Over the next few weeks leading up to the Grand Galloping Gala, both Troy and Canvas were particularly busy as they made their preparations. For the stallion, things had been especially hectic as he got everything ready; along with the big project that he wanted to get done before the Gala--which he'd been just as private about as he was with his painting for Celestia--Canvas also had to deal with the onslaught of questions from ponies as news about his past circulated around town.

Even though many ponies were polite enough to avoid asking him about those things when he first moved into Ponyville, the recent fight he had with his father quickly spread around, making almost everypony curious. Even though he managed to keep his visits to town limited due to his new, secret project, Canvas couldn’t help but deal with ponies when he did go into Ponyville, making him explain the basic facts as clearly and simple as he could.

Even though he was sure his other friends were still upset that he’d kept this secret about him and his father from them for so long, Canvas was quick to tell them not only of what happened in Gallop Creek, but what happened at the train station as well. While Lyra seemed surprised Canvas would do something like that after knowing what Copper did to him, Twilight seemed especially happy that the stallion spoke with his father, knowing just how important family bonds could really be. After telling Twilight and the others about his proper goodbye to his Dad, word spread around town just as quickly as news of the fight did. It wasn't long before the questions about Canvas and his father died down a bit, allowing him to work on his project in peace as he prepared for the Gala.

Troy, on the other hand, was making preparations of his own before the Gala. Along with being fitted for tuxedos with his coltfriend with the assistance of Rarity, Troy had been keeping himself busy while Canvas worked in his studio. Knowing what he wanted to do for the big night, the Gryphon was being just as secretive as Canvas while he got everything ready. After making sure everything was in place--with a small bit of assistance from Rarity after she found out about his plan--Troy was surprised by how quickly time passed for the two of them before they had to leave.

While the Grand Galloping Gala was still a day away, Canvas was adamant about what he wanted to do beforehand as he waited at the train station early in the morning; fortunately, Troy was more than supportive of his course of action, understanding his lover's reasoning completely as he waited right beside him

Before the train could arrive to take them to their destination, the sound of galloping hooves caught the attention of the two. They looked back at the platform entrance, seeing Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash come up to them as Lyra and Bon-Bon followed behind. As the four mares approached Canvas and Troy, all of them kept a mix of excitement and slight worry on their faces, already being told of Canvas's plans before he went to the Gala. Hoping to ease any tensions that might be present, Twilight cleared her throat before she spoke to Canvas.

"Well, Canvas, I just want you to know that I completely understand why you want to do this. All I want to say is that you know you can contact me if anything happens."

Canvas gave her a light smile and nodded, although he was sure nothing would occur while he was there. Knowing that Celestia did a personal investigation in the town, Canvas figured that nopony in Gallop Creek would even dare to try and bother him this time. And since he didn't plan to stay in the town for very long, Canvas was confident that he would be alright, especially when he stayed close to the Gryphon beside him. Looking up to his boyfriend, Canvas grinned a little as Troy looked back down at him, both of them knowing that the Gryphon was basically being a bodyguard as he went with him into town.

"I think I'll be alright, Twilight,” said Canvas before he locked eyes with Troy. "I don't think I'll be there for that long, and I'd hate to think of anypony dumb enough to mess with me with this guy around."

Troy grinned and looked down at Canvas, happy that he was able to be the stallion's protector as they went on this little journey. While she didn’t want to interrupt the two gazing at each other (despite how sappy it looked), Rainbow Dash cleared her throat to catch their attention, waiting until they turned their heads to her before she spoke.

"Just so you know, Troy,” said the cyan mare as she looked at the Gryphon, "Rarity wanted me to tell you the alterations to your tux are ready, and that she'll give it to you as soon as you're off the train in Canterlot."

Troy's grin grew even bigger as he looked at the Pegasus, not noticing how much his tail was wagging before he noticed Canvas looking at him oddly, keeping a skewed eyebrow before Troy looked away from him, blushing. Hoping to recompose himself before anypony got suspicious, Troy looked back at Rainbow Dash as he spoke.

"Th-thanks for telling me that, Dash. Tell her I really appreciate it."

