//------------------------------// // Chapter 31, Bonds (Edited) // Story: An Unexpected Life // by alejin //------------------------------// When Celestia and her son arrived at the crystal castle, everypony would have laughed watching Prince Bright sitting on his mother’s barrel again, but they were more focused on Celestia’s pissed off eyes. Cadence immediately levitated Bright to his feet. “Oh Bright! I’m so glad you are ok!. . . WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! Fighting Sombra like that?” Bright was about to answer, when he was suddenly levitated again by his mother and returned to his spot on her barrel. “Forgive me my little ponies, but I only brought Bright here for you to see he is alright. Now we must return to Canterlot, but before I go, I would like to congratulate all of you on saving the Crystal Empire and especially you Twilight. I expect your report regarding your test when you return to Canterlot as well. See you later.” Celestia then extended her wings and flew away with her son. Everypony looked and as the pair disappeared from their sight, they couldn’t help but feel bad for Bright. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Celestia and Bright were flying through the sky at high speed, and even though the view was beautiful, neither of them were in the mood to admire it. Bright knew he was in trouble, but at the least he wanted to know who was responsible for ratting him out. . “Soooooo, tell me mother. . .how did you know I was in the Crystal Empire?” “. . . . . . . . . . . . . .” “It was Twilight wasn’t it? She’s the only one who can send you letters quickly enough with Spike’s help. . .am I wrong?” “. . . . . . . . . . . . .” “Ok! Ok! I get it! You didn’t want me going there but what other option did I have? My cousin was in danger! A whole Empire was in danger! I had to do something! And to be honest, I’m starting to question your subjects’ ability to deal with dangerous threats. “. . . . . . . . . . . . . .” “Are you really planning to remain silent the whole trip?” “. . . . . . . . . . . . .” “Sigh. Ok. . .In that case. . .” Bright started to jump off his mother’s barrel when she turned her head back towards him. “Don’t you dare do that little colt!” “I’m not a little-” Celestia glared at him. If looks could kill, the human would already be six feet under. Just looking at those eyes were enough to make Bright stay in his place, his mother. . . was terrifying. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After a while, with Celestia still not saying a single word, Bright and his mother could see Canterlot approaching. Celestia used her magic to lower the sun, and the moon started to rise the second after. “It seems Mom and her sister are well synchronized tonight.” Bright thought. The night was beautiful. He recalled all the nights his mother used to make for him. . . but it was obvious Aunt Luna’s nights were better. To Bright’s surprise, his mother took a detour and flew to a nearby hill with a big tree not too far from the city. When they arrived, he got down off his mother’s barrel to take a better look of his surroundings. He had to admit, the sight of Canterlot from there was incredible. As Celestia slowly trotted at his side and gazed the city too, Bright noticed she didn’t look angry anymore. She looked. . . sad. “Beautiful isn’t it?” “Yes, but. . .why do I feel I’ve seen this before?” “. . . . . . . . . . . It’s just like that night eight years ago.” “Mother?” “You and I gazed the city like this the. . . the night you were. . . taken.” Bright raised an eyebrow and looked at his mother in surprise. Hearing that from her was enough to make him start to remember that night. “Bright. . . did you know that, at first. . .I was only planning on make you my protégé?” “. . . really?” “Yes. . .you were an abandoned creature and I, as ruler, couldn’t just leave you there to die. Even though you were very cute, my plans were simple: Take care of you until you were old enough to decide to either go elsewhere or become one of my subjects in service to Equestria.” Bright just stood there. . . listening to every word his mother was saying. “You see, in my young years the idea of having a son or a daughter never really appealed to me. I had my little ponies to fill that void, or at least that’s what I thought for a long time. But as the years passed, and I saw all those happy families. . .All those parents playing and being happy with their children, little by little. . . jealousy began to grow within me.” “You jealous?. . . That’s hard to believe Mom. So you started to want a foal of your own?” “Yes my son. Before long I realized I was starting to imagine myself having a little colt or filly of my own running and playing around the castle. So I started to look for a good stallion to start a family with and after many years I finally found one. His name was Galant Wings; A pegasus of the Royal Guard.” Bright looked at his mother and