//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: Halcyon Hearts // by TheMyth //------------------------------// “... and that, class, is how Equestria and Gryphonium came to peace.” Cheerilee continued to speak about history that branched over a thousand years to the foals in her class. She noticed how some of them were trying to keep themselves awake, others having become bored and simply took part in their own activities. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were a part of that group. After the weekend passed, Scootaloo and Light told the others about their newfound relationship. As expected, Pip was the first one to have a laugh whilst the others didn’t seem to care much at all. Scootaloo, however, had the distinct feeling that her mother was now always watching her. She regretted telling her mother about her coltfriend, partially because of Rainbow Dash being ‘cautious’ with her daughter seeing some colt. The sound of the bell emitted across the room, alerting the foals of the day’s end. Cheerilee simply smiled as she shook her head, seeing all the foals eagerly rushing off to the exit to continue their day. “So what should we do now?” Scootaloo asked her friends, as she was walking closely next to Light. Pip smirked as he chuckled. “We could try out to be wedding planners for you and Light,” he laughed more as Scootaloo gave him a withering glare. “Or perhaps speak about future foal names-” he felt a force collide with his head. He let out a groan and looked up to see Apple Bloom standing next to him with her hoof at the ready. “What you do that for?!” “Ya know why,” Apple Bloom merely told him as she walked on past the colt. “Still, it’s just me, Pip and Scootaloo here left blank... so Ah don’t know what else we should now...” “Hmmm...” Spike was in deep thought as he scratched his head. “I think we should just do what we do best...” “What may that be Spike?” Sweetie Belle asked him curiously. “I think we should-” his words stopped when he saw a familiar figure standing at the entrance of the school grounds. “Huh?” “What’s wrong?” “What’s my mom doing here?” he asked himself out loud, and saw another figure next to her too. “With Blaze?” “We didn’t get into trouble lately,” Light said as he saw the two ponies before him. “Cheerilee didn’t say anything about this...” Twilight motioned for Spike to come over. Nervously, he began moving forward. Light, figuring this had something to do with him as well, followed suit. “Mom? What are you doing here?” “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, but me and Blaze have been talking, and we decided that we need to spend some time together if this is going to work out.” Light and Spike cocked there eyebrow and looked at each other blinking before turning back to Twilight. “What do you mean?” It was Blaze who spoke next. “You’re both important to us. We agreed this wouldn't work unless you two were happy with it.” “So we decided to have a bit of a family outing, so to speak.” Spike shrugged. “Well... I guess that sounds pretty good. Let’s go.” “Not so fast,” Blaze said. “We’re not all traveling together.” The two froze. It was Light who said, “W-what do you mean?” “We’re going to split up,” Twilight said. “Spike, I want you to go with Blaze.” The former dragon’s eyes opened wide. “What?” “I want us all to be a family,” she explained soothingly. “That’s why I want you to spend some quality time with him. And while you two are having fun, I’m going to take Light.” “H-huh?” Light said. Almost immediately he dashed to Blaze. “Can’t we just all hang out together?” He shook his head. “We already do that enough. You need some one-on-one time.” “But...” “Relax kid, she won’t bite you.” There was an unspoken “She saves that for me,” that caused Twilight to blush. “C-come on, Light,” she stammered out, trying to suppress her giggles. “We can have fun. Anything you want... that doesn’t involve wings, obviously.” Light looked up to Blaze, seeing the elder stallion give him a single nod. He turned to Scootaloo and saw her smiling, telling him to go without words. He gulped and made his way to Twilight. “A-alright...” he said softly as he stood next to Twilight. Spike furrowed his brow slightly as he took looked to Twilight, only to be greeted with a warm smile. His friends were also smiling. “Fine,” he groaned out as he made his way towards Blaze, seeing a grin on the stallion’s face. “Good!” Blaze said enthusiastically and scooped Spike up, resting him on his back. “I suggest you brace yourself tight.” “W-what do you mean?” Spike asked fearfully as he was too surprised by Blaze putting him on his back. Light snorted as he withheld a laugh, seeing