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Upon a beautiful and golden afternoon on the Kingdom Island of Tambelon, within the grassy fields of the Scaly Spring Hills, one pretty and magical alicorn princess lay beside the equally pretty Changeling Queen. With nothing but a warm blanket laid out underneath the two Royal rulers, they sip their tea slowly and steady while sharing a delightful conversation....
"...and then BOOM! I turned my husband into a little puppy dog for a whole hour~" Princess Twilight Sparkle giggles while taking a moment to sip her tea.
Queen Chrystala sets her teacup down upon the picnic blanket and snorts to the amusing story of what her former enemy did to her old friend recently, "That is perhaps the funniest thing I have ever heard! Yet...I feel so sorry for Courageous."
"Oh, he doesn't mind...most of the time~" Twilight informs and continues to giggle, while rubbing her slightly expanded belly, "Casting spells like that help take my mind off the pain and keep me in a good mood; This usually works when most of the books in my library don't~"
"I understand," The queen gently brushes her long green mane out of her eyes and smiles onto the alicorn Princess of Friendship, "Us mares go through the usual stages when pregnant; Even I did with my little Tyke. I have even been present during each and ever newborn youngling that was brought into this world by a changeling mare. I have seen how the mothers find ways to take their mind off the pain before then: By taking it out on their husbands~"
"Yeah~" Twilight sips her tea, with the aid of her magic, and giggles once more to the hilarious thoughts of what she has done in the past few months since she discovered she was pregnant, "This morning, before I came here with my daughter, I turned Courageous into a houseplant~"
"Oh no~"
"Oh yes~" Twilight assures her doubting friend, "Let's just say I woke up this morning all grouchy like, and nothing seemed to calm me down. But then I decided to cast a transformation spell on my husband to cheer myself up. I admit he tried to run...but he could not escape from me~" Twilight snickers while she tells the story to the dark coated Changeling Queen sitting next to her, "He is still in that state...and I may change him back when we get on home later."
"Oh dear~" Chrystala cannot help but giggle more than feel sorry for the young Prince of Tambelon, "You sure have hilarious methods for handling the stages of being pregnant; They sure sound more entertaining to hear of than that of my own."
"Thank you, Chrystala...but out of all my friends who had foals of their own, Rainbow Dash was the worst," Twilight Sparkle reveals, since the Queen was away in her homeland years ago, "She was so grouchy and upset when she was advised against flying for a few months. All she could do was sit on her couch or bed, reading books all day."
"Wow...." With but a nod of her head, Chrystala could understand how the tomboyish mare felt during that time when she was pregnant with Gust, "I know Rainbow loves flying...and I can understand what it must have been like to say "grounded" for months."
"You have no idea: She complained a lot, and took it out on Soarin quite often; The poor stallion...." Twilight giggles to the memories of her brave and loyal friend...dealing with the hardest nine months of her life: Pregnancy. "But after Gust was born, things got better and she had no reason to be angry anymore; All that mattered at that moment was the joy of holding her newborn foal."
"Yeah...." Chrystala agrees without question, due to that same precious moment of what she held her little Tyke for the first time years ago, "...and soon you will be holding your newborn foal...just like you did with Starlight."
With a blush on her cheeks at the thoughts of a new baby pony brought into this world during the Era of Harmony, brings a warm feeling of joy into the heart of this wonderful mother, wife, and princess. Twilight rubs her belly ever so gently and blinks a tear of pride, "I love my daughter and my husband...and I will love this little foal now and forever."
"I know you will," The Queen smiles onto the pregnant princess...and will plan to be there when the day comes for the newborn prince or princess arrives in this world.
Suddenly, the attention of the two mothers turn from each other and onto the two little foals that are playing just down the hill from where they rest:
The little Changeling Prince Tyke is playing tag with his best friend Princess Starlight, the young alicorn princess. With an entire day with no school or chores, the two continue to play and play...while their mothers watch ever so close by.
"Tag! You're it~" Starlight giggles when she flies on up to her good friend Tyke and touches his side with her hoof...only to turn around and fly away before she is tagged back.
"N-N-Not for long~" Tyke mumbles and does his best to chase his best friend.
"You can't catch me!~" The teasing little pink alicorn says while she pretends to get way; She knows that Tyke is not the best of flyers, so Starlight allows her friend to catch up.
"Yes...I...Can!" Cries the youngling, who manages to catch up to teasing little filly...touching her side at long last, "Gottcha!"
"Hehehehe~" Starlight giggles in delight to this fun game she is enjoying with her best friend, only to turn around in a split second and tackle Tyke onto the grass, "Now I have you~"
"Hahahaha~" Chuckles the young prince while he rolls on down the grassy hill of green, while embracing the filly who does the same.
Soon, they both reach the bottom of the hill and lay together within the soft blades that move the way water ripples by the motion of the cool, autumn breeze. With flowers of yellow and white scattered about, and their warm scent filling the air around them, Starlight and Tyke giggle and lay about...looking at each other with smiles upon their faces.
"This is so much fun, Tyke: Just us two here in the hills...playing whatever game we want without anypony to tell us what to do." Starlight, the little princess of Tambelon, admits when she turns her sights up onto the clouds that float above within the ocean blue sky.
"Yeah...." The young prince of the Changeling race agrees with his best friend, watching the clouds as they change shape and form such wonderful objects to be identified with but a touch of imagination. "We haven't done this since...I first came to Tambelon."
"I know!~" Starlight giggles when the memory is brought up for her to recall in a delightful way, "You were so bashful when we first met, but you were so kind and gentle. We had so much fun that day."
Feeling a blush form on his onyx coated cheeks, Tyke remembers that day when the giggling little alicorn first came to Scaly Spring Hills shortly after he and his mother arrived, "We sure did...and I wish we could have more times like this together."
"Oh, we will, silly~" Starlight turns over to her side to look down upon the little changeling that she likes so much, "We have all the time in the wide world of Tambelon to have fun: Here or elsewhere."
"I know...but...."
"But what, Tyke?"
"I dont know...." The confused youngling shrugs his shoulders and is stuck in a state of unsurety, "I mean, I just wish we had more time for...you know...for us to play. Just us and nothing else." He blushes a little when he says this, feeling something within his chest that makes him feeling uncertain.
"You mean...more playtime for us?" Starlight tilts her head at that suggestion, but blushes and smiles once more...finding that to be something that would be wonderful, "Yeah! I would love that too!"
"R-Really?"
"Of course, Tyke. Maybe next time we can play at the palace," Starlight hopes, "It has been a long time since you or any of our friends came to stay the night or something at my home. You and I should do that sometime soon."
