Chapter 26

“Final goodbyes.”

One week later….

Princess Celestia was back in her room as she came forth she found North Star still in bed with the covers pulled over. She smirked then she pulled the covers off him he then sighed.

Princess Celestia then said, “Get up. It’s nearly midday.”

He then rose up and said “Alright.”

He then got up and then he put on his amulets first the amulet of harmony then a chain with a small orb with the amulet if free will inside and then he put on his star necklace and then he put on his blue cloak and his saddle bag.

She then said “Are you ready?”

He looked over to her then said, “No I’m not I wish I had more but we wasted enough time already.”

He then said, “So you told Nebula’s parents?”

She nods then said. “They’re not too pleased. She’s only nine.”

North Star nods then said, “It’s only a precaution I think Equestria is safe but Grey beard is growing too old and will need her backup if the time calls for it.”

Princess Celestia nods then said, “She’s grown up so fast.”

North Star came to her then said “Thanks to you. You trained her while I was gone.”

They then kissed one last time then she said, “I’ll give Princess Silver Rose her duties.”

North Star then said, “I’ll inform Nebula of hers.”

Then he turns back to her and smiles as she did. Then he leaves the room.

Obsidian was with princess cadence in his room he was standing over her wearing his black steel armor and with a saddle bag on his left side and his great sword on his right. Princess Cadence sat on a small chair she was older with her hair combed perfectly. She was staring at him.

He then said, “What I’m going to tell you is very important I’m leaving this afternoon and I might … Well I might not come back so I’m going to tell you of your responsibility. You are the only heir to the crystal empire I gave up being an Alicorn and gave you the power to wield the crystal heart. Sadly it was lost in the crystal palace and when the crystal empire returns it’s going to be up to you to save it.” P

Princess Cadence looked up then said “save it from what?”

Obsidian then said, “King Sombra he didn’t die. He only sustained himself in a stasis and when the crystal empire returns he will try to take it back and it’s going to be up to you to save it.”

Princess Cadence then said, “What happened to my mother?”

Obsidian then said, “She died protecting you as did your father. I carried out her final wish and protected you.”

Princess cadence then said, “Are you my brother?”

Obsidian then said, “I am as you’ve heard I am king Sombra’s son but I was only truly loyal to those who I choose to be just and kind and that’s you princess Cadence. You’re going to rule one day it may be a while but you will.”

Princess cadence with a tear running down her right cheek then said, “I’m an Alicorn still which means that. That you’re going to die and I’ll live on.”

Obsidian went up to her then said “Yes I will die but not for a long time at least if I survive facing Omega. But don’t let your immortality bar you from happiness.”

Princess cadence hugged him and he hugged her then he said, “I’m going to miss you.”

Princess Cadence hugged him even closer then said, “I am going to miss you brother.”

Obsidian then let go and he brushed her mane with his right hoof then said “You have to be strong you have to keep going but it has to be your choice will you do it will you accept the responsibility of saving and ruling the crystal empire?”

She nods then said “I will when that day comes I’ll be ready.”

Then in that moment, her cutie mark appeared the crystal heart with a golden ribbon running through it.

Then Obsidian smiled as she smiled back then said, “Big brother, don’t die.” Obsidian nods then leaves the room.

Obsidian trots down the halls the other guards kneeled as he passed then he found lightning flash she stood on the steps.

She smiled and said, “Did any pony tell you that you’re handsome in armor?”

He stood tall and said, “Well I was a prince.”

She laughed and said “And I was a princess."

She came close and he came closer then they kissed they held it for a while.

Then she said, “This is the first time I felt fear.”

Obsidian then said, “I have to go. This is more than just about us you know that.”

Lightning flash looked up then said, “Let me come then I can fight.”

Obsidian then said, “It’s not the fact you can fight but are you willing to kill another pony?” She then said “I... I don’t know.”

Obsidian brushed her mane then said, “War is not glorious.”

She looked up then said “Yet you go.”

Obsidian then said, “Because it’s my duty. I have to fight and protect North Star and make sure that he reaches Omega’s tower. I only fight because I have too you don’t there may be a time when I’ll need you but it’s not this time.”

Lightning flash then hugged him and he hugged her.

Then she said “Just promise me you‘ll come back then.”

Obsidian hugged her close then said “I can’t promise that, I won’t lie I could die. But I’m going to fight hard to make sure I do come back.”

She looks up to him then they kiss again then she said, “Then go my prince.”

He chuckles then as he went down the steps she turns ahead and Obsidian looks behind him and as their eyes met they said nothing but he nods as she nods back he turns his head forward and trots out of the palace.

Lance was in his house in Canterlot. He was feeding ocean breeze mashed vegetables he picked up the spoon of goop then opened his mouth. Ocean breeze wearing a cloth bib and small diaper she sat in a wooden high chair her little legs kicking as she got excited. Lance placed the spoon in her mouth as she chomped on the spoon food.