Spike on Blaze’s back. The laugh stopped though when he found himself enveloped in an aura of lavender. He let out a yelp as he found himself placed on Twilight’s back too. Twilight merely turned her head to Light and giggled at the foal’s face. “Just stay there for the moment, okay?” she told him and she received a few nods from him. She walked up to Blaze and nuzzled the stallion before giving him a single kiss on the lips, hearing the foals groan in slight disgust. “We’ll see you later, okay?” “You got it,” he said as he saluted to Twilight, and turned around flaring his wings. “Hold on tight, Spike!” he shouted out as he flew upwards fast into sky. Spike screamed as he rode on Blaze’s back, the latter doing a circle in the sky before flying off into the distance. Light blinked before he was brought back to reality by Twilight nudging his head. “Light, just hold onto me for the moment, okay?” she said as he horn started to glow, forming a sphere around them. Light’s eyes darted from one place to the other and he held onto Twilight, feeling a lack of oxygen as the sphere closed in on them. With a pop, they were gone. The remaining foals stood there looking at the empty space. Pip merely shrugged as he closed his eyes. “So what should we do today?” “We could all go mountain climbing!” Scootaloo suggested eagerly as her wings flared up, but she was met with silence. “How about something safer lass?” “Sugarcube Corner, anypony?” “Eeyup!” Apple Bloom mimicked her brother’s signature answer and they made their way towards the town. Light was blinded as his namesake filled his eyes in a burning flash. He clung to Twilight’s back, scared at what was happening, until he heard her giggle. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.” He did, and he gaped. Surrounding him were gigantic buildings and ponies were walking around him everywhere. From a short distance, a castle could be seen with its design elegant and welcoming to all who wished to approach it. “Canterlot?” He said incredulously. “How did we get here?” “Teleportation,” she said as she began to walk down the streets, Light still on her back. “I thought you might want to come see the capital when you’re not having to worry about Bloodwing.” He looked around at the tall buildings in awe. “What do you do in Canterlot?” “There’s all kinds of things. Shopping, the arts, museums... we can do whatever you want to do, sweetie.” Light shifted. “Back at the orphanage, we sometimes had performers come in, but I always wanted to see a stage show. Could we...” Twilight smiled. “The theatre it is, then. I think Coltago is still playing, how about that? Or even Cats?” “Maybe... I kind of wanted to see Spider-Colt The Musical. Could we?” “Well... I don’t see why not...” Spike was sure he was going to die. Clutching Blaze for dear life and really missing having fingers one more, he silently vowed never to get his hooves off the ground ever again if he survived this trip. But at last it was over, and the two landed on the Wonderbolts training ground. “You brought me here?” Spike asked, confused. “Twilight told me you were disappointed you couldn’t see a Wonderbolts show yet, so I thought you’d like to see them practice, if we can’t go to a show.” “That does sound pretty good,” Spike admitted. Blaze grinned as he walked on before Spike. “Follow me,” he motioned Spike to follow and the two were walking towards the training area. Once they entered the area though, they were halted by the captain of the Wonderbolts themselves. “Rookie, I thought I told you that you had leave for the cute-mitzvah planning... what you doing here today?” Spitfire asked Blaze curiously as he removed her glasses and looked at him with her brow furrowed. “Well, Ma’am... I just thought of showing this little colt here how the legendary Wonderbolts practice,” he said as he pointed to Spike. “Who might you be?” Spitfire asked Spike, ignoring the laugh coming from Spike. Spike grinned as he looked at Spitfire. “I’ll give you a hint, my mother is Twilight Sparkle...” Spitfire gasped as she removed her sunglasses completely, staring at the colt before her in shock. “Spike?" she asked and received a single nod from him. "Wow! I-I heard what happened but wow," she inspected his whole body, making him slightly uncomfortable. "You really did turn into a cutie..." she said with a giggle and a broad smile. “S-stop it!" he replied in embarrassment, blushing slightly. Spitfire backed away from Spike, laughing a bit. "So why isn't Twilight here if I may ask?" "She's taking Light out and I am taking Spike out," Blaze answered her Spitfire smiled at the answer. "I see..." she then turned to Spike and