Author's Notes:

I know this chapter took a little while, but I assure you all I worked on it every single day. I struggled through the second part. I wrote and re-wrote it so many times, I went a little cross-eyed. I struggled to get it right that I spent entire days on just one sentence. Later I removed a 1200 word portion because I didn't like what it did to the plot. Too bad, it was really hot stuff too. I saved it so can use it later.

Ash shifted his stance. The crisp winter air filled his lungs. Arrayed around him, his three opponents drew nearer. Gripping his staff, Ash dug his hoof into the snow and quickly pivoted around, swinging at Toadstool, who let out a startled cry and fell back into a snow drift as Ash’s staff passed by.

Seeing an opening, his other two opponents lunged in, their staves striking down at him. Twisting his shoulder, Ash rolled to the side, dodging the two attacks. Coming back around, Ash kicked snow up into Mighty Oak's face, causing him to shout in outrage as he stumbled to the ground. Journey Stomp reversed his staff and brought it around at him. Stepping forward, Ash’s staff cracked into Journey's, deflecting it to the side. Dropping his shoulder back down, Ash pivoted around and swept his hoof through Journey Stomp’s legs, knocking him down into the snow with a startled shout.

Catching a flicker of motion to his side, Ash dug his hooves in and threw himself back just as Mighty Oak's staff whistled by his ear. Rotating around, he swung his staff into Mighty Oak's fetlock with a crack. Letting out a painful cry, Mighty Oak lurched back, dropping his staff.

Climbing back onto his hooves, Journey Stomp charged at Ash, tackling him. Falling backwards, Ash pulled Journey with him as he rolled onto his back, kicking his legs out, sending Journey flying over him right into Toadstool.

Regaining his hooves, Ash squared his stance as he searched for his next opponent. He needed to get stronger. He could no longer rely on the power of his element to protect his family. To protect Celestia.

Suddenly, a large form moved in at him from the side. Turning, Ash whipped his staff around and with a solid cluck, it came to a stop against another staff. Looking up, he found Dark grinning down at him. Stepping back, Ash circled around as Dark did the same with him.

With a quick flick, Dark slashed at him. Twisting his shoulder, Ash knocked it away. Dark flicked another strike at Ash's other side. Reversing himself, Ash blocked it, then he dropped his head and lunged forward, thrusting at his chest. Dark swiftly jumped back and brought his staff down. Seeing the blow coming, Ash quickly dodged. throwing himself to the side and rolling back to his hooves. His lungs burned as he was panting for breath. Dark wasn’t holding back! If that had connected...

Dark turned and swung his staff at Ash's left side. Leaping back, Ash barely avoided it as it whooshed past. Again and again, Ash was driven back by Dark's relentless attacks. It was everything he could do just to fend him off. Suddenly, Dark's hoof bucked out and caught Ash in the side, sending him flying back into the snow.

"Well, he's dead," Journey said gloomily, watching from the side with Mighty Oak and Toadstool.

Gasping for breath, Ash climbed painfully back to his hooves.

"Oh! He lives!" Mighty Oak exclaimed, sounding impressed.

His side ached where Dark's hoof had hit him. Looking up at Dark, Ash blinked when he saw an image of Ruin, the Alicorn of Destruction standing in his place, grinning down at him. Ash's heart quailed in sudden terror and his whole body began to shiver. Gritting his teeth, Ash steadied himself. He’d never allow himself to become that creature. He'd willingly run his own spear through his heart before that happened. Shaking his head, he cleared it of the horrible image.

He could see his staff laying a few spans away where it had fallen, and thought about going for it, but saw that Dark was too close and would catch him before he got to it. His heart fell. The only things he could think to do now were either quit or do something really stupid.

