Chapitre 22: Obscured
Night had fallen completely and in the darkened sky the stars could be seen sparkle just as majestically as they always did. It was a beautiful time for some, especially the creatures of night that came out this hour.
Unfortunately that couldn't be said for the stallion lying semi -conscious in the cemetery. The wound left behind after the bipedal creature had ripped off his horn finally had stopped bleeding. A few moments later, he became conscious again and felt utterly weak. The wound didn't seem very good and without any outside help he wouldn't be able to leave this place. That was it. That was the consequences of his actions.
"So, there you are," suddenly he heard a familiar voice, which caused him to look upwards. That was a pegasus stallion, with a soft yellow coat and cyan mane.
"Huh…" came the reply. "What… are you doing here?"
"I'm here to get your sorry flank out of here," the pegasus replied. "Next time, probably you'd pull your head out and inform us of your plan."
The unicorn grunted and said. "My plan was perfect, I had chosen the perfect place to do the deed…"
"Looks like it wasn't as perfect after all," the pegasus chuckled. "But given your situation now, I'd say your choice of place was pretty on spot."
"Ungh…" a groan of pain was made by the unicorn as he lifted himself off the ground. "Are you here to help me, or just make fun of me?"
"Almost forgot about that," the pegasus chuckled and then grabbed him by the waist and flew away.
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Joy sighed deeply in relaxation as he sat in the bubble bath. He couldn't believe that cure to his ailment would be that easy. Turned out that it was all because of the blue plant that he and Bubble touched the day before they returned to the Canterlot. And his mind was finally relaxed to think about what had happened.
He didn't know why that stallion wanted to kill him. It wasn't like he had hurt anyone, and even if he did at some point in his life, it couldn't be that bad where someone would want to kill him. It was clear to him that the stallion had no personal grudge because he didn't look angry or upset, instead he seemed to be getting some sick pleasure from all of that.
"Huh…"
...And that was something that shocked him the most. Never before he had seen someone who would be so happy to kill people for no reason. And his smile… Dear mother Celestia, that smile was the most scary and disgusting thing he had ever seen.
Well, at the very least he hoped that killer wouldn't be that much of a threat after he had ripped off his horn. He took a sigh of relief. He just wanted to forget about whatever happened that night.
Eventually, he looked at his front hooves once more and noticed that blue spots had finally vanished and his itch had completely gone. That also made him realize the dangers of the Everfree Forest. Poison Joke might be ultimately harmless, but without any knowledge of how to heal it that could become a serious issue, especially when going about one's day to day life. He didn't wanna think about what else could be hiding in the depth of the dark and mysterious forest.
…
Bubble was in her bedroom with her head buried in the pillow, unable to make sense of whatever had happened. She was stressed and she knew she would need some time to get herself together. She sighed and lifted her head up from the pillow.
It'll be alright. She said to herself and closed her eyes, and hoped that she would drift to sleep soon. But she couldn't fall asleep easily. She kept turning side to side to fall asleep somehow. For some time, she couldn't fall asleep.
Eventually she then grabbed Joy's plush and hugged it dearly.
Everything will be fine… We'll find who did this and he'll get what he deserves!
…
"Princess Celestia!" yelled a few guards as they came into the throne room. "We're sorry, your majesty."
"What? What's the report?" Celestia asked as she frowned.
"We couldn't find the culprit…" came the reply. "We only found some blood stains in the cemetery… We believe he ran away."
"WHAT?!"
She shouted in her royal Canterlot voice, as she stomped her hoof on the ground.
"We've started the investigation," one of the stallion guards said, with a little scared but leveled tone. "We'll find him soon."
"Then find him, and don't come back until you do!" came the harsh response. "You're dismissed now!"
"Y- your majesty…" the stallion guard stammered.
"DISMISSED!"
