He had been placed there and given no instructions. That was just as well, as he was very unlikely to understand them. He was even less likely to follow them.

But he could see somepony else there. She was brightly colored, in dazzling pinks and other soft shades. She had wings and a horn and a swishy tail as she crawled about on her own tasks.

He did not know those tasks, but he wanted to, so he crawled towards her, even if he wasn't as fast as her. So young, just a little time made a lot of difference in their abilities.

Their parents watched with smiles as Midnight and Flurry came closer on their own. None of them interrupted, hoping things would go well without prodding.

Flurry noticed the dark little colt approaching her. As dim as their pelt was, their eyes were bright and keen on her. She sat on her haunches and babbled a few non-words.

He replied with a few of his own, reaching her. He swatted at her with a hoof, and she snuffled along his side. The explorations had begun, and neither was crying.

Flurry Heart chirped curiously as she circled the smaller dark foal, sniffing him from ears to tail. Midnight gazed back with wide crimson eyes, entranced by her rainbow mane and the way it seemed to float with a life of its own.

When she paused to tweak his ear experimentally, he responded by grabbing a tiny fistful of her colorful locks. Flurry squealed in surprise, then delight, as Midnight clung on tightly when she tried shuffling away. Soon they were embroiled in an impromptu game of tug-and-war, both giggling madly.

Watching from the sidelines, Umbra, Cadance and Shining exchanged relieved smiles. "They seem to be hitting it off splendidly," Cadance murmured, leaning into Shining's sturdy frame. Though the tykes came from vastly different worlds, perhaps childhood's language could build a bridge beyond words.

As the minutes passed in happy play, any lingering tension melted away. When at last the foals separated, panting from their rambunctious antics, Cadance extended a glittering wing to draw them close once more.

"I think little Midnight needs a diaper change," she pronounced after gently sniffing his bottom. "Why don't you both come with Auntie Cadance and we'll get you all nice and clean?"

She swept up the pair of foals and, with a playful flutter of feathers to tickle their bellies, carried them off towards the nursery. Their musical laughter trailed behind like a blessing.

"They really are something, aren't they?" Shining murmured, pride and hope shining in his blue eyes equally.

Umbra simply leaned into his sturdy side, too overwhelmed for words. Somehow in the innocent play of children too young to grasp prejudice, she could envision the bright future they all had sacrificed so much to cultivate. A realm for all creatures, where darkened pasts melted away before friendship's dawning light.

"Hm. I feel like I channeled a little Anik in my head." Umbra shook hers, as if to clear it. "Getting poetic."

Shining kept an ear on Umbra. "Where is he?"

"Eagerly pursuing this new life of his." Umbra considered with a frown. "He's just as new to pony life as I'd been, but he hit it like a dolphin to water. I'm almost jealous, almost..."

Shining gently pushed against her on the way past. "Don't be. He loves you a lot, and you know it. I should get back to work, family funtime has limits."

Umbra sighed. "Too true... I'll keep an eye on them."

"Roger that." Shining trotted from the room, running into a guard that then accompanied them off to other business.

Umbra watched Shining depart with his dutiful guardspony, a small wistful part of her wishing she could join him. How long had it been since they had patrolled the glittering streets side-by-side? Those had been trying times, come to think, but, danger long past, she felt nostalgic for them.

She could hardly begrudge his capable leadership keeping their empire safe, any more than she regretted their family growing to encompass all creatures drawn to their light. This was simply life's flow - the changing of seasons that saw relationships and roles transform as new buds bloomed.

She turned her gaze back to the foals where Cadance was expertly changing Midnight's diaper, her nurturing aura radiating. With a smile Umbra stepped forward to gently run a hoof over Flurry Heart's gossamer mane. The filly trilled happily, reminding Umbra of bygone days when she was holding another infant, a world away.

"They grow up so fast," Cadance murmured wistfully, as if sensing Umbra's thoughts. "So we must cherish each moment while we can." Love and longing shone equally in her violet eyes.

On impulse, Umbra drew the surprised princess into a fierce nuzzle. Cadance stiffened, then relaxed, returning the sudden embrace.

No further words were needed. For as surely as the sun must set with each cycle, they all orbited around the same bright purpose - nurturing the innocent hearts placed in their care, that one day they might cultivate gardens of their own making.

"You look poetic."

Umbra flinched back and burst into rough laughter, the sort she usually had. "How did you know?! I just feel poetic today..."

Cadance set Midnight down, so their games with Flurry could resume. "Good job, by the way. I hear the yaks are now friends with both the tsuki and the umbrum, and we hadn't even planned on that second one."

Umbra snickered as she sank to her haunches, watching the foals. "The tsuki and the yaks are pretty similar. As soon as we got them focused on that, they loved each other. Both are ready to smash in their different ways."

Cadance winced even as she laughed. "Don't put it that way. I don't need a smashing competition breaking out, even if they're smiling while they do it."

Flurry knocked Midnight over, rolling them onto their back and pinning them down like a wrestling move, though it was more like she flopped on him. It was just as certain, considering his wriggles were not powerful enough to get her off.

Umbra was about to intercede when Midnight defended themself, a ball of dark with streaks of light exploding from them for several inches, shoving a surprised Flurry back.

Midnight sat up and cooed. Was he happy, or hadn't even noticed what happened? Either way, the play resumed.

"Well, that's...something," she managed, shaking off her surprise. Of course Midnight would inherit umbrum talents from his mother's bloodline. Still, witnessing such innate power manifest so early was startling.

