Month 11: Week 3: Day 6

I can’t believe it…nearly a year since I first met Saki, a few more weeks, and it would be our one year mark of us being lovers. So much time had passed since me and here first met…all the things we’ve seen, and done. Really…truly, it doesn’t seem real, but oh, so it is. The last five months had been rather boring, compared to what I was used to. I was Captain for about a month, few more weeks even after the real Captain came home; he got caught with a sickness, and was confound to his bed for those weeks. It wasn’t all that bad ether; the guards grew a new type of respect for me. And even though they called me sir, because how I am second-in-command; they still salute every time I come by, as if I was still Captain. Speaking of which, being the Captain, it was rather easy. I mean…oh it’s rather hard to explain how it was for me; it just came to me.

And as I said, nothing really happened that was all that to recall or remember that much. Saki and me had a rather bad fight, for something really idiotic, so dumb in fact that I can’t even remember what it was that we fought about. Like any relationship, none is perfect. And we made up later that day, with us snuggling in front of the fireplace. Five months ago, on my birthday, when I found out that Cocoon had escape; I was for sure she would come to seek revenge on us, or attack Higher Wing once more. So far though…nothing. This worried me greatly, for I hated that o knew she was somewhere…lying in wait. It sent a chill down my spine just thinking of it. What if she was close, so close in fact I had seen her many times; and not even know it. No, there was no possibility. But still…that part of my mind, it was always thinking this, always wondering, what she would be planning.

Even after all this time as well, Princess Cadence said nothing of Saki true form, to anypony. I know she gave us her word, but still; I was worried. I mean, what if one day she just thinks that Saki is of a threat? Or any other sort of…no, I have to stop thinking of this, even more, with Saki laying on me now. And even more, true to my word, I still wore the necklace she gave me that once belonged to her.

We were lying on the sofa; me on my side, with Saki snuggled up to me, her back to my chest. I held her with one hoof, as we stared at nothing really, there was far too much light in the house to turn the fire on; and a little warm as well. Seeing how it was the start of summer now. I was enjoying my day off with her, seeing how this was the first in a rather long time. I didn’t have any plans today ether, nothing to do; the house clean and such. At times, and even now, Saki would lean up and nuzzle me under the chin, as I smiled and kissed her on the top of her muzzle; this causing her to let out a sort of purr as I did. “A full year,” she whispered softly as I looked down, knowing what she was meaning.

“Yes,” I answered. “A full year,”

“Lot of shit happened in that year then yes?” I chuckled and nodded slightly.

“I remember you claiming that you could kill me if you wanted to,”

“Glad that I couldn’t.” she answered as she then said. “So…what do you want to do today?”

“Not really sure,” I admitted. “I know we shouldn’t stay copped up in this place all day long.”

“Well…we could if we were going to do…” her hoof trailed downward my chest as I smiled and brushed it off.

“You had your morning, ‘meal’.” I teased her. “No more until after dinner.”

“Awwwww,” she faked whined. “But I’ve been a good little Changeling!” we both shared a laugh. It almost came like a game, an inside joke when we spoke of this. “And beside…I want to have sex many times…I want to have foals you know,”

“I know…but…” I sighed. “Do you think I would be a good father?”

Saki turned to face me, her blue eyes scanning my face as she then answered.

“No more then me being a good mother,” she answered. “Growing up, we didn’t have our real family taking care of us, for a while; yes. But not always. I had my Granny, and you, your adopted Mother. And well…we came out rather well, yes?” I had to agree on this as she then pointed out. “Beside, if we had a filly, I want to see if it’s true that fathers will keep the colts away from them as much as possible!” I smiled and shook my head slowly as I let out a half hearted chuckled at this.

“I thought you wanted Changeling foals though?” I answered as she looked up to me. “Are you…giving up on that? Seeing how we have been trying for a while now yes?” she sighed and nodded at this, before then saying.

“There is a reason why I truly wanted Changeling foals. It is because I am a Changeling…I want to raise children, in a way I know. My basic needs as a Changeling will guild me when caring for them. Basic mothering skill yes?” I then watched as she looked away. “However…if the only way for us to have a foal, is to me becoming a pony, as Cloud Dasher; then I will do it…might suck at being a mother to a pony that only has the body of a pony.”

