I’m trapped in Tartarus with no food, no water, and no hope of rescue. Yet, I couldn’t be happier. I feel… I feel content for the lack of a better word. I want for nothing right now; because I have everything I want right here in my hooves. The only thing that really matters to me right this second is the mare I’m holding as she sleeps.

Nighttide kicks in her sleep. I wonder if anypony ever told her that? I greet it with a smile each time she does it; her back left leg kicks out ever so slightly once in a while.

It’s cute.

Somehow, I doubt any of her so-called family ever took the time to notice it. It makes me angry to think about. The life she must have grown-up with, I cannot even imagine such a life.

I’m keeping one of my hooves upon her chest. I just want to make sure; I just want to know that her heart won’t stop on me because I become lax in my attention. It’s stupid, but it’s all I can do right now. With my other hoof I lightly stroke her mane, doing my best to try and keep it nice. She was never one to care all that much about her looks, but I like the way she wears her mane.

My body feels like it’s on fire. My back leg hurts from the wound the hounds dealt me and the pressure of her head laying on it. My muzzle stings when the false wind hits it in just the wrong way; however, the warmth of her lying upon me more than makes up for any minor inconvenience.

Taking liberties I probably shouldn’t, I lean down and stick my muzzle into her mane. Even with the dirt, sweat, blood, and grime she... she smells sweet, fruity, and floral. Almost like… like lilacs.

How did I never notice that before?

There’s a lot I never noticed before. The slight upward angle of her muzzle, the way her chest rises and falls when she breathes, and even the little way she moves her lips in her dream. I have no idea what she’s dreaming about or even if it’s a happy dream, but I hope it is. I hope she’s not dreaming about any of her old life, I hope… I hope she’s dreaming about me.

I feel a tear fall from my muzzle at that realization. I do, I truly do hope she’s dreaming about me. It’s then the responsibility I took upon my own hooves hits me, hard. I promised I’d take her away from Red and the others, I promised I’d give her the family she deserved, I promised I’d be there for her.

I’ve never had a pet, I’ve never had any real relationships, and Luna knows I’ve never had a foal. Yet, now… now I have something that requires even more responsibility than all of those combined. Nighttide isn’t some pet for my amusement, she isn’t a foal I helped conceive, she’s a mare. She’s a grown mare that I love. She’s older than me, far, far more experienced than me, and yet… yet she’s my responsibility. Just in a different way.

It’s my responsibility to make sure she goes to bed each night and wakes up each day with a smile on her face. It’s my responsibility to make her laugh and to be there for her when she cries. It’s my responsibility to make sure that she feels love.

My brain is screaming at me, telling me that I’m too young for this, it’s saying that I cannot possibly take on this sort of responsibility at only thirteen. Yet… yet I want to. I cannot explain it, not in any rational terms, but this feels right. I look forward to it, I look forward to her face being the first thing I see when I wake up each morning, and I look forward to kissing her goodnight each and every day. I know it’s going to be hard, I know we’re going to fight, we’re going to argue, but I also know that it’ll all be worth it.

“Mom’s going to be pissed,” I say to myself, chuckling as I try to imagine explaining all of this to her. How Nighttide is my love and we will live together. Odds are good that she’ll refuse that bit on principle alone, saying that it’ll be inappropriate for her thirteen year-old colt to share a room with a mare. I don’t care, she can’t stop me anyway. Nopony can see me if I don’t want them too.

She’ll either come to accept it or she won’t. Not really my hang up one way or another.

Worst case scenario I’ll just threaten that we’ll run away together. I doubt with having lost me for three months she’ll want to risk that again. The thought makes me smile and frown in equal measure. I don’t really want to put anypony through that again; however, for her, I will.

After all, I did promise her.

The smell of lilacs continues to permeate my nostrils. I feel her slightly tilt her head again, as if to give me a better position. Concern permeates me at that moment in fear that I might have woken her up. Lifting my head I see that I’m worrying for nothing, she’s still sleeping, just like before.

Although, now she’s smiling; it’s amazing to me how that one small facial gesture on her part can cause such feelings to stir in my chest. I now know she’s dreaming about me, the only time I’ve ever seen her smile like that is when she looks at me. I also know with that smile she’ll easily get everything she could ever want from me when we’re married.

Married...

They used to tease me about it, saying we will eventually get married and have a whole bunch of foals together. I wrote it off then… now, now I… I want it. I want her to be my wife; I want a whole bunch of little foals running around the palace, driving my sisters and brother nuts. Now that the thought is in my head, it’s all I want.