chuckled. Celestia looked back at him and chuckled too. “What? Did you expect me to fall in love with a noble?” “Hehehehe, not really. After meeting many of them, I’m glad to see your humility never changed. Besides, you know I’m madly in love with Flying Hope and I couldn’t care less if she were a model or a maid!” “Hahahahaha, you’re just like your mom aren’t you? Anyways, my relationship with him was perfect. He loved me for who I was: Celestia the pony, not Celestia the Princess. Believe you me, I courted many ponies before him and all of them wanted nothing more than a piece of the Crown.” “I don’t understand, I mean, you’re so hot Mom.” “Are you calling your mother hot Sweetie? That’s a little . . .awkward don’t you think?” Bright blushing brightly, huffed and crossed his arms, and looked away. “It’s the truth! I regret nothing!” “Thanks Sweetie. As I was saying, our relation was so perfect, even I was amazed. Until that moment I always thought I couldn’t fall in love, but I did. Eventually, we started to. . . do it. Oh Bright! He was amazing in bed. . .those nights were-” “Let’s skip that part ok Mother? I didn’t tell you how I did it with Flying, and I can assure you I don’t need to hear your perspective.” Celestia blushed hard and continued. Remembering her late lover always made her happy and. . . excited. “I agree Sweetie. Ahem! We tried so many times but, nothing happened. Gallant Wings started to worry, but as the brave stallion he was he took a fertility test first. But when it showed that he wasn’t sterile. . . that’s when my world started to crumble. Thanks to his support, I gathered enough courage to undergo the test myself. . .” Princess Celestia had begun to shed some tears by that moment. “I was. . . I am sterile. I am destined to never bear a little colt or filly of my own! It wasn’t fair! Why me? Why was the joy of having a child forbidden from me! Didn’t I deserve happiness too? I am the bucking Princess of all Equestria for my sacred Mother’s sake! Why did destiny curse me that way? Why did it have to be infertility?! . . .EVEN WITH MAGIC WE CAN’T DEFEAT INFERTILITY!” Bright was speechless. He had never heard his mother swear and scream like that. Everypony, even he sometimes, forgot. . . though she may be the mighty ruler of Equestria, she was still a living creature with feelings. Celestia noticed her son’s surprised face and calmed down quickly. “I’m sorry my son. . . I. . . lost control.” Bright hugged his mother warmly. Celestia couldn’t help but cry again and return the hug with her hooves and wings. They remained like that for several minutes, and once she felt better, they broke the hug and she continued. “Even after we learned that, Gallant Wings remained by my side. We were married and were a happy couple. That is… until he died an old stallion. Before you ask: yes, you heard correctly. Your mother was married once, though no matter how much research you do, you will never find any official record of it. We married in secret. The last thing I wanted was him to be targeted, rejected, or worst: killed by stupid jealous nobles thirsty for power. Sigh... Even though he made me so happy, I always felt guilty for not bearing him any descendants. He was my first, and last, lover. I decided to never do that to another stallion again. Besides, I never found anypony as good as him. He was one in a billion!” “I see. . . sorry Mom” “Don’t be sorry my son, I’m glad that even I was able to feel the magic of love at least once.” “That’s a relief but, Mom, if you wanted a child of your own, why didn’t you. . . you know. . .adopt? Like you did with me?” “Believe me, I considered that many times. But I just never found the perfect colt. I loved all my little ponies equally, and no filly or colt ever gave me that spark I was looking for. That is until. . .” “Until?” “Bright. . . as I told you before, at first you were going to be my protégé; just another subject. But one night, the second night after I found you, I showed you how I lowered the sun and raised the moon. You watched the whole scene with innocent and marveled eyes. They showed a. . .spark I had never seen in anypony before and when you looked at me with those sparkling eyes. . . At that moment, my heart exploded and I knew I had to make you my son, I knew I wanted you to be with me forever, I knew I wanted you to call me. . .mother.” Without any warning, Celestia hugged her son and once again covered with him with her powerful wings. “When I lost you, truly, I didn’t know what to do, just like when I lost Luna. I just wanted to forget. . . I wanted to die!” Bright widened his eyes. She wasn’t serious was she? “Sniff. . . sniff. Everypony thinks it’s easy! They think that it’s easy for me to see somepony die and go away just because I’ve lived for a thousand years. BUT IT’S NEVER EASY! NO, IT DOESN’T GET ANY EASIER WITH THE PASSING OF TIME. When somepony close to me dies, it tears me apart! But I’m Princess Celestia