Daddy?" Toby choked back his sobs as he watched the man who he witnessed murder his mother being brought into the royal hall of Canterlot Castle. His wrists were now bound together by a strong silk black rope with a royal blue aura around it, and his ankles was now both shackled together. As he watched his father being brought forward to them, Toby held his hands on Fluttershy's chest to keep close to her.
"Guards you may leave him." Celestia commanded. They obeyed, and turned to trot out of the main hall leaving James standing up in his restraints as he looked forward at the group of adult ponies, fillies, baby dragon, and finally his son.
Giving Toby a forced smile of warmth he slowly lowered himself down onto his knees, and looked the small child. "Hey there son. How about you come, and give your daddy a hug?" Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and the others looked at him angrily, but with a curious look on their faces.
Toby swallowed deeply, and looked up at Fluttershy. She looked down at him giving him a real smile of warmth, and nodded. "Don't worry sweetie, it's okay." She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "We are all here for you." He looked up, and nodded. He turned to the man responsible for his mother's passing, and cautiously walked towards him.
The princesses, and everypony decided to stay back so Toby can talk with his father one on one first. Rainbow Dash who was hovering above the group with Scootaloo beside her whispered. "I don't like this you guys, I don't trust him." The others nodded in agreement, but watched intently.
Toby approached James, and gave him a big hug around the neck as tears of sadness cascaded down his face. "Daddy!" He laid his head on James' shoulder as he hugged him tightly. James closed his eyes sighing softly, but not a single tear was shed.
"Son, it is good to see you." He pulled him away as best as he could with his hands tied, and looked down in Toby's eyes. "How about you untie me son, and we can get out of this crazy place?" Giving him a smile.
Toby looked up at him, and stepped back. "No Daddy, I don't want to go with you." He shook with sobs.
"WHAT? Why you little.." He reached for Toby, but his hands were lifted by Luna's magic. "Son, c'mon. You know I love you, and I want you to come back home with me."
Toby shook his head furiously with tears falling. He looked up at his dad angrily. "No you don't Daddy! You are the reason why Mommy is gone!" He lowered his head clenching his eyes shut tight sobbing heavily. Luna let go of her magical hold on James' hands.
James lowered his head. "Yes son, you are right, I am the reason your mommy, my wife is gone."
Toby sighed deeply, and raised his head to look at James. He allowed his tears to flow freely as he carefully stepped forward to place his small hand under his father's chin to raise his head to look at him. James looked into his eyes. "Why Daddy? Why did you get rid of Mommy?" His voice choking with sobs.
James sneered ,and reached up grabbed at Toby's hand with a hard grip. "Because she put you before me ever since you was born!"
Toby struggled in James' grip. "O.Ow! Daddy let go." He tried to get free, but couldn't.
Without hesitation Rainbow Dash immediately flew towards James, and gave him one quick buck in the face forcing James to let go of Toby. "You jerk! How can you call yourself a dad after what you have done to that poor little colt?" She gave him another buck to the face.
Toby ran toward Fluttershy, and wrapped his arms tightly around her neck burying his face into her chest fur crying, and shaking with sobs. Fluttershy carefully wrapped both forelegs around him, and her wings warmly. She laid her head on top of his. "Shh.. it's okay sweetheart. Momma's got you.. shh." She felt him shake against her as she soothingly rubbed at his back with her forelegs.
James shook his head after being bucked by Rainbow as he looked up at Fluttershy. "Momma? So you have already replaced your old mom you little brat?" He yelled.
"Well, hold on there now ya big rotten varmint." A low pitched voice was heard as Big Mac trotted toward James. He stood eye to eye with James.
"And who are you suppose to be, his papa or something?" James chuckled.
Big Mac stood tall and nodded proudly. "In fact Mister, yah Ah' am. Ah' am proud to be the papa of that great little colt, and ya should be ashamed for what you have done to him." Big Mac looked James dead in his eyes, and got his face. "Now, Ah' suggest ya first apologize to Toby for breaking his little heart, and then ya spend the rest of your time in Tartarus for all Ah' care." Letting out an angered snort.
"Well, if I don't apologize, what are you going to.." He was cute off with a swift buck to the stomach. He doubled over with a grunt, and cough.
