Chapter 18

“The end of the long road and the beginning of long roads to come.”

2 weeks after the destruction of Necro’s  tower…

North Star sat with master Silver Beard in the east tower of the palace he was with master grey beard and they sat behind two tables and Master Silver beard was shuffling papers on his desk muttering under his breath.

Then North star said “so is that every pony?”

Master Silver Beard then said, “We have one more her name is Nebula.”

North Star nods then shouted “alright next pony!”

Then a small light blue unicorn with small purple locks that fell over shoulders and large light blue eyes came in her tail was between her legs as she softly scuttled across the floor with her mark show with three small stars circling a small planet. Her mother a navy blue unicorn with dark purple hair that was braided in the back she held herself high with her prestigious blue eyes and her mark a wand with a star that was surrounded by a yellow aurora.

Then she said, “It’s about time some pony noticed my daughter’s talents.”

North Star sighed then said, “Yes mam we spoke before.”

He looked at Nebula then said, “Hello I’m North Star and this is my master Silver Beard were here to see if you can pass this simple test okay.”

He then trots around his desk then laid a stone next to her then he got back behind his desk.

He then said “It’s simple lift that stone in the air as high as you can with your horn.”

He gets out the paper then he takes a quill with his magic then said, “Okay you can begin.”

She starred hard at the stone then with all her might she poured every ounce of strength into her horn then the rock blasted through the ceiling of the room then she gasped and the stone crashed into the floor Silver Beard was stunned but North star was clapping and laughing.

He then said “that was amazing.”

He then got off his desk then said “Nebula welcome to Princess Celestia’s school of magic.”

Nebula smiled bowed then said “thank you.”

Her mom smiled then said, “I told you she could do it.”

North Star then said “alright mam can you come over here and sign some paper work. The school will officially begin next Monday we will all meet in front of the palace at 8 sharp. Please try to be on time.”

She nods then she takes Nebula by the hoof Nebula bounced out the door shouting, “Did you see me! I did it!”

North Star smiled then said “Remember when I was that young?”

Master Silver Beard chuckled then said, “You made the rock explode if I recall correctly.”

North Star then said, “I don’t want this ending up like before we need to keep an eye on them and make sure no pony ever learns about dark magic."

Master Silver beard nods then said, “From now on we should watch the students carefully but even with our attention we will never know if a student will turn evil. You will always run the risk of that when teaching magic.”  

North Star then said, “At least Princess Celestia is going to be so happy she’s been planning this thing for the past few weeks.”

Silver Beard came down then said, “Where is she by the way?"

He then said, “She’s up on the palace watching the skies for you know who.”

Silver Beard nods then said, “Abyss is still out there.”

North Star then said, “Chaos is dead which means I no longer have the power to defeat him. He could come here any second and kill us all.”

Silver beard shakes his head then said “ Princess Luna defeated him in combat she told us that. Every time Omega resurrects him more of his soul is chipped away eventually he will no longer be able to keep his body and Omega cannot take his body completely either. So he has to be cautious it’s why he hasn’t shown his face.”

North Star then said, “It also seems Princess  Luna was the target the entire time.”

Silver beard then said, “He gave her a part of omega’s power and with his old power of controlling the moon within her she will have to fight the urge to use those powers for the rest of her life.”

North Star then said, “Pine seems to be good as a companion with her.”

Grey beard looked stern then said, “Their relationship may cause more problems than they solve North Star advice your friend that she’s an Alicorn an immortal no matter what happens eventually Pine is going to die. Their relationship is going to end in tragedy.”

North Star then said “So what? I’m going to die does that mean I can’t be friends with Celestia and Luna as well ?”

Silver beard then said, “There’s a difference between friends and lovers North Star. Pine is I in love with Luna and you know it.”

North Star then said “Look I know your concerned but they both went through hell and they both deserve their alone time and they both have their own issues to go through their adults and were not going to go try to force my friends who they can and can’t love.”

Silver Beard sighed then said, “I know that I’m just saying to tell your friend to be cautious you at least told him to not reveal what he feels to Luna?”

North Star then said, “I never told him anything if he wants to tell her then he will.”

North Star then left the room with Silver beard following shaking his head.

Shade was packing some things in his room in the palace as he heard something in the rafters then he turns back to his packing then Chancellor pudding head bursts from above with her pink old body plopping on the floor with pink floppy hair and with her cutie mark a bowl of pudding with a large spoon. As her old pink aging eyes scanned the room.

Then Shade went to her side and helped her up then he said “Come on grandma you’re going to hurt yourself.”

Shade  then went back to his saddlebag and closed it up then she smiled and said “Well in my younger days that usually surprised most ponies.”

