 Six days later... The ornately decorated doors of Sol and Galactica’s room stood shut before her. Celestia studied the vines and leaves swirling around the door, observing that each vine was given depth by either being carved into the wood or raised into humps. Her head slowly drifted up until she saw the pinnacle of the door, touching the ceiling that sat thirty meters above her. Celestia took a deep breath and knocked. After a few seconds, one of the doors groaned opened and Galactica poked her head out. Her cheeks were discolored and wet, and dark bags had formed underneath her eyes. She smiled at Celestia. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Galactica asked. “It’s nearly two o’clock in the morning.” Celestia raised an eyebrow, and Galactica drooped her head. “You can’t sleep either,” she said. “Come in, the castle is cold at night.” Galactica opened the door further, allowing for Celestia to enter. She shut the door behind them, and then trotted over to her desk. The room was very dimly lit, with only a candle on Galactica’s desk to provide light. Celestia slowly followed her mother, and took a seat on the empty pillow that rested next to Galactica. Papers law strewn out all over the desk, cluttered in clumps in chaotic organization. There were petitions for new bills, reports on expenditures and surpluses of the castle’s financial status and storage, applications for day court attendance, and six letters with Sol’s handwriting on them. Celestia levitated the latest of the letters over in front of her. November 11th, 3306 Dear Galactica, Celestia, and Luna, I have both some good news and some bad news from our siege of the Eternal Valley’s capital city, Ember City. I should give the good news first. We have successfully captured Ember City, and have driven the corrupted Flutterponies to a camp set up about half a kilometer away from us. We took minimal losses in the attack, only losing fifty ponies in our push for the castle, and now many of them are celebrating with a cup of warm, hard cider for our victory. However, during our attack, Bright was gravely injured to one of the Flutterponies we have come to calling a “behemoth.” It stands much taller than the other corrupted Flutterponies, and instead of having the typical turquoise insect wings of its smaller counterparts, it has massive dragon wings. We have brought down three of their kind in our assault, but one managed to take out Bright, and now our medics do not believe he will last for much more than two more nights. So far we have not seen this chimera that Sunfire has mentioned, but if we continue to push the Flutterponies back at our current pace, both Chrysalis and I should return by the end of the month like I promised. Also, every day we pick up more and more refugee Flutterponies who have not been affected by the transformation. They have joined our ranks to help fight. I miss all of you deeply, and my thoughts go out to each of you every day. Luna, I hope you are still practicing your magic. I have seen you practice with Chrysalis, and I am deeply proud of how strong you are. No doubt one day you will be able to wield power like your father. Celestia, keep studying and having a big heart. You act so much like your mother, and I hope that one day you will become as charismatic and forgiving as your her. Your loving husband and father, Sol Celestia noticed a slip of paper had clung to the back of the letter, and she levitated it closer. To my dearest Galactica, I believe we are overdue for an outing strictly for ourselves. Do you remember the first time we met under the stars of the turn of the second century of ponydom? Do you remember how clear the night sky was? Our eyes met under the moonlight, and I could not take my gaze away from the two orbs of light that stared at me back. I felt like I had fallen into a dream of ecstasy, and I took you into my embrace. Let us relive that moment again. Celestia and Luna are old enough to take care of the nation while we are gone. Let us know what it is to be two thousand years younger again. I’ll love you forever Celestia put the letter down, and a tear slowly slid down her cheek. The scratching from Galactica’s quill stopped, and she sniffled quietly. Celestia faced her mother. “I miss him, too,” Celestia said. “It never gets any easier,” Galactica began. “I have said goodbye to your father countless times as he has left for battle. I... I never know if it will be the last time I see him. I know we have a duty to fulfill with the Flutterponies, but I still wished he allowed Reaper to lead our armies to battle instead of himself.” Galactica sniffled again, and stared out of the window over her desk. “The world is a dark place, Celestia. Sol and I have faced down some of the greatest horrors that have ever walked this earth, and sometimes we have only just barely escaped alive. We stopped the tyrannical reign of Grogar the Necromancer, facing down his army of undead thestrals. We defeated Kronos, the Master of the Tartarus who attempted to destroy the world with the demons from his domain. We even vanquished Quetzalcoatl, the Supreme Diety. “This new enemy that has arisen, however, is different from the others. He is