//------------------------------// // Chapter Five: Mommy! // Story: Heart of Stone: Recovery Light // by TheCrimsonDM //------------------------------// Heart of Stone: Recovery Light Chapter Five: Mommy! Written by TheCrimsonDM The night was spent with Maud sleeping in Twilight’s room to keep an eye on her. Sunset had come over and checked out Twilight, her knowledge of healing magic was nowhere near as impressive as say, Moondancer’s but it was still far better than what Valiant could perform with her strange power. After Sunset left, Trixie heard Maud and Twilight talking late into the night, though she wasn’t entirely sure what all was said. Despite trying to listen in she couldn’t hear them well. Eventually she fell asleep listening to the soft sounds of their muffled conversation. When she woke up the next morning she smelled coffee and pancakes. By the time she got into the kitchen, Twilight was already sitting in her wheelchair at the table and eating. Her left hoof shook as she lifted pieces of food to her mouth with the fork. Maud and Valiant were already eating as well. Trixie grabbed a plate and some coffee before taking a seat. She noted that Twilight was wearing fresh bandages. Sipping at her coffee she wondered how best to broach the subject of last night. She wasn’t even sure that she should. “Good morning everypony,” Trixie said. “Good morning, Lulu,” Maud said. Valiant Heart squeaked. “Morning,” Twilight said lamely. “So uh, what are the plans for today?” Maud shrugged. “I was going to take Val on a hike. Sunset’s going to spend some time with Twilight while I do.” “Cool, a hike sounds fun.” “Just us, Lulu.” Trixie scrunched up her nose. “Why?” Maud gave her a level look. “I need to talk to her.” Trixie shook her head. “Oh come on, I can do that too.” “She doesn’t like to speak around you,” Maud said flatly. That stung, but it was true. If Maud needed the filly to use words for something then it would be better to leave Trixie behind. She was curious about what they would need to discuss, but after what Twilight did last night, Trixie was sure it was important. “Alright, I guess I’ll just find something else to do until then. Maybe I’ll go visit Inkie or something?” Maud nodded. “That should be good. Just don’t believe a word Blinkie tells you.” “Yeah, I know.” Only a couple of hours later did Maud and Valiant leave on their hike. Sunset only waited for a few minutes before wrapping the blue blanket around Twilight, asked if she needed to use the restroom, and then wrapped the wheelchair in a teal aura and pushed it to the door. She nodded for Trixie to follow. Together the three of them went down the wooden ramp and out onto the old dirt road. The sun’s warmth spread over the barren landscape, helping the occasional tree and army of weeds grow. Sunset pushed the wheelchair while simultaneously checking her saddlebags. “If you need anything to drink or eat let me know,” Sunset said. “Okay,” Twilight replied. Trixie walked next to Sunset. “So where are we going?” “Just taking a nice little walk.” Sunset examined Twilight’s hair. “You’re mane is growing back nicely. Soon you’ll look just like your old self.” “No, I won’t.” Sunset frowned. “Yes you will. Just give it time and you’ll see.” Twilight didn’t reply. Trixie didn’t blame her. She hadn’t considered it before, but Twilight’s mane had been half way burned off during the fight, and even with a proper mane cut it only looked like a poor copy of her old style. It was a lot shorter. It would be difficult for anypony not close to her before hoof to recognize Twilight as the princess. “Trixie,” Twilight said. “Yes?” “I… I said some nasty things to you didn’t I?” Trixie looked away. “You were just trying to keep me safe. Honestly I was being foolish and putting myself and my family in danger. You were right to try and push me away.” Twilight looked down at the road. Her voice came out bitter. “No, it wasn’t. I was having a breakdown and I took it out on you. Now you’re kind enough to take care of me… I’m sorry. I screwed up everything.” “Twilight,” Trixie said sternly. “I forgave you a long time ago. Now let’s enjoy our walk, and maybe if we’re lucky we’ll find a few flowers.” “Yeah, sure.” “Maybe even dandelions.” “Whatever,” Twilight couldn’t hide the anger in her voice, but Trixie was now sure that Twilight’s anger wasn’t directed at her. Twilight hated herself for what happened, and Trixie couldn’t think of how to help her old friend. The walk went on for a good ten minutes before Trixie saw an odd pair of ponies. A red unicorn mare with a pink mane stood next to a strange creature, something between Griffon and pony. With the brown body of a pony, the tail of a lion, and the wings of a spotted bird this thing that stood before her was a hippogriff. His deep dark crimson mane was messy. “I am sure that they are somewhere out here,” The mare said. “Sugarcane, even if she is how are we going to go about this?” he asked. Sunset stopped. “That stallion’s a hippogriff. I never thought I’d actually see one.” Trixie had heard of hippogriffs, at least in theory, but pony-griffon relations were always poor at best. This was a rarity indeed. Trixie couldn’t help but to smile. “Hey, Twilight, look it’s a hippogriff. Maybe you can ask him about how that happened? I bet there is a lovely friendship story there about how a griffon and pony fell in love.” “Screw, friendship,” was the only reply Twilight was willing to give. Trixie was stunned for a moment, Twilight always loved friendship. This recent tragedy had pushed the alicorn further than Trixie knew was possible. Trixie lowered her head. The one