The Pegasus nodded, still keeping a slightly suspicious look on her face before Lyra and Bon-Bon walked past her. Walking up to the two, Lyra and Bon-Bon were quick to hug both Canvas and Troy, happy to wish them luck before their big night. Ever since they learned of Canvas's full past, the two mares had been especially insistent on becoming closer with both Canvas and Troy, feeling particularly grateful when Canvas told them as much as he could.

After everything was said and shared, the married couple felt a lot closer to their friends as they gave their best wishes at the station, keeping them close as Bon-Bon spoke up.

"You two have a great time in Canterlot!" Bon-Bon said as she gave an especially tight hug to Canvas. "And I hope things go well for the both of you on the way."

"Thanks, Bon-Bon,” said Canvas as he hugged her back. "It's a shame you two can't come with us."

"Don’t sweat it, Canvas,” said Lyra as she looked at him. "We've been there before, so it's not like I'm missing anything big. I'm just glad you both are going together."

Troy pulled in Canvas with a wing as he heard that, looking down at his coltfriend as he smiled at him. Feeling especially excited about the Gala, Troy looked back at the two mares with a grin as he spoke to them.

"I know it's going to be a great night,” said the Gryphon in an especially happy tone, "and we'll be sure to let you know of what happens as soon as we get back."

As the sound of an upcoming steam engine began to fill the train station, Canvas and Troy were quick to give some last-minute hugs to their friends, both of them feeling glad about what was going to happen. As the train began to board into the station, a large cloud of steam began to envelop all of them before the speakers clicked on. A booming voice made the announcement for all the ponies at the station:

Now boarding: All passengers for the train for Baltimare, Appleloosa, and Gallop Creek.

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The train was crowded at first as Canvas and Troy took their seats, making the Gryphon feel especially cramped as his height almost made his head touch the roof. Fortunately, having Canvas next to him made him feel a bit more comfortable as the train made its route through the towns, making the passenger car less crowded with each stop.

By the time the train departed from the Appleloosa station and the train car was nearly empty, Troy was surprisingly comfortable in his small seat. However, as the train came closer to his old town, Canvas was starting to feel more and more nervous as the landscape became more familiar.

As the deserts slowly turned back into large fields and farmland, Canvas started to look paler. He clutched his art bag and avoided looking out the window, catching Troy's attention as he saw how worried the stallion was. As Gallop Creek began to come closer to them, Troy wrapped a foreleg around his coltfriend and held him close, speaking in a gentle voice in an effort to ease his nerves.

"It's alright, Canvas,” said Troy in an especially caring tone as he began nuzzling him, "I'm going to be right next to you the whole time."

Canvas nodded and looked up at the Gryphon, trying to force a faint smile on his muzzle to cover his obvious hesitance about coming back here. As the speakers in the car announced their stop approaching, Canvas started to look even more flustered before Troy hugged him, keeping him in his forelegs as he spoke in a clear and insistent tone.

"Canvas, remember in the hotel room when you first told me about what happened to you, and you were worried about it happening again in Ponyville?"

Canvas nodded a little as a smile came back on his face, remembering how scared he used to be before meeting everypony who helped him out.

"When I was with you then,” continued the Gryphon, "what did I tell you?"

Canvas paused for a moment as he held himself against Troy, remembering his lover's words back when they were just becoming friends. Smiling as he recalled them, Canvas's voice came out faintly as he spoke.

"You… you said that if anypony messed with me… that you would take care of it."

"That's right,” said Troy as he pulled back his head and looked straight into Canvas's eyes. "And I meant it then, just like I mean it right now."

Seeing the sincerity in Troy's gorgeous golden eyes, Canvas felt lighter as he bent in and kissed him on the beak, feeling a lot more at ease as the train began to slow down. Despite still feeling resistant about returning to the place he'd come to hate for so long, none of the stallion's worries got to him as he looked straight into Troy's eyes, helping to ease his mind even when the Gallop Creek Train Station came into view.