Digging in his hooves, Ash charged right at Dark. A look of surprise momentarily flashed across the stallion's face as the colt charged him. With a look of regretful determination, Dark raised his staff and brought it down at him. Ash dove forward onto his belly and slid across the snow. Just above him, he felt the rush of the wind as Dark's staff passed over him. Gathering his hooves under him, Ash leapt up and smashed his hoof into the side of Dark's muzzle, staggering the stallion with his blow. Landing back onto his hooves, Ash spun himself about and bucked his hoof into Dark's knee as hard as he could. With a startled cry, Dark stumbled back a few steps before he recovered. By that point, Ash had dashed over and snatched up his staff, whirled about and held it ready.

Dark blinked at Ash. Suddenly he started to laugh. "Oh, that was just wonderful!" he said, rubbing his cheek. "I didn't expect you to rush me like that. Very good!"

Ash grinned as he sat down to catch his breath. He didn't actually think that would work.

Within the center of the hamlet of Yore, a small, simple fenced area had been built to let the little foals play in safety while being watched. It had been Mirage's idea. During the winter, she saw that many of the foals were getting fussy and cranky being cooped up inside, so she asked for this to be built to let them play in the fresh air when the weather was good.

Celestia trotted along, easily keeping ahead of Luna and Aurora as they chased after her, scampering across the cleared ground. Laughing, Celestia danced just ahead as she sang a merry song, swishing her tail at her little pursuers. She was excited. Spring was almost here. She could feel it. All winter, she had been feeling tired and listless, struggling to motivate herself for even the most simple tasks. For weeks now, she had been feeling it coming in the air. The desire of the land to wake from its slumber and put out new growth. It was so close now. Celestia felt like it was just a mere step away.

Suddenly, Celestia felt her body tingle and her hooves lifted off the ground. Kicking her hooves wildly, Celestia looked around and saw Aurora's little horn was glowing. "Hay! No fair! You’re not supposed to use magic!"

"Okay. That's enough of that," Starless cut in, trotting over. Following along with her was Dove and Dusty. "What have we told you about using magic on other ponies?" she asked reproachfully to the little filly.

Looking up at Starless, Aurora's lower lip quivered as she pouted.

"Don't give me that," Starless chided with a shake of her head. "Now put her down." With Aurora's great magical potential, there was a need for a Unicorn to teach the filly the use of her power before she accidentally hurt either herself or somepony else. Starless took to the role of magical teacher so well, Celestia had been surprised that she hadn’t of gotten a cutie mark in it.

Celestia felt the tingling around her fade as she came back to the ground.

"That's a good filly," Starless praised her. "Now. We have something for you."

Celestia noticed Dusty taking something strange off his back. It was smooth and white. Tapering around in a curve that nearly came back to itself.

"But first, we need to borrow this from you." With her magic, Starless slipped Aurora's gem over her head. The moment it left her, Aurora's amber colored eyes faded back to white. Blinking in confusion, Aurora let out a mew of complaint as the sight left her eyes.

"Oh, don't fret sweetie," Dove said reassuringly, picking her up and holding her. "It won't be just a moment and you'll have it back."

Untying the line from around the gem, Starless turned to Dusty and set it to the center of the strange, curved thing.

"What are you doing?" Celestia asked, watching her.

"Aurora needed something a bit more permanent to secure her gem to," Starless explained. "Dusty was kind enough to retrieve one of the Hydra's fangs during one of his trips to the Pegasi. We’ve used it to carve it into a necklette."

"It wasn't easy to find," Dusty muttered. "There must have been half a mountain on that thing."

"You're giving her a necklette carved from a hydra tooth!?" Celestia exclaimed.

"A hydra and its teeth are remarkably resistant to magic," Starless explained. "It's perfect for what she needs. There, all done!" Starless held up the finished necklette. Walking over to the filly, Starless slipped it over her head and settled it loosely around her neck. It was large for her, so she could grow into it.

Picture done by me

Aurora blinked as the color came back into her eyes. Looking up at Starless, she let out a happy coo and held her hoof out to the unicorn. Smiling, Starless reached out and booped the filly's nose.