"There is more where that come from too." Big Mac lifted James head with a forehoof to look at him. "Now ya apologize or else."
James coughed, until he caught his breath. He looked over at Fluttershy who carefully lifted her wing off Toby who leaned against the crook of her foreleg as he looked at his father. "Toby, son. I know what I have done is beyond forgiveness, but I mean this, I am truly sorry son for blaming the passing of your mother on you, and I should have taken responsibility for what I done." For the first time ever since the death of his wife, James started to shed a tear.
Toby looked at his father with shock, and concern at the same time. He stayed close against Fluttershy trying to calm his tears as she gently stroked along his back with her foreleg and his arm with her forehoof.
Next to trot up to James was Applejack who had her Stetson hat tilted to one side, and had a scowl on her face. She stomped her hoof in front of James, and looked into his eyes. "Ya listen to me now ya yellow bellied coward. That little fellar might be small in size, but Ah' promise ya he has a heart as big as my home here in Equestria." She placed a hoof hard against his chest. "And that is something Ah' can't say about ya." She shook her head disapprovingly, and stepped aside.
Rainbow Dash lowered to the ground, and stood on her hindlegs. She took a forehoof and smacked it across his face. "How does that feel you jerk? It don't feel too good does it? Imagine how my little buddy felt when you hit him across his face. It hurt him, and broke his heart, but you know what? He is much stronger than you will ever be. After the pain you have caused him, he still is able to show us love, and show us kindness. That shows me that he is strong, not weak like you like to call him. The one that is weak around here is you." She used her other forehoof to smack him across his other side of his face before she trotted to the side.
James' face at this point was reddened by the three bucks from Rainbow Dash. The next one to trot up was Pinkie Pie whose mane, and tail were both flat. "You know Mister Mean Meanie Pants, I would blast you away with my party cannon, but I don't want to do that to the poor little wittle cutie Toby, and scare him. So I will do the next best thing." Out of nowhere she pulled out what appeared to be a chocolate cupcake. "Open wide." She placed a forehoof on his chin, and opened his mouth ramming the cupcake in his mouth.
As Pinkie forced him to chew it James face contorted in disgust. Pinkie let go of his mouth as James spat out what was left. "Bleh.. what the hell was in that cupcake?"
Pinkie giggled. "Hehe.. it was soap you silly willy mean meanie pants. Don't worry though, it won't hurt you as much as you hurt my cutie wutie nephew, and his mommy." Her mane, and tail poofed out once again as she bounced off to the side.
Rarity trotted up next. "Tsk.. tsk.. tsk.. you are a pitiful ruffian aren't you." Shaking her head in disappoint, and shame. "I am a refined, and proper lady, but this once I got to bend my own rules." She turned around, and leaned forward on her forelegs, and kicked her hind legs up to buck James in the chin. His head snap back, and rotated in a spherical motion becoming dizzy.
Rarity then turned bad to him flicking her mane clearing her throat. "Now, since I got that out, let me tell you something you foul beast. How dare you call yourself a father for the way you have treated that poor little darling." She pointed a forehoof at the small child finally calming down just a little bit as he was in Fluttershy's warm embrace. "He may be just a child, but he is more grown up than you could ever be. You ruffian." She flicked her mane, and trotted off to the side.
Fluttershy looked down at the small child who was still shaking with sobs. She looked over at the fillies. "Girls, could you come stand with Toby for a little bit?" They nodded as Fluttershy gave him a kiss on the top of his head. "Momma will be right back sweetheart."
Applebloom was the first one to trot up near Toby, and sat on her haunches motioning for him to come to her. "Come here buddy." Toby sniffled, and gave a light smile as he walked to her, and she wrapped her forelegs warmly around him as he laid his head on her shoulder.
"That's better now." The other fillies and Spike smiled softly, and gathered around the two. Applebloom gently rubbed her foreleg along Toby's arm.
Fluttershy hovered over to James, and lowered to the floor. She looked at him intently with her infamous stare. "How dare you treat a precious little child as Toby like a weak defenseless animal!" She yelled at him getting closer to his face. "He has done nothing, but try to show you the love from his heart, and all you have done was crush it. How can you feel good about yourself?"