"That...would be wonderful, Starlight. I hope we can do something like that soon." Tyke hopes so too, and sits up on the grass, "But...I am happy for today: Your mother bringing you here to play."
"Me too~" Starlight sits herself up and smiles even brighter with her pearly white teeth showing how happy she is right now.
"Starlight!~" The lovely Princess Twilight Sparkle calls out to her precious daughter from over yonder, "It's time to go home!~"
"Okay, Mommy!~" Starlight shouts back, letting her mother know that she is coming. But before the little princess would run off to rejoin her mother at the Royal Carriage that awaits to take them home to Tambelon city, she turns towards Tyke with hope in her eyes and in her smile, "I had fun today...and I hope we can do so again sometime soon."
"Me too...I just...only wish we could have more time today to play...." Tyke sadly admits, wishing today did not have to end so soon.
"I wish so too...." Starlight sighs in a tone that shows hints of sadness to their playtime ending like this, "But maybe...maybe I can talk to my mommy and see if she will allow you and your mom to come and visit us sometime."
"That would be fun!" Tyke admits, all excited to visiting his best friend at her own home.
"Starlight, we need to go!~" The alicorn mother calls out once more, hoping this time will be the last time.
"Coming Mommy!~" Starlight replies in a shout, knowing that if a third time were come, it will lead to lecture and possibly extra chores for a while. The young princess turns back to her best friend and gives him a warm hug...as her way of saying goodbye to one who is important to her, "Goodbye, Tyke. I hope we get to play again sometime soon."
With a great blush upon his cheeks to the sudden, yet soft, hug from his good friend, the young prince returns the hug and smiles, "I hope so too. Take care, Starlight."
Giving her best friend a gently squeeze, to show how much she cares for him, Starlight releases Tyke and flies off to join up with her mother...hoping that once they return home, she can ask the question of if she can invite Tyke over to play sometime. With any luck and hope, Something could be planned out.
**************************************
"Uh...Mommy?" Starlight turns her sights from the front entrance of Tambelon Palace to the alicorn mother that walks beside her, "Can I...ask you something?"
"Of course you can, sweetie. What is it?" Twilight stops for a moment as they enter the main hall of the place, wishing to hear her daughter's question before anything else.
"Can...what I mean to say is...I had a lot of fun today...and I...was wondering if...Tyke could...come over and play...sometime..." Starlight asks in a nervous state, wondering if her mother will allow this during her time of being pregnant with her baby brother or sister, "Um...please?"
Twilight smiles ever so sweetly onto the little filly she is proud to call her own, and leans down the best she can to hug her, "Oh Starlight. Of course we can have Tyke come over sometime. Maybe next weekend might be best."
"Oh Mommy! Thank you so much!!" Starlight squeals like the little schoolfilly she is and hugs her mother, "I love you so much!!"
"Hehehe, I love you too, my little Starlight~" Twilight grunts from the sudden hug and returns one with a smile, and a slight sign of pain, "Easy, dear. Be gentle."
"Sorry, Mommy." Starlight gently breaks the hug and steps back, "How much longer will it be before my baby brother...or sister...arrives?"
With a warm smile upon her lips, Twilight turns her eyes to her belly that has become bigger in the last month or two, and rubs it gently with her hoof, "Probably not for a while...but probably soon."
"Yay!" Starlight hops is place, excited to have a foal to play with inside her own home.
"Welcome Home, Your Majesties!" Two members of the Tambelon Royal Guard, Oath Sworn and Task Duty, enter the hall and salute before the Princess and the younger Princess.
"Thank you," Twilight gives a delightful nod of her head and smiles onto the mare and her coltfriend, who have proven to be sworn protectors of her little Starlight now and always, "At ease"
"Hi Oath!! Hi Task!!" Starlight giggles and flies on over to them, "Tyke is gonna come over and play next weekend. I am so excited!!!"
"That is wonderful, kiddo!" Oath expresses her happiness for the little filly she watches over and sees as a little sister.
"It sure is!" The white unicorn expresses to his beloved marefriend, happy to see both her and Princess Starlight happy and with a bond that is so special in his eyes.
"Well, I am going to go and rest in the bedroom for now," Twilight informs the two lovebirds and her daughter.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Both Oath and Task reply to their ruler...only to have the former add in a question, "By the way: We have not see Prince Courageous Heart all day. Is he out or something?"
"Huh? Oh! No, he is over there," Twilight remembers and points over at the corner of the hall where a few pictures hang along with a potted plant or two resting upon the floor and against the wall.
"Uh...forgive me, your Highness...but I don't see him." Task apologizes and cannot see anything in that corner over there.
"That is because...." With her horn glowing bright with magic that is the very color of her own coat, the Princess of Friendship cases a spell onto one of the plants...changing it back from a green decoration to a brown alicorn prince, "...I have not used my magic to change him back yet~"
"Oh...." Task nods and gulps a little, wondering why the Prince of Courage was a plant in the first place...and hopes his own marefriend will not get any ideas soon on this.
"Why me...?" Courageous Heart complains while he stands back up on his four hooves, "Twilight. Must you do this to me every day?"
"Mmmm...." Twilight thinks on it for a brief moment; The thoughts on the pain of being pregnant as well as giving birth in the future clouds her mind, bringing her to raise an eyebrow at her husband...along with her horn lighting up again, "You really want me to answer that...?"
"Nono! No, it's fine!" Courageous answers in a post-haste reply, smiling and sweating nervously; He knows the mood-swings his wife is going through are temporary, feeling it is best to let her do that which makes her happy to help take her mind off the pain.
"Good~" The currently happy Twilight Sparkle smiles and moves her way onto the bedroom to get some sleep, but turns her head towards her husband whom she loves...and loves to use as a source to take her mood-swings out on, "Coming, Courageous dear?"
"Yes, dear...." The nervous, but caring, stallion replies...knowing that is is best to be with his wife during the last month of her pregnancy.
Once the Prince and Princess are gone and away, Starlight wonders why her mother acts like this towards her Daddy, and tilts her head in confusion. "Why does Mommy keep turning my Daddy into objects? I mean, it is funny to watch...but why does she do it now out of all times?"
"Uh..." Oath is unsure how to answer this, so she just rubs the head of the curious little alicorn filly, "You will understand when you are older. But for now, enjoy the humor that comes from watching your mom turn the prince into anything she wants to."
"Yay!!" Starlight cheers and giggles, hoping the next time will be just as funny as this time.
