Life, life is a beautiful mystery. It begins in absolute darkness, existing only in the shadows. Safe from harm and protected from all that wish to end it, but life is resilient, it will not give up. Life claws, bites, kicks and screams to become what it is, life is unrelenting, it will continue it’s journey even when everything tries to stop it. Life never gives up, it will never stop until it leaves the darkness from which it came and enters the light of new existence, but when life finally reaches that light, life’s journey only just begins.

“How’s she doing?” Greatsword asked, rushing along with the doctors and nurses pushing the gurney. “Is this normal?” “Yes sir,” Doctor Stables said reassuringly, “Labor is a painful process, even after my fifteen years of being a doctor it’s still difficult to watch…” he looked down to the mare on the table, “Especially for one as frail as her.” “Are you saying she might?” Greatsword looked down to her. “Oh, heavens no!” Doctor Stables said as a nurse opened a door to allow them inside the hospital maternity. “It’s just harder for somepony of her body type to handle the stress of birth…” The two looked down to the pony on the gurney. Fluttershy looked up to the two watching her with great concern and gave a little smile. “It’s… coming…” she said weakly, “the foal is coming…”

“Don’t worry ma’am,” Doctor Stables said reassuringly, “at this hospital, you’re in capable hooves.”

Fluttershy nodded as they opened yet another door, but this time they stopped after entering. The operation table was setup and ready for the birth to take place.

“I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave, sir,” Doctor Stables said turning to Greatsword, “I know you want to be here for her, but space in this room is limited…”

“I understand…” Greatsword said looking past Doctor Stables to see Fluttershy being switched from the gurney to the table, “Just… make sure she’s alright…”

“You have my word, sir,” Doctor Stables said placing his hoof on Greatsword’s shoulder. “She’ll be alright.” He turned back to the operation table while Greatsword reluctantly made his way out. “Come on ponies,” he said stopping in front of the table, “let’s get her stabilized and-“

SLAM! The door swung shut behind Greatsword. As a reaction he turned to see what was happening, but the cold steel of the door denied him any closure. Greatsword slowly walked back into the waiting room, where Battleaxe, Warhammer and Twilight were waiting eagerly for his return. When they finally saw him they ran to him expecting some kind of news, but the look on his face said everything before they could even ask.

“That bad huh?” Battleaxe asked rubbing the back of his neck.

“In all honesty I don’t know how bad OR good it’s going…” Greatsword said looking up to them. “I wish I could be there for her…”

“I was the same with Luna, brother,” Warhammer said comfortingly. “I was worried beyond reason, but she was in good hooves and I have two foals to prove it.”

“Where is Princess Luna anyway?” Twilight asked, looking around the room. “She was with us when we came here.”

“The foals were hungry….” Warhammer replied, looking off to the direction of the restrooms, “I’m sure you understand…”

“I’m sorry you asked Twilight…” Battleaxe said trying to shake the image out of his head.

“Well I think it’s ok to ask a question about the whereabouts of one of the ponies you came to the hospital with is a legitimate inquiry,” Twilight stated, “furthermore-“

“Sorry I said anything…” Battleaxe interrupted rolling his eyes.

Twilight glared at Battleaxe but soon turned her attention back to Greatsword, “I’m sure everything will be fine, Greatsword,” she said with a smile, “Doctor Stables is an amazing physician, and the equipment in this hospital is rated at the top of the list according to the pamphlet I read while we were waiting for you.”

“I’m sure you have it memorized by now,” Battleaxe said, “Given you read it over and over again…”

“I’m a nervous reader Battleaxe,” Twilight said, “YOU of all ponies should know that.”

“Just like I’m the only one who knows how loud you snore?” Battleaxe said with a deviant grin.

Twilight’s face turned red as Battleaxe’s brothers and everypony in the waiting turned their attention to her. Her eyes darted from pony to pony until finally looking to Battleaxe again, she grunted and gave a quick jab to Battleaxe’s chest, but he only laughed and wrapped her up in his forelegs.

“Love you.” He said still grinning at the red faced pony in his hooves.

“You are SO not getting any ‘snuggle time’ tonight…” Twilight responded, laying her head on his chest.

“AW, come on…” Battleaxe said. Lifting her chin up so she could look at him, “I’ve been a very good boy…” he drew her in closer, but then Warhammer spoke.