How is it everypony else saw it and I didn’t?

It doesn’t matter anyway; I’m foolishly picturing a life with her even though I know I’ll die here. Still, I cannot complain, I found her, I told her how I felt, and to top it all off, I got that kiss.

It was worth it.

The false wind picks up, stinging my face and forcing me to close my eyes. I hate it; I hate it because I cannot look at her anymore. I do what I can to protect her from the wind. She’s… she’s so peaceful right now; I don’t want to take that away from her. I risk one eye just to steal another glance. Her face is contorted in pain. That makes me mad; the wind is ruining her dream.

Just like that, it stops. I have no idea how wind even works down here. I was told by Red it was a false wind, he said that wind didn’t really exist here. I have no idea what’s making it then, or why it just stopped like that. In a futile effort, I look around to see if I can locate the source of whatever is causing it.

I see it then, it’s the largest hound I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s black with blood-red stripes running down its fur. It’s easily twice the size of Red. I expect it to howl out, to signal an attack order to its pack. Yet… yet it doesn't do any of that. It just sits down upon its haunches and stares at me, almost like its crimson eyes are trying to peer directly into my soul.

I should feel fear, I should be afraid, and yet I’m not. This hound, this creature is sizing me up. He’s not a mindless beast running on instinct, if that were the case he’d already be down for an easy meal. He’s thinking, considering, waiting; for what I don’t know.

I don’t really care either.

“You can try if you want, I’ll make sure you choke on my bones first,” I don’t shout the words; rather I simply say them with conviction, as if they were fact. He can have his next meal, but it will cost him his life in the attempt.

Why?

The question surprises me, I hear it, but I cannot pinpoint its location. It comes from everywhere and nowhere all at once, almost as if it were carried on the wind. The voice itself sounds ancient, yet ignorant at the same time.

I’m not the brightest crown in the box, but I know what he meant. “Because I love her, and I’ll kill anyone that tries to hurt her, regardless of the cost.”

The hound tilts its head in confusion at that, almost as if he simply didn’t understand the concept of what I mean. However, before he can say another world, a bright flash of pink energy temporarily blinds us both.

When I blink my eyes clear, I notice two things: The first was that the hound is gone. The second is the pony that now stands before me, the pony I never thought I’d see again: My aunt.

“Princess Cadance?”

Her form is not that of a normal pony, she’s ethereal in nature, almost as if she’s made of nothing but magic energy. I do my best to keep my own power in check; as so not to accidentally disperse her.

“How many times do I have to ask ponies just to call me Cadance?” she asks with a smile.

We all did it just because it always got a chuckle out of her.

“But you’re… you’re…” I can’t bring myself to say dead.

“Yes, I am.”

“Am I?” I ask, my hoof presses down just a little harder on Nighttide’s chest.

She shakes her head, “No, dear nephew, you’re not dead, or dying for that matter.”

“How are you here then?” the question comes out of my mouth, although I’m not sure if I truly want an answer.

“What, did you think somepony could break into Tartarus in a desperate bid to find their lost love and it wouldn’t get the attention of the God of Love?” The smile on her face warms my heart.

“Eros.”

“Eros. She couldn’t come herself, so she asked me to help you along your journey.”

“But… how? Magic doesn’t affect me.”

“Indeed, that is your birthright. However, even you are not beyond the touch of love. I think the mare in your hooves is proof enough of that.” I look down at Nighttide and smile at her words. “You see, when two souls love each other, they form a bond, such as my bond with you, or your bond with your parents. However, the strongest bonds, those are the ones formed with those you care for as deeply as you do Nighttide.”

“You lead me to her using those bonds…” The realization upsets me; I thought I did it on my own.

“No, I merely guided you on the path; every step you took was of your own power, your own choosing. No pony, not even a God can command you Taz, you know that. Everything you did; every step you took, every obstacle you overcame, it was all you, and it’s always been you. Everypony gets lost now and then, we all, even the greatest of us, need a little push in the right direction. What you did here today, what you did for her; it was an act of true love. I promise you it will live on forever. Eros will accept nothing less.”

“You’re telling me I impressed a God?” I laugh.

“Yes, you did.”

I stop laughing.

An awkward silence befalls us; each time I look up I see her smiling at me, somehow that just makes things worse. “I’m sorry,” I say the words out loud as I look down once more at the mare in my hooves.

