No Kill and Joy

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During that night, Luna and Chaser exited the bar and enjoyed a peaceful walk in the park under the beautiful starry sky only seen once in a blue moon.

Relaxed as can be, Chaser closed his eyes as he walked being graced in the presence of the moonlight as the cool night's wind flowed through his mane.

"Urhm, Chase? Not to be rude, but weren't you suppose to tell me something?" Luna questioned him as he was lost in the night breeze," It is alright if you wish not to speak of it."

Chaser opened his eyes in realization directing his attention to Luna and smiled," Heh, sorry but I got lost in the moment. And don't worry I kinda have been holding in this for a while." He then sighed releasing a breath he realized he was not holding.

" My mother's name was Star Blossom. There are many things to say about her, her stories, values and little details, both great and I am sorry to say, annoying that made her who she was. She never had powerful magic, or wings, what she possessed was an ability far greater. She had the magic to change for the better the life of everypony she knew, I never met another pony with that kind of ability yet and I probably never will. She just cared so much and worked so hard, always with a smile while at it, so simple and honest. It was impossible not to love her. And that’s how she lived, always surrounded by friends and family. Probably the best way to live life if you ask me, but sadly life is cruel as hers were short lived. It never really was how long you lived a life, I understand that today but yet, it was how you lived it."

Chaser then took a deep breath reminiscing about his mother.

Luna had seen the pain with what he was feeling thus she tried her best to comfort him pushing him through this difficult time.

" My father, an art Pegasus called Contrast Chaser from Manehattan met her in her grape farm, in a little town situated in the southern part of Equestria. There they shared a very sappy relationship, since he always called himself a romantic and my mother only played along which made both of them happy. They really did enjoy each other’s company though. they enjoyed it so much that sooner than later my mother was pregnant with me.

-------------------------------FlashBack--------------------------------

Star Blossom held Contrast's hoof as she endured the intense pain of labor. He continuously wiped the hair of her face dowsed in sweat caused by none other than the trials of childbirth.

" C'mon Blossom, breathe! You can make it, our son is almost there! Push! Push!" He shouted guiding his wife in a pain no other stallion could experience.

" HNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!" Star Blossom groaned trying her best to follow the orders.

After five hours of labor, one tiny foal emerged and soon wrapped in a blanket given to Contrast.

Only tears a father can have for his new born foal flowed down his cheeks as he watched the new born rest within his hooves," He... he's got your coat...Eyes too."

" May... May I please see him?" Blossom asked panting through her breaths, exhausted.

Contrast nodded and placed the clean foal by his wife," What shall we name him?"

Star looked down at the new born, smiling at the sight of something so innocent as she gently wiped the foal's face crying tears of joy and relief that the pain was over.

" Cloud... Cloud Chaser, is the name of our son."

The father nodded accepting the name kissing his wife on the cheek," It's time to get some rest." He wiped the hair off her face keeping back tears," You did a wonderful job love."

She smiled closing her eyes resting her head on a pillow," No Contrast... We did."

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Luna had not said a word allowing him to continue his story as they trotted through the night sky far away from the bar, the moon now in full view. Cloud engrossed in the moment, inhaled the night sky air and continued his speech.

" -- That’s when they decided to move to the city so that I would grow to be an educated business pony and earn lots of money, unlike them. You see, after leaving the farm, my mother became a teacher while my dad, an artist. Neither of them earned much, and they just wanted the best for me. This is usually achieved through earning huge amounts of bits. If I could only show you their faces when they began to notice my interest in art, it was hilarious."

-------------------------------FlashBack--------------------------------

" Mommy! Daddy! Look!" Cloud Chaser said galloping as fast his tiny legs could have holding a picture within his mouth.

The father stared at the painting with a slight confused expression only to be cleared up by one line.

" What's wrong Pa? Aren't you happy? I want to be an artist just like you !" Cloud said jumping up and down excited waiting for a sign of approval.

Soon, Star Blossom smiled sheepishly as she walked in and looked at Cloud Chaser's painting. She shook her head, quickly changing the expression to one of over joy encouraging her son," Dear Celestia! You drew that?! My son is going to become such a wonderful artist some day!"