“THAT being said and done…” he said turning his attention back to Greatsword, “Fluttershy will be fine, we all know that behind that gentle, shy exterior, lays a very strong willed and capable mare.”

“I know…” Greatsword said looking back to the door, “but this expectant father thing has come down to this moment…” he looked back to Warhammer, “I don’t know if I’ll be good enough to be the father my foal needs…”

“You will be a great father, brother.” Warhammer said encouragingly. “Sure there will come times when you won’t be the father they want, but you will always be the father they need.”

“You always know what to say don’t you?” Greatsword said smiling.

“That’s why I love him so much as well.” Princess Luna said stepping out from the hall way. “His way with words is truly amazing, I for one sometimes wonder why his cutie mark isn’t a counselor’s chair.”

The ponies in the waiting room quickly knelt to the floor upon seeing the Princess, but she quickly motioned them to stand and continued her path to Warhammer and the others.

“My lady,” Greatsword said nodding to the Princess, “it has been a very long time.”

“Too long if you ask me, Greatsword,” Princess Luna said, “you’ve been so busy between Fluttershy and aiding my sister and Shining Armor in rebuilding the military that we’ve barely had time to properly introduce you to your niece and nephew.”

She unveiled a small blanket from over the heads of two small alicorns. Greatsword gave them a through look over before turning his attention back to Princess Luna, who was beaming with maternal pride.

“They are beautiful foals, my lady.” Greatsword said, “Warhammer’s photos of them barely do them justice.”

“Thank you, Greatsword,” Princess Luna said with a smile. “I’m sure Sentry and Selena will enjoy your stories when they’re older.”

“We can hope.” Greatsword said, looking back to Warhammer, nodding to him.

“I only hope they get their looks form their mother’s side…” Battleaxe said looking them over as well. “Because if they don’t, they’ll be in trouble.”

“You do realize that Warhammer is your brother, right?” Princess Luna said with a sarcastic grin, “and the two of you do share a stunning resemblance to one another…”

“Don’t put that evil on me.” Battleaxe hastily replied. The group had a small laugh about it then Battleaxe spoke again, “but in all seriousness, we did come here to give you and Fluttershy as much support as possible, especially on account that Patches, Long Shot and Scootaloo are with family in Flankford, Spike and Rarity are still in Canterlot showing off some her new designs, the apple family and Carmel are visiting Braeburn in Appaloosa, Rainbow Dash is in Wonderbolt training and Pinkie’s-“

“Right here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed jumping out from the aquarium in the middle of the waiting room in full scuba gear.

“Oh…” Battleaxe said completely unphased, “There she is…”

“I wouldn’t miss this for all the cupcakes in EQUESTRIA!” Pinkie shouted happily popping right next to Battleaxe, “Being born is like… the MOST IMPORTANT day in your whole LIFE!” Pinkie shot over to Greatsword, who was still looking at the door with concern, “AW come on Greatsword!” she said happily, “You know what would turn that frown upside down?”

“Given how many times you’ve said that to me, Pinkie…” Greatsword said with a smile as he let out a sigh. “I could only assume it would be a party.”

“Oh… You’re GOOD!” Pinkie said nudging his shoulder, “But that can wait until we welcome the little guy here to celebrate with us!”

“I still wouldn’t hold your breath Pinkie…” Greatsword said, “Fluttershy and I got here over three hours ago and I’ve been out here for I don’t know how long…” he looked back to the door and shook his head. “I have no idea how it’s going in there…”

After several long hours of waiting almost everypony that was there earlier was gone. Only Greatsword and the others remained in the waiting room. After a short time, chief nurse Red Heart came out from behind the doors. All of them got up and walked over to her, expecting some good news.

“Well, Nurse Red Heart…” Greatsword said exhaustedly. “Is she-“

“Visiting hours are over,” she said looking over the group. “You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

“Nurse Red Heart…” Greatsword growled, “I don’t think you understand…”

“I don’t write the rules, sir…” Nurse Red Heart replied, “All of you have to leave, so our patients can get some rest.”

“My WIFE is giving birth to our FIRST BORN!” Greatsword roared, pointing to the steel door that had denied him closure for so long, “and if YOU won’t let me be by her side for it, I would at least EXPECT you to let me stay here until-“

“Forgive him, Nurse,” Warhammer said, stepping between the two, “my brother has been under a lot of stress over the past few months and he just wants to be here for his foal’s birth.”