“For what?” she asks, as if she didn’t know.

“I’m sorry I got you killed. Had I just…” fresh tears fall from my eyes; I thought I was out of tears to shed.

“Taz, my death was my own choosing, how many ponies get to say that? How many get to say that they got to pick their fate? Besides, I’m with my Shining again, I couldn’t be happier.”

“But you never would have…” I sob the words. I didn’t even know I blamed myself for her death until now.

“Enough of that, the past cannot be changed, Taz. I don’t blame you for what happened, your family doesn’t blame you, as we all know you made the best decision with the information you had on hoof. That’s all any of us can ask for. So tell me, if we don’t blame you, why do you blame yourself?”

“Because…” I feel like a toddler again, I should be a stallion now. Yet even after everything I did, everything I went though, that’s the best answer I can come up with.

I have no idea what it takes to be a stallion.

“Taz, my sweet nephew, you’ve taken on a whole new burden now, haven't you?”

I know what she’s talking about, the mare in my hooves. I can’t speak right now so I simply nod.

“Are you going to carry that burden? Are you going to live up to the promises you made to yourself and to her, regardless of where that leads you?”

Her words anger me; I glare at her as I reply, “Of course.”

“So how can you carry this new burden if you won’t let go of your old ones?”

I’m dumbfounded by that, “Just like that?”

“Just like that, let it go, Taz. Forgive yourself for the sins only you blame you for, live life for the future, for keeping your promises, not for past transgressions. She deserves your very best, don't you agree?”

There’s really only one answer I can give, “You’re right. Thank you, for coming here to tell me this I mean.”

“Oh, I didn’t come here to tell you this.”

“Then… why are you here?”

“I’m here to give you a way home. Things will be happening soon Taz, things your family will need you for, things they will need you both for. You can’t be stuck in a place like this while all that’s going on.”

“Just like that, you’re going to send me home?” I ask.

“Well, no. I’m going to heal her wounds.”

“I… I don’t understand; how will that get me home?”

“Who brought you here the first time?”

“She can open a portal,” I almost shout the words, almost.

“Indeed,” Cadance replies before walking over to the two of us, I see her reach down and touch noses with Nighttide. There’s no bright flash of light, but her injuries appear fully healed as soon as their noses come apart. Her missing wing is fully regrown at that touch.

“Treat my nephew well, Nighttide.” I hear Cadance whisper to the mare.

I look down at Nighttide’s face, somehow, despite everything, she didn’t awaken. The only noticeable change I can see is that her sleep seems even more peaceful. “Umm, Cadance?” I ask, unsure if I even should bring up the question on my mind.

“Yes?”

“Is it okay if I let her sleep, she looks so peaceful right now an-” A hoof cuts me off.

“That’s fine, but just don’t dilly dally too long when she does wake up,” Cadance says with a smile.

I run my hoof through Nighttide’s sky-blue mane one more time, now that the dirt and grime are gone; it feels better than silk in my hooves. I can’t help but smile like an idiot right now. It’s all too amazing to me.

A thought crosses my mind as I feel Cadance start to walk away. “Is there… is there anything I can do for you?” I look up just in time to see her stop.

She turns her head to look back and ask, “What do you mean?”

“You’ve… you’ve done so much for me. What can I do for you? Anything you’d like to tell Radiant, or the twins? I can take a message to them.”

I hear her chuckle at that, “You always do that, don’t you? You always try and do what’s best for others. You get that from Twilight you know.”

“I guess.”

“Don’t guess, know. Now that you mention it, there are two things you can do for me. The first is to deliver a message to my son and his boys. Tell my son that it wasn’t his fault and that I don’t blame him, tell him I love him with all my heart. Oh and tell him that Firestar is proud of him. She sends her love and kisses. Please, also tell the boys that I will always be proud of them, that they should help their father, and believe in everything they do. For both of them, Flash and Blaze, the sky's the limit. We both love and miss them every day we’re apart.”

“And the second?”

“What’s going to happen will test you to your limits, Taz. Always remember what matters most. Keep your promise to her, do it for me, do it for her, and more importantly, do it for yourself.”

“Always.”

“And don’t worry; I’ll stick around to make sure he doesn’t bother you again.”

I knew she was talking about the large wolf creature from before. “What was he?”

“Someone I hope you will never meet again. Farewell dear nephew. You have found the greatest treasure there is in life, but always remember, it’s as strong as it is fragile. Protect it with all your heart and it will be your greatest shield in return.”