"Dusty, dear," Dove said, turning her attention to the young stallion. "With Skye about due any day now, you must be excited!"

"To be honest, I'm a bit scared out of my mind," Dusty admitted with a chuckle. "I don't know what to really expect. Especially from me. What am I supposed to do?"

Dove smiled and shook her head. "Dusty. The best I can tell you is not to worry so much about it. Just relax and let things develop naturally."

"If you want," Celestia cut it, "I can ask my papa to come talk to you. He's a wonderful papa. I'm sure he can help you."

Dusty looked a bit relieved over this. "Thank you. I would like that very much."

"Starless! Save me!" a voice called in distress.

Looking back, Starless let out an exasperated sigh and shook her head. Ground was dramatically struggling to drag himself across the ground while being attacked by foals. Acorn Shell was perched on his head nomming on his ear, while the twins, Summer Rain and Winter Snow, were happily sitting on his back, smacking their little hooves onto him. Behind him, Sparkling Brook and little Luna were giggling as they pulled on his tail.

"They got me!" Ground gasped out hopelessly. "It's too late for me. Escape now, while you still have a chance." Collapsing to the ground, he let out an agonizingly long death moan, ending with his head flopping lifelessly to the ground, his tongue hanging out. Immediately, half a dozen more foals rushed around to climb onto him.

Starless let out a groan and dropped her head into her hoof. "I knew it was a bad idea to let him come with me."

"My! Isn't that a sight," Bell said, chuckling as she walked over to them. Her swollen belly making her steps awkward. "He's quite a natural with foals. He'll make a wonderful father someday."

"I'm sure he will," Starless said, her eyes becoming wistful as she looked back at Ground. "I hope the mare he finds will make him happy and give him plenty of foals to play with."

Bell's brows furled as she gave Starless a hard look. "Dusty. How about you go help Ground and see if he’s alive."

Hearing the commanding note in her request, Dusty wisely nodded and quickly left to do as she suggested. With the young stallion now gone, Bell turned back to Starless. "Okay, talk. What is going on between you two?"

"I don't know what you mean." Starless replied, her face going oddly blank.

"Don't give me that!" Bell snapped, slashing her hoof to the side. "It's as obvious as the horn on your head that you two have feelings for each other!"

"It doesn’t matter what my feelings for him may be," Starless said stiffly. "We can never be more than friends."

Bell shook her head, not believing it. "Why!? Is it because he's a dirt pony!?"

"No!" Starless exclaimed with a vicious shake of her head.

"Then why?" Bell pressed. "Why do you hold yourself back? Why do you insist on hurting yourself? I can see the pain and yearning in your eyes every time you look at him."

Starless dropped her head down and closed her eyes. "It's complicated."

"What's so complicated about love!?"

Starless shook her head. "You just don't understand."

"If you don't start explaining yourself, I am going to sit on you!" Bell warned. "Trust me. Right now, you really don't want that to happen," she added pointing down at her swollen belly.

Starless let out a long sigh. "It's because I don't want to hurt him when I have to leave."

“You don’t have to go,” Bell said. "You know that you're always welcome to join our herd."

"That's right," Dove agreed. "You know Meadowlark would never turn you away."

"I can't." Tears began to drip off the end of her down-hung muzzle. "I want to stay more than anything, but if they discover I'm here, I won't have a choice."

"Star?" Ground's concerned voice cut in. Alive, and free from the foals, he was moving toward her with a look of worry. "Are you okay? You're crying."

Dove quickly moved and intercepted him. "Ground, dear. Would you please watch the foals for a little bit while we talk to her? That would be really helpful." She then shoved Aurora into his hooves. "Have Dusty help you out as well. Thank you."

Returning, Dove and Bell moved around to flank Starless and ushered her away. Celestia, not being told to leave, followed along. Ground watched them as they moved away with a confused look on his face.

