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Cocoon shot another blast of red magic at me, bringing my sword up, I batted it away as if it was a ball. The sound of it exploding at the nearby wall easily heard as dust came between us. This reminded me much of any story, when the hero is facing his foe. Eyes narrowed at each other, nothing being heard save for their labor breathing, the crackling of her magic filled the room as she took a step forward. I panted, slowly stepping backwards. She was strong, very strong, but only because of the love she was getting from the King. I remember Shining Armor telling me that even Chrysalis was stronger then Celestia herself because of the love he was giving her.

I knew I couldn't beat her like this, but she didn't know of the plan yet, how Saki and my father were busy trying to break the spell. Hopefully they could do it. Looking down at my sword, I noticed very think cracks along the edges when I had no choice but to block with it. I knew it wouldn't last long under this sort of strain. "You're a fool colt!" I heard her yell as she shot another blast at me, I glared and brought up a shield, grunting at the force of her attack as she held it for a few seconds, and released. "You think you can defeat a Changeling Queen, on your own?!"

"Only one way to find out," I muttered softly, she shot another blast causing me to yet out a yell as my shield broke, sending me rolling on the floor. I grunted as I saw I had lost my sword from the attack, looking around, I found her hoof on top of it, before she used her magic to lift it.

"Hrm, to die by your own blade, a poetic ironic way; don't you think?" I glared slightly as I brought my hoof-blade out, holding it forward, wincing slightly in pain. The fight had been going on for a short while, after shooting her the first time point blank, I gave her a few more attacks with the sword she now held, but her hind was much stronger then that of her subjects. So it didn't go too deep to wound her. "You still wish to fight?" she asked me as I grunted. "You are so head strong!"

"Maybe," I answered as I backed away more as she edged closer. "But let me tell you this, I don't care If you are truly stronger then me; I knew you were before I fought you." she only raised an eye ridge at what I was saying. "As I said, I don't care...I will keep attacking you Cocoon, I will keep pressing forward!"

Again, another stream of magic came to me as I brought my shield up to protect from it. My magic was waning as well, for I was growing weaker and weaker. But then...I felt it, her magic too was fading...then that must mean... I felt her attack stop as she seemed very confused. I knew she was tapping into the love of the King, how she did it from so far, I have no idea. "What is happening?" she gasped slightly as I grinned, slowly getting back to my full height. She looked to me and then glared. "You! You're doing something aren't you?!"

"I'm doing nothing Cocoon," I smiled softly. "Seems Saki and my father just cut you off!"

"What?! No, this can't be!" she screeched loudly as I looked around, shit, her subjects were here the whole time?! "Get to the cells!" she ordered. "Kill anypony there but the king!" I watched as they all flew down, I looked behind, I was right at the door, Cocoon's magic grabbed me and threw me away from it as I yelped in pain. But, before any of the Changelings could get to the door...

A loud explosion came, bursting the doors inward, the metal doors slamming into much of the crowd that was there. A cloud of smoke covered the now gapping hole, and as it settled, there he was, the King of Higher Wing.

He stood tall, his eyes, losing the red blank like look he had when I saw him last, now, a deep blue were easily seen. Beside him on ether side was my father, and Saki, who was closer to me. She turned and saw me and came running, I stood back up as she helped me. "Stupid fool," she muttered at me as I smiled.

"But your fool, hun," I reminded her as she only nodded.

"So," Cocoon spoke, as her Changeling subjects slowly stood back up, the ones that could I should say. "You have broken out of my spell?"

"Yes," I was slightly shocked. The last time I heard the Alicorn speak...he sounded meek in a way, scared, but this time; he sounded bold, strong. "With the help of these two Changelings, and the unicorn, they broke me free of your spell." Looking around, I couldn't even see Doc anywhere. "And now, without me to feed you; you are over?"

"Over, over?!" Cocoon laughed and looked to him once more. "Oh my dear 'husband', this is far from over. You forget, you are in no shape to fight, sure, you may have had enough power for that small boom show, but you are outnumbered!" I glared, she was right, even though the King was no longer under her spell for now, we were still outnumbered, and as much as I would like to keep my word of ripping her heart out...I just couldn't now! Just when I thought all was lost, I saw something, the window beside me and Saki, I saw a...air ship fly by, and not just any air ship ether; the one I and Saki came in with! Not ten seconds went by after I saw it, as the room was rocked by some sort of quake. We all struggled to stay afoot, until a cannon ball flew in from above, smashing right before Cocoon. She and the rest of her followers backed away as the ceiling above them broke away, three loud shots were heard as a shower of ropes flew down, the ends with sharp hooks as they dug into the hard floor.