Shade then said, “Well I’m not most ponies.”

He then threw the sack over his shoulder then chancellor pudding head messed his mane up then said, “You look so much like your father.”

He said, “Well after I rescue him. I’ll get to see him for the first time in my life.”

His grandmother chuckled then said, “You did when you were nothing but a filly. I remember lifting you up and telling you how special you were.”

Shade blushed then hugged her then said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here too enjoying more moments like that with you. But I swear when I find my parents I’m going to hang up my daggers and knives and become a normal pony.”

Chancellor pudding head sighed then said “Shade you’re not a normal pony. The assassins may have taken your innocence but I feel as if that was also done for a reason.”

Shade shakes his head then said, “I’m done killing I’m done with death. I want peace and I want a normal life I want to learn a trade find a nice mare have fillies I just want to burn the past behind me and leave in the dust.”

Chancellor pudding head strokes his mane then said, “Whatever choice you make I want you to know that I’ll support you either way.”

He then said, “Thank you, “

He dropped on all fours sighed as he took the white cloak with his array of daggers and knives inside the folds he wrapped it around his neck then looked at his grandmother.

He then said, “But either way I choose I’m no longer Shade. I am going throw that name in the dirt with the rest of the brotherhood I don't care if it sounds silly. I am sugar cube for now on.”

Grandmother then said “I’m glad you like it Sugar cube.”

He looks back at her one last time then said “Goodbye grandmother.”

He turns to the door and leaves without a word.

Lance was in his house trying to get up the wound was healed but it left a scar in his chest as he got up red wing in all her glory screamed and fell on the foot of the bed laughing.

He then said “something hilarious.”

Red wing chuckled then said, “Your friend Obsidian told me to tell you when Shade was leaving. But he changed his name to sugar cube. "

Lance snickered then said “That young fool.”

Lance then said, “Alright then I’m going to see him before he goes.”

He gets a crutch then hobbles over to the door with red wing helping him.

They go outside and into the streets of Canterlot. As they crossed the street with ponies trotting back and forth they all starred at Shade in his white cloak and the sound of daggers hitting each other stirred the scene his face was blank and he just kept trotting forward. Pine flew next to him then Lance hobbled over.

North Star teleported and Obsidian, and Core came forward from a small outdoor luncheon with young princess cadence trotting next to Sugar Cube.

He then said “Thank you all for coming.”

North Star then said “Sugar Cube we all know you said you wanted to do this alone but I feel as if you should have one other pony with you.”

Core nods then whistles. Chocolate butter with his dark brown coat his dark brown eyes and his giant light brown mane with bright yellow swirls came forward he wore three spears on his back and his mark was a shield with a yellow and black pattern.

He smirks then said “Shade I presume?”

Shade shakes his head then said “I’m Sugar cube for now on.”

Chocolate butter shrugged then said, “Chocolate butter isn’t that popular either.”

Sugar cube then said “Whatever.”

He turns to his friends then said “Fine I’ll let him tag along but I’ll be gone for months probably for half a year the monastery where I was trained is far south we’ll be passing buffalo country so Chocolate butter you better shut up when we get there because you piss those guys off they’ll crush.”

Chocolate butter looked scarred for a second.

Then Sugar Cube burst out laughing then said “It was a joke.”

The rest snickered Core coughed then said, “Sugar cube stick with fighting.”

Sugar Cube rolled his eyes then said, “Sorry thought I could lighten the mood.”

North Star came forward then said “Are you sure you don’t want any other pony to come?”

He shakes his head then said “This journey is for me to fully understand why I’m here besides I doubt all the assassins are dead if there’s some left at the monastery I’m the only one trained enough to fight them.”

He then turns to Pine.

Then Sugar Cube said, “I never got to say how sorry I am for Ember.”

Pine then said “Please just don’t I know you all care but …”

He starred at the ground with a dark look.

Sugar Cube then said “Pine don’t focus on the past.”

Pine looked up then said, “I’ll try.”

Sugar Cube nods then he turns to little pink princess cadence she then said, “Thank you Sugar Cube for being my best friend.”

She hugged his leg then he ruffled her mane then said, “Maybe when I return you will have your cutie mark by then.”

She then said “then you try to find yours ok!”

He picks her up then said, “I hope one day I will.”

He hugs her then places her down then Obsidian came over and hugged him then said, “Don’t go dying on us you got that.”

He then hugs him back then said, “You don’t either and keep that little princess safe.” He then goes to Lance and Red wing then he shakes  Lance’s right hoof he saw his cutie mark too a shield with wings spreading out and red wing’s which was two wings on fire he hugs them both.