"Okay," Bell said once they were away from the stallions. "What's this foolishness?"

"You haven't experienced what the Unicorns are really like," Starless explained, wiping at her nose. "They're ruthless. As a Caster, I would have been expected to brutally subdue ponies like you and take all your food back as a prize. Joining your herd would be taken as a betrayal to my kind. The things they do to traitors." Starless shuddered as a haunted look came to her face. "If they found out that I was in love with an Earth Pony... it would be much worse. I can't stand the thought of the cruelty they would bring down on him."

"Ground's strong," Dove said confidently. "He would stand up to them."

Starless shook her head. "To them he would just be a wild dirt stallion. They would see no problem with killing him just to hurt me.

Dove gasped in horror. Celestia felt sick. How could ponies be so cruel?

"They'll kill any pony that gets in their way. They’ll take me and anything else they wanted," Starless continued. "They'll strip this land bare, and return with their spoils as saviors, where they’ll be rewarded for what they’ve done. I, on the other hoof, would be made an example of. If I'm lucky, after they were done with me, they would just hurl what was left of my broken body from the cliff for a quick merciful death at the bottom."

Tears soaked her muzzle as they fell free. Celestia's heart was breaking.

"I've talked to Dark and told him that if they come, to tell them that I've been a prisoner and to let them take me," Starless said, wiping the back of her hoof across her eyes. "It would be better for everypony if I just left with them quietly." Movement caught the side of Starless's eye. Glancing over, she found Ground standing nearby with Aurora in his hoof. Locking eyes with him, Starless felt her chest tighten painfully when their gazes met. How much had he heard!?

"Starless."

She could hear it in his voice. The betrayal. He knew she was planning to leave. She couldn't stand it. Turning, she ran away.

Dove tsked and lifted Aurora from the stallion. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go after her!"

Starless ran as fast as she could. Bolting through the gate, the snow kicked up behind her as she crossed the fields to the western woods. He knew. He knew she wasn't staying. She had been planning on telling him, but she was too much of a coward. She selfishly wanted to be close to him for as long as she could before it ended. To feel what little happiness she would ever likely get in her life. She envied Tranquil Charm. She was getting everything she wanted.

Behind her, she suddenly heard the thunder of hooves as somepony chased after her. She didn't need to look to know who it was. Why couldn't he just let her go!? Didn't he see that it would be better if he just stopped having anything to do with her!? Why did he persist so much? She was a horrible mare. She was a selfish, lying, coward, hardly worth the effort to be friends with.

Looking up through the blur of tears, Starless let out a blast of magic into the snow-filled treetops. Dashing through, she heard the sound of snow falling to the ground behind her. A moment later she heard Ground grunt as he plowed through without stopping. Curse that stallion! Did nothing ever stop him!? She remembered how he had once gone through a stone wall to reach her.

Lifting a fallen log, Starless desperately hurled it at him. Leaping into the air, Ground smashed his hoof into it, shattering it into splinters.

No! No! No! Why was he so impossible!? Dashing through the trees, Starless made her way to a small cave Snap Dragon had shown her on one of their walks together. If she got inside before he caught up to her, she could seal off the entrance with her magic. Desperately, she threw whatever she could find at Ground to try and slow him down. Rocks, logs, branches, snow, even an entire tree that had fallen during the winter. Each one, Ground smashed his way through without pause.

Scrambling through the snow, Starless saw the cave opening just ahead of her. Reaching it, she leapt through and whirled about, quickly casting a barrier spell across the opening. She managed to complete the spell just as Ground charged up.

"Just listen to me!" Starless said hurriedly. "It would be better for everypony if I just leave with them when they come."