The crew of the airship I grew to know as we flew slowly slid down as they stood in front of the king, and the rest of us that were not close to Cocoon, the last two that came down were the captain, and Doctor Love himself. "Sup all!" he cried turning to look at me. "Colt, Lighting," he tilted his head. "You look like hell," I grunted as I glared at him as the Captain turned to me.

"You okay foal?"

"W...what are you still doing here?"

"This one, Doctor Love as he calls himself," he pointed to the grinning zebra. "Came to us a few days back, just before we left, paid for us to stay and wait until he came to us to attack the castle. Filled us in on what was going on as we flew here!" he then turned to Cocoon and gave a smug smile. "So, fighting a Queen huh, I'm gonna want more payment then this pal,"

"That is if you live after this?" my friend remarked as Cocoon roared out.

"Enough of this!" she screamed. "You will all die here then, but you!" she turned to me and Saki. "Will be the first!" I watched as her horn glowed once more of magic, I gaped, ready to move out of the way, but my body wouldn't Saki even tried to help me but to no end. The magic shot out, looking like a spear of red light. I pushed myself in front of Saki, eyes closed, ready for the pain.

But it never came.

I looked down at Saki, her eyes closed, but opened up to see me looking at her, that's when I felt something drip onto my back. Slowly turning around, my eyes grew wide; Father had shielded me from the hit, and a bit of the magic spear was poking out of his back as he groaned. The magic disappearing as blood flowed from the wound as he fell on his side. "F...Father!" I yelled at to him as I crawled over to look at him. It went through his chest all right, the wound easily seen as I looked over at him. His eyes closed as Saki also came over, Doctor Love and even the King not too far behind. I didn't care that I could feel the eyes of the other ponies, seeing how I was calling a Changeling 'Father' and such. "F...Father!" I gasped softly pressing my hoof to stop the bleeding. He coughed once and opened his eyes.

"Good...you're safe."

"You...you damn idiot! Why?!" he gave a soft laugh as he leaned back.

"You are my son," he answered softly, his voice wheezing slightly. "I...I couldn't keep you safe when you were but a colt...now, at least now I could..."

"He is wounded badly," the King spoke softly as he watched the Changeling. "He may be saved...but he needs to be treated soon. You there, Doctor Love, do you know any basic healing magic?"

"S...Some," he answered looking up. "Not the best."

"It's all we have; I shall help as well with what little power I have left." He then looked to me as I looked down. "He may not live, but there is still a chance." I clutched my teeth and stood up, gripping my sword tightly as I shook with rage.

"Do all you can," I whispered as I turned back to look at Cocoon, a smug look on her face as I made my way over. I heard Saki call out to me, but I did not paid her any heed.

Pushing past the crew of the airship, I started to move faster toward Cocoon, some of her guards attacked at me, I would use my sword or own magic to strike them down as if they were nothing. My anger clouding me as she backed away. The others that could fight came with me; they dealt with the other Changelings. She had backed up to the broken throne, behind and above her, a stain glass of sorts. She gave me a smile as she went on to taunt me. "Oh, still got some fight left, even after all this?" she chuckled as I at last snapped. Screaming, I ran toward her and tackled her head on, she struggled and tried to hit me back, but the tackle forced us both through the glass as we fell outside the castle walls.

Pushing myself away from her, I used my magic to slowly float safety on the ground; she hovered a bit, ready for anything as we were fighting once more. I got hit, yes, but I felt no pain, shrugging it off, my anger masking my pain as I screamed, hacking and slashing at her like a mad stallion. Our blood stained the ground as she pushed me away, flying down low and straight at me, I waited...and waited, until I ducked and brought my sword in an overhead swing. She screamed in pain as I got one of her wings, blood coming out more and more as she fell, screaming on the ground in utter pain; her now useless wing, twitching just like her. I walked up to her, watching her struggle, her eyes wide in shock as I brought the sword up and slashed at her horn, it was harder then I thought, because once I hit it, not only did it break, but so did my sword. It shattered, the hilt still standing and also a bit of the blade, making it look more like a small dagger now. she wailed, I knew she couldn't feel pain from he horn coming off, but I knew, if a horn was broken, it would take a year for it to grow back, and even more to refocus that she once wield.