She studied Umbra's face for her reaction. But the princess appeared more proudly fascinated than concerned. Trust this family to take such arcane abilities in gleeful stride!

"I suppose we shall have to foal-proof the palace against wayward shadow bolts once Midnight starts tottering about," Cadance chuckled. Then her expression grew thoughtful.

"Although...perhaps in time he could be nurtured as a unifier of sorts - a bridge between creatures of darkness and those accustomed only to light." She nodded toward the playing infants where Flurry was now attempting to grab Midnight's swishing tail.

"It seems our children's complementary gifts could one day see them reign side-by-side just as we have done," Cadance mused.

Umbra snorted softly. "You're acting like little Flurry there never made trouble with her magic. Last I hear, her magic surges are the things of legend."

Cadance darkened, called out like that. "True... True... That is one crystal house perhaps I shouldn't be throwing rocks from." She snorted as she settled beside the foals. "I'm happy, not complaining, promise. These two are just so adorable..."

"Agreed." Umbra's horn glowed as she picked up Flurry, bringing the little bright child towards her to nuzzle in a quiet moment. "Now... little Midnight is your child too, don't forget... Literally... Will he inherit any love magic? Will Flurry?"

Cadance shook her head. "I don't think it works that way exactly. They could... but there's no promise of that. They'll learn what magic feels right to them. They are a light pony, like most ponies, so something light is very likely."

Umbra swapped foals, putting Flurry down and snatching Midnight up for nuzzles. "And this one is at least half dark, so they could end up drawn to almost anything, and I'm here for that. Will you be a wizard, like me? I'd really like that... Show me up some day with all kinds of magic..."

Cadance smiled tenderly as Umbra doted on little Midnight, imagining all the magical milestones that likely awaited them. Though his heritage was a tapestry of shadow and light, destiny had a way of weaving one's passions to purpose in unexpected yet beautiful ways.

"I have a hunch Midnight may take after you more than you realize," Cadance replied thoughtfully. "Not just following your hoofprints into advanced magic...but also walking the precarious line between darkness and light as a bridge between mismatched souls."

She reached out a gentle hoof to stroke Midnight's downy cheek. "One who stands with a foot planted firmly in each world can speak the language of both...and translate it into understanding where once lay only fear or mistrust on either side."

Her gaze shimmered with memory and hope as it took in mother and child. "Just as you opened my eyes to the depths behind the umbrum's frightening facade...perhaps our little prince shall one day help enlighten creatures about the wonders coiled within his shadowed heart."

She gave Midnight's round belly an affectionate tickle, eliciting a bubbly giggle. "Not to mention teaching his Crystal Empire family a thing or two about umbrum culture so we stop putting our hooves in our mouths!"

Cadance laughed brightly. "Can you picture me trying to make small talk with Witching Hour over tea and scones? 'Why yes, do tell me more about the finer points of harvesting pony nightmares! Fascinating...'"

She shook her head, still chuckling. "We have much to discover from each other...and I have faith Midnight will light our way, darkness and all."

Umbra broke into a laugh from deep in her belly. "Oh, that would be rich... Knowing Midnight, she'd give you a sermon about how to find out what a pony regrets most. There's an art to it, I'm sure..." She sat up. "Good news, related to her. she's getting along with the tsuki nicely. I think she loves them loving her. Even if she's not much for 'soft stuff', I think she's liking being buried in adoring rabbit."

Cadance hummed thoughtfully. "She came with you, I was told? To the yaks?"

"She fought in the big battle... She availed herself to the yaks and the tsuki. Everyone was happy." Umbra tapped at her chin. "A good day, if you ask me."

"I should imagine." Cadance rose to her hooves, stepping out of the play area. "But maybe she's happy, a little, because she's learned the tsuki can fight, and they learned she can too. Maybe they're even wrestling, right now."

Umbra pictured the stern-faced Witching rolling around enthusiastically with a gaggle of overly-affectionate tsuki. She almost snorted at the absurdity...until she recalled witnessing that very sight at the peace celebrations in Yakyakistan. Apparently even fearsome umbrum weren't immune to the tsukis' fluffy charms for long.

"I do believe you've hit the nail on the head," Umbra chuckled. "Under all that prickly posturing, I suspect my dear sister-in-law quite enjoys feeling like the popular guest of honor for once instead of a lurking nuisance barely tolerated."

Her smile softened. "We all crave feeling wanted, darkness-dwellers perhaps most of all. Knowing someone delights in your company even forearmed with your worst self...that is soul magic more potent than any spell."

Glancing back at Midnight sending Flurry Heart into fits of giggles with his silly faces, her heart swelled anew. "Even better when the welcoming arms that find value in you belong to kin - whether tied by blood or choice."

Perhaps she owed the tsuki yet greater thanks for so guilelessly embracing the outcasts of her kind. But seeing Witching and even Morning slowly thaw day by day was the greatest gift of all.

"If only Sombra too had found a light gentle enough to illuminate rather than burn when he gazed within." Umbra sighed heavily. "Instead, he chose to see affection's offered hand as armed against him. I almost pity one who cannot distinguish overture from attack."

Cadance gazed out the window where a new spring's golden sun shone down equally on crystal towers, tight-knit cottages and shadowed umbral enclaves alike. "Change takes time...but seasons progress ever forward. Hearts once winter's desolate victims bloom the brightest when kissed by long-awaited warmth."

Umbra snorted a puff of shadow. "I see the poetry is spreading. You'd best get back to your throne before it becomes terminal."

A very chill episode here. 2/14. Think it's time to gently end this.

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