right? I’m not allowed to show sorrow, I have to be strong and regal right?! Sorry, but I can’t! I’m not just a machine that raises and lowers the sun! When I lost my parents, it was hard but at least Luna was with me. Then I lost her too. I hated life, hated pretending to be fine and happy in front of the subjects who never appreciated her nights. The only thing that helped me continue, was knowing she would return. After many years I finally started to feel happiness again. I came to know many ponies whom I loved and cared for: Starswirl, Gallant Wings. . . and so many others.” Celestia exhaled heavily before continuing. “I knew sooner or later they would go to the afterlife and I prepared myself for that. . .but you. . . you were different. You were my son, the only one I ever had, and since the day I became your mother, I was always proud of you. When you took your first steps, when you called me Mommy for the first time, when you scored an ‘A’ in your private lessons. My life was complete having you with me, and when they. . .took you away, it. . . it destroyed me. Once again I was forced to act like if nothing happened, but it was a thousand times worse. I had to pretend my baby never even existed. I didn’t even have a tombstone to visit. I lived for a year like that, smiling and waving as if everything in the world was fine. But one night, I decided it was enough. . .I. . .I. . .” “You what mother?” “I was planning to run away” “What?” “I didn’t want to be Princess anymore, I didn’t want that pressure anymore, I finally broke, I made the proper arrangements to leave Cadence as my replacement, not many ponies knows this but she is capable to move the sun and the moon” “Wow! Cadence is that powerful?” Bright asked knowing how stupid that question was, of course Cadence was, after all she protected an entire Empire for days! “Yes my son, I wasn’t thinking clearly, leaving Cadence with that huge responsibility! But. . . my heart was in so much pain, I just wanted to leave everything behind! But something happened, something I never expected” “What happened mom?” “I was about to start flying when I felt someone grabbing my leg, when I turned to see who it was I almost fainted, it was you! Looking at me, your eyes were full of disappointment, I was shocked, you never looked at me with those eyes, at that moment, realization came to me, what was I thinking? What would you. . . my son think if you see me like that!?” I felt so ashamed, I started to cry, then you. . .I mean your mirage hugged me. “I love you mommy! You are the strongest pony that ever existed and I’m proud I had you as my mommy!” “I knew it wasn’t you but still. . . I returned the hug; I needed it even if it wasn’t real, then you started to disappear but before banishing completely, you whispered in my ear” “Live for both of us” “And I did, even being away. . . you helped me Bright, you helped me to move on so I decided to keep going for both of us, of course I never told anypony what happened that night, not even Cadence, I acted as if nothing happened and for the next 7 years everything was fine, of course without you nothing was the same, I thought I would never the happiness of having a son until . . .” Celestia immediately hugged Bright again who returned the hug and let her continue; she needed to let everything out.. “Until after eight years when you came back to me. I felt complete again! You are living proof that miracles truly exist. But, even. . . even if you are alive, that doesn’t mean I didn’t fail you! I couldn’t protect you at that moment. . . and today I failed again. I made a promise to myself. I promised that I would never let anything bad happen to you again and now. . . you were in danger and once again I wasn’t there to protect you! I let you, my baby, face grave danger again. Without me to protect you. Why must I keep being such a failure as a mother?” Bright broke the hug to look his mother in the eyes. He just could not remain silent any longer. “Mom! That’s not true! What happened today wasn’t your fault, it was mine! I didn’t listen to you! You told me return home and I. . . I disobeyed you. I didn’t want to. I really didn’t, but I just couldn’t ignore my cousin and friends in possible danger! I didn’t want to fight that crazy tyrant, but he made it necessary. I’m sorry mother, I’m so sorry but please. . .never say you are a failure as a mother. You are the best mother anypony could ask and for that. . . I love you!” Celestia’s eyes once again widened to impossible levels! Her son finally said it! He said he loved her! No words could explain how happy she was at that moment! She immediately hugged him again and cried loudly. “You. . .you really mean that?” “With all my heart!” “Tha. . .thank you. .my son. Thank you for being alive. Thank you for loving me.” “You don’t need to thank me, I should be the one thanking you. . .thank you for loving me mother!” “Bright. . .please, never leave me again!” “Chuckle