Then Red wing comes forward and said “all of you listen up I have something very important to say.”

They all starred at her then she bowed her head then shouted , “I’m pregnant!”

Every pony turned their heads then clapped some cheered Lance slammed his head into his right hoof. Then Red wing then said “Embrace the love Lance you’re going to be a father.”

He then falls backward into Shade’s hooves he carries him to a chair then north star turns to her they all hug her and congratulated her then

Sugar Cube turned to her then said “Maybe by the time I come back the little I’ll be here to see your filly.”

She hugs him then said, “You just make sure you return.”

He nods then said, “Take care of yourself and your ugly husband.”

Lance muttered “I heard that.”

Sugar cube chuckles then takes his bag sighs then said “chocolate butter stay with me or get left in the dust.”

He pulls his hood over then the two run down the street and out through Canterlot’s main gates heading south.

That evening as Princess Celestia came back through the main doors of the palace Pine was in the throne room pacing back and forth.

She then said, “Pine what’s wrong?”

Pine turns to her then said “Celestia can we speak in private.”

She nods then the two go into a back room with a small hearth and a small table.

Here Pine then goes inside his saddle bag and pulls out a purple egg then places it on the table.

He then said “I want you to take this egg and place it safely under your care.”

Princess Celestia then said “Why Pine? You said Ember entrusted her hatchling?”

Pine then said “I’ve been thinking it over and Ember would want her hatchling to grow up and live with ponies to be with ponies. What I want that for that hatchling is a pony will care for it as if it were his or her brother or sister. To me it will be more like a son.”

Princess Celestia then said, “Why is that a bad thing?”

Pine then said, “Because it will not grow well, I’m not gentle nor kind enough to take the job?”

He sighs then said, “It deserves a life where it’s treated equally not as a lesser Celestia you can choose the pony for this dragon to be cared by even if it takes hundreds of years promise not to hatch it until you find that one pony that fits my description.”

Princess Celestia then said, “Are you sure?”

Pine then said, “I’m sure this is what Ember truly wants she only choose me because I was the only pony she knew but honestly I’m not the one.”

He then said, “So will you do it?”

Princess Celestia stares at the egg then picks it up with her magic then said, “If it means that much to you I will.”

Pine nods then leaves the small room as Celestia took the egg and left the hall.

It was raining that night and Princess Luna was under the roof of the castle starring into the night she then saw Pine sitting on the side with the rain pouring all over him he was drenched his wings sagged from the water weight but he wasn’t cold or did he feel anything he sat there with a blank expression.

Princess Luna came forward then said, “You’re moodier then usual?”

Pine then looked at her then said, “So you finally decided to care.”

Princess Luna then said, “I’m sorry for what happened but it’s not my fault I have to raise the moon every night”

Pine got up then said “she died for you and Celestia both you. She died for me! Then here you come all happy as if the world is fine!”

She shouted, “It’s not!”

Her eyes flared and her mane shot up with green fire then she calmed herself then said, “You have no idea what Abyss did to me! You have no idea how I feel!”

She turns.

Then Pine stares at her then turns his head then  said, “I’m sorry I’m frustrated and I took it out on you. I shouldn’t have done that.” He gets up to fly away.

Then she turns and says, “So you’re just going to go?”

He turns then said, “You want me to stay?"

She then said “It’s raining you don’t think you should at least wait until those fools in cloudsville stop the storm?”

He smiled then said, “Weren’t you the one who asked for the rain?”

Princess Luna sighed then said, “Well I wanted something different it gets boring at night.”

Pine came closer then fell into her and just started to sob. He cried for a few minutes and she hugged him close.

Then he said, “I want to feel something anything to get rid of the pain that haunts me she died to protect me and I’m betraying her memory I can’t even protect her hatchling.”

Princess Luna then said, “Why did you give the egg to my sister?”

He then said “She died for that egg Luna she followed her heart she followed what she thought was best and it got got her killed tell me is it wrong or is right?”

Princess Luna then said “I can’t I don’t even know. You know something did I ever tell you that when my father and Rust died I didn’t even know until after we returned to Canterlot.”

Then Pine said, “Why”

Princess Luna then said, “She thought that I would probably forsake the whole mission just to find him and honestly I might of."

Pine then looked up and said, “I almost left canterlot to save you but Sugar cube smacked some sense into me.”

Princess Luna chuckled then Pine said, “I never told you but I want to now. I want to because I may never have the…”

Luna flew in and kissed him.

They held the embrace for a long time under the light of the moon with the rain pouring hard overhead.  

Next Chapter: Chapter 19 the pool of reflection Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 41 Minutes