The Truth
Chapter Seven
“Hey, kids,” Red Zircon’s image said. “I think it’s already a given that if you’re seeing this, somepony that threatened me actually pulled it off. Also, the six of you have realized that you’re all brothers and sisters to each other and put the music boxes together.
“I don’t know how long it’s been since you were born, but I want all of you to know that, wherever I am, and I’m sure I’m still alive, not a day goes by that I miss you and your mothers with all of my heart. I knew the risks when I made my decision. I even told Princess Celestia myself. She then warned me that if somepony were to tell her or Princess Luna about my relationship with each of your mothers and asked that something be done, their hooves would be tied and they would have no choice but to, well...do something about it.
“It doesn’t matter,” the image of Red Zircon said with a shake of his head. “The love I share with your parents is one of the greatest things to happen in my life. I’d risk it all again in a heartbeat knowing that even if I’m gone, I at least left some part of me with them. That’s you.”
Red Zircon’s image sighed. “I don’t know how much you know of the reasons behind my not being here but basically someponies in town somehow found out that I was close to each of your mothers, which in normal society, is a big no-no. I started to receive threats and warnings asking me to leave Ponyville or date only one of your parents, but I couldn’t do either of those things, so I did the only thing that I wanted and could do: ignore them and keep them out of sight of your mothers.” He paused for a moment and his face changed into one of determination. “Why? The threats never mentioned Applejack, Fluttershy, or any of the others, specifically. They were only aimed at and addressed to me.
“The other reason I never told them is because had one of any of your mothers found the letters, I thought it would cause no end of trouble for them, and I didn’t want that, not for anypony. And it wouldn’t just be a huge scandal, but it would probably force the ponies in town to choose between me being with your mothers and siding with us, or me breaking the hearts of mares I care about the most and siding with everypony that anonymously sent me a threat of warning, which I think would end up being most of the town. Your mothers have their homes and they have friends here, and after all they've done, none of them deserve to be frowned on for loving the same stallion.”
Red Zircon’s image took a breath. “Anyway, what’s done is done, and the fact still remains that I’m not here, and I’m not sure if I can or will be allowed to return. I want you to do a few things for me, kids. The first thing is to make your mothers happy, just as happy as they made me, and hopefully, just as happy as I made them. I also want you to be the best ponies that you can be. Do your best in everything you do, just as your mothers do, and just as I did before I was sent away.”
Red Zircon’s image looked higher up, seemingly at the older mares present. “I expect all of you to be looking over the foals’ shoulders, don’t even try to deny it. The eight of you, that’s right, even you, Scratch, and you, Tavi, have done so much for me, and I can’t thank you enough for giving me your friendship and love.” A playful grin tugged at his lips. “Scratch, I think my life in Canterlot would have been a lot more dull without you, the music, the, well...” He rolled his eyes. “...you know. What we had was just as special to me as what I have with Twilight and the others. I’m glad that we remained friends even after we decided to break it off. Thanks for holding on to the key.”
The image of Red Zircon hung his head for a while and sighed once more. He lifted his head. “There’s so much more that I want to say, and yet it feels like I’ve said everything that needs saying. Knowing and befriending your mothers was a gift, and knowing the six of you are running around is another. You kids be good, look after your parents, and don’t cause too much trouble, okay?”
He perked up. “Oh, before I forget, now that the music boxes have been unlocked, they can play on their own when you press down on the block of quartz. The message will play if you tap it twice.”
His lips straightened into a thin line, and he closed his eyes. “As I said, be good, look after your mothers, don’t cause too much trouble, and do your homework.” He cast a brief, mischievous grin. “I love you all.” He bowed, and the image flickered and faded away.
Nopony spoke for a long while until Dawn turned around and looked up at Twilight, tears in her eyes, but beneath them was a determination that Twilight knew she wouldn’t be able to stop if she tried.
“Mama,” she said her voice shaky but at the same time full of conviction, “I want Daddy to come home.”