thing that Trixie had hoped would make Twilight smile would be friendship, but it would seem that even the mare’s favorite topic couldn’t rescue her now. Even if she wasn’t interested though, Trixie still was. Trixie trotted up to the couple and smiled as warmly as she could. “Hello.” They looked at her, blinked and then asked in unison, “Princess Trixie Lulamoon?” “Yes, that’s me. Did you need something?” “I thought you were an alicorn,” Sugarcane said. “Was an alicorn. The fall of Canterlot was hard on all of us.” “Harder on some than others I suppose,” The hippogriff said while studying at Trixie. “Might I ask what brings you two to out little town of New Slate?” Trixie asked The stallion stood tall. “Actually we needed to speak with you.” Sugarcane offered a smile, it was twisted somehow. “You see, me and my husband Shine Heart here have been looking for you since we first saw a picture of you and your family in the newspaper.” “Really?” Trixie asked. She half expected to be asked to sign her autograph. “Yes,” Shine Heart said. “You seem to have our daughter.” *** Back at home Sunset made sure to sit next to Trixie while Twilight flanked the other side. Meanwhile Sugarcane and Shine Heart sat on the couch opposite of them while sipping at hot cups of tea. Awkward tension filled the room, and questions flooded Trixie’s mind to the point of exhaustion. Focusing on the few important ones was truly difficult. “So, let’s get the big question out of the way first,” Trixie suggested. “How did you lose Valiant Heart in the first place?” A shameful look crossed over Sugarcane’s face, but Trixie picked up a trace of fear from her as well. “We were visiting Manehattan, we come from Tall Tale you see, and wanted to see the Statue of Harmony. We brought our daughter with us but when we were going home, the train station was so busy. There were so many ponies rushing around, bumping into each other and us. It was like being corralled into a prison rather than going onto a train… we…” She sniffled. “We, it was just. I can’t, I’m sorry.” Shine Heart stepped in, his voice cool and professional. “We were separated and despite how much effort, or how many search parties went out looking for her, we never once found her.” “That dreadful city took my baby!” Sugarcane cried “Shh,” He said as he wrapped a wing around her. “We found her again. It will be okay.” “Thank you,” She said as she wiped her eyes on her leg. Her body regained its composer rather quickly, but that fear Trixie sensed from her was only growing stronger. “We spent a lot of our time, and money in trying to find our daughter over the years. Eventually we even had to file for bankruptcy, the private investigator’s fees were simply too high,” Shine Heart explained. Sunset frowned. “How long ago did you lose her?” “Three years ago.” Sunset gave a warning look to Trixie. “Valiant Heart is seven?” “Oh yes, our little baby’s birthday is five days from now, and then she will be eight years old,” Sugarcane said. Trixie’s eyes popped wide. “Five days! We don’t even have any presents, or a party planned, or, or, or anything!” Sugarcane raised her eyebrow, “You are still planning on giving her a party?” “Of course I am, she’s my dau-“ Trixie stopped mid sentence. But she’s not my daughter. She’s their daughter, and after seeing us in the papers they probably want to take her… home. Sunset leaned toward Valiant’s parents. “Let me ask, what exactly is your intention here?” Shine Bright smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes. “We want to see our daughter again, and then maybe take her back home with us. That is, unless you have other thoughts?” Trixie closed her eyes but couldn’t hide the shiver that ran through her. She knew the correct answer to the question, and it hurt. “I’d love to keep her…” “How can we be sure you’d be any better at parenting than we were,” Sugarcane asked. “Could you somehow reassure us that you could raise her better than us?” Trixie shook her head. “I’ve never had kids before so, no I can’t.” “I’m sure you could think of some way to convince us that you two are acceptable parents,” Sugarcane said, she licked her lips and something crawled across Trixie’s back. Sunset’s eyes burned. “What exactly could persuade you? A donation of bits to help refund all of that money you two poor souls spent in the search for your long lost daughter perhaps?” Sugarcane’s eyes sparkled. “That would most certainly prove to us that you could afford to take care of her. That could be enough.” Twilight leaned forward in her chair. “Get out.” The two looked at the wheelchair bound pony. Sugarcane blinked. “Excuse me?” “You heard me, get out.” “Why should I listen to a paraplegic unicorn?” she asked. Twilight shot a look to Trixie and Sunset. “These two are threatening to take Val away unless you pay them. Are you seriously going to sit there and let them blather on like a couple of nitwits?” The front door opened before Trixie could respond and Maud walked in with a tired looking Valiant Heart on her back. The filly looked over and her eye shot wide as she saw her parents. The filly tensed up, grabbed Maud’s hair and stayed completely still. Maud shot them both a death glare. They didn’t budge. Sugarcane smiled and stood up. “Oh, my sweet poor baby. What happened to your eye?” She took a few steps toward them, and Valiant let out a tiny shriek. Maud quickly put herself between the two of them. “Don’t get close to her.” “She’s my daughter, I should be able to if I want.” Maud scowled at her and hissed, “You’re daughter?” Trixie saw this all snowballing into a dangerous and life threatening display of Maud’s