A/N: Hey everyone! Steelbreaker and Drew here with another exciting update to "The Lost Element". Glad so many of you have enjoyed the story thus far, so continue to R&R.

To FireBreath5150 - Yep it's about time Spike got with Rarity. I knew it was only a matter of time with him having grown up during the winter season. As far as Celly, she's told me I'm rather "experienced" myself, to which I felt like all kinds of awesome. Must be nice to sleep until 10:00 though. I have to get up at 05:30 five days out of the week.

To Israeli Pizza - Well I'm glad you've kept up with the story and of course, happy you're enjoying it.

Luna: Well I cannot say that Steel has done something of that sort, but we do have our disagreements. Let us just say the "cold shoulder" is the bane of his existence.

To Ausarheart - Well it's always good to have a loyal follower. I'll be sure not to disappoint. As far as my writing speed, I already type 80wpm, and the fact that I already have each story ironed out in my head before I even write it helps. The only reason it took so long tonight is because I kept getting distracted. Thanks for the update to your OC, I'll add it to the rest.

To JB - Well thanks for the review as always, and I'll be sure and get those questions to the girls on Saturday.

To AstralElebit - Yep, Celly likes me. She likes me for my body, haha. As far as the war, you're right. Celly told me the same thing and it did kinda strike me as odd. I'll have to be sure and bring it up to her. I just hope your assumption about Ares is incorrect, or we're in for one hell of a fight. From what I've seen though, the lower soldiers in the gryphon military seem to be just as scared as ours are. I'll have to try and see if I can work with that. On a real note though, I am seriously thinking of using your OC within the next few chapters. Sounds like a good guy, and fun too.

To hunter - Celestia: Well young one, yes I would like to if we find we love each other and stay together. I have always wanted to be a mother, and if Steelbreaker turns out to be the stallion I've been searching for, I would want him to father my foals. We are still getting to know each other at the moment though, so no rush for now.

Well shit, I didn't finish this until 4am because I decided it would be a good idea to play guitar and type at the same time. Call me crazy. CALL ME CRAZY! But yeah, here is the stories! Enjoys it!

Song Mentioned: "Black Bird" by The Beatles on The White Album.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters associated with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, nor the original storyline.

Chapter 19: Light and Living

Perspective change - Spike

I woke up slowly, wondering why in the hay my body decides to get up at the "buttcrack" of dawn, as Dark calls it. I started to roll out of bed, only to find I was restrained by something. I opened my eyes and looked around, only to find a lovely ivory unicorn cuddling me.

'Rarity...that's right, we worked things out last night.'

I had honestly thought last night was a dream, but feeling her strangely cool breath on my chest removed the doubt. I smiled at the sight before me that was once only in my dreams. I couldn't help but tilt my head down and kiss the tip of her horn softly. She moaned in her sleep and hugged me tighter, and I couldn't help but smile even wider. Finally after four years, my dream came true. Instead of doing what I normally did - getting up to make breakfast for everyone - I instead chose to stay in the bed, admiring the beauty of my bedmate. She must have subconsciously sensed that I was awake, because she began to move around more, waking up.

She looked at me with a sleepy expression before suddenly blushing. "Oh dear, I apologize Spike, I am not decent. You shouldn't see me like this..." she said while turning away from me.

I grabbed her face in my hand and turned her back towards me. I leaned down and kissed her nose softly and looked deep into her eyes. "Rarity, I don't think there's a time when you won't look beautiful to me."

She giggled and nodded. "Only you would think such a thing about me, darling. Still, we should clean up and make ourselves presentable."

I nodded and followed her upstairs, careful not to wake AJ and Dark.

Perspective change - Celestia

I was standing out on the balcony of the observation deck, admiring another sunrise I had made for my ponies. I lowered my head and let slip a single tear while saying with a solemn voice, "This is for you, father. I miss you." It was at this moment I heard somepony approaching from behind, and I turned to see Steel with a concerned face.

He walked next to me and nuzzled my mane softly, making me feel better. "You really miss him, don't you?"

I nodded and buried my face in his neck. I couldn't help but cry a little more. Something about Steel just coaxed me to let go finally. I began to feel magic around me, and felt the spell I had become familiar with. I could hear music around me, and Steel began to sing...

