Before I start, I just want to say how humbled I am at the reception my previous title received. But I’ve been know to ramble, and I know that anypony reading this just wants to read the story. The reason I say this is this story is understandable as it is, however, to get a much better understanding of the main character, I kindly ask you to read “Your Wings Were Made For Angels”. Now I know it’s 170,000+ words long, but from the flattering praise it has received, I assure you it won’t be a waste of time. But your decision lies with you; if you choose to read the previous story in this series, then great! If not, well, I hope that I can make this still entertaining for you.

Right, now that that’s out of the way, I hope you enjoy the fic and I am eagerly awaiting any feedback from.

P.S: Oh! One more thing: For any Dead Space fans, watch out: this fic is going to be ‘pack’ed with references and quotes. See? See what I did there?

Chapter 1: “Forever Young”

A dash over a year after Kerous’ futile attempt to destroy the world, Equestria has almost fully accepted the arrival of another alicorn. One who, despite never showing it, was infinitely more powerful than both of the celestial princesses combined. Though many couldn’t believe that he had died to come back the very next night, he was there, in the flesh. And very much alive.

Cantor was a simple pony with simple ambitions and one rule to live by: Protect. Although he wasn't the bravest of ponies, still being relatively scared of the dark, the young stallion set aside his abundance of free time to better the lives of everyone and everything he possibly could.

Actually, this is a lie. He first and foremost spent all day dreaming up innovative methods of getting himself hurt, and encouraging a choir of 'I told you so's from all but one of his friends, who encouraged the act in the first place. Regardless, through all the bumps and bruises, and the occasional dismemberment, he was happy, and content with a life that could never be spoiled.

The hype about Cantor quickly dimmed within the first two weeks of his return, yet nopony forgot what he had accomplished, especially with the stone statue of him in Canterlot gardens. He made requests for a stained window instead, and despite his best efforts of persuasion, which in no way reflected pestering, Celestia's answer remained a firm 'No', and the statue quickly became part of the landscape, along with other legendary ponies of the past. Making the frequently inappropriate stallion feel very out of place.

The study of extra-terrestrial worlds had begun to peak Celestia's interest to the highest extent in recent times. She made a point of saying how she was certain of life outside of Equestria, but now that the possibility for finding out for definite was visible thanks to a one-of-a-kind telescope on the outskirts of Ponyville, she had initiated a deep space programme, which Cantor eagerly took the offered position of being captain in an exploration and research team to the new planet. As for Cantor himself, he simply couldn’t wait to zoom out into space to see close up the very object he had observed many times through Twilight’s high powered observatory that he had made many months ago. And though the official launch date was five months away, Cantor was counting down the weeks like a foal waiting for his birthday.

Time, as always, flew by in Equestria, but one thing Cantor was sure of was that he and Twilight were scheduled for a very long and happy life together, readying themselves for years and years of peace and happiness.

With the occasional dismemberment...

The lavender mare had taken Cantor’s gift of the observatory straight to heart, doing exactly as he had said and transformed the little telescope into her legacy, filling the walls with her beauty, and in the quick year, she had already crammed a bookshelf and a half with her endless recordings from beyond the stars. A simple explanation was in order: astronomy, second only to the give and take of knowledge, was Twilight’s largest hobbyist passion, and no matter how much she had discovered, there always seemed to be something just over the horizon that caught her eye, often the cause for several pages of information about the curious lights out there she spied, none of which shining as brightly as her.

Both Cantor and Twilight still kept finding out so much about each other that they found absolutely fascinating. Cantor discovered Twilight was quite the experienced painter, often sitting for hours in front of her observatory, overlooking the mystical horizon at the deep purple sky through stunning lavender eyes and painting. Hours of sitting there on the grass next to Cantor, watching the moon journey across the infinitely vast expanse of sky, flicking a small brush over a large Canvas, creating picture-perfect landscapes to hang on her observatory walls. Cantor could sit forever and watch Twilight paint. And in fact, he did. The alicorn would snuggle close to Twilight, wrapping an enormous wing around her like a huge feathery blanket, watching her many masterpieces come to life right before his deep amber eyes.

After some time, Cantor had urged the young mare to show the books to Celestia, explaining how her new literary expertise would carry Equestria far to new fantasies and wonderful worlds waiting to be explored. Twilight Sparkle and her friends still kept up their weekly friendship reports – and now, seeing as how they had all found love somewhere along the line, their hearts were open to all the beauty in the world, and their content souls added much to it.

It was early Summer in Equestria, and the weather was gradually becoming warmer. The hot and lazy days were in view and everypony in town was eagerly waiting to use their new pools which had been installed by Ponyville’s favourite alicorn. The acts of magical prowess explained to 'wannabe' wizards all throughout the world, who travel for months to get a glimpse at the one who could supposedly introduce new matter to the universe from thin air, with the words "I dunno, I just do it, I guess..." Earning him a bad rapport with a large faction of powerful, scorned unicorns.

