Canterlot at night is a beautiful sight to behold. It's like a kaleidoscope of bright colors as hundreds of stained glass windows glow with the hearths of countless homes and businesses. All of these lights draw you to the castle as it shines like a massive beacon over the mountainside. This is why it's called Mount Beacon. You can see it from miles around.

Getting into the city was easy enough. We used Dad's secret teleporter and came in the rear of the city. Dad escorted us this far but then went his separate way. Said to call him when we needed extract. I thought he was going to join us for the entire operation. But he said he needed to check something while he was here. Something he only thought of when we arrived.

I don't pay it much mind though. He's helped plenty now. Star and I make our way from rooftop to rooftop with him teleporting us most of the way. When the building comes into view we take a moment to look it over. It's a three story tall building with a large courtyard in the back. There's a two tear pool, the bottom being the water basin with the upper being a raincloud. Each of the floors has a line of lights going around them, giving the light pink paint of the building a nice glow to it.

The party is already in full swing. There are dozens of couples all around the pool and lounge area. A band is set up at the far end of the courtyard. Their music is just loud enough to cover most conversations in the courtyard. We look over the crowd but fail to find Diamond there.

I pull off the satchel I have and start to sort through the tools we brought. I give the mace to Star and he slams it down. We get a view of most of the building and see several rooms that might hold her. There's are four that have couples in them.

I pull out a device called an astral scanner. It's a rolled up piece of plastic that has a thick cylinder gem at one end. When you unfurl the plastic it can show you a spectrum of magic wherever you're looking through. It'll only show you what is magical and how powerful the magic is. But if any of the rooms are filled with unicorns or pegasi, we'll know she's not in there.

Looking through the astral scanner, we eliminate two of the rooms. So she's either on the third floor or the first. The last tool I pull out are simple binoculars. Now that I have only two targets, it's easy to lock in where to examine. Even though my head is throbbing, I focus in on the top room. I can see a couple in there. The window is frosted, so I can't make out exact details. But the two individuals in there are similar in size. Not likely to be Diamond, since she's supposed to be meeting a blacksmith.

That leaves the first floor room. I take a glance at the frosted window and see an individual moving around. I know there's a second person in there. The echo map told us so. But I can't see them. She's not that short, so I double check the holographic map and try to coordinate their exact location. If I had to guess, the second individual is on the bathroom.

"Looks like the first floor. Are you ready?" I ask as I put the binoculars away.

"It's a simple enough plan. You sleuth in, try to get the picture if you can. I'll forge our signatures into the guest books and distract the staff. Easy peasy." I nod to him and start to fix the suit Dad gave me.

It's an all black suit that's skin tight. It has a few bulging lines where some wiring snakes around as well as a few gems set into it. It has five axes where it takes what's behind you and projects it on the other side of yourself. Not quite an invisibility suit, but pretty close. So long as I don't touch anyone and there aren't people actively looking for this kind of enchantment I'll be invisible.

I could do the same thing with my own spells. But after tonight I'm tapped out with magic. So tech will have to fill in for now. Sadly we only have the one suit, so Star will have to use his charm and stealth to get in. He says he can do it no problem. But he's mostly for insurance. Assuming I don't get caught, we may not even really need him for this.

With one last teleport we appear in front of the building and I immediately activate the suit. There's a moment where I glow a bit before I presumably disappear. On my end there's a bit of a glow that makes it a bit harder to see, but it's manageable. I look to a nearby window and see a reflection of Star, but not of myself.

"How do I look?" I ask Star, getting him to snicker.

"Perfect. Just follow me in. If everything goes according to plan just find me in the main lobby and we'll get out of here."

"After you then." I gesture for him to lead, but then I remember he can't see me right now.

I follow after him as he walks in the front door. He makes sure to swing it extra wide so I can sneak around him. A hotel worker asks him if he's lost and he immediately gets into character. He get dramatic and starts complaining about the lack of service he's received. He drops a few lines about how his baron suite was not up to code and how his father will be hearing about this. Apparently this was enough for the workers to go off of. Because they immediately began to panic and tend to his needs.

The hotel is brightly lit and has a warm atmosphere to it. All of the art and wall decorations are in reds and golds, while the there's a almost overbearing feeling of embellishment to everything. The staff have velvet red jackets. The carpets are velvet red with golden designs. The sconces on the walls glow with elemental energy, filling the room with light and warmth at the same time.