grinned. "Well then, let me show you around with Blaze." "OK." With that the three ponies made their way to the stadium of the Wonderbolts and saw the other trainees exercising their tricks and doing other obstacles too. Soarin saw the three ponies and decided to glide down towards them. “Hey Spitfire, who’s the colt? This your colt, Blaze?” Blaze looked as though he was dealt a blow to the chest, but he grinned back at the pro Wonderbolt. “Nope. My colt is currently on an outing with my fillyfriend... and this here is my fillyfriend’s colt... Spike.” “Spike... Twilight Sparkle’s Spike?” Spike nodded at Soarin, smiling at the stallion. “The same.” “Heh, I heard that something happened to you... but wow, this is something I haven’t seen yet,” he responded enthusiastically at Spike. “So why are you two here?” “...Mom thought it would be a good idea if we spent some time together,” he said, trying to hide his apprehension at the whole idea. “And I wanted to see you perform...” “Say no more,” Soarin’ said. “Watch this, I’ll give you a sneak peek at a move I’ve been working on...” Light lowered his head as he and Twilight walked out of Spider-Colt: The Musical. “Well... that was disappointing.” “Seemed too ambitious for a stage show,” Twilight sighed. “But I think we can still salvage today. Why don’t we grab a bite to eat? It’s nearly noon.” That did, in fact, remind Light that he was hungry as his stomach gave a carnivorous growl. “What’s there to eat in Canterlot? Blaze said it’s nothing but a bunch of frou-frou food.” “Oh, really?” Twilight said. “Well, remind me to give a good long lecture on Canterlot etiquette. Anyway, we’re going to have lunch with Princess Celestia.” Light perked up. “The Princess herself?” “The one and only.” Light was quiet for moment. “That sounds good. I never really got a chance to speak to her, but I always wanted to...” “I’m glad. I’m sure she’ll want to speak to you too.” As they started walking toward the palace, Twilight couldn’t help but ask, “Are you feeling a little more comfortable?” “... Yes,” he admitted. “You’re not as scary anymore.” “Thank you...” Twilight tried to take the compliment as she forced a smile. “You know I’m only like that when I’m protecting Spike.” “Yes...” Light answered, shivering a little when as he remembered Twilight’s fiery rage when he met her the first time. “And if it works out with Blaze, you’ll get that protection from me, too.” “Really?” Twilight nodded. “I don’t just want your brother, I want to have his family as mine. You’re his little brother, you mean a lot to him. You’re a big part of his life. That means you need to be a big part of my life, too.” Light stood there in awe at what Twilight had told him. He smiled broadly at Twilight, closing his eyes. “Thank you,” he replied happily, but was surprised when he was brought into a hug. So warm... he thought to himself as he stood there with Twilight holding him close. “Now then, let’s go to the castle...” she spoke softly as she and Light went towards the castle of Canterlot. Spike sat there in a circle with the pro Wonderbolts and Blaze, having lunch with all of them. He was surprised to see the Wonderbolts acting so casual when they were not performing or practicing, but this didn’t bother him one bit. Laughter came from the stallions of the group as they were discussing topics that ranged from relationships to embarrassing moments. Soarin laughed as he leaned into Spike, showing him a few pictures. “Check out Spitfire’s foal pics!” he showed the colt his captain’s baby pictures. Spike and Blaze looked at the pictures before bursting out in laughter at the ridiculous faces Spitfire made when she was a foal. “That’s classic!” Spitfire blushed furiously as she grabbed the pics, tucking them away. “Soarin! I swear, if we weren’t best friends, you’d so be fired!” Blaze, hearing this information, blinked and his brow arched. “So wait... aren’t you two dating?” Soarin suppressed a laugh before clearing his throat. “Nah, we just very good friends... since we were young.” “And he has his eyes on another mare,” Spitfire chimed in with a playful grin. “Should I tell them who it is?” “N-no! I don’t have my eyes on any mare at this moment, thanks!” he said hastily as he finished his pie fast, with his cheeks burning. Blaze whistled as he smirked. “You’re a pretty bad liar, Soarin...” he told his superior, laughing at the endless red marks on his cheeks. “Tell me who she is?” he asked but the only reply he got was Soarin shaking his head rapidly. Spitfire scooted closer to Blaze and whispered in his ear. “It’s your partner.” “Rainbow Dash!?” “Sh!” Soarin said, glancing around. “Nopony can know yet!” “I should