“But father, I don't understand why we need to be at the ship yard!” Alec said nothing, and continued to walk towards the office. Flame was held back by Luna's hoof as he went into the one marked 'manager', where they heard a muffled conversation. A moment later and he returned, motioning for them to follow. They stopped at the edge of a docking port, but nothing was there, just empty air. “Father, there is no airship or balloon here, what is going on?”
“Part of your last present. Seeing as school has finished this year, I thought we'd go on a little holiday. I remember you two asking about the griffon lands, so that's our destination.” The other three looked around confused, not seeing anything that would take them. The sound of machinery drew their attention to the skies above, where a shadow had appeared in the clouds.
Then the bottom hull of an airship breached, shining with a silver-orange glow in the setting sun's light. More pushed through, and they saw that it was relatively small compared to the usual vessels built here. And unlike the usual build, the balloon was part of the structure, not separate. The two magic powered engines to the side began to move, ending up pointing straight down under the vessel as it slowed, coming to a stop in front of them. A walkway was pushed across, as the deck was level with the dock, and a group of ponies trotted out, securing the mooring lines. A older stallion wearing a white uniform approached and bowed low. “Your majesties, may I present to you, the S.S Polaris!”
Luna whipped her head up and stared at Alec, who responded with a kiss, and then waved her forward with a hoof. She slowly stepped across, seeing the other crew lined up and waiting. They immediately bowed once all four were on board. The walkway was raised and the ship started to move, Luna spinning to face Alec. “What is happening? We haven't even packed, and we can't just leave my sister like this!”
He just gave her a wink and another kiss, before sweeping Flame and Sky on to his back, and heading over to a door in the bulkhead. She blinked a few times as the mooring lines were thrown back aboard, and she turned to find the pony in the uniform standing next to her, mouth moving. “...your majesty?”
“Hmm? Oh, sorry. What were you saying again?”
“Just that we're scheduled for rain in a few moments, and you may wish to step inside. It's going to get pretty cold up here.” He watched her look round, clearly confused as to where to go. “Would you like me to show you the way, princess?”
“Yes, please.” He gave a nod and headed towards the front of the ship, Luna following. Her eyes widened as they entered, the wooden panel passageways looking not unlike the cabin in the mountains of eastern Equestria that they had stayed in during their honeymoon. She then looked at her guide, and remembered the airship that had taken them there. “Starry Helm?”
The pony gave a small chuckle, taking his hat off to scratch at his wilting mane, before placing it back down. “I didn't think you'd recognise my, your highness. After all, I was just a porter back then. Now I am a airship captain, and I was lucky enough to get assigned to the Polaris just yesterday.”
“About that...” He gave another chuckle, stopping next to a door and pointing in with a hoof.
“Ask your husband about the name. He chose it.” Her gaze followed his direction, and she saw they were at the front of the ship, under the main deck. She didn't even remember going down any steps. There was a large panoramic window at one end, where the twins were pressed up against watching the ground below.
The sound of glass clinking drew her attention to the corner, where she saw Alec standing behind a mini bar. She trotted over and sat on a bar stool. He turned round to see her eyeing the bottles, a spark in her eyes. “So, what can I get you this evening ma'am?” His smirk was replied in kind, as she thought about what to wet her whistle.
“I'll have a... Manehatten, please.”
“Coming right up.”
“And can you also tell me why you named this vessel after my father?” He looked up once, then continued to make her drink. He slid it over and then made himself one... with twice the alcohol.
“Yeah, that. Look, I know I've never asked, but I've not found much more than their names, and I was curious about them. If you don't want to talk about it...” She cut him off by placing a wing over his muzzle, making sure Sky and Flame were not listening.
“My father, King Polaris was a kind and just ruler, loved by all his subjects. And then came the Draconequus Wars. He defeated nearly all of them by himself, but there was one that did not play fair...”
“Discord?” He reached over and wiped a tear from her eyes, wrapping a wing around her and pulling her close.
“Yes. It wasn't him that killed him, though. All Discord wanted to do was prove he could be beaten, and was going to let him live, but others knew of the fight. By the time mother arrived... it was too late, there was nothing she could do. Discord then helped her hunt down the remaining ones and remove them from this world, one way or another.”