Neither needed to hear anything else and both left the room, presumably to carry on their investigation. Celestia then hid her face in her front legs and let out some sobs. She didn't know why anyone would want to kill his dear son. But she knew it was important to find whoever he was.
"Celestia," Luna walked into the room. "What happened, sister?"
"Oh, Lulu… I don't know what to do," Celestia said as she looked at her sister with tears in her eyes. "I thought Joy was safe now… I thought it was alright to let him out in this world… But it seems like I was wrong…"
"I understand that, big sister," Luna replied, and then went silent. Until her sister looked at her inquisitively, maybe requesting some reassurance. "I'm sorry… I don't know how to help the situation… I wish I could say, it wouldn't happen again…"
"Luna… Should I… Should we…"
"We'll think of something, dear sister," Luna said with reassurance. "For now, you should try to calm down."
"Alright," came the halfhearted reply. "I just don't know what to think of this…"
"Mom," suddenly they both heard Joy as he came into the room.
"Joy," his mother came up to him and embraced him dearly. "How are you now?"
"I'm… a little scared. But I'm feeling better now," he returned the hug and hummed with some comfort.
"Good to know, dear nephew," Luna said with a smile of reassurance.
"I'm still feeling a little bit scared though…" he sighed. "But at least, everything's alright in the end."
"Oh, son…" his mother cried and her tears flowed freely. "I'm so happy that you're alright."
"I'm also happy, mom," he told her. "I wasn't hurt too badly."
"Mmm… You should go to sleep now," Celestia told him, as she gently released him from the hug.
"Mhm," Luna nodded.
"Alright…" her son said with a sigh, but then asked a little quietly. "Mom, would you tell me a story before I go to sleep?"
"Uh… Alright, my little boy," she replied as she kissed his forehead. "I'll tell you a story. Let's go to your room."
As they headed to the room, both noticed a little scared Bubble met up with them on the way. She looked nervous and a little distressed.
"I'm sorry… I just want to spend some more time with you," she told him. "I just cannot go to sleep and I thought maybe talking to you for a little more might help."
"Mom was gonna tell me a bedtime story tonight," Joy told her with a little, however clearly happy smile. "You may come to my bedroom, so we both can enjoy the story."
"Sure," she nodded, and then passed him a smile. "Anything to spend some more time with my sweetie."
Both shared a little chuckle as they headed to Joy's room.
…
Bubble and Joy sat on the bed as they cuddled under the blanket- which was no doubt very therapeutic for both of them. Both sighed happily as Celestia sat in front of them as started to tell the story.
"Once upon a time:-
Long time ago, there was an Alicorn Princess. She was crowned fairly recently as the new ruler of her Empire, known simply as the Ponyland. She was kind hearted and cared for her subjects equally. She helped strengthen the already established connections between her Empire and others, and helped to establish new ones. It wouldn't be a lie to say that she was a successful ruler who tried her best to do anything that would benefit the subjects in the long run. She was mostly content with her life. However, sometimes one thought nagged at her mind.
Other ponies had it easier, she always thought. In their comparatively small lifespan they only had to focus on what was important to them, and they could easily find someone to spend their lives with. However, in her case, that wasn't possible. At least the part about spending life together. For she would outlive any of her potential companions by several thousands of years, if not tens of thousands.
And she didn't want to coerce someone to become "immortal" for her sake. Many didn't realize that their mortality was a blessing in disguise. A virtually endless lifespan might be appealing to think about, however as an experience that clearly wasn't the case. Princess felt disconnected, distant, and sometimes even apathetic to others. She couldn't look at a newborn foal without immediately feeling a mild sense of dread as she realized they would get old and wrinkled in mere years, and would eventually wither away.
She couldn't show it, however. She had to put up a smile, so her subjects would stay full of hope. However, by the time that only caused her to be more and more distant as eventually she started to feel like a shell of what she used to be. She thought that she would have to go on and there was nothing she could really do about this.
