Chapter31

“Love vs death.”

Sugar Cube was trotting down the bridge over the dark void. He was smaller with his short white mane and tail and his body was covered in bruises and scars. He stood before the dark void with the grand master stood with him he a brown earth pony with a jet-black mane and brown slanted eyes wearing a black cloak and an Alicorn stood over him as well. He was pure grey as was his mane and tail. He had large grey wings and dead grey eyes and his pupils were the symbols of Omega and for his mark it was an omega symbol. Shade looked up and whimpered, he then began to urinate.

Then the grand master shouted “Shade!”

He then said, “I’m sorry master I’ll go.”

The dark Alicorn chuckled then he flew over to Shade and pressed Shade’s face in the piss.

He then said “Are you sure he’s the one?”

The grand master then said, “He has the ability I’ve seen him train. But I lack parenting skills he still wets himself.”

Then the Alicorn throws him across the floor with his magic.

Then he goes to Shade then said, “How old are you?”

Shade got up and whimpered, “I don’t know.”

The Alicorn then looks at the grand master

Then the grand master said “He’s four.”

Then Oblivion turns to Shade then said, “stand up and show me your best fighting style if you can prove to me you can at least fight I won’t kill you.”

Shade got up with shaking legs then he stood on his little hind legs and then he did a back flip and landed perfectly into another fighting position.

The Alicorn’s eyes blazed then said, “He’s excellent.”

The grand master then said, “I’m pleased you agree he won’t fail, not this time.”

The Alicorn then said, “Leave us Shadow.”

The grandmaster leaves the cavern then the Alicorn turned to Shade then said, “Shade is it?”

Shade nods as he goes back to all fours.”

Then the Alicorn came forward then said, “My name is Oblivion and you’re here because you’re a very important filly”

Shade lowers his head then said, “I’m not important I’m Shade nothing more.”

Then Oblivion nods “Good you don’t give into flattery excellent,”

Oblivion then said “Who’s your family.”

Shade then said, “I have no family.”

Oblivion then said, “What are friends?”

Shade then said, “There are no friends, only comrades and targets.”

Oblivion then said, “The grand master taught you well.”

He then saw the bruises all over Shade’s body and the cuts and scars he then said, “What is punishment?”

Shade then said, “Punishment is a tool.”

Oblivion then said “Very good. You are ready for the next phase. But you have to promise me one thing no more pissing yourself during training.”

Shade looked up then said, “I try not to but the grand master says I can’t use the latrine until I finish.”

The Alicorn then said, “That’s not an excuse you will hold it and finish the training. For now on every time I hear you piss yourself during training I’ll come by and make you drink it.”

Shade gulps then said “I.. I”

Oblivion glared at him then said, “You may be only four but my father does not have time to wait. We need you Shade and you need us your family abandoned you here. They hated use cursed you and we raised you and in return we expect complete loyalty and I can’t have you urinating yourself every time your yelled at either.”

Shade looked up then said, “I won’t ever pee myself again.”

Oblivion looked hard at him then said “Now onto the next phase.”  

He then turned to the void and then he said, “I’m going to give you some of this energy and it will enter your soul. You’re only four so your soul is still pure but this going to hurt a lot.”

The energy from the void entered Shade fell to the ground and he felt the energy flood his soul and he started to cry. He sobbed and screamed and he shouted, “Please stop it!”

He held himself and then he felt more urine leak out as he curled up.

Then he looked up and saw only darkness then he felt his body was on fire as if every cell was put to flame then he told himself “Hope.. What is hope?” then flames dissipated and then Shade gathered himself.

Then Oblivion smiled as he came forward then said, “You did well Shade the darkness was forced into you and you resisted it’s pull. Now it’s a part of your being and will amplify your body it will heal faster become stronger However.”

He pointed to more urine then he said, “Remember what I said before?”

Shade got up and shaking said nothing. Oblivion then came forward and said, “I’m in a good mood. So this time I won’t punish you but I swear get a hold of yourself Shade, our little assassin.”