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise"

As he finished, I felt infinitely better. I remember that my mother used to sing to Luna and I when we were sad or otherwise unhappy. For a moment, it almost felt like she was with me again. Luna had taken our father's death in the war much harder than I had, but that was not to say it had not affected me...did not still affect me.

I looked up at Steel's shining golden eyes and smiled. "You are magical, Steel. Do you know that?"

He chuckled and kissed my cheek, replying in a playful yet soft voice, "Yeah, I have my moments. I love it when you smile. Your smile is as radiant as your sun, and just like the sun it warms me and everypony around you. So I make it a point to keep that lovely smile on your face."

I couldn't help but blush...he was such a sweet talker. I had stallions attempt to woo me previously, but it was only in an attempt to "jump my bones", as my sister so eloquently put it. With Steel however, I could tell it was sincere. I may no longer possess the Element of Harmony, but over my life I had learned to tell when somepony was lying. From what I could tell, Steel had yet to lie to anypony, not that he had reason to. He was more open about his life than most of the populace in our world. Considering the realm he came from, I often found this strange, but I tried not to think too much on it. Instead, I simply enjoyed the company he provided, as well as the newfound companionship I had found.

Perspective change - Steelbreaker

I was trying so hard to focus on the lovely alicorn currently snuggling into me, but I found my thoughts elsewhere...on the incoming war. Luckily we were fortunate enough that the gryphons were apparently not as skilled in war tactics as humans were, otherwise we could have had a full-scale surprise invasion before a declaration of war was ever issued. At least they had honor...or stupidity. I hadn't decided yet. Nonetheless, I would have to get started training everyone for this war. What bothered me the most is the fact that most of these ponies would never think of killing another being. It went against nearly every moral they had, but it had become obvious these gryphons did not hold the same morals. After the day at the cliffs where Frost had to save Twilight, it was clear this battle was going to get bloody...and I was going to have to work hard to train this military.

Celly apparently could tell I was deep in thought, because she nuzzled me again and pulled my face to look at her. "Steel, what's troubling you?"

I just lowered my gaze and barely whispered, "It's this war that's coming. Celly...it's going to get bad. I don't know if your people are going to be ready." I then stood up straight and looked at her with determination. "Come on Celly, we need to release your avatar. Your people will need your help." I could tell she was a little nervous, but she nodded. We took to the skies and headed to an open field I had found far on the outskirts of town, near the mountains.

We landed about a half hour later near an old mountain that once housed a dragon. I could tell my partner was very nervous now, but this had to be done. I stood a ways away from her, and spoke in as even a voice as I could.

"Alright Celly, things are going to be very different for you than it was for Luna and I. From what Frost has explained to me, your avatar is of the day and light. The problem with this is that it is bound to you, the pure-hearted princess of the day."

She then raised an eyebrow at me in confusion. "You state that as if it's a bad thing, Steel. If you are trying to give me confidence, it's not working."

I chuckled. "It's not a bad thing, Celly. What I mean is that because of who you are and your personality, you're not going to be able to release her with the negative emotions that Luna and I are able to channel. You have never had to deal with the immense hatred and loathing that Luna and I have, and so you will be unable to release her power with said emotions. Instead, you will need to focus on another powerful emotion...joy. You have to focus on what in your life makes you the happiest...what brings you that feeling of unbridled joy. You have to let it fill you and consume you. Become joy itself."

She nodded and closed her eyes in thought. It took her a few minutes, but I began to feel magic gathering in the air, and the environment became warmer. This continued for a moment or two, before the magic dissipated and she opened her eyes, snorting in frustration.

She stomped a hoof and shook her head. "I felt it, Steel...I was right there, but I just could not break through."

I smiled and stepped forward to place a hoof on her shoulder in support. "Well what were you thinking of, Celly?"

She shook her head again, but smiled sheepishly. She explained, "I was thinking of how much happiness it brings me to raise the sun every day for my ponies. I love them more than my own life."

I leaned forward and nuzzled her face softly, which she blushed at. "That's not going to be good enough Celly, not nearly good enough. It has to be something personal. Hmm...I've got an idea. What was the saddest moment in your life?"

Her demeanor instantly changed, and her face became downcast. "That's easy...the day I had to banish Luna." I saw her tearing up. "What does this have to do with happiness, Steel? This is the exact opposite of joy."