She looked up to me, her eyes pleading for me to stop. "P...please mercy!"

"Mercy...MERCY?!" I kicked her as hard as I could, sending her rolling on her side. "Did you give my mother mercy?! All the ponies you allowed to die?! Or even my father, no..." I flipped her onto her back, using what little magic I had left to bind her down by her limps. She struggled but could do nothing as I stood over her, my broken sword pointed downward at the ready. "You will not get mercy from me!"

"Lighting! Stop!" I looked up, Saki slowly coming down from where I had thrown myself and Cocoon out from. I was seeing red from all the anger I had boiled in me.

"Saki, stay out of this!" I screamed looking back down, about to bring the blade down.

"Lighting stop, just...just stop for one moment!" I only glared at Cocoon as she shook with fear, yes, fear, she knows what it feel like now. "This is not the way for this,"

"Now the way?!" I screamed. "She killed many Saki; she killed my mother, and maybe evens my father!" I looked down at her. "She has to die, she has to!"

"If you kill her, it's an easy way out!" I looked up at her as she spoke, walking closer to me. "Let the king deal with her, lock her up somewhere for the rest of her life! You told me once, you only killed if you had to...this is kill for revenge,"

"So what?" I answered as I kept my eyes one Cocoon. "She...she has to die!" I shook, trying to keep my emotions from spilling over. "She...she has to..." I felt Saki hoof on my side, I looked over, closing my eyes for a moment before back at Cocoon. I shoved Saki away quickly, raising my sword over my head again and screamed. Saki screamed, Cocoon screamed as I brought the blade down hard.

...

...

...

I released the hilt, it was sticking out from the ground, right next to Cocoon's face, the Changeling Queen gasping loudly, so close I had missed her, that a thin line of where my blade did hit her cheek. I kept my hold of the magic, and walked away from her unmovable body as Saki let me be. I walked not two steps before falling over, the high of the fight leaving me, my body aching, my mind numbed, as I fell to the spell of sleep.

When I awoken, I was in a room, beds lined up all beside me and on the other side of the room, they were mostly empty, because there were some cretins covering them, knowing that somepony was using said bed. I sighed softly, and looked around slowly, to see Saki, in her true form sitting in a bed next to me, watching me. "Saki?" I asked in confusion. "Why are you in your true form? What if somepony sees you?!" I whispered harshly as she smiled and hopped over to my bed.

"Good morning to you as well," she answered me as she gave me a soft kiss on the nose. "And don't worry its fine."

"Fine, what do you mean?" I grunted slightly, looking down to see that my side was wrapped up slightly.

"You've been sleeping for a day and a half," she told me as I listened. "It took me and Doctor Love a while to explain to the King what had truly happened, well Doc did most of the talking. I only said about how you and I were lovers as that air pony captain was listening too; seeing how he is also our ride home." I frowned slightly, oh how that was going to be weird. "After the King showed his self, and made his guards stopped fighting, and Doctor Love telling the others the same thing, well...it got bad really fast. The King tried to explain that he was under the control of Cocoon, many of the Black Light was having none of it, saying it was still his fault. He agreed, and even now, he is trying to earn trust back to his subjects."

"Gonna take a while for that," I answered as I sat up.

"Yes, he even spoke to your father..."

"Wait, he's alive?!" I jolted up and gasped in utter pain as I fell back down.

"Yes, Lighting you need to rest!" she hissed at me, before sighing. "Yes, he's alive, he was lucky, somehow the attack didn't hit anything that he truly needed, and he was healed once the fighting stopped."

I fell back onto the bed, so he was alive...at least I didn't lose all of my family. "As I said, the King was speaking to him, thanking him for helping break the spell over him, and also, wanted to know a Changeling such as him, and also me, would want to help. I didn't hear everything, pretty much the story of what Cocoon said about what his reasons were, other then that, the King ordered that he would be guarded at all times so that none may harm him, and nurses looking over at him until he was sable again." I looked up at her and nodded, rolling myself to my feet as I hopped down off the bed with a grunt. "What are you doing?"

"I have to see him."

"Like that?"

"Sure it hurts to walk," I answered flashing a tiny grin. "But hey, walk it off."

"Silly pony," she answered as she hopped off to walk with me.