*********************************************
"YesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesYEEEEEEEES!!!" Starlight repeats with joy while she hops around the circular table within the kitchen, "Today is the day Tyke comes over to play! Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!~"
"Hehehe. Alright Starlight, calm down." Courageous asks politely while he finishes his breakfast of oatmeal and orange juice, "The Changeling Queen and Prince will be here later this afternoon...so remember to have your chores and homework done before-"
"All done, Daddy~"
"Come again?" The confused stallion of brown asks of his excited young daughter.
"I did ALL my homework last night, and finished my chores early this morning~" Starlight informs her father with pride in her voice and her wide smile.
"Oh really...?" Courageous Heart asks, having some doubts.
"It is true, your Highness," Oath Sworn steps into the kitchen and bows her head onto her Prince, supporting her little sister figure, "I checked her homework last night and watched her complete the chores you listed. You have nothing to worry on, Prince Courageous: I vouch for Princess Starlight one-hundred percent!"
"Awww, thank you Oath. I love you!" The happy little princess hugs the bodyguard and sister figure who has looked out for her since she was a wee foal.
"I love you too, Starlight." The blushing tan coated mare expresses her warm feelings for the little filly, always happy to be there for her the way Task does.
"Alright." Courageous nods his head in approval, "Go get ready for when they arrive, sweetie."
"Yes, Daddy~" Starlight replies with a smile, only to zoom on out of the kitchen and down the hallway where her bedroom lies not too far away. With the urge to brush her mane and brush her teeth, Starlight races on to prepare before her best friend arrives to play.
***********************************************
"Yay! We are here, Mommy...!" The little Changeling Prince informs his mother once their own carriage pulls passed the front gates and into the front courtyard of the castle.
"I see that, sweetie~" Queen Chrystala, after finishing the final touches of her makeup, smiles onto her precious little colt...looking out the window to gaze upon the glorious golden palace of the two rulers of the Island of Tambelon.
"I can't wait to play with Starlight!" Tyke says with excitement, knowing that his one and only alicorn friend is perhaps the one pony who doesn't make him feel all nervous.
"You two will have plenty of fun, I know that much...but remember to be on your best behavior while inside the palace; This is the home of the Prince and Princess of our home...so show respect to them as they do to us."
"Yes, Mommy. I promise." Tyke makes a Pinkie Promise to his mother with the correct hoof gestures, "Cross my Heart and hope to Fly. Stick a...a..."
"Stick a cupcake in your eye?~" Chrystala finishes her son's Pinkie Promise, all while giggling.
"And stick a Cupcake in my Eye!" Tyke finishes on his own, wanting to make sure that is promise his genuine and true.
"That's my little colt~" The loving mother nuzzles her son and gives him a soft kiss to his cheek, so proud of the little youngling she will always raise until he rises to full status of Prince of the Changelings.
Once the carriage comes to a halt, the Queen and her son exit and are escorted by the Royal Guard themselves into the great golden front doors of the palace...where the Royal Family of Tambelon await.
********************************************
"Hiya Tyke!!" Starlight squeals when her dearest friend and his mother pass through the castle doors and into the grand entrance, where many hallways connect to the different areas of Tambelon Palace, "You're Here!!"
"I sure am...!" Tyke expresses his excitement, but tries to keep calm due to him and his mother being guests in the home of Royalty, "I...I can't wait."
"Daddy? Can Tyke and I go play in the gardens?" The eager little princess turns her eyes up towards her father in hopes that this simple little wish can be granted for herself and her changeling friend.
"Of course you can, sweetie...."
"Yay!!" Starlight cheers, "Let's go-"
"...as long as Oath and Task watch over you." Prince Courageous Heart finishes his sentence that shows good parenting when it comes to having guests.
"But-"
"No buts, Starlight. Those are the rules since your mother and myself will be busy keeping our honored guest..." The Prince turns to his foalhood friend from long ago and bows his head to her, then returns his attention to the daughter he is proud to call his own, "...so my rules stand to have your bodyguards watch over you and your friend while she talk. Understand?"
Despite how much she loves Oath as a sister, Starlight feels in her mind she wishes to play with Tyke without the need of being watched all the time. However, there is no point in pleading, especially in front of the honored guests...since it may only lead to her embarrassing herself, "Yes Daddy...."
"That's my girl." Prince Courageous smiles down onto his daughter, gently petting her head and mane. Afterwards, the alicorn Prince of Courage turns his sights to the two armored unicorns that stand among the other guards that are at attending within the entrance hall, "Can I count on you two to watch over the young prince and princess?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!" Oath and Task salute at once, promising to do all they are sworn to do: Watch over and protect the next generation of Royalty.
"Very good." Courageous approves upon turning towards the hallway to the left, "Twilight awaits for us in the lounging area; Tea and cookies will be there as well."
"Sounds delightful, my friend." The Queen gives a warm smile to the one pony who helped bring her out of the Darkness so long ago...giving her kind another chance, plus a son she could raise in happiness and love.
"Come on, Tyke! Let's go!!" The anxious little alicorn filly calls to her friend while they run on down the opposite hallway towards the gardens that await for them outside.
"Coming!" The smaller, but strong hearted, youngling tries his best to keep up...with his wings giving a small boost.
"You two don't run off too far too fast!" Oath shouts while trying to keep up with the young and energetic filly, who reminds her very much of herself at that age, "Let's go, Task!"
"Right behind you!" Task Duty, with his white hooves pounding upon the floor as he races down the hallway with his marefriend by his side.
********************************************
"Our honored guest has arrived, my love." Courageous Heart addresses to his wife upon entering the lovely lounge room where shades of lavender silk hang upon the windows to keep the sun from shining in too bright. However, what draws the attention more than the drapes and the sun that shines down on into this room...is the pregnant princess laying on her side upon the soft, velvet pillow that rests upon the floor as Twilight Sparkle does.
"That is...wonderful, dear." With her magic ever so in a delicate state the way her own body is, Twilight tries ever so to pour some tea without straining herself.
"Allow me, your Highness~" The Queen of the ever changing changelings offers her assistance, summoning her magic of sparkling green to pour the hot tea into the elegant pink teacup that rests upon a saucer.
"Why...thank you, Queen Chrystala."
"You need not be so formal, dear. We are all the best of friends...since I can feel such within my own heart." The lovely, slender changeling mare expresses with a warm heart of friendship to the Princess of Friendship.
With but a giggle in response to such kind and caring words spoken from one who knows of love as much as her sister-in-law Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire, Twilight Sparkle accepts the ever-strong friendship she shares with one who was once her enemy, "Of course, Chrystala. Come. Sit and let us converse of whatever is on our minds."
