//------------------------------//
// Chapter Thirty Seven- Heading Home 
// Story: The Strings Of Life 
// by MLPxMaestro 
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The Strings Of Life:

Chapter 37- Heading Home:

With everything loaded up and ready to go, there were two Earth ponies and a Unicorn to provide as a gunner if they ever were attacked on their way back home in the air.

With thousands of Pegasus wings beating, hundreds of chariots or even more, used to transport supplies by air, lifted off with ease and were off and in the direction of Canterlot and her neighbors as fast as they could. Though from time to time the Pegasi flying them back home needed to take flying breaks for themselves of course. But they were disciplined enough to know the troops they were transporting were a top priority to get back to these three key locations.

Hour after hour passing by, it seemed like it wouldn’t end, as the sun was only a few hours from sunset now. They still had a good bit to go, and the Pegasi pulling them through the air were very fit to fly for awfully long distances, but they still had to take their own breaks every once in a while. Some of the soldiers riding their way back home were seen lying on their backs and taking naps or some even already going to bed putting a cover over them. Most of them had supplies and stuff packed, but Maestro had nothing but his uniform he had on him, and the picture of Octavia he would bring with him everywhere he went, he couldn’t leave without it.

The sun was now setting, and the soldiers, since their topless chariots, the same kind that was used to transport Twilight in the first episode, but now rather underwent some changes to meet standards for the military. They now had higher protective walls on them, camouflaged paint jobs, and an extendable loading ramp in the back of them. Three ponies on one of those things, it wasn’t a comfortable ride, but it was the best they’d get for now. As they continued in the air, meanwhile at Canterlot, they were already setting up defenses and barricades everywhere, same going for Ponyville and Cloudsdale. Secret camps were set up all within the Everfree Forest, even though many ponies dared not to go in there, it was there best defense to protect their supply chains running through it and plans of preparation to not be interrupted. 

Due to all of this preparing, Maestro’s mother Harmony, Octavia, and even his foster parents were feeling awfully worried now about what exactly was going on within the prestigious city. The Canterlot Royal Guard did not wish to say anything about the invasion coming soon, since all it would do would trigger panic throughout the districts. On the positive note, the soldiers could check in with their loved ones within their towns for a little while atleast, then they needed to rest up in the temporary sleeping quarters that had been set up all over the place. The time remaining until invasion…one and a half days, and emotions would run higher and higher as the hours would continue to pass until that fretful day of judgment for Equestria right in their own backyard technically. 

It was morning, about nine in the morning to be precise, and they were all starting to wake up as the Pegasi now looked pretty tired from flying them all night long, but they knew that the fate of Equestria depended on them to get them to these locations, so the adrenaline kept them flying, realizing they could not stop on the mere caliber of the situation as this was to everypony. They were nearly there now, and Cloudsdale could be seen in the great distance on the perfectly clear day. No signs of Changeling activity was seen throughout the night during the flight either, which had shown a lot of relief for them that there wouldn’t be a surprise attack on them from the looks of it.

Arriving in Canterlot, and with the Pegasi absolutely exhausted now from the flight, it had changed a ton since Maestro had seen it as soon as they had safely landed out in one of the flat areas. Stone barricades were set up all over the streets, and Canterlot security were patrolling all over the place.

“Hey dude…” the pony riding with Maestro back home.

“Yeah?” Maestro turned back to him.

“Good luck up here dude, this is going to be one of the hardest hit places in Equestria, Celestia guard you soldier.” Putting his hoof over his heart then saluting.

“Long live Equestria.” Maestro saluted back, as then the chariot pulled back off into the air and was now heading to Ponyville.

Maestro knew he had a job to take care of, and he needed to report to the castle immediately, but his eagerness to see Octavia and his family after a month or more kept his mind focused on them for the time being.

“I know exactly what I’m going to do for them, though I know I need to report to the castle. But I don’t suppose paying a visit for a while wouldn’t hurt.” He thought. He was trying to figure out exactly where he was, since so many things were placed and put everywhere, it confused him. But checking the street signs made it a lot easier obviously.

“Ah, here we are…now just several houses down.” He continued trotting down to Octavia’s.

“Hey soldier, you should be reporting in to the castle immediately!” a military police pony stopped him, approaching him with a stern look.

“I believe we’re able to pay a visit to our loved ones at our home towns correct?”

“Yes sir uh…”

“Private Maestro.”

“Of course Private, yes…you are able to…but don’t keep them waiting understood?”
“Yes sir.”

“Good…well off you go then.” The pony gestured his hoof down the direction Maestro was heading.

He continued trotting down the street of familiar housing and the little jewelry store just one the corner of the intersection. Maestro was still awfully surprised they weren’t ordered to evacuate or take shelter somewhere? But in consideration, Equestria has never faced something like this in its history, other than a great war that ravaged the kingdom and the world a thousand years ago.

Where he was now, it was getting awfully quiet where he was, almost too quiet, but he knew for a face thought the enemy had not arrived though, and hopefully it would remain that way for the remainder of the day.