My eyes grow wide as I watch her energy start to dissolve in front of me. “Cadance?” There’s one more question I’d like to ask.

She looks at me one more time, her form almost insubstantial. “Yes?”

“What’s it like?” I ask, hoping she understands.

“That right there.” She gestures her muzzle down to the mare lying on me before her form is completely gone. I look down once more and see Nighttide sleeping so peacefully in my hooves. I smile as I understand what she means.

What I have now, it’s what she got after she died. Cadance gets to fall asleep next to the love of her life again.

In a way, I’m happy for her.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve brushed a hoof through her sky-blue mane. It could be hundreds of times, although more likely it’s been thousands of times. Each time still sends a slight shiver up my hoof at the touch of it. The feeling is something I just know that I’ll never get enough of.

I see her starting to stir, her mouth opens slightly wider, her front hoof starts to stretch out ever so slightly. Her heartbeat picks up just the slightest. It all tells me that this part of the journey is about done. When she wakes up, we’ll leave this place and move on to face the music.

I smile as I realize that I’m not scared. I’m really not, as long as she’s by my side it doesn’t matter to me.

Her eyelids open ever so slightly, revealing her sky-blue eyes that ever so perfectly match her mane. I look down upon them; I want my face to be the first thing she sees when she wakes up.

It is.

“Taz,” her voice is as sweet as honeysuckle. Too bad the same could not be said for her breath.

I pay it no mind.

“Hey Nighttide.”

She raises her head and our lips meet. I press back, careful not to overdo it as it would force her back down. When she parts that smile is back on her face. “I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a dream.”

“How do you know it wasn’t?” I ask.

“Because my dreams are never this nice.” The smile stays on her face, but it’s a sad smile.

“Well, we’ll just have to change that, won’t we?” I help her get up; she’s surprised when her hoof and wing don’t fight against her.

“What the?”

“Princess Cadance healed you last night; you should be back to normal now.” I start to help her remove the bandages. Part of me is surprised just how nice her coat is right now. A larger part of me is now curious, Nighttide has a dark blue coat with black spots, but I’ve never counted just how many spots she has. I kind ‘a wanna know now.

I think she senses this, as I remove the last of the bandages she presses her muzzle into my mane. I wrap a hoof around her in a comforting hug.

“Later…”

I don’t know if I head the last part, or if it was just my mind, I smile like a doofus anyway. “Think you can get us out of here?” I ask when we break apart.

She sits down on her haunches and frowns, “What? You don’t like being here with me?”

I smile, hobble over, and brush up against her. “I like being wherever you are, but I think we can pick a few better places to be, don’t you?” my tail running across her face punctuates my comment.

“You’re quite the tease, you know that?” she asks as the frown fades from her face only to be replaced with the smile I’ve grown to love.

“We need to get back, Cadance said that we shouldn’t dilly dally.”

“Well… yeah, I guess, but…” That catches my attention; I look over to see her running a hoof through the dirt.

“But what?”

“I can take us anywhere, do you want to go back to them?” she asks, “I mean, they’re not going to be happy with me. I… I don’t want to lose you, Taz. Not again, I don’t want them to take us away from each other.”

“Cadance said that I was going to be tested. She said that I should defend you and our love. I won’t run away and hide from my family. We’re going back Nighttide, I’m going to keep all my promises, and I will make sure that you will be safe and mine, forever.” I say, my voice strong and confident.

It’s her turn to brush up against me. I smell lilacs again and know that it’s the smell of her. “Is it that important that they accept us?” she asks.

“Yes, I want to give you the family you deserve, Nighttide. That means they need to accept you, I’ll make sure that they do. It’ll be alright, I promise.”

She stops walking and turns back to me with a small smile on her face. “Okay then, I’ll open a portal right to the throne room then, for you I’ll admit everything and face the music. I trust you Taz, if you say it’ll be alright, I believe it.”

I watch her turn back around and head for the nearest hill of sufficient size. With those same shadow spears that Mindsink and Timespire attacked Dayspring with, she carves out a large chunk of the hill leaving a flat surface. I stand up to hobble over to where she is, while Cadance might have healed her wounds, the same could not be said for mine. Nighttide notices this and walks over next to me.

“You’re hurt?” she asks, surprise in her voice.

“Part of the joys of being me.”

“How did Cadance get here anyway?”

“Oh, she’s dead. I think I forgot to tell you that.”

