Bayonate: This would have been finished sooner if my friends didn't decide to have last-second-planned parties. Enjoy. Unfortunately, Wild Heart1997's computer decided to break. I will continue to post chapters, but they well all be labeled as 'beta'. This means they can be at anytime changed.
To Discordant Night: I have plans for Luna. It seems I have decided to give this story a separate plot line, but I will most likely have it cross with the series plot line at times. Glad you enjoy the story.
Princess Celestia's POV
I swipe open the bedroom's curtains, letting the sun's rays shine in. I look around the guest room in the palace. My royal purple eyes rest onto the shifting form under the bedsheets. For once, it wasn't a colt that I had slept with. A groan comes from the pony occupying the bed. I grin slightly at Lodre August.
I am extremely grateful for him, since Twilight and her friends' success could be attributed to his valiant effort in protecting them. With the Elements of Harmony successfully destroying Nightmare Moon, my beloved sister returned to me. It was one of the happiest days of my life as I held my sister once more after one thousand years. It was all thanks to Lodre August that this momentous event could occur. After being freed from Nightmare Moon's magic prison and reuniting with my sister, I brought Lodre back to castle to get him properly treated for his life-threatening injuries. Miraculously, Nightmare Moon's beam missed his heart by a few millihooves, according to Doctor Band-Aid. Despite this good news, the doctor reported that Lodre's left foreleg was seriously infected, a rapid development so far in its cycle that it even left the doctor and myself shocked. The doctor strongly suggested that his leg be amputated, so it won't spread to the rest of his body. To my surprise and distress, the doctor left poor ol' me to tell poor Lodre the news.
So, here I was, staring at Lodre's waking form. The warm sun rays caress his face. Thinking that it would be a kind gesture, I leave for the royal kitchens to bring Lodre a fulfilling breakfast.
Lodre August Creatorus' POV
Sunlight flashes through my eyelids, forcing me up. Gasping, I look around. I see richly decorated walls covered in gold and purple engravings. In a corner, an expertly crafted oak cabinet stood in a corner. Beside it, a full body mirror with a frame of gold hung from the wall. The center of the room was occupied by a table for four along with large ornate pillows. Where I was laying was an oak four-post king-size bed. I was wrapped in rose sheets with silver stitching along the edges. Attempting to get up, I feel my left foreleg weigh me down. Looking down, I see it encased in a metal brace. After making a few more attempts to lift the limb, I let out a sigh and collapse into the mountain of soft pillows that lined the headboard.
"Good morning, milord!" A cheerful voice says.
"Good morning." I grumble to Seraphim Diamond through gritted teeth
"Good morning!? GOOD morning!? How can you be having a good morning when you have been blasted by dark magic and your arm has to be amputated?" A frantic Seraphim Platinum screams.
"What?" I reply, rubbing my forehead to calm the emerging headache caused by early morning screaming.
"Shhhhhhhhh. You aren't supposed to tell him that!" Diamond loudly whispers to her sister.
"Oh, sorry. NOTHING MY LORD! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!" says Platinum.
Not caring for what Platinum said about my leg, I ask, "So, what happened?"
"Well, milord, after valiantly putting yourself in front of Nightmare Moon's beam and absorbing it, the Elements successfully defeated her. Surprisingly, Nightmare Moon turned out to be Princess Celestia's little sister, Princess Luna, who had been consumed by her jealously. You were then brought to the palace to recover from your injuries. Nightmare Moon missed your heart by a few millihooves, milord." Diamond reports.
"Better if it hit my heart." I let out.
"Well, if you really think about it, it would not have been better because Princess Celestia would have had a funeral. She would bury you in a fancy marble coffin. You would have to dig yourself out, milord." Platinum says.
"Couldn't you two just- Bah! Nevermind!"
"By the way, milord, when will you finally overcome your cardinal sin, Pride? I am really missing Skies White. Just a few days ago, my friends told me of new cute shy recruits who were a blast to tease." Diamond asks.
"We go back when we go back." I say with finality.
Platinum asks, "Didn't you learn to be a little humble by asking for help yesterday? If you keep it up, you can return to your rightful place in Skies White soon."
I do not answer her as I think. I really wish to return to my rightful place in the heavens. I wish to be recognized as son by my fa-I mean-the Creator once more. All I have to do to achieve that is overcome my pride. How? How can I effectively and efficiently do so? Before I could venture into my thoughts deeper, a door opening seizes my attention.