say not,” Spitfire said, suddenly looking serious. “That could cause the press to jump to certain conclusions...” “Like what?” Spike asked confused. “Well, I’m not saying this would happen, but Rainbow Dash could be seen as seducing a high-ranking Wonderbolt to get ahead. And that would lead to accusations of Soarin thinking with his...” she trailed off when she remembered she was talking to a foal. “The point is, it would look bad. That means no moves until she graduates training. Understand?” “Relax, I got it,” Soarin said. “It’s the only reason I haven’t made a move yet.” “Going after a filly eight years younger than you, huh?” Blaze said, playfully teasing his commanding officer, who just waved him off. “Hey, I’ll have you know mares like distinguished stallions.” “Uh-huh,” Spitfire said dryly. “But enough about Soarin’s love life, how’d you manage to get Twilight Sparkle?” Spitfire asked. “Every noble and their father wanted her.” He shrugged. “Guess I got lucky.” “Plus, she probably knew better than to try social climbers,” Soarin commented. Blaze shivered. “Actually, I think Celestia might have kept quite a few of them at bay...” They looked at him with arched eyebrows. “Did she... was she not happy with you two dating?” “She was fine with it,” he said, “but told me that if I ever broke her heart...” “Don’t tell me,” Spike said, cutting in. “The Sun Run?” Everypony looked at Spike. “Yeah, the Princess put everypony that tried to date Twilight through it. I heard her give it a few times. I hope she never actually does it.” Blaze bit his lower lip as he gulped nervously. “I hope so too...” Blaze spoke softly as he looked down on the ground, vivid images of the Sun Run running through his mind. “Relax,” Soarin patted his back and chuckled. “As long as you treat Twilight like a princess, you should be in the clear...” “Thanks,” Blaze replied dryly. He rested his back on the ground and looked up to the sky above him. “I wonder how Light and Twilight are doing?” Light was in a trance. A trance of awe. As he and Twilight made their way slowly up to the castle, Light got the chance of viewing the city of Canterlot without having his life at risk. Many buildings he passed through were so tall, they could have reached the clouds above. The city was bustling with ponies at their work or merely enjoying what pleasures were available to them. Light felt intimidated by the majority of the ponies in Canterlot though, as many of them were on the upper class and thus viewed anypony below them as either a nuisance or as dirt itself. Twilight noticed the colt’s curiosity, seeing his head turn to view everything that was around him. She smiled warmly at this, and decided to point at some of the points of interest and mention them to him. “... and over there is the Canterlot Art Gallery, lots of famous paintings and sculptures are housed there. The Pona Lisa, The Venus de Hilo...” “Woah...” Light muttered as as he stared at the collosus of a building, and arched his brow as a thought came to his head. “How many times have you been in there, Twilight?” he asked politely as he turned to face Twilight. Twilight smiled as her eyes went up to the skies. “Well, I lost count after thirty...” she replied with a giggle, seeing Light’s shocked face. “When I was a filly, I would always ask my parents if we could go out to there or the library...” she told him as they continued trotting. “Spike would also come along, he was just a baby back then...” “No kidding.” “I still remember on one outing, Spike cried so much for no reason at all and my parents couldn’t make him stop...” she chuckled at the memory of Spike crying in the baby carrier he was carried in. “How did you get him to be quiet?” “All it took was me holding him close, and he immediately fell asleep.” Light blushed, turning away. “It must have been nice for him...” Twilight nuzzled the colt closely. “I know, you’ve had a hard time. But things are getting better now, aren’t they?” He shifted away. “Well, yeah...” Twilight tilted her head. “But?” He sighed. “It just isn’t fair!” he suddenly shouted out, surprisingly Twilight as she took a step back. He clenched his teeth as moisture started to build up in his eyes. “Spike, Sweetie, Apple Bloom... they all get great memories! All I have is the orphanage, then Bloodwing.” Twilight took a step towards him and lowered her head to meet his eyes. “Well isn’t that all the more reason to start enjoying your life now?” Light looked at her. “Well... yeah.” “You’ve already got your cutie mark, you have five good friends who care about you, and you have Blaze... and...” Twilight suddenly blushed, blinking her eyes. “Maybe me, too, if you’ll