Today was scheduled to be a mildly sunny day, with a light shower towards the end of the afternoon. The pale morning glow shone through Twilight’s closed windows, throwing large squares of light onto the wooden floor below. The new spring hatchlings resting in their wicker nests could be heard chirping in uproar every now and then as one of their parents returned with food in their beaks. The day had begun perfect – much like every day in Equestria really… Cantor had awoken to find Twilight already staring at him, her eyes half – lidded and an enchanting expression worn upon her face. Not for the first time, Cantor woke up smiling, barely able to utter “Morning” before Twilight wrapped her lips around his. It was more of a life than he could ever ask for, and he was sure that if there was heaven on Earth, Twilight Sparkle would be his sanctuary.

As Cantor had promised, nothing had changed; things had only gotten better. He still told Twilight Sparkle that he loved her every day without fail and every day, she would say the same to him. Twilight was as she always could be found every morning with Cantor before she got to work, sitting on her small sofa with a cup of tea resting on the table and a magically prepared breakfast beside it, something was obviously on her mind. It was bothering her, and whenever that happened, (albeit rarely), the white alicorn made it his duty to find out what it was so that he could fix it.

After taking a shallow sip from his cup, Cantor turned to the uncomfortable purple unicorn and asked with expectant eyes: “Something on your mind, Twi?”

The young mare quickly shook her head, her straight mane whipping about her face as she picked up a buttered crumpet with her magic and took a feeble bite. She finished it a lot sooner than she had expected and upon swallowing, turned to face her stallion who was still burning into her eyes. She sighed a little as a response, knowing that once this stallion had you in this particular kind of contact, your mind was as good as his.

“What?” She asked, raising both eyebrows, the warm, creamy taste of butter still evident in her mouth.

“Oh, please, Twilight…” Cantor began, smiling warmly in the humble morning light. “I’ve known you for over two years… I can tell when something’s bothering you…”

“Well…” Twilight started, her eyes shifting from her plate back to those paralyzing amber eyes, hotter than fire and more attractive than gravity. “Do you remember… last weekend?” She questioned, her cheeks becoming rosy with fillyish remembrance.

Cantor’s smile widened from content to amused. “Oh, yes…” He started, taking on a light blush of his own. “I remember ‘last weekend’, Twilight…” He said with a chuckle.

“I um…” The mare began, her eyes fixated on Cantor’s, unable to break away, but also unable to shake her apprehension. “I don’t want to say… I don’t know how you’ll feel…” She finished, her eyes trembling from fright. Cantor saw this and placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.

“Twilight… whatever it is, you know I’ll be fine with it.” He stated, giving the mare the courage she needed to say exactly what she wanted to say in the most blunt, basic and easiest way she knew how.

“Cantor…” Twilight started, taking Cantor’s sturdy hoof in her own and grasping it tightly as she looked deep into her stallion’s eyes and finished:

“…I’m pregnant.”

Cantor smirked. "Ha, ha... Yeah..." He replied agreeably with a thousand mile stare.

"You... You're alright with that?" The purple mare asked oddly. Dumbfounded by her partner's response.

"A-are you sure? How can you tell from..." He cast his eyes upward and silently mouthed a few numbers. "Just two days ago?"

Twilight leaned back in her couch and placed both hooves gently over her stomach. "Unicorns can." She explained. "Even from just hours afterward. I knew since last morning; I'm surprised you hadn't picked up on it yet. I guess it's different for alicorns..." She finished with a soft tone, sounding slightly damp of heart. "But... you're okay with it?" She enquired once more, her voice seeming to pick up at the end.

The white alicorn, who had turned a mild green colour, nodded slowly, his nose wrinkling slightly. "Yeah... Yeah..." He muttered, rising to his hooves and making his way towards the front door. "Fine..."

"Cantor?" Twilight called after him in alarm, sitting up fully upon the sofa as the white pony opened the dull red entrance.

The teenage alicorn slipped around the thick wooden door, casting a friendly nod to the mare inside before delicately closing it behind himself.

Twilight waited for a moment, a little perplexed to say the least. When out of nowhere, a catastrophic crash of thunder paired with a dazzling light shining through every window on the front of her hollow treehouse home like a bright bolt of lightning had struck her porch tore through the house. Her heart skipped a beat and she jumped some distance into the air before landing comfortably back on the well-loved white fabric.

As the dazed young mare's track day pulse returned to normal, the many ripples cascading across the surface of her tea began to subside too. And in short time, Cantor calmly stepped back into the house, graciously closed the door behind him and retook his place on Twilight's couch.

"So..." He began, unkempt rust - hued hair rife with static electricity. "That was unexpected."

"Speak for yourself!" Twilight gasped, clutching her chest. She turned toward the decorated staircase and waited a number of seconds. And sure enough, she was met with a loud snore from a certain reptilian source. "That dragon can sleep through anything..." She thought with mild approbation.

"You're really pregnant, Twilight?" Cantor asked with bewildered eyes.

"Yes." The bookish unicorn answered, growing a little impatient. "Do I need to lecture you on the equine reproductive system?"

Cantor shook his head with disbelief, and Twilight Sparkle seemed to be a lot more strategic within her mannerisms. Maybe it was because she had had longer to get accustomed to the fact. Without knowing where to start, he began with 'the big one'. "Are you going to keep it?" He asked in a serious tone, something of a rarity to be seen coming from this stallion.