Cloud Chaser face was filled with glee hearing those words come from his mother as he rushed upstairs into his room to draw and create more art.

Meanwhile downstairs, mainly the dad was arguing keeping it to a minimum not wanting to alert their son.

" How is he suppose to get a life if he becomes an artist! He is suppose to become a business pony and live the good life that he deserves! We are barely surviving on our own!"

Blossom looked down at her hooves as she spoke standing up for her son," We do not control his life! He becomes what he wishes to become and if he is happy doing it then at least we should too!"

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" Little did they know, I was listening in onto their conversation from the stairs. Obviously I was conflicted with emotions, my father who wanted me to have the good life and my mother who wanted me to enjoy life.... It is not the same."

" That must have been hard for you to choose... but are you happy with the choice you've made?" Luna curiously asked him.

" Of course! I would never change what has happened in my life so far... I am happy as I can be...." Both Luna and Chaser starred at each other being distracted by one's sight. Chaser soon snapped out of it and remembered about his little story.

" *Ahem* Anyways, I grew up watching her do her magic, teaching foals in the school to be better ponies as she taught me how to be a gentlecolt as well as teaching my father not to leave his mess all over the house. Throughout her time, she cleaned, cooked and did many more chores as my father was kind of a domestic bum which had annoyed me a lot. He could have helped her a lot more so she could have more time to herself. So, I took the responsibility of what he could not fill becoming her helper around the house.

She always told me stories of her life in the farm while we did domestic chores, how after a long day of hard work she liked to rest looking at the stars and the night sky. It was her favorite sight in the world. She used to tell me that Celestia’s sun was necessary to grow the food that nourished all the land, but Luna’s starry night was there to feed our souls and inspire us, the greatest sight in the world. This scenery was the same to be shared among the rich and the poor, the talented and the clumsy, showing us everyday how beautiful life is and a gift not to be wasted.

As time passed, the city began to grow and little by little was covered with lights and magic. Truly, it was an incredible sight an to behold. For the most part, these advancements made the life of everypony easier, but it also took away the nightsky hundreds of stars at a time. The only thing you could see at night was the lonely moon forever it was seen as all the stars were gone, concealed in a mantle of artificial lights. She told me how much she wanted to see the stars again and I promised her that I would become a successful pony so I could take her to the farm again, so she could watch the night again.

-------------------------------FlashBack--------------------------------

Star Blossom sighed gazing at the moon floating alone in the vast sea of darkness where it previously was accompanied by millions of small diamonds which would paint the night sky as a canvas for Equestria to ponder and lose itself within the beauty.

" Mommy what's wrong?" Cloud Chaser asked sensing that his mother felt a bit disturbed.

She had never hid her true feelings to her one and only son.

" I miss the night sky how beautiful it was. All we could see is the moon alone with no more of it's twinkling friends. I feel sorry for it," Star Blossom expressed herself.

Emotions from Blossom transferred to Cloud Chaser looking down at his hooves as he hated to see the sight of his mother depressed.

" How did it lose all of its friends?"

She took notice of his saddened expression and explained it in a more soft and understanding way," Don't be sad Cloud, they aren't really gone. You are a smart colt..... They are not hiding from the moon, they are being hidden from us."

" Why would they hide from us? We did nothing wrong."

" It is the city lights that contest the stars for the night sky.... Don't feel sad though, they are always there, always watching down at us." Star Blossom smiled down at her son which in turn made his face beam with glee.

She then watched at the clock realizing it was time for his bed," It's time to go to bed Cloud, no pony likes to be grumpy when the sun arrives."

Cloud aw'd as it was his curfew but then an idea merged in his tiny head.

" Mommy, can I watch the night sky with you?"

She looked shocked at him and silently nodded.

The colt then rushed up to his mother's legs both enjoying the view of the night sky together.

" Mommy?"

" Yes?"

" The moon itself is beautiful like you, I can't wait to see the rest of sky."

Star Blossom bent down to her son's height and nuzzled him sharing a quiet moment undisturbed by not one sound.

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" My word, I never knew how ponies enjoyed the sight of my moon.... But it is true, the lights of Manehattan and TrottingHam has blocked out my stars only leaving the lunar."