let me be a part of your life.” Light was quiet for a minute. “I... I think I’d like that.” Smiling, Twilight kissed him on the cheek, then levitated him onto his back. “Come on, we don’t want to keep the Princess waiting.” Spike was amazed. As cool as Cloudsdale looked from cloud level, it looked even better from a pegasus’ view. He gazed over the buildings, looking down at the scenery. “Enjoying the view?” Blaze called to him. “Yeah! This is awesome!” “Thought you’d like it,” Blaze said. “I used to take Light flying before...” “...Bloodwing?” Spike asked, receiving a nod. “Sorry.” “Not your fault,” he said, continuing on. “But I’m glad to see you and Light getting along. I don’t think he’s ever had a friend his age before you guys.” Spike nodded, trying to hide the fact that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been his first friends his age too. “And for what’s it worth Spike, I’m sorry...” Spike turned to Blaze’s head as he held onto him. “Huh?” Blaze turned his head to meet Spike’s eyes. “About kidnapping you, having you used by Bloodwing, nearly dying-” “Woah, hold it!” Spike raised his hoof to silence the stallion. “You did what you had to do for Light, and besides, it wasn’t you who did it...” he replied, grimacing in memory of a familiar yellow pegasus. “I suppose...” “Besides, if anypony should be with my mom, I’m glad it’s you.” Blaze arched his brow in confusion. “Huh?” Spike looked down to see the clouds and the other pegasi flying in the sky. “I mean, I know my mom hasn’t always been popular with the colts. Even when they were interested, they only wanted her for power,” he said as he remembered the many colts and stallions, including the lecherous Blueblood trying to court Twilight. “But you love her for her, and that’s what it really should be about...” “Wow, that’s really mature of you, Spike...” Blaze said, impressed by the colt’s maturity and level-headed thinking. Spike looked away from the stallion’s eyes. “It just also scares me...” “Why does it scare you?” “I...” “Speak to me, kid. What’s wrong?” Spike rolled his tongue in his mouth, as his hooves clutched onto Blaze’s back. “It’s just, it was always just me and Mom since I came into the world... and yet when she moved to Ponyville, I felt like I was being replaced by her friends,” Spike said as he remembered what happened before he told Twilight how he really felt about her. “You’re scared I will replace you?” Blaze asked as he received a single nod for an answer. “Do you know that Twilight always speak about you when she and I are together?” “Really?” “You bet,” Blaze said with a grin, as he soared through the clouds. “She can’t stop talking about you, really... She’s worried about you, you know?” Spike tilted his head, confused. “Worried?” He nodded. “The same reason I worry about Light. We’re both worried if we’re raising the two of you right. And Twi... she’s just worried if you’re taking everything alright.“ “I... I guess I feel better about everything than I did this morning.” “Well, that was the point of all this.” He looked up at the sun, which was starting to sink on the horizon. “Wow, look at the time! We better get moving back to Ponyville. Your mom wants us back in time for dinner.” Light debated taking another pastry, but Twilight had made it clear he wasn’t to spoil his dinner. Still, they sat there in a bowl as Twilight and the Princess talked, tempting him. “Light?” The small colt jumped, looking back up at Celestia. “Y-yes?” “I was just asking you how you’re adjusting to life in Ponyville.” “It’s great,” he assured. “It sounds like something’s bothering you,” Celestia said, her tone showing an unspoken question. Light was silent for a minute. “I wanted to ask you something...” “Of course, my little pony, what is it?” “...Why weren’t you able to shut down the orphanage sooner?” “Light!” Twilight said, “you shouldn’t ask...” Celestia held up a hoof to silent her student. She then leaned in closer to him. “Light, sweetie, I’ve lived hundreds of years. And in that time, I’ve grown very wise. But I’m not a God, even though many treat me as one. I am not omniscient, and while my rule has made things near perfect, it simply isn’t enough.” “But... me and my brother were suffering there...” Celestia sighed. “Let me tell you a story, one my mentor used to tell me to teach me. Long ago, on a beach, a wave washed a good deal of starfish onto the shore. A young unicorn colt saw them and began flinging them back into the ocean, one at a time. A passerby noticed and told him his efforts were futile, as he couldn’t save them all, he’d make no difference. He responded by picking up another, tossing him into the water, and