//------------------------------// // Always Have Hope // Story: My Son, My Soldier, My Hero // by That_Random_Pony //------------------------------// King Draco helped his daughter across the castle grounds, Celestia and Luna behind them. Ace, Flare and everypony else had gone home by then, and the king of dragons would need to leave soon as well. He wanted to stay with his daughter, to know she was alright, but as king he had too many responsibilities. Especially with the Signa finding their partners. For now, the most he could do was take her to her room and make sure she was okay. "I didn't know you had enough time to visit," Ember said softly. He chuckled lightly and nuzzled her lovingly. "I can make time for my daughter," he told her. "Did you enjoy it?" Ember nodded, sighing happily as she held the alicorn gifts while her father lugged the rest. "It was wonderful," she said, glancing at the locket in her claw. "Father… you'll be leaving soon, yes?" His smile faded, and he nodded reluctantly. "I'm sorry, Ember… I wish I could stay with you, especially now… but-" "Father," she interrupted. "You're the king of the second most powerful nation on this planet. You have more responsibilities than any other creature, including the princesses. You're only one dragon… and I know how hard you try to keep our bond strong. I'll always love you, father. No matter what." He went to speak, but any words he would try and voice came out as mere stammers. He grasped her claw in both of his own, then sighed deeply. "Your mother is proud of you, Ember… I know it," he whispered, tears rimming his eyes. "I could not have asked for a better daughter." Ember wiped her eyes and nuzzled him. "And I couldn't have asked for a better father," she replied, just as softly. Celestia could hear some of the words spoken between the two, and she smiled as the two walked closer to one another. "It must be difficult to be away from his daughter for so long," Luna stated, glancing to Celestia. "Am I right to assume it was just as during his… ‘absence’?" Nowadays, Celestia never thought about the years that went one with her son presumed dead. She remembered how awful the days were… the days she would barely nourish herself… the days she would just lay in bed and sleep with his old blanket. It was horrible. "It was… but it must be worse for him," Celestia said in a low tone. "Draco was gone, to me. He must live everyday knowing he can't be with his daughter, the last survivor of his family. It's a burden not many can bear… but he's strong… for his wife." Luna was told about the dragon king's wife and her demise. An illness that spread through their kingdom and cut their population in half. And only in five years. It was a miracle Ember hadn't gotten infected, especially when she was around her mother during the plague. They crossed the bridge to the main castle, and she was taken back to the medical wing. Urishana was waiting, giving her a slight healing spell to make sure she would sleep without trouble. King Draco said his goodbyes, wished her a good sleep, and left. He went outside the castle, but he didn't leave just yet. The king stood at the very ledge of Canterlot, looking out across the land as memories poured back. Fires ablaze, the sounds of Solars fighting the dragons… all kinds of havoc that he could have avoided. "Seems like only yesterday, doesn't it?" King Draco turned to see the solar princess standing beside him. He chuckled softly, looking to the stars. "Just a few more days and this would be the… 788th year after our battle?" King Draco asked. Celestia nodded. "I'm not sure whether to be glad to be able to celebrate this, or to hate the day," she admitted with an awkward laugh. He shook his head softly. They kept silent for some time, but he eventually sighed and started towards his dragon. "Draco." He peered over his shoulder to her, and she smiled gently. "Ember will be fine… I promise." He nodded with a small smile of his own, then mounted the carrier dragon. Before he left, he let out a loud laugh, prompting Celestia to grin and raise a brow. "What is it?" She chuckled. He shook his head softly, turning to her. "We're going to be grandparents," he told her. Celestia nodded with a small laugh. "Are you trying to call me old?" She smirked. "We're both old. You're just the one who doesn't change," he replied. Celestia shook her head and waved him off as the carrier dragon flew away. "I've change more than you know," she murmured. As she turned to head inside, her horn flashed suddenly. She felt… massive sources of magic… fluctuating randomly. One of them… was Draco. The other was Jerosh. There were signs similar to magic exhaustion… but he was still using as much energy as he could. "He's certainly getting stronger," Luna laughed. Celestia turned back towards the entrance to the castle, seeing her little sister standing at the threshold. "I didn't expect anything else," Celestia smiled. "I'm just… worried." "About?" Luna questioned, waiting for her sister so that they could walk through the halls. "I'm not sure… I'm worried about… what he could become… what he'll be like when he returns," she sighed, dropping her gaze to the ground. "I… I just worry what will happen when he joins their war." They remembered the stories from many Loki'irians. Endless amounts of soldiers and scouts, their fellow warriors falling by the dozen. Even the Signa suffered heavily, and they were the most powerful Loki'irians to fight. She had heard that Figanti and Draco's father also had another brother and a sister. They were all killed in battles long before either of the two had gone through their Illness. The thought of knowing Draco's real uncle and aunt, powerful warriors, were slain by the very horde he would face. She didn't know if he would die, if he would survive, what would happen to him. "I'm just… frustrated that I won't know what's he's facing," Celestia said. "And Ember will be a mother without a father, for all-" "Sister," Luna said loudly. "You shouldn't be so doubtful of his abilities. You're his mother, and I understand you're concerned, but as his mother you should be confident in his abilities; confident in his resolve. I worry for Midnight just as much as you do for Draco, but I tell myself that he will return to me… just as he did when Draco returned to you." Celestia felt her sister's wing wrap around her as best as it could. She returned the gesture and nuzzled her sister, exhaling with relief. "Thank you, Luna… I've just been uneasy with everything going on. And that shouldn't make me doubt that Draco will come back. He has to." Another surge of energy caused their horns to blink in reaction, and the two signatures died down just as quickly. "Get some rest. You've been up long as it is," Luna smiled. "Alright. Goodnight, Luna," Celestia said, giving her sister one last hug before retiring to her chambers. The energies slowly rose once more, and she could feel the raw power behind her son's energy. To think that he could barely hold his own two years before, and now he rivaled Figanti in strength. It showed her just how far he'd come and how devoted he was. He would be fine… …she knew he would be.