However, all was about to change. It was around that time when her empire was attacked by outside forces. King Graaf of the neighboring Country known as Gryphonland, announced an unprovoked attack. The battle was a close one and King Graaf was that close to win, however in the last moment, the allies of Ponyland intervened and the tables were immediately turned. Ponies came victorious. However, the cost was very high. Thousands of soldiers and even more innocent civilians died that day.
Hence, to avoid any such events in the future, the Princess decided that they needed to strengthen her army to make them better suited to fight in different kinds of conditions. In case of griffins that were far better at any airborne tactics than any pegasus soldeirs, attacked again-" *"Wait!"*
Joy suddenly spoke. "What war changed her life so that she was no longer lonely?"
Celestia couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "I am getting to that, my little boy."
"So, as I was saying:-
To strengthen her army, the Princess had a meeting with her most trusty advisors. Many ideas were suggested, but none seemed very satisfying to her. But eventually, one of them suggested that they should make a rank in the army that would consist of the most brilliant of flyers who could hold their own against griffins if ever need be. And by extension, a proposal for making a rank for most powerful magicians as well as most strong land warriors was also made.
The ranks which consisted of brilliant flyers were named the Thunder Strikers, one with powerful magicians was called the Celestial Conjurers, and one that consisted of physically strong land warriors, the Glorious Gallopers.
The leader of each rank was best in their field. The leader of Thunder Strikers was a pegasus by the name of Roaring Thunder-" *''Roaring Thunder?"*
Joy interrupted her once more and looked a little confused. "I think I have heard that name before… But I cannot remember where…"
Celestia rolled her eyes and then continued. "Well… You can think about it after the story is finished, okay?"
"Okay," Joy nodded happily and Bubble couldn't help but shake her head slightly in amusement.
"So, where was I… Yeah, there:-
Roaring Thunder was not just the leader of Thunder Strikers, but he was also one of the guards of the Princess. And he was loyal to a fault. His prowess as a leader was known all across Ponyland, and soon it will be tested in a war against none other but Griffins. And this time the ponies came out victorious, with as few deaths as possible. Though many fought with their lives and gave their best for the sake of their Empire, the war came to an end ultimately due to the performance of Roaring Thunder, who killed the King Graaf and brought the conflict to a halt before any more deaths could occur. Furthermore, he proposed to the Princess to sign a peace treaty with the new ruler of griffins, so such conflicts could end.
After that, he earned his rank among closest advisors of the Princess and then with due time, he and the Princess developed a kind of friendship. Friendship, even though Princess always preached for it, was ultimately a distant concept to her. Mostly because she had never related to her subjects as closely, despite how much she cared for them. She was different, she was naturally above what they felt about her, and yet she could not help but grow attached to this mere pegasus.
Friendship, especially on such a personal level was a new road for her and she was afraid to walk upon it. But she walked it nonetheless. And eventually, it bloomed into something new, something different…" *"Was it love?"*
Bubble suddenly spoke with curiosity.
"Oh, was it, mother?" Joy asked.
Celestia nodded. "Yes, it was love. Apparently immortals can experience love just like the mortals. She realized that she was wrong to assume otherwise and there was hope after all that she would find love."
"What's the moral of the story though?" Joy asked.
"Is it that one should never give up hope just because they're different? Or perhaps, that all beings are equal when it comes to showing and feeling love?"
Celestia looked thoughtful and then shrugged. "Maybe… The Princess and the pegasus did find love together. And for however long it lasted, they both cherished it. In the end Princess was still left alone, but the experience had changed her for the better, and made her realize that sometimes journey is all that matters. She wasn't sad that it was over, but she was happy that she got to experience it. To her, he was important and would always have a place in her heart."
"Did they… have any children?" Joy asked, sounding a bit hesitant to ask that.
At that Bubble bursted into a fit of laughter, so much so that tears started rolling down her cheek.
