//------------------------------// // The Fruit of an Intense Passion // Story: The Legend of the Light Kingdom // by Rakoon1 //------------------------------// A few weeks had passed since the incident with Sombra. Since she was forced to banish Sombra, after having seen him to succumb to the darkness of the Lord of Chaos, Aurora kept look saddened. The passion she had for Sombra had been quite strong and lose it like that caused a great impact on her heart. Fortunately, after his feelings have been revealed so abruptly, Golden Paladin managed to maintain his friendship with Aurora, after all. It seemed that nothing in the dynamics between the two had been changed, although it was hard to Golden to be near Aurora for a long time. However, Aurora began to feel strange. Suddenly, she started feeling some nausea and headaches, as well as strange food cravings. Her humor was too unstable, leaving her very happy or sad or angry over little things. Her period was late, but she didn't give a lot of importance to this, since the whole thing with Sombra had left her immensely stressed. But the reason for all this, was soon explained. One morning, Heartbeat had just come out of her room, sighing: "Another beautiful morning." But it was then that she saw Aurora passing quickly for her, with her face with a slightly greenish tone. "Hello, Princess..." Heartbeat started greeting, but Aurora didn’t replied and drifted away quickly. "… Aurora?" Heartbeat wondered what was wrong with her. Not realizing, she used her empathy and then she felt something that left her stunned. She could notice two completely separate entities within Aurora. She was sure that one was Aurora’s, but the other, although little intense, couldn’t be identified by Heartbeat. But this second identity was different. It seemed to be pure and innocent. It was then that she realized and took the hooves at the mouth, not wanting to believe. "It can't be!" she exclaimed. "Looks like you got it too" a voice said. It was Mirror Coat that had appeared next to Heartbeat. "I can't believe" Heartbeat said, yet overwhelmed by her discovery. "This is… surreal. But, wait, how do you know?" "Dear sister, you may be able to feel the emotions of a developing baby, but I'm an observer and I noticed the signs" Mirror Coat said. "Taking into account the logic, I guess we know who the father is." "Yes, and I have a bad feeling about this" Heartbeat said. "Although I prefer the logic to feeling, I think it's safe to say that you're right" Mirror Coat said. Aurora, after having barfed, came out of the bathroom, facing Mirror Coat and Heartbeat staring at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Aurora asked. "We want to know if there is anything you want to tell us" Heartbeat said. "What do you mean by that?" Aurora asked, not understanding. "I guess she doesn't know" Mirror Coat said to Heartbeat. "Yes, and when she do, I bet she's going to faint" Heartbeat said. "And she would also like to know what you're talking about" Aurora said. Mirror Coat and Heartbeat traded looks between each other. The former said to his sister: "Tell her." "No way" Heartbeat said. "When we told to others that Golden was in love with the princess, I told them. Now it's your turn." "It doesn’t matter who says it or not, just say it" Aurora said. "What's going on?" "Well, it turns out, Your Highness... Heartbeat and I realized..." Mirror Coat started. "We realize that you are..." "You're pregnant!" Heartbeat exclaimed. That news made Aurora stay without reaction. "I thought you wanted that I was the one to tell" Mirror Coat said. "But you were taking too much time and I didn't contain myself" Heartbeat said. "What..." Aurora began. "What did you just say?" "You're pregnant" Heartbeat said. "I know this because I can feel the emotions of a developing baby. It's amazing how a being that has no defined organs is already sentient." But Heartbeat didn’t say more, because Aurora just passed out. "I told you she was going to faint" Heartbeat said to Mirror Coat who rolled his eyes. When Aurora came to herself, she was lying on her bed with Mirror Coat and Heartbeat around. "Are you okay, princess?" Mirror Coat asked. "Yes, I think I am" Aurora said, sitting and taking the hull to the head. "But I just had the strangest dream ever where you told me that I was pregnant." "Oh, that was not a dream" Heartbeat said. "It really happened." "What?" asked Aurora, not wanting to believe. "Please, princess, don’t faint again" Mirror Coat said. "After all, you have a life growing inside of you." When Mirror Coat said that, Aurora took her hull to her womb. "I'm pregnant?" she asked. "Yes, princess" Mirror Coat said. "I can’t… believe it" Aurora said, still shocked by the news. "Given how you spent a lot of time with Sombra, it's a wonder you don't believe" Heartbeat said. That comment made Mirror Coat throwing her a disapproving look. "What?" Hearbeat asked. "Too much?" Aurora rose up and addressed to her mirror, contemplating her reflection. Now that she looked well to herself, she really noticed that she was actually emitted a certain glow (more than the one her luminous coat emitted). She was really pregnant. And with Sombra’s child. She didn't know how she should