Closer and closer he approached her home, the interior of the home lit by the distinct glow from the fireplace, making him feel warm around himself already.

“Well…here it is.” He then took in a deep breath, gently exhaling as he stepped onto the first step of the stairs on the front porch, trying to be as quiet as he could to surprise her.

He was now just outside of the door, about to knock when suddenly behind him…

“M-Maestro?!” he heard the sweet voice call out behind him onto the streets.

He turned back around, seeing his mother carrying groceries back to his house from the looks of it, and then dropping everything to take off towards him.

“Mae-”

“Shhh! Keep it down!” he whispered loudly to her, stopping her in her tracks. She slowly approaches him, trying hard to contain her excitement he had finally come home.

“Oh sweetie, it’s so good to see you again! I missed you all this time, even though I thought it would be longer!” trying her best to keep from yelling back out to him, squeezing the life out of him.

“It’s good to see you too mom, a month is all I’d like it to be away from you.” he hugged her back, but struggling a bit since she was winning that game.

“Oh I love you so much, just sooo much!” giving off the last of her hug then kissing his cheek delicately.

“Yeah, heh…I know you do.” He replied with a slight chuckle, seeing her face so happy and yet so jubilant to see him.

“Okay, could you stay out here with your, uh…”

“Of course sweetie, take your time…by the way she’s been thinking of you nearly every day. But well she tells me some dreams she has about you, and well some of them don’t sound good.”

Maestro then stopped then turned back facing his mother.

“Like what? What kind of dreams is she having? Is she okay?”

“Oh she couldn’t be better and healthier as she is now darling, it’s just that some of her dreams she tells me seems…so…”

“It’s fine, I’ll talk about it with her. Until then, just wait out here for a moment.” He said, making his way back up the stairs and onto the front porch just outside of the front door.

“Okay Maestro…here goes nothing.” He gives a bold three knocks, hearing that demure voice he adored so much calling out to him.

“Just a moment please, I’ll be right there.” He heard the voice call out to him, sounding like she was upstairs taking care of a few things. Putting his ear up to the door to listen carefully he heard her steadily make her way downstairs, since she was wanting to be as careful with her baby as best as she could.

The locks clicked, then the doorknob turned, the sight to Octavia was like she was in a dream.

“Do I know you by any chance?” Maestro said to her playfully.

Octavia had a towel around her head, after she had just gotten out of the shower. The towel however she let go of, as it hit the ground beside her with her mouth agape from the sight.

“I-is…it really?” she then brought out one of her hoofs to touch him to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Just as her hoof softly touched his chest, the feeling energizing her and her love reignited from him like flint striking steel. A flame once again lit in her heart, knowing he kept his promise to her, thinking it was over. But little did she know it was heading towards them, and it could hit at any time.

“Oh…oh Maestro you did return!” she hugged his neck tightly.

“Please tell me it’s…you know.”

“I wish it was too…but it’s not. Come inside and I’ll explain.” Maestro gesturing to his mother she could come inside now. Making his way though the doorway, he and Octavia once again locked lips in a kiss that had seemed so yearned for between the both of them.
“Goodness how I’ve missed that mouth of yours, you still have that certain class about you to make it better.” He chuckled.

“Of course dear, and to think it’s exclusively and only for you.” she giggled, playfully touching his chest with her hoof once again then sliding it up to the tip of his chin, kissing him for a second time.

After a few minutes of settling in and taking a seat back on his favorite couch, Octavia has come back with two cups of tea.

“Me and your mother were actually going to share these cups, but since you’re here, I see why she couldn’t share hers.” 

He settles in so carefully, savoring this moment he did not have long to spend with them, as he really should’ve reported straight to the castle to be assigned his position he would be defending.

“So son, is it really over so quickly? You must have really wanted to come back home didn’t you?” Harmony giggled beside him, and with Octavia on the opposite side of him.

“Well…not really.”

“What? Well then why did you come back home so quickly?” she wondered.

He set his cup down on the coffee table and stood up facing both of them. the fireplace behind him warming his back, casting a bit of a shadow over the two of them on the couch.

“What I’ve returned to Canterlot for is the same reason why so many solders are heading back to Ponyville and Cloudsdale.”

“What’s that about then?” Octavia asked, taking another sip of her tea.

“I’m sorry to say this but…well…I can’t stay here for long.”

“What, why do you have to go?”

“Things…terrible things are on their way over here. The Changelings want the heart of Equestria if they want to have a solid and firm chance of winning this whole war. They withdrew from the main battlefield out in the Griffon Highlands, and they are now spanning out to all locations across the world. But however, they want Equestria more than anything, and Canterlot is the heart of our land.” He stated. He now noticed Octavia and Harmony’s face quickly go worried.

“Why haven’t they ordered an evacuation yet then?”

“I have no idea, but I’ll ask that as soon as I report in to the castle. The enemy could hit as any time, and we need to-”

His voice was then intervened by a loud noise coming outside of the house.