She lowered her head, and let out a deep sigh. She begun to talk in a more calmer tone. "You know what Mr. Mason?" He looked up at her curiously with widened eyes. "A couple months ago I made a wish upon Princess Luna's *she motioned toward Luna with a forehoof* moon, because she is Princess of the night, and I wished for a young foal to call my own. I wanted to be a mom to somepony that I could raise, and call my son or daughter."
She looked back at Toby with a tearful smile which he returned as he stayed in the embrace of the fillies and baby dragon. She turned her attention back to James. "The same night, Luna heard the wish of your son. Do you know what he wished for?"
James looked at her, this time with his brows furrowed in curiosity, and he spoke in a unusual soft tone. "What?"
"He wished to live in a new home with a new family that would love him, and never be mean to him." She clenched her eyes shut to calm her tears. "Princess Luna brought him here, and the next morning I discovered him. From that day on me, and my friends have showed him what true, and unconditional love really means, and he has done nothing but show us the same." The other mares nodded, and turned to give the child a warm smile as he was calming down.
Fluttershy looked intently at James. "I can't speak for Toby, and I wish not to, but I hope you are served the right punishment for your cruel, and heartless actions against my precious little one, and his mother." She gave him a look of pity before turning back to trot to Toby. She gently stood beside the fillies, and Spike as they held him in their warm embrace.
Applebloom stroked Toby's arm softly as she laid the side of her head on top of his to keep him close and warm along with the others. Diamond Tiara had tears in her own eyes, and let out a deep sigh. "I will be right back." She turned, and trotted toward James. The group watched her curiously as she approached him.
She stopped in front of James and looked up at him with her brows furrowed in anger. "Now you listen to me now Mister." She sighed deeply. "When I first met Toby, I was, so cruel to him that my words caused him to run away." She turned head to look at the small child. "I told him that he didn't belong here, called him a mistake, and I continued to be mean to him after he was found."
She reached up to wipe a tear from her eye before turning back to James. "I continued to be mean to him, until his real good friends, his big sisters, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, and my good friend Silver Spoon told me about him losing his mommy, and how you blamed him for it." She shook her head in anger. "And you know, through all of the cruel things I said to him, and done to him, Toby was still able to forgive me, and call me his friend." She gave a sad smile.
She sighed deeply. "I will tell you this Mister. Your son is not weak, but the strongest little colt I have ever met, because he has the biggest heart I have ever seen. When I said that he didn't belong here, I was wrong. The one place, the one pony that he doesn't belong with is you mister." She flicked her mane back, and trotted back over to the group.
Princess Celestia trotted up to James with Twilight, and Luna on each side of her. "Well, Mr. Mason, it is now time for us to serve the punishment that you, so rightfully deserve." She looked down at him as he was on his knees with his head lowered. She looked at her sides at her fellow princesses then at the others. "What should his punishment be everypony?"
Applebloom gently stroked the side of Toby's arm as she held him against the crook of her foreleg. She lifted her head to give him a gentle nuzzle on his cheek. "Hey buddy, how about you go over to your momma just for a little bit, and me, and the girls will be right back." Giving him a warm smile.
He looked up, and nodded with a soft smile as his tears finally dried a little. "Okay Applebloom." He spoke so small as he carefully walked over to Fluttershy who gathered him in her forelegs, and cradled him next to her soft and warm chest. They both looked at the fillies who approached the group, and James.
"I say let me take him on my back, and do a Sonic Rainboom, so I can blow him away." Rainbow Dash said hovered in the air waving a forehoof at James with Scootaloo hovering up next to her nodding in agreement.
Pinkie waved a foreleg in the air. "Ooh, ooh, I know let me blow him out of my party cannon for real. I can blow the mean meanie pants straight into the Everfree Forest into the cave of a manticore." She giggled, and rubbed her forehooves together.
Toby heard their ideas, and tried to speak. "No, wait." He was unable to be heard though.
"Let us take him to our spa, and give him a makeover that he will never forget, but a real bad makeover." The two spa ponies giggled.
Rarity flicked her mane. "I could use a new pincushion." She blushed, and giggled to herself.
"Please, no. Wait I." Toby tried to speak with his voice cracking a bit with sobs again.
Fluttershy noticed this, and looked down at the poor child. She leaned down, and nuzzled at his cheek gently to try, and comfort him, and then looked up at the group with a concerned look. "Wait girls." She tried to speak up, but also unable to be heard.