obscure, and has only recently showed himself in a manner that seems so bold it is almost suicide. He managed to turn an entire race into... monsters. I have never heard of such a power existing.” Galactica hung her head, and Celestia shifted uneasily on her pillow. “Do you think Daddy will return?” Celestia asked. Galactica faced Celestia with tears streaming down her face. Celestia bit her lip, and hugged her mother in a tight embrace. They rocked back and forth as the moon streaked across the sky. ~~~ Celestia stumbled through the halls of the castle, staring at her hooves the whole way. Tears dripped from her cheeks, and she tripped over one of her hooves to land face first on the stone tiles of the floor. She moaned quietly, and tried to get back to her hooves only to slip back onto her side. She used her hooves to drag herself a bit further along the floor until she was laying on a balcony, safely out of the view of anypony that might be strolling by. “Celestia!” somepony called out from behind her. Celestia laid her head on the floor and covered it with her hooves. Hoofsteps galloped up to her side, and a large thud sounded next to her as the pony laid down. A gentle wing extended over her body. “Oh, Celestia,” Firemane said quietly. Firemane pulled Celestia into a tight embrace, and she gratefully accepted by wrapping her hooves around his neck and pressing her cheek against his chest. She cried and cried, soaking both her cheeks and Firemane’s chest with tears, while Firemane gently ran his hoof through Celestia’s mane. “You are too young to know of such sorrow,” Firemane said quietly. He held Celestia in his hooves until her sobs subsided, and her breathing returned to normal. Celestia coughed, and she lifted her head to look at Firemane. “I miss him,” she said. “I want him to come back.” “If only he could, Celestia,” Firemane replied. “Equestria needs him to be present, but he also has a promise to keep with the Eternal Valley. We both know that Chrysalis can’t take her home back without his help.” “I know.” Firemane rocked back and forth with Celestia for a long while, running his hoof through her mane again when she laid her cheek back against his chest. “I have an idea that might cheer you up,” Firemane said. “What is that?” Celestia asked. “How would you like to go on a date? We haven’t been on one in a long while, you know.” Celestia smiled a little, and rubbed her cheek against Firemane’s chest. “Yes, I know,” she replied. “What do you have in mind?” “How about we go to the Prancing Pony? I’ll pay.” Celestia gasped and looked straight into Firemane’s eyes. “It’s so expensive!” Celestia exclaimed. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to spend all of your money on me.” “Don’t worry, Celestia,” Firemane said. “I sit in the castle all day making a hefty salary from being Captain of the Royal Guard, and I don’t have time to spend any of it. The most I pay is my mortgage for my house in the northern district.” Celestia kissed Firemane quickly on the cheek, and then resumed resting her head on his chest. “Well, if you insist, then I’ll be sure to wear my best dress.” “The one that gives me a great view of your flank?” Eyes snapping open, Celestia glared at Firemane. Yet, looking at his boyish smiled, her resolve caved and she smiled at him back. “Yes, that one,” she said. “Great!” Firemane said. “How about we meet up at the castle gates tomorrow at around six o’clock?” “I’ll meet you there,” Celestia said, kissing the underside of Firemane’s chin. ~~~ Celestia stood in her bathroom looking at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a slim fitting black dress with a cut that rode high enough to see her cutie mark, and she had curled and brushed her mane over to the left side of her head. She had added a little more makeup than she usually wore, and gave her eyes and cheeks more accent. Her shoes clacked noisily on the bathroom tiles as Celestia twisted her body back and forth. “Meadow Free?” Celestia asked, frowning. “How do I look in this dress?” Meadow Free poked her head into the bathroom, and she smiled. “Actually, Celestia,” she said, “I think you have gotten much slimmer since the last time you wore a dress. Remember, you could barely fit in that particular one the last time you wore it?” Celestia faced Meadow Free and gave her a small smile. “Sorry, I’m just trying to look my best for Firemane tonight.” “I know, dear. Come on and show Luna and Regality how you look.” Meadow Free disappeared around the corner, and Celestia made her way out into her and Luna’s room. Luna trotted up to Celestia and gave her a big hug. “‘Tia, you look beautiful,” Luna said. “If only I could wear the dresses that you wear, but my flank is a little small.” Luna made a pouting face, and Celestia turned her head to Meadow Free. “I thought you said I was not getting fatter!” Celestia said. Luna snickered as she walked back to Regality, and Meadow Free rolled her eyes. “Come now, Celestia,” she said, “Don’t you know that stallions like a mare who has some plot to show off?” Celestia blushed a little, and looked behind her, swishing her tail back and forth. Luna cantered up next to her, and pressed her flank up against Celestia’s. “Wow, you