It swings wide open, revealing a sunny sun goddess and a hovering silver tray over her head.
Princess Celestia's POV
After swinging the door open, my eyes meet an awake Lodre.
"Oh! You're awake." I say as I trot into the room.
He says, "It appears so."
"Here is some breakfast."
I pull the table from the center of the room to Lodre's side. Setting the tray down, a warm wave of comforting smells rise up. On the tray was a variety of the royal kitchen's finest pastries, as well as top-of-the-line flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Beverages fresh from the source shine colorfully in their glass pitchers. Orange juice, apple juice, bright green celery, romantic red raspberries, royal blue blueberries, carrot cake, warm bread with oats, grass sandwiches, daisies, crispy apples and the like were all there.
I watch with amusement as Lodre's eyes grew to the size of saucers and began to twinkle more than the stars at night. I let out a giggle, and his face returns to scowling.
"Have some breakfast. You need it." I say, sitting down on a comfy cushion beside his bed.
Nodding his head slightly, Lodre taps into his magic, and his horn glows softly in the sunlight. A glow envelops the glass of apple juice, but the glass fails to be lifted. Glancing up from the platter, I look at Lodre, who was sporting a tight expression. Small beads of sweat form on his forehead as he tries to lift the drink. Finally, the azure glow around his horn fades. Lodre lets out a sigh of defeat.
Hiding his eyes underneath his black bangs, he says in a low voice, "Never in my life have I been so defeated by a glass of apple juice."
I try to withhold my giggles.
Lodre Augustus Creatorus' POV
I hear faint giggling coming from the princess despite her attempts to hide it. I used almost all of my magic in my reserves for that blasted shield last night. I do not even have enough to pick up a stupid glass of juice. Using my hooves was out of the question, since my left foreleg was out of commission. That means there is only one way to get food… asking for help. In the back of my head, I hear the hushed squeals and screams of Platinum and Diamond. Raising my head slightly, my eyes peer through my black mane. I watch Celestia clutching her muzzle with one of her hooves as she rocked back and forth with laughter.
Lifting my chin, I let out a snort, which prompted Celestia to slowly calm down.
"Do you need my help?" Celestia asks innocently while wearing a perfect smile.
I say, "No." As I quickly look away, I spot a mischievous glitter in Celestia's purple eyes
"Are you sure~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~?" Celestia presses with a teasing tone. Drawing out the syllable only hardened my resolve. I would not give in! However, glancing in her direction was a huge mistake because Celestia's face was extremely close to mine! Our eyes met for a split second before I tore myself away with an emerging blush on my face. I must say those eyes were quite alluring and persuasive. Wait! No! Not giving in!
"Absolutely!" I say a little too loudly with a quiver evident in my voice.
As if she sensed my decision and my weakness, she presses further. I know because I felt her breath on my neck! Celestia now was almost entirely on the bed as she had slowly encroached on me when my head was turned.
"Absolutely sure, Lodre~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~?" Celestia stresses once more as she purposely exhaled an especially strong warm breath onto my neck, which sent chills up and down my spine. My resolve slowly begins to crumble not only from Celestia's actions but also from the headache being caused by Diamond and Platinum.
"Get away from my lord, you creep!" Platinum screams at the top of her lungs, a command obviously directed at the sun princess now nearly on top of me
"LICK HIS NECK! LICK HIS NECK!" Diamond squeals, uncontrollable excitement dripping from each word. I almost could visualize Diamond holding her sister back while Platinum struggles to escape.
"I'll OBLITERATE you! I'll snap you in half like-like-like a rock falling into the ground!" Platinum continues.
"GIVE IN MY LORD! GIVE IN!" Diamond yells, adding, "THINK OF YOUR CARDINAL SIN!" However, I bet she just added that to persuade me to crack.
"I'll feed you~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~." Celestia huskily whispers into my ear. I shiver from her words, but I physically jerked when I felt Celestia slowly blow up and down and into my ear. This mare is dangerous! UNDOUBTABLY DANGEROUS! I cannot stand it anymore! She is toying with me! ME! LODRE AUGUSTUS CREA-! Another slow assault of warm breath attacks my ears.
"Fine." I whimper. "Help me… Celestia."
Diamond lets out a piercing squeal that tore my brain apart while Platinum releases a slew of exotic curses. Unfortunately, that response did not convince Celestia to move away.
"Celestia, you can move now." I expressionlessly state to her.
