//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8: Happily ever after? 
// Story: Luna's Chosen Few 
// by Sanguine Eyes 
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To their relative surprise, the building was rather full. Despite the known heroism at play, the past was not that far away and not many wanted to go to the awards ceremony that honored a bat pony and nothing else. It was still a hard time on their kind. But all of house Abyssal showed up as did all the vassal clans from Tsun, to Chime as well as the main house. A small handful of other ponies were there, whether they were ordered to be there or actually cared.

Waking stood, his wings stretched and flapped gently to take weight off his prosthetic foreleg. His long since gray hair and lightly wrinkled face was all that even suggested he had aged a day. He could still whup any of Celestia's guards with his eyes closed. Though it had been years since he had to. Years even since he surrendered his position to another and began to teach the royal guards. Beside him stood a happy brown mare, her belly swelled with her third child. Hair up in a bun, Cookie had not seen combat in even longer but still imprinted her hoof in more plot than anypony else in the guard.

Celestia knocked her hoof on the podium which was responded to with instant silence throughout the room. "We the royal sisters are here to recognize the work and bravery of one of our own. The bravery and duty of None other than commander Abyssal Dart. Father, commander, and something of an heir to greatness." She cast a troubled glance at Luna before clearing her throat and continuing. "For his actions in holding off the chaos and power of Discord, for going above and beyond the call of duty to his nation and his Princesses, we present to Commander Abbysal with the title and rank of Captain general and for the first time we announce the formation of the Lunar guard. The apex of this Lunar guard shall be his own hoof picked soldiers to become the Knights of the night!"

There were cheers and a set of 'huzzahs' from those who saw past the petty prejudices and saw the warrior he was. Luna completed the ritual by lowering a master crafted glaive over his shoulders one at a time. "Rise Captain General Dart, and take the proof of your station." He rose, and the element of honor, bound to his armor gave off a glow, raising the new Lunar Glaive to his side. He gave one last bow and smiled, leaning in he whispered.

"Love you too mom..."

The two smiled and the celebration began.









"I just wish we all could have made it..." Dart sighed looking back at his cutie mark, pole arms over a starry night. "Shadow should have been here, he missed so much...."

Cookie laughed smashing an elbow into her husband's ribs. "Oh shush! You know he is proud wherever he is. Just focus on what YOU got… I mean look at you! Captain General, lead of the Abyssal house… I’ll bet your dad’s head is still ringing from that blow that ended the match when you challenged him to reclaim your inheritance! And of course most of all you got me" She giggled snuggling up to him.

Dart's devastated cough was masked by Waking's laugh. "Well boy, she’s right, you have it all, and you're in charge now, I know you will do right by our princess. Just remember..."


Dart smiled and they both spoke at the same time reciting the creed. "Only in death does the duty of the righteous end!"

"Honor until death my brother..." Waking extended his metal hoof and met Dart's muscle bound response with a heavy clang.

"So now honey!!" Cookie snuggled up in the crook of Dart's neck. "Where we gonna live? you can't fly from the castle on Dark Island to the barracks every night... and if you try I'll headbutt you into next year..." It was still unerving how much ease was in her voice when she spoke such things, and everypony at dark island learned very fast that she did not bluff.

He laughed and looked over at Waking and grinned. It took him a moment but Waking’s eyes widened a bit and he coughed. "What?...oh hell no, just because I have a mansion doesn't mean I need you two and your little ones prancing about. I was not a general in the royal army for all those years just so I could be turned into a glorified babysitter. It was hard enough raising my own AND fighting a war… your crazy kids will drive me to an early grave."

        Dart chuckled “Early grave? You are older than any war veteran I have ever met older still than any guard Equestria has known..”

        “That’s what I do boy! Set and break records...I’ve got the record and I want nopony ever to break it.”

"Fine fine fine!... hrrmmm Isn't that house right across the street from your place on sale?"

"Oh that sounds wonderful!" Luna stepped in with a smile. "I can just visit all my children in one fell swoop"

"And mommy approves! It’s a done deal Waking...." Their laughs out shined Wakings sigh.

"Mother?" Dart stared up into Luna's blue eyes, just as he spoke she turned to him seeing the look in his eyes.

"We did not all make it, but we all lived up to our destinies. He would be proud of you Dart... we all are. Equestria is safe and everything that could endanger it is sealed in stone or locked away for good." She stepped closer. "We all miss Shadow, all we can do now is our duty. I could never have asked for better children than you. My precious precious children...My chosen few, and the few that chose me."


~~~The End~~~