“I’m sure,” I answered rubbing the side of her face with my hoof. “In your own way, you will be a fine mother, no matter what.” I then rubbed my nose on her. “And beside…not like your going to teach them sex right off the back right?”

“Well…”

“Right?” I put more force into it as she grinned at me.

“It’s just basic Changeling…”

“I know, I know,” I answered. “You are taught rather young, blah, blah…but still; don’t you think our love for the youngling will be enough to have UNTIL they are old enough to fully understand sex?”

“Yes, I guess you are right.”

“I am,” I spoke. “I mean…think of what it would be like if we had small children going around trying to have sex with anypony…and they are like twice or three times their age! Think as a pony for a moment; how do you think that would look?” she made a soft whining sound as I asked her this, her ears folded back on her head as she clearly was thinking this through. “I wont say I understand how you must feel, trying to teach any foals we might have, if they are ether Changeling looking or not. But I was raised as a pony, not as a Changeling; so I won’t understand at all.”
“I…I know,” she answered. “But still…”

“I know, I know,” I rubbed her head, pulling her over to my chest as we cuddled a bit more.

After some time, we decided to go out for dinner, sure it was rather early, but I didn’t really care at all. After cleaning myself up a bit, and for once in a while, combing my mane a bit; I was ready to go. Saki, now as Cloud Dasher, was also ready as she led us toward Canterlot. As we entered the middle of the grand city, I noticed much of the guards seemed on…edge; it was very unlikely for them to act like this. Did something come to them, to make them as such…what if…no…no, no, don’t think like that. I am off duty, and if it truly was important, I would’ve been called. Saki stopped at a local indoor/outdoor dinner. It looked to be slow, giving us a good seat inside, away from the rays of the sun.

The inside was rather classy, you know, white tables, candle light on the top, forks and plates…you get it. The sound of soft soothing music filled the air, a cello player was here, her coat slightly grew to me, her hair kept neat…Octavia I believe her name was. I watched as her eyes half opened, as she played her music, she saw me and gave a small nod, to which I returned back with a nod of my own. I’m sure Saki hadn’t been in a place such as this, we didn’t really eat out that much anyway. I knew this for the way she looked around. “Good afternoon you two,” I looked over to see a fully black earth pony standing before us; he wore a white tux, that covered his cutie mark as well. “A table for two?”

“Yes please,” I answered as the waiter looked to me.

“Ah, the second in command of the guards, wonderful for you to come here; please, follow me!” Saki and I followed after him as he placed us at a round table, small enough for us as he left to return with some menus. “May I offer you two anything to drink?”

“Wine?” Saki asked looking to me as I smiled and nodded.

“Wine it is, shall I bring the bottle?”

“No,” I answered. “We’re not big drinkers, just the glass is fine,” he nodded and started to walk backwards.

“Very good sir, two glasses of wine coming up!” and then, he was gone.

I started to flip through the menu, looking to what to eat, the salad looked good, as well as the pasta…hrm…maybe both; I am rather hungry. “The guards look uptight today,” I looked over to Saki as I made a ‘hrm?’ sound at her as she leaned over to whisper. “I…I feel their worry…”

“You…what?”

“Remember, Changelings can feel other feelings at times, it’s how we know we are doing something right with the ponies we choose to stay with for their love. But anyway,” she waved her hoof at me. “They are worried about something…I think their looking for something,”

“Or somepony…” I answered as I thought. “Don’t worry about it Saki,” I answered looking at her. “It’s no doubt nothing that bad; I mean…you think I would’ve been called if it was?”

“Hrm…true…but do you think that Cadence…”

“No, of course not!” I whispered to her as I noticed the waiter return, placing the glasses on the table, one before me; and her.

“Have you deiced on what to have?”

“I’ll take the salad please,” Saki answered as I responded for the pasta. After he write down the order, promising that they will be done shortly; me and Saki returned to speaking.

