i don't know how long i was out but i woke up when i sensed a familiar presence. i slowly opened my eyes and the room was empty in front of me. i looked around and i saw the princess standing over by my bed. i looked at her and she smile, but i turned away.
"crimson i would like to apologize for my actions... they were cruel and unjust and i am truly sorry." she said. she sounded like she was sorry. almost sounded like she was on the verge of tears.
"i've learned to forgive princess but not to forget." i said. she hung her head. "but the memory will only make me stronger and i thank you..." she seemed confused. "if the challenge hadn't presented itself to me i never would have been able to challenge myself. my only regret is that others had to suffer with me."
"you've done well crimson... ponyville and all of equestria are safe from discords tyranny and we have you to thank. even though you were not the one to strike down discord nopony would have without your help."
"thank you princess."
"remember crimson it's not about being the hero... but making the difference." she said. she smiled and i did too. "now there is a very important pony here to see you. she's been waiting a few weeks to see you awake."
"wait what."
"oh yes the accident... the damage to your body left you in a state of cataclysmic rupture and you're body had to heal itself. a process that would take a normal pony years was finished in a few weeks do to your power."
"well damn."
"i'm sure she is dying to see you again." said the princess walking to the door and opening it. she walked out and rainbow dash had walked in. she walked over and sat next to me. she had a big smile on her face.
"hey dashie." i said welcoming her onto my bed. she came over and sat down on the side of the bed. "how have you been."
"much better... thank you for coming back."
"i couldn't leave my two babies here now could i." i said. she laughed.
"speaking of babies i'm due in a week." she said. i looked down and she was quite pregnant. i hugged her stomach and put my ear up to it. she laughed. "what are you doing."
"shhh." i said. "i'm listening to the baby."
"and what is the baby saying."
"the baby says... it's dark in here." i said. she laughed and fell down on the bed. she rolled up next to me and i put my ear back up to her stomach. "the baby also says that you're the best mommy in the world." i said bringing my head up from her stomach and giving her a kiss.
"and does the baby know you're the best daddy in the world." she said.
"i don't need a baby to tell me that." i said. she laughed again and we hugged. the door swung open and my other friends walked in and so did scootaloo and her friends. scootaloo came over and jumped up onto the bed.
i reached one arm around and pulled her in between me and dash. dash gave her a peck on the head and i gave her one as well. i hugged her tight and she smiled.
"what's up scoots." i said.
"the whole town is waiting for you outside." she said.
"and why is that." i asked playfully as i was completely aware of the answer.
"you know why." she said. all of my other friends walked over and gathered over the bed.
"while you were gone we took the liberty of fixing things up for you in indigo city." said twilight.
"thanks twi." i said.
"and me and rarity fixed up yer house while you was out." said applejack.
"what was wrong with my house." i asked applejack.
"well when you exploded you kinda went flying into it and tore it apart." said applebloom.
"yeah and me and fluttershy helped give you more food." said pinkie. "we filled you house with all sorts of goodies like pies, and cakes and apple's and cupcakes and muffins and-" i cut her off.
"alright pinkie i get it." i looked a t fluttershy and she seemed happy despite she had viciously killed all of her animal friends. i pulled twilight over to me and whispered in her ear.
"uhmm is fluttershy alright."
"yeah i know about her animals and i fixed that... i borrowed that book i gave you." said twilight.
i let twilight go back to her friends. i stretched my arms and cracked my neck.
"alright you guys i need to get some fresh air... my back is killing me and i haven't been on my feet in a few weeks literally so lets go do something." i said getting up. dash and scoots jumped off the bed and i got up. i was a bit dizzy, but it was just the blood rushing to my head.
i tilted a bit and dash caught me. i cleared my head and collected my thoughts. i got on my four hooves and walked to the door..
"i wouldn't just yet." said twilight.
"why not." i asked.
"check the window first" said applejack. i walked over to the window and looked outside. i was on the top floor so i looked down and saw a crowd of ponies waiting with signs and whatnot. i couldn't read the signs from this angle. "you sure yer ready to fight of that crowd." asked applejack.
"i've been through worse... besides it'll keep me on my feet."
"alright you're funeral." said twilight. i walked over to the door and opened it up. i saw the princess still standing there with her sister.