"Hmm… That'd be a story for some other time," came the reply, as Celestia got up to leave the room. "Sweet dreams, my dears."
"Goodnight," Joy and Bubble both said it together as they began to snuggle up and closed their eyes. Sleep would soon come and would take them to the peaceful world of dreams.
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At some hidden location within the Everfree forest, there was a small, primitive shack where things of everyday needs including cans of food and used dishes could be seen. Inside that shack, there were the attacker unicorn and the pegasus who helped him escape.
"I can do it on my own. It'll be easy! Isn't that what you said?"
The pegasus moked the unicorn while he tended to his bloody stump of a horn. The rage in his eyes was visible more than anything, but at the moment he didn't say anything but winced in pain. As soon as the pegasus was done wrapping up his head in bandages, the unicorn spoke.
"Do you want me to break your face?!"
"Uh, no… Now, how do you plan to fight him without your magic?" Pegasus asked.
"I-" he stumbled on his words, unable to respond to the question. After a moment he muttered. "I don't know…"
"Hmm… That's what I thought," came the reply with a chuckle, which made the unicorn even more furious. "That aside, how would you explain this to the master?"
"Ugh… I'll tell him he caught me off guard, or whatever… I don't care… I'd tell him to do it himself if he wants him that bad!"
"Huh… Not sure if that's a good idea, but your funeral, buddy," the pegasus shrugged.
After a little more time in their shack, they eventually came out and headed out to see their master.
…
In a dark place, only lit by a few torches there stood a crowd of ponies either cladded in black cloaks or have their body covered in dark purple tattoos in the likeness of smoke without fire. The place was hardly visible, but little features that were visible, it seemed to be inside a cave. Outside the cave, the sounds of sharp winds and storms could be heard. Suddenly, the door of the entrance was opened and two ponies came in the two ponies, with a woolly cloak over them, presumably to protect them from the cold winds.
"So, you failed your mission?"
A unicorn cladded in dark purple cloak spoke to the unicorn in a rather emotionless manner, without even looking at them. Seeming to be a kind of cult master. The unicorn looked at the pegasus and then looked back to the cult master.
"Yeah… That bastard broke off my horn!"
"Keep your voice down! It was your own decision to go there all by yourself and bring the creature here, was it not?"
The unicorn mumbled under his breath.
"But as you've failed the mission, what should be done with you?" The cult master asked.
"If you want him so badly, why don't you go after him yourself?" The unicorn asked.
"I'm needed here to take care of bigger matters. It's better if you shut up now, if you know what's good for you," cult master said, sounding a little cold.
The unicorn wanted to say something else, but as he saw the cult master's horn lit up he didn't dare to say anything at all.
"Good, I'll send some more soldiers to accompany you next time. Just do not mess up this chance. It'll be your last mistake."
"Ye- yes," the unicorn swallowed hard as well as the pegasus. "I'll get him, no matter how difficult it is."
"Very good," came the ominous reply. "For now, we must keep a close eye on our little prey."
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**A significant period of time later, at dawn**
"Joy, hey my sweetie~" Joy was asleep in his bed, as he heard the soft voice of his beloved.
"Uh, what happened, Bubble?" Joy asked, opening his eyes and looking into the eyes of his beloved.
"The Fall has arrived… We gotta head to ponyville to see the fall weather race," Bubble reminded him.
"Oh? It's already here?" Joy suddenly got up and looked at her joyfully. "We should start making preparations to get ready for it."
Bubble kissed his nose, and smiled at him happily. "Mhm. Now, come on. I'll help you with choosing the clothes."
"Alright~" Joy said, and got up from the bed and both headed outside the bedroom. For them, that was the start of another beautiful time together to enjoy with each other.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
myyt_account
myyt_account Yeah, sorry if the ending of this chapter was a little bit lackluster. I went through a little tough time recently. I'm planning something big for the story and no matter how long it takes me to update I'll not abandon it. Stay tuned for more.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
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