“Saki, you have done nothing wrong for the year you’ve been with me. If that was not the case, I think you’ve already been in a cell by now yes?” I saw her nod slightly at this as I held her hoof in my own as I whispered. “Beside…if they ever did come for you, they would have to go through me first,”

“You mean it?”

“I do,” I smiled and kissed her hoof. “Now, no more worrying, that’s my job.” She nodded her head once more as we took our glasses, making a small toast with no words; we touched glasses, and started to drink.

The food came a little after that, me and Saki, enjoying our meal, as we made small talk, about the future and what it might hold for us. We planed on moving in the coming weeks, as I had told the princesses of my relocation. With their help, they were going to pay movers for us to be taken to our new home. A load off my mind…I rather didn’t want to deal with paying so many bits on a moving job. Last one cost me a bit much, and I rather not spend all my bits for an ‘extra careful’ tax…should already be careful in the first place! Ether way, after we ate and I paid for the bill, as well as the tip. As we left, I rubbed my belly slightly, feeling rather full of the pasta I ate as me and Saki made our way home. We spoke little, not much to speak of…when I noticed something in the distant. There were ten guards outside our home, not including the Captain that I could see, who was now banging on the door. I turned to Saki, as she looked to me, I could see some fear in her eyes, but there was nothing to worry about…right?

As we grew near, I saw one of the guards look back at me, before clearing his throat, making the rest turn to face us, as well as the Captain, who pushed through to stand before them. “Captain,” I answered giving my salute. “What brings you here today?” he said nothing at first, looking slightly…grim, I notice his eyes drift to Saki; who was now close to my side.

“There had been some late night…activates going on,” he answered softly as he looked back to me. “Many of the ponies of Canterlot, claimed to have seen a Changeling coming around, causing much damage…there was no proof of this, until we found a unicorn in bad shape.” I cringed at this, fighting myself to look at Saki, no; she couldn’t have done this! “The unicorn said that he saw that it was a Changeling, when he was release of the spell, he tried to fight back; and was sent to a hospital, because of said fight.”

“Is he...?”

“He’ll live,” he answered. “But, with his eye witness…he said one other thing.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “Lighting, the Changeling…came this way, always has the last few nights.” I made a small grunting sound as Saki moved closer; I held a arm over her back to hodl her close as the Captain took a step forward. “In light of this…I must ask that, she comes with us. The Princesses had found a spell that will show if a Changeling is in form.”

“Cloud Dasher is no Changeling,” I answered plainly.

“Had you noticed any change in her,”

“She is no Changeling!” I forced out more.

“She could have you under her spell right now,” he answered as he waved his hoof, I watched as each of the guards drew their weapons. “Don’t make this harder then it already is,”

“Then lower your weapons and leave,” I glared hard. “We are not going anywhere, for we have nothing to hide!”

“Don’t make me order you to stand down!”

“I won’t follow the order!” I screamed. “Get out of here now!” I saw him close his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Last chance…both of you give up peacefully…or I’ll have to use force.”

“Light…” I heard Saki whisper as I looked back at her.

“Saki…run,” I whispered back at her as she looked up at me, I looked back at her and nodded. “Just…run!” I saw her not move for a bit before I then pushed her roughly that she stumbled. “Now!” that caused her to move, she opened her wings to fly off; I heard the order given by the captain as the guards went off.

Using my magic, I grabbed one of the guards and flung him to a few others, grounded them to the ground hard. I jumped, grabbing another one, and throwing him to the ground as well. A few flew past me, but I knew Saki was a good enough flier to get away from them. “Restrain him!” I heard the Captain order as I felt hooves all over me, trying to hold me down. I shook in rage as I tried to shake them off, to no avail. I kept rocking my body, hoping to get them off, but soon, I grew too tried. “I am sorry Lighting…truly I am,” The Captain stood before me. “But she has you under her control…she is using you!”

“No she isn’t!” I growled as he looked down.

“Denied it all you wish but…”

“Sir…” one of them spoke out. “He…his eyes isn’t like a pony that is under their control, look!” I watched as the Captain knelt down to look at me, and his eyes also grew wide as I gave a weak half like smile.