feel, whether sad or happy. "Princess" Mirror Coat called. "Is everything all right?" "Yes" she replied. "Can you please leave me alone?" "Sure" Mirror Coat replied. "And please don't say anything to the others" Aurora said. "Mainly to Golden." "Don't worry" Mirror Coat said. "We will protect your secret." "With our lives" Heartbeat said. "Well, technically not with our lives, since we are immortal, but..." "She got it" Mirror Coat said. "Come on, let's go." And the two Generals left Aurora’s room, leaving her alone to process everything. The Princess of the Light Kingdom went back to her bed, where she laid, gazing at the ceiling. It seemed that the universe wanted her and Sombra to stay connected. Despite the love that held them together was destroyed, it was replaced by a foal, created by the intense passion that both felt for each other. Aurora took the hull to her belly, massaging it, still not wanting to believe in it was a baby. She had already imagined herself as mom, but when she became Princess, this idea was forgotten. Now, that dream came back to haunt her, becoming reality. But she didn't stop worrying about how her baby would be. It was true that the foal was her child, but it was also Sombra’s. And if he or she became also... evil, as his or her father? When she thought in such thing, Aurora moved away that thought. After all, when the baby was conceived, Sombra was still good, that Aurora had no doubt. However, she could predict how would be his or her life. After all, the light ponies were still quite shaken with incident with Sombra and knowing that their princess was pregnant with a servant of the Lord of Chaos would probably leave them appalled and outraged. "I hate when you look that way, my dear" a voice said. Aurora startled, when she heard that voice. She looked and saw that it was the Lord of Order. "Lord of Order" Aurora said, rising up and making a bow. "Please, there is no need for you to so formal" the Lord of Order said, while Aurora stood up. "After all, you're carrying a life inside of you, aren't you?" "Yes" Aurora said, discouraged. "You don't seem quite excited" the Lord of Order observed. "A pregnancy is reason for joy." "I know, but..." Aurora started. "But this foal is Sombra’s child. I'm afraid that the others may hate him or her for it." "Yes, this foal is Sombra’s child" the Lord of Order said. "But it’s also yours. Although it is not in my control how everyone will react to this pregnancy, I can only give you courage." "Thank you" Aurora thanked. "You're welcome" the Lord of Order said. "But right now, let's get to what really brought me here." "What do you mean?" Aurora asked. "I gave a look to the future, after the incident with Sombra" the Lord of Order said. "I was wondering what it could bring to the balance of Creation. And what I saw wasn't very nice." "What do you mean?" Aurora asked. "What did you see?" "I can't tell you exactly" the Lord of Order answered. "Aside from the fact that the future is quite fickle, its knowledge can bring serious disturbances in the delicate balance of time. But I can tell you that dark times are approaching. The Darkness is advancing and will try to take over the world. Even the Light Kingdom may be affected." "What?" Aurora asked. "Are you serious? But what does that have to do with Sombra?" "Everything" the Lord of Order said. "He is the center of everything that will happen. His hatred for you and the Light Kingdom is growing rapidly and may lead him to attack you." Aurora had figured that this would happen. After all, Sombra felt betrayed by her. It was also this sense of betrayal that turned him into what he was now. "How long do I have until the Darkness comes to the Light Kingdom?" she asked. "Not much" the Lord of Order said. "One year at best. But, Aurora, I have to say that it will be your decisions that will decide where the future will advance, not only to the Light Kingdom, but also... to your foal." "What do you mean?" Aurora asked. "That you will be responsible for his or her safety" the Lord of Order said. "After all, this is the role of a mother: ensure the safety of her child at all costs." And, having said that, he disappeared in a burst of light. It was typical of the Lord of Order: give vague and mysterious advices. Aurora brought together the six Generals of Order in the Great Hall and told them what the Lord of Order said to her (except the part about her baby). When she finished, Purple Smoke said: "Who knew that Sombra would give us so many headaches." That made Melody give him an elbow and then making a gesture to Princess Aurora. Purple Smoke realized what he just said and then said: "Oh right." "It doesn't matter who is our enemy" Golden said to his brothers and sisters. "The point is that we must protect the Light Kingdom at all costs. Princess, don't worry, I will increase the defenses and monitoring in the vicinity of the border." "Thank you, Golden Paladin" Aurora thanked. "I can put the plants more alert" Leaf Mane said. "If the enemy approach, they can attack them." "Yes, that's a good idea" Golden said, addressing the other generals. "We all can do something and that's what we're doing." Everypony waved. At the end of the meeting, when everypony started to