//------------------------------// // EPILOGUE // Story: Celestial Gift // by Wolfsalvo //------------------------------// Music that Helped to finish this additional spoiler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkVTCZiSlmQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NGaUZcT9Lw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUtS3biY1mA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wn2trOP5Qw EPILOGUE (Steel’s P.O.V.) Looking across the wide expanse of the whole of Equestria, I smiled as I felt a warming sensation in my heart. It has been a little over two whole years since I had arrived, and during that time, I had managed to build a relationship with both all four Princesses of Equestria, the numerous staff of the castle, along with a few other ponies during social events. There was one relationship however, that ran deeper than words and friendship, and it was this relationship that I had come to cherish more than even my own life. There had been a few sleepless nights here and there from my old nightmares, but with the help of my loved one and her sister, I had slowly begun to bury them to the point where I hadn’t even thought of them. I had become much more relaxed around those in Equestria, yet the first big change that I had made, was instead of armor, I was now wearing the equivalent to civilian relax wear. It had taken trial and error for a pony named Rarity to make me proper clothing, but eventually, after taking new measurements and trying a few new sewing methods; she had managed to bring together an outfit I was able to wear without restricting my movements. Though the clothing was meant as casual wear, I still carried a weapon with me at all times. Depending on the event, it would vary between my pistol, assault rifle, or even my combat knife. Some habits die hard or not at all. Taking in a deep breath of fresh air, I sighed happily as the feeling filled my lungs fully, and it didn’t leave any uncomfortable feelings at all. That was another amazing change that I had realized around the first month upon my arrival in Equestria; the air was clean. UNSC ships recycle air, and while doing so removes all contaminants from the air and leaves it as fresh as can be, it tended to acquire a ‘stale’ taste after a while. Then there were the numerous planets that used different forms of energy production or manufacturing for the goods that they produced. Most planets used a clean source of energy now, as laws had been in place since the early twenty-third century, yet those clean energy sources still had some slight drawbacks. Stale air, stinging air, UV exposure for fifty kilometer radiuses around the power plants, and much, much more. Equestria however, was nothing like where my old home had been, and I loved it; I never felt more alive! “Ah, I had wondered where you had wondered off to...” Looking over my shoulder, I smiled towards the new arrival on this balcony, and my smile only brought one to her own muzzle. Her wings lightly extended as she approached me, and I could only stand there and admire how her fur seemed to radiate its own white aura. It was because of her and maybe the only reason why, that I hadn’t left Canterlot to explore Equestria. It was her that I shared the deeper relationship with, and it was only with her that I had seen worthy of giving my heart to; and in turn, her giving me her heart. Her name was Celestia, or more commonly known, as Princess Celestia, Co-Ruler of Equestria. Once she stopped by my side, she smiled a bit more, and it was then that she leaned forward. While I did the same, I felt my heart still give a light jump as our lips made contact for another passionate kiss. I smiled wider as I brought my hands up, and while one moved and caressed the back of her neck, the other reached up and caressed the side of her face. It was different at first when we had kissed, intentionally that is, as while her head and body structure were different than a humans, her lips had felt slightly human. Her lips still held a difference to human females, but they held so much more similarities. For one, her lips felt fuller, and she actually kissed like a human, yet unlike all my past dates and girlfriends, she actually had true, undefined passion in those kisses. Pulling away from the kiss as she did, I looked into her eyes and saw the happiness in them, and it was then that she said, “The Grand Galloping Gala is about to start, I'm sure you don’t want to miss the pie that the chefs prepared for tonight.” Smiling a bit, I stepped closer to her as I wrapped an arm around her neck, and said slightly, “You should know I look forward to something much more important than pie.” When I planted a kiss lightly on her cheek, her eyes seemed to twinkle, and I saw her wings extend ever so slightly. I chuckled lightly, before she asked, “Oh, and may I dare ask what that is?” Looking back over the balcony, I waved my hand nonchalantly as I spoke in an uninterested tone; though I'm sure she heard the humor underneath the façade. “It’s nothing really, just some mare was teaching me to dance, and I thought I would sweep her feet from under her tonight on the dance floor. Heh... I'm just worried she will think I will try too hard.” By the time I was finished, a grin was spread across my lips, and it seemed that Celestia was struggling to retain her giggles by now. After another minute or so, she seemed to calm down enough, and it was then that she asked, “Would you care to demonstrate how this dance goes for me? I'm certain that I can help improve your dancing a bit...” Letting my smile fall and a sarcastic expression taking over, I felt myself still smirk before I said, “I'm sorry your royal highness, but I remember promising another mare that she would be the first to receive my dance.” It was now that Celestia’s smile dropped, and a look of utter confusion spread across her features, and her wings slowly lowered towards her sides as she looked at me with a quizzical expression. Her head cocked to the side ever so slightly, and it was by far the most adorable expression I had seen on her face so far; though it had yet to match Luna’s from that time I scared her on Nightmare Night. “Oh... r-really?” Looking towards her, I shook my head as a smile came to my lips, and I said, “Celestia! Heh... I guess that time I didn’t say it right, but I mean you!” Giving her a quick kiss on her cheek, I turned us around, and began to walk with her towards the massive double doors of our bedroom as she seemed to get it. Her smile was quick to return, and that was before she grabbed me with her wing and pulled me closer to her. When I looked over, I saw her lips coming in, and I was only granted a moment before I was smothered in a kiss... -Free view- Love is an emotion dictated by ones heart, and when given the passion it so desires, it thrives brighter than even the stars in a sky. Passion however, isn’t just an emotion, but it is a barrier. Passion’s barrier however, doesn’t act as a wall, rather it encompasses those parties that are directly affected by it, and those surrounding