The girls were staring in legitimate surprise and shock as Baen looked at the roof with a blush. Twilight on the other hoof was reading a letter that Baen had slid over to her. The note read as such…..

Dear Baen,

The production went really well and they loved my costumes! I’m so happy and really wished you were there! But that being said, my parents found out that I’m dating and they want to meet you. So they’ve invited us both to dinner this coming evening. I really hope they like you. I’ll meet you at my place and we can leave from there.

With love, Coco

PS- Love you Baeny Waney XXX

Rainbow Dash snickered, “Baeny Waney?”

Baen glared evenly at her, “Utter one more word and I’ll put you in what the medical books call traction.”

Dash was unfazed by the threat and continued to chuckle inwardly.

Baen sighed and glanced at the girls, “I got that this morning and well I’m not sure how to go about this.”

Applejack raised a puzzled eyebrow, “Yer just gonna meet her parents Baen, it’s not a hard thing to grasp.”

“I think what he means Applejack,” Twilight explained, “is that he’s never done something like this before.”

Baen nodded slowly, “It’s true. Granted I have known a few parents in my time, I’ve never as you all call it, dated any of their children. What exactly am I supposed to do? Do I offer them a goat? A tithe of some sort?”

Rarity smiled lightly and trotted over to her barbarian friend, “Don’t fret darling. All you have to do is be yourself,” Rarity blinked, “Actually….hm. Perhaps that wouldn’t be the wisest course of action.”

“Rarity,” Twilight scolded.

“I’m just saying Twilight, Baen might want to show some restraint,” Rarity sheepishly responded, “because let’s be frank here. Baen doesn’t seem like the most….cultured stallion.”

Baen raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong with how I do things?”

The girls then had very vivid recollections of Baen less then shining moments. They all visibly shuddered as Baen snorted in mild annoyance.

“Point taken.”

Baen stood up and rolled his neck as Twilight came around to his right, “What Rarity is trying to say Baen, is that meeting a mare’s parents is a defining moment in a budding relationship. It can either make or break the situation at large.”

Pinkie nodded, “YEAH,” she then pulled up a green sign with ‘GO’, “If the parents like you then it’s a GO!,” she then pulled up an identical sign that was red with the words ‘NO GO’ on it, “If they hate you, then it’s a NO GO! They’ll keep you both apart forever and eventually you’ll spiral out of control into a deep deep dark hole of loneliness and try to fill the void with cats and-”

Applejack planted her hoof firmly over Pinkie’s mouth, “I think he gets it Pinkie.”

Baen was sweating, “They can do that?”

Twilight nodded solemnly, “I’m afraid so. But you’ll do fine Baen,” she placed a reassuring hoof on his shoulder, “she loves you and you love her. Once her parents see that, I’m sure you’ll reach a consensus with them.”

Baen chuckled, “Well I do have a way with ponies.”

The girls shook their heads with small smiles.

*

Baen sat on the train nervously shuffling. Beside him was a bag with his formal armor in it, granted Rarity insisted on him wearing a suit, but Baen told her they were to constricting. As he sat there, his mind wandered. His mind was indeed on the looming moment that was approaching, but his mind kept turning back to that Soothsayer and how he had predicted he was going to beat Kriger Kongen. Though he was happy he had finally returned to full strength after requiring Ruination, but with the happiness came a dark feeling. Originally he had some control whenever he activated Ruination but for some reason unknown to himself, he had gone back to square one. He would have to practice with Ruination in a controlled area as not to harm anypony. Glancing at his necklace he raised it to look at the jewel.

Sighing he gave a small sad smile, “Father, you would scold me for being out of practice,” Baen then muttered, “perhaps it has something to do with me being sealed in stone….”

His eyes slowly drooped…and soon he was napping.

*

Baen glanced around the train cart, outside; the light was so bright the landscape was white. The steady clattering of the wheels was muffled and he glanced up and widened his eyes. Happy tears appeared in his eyes.

