//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Idyllic // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// 3 Years Later That one pony had been right. He regretted letting her go as soon as the words left his mouth. He often wondered about his daughter. How was she? What was her favorite color? What did she look like? Would he recognize her if he saw her… “Hey big brother!” Twilight’s voice pulled him from his reverie. He blinked before pasting a smile on his face for her benefit. “Hey Twiley, what do you need?” Visiting his sister was always a welcome distraction he tried to do twice a month. With no wife and other pressing responsibility, it was a lot easier to find the time. “Could you do me a favor and run to the market for me. There’s some things I need for dinner.” “Sure.” He smiled. “Here’s a list.” She beamed up at him as he grabbed the paper and headed out the door. She stared after him with a sad smile on her youthful features. It’d been three years since the trial and escape of the changeling Queen. Her brother had never fully recovered. Oh he was well as a pony could be, but there was a sadness in his eyes that never used to be there. He’d even retired his post, instead becoming a defense teacher for incoming soldiers. His desire to serve was there, but he couldn’t answer to Celestia the same way. Not anymore… Not after everything that had happened. Despite Shining Armor no longer being a social pariah, she worried about him. Every time he came to visit she brought up the subject of him moving to Ponyville. Canterlot held many memories for the eldest Sparkle and she knew many of them still hurt him. *-*-*-*-*-* “And what can I get you today m’am?” A slender filly the color of clouds and sky entered the store. Shining Armor had been casually browsing for his sister’s items for the past ten minutes when the bell signaled a new customer. The stallion blinked and went back to his browsing. She made his heart ache as he thought of his own daughter. Gemma… The sooner he found what Twilight needed the sooner he could leave. “Mama made a list.” He could hear her speaking. “I bet.” Laughed the old shopkeeper. “Now let’s see…” Shining Armor was faintly aware as the shop owner moved around to help another patron. “And you’re sure you can carry all of this home by yourself?” “Mama’s testing me to see if I’m a big filly.” Childlike pride and determination coated the tones of the female’s young voice. “A unicorn that works like a pony… Who’d have thought it.” Those words resounded with something inside the stallion that made him peek around the corner to really study the two- the young filly, really. He found himself entranced by everything about her. From her sharp features, to her coloring that was oh-so familiar. “Anything else?” Mr. Hooper asked. “Cheesecake!” He watched as bright blue eyes clouded over. “And here you are!” He’d remembered Triste’s words from long ago and suddenly it was important for him to talk to this little girl. “Thanks Mr. Hooper!” “Say hello to your mother for me!” The stallion waited for the young girl to leave before nonchalantly approaching the counter. ”Uh…” “Hi Shining Armor, what can I get you? Twilight need some more bramble berry or juniper spice?” “Actually… that filly… who is she? I’ve… never seen her before….” “Jewels? She and her mother live somewhere in the forest outside town. They own an apple stand out that way.” The stallion nodded. “On second thought… I don’t remember what my sister needed, I’ll be back.” Shining Armor quickly took his leave, leaving the older male to scratch his head. He saw the small filly putting all she could into pulling a cart that was just a tad bit heavy for her. “Hey!” He called quickly rushing to catch up the young filly. “You look like you need some help.” He smiled kindly at the child hoping to appear friendly despite the suspicions raging in his mind and the horrible thudding of his heart. She looked to be the same age his daughter would’ve been. Her cerulean eyes widened considerably before she shrunk away from this stallion. “Mama says not to talk to strangers…” She murmured hiding behind her bangs. Her straight hair fell straight past her shoulders. “Your mother sounds like a smart lady.” He could still feel her mistrust. “Well what if I wasn’t really a stranger?” He pressed after wetting his lips. Jewel mumbled something, and the stallion had to ask her to repeat herself. “I said… I said there’s no way I’d forget someone with a coat like yours.” She blushed but stood her ground. “You have pretty coloring… like me.” “I’m honored you think so,” He chuckled genuinely amused. “Do you know Twilight Sparkle?” Her eyes brightened. “Why who doesn’t? Next to my mother, she’s one of the most amazing mares here!” “Well did you know she had a brother?” “Of course! Sir Shining Armor! A Knight worthy only of the kindest Queen!” