MLP does not belong to me!

Chapter Twenty Four: The Decision

Aqua Star sat in her home the next day knowing that the corruption was spreading. That was the thing about curses: You thought they wouldn't bother you anymore then they rear their head. Looking at the blank walls all around her she knew that she wanted to leave behind some good memories. Standing up she headed to City Hall and fill out the paperwork to adopt Comet. Perhaps, before she made her choice about what to do, she could fill the walls with picture and memories. This caused her to freeze, she had no idea how to even be a mother. Jerking herself away from the building the periwinkle mare headed to the near by park. She saw mothers with their children and siblings play with each other.

She watched them trying have an idea of what being a mother was all about. The unicorn saw some scolding their children for doing something wrong while another had to deal with a child that they spoiled. Some getting them sweet treats while others gave them healthy ones. Aqua still didn't understand.

Next she decided to head to the market to see if she could find the answer. The market was filled with so many ponies though there was two donkeys and a stag there. 'Plenty of mothers.' she thought looking around her midnight colored mane with some cream strands were pushed out of her face. Most of the older children were at school but some of the mothers had their young ones with them. There was Mrs. Cake with the twins, and a few customers with their own young ones. Some screamed loudly when they didn't get what they want and others tried to get away to check out something they saw. Her heart sank when she watched the others try to keep their children close.

"Ms. Star?" asked a familiar voice causing her to turn around and see Rarity. "I don't think I've seen you with your mane down and just shopping."

Aqua Star got an idea just from seeing the seamstress she smiled sadly saying. "I'm just clearing my head before making a decision. I have a request for you, I am in of need of a cloak. Pure white with the symbols of the old tribes with grey thread. Do you think you can make one for me?"

"Of course, but why do you need one?" the white unicorn seemed befuddled about this but the other just told her. "I am planning a journey to the North and the cloak is to keep me warm."

"Thank you." was the sigh from the taller mare before looking towards the City Hall. "Now if you will excuse me, I have business to attend to."

Nodding her head the violet maned mare watched the other walk away. A feeling that something was going on welled up inside of Rarity as she heard the stray thought from the periwinkle mare. 'I do not have to say goodbye but it would nice.'

Pausing in her motions the fashionista headed back to her ship to work on the cloak. If Aqua Star was going on the journey she would get the finest wool for her cloak. She wondered why the pony didn't want to say goodbye but didn't want to pry... even with her new abilities. Aqua was a very private pony and would have voiced her opinions for it being invaded unkindly. 'Honestly, it is like she has something to hide.' huffed the Bearer of Generosity mentally as she continued back to her shop.

Comet wasn't sure what he was expecting what he got to school. He had almost thought that Sweetie Belle and the others would just accidentally tell the class that he was a Changeling. There was not a word from anypony and the three who had found out didn't even look back at him. They treated him normally which got him a little more paranoid. Though they were taking lessons from somepony so it was probably not on their mind.

He headed out with his friends once it was over seeing Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon approach the three. He knew what they said had little effect on the Cutie Mark Crusaders so he went off with Shady Daze and Pipsqueak catching the glance that Silver Spoon sent the light blue colt. Deciding to head off to the Hay Burger the Changeling wondered what would their reactions be if the ponies of this town had found out what he was. He would probably have been chased out with pitchforks and angry yells.

Twilight was writing down her own observations on the Core realm or the area she was in. She still remembered everything there was just like it was yesterday. The mulberry pony set aside a reminder to ask the dragon about that as well as the other questions she had. When she had gotten the wolf jaw necklace the dragon had went quiet and this caused her to wonder. 'If she is supposed to be dead does that mean the Spirits of that realm do not know that she is alive? If that is true does that mean there is a spirit connected to the necklace. How do I find out what spirit lies in there? Perhaps I have to start casting spells.'

There was a knock on her door causing the princess to open it to find the Crusaders standing there. Behind them were the two ponies that used to pick on them. Finding this strange she gave them a raised eyebrow. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked very unhappy that they were there. As they walked in Twilight had to deal with the fillies fawning over her. She didn't notice was Sweetie Belle staring at her shadow which was in the shape of a dragon. Glancing back she saw the unicorn giving her a curious look before going about practicing her magic. The filly had gotten better at the general magic and the young alicorn wanted to move her on to more advanced magics. Preferably barrier magic but that could wait until she was able to lift the broom. She watched the three work on their skills before she caught sight of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon not paying attention.

Twilight didn't say anything because she was only teaching the other three but she was curious on what their cutie mark represented. It was curious because it seemed so straight forward. Deciding to ask she walked forward. "Excuse me."