As the train made its final stop for the morning route, arriving in Gallop Creek just before noon, Troy was quick to get up from his seat before his coltfriend. Waiting for him at the exit of the train car, Troy made sure the stallion was right by him before he opened his wing, holding it up like a shield as he looked at Canvas with caring eyes. Seeing what he was doing for him, Canvas felt especially grateful for his boyfriend being here as he moved in underneath the massive wing, savoring the immense warmth as they walked out of the train, side-by-side.

Even with his lover covered as they slowly made their way out of the station, Troy knew he was still going to attract a lot of attention, knowing that most ponies here have probably never seen a Gryphon before. As Troy considered just putting his coltfriend on his back and flying him to his destination, Canvas poked at his side to catch his attention, motioning him in a different direction before they could make it to the main road through town. Following his lead, Troy walked where Canvas was leading him, still keeping him snug under his wing as they went around the side of the first building along the town.

As they reached the back of the building, Troy saw that there was a small--although fairly unused--alleyway that led along the side of town. Seeing how empty and unused the alley was, Troy lifted his wing, allowing Canvas to step forward and lead the way as they walked together.

Keeping him close, Troy walked alongside Canvas while they made their way down the alley, noticing how grey and lifeless Gallop Creek looked as they walked past the open spaces between the buildings. "Man,” he muttered as he saw how unappealing Gallop Creek looked in comparison to Ponyville, "I can see why you left this place. This town is really depressing-looking."

"I know,” said the stallion as he avoided looking over to the main street, "but it doesn’t matter. That's not why I'm here."

Eventually, the two made their way through the town, managing to avoid anypony present as they went where Canvas was wanting to go. As the buildings behind them slowly shrank from view, the skies started to look brighter as they walked past a particularly green field.

By the time they walked past the black iron gates, Troy was surprised by how much more colorful this place looked compared to the town behind them. Remembering how Canvas told him he was here a lot after his Mom’s passing, Troy couldn’t blame him as he saw how serene and beautiful this place was. With the clear blue skies above them and shining green grass underneath, Troy couldn't help but see how ironic this all felt; of all the places in this lousy town, the one part that seemed the most lively happened to be the cemetery.

Walking along the lines of tombstones, Canvas slowed down a little when they reached a large oak tree, which gave a nice shade as he stopped underneath it. After taking a moment to feel the cool grass underneath his hooves, remembering how many hours he spent under this tree while he worked on his art, Canvas looked up with a worried glance to Troy as he spoke.

"Troy…” said the stallion faintly. "I…. I really want to be alone for this, first.”

Troy only nodded, understanding how big this moment was before he hugged him tightly. Hoping he was going to be alright for this, Troy stood underneath the tree as he let go and watched the stallion slowly walk forward again.

As he walked along the lines of gravestones once more, Canvas felt his heart grow heavier as he reached closer to the one he came for. As soon as his Mother's grave came within sight, a huge gust of wind blew against Canvas's back, making him move forward faster as he walked toward the stone.

Feeling his emotions take over, Canvas's walk quickly turned into an anxious gallop as the winds kept blowing against his back, eventually making him run as fast as he could as his bag flopped against his side before stopping at the grave. While the wind blew even harder around Canvas, caressing every inch of the stallion as tears came from his eyes, Canvas could only give a gracious smile as he sat down in front of the tombstone, savoring this moment as he read the text on the grave.

Blowing Winds
Caring Wife
Loving Mother
Dedicated Storm Worker

Before he left Gallop Creek, Canvas spent almost every day within this graveyard, either sitting beside her grave or underneath the tree nearby as he worked on his art. While his father was insistent about him being anywhere else but here, Canvas never listened to him, letting the gentle winds around the cemetery brush against him as he spent his years in this tranquil space.

Whenever he was here, no matter what the weather was, Canvas always felt a gentle breeze against him, especially when he was close to her grave. Now that he was back for the first time in months, the longest time he’d ever spent away from his Mom, Canvas felt the wind around him blowing harder than it ever had, brushing against him in every direction as he put a hoof up to the grave. Closing his eyes, Canvas waited until the winds settled, feeling them continue to caress his fur lightly before he spoke in a cracked voice.