saying, ‘I made a difference for that one’.” Light tilted his head. “I don’t understand.” “Just like that colt on the beach who couldn’t save every starfish, I cannot save everypony. I can merely do what I can. That’s all anypony can do. That’s why I encourage all my little ponies to be thoughtful of others. So they can do what I cannot.” Light looked downwards as he thought over Celestia’s words in his head. “I-I guess it’s like my brother always said... ‘Everything happens for a reason’...” Celestia gave a sad smile as she blinked. “Light, I know you haven’t had the best beginnings in life... and for that, I am truly sorry,” she spoke to him softly as she stood up from the table and approached the colt. “However, that doesn’t mean that your life cannot be happy right now and in the future,” she said in her soothing voice as she craned her neck down to his level. “I suppose...” “I think a personal tour of the castle will make this day memorable for you, Light,” she told him, indicating him to stand beside her. “Are you coming along, Twilight?” “Of course, Princess!” Twilight answered her mentor as she stood up from the table to walk alongside Celestia and Light. Light meanwhile, was staring at Celestia in awe at how much majestic she was up close. A part of him felt intimidated by her tall figure and by the aura she was emitting, yet another part of him felt comfortable around her. It was like having the sun in pony form next to you. “You ready, Light?” Celestia asked him as she looked down to his small body with a gentle smile. He reminds me so much of... him... Light grinned with his eyes closed as he chuckled. “OK!” Spike yawned as he reclined his back on the clock tower Blaze and Light used to hang out. “It’s really awesome up here.” “Glad you like it,” Blaze said. “And now the cherry on top,” he added. He passed him a bar of ice cream, which Spike took. “What flavor is this?” “Sea Salt, me and Light’s favorite.” “Sea salt? That sounds... icky.” “Try it, you'll like it.” Spike looked at the bar for a minute before biting into it. In an instant his face lit up, his eyes widening. “This... this is great!” “I thought you’d like it,” Blaze noted, taking a bite of his own bar. “Me and Light never get tired of it... maybe the three of us could get your mother and we can all try it.” “That would be cool!” “Don’t tell her we had it, though, she’d probably get onto me for letting you eat that before we ate dinner.” Spike laughed. “Yeah, she really cracks the whip on me.” The two ate for a bit, watching the scenery. “Did Rainbow Dash take it well? I mean... Light dating Scootaloo?” “Well... better than me and Twilight dating. She never had anything against Light, so it wasn’t as big of a deal... but...” “But?” “Well, I’m starting to think Rainbow Dash is even more protective than Shining Armor.” Spike widened his eyes. “Whoa... how?” “She grilled him for an hour asking him all kinds of questions. Fluttershy and Spectrum managed to calm her down, but... well, I think she’s going to be a little jumpy for a while .” “Poor Light...” Blaze just closed his eyes as he shook his head chuckling. “Yeah, and the funny thing was that it was Scootaloo to initiate it... the kiss, I mean.” Spike turned his head sharply to Blaze, pupils shrank to the size of pins. “Scootaloo said it was Light who kissed first!” “No way! She was the one who pushed the wheel down the hill with that!” Blaze started laughing. “Guess it’s typical of a filly like her to twist the truth in...” Blaze scratched his head in thought. “What was that word? Oh right! Mushy moments...” Spike smirked as he rubbed his hooves together, snickering at the same time. “I’m so gonna tell the others about this-” Spike stopped when he felt a hoof on his shoulder and turned to see Blaze give him a stern look. “Rather not, Spike,” he told the unicorn colt without any of the present mirth in his voice. “Some fillies act tough, but they are really soft on the inside... like Scootaloo is,” he said with some authority in his voice. “So take it easy on her, ok?” “Ok,” Spike replied as he nodded to Blaze’s words. Blaze grinned as he ruffled Spike’s hair and laughed. “Never judge a book by its cover,” he said as he removed his hoof that was swatted away by Spike. “Got it memorized?” he asked rhetorically as he pointed to his head. “You got it,” Spike answered, fixing his mane that was now messed up. “By the way, why do you always ask that?” “Ask what?” “‘Got it memorized?’” Blaze sighed as he rested he rested his back on the clock tower, with his front hooves crossed behind his head. “Just a way for ponies to remember me...” he said softly as he let loose a small smile, with his eyes