Sitting across from him was a mare. This mare in question was garbed in a silver armor with sharp angles and edges. Wrapped around her neck was a red frayed scarf with a gold crest on the end. The crest depicted an eagle taking flight. Beside the mare was a helmet that resembled a falcon head, the beak of which would curve down to cover her muzzle completely. Resting on the floor in front of her was a halberd. The halberd shaft was a polished wood with vine like details engraved into it; the axe blade vaguely resembled a wing. Her coat was a faded cobalt blue while her eyes were golden amber. Her mane was raven in color and was silky in appearance. The way it was styled was that it cascade down in the back, but was neatly parted in the front.

Her voice was the final give away, “Hello Baen. Fancy seeing you again,” it was soft but held a mild authoritative tone behind it.

“Lucretcia Sable,” Baen happily said, “How I have missed you.”

Lucretcia gave a soft smile, “Likewise old friend.”

Baen sighed, “This is a dream isn’t it?”

“A dream, a vision,” Lucretcia shrugged, “It’s all a matter of perspective really.”

Baen blinked causing Lucretcia to chuckle, “Still the fool as ever.”

“And still as lady like I see,” Baen countered.

Both friends shared a laugh.

Baen then asked slowly, “How are the others?”

Lucretcia rested her chin on her fore hoof, “What do you think?”

Baen looked to the side in shame, “Most likely you all lived your lives worrying about me and where I went. But none the less, you lived. Your kingdom most likely prospered, Princess.”

Lucretcia smiled somewhat smugly, “You’ll never know.”

“Still as caring as ever eh?”

Lucretcia fixed him with a serious stare, “I’m afraid this banter is drawing on too long. Baen, I’m here to inform you of something.”

Baen raised an eyebrow, “What?”

Lucretcia glanced to the side then sighed, “I’m here on behalf of a higher power. Despite what you think, something is indeed coming. A dark force that existed in this world past, it comes to take it back.”

Baen tilted his head becoming all business, “What is it.”

Lucretcia leaned forward, “I do not know its name. Just know this,” she placed an armored hoof on Baen’s cheek, “when it comes, you will have a choice. To either fall with this kingdom, or to stand with it in any time of crisis and show all that this is now your home and you will defend it.”

Baen tensed slightly, “Your armor…I feel it.”

Lucretcia gave a warm smile, “Then maybe this isn’t a dream.”

Baen gazed into her eyes, “Are you a ghost?”

Lucretcia smiles faltered, “I am….what I am now. Just know that I and the others are watching you,” she then pressed her lips to Baen’s.

Baen’s eyes widened in shock but they drooped when she parted.

Her words were hushed, “And that my feelings for you still ring true you damn brute,” her eyes became lidded, “believe me when I say that we do forgive you. And I more than anypony, am happy that you found love after me.”

Baen chuckled, “Trust me, that evening under the stars…”

Lucretcia looked out of the car dreamily, “Near our final adventure together with the others…”

“I could never forget,” Baen stroked a hoof through her mane, the smell of wild berries coming from it, “I miss you all.”

Lucretcia stroked his cheek, “As do we.”

A soft knocking was heard on the door.

Lucretcia sighed, “It seems I must take my leave,” she walked to her helm and donned it, “Be safe, my Warrior.”

Lucretcia walked to Baen and nuzzled him sadly which he returned, “And live happy in paradise, my Princess.”

Lucretcia smiled as the door slid open by itself as she approached the light spilling from it she glanced back, “Just know, should you ever wish to speak with me, I am always listening here. I will try to come to you when you call.”

Baen nodded as she vanished in the light.

*

Baen awoke and felt a wetness coming from his eyes. He smiled happily as he glanced out at the station that was out the windows. Steeling himself, he prepared for his newest challenge, meeting the parents.

Author's Notes:

I'm back! Also, thought I would set the stage for the next chapter and the two after that one.

Meet Lucretcia Sable. A Princess who took up arms to defend her kingdom despite her fathers orders, and a love from Baen's past. Once his confident in their band she would confide in him and he in her, soon their friendship turned to love. But circumstance now has placed them where fates hand as deemed it so. But as you can see, both Baen and Lu have moved on and accepted where they are.

Warrior, Princess, pet names. Brute...nickname she used to call him

Look forward for more updates on this and others