I just laughed again. "Okay I understand what you're saying. Just listen to what I'm saying for a moment. Because of what she was possessed to do, you were forced to banish your own little sister...your own flesh and blood. Now remember what you felt like the day she was freed. After that thousand years without your sister - that thousand years of guilt and regret - how did it feel to get her back after all that time? That moment when you saw your little sister again after Nightmare Moon's defeat...what did you feel then?"

Celestia let slip a tear, but this time of pure unfettered happiness. I felt the same "snap" within her that both Luna and I had experienced, except hers was positive...like a light being turned on. It was serene, yet powerful. She closed her eyes and wore the most genuine smile I've ever seen...one of unbidden joy. I felt a large amount of magic congeal in the air and surround her, until she was so bright I had to shield my eyes.

When the light finally died down enough so that I could open my eyes, I stood before one of the most amazing creatures I'd ever seen. The body was the exact same as Celly's - pure white. The eyes were now orbs of white fire burning, and her mane and tail had changed to a golden color, radiating pure light. Her hooves were covered in white flames as well. Lastly, she wore a long flowing white gown.

The being looked at me and bowed. It spoke with a voice that brought an unending calm and security, "Hello Steelbreaker. I know much about you. It is a pleasure to finally meet one who brings joy to others."

I smiled and bowed as well. "The avatar of light, it is an honor. What do you call yourself?"

The pony gained a puzzled look before replying, "We do not have a name. Would you name us?"

I furrowed my brow for a moment before I thought of the perfect title. "Lux. It means 'light' in an old language of my world. This language is the beginning of most languages of my world, and so the word holds value to me in a philosophical sense."

The avatar bobbed her head in thought, and then smiled. "Yes...Lux will do well. Thank you, Steelbreaker. We have sifted through some of the one known as Celestia's thoughts, and we know of the war coming to Equestria. We also understand you have recruited Winter and Darkness as well, correct?"

I nodded with a small smile. "Yes. It was actually Winter's idea. What say you, will you assist us?"

The pony smiled and nodded. "Your cause is just, so yes...We will assist you all. We only ask that you attempt to train your warriors in non-lethal tactics. We do not take kindly to needless killing."

"I was thinking the very same thing, Lux. Make no mistake, however...this war will be violent. If at all possible I will attempt to save both sides from death...but it is safe to say casualties will not be completely avoidable." I said with as much compassion as I could muster.

The avatar furrowed her brow and sighed, but nodded as well. She explained, "We will overlook self defense...but you must avoid mindless slaughter or We cannot help you."

I nodded again, this time with a smile of warmth of my own. "I understand, Lux. I will make it so. Please return Celestia to us. We will summon you again when more training is needed. Thank you for your assistance."

The glowing alicorn nodded before blinding me with a flash of light, leaving behind Celestia, who instantly collapsed to the ground. She was still conscious, but more than likely not for much longer.

I nuzzled her and kissed her forehead. "Celly we need to get you to the hospital. It's safe to assume you're going to fall into a coma as well, same as Luna and I did."

She nodded and focused with the last bit of her consciousness and teleported us to the hospital in Canterlot.

Perspective change - Luna

'Ugh...so boring. At least during night court, we get some interesting ponies. Tia owes me for this one.' I let out a few sighs of boredom as I sat within the throne room...for nothing. Not one case all day. Luckily, day court was nearing its end, and I would soon be making my way back to Ponyville and my friends. Unfortunately for me, one case did make it to court today. Needless to say the two parties droned on and on about their arguments, even though I knew what I was going to choose as soon as the case was announced.

Luckily the last case finished quickly, so I gathered up my robe and started to walk back to my room...only to find Steel waiting for me, out of breath. I was worried at first, but he just smiled at me.

"Sorry Luna, just wanted to let you know that I awakened Celly's avatar today, so it looks like you have me all to yourself for the next two weeks." he said, still panting.

I was a little worried, but smiled nonetheless. "Thank you for telling me, Steel. Tia has prepared me for this, so I will be able to handle things here until she wakes. Will you stay with me?"

He responded by sporting a warm grin, and kissing me. "Of course I will. Might I ask if our friends could stay with us here if they want?"

Being royalty now, I still found it amusing that Steel would still ask my approval on things such as this. Still, I appreciated that he still respected me as his superior when it came to ruling. Even though I would never bring it about, I did have over a thousand years of experience more than him.