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke of him. He mentally sighed as her body relaxed. “Sounds like you know him pretty well…” He teased. ”Maybe…” She grinned almost conspiratorially. “I read a lot. But what does that have- Oh My! You mean….” Her whole face changed. “You have to meet me my mother!” “I’d be honored to meet this mother of yours. What’s your name?” “My name is-“ “Jewels!” The two looked up to see an angry mare. “Mama… don’t be mad it’s Miss Twilight’s-“ “I don’t care! What did I tell you about talking to strangers?” Angry eyes locked with Shining Armor’s and the stallion could feel the world around him fade. Fear flickered in the mare’s eyes and the stallion knew he hadn’t imagined it. Why would she be afraid of him unless she had something to hide? “We’re going home. Now!” “But Sir Shining Armor would never hurt me…” He could hear the filly whining as her mother all but drug her away, throwing glares at him over her shoulder. He stared after the two and looked to his sister’s home completely forgetting the shopping he was supposed to do. His heart leapt with hope as his eyes filled something else. Perhaps moving to Ponyville was just what he needed. “Things were simple with Pa Herbert… If I ever had a choice, I think I would’ve loved to raise a family in that house. It was quiet, peaceful completely unlike my life at the hive. At first it was hard, but later I found I actually enjoyed the land even though I hated playing in the dirt…”   *-*-*-*-*-* Gemma was a smart filly for her age. Exceptionally bright, as her birthright proclaimed. She loved her mother dearly and as often as she daydreamed about what her father must’ve been like, she knew that her mother needed help protecting them. While her enigmatic mother was full of secrets, she never lied to her. They were in hiding and it was important that no pony got too close. Of course ‘Amber Stone’ and her daughter ‘Jewel Stone’ kept up appearances, but they were always careful. Despite her mother’s strictness in regards to their safety, Gemma still managed to steal away to the library gorging on anything she could find. Twilight Sparkle was her only friend and her mother hated it. The thought made her livid, but Gemma couldn’t help it. She needed someone to talk to and spend time with that wasn’t her mother as much as she loved her. Her mother needed someone too, and Gemma had a plan. It was late at night and with one more glance at her room, the cloud colored unicorn left a note on her bed and slipped out of the window. She didn’t know why, but something inside her told her that Sir Armor could make everything better for her and her mother. *-*-*-*-*-* “I told you to stay away from us! Now she’s gone! What have you done with her?” Amber Stone was livid. An earth pony with an apricot coat and a thick mahogany mane, kept back by a red bandanna burst into Twilight’s library with fire in her eyes. This morning when she went to check on her daughter, she found the girl’s room empty. Only a note remained and the words she read made her blood boil and her heart race fearfully. Where was her sweet baby girl? “Amber? What... what's going on? What’re you talking about?!” Twilight was dumbfounded. What on earth was this mare going on about? “You sick bastard! Is this payback for that fight we had in the market? Because I never-“ Much to her dismay the day after she ran into Shining Armor Sparkle, an announcement had been made that the stallion had decided to move to Ponyville. Not only did the imbecile live in town, but he somehow managed to always run into her and her daughter whenever they ventured into town. It was infuriating and Amber had all but lost patience and expressed her grievances to him in the middle of market a couple of days ago. “Calm down my brother would never do something like that! You've got some nerve barging up in here like this!” At the pained expression on the other’s face, Twilight immediately felt guilty and reworked her approach. “I'm sorry about your daughter, but my brother is a good stallion. What’s going on?” Eyes lost their panic and the way she glared made the other sorry for speaking up. “Mr. Armor can I speak with you? Privately...” She added with a glance towards Twilight. The stallion nodded and led her to a room in the