the party can feel this happiness in a form of radiance. Once the barrier expands, if it is a result of love, those that are attuned to this happiness, can physically feel it. Love is such a misguided word, and while it is descriptive, it is vague when compared to those that are actually under its influence. Love is the strongest feeling one can feel, and it is from love that relationships thrive. Love transcends walls that would normally keep two souls apart, yet when those walls are overcome; almost nothing can break them down. Love is what binds Princess Celestia to Steel, and is what gives Steel the strength to overcome the differences the two of them face in their day to day lives together. While Celestia has millenniums of experience, it is only with Steel that she learns new things every day; whether it is small or large, she knows that her loved one is different. Through that difference they both find strength, as their love not only keeps them together, but those around them can feel that love; and love isn’t something you can just ignore in such a strong state... ... (Steel’s P.O.V.) Stopping near the edge of the dance floor, I smiled towards my love, my ruler, my Celestia. I chuckled a bit at the mere thought of all the titles I could give her, but the only important thing now, was the dance we were about to share. We had practiced all forms of dancing for the past week, yet there was only one way that we were able to comfortable do so, and it was in a style I hadn’t ever expected to dance in. where her body height was nearly even with my own, she had four feet instead of two. We had practiced for hours each day, and it had been this style that I had been able to comfortably dance with her so that it wasn't too awkward, but it required perfect synchronization to even achieve so that we were both comfortable. A few eyes watched us in curiosity, and I knew it was mainly because none of the nobles, or anypony except for Princess Luna had seen Celestia dance. All other ponies were too short for her, and while most were too snobbish or nervous to dance with her, I was going to be the first to show everypony that I dared do something none of them couldn’t. Even though her four hooves were different than my two feet, we were going to make this work. Wrapping my arms around her neck and bringing my cheek alongside her own, I felt her shift nervously, as now most the ponies in the room that had been socializing had by now stopped to watch. I motioned to the musicians near the podium to start the music, and when they started to stand up, Celestia asked, “Are you certain this is a good idea Steel?” Chuckling a bit as the soft sound of a violin began, I said quietly, “This was your idea... besides; I think it might be good to dance with the one I love.” As soon as I finished, I started us off, and I closed my eyes, and said even quieter, “If it helps, close your eyes, and trust your body...” Feeling her twist her body a bit, I made a sidestep motion, and I held her comfortably within my grasp, and it was at which point that I felt her wings slowly wrap around my body. Sliding my cheek alongside her own as she sighed lightly, yet shakily, I felt a bit of sympathy for her, so I gently yet discreetly ran my fingers through the base of her mane. She shivered a bit at the ministrations, and I smiled as we made another turn, before I took a few steps back. It was difficult, but I managed to keep my feet from under her hooves. Twirling a bit to one side, I felt Celestia slip slightly, and it was in that moment that I used that to my advantage, along with saving her any ungraceful plunders. Lowering her slower than her fall would’ve taken her, I whispered gently, “I got you...” Pulling her back up, I felt her cheek pull away from my own, and I opened my eyes, and saw her looking back into my own. She smiled lightly, and the sound of violins seemed to slowly begin to fade away, though I only ignored it as I did a slight twisting pull as Celestia pushed against my chest with her neck. We made a graceful arc around an imaginary pillar. Feeling a bit mischievous, I lightly planted a kiss on the edge of her muzzle, right beside her lips, yet not quite on them either. She blushed lightly as she made another twisting motion, and as she did, I followed suit, and as I did, she kissed me in the same fashion I had done for her. The glow in her face seemed to brighten, but I ignored it as I felt her wings tighten on me. Chuckling lightly as I closed my eyes along with her, I leaned forward and set my forehead right against hers, and when I did, I felt her hum softly in happiness. Smirking a bit more so than before, I heard her ask quietly, “How should we end this Steel?” “Like this...” Pulling her closer to me, I added, “Let yourself fall like before...” Once she did so, I twisted us around and lowered her slowly, keeping my now open eyes locked on her own, and I slowly began to lower my lips closer towards her own. Her eyes closed very slowly, and the sound of violins seemed to filter back into my hearing as I planted my lips against hers. She pressed firmly against my own, and while I held her tightly in my grip, I felt her wings move from around my body, to cover our heads. The kiss felt better than all the other ones, and while I felt her sighing lightly against my lips, I also felt her pressing harder than before. Turning my head to the side a bit, I continued to kiss her, before we were forced to pull away. When she took in a small gasp of air, I smiled, before I said, “I love you Celestia...” “I love you too Steel...” Chuckling a bit, I added with more humor to my tone than before, “I know... you told me yesterday...” This earned me a light giggle from Celestia, and as her wings slowly refolded at her sides, it was then that we both heard the sound of pony applause. Smirking a bit as I felt my cheeks warming up, I looked down at Celestia, who I had started to bring back to her full height. Once she was standing up, I took this chance to look around, and I saw the varied expressions of awe we were receiving; or was it just me? Smiling a bit, I simply stood by Celestia’s side, and while I did, I held her close with one arm around her neck. She held me close to her as well with one wing around my back, and as we stood there basking in the warmth of each other, I knew one thing; that was a good dance. Smirking a bit, I leaned over and asked, “What do we do now?” She giggled lightly, before she asked, “What do you think we should do?” Chuckling a bit, I looked off in the distance, and saw a table filled with goodies, so I said, “Maybe we should go get some cake and pie...” This earned me a light kiss on the cheek, before I began walking alongside Celestia. The crowd had since stopped applauding, and now, were just watching Celestia and I in the form of quick glances. Smiling a bit, I looked towards Celestia, and just as she did the same, I saw her smile as well as her eyes continued to twinkle. While she did so, I could only imagine what these next few days would be like... not to mention the rest of our lives together...