Ch.29

Aurora had taken every detail into consideration when preparing the ceremony; one thing she took the extra time to arrange, was for Moonscar to become reacquainted with what was left of her family. It was her gift to the young unicorn, a sort of thank you for helping Celestia grow; Nimbus may have had no interest in his first granddaughter, but his daughter, Goldclove, had a great interest that she had expressed to her husband. Stonewall had grown very weary of how his wife was taking her sister's death, and how the meeting with Moonscar had a great effect on his beloved. For months she had cried calling out for her sister's name, she began to lose weight from not eating, and she began to sleep more from her lowly depression. Stonewall felt helpless from seeing his wife so sad; however, his hopes were raised when Aurora sent him a private letter in regards to Moonscar.

The stallion wasted no time in making preparations for his trip to the Crystal Empire; Stonewall had even decided to take Milkyway, thinking that it would be good for the little filly to know her long lost cousin. Goldclove might have been less than happy to attend the ceremony, but she had no idea what was in store for her.

Moonscar: "(Nervous) Princess!? I don't think this is such a good idea? My aunt doesn't doesn't think too highly of me, especially since I caused a bit of a ruckus the first time we met."

Aurora: "Oh don't be so silly. You will be fine, I guarantee she wants to see and know you like most aunts do. She isn't like your grandfather Nimbus; he's hardly open to anything that leads to progress in Equestria."

Moonscar: "What will happen if he finds out!? From what I learned about my grandfather, was that he tried to kill my father several times, most of which nearly killed him. Not to mention what he tried to do to me; he isn't the kind of stallion to be so merciful, even to his own blood."

Aurora: "I am aware of that, dear Moonscar. Besides, I didn't exactly invite him to the ceremony."

Moonscar: "You didn't!? What if he comes anyway!? What if somepony invited him without your permission!?"

Aurora: "(Smiles) You worry too much. Please breath before you faint; I wouldn't want my cousin to turn me into a toad for harming her love."

Moonscar: "(Blushes) Dear princess, please try to keep my relationship secret. I wouldn't want certain ears to overhear what does not need to be known."

Aurora: "I assure you that no one will find out. (Sees Stonewall) My goodness! You are looking well dear Stonewall!"

Stonewall: "And so are you fair Aurora! I see you have brought a companion with you; although I do believe we've met before?"

Moonscar: "I...its good to see you again."

Stonewall: "And you as well. My little one has been wanting to meet you again, and so has my wife."

Moonscar: "They have?"

Stonewall: "Of course my dear niece."

The young mare looked at the stallion's smiling face; he was sincere in what he said, and he was more determined to fulfill his goal of giving his wife some peace of mind. Moonscar and Aurora followed Stonewall to his family, they had been waiting elsewhere for him to return.

Milkyway: "Papa!"

Stonewall: "Hello there my darling. Where is your mother?"

Milkyway: "She was talking to the princess, right over there."

Stonewall: "I see, well I better go get her. You stay here a moment with Moonscar."

As the white stallion put his little filly down; Moonscar couldn't stop herself from looking at Milkyway, the very sight of the little filly made the mare's heart skip two beats. The powder blue coat brought back memories to the unicorn; how soft it felt when her mother held her close, the smell of honey that filled her nose when she nuzzled it, the beautiful color that shamed even the most clearest of skies. But the one thing that broke Moonscar most of all, were the unmatched, ever enchanting, and mysterious sapphire eyes that her little cousin was blessed with. It was all too much for the poor mare that she found herself tearing up; the little powder blue filly that she stared at so closely, noticed the tears and expressed her concern for her cousin.

Milkyway: "Why are you crying? Are you sad?"

Moonscar: "(Sniffs) I...its just...you look like my mother."

Milkyway: "Really? What was she like?"

Moonscar: "...She was-"

Nimbus: "Milkyway! Stay away from her!"

Milkyway: "Grandpa!?"

Nimbus: "(Stands in front of Milkyway and looks Moon dead in the eyes) What nonsense are you filling my granddaughter's head with!?"

Moonscar: "I haven't said anything."

Nimbus: "I'm warning you; stay away from my family, or else."

Aurora: "Nimbus! I am surprised at you. Such a noble stallion like you, treating his granddaughter like some common stranger."

Nimbus: "She is not my granddaughter. This….this thing! She is nothing more than an insignificant pony, who should have died when she had the chance!"

Aurora: "How dare you talk about her like that!"

Moonscar: "Your majesty, i-its nothing to concern yourself with. Please you don't have to-"

Aurora: "No! I expected better from you Nimbus; your granddaughter has proven herself to be a great knight, and quite possibly something more. She isn't insignificant, she is a brave warrior that has saved my life, and my son's. You dare mock her in front of me during her ceremony? I think your granddaughter has suffered enough, but you my dear friend have crossed the line. Maybe Taking away your title will be-"

Moonscar: "Wait! Please don't. It isn't worth it, my dear princess."

Aurora: "But Moon, he should be punished for-"

Moonscar: "Please your grace, I don't wish to punish him for what he has done to me."

Aurora: "(Sighs) Very well."

Nimbus felt his anger reach its peak; how dare she give the word to save him from the princess's judgement!? A mix blood had no place in a perfect society where only perfection reigns supreme. It frustrated him to know that Apollo, that damn earth pony stallion, violated his perfect daughter and created this, this shameful being, this filly that took his very face. Why had the heavens found it so befitting to give him a granddaughter that looked like him? He could deny her, disown her, swear that she wasn't his blood, and yet they would know; just looking at her made him feel disgust for himself. The mare had to go; it didn't matter the method in which she was disposed with, she had to go!

Nimbus: "(Pulls out handkerchief and throws it at Moon) I Demand compensation for this disgraceful act! I, Nimbus, lord of Dapple Oaks, challenges this commoner to a duel!"

All turned their heads to see the old stallion shout at the young unicorn; Nimbus was red faced and snorting hard, while Moonscar stood and stared, only to take a moment to pick up the handkerchief.

Moonscar: "...I accept."

Aurora: "Moon! You don't need to do this, he's just baiting you!"

Moonscar: "I know. I gave him the chance to leave me be; if this is the only way I'm going to get that, so be it."

Nimbus: "I will be waiting for you two days from tonight; my best warrior shall greet you during the early sunrise, don't think about running. I will hunt you down, and I will treat you no better than any worthless creature I have mounted on my wall."

Moonscar: "I have no intention of running; however, I advise you to keep your word of showing up to watch."

Nimbus: "Oh really? And why might that be?"

Moonscar: "Because, dear grandfather; I will treat you no better than any other worthless creature that you have mounted upon your wall."

Nimbus: "Is that a threat child?"

Moonscar: "Not at all, it is a guarantee. One that I will be most certain to keep."

A shiver ran down the spine of the old stallion; he was so high and mighty when he thought that she would just run and roll over like a scared dog, but now his boiling blood had turned ice cold. His red face turned pale while his body shook in fear; why was he so afraid by this mare, who had nothing to her name? It wasn't like she was fully trained, and he had the best warriors at his command, so what was this bearable feeling that struck him so suddenly? As he noticed everypony staring at him, it became clear that he could not turn back from this decision; it wasn't just because Aurora was witness to it, or his daughter and her family, or everypony else, but now the queen and her daughters became aware of the challenge. Nimbus had dug himself a hole that he could no longer climb out of, and by doing so he would carve out a path for his granddaughter's future, as Equestria's great guardian.