"I would be delighted, Twilight Sparkle." Bowing her head to her friend and ruler of the land she now lives in, Chrystala bends her knees to sit her onyx coated body onto the soft and plush cushion of red and velvet.
Watching his wife and friend converse as best friends would, Courageous rests himself upon the floor pillow that lies beside Twilight. With so much to discuss and look forward to this bright and beautiful day, the brown alicorn watches and listens while the ladies begin the conversation of a random topic...hoping to join in soon enough.
******************************************
"What do you...wanna do first...Starlight?" Tyke asks of his best friend upon entering the outside gardens, where many colored flowers of such sweet fragrances that reach the nostrils of the youngling prince. The very scent brings a blush to his cheeks, and begins to understand why his best friend loves this part of the outside so much.
"Well...." The pretty little princess trots up to the round sphere that rests upon the soft green grass before her hooves, "We can toss my favorite ball around for a while...if you like that is, Tyke."
"That sounds like fun!" The prince replies without hesitation, wanting not to disappoint his friend and host...this being her home and all.
"Alright!~" Starlight levitates the purple ball into the air with what magic she can muster, then tosses it towards the little onyx coated colt over yonder, "Catch~"
The ball flies into the air and descends on down towards the little changeling. Tyke gulps, but refuses to cower in front of his best friend...and leaps up into the air with the help of his wings to bounce the ball back with his head, "Got it~" Tyke calls out to Starlight upon spiking the ball back with his forehead and without allowing his curved horn to pop it.
"Hehehehe~" Giggles the excited little alicorn, and readies herself to bounce the ball right back...continuing the cycle until one of them drops it.
Nearby, the two unicorns of the Tambelon Royal Guard, Oath Sworn and Task Duty, sit together on the bench while they watch over the two young foals who continue to play a fun game of tossing the ball around.
"They are so cute together...." The tan coated mare blushes in admiration to the sweet friendship those two share, "It makes me so happy to see Starlight happy."
"Me too." Task admits to the mare he loves, magically removing his helmet for a moment to brush his mane a bit, "I hope they remain good friends for years to come."
"I hope so too...and...maybe even more than friends someday," Oath giggles at the beautiful thought of what her little sister figure might find someday in the ways of love...as she has with the handsome stallion that she scoots closer to.
"Y-Yeah...." Task blushes when Oath rests her head underneath his chin, pressing the side of her face into his chest. With a warm smile upon his face, the lucky stallion places his foreleg around the body of his marefriend and whispers, "I...I love you, Oath...."
For the first time since they have dated months ago, the ears of the unicorn mare perk up to the words she has longed to hear from the stallion of her dreams, "Oh Task! I...I love you too."
"Hey, look." Starlight stops the ball in the air with her magic when it was starting to fall down to her, only to whisper to her best friend when she notices her big sister and protector snuggling with Task on the bench, "Looks like Oath and Task are gonna get all lovey-dovey~" She tries to giggle as quiet as possible, and motion her friend over to the bushes to watch.
"Huh...?" Tyke tilts his head, all puzzled by what Starlight is talking about...but follows her to the bushes to hide, "Why...are we hiding...?"
"So they don't see us, silly~" The giggling alicorn giggles and hushes her best friend by putting her hoof to his lips, "Now keep quiet. This may be our chance to sneak away and do something extra fun without being watched."
Blushing to the touch of the pink polished hoof of his best friend upon his mouth, Tyke listens to her and watches from where they hide: Inside a soft bush of green with only his eyes and hers peeking out to watch the two unicorns cuddle.
"They make such a cute couple, don't they~" Starlight whispers with a giggle to follow, removing her hoof from the mouth of her blushing friend, "Oath deserves to be with somepony she loves."
"Yes...she sure does," Tyke agrees in a rush, wanting not to seem like he would disagree with the filly he admires and his happy to spend time with.
"Come on. Let's sneak out while we can."
"And...go where?"
"Anywhere, Tyke. My home is a palace with many rooms to explore and play in; Plenty to find and discover~" She whispers into the twitching ear of the little youngling, and moves her way out of the bushes and away from the area that Oath and Task have locked on...if they were not busy cuddling one another, "Follow me~"
"Okay...." Whispers the curious little changeling prince, following with each step taken in a quiet motion, staying as low to the ground as possible...using the rest of the bushes and flower beds to cover himself and his friend who leads him out of the gardens and towards the side down back into the castle.
***********************************
The quiet lounge room of Tambelon Palace turns into an uproar of laughter by two mares of royalty...who have found the most delightful and hilarious subject that has left the single stallion within blushing in complete embarrassment.
"Can we please talk about something else...?" Courageous Heart, with his cheeks as red as the Applelulu apples, pleads while his wife and friend giggle away on a subject he wishes not to be discussed right now.
"Awwww, lighten up dear. Nothing wrong with us mares talking about "love in many forms"~" Twilight Sparkle giggles ever so, trying to hold her teacup straight and steady while finding this subject so hilarious.
"It's not...except when the one you love turns the other into whatever form she desires for her own amusement...!" The ears of the brown coated alicorn flatten against his head and blushes more, feeling more embarrassed than before.
"Awww...I think it is sweet that Twilight does this to you," Queen Chrystala admits, while trying not to laugh so hard at this amusing moment, "For a changeling, the husband would perform with his shape-changing powers to keep the wife happy while she is pregnant...but in your case, Twilight does the changing on you to keep herself entertained~"
Twilight snorts and loves how the Queen supports her on this, which any of her friends would if they were here.
"Yeahyeah...." Courageous chuckles and sighs, blushing a little less than before. "I don't mind it at all...just when she leaves me as such for hours."
With but a grin on her lips, Twilight Sparkle powers up her horn, "You're right...and I shall vow to never leave you in such a state for no longer than...twenty minutes~"
"Tha-What?!!" Courageous's ears perk back up, and comes to realize what is about to happen, "No please...not right now...!"
"Yes...now!~" Twilight cannot help but summon her Transformation Spell and point it directly at her husband, with her grin still strong upon her face.
"Nononono!" Courageous tries to plead for his wife not to do this, and is about to get up and run away.
"Just kidding~" Twilight powers down her horn, laughing along with Chrystala for the amusement that the Prince of Courage, who showed quite a bit of cowardice for the moment, displayed for the mare's entertainment.
"By Celestia, that was SO FUNNY!!!" The Queen of the Changelings spits her tea out of her mouth and cannot help but laugh so hard at this moment that has just made her day...and next few days.