With the staff distracted I walk as carefully as I can into the building. I don't want people hearing invisible hoof steps. Luckily becuase of the party out back there aren't a lot of people in here. Getting down the hall I count the doors and get to where I believe they are. I lean in and press my ear to the door. I can hear a mare and stallion talking... but I can't recognize the voices. They sound plenty distracted though.

I reach into a pouch and pull out a lockpicking kit. I've never done this quietly before, so I keep my movements slow and methodical. It's a simple pin and tumbler lock. I barely even have to jimmy the pins to get them into place. When the knob gives way I gently guide it open just enough to peer inside...

I then gently close the door and try to erase the image of those two having sex. Right idea, wrong couple. Then that means they are on the third floor. Maybe one of them was closer to the window than the other? There's something off about this, but I've gone too far to back down now.

I have to walk at a slow casual pace. If I go too fast I risk someone hearing me. Even if most people here wouldn't try to follow after the sounds, I don't want to risk anyone finding me. It's not a hard walk to the third floor. The stairs are wide and carpeted. So I can give the few people here a wide birth while staying as quiet as possible.

On the third floor I take a moment to try and orient myself from what I remember. It was slightly right of center. Meaning I should go left. There isn't a room in the center of the hall, so I head to the first door I come across. It's about as far as I believe it should be. Just like all of the other doors here there isn't anything to really go off of. Room number three zero six. I walk up and gently press my ear to the door.

I hear someone moving around frantically. Clearly nervous about something. The space between the steps on the ground tells me that they're a pegasi. They're flying back and forth and landing while worrying about something. There's someone else there as well. They're talking, but there's a hair dryer muffling their voices.

Part of me wants to just open the door and look. But I need to be patient. The pegasi moving around too much is the only obstacle in there. They're the most likely to notice the door opening. And given their state, they're highly likely to do so.

After about a minute of debating the person inside stops drying their hair and I hear their voices.

"I don't get what's the big deal!" I hear Diamond Tiara say. She says it in a tone that's almost yelling, but still composed. Whoever she's talking to, they've been at this for awhile.

"That's because you aren't listening!?" I feel my heart drop when I hear Rumble yell back. What's he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be at flight camp?

"Whatever." She starts up the hair dryer again. But Rumble rushes over and turns it off. "What!?"

"I told you we were done!" He yells at her. I perk up from that. Damn right Rumble! Tell her off! "I'm not some toy for your beck and call!"

"Lower your voice!" She hisses, trying to keep calm. "Besides, the only reason you got into flight school is because I made some calls. You owe me!"

He groans and stomps off. I didn't know that. Why didn't Rumble tell me? I could have helped him get in... possibly. I hear Diamond get out of a chair and begin to walk. The both of them stop and there's a creaking of the bed.

"And don't forget that I also helped you get that internship last summer. I also know the head scout for the junior Wonderbolts. You can keep pouting about some little crush of yours or you can spend the night in a fancy hotel with a beautiful mare. Besides, she'll never know anyway. Or... did you not tell her about-"

"That was a mistake!" He cuts her off. I feel my heart sink to a depth I didn't know was possible.

She's manipulating him. That much is clear to me. But... but what didn't he tell me? It's only been a week! What could they have done-?

"Mmm, I'm pretty sure when you came inside me it was very much intentional. Plus you haven't even done anything with her yet. You spent one boring night with her and you're acting like everything we've ever had is suddenly gone! We have a history together Rumble. Don't throw it all away for some brief fascination that won't even lift her tail for you. You deserve better than that little runt."

I step away from the door and feel my heart start to race again. They had sex recently? I think it was recent at least. That sounds like what she's saying. And he's... he didn't refute it. He even let her say all those terrible things! I don't understand what's going on. Part of me wants to rip the door open and... and... I don't know! Attack? Yell! CRY!

I want to hurt her! I want her to leave me alone and let me live my life! What is happening!?

Everything starts to go fuzzy and I feel myself start to topple over. I try to correct myself, but my head is spinning too much to make sense of it all. I only realize I've fallen over when I hear the loud thud beneath me.

I panic when I feel the suit vibrate and short out. The gentle glow around me flashes away and I'm revealed to the world.

CLICK

I look up and watch as Rumble sticks his head out and looks around. He's in a formal jacket and tie with his hair slicked back. When we make eye contact we... just stare at each other. He can't believe that I'm laying here staring back at him. I'm... at a loss for words. I don't know what to say. Or what to do. All I can muster is to stare back at him.

"What was that?" Diamond calls from the room.

"Just... uh... just the room service!" He yells back in a panic. "Go ahead and finish getting ready while I help them."