"H-hi, Mom."

Looking at the stone, Canvas smiled as more tears came down, feeling glad that finally did this again after so long. Suddenly, a new gust of wind picked up, blowing especially hard around the top of Canvas's head as it went through his mane. Feeling the breeze tickle him slightly, Canvas's smile grew even bigger before he spoke some more to the grave.

"Yeah, I know… I had it cut a few months ago…”

Canvas kept his hoof on the grave, feeling the coolness of the stone against his fur before he looked at the top corner. Remembering seeing it in his dream from Luna, Canvas felt his heart grow heavy again as he saw the slightly discolored spot on the grave, standing darker than the rest of the stone as a bitter reminder of everything that happened.

Reaching out to the discolored area, Canvas touched the spot where both his and his father's blood laid before, realizing how much pain happened at the place his Mother was supposed to rest. Canvas's smile dropped as his head hung low at the grave, feeling new tears of sadness come out as a breeze hit against his back.

"It… it's been way too long, Mom…”

Canvas sniffed and tried to keep his voice strong, not wanting to seem too weak as he recalled everything that happened since the last time he was here. As Troy looked over from the tree with worry, Canvas struggled to speak clearly as he looked at the grave, knowing what he had to say.

"He… he found me… You can probably say a lot about him, but… but he was a stallion of his word…”

More tears escaped Canvas as he spoke, wondering whether Copper came back here before him to tell her of how everything went. As the breeze kept brushing against his back, Canvas kept talking as he recalled what happened.

"He…. he tried to talk with me, and… and I didn't want to at first… I… I said horrible things to him… I thought it would help me, but… but it just didn’t feel right…”

Canvas clenched his eyes shut as he kept speaking, trying to keep himself in control as he clutched the grave.

"I… I talked with him later and… and we said our goodbyes…”

As the winds began to die down, Canvas pressed his head against the stone, feeling his tears hit the grass underneath him as he continued.

"I don't think… I don't think things will ever be the same again, but… but I'm glad it ended the way it did… it’s just…”

Canvas could no longer hold himself together. He pulled up his other hoof as he hugged the tombstone, crying out harder as he spoke in a cracking voice.

"I just wish you were here, Mom! I… I really wish you were here before any of that happened! I know that… that you would've made everything easier…”

The winds suddenly blew harder again and hit Canvas's back, pressing him against the stone tighter as he cried. Feeling the winds hugging him, Canvas smiled as he felt the hard breeze on him, knowing that feeling was all that he needed to feel better.

After a moment, Canvas slowly pulled back from the grave, looking at the tombstone with a smile as he spoke in a more optimistic voice.

"I… I'm doing a lot better, though… I'm in a great town, called Ponyville… I know you would've loved it."

Still tearing up, Canvas touched the stone again as he smiled, recalling all the things that had gone well for him over these months.

"I have a great home, and… and I'm a successful artist… just like you said I would be."

Canvas then reached a hoof into his art bag, pulling out a copy of the Canterlot Press as he laid it in front of the grave. Laying it out so the headline of him with Celestia was in clear view, Canvas kept the largest smile on his tear-matted face as he continued speaking happily.

"I made history, Mom! I… I made a painting for Canterlot Castle."

A huge gust of wind quickly blew Canvas against the stone again, jarring him a little as his head bumped against the grave. As he pulled his head back, the winds were still blowing against the grave, holding the thick newspaper against it for several seconds before it fell back on the ground. Keeping a warm smile on his muzzle, Canvas lifted his hoof and pressed it against the stone, keeping a cheerful look in his wet eyes as he spoke gently.

"Also… I found someone."

The winds died down a little, worrying Canvas a little before he remembered what happened over a year ago. Back when he was still in high school, it took several months of denial and self-loathing before he finally realized who he was. Even though he was terrified about what would happen to him if anypony found out, one of the first things Canvas did was go to this graveyard, sitting in front of this grave as he spoke in almost a whisper. As soon as he said those two words to his Mother:

I'm… gay.