"You’re wrong!" Ground roared. "There are ponies here who love you! My mother thinks of you like a daughter, and she hardly likes anypony! If she knew you were planning on abandoning us, she'd lash your rump until you thought you would never be able to sit on it again! Snap looks up to you like a big sister. Leaving would shatter her heart! Dove and Bell call you a friend and welcome your company. Little Aurora adores you and grows fussy if you don't come by to visit enough. You don't need to ask Meadowlark to join the Herd. Whether you want it or not, you're already a part of it. With one word from Dark, a hundred spears would willingly rush to your aid."

Ground reared back and smashed his hoof into her barrier. The room rang with the hard blow.

"Please. Ponies will die if they try to stand up to the Unicorns," Starless pleaded. "I don't want anypony to get hurt because of me. Just let me go."

Throwing his head back, Ground slammed his forehead into her barrier. "That is our choice to make!" Rearing back, Ground slammed his forehead into it again. "Believe it or not, there are ponies that are willing to fight for you!"

"Stop! Your hurting yourself!" Starless couldn't stand seeing what he was doing to himself.

"If you believe that Dark would willingly give you over," his head slammed into the barrier, "you're wrong! I know him. He would never do such a thing. It would go against everything he believes." Wham! The barrier rang as his head collided into it.

"Please stop!" Starless desperately cried out. "You're going to kill yourself!"

"And if you thought I would ever let you go," Wham! "you're wrong! I'd die before I let some stuck up, magical blowhards take you away from me! I love you, Starless Night, and I will do anything to keep you!" Throwing his head back, Ground let out a roar as he brought it down as hard as he could.

With a whimpered cry, Starless suddenly released her barrier just before his head smashed into it. The abrupt release of her barrier caused Ground to stagger into the chamber.

"You thick-headed, scruffy-looking idiot!" Starless shouted at the stallion, tears coming to her eyes. "Why do you have to be so stubborn about everything!? I had it all worked out and now-!"

Whatever Starless was about to say was cut off when Ground suddenly smashed his lips into hers. Starless instantly felt herself melt into him. Her heart was galloping so hard, she thought it was about to burst out of her chest. His strong hoof reached around and pulled her in tighter as his lips thoroughly melded with hers. Words left her as her mind went blank. She wanted this. She wanted it so much.

Time escaped them as they stayed in their intimate embrace. Their whole world becoming just the two of them. Starless felt her legs weaken as Ground's powerful hoof tightened around her. When their lips finally broke apart with a audible pop, Starless blinked her eyes open and gazed up into Ground’s violet eyes.

"What is with you? I'm a powerful Caster and you're just a dirt pounding stallion, and yet you somehow always make me feel like I'm powerless against you." Starless muttered, snuggling her head into his chest. "I suppose that part of me is over anyways. I'm just a normal Unicorn mare now."

"You are anything but a normal Unicorn," Ground said, softly nuzzling the base of her ear. "Since the moment we met, you've enchanted me. You may not be a Caster anymore, but you're certainly an Enchantress."

"An Enchantress?" Starless asked, looking up. "You come up with the most idiotic things, sometimes."

"You like it?"

Starless settled her head back into his chest. "I love it."

Three days later, spring arrived. Celestia could feel it, but looking around, she couldn't see it. The sky was grey and snow still covered the fields.

"Look at that!" Celestia snapped in outrage, gesturing around her.

"What?" Strawberry asked.

"It's supposed to be spring, but where's the sun!? The flowers!? The lush green grasses!?" Celestia stamped her hoof.

"You just need to be a little patient," Dark said smiling, walking over to his daughter. "If you want it to come faster, how about you help with the fields? I know they can always use more ponies. Ash and the other colts are already out there right now."

"But what about that?" Celestia complained, jabbing her hoof up at the low grey clouds that hung over the land. "Skye can't fly this late in her pregnancy to clear that up."

"Oh that?" Her father looked up at the dreary sky and smiled. "Don't worry, I've got a surprise planned to deal with that."

"What's that, Papa?"