He shuts the door and rushes to my side. He tries to help me up, but I don't accept his assistance. I get up by myself. He tries to tell me something. Tries to tell me that it's not what it seems. Asks what am I even doing here. He goes on in a hushed tone trying not to make a scene. As he talks, something inside me starts to make sense of it all. I'm starting to see what he is.

"Rumble." I say quietly. He goes silent as he waits for me to continue. I blink a few times as I stare at him. Trying to think of what to say. But there's one thing to ask. "Did you cheat on me with Diamond?"

The panic begins to set within him. He doesn't say anything, but his body language betrays him. Racing breath. Pinprick eyes. Rigid form. I know what's going on finally.

He's a child. He may have been sweet and very understanding. But it was all a farce. It was a child doing what he knew he needed to do to get a cookie. It doesn't even matter how much of it was actually real. Enough of it was fake. And like a child who gets caught stealing a cookie, he's going to learn what happens when he breaks the rules.

I walk past him and open the door. He starts to panic again. Yammering on about making mistakes and how he couldn't refuse. Even if that's true, I don't care.

Diamond see's me coming and falls out of her chair. She tries to back away from me, but I close the distance too quickly for her to escape. Rumble is just standing there. He doesn't know what to do. He can't even believe this is happening. When I get in Diamonds face I stare her down for a moment. She's trying to think of how to defend herself. But there's nothing she can do right now.

"I'm going to make you a deal." I tell her quietly. She looks to Rumble, but I grab her chin and force her to look back at me. "Don't look at him. We're talking. No one else."

"W-what do you want?" She asks, trying to sound brave. She doesn't have her friends to back her up. Rumble isn't going to intervene. Her Daddy's money isn't going to save her. It's just me and her now. And that's why she's finally scared.

"You are going to leave me alone. No more bullying. No more jokes. I don't want you even acknowledging me. If someone else brings me up, you can say I'm not even worth the effort. How's that sound?" She stares at me for a moment before chuckling.

"That's not how you make a deal!" She scoffs, gaining a bit of confidence. "And what if I don't? What then?"

I stare her down as I feel all the anger, and betrayal, and hurt; all of it just leaves my body. And for a moment I relax myself. She see's this change in me and goes silent. She's waiting for me to act. She's hoping this will turn into something she can rely on Rumble for. If I punch her, he'll protect her. That's what she believes.

CRACK

Dad taught me when facing multiple opponents there's a phycology to it. The people behind you rarely expect you to strike at them. Not while the one you're facing would be a better target.

It was just like Dad taught me. Slide hooves into position. Twist with your hips. Drive from the legs, into your torso, and throw your arm in a tight curve. Rumble couldn't even registered what was happening by the time I caught him across the jaw and sent him flying. He probably could have stayed standing if he was prepared. But a child never expects they're the ones going to get hit.

Diamond gives a sharp scream as Rumble drops to the ground. I feel the stinging in my hoof make it go numb. But that doesn't matter anymore. I step over him and stare down at him. He's got a bruise forming on his jaw. He's about to cry as well, but that doesn't matter to me anymore.

"It's over Rumble." I tell him before walking off. When I clear the space between them Diamond rushes to his side, fussing over his face. "Oh, and Rumble?"

They both go quiet and look back to me. I look over my shoulder and stare back at them.

"Never come to Mooseden again. For your own safety." I shut the door behind myself and start to walk out of the building.

My mind kind of goes blank as I walk out. A few people walk by but none of them say anything. In the main lobby the staff watch as I walk out, confused by my presence. Star sees me and chases after, confusing them further. I make it to the street where I stop and stare up at the night sky. Star doesn't say anything. I think he can tell something didn't go correctly.

I really cared about him. He had a way of making me feel... special. But that was all a lie. He was just trying to play at my heart and get... something. And I was dumb enough to go along with it. I should have know that wasn't going to work out. People like him and weirdos like me aren't meant to mix. I should have just stayed in my lane and kept my dumb mouth shut.

"So... I take it something bad happened." Star tells me, stepping up to stand beside me. He's not looking at me though. He's looking up at the sky with me.

"Yeah... something like that." I tell him. The day is finally catching up with me. I can feel the weight of everything finally catching up and bear down on my hooves. "Look, thanks for helping Star. I really do appreciate it. But... if it's all the same to you... I'd like to be alone now."

"Of course. Don't sweat it." He goes to leave but stops when he hears something. "Incoming."