My answer is the same I gave you that night eight years ago. I will always be with you. Hehehehe, I just hope you don’t regret saying that when I’m an old geezer unable to do anything on his own!” Celestia nuzzled her son’s head. “We’ll see about that son.” “Thanks Mom and. . .I just want you to know, I’ll try to not do anything as stupid as I did today. I know you want to protect me, but you also have to understand, you can’t be everywhere. I can take care of myself. I can defend myself and you have to start trusting me as I trust you. You have to realize I’m not a foal who needs to be protected all the time.” “Sigh, I know Sweetie and I’m sorry if I treated you like one. It’s just. . . the fact I missed these eight years with you still hurts me. We missed so much. . . You are right, it will take some time, but I promise things will change.” Celestia said, and gave Bright a loving kiss in his forehead. He returned the sentiment by doing the same. After that, Bright, much to Princess Celestia’s surprise, got back on her barrel.” “Bright?” “You are always trying to protect everypony’s happiness, but not many ever try to think about your happiness. So I’ve decided I will protect it too starting tonight. I know these rides make you happy. . . Just don’t get used to it, we’ll should only do it when we are alone, we both hav reputations to uphold you know.” “Sniff Alright! let’s go home! We don’t want to worry your Aunt Luna any longer do we?” “Yes, but let’s just not mention my little fight with that crazy, dark king.” “My lips are sealed.” Celestia and Bright continued their flight towards Canterlot. Neither one of them said another word, but in their hearts they knew their mother and son bond was stronger than ever now. - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - (Bright Steel Diary P.O.V.) Day - - - - I still can’t believe I did something so crazy yesterday. I’m so grateful towards Rainbow Dash, I really don’t know what would have happened if she hadn’t come to help me. She really is strong, not to mention fast. She will be a wonderbolt in no time! As we agreed, we didn’t say anything to Aunt Luna about my little fight with Sombra. She was so glad so see I was safe and immediately challenged me to a little duel. I accepted gladly. . .and lost quickly. Day - - - - Twilight and her friends returned from the Crystal Empire today. I don’t know all the details, but it seems Mom gave her some kind of test there and she passed. I’m glad for her, even though we aren’t on good terms ( I haven’t forgotten what she said to me), I’m still glad for her. I know she never wants to disappoint my mother and I admire her for that. I hope someday we can put aside all the bad memories and be friends again. Day - - - - It feels a little lonely here now that Cadence and Shining Armor are living in the Crystal Empire. I always knew Cadence was destined for great things, and now she (alongside her husband) are the Rulers of the Crystal Empire. I’m happy for them but still, I’m a little lonely. Sometimes I kill time by teaching Blueblood some manners when he acts out of line with the servants. Like yesterday, he made that sexy maid cry with tons of insults, all for “not adding enough sugar to his tea”. That is, until I decided enough was enough. Mom scolded me and sent me to my room without dinner, but I must say, seeing Blueblood with his tail cut by my axe worth it! Besides, Aunt Luna brought me some food in secret and congratulated me for my righteous actions. Day - - - - Today, Mom and I had our weekly relaxation session. After I told her how Zahari helped me with my memories, she ordered an identical relaxing room to be built, and uses her magic to help me in place of the potions. Of course, she is very careful to not cause any damage like Zahari warned me about. At first I had my doubts, but it really is helping. I remember much more now, all the happy times I had with Twilight, Flying Hope, and Sunset Shimmer. . . Wait, Sunset Shimmer? The name comes naturally to me, but I can’t put a face to it. Who’s she? Day - - - - Hahahahaha, I’ve been reading all the friendship letters Twilight and her friends sent to my Mom Even though they were so funny and very cute, I also must say. . .wow! To think they undertook such amazing adventures to save Equestria. These Discord and Nightmare Moon villains seem very strong. . . but also really stupid. I mean. . .really? Why would Discord give them the Elements of Harmony back if they were the only thing that could stop him? I would have buried them deep down in the earth and keep my mouth shut about it. And Nightmare Moon. . .she knew where the Elements were hidden but didn’t take them right away? Yep, Equestrian threats are powerful, but also the most stupid ones. I wonder how they’d deal with a bad guy from Minus? I hope I never find out. Day - - - - My Mom sent Discord to Ponyville to having him reformed by Twilight and her friends. I think it’s not a good idea