Dark grinned and tussled her mane with his hoof. “Well, a surprise is something you don’t expect!” He suddenly grabbed her and blew a raspberries into her belly. Squealing and kicking her legs, Celestia fought to escape her father as tears of laughter filled her eyes. Once he had thoroughly ravished her, Dark suddenly turned his attention to the other fillies who quickly fled, screaming away.

Later, when they heading down to the fields to help, they found teams of stallions pulling large drag-sleds across the fields, clearing the snow off to the side. Once a field had been cleared, ponies then dragged logs with numerous sharpened points along its length, across the ground to open up the soil. Ponies then used shaped staves to turn the soil, and break up the clumps.

Celestia found Ash and the other colts pulling smaller sleds behind the stallions, clearing the snow that had been missed. Asking around for something to do, Celestia and the other fillies were given long staves with flattened stones attached to one end at a sharp angle. Getting to work, Celestia and the other fillies smoothed out the soil to ready it for seeds.

At first, Celestia and the other fillies had difficulty controlling their work-staves. They were long and awkward to handle. After awhile, she and the others gradually got better, and they were able to handle them more smoothly.

"Wonderful work, you all." Greenhoof praised them as she paused to watch. "At this rate, the field will be ready for seed by tomorrow."

"But what about the clouds?" Celestia asked, pointing up at the heavy layer of clouds. "The crops need the warm light of the sun to grow."

Suddenly, as if to answer her question, a ray of sunlight suddenly broke through the clouds, bathing her in its warmth. Celestia couldn't believe how good it was to feel the sun again. So many months of dreary grey and white. Closing her eyes, Celestia basked in the glorious light. Her cutie mark seemed to glimmer under its radiance. More sunlight began to break through as more gaps began to appear.

"Oh good, they're here," Greenhoof said, smiling up.

"Who's here?" Strawberry Zest asked, confused.

"Who?" Greenhoof pointed up, "Why, the Pegasi, of course."

High up, a dozen Pegasi streaked through the sky, ripping through the clouds and bucking them apart. Great holes had already been opened in the clouds, but the clouds were thick and as they watched the holes were slowly closing back up. It was going to be hard work for the Pegasi to fully clear out the sky.

Suddenly, one of the Pegasi broke away and plummeted down like a diving falcon. Flaring his wings out, the Pegasus broke his decent with a crack and shot past them as he climbed up into a roll. Coming around, he bled off some of his speed with some lazy turns before he settled to the ground.

"Amazing flying," Greenhoof said, stepping up to the Pegasus stallion. "I take it you're Stratus Streak?"

"That I am. You must be Greenhoof." The young stallion gave her a curious look. "I was told that fruit trees blossom when you sing to them. Is this true?"

Greenhoof threw her head back and laughed. "I'm not sure. I've never tried."

"Stratus!" Dusty called out, trotting over to him with a big smile. "It's good to see you. I'm glad you made it." Dusty and Stratus clopped hooves in greeting.

"I gave my oath, did I not?" Stratus asked. "When you told me of this idea of actually growing food, I thought it would never work. But after you kept your word in coming every month to bring us food during the winter, I was forced to admit that there may be something to this," he admitted grudgingly. "It probably still won't work, but it's worth a try. After all, you don't know if there's a rainbow behind a cloud unless you look." He then turned back to Greenhoof. "So what do you need from us?"

"Well, for now, we just need a few days of clear skies with plenty of sun to warm things up." Greenhoof said. "Once the fields are prepared and seeded, a good day of light soaking rain would be perfect. Is that something you can do?"

"Easily," Stratus said confidently. "We passed a lovely waterfall, where we can gather mist for rain clouds, not too far from here."

"You can do that!?" Celestia asked in surprise. She thought that they would have had to go searching for the rain clouds to do that.

"Of course we can, silly!" a light voice answered from just above her.

Looking up, Celestia blinked when she discovered a filly hovering just over her. Suddenly she dropped down and landed just before Celestia and the other fillies.