leave, Aurora called: "Mirror Coat, Heartbeat, wait, I want to talk to you. The two approached and Aurora said: "Can we talk in a private place?" Realizing what she wanted to talk, the two Generals waved. They went to the Mirrored Library, as Mirror Coat knew when somepony walked in or out. "What do you want to talk with us, princess?" Heartbeat asked. "Is it about the baby?" "Yes, taking in count what is happening, I need help on this subject" Aurora said. "Following what the Lord of Order said, the future of my foal is in my hooves and, having regard to what is coming…" "You want advices from us" Mirror Coat concluded. "Yes" Aurora said. "The future of the Light Kingdom is uncertain and, frankly, it's not very encouraging. Furthermore, I am afraid that when the Lord of Chaos find out that Sombra and me have a child, he's going to want it and turn it on one of his villains. So, I want to ask you to help me figure out a way to protect him or her." "All of a sudden, I don't remember anything" Heartbeat said. "I may have an idea" Mirror Coat said. "Seriously?" Aurora asked, sketching a smile. "And what's it?" Heartbeat asked. "It's a virtually perfect plan if executed with precision, capable of protecting the foal from the Lord of Chaos" Mirror Coat explained. "But it requires a sacrifice from you, princess." "What?" she asked. "You'll have to give up the motherhood of your foal" Mirror Coat said. "In other words, as soon as he or she is born, you will have to get away from him." That left Aurora without expression. "What ridiculous idea, Mirror Coat" Heartbeat said. "How can you ask a mother-to-be to abdicate her own child?" "It's the only alternative" Mirror Coat said. "If everyone knows that Princess Aurora is pregnant, the Lord of Chaos will also know, and it's obvious that he’ll know who the father is. If we keep the pregnancy a secret until the time of the delivery and, after that, give him to another family to raise, he will be safe." “Seen from that perspective, it is a good idea" Heartbeat said. "But you can't expect..." "I accept the idea" Aurora said, breaking the discussion of the two Generals. That made the two turn to her. "Princess…" they said. "If it has to be done to protect my future son or daughter in the future, so be it" Aurora said. Heartbeat and Mirror Coat didn't say anything and, after a few seconds Aurora asked Mirror Coat: "What do we have to do?" "Don't worry" Mirror Coat said. "I've got it all figured out. Also, I've already picked out the perfect family to host the foal." "Are you sure?" Aurora asked. "Of course, I'm sure they will be pleased to receive him or her" Mirror Coat said. "Well, then I leave it in your hooves" Aurora said to Mirror Coat. He nodded and went through one of his portals. The General of Knowledge addressed to the neighboring realm of the Pony World: the Enchanted Forest. It was a realm consisted in a massively extensive forest, divided by kingdoms. Despite each kingdom had their own traditions and laws, there was one who was the overlord: Falancia. This kingdom was ruled by King Nightshade and Queen Delicacy, a couple of unicorns. King Nightshade had a persian indigo coat with a heart surrounded by ivies as Cutie Mark, cadet gray mane, very dark violet coatless hooves and rosewood eyes. On his head, there was a golden Crown decorated with sapphires and rubies. Queen Delicacy had gray coat with a hand mirror as Cutie Mark, chestnut mane and brownish red eyes. She possessed an immense beauty, wearing dazzling gowns too. Mirror Coat appeared to the king and the queen in their quarters, explaining to them the situation about the Light Kingdom and Princess Aurora. "Therefore, Princess Aurora needs to find a way to protect her unborn foal from the Lord of Chaos" Mirror Coat said, ending the explanation. "I see" King Nightshade said, next to his wife. "But what does that have to do with us?" "Because I know you both want a child, but that, unfortunately, can't happen" Mirror Coat said. Hearing what Mirror Coat said, Queen Delicacy gained an air that was a mixture of nervousness and excitement and asked: "Does that mean..." "Yes, that's exactly what's on your mind, Your Highness” Mirror Coat said. "We ask you to adopt Princess Aurora’s future foal and raise him as yours." A smile appeared on Queen Delicacy’s face who looked to her husband and asked: "Do you hear what I'm listening, Nightshade? We have the possibility of being parents." "Are you sure you want this?" King Nightshade asked. "More than anything" she said. "You know I always wanted to be a mother. Now, I have a chance to be it, even if it's with a foal that is not of my own blood." King Nightshade, who loved to see his wife happy, consented with the head and said to Mirror Coat: "We accept." "Perfect" Mirror Coat said. "One more thing. In order that we can lose the Lord of Chaos, I suggest that Queen Delicacy pretend a pregnancy for everypony to think that the foal is hers. Once the baby is born, I bring him or her and you can stay with him or her. Agree?" The king and the queen shared a look and then nodded to Mirror Coat. "Perfect" he said. "Then I will communicate your decision to Princess Aurora." When Mirror Coat was preparing to go through his portal, Queen Delicacy