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something so painful. How... old were you at the time?”
“I was... six, Tia was ten. If not for our mother, we would no have got through it. On our sixteenth birthdays, we were given control of the sun and the moon. Our mother went into hiding, and after two hundred years Discord returned. I know you have read upon these events, so there isn't much more to tell.”
“And what of your mother, Faust, was it?”
“I have seen nor heard anything of her for eons. Neither has Celestia.”
“I see.” He raised his drink up, looking over at the twins, who were now jumping from couch to couch with laughter. The way he had just brushed off that statement meant he knew something she didn't. She prepared to ask when he pulled her off the chair, guiding her to he centre of the room. “Close your eyes, and keep them closed.”
She did as asked, and was rewarded with a passionate kiss. He pulled away, and she kept her eyes shut. The door opened, and the laughter from the twins died away. She sensed another in the room, but couldn't place it. She then felt a hoof pull her close, large wings enveloping her. “Oh my daughter, it has been too long.”
Luna's eyes snapped open and she stared at the large white alicorn, red mane floating lightly and tears in her light blue eyes. “M-m-m-mother?”
“Yes Luna, it is I.” She couldn't help it, and Luna threw her arms around her mothers neck, sobbing her eyes out. Flame and Sky ran over and jumped on her back, holding on tightly. “Come Luna, calm yourself.” At length she pulled away, wiping the tears away. “Now, who are these two?”
She pulled them down and sat them on the floor in front of her, smiling proudly. “Mother, this is Rising Flame and Sky Sapphire, your grandfoals.”
“And I assume he is the father?” Luna frowned at the disapproving glance she was giving Alec, and returned a glare of her own.
“Yes, my husband of almost eight years is the father. Is that a problem?”
“No, that is fine. It's just I wasn't aware of another male alicorn. Ever.”
“Perhaps I can answer that for you ma'am.”
“Alec...” He came over and draped a wing across her back, nuzzling her cheek.
“No Luna, if she wants to test me, than she can test me. I love you and our children, and as you already know, nothing will split us apart.”
“I am glad to hear it Sergeant.” Their mouths dropped open in shock, how had she known that? “Oh, relax. I knew of you the moment you entered our atmosphere. It's a shame you did not find me first, as I could have sent you to your kind.”
“Now hold on a fuc.. damn minute here. I had the chance to go with them, and I stayed. The only reason? To make your daughter happy. If you don't like that, you can get the hell off of my ship!” Luna was torn, wanting to be with her mother after so long apart, but agreeing with everything he said. They glared at each other before her mother's face twitched, slowly turning into a smile and then she started laughing. Alec's face turned to one of confusion.
“You chose well, my daughter. Alec, come forward.” He did so slowly, and she placed her horn upon his. There was a white glow for a few moments before she pulled away, still smiling. “I see what you have been through, and what you have done for your family. I am proud to call you part of mine.”
“Thanks... er, mum?”
“That will suffice. Now, how about I leave you to get settled, and we shall converse more in the morning?”
“Actually mother... I was wondering, would you like to spend time with your grandfoals? I would like to talk to my husband... alone!” She recognised that tone, and trotted over to the two foals.
“Hello, I am Faust, your mother's mother. Would you talk with me?” They looked up to Luna, who nodded with a smile, and followed her over to a couch. Luna then fixed Alec with a glare and pushed him out the door. She noted a bit of paper on a door, their combined cutie marks upon it. She shoved him towards it, and slammed it shut once they were inside.
She approached him and smiled sweetly, then slapped him hard. “That was for speaking to my mother like that!” She then pulled him close for a passionate kiss, pushing him on to bed afterwards and jumping on to his chest. “And this... is for standing up to her.”
Luna awoke to a wonderful smell drifting in through the door, and rolled over to wake Alec, but he was not there. She looked up to find the door ajar, and then the sound of booming and squealing laughter came through it. She got up and went out to the common room, where she found her family almost crying with laughter. “Pray tell, why are you making such a racket so early?”