He smiled and said “Is that good?”

She laughs he then said, “Okay one more bite.”

She laughed then he picks up the spoon and then as he placed it in her mouth and as she swallowed he put the bowl and spoon and then cleaned her mouth with the bib. He then picked her up and held her in his hooves he sat down on a wooden chair and cradled her next to him and as she looked at him.

He smiled then Red wing came down the steps and said “Thank you for feeding her.”

He then said “She’s so happy aren’t you.”

he nuzzled her as she laughed and some drool poured from her mouth.

Red wing then said, “She’s going to miss you.”

Lance get up then handed her to Red wing’s shoulder then she held her close then she took her to the living room and sat on a small clothed chair and held her close as Lance went upstairs. He strapped on his armor and saddlebag then he strapped his spears on his back. He then went downstairs.

Red wing looks up then said, “You’re leaving again.”

Lance then said, “We talked about this for the past week yes I’m still going.”

She then said “why? You already fought one war!”

He looked at her then said, “There is only one real reason I’m going back to hell and it’s because of her.”

He points at Ocean breeze then he said “I won’t bare to see her live in a world where she won’t be able to decide her fate if North star dies before he fights Omega we all become his slaves. If we lose there won’t be a second chance.”

Red wing looks up then said, “I should go with you.”

Lance then said, “I want you to come with me. I really do but if we both died then we will leave her orphaned. Would you risk that?” Red wing looked at her.

She then said “No your right I’m just brooding. I’m also not stupid I know you might die so like before I’ll prepare myself you just focus on what you have to do.”

She looked up then Lance came close and they kissed then they held it for a while he let go then he came close to Ocean breeze.”

He then kissed her on the forehead and said, “You take care of your mother.”

She cooed then he got up and then he starred at his wife and then he said “Good bye my love.”

She looked up then said “Goodbye dear.”

He then turns and trots out his front door.

Celestia stood over Prince Silver Rose in the throne room with dozens of royal mares and colts. She wore white armor and with the sigil of the sun on her breastplate, she also wore her large golden spear on her back and she wore a necklace with all six elements of harmony on it.

She then said, “Princess Silver Rose You will take my place as ruler and protector of Equestria until my return from the south. If I fail and die, you will take the power of the element of the sun until you die as well. ” Prince Royal heart rose then said, “I will Princess Celestia as you command.”

She then looked over the royal colts and mares then said, “I am leaving to fight the darkness in the south that is rising all of you must stay strong and keep the three races in check. The earth pony the pegasi and the unicorn you cannot live with one without the other all three must live in peace all three must live in unity or everything I do and those who go with me will be useless. So I lay my trust with each and every pony to make sure this kingdom does not fall while I am gone.”

The colts and mares clapped then she strode through the crowd all bowing as she did, she then opened the doors to the palace and flew into the sky.

North Star stood over Nimbus in his room she was older with her long light blue mane combed neatly behind her ears as was her tail she stood more proudly with her light blue eyes.

She then said “Master you wish to speak with me?”

North Star nods then said, “I’m going and this may be the last time we see each other. Since we met, you have grown more powerful each day and the more you grow the more you have learned about using your magic to help others. So for being the top student and my most trusted pupil Princess Celestia and I decided while were gone were going to give you the responsibility of protecting Equetria.”

She looked up then said, “You’re making me captain of the guard?”

North star chuckled and said ”No Lance gave that job to Chocolate Butter, you will still study as normal play with your friends and enjoy life but if Equestria is in danger and is attacked while were gone I’m giving you the authority over the guard and every pony . I taught you this city and the safe locations for the ponies if such an attack happens and hopefully one doesn’t but I need to know can you take this responsibility.”

Nebula looked up then said “I will master North star, but Master north star what do you mean this is the last time we met?”

He went up to her then said, “I never told any pony this and the only reason I’m telling you because even if I win I’m going to die. When I do  Master Silver Beard is going to be too old and his magic is failing. It’s going to be up to you to continue on where I leave off.”

Nebula shakes her head then said “Master I don’t want you to die.”

She then hugs him and North Star hugs her then said. “I don’t want to die either and I’m sorry I’m giving you such a responsibility.”

She looks up then she lets go and said, “Should my parents know?”

North Star then said, “We told them but they didn’t like it. But the decision isn’t up to them it’s up to you.”

She nods then said, “I will do this if that’s what you want?”

He nods then said, “I know your young so listen to master Grey beard and he’ll help you. Yet again I’m sorry for placing this burden on you.”

She smiles and said “It’s my choice I’m taking this so don’t blame yourself okay?”

She smiled then he nods and said, “You’re going to be a great unicorn.”