" It is truly a sad sight, to see something so amazingly beautiful outshone by another so fake and meager."

Luna bent her head down hiding her blush realizing what he had said which was truly meant for her," May you please continue with your story?"

" I would be delighted my dear Luna."

Chaser coughed clearing his throat as he spoke the next part of his life.

" It was around that time when she had gotten sick. The doctors didn’t know what she had but she was deteriorating dangerously fast, they decided to be honest with us and said she didn’t had much time. I couldn’t believe it, why somepony like my mother would get sick like that, it seemed so unfair, I was too young to understand so I got filled with rage, at the doctors, at my father, at everything I thought could help my mother but didn't.I remember getting in a lot of trouble those days, but it was my mother that putted and end to it."

-------------------------------FlashBack--------------------------------

" Cloud, it is not the doctor's fault, it is no pony's fault," said Blossom as she laid in her hospital bed.

" THIS IS UNFAIR! I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO, WHY MUST YOU LEAVE DAD AND I! DON'T YOU LOVE US?!" Shouted Cloud as tears flowed while in the heat of the moment. He only had let his emotions controlled him as he was young and only expressed them in the easiest way possible.

Sad Music

He stopped his little tantrum as he saw mother cried for the first time in life, allowing herself to let herself go in front of her son.

" I'm....I'm sorry mom..I didn't mean to--"

" Shh, it's okay," Star Blossom said easily forgiving him," Just come here for a while... I would like you to understand something, very important."

Cloud Chaser trotted slowly as each step seemed heavier and heavier but he had finally made it. Blossom wiped the tear from his cheek and brushed his mane slowly just like the very first day they had met, mother to son.

" Not even Celestia can control life or death, it is simply a part of life and we do not decide when our time comes to go...." She continued brushing his mane as she spoke, hoping that Cloud had understood,".... It is not how long a pony has lived but it is who they live it with and how they do such...."

Silently, Chaser nodded his head showing that he had understood.

" No matter what any pony may say or do, I will always know that my life was filled with blessings.... May it be with your father at my side... May it be my son who is here sharing this moment with me.... I wish not to change anything in my life because everything I had done, always was for you... Cloud..."

Cloud was now crying into his Star Blossom's hooves and chest releasing every last bit of tear that he had embracing his only and special mother.

" Shhh... Cloud... Don't cry.... I want to let you know that I have always been proud with every decision you make and I will forever be proud of my son.... No matter how far we are apart, I will always protect and watch my son...."

She inhaled a deep breath showing her moment of weakness choking on a few tears herself.

" Do not let any pony, and I mean any.... Tell you what to do or what to become... I know you will become a great stallion, no matter how much you earn or how you live.... As well as a great artist."

Cloud then remembered that night hearing his parent's argue. He opened his eyes in realization now knowing that his mom knew from all along. All Star Blossom could have done was smile, using up her well needed energy to give her son that one upbringing moment in his life.

" Knowing that my time is coming... I only have two regrets which I wish to share with my colt... Only two and nothing more... Not being able to see my Cloud grow up.... and not being able to see the night sky for one last time..."

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Luna watched Chaser as he had stopped in his tracks to wipe a few tears from the painful but yet lovely memories," You do not need to continue, if it pains you this much."

Chaser rubbed his eyes with a hoof looking at Luna," It's fine... I just really miss her...."

Luna nodded understanding. She had also understood that there was more to than missing her, how he had missed out most of his life without his mother, how he was not able to hug her or hold her again or to simply love or thank her... It was truly unfair, a mother was supposed to watch her children grow old and blossom before them not vice versa yet, life and death worked hand in hand cruel and unfair.

Chaser was given enough time to catch himself as Luna thought of how his life must have been.

" Shall we continue?" Chaser asked wanting to continue.

" ...Oh! Oh yes, if it is alright with you."

Chaser nodded silently and began," I couldn’t show her how I was going to grow up, but I could at least bring the night sky to her one last time....."

---------------------------- FlashBack-----------------------------------

That very night, Cloud was determined as he took the art supplies from his father’s shop, and flied for the first time in his life.