There was a long silence where nothing happened. No winds, no sounds, no indication of anything for the stallion as he sat there, alone. However, before Canvas could think he truly was alone, a strong gust of wind brushed against his back, letting him know that he really was alright.

Now, in front of the first pony he ever came out to, Canvas felt his heart racing faster as he spoke, wanting to introduce someone so important to him to the one he cared about so much. Gulping down any excess saliva in his mouth, Canvas kept a smile on his face as he spoke about the Gryphon to the grave.

"His… his name is Troy… he's a Gryphon… he's in the Weather Patrol, just like you… And… and I love him…”

As the winds picked up against his back, Canvas smiled as he felt the breeze, feeling just as glad for that as he did when he first talked about himself like this.

"He saved my life after I left here… and….he became the greatest thing to ever happen to me…”

With that, Canvas looked over to the tree in the distance, seeing Troy watching him before he put up a hoof. As he motioned for the Gryphon to come over to him, Canvas turned back to the tombstone as he heard Troy's wings open up. Keeping an eager, yet worried look on his face, Canvas felt especially nervous as he spoke back to the tombstone.

"I… I really want you to meet him…"

Troy landed several feet from where Canvas was, seeing the stallion keep his spot in front of the grave before walking forward. Without making a sound, Troy sat down beside Canvas, seeing the grave for the first time while he noticed how emotional his coltfriend looked right now.

As soon as he sat in front of the grave, another gust of wind began blowing around the Gryphon, brushing against his feathers. He saw Canvas looking over with a smile. Almost feeling like the winds were hugging him, Troy looked back at Canvas with a confused look on his face before the pony spoke up.

"I think she likes you, Troy."

Even though he didn’t want to think this was really some supernatural thing going on (especially since he hated the idea of ghosts and stuff), Troy smiled when he saw how glad Canvas looked right now. As Troy looked back at the grave of Blowing Winds, Canvas kept a slightly embarrassed tone as he spoke to him.

"You… you don’t have to say anything if you don--"

"It's alright,” said the Gryphon as he looked back at Canvas with a warm smile. "I did this before with my Grandparents. I understand completely."

As Troy put a foreleg around Canvas, the stallion rested his head on the Gryphon’s shoulder as they looked back at the grave. Sensing how peaceful his coltfriend felt at that moment, Troy felt a smile on his beak before he opened it, glad to share this moment with Canvas as he spoke to the stone.

"I… I'm really glad to be here right now. You have an amazing son… and I really do love him."

As the winds picked up around the both of them, Troy lowered his head toward Canvas, resting it on top of the pony's head as he closed his eyes. Feeling the breeze brush against his feathers, Troy savored the tranquility of this space as he held Canvas close, before speaking in a quiet and loving tone.

"I just want to say… that nothing makes me happier… than being right here… right now… with you by my side."

Hearing how warm and caring Troy's words were, Canvas held him closer and closed his eyes, savoring the warmth as he felt the gentle breeze against his fur. As the two held each other in front of the grave, neither of them said a single word to break the silence around them, letting the peaceful beauty of the moment speak for itself as the gentle breeze held them closer.

Eventually, Canvas slowly let go of Troy and looked back at the grave. Still smiling warmly, Canvas spoke in a faint voice as he made his goodbye.

"I… I have to go to Canterlot… they're premiering my painting there tomorrow night…”

Canvas then touched the stone one last time, feeling more tears come down his face as he spoke in a caring tone.

"I'll be back soon. I promise… I won’t be gone nearly as long as last time."

With that, Canvas lifted himself back to his hooves, feeling especially grateful he had a chance to do this as the winds blew around him some more. As Troy lifted himself up as well, Canvas bent forward to the tombstone, giving it a quick kiss before backing away with a smile.

After walking backwards several feet and keeping his eyes on the grave, Canvas slowly turned around and began to walk forward, moving back to the entrance of the cemetery as Troy walked by his side. As he began to walk along the lines of graves once more with his art bag by his side, Canvas felt Troy suddenly stop walking as he looked back.

"Stay here,” said Troy as he kept his eyes back on the grave. "I… I left my satchel there. I'll go get it."