The lavender unicorn seemed taken aback. "What a thing to say!" She cried in exasperation.

"Okay!" Cantor replied, holding his hooves up in surrender. "Sorry, Twi: I just didn't know how else to ask."

The mare held her discontented grimace for a short while before releasing it in a submissive sigh. "It's alright..." She murmured. "It's not your fault."

"It kinda is..." Cantor added. Twilight missed the humour and shot him another displeased frown.

"I suppose it's harder for you: you've only just found out. I've had all of yesterday to come to terms." Said Twilight, casting her eyes to the floor. "I'm sorry."

Cantor place his hoof upon the disheartened mare's back and gave her a gentle rub. "Hey, it's okay." He spoke with compassion, drawing Twilight's reddened violet lenses to his face. "It's up to you. And you know that I'll be fine with whatever choice you make." He said with a warm smile.

Twilight bit her trembling lip as her eyes started to water. A small tear broke free and began to roll down her nose, and she quickly swiped it away.

Cantor's eyebrows inverted with pity. "Oh, please don't cry..." He asked, a lump in his throat from the oppressive sight. "You know I hate it when you get upset."

Twilight hated crying. For the most part, she knew it made her look a mess, but second to that, she knew it made the pony she loved feel empathetic too. And the thought of how selfish that was made her cry even more! Such a vicious, vicious circle...

Cantor could see the poor mare wasn't going to let up soon, so scooting across a little, he wrapped his forelegs and huge feathery wings around the shivering pony as she laid into his shoulder and sobbed her little equine heart out.

After a few minutes of gentle cradling, and once Twilight's trapped cries were nothing more than gentle sniffs with the occasional hiccup, Cantor began to speak.

"Not uh... not the best way to start the day..." He affirmed jokingly.

Twilight rubbed her face upon the backs of her soft hooves and respired deeply once. "I'm so sorry..." She croaked. "I can be so pathetic."

"Come on." Cantor cooed with an encouraging note. "Don't be like that..." He let Twilight go, and after wiping her irritated eyes once more, she reached out for her tea with magic, surrounding the spindle-like handle of the cup with a crystal white aura. She took a probing sip and promptly set the drink back down, as it had cooled to an unpleasant temperature.

"Ugh... 's cold..." The purple mare relayed with a half-hearted snort of amusement. A golden light began to radiate beside her as small puffs of steam erupted from the water's chestnut surface. And as soon as the tea ceased bubbling and remained at a steady steaming state, the warming glow faded until the early summer sun was the only light source once again.

Shaking her head, bearing a bemused smile as she did so, Twilight closed her eyes and spoke. "You're so special..." She decreed with a sigh. Cantor merely looked on with a modest enthusiasm. "You can... fill a dry lake basin with fresh, clean water in an instant. You can melt boulders with the most minimal of effort. Y-you can even restore body parts and... bring a pony back from the brink of death!"

"She's gushing over you again." Cantor thought. He didn't like it when it wasn't intended as a joke. Not from anypony. Regardless, he let her continue.

"There's nothing you can't do... How did I ever even gain your interest...?" The young unicorn finished with a depleted tone, hanging her head slightly.

Cantor waited a number of seconds before replying. "Are you finished?" He asked inquisitively, raising his eyebrows expectantly.

With a confused demeanour about herself, Twilight peered up, and caught sight of that chilling stare Cantor sometimes did. "W-what?" She asked with a frail note, unsure as to whether she fully understood the question.

"I certainly can't do everything." He commented with a serine smile. "And I wouldn't even dream to claim that I can do more than you." At this notion, Twilight swiped at the air and made a loud 'tut', disclaiming her own lease in life.

Cantor furrowed his brow and cast a gaze upward into the treehouse rafters. And after not too long, he looked back town at Twilight with an idea. "What book are you reading?" He asked plainly and simply.

"Huh?" The lavender mare responded, turning about with a dumbfounded expression.

"Come on, Twi..." Cantor jested with an amused grin. "You're always reading something! What is it at the moment?"

Unsure as to where he was going with this, Twilight decided to play along, and her horn shrouded itself in a pale aura. She stared off to the left and selected a relatively small tome bound in burgundy leather from near the top of one of the many oak bookshelves. She brought it over to herself and Cantor, hovering the aged-looking document a few inches above the seat of the sofa between them.

"It's a diary; but I suppose it can be regarded as much more of a journal." Twilight affirmed, scanning the cover with her eyes. "A very well kept one: and by the state of the hoof-writing and the content of the entries, I can assume the mare who wrote this would have been rather, um... self-enlightened." Cantor smiled at Twilight's reasoning as she begun to flick through the stale pages.

"She even titled it! Can you imagine!" The purple mare continued with a giggle. "It was almost as if she knew it was going to end up on the shelf of a library somewhere!" She laughed again. "Mischievous Magic Insidious Incantations and Bludgenous Beasts for the Budding Sage and Warlock..." Spoke Twilight proudly, reading from the cover page which boasted well-revised font from the girl who wrote this. "Even though she obviously thought a lot of herself, there's some really good information in here. It's actually my second time reading it. I learned a lot from this book alone, and it's one of my most valuable... P- possessions...?"