"Your silly pony," I poked her with a hoof as she smiled.

"So true,"

We got some eyes as we walked down the hallways, mostly the guards who stood at the ready, looking must like the guards at Canterlot, eyes locked in a bored like sate in a way. But a few would follow us with their eyes. We stopped at a door with three guards on ether side, the one near the door had their spears crossed over each other, but when we stopped before them; they removed the spears. I and Saki slowly made our way in, but then Saki stopped. "I'll...wait out here," she told me as I looked to her. "I think you and your father need some time alone." I sighed and nodded my head, thanking her as I turned and walked back in, the door closing behind me.

Walking in, I noticed that the room was rather small, enough that I could walk freely yes, but still small all the same. A single bed, wide enough fro two to sleep in sat in the back, a lump from whomever was resting there; which was my father. Beside the bed, a nurse pony was looking over him, tending to his body. She heard me walk in as she turned to me. "I'm sorry," she whispered raising a hoof to me. "No pony is allowed in but..."

"I'm his son," I answered as she blinked at me for a second. I was surprised when she nodded.

"You must be Bright Star then?" she asked me as I simply nodded. "Very well, you may stay. I have to get some more things for him."

"How...is he?"

"Better then what we thought," she answered as I walked over to my father's side. "The magic attack caused some damage to his body, killed a nerve in his right arm fully. He can still use it, but he feels nothing from it now."

"That's even possible?"

"You are his son," she pointed out as I chuckled, knowing what she meant. "But in any other rate, he is fine and will recover in a few days."

"Thank you nurse," I gave her a small bow. She smiled and soon left, the echo of the door closing was heard as I went and pulled up a chair, and sat beside the bed. I must have dozed off for a second, because when I awoken, I heard a soft chuckle.

"So the roles have turned hrm?"

I turned and looked to my father, who had a soft smile on his face; he removed his blanket a bit, for me to see a white cloth wrapped around his body. "I was watching you sleep to recover from your battle, and now, you are doing the same to me."

"Father..." I smiled softly and bowed my head slightly. "I'm so glad you're alright." We said nothing for a while before he then spoke, his head turned the other way as he gave a cough before speaking.

"Bright Star," he spoke as I listened closely. "About...what I did to your mother..."

"Father, don't," I answered him as he turned to look at me. "You were filled with anger, you wanted to destroy Cocoon, I know...trust me, and I almost did. You were blinded by that anger to make you do whatever you thought would bring her down."

"Are you saying you forgive me for what I did?"

"I didn't say that," I answered. "Well...truthfully, I was not even born before then, I don't think it's up to me to judge you for what you did in the past; but," I then closed my eyes. "I want to hear it from you, your own words; nothing held back." I gave him a stern stare. "I at least have that right to know." He only gave me a short nod at this, wiggling back a bit so he could sit up a bit as he closed his eyes. Sighing loudly, he began his story.

"After Cocoon killed my first lover, and then the Queen, I was enraged. Yes, it is true what she said about the Queen, she would not do any sort of thing like invading like Cocoon had planed. That was because she cared too deeply of losing a life in a brittle battle. She tried her best to gain love and such, but, it was never enough to feed the whole Hive. The day both my lover and Queen were killed, I left the Hive. With so much rage, so much sorrow, I started to think of ways to topple Cocoon. The easiest way, was for a pony or more to fall for me, gain their love, and become stronger and stronger. There were many choices, I even considered going with a stallion at one point..." I made a snickering laugh as he gave me a glare. "Hey, love is love to us son, I'm sure Saki had even done some on the other team, so to speak."

"Yeah," I answered, shrugging. "But to a straight guy, that's hot!" he swatted my arm slightly as I chuckled, waving a hoof for him to keep going.

"Your mother...she was something else, she cared for others as if they were of her own blood. Her love was much stronger, so that's the reason I picked her. At first I was going to use your mother to get others that trusted her under my spell, but having more then one pony under the control at the same time is hard; trust me on this.

"Once she was alone, I casted my spells on her, making her love me and her love...the best I had ever tasted! All the love she had of the other ponies, and her own to me, fake as it was; it...it's like feeling of drunkenness." He made a soft chuckling noise as he then said. "Think of the time when you tried having a drinking contest with Doctor Love and you fell over unable to move or speak right." I gave my own soft laugh, before something clicked.