"Hi!" she greeted them cheerfully, tucking her wings to her side. "I'm Butterfly." The pegasus filly was a light shade of pink, and her deep blue mane and tail flowed down in wild locks that just stopped short of touching the ground.

This was the first Pegasus filly they had ever met. Stepping forward, Celestia smiled and held her hoof out much like how she saw Dusty do with Stratus Streak. "Hello. I’m Celestia."

Butterfly smiled and clopped her hoof with hers. Quickly, Strawberry and the other fillies rushed around to introduce themselves to her and bombard her with questions about what it was like being a Pegasus.

Running as fast as he could, Strongbuck suddenly appeared, rushing over to Dusty, who was still talking to Stratus Streak. "Dusty! You need to come quickly!" Strongbuck said in a rush, skidding to a stop. "Its Skye!"

"What is it!?" Dusty said looking at him in sudden alarm. "Did she fall!? I told her not to fly too high anymore!"

"No, it's not that!" Strongbuck said panting for breath. "The foal's coming. She's in labor!"

"The foal's coming!" Dusty exclaimed, his eyes shooting wide. He lunged forward and started to run, but his legs got tangled together and he tumbled face first into the dirt. Quickly regaining his hooves, Dusty managed to make it a few more rushed steps before he tripped on his hooves and fell back down. Climbing back up a third time, either by accident or by luck, he actually succeeded in collecting his hooves enough to stumble into a run.

Celestia and the other fillies squealed in excitement. They've been looking forward to this all winter!

"I've got to tell Mommy!" Butterfly exclaimed. Her little wings suddenly started buzzing as she launched herself into the air and quickly flew away.

The hut that Skye was in was soon surrounded by ponies. Bell, with her great girth blocking the doorway, stood guard, keeping all the curious ponies from sticking their heads in. The only ponies allowed inside were Meadowlark, Dove, Tranquil, and Flutter Fly for her familiarity with Pegasi. Dusty, having been firmly told to wait outside, trotted in circles as he anxiously waited.

All the Pegasi gathered around to witness the wonderful event with great interest. This was going to be the birth of the very first foal to a Pegasus and a Earth Pony.

The day dragged on as night slowly approached. Dusty was wearing a path into the ground from his pacing. Suddenly, there was a long, pain-filled cry inside followed by relieved silence. Dusty skidded to an abrupt halt and stood stock still with his ears pinned up. The sound of a foal's first cries filled the air.

Smiling, Dark stepped out to Dusty and clapped him on his back as he congratulated him. Strongbuck quickly joined him as he smiled at his kinspony in joy.

Bell turned and stuck her head inside. After a short moment, she turned back and nodded to Dusty with a smile. With his knees shaking, Dusty slowly walked to the door, and after hesitating a nervous moment, ducked inside.

A short while later, Dove emerged. "Skye's exhausted, but she and the foal are doing great!" Dove announced happily. "The foal has taken her teat and is nursing without any problems."

The gathered ponies, Earth Pony and Pegasi, all cheered.

"Well!?" Pine Blossom exclaimed, rushing out to Dove. "What is it? A Pegasus or Earth Pony?"

Dove smiled and gestured back. "Well, that answer I will leave for the new father to show you."

Everypony shifted their attention to the door. Ducking through, Dusty slowly worked his way out. Cradled in his hoof was a tiny form curled up against his chest. Everypony held their breath as he stepped out and stopped. "I ah... would like you all to meet my daughter, Lightning Flash." Holding his hoof up a little, he revealed the tiny filly. Her soft coat was light blue, and her pale-golden mane and tail had sharp streaks of yellow running down their lengths. Tucked up against the filly's sides, were two perfect little wings. Everypony gasped; she was a Pegasus!

Gazing down at his daughter, Dusty bent his head down and lightly kissed her. "She's absolutely beautiful. Just like her mother."

