Part 3: Easier said Than Done…
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you again, my son…” Bolt said, the light fading just enough for Leon to make out his father’s figure, just as he remembered him. Seeing his father brought back the memory of the day he died, and filled him with grief.
Bolt then looked to Leon’s side, “And I am so grateful that I finally get to meet my beautiful daughter.”
Leon was startled a bit when he felt his sister leaning against him. He didn’t realize that she was there as well.
“Hi dad,” she said, her voice soft and timid. She had never gotten to know her father aside from the stories and pictures that mom shared with her.
“Hello, Windbreaker. You are such a lovely young mare,” he said. Leon noticed his father’s stoic posture wane for a moment.
So many questions were flooding through Leon’s mind. ‘What is going on? How is Windbreaker here? Why is Dad here? I guess I should ask…’
“Um, dad? Is this a dream?” Leon asked, completely perplexed. He had never had a dream like this before and was curious if he were speaking to his family, or just their avatars in his own mind.
Bolt let out a warm, hearty laugh, “Does it feel like a dream?”
“Well, I don’t know. None of my dreams have ever been like this one…”
Bolt walked up to his children. Being this close to him reminded Leon what a huge stallion his father was. He stood a full head taller than Leon, and his muscles were completely ripped. However, Leon also noticed something along his left side: a tear in his figure where the Basilisk struck him.
“Sadly, we do not have much time for me to explain so we will just call it a ‘Shared’ dream,” Bolt started, but was interrupted by his daughter,
“But then how can we see you? Where is mom?”
“I am here, honey.”
Both Leon and Windbreaker turned around to see their mother flying up to them. She looked as vibrant and stunning as she did before her illness, her voice was normal and soft, and her smile warmed the vast, empty space they were in.
“Mom!” Windbreaker ran over and nuzzled her mother.
Bolt put a hoof around Leon and led him away from the two mares.
Bolt sighed, “I need to tell you… No, I want to tell you… I have been watching you from this world. Watching you become the stallion you are today. Seeing what you have done to others, and what others have done to you.” He looked down at his son; tears filled his eyes as a smile came across his face.
“After everything you went through, you kept your kind, loving, innocent nature. You didn’t let it change you. Any other pony would have turned spiteful and lost faith, but you kept strong. I have wanted to tell you this every day since I left you: I love you, and I am proud to call you my son.”
Hearing his father say this, Leon felt an extreme weight being lifted off of him. Embracing his father, Leon cried. Streams of tears flowed from his eyes and down his face. Bolt was surprised at first, but then returned the affection.
“I… I love you too, dad! I always have, and always will. It’s been so hard without you, and it’s all my fault!”
Leon’s eyes shot open, realizing what he just said. What he just admitted…
Bolt pulled away from his son, “It was not your fault that a Basilisk was in the forest that night, and it was my choice to stay behind and fight it off. If you or your mother had gotten hurt, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself… I can’t forgive myself for missing you two grow up, but I am glad that you turned out to be such a great stallion.”
Bolt took something from around his neck, “Here, I want you to have this…” He then put it around Leon’s neck. Leon looked at it, “A key? What is it to?”
They started to walk back to the rest of their family.
“It is a key to the chest in the old home. I had planned to give you this key and open the chest when you came of age, so I am giving it to you now. Sorry it’s a few years late,” He finished with a laugh.
Leon smiled, “It’s fine, dad. Thank you.”
Bolt stood next to his wife, “Well, it’s time for us to go…”
“Wait, what do you mean ‘us,’” Windbreaker asked.
Moondancer knelt down to her children; “I have to go with dad now, but you two have to go home.”
Now Leon knew what this dream was all about, “So this is goodbye…”
Moondancer was silent.
“No, I don’t want to loose you, mom!” Windbreaker said as she wrapped her hooves around her mother. “Let us come with you!”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t. We are going someplace I hope neither of you two see anytime soon.”
“Windbreaker,” Leon said, putting his hoof on her shoulder. “We have to let them go.”
She looked down and sighed. “W-well. I had to try,” her voice was shaking and weak.
The light behind their parents began to brighten. “We are out of time,” Bolt said.
“Leon, promise me that you will keep your sister safe,” Moondancer said as her figure began to blend with the light.
“I will,” he said as he wiped his eyes of tears and smiled after them.
“And Windbreaker, don’t make is job too difficult,” Bolt said, his voice becoming more resonant.
“No promises,” she said with a little chuckle. She picked herself up and stood next to her brother. “I’m sorry I never met you before.”
“Me too. Perhaps I will visit you in the future. Leon, remember that key.”
Leon looked down to the key around his neck and nodded.
“Oh, and Windbreaker,” Moondancer said, “Here…” She took her necklace off and put it on her daughter. “May it help you through the tough times ahead.”
“I love you, mom,” she said, holding the family heirloom.
“I love you too, honey. Goodbye.”
The light finally engulfed his parents and blinded Leon. He had to shut his eyes…
Opening his eyes, Leon realized he was back in Moondancer’s room. Tears fell freely from his eyes as he realized what had just happened. As he stood, he felt the cool metal from the key his father had given him. Windbreaker also stirred from her sleep, in the same state he was.
They both just stood next to the bed, looking down at their mother’s lifeless body. After what seemed like hours, Windbreaker looked up to her brother and asked,
“What do we do now?”