I see her mouth open and close a few times as she tries to think of what to say next. It doesn’t help. In the end she shuts her mouth and smiles with a look on her face that tells me I’ll have to explain that later.

She leads us over to the flat hill and I watch as shadows began tracking from her. They spread up to the flat of the hill, crisscrossing each other in an intricate pattern that I recognize all too well.

“You know, this is kind ‘a funny.”

“What?” she asks as we start to hobble us over to the portal.

“Isn’t this how we arrived in Tartarus?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Yeah, I guess it is.” I hear a chuckle from her as she leads us through the portal and out of this hellhole.

The other side is the exact opposite of where we came from. We step out of the portal with my hoof around her and into the throne room of Celestia’s Palace. The sight there isn’t what I had pictured for my home coming.

Nighttide shivers and I can see why. Guards are standing before us, spears pointing in our direction. It seems as if they noticed our arrival. If they attack, I know I will not be able to protect her from the spears. I step in front of Nighttide, placing myself between her the spears, and my mother who is seemly in a rage at the sight of her.

“What in the name of Celestia is this about?” Twilight shouts, glaring at Nighttide, but I know her words are directed to me. The shock of it all seems to have overcome her desire to welcome me back, although I can still see the latter fighting for dominance in her mind.

That’s bad, it means she’s really pissed at Nighttide. However, it’s the spears I need to deal with first.

“Stand down.” I’ve never given a command before; I’ve never ordered ponies to do anything as I’ve never had a reason. However, I gave this one with all the authority I had. I can abide a lot, but not this direct threat against the mare I love.

I smile as the guards start to lower their spears. It doesn’t shock me that they listened, I am a Prince of Equestria after all.

“Spears stay up!” Twilight shouts to counteract my command and the guards just look confused now.

I look at her in disbelief, but before I can say anything, Rainbow stands up and glares at the guards. “Stand down. If you point your spears at my son again each one of you will get to know me better. I don’t need wings to protect my family.” It was no idle threat; However, it did earn her a glare from Twilight.

“What are you doing, Rainbow?” Twilight asks.

I see Rainbow eyeing all the guards as they, quite wisely, lower their spears and move out of the way. She turns to Twilight with that smile only she can pull off, “Our son went to Tartarus and back to retrieve her, don’t you think it’s at least worth hearing what she has to say?”

Twilight sighs before turning to the Captain of the Guard. “Get her to a doctor and have them look her over to make sure nothing is wrong.”

I’m relieved and hobble towards Rainbow who grips me with a crushing hug. It was a mistake, now that I’m just far enough from Nighttide, Twilight drops the other horseshoe.

“After the doctors check her over, I’ll hear what she has to say, and then the law will decide her fate.”

“Mom.” I glare at her.

“Taz, everypony is subject to the laws, even royalty.”

I shrug off Rainbow’s grip and start hobbling to Nighttide. I can feel my mom’s eyes burning through the back of my head at that. However, we’re not going to be separated again, I vow it.

She clears the distance even with all the watching eyes on her and hugs me. I breathe in deep of that scent again. “I’m going with her,” I mutter.

“What was that?” Twilight asks.

“I’m going with her,” I say the words again as we separate. Nighttide’s only reply was to smile at me.

“Taz, y-”

“It wasn’t a question,” I turn and say to mom. Never in my life have I talked to my mother like that, but right now, I just don’t care.

“It looks like he needs a doctor more than her right now anyway, Twi.” Rainbow replies as she walks over to her wife.

Twilight looks between me and Rainbow. I can literally see her head working before she groans out, “Fine! But if she’s found guilty he won’t be at her side in her cell. And that’s final!”

I’ve had enough, really enough. “And you think I’ll just live with that?!”

“I’m your mother; I only want the best for you.” I see mom’s expression change, now she’s showing worry and fear.

“You know what’s best for me?” I ask her before facing Nighttide.

I think she’s able to read it from my face. I lean in, and her lips meet me halfway. It’s not our longest or deepest kiss, but it carries on for a bit, passion flowing into it. I see my mother’s jaw hit the floor and I smile. However, before she can say anything, Rainbow speaks up.

“Taz, I saw you two through the portal. I think I can imagine the bond you two share. But please understand your mother’s position. She’s concerned about you, I’m sure that we can clear this all up soon. Go with Nighttide and let the doctors take a look at your wounds. Then, come back to me and we’ll talk about it, deal?”