really do have a little flank,” Celestia said with a giggle. “That doesn’t mean that the guards still don’t take a look,” Regality said with a sly smile. Luna’s cheeks turned bright red, and quickly sat down and looked over at Regality. “Do they really?” she asked. “As much as they look at Celestia’s,” Regality said as she broke into laughter. Celestia giggled as she watched Luna’s cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red. She turned to Meadow Free once Regality’s laughter had subsided. “Okay, well, I should get moving,” Celestia said. Meadow Free walked up to Celestia and embraced her in a warm hug. Celestia returned the gesture, and kissed Meadow Free’s cheek. “Have fun, Celestia,” Meadow Free said. “I look forward to hearing everything that will transpire this evening.” Celestia blushed, and Meadow Free winked at her. Celestia then hugged to Luna and Regality, and made her way out of the room. She trotted at a brisk pace through the castle, directing “thank you’s” at some of the nobles that commented on her appearance. She made a quick stop at the throne room to tell her mother goodbye, and then she made her way out of Everfree Keep’s doors towards the castle gates. Firemane stood just below one of the ramparts for the gate, and he had a bright smile once he saw Celestia trotting towards him. He was wearing his formal blues of the Everfree Guard, and had tidied his usually messy mane. He bowed deeply. “Oh, stop it, you,” Celestia said, quickly pushing his head back up with her own. “You look stunning, Celestia,” Firemane said. Celestia leaned forward and kissed him directly on his lips, lifting her back leg a little. Firemane’s wings shot out on either side of him to their full length, and he returned Celestia’s kiss. “Shall we be off?” Firemane asked once they broke from their kiss. Celestia giggled and sidled up next to Firemane, and they began their trek through the castle gates and into the Commercial District. They took a small detour, and walked slowly through the market square, eyeing each of the shops as they passed by. As they passed by one shop, Celestia stopped and stared at the contents that was being sold by the merchant. There were red-fire and blue-fire phoenixes inside of the shop, and Celestia broke from Firemane’s side to gaze at each of the phoenixes that were inside large bird cages. One particular red-fire phoenix caught Celestia’s eye, and the bird squawked at her. “Good evening, My Princess,” the shopkeeper said with a bow, “What brings you to my humble store?” “You have such beautiful phoenixes, sir,” Celestia said, as she continued to stare at the phoenix that had squawked at her. “Well, yes, I do pride myself in how well I take care of these magnificent birds, madam,” the shopkeeper replied, following Celestia’s gaze. “Ah, I see you have your eyes set on one bird in particular. She is a crafty one, and enjoys pulling pranks on myself all of the time.” Firemane gently bumped Celestia with his flank, and when she turned to look at him, he gestured his head towards the phoenix Celestia had been eyeing. Celestia quickly nodded her head up and down, and hugged him tight around his neck. Firemane kissed her at the base of his horn. “We’ll take her,” Firemane said, gesturing towards the phoenix. Firemane exchanged his bits with the shopkeeper, and then the shopkeeper handed Celestia the bird cage with the phoenix in it. She placed the bird cage on the ground and stared at the phoenix. The phoenix stared back, and let out another squawk. Celestia grinned widely. “I think you’ll do just fine,” Celestia said, opening the bird cage. The phoenix quickly escaped from her cage, but instead of flying away, she perched herself on Celestia’s back and folded her wings tightly against her side. Celestia smiled, and gave Firemane a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you so, so, so much Firemane,” she said. “You’re welcome,” Firemane replied, “it was the least I could do. So, what do you plan on naming her?” Celestia and Firemane resumed their walk through the market square, heading off towards the Northern District. Celestia remained silent for a moment, and gave a quick glance behind her. “I think I’ll name her Philomena,” she said. ~~~ “I am Princess Celestia,” Celestia exclaimed, “and I demand that you allow for my phoenix, Philomena, to gain entrance to this establishment.” “I... But...” the waiter stuttered. Celestia, Firemane, and Philomena were all standing within the foyer of the Prancing Pony. The waiter stood cowering behind the front podium that held a list of all of the ponies who had arranged for reserved seating, and Celestia glared at him. Firemane stood behind Celestia, both he and Philomena trying to suppress a chuckle. “Do you have any idea how bad it would look if you refused a princess your service?” Celestia asked in a more reserved tone. “I don’t mean to sound harsh towards you, sir, as this establishment does not allow pets, but Captain Firemane and I have been looking forward to this dinner all day. If you could be so kind to make one exception, I’d be more than happy to write a personal review on the Prancing Pony, for I have no doubt that the service and orderves served