"Wait...how'd you know that? Did Doc tell you or something?" he smiled and shook his head.

"I was the earth pony who helped you to your room," I gave him a slow blink as he looked to me. "I told you...I was here, watching over you, didn't I?"

"Yea...guess you were huh?" he gave me a sharp nod before leaning back to close his eyes, going back to his story.

"As I said, I was just going to use her, and be done with it. but...the more I spent with her, pretending so others would think we were really in love; I stopped pretending, for the feeling grew real, and real as time passed. I learned more about her, of her own past, she too had lost her husband years before coming here. She was in fact born and lived in Canterlot you know,"

"Really?" I asked as he nodded.

"Yes, told me after her husband died of heart failure, she just couldn't stand being in the same house, the same street...same city. It reminded her too much of him. So she moved here once she gained a job, she was somewhat like a care taker, or is that what a nurse is?"

"I think they're the same thing father," I answered him.

"Maybe, ether way, she left and came here, and told me I was the first she had dated since his death."

"Did...you ever tell her of your own old lover's death?" he nodded his head as he opened his eyes once more to look at me.

"I left out the part where we were Changelings of course...but she...Nora made the pain, shrink, she made me want to love, not hate." He frowned slightly, it was only my guess, but I think he was upset because he knows it was not her true love he was getting, just a fake one. He then pulled a puzzled, strange look as he looked to me. "But...something weird happened one day."

"How so?" I tiled my head from my question as he sat up again.

"As you know, we can feel the love of the one we have under our spells, feel any love in fact when it truly pointed toward us."

"Yes," I answered. "Saki would make jokes at times, saying if I was started to not love her, she'd know."

"Yes," he nodded from that. "Well one day...I felt her love...for me increase!" I thought about it for a moment and could really only come to one answer for that.

"Maybe it was because she was having a foal with you?" I asked with my head tilted the other way. "I mean...that has to be..."

"This was a year before we even thought about having a child." We were both still with our words for that, why would she love him more then...unless...

"Father," I offered my answer as he hummed, telling me he was listening. "What if...what if she knew that you were a Changeling, or maybe...your spell wore off after a while?"

"My spell wouldn't have worn off...I always had it on her...I think..."

"You think?" I asked him as he looked at me, seeming embarrassed by something.

"I'm bad at doing many things at once! You know that, keeping my unicorn form up while also having she under my spell...but...I guess it's possible...?"

After that, me and my father spoke of other things, old times long past, and where I went after leaving with my three younger 'siblings'. He asked me if one day he would be allowed to see the mare that cared for me, and I nodded; telling him where to find her. No doubt I and Saki would be gone by the time he was fully healed. Soon later, he started to feel rather light headed, and needed to rest, I bid him a good rest as I turned to leave. "Son," he spoke as I turned back. "Listen...as I told you, I was at first going to use her and even you...but know this. Your mother changed me Bright Star, and...I know it's my fault she's gone, that is my only regret. But you, you are not; I am glad and honored for you to call me father, and I call you son, always remember that." I gave him a small smile as I nodded; he smiled back and slowly lay back on the bed, as I left the room. After I left, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath; it was as if...a weight was lifted off my chest, I don't know why at all ether.

"Bright Star?" I turned my head and flinched back as the King himself was standing there, his hair was pushed back, much neater then when I last saw him. His coat clean and he wore what seemed to be a robe that covered his body, save his chest. The robe was that of sky blue, gold trimmings along the side, and a Alicorn rearing on it's hind legs on both sides (Of what I could only think of seeing how I was seeing only one side). His shoes were that of the same blue as his robe, as well as the crown on top of his head. Not the same blue as Luna's crown mind you. The guards bowed before him, as I did as well. Sure, I was not considered his subject any longer, but I still showed respect for him. Knowing now he was not what I thought to be. "Please, you do not have to bow before me, come; I wish to speak to you as we walk."

"As you wish your maj..."

"Vloor is fine," he answered as I looked to him. "After what you did for me and this kingdom, I believe we are more then welcome to not use such honorifics with each other."

"Uh..." I was at a lost for words for a spilt second. "Sure, but I should really find Saki and..."

"The one who calls himself..." he coughed slightly. "And I quote, 'The sexiest pony of all the land,' is with her."

"Ugh...Doc...really?" I sighed causing a small laugh from the king of Higher Wing. He then brought a hoof to his side as I followed after him.