"Ugh..." Calming himself down, Courageous Heart slumps down into the couch and is both relieved to not becoming a critter for the moment...but help but feel annoyed by his wife's mood-swings; This being one of them.
"Awwww, don't feel so down, honey~" Twilight sits up the best she can and presses her lips to the cheek of her dashing stallion, showing that she loves him no matter what mood she might be in, "I love you, you know that~"
With his cheeks turning bright red once more, Courageous feels ever so love-struck by the mare of his dreams, "Yeah....~"
"You two are such a wonderful couple. I can feel how strong your love is...and it is the most powerful in all of Tambelon." Queen Chrystala, with her powers to sense and feel love from anywhere closeby, reveals to the Prince and Princess of Friendship and Courage, "Even when you have a new foal on the way, both of you continue to share your love in ways that few can match. Even your own brother and his wife."
"Awwww...thank you, Chrystala. That means a lot coming from you." Twilight expresses her gratitude, and believes every words the Queen speaks off; In her own heart, Twilight's love for Courageous is stronger than anything and will never allow anything to come between them.
"You are welcome." The onyx coated changeling mare replies with smile, pouring herself another cup of hot tea, "Speaking of love: I noticed something between those two Royal Guards of yours. What are their names again...?"
"Oh, you mean Oath Sworn and Task Duty....?" Twilight informs to her curious guest and friend, "Yes...they are quite the couple~"
***********************************************
"I think...we...lost them~" Starlight informs her friend, panting a little after the quick flight down the hallway to get as far from the gardens as possible, "I would like to see Oath and Task find us now~"
"Yeah...but...won't they...get mad at us?" Tyke questions the panting little filly, while trying to catch his breath also.
"Maybe a little...but I do this all the time with Oath. Plus, I like to hide and see if she can find me~" Starlight regains her breath and giggles at the little game she has made out of defying her parents and bodyguard, "Let's go and hide before Oath and Task find us~"
"Uh...well...okay."
Spreading out her feathery wings of pink, Starlight flaps on hard into the air and soars on ahead down the hallway...with Tyke following close behind. However, the young schoolfilly proves to be the faster of the two...and goes on ahead while her friend struggles to keep up. Giggling from the excitement of the flight and the time spent with her best friend, the little filly named Starlight flies on down the hallway and takes a detour down another...leading right to her parent's lounging room.
"Gotta keep quiet or they may hear me...." Starlight thinks to herself, landing down upon the red carpet that lies along the hallway. One hoof at a time in a quiet pace, the pink alicorn filly does her best to sneak passed the open door that leads into the lounge room.
While successful, Starlight cannot help but overhear that which her parents and Tyke's mother are discussing...and it shocks her to a complete and utter halt:
"They sure do make a lovely little couple~" Twilight Sparkle admits while releasing a delightful giggle to the subject under discussion.
"I think they do to," Chrystala admits also, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were to marry in the future."
"I have a feeling they will...since they enjoy spending so much time together." Courageous Heart believes while sipping his tea, with the aid of his hooves.
"I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if we were to hear wedding bells soon someday for adorable couple~" Chrystala giggles ever so like a young schoolpony, feeling how strong a bond of love can be between a mare and a stallion.
"Well, I guess we shall just have to wait and see when the time comes." Twilight suggests, hoping for a wedding that she herself can attend with all her friends and family, "I just might be the one to marry them myself~"
"Oh? Why can't it be I who does so?~" Chrystala teases, feeling she would like the honor of marrying two ponies with such a strong bond of friendship and love.
The two mares continue to giggle and blush at the mention of a wedding between two lovebirds they know within this very castle. Little do they know is that somepony is already listening in....
"Are they...talking about...me and...Tyke?" Starlight holds in a gasp the best she can, and blushes ever so red at the thought of marrying Tyke. But what she thinks next may only bring her to freeze up inside and out, "Us...getting...married?"
Unable to stay another minute and hear what her parents are discussing about her and Tyke's future...or even with something that might arrange....Starlight takes flight and soars on down the hallway...wanting to get as far away from what her ears might here that might only make her more confused than she already is. She passes by Tyke without even noticing him.
"Starlight? Where are you going?" The pondering little changeling asks, only to receive no answer. Turning to face the opposite direction he was heading in, Tyke follows Starlight in hopes of where she may be going this time.
*******************************************
Finding some solitude on the balcony overlooking most of the City of Tambelon, Starlight gazes on up into the clouds where the pegasai, griffins, and even dragons soar. The sights of such wonderful friends dancing among the sky helps ease that which troubles her worrying heart, but does not make it go away entirely.
"What...am I...going to do...?" Starlight worries deeply on what her parents were talking about, and wishes she did not hear any of it, "Why...?"
"Why what, Starlight?" Asks the exhausted little changeling who finally finds her after doing his best to keep up...only to notices his best friend sitting down with her ears and her head sunk down pretty low; Never in a long time has Tyke seen Starlight look so sad, "What...what is wrong, Starlight?"
"I...I...." Stutters the embarrassed and still-confused filly, trying not to look at the colt who, she cares for very much as a friend...but unsure about him being a future husband, "I...I overheard...our parents...talking...about.......us...."
"Oh? What...what about us?" Tyke questions, sitting by Starlight's side.
"I...I...I..." Unable to finish her sentence, Starlight just keeps her sights onto the stone of gold of the balcony they sit on, "I just...."
"Starlight...?"
"Just...give me a minute...."
"O-Okay...." Tyke nods his head in understanding, and remains silent for now. While wishing to know what is causing his friend to be like this, the youngling prince gives Starlight the time she needs to answer.
After a moment or two to calm herself down, on the inside, Starlight turns her head to the left upon looking up again...and looks into Tyke's eyes when they turn to meet hers, "Tyke?"
"Y-Yes...?"
"Do...do you...like me?" Starlight sums up her courage to ask this, while fearing what the response might be.
"Do I...like you? Of course I like you, Starlight." The slightly confused Tyke answers to a question that even he knows is obvious, "You are my best friend and-"
"No...." Shaking her head to inform the little changeling that it was not the question, nor the answer, she was asking or hoping for, "I meant...do you...like me?"
"Uh...." At first Tyke is unsure what Starlight is talking about at all. While the answer he gave was to the question she asked, the youngling does not know what else to say, "What do...you mean?"
With but a sigh and a shake of her head, Starlight turns away upon now realizing that there is nothing between them...and that her parents were wrong, "Never mind...."