Lightning Flash

The celebration that night went on until nearly morning. The birth of the first foal of a Pegasus and Earth Pony united the two races together. They were now bound together by both friendship and blood.

Starless was exhausted. She had never eaten so much before in her life. Walking along, closely by her side, was Ground as he held a burning torch out for her to see. Despite her constant assurances that she was fine, he refused to let her walk out to the cave alone. Starless decided not to complain about it and just enjoy her private time with him.

She had started living in the cave a few days before. It allowed her to stay close, while also keeping herself hidden from any Unicorns that might discover the settlement. Ground had closed off the cave mouth with a wood and stone wall to make it more livable as well as making it safer from any predators. Ducking through the door, Starless and Ground walked down a short passage to a spacious chamber further in. Using his torch, Ground lit the small fire pit that had been built in the center of the chamber.

Starless sat down and looked into the growing fire as Ground sat next to her. Leaning herself into his strong side, she sighed contently. She had managed to hold the new foal once during the night. She remembered the soft feeling of her against her chest as she cradled her tiny body. Her time with the filly was sweet but short as she was forced to pass her on. The soft scent of the filly's coat and the smell of milk on her breath made her yearn for one of her own.

Closing her eyes, she snuggled her cheek into Ground.

"Mother! Look!"

Starless looked over and smiled at her daughter. The filly had two gems whizzing around her as she held them in her magic. "Oh! That is wonderful! Soon you will be able to handle three at once."

“I can’t wait to show Father when he gets back!”

A whimpering complaint called her attention down. Held, cradled in her leg, was a tiny colt. An Earth Pony, just like his father. Smiling, Starless bent down to whisper soothingly to the colt as she kissed his forehead. He was such a troublesome little colt, just like his father. If he wasn't sleeping, he was nursing, and if he wasn't nursing, he was sleeping. And if he wasn't doing either of those, then there was a mess to clean up.

Suddenly, there was a flash, and part of the wall was blown in. Smiling, Unicorns, their horns lit with magic, stepped through. "Oh, there you are. We've been looking all over for you." Held in their magic, Ground's lifeless body was tossed to the dirt. "This one put up quite a fight and refused to talk. I'm afraid he had to be put down."

"No!" Starless scream in terrible grief. Summoning her magic, she hurled a bolt at the Unicorns, but it vanished with a crack as it hit their shield.

"Mother!" her daughter screamed as she was suddenly snatched up.

"No! Give her back!" Starless screamed, reaching out with her magic to grab her daughter.

Her magic was swatted away before it could reach her. The Unicorn examined her daughter before passing her back to another mare behind her. "This one is still useful."

Tears streamed down her face, Starless huddled herself protectively around her wailing colt. "No! Don't take my foals! Please, I beg you!"

Despite her frantic efforts to hold onto her son, they tore the wailing colt out of her hooves. Holding him up, the Unicorn examined him. With a sneer, she tossed him back to another mare. "Get rid of this disgusting thing."

Starless continued to desperately plead for the return of her foals as she crawled across the ground.

Ignoring her, the Unicorns turned and left, taking her foals with them. Coming to Ground's body, Starless wept as the last Unicorn looked down at her. "Pathetic." Her horn glowed brighter.

Weeping, Starless draped herself over her dead mate. Around her, the room flashed with a thunderous crack as she joined him in death.

"Starless, wake up!"

Starless screamed as she startled awake. "Give them back!" With her heart racing in her chest, she frantically kicked her hooves as she struggled to reach her foals.

"Starless, stop! You're dreaming!"

That voice! Turning, she found Ground struggling to hold her. He was alive! "Ground!" She flung herself into him so hard, she knocked him into the ground. Clinging to him, she wept into his coat. For a long time, Ground held her as she wept, murmuring soothingly into her ear as he nuzzled her neck.

"Please," Starless whispered. "Don't stop holding me."

"I'll never let you go," he assured her, continuing to hold her until she slowly slipped back to sleep.