"Oh we don't need to excuse you." giggled Diamond Tiara as Silver Spoon nodded beside her. "What do you need Princess Twilight?"

"I was just wondering what your talents are." she asked causing the two to pause and look at there marks. Even the pink filly seemed stunned as she didn't even know. The two looked down as they both admitted it quietly to her that they were doing what they always did when it appeared.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't give my students such a hard time about not knowing what their talents are when you don't even know yourself." reminded Sparkle looking at both of them in the eyes. "And if I hear one about you doing so again or even giving them a hard time I will reprimand you both in front of your class and tell your teacher what you have been doing. Do we have an understanding?"

The school fillies nodded their heads, though Diamond didn't really mean it. The mulberry princess raised an eyebrow before turning her attention to her pupils. They were really coming along far which was why she always upped the level of the lesson. She wanted them to learn through struggle.

Aqua Star walked out of City Hall feeling like a weight had been taken off of her shoulders. Comet was now her adoptive son and she couldn't be anymore happier. He wasn't going to be alone, though it had pained her to put down Midnight Sun as his legal guardian. She knew he was still in Sombra. Why else would he be so eager to get back that initial surge of corrupted magic? Why was he so keen on not causing her pain if she had just given it up. He was warring with her friend and if it was the last thing she was going to do it was to save him. Her eyes turned North to where the Northern Mountains lay. It was beyond there where the old pony homeland once lay. It was there she was going to head to find a place to lay until the curse was broken. She was reluctant to bring Comet, even though he was her son he still had a home here.

"Aqua Star?" Comet's voice called out causing her to turn around. "Don't you have work?"

"Not today." the periwinkle mare replied walking over to him and his friends. "Did you just eat?"

"Yeah, we stopped at Hay Burger... why?" the question seemed to confused the black colt as the taller unicorn smile sadly as she answered. "I was hoping to take you out for a bite."

"Oh... um." before the Changeling could respond Shady Daze spoke up. "He really didn't eat much. I'm sure he's still a bit hungry and would love to head off to dinner with you."

Comet shot his friend a playful glare before he saw the smile on the mare's face brightened. She seemed happy to be able to take him out for some food, that meant she had something to tell him. Heading off with his caretaker the shapeshifter wondered why she was so happy. Did she finally get bored and want to get rid of him. He felt his heart shoot to his throat, he almost couldn't breath. 'Should I run? Where will I go? Changelings won't take me back because of how long I've spent here. I don't want to leave.'

When the realization dawned on him that he had finally accepted this place as home he felt bile rise in his throat. 'When did that happen? When did I finally accept the pony way of life? We are vastly different! There is no way that a Changeling will be accepted this easily... but my friends did. The Cutie Mark Crusaders did... even Aqua Star. She was the one who lost everything, her friend betrayed her, and yet she didn't turn me away.'

They found a nice restaurant to eat at and sat down looking at the menu. Comet looked around nervously wondering if she had told anyone what he was. He was waiting for the rejection and the hurt. Something to allow him to go back to his people without the guilt and the pain of leaving. He looked at the menu his stomach twisting in knots, he couldn't focus. The waiter walked up to take their orders and he barely managed to say his order. Aqua Star was acting a bit off and he wondered if she cared for him at all. Was the curse affecting her making her seem to care for him being the opposite of a cold pony. He heard from the townsfolk that she rarely spoke to anyone and would often get into arguments with others about how they don't know what it is like to experience hardships.

"How was school?" was the first question which he answered with a quick. "Fine."

"Nothing interesting happened?" the second question was met with a shake of the head.

"Do you like it here?" this caused the Changeling's head to jerk upwards as he didn't know how to reply.

"It's fine." he barely managed to say before swallowing the lump in his throat and tried to get back in his normal demeanor. "Why do you ask?"

"How would you like to live here... permanently... with me?" that question confused him even further as he said. "I wouldn't mind. What's this about?"

A paper was moved under his nose and so he read it. His mind completely halted, she had accepted him as a part of her family. He was her legal son. Tears welled up in his eyes as he jumped towards her not even noticing the gasps from the people around them. He had changed back without realizing hit. He hugged her tightly saying. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"You are welcome, my son." she told him hugging him back, her heart feeling at peace. Ponies whispered around her, thankfully there wasn't a town guard or else they would have gone to get them. Twilight walked in hoping to grab a bite to eat and saw this. She tensed before noticing the close bond that they had and she had never seen a Changeling cry before. Looking at the others who were pressed up against the wall she told them. "Haven't you seen such a happy family before?"

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