I just sighed and nodded. "Of course they can. You do know that you don't need to ask me about that, right? You are royalty after all, and they are my friends as well."

He smiled and kissed me again, which began to make me blush. "Thank you Luna! That's why I love you, you're awesome!" He then proceeded to hop around the room in excitement.

I giggled at his antics. I loved how sometimes he took the role of the elder among us all, while other times he would play like a little colt. Versatile, this one is. I did not notice as he flew out of the window of the corridor, a resounding *BOOM* following soon after.

I made contact with him to scold him, saying, 'Steel, please do not do that so close to the palace. We are technically in wartime now, and I would prefer to try and keep a panic from coming about.'

'Oopsies, sorry Lulu.'

Perspective change - Rainbow Dash

I had just gotten done clearing the snow clouds away from town when I was startled by a loud booming sound. I looked to where the sound came from, only to find a white wave of snowy energy expanding outward, and a blur of what looked like a snow cloud in front of it...heading right for me. I was about to move, but then I realized it was Steel. By Celestia, it seems like forever since I'd seen him, and I was going to make sure my week off was worth it. I flew to meet him, and he stopped right in front of me, another loud boom reaching my ears, as well as a strong gust of icy wind that nearly knocked me out of the sky.

Steel just chuckled and caught me out of the air. He cradled me against him and flew up...and up, and up, and up, and up. I felt the air getting much colder, until he placed me down on a cirrus cloud.

I was freezing and I glared at him. "What the hay, Steel? It's cold up here!"

I tried to fly away, only to be grabbed by two huge wings. 'Whoa, did his wings get bigger? I could've swore they were smaller than this...'

He nuzzled against me and kissed right along my jawline...oh, that is not fair. "I've missed you, my Dashie. It seems like ages since I have been able to hold you in my arms, and just tell you I love you."

'Darn him...why does he have to choose now to be all sappy?' I felt a large blush rising to my cheeks, but I couldn't help but enjoy the closeness. As much as I hated to admit it...I liked the sappy stuff with him.

He held me tight, and then dropped off the cloud headfirst. I started to struggle. 'What is he doing? We're heading right for the ground!' He simply looked down at me with a smile, and for some reason I trusted him. He wouldn't hurt me on purpose...I was actually confident in that. About three hundred feet from the ground, he finally flared his wings while his horn was glowing. I felt a very warm air beneath us...did he just create a thermal current?

We landed a second later, and he nearly collapsed on the ground. I was worried for a minute, but he just smiled. "Whew...I didn't know if that was going to work."

I was dumbstruck...and angry. "What? You were hurtling us towards the ground and you didn't know if whatever it was you were doing was going to work? What's wrong with you?"

He just laughed at me and smiled. "What's the matter Dashie? I'm supposed to be telling you not to be reckless...not the other way around."

I snorted with annoyance and poked him in the chest. "Hey, I've never tried something unless I knew I could do it."

He kept laughing, saying in between, "Oh really? And how many times have you ended up in the hospital?"

Well...technically he was right. "Okay okay, you got me. Were even now, okay?" He nodded. "So Steel, not that I'm not happy to see ya, but what are you doing here today?"

Perspective change - Steelbreaker

I just chuckled and hugged the cute pegasus closer to me. "Well Dashie, I'm going to be spending the next two weeks in Canterlot with Luna while Celly assimilates her avatar into her body. I want you and the girls to come with me."

Her jaw nearly dropped off of her head. "Y-you want us to come to Canterlot?"

I smiled and stroked her mane. "Not just Canterlot Dashie, the palace. I want you girls to stay with me if you want."

She stood staring for a minute before she jumped in the air and did a little fangirl squeal, to which I giggled at. 'Ugh...thank God and Celestia that laughing is good for you, otherwise I'd be dead by now from respiratory distress.' She flew into my arms and started raining kisses on me...in public. It was unexpected, but I wasn't complaining.

About an hour later, Dashie and I had passed off my invitation to all our friends, most of whom accepted. Twilight, Dash, Pinkie, Lyra, and Spike would all be joining us today in Canterlot, and Rarity would be arriving later. My brother decided to stay in Ponyville with Applejack, and my mother was still spending time with Big Mac. My sister had some sort of party she was going to, and this was the first party I'd heard of that Pinkie hadn't planned.