"We could always use some extra hooves around on the farm." Applejack said next. "Ol' Big Mac can work him hard planting, and plowing the crops of corn." Tipping her hat.
"Girls wait." Fluttershy tried to speak to them. She looked down as she saw Toby turn his head, and bury it into her chest. She leaned her head down, and nuzzled at his cheek. "Shh.. it's okay sweetie, I will get their attention." She whispered tenderly into his ear.
Suddenly there was like a calm silence that swept over the two while the others were coming up with a proper punishment for James. The same silence swept over Princess Celestia as she turned her attention to Fluttershy, and Toby.
"Toby." A soft voice was heard among the silence.
"Mommy?" Toby asked as Fluttershy looked down at the child. She carefully let him down onto the floor as he kept a hold of a forehoof. "Mommy where are you?" He looked from side to side.
"Turn around my baby boy." The soft voice spoke as Fluttershy, and Toby carefully turned around to see Toby's mother standing before them. A bright white and warm glow surrounded her as she had the appearance of an angel with a white dress, pearl white feathery wings which was folded in, and a golden halo. This time though she appeared not as a transparent figure like at the talent show, but as her real self.
Toby smiled widely with tears stinging his eyes once again. "Mommy!" He cried as he ran toward her as she knelt down, and opened her arms to receive him. He wrapped her arms around her neck which this time he could feel her for real, and she wrapped him up in her arms.
"Yes baby, it's me." She felt him shake with sobs and cry into her shoulder. Fluttershy couldn't hold back her tears any longer as she gave a big smile, and closed her eyes to subdue them. Ashley rubbed along Toby's back soothingly with her hand, and turned her head to give him a kiss on his cheek. "It's okay sweetheart, Mommy's here." She reached up to stroke his head gently.
Ashley rubbed at his back a little more before very gently pulling him back. She reached up to wipe at his tears, and looked into his eyes giving him a kiss on his forehead.
Toby sniffled as he looked up into her eyes. "Mommy, I am scared. I don't know what to say. What should I let Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna do to daddy?" He swallowed deeply.
Ashley placed her hands gently on his shoulders, and gently rubbed down his arms until his hands was in hers. She held them warmly, and looked into his eyes. "Sweetheart, listen to me. I know you have a heart that is pure, and good that is filled with love for everyone around you." She gently placed her hand on his chest. "Just listen to your heart honey, and I know you will do the right thing." She leaned forward, and gave him a tender kiss on his forehead.
She gently turned him toward the group who was still arguing about the punishment for James. "You go talk to the princesses while I talk with Fluttershy." He nodded as he carefully walked toward the group. Ashley smiled at her son as she turned toward the yellow pegasus. "Hello Fluttershy dear."
Fluttershy sniffled, and looked at Ashley. "Um. hello Mrs. Mason. It is a pleasure to meet Toby's mommy." She carefully trotted up to her.
Ashley smiled warmly at Fluttershy. "It is a pleasure to meet you too Fluttershy, and you can just call me Ashley." She gave Fluttershy a warm hug around her neck. "Fluttershy, I just want to thank you, so much for taking such great care of my son, and becoming his other mother."
Fluttershy smiled warmly, and hugged her back with a foreleg. "You are welcome Ashley. He is such a precious little child, and me, and my friends love him dearly." They broke the hug as Fluttershy turned to watch with Ashley Toby approach the group.
Celestia smiled at the two, and then turned toward the others. "My little ponies, calm yourselves." They looked at Princess Celestia, and nodded. "I believe we should let our dear friend Toby decide what we should do with his father. Do you agree Luna?"
Luna looked at Celestia and then down at the child who was standing before his father. "Yes Tia, I certainly agree."
Celestia looked down at Toby with a soft smile. "Toby dear, it is up to you, okay?" He looked up at her and nodded.
He turned his attention to James looking up into his eyes, and swallowed deeply. "Daddy, I forgive you. Mommy always taught me to never be angry at someone for, so long, or it will change who I am, and I don't want to be mean like you. I just wish you would have loved me, and Mommy." He turned toward Celestia and Luna. "Auntie Celestia, and Auntie Luna, please don't be mad, but I wish to send Daddy back home."