gazing out to the sunset. Spike knew not to ask any further, and followed Blaze’s lead as he too reclined on the clock tower. After a few moments, he let out a yawn as he stretched his hooves to the air. “Looks like Light and Twilight are back,” Blaze said as he looked down on the ground below, seeing Light on top of Twilight’s back. Ain’t that cute? “Guess we better go down to meet up with them Spike,” he stood up and lowered his back to Spike’s level. “Hop on.” “Ok,” Spike slowly got onto Blaze’s back, holding onto the body firmly as Blaze stretched his wings and glided down to the ground. “Ah, there are my colts,” Twilight said, giving Blaze a quick kiss on the lips, earning an “Eww,” from both Light and Spike. “You have fun today, kid?” Blaze asked. Light nodded. “We went to Canterlot, and saw a play, and we even met the Princess!” “How about you, Spike?” “We went to Cloudsdale, and met the Wonderbolts. And Blaze took me flying!” “That’s nice. Well, we better get to dinner. Come on, we’re all eating at that small restaurant on the edge of town. You two can tell me all about it.” Celestia hated paperwork, and pawned as much of it off as she could get away with. But not this one. This one she took special interest in. She couldn’t help but chuckle. The last time she had prepared adoption papers, they had been purely superficial, invented so her faithful student could never know the truth about her powers. But this time, this time it was important. Blaze had been trying to push it through ever since he showed up at the castle with Light, Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo in tow. Now, on the cusp of getting it, he had asked for a big change to it. Smiling, Celestia impishly edited the document, carefully removing every mention of the word “brother”. Now, there were new words replacing it, words that proved to Celestia, once and for all, that Blaze was not the same pony he was when they had first met. Referring to Blaze, the word became father. Referring to Light, it became son. Twilight’s eyes widened, her mouth twisting into a grin. “No way,” she said, with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. “Sh,” Blaze said, looking around. He was thankful Twilight had sprung for a private table. “I promised Soarin and Spitfire I wouldn’t tell.” Spike laughed. “I wish I could see the look on her face when he asks her out. She’s always squeeing over those posters of him...” “I am so tempted in telling Scootaloo about this...” Light muttered as he looked skywards, imagining the reaction of Scootaloo with Soarin being with Rainbow Dash. Blaze laughed as he smirked. “He’ll have to deal with Rainbow Spectrum first, though,” he said as he took a sip from his glass of cider. “On a serious note, I wonder if Rainbow is ready for that kind of thing...” “I’m certain she is,” Twilight assured her coltfriend as she took a bite of her asparagus. She suddenly giggled as she rubbed her hooves together. “I think we should try and set up a date with him and her!” “Wouldn’t that be like breaking a promise?” Twilight waved her hoof at Blaze. “It would be a surprise date.” “Hmmm...” Blaze placed his hoof on his chin in thought. “Well, that doesn’t overstep my promise in not telling her or anypony about this,” he whispered before grinning broadly. “I think playing matchmaker will be interesting.” Spike and Light looked to the two grown ponies as they were busy scheming. They looked at each other before shrugging and returning to their meals. The waiter came in with desert for each pony. Chocolate mousse for Light. Trio of sorbet for Twilight. Malva pudding and custard for Blaze. Peppermint tart for Spike. The waiter also brought in a letter for the ponies, addressed to Blaze. “Who is this from?” he asked curiously as he took the scroll from the waiter’s magical aura. The waiter cleared his throat as he answered. “We don’t know, sir, it just appeared before our host,” he said with a heavy posh accent. Blaze sighed as he held the scroll, feeling a little cautious with the paper. “Thanks, anyways.” “Will you be needing anything else, sir?” “Not right now, thank you.” “Very well.” With that the waiter left the four ponies alone to ponder what was in the letter. Blaze looked at Twilight. “Know anypony who would know we were here?” “Well, I told the Princess we were going to eat here...” Blaze’s eyes widened. In a flash he ripped open the letter, finding the elegant hornwriting of Princess Celestia. Dear Blaze, I have the most fortuitous news for you. Now that your parole has gone through and you’ve been cleared of all charges, we see no reason why you shouldn’t be allowed full custody of Light. As such, we’ve approved