Twilight finished on a damp note as she caught sight of her partner's gaze. He was staring adoringly at her - the same way a father may look at his aspiratious dreamer of a daughter. At first, Twilight felt challenged by the look, but after a short while, it began to grow amusing.

The young mare allowed herself a long while's giggle, and after several seconds, she calmed herself down and asked with a commendable blush: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Cantor chucked, then gestured towards the book with a soft nod. "How did you find that out of all the books you have here?"

Twilight, appearing dumbfounded for a moment, decided to play along. "W-well, I knew the diary was over there somewhere, I just cast a quick eagle-eye spell and could tell by its size and colour..." Her lips curled slightly into an amused smirk. "It's really not that hard." She affirmed.

"See," Cantor began, casting an unfocused eye over the tall shelves of literature. "I wouldn't even know where to start. If you asked me to find a specific book out of all of these, even when they are sorted into categories on the shelves, it'd probably take me at least ten minutes to find it!" He turned to face Twilight, smiling proudly. "Even something as menial as finding the right book in a thousand is special, Twilight."

The young mare seemed to be holding back her words, but in true Twilight fashion, she couldn't resist. "...Actually, there are seven thousand and sixty-three books here." She commented, turning her eyes sheepishly to the worn wood floor.

"And again, my point is made." Cantor quipped in response.

After a disgruntled sigh, Twilight picked her head back up. She wore a fine smile on her face. "I see what you mean..." She spoke agreeably. "It sounds bad to say this, but... I don't like not being able to do the things you can do: I've been studying magic since as long as I can remember, and all you are is an alicorn with a natural gift who's put no effort into magical acedemics." She finished, jabbing a hoof accusingly at Cantor.

"Ouch." The white alicorn replied with an off grin.

Twilight's ears fell behind her head. "Sorry..." She apologised casually. "I didn't mean for it to sound so harsh."

"It's no problem." Cantor replied, holding his hoof up dismissively. "But what did you mean about me being 'naturally gifted'?" He inquired, tilting his head as if to inspect the purple mare. "I mean, I know I'm brilliant, fantastic, amazing,-"

"Modest?" Twilight asked mid-sentence.

"That too." Cantor answered with a nod. Twilight rolled her eyes comically. "Seriously, though, Twilight," Cantor continued, with a tone almost compassionate. "You're so much more special than you know, and not just your magnificent flair for magic: to me, and all the others, you're one of the greatest wonders of the world, and no matter how powerful I am, no matter what impossible feats I can accomplish, there's one thing I'll never be able to do." He finished on an empowered note.

"And what's that?" Twilight Sparkle asked in response, not expecting much from Cantor in terms of a reply, though it was nice to hear him talking with such vigour.

"Make you love me." Cantor answered, catching Twilight a little off-guard. She stared up at him with those large purple eyes of hers. A complex expression of pride, trust and gentle romance woven onto her face. "That's something you have to decide to do for yourself, and whatever response you give carries more power than any old alicorn."

After a short while, Twilight's concentration broke, and she sighed out a laugh. Shaking her head softly with a fair smile under her eyes, she brought a lavender hoof to Cantor's cheek. "Oh, Cantor..." She sighed, amused by her thoughts. "When are you going to stop trying to speak so dramatically?"

As Cantor leaned into Twilight and began to close his eyes, he quietly mumbled more to himself than anypony else. "Not anytime soon..."

However when the two ponies' mouths were mere inches away from each other, as always, it seems, they were interrupted.

"Uugh... Mornin', guys..." Spike called sleepily after a stout yawn as he descended the picturesque staircase from his bedroom upstairs. The library had acquired an extension for the young dragon once his wings began to come through. Dragon puberty was not a fun thing, and aside from deserving his personal space in these times, the benefit of a private room for the adolescent reptilian was very much encouraged.

"Nice one, Spike..." Cantor muttered with an irk smile, making suggestive yet serine eye contact with the young lavender mare.

"Huh?" The purple dragon questioned, running his claw over the green backwards-facing spines atop his head as he dropped heavily onto the floor from the last stair with a thud. "How's it goin'?" He asked in a semi-enthused state with a somewhat deep voice, not awaiting a reply from either equine before he trudged into the bathroom and shut the door with unintentionally brutal force.

"Shut the door!" Twilight cried sarcastically as the sound of splitting wood passed her ears, only to be met with a bemused grumble from the dragon in the other room.

She turned back to Cantor, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "Boys..." She stated, an amused smile on her face. "I'm glad you weren't like that: you're surprisingly mature for your age."

Cantor returned the statement with a wide grin. "Yeah... sure..." He replied cautiously, his job providing most of the day free to do things he really shouldn't be doing, with ponies who should really know better. If the time ever came to explain himself, he would disclose that it would most likely be best if left to the imagination to decipher what went on behind closed doors and below flared wings...

"Anyways," Twilight chirped, re-affirming her position on the sofa. "Back to our previous subject: with all things taken into account, we really need to think about this."