"But...Starlight-"
"I said never mind!" She snaps at her friend, and walks off to leave him on the balcony alone.
While the little changeling colt might be very confused and saddened by Starlight's sudden outburst at him, Tyke knows that something is wrong and does not wish to just sit there and allow his friend to walk off all upset. With his wings to give him the strength to fly, Tyke flies on over and lands in front of his friend...halting her from leaving the balcony, "No Starlight. I..." He gulps for what he may have to say; This may be the first time he lets go of his shyness to speak up, "I...I don't want to see you sad like this. Please...tell me what is bothering you."
With Tyke blocking the only way off the balcony, except for the option of "flying over the edge", Starlight sits herself down...and sighs, "I...alright."
*****************************************
"Have you found them yet?" Oath races down the hallway towards her coltfriend upon spotting him, "I checked the kitchen and playroom. Nothing."
"There are not in the bedrooms either." Task Duty sadly informs his worrying, yet frustrated, marefriend.
"Ugh, why does Starlight do this?!" The upset tan unicorn snorts in anger, hating it when Starlight pulls this kind of trick, "She always runs off when I am left to watch over here. I ask again: Why?!"
"Calm down, sweetie. If anypony is to be blamed...it is to be me," Task places his hoof upon the shoulder of the mare he loves, trying his best ease her anger and confess to all this, "Our first priority was to watch over Starlight and Tyke...but I was the one who wanted some cuddle time with you, causing both you and I to turn our attention away from them. So...it is my fault." Once his confession is done, Task hangs his head in sadness for bringing this upon himself and Oath.
"Oh no, Task...." The loving mare of the loving stallion nuzzles his cheek and kisses him, "It is not your fault in any way. We are a couple, and it was my fault too for choosing to turn my attention from the foals to you, my love." Oath nuzzles him even more, blushing ever bright to the stallion who nuzzles in return.
"Oh Oath...." The blushing white unicorn whispers into the ear of his marefriend, "I love you too...and...thank you."
With a gentle giggle released from her sweet lips, Oath Sworn sighs with content to the stallion she hopes to love now and forever...and more so someday, "Come on. Let's go and find them before the Prince, Princess, and Queen find them first."
"Yes, let's go it!" Task agrees and turns back towards the hallway that leads to another part of the palace, "This way!"
Standing and running by the side of the stallion with the noble sword cutie mark, the mare with the cross blades sets her focus and sights to locating the young princess and prince...whom she knows are somewhere in the castle. The only question...is where.
****************************************
"Please Starlight...why are you so sad? Please tell me...." Tyke pleads to his friend, wishes ever so to help her smile again.
"It's just...." Starlight is unsure of what to say to Tyke on what she heard from their parents, "I...I just want to know...if you...like me. Like me enough to...."
"Like you enough to...what?"
"Do you like me enough to...." Starlight cannot bring herself to ask the question that may answer whether or not Tyke actually likes her enough to become the couple that their parents hope for from what she heard before. A tear comes down her eyes and feels so close to blurting out those words "To marry me".
"Starlight..."
"Just tell me if you like me enough to...to...." Starlight sheds a few more tears, closing her eyes tight...and about ready to shout the words out enough for him and probably most of the castle to hear...until...she feels a warm, familiar embrace from the front where her friend now stands.
"Please don't cry, Starlight. It...makes me sad...seeing you like this...." The kind and caring youngling confesses, trying his very best to hold back the watery tears that are beginning to form within his own eyes. "I like you...so much. You are...the greatest friend I have ever...ever known."
With but a gasp escaping her lips from the sudden hug that brings a blush to her cheeks, Starlight finds herself unable to complete what she was going to ask, "Tyke...."
"Please...don't cry anymore. I...never want to see you cry...." Tyke finds such courage inside him like never before, and admits this to the filly he cares very much for, "Please...smile...like you always would...for me."
"Oh Tyke...." Starlight wipes her tears away with her hoof, and hugs her best friend the same way he does to her...and rests her head of his neck, "You are...the greatest friend I have ever known too. I...I...."
"Y-Yes...?"
"I will always smile...for you." Starlight whispers in a soft, tender voice that shows how much she cares for Tyke as a valued friend...and more so.
Even if the young changeling does not understand what Starlight was talking about, due to him being so young and inexperienced when it comes to communicating and understanding such, what matters now to the little colt is the filly he holds close to him. The friendship that he shares with the princess is one that will forever remain...no matter what happens.
"Awwwwww........" The watchful parents of the two little ponies admire the sight of the young prince and princess embracing as good friends, bringing them to give away their position...which is not much of a hiding place since they are standing in plain sight to begin with.
Gasping upon the sound of their parents awing to their hug, Tyke and Starlight break it gentle...but all the while blushing to the embarrassing moment their parents have brought.
"Mommy...! Daddy...!" Starlight complains at her parents for interrupting her warm moment with Tyke, "How long were you listening or watching...?!"
"Not long, sweetie." Courageous Heart informs with truth, "We were on our way down the hall when we spotted you and Tyke hugging. Honest."
"It's true, Starlight." Twilight Sparkle admits, unable to stop giggling for the moment to the beautiful sight she just witnessed with her own daughter, "We saw you both hugging and could not help but admire the friendship you both share...which is a very strong one. I should know since I am the Princess of Friendship after all~"
Starlight smiles onto her mother, no longer feeling a little upset for her parents spying even for only a moment's time, "Thank you, Mommy."
"Princess Twilight is correct: You both have a strong friendship...and we hope you will forever keep it shining bright as the Light itself," Queen Chrystala supports her friend's words, all while sensing that there is more than just a friendship between the two foals...even if it has yet to blossom completely.
"By the way, what were you too doing out here anyway...without Oath or Task to watch over you?" Courageous remembers the rules he set in place earlier, and asks the question that he expects his daughter to answer truthfully.
"We...we...." Starlight sighs and cannot hide this, feeling it is time to confess to two things that happened today, "We were playing in the gardens, and then when Task and Oath were not looking...I...I..."
"I...w-wanted to see more of the c-castle...and I...I convinced Starlight to s-sneak us out of the gardens and into the castle...to explore and have f-f-fun without being watched." Tyke steps in to defend his best friend, and share part of the blame, "It...it was m-my fault."
Even without the Light to call upon, Courageous Heart can sense the young changeling prince is lying to protect his daughter. Despite that, the stallion of great courage admires the same courage he sees inside Tyke.
"Oh Tyke...." Starlight smiles onto her friend who is doing what he can to protect her...but stands beside him to finish the part she herself witnessed, "I also...was eavesdropping on the conversation you were all having in the lounging room...and heard you talking about us and...what you think should be my future with Tyke...."