Twilight and I gathered everypony and Spike up in the library with their luggage, and proceeded to combine magic to do a mass teleport. Thankfully it worked(I hadn't told Twi I had never tried it before), and we were all now standing in the throne room, much to the surprise of a bunch of guards. Once they saw that I was escorting the group, they relaxed. We all walked down the winding hallways of the palace to the royal wing, depositing everypony's things in the guest room. All the girls immediately took off with Twilight to the hospital, to watch over Celly. We all knew she was going to be fine, but they still wanted to see her out of respect and love.

By now it was near supper time, but I asked the kitchen staff if I could help cook. They all stared at me like I was crazy for a moment, but agreed. Apparently they weren't used to royalty that actually knew how to cook, and wanted to. We set about gathering ingredients for white wine sauteèd mushrooms with roasted tomatoes and Greek salad and got to cooking. The head chef, Cordon Bleu, asked me to write down the recipe for him after he tasted it. Needless to say, he had new ideas for dinner from now on.

About an hour later the kitchen staff and I had set up the dining hall with the meal, including white grape wine and plenty of hot sauce for Pinkie and Dash. The girls all arrived as if on queue, and I could see Dash visibly salivating. I chuckled and motioned for them all to sit at their seats before pulling out a chair for Luna, and then sitting down myself. After I sat, I saw Dashie digging in as if she hadn't eaten all day, which in all likelihood, she hadn't. I just chuckled and began to eat.

After finishing, we all sat in the dining hall for a while drinking wine and catching up. It had been awhile since we had all been together, so we made the most of it. All of the girls were calm until Spike announced that he and Rarity were together now, at which point he drew the attention of everypony there, especially Twilight. I just sat back and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere until Luna lowered the sun and raised the moon, signaling it was time for bed.

We all headed down the corridor again to the royal wing, to see Rarity approaching us. All the girls ran to embrace her and then bombarded her with all sorts of different questions concerning herself and Spike. I just laughed and continued to the rooms.

For the sake of appearances, Luna thought it would be better if we all slept in our own beds. I laughed at this, because I knew she'd probably sneak out to my room at some point during the night, much as Rarity would be going to Spike's room. I entered my room and lay down on the overly large bed and stared at the blank ceiling. "Hmm...well that's not going to do." I mumbled to myself. I flew up to the ceiling and focused as hard as I could. I had learned that when it came to spells, the longer you charged the spell, the less magic you would end up using. This of course was crucial for some more advanced magic, as now I knew that I could still cast nearly any spell I could think of again, if given enough time. And so, I focused for the next ten minutes on the enchantment I would be placing on the ceiling. After I felt I had charged sufficiently, I embedded the spell on the ceiling right above the bed. The rune flashed for a moment before disappearing. I activated the spell and just like I had planned, an illusion of a snowing cloud formed above my bed. 'Oh yeah, I'm going to sleep good tonight.'

As much as I tried not to think about it as I lay in bed, my mind drifted back to the incoming war. I had never fought in a war before...and I had never killed anyone either. I promised Lux I would try and not have casualties, but still...I was worried. I felt my insides twisting up: I was afraid. For the first time in a long time, I was afraid. Not for myself, but for my friends and family. A few hours must have passed, as the next thing I knew I heard the soft flap of wings from outside my window. Figures...my girls just couldn't resist. I walked over to greet Luna at the balcony, only to be tackled to the ground by a blur of cyan. Seems Dashie beat her to it. I then heard the soft clopping of hooves from behind me, and looked at the door to see three smiling mares of pink, violet, and mint-green. I stood up with Dash still attached to me and lay down on the bed again. They all gathered around me and marveled at my ceiling I had created.

"Wow Steel...that's pretty." said Pinkie in her "soft" voice.

Twilight added in a soft tone, "I agree Steel. You should do something like that for the library."

I nodded and all the mares proceeded to snuggle right up next to me, which of course didn't bother me in the least. I kept my windows open to let the winter air in, so that just meant we'd actually be using the blanket, and close contact would be needed...and wanted. Luna and I stayed awake as the rest had quickly fallen asleep and spoke of her stars. She loved her constellations as much as I did, stating her favorite was Capricorn, which I found ironic seeing as how through the zodiac, I am a Capricorn. Oh well, stranger things have happened.

I was humming a tune to myself as a sort of lullaby until I felt Luna stroking my thigh. I looked at her and I could see the lust in her eyes. Oh boy...