“I understand,” Nurse Red Heart said, “and if I were in charge I would get rid of the ‘visiting hours’ rule completely, but I can’t…” she looked to the group with a hint of guilt, “I’m sorry but all of you have to leave…”

“Perhaps there is something I can do about that…” Princess Luna said taking her place next to Warhammer, “Maybe a royal decree? Only for this night?”

“I’m not sure, Princess…” Nurse Red Heart replied, “What kind of royal decree?”

“One that would allow us to stay as close to Greatsword’s love while she gave birth this evening.” Princess Luna explained.

“I’d have to run it by my supervisor…” Nurse Red Heart said turning to the door.

“No need…” Princess Luna said raising her hoof to stop Nurse Red Heart, “I shall inform him myself.”

“Oh mother of mercy…” Battleaxe said seeing the look on Princess Luna’s face, he turned to Nurse Red Heart and covered his ears, “I’d do the same if I were you…” he said.

“What are you-“ Nurse Red Heart was interrupted by the thundering echo of Princess Luna’s voice.

“SUPERVISOR OF THINE MEDECINAL FACILITY!” she called out, “I PRINCESS LUNA DECREE THE RULE OF VISITING HOURS TO BE REPEALED FOR THIS EVENING AND THIS EVENING ALONE!” the decree rushed through the hospital, actually causing the foundation to rumble for a moment. After she was finished Princess Luna then turned her attention to the ponies covering their ears. “Do you think he heard me?” she asked Nurse Red Heart who was still trying to regain her bearing after being blasted by the Royal Canterlot Voice.

“I... I…” she said shaking her head, “I think he heard… as well as the rest of Ponyville…”

“Excellent!” Princess Luna said happily turning to the others. “How many points do I receive?”

“Twelve,” Warhammer said nodding, “I think that rates twelve points.”

“Royal privileges…” Battleaxe grumbled rising to his hooves. “We’ll still be out here Nurse Red Heart,” he said walking back to the waiting bench, “if anything comes up just get us out here.”

“Alright…” Nurse red Heart said, still rubbing her ears. “I’ll come get you if anything comes up.”

She walked back through the steel door. The one that continued to mock Greatsword as he waited. Several hours passed and Nurse Red Heart still had not shown herself since she walked back into the operating rooms. Greatsword began to grow more and more concerned with every slowly passing moment.

“What the HELL is going on in there?” he asked looking to the door again. “Should it take this long?”

“Luna was in labor for ten hours Greatsword,” Warhammer mentioned, “it all depends on certain things happening.”

“She’s been in there for fifteen hours, Warhammer,” Greatsword replied, “and there was only one heartbeat when we went in for the checkup…”

“It will be alright Greatsword,” Princess Luna said reassuringly, “Fluttershy is stronger than she seems.”

“I know…” Greatsword said, “but I can’t take all this waiting if-“

The door opened revealing Nurse Red Heart and Doctor Stables behind it.

“Anything new Doc?” Pinkie exclaimed bouncing towards the door, but she was stopped by Doctor Stables hoof before she could bounce through the door.

“Major Greatsword,” he said respectfully standing to the side as Nurse Red Heart and a few other nurses pulled a gurney from behind the door, “Your wife…” the nurses pushed Fluttershy in front of the group. Greatsword ran to her side to see how she was doing, when he arrived at her side he saw she was gently holding something wrapped in a blue blanket. “And son…” Doctor Stables said softly lifting the blanket over the small colt’s head.

“A son…” Greatsword said tearing up, “I-I… I have a SON!” he wrapped his hooves around Fluttershy and his newborn.

“Congrats bro.” Battleaxe said patting him on the back, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Twilight staring at the foal then back to him, “Don’t get any crazy ideas Twi…” he said, “We’re here for Greatsword.”

“What will you name him?” Princess Luna asked.

“Um… I was thinking…” Fluttershy said weakly, looking to her son, “that we could name him… name him…” she looked up to Greatsword, “Braveheart…” she said before looking back to the foal, “if that’s alright with you.”

“That name suits him well…” Doctor Stables said, “he gave us several scares, but he’s one of the toughest foals I have ever birthed.”

“Then that will be his name,” Greatsword said looking to his son, “his name will be Braveheart.”

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