I look at Nighttide and she nods, giving me a smile. I give her a last peck on her lips before turning back to my mother. “Deal.”

The guards surround us on either side, leading us out of the room and to the wing of the castle Twilight had changed to serve as a medical area. Looking at Nighttide walking at my side, I know that everything will be fine. It might take a bit, but everything will be fine.

I simply have to keep my promise, just like Cadance told me to.

They sent us here in order to check over Nighttide’s wounds, but the truth of the matter is she’s just fine; Cadance already took care of all her issues. It’s my wounds that require their attention. However, after the sixth time they try and give me some anesthesia to put me to sleep in order to stitch up my back hoof, and the sixth time I tell them I’ll buck their teeth out if they try, they quickly figure out that I’m not going under for any reason.

That being said, it still hurts like a bitch.

“Doc, can’t you be gentler?” Nighttide asks as she holds my hoof. I’m grunting through the pain, but honestly, I could take worse.

“Sorry, but this is how it’s done. If he’d just cooperate it wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Just get it done,” I grunt out as the needle re-enters my skin.

“Just two more to go.”

That gives me little comfort.

Nighttide squeezes my hoof tighter as pain shoots through my hoof. It hurts, I can’t lie about that, but somehow, she makes it better. “You still sure about this, Taz?”

I smile at her, “I know when they hear the truth we’ll be able to be together. I don’t know why, but this is important to me. I want us to be together, but I want us to be together the right way. I don’t want to live my life with one eye looking behind me all the time, you know?”

“So, come what may, this is what you want?”

I squeeze her hoof back, harder. “You’re what I want, Nighttide. I made you a promise and I’ll keep it. My family will be yours, just like I am.”

“Just like I am,” she repeats back, that lovely smile on her face. I’ll never know how, but it just seems to make everything better.

“Okay, I’m done, now I’d normally subscribe bed rest, but I have a feeling you’d just ignore me anyway,” the doc says from behind me.

“You’ve got that right,” I say back. Part of me is shocked that he finished so quickly, I didn’t even feel him wrapping my leg in a bandage.

Also, when the hell did I get so snarky?

“As far as your other two injures, you’re going to have a nice scar across your muzzle, some cream should help reduce it if you apply it daily.”

“Scars are sexy,” Nighttide whispers into my ear. Yeah… the cream can take a flying leap out of the window after that. Besides, it’s not my first scar.

“Your shoulder is just bruised, keep to minimal activity and it should heal on its own.”

“So, they’re good to go?” the guard at the door asks.

“Well, no. She’s just fine, but he’s as good as I can get him right now,” the doc replies.

“Good enough. Come you two, Princess Twilight is awaiting you in the throne room.”

I grunt into the examination table, loudly. There are days when you feel like the word is simply against you, and then there are days you know it’s against you. Today is definitely one of the latter. That’s when I smell it again, lilacs. I feel her next; she’s nuzzling into my mane, lightly nibbling on my ear. “C’mon, the sooner we do this the sooner we can put it all behind us.”

It’s hard to argue with that logic. That being said, it hurts to stand up on my hooves right now. The doc shouts out once more, “You sure you don’t want me to at least numb it?!”

“I’m good!” I lie. Nighttide chuckles a little and soon wraps my front hoof around her neck. Together, we hobble back down the hallway and to the throne room. Just like on the way here, I notice that all the doors are shut and there are a few more guards than normal.

As if they’d actually be able to stop us if we tried anything. Shimming Night, maybe, assuming she’s having a good day, but that’s about it.

I hear them long before we reach the throne room. My moms are having an argument about what’s to come.

“Twilight, I know you’re trying to be protective, but there’s a limit!” Rainbow shouts.

“We don’t know her motives, Dash. This could all be some sort of trap!”

“I think you missed the kiss. Or did I miss something that you caught? Stop thinking in a box Twi, you’re way better than that and you know it. Heck, even I know it!”

“Rainbow, he’s only thirteen.”

“He’s acting more mature than any of us right now, Twi. He’s even made better decisions than any of us could claim to.”

I didn’t hear the next part, whatever mom said back must have been low. However, Rainbow’s reply was anything but.

“Twilight, on his own, he went into Tartarus, he found her, he overcame the Gods only know what, and he brought her back. He loves her, and I’m willing to bet she loves him.”

“You’d bet on that? If I were you I wouldn’t, Dash. I’m not sure this isn’t just another trick. How do we know that she won’t simply take him with her as soon as they’re both free to go?”