"What...?" Courageous asks to this question that he has not a clue about.
"What do you mean, little one?" Chrystala tilts her head in confusion to the little princess's words.
At first Twilight does not understand...until, "By Celestia, you heard that?!"
"Y-Yes...Mommy..." Starlight nods her head slowly, feeling terrible for bringing up this subject.
"Oh Honey...." Twilight moves closer to give her little filly a loving hug that only a mother can give, "Whatever you heard...it was not referring to you or Tyke."
"It...it wasn't?!!"
"Oh no...." Twilight explains the truth behind that conversation discussed back in the Lounge Room with her husband and friend, "All that were were discussing was about another couple that you happen to know pretty well." Twilight touches Starlight's nose with her hoof and winks, hoping she will understand whom she is referring to.
Courageous Heart and Chrystala soon realize what is going on...and feel a little bad that Starlight misunderstood. The Prince moves into to hug his daughter along with his wife...while the Queen embraces her little colt close to her.
"So...you never were talking about us? I mean...it felt like you were...wanting me to...you know." Starlight admits to everything heard spoke from her parent's mouths.
"No, sweetie...it was never about you. You are way too young for anything like that." Twilight promises to her daughter, with a kiss on her cheek to seal it, "You and Tyke share a strong bond of friendship that can only become stronger as time passes...just like it was with your father and myself."
"She is right, Starlight. We would never force such a thing on you or anypony else...because friendship is something that can never be forced. It can only grow with time and blossom into something beautiful." Courageous explains to his daughter, all while blushing at his beautiful wife...using the friendship and love he shares with her as the perfect example.
Twilight blushes to how her handsome and dashing stallion brings up the love they share like this, making her want to kiss his lips ever so passionately...but not in front of the kids.
****************************************
"W-Wait...." Tyke stutters as he politely interrupts the Prince and Princess's moment, "What...what did Starlight hear? She...never told me."
"It's not important, my little one." Chrystala snuggles her precious youngling in her forearms and licks his mane, "All you need to know is that you have a special friendship with Starlight. Always be there for each other, and be the best of friends you can possibly be."
"Alright...." Tyke smiles and snuggles into his mother's warm and loving embrace, while turning moving his eyes to look onto his dearest and best friend in the whole wide worlds: Starlight.
The young princess of Tambelon snuggles into her mother's and father's embrace and gazes on over to Tyke, smiling ever so warmly at the friend she hopes to be friends with forever. Even more so in the future to come.
Watching quietly from the hallway, Oath Sworn and Task Duty finally found the missing and mischievous little ponies...only to find that the parents found them first...and are now sharing a warm family hug each.
"So adorable...." Oath whispers to her coltfriend, blushing ever so bright to the strong friendship her little sister shares with the little changeling prince.
"It sure is...." The blushing white unicorn stallion admits in a hushed voice to his marefriend, hoping that Tyke will always be there for Starlight in the days to come.
With their presence yet to be discovered, Oath gently pulls Task away from the area...and they trot off together to resume their usual routine patrol...and later to find some ink and parchment to write the important lesson discovered back there. But while they walk, the two unicorns cannot help but walk closer together, side by side, with their tails wrapped around the other as a sign of their everlasting love for one another.
****************************************************
CREDITS:
Story written by:
Cover Image by:
Artwork by:
Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.
Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic
Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP:FIM Characters belong to Hasbro.
THANK YOU
"...and then BOOM! I turned my husband into a little puppy dog for a whole hour~" Princess Twilight Sparkle giggles while taking a moment to sip her tea.
Queen Chrystala sets her teacup down upon the picnic blanket and snorts to the amusing story of what her former enemy did to her old friend recently, "That is perhaps the funniest thing I have ever heard! Yet...I feel so sorry for Courageous."
"Oh, he doesn't mind...most of the time~" Twilight informs and continues to giggle, while rubbing her slightly expanded belly, "Casting spells like that help take my mind off the pain and keep me in a good mood; This usually works when most of the books in my library don't~"
"I understand," The queen gently brushes her long green mane out of her eyes and smiles onto the alicorn Princess of Friendship, "Us mares go through the usual stages when pregnant; Even I did with my little Tyke. I have even been present during each and ever newborn youngling that was brought into this world by a changeling mare. I have seen how the mothers find ways to take their mind off the pain before then: By taking it out on their husbands~"
"Yeah~" Twilight sips her tea, with the aid of her magic, and giggles once more to the hilarious thoughts of what she has done in the past few months since she discovered she was pregnant, "This morning, before I came here with my daughter, I turned Courageous into a houseplant~"
"Oh no~"
"Oh yes~" Twilight assures her doubting friend, "Let's just say I woke up this morning all grouchy like, and nothing seemed to calm me down. But then I decided to cast a transformation spell on my husband to cheer myself up. I admit he tried to run...but he could not escape from me~" Twilight snickers while she tells the story to the dark coated Changeling Queen sitting next to her, "He is still in that state...and I may change him back when we get on home later."
"Oh dear~" Chrystala cannot help but giggle more than feel sorry for the young Prince of Tambelon, "You sure have hilarious methods for handling the stages of being pregnant; They sure sound more entertaining to hear of than that of my own."
"Thank you, Chrystala...but out of all my friends who had foals of their own, Rainbow Dash was the worst," Twilight Sparkle reveals, since the Queen was away in her homeland years ago, "She was so grouchy and upset when she was advised against flying for a few months. All she could do was sit on her couch or bed, reading books all day."
"Wow...." With but a nod of her head, Chrystala could understand how the tomboyish mare felt during that time when she was pregnant with Gust, "I know Rainbow loves flying...and I can understand what it must have been like to say "grounded" for months."
"You have no idea: She complained a lot, and took it out on Soarin quite often; The poor stallion...." Twilight giggles to the memories of her brave and loyal friend...dealing with the hardest nine months of her life: Pregnancy. "But after Gust was born, things got better and she had no reason to be angry anymore; All that mattered at that moment was the joy of holding her newborn foal."
"Yeah...." Chrystala agrees without question, due to that same precious moment of what she held her little Tyke for the first time years ago, "...and soon you will be holding your newborn foal...just like you did with Starlight."
With a blush on her cheeks at the thoughts of a new baby pony brought into this world during the Era of Harmony, brings a warm feeling of joy into the heart of this wonderful mother, wife, and princess. Twilight rubs her belly ever so gently and blinks a tear of pride, "I love my daughter and my husband...and I will love this little foal now and forever."