In response, Cantor let out a weighty sigh of contemplation. "You're right." He said, nodding gently. "But, in the end, regardless of what I say, the choice is ultimately up to you."

"Still, I'll take your contribution into my own, because although it's my body, it would be our foal, and we'd both have to raise it." The bright-eyed girl explained, staring slightly past the pony she was talking to, dissolved in some kind of alternate reality.

Cantor focused for a moment, and allowed the silence to grow. After a small number of seconds, a gentle but fierce smile made its way onto his face. "...You want this, don't you?" He asked with soft fervour.

Now it was Twilight's turn to sigh. "Well..." She began, having already decided her course of action, yet had not caught up with what she had agreed to. "We're not tight for money, or space... we... we certainly have a lot of love to share." The purple unicorn continued, her cheeks a fair rouge. "We haven't exactly 'been together' for as long as some couples who decide to have kids, but I can't see us, you know, 'going our separate ways' anytime soon-"

"Or ever." Cantor quickly intervened.

Twilight pecked Cantor on the cheek and gave him a short, tight hug. "Of course." She re-instated, nuzzling the white stallion's firm neck. "I love you."

"Love you, too." Cantor responded, coming across somewhat relieved within himself - even though he was probably making a big deal over nothing. (It wouldn't be the first time...)

Twilight groaned and rested her head against one of her hooves. "Ugh, Mom and Dad won't be happy about me getting pregnant before I'm married. They're very old-fashioned like tha-"

"What!?" Cantor cried out in alarm. "Married!?" He repeated to the wide-eyed Twilight Sparkle. "One step at a time, Twi...!" He sighed.

Twilight chucked with that gentle demeanour of hers before replying. "You don't want to marry me then?" She asked with a cheeky smile.

Cantor swallowed hastily and dabbled at his words. "I, uh, w-w-well, I-I, um... I... I don't suppose I've thought about it as of yet..." He tried to explain, wondering what in Equestria Twilight was up to with that grin.

The young mare could see Cantor beginning to become flustered, and steadily brought him back to peace. "It's okay, Cantor..." She said with a comforting tone. "I was only pulling your leg." She pecked the stallion on the lips and managed to dismiss the rest of the awkward air with a light scoff into her hoof.

Cantor, still somewhat dazed from the previous conversation, turned his eyes downward. "Um..." He started, lighting Twilight Sparkle's interest. "...Ab-... About the foal..." He cautiously asked, momentarily glancing up at the lavender girl to try and read her expression before darting his eyes back to the floor.

Before Cantor could continue his semi-awkward verbal proddings, Twilight picked up the speech. "...I'm happy to go through with it." She stated firmly.

The white pony hastily met the mare's eyes, the two purple discs filled with sincerity, as well as mild satisfaction. "You are?" He asked with pending enthusiasm. Twilight closed her eyes and nodded peacefully.

The next thing Twilight knew was a flurry of rusty brown hair and an odd squeal of delight from the alicorn who now had his forelegs wrapped so tightly around her neck, that she found it hard to breathe.

"So... you're happy about this, r-right?" Twilight asked, tugging at Cantor's hooves to try and pry away his grip somewhat.

"Yes, Twi! It's fantastic! I'm so glad you're game, too!" The white alicorn exclaimed like an ecstatic colt.

"That's... good..." Twilight replied, now pulling at the stallion's forelegs with both her hooves. "Cantor-" She gasped, her face turning blue. "I can't breathe!"

The alicorn quickly let go, an element of apology somewhere within his elated expression. "I'm- I'm gonna be a father!" He gasped, eyes wide with pride and excitement.

A new entity had joined the room at some point during the conversation, yet through the cumbersome news, even Cantor had been unable to notice the silent arrival. He snapped his head toward the direction of the bathroom, the wild grin still prominent on his face.

Spike, who was now filling a considerable portion of the bathroom doorway with his adolescent size, wore a doubtful frown on his face and his lips were slightly parted in consternation as he looked out toward the two ponies. Twilight's attention rapidly caught onto Cantor's, and she lifted a hoof to her mouth as she caught Spike's disbelieving stare.

Without a word, as if to amplify the daunting silence pressing against the library's inhabitants' ears, the young dragon reached for the doorknob, and slowly closed the bathroom door in front of him, sealing him away from the ponies' stares with a soft 'click'.

"Well that's the first one to know." Cantor stated with a smirk.

For not the first time that day, Twilight sighed. "Yeah." She confirmed. "Though we don't need to worry about him spreading rumours: he's not that type." She peered out the window into the stark morning sky, tugging at an invisible collar. "At least I don't think..."

Cantor pawed the air carelessly. "It doesn't matter: it's not like it's a bad thing or anything..." He stated, turning his attention to the purple mare some distance above him. Somehow over time, he had ended up on the floor, his back against the base of the cream sofa.

Twilight took a deep inhale through her nose and nodded gently in agreement. "True... But out of everypony, I'd rather my parents didn't find out until I can think up a good way to break it to them." Smiling, the lavender unicorn reached down and gently scruffed up Cantor's rusty mane. "You know they're not crazy about the whole 'inter-racial thing' we've got. Even if you are an alicorn..."