I look over and see Rumble flying in. I want to run, but my legs won't let me. I'm too tired to run.

"Shadow!" He yells as he lands in front of me. Star flashes in between us and forces Rumble back on his haunches.

"She wants to be alone." He tells Rumble, igniting his horn. Rumble gets up and stares at him before turning that anger towards me.

"Are you kidding me!?" He yells, flaring his wings at Star. "You punch me for cheating while you already have a backup!?"

"We're not together!" Star yells as he steps forward. "And you're lucky all she did was punch you!"

"Shadow!" Rumble yells as he zips into the air and lands in front of me. He goes to say something but Star suddenly teleports him away.

"You may want to get a move on. This is going to get ugly." Star tells me as he paws at the sidewalk. In the distance I head the air break as Rumble races towards us again.

I don't say anything. I just stare up at the night sky. This is the bed I've made. So now I need to lay in it. I don't care what he says anymore. I know what's true. My friends will know what's true. And as much as I want to scream and yell at him... there's no point anymore. I'm done with him. I don't owe him any explanations. I don't owe him anything for that matter.

I hear Rumble racing closer and closer as Star starts to prepare a massive spell. I can hear a small crowd begin to murmur as the two of them begin to face off.

FLASH

Everything goes quiet when a sudden flash appears behind me. The crowd gasps and Rumble stops mid flight. I turn around, but not out of curiosity. I... just turned. Out of reflex almost.

Standing behind me is Luna. She's in her greater form and has her wings open in a commanding pose. He hair whips in the air as if there was a storm blowing through the area. She's glances over her shoulder to me with those draconic eyes before looking back to Rumble.

"If you have a problem with my daughter... then let's hear it." Her tone is regal. Threatening from the level of authority she carries. The street has gone still as they wait for something.

Rumble tries to say something. But what could he say at a time like this? He takes a few steps back before bowing his head to her. Luna just narrows her eyes down at him and turns back to me.

"Did he hurt you?" she asks in calm, soothing tone. I shake my head. It's the most I can muster right now. She looks to the crowd at large before flaring her wings back out. With a glow of her horn we vanish from the street and appear in the medical ward of the castle.

I look down the rows of beds and curtains in relief. I'm finally done with that! I let out a sigh and collapse onto myself. But before I can hit the ground Luna picks me up in her magic and carries me to a nearby bed.

"Remove whatever armor that is while I gather some healing potions." She tells me before walking off. In a daze I grab the zipper and start to pull it down.

The suit is a bit difficult to remove. And halfway I almost gave up with how tired I am. But I push through and force the latex off of my body. The cold air stings at my sides, but I just sit at the end of the bed and wait for Luna to come back. I guess there's one last person to deal with before I can finally sleep.

She comes back with several medicinal potions and tools hovering around her. She offers me a potion and I take it in my hooves. As she starts to give me a once over I start to sip at the liquid. It has a bitter taste, but I can feel every sip course through my body and start the healing process.

"So... is there anything you're willing to tell me tonight?" She asks as she starts to wrap a cut on my leg. I think about it for a moment before I shake my head. "Okay then. Let's finish this so you can go-"

"Why did you tell them I'm your daughter?" I ask suddenly. She's taken aback for a moment but continues administering first aid.

"Because you are." She tells me simply. "Signed the forms and everything-"

"No... I mean..." I try to think of what I'm trying to say. I don't know how to say it though. Luna see's this and stops the first aid. She takes the potion from my hooves and sets it on a nearby table.

"We've never been too close, have we?" She asks as she sits in front of me. I shrug off her question. "Shadow, there is nothing you can hide from me. I know how you feel."

I stay quiet, trying my best to avoid her gaze. I know it's pointless to escape her right now. But... I just don't want to talk about it. But... I guess we're doing this.

"I don't think you do." I tell her quietly. She reaches forward and brushes my mane a few times before forcing me to look at her. I see the compassionate look in her eyes and start to waver.

"I do know. I know becuase I helped raise you. I know because I've been there with you for the past six years. I may not have been as close as you and your father, but I was there Shadow." I pull my gaze away from her and go back to looking at the ground.

"Dad was supposed to be here tonight. But he left because he had something better to do." She lets out a sigh and pulls her hoof back.

"Yes, so I heard. He was the one to tell me what was happening right now. And although I agree he should have stayed with you, this was something that he couldn't help you with." I feel a tear escape and roll down my cheek. I turn the other way and try to hide it.