"ah there you are." said the princess.
"we would like to apologize for all the trouble we have caused." said luna. "we were foolish to be kidnapped in the first place." she was talking in the first person but it was all with "we" it was interesting.
"there is going to be a ceremony for the seven of you in canterlot... we would love it if you would travel with us." said celestia. "it's tomorrow and you are welcomed to stay for a few days to celebrate the victory." she said.
i looked back to twilight.
"we had planned the celebration for when you woke up." she said. "it was supposed to be a week ago but we miscalculated and you were still asleep." i looked back to the princess and smiled.
"it would be an honor." i said.
"wonderful" she said. "alright go home and pack my little ponies... in an hour i will have more carriages here for you."
"what about the crowd." asked dash.
" i think i can fix that." i said. i concentrated hard and i brought my shadow to life next to me. it stood up and took a 3 dimensional form. now to add color. hair, eyes, fur, etc... there perfect. i walked over and put my hoof around it. "huh." i said pointing to it.
"not bad... i see you've improved on your powers." said the princess. i looked at the shadow. it was completely emotionless, not mindless but emotionless, completely different.
"alright me... walk to sugarcube corner... take the most public route you can possibly think of." i said. i waited for a response. it took a minute but it's mouth opened up.
"yesss... massster." he said. his voice was a little hoarse (lol pun) and dry. it sounded evil at nature. but that didn't matter he wouldn't do anything i didn't tell him to do. he started walking and went right out the door. we followed him. except the princess's they flashed their horns and disappeared.
we followed him and he finally got to the exit. i stopped my friends and he walked outside. the crowd of ponies surrounded him and followed him firing away questions but he kept walking. we waited till the coast was clear and we snuck away.
"c'mon dash lets go." i said grabbing scoots and throwing her on my back and taking off into the air.
"now hold up... i can't fly like this."
"alright you can hop on too." i said. i got down and she climbed onto my back. she was heavy but i managed to get up and airborne. we flew to my house. it was a bit of a bumpy ride, but we made it. i dropped us off and we went inside. the furniture was new and in a different place but it was home nonetheless.
i walked up to the stairs and started packing. dash slowly made her way upstairs and she clutched her stomach. i walked over and helped her up.
"are you sure you can do this dash... we can reschedule or something, or we don't have to go."
"it's fine baby... everything will be alright." she said. i turned her around and brought her back downstairs and sat her on the couch so i could go and pack. after we finished packing i went downstairs with the bags and got dash.
"hey scootaloo." i yelled.
"yeah dad." she said running into the.
"you figure out where you can stay while we're gone." i asked her.
"yeah i can stay at sweetie belle's parent's house." she said.
"alright me and dash will be back in a few days and we'll bring you back something nice."
"alright, bye dad bye dash." she said as we left. we said our goodbye's and i walked to the center of town. i was expecting to get over run by ponies but nopony was there. we got to the center and i saw my double standing there completely alone.
"hey." i said. he turned his head and looked at us. "where did everypony go." i asked. he took a minute to respond.
"they left on trains to the city of canterlot... i relocated myself to your position for further orders."
"self destruct." i said. the double melted and slithered back into place. i walked forward and eventually our friends came into view near sugarcube corner. we walked over and said our greetings. i watched as several carts flew over from the horizon.
they landed and we got on. there were three. it was me and dash in one. twilight and pinkie in the other. and fluttershy, applejack, and rarity in the third. the carts took off towards canterlot. it took a about half an hour before we finally got there.
the carts landed and we were escorted to the main hall where the princess was standing. we walked over and bowed. she greated us and began a conversation.
"i'm glad you all could make it."
"now i had planned a feast... but the cook seems to be ill and i can't find anypony willing to cook."
i thought this would be a good chance to show how well i could cook. and also a really good excuse to cook my favorite meal.
"princess if it's not too much trouble i would love to cook everypony a meal."
"i didn't know you could cook." she said.
"are you going to make that stuff you gave me in indigo city." asked twilight perking up.
"yep." i said.
"very well the kitchen is yours for the night... and i look forward to the meal." she said winking at me and walked away. i made my way to the kitchen and looked around. i was greeted by a sous chef.
" hello there i'm under the impression that you will be cooking for the princess tonight." she said.