With a tut, Cantor huffed and shook his head, turning to face across the room toward the antique cookoo clock privately ticking away to itself. "No offence, Twi, but that's really petty."

"I know..." The young unicorn replied agreeably.

"I bet they don't like gays, either..." The alicorn added, rolling his eyes.

"I don't know for certain, but I would assume so, yes. Given their personal views I already know about." Replied Twilight with a small sense of remorse. "But hey," She restarted casually. "Everyone's got their opinion. Even if it's considered a 'bad' one in the eyes of the masses..."

"I suppose you're right." Cantor replied, magically forming a small globe of water in front of him, toying with it distractingly. "Besides," He continued. "It's not hurting anybody."

There was a less than comfortable silence, filled only with the distant hiss of the rustling summer leaves and the demure chirping of small birds roosting in the rafters of the library. After Twilight took a sip of her now lukewarm tea, she spoke up, returning gently animated dialogue to the ambient air.

"So, to change the subject..." She began, setting her cup down and propping herself up on her rump atop the sofa. "We have lots of time before the 'little one' arrives, so I don't think we have to over-complicate things at the moment." She chirped with a steady smile.

"Little one?" Cantor asked, pondering into the orb of clear liquid in front of him.

"Our foal!" Twilight cried with a laugh. "Don't tell me it's slipped your mind already... Then again, you have the attention span of a goldfish."

"Or Pinkie Pie." The stallion suggested.

"Or Pinkie Pie..." Twilight echoed. "Anyway," She continued regardless, "Speaking of our friends, we should all get together soon and tell them." She tilted her head to the side and breathed a skittish huff. "It'll be fun to hear their reactions."

"Yeah..." Cantor replied with initial enthusiasm, which rapidly disappeared when he realised he had no idea how to contribute to the conversation. "...So," He began a little awkwardly, following a second quiet session, evaporating the water in front of his face. "What does your day include?"

Twilight pondered for a brief moment, diffusing her vision through the air with a slightly vague expression. "Uhm... Not much, I don't think... I'll probably re-organise the crime-thriller fiction novels over there." She said, nodding toward a low part of the bookshelf near the corner of the sun-kissed room. "Then I'll go see Fluttershy. I remember she asked me last week if I could help her with something today." The unicorn stretched her forelegs up above her head and twisted her spine, letting out a refreshed yawn as she did so, her lips falling into a dozy smile as she exhaled. "I suppose with everything that happened over the weekend, it must've slipped my mind."

"Huh, sounds peaceful." Commented the white alicorn, rising to his hooves and stepping away from Twilight slightly.

"What about you?" Twilight asked, the effects of her yawn evident on her tone.

"I've got a thunder resonance form to fill out at two. That's all, but it's like an hour and a half of solid paperwork..." Cantor said with a discontented pout, already feeling a headache coming on from the extensive period of staring at bright white sheets.

Without sounding too interested, Twilight chimed in. "What's one of those?" She asked with somewhat tired eyes.

Cantor pawed the air and turned to face out the window. "Just a contract to say that I'm responsible for the claps of thunder around Ponyville. Since I'm the 'weather team', it's up to me to keep the shock waves from the thunder from levelling the town."

"Sounds..." Twilight began, pausing and scouring her vocabulary for the right word. Though after a short while, the best she could do was "...Engaging."

"Yeah, well, that's for later on." Cantor affirmed, a smile re-affixing itself upon his face as memory of the previous conversation crossed his mind. "Aside from that," He began again, stealing a thinly buttered crumpet from Twilight's plate which perched beside her cold tea with a magical grasp, levitating the doughy snack beside his mouth. "I'm gonna go tell Celestia the good news." He finished with enthusiasm, biting off a large chunk of the pregnant girl's breakfast and avidly awaiting a response.

After somewhat of a hesitant train of thought, Twilight just smiled and lied down on her couch, hovering her aged, tome - like diary above her face as she dozily re-found her place. "Sure..." She agreed nonchalantly. "Just don't tell anyone in Ponyville. You know how fast news gets around in this town." Upon this subtle warning, Twilight moved her large violet eyes beneath the small notepad and stared suggestively toward Cantor.

The white stallion swallowed his mouthful of crumpet before responding. "Don't fret; I'm aware of that. Besides, you know how trustworthy the princesses are..." Dipping his head to the side and elevating his eyes slightly, Cantor revised: "Maybe not so much Luna, but, you know..." The white pony took another bite of the breakfast disc and, in a sense, waited to be 'excused' by Twilight as if she were his mother.

Call it subliminal - an article of over-thinking of sorts, but... Twilight was really the only true family Cantor had in this world. True he 'loved' a good portion of Ponyville's inhabitants, but the 'adorkable' librarian was the only one he felt comfortable being intimate with. And to know that one is entitled to a multitude of second chances - even in family - was a pretty awesome ideal.

"Go ahead, Cantor." Twilight spoke with absolve. "I'll be around if you need me."