"Let me tell you know, I am deeply forever in your dept for what you have done for me and this kingdom," he spoke looking ahead, looking to me from the side of his eye. "You and your friends and family have done both a great service."

"Not to be rude Vloor," I answered him. "But we didn't even know you were truly alive, for one, I thought a Changeling was just in your form, or Cocoon herself. You were...a lucky I break I guess,"

"All the same," he didn't even seem faze by what I said. "I thank you. The Black Light groups are following the one you called 'Doc' saying that Sir is in need of great care. It is strange...how they follow him like he is second in command."

"He rather is," I answered. "True...he can act...you know...I think for your safety of mind, you don't find that out. But ether way," I went on. "When he has to, Doc can take charge." He hummed his answer from that as we walked on. "Is...that all you wanted to speak of?"

"No," he answered. "I have also contacted the princesses of Equestria, and have told them of your success. I asked them if they would mind for you to stay, and they answered with as long as you like. This is your home Bright Star, and you do need time to recover from such a battle with the Changeling Queen."

"Speaking of which," I spoke after I made sure he was done talking. "What will happen to her?"

"She shall stay imprison for many years, right now this is all I can at the moment. If we just...remove of her now, she will not have suffered her fate of which she has brought onto herself!"

"Yes..." I answered. "But what I mean is that, I understand it will be a long time before she can really wield magic,"

"Ah that," he nodded at this as we stopped by a window. Looking out, I noticed a sight. Guards from the kingdom were helping out some of the Black Light members that were wounded, and vice versa, but, I could easily see, even from here, that they were still wary of the other. "We are going to drug her food and water and such, so when she is knocked out; we can easily cut the horn off, if it grows."

He then turned to me before asking. "Young unicorn, I know the princesses know nothing of your origin, or of your lover. Just know, if you ever do decide to come back here to live, she will not have to hide, I shall explain, if you ever make this choice, to the subjects of my kingdom that she means no harm."

"You didn't tell Princess Celestia or Princess Luna?" I asked in slight shock.

"Nay, I did not," he answered.

"Thank you," I answered him back with a small bow. "But...what did you say?"

"I said the following, which the pony they had sent had freed me of the spell of which the Changeling Queen on their land had over me. With the help of three others, working with Black Light. This, I did not lie, seeing how in a way, Shade, Doctor Love, and even you and Saki do work with them."

"Found a loop ole for that huh?" he gave a soft chuckle and nodded. "Well, thank you,"

"Again, the least I could do."

Afterward, he was called off; there was so much to do, and so little time to do it. It would take years, many years for the scars to be covered, but they would still be visible. I wanted to go see how Saki was doing, I mean, she was with Doctor Love...but before that...I had to go somewhere.

It took me less time then before, last time I was watching over my shoulders in case Changelings or the guards would see me. The Changelings, were no where to be seen, many escaped into the large forest that were miles away, and the guards, I knew I didn't really have to worry about them anyway. Before long, I stood in front of the still standing home I was brought up as a small colt. I was greatly surprised still how it was still standing, but was glad. Walking in once more, I froze as I saw the blood from where I was slashed in the face. Dried, but still sent a shiver up my back. Going upward slowly, so that the floor wouldn't break, I looked in each room that the house held. Going to my room, I stopped and stared at the burnt things that use to be mine in the small room. I could make out some things, a plushy in one area of the room, I believe it was an Alicorn, but the wings were ripped off now. Half of the face burnt right off. The bed, thrown up on the wall for some reason. As I walked in, I stepped on something hard and it cracked under my weight. Looking down, I noticed it was the same picture from downstairs. Which wasn't weird, I had my own. The edges were black from the fire, but you could still easily see me and my mother and father. Picking up the picture, I smiled and tucked it into the bag I had brought along with me. Looking around slowly once more, I found that there was nothing else that was wroth saving and sighed. I could almost picture what it looked like all those years ago. Blue walls, a floor messy with toys and a few books...ah I could almost hear mother calling me down for lunch. I smiled and shook my head slightly as I remembered, sure...she was gone, but at least...at least I could remember her.