"yes i'm making my favorite stew for her."
"ooh a stew been awhile since we made that here... follow me."" she said. my friends waved goodbye and they left except for dash who stayed with me. the sous chef brought us to a big cauldron in the back. it was perfect.
i started the fire and poured water in it. the water started to boil and i put in the herbs and spices. then i chopped up lettuce and cabbage and threw them in. i let that ferment for a while and i threw in some carrots and a pile of salt. i put in some pepper too. it started to get some color.
i skinned a bunch of apples and chopped them up into small chunks. i threw them in. it took about 2 piles of salt, half of a spice rack, 10 carrots, 30 apples and 5 heads of cabbage to make this but it was worth it.
there was enough food here to feed more than just us. i hope it doesn't go to waste that would be a shame. i grabbed a spoon and tasted it. it was the best yet. i let dash have some too.
"here dash try some." i said.
"what is it." she asked.
"my favorite meal that i learned to cook while i was in indigo city, apple cabbage stew." i said. she walked over and took a sip from the ladle. the smiled and drank the rest of the ladle. "holy shit that's good." she said. i laughed and gave her another taste.
i put the lid of the cauldron on the top and now we waited. after it boiled for a few minutes i put out the fire and let the soup sit so the flavor locked in. then i slid the lid off. the sous chef walked in and checked on us.
"how's it going in here." she said.
"all done..." i said "dash why don't you go and find the others i'll meet you at dinner." i said.
"alright..." she said and she walked off. the sous chef walked over and gave the stew a whiff.
"this smells unlike anything i've ever seen... or probably tasted." she grabbed the ladle. "you don't mind." she said.
"go ahead just don't eat all of it." i said. she scooped up some of the stew and she smiled in glee.
"this is simply amazing... we must save some for the head chef... he is ill you don't mind if i bring him a bowl to make help with his cold."
"of course not... there's plenty." i said looking back over at the cauldron... oh yes there certainly was plenty. she grabbed a bowl and walked out. a bunch of waiters came in with their gown on.
"good evening sir we are here to present the meal to the guests." one of them said.
"wonderfull go right ahead and feel free to help yourselves." i said.
"very good sir." he said. he and the other waiters started to fill bowls of soup and put them on platters. i walked out of the kitchen and into the main dining area. everypony was sitting there.
"ah wonderful" said the princess looking over to see me. "your friends have saved you a seat." she said gesturing to the empty seat between her and rainbow dash. i walked over and took a seat. i sat down and looked over at my friends.
"so what's fer dinner." asked applejack.
"it's a surprise." i said giving her a wink.
"i'm not sure how i feel about that." she said.
"don't worry A.J. it's delicious." said rainbow dash.
"trust her rainbow it is delicious." said twilight.
"they all speak highly of your meal..." said the princess pointing her attention to me. "i hope it's something different... to be honest i'm tired of sweets." she said. everypony laughed and the waiters came out with the platters and handed them out.
"dinner is served." the head waiter said and they walked out. everypony opened up the platter and looked at the soup. they looked at it and then over to the princess to see what she thought.
she looked at the soup questionably. she leaned in and sniffed it and picked up a spoon with her magic. she dipped it in the soup and pulled it closer to her face. she sipped down the spoonful and smiled. she took another sip and another.
everypony else started to eat. i had to resist the urge to wolf down my food in front of the princess, but i was so hungry. i started to eat a little faster.
"damn this is good." said applejack.
"it's so so so so yummy." said pinkie putting her face right into the bowl.
"i must say it is quite delicious." said rarity.
"it is pretty good." said fluttershy.
"mmm that's good cooking." said rainbow giving me a nudge.
"thanks everypony... it's just one of many recipes i've picked up in indigo city."
"ah i know that place." said the princess. "they're at war are they not, to become part of equestria... i honestly don't agree with that idea. i believe they should stay a separate nation... things are simpler that way."
"that's what i thought." i said. "it's pretty pointless, i'm just lucky enough to not have seen any of the war while i was there... it is quite a nice place." i said. we all continued to eat our soup. we even had seconds and when those were done we had thirds. i don't know about the rest of them but i could still go for some more.
i asked the waiter to bring me another bowl. so did pinkie, applejack ,and even the princess. we continued to eat and the others had dessert.
