//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: The Path to Parenthood // by FictionFreek //------------------------------// Illusion may have taken up the responsibilities of court meetings in order to give his mother and aunt some time off from their duties. But that didn’t mean he enjoyed it, especially when most if not all his meetings were the same. An influential pony stepping in to make some request which would ultimately benefit himself in the long run. Though in rare occasions he’ll have to listen to somepony with a request that was downright odd. And this, was one of those times. “So let me see if I understand you correctly here Mr…Fabulous Attire, was it?” “Attiré.” the sweater vest wearing stallion standing before him corrected. Illusion stared at him for a few seconds with an unamused look and took in a deep breath. “Mr. Attiré,” Illusion emphasized “You’re request is to pass a law making it illegal in Canterlot to not wear clothing?” the stallion nodded his head in confirmation, ignoring any whispers he may have heard from others around the court. And although Illusion was sure he’d regret this, it was his duty to ask: “Why?” Attiré scoffed, finding it impossible that such a question needed to be asked. “Are you to say you haven’t noticed the indecency that has gone unchallenged for hundreds of years? Ponies, griffins, and any other species just waltzing around with the nerve not to cover up, simply barbaric!” he huffed turning his head away. Illusion let out a small sigh, he wasn’t sure how much longer this would go on. “Anything, I would prefer anything else if it meant I could get out of this.” Illusion thought to himself. But he would come to retract that statement when the court doors suddenly slammed open. All eyes turned towards the door in surprise, but none more so than Illusion, it wasn’t just a guard standing there, it was one of the guards he had appointed to watch over Claire. “Your highness, you must come with me immediately.” He didn’t have to be told twice, quickly he stepped down from his seat and ran across the room towards the door. But just before he could make his way out and into the halls. “Pardon me your highness but I am not done!” Attiré announced “I believe this is a serious issue and I will not be ignored until this matter is resolved!” Illusion stopped in his tracks and let out an annoyed grunt. Turning around her took a few steps back into the courtroom and stood tall. “All those in favor?” he called out to those inside the court, and immediately he was met by a collective ‘Nay’ from everyone inside. “Request denied, deal with it, court closed until further notice.” Without giving him a chance to reply, Illusion ran out the doors, closing them behind him to prevent any attempt to call after him. As both he and the guard ran down the halls he asked for information on what had happened. “It started a few minutes ago, Claire was talking with one of the maids when she suddenly turned on her. We managed to get between them but it only seemed to make Claire even more violent, currently the others are insuring that the maid stay say but none have tried to leave the room.” Just as he’d finished explaining the two of them finally arrived at the room. Even standing on the outside Illusion could already hear loud growls coming from behind the door. Illusion didn’t hesitate, quickly opening the door and stepping into the room so that he may see what was happening with his own eyes. The room was a mess, some scratch marks around the carpet and a few things knocked over. Over in on edge of the room he saw three of the guards standing in front of the maid he was told off, their eyes locked on the other side. Turning his head over, Illusion saw exactly what they were focused on. “Claire…” She was standing in a car corner, her claws extended, her fangs bare, and her eyes slit with furry. And as she growled aggressively Claire looked as though she would strike at even the slightest of movements. Slowly that movement became Illusion himself as he moved towards the center of the room, between Claire and the others. When he finally fell into her field of vision did Claire turn her head to notice him. At first she snarled loudly at the sudden presence of another body. But as her eyes locked on to him, she seemed to start calming down, her growl becoming less aggressive. “Hey Claire, it’s me, it’s Lu.” Said Illusion as he slowly moved towards her. “You remember who I am, right?” though she was looking at him, Claire didn’t say a word, nor did she react to his words. He wasn’t sure what was happening or what was Claire’s current state of mind, but this was something he could figure out later. Right now he had a room filled with ponies who were in danger of being close to her. Insuring that Claire was looking into his eyes, Illusion used his tail to point towards the door. The guards saw and moved accordingly, inching themselves and the maid towards the door so to not attract Claire’s attention. Sevetal tense minutes passed before they finally reached the exit, the click of the door closing being Illusions signal that he and Claire were now alone. With that problem solved, he now had to face the one in front of him. She still hadn’t said a word to him, yet now she seemed a little less cautious than before. “They’re gone now Claire, see?” said Illusion as he stepped to the side. Claire looked around the room, seeing no one else was around. Fortunately for Illusion this seemed to calm her further, enough for her to