back. “Ch- “ “My name is Amber.” She corrected with a withering glare. She didn’t know who he thought he was, but he was sorely mistaken that he was in a position to take any kind of charge. “Amber...” The name tasted foreign on his lips. And while it fit this appearance, he was not fooled. “What's the matter?” She haltingly explained showing him the note. “Mama, Don’t be mad, Sir Armor can help us. I’m sure of it. If you’re reading this, then I’ve gone to him to ask his help. I won’t be gone long. I love you. Find him and you’ll find me. -G “I'm sorry... I didn’t put her up to this.” Cerulean eyes were sincere as the stallion looked up to the obviously concerned mother. “When was the last time u saw her?” “When I put her in bed...” Amber deflated. “Where does she like to go in free time?” “I have some ideas.... but....” “But what?” Shining Armor encouraged. “What if she’s hurt?” Light brown eyes watered and the mare choked back a sob. “What… what if-“ she covered her face with her hooves as her anxiousness gave way to her more upset feelings. “It’s okay,” the stallion comforted pulling her forward into a hug. At first the mare fought him, but then she gave in holding to him tightly as she cried. “We have to find her!” “We will,” He assured. “You have my word.” She nodded against his skin, believing him. Moments later Amber calmed considerably and broke away from him as she composed herself. Shining Armor watched her, comparing her to all the other skins he’s seen her wear. The words slipped out before he realized what he was saying. “You look better in your true form…” The mare stiffened. “I haven't the faintest idea about what you’re talking about.” She held her head up high as she sniffed. “No? Chrysalis?” “What do you want?” Cinnamon eyes narrowed as hostility blanketed her form. “To be a part of her life... as her father...” “You threw us away...” Was her seething reply. “I didn't...” The stallion defended sadly. “I let you go... there's a difference...” “We don't have time for this. We have to find her!” “Chrysalis...” “Later... Gemma comes first.” And with that she stalked past him leaving the small office, effectively ending their conversation. He nodded. The two persuaded Twilight to stay at the library in case Gemma came back. There was so much between the two that needed to be said. And so much that was said that really didn't need to be. Both were suffering but in their search for Gemma neither could find the words to properly vocalize themselves. SO instead of arguing, they searched and searched. After checking the child’s favorite spots in town, the duo searched all the places the local children played with no results. “Is there anywhere else?” Shining Armor asked once their last spot proved a failure. Amber appeared deep in thought. “There is this meadow…” Thirty minutes later the two found themselves entering a small clearing. After a brief scan, they were about to leave when a patch of blue of white contrasted greatly with the color of grass and blossoms. “What’s that?” Shining Armor squinted. “Gemma!” A cerulean head popped up in the meadow. The young pegasi looked startled. Before she cold blink the older equines were upon her. “How could you do that to me?” Amber rushed the filly and alternated between holding her tightly and shaking her almost violently. “Mama... I'm-” Tears welled in the child’s eyes. She hadn’t meant to make her like that. “No! Do you have any idea how sad and hurt I would be if something happened to you?” Amber was furious and relieved at the same time. “Do you?” “I'm sorry!” Gemma sobbed terrified and upset. “Gods... don't you ever, ever, scare me like that!” The mare was screaming tearfully. “Chryssie...” Shining Armor knelt beside the two as he shook his head placing a hoof on her shoulder causing her to loosen her hold. “She's fine... it’s okay.” “Sir Armor!” She turned in her mother’s arms and gave him a big hug. “Gemma!” He grinned returning the gesture. The filly stiffened and pulled back with wide and fearful eyes. “How did you-“ “It’s okay, baby...” Gemma looked to her mother. “You... you were right,“ Chrysalis fixed him with a wry smile. “Sir Armor would never hurt you... He'd never hurt us.” A giant grin broke out on her features. It looked as if her plan had worked. Throwing her forelegs around both, Gemma knew that things would be different for her and mother now that Sir Armor was in their life. What she didn’t know was that her parents both thought the same. “Gemma, baby… There’s something I think you should know…”  And the day went on in a haze of tears and words.