Celestia, and Luna nodded. "Toby dear, we are not mad at you at all. That is your choice, and we shall abide by it." Celestia spoke as she turned to James. "Mr. Mason, you shall return home, but your truth shall be told." With that Celestia lowered her head down to James placing her horn against his forehead lighting it up. After a minute she stopped, and James opened shook his head.
"What did you do to me?" He asked angrily.
"Don't worry Mr. Mason. You will find out in due time." Celestia looked at him intently.
"Now Tia, may I call in somepony special to take him back home?" Luna gave a sly smile.
The others looked curiously at the princess. "Do you mean him sister?" Celestia asked as Luna nodded. "Well, I think that would be a good idea, I don't think a little bit of chaos would do him harm."
"Did somepony say chaos?" A sly and calm voice was heard as a flash of light appeared and a creature stood beside James.
The creature was made of an array of body parts of different animals. He had a deer antler on the right top of his head, a blue goat horn on the left, wide eyes of sun yellow and bright crimson, a face of a goat with white bushy brows, and a short white beard. He had a short black mane on the back of his head which was that of a pony. His head and face were all charcoal grey, his middle was a dark brown, and his end which was that of a dragon's tail was crimson red with a white tuft. A bat wing stuck out on the right side of his back while a pegasus wing stuck out on the left side. For his right arm it was that of a lion, his left was that of an eagle, his right leg was that of a lizard, and for his left leg was a goat. He had one long fang stick out from his upper lip on the right and had a snake-like tongue. His body was in the shape of a snake. A creature such as he known as a draconequus.
"Discord!" The ponies shouted, but with giggles as he just reappeared out of nowhere.
"Ah, my pony friends. It is good to see you all again." He smiled at them then looked up to see Fluttershy waving his lion paw. Fluttershy returned a wave as she was standing in the back with Ashley. He looked down to see the little colt. "Oh, well, well, well, and who might you be little one." He slithered his head down to look at Toby in the eyes.
Celestia gently placed a wing over the small child giving him a warm smile. "Toby dear, I would like to introduce you to Discord, formerly the master of chaos. Discord, I would like for you to meet Toby Mason, our new little member of the Equestrian family."
"Well, a pleasure to meet you Toby. And may I just say I am still the master of chaos." He leaned closer to whisper. "When nopony is watching." He giggled, and patted the top of Toby's head. He stood back up, and looked at Celestia. "So princesses, what would you like for me to do?"
"Well, this man here is Toby's father, and he has been, so cruel to this young child that he makes your reign of chaos once before seem pleasant." Luna spoke, and eyed James. "What we would like for you to do, if it would be alright with you is take him back home on Earth."
Discord crossed his arms. "And, what do I get for my willing to serve you, your majesty?"
Luna smirked. "Well, you can create a little bit of chaos for him before he reveals his deep dark truth to the authorities."
Discord placed a lion paw index finger to his chin in a thinking manner. He gave a smirk of his own. "Well, if I can create some chaos that is fine with me. Your wish is my command your majesties. Before I forget." He leaned back down to Toby. "Little one, it was a pleasure to meet. Maybe next time I can show you some fun chaos." He snapped his talons of his left arm, and a glass of chocolate milk appeared. "Haha.. such as this. Don't worry Toby, it is good and very tasty if I may say." Toby smiled softly, and gently accepted it.
He spoke softly to the draconequus. "Thank you Mister Discord. It was good to meet you too." Giving him a soft smile.
Discord stood back up, and looked down with a soft smile of his own. "Well, isn't that very respectful to call me Mister Discord. I like the ring of that, but you can just call me Discord." He reached down, and patted the little colt on the head. He looked at the princesses, the group of ponies, and at Fluttershy. "Until next time everypony, the Master of Chaos shall take his leave." He looked at James. "Time to have a little bit of fun with you." He cackled as he snapped his talons, and in a flash, both him, and James disappeared.
Toby drank at the chocolate milk that Discord gave him, and sighed softly. He felt Celestia rub at his back with her wing. "Are you alright little one?"
He looked up at her, and nodded. "Yes Auntie Celestia." He turned to see if his mother was still standing with Fluttershy, which she was. He carefully turned to the group. "Everyone, I want you all to meet my Mommy."