   Sugar Cube woke in his bedroll he then gasps for breath he galloped out of the tent then he went to a stone and sat on it he looked at the sand and calmed himself. They were in a desert with nothing but sand dunes and ruined buildings throughout the desert. Then he starred into the night sky.

Then he saw Princess Celestia come out she looked up and smiled then she sat by Sugar Cube the said, “You can’t sleep either?”

Sugar Cube then said, “I had a flashback of something I would rather forget.” She nods then said, “It’s funny that we never talked alone before.”

Sugar Cube then said, “I’ve been too busy and so were you.”

She then said, “You knew my father right?”

He nods then she said “You’ve been vague on what you did for him since I’ve met you. First you tell me you spied for him. Then I hear how two chieftains are killed here and we both know who did that.”

Sugar Cube then said “Princess Celestia I was an assassin for you father.”

She then said, “He had you kill other ponies for bits?”

Sugar Cube looks at her then said, “I killed to protect Equestria and I was never paid for it!”

He then looked down then said,  “Every pony I killed was in league with Omega’s order they were trying to bring Equestria to its knees so omega could easily take over. I was was the only pony your father had who knew how they operated and what they were planning to do.”

She then said, “I understand, when you meant you were keeping us safe you were killing assassins who were trying to kill my sister and I.”

Sugar Cube nods then said, “That sums up three years of my life.”

She then said, “Can I ask you to do a favor? And on top of that can you keep it a secret?”

Sugar Cube nods then she said, “I’m pregnant and North Star is going to… sacrifice himself to defeat Omega. I know I can’t be everywhere at once when my filly is born, my question is can you be Sun Dancer’s guardian while I’m doing my duties?”

Sugar Cube then said, “Why are you giving the job to me?”

She then said, “For three reasons one I’m done seeing you hating yourself. You hate yourself for killing I see it in your eyes but you need to come to terms that you did it to protect others and while under my rule and after we secure Equestria’s safety you won’t have to ever kill again.  Secondly, I have seen your kind soul you play with princess Cadence every day after school and when no pony was around you read to her, gave her baths, and fed her dinner. She sees you as a second father just as much as Obsidian and I want that for my filly. The third reason is I know that my filly will be safe and no harm will ever come to him or her.”

Sugar cube then said, “You trust me that much even after I lied to you?”

She then said, “I understand why and I know how you feel.”

Sugar Cube then said, “You know I never raised a filly in my life.”

She then said, “When we return find a nanny to teach you. The thing is I don’t want a generic nanny just doing it for a job and bits. I want a pony who will care for my filly just because their kind enough to do it and with a strong will.”

Sugar cube sighed and then said “Celestia I would be honored to be Sun Dancer’s guardian.”

She smiled and then said “Then I appoint you as the official guardian of my filly.”

He then bows and said “It will be an honor.”

She smiled and said “don’t worry I’ll learn too. Parenting from what I’ve heard from Lance and Red wing is tough.”

He looked up then said, “I bet it is.”

The next morning as the soldiers gathered for war North Star came to Sugar Cube.

He then said, “Celestia told me that you’re going to be my filly’s guardian after I die.”

Sugar Cube looked up then said, “You think I’m good enough?”

North Star placed a hoof on his right shoulder then said, “I’m glad she chose you.”

He had tears in his eyes then Sugar Cube looked up and said, “Do you trust  me with Sun Dancer?

North Star answer me honestly.” North Star then said, “I trust you with my life and my filly’s life and Princess Celestia’s life.”

Sugar Cube then said “Then you need to tell every pony at least our friends that your dying they have a right to know. We need to  be completely honest no more secrets.”

North Star nods then he said “Alright.”

He then leads Sugar cube to the middle of the camp. Their new allies were packing and putting on their armor. Then North Star met with Obsidian and Lance.

Then North Star went up to the others then he said, “ Every pony I’ve been keeping something from you. I didn’t say it earlier because I don’t know how you’re going to react or how  it’s going to affect the mission but  I’m not coming back.”