here are excellent.” The waiter opened his mouth again, but when he saw Celestia’s eyebrow rise, he quickly righted himself into perfect posture and motioned for Celestia and Firemane to follow him. “Right this way, your Majesty,” he said. Celestia smiled, and together she and Firemane followed the waiter until they were seated at a small table for two next to one of the windows. From their view, Celestia and Firemane could stare out into the street and watch as ponies slowly ambled by in the chilly night air. Philomena hopped off of Celestia’s back, and perched herself on the window sill. “Did you see the look on the waiter’s face?” Firemane asked, chuckling. “He was scared out of his wits.” “Was he really?” Celestia asked. “Oh, I should apologize to him for my behavior. I just didn’t want to have to send Philomena home already.” Philomena purred quietly, and Celestia smiled at the phoenix. “Don’t worry about it, Celestia,” Firemane said. “He didn’t seem too bothered by it. I mean, it didn’t take him long to crack and allow for Philomena to eat with us.” Celestia frowned, and opened her menu up in front of her. “Speaking of eating,” Celestia said, “what is it that phoenixes prefer to eat?” Celestia angled the menu so that both she and Philomena could read. Philomena gave a quick glance over the appetizers and the side dishes, and then began to quickly flip through the pages until she came upon the fish menu. She used one of her wings to point at a sauteed shrimp platter. Celestia cringed. “Why would a restaurant such as this serve fish?” she asked. “I suppose the Prancing Pony caters to the different races that come to Everfree,” Firemane said, looking through his own menu. “I know that griffons have a diet of mostly fish, so I’m assuming that is why they serve fish here.” “I didn’t think of that,” Celestia said, moving the menu back onto the table and sifting through it’s pages. She came upon one entree, a green salad that was piled high with sauteed red and orange bell peppers, grilled onions, and sprinkled with crushed garlic and basil croutons. She salivated, and closed the menu hastily. “I know what I’m getting,” Celestia announced excitedly. “Oh? What would that be?” Firemane asked, closing his menu. “It’s called ‘The Midnight Fire.’ Look.” Celestia opened her menu again to the page that her order was on, and levitated it over to Firemane. Firemane found the entree, and smiled. He then flipped the page back and pointed to a certain entree on that page. Celestia levitated the menu back and looked at the picture Firemane had been pointing to. “It’s called ‘The Lucky Moon,’” he said. “It’s a green salad covered in olives, green peppers, and is all grilled in a special sweet sauce. I’ve had it once before, and it tasted too good to pass up a second time.” “Ooh,” Celestia cooed, and she looked back at the picture. She smiled and closed the menu. “Well, I have changed my mind,” she declared. “I will be getting what you are getting.” “I’m sure you will like it,” Firemane said. “I know how much of a sweet tooth you are.” “Sweet tooth? Just because I had a little more cake than everyone else last year during my birthday does not make me a sweet tooth.” “You had several slices of cake,” Firemane chuckled, “and then you personally ate half of that massive cake over the course of a week.” Celestia blushed, and raised her hooves to cover her cheeks. “Okay, maybe I have an unhealthy obsession with cake. So what?” “What surprises me is that you actually slimmed down significantly since then,” Firemane said, leaning forward over the table. “Your legs have become increasingly leaner, your stomach is slimmer, and your face is significantly more narrow. It’s rather becoming.” Celestia leaned forward over the table, too, and she said, “You flatter me too much, Firemane, but you never talk of yourself. How has work been coming along?” Firemane looked down at the silverware next to him. “Well, I have been swamped with work ever since the whole incident with the riots,” he said. “I’m trying my best to manage the damages that are still present in the city, as well as coordinating with ponies from other cities about what to do with the massive influx of refugees from Stalliongrad, Marelin, and Flankfurt.” Firemane pushed his fork around uselessly on the table. Celestia leaned forward more so that their noses were touching. “I am sure you are doing a great job,” Celestia said. “I hope so,” Firemane said. “Helping two hundred thousand ponies find a new, temporary home is no easy feat.” “I have faith that you are doing what you think is best for all of the ponies.” She leaned forward and kissed Firemane, who returned the kiss happily. Philomena squawked a cat cawl at both of them, and Celestia extended a wing to cover Philomena’s beak. Philomena released a muffled screech, but remained quiet afterwards. It wasn’t until Celestia and Firemane here somepony clear their throat did they release their kiss. “Are you two ready to order?” the waiter asked. ~~~ Celestia and Firemane stumbled out of the Prancing Pony, giggling to themselves and leaning against each other for support. They both ambled on down the street. swaying back and forth in a lazy manner. Philomena flew