Rainbow looked at the small child curiously. "What do you mean little.." She cut herself off as she watched the child carefully walk past them, and she traced her eyes along with his movement. She looked up to see a mare, but not a pony mare standing beside Fluttershy. "Oh." She said. The others looked in awe as they carefully followed behind Toby.
Toby finished the chocolate milk, and the glass vanished in a flash. Toby giggled softly as he walked up to his mother Ashley. Fluttershy gently trotted over to the group to let Toby introduce them to his mother.
Ashley knelt back down on one knee beside Toby, and wrapped an arm warmly around his shoulders. He smiled up into her eyes as he looked at the group. "Everyone, meet my Mommy. Mommy, I would like for you to meet my new family." He motioned to each of them with a hand starting with Rainbow Dash who trotted up. "Auntie Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow bowed her head, and gave Ashley a smile. "Heya there Ms. Mason. Your son has become a great little buddy, and a wonderful little nephew." She chuckled as she gave Toby a little rub on the top of his head then, looked back at Ashley. "It is good to finally meet you." She reached up a foreleg.
Ashley very gently placed her hand on Rainbow's forehoof and, very lightly shook it. "It is an honor to meet you Rainbow Dash. You seem like a great aunt and friend to my baby. Oh, and please just call me Ashley, I am fine with that." She s giving Toby a smile.
Rainbow reached behind her, and rubbed the back of her neck. "Aw. shucks thank you Ashley." She chuckled as Applejack was the next one to trot up along with Big Mac.
Toby giggled at Rainbow as she trotted to the side. Toby, then smiled up softly at Applejack and Big Mac. "Mommy, this is Auntie Applejack, and Papa Big Mac."
"Howdy there Ma'am. Mah brother, and Ah' would like to tell you how much of a darn pleasure it is to finally meet ya. " Applejack tipped her hat. "The little feller has told us, so much about ya, and we know he really loves ya with all of his heart."
"Eeyup." Big Mac replied.
Applejack rolled her eyes a bit at her brother. "Also, your son is a great, and hard little worker. He helped us on our farm a few days ago, and we enjoyed his company. Ah' know Big Mac, and myself are proud to call him family." She gently reached, and rubbed along Toby's arm gently.
Ashley smiled, and blushed. "Well, it is good to meet you Applejack, and Big Mac. My baby boy is always willing to lend a hand." She looked at Big Mac. "Big Mac, I just want to tell you thank you for filling the spot of a father figure for my baby. You are more of a man, well may I say stallion than that monster could ever be, so thank you for taking the role of father for him."
Big Mac blushed. "That ain't no problem at all Ma'am, it is mah honor to be Toby's papa." He gently rubbed the top of Toby's head. The two Apples bowed their head to Ashley, and trotted over to the side as Pinkie Pie bounced up next.
Toby giggled at the pink pony's giddiness. He looked up at Ashley. "Mommy, hehe.. this is Auntie Pinkie Pie."
Pinkie gave a beaming smile at Ashley, and reached out both forehooves to gently shake Ashley's hand. "Hey there it is nice to meet you Ashley. Like my cutie wutie little wittle nephew said, I am Pinkie Pie, and I am Equestria's party pony extraordinaire. I love parties, games, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, sweets.."
Pinkie kept on until Rainbow who hovered over to her placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Uh.. Pinkie Pie, I think Ashley gets the picture of how you like to party." Rainbow looked at Ashley with an awkward smile. "Eh.. sorry about that Ashley, she can get a little extreme."
Ashley giggled, and shook her head softly. "Don't worry about it Rainbow Dash." She looked at Pinkie. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you as well Pinkie Pie. I can see that Toby has a lot of fun with you too."
Pinkie Pie nodded vigorously then stuck her tongue out at Rainbow Dash. "See Dashie, Ashley isn't a party pooper pony like you." She gave Ashley another beaming smile, and hopped off to the side. Rainbow just shook her head, and facehoofed herself.
Rarity was next in line. She crossed her forelegs, and bowed her head. Toby smiled up at her softly. "Mommy, this is Auntie Rarity. She makes real nice clothes. Like this one." He showed her the all red outfit with the royal blue jacket with Ashley's locket to Toby sewn into the heart.