Nodding firmly, and with an equally strong grin, Cantor bid farewell to the purple mare in the form of an "Okay, then. See ya!" Before he dissolved into a flurry of vivid violet sparks.

And then, as if by magic, the library returned to its tranquil and amicable constant. Even the chirping birds within the roof seemed to have dimmed down within respect for this precious moment of peace.

Licking the tip of her hoof, Twilight turned to the next musky page of the old journal, revealing one of the only existing sketches of an Umbra: a 'living shadow' that feeds from the energy of the ponies it lives inside and manipulates. This article had peaked Twilight's intriguement some time ago during her first read of the book, she had invested a great deal of research into the subject, and found little to no aid except from the information in the diary entry.

Twilight must've spent the greater part of a whole minute staring at the well-drawn sketch in the diary. Few had ever been unlucky enough to see an Umbra, and those who had all ended up dead. Not a single one survived. They either had to be put out of their misery, or they went mad with fear, taking their own life out of sheer peril.

Though aside from the description of this dark monster the creatures of Everfree would catch a chill from, Twilight couldn't affix her gaze anywhere other than those demonic eyes: blacker than the darkest of night and so piercing they could slice through stone like a razor through butter.

Aside from the considerably startling nature of this beast, Twilight agreed that it was an invaluable scrap of research, regardless, and murmured the idea that she should re-write this journal in a newer book for safe keeping.

She skimmed through the next entry in the diary, then the entry after that, and halfway down page 91, she, for once, lost the motivation to continue reading, and it quickly became apparent that she had much else on her mind.

Closing the book gently and setting it down on the edge of the stout wooden table, the young lavender mare decided to catch up on some sleep with a little nap. After the last few days, she felt she needed a smidgen more rest.

But just when her eyelids connected, the soft pop of Cantor returning from a 46 mile distance via teleportation made Twilight languidly opened one eye to look at the stallion, a mildly bemused smile on her face.

Cantor trotted the short distance across the room to Twilight, speaking as he stepped with the last mouthful of crumpet. "Sorry, Twi, almost forgot..." He reached the cream sofa and the lavender mare atop it and, pausing to chew for a moment, pecked the unicorn lightly on the cheek, drawing away rapidly, despite his usual self, to say rather fluently around a half-chewed bread cake: "Love you." Before he fizzled into the air again, a few disorientated sparks of magic remaining to skip on the floor before they too dissolved into the atmosphere.

The whole scene played so quickly in front of Twilight that she didn't have time for a reply - or even to react. Nevertheless, as always, she took Cantor's words to heart, and despite the alicorn's fleetness, she knew he really cared. After all, this wouldn't be the first time he had done something similar to this.

Reaching behind her back, Twilight propped her neck up on one of the off-white cushions and made herself more comfy on the petite sofa. She closed her eye and breathed a quiet chuckle to herself as she clasped her hooves together over her chest.

"Mom..." She mumbled, unable to keep a straight face over the subtle, yet ecstatic grin fixated across he lips. "Mommy..." She said again. "That's got a nice ring to it..."

With nothing more than a hushed 'pop', Cantor re-materialised for the second time in one of Canterlot Castle's many decorated corridors. Over the course of his still rather brief time in Equestria, Cantor and the pair of ruling mares were on a 'first name basis', and seemed to always find the time for a chat. And though it crossed his mind that he was being a world greater than rude for teleporting into the princess' home uninvited, he was self-assured that they wouldn't mind. Besides, the news he bore would leave politeness moderately out of the question.

With an upbeat pace, the white alicorn trotted along the red carpet stretched out over the black and white tiled floor, the cool marble noticeable even through the thick fabric. Unsurprisingly, it was quiet in this part of the castle: most of the activity would be going on in the kitchens and the gardens, and there was little need for cleaning maids right now. The princesses had many butlers and maids ready at hoof, yet neither of the royal alicorns let their home get in any state of disarray as a fault of their own non-existent laziness.

Despite the fact that it was daytime, enchanted torches burned with a quiet roar and distant crackle at intervals on the supporting columns, licking the stone around with intensified light. The sun shone through a large circular window near the ceiling at the far end of the corridor, casting a broad band of gold into the castle interior, highlighting the few specks of dust ambling around in the air like carefree fireflies.

As Cantor gained on the large oak door to Celestia's sleeping quarters, an odd chord was subliminally struck in his mind: there were no guards outside the princess' room. At any given time, there were at least two gold-clad pegasi with sharpened tridents on watch - just in case. At first realisation, Cantor didn't very much concern himself, but as time progressed, it strummed more and more unusual chords - to the extent where it could be considered 'strange'.

Slowing his pace, the alicorn stallion walked lightly along the crimson carpet, not making a sound. Voices could be heard coming from inside the celestial mare's room. One belonged to the princess of the sun, the other, an unrecognised stallion who sounded as if he were substantially stressed out.

Cantor didn't want to intrude: he was uninvited as it was, and he had no problem waiting for the two to finish. However, after no more than ten seconds of eavesdropping, the young alicorn learned that the conversation was far more adverse and sinister than initially expected...