He then takes off his star necklace and placed it over her then said, “Don’t forget your power isn’t from your horn but from every pony. It’s them we protect.”

He then gets up and leaves his room with Nebula holding his necklace.

Sugar Cube was with Chancellor Pudding head in her house in Canterlot they were eating cake and drinking milk.

He finishes it then he said “Thank you for the cake."

She smiled and said, “I’m glad you liked it.”

He nods then he gets up then said, “So today’s my birthday?”

He chuckles then said “My real birthday.”

He then got solemn then he felt his chest and said “ I lied to you grandmother, when I left the first time I knew my parents were dead and I lied to you because I wanted you to think they were still alive.”

She nods then said “Thank you for telling me the truth. But, what that bastard try to do too you is unforgivable.”

Sugar cube looked back then said, “Tell me if she was here now and I could talk to her would she approve of what I have done?”

Chancellor pudding head then said, “What do you mean?”

Sugar cube then said, “Before I met you I was an assassin I killed ponies for king Sol kept Celestia and Luna safe I killed other assassins in the holy empire in the east and dozens of chaos ponies in the south I killed King Sombra’s soldiers in the north, and killed even more assassins. But every time I did I fought for good yet every time I killed a pony I feel like my heart is giving way falling to pieces.”

His grandmother then came close and said, “You fought through hell my grandson you were being forced to do evil but you choose to do good. Tell me how many other ponies would have sparred the Alicorns and Pine as you did? Tell me how many others would have been broken and fell to darkness? Sugar cube your mother wouldn’t be just proud she would be overjoyed at what you accomplished.”

He looked up then said “Yet I killed.”

Chancellor pudding head then said, “If you didn’t though so many more would be dead. You also take no enjoyment in what you do which means you have a soul.”

Sugar cube smiled and then said “Thank you.”

He let go as he put on his white cloak, sighed, and said “Here I go again.”

Chancellor pudding head chuckled and said, “You go Sugar cube and save the world.” He nods back then opens the front door and leaves.

Core was in town center when Chocolate Butter galloped up to him shouting “core!”

Core turns he wore his heavy bronze armor his legs were mended but he still limped a bit and he still had his great axe strapped to his back and he had on his saddlebag.  Chocolate butter was in his normal steel armor and wore his helm.

He saluted then said “Core I just wanted to thank you.”

Core then salutes back then said “Thank me for what?”

Chocolate butter smiled and said, “You helped me find my courage and I also wanted to say good luck. Also I never been able to tell you my condolences for you father’s death.”

Core nods then said. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

Chocolate butter then said, “I wish I could come.”

Core shakes his head then said, “Like before right now you’re the most qualified to take the job.”

Chocolate butter then said, “Lance was quite stern and gave me his list of things that have to get done every day actually I’m behind already and I don’t have wings.”

Core then said, “Then don’t let me keep you waiting.”

He then salutes Chocolate butter as he salutes back he then gallops up through the city and was soon out of sight.

The 6 with Princess Celestia were now outside Canterlot’s main gates with Pine flying in he wore his black cloak with two quivers full of arrows and his saddle bag and crossbow strapped on his left side and he still wore the chain with the ring around his neck.

He then said, “I want all of you to know I won’t betray you and fully committed to bring Omega down.”

North Star came forth then said “Your still wear her ring?”

Pine then said, “I still love her North star that’s why we have to save her. She was one of us she fought king Sombra, she saved your life, she fought Abyss and she fought Discord, Necro, Eclipse, and Snowstorm she bled and was tortured by them. We can’t abandon her I won’t abandon her.”

North Star then said, “We will try to talk sense into her but if we can’t we will seal her to the moon for her protection.”

Pine turns to princess Celestia.

He then said, “I owe you an apology I should have told you of Luna’s betrayal earlier.”

Princess Celestia then said, “Pine I know how you feel and I know you did everything you can to save her. I even heard from Sugar Cube that you saved my life. Her decision to go to the evil was hers but as you said she is one of us she’s my sister and I’m going to do whatever it takes to bring her back to the light.”

Sugar cube nods as did core and Obsidian came forth and said “Then where do we start?”

Sugar Cube stares at North Star.

Then North Star said, “We will visit the buffalos and I’ll go to the pool of reflection sugar cube and I came to a conclusion that I should discover more about this quest to make sure to know where were going.”

Core then said, “More guidance is good I say yes.”

Obsidian then said “Yes.”

Princess Celestia nods then said “Okay then North star.”

Pine came forth and said “Alright.”

Lance then said “North star I’m going wherever you’re going.”

Sugar cube then said “Alright let’s head out we burned enough daylight.”

Then Princess Celestia got up into the air, Core and Sugar cube raced down the mountain where Canterlot stood on North Star teleported forward and Obsidian chased after them with Pine and Lance flying by Celestia’s side.  

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