having him around. But then again, considering how carefree and short-sighted a villain he is, I believe we have nothing to fear. Besides, maybe that cute pegasus Fluttershy and the others really can reform him. Let’s hope for the best. Day - - - - I’ll be damned! They reformed Discord! It’s very impressive. Now we have a new ally to protect Equestria. He came by the castle early today. I must say he’s not really such a bad guy when you know him, and his chocolate milk is unreal. Even though he is kinda crazy, you can get used to the guy. Since I was wondering, I asked him why he gave Twilight the Elements back. He told me that he likes a challenge. Truth be told, it would had been so easy to hide the Elements and conquer Equestria, according to him, but that would be too “boring”. Not to mention that when he gave the Elements back, Twilight and her friends’ friendship was “dead” so he didn’t think they could use their magic anyways. But he never thought they would manage to rebuild it to defeat him. That confirmed what I already suspected, Equestria doesn’t have any serious villains, or at least hasn’t fought one yet, and for that I am glad. Day - - - - Today I spent the day with Fancy Pants and his friend Fleur. They really are nice ponies. We had a pleasant ride in his balloon and then an amazing dinner in a restaurant. He even introduced me some of his friends, who were nice ponies too, but seemed a little too conceited for my liking. I’d have liked to have had Flying Hope with me this day. I’m sure she’d have had fun too. I wonder how she’s doing right now? Day - - - - Today I asked my mother about Sunset Shimmer. . .apparently my first crush. Mom told me she “never came back”, and when I asked her where she was, she said she didn’t know and couldn’t give any details either. She begged me to drop the topic. It’s obvious she is hiding something from me, but why do I feel the thing she most wants to hide is the place where Sunset ran away to? I’ve decided to leave the topic alone. I know my mother was being honest when she told me Sunset never returned these past ten years. I guess our friendship didn’t mean very much to her after all. But no matter, I have Flying Hope now. She can stay where she is forever if she wants to. Day - - - - Today is the day! Flying Hope is returning to Canterlot for a little break from her work. I can’t wait to see her, I missed her so much. I already prepared an amazing date for the two of us, and the jewelry shop completed my special order yesterday! This day will be awesome! Sometimes I think we’re going too fast but what the Hell, I’m sure I want this! (End of P.O.V.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (Canterlot’s Train station) Bright was waiting patiently for the next train from Trottingham to arrive. As always, no guards were escorting him. No matter how often his Mom asked, he insisted on going alone. Only a few ponies were staring at him, which was a relief. Thanks to Fancy Pants’ influence and his regular visits to the city, almost all Canterlot had lost their fear of him. There were still some exceptions, but he didn’t mind so long as they didn’t try anything stupid. After some minutes, the train finally arrived and everypony started to disembark. Bright finally saw Flying Hope coming out of the train, and when she saw him, she smiled like a filly and tackled him in a crushing hug. “Oh Bright! I missed you so much!” Bright returned the hug and gave Flying a passionate kiss which she returned gladly. After some seconds, their lips separated to let them breathe again. “I missed you too Flying. . . Though I think we need to talk about this long distance relationship. I don’t think I can bear being separated from you for so long again!” Flying gave another quick kiss and answered: “I think the same, and we’ll discuss that later but for now. . .COME HERE!” Flying and Bright’s lips once again united. After losing a tongue battle to his marefriend, Bright escorted Flying to the castle in the royal chariot. Many ponies looked at the happy couple, and it was refreshing to see some of them smiling. The citizens of Canterlot accepted their relationship, not that Bright really cared much about it. If they didn’t like it, so be it, as long as they didn’t harass his marefriend, everything was fine. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Once in the castle, the happy couple was re ceived a warm welcome from Princess Celestia. Flying Hope was a little surprised that the Princess accepted her as her son’s marefriend so quickly. After she was settled in her castle suite, she and Bright lost no time in closing every curtain and casting a soundproofing spell over the room. Once the room was secured. . . Bright and Flying Hope showed once again just how much they loved each other. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After another amazing night, Bright awoke next to his marefriend. Her breathing was quiet and cute. She was definitely the most beautiful mare in Equestria. When stroked her mane and kissed her horn, she giggled a little and blushed as she awoke. It wasn’t a secret that kissing or licking a unicorn’s horn was something only a lover was allowed to do. Flying Hope opened her golden eyes and stared at her prince. “Hello handsome.” “Hello beautiful, had a good night?” “The best in months. A night like that was all I thought during my trip. Oh Bright! I wanted you so badly!” “Not as much as I wanted you, you can be sure of that.” “This. . .is real right? I mean. . .you and me like this? Making love and being a couple, it’s not a long dream that I could wake up from at anytime?” Bright kissed her passionately, making sure his tongue explored every corner of her mouth. He looked deeply into her eyes and replied: “If it is a dream. . . I will make sure that as soon as I wake up, I will search every corner of this world until I find the real you because right now, I can tell you that I can’t bear to be away from you!” “Giggle I. . .I think the same.” They embraced each other once again and remained like that for several minutes, warming each other with their bodies. They wouldn’t mind if time stopped at that very minute, because at that moment, both of them were sure of one thing. They really were meant to be! Much to their grief, they needed to stand up and go to get some breakfast. They took a bath together and got dressed. Bright couldn’t help but stare at his princess. Normally ponies rarely wore any clothes, often only accessories, but the ribbons around her hooves and the bow in her mane really suited her. Combined with her amazing body, it made her gorgeous! Just like a true princess. They had a nice breakfast with his mother and aunt. Seeing Flying blushing at the barrage of questions asked by Luna was priceless for Bright. After, once Luna went to her room to rest and Celestia opened the Day Court, Bright decided to start his perfect date with Flying immediately. Bright and Flying Hope’s date was amazing. They first went to have a nice milkshake at Donut Joe’s place, followed by attending the Wonderbolts derby, where they watched all the races from the Royal Suite (sometimes being royalty does had its benefits). Next, they had a nice picnic lunch in the park. As usual, some fans asked for Flying autograph, and she signed every paper gladly. It was a really nice time, since many ponies finally accepted Bright and some even greeted him. He greeted back with a smile. His mother was right, little by little everypony was warming up to him. Flying noticed this and smiled as well. She was glad Canterlot wasn’t that thick headed after all. Of course, she made sure to send away any mare that might be watching her prince in a way she didn’t like. Bright only laughed at this, as his marefriend’s jealously was very cute. When they exited the park, it was already night. Bright took Flying’s hoof and guided her to a place outside Canterlot, the hill where he and his mother had gazed at the city. When they arrived, they sat under the big tree. Flying Hope couldn’t help but stare at the city with marveled eyes. Bright wasn’t gazing the city; his eyes were focused only on the most beautiful mare in all the world. When Flying Hope noticed him staring at her and blushed, Bright stood up and looked her eye to eye. “Flying Hope?” “. . . Yes. . .Bright?” “When I lived in Minus, my master Onyx taught me that any creature has to watch out for itself. That almost everything in life has to be done alone. Now I see what he meant by ‘almost’.” “Yes?” “I always did everything on my own, rarely did I let any creature to help me. I’m my own man, but I’ve also realized I don’t want to be alone all my life. I want. . . no! I need somepony with whom to share my life, my happiness, my sorrows, my secrets.” “Bright. . . does this mean . . . what I think it means?” Flying Hope asked with expectant eyes. Bright smiled and approached her slowly. He took something out of his pants pocket, a little box. He knelt in front of his marefriend and revealed a golden ring inlaid with diamonds. “Flying Hope, there are many things I’m not sure about. But what I’m really sure of without a doubt is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don’t want you to ever go far from me. I never want to miss you again!” Flying Hope had her mouth covered with her hoofs, and by this moment she was already crying. “Flying Hope, would you marry me?” “YES!” Flying Hope screamed and tackled Bright, giving him a deep kiss. “YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! ONE MILLION TIMES YES!” Bright never let go of the ring, and when she calmed down, he proceeded to place the ring on her horn and gave it a little kiss. It was official now; she was his fiancé and future princess of Equestria. Following that, without saying another word, the both of them made sweet love under that tree, which would be from then on and forever, their very special place.