"First, why did you change your mind?" Celestia asks with a light victorious smile. "Was it because I offered to feed you myself?"
I blush before sputtering out, "Wha-No! I simply realized that having a breakfast that has both parties eating allows for a better bonding experience than one with only one party able to eat." I mentally smack myself. There was no truth behind my statement, and I just dug myself into a deep hole.
Raising her eyebrow, Celestia teases, "Oh! So you are actually attempting to make friends. With one of the princesses of Equestria of all ponies! My-my-my, Lodre, you are quite ambitious if you are trying to make me your first friend! What are your plans? Do you seek something more than friendship? I wonder… Is it M-A-R-R-I-A-G-E?"
My mind is once more assaulted by squeals and vicious growls. I feel my face become hotter. This is the most embarrassing moment in my life!
"No! NO! I would never seek marriage with a royal!" I proclaim.
"You wouldn't want to marry me even if I offered!" Celestia gasps, before hiding her face behind her hooves. I hear soft sniffles emitting from her. "You must think I am ugly then!"
I mentally sweat drop. "Er. That's not what I'm saying. I think you are one of the most beautiful mares I have ever laid eyes upon. I just-"
"AWWWWWWWWWWW! You think I'm beautiful!" Celestia teases, after leaving behind her crying precious princess act. Through her obvious fake tears, her rich purple eyes were literally glittering more than a cloudless starry night, which really pulled off the precious princess look.
I sweat drop again after mentally slapping myself. "Just feed me." I mutter.
Celestia's horn glows gold as she picks up a chocolate-covered strawberry. Why chocolate-covered strawberry in the morning? I DON'T KNOW OR CARE! I'M HUNGRY! As the strawberry slowly gravitates over to me, I open my mouth to receive the delicious fruit. To my shock, it stops just out of my reach. I cast Celestia, who was grinning like a mad mare, an incredulous look.
"Request for it properly first." Celestia simply states.
I become slack-jawed. Seriously, this mare-GAH-her teasing knows no bounds. Should I give in? I don't want to give her more chances to tease me, so I make up my mind.
Hesitantly, I open my mouth to speak. "Celestia, p-please feed m-me br-breakfast…"
"Ok!" Celestia exclaims before shoving the strawberry down my throat, offering me no chance to prepare.
Cough! Blasted-cough-mare! I collapse forward, smacking the bed with my right hoof. Cough! Stupid-cough-tease! Witch! Cough! I'll-cough-get you-cough-for this!
20 minutes later…
Princess Celestia's POV
That was a fun 20 minutes of teasing Lodre. His expressions are just so priceless and precious. It just makes me want to squeal. However now that the fun part is over, the hard part has to begin. I see Lodre dabbing the edges of mouth with a scarlet cloth napkin. My eyes fall from his face to his left foreleg in a metal brace. Yes. I will have to now tell him the news. After hundreds of years, I surprise myself with not knowing how to start. I can't recall a memory where I was placed in this situation. I guess I should start out slow.
"Hey, Lodre", I speak carefully as if I was treading on thin wire over a chasm, "you know how you injured your hoof yesterday?"
"Hmmmmmmm, yes. What of it?" Lodre says coolly.
"Well, when I took you to the doctor, we discovered that it was badly infected." I lower my head after every word. I fear his reaction. It pains me to see anypony in pain mentally and physically.
"I can't say that I'm surprised."
Instead of going slowly as I planned, I shout out at the ground, "We need to amputate your arm!"
Sweat drop. I FUCKED up so bad. Instead of easing into the news, I just smacked him with it like a downhill wagon hitting a pony. Through my cool-colored mane, I peer at Lodre. I could not read him, not that I could to begin with. Was he furious? Depressed?
"Then so be it."
Eh? Looking up, I examine his facial expression. Nothing.
"That's it? Just like that? You decide to amputate your arm so easily?" I inquire to make sure he understood his decision.
"Oh, you mean having to get my left foreleg chopped off to save the rest of the body? I totally understand." Lodre replies, and his response greatly annoyed me.
"Oh, sorry for making sure," I say irritated, before I transitioned to a softer one, "I just don't want you to make a life-changing decision so lightly."
Lodre turns and looks at me. "I won't regret this decision, Celestia."
I simply nod and begin to trot out. I cast Lodre one more glance before taking my leave.
Bayonate: Should I have some elaborate symbolic explanation for the amputation? Probably, but I'm too lazy to come up with it. Everyone's reviews are greatly appreciated. Please continue to review and have a great day.