"...I promise, your majesty." Spoke the un-named stallion with a dominant, and somewhat forced sense of insurance in his tone. There was a long pause before he spoke again, the only sound being a slow, practised walk from behind the closed doors. "...But..." The stallion began again, sounding hesitant to speak.

"Yes...?" The unmistakeable regal voice of the came in response, matriarchal, and impatient. "We've spent a great deal of time discussing this, and your objections, sensible points of reference, though they may be, have been noted and dismissed." Celestia said firmly.

"I- I understand, your majesty, it's just... well, the substance has been banned for over half a century; the punishment for being found with even one drop of it is punishable by death - even when instructed by royalty, such as your exalted self..." The stallion replied insistently. Even through the fear and stress carried thick in his tone, Cantor could tell that he was well into his sixties.

"Well then, you'd best be discreet about its importation." The white mare responded bluntly.

Again, silence followed the brief dialogue. The older stallion started to protest again, however this time, all he managed to say was one word. "But-"

"That's enough, Theodore." The princess snapped harshly, not needing to raise her voice at all to express her grave impatience. "Do you have any envisionment of the destruction that could come of such an experiment?" Metal-clad hooves could be heard moving with agitation from within Celestia's room. "The chances of my subject remaining in-control of his darker counterpart are low as it is. Coupled with the Peripharus Crystal, and with no reliable fail-safe, we may as well kiss goodbye to the greater half of Canterlot..."

Even though there was an inch of thick wood between them, Cantor could make out the princess' subsequent sigh of reluctant exasperation. "...You should understand that putting somepony who I personally take under my wing and call my own in mortal danger is one of the last things I wish to do, however I really don't see any other way." There was a soft yet distinct 'thud' on the door that made Cantor's heart skip a beat, yet nothing more than that occurred. "I've seen my home city fall to ruins several times in my long and tiresome life, yet never has it been from the hoof of somepony I love... Please..." Princess Celestia sighed with a depleted tone, "Do not waste your life and my time by arguing... I want the poison... I know you have access to it..."

An impenetrable silence dominated the air, the tension upon both sides of the door was constricting, and so distinct that it held deafening volume..

The ringed handle of the left semi-arch of a door turned and clicked off the latch. With a stout gasp as the door began to edge open, Cantor flared his disproportionately large wings and darted into the rafters, praying that whoever was exiting hadn't seen him. He wasn't certain why, but the whole scenario seemed unpleasant, 'ominous' to some degree. and he wanted no part of it.

With a melancholy pace, the older stallion shambled from the princess' quarters, ears behind his head like a colt who had been disciplined by his teacher. He paused and turned about in the centre of the desolate corridor, throwing a quick scout left and right to make sure no one was around.

"With all due respect, your majesty, I sincerely hope you know what you're asking for." The faded green unicorn said with a dulcet tone, turning to face the princess who remained in the bedroom. "I understand your grave concern, but for your own sake, please consider the worst case scenario."

"Believe me, I have..." The experienced mare replied with a sigh, her physical expression hidden behind the one closed door, but Cantor could tell she was tired. "And I have also noted the benefits... The outcome of this whole operation could extend our empire further than ever before: to an extent we never even thought was possible until he came into the picture."

Without reply, the old stallion closed his eyes, simply giving a courteous bow toward the princess which lasted several seconds. "Well, then..." He started after the long parting bow, "I would like to thank you very much for your time this morning, princess. You've given me a lot to think about."

"It is no bother, sir." Celestia replied with a mildly easy tone. "But I would very much like the serum as soon as possible."

"Of course, princess. Have a nice day..." Said the unicorn before he began on his way out of the castle. He wasn't ambling: it was clear that he had a strong sense of direction within these prestigious marble walls. However, he only made it a few paces before he stopped and half-turned his head to peek over his shoulder.

"...No one lives forever... Do they, princess...?" He asked, sending a wave of frigid goosebumps along Cantor's back for one reason or another. Celestia didn't reply, but the male alicorn hiding in the darkness of the ceiling was sure she was feeling a similar degree of unease from the silence induced by the odd question. "I know you have been, and will be in this world for more than ten generations either side of my own. But it doesn't take millennia of conflict nor harmony to learn that you can't bottle life..." He turned his gaze upward - ever so slightly, yet it was enough to forge chilling contact between those glowing amber discs hiding in the rafters and his own two riled violet eyes. "...Or death." He finished, before turning around again, making his way down the hallway, disappearing around the corner without a word.

And without looking back.

Author's Notes:

Well this is certainly a change from the first time around, isn't it? For the better, I believe... If you're new here, welcome! ^.^ And might I add congratulations on being lucky enough to avoid that God - awful start to an otherwise 'above-mediocre' story (if I do say so myself...)

So, this is the first chapter in my attempt to write a horror story. Dear Celestia, I hope it can partly live up to the praise its predecessor received. I thank you all very much for your wonderful feedback on 'Your Wings Were Made For Angels', and hope you enjoy this one just as much! :D (I didn't even think it was that good, lol :P)

Anyway, what's in the past should stay that way: it's time for a NEW adventure now! (Even if it turns out to be a little more melancholy...)

~Still Breeze