Ashley looked at the outfit, and her eyes immediately started to water at the sight of her locket. She turned to Rarity. "Rarity, did you really make this? It is beautiful, and how wonderful you did by sewing my locket I gave to Toby on the heart of the jacket."
Rarity blushed, and smiled softly. "Thank you very much Ashley darling. May I introduce myself, my name is Rarity, and it is an absolute delight to finally meet you. I am glad I could incorporate something sentimental like that little gem into my darling little nephew's outfit." She smiled at him, and rubbed gently at his arm.
She looked back up at Ashley. "Also, he has inspired me, so much that I started a line of suits and dresses that include something sentimental to anypony sewn into their outfits. You have raised a wonderful, and precious little colt Ashley, and you should be proud of yourself."
Ashley looked at Rarity with a warm smile. "Thank you Rarity, I am truly proud of my baby boy." She gave him a kiss on the top of his head. She looked at Rarity again. "It is a pleasure meeting you too Rarity." Bowing her head gently toward the fashionista.
Rarity bowed her head again before trotting off to the side. The fillies, and baby dragon approached next. Toby smiled at the six. "Mommy, this is Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, and together they are known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders." He motioned a hand towards the three fillies, then motioned at Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon. "This is Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon." Then he motioned toward the baby dragon. "And this is Spike. He is a nice, and fun dragon."
Ashley smiled at them, all and bowed her head. "Well, it is nice to meet you, young ones."
"Howdy there Ms. Mason, it is great to meet ya. Toby is such a great little buddy to us, and we are proud to call him our friend." The other two nodded as Scootaloo smiled happily, and fluttered her wings.
Silver Spoon spoke up softly next. "He is a real sweetie pie Ma'am. He has such a caring heart, and I am honored as well to call him my friend." She smiled at Ashley, and gave Toby a wink.
Diamond Tiara had her head lowered a bit until she felt a hand on her chin which raised it to look up at Ashley. "You must be Diamond Tiara." She spoke to the filly with a soft voice. "I heard what you said to James, and that was real sweet of you Diamond." Giving her a warm smile then smiling at the other fillies, and baby dragon. "Thank you all young ones in being such good friends to my precious baby." They all nodded giving her, and the small child a soft smile.
They all moved to the side with the others as the three princesses trotted up last. Toby smiled up at them as Ashley kept her arm around his shoulders warmly. "Mommy, this is Auntie Twilight, Auntie Celestia, and Auntie Luna. They are the princesses of Equestria."
Twilight smiled softly, and bowed her head. "Hello Ashley, it is a pleasure to meet you like all of my friends have said. Toby has been such a precious gift to us here in Equestria, with his big heart, his politeness that he shows to all of us, and the love he has given us since arriving here in our home." She gave the little colt a blushing smile.
Luna, and Celestia both nodded in agreement.
Ashley sighed deeply, and happily. "Thank you all so much for becoming a loving, and caring family to my son, and welcoming him into your hearts." She gave them all a tearful smile. She turned to Toby as she reached up to stroke his head. "Well, honey, it is time for me to leave, but I want you to know that I love you, so much my baby boy." Pulling him into a big warm hug.
He wrapped his little arms around her neck with tears shedding onto her shoulder. The ponies just watched in silence with tearful smiles of their own. "I love you too Mommy."
She rubbed along his back as she gave him a kiss on his cheek. She rubbed at his cheek tenderly with her thumb as she stood up. "Bye my sweetheart." She waved at all of the ponies. "Bye everyone, and thank you all so much for being the family that Toby deserves away from that monster of a father." She gave them all a warm smile, and blew a tender kiss to Toby before turning her back and slowly vanishing into a bright light.
Toby stood there with a tearful smile, and softly spoke. "Goodbye Mommy, I love you."
Fluttershy gently trotted up to the small child, and rubbed a foreleg up, and down his back giving him a kiss on the top of his head. "Are you okay sweetie?"
He looked up at her, and nodded. "Yes Momma, thank you." He turned around, and gave her a big warm hug around her neck laying his head against her chest as she embraced him with a foreleg.
The others gave them a warm smile as Celestia spoke. "Well my little ponies, I say we had a long day. How about you all have a sleepover here at the castle?" They all nodded in agreement. She smiled at them all. "Well, then. You may all use the royal ballroom for your sleepover."
They all smiled happily as Celestia's sun was slowly beginning to set.