"I'm tired of needing help." I tell her, almost breaking again. "I don't know what I thought was going to happen... but I thought we were going to do it together. But... all he has time for is Tempestive and the Spartans."

She reaches forward and pulls me in for a hug. When my face hits her chest I finally lose control and weep into her coat. All of the stress from the day melts away and flows through me.

My cries echo throughout the empty ward as we sit there. She just strokes my back. Waiting patiently for me to let it all out. I try to make it quick, but she stopped me from doing that. Just a simple shake of the head and another hug and I was crying all over again.

At first it hurt. My eyes were burning and my lungs wheezed from the uneven breathing. But after awhile the pain subsided and it my wails became a sob. Soon I was holding onto her as she gently rocked side to side while slowly rubbing my back. Eventually I rub my eyes and start to think again.

I know it was unfair to say that to her. No matter what she say's, Tempestive is their biological child. There's... just no way of bridging a gap like that. But... there's no reason for me to put that on them. I know how badly they wanted a child back then. And with Dad being... dad, the moment they had a chance I knew they were going to have a child.

Back then I would dream about them taking me to some orphanage and leaving me there. Or, on really bad nights, I would dream of them taking me back to that mine and abandoning me to that monster. Those were usually the nights I'd wet the bed or wake up crying...

And... they would both come into my room. Dad would take the bed out back to clean it. Mama Luna would take me to the bathroom to wash me. I've always felt guilty about those nights. I couldn't just get over those dreams. Luna would try to talk to me about those nightmares. Coach me through them...

And then she started showing up. I figured she was just doing her job. As she would for any other pony. But... she was always there in my dreams. Protecting me. Keeping the spiders at bay. I don't know how I didn't put one and one together. She may have been... distant, but she was there when it mattered.

"Mama Luna?" I ask as I go still.

"Yes my dear?"

"... when was the last time you were in my dreams?"

"I check your dreams every night." I feel a tinge of guilt as I realize how dumb I've been. I've felt distant from her because she operates at night. And half the time she is home she has to split her time with me and Tempestive. I feel really stupid for not realizing that sooner.

"I'm... I'm sorry-"

"Do not apologize for what you felt." She cuts me off quickly and sternly. She pushes me back to look at me properly. I look back to her golden eyes as they glow in the night. She looks determined. As if she's speaking from a deep, dark place. "You cannot hide what you truly feel Shadow. No matter how much it hurts to admit it, if you bottle it up it will become something dark. There are so many things in this world that can corrupt you. Do not let something so small and trivial grow into something that could destroy us. We love you. No matter what. So... please. If there's something wrong, tell us. Please."

I choke up and nod to her. I know she's right. I shouldn't let my own fears get between us. Especially when they have so much experience to give me. But... I don't know if I can. There are things I don't even tell myself. How can I share them with... anyone!?

But... I can at least start with the easy ones. Something is better than nothing, I guess.

"I... broke up with Rumble. Tonight." I tell her slowly. She takes a deep breath and nods to me.

"I'm so sorry Shadow. I know he was special to you." She tells me, but I shake my head to her. My instinct is to keep quiet. Say nothing more. But... I push the last part out.

"I... uhm... He cheated on me with that rival girl. And... well, I punched him in the face."

"Just a punch?" I shake my head at that. I'm sure everyone I tell this to will say the same thing.

"Just a punch. But... now I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to... able to find anyone that special ever again. Because... because I think I loved him. And now... now I've ruined it." It hurts to think about it. But I don't think I'll ever find someone like Rumble again. Rumble wanted to be with me. He sought me out and put the effort in. Even if the intentions were for mixed reasons, no one else in my life has done that for me. Not at a romantic level at least.

"Shadow... I'm going to say something that won't help in the slightest. But it's the truth. You are so young. There's plenty of time to find love and companionship. I know he seemed like the only one that could fill that role. But trust me when I say that there so many other people out there that will love you just as much. But I understand that the pain right now is real and it feels like an impossible feat. For now, let's focus on you. We can pull you from summer school and we can take some time to think things through before the school year begins. How does that sound?"

I mull over her suggestion for a moment. I didn't even think about going back to school. The idea of going back and seeing either Diamond or Rumble... just sounds awful. I'm a little surprised that she suggested that though. She was the one who suggested that I take summer classes. If only to get ahead for my final school year before university.

Taking some time off though? What would I even do with myself all day? I could go and help Mooseden I guess. Mom could definitely use the help now that the Kroth are there. But... maybe I should just go full potato and relax. The thought does sound appealing. Stay home, sleep in, read books all day. Leave the world for a bit. It'll only be for a little while. A week, tops! Yeah... that sounds really nice.