“If you keep that up, we’ll lose him because of our bickering!”

“He wouldn’t run away again.” I could tell there was hurt in her voice when she said that line.

“Twilight… I’m only going to say it once again. Stop thinking in a Luna damn box! I’m literally the featherbrain here against you but right now I feel way smarter than you in this situation. Let’s give it a chance. At least do it for me!”

“I trust that this will at least be an impartial hearing?” I say as we round the corner into the throne room. They both stare at me as if they were foals that just got caught red-hoofed in the cookie jar.

Twilight winces, “How much of this did you hear?”

I look at her with a deadpan expression. “Enough to tell you that I won’t leave her alone and I will fight against your decision if I have to.”

She looks taken aback by that, I don’t think she believes me though. “I promise that the law will be followed Taz, that’s all I can promise. Nighttide, step forward.”

It’s a dumb command; it assumes I’m not going to stay by her side. Together we both approach my parents on the thrones. I see Rainbow smiling at me; Twilight's doing her best to avoid my gaze.

“Nighttide, what was your role in the Red incident last month?” Part of me smiles at that, my nickname seems to have stuck. I know he hates it, but that just made it all the more pleasing.

She looks at me one more time, uncertainty written on her face. I already hate this for that alone. I hate seeing that look; I just want her to smile again. Pressing my body that much closer to hers, I rub the side of her cheek with my muzzle. “Just tell them the truth, they’ll see.”

There’s that smile I wanted to see. “Princess Twilight, Red is my father. I was part of his plans from the very beginning, even before we were freed from the moon.”

“You may want to start from the beginning then,” Twilight says.

“Very well; as you know Luna was banished to the moon almost eleven hundred years ago. Well, what nopony living new was that she wasn’t the only one banished there. The God Tartarus had three sons that he also locked into the moon. Whereas Nightmare Moon was sent by the… elements?” she asked, Twilight just nodded.

“Yes the elements, Red, Mindsink, and Timespire were locked there by a God’s full power. There were no stars that could help them escape. It was about six hundred years into her banishment when Nightmare Moon and Red had me. I’m her daughter, only in the sense that I came from her though.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow asks.

“I didn’t remember for the longest time, not until recently actually, but I was their mistake. They would torture me every day on the anniversary of my birth just in reminder of my place to them. They taught me that cruelty was just a way of life, that it was simply to be expected, and that the strong always prey upon the weak.”

Red, I swear, even if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll kill you.

“About sixty years ago the stars aligned just right for Nightmare Moon’s escape. I think my father saw that as his chance to free himself too. When she brought about eternal night it would reduce the hold that kept them there. I must say it was one of the happiest days of my life seeing her go; I was free of one of my tormentors. Of course, she failed, and that’s when…”

I squeezed her tighter at that. Unsure of what would be so bad. “That’s when what?” Twilight asks.

“Mindsink changed my memories. He made me think she was a good mom, that we were happy together. That she was somehow my savior in a life of misery. Her crimes against me became Timespire’s.”

“That’s why you?” Rainbow questions.

“Yes…” Nighttide starts crying again. “They told me if I wanted her back I had to make Taz fall in love with me. That I had to do everything they told me to. But… but it was a lie, all of it. Please, you have to understand, for me she was a light in the darkness, the only good I’ve had in four-hundred year old life! I never realized just how wonderful Taz was. Not until it was too late.”

I press her muzzle to my coat. “Is that all you need?” I’m glaring at my moms, I feel… I feel hate for them right now. I never thought in a million years I’d feel that way about them.

“There’s more,” Nighttide squeaks out.

“It’s enough.” I say back. To my surprise she pushes back against me.

“No, like you said, I need to tell them the whole truth. Princess Twilight, Princess Rainbow, I… I decided not to go along with it the Friday before Taz left. I found Dayspring Gleam and told him everything. Together we… we came up with a plan to stop them. I’m ashamed to say it failed though.”

“That happened on the Friday before he left?” Twilight asks.

“Yes.”

“Then why were you fighting with Mindsink when I next saw you?” Twilight replies with a deadpan expression.

My heart feels like it stopped at that. She’s right.

“I… I… I…”

I can feel it; I can feel Nighttide’s heart beating a mile a minute in her chest. She’s panicking now and nothing I do is calming her down.

“Why were you fighting with Mindsink?” Twilight repeats her question.