Alec just took one look at her and burst out with more laughter. She trotted over and glared down at him. “Luna...” She turned around to look at her mother, who had a smile on her face. “... we were just discussing your foalhood. Remember when your magic flared, and you both decreased the moon's size and brought it a little closer than you were supposed to?”
Her expression changed a little, which cause Alec to pull her close for a good morning kiss, and she let out a sigh as she melted into his peaceful embrace. All of which was shattered by two highly energetic foals rushing in and jumping on them. Faust watched as they then gave out squeals of laughter from their tickling, and ran over to take over beneath her wings. “Well mother, it seems they have accepted you back. Pray tell, what will you do now?”
“Well, I'm going to let your family have your holiday and go see Tia. Do not worry, I will still be in Canterlot upon your return.” With that she hugged the twins and lit her horn, disappearing in a flash. Flame and Sky looked round confused before the colt's stomach let out a rather large rumble.
“He he, breakfast anyone?”
Captain Warper of the Solar Guard left Celestia's bed chambers, ready for his day at work. He ignored the snickers from the others patrol the halls, responding with a glare. All it took was for one guard to pop in unannounced on their... private meetings and the whole castle knew within a day. So what if his predecessor had the same experience, he was glad for it.
Coming up to the throne room, he checked the court appointment list and smiled, it would only be half a day. He pushed the doors open without a care and then stopped as he saw another seated upon Celestia's throne. “Guards, intruder!”
They came rushing in, horns glowing and spears pointing at the mystery pony, who just regarded them with amusement. She stood and made her way down from the dais, Warper noting that she was an alicorn, and raising his guard even more. She stopped in front of him and pointed with a hoof. His gaze followed, and he looked at the painting above the doors facing the throne, then back to the pony. Then back the painting.
He did this a few more times before tearing out of the room, leaving a host of confused guards. Celestia stepped out from her shower and dried off, starting to place on her tools of office. She was about to put her crown down gently when the door slamming open caused it to drop. She rubbed the area gently and turned to see who it was. “Warper, that is no way to enter a lady's room. Please try again.”
“Can't, emergency! You, throne room, now!” she didn't bother to ask him to elaborate, merely jumping up and galloping alongside him. The sound of laughter caused them to stop, and they entered to find the guards rolling on the floor and clutching their sides. A projector was sending light onto a wall, and Celestia's cheeks turned pink as she saw the photo.
“Now there's that adorable blush. Do you remember this day, when you got your first necklace?” The voice belonged to somepony it shouldn't, and even as she turned around, she still couldn't believe it.
“M-m-mother, is it really you?”
“Yes Tia, it is I.” Captain Warper looked between the two and then back at the painting. The guards erupted with more laughing as he considered the implications.
“Oh... buck.”
Captain Defiant Moonlight stood at the ariship port, watching as the Polaris slowly approached. They had been away for a month, and he was glad they were back. Except this time he would be delivering some very unwanted news. He waited for it to be secured and boarded, heading towards the front of the ship. The only reason he knew the layout was because Alec had insisted, and that's who was looking for. Entering the common room, he bowed quickly and stood at attention. “Your majesties, welcome home.”
“Thank you Captain. Pray tell, why do you look like the bearer of bad news?” Alec came trotting in with the foals on his back, all smiling. Moonlight took a deep breath and continued.
“He's back. There has been a sighting of Warding Spear in Canterlot.”
“What the hell do you mean he's back? He's supposed to be on Earth!”
“I don't know what to tell you sir, Blazing Petal said he assisted her in stopping an assault. There have been other sightings as well.”
“Well you'd best be sure, I don't want to start a hunt because of rumours ponies are making up!”
“I assure you Warding Spear is dead, and your rumours are quite wrong.” They all whipped their heads up to the speaker, whose face was hidden by a hood, their body by a cloak. Luna lit her horn and pulled the hood down, revealing the burnt, one eyed face of a stallion. One that should be dead. He knelt down and closed his eye, bowing low to the floor. “If you wish to destroy this body, then please do so.”
Alec walked over and around him once, a grim look on his face. He stared into the one eye for a good few moments before turning to Moonlight. “Arrest him.”
The stallion saw a back hoof raised before it connected with his head, send him to the floor unconscious.