said: "Wait, Mirror Coat." He turned to her and asked: "Yes?" "I can imagine what Princess Aurora must be feeling, so I'd like it to be her to give the name the foal" Queen Delicacy said. "After she is his or her mother. I'm sure she will choose the perfect name." "I’ll tell her the message" Mirror Coat said. And, having said that, he went through the portal. He returned to the Mirrored Library and communicated to Aurora the decision of King Nightshade and Queen Delicacy. "I'm glad that you picked a good family to my colt, Mirror Coat" Aurora said. "Yes, I'm surprised too" Heartbeat said. "Princess, Queen Delicacy says you can choose the name of the foal" Mirror Coat said. "She sympathizes with the pain you must be feeling for going to be separated from your child to protect him or her." "I am grateful to the queen" Aurora said. "But, now, Mirror Coat, I want you to do something." "Whatever you want" Mirror Coat said. "I want you to seal all the information, existing and future, about my pregnancy and everything that can relate the foal to me or Sombra" Aurora said. "I don't want the other Generals to know." "Of course" Mirror Coat said. "You can count on me for that." "I really hope all this work" Aurora said. And so, weeks went by, with Aurora, Mirror Coat and Heartbeat hiding the pregnancy from other Generals and ponies. Meanwhile, King Nightshade and Queen Delicacy announced to their people the future arrival of an heir, following Mirror Coat’s plan of faking a pregnancy. When Aurora's belly started to grow, she, Mirror Coat and Heartbeat had to invent a way for her to leave for the remainder of the pregnancy without anyone knowing. While Aurora went to the castle of the Lord of Order to spend the rest of her pregnancy (since Harmonia was the only place that the Lord of Chaos could not reach), Mirror Coat created a glass clone of Aurora controlled either by him and Heartbeat to create her kind and wise personality. Despite suspicion from Golden, the General of Knowledge and the General of Affection managed to play the role very well. Finally, the day of the birth of the foal came. Aurora's water had broken and she was ready to give birth. Mirror Coat led the labor, while Heartbeat was giving forces to Aurora, encouraging her to continue. After long minutes of immense pain and pushing, the cry of a baby was heard. "It’s a colt" Mirror Coat announced while holding the newborn. Aurora couldn't contain herself of happiness, as she could finally meet her son. After Mirror Coat have cut the umbilical cord and cleaned the baby, wrapping him in a blanket, he handed him to Aurora and she observed him. He was a beautiful alicorn colt with dark violet coat, black mane and very dark violet coatless hooves. "He's so cute!" Aurora exclaimed. "Yes, but you know, in a certain way, he's just like Sombra” Heartbeat commented. The baby then opened his eyes that had the same shade of green than his father’s. That made Heartbeat say, startling: "Ah! Even his eyes are the same as Sombra’s. I mean, before he was corrupted." "It doesn’t matter" Aurora said, admiring her son. "He's perfect." It was then that Mirror Coat said: "Your Highness, it's time. Please say goodbye." Aurora said to her baby: "Be a good colt and grow up to be big and strong, but also generous and brave. To help you in this, I chose the perfect name for you: Valiant Heart." "Oh, it's a beautiful name!" Heartbeat exclaimed. Aurora gave a kiss on the forehead of his son and then handed him to Mirror Coat, saying: "Goodbye, my Valiant Heart." With the colt in his hooves, Mirror Coat created a portal and crossed it. In Falancia, the king and queen were waiting for the arrival of Mirror Coat in their quarters. Queen Delicacy was lying on the bed, as had been announced that the queen had gone into labor. King Nightshade was walking from one side to the other, impatient. "Where is he?" he asked. "He should have arrived by now." "Calm down, my dear" Queen Delicacy said. "He should be here in no time." And, soon after she say that, a portal appeared and Mirror Coat appeared, carrying the newborn foal. "Your Highnesses, here he is" Mirror Coat said. "It’s colt?" King Nightshade asked. "Yes" Mirror Coat said, advancing to Queen Delicacy. He handed her the foal and she was delighted when she saw him. "He's so cute" she said. "You're right, Delicacy" King Nightshade said. "He looks pretty healthy. But... He is an alicorn. Will not call too much attention?" "Not at all" Mirror Coat said. "You can say that the Lord of Order had blessed you with an alicorn son so the Enchanted Forest can be protected from his evil brother." "What's his name?" the Queen Delicacy asked. "What name did Princess Aurora choose?" "Valiant Heart" Mirror Coat responded. "Valiant Heart" the Queen repeated, looking with a huge smile to the baby. "That's a nice name." "Well, I have to go" Mirror Coat said. "I have to help Princess Aurora to recover so she can return to the Kingdom of light as soon as possible. The Darkness is coming and we have to be ready. And remember. Don’t tell the truth to anypony." And, having said this, he went through the portal. And so, Aurora and Sombra’s son became the Crown Prince of Falancia, the main kingdom of the Enchanted Forest.