"so princess how is the stew."
"it's amazing." she said smiling and taking a sip. "you must give my head chef the recipe."
"i can do that." i said. we finished our food and had dessert as well. we had ice cream. it was really fancy ice cream though. we ate the food and i was stuffed. i leaned against rainbow and burped.
"don't do that." she said pushing me away. i laughed. "you're gonna screw up the baby." she said. she wasn't serious but she was annoyed.
"sorry baby." i said kissing her stomach. she laughed. "and you too baby." i said kissing her on the cheek. she laughed again.
"oh that's right i knew i was forgetting something... and quite a big something at that." said the princess. "i wish my regards to you and your family...and the new baby. i hope he grows up to be just like his father."
"that would be awesome." i said.
"i don't think i can handle two of you... especially one that cries and shits himself on a daily basis." said rainbow. i laughed. i finished my food and the waiters came and took our dishes.
"well, thank you crimson for the wonderful meal..." said the princess. "i'm going to retire to my room now. i hope you all have a wonderful night and i will see you tomorrow afternoon for the ceremony."
"goodnight princess." we all said. "in a flash of light she was gone. we all got up and a maid entered the room.
"now if you will all follow me i will take you to you're rooms." she said. she lead us through the castle. applejack and rarity were sharing one room. pinkie twilight and fluttershy took another and me and dash had been given the room i had stayed in before.
i thanked the maid and she left us to our business. dash walked over to the bed and pulled herself under the covers.
"come to bed sweaty." she said.
"hmm... i'm not tired. besides i promised to pick up something for scootaloo." i said.
"alright... but don't be gone too long."
" don't worry i'll be back in an hour. you just get some sleep." i said. i opened the window and fell. i plummeted to the ground and flexed out my wings i dived down to the town and slowed down as i neared the ground. i landed and ponies were still up and shops were still open.
i walked around until i found a confectionery shop. i walked in and looked around. i looked until i found a stuffed bear. it was made from some really good shit because it was like 40 bits. i grabbed it and bought it. i left the store and put it in my bag. there was one more thing i had to get. something real special.
i walked around until i found what i was looking for. the jeweler. i walked in and looked around. there was a wide variety of rings and necklaces. they weren't really rings because ponies don't have fingers but they were like solid bracelets. they called them rings anyway, who cares.
i looked around the ring isle and i found the perfect one. i was a gold ring with a rainbow diamond on it. the diamond was in the center. it reflected the light so well it looked like it was a rainbow. it was perfect. it was also 5000 bits. luckily i grabbed all my money.
i grabbed it and walked it to the counter. it took a minute for the guy to walk over to the desk because he was inspecting a diamond. he finally walked over and looked at me.
"can i help you sir."
"yes i would like to purchase this ring."
"i'm sorry sir you can't afford this." he said. i grabbed a bag from my bigger bag and used my powers to fill it with 5000 bits. i put it on the counter and he just stared at it.
"bullshit." i said. "now are you going to stop being a snooty asshole or am i going to have to take my business elsewhere, because i know where i can get something like this for free." i said. i was lying, this was a one of a kind ring. it was beautiful.
"i'm so sorry sir let me just ring you up." he said.
"thank you." i said changing my mood. he rung up the purchase and took the bits. he put the ring in a case.
"may i ask the occasion." he said.
"it's for my friend... she's going to have my child and i want to propose." i said. the colts face lit up at the word propose.
"oh that is absolutely splendid... you have my regards and i hope you two are happy." he said waving goodbye as i felt the store. i wasn't going to give it to dash right away. i'm going to wait for the perfect moment. and i think i knew when.
i put the ring in my bag and flew off to the castle. i floated my way to the bedroom window. it was dark. i opened the window slowly and stepped in. i closed the window and walked over to the bed. i put my bags down and curled up in bed with dash.
i grabbed her waist and pulled her into me. i hugged her and wrapped my hooves around her stomach. she giggled a little bit and smiled.i guess she was awake. i smiled as well.
"i love you crimson." she said.
"i love you too dashie." i said holding her tight. i could feel my eyes growing heavy. i guess i was a bit tired. i slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep. tomorrow was the big day. it was the award ceremony for all of us. and i had a few surprises up my own sleeve.