the adoption papers, and they will arrive on your door by tomorrow morning. Light’s eyes widened as his brother read the words. “Really? You mean it? I’m adopted?” “Looks like it,” Blaze smirked. “And there’s more." And I assure you not to worry, the changes you requested the other day were processed in time. When you receive the papers, the adoption will be exactly the way you requested it. I wish you and Light the best, now and in the future. Warm wishes, Princess Celestia. P.S. Remember, Sun Run. Blaze gulped, sweating a little. “Looks like I’m still not in the clear,” he sighed, as Light tilted his head. “What was she talking about, changes?” Blaze looked at him for a minute. “Okay, honestly, kiddo, if things work out between me and Twilight, you wouldn’t want your best friend to become your nephew, would you?” Spike and Light looked at each other. “That would be kind of weird,” Light admitted. “Yeah,” Spike agreed. “And I have been the only pony to take care of you for years, right? Ever since you were barely old enough to know who you were.” “That’s true...” “So, I asked Princess Celestia to make some last-minute changes to your papers. I decided it didn’t make a whole lot of sense to sign up as your brother.” Light cocked his eyebrow at Blaze. “What are you saying?” he asked nervously, feeling his wings unfurl slightly from the wait. “Light,” Blaze said as he smiled softly and blinked to reveal slightly moist eyes. “I signed the adoption papers to make you my son.” There was a pregnant silence in the room after Blaze’s words. Light’s pupils expanded as he stared at Blaze with his jaw agape. “Y-you want me as your son?” Blaze smiled broadly as he nodded. “You bet, I mean...” he paused for a moment lowering his head. “I always seen you as a son since I took you under my wing and heck, why not make it official...” Light only blinked at him for the moment, with a smile slowly creeping on his face. “That sounds good to me.” As they left the restaurant, Blaze escorted Twilight back home with the colts walking in front of them as they were talking. He draped his wing over her back and felt her snuggle closer as they walked side by side. “Well, I enjoyed today,” Twilight spoke softly as she nuzzled Blaze’s cheek. “Light’s such a wonderful colt.” Blaze caressed Twilight’s cheek with his muzzle before he kissed it. “So is Spike, he’s a real good colt, that one...” he whispered in her ear, nibbling it softly and earning a giggle from her as they reached the library. Light looked back at Blaze and Twilight having their special moment, rolling his eyes as he only chuckled. “Guess we got a lot to talk about tomorrow with the others, huh, Spike?” “Got that right,” Spike replied, glancing back at his mother and Blaze kissing. “Still, rather cool now with the whole adoption thing being settled.” “Yeah... wonder what Scootaloo will say?” “Forget that. What will she say about Soarin having a crush on her mom?” Light shook his head as he raised a hoof. “We promised not to tell anypony about that, after the plan...” Spike raised his eyebrows. “Oh right, well I wonder what will happen?” “Who knows?” When they finally reached the library, Blaze looked back at Twilight holding her close. “I’ll see you tomorrow again, got it memorized?” he asked her as he placed a hoof on her chin. “For you, always...” she answered and kiss him fondly on his lips before letting go. Blaze smiled and turned his attention to Spike. “Well, see you later, kid,” he told the colt as he bumped his hoof against Spike’s and ruffling his mane a little. Spike only laughed a little as he nodded smiling. “Sure thing.” “Good night, Light,” Twilight whispered, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Good night, Twilight...” Light said softly, a small smile and a blush on his cheeks present. He shook it off as he and Blaze took flight towards their home. The flight was silent, but pleasant as both Light and Blaze were smiling. They finally landed before the house’s door and tucked their wings in as they went inside. Blaze yawned as he closed the door. “Well, looks like it’s time to go to bed,” he said as he turned to Light, but went silent when he saw Light looking down on the ground. “What’s wrong, Light?” he asked as he furrowed his brow in worry and lowered himself to Light’s level. Light didn’t reply with words, but rather in a gesture as he suddenly clutched onto Blaze’s neck and held onto him. Blaze’s shocked expression softened as he smiled and returned the hug. A myriad of words were flooded in Blaze’s mind as he pondered what to say next, but only a few stood out and he finally knew what to say. “I love you, Light.” “I love you too, dad.”