He chose a cloud, firm and sturdy, with it, he went as high as he could have beyond the lights of the city.

There for the first time, he saw the moon accompanied with the stars above him.

It was as his mother described, an endless canvas filled with lights and colors with the full moon centered being the main point of focus and attention.

There he worked all night long, trying to fill his own blank canvas with the scene his mother lusted and loved so much.

By morning, it was finished. Cloud Chaser then rushed to the hospital and in the room where his mom laid. He trotted up to her and silently nudged placing the canvas upon her. In the eyes of Cloud Chaser or any critic, it wasn't great as his artistic abilities were still developing.

But his mother's eyes lit up overjoyed knowing as she noticed how he had poured his heart and soul on each stroke. To her, it was perfect and no pony could have changed her mind.

Such a meaningful gift and forever a memorable moment, as not only did she watch and loved her son's amazing work but as well as for Cloud had gained his cutiemark designed with a pencil and wings representing his artistic creativity and ability  to soar greater lengths.

Not knowing that he had discovered his talent and calling for what he would be doing for the rest of his life. He had also brought her the nightsky she had wanted to see as well as the cutiemark  marking his his road to become a true stallion.

Star Blossom glanced at the painting and back to Cloud Chaser crying tears of joy as she said with her weakened voice still showing signs of life and happiness.

" Cloud... Thank you..."

" For what mom?"

She then pulled him in using most of her energy as it was now her turn to cry into the hooves of her son as they embraced may it be for the last moment.

" Cloud... You have grown so much within these years, all I could do is thank you..... Thank you for making my last moments happier even in this time of sorrow... I have no more regrets because of my beloved son and all I could do is thank you for relieving them from me.... I was able to see the night sky... Probably the best I have seen in years... and because of you... I was able to see my colt... My special Cloud Chaser become a stallion.... I am sorry that all I could do is thank you.... But because of you, I am able to move on with peace.... Maybe we have one final time for one more--"

Even through the speech of Star Blossom, the breaths she had taken may it have been from the sobs or just the will to get her last message to her son...... It had soon ended with one last...

"-- I love you."

With those final words, her life had been taken in peace with her regrets being able to pass on that final message to her son.

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Chaser trembled with sorrow as he remembered the scene too well," I-I didn’t want her to leave.....I was too young to understand that in her condition it was better for her to go.... rather than keep getting worse.... She was suffering."

" But because of you she left with no regrets and don't you think that it was important her last moments were only spent with you?"

"Never would I question that, they were and will forever be important to me... and her."

Luna grabbed and hugged Chaser comforting the poor stallion who had relived probably the most heart breaking moment of his life," Our parents are never truly gone... They will always look after and protect their children no matter what."

"It took me some time to learn that she would always be with me, was it through her teachings and her very life force that gave birth to me but I will always carry Star Blossom, my mother in my heart. I would always be greatful for what she taught me and how she devoted her life to make this world was a better place for everypony, no matter who it was."

Chaser directed his attention to Luna only now able to say what was held back.

"I always wanted to thank you Luna. For your night that inspired her allowing her to leave in peace without regret. It couldn’t have been done and I would have never gotten my cutiemark if it wasn’t for you. I owe you so much to you and I can’t say how much I thank and respect you."

Luna stood still as she thought of one way for him to repay," Don't say it then. Show me."

Luna then pulled in Chaser for one breath taking kiss under her beloved moonlight sharing a moment lasting forever in both eyes of the two newly founded lovers.

Only later then breaking the kiss did Princess Luna smile satisfied with her decision.

" I am sorry but I do have an art's class to attend tomorrow morning... I wish not to be late."

Chaser smiled at the midnight blue alicorn pulling her into a farewell hug for now.

Soon broken Princess Luna had offered to take Cloud back to the school.

He simply denied sitting down on the grass wanting to spend the rest of the night gazing at Luna's great canvas. She understood him perfectly and sat next to him watching what was Luna's art, Cloud's past and Star's favored scenery.

[ Author's note..... Okay, I fricking cried writing this one... honestly this background story was beautifully thought by the owner of the OC CloudChaser and I was happy to make this one written and recorded in Three Of Me ]

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