power. She quickly rose to her hooves and walked over to Maud’s side. “Maud, honey, these two are Valiant’s biological parents. They’ve come here to see their daughter and talk with us.” Valiant squeaked. “Okay,” Maud said as she forcefully calmed herself. “Speak.” “We discussed this with the princess already,” Sugarcane said as she glanced at Trixie. “What do you think?” Trixie looked at Valiant. “Do you want to go with them or stay here with us?” Valiant squeaked and clutched Maud’s hair tighter. Maud’s entire body tensed. A nervous cough escaped Trixie’s throat as she looked back at Sugarcane and shrugged. “She wants to stay, what else can I say?” “So you are willing to, prove your dedication to us?” Sugarcane asked with hungry eyes. Maud didn’t take her eyes off the mare. “What is she talking about?” Trixie shook her head. “I am a princess of Equestria. Are you really going to push this?” “She is my daughter,” Sugarcane said. “If you are unwilling to work with us than I see no reason why I shouldn’t just take the thing back.” she reached out with a hoof toward Valiant. Maud stepped back and snarled. “Don’t.” Valiant whimpered. Sugarcane stepped forward. “The noisy thing belongs to me and if you aren’t paying I’m taking her back!” She lashed out with a foreleg. The filly’s pupil shrunk and she grappled with Maud’s hair while shouting, “Don’t let them take me, Mommy!” There was a flash of movement, and next Trixie knew it Sugarcane was no longer standing inside the house, but rather she was sailing out the front door. Her body hit the railing and broke it as she continued sailing over the ground for a good thirty feet before colliding into the ground and rolling a few times. Shine Heart stood and stared out the door at the limp form of his wife. Valiant cried and wrapped her legs around Maud while sobbing, “Thank you mommy, thank you.” Maud patted the back of Valiant’s head gently. “Nopony touches my daughter.” Shine Heart walked to the door and slowly backed out onto the porch. He stared at Maud with wide eyes. “You’re insane! We don’t even want the brat, and you…” Trixie walked up and glared daggers at him. “I have already officially taken Valiant Heart under my wing as my pupil. That means that she is mine now, and there is nothing you can legally do about it.” she glanced at Sugarcane as the mare tried to push herself up, screwed up her face and out came the mare’s breakfast. Trixie met Shine Heart’s eyes. “If you should ever try this again, remember this. Maud is my wife, a mere earth pony. I am a princess of Equestria, my power is absolute. Do not anger the Great and Powerful Trixie.” He gulped took one look back at his wife and took off into the air toward her. He swooped down and scooped her up just as she finished spitting. The two went flying off into the distance. The very second they were out of sight; Maud sat down and scooped Valiant into her forelegs. She held the tiny thing like a baby and kissed her forehead. “I will never let anypony hurt you. You are my baby.” Valiant cried into Maud’s chest, thanking her, sobbing, and calling her mommy. At least Trixie could be sure that her family was safe with Maud. Come what may, Maud would keep them safe. Trixie looked back over the horizon. “You know one good thing came of this,” Sunset said. “What?” Trixie asked. “We know exactly how old she is now.” *** It was later that night before everypony had calmed down. Maud looked more worried when she learned that Valiant’s birthday was in five days, than she did while she was dealing with Sugarcane. It was interesting to know that Valiant’s lion tail had an origin; she was a quarter griffon. This made Trixie curious as to whether or not the filly could walk on clouds? “Val,” Twilight said quietly. The filly was still being held by Maud, but now at least she was resting on Maud’s lap while reading a book. Valiant looked up and met Twilight’s eye. She grunted an acknowledgement. “Look, I’m sorry about last night… you… you need ponies like Maud and Trixie. You needed a friend,” Twilight said. She closed her eye. “I know I’m not a very good friend right now, but you were kinder to me than anypony I think I have ever met. I don’t think any of my friends would have read to me every night like you did… so… I just want to promise you that I won’t do something stupid again. Not until you’re a grown up with a bunch of friends. Until then, I’ll do my best to be a good friend to you… can you forgive me?” Valiant nodded, and reached for her whiteboard, Maud had to hoof it to her. She quickly wrote a message down and showed it to Twilight. Twilight’s lip quivered. “Th-thank you.” At long last, Trixie took a seat and was able to enjoy the now peaceful atmosphere of her small home. Twilight had just made a promise, as a friend, to try and get better. Trixie knew that Twilight would keep such a promise, no matter what. Sunset was back at home, or if Trixie’s suspicions were correct she was out making sure that Valiant Heart’s parents didn’t bother the filly, ever again. Trixie loved Sunset, but she was a dangerous mare to cross. Those two ponies just crossed her by threatening her family and friends. Trixie was under Sunset’s mentorship and that meant automatic family membership. When there was a knock on the door. Trixie expected to find Sunset behind the door, hooves covered in blood and a wicked grin across her face as she promised Trixie that her family was now safe. What she found was the last thing she would have ever expected. In the pale light of the moon stood the one mare who could wear the moonlight as a fashion statement. Princess Luna stood on her front porch.