Going to my parent's room, nearly everything was destroyed, and not only from the fire. I had a feeling that ether it was the Changelings trying to find something to use on my father, or looters looking for anything. Whatever the case, I made my way in ether way, to look around. Many nights I stayed here when I had nightmares and such, mother's soothing voice, and father making sure there were no monsters under the bed. I was just about to leave, when something shiny caught my eye. Looking toward the closet, I noticed something in the floor, a loose board. Moving it aside, I found a rather shiny metal box, sure it was dusty and such, but with a quick blow, it easily came off. What was this doing here? It wasn't locked, so I opened it, to find papers, written ones to...wait...this was my mother's writing... maybe I shouldn't read this...but at the same time... looking around, I placed the papers along the bed as I sat on it, luckily it only groaned slightly as I picked up the first paper; looks like these are dairies of sorts.

I have fallen in love with a unicorn, I know...it seems so strange when I write these words, and yet...they are true; I am in love. I have yet to known love since my late husband had passed, forgot the warm feeling it brought to my heart, to know I am loved, to be wanted. It was like something out of a old story, we locked eyes, my heart skipped a beat as he came closer...and closer... he was taking to me, nopony else, me. There must've been five other mares in the room, and yet, he came to me! He is so caring too, listening to what I have to say, and I feel as though I am transfixed on his every word! But...it feels also wrong, I loved my husband, and I still believe I have some feelings for him; even after he's gone. When I am with Shade...the love I feel, the wanting...it feels stronger! Why...what is it about him that makes it so much better?

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_ _ I knew my mother wrote, I mean, many stories to read to me to sleep were her own. This one was only half a page, so I placed it down, there were no dates and such on them, and so I couldn't tell how long the gaps were. Going to the next one, I placed the old on in the box and started reading again.

I know there is something very wrong, many a days I am left wondering, what did I truly see in Shade that made me fall for him so quickly like that? I mean, he is a nice pony, he helps out around the center a lot of the time, and yes he is good looking; but I am not one of those mares who pick a lover because of his good looks! Hrm...is this a sigh maybe, maybe something deep within me is trying so very hard to tell me something, and it's messing around with me? I don't know...these conflicts within myself are getting too weird for me to handle. I mean, one day I'm head over hooves in love with him, cuddling with him, kissing him...but other days I'm like...why?

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_ _ This must be what my father was talking about; at times he couldn't keep his form up and keep her under his spell...which is really weird for a Changeling I would think. Ether way, I placed that back into the box and then went to the next. This one was a bit longer.

By the King's mane...he's a Changeling! Shade is a Changeling, this explains everything! The way I felt for him...it explains everything! But for some reason...I don't care. We have been dating for many, months now, nearly a year in fact. Within those first few weeks, I guess I was truly under his spell or such like that, but after that, I slowly became aware better like before I met him. Did I somehow gain a skill not to be effected to his Changeling powers and such? But as I said...I didn't care. Which I'm guessing now is when I was no longer under his control, I have found the deeper part of Shade, he is caring, he will do whatever it takes to make me happy and such. He...reminds me of him, but not at the same time. I wish I could confront him, and tell him I know his secret, but how will he react to this, how would he take it that if I simply could find out; what about the guards? Changelings are killed on the spot most of the time, and...I don't want that for Shade, I don't want him to die and be alone again! So...just like he is not telling me of his secret, it seems I too; must keep my own. And even as I write this, I know I will have to hide these writings; there is an old floor board here in this room that is always covered by a rug, maybe under there?

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_ _ She...she did know, she knew and as it is written...didn't care, wow, reminds me of when I was starting to feel feelings for Saki and such...hrm, two more to go...

It is a colt; the foal I am carrying is a colt! As I write this, I am also looking over the older notes I have had over the last year, my last one was when I spoke of how I found out Shade was a Changeling, I still yet to tell him I knew, I plan to tell him one day, but not any time soon. But maybe I should give a small recap of what has transpired since the last note I written about this. We married, he has become my husband now, and I couldn't be happier, our wedding night was...so magically. And what we did that night, well...the reward is this round belly I am now carrying...a colt...a foal colt...but there is something about this that is bothering me...what if...what if the foal comes out as a Changeling! What then?! I mean, we are going to need a nurse to help with the birth...and that would be strange to tell her, 'by the way, my husband a Changeling!' Yes...very strange indeed.

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_ _ I had to give a laugh, oh mother...I guess I know where I got my way of over thinking much from. There was one more part in this one; it looked like she wrote a tiny note sating after I was born.