"It sounds... like you give advice for a living." She chuckles and smiles to me, brushing my mane gently. "Thank you... for everything. You... are a really good mom."

"I do my best." She tells me, smiling from the compliment. "But be sure to say that in front of Miles so I can rub it in his face."

"Of course." We share a laugh. I finally feel... okay. Not good, but... not bad. She goes back to administering first aid and I finally let myself relax. She keeps me from laying down though, needing to add a few bandages to my chest. I didn't know how scratched up I was from all this running around.

"So, what now? Shadow Knight of Mooseden. Daughter of the Night Mother and the eldest of the Captain of the Spartans." The formality of the question catches me off guard. I know my family is... odd. But saying it like that really puts a lot into perspective. I think on it for a moment before shrugging back.

"Honestly, bed. I wanna go and sleep the next week away." I tell her, getting a low hum in response. "I think I'll take your advice and return to school when the next school year starts. If that's really okay with you?"

"It's more than okay to step back and say that you need a break Shadow." She tells me as she finishes her first aid. She motions to the pillow and I move to get under the sheets. I wanted to sleep in my own bed. But I guess this will do too. "I only asked in that matter to make a point to you. No matter what titles you may have, or whatever obligations you have, there are points where everypony needs to have a break. It is not weakness. It is not laziness. All things must enter the night and rest. Recharge. Repair yourself for the coming days. Otherwise you'll burn out and wither away. Am I clear Shadow?"

"Mhm. You should really look into work as a consultant or something." I laugh at my own joke. She hums back to me and moves around the bed to tuck me in. It's a little silly, being as old as I am, but I'm not stopping her. As she finishes someone opens the door at the end of the hall. Luna goes to speak to them but stops at the foot of the bed.

"Miles? Why are you covered in blood?" I go to get up but she uses a wing to signal me to stop. I listen to the wet footsteps of Dad walking towards us as he tries to think of something to say.

"... there's not a good story to this really. I went to the room where the void walker was being held. He had a bucket of blood and... it spilled on me." He walks into view and, sure enough, he's covered in blood.

"And... you came here, covered in blood, why?" Luna asks as she levitates a few towels over. He starts to wipe himself clean before he looks over to me. He looks to Luna for a moment before walking up to me and squats down to be eye level. I feel a bit uneasy from his gaze, and not just because of the streaks of red.

"Hey... I... hm, well. I dropped the ball today Shadow. On more than one occasion." He tells me as he continues to wipe himself clean. But I can tell he's doing it to avoid eye contact. He's still embarrassed from everything that happened earlier. I try to think of what to say, but I just retreat slightly into my blanket. Too nervous to say anything right now.

"She and Rumble had a little fight. She's going to take the rest of the summer to reorient herself." She more instructs Dad than tells him. He looks over to me and gives me an angry look.

"Want me to make him disappear? I can do that if you need me to." He half jokes. I just shake my head. I don't want him dead. There's a small part of my mind where we'll somehow get back together. Even if it's just wishful thinking. "Of course not... it's late. Want us to go so you can sleep? We can talk whenever you're ready.

I nod to him and he stands up. He tries to say something, but he loses it in his throat. He reaches out to me, but stops because of all the blood. He looks to Luna and they share a look before he starts to walk away. I feel myself start to panic again. I need to say something now! I can't let the night end like this!

"Luna is a great mom!" I yell at him. It catches both of them off guard and I immediately feel silly for saying it so loudly. But it only last a moment before they both laugh.

"Don't I know it." He tells me with a big smile. Luna gets a smug smile and mouths a thank you to me. "Aren't we lucky to have her in our lives?"

"Yeah... and you're a great dad too! I-I'm... tum te amo!" They each give me a loving look before dad moves back to me. He leans in and plants a kiss on my forehead, covering most of his chest with the towels.

"We love you too Shadow. Now get some rest."

He turns to leave, motioning for Luna to go first. She gives me one last goodnight before walking away. As Dad watches her go the magical portal on his back opens up. I feel my heart skip a beat as I watch the white boney figure appear in the middle of it. I can see Corpus Glacius's hazy form look back at me. But... there was no ill will. It was... almost as if he was... checking on me?

As soon as it appeared it vanished when Dad turned to look at me one last time. One of his eyes lost to the darkness from before.

"Bene dormi, Shadow."

Tum te amo = I love you both

Bene dormi = Sleep well

Brony on!