Before Canvas could respond--or wonder why Troy said that in such an odd way--the Gryphon quickly flew back to the spot, picking up his bag as he placed it over his shoulder. As Canvas looked from the distance, Troy paused for a moment as he stood in front of the grave before he slowly bent his head in and began to speak to the stone with a smile on his beak.

Not able to hear what Troy said from this distance, Canvas became more suspicious as he began trotting back. Even though he couldn’t feel it from here, Canvas saw that a thunderous gust of wind was blowing around his lover by the stone before he began to kneel down in front of it.

By the time Canvas got within hearing distance, Troy had his eyes closed as he kneeled in front of the tombstone, moving his claws in an intricate manner across the stone while he muttered some words. While Canvas wasn't sure what he was saying, he was able to recognize that his boyfriend was speaking in traditional Gryphonian, uttering several more words as his talons brushed against the grave before lifting himself up.

As Troy began to walk back, his face grew slightly embarrassed as he saw Canvas staring at him in a confused manner. Looking away for a moment, the Gryphon rubbed the feathers on the back of his head as he spoke sheepishly to Canvas.

"I… I just wanted to say something…”

Troy then tried to walk away from the grave again before Canvas stopped him, holding a hoof out as he looked at him suspiciously. Knowing he had to say something, Troy kept a sheepish look on his face as he mumbled his reason, looking away from Canvas as he spoke faintly.

"I… I was doing the Chant of Remembrances, okay?"

Canvas kept a skewed eyebrow as he eyed the Gryphon, unsure of what to say before Troy continued to explain.

"It… it's a prayer that Gryphons use in memory of those who passed. I… I wasn't sure what you would've thought if I did it with you next to me…”

While Canvas was surprised his boyfriend would do something like that, he was more curious as to why Troy would think that was something to be ashamed of. Holding a hoof to his feathered shoulder, Canvas looked at Troy as he spoke in a curious tone of voice.

"So… what did you say?"

Troy hung his head a little, unsure of how to answer that before he spoke.

"Well… it's kind of hard to translate from Gryphonian… but, in simple terms, I said:

“No matter how high,
No matter how low...

“No matter how far,
Wherever you go...

“You are never forgotten.
We will always know

Of how bright you shone
To make us grow…”

Embarrassed at admitting that, Troy looked away from the stallion, not noticing how big Canvas's eyes had widened. Hearing Troy's statement, a large smile came up on Canvas's muzzle as he lunged forward and hugged him, feeling his heart get warmer as he spoke sincerely.

"Oh, Troooyyyy… that's beautiful!"

Knowing that the Gryphon was willing to say something so kind to somepony he cared so much about, Canvas tried to keep himself from crying as he held onto Troy. Seeing how happy his coltfriend looked at hearing that, Troy felt a little better as he hugged him back.

Even though he really did say that chant for her, Troy kept his beak shut as he held onto the stallion, not wanting to admit what else he said to the grave out of Canvas's earshot. Before Canvas could pull back, Troy looked around before he spoke.

"I'm really glad you're not freaked out about that. Most ponies get weirded out when I speak Gryphonian."

"Don’t worry about that,” said Canvas as he looked up to the Gryphon with a cheeky smile. "In fact, you sound pretty cute when you do that."

Troy's feathers ruffled out a little at hearing Canvas call him cute, making the pony giggle before hugging him again. As he held him against his chest, Troy realized they still had an hour until the next train would come to take them to Canterlot, making him worry a little as he looked down to Canvas.

"So… what do you want to do now? I mean, we still have a bit of time before the train comes."

Hearing that, Canvas sighed and pulled his head back, looking around the graveyard as he contemplated what to do. While he wouldn’t mind just hanging around here until the train arrived, Canvas couldn’t help but think of something else he could do while he was still in town. Even though he was unsure of whether or not to do it, Canvas looked up at Troy with a hesitant look on his face before he spoke bluntly.

"I was thinking… maybe...

“Maybe I can see my old home again."

Next Chapter: Chapter Fifty: The Return (Part 2) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 4 Minutes