take a seat. Hoping for the best Illusion decided to draw closer to Claire, and while she saw him moving, she didn’t react other than watch him. Finally when Illusion was right beside her, Claire leaned in. She smelled him for a brief moment before smiling, and licking his cheek. Illusion gave a sigh of relief that she was no longer aggressive while Claire began nuzzling his chest. “Now I just need to figure out how to make you snap out of it.” Illusion said wrapping an arm around Clair. If anything he could try bringing Spike into this, chances are he might know something about what was going on. But for now, at least she seemed to be calm. “Illusion?” he blinked at the call of his name, because it came from Claire’s voice. Opening his eyes Illusion looked down to see Claire staring back up at him, her eyes back to normal. “What are you doing here, didn’t you leave for court?” she asked with a raised brow. “Where the maid go and…” she started to look around, noticing the damage done to the room. She would question what happened or how, but then she noticed some details about it. There were claw marks all around, her own claw marks. Illusion could feel her starting to tremble slightly as a realization hit her. “Lu,” she said looking back with fearful eyes “What did I do?” It took a few minutes to calm Claire after that, her mind having rushed to the worse case scenario having shaken her quite a bit. Only after seeing the maid with her own eyes and extending a strong apology did Claire manage to bring herself to calm down once more. Now alone again, both she and Illusion lay on the bed, the latter stroking Claire’s main as she lay on her side with a worried look on her face. “Who knows what could have happened,” she said “If the guards hadn’t shown up I could have…” she trailed off, not wanting to think about it again. “It wasn’t your fault Claire,” Illusion tried to assure her. “That’s not the point, I’m dangerous!” she said covering her head. It was one thing for her to randomly be building nests, but this, this was one of her worse fears. Growing up she was always stronger than the other mares, her teeth and claws didn’t make that any easier. There were times when she would accidently hurt someone when she was just trying to play around. But now, a fully grown mare who can suddenly go feral without warning, who knows what she could do to someone. “Look Claire, I know you’re afraid of what can happen. But you have to remember that it’s not who you really are. The real you wouldn’t want to hurt anyone, you’re just being introduced to a part of you that for the most part hasn’t come up. But I know you can control your dragon side, and if you feel you can’t do it alone, then I’ll be here. And not just me, but also our friends, and our family, we’re all here for you.” Slowly Claire removed her hooves from over her head and she turned toward Illusion. “But what now, how do I keep myself from hurting someone if I go through a sudden change again?” she asked. Illusion would have tried to bring up the guards again, but he knew she would refuse. His best chance was to keep them as a secret, and find a better option. Something she would be happy with, and insure that she’d still be protected. “Well when I’m not around you can hang out with your brother, or Nidra, or even mother. Like they said, they’ll help if needed. And if anyone can handle a feral dracony, I’m pretty sure they can.” Claire leaned in and rested her head on Illusion’s chest. She’d hoped these moments were over with after doing so long without another incident. That the last time was nothing more than just a fluke. But now she knew that it wasn’t, and that there might be another incident when she least expects it. The unknown was scary, unable to prepare for it, unable to prevent it, it was all so too much to take in at once. “Can we think about this later?” she asked “Right now I just want to be held…” with furrowed brows Illusion gave Claire her wish, pulling her closer into his hold on her. They lay there in silence, feeling each other rising chests with every passing second. It was calming, everything Illusion wanted to give Claire right now. But during the silence, during the stillness, Illusion felt something. It was a bump, a gentle one but it happened every few seconds, and it seemed to be happening from his stomach. Curious Illusion looked down to see what it might be, but all he saw was Claire’s stomach pressed against his. At first he was going to dismiss it, but then he saw it, movement coming from exactly where he felt the bumps before. At first he simply watched with a stunned look on his face. “Claire…is that?” he asked in awe. Claire let out a small chuckle, grabbing Illusion’s hoof and placed it on her stomach. And as the gentle bumps continued Illusion couldn’t help but smile. Leaning in Illusion kissed Claire, wrapping his neck around her, the two giving off a sigh of comfort. “Hard to believe something so small can make such an impact.” She said, rubbing her belly with a warm smile. This foal, their foul growing inside of her, it was as though it knew just how to help, and acted on it. This pregnancy may have had its struggles and it will most likely have more in the future. But this moment reminded them just what that struggle was for. Reminded them of just why they chose to make this leap together. And in the future, when they are looking back at this moment, they will remember. That this was their first, the first moment they shared, all three of them as a family.