“What in the name of Celestia?” he and the other two run out to the front porch, as they saw a massive magical shield come up and surround all of Canterlot. Octavia knew Changelings have been here before, but she was with Vinyl when it luckily happened during that time.

“You mean the Changelings are heading here? Does this shield mean that they are-”

A loud horn sounded off from the castle, implying to Maestro he needed to go. He then saw dozens of soldiers down the street gallop past his house and on their way to the castle.

“Move, move, move! They’re here!” one of them yelled out.

The horn continuing to sound off in one long note, much like a siren sounds off within a town or city.

Maestro was now backed up into the corner he wished he never had to do, and that was actually fight for his life if it had to come to that.

He quickly looked back at Octavia, and then noticing his mother went back into the house.

“I’m just going to be in here okay?” she then shut the door.

“Octavia?”

“Celestia why? Why did it have to come to this?” she said outloud, walking up to Maestro nuzzling the side of his face.

“Please s-stay…I’m scared M-Maestro.” Tears were then seen gliding down the sides of her face; scared for her life like this was Armageddon to her or something. Why wouldn’t it be? A war reaching your doorstep is nothing to keep calm over, it’s something every last being should fear almost more than anything else. There’s a chance that you or the other one next to you could die if you are not careful.

“I love you Octavia, you know we have a place you and mom can take shelter in understood? There’s a place just under the house you can crawl under. When things get dicey, and you see that shield look like it’s fading in and out of itself, you and mom make your way as fast as you can under the house got it?” he assured her.

She merely gave him a nod as she cried into him.

“Please don’t…just don’t-”

“I’m not going to die you hear me? Do not think like that sweetie, you reap what you sow, that’s how it goes in life. Stay strong…I’ll keep my end of the bargain.” He then brought her face back to his; kissing her like it would be their last. The kiss from Octavia felt of desperation and of being scared. He could feel her lips as they touch his shaking a tiny bit.

“It’s okay Octavia, I’m with you…even when I’m away.” He then took off from the porch as Octavia watched him gallop off into the streets.

“I love you!” she yelled out to him of fear and worry for him. But she knew he would keep his end of the bargain, atleast that’s what he told her from the bottom of his heart. But this time however would be different, and there would be a chance that those words might be the last she would ever hear from him.

Octavia then looked back up to the sky, seeing the protective barrier encompass all of Canterlot for the second time and hearing an odd magical noise, sounding like the shield had achieved its maximum power. Harmony went back out to Octavia and looking up at the shield with her.

“I heard what he said dear, if he kept his promise the first time, he can keep it again.”

“That’s the problem.” Octavia replied back to her, her eyes still guiding themselves all across the massive sight to behold within the air above them.

“He managed to keep that promise because he never went out there to actually fight, now it has arrived right in our backyard.”

“It’s okay dear, I’m here for you alright? Here, why don’t you just take it easy for a little bit?” Harmony was trying to act motherly to her like she was her own daughter, with Octavia fortunately accepting her down to earth hospitality.

“Thank you…maybe I just need to think a bit more over this, It’s all just happened so sudden?”

“I know it has Octavia, and it’s not easy going from being reunited with the one you love, to being departed so soon once again. Believe me…I’ll know the true meaning of those words.” Harmony replied.

“What now?”

His mother sighed, allowing the two of them to take it easy in front of the fireplace on the couch. The two cups of tea still remained comfortably warm, and Harmony’s had not been touched still.
“When he was a baby, a fire broke out in our house. Maestro would have died were it not for his father running in there to save him, even when the fire department told him to let them handle it, but he refused.”

“Oh my, that’s terrible, I’m sorry that happened to you. It must have been rough I would think.”

“Absolutely, it was one of the most terrifying times of my life, that now with him running in there after Maestro, I might lose both my husband and my son. I was as happy of a mother as you could be; I loved being a mother as soon as I laid eyes on him when I delivered him.”

“I bet he was the cutest thing.” Octavia giggled a pinch, trying to lighten up the mood of this trying time for Equestria.

“Oh you should have seen him, he certainly was the cutest little thing. He had to have been the cutest one in that hospital.” She replied.

“But, what of his-”

“Father? Oh…well, he passed away due to smoke inhalation getting the best of him. His father has such a heart of fine gold and courage; I still miss him to this very day dear. Though he will always live forever in my heart, and that I have faith that I’ll get to see him one day when my time has come on this earth.” She stated to her, as she then took a sip of her tea. Her eyes reflecting the dancing formations the fire took hold as they reflected of her youthful eyes.

With a few more silent moments however of peace, they then heard the horn sound off in a long sound, seeming like every time it sounded off, the time approached closer and closer to their kingdoms judgment. Would Maestro keep to his promise this time around, knowing with this great battle just around the bend, death was on its way to many ponies’ doorsteps, and that many chances are would not survive the battle. Though with the two princesses’ and now the royal guard on stand by, they were ready to confront this enemy unlike last time. One way or another, and either way or another, there will be bloodshed…and there would be plenty of death to go around for everyone.