“We… we failed. Dad told me if I join him again I could still have Taz and mom…”

She did it for me. My heart pushes forwards, starting to beat faster than before.

“Is there anything else?” Twilight asks; my stomach feels like it’s fallen to the floor at that question. I already know how this is going to go. That last bit sealed it.

“No,” Nighttide replies, timidly.

I see mom rise up to her full height, Rainbow looks at her with a worried expression on her face. This is it, this is the verdict. “Nighttide, I’m Taz’s mother, and while the love you two share has been pointed out to me many times now,” I see Rainbow flash a quick grin at that. “However, I’m also a Princess of Equestria. Responsible for making sure that the laws Celestia passed down to us are carried out. You were raised in a world that most ponies couldn’t even have nightmares about, and yet, even still, you were able to see right from wrong. You knew what they wanted you to do was wrong and you fought against it. For that you’d be set free.”

I won’t let myself feel hope, not now. I know something else is coming.

“However, you then chose to go back to them, even knowing what you knew. While you may have wanted your mother back, none of the other factors had changed other than your plan failed. On that the law is clear. I’m sorry; if I start making exceptions to the law it will become worthless. I have no choice but to place you under arrest pending a full trial.”

“No!” I shout, placing myself in front of Nighttide. I promised her that everything would be alright. This is going straight into the other direction.

“Taz you don’t have a say in this.” Twilight says before turning to the guards. “Escort her to the cells, please.”

The guards in the room are unicorns. As they start approaching Nighttide, I feel anger and fear growing in me. They walk closer, horns flashing up to arrest Nighttide, but suddenly, the flash is gone. My power extends, taking in everything.

“You will not lay a hoof on her or take her into that rotten cell. If I have to fight you, I will! I killed a hound in Tartarus; you shouldn’t even be a match!” I’m surprised how confident my voice sounds. At my declaration mom’s face shows pure fear now. I can tell she’s afraid of having to order the guards to fight me.

Before I can extend the area of my power, my head is pulled away from them and soft lips are pressed against mine as my rage goes away.

“Please, Taz. It’s okay. Everything will be okay.” Nighttide smiles at me; my power slowly starts dying down.

“But… but I promised?”

“You kept it,” she whispers to me.

That damn smile again, how can that one smile just sap my resistance like that? Turning to my mom, I scowl loud enough for her to jump up. “If something happens to her, I promise by the sun and the memory of Celestia as my witness, you will no longer be a mother to me.”

Rainbow looks shocked now. “Taz… don’t do anything you will regret…”

I stop her, “I won’t regret it then. Nighttide is the most important thing in my life. If I can save her by doing this, then I will. I’d die for her if I have to.” I say and turn to Nighttide, seeing tears flowing down her muzzle.

“I love you, Taz.” she whispers and I lean in, kissing her.

“I love you too, Nighttide.” I gently whisper back as our kiss ends. Then, I turn to my mother. “So?”

“No prisoner has ever been mistreated, Taz. She will be well taken care of.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it.” I scowl again and Twilight’s expression hardens.

Before she can reply, Rainbow puts her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Don’t make a mistake now. I think it is clear that they share a deep bond. Think about it; there were some times when Celestia stretched the rules and you know it.”

I see her pull back from Rainbow’s grasp. That action alone is shocking, “Taz, the law is very clear on visitors. Until you turn eighteen you’re not allowed to visit her alone. When Rainbow or I come with you, you can see her, but that’s it. Celestia may have bent the laws a few times, but I never have and I don’t intend to make special exceptions for family. Guards, take her away.”

“No!” I shout the words as one of the guards approach. I leap on him, anger feeding my very being. I fought a pack of hounds in Tartarus. How much different can a few lonely unicorn guards be?

Turns out, very different; whereas before I fought an instinctual animal, deadly and dangerous, for sure, but not a being with training and experience; this time I fight somepony with training. He sidesteps my leap and easily pins me to the ground, taking me away from Nighttide. She just sits down, not resisting, letting them take her away.

“I hate you,” I say to Twilight, my tone and the conviction in my eyes leave no doubt that I mean it. “I really, really hate you.”

Twilight looks like every word stabbed her with a knife, but nods to her guards as they take us away from each other, in separate directions. At that moment, a part of my heart breaks.

“This isn’t over!” I scream as they drag me from the room. “I swear to you, this isn’t over!”

Author's Notes:

Sometimes we can do everything right, make all the best decisions, and still lose.