“I was never under her spell Captain…”

“Then you…you were hoarding a Changeling all this time?!”

“Hoarding her…no,” I answered him as I looked away. “Why would I hoard my mare-friend?”

“Captain!” I looked over, eyes widened as I saw that the three that passed me, had gotten Saki, her wings were closed shut…but that was not all…she was in full Changeling form. “We got the Changeling!”

“Release her!” I screamed out, trashing as I tried to get the ones off me.

“Hold him steady!” I heard the Captain call out as he looked between me and Saki. “Bring them both to the dungeon! I need to speak to the Princesses about this!”

(****************************)

And that was it…I closed the book, my story done at last, there were still many pages left in the book given to me by the sun princess…but even so, I would just be repeating what had happened now. I did open it later on, jotting down my meeting with her after a few hours in the cell, and also what had happened a little after that when me and Saki were reunited; but other then that…it was over. I looked outside as I closed the book…Saki sleeping beside me as I watched as the sun slowly rose over the hills of Equestria, the rays slowly flowing into the room that was our prison. After a while, I heard the clattering of keys being used, this causing Saki to slightly stir as she woke up. “What’s…what’s going on?” I said nothing at first, as the door swung open, showing four guards, fully armored, and also armed.

“Judgment day,” I whispered as the four walked in…followed by the Captain.

I had not seen him since he came to our home to take, at first Saki away, and then both of us. I do not blame him…he was just doing his job; but still… we said nothing as we stared, before he looked away. “I want to know why,” he spoke looking at me. “Why did you do this? Stand by the Changeling like you are…you might be put to death because of this! The Changelings were exiled! They attacked Canterlot, and their Queen took control of Shining Armor, and yet; here you are, staying beside this…this…monster?!”

“Do you love your wife?” I saw him slightly flinch at this question, having found out a while ago he was a married stallion. “Answer mine and I’ll answer yours.”

“I…I do yes,” he answered with a nod.

“And if somepony were to take her away…just because she was an earth pony, because she was different. If she was to be trailed; what would you do?” I watched as he said nothing to me, but bow his head slowly. “Then you have your answer Captain…I understand what you might think of me…a pony staying by the side of a Changeling. But, to me, Saki is not a Changeling; she is the mare I love. And if we are to meet our doom today, because I love her, and she me; then at least we can meet it together. And at least I can say, without the doubt in mind; that I am being true to myself.” I then leaned closer, until our noses were barely touching. “And truthfully…who is the monster here, when one is judged by how others look?”

“Sir…” I looked behind him, seeing an extra guard come in with hoof cuffs with chains, to make it impossible for us to run if placed on. “Shall I cuff them?”

“No,” he answered. “They will not run, will you?”

“We’ve no reason to, do we Saki?”

“None…at all,” she answered my question standing before me. He looked between the two of us, before turning his back to us.
“You four, surround them, box them in.” at once, the four ponies came in, two in front, two in back. “Follow, now!” with him taking the lead, we walked, boxed in by the guard ponies I use to work along side.

Saki walked next to me, her side brushing along my own as I felt her shiver slightly. I knew she was scared, and though I looked like I wasn’t…I was. But not for myself…no, if I could, I would give my life to see her free. They could do whatever they wanted of me, they could and I wouldn’t care! So long as Saki lived…I would be happy. “This…is it,” she whispered as I looked down. We were walking down the long hallway, which would take us to the throne room. Even now, I could hear the clamors of voices, seems there would be a crowd. For what, to make a statement as to what we are as wrong? It didn’t matter; they could go burn in hell for all I cared. “It’s…it’s time…”
“Yes,” I whispered back to her as she looked up to me.
“We may be truly walking to our dooms.”
“But we walk it together.” I answered her as she nodded back to me. Stopping before the great heavy doors, I heard her whisper.

“I…I love you so much…and I have no regrets.”

“I love you as well Saki,” I looked to her, noticing that she…she was crying a bit as I wiped her tears away. “And I too…have no rerates.” And just like that….the mighty doors slowly opened as I turned, as me and Saki, walked side by side, into the room.