They all stood silent then North Star said, “ When I left to the east you all know I found the pool of light and created the element of freewill but the power is slowly draining my life away and I’m going to have to use all of its power to defeat Omega. If this is the last time I speak to you I wanted to talk to you as a friend.”

Lance then went up to North Star and hugged him then said “Dammit you were supposed to come back so we can tell war stories to our grand fillies.”

Every pony laughed then he claps North Star on the back then he said “thank you.”

North Star nods then said “Your welcome.”

Lance then steps back then Obsidian said, “North Star you were there for me and for Princess Cadence on  numerous occasions and I want to thank you for everything you sacrificed. I wish we could of all gone home together. I really do.”

He bows then North Star bows back then Core came forward and placed a hoof on North Star’s shoulder then said, “ I have to tell you that when we first met I thought you as an arrogant asshole. Now I see you for who you really are . A kindhearted soul who just wanted to be loved. I hope you got enough of it.”

North Star then said, “Thank you Core and I have.”

He turns to sugar Cube who got up then said, “Where’s Princess Celestia?”

She then flew downward then he looked at the two then North Star nods to Princess Celestia she smiles and nods back the she said “There’s something else I’m pregnant and even though we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl North Star and I decided to name him or her Sun Dancer.”

The ponies all looked at each other than Core smiled and then he said, “North star didn’t know you had it in you.”

North Star rolled his eyes.

Then Lance flew up to Celestia bows then said “Congratulations.”

Then Sugar cube bows his head then North Star turned to them and said, “The thing is I ..I never expected my life to end like this surrounded by friends knowing that Celestia my love and Sun dancer is going to be cared for. The worst part is I spent so little time with you. I wish I could of grown with all of you I wished we could have been real friends but you know what? we are friends we are a family. I want all of you to promise one simple promise to live happy lives and to enjoy everything this life has to offer. Don’t let death be the only thing I leave behind in this world.”

Princess Celestia then said “Not only that North Star and I agreed that after North Star dies Sugar Cube will be our filly’s guardian.”

Sugar cube raises his head then he said, “ I accepted their offer only because they asked me personally.”

Lance laughed then said, “You’re going to love it Sugar Cube.”

He laughed even harder than Core snickered then said “Our assassin a nanny.”

Sugar cube rolls his eyes then he said, “ Thank you again Princess Celestia and North Star .”

Lance then said “You know what they’re not formally married let’s marry them here.”

Core then said “And what? You’re going to do it?” Sugar Cube then said “Why not? We don’t need anything and you two can be married here.”

North Star turned to Princess Celestia then said, “Even knowing I only have a day to live, you would marry me?”

Celestia then said, “At least it will be official.”

North star laughed then he turned to princess Celestia.

Then Lance flew over them and said “North star do you take Princess Celestia as your wife until death do you part?”

North Star looked into her eyes then said “I Do.”  

Princess Celestia smiled and then Lance said, “ Princess Celestia do you take North Star as your husband until death do you part?”

She smiled and said, “I do.”

Then Lance said, “I declare these two husband and wife.”

Princess Celestia bowed her head then North Star kissed her then they held it then he let go and said “I had a dream like this once.” Princess Celestia then said, “It was a good dream.”

He then got down then said, “ Alright all of you let’s get serious now we have a war to win!”

Then they took up their weapons.

Then North Star then sees Sugar Cube and said, “I wish Pine was here. I should of told him as well.”

Sugar Cube then  puts a hoof on his shoulder then said, “I’ll tell him about your little marriage .”

North Star looked at Sugar Cube then said “Sugar Cube, thank you again.”  

Sugar cube then said “North Star thank you for trusting me.”

North Star nods then Sugar Cube looks up as the ponies began going through the desert heading to the great city east of them and gallops ahead with North Star and Celestia.

Next Chapter: Chapter 32: Hope vs despair Estimated time remaining: 31 Minutes