overhead of them, radiating light from her feathers to better illuminate the street. “I think you had too much to drink,” Firemane said. “Me?” Celestia asked incredulously. “Look at you! You would be drifting across the street if it wasn’t for me.” “Oh, horsefeathers. By our powers combined, pushing on each other has managed to keep us... drunkenly steady on this road.” Celestia giggled, and she rested her head on Firemane’s neck. “So, where are we off to now, my handsome stallion?” she asked. “The night is still young,” Firemane said. “I know of a good spot for us to relax a little.” They turned a corner, and Firemane led Celestia down one of the widest streets in the northern district. They passed by all of the houses of the famous members of Everfree’s royalty, and sometimes were able to catch a glimpse of what each pony did before they went to bed. They came upon some nobles who were simply lying on the couch and reading a book, while they came upon some who dressed in leather clothes, and had one of her maids bent over the coffee table. Celestia resisted at first, but she allowed for Firemane to pull her from the window sill to resume their walk down the street. Eventually, Celestia, Firemane, and Philomena reached the end of the street, and Firemane directed them into a large park that was filled with leafless trees and tiny hills of soft grass. They walked to the top of one of the hills, and Firemane sat down with Celestia. Together they looked up at the stars that shone overhead, and the crescent moon that was ever so slowly creeping across the night sky. “The sky is really beautiful tonight,” Firemane said. “Luna has been taking lessons on how to create the night sky from our father,” Celestia said, directing her gaze towards the clocktower that dominated the southern district’s skyline. “The night sky that you see now is entirely her work. I couldn’t be prouder of her.” “How does she make something like this?” Firemane asked. “It’s part of the cycle of raising the moon. All she has to do is imagine what the night sky will look like, and then she brings the moon out. You should see the star maps that she draws. Many of them will look the same, but if you have a discerning eye, you can see that each night Luna will change the brightness of some of the stars.” “I can’t believe so many ponies take the night for granted. To think, Luna pours all of her imagination and artistic abilities into making a beautiful night sky, and yet ponies stay in doors and go to sleep as the sun goes down.” “I don’t think she minds,” Celestia said, leaning her head against Firemane’s chest. “She seems happier now that she creates night skies.” “How is Luna doing?” Firemane asked after a pause. “She hasn’t had a nightmare since the riots,” Celestia said. “I’m not sure what is suppressing them now, but Luna has been able to sleep more peacefully than she ever has, although it still isn’t much.” “That’s good to hear.” Celestia and Firemane lay gazing at the night sky a while longer, the swaying of their heads subsiding and their hiccups disappearing, until Firemane shifted a little uneasily next to Celestia. She looked at him, and he beamed at her. “I have a surprise for you,” Firemane said. “Hurry, hurry. Stand up.” Celestia quickly rose to her hooves, and Firemane walked around to face her. “Okay, I need you to stand right here and close your eyes,” he said. “I’ll be right back, don’t you worry.” Celestia closed her eyes and swiveled her ears to listen directly in front of her. Firemane galloped off loudly, his hooves thudding along on the grass. Some bushes rustled off in the distance, and soon his hoofsteps returned, and stopped directly in front of her. His clothing rustled quietly, and Celestia started to swish her tail back and forth. “Okay, you can open your eyes now,” Firemane said. When Celestia opened her eyes, Firemane was kneeling before her with a small box on his nose. Celestia levitated the box from his nose up to her face and slowly opened it. Inside was a golden ring with a large ruby attached to it. Her mouth dropped, and Firemane rose to his hooves. “I was hoping to do this when your father was here, but tonight is too perfect of a night to miss this chance. Princess Celestia, daughter of King Sol and Queen Galactica, sister to Princess Luna, and Princess of Equestria, will you marry me?” he asked. Celestia stared at Sol, and a smile slowly spread across her face. She leapt at him and tackled him to the ground, kissing him over and over. “Yes!” she shouted in between kisses. “Yes, I will marry you Firemane!” Celestia and Firemane continued to embrace each other in the dull glow of the moonlight, with Philomena watching over them. Everfree City remained quiet as the evening hours dragged on into the morning, giving the two star crossed lovers peace as they made their way back to Firemane’s in the northern district. The moon rose higher into the sky, and they remained unaware of the cracking from the storm clouds that have floated over the Eternal Valley for more than a week. A powerful storm brewed on the edge of a peaceful night, and the intensity of the storm resumed while two red, mismatched eyes cast their gaze over the land of Equestria.