We named him Bright Star, the reason...it may be silly, but at home, on a clear star filled night, and there was one star to us, which seemed to shine the brightest. It was also under that star that Shade asked me to be his wife. I had thought of the name, and thought he would dismiss it for something else...but he liked it, he loved it in fact...our son, Bright Star.

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So...that's how I got my name huh? I never noticed this 'bright star' as she wrote when I was younger, but maybe because I wasn't looking right where they were looking. I would have to ask father before leaving. Placing that one away, I went to the last one, and froze...it was...to me? It was folded up, this one seeming the longest. So unfolding it, I began to read.

To my loving son Bright Star: Something is happening...I just know it.

_ Please, whatever you do, when you grow older, no matter what it is, no matter what happens, please, do not blame your father for any of it. Even I, at this moment; do not know what it is. If you are reading this, then you have no doubt read the rest of my three writings I did. Then you know, you are no normal pony. I hoped you did in fact read the others first, so that you may know first, that I loved your father, I still do; even if he is a Changeling. I have always told you this, it matters not what is outside, but inside, where your heart is; that counts. This is true, I know it, and you are proof of this!_

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_ Now back to the topic at hoof, your father keeps tossing and turning in his sleep, muttering about somepony named Cocoon, saying that she will not harm us. Is this his past coming back, is this Cocoon a drug dealer of sort? Whoever she is, Shade is so worried, and it's making him sick enough to throw up. He told me that he would explain it to me, but we have to leave first, have to leave Higher Wing, to go somewhere else. I agreed of course, but still; it is as though he knows this will not be enough. I am writing this as I watch you sleep my sweet heart; you are so peaceful, so calm, hugging your little plush Alicorn to your chest, sucking on the horn. It is...just too cute for words! I worry tat your father's past will effect your future, I pray to it does not, but there is still that dooming feeling of dread._

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_ If for some reason...if ether your father or myself are killed for whatever reason, know this; we love you Bright Star. You are our life, you are our heart, and our world...you...you mean everything to us!_ I looked at the paper, noticing that there were darker spots on the pages...tears...she was crying! I...if it comes to it Bright Star, if what I fear is true and whatever your father did in the past is making this Cocoon come after us, I will die to protect you, do you understand. If you are young and reading this, you may not understand, but, if you have grown into a fine stallion, then I hope you truly understand why I would do such a thing.

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_ I hope that this is just my mind going into overdrive on all of this, which I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but still...if what I fear is true, then I have to keep writing._

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_ I pray that nether of us is lost, that we may both watch you grow up, get your school all done, get a job being a guard like you always wanted, find a mare or another stallion; we will love you no matter what you choose. Watch you get married and all this other things that makes us who we are. It makes my heart swell to just think of these things. As I watch you sleep more, rolling over and muttering out for your mama, I...you made my life wroth living Bright Star, and as I said; I will gladly end it; to make sure your life, keeps going._

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Forever in your Heart.

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I was chocking back tears as I slowly brought the paper down on the bed, my head low as my body shook with each shaking breath. She was right...I would understand now, I would understand why she would give away her life for me; but it doesn't make it easier! Placing the page into the box and moving it away, I cried out in sorrow and started to punch the bed. It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair! If Cocoon hadn't come here, if she hadn't done the things she'd done! I lay on the bed, my muzzle pushed into the old musky smelling blankets as I just cried...and cried. After a while, I pulled myself together, drying my tears as I shook my face, slapping myself lightly. Looking outside, I noticed that it was dark, how long was I truly gone for? Ether way, I took the box and closed it shut, and slowly tucked it in the bag. As I made my way outside, I stopped to look at the house again, remembering everything that happened. I was about to leave, when I noticed something above. High in the sky, the moon, the stars, there were all out, but one thing caught my eye. One lone star seemed to shine the brightest of them all. I smiled, seeing the star of which she named me after. "I wonder mother," I spoke aloud, looking up at that star. "Is there truly life after death? And if so...I wonder, are you on that star right now, looking down at me?" I may have been just seeing things, but the star, I swear it twinkled or glowed a bit brighter. I may have been losing my mind, but I smiled all the brighter. "You were right...you will always be in my heart," I placed a hoof over my chest where my heart was. "And if there really is a after life up there...then when my time comes, I'll be looking for you, count on it." slinging the pack over my back to make it feel better on my shoulder, I turned and made my way back toward the castle, somehow...a bit happier then I've been since I got here.

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