"I know you will," The Queen smiles onto the pregnant princess...and will plan to be there when the day comes for the newborn prince or princess arrives in this world.
Suddenly, the attention of the two mothers turn from each other and onto the two little foals that are playing just down the hill from where they rest:
The little Changeling Prince Tyke is playing tag with his best friend Princess Starlight, the young alicorn princess. With an entire day with no school or chores, the two continue to play and play...while their mothers watch ever so close by.
"Tag! You're it~" Starlight giggles when she flies on up to her good friend Tyke and touches his side with her hoof...only to turn around and fly away before she is tagged back.
"N-N-Not for long~" Tyke mumbles and does his best to chase his best friend.
"You can't catch me!~" The teasing little pink alicorn says while she pretends to get way; She knows that Tyke is not the best of flyers, so Starlight allows her friend to catch up.
"Yes...I...Can!" Cries the youngling, who manages to catch up to teasing little filly...touching her side at long last, "Gottcha!"
"Hehehehe~" Starlight giggles in delight to this fun game she is enjoying with her best friend, only to turn around in a split second and tackle Tyke onto the grass, "Now I have you~"
"Hahahaha~" Chuckles the young prince while he rolls on down the grassy hill of green, while embracing the filly who does the same.
Soon, they both reach the bottom of the hill and lay together within the soft blades that move the way water ripples by the motion of the cool, autumn breeze. With flowers of yellow and white scattered about, and their warm scent filling the air around them, Starlight and Tyke giggle and lay about...looking at each other with smiles upon their faces.
"This is so much fun, Tyke: Just us two here in the hills...playing whatever game we want without anypony to tell us what to do." Starlight, the little princess of Tambelon, admits when she turns her sights up onto the clouds that float above within the ocean blue sky.
"Yeah...." The young prince of the Changeling race agrees with his best friend, watching the clouds as they change shape and form such wonderful objects to be identified with but a touch of imagination. "We haven't done this since...I first came to Tambelon."
"I know!~" Starlight giggles when the memory is brought up for her to recall in a delightful way, "You were so bashful when we first met, but you were so kind and gentle. We had so much fun that day."
Feeling a blush form on his onyx coated cheeks, Tyke remembers that day when the giggling little alicorn first came to Scaly Spring Hills shortly after he and his mother arrived, "We sure did...and I wish we could have more times like this together."
"Oh, we will, silly~" Starlight turns over to her side to look down upon the little changeling that she likes so much, "We have all the time in the wide world of Tambelon to have fun: Here or elsewhere."
"I know...but...."
"But what, Tyke?"
"I dont know...." The confused youngling shrugs his shoulders and is stuck in a state of unsurety, "I mean, I just wish we had more time for...you know...for us to play. Just us and nothing else." He blushes a little when he says this, feeling something within his chest that makes him feeling uncertain.
"You mean...more playtime for us?" Starlight tilts her head at that suggestion, but blushes and smiles once more...finding that to be something that would be wonderful, "Yeah! I would love that too!"
"R-Really?"
"Of course, Tyke. Maybe next time we can play at the palace," Starlight hopes, "It has been a long time since you or any of our friends came to stay the night or something at my home. You and I should do that sometime soon."
"That...would be wonderful, Starlight. I hope we can do something like that soon." Tyke hopes so too, and sits up on the grass, "But...I am happy for today: Your mother bringing you here to play."
"Me too~" Starlight sits herself up and smiles even brighter with her pearly white teeth showing how happy she is right now.
"Starlight!~" The lovely Princess Twilight Sparkle calls out to her precious daughter from over yonder, "It's time to go home!~"
"Okay, Mommy!~" Starlight shouts back, letting her mother know that she is coming. But before the little princess would run off to rejoin her mother at the Royal Carriage that awaits to take them home to Tambelon city, she turns towards Tyke with hope in her eyes and in her smile, "I had fun today...and I hope we can do so again sometime soon."
"Me too...I just...only wish we could have more time today to play...." Tyke sadly admits, wishing today did not have to end so soon.
"I wish so too...." Starlight sighs in a tone that shows hints of sadness to their playtime ending like this, "But maybe...maybe I can talk to my mommy and see if she will allow you and your mom to come and visit us sometime."
"That would be fun!" Tyke admits, all excited to visiting his best friend at her own home.
"Starlight, we need to go!~" The alicorn mother calls out once more, hoping this time will be the last time.
"Coming Mommy!~" Starlight replies in a shout, knowing that if a third time were come, it will lead to lecture and possibly extra chores for a while. The young princess turns back to her best friend and gives him a warm hug...as her way of saying goodbye to one who is important to her, "Goodbye, Tyke. I hope we get to play again sometime soon."
With a great blush upon his cheeks to the sudden, yet soft, hug from his good friend, the young prince returns the hug and smiles, "I hope so too. Take care, Starlight."
Giving her best friend a gently squeeze, to show how much she cares for him, Starlight releases Tyke and flies off to join up with her mother...hoping that once they return home, she can ask the question of if she can invite Tyke over to play sometime. With any luck and hope, Something could be planned out.
**************************************
"Uh...Mommy?" Starlight turns her sights from the front entrance of Tambelon Palace to the alicorn mother that walks beside her, "Can I...ask you something?"
"Of course you can, sweetie. What is it?" Twilight stops for a moment as they enter the main hall of the place, wishing to hear her daughter's question before anything else.
"Can...what I mean to say is...I had a lot of fun today...and I...was wondering if...Tyke could...come over and play...sometime..." Starlight asks in a nervous state, wondering if her mother will allow this during her time of being pregnant with her baby brother or sister, "Um...please?"
Twilight smiles ever so sweetly onto the little filly she is proud to call her own, and leans down the best she can to hug her, "Oh Starlight. Of course we can have Tyke come over sometime. Maybe next weekend might be best."
"Oh Mommy! Thank you so much!!" Starlight squeals like the little schoolfilly she is and hugs her mother, "I love you so much!!"
"Hehehe, I love you too, my little Starlight~" Twilight grunts from the sudden hug and returns one with a smile, and a slight sign of pain, "Easy, dear. Be gentle."
"Sorry, Mommy." Starlight gently breaks the hug and steps back, "How much longer will it be before my baby brother...or sister...arrives?"
With a warm smile upon her lips, Twilight turns her eyes to her belly that has become bigger in the last month or two, and rubs it gently with her hoof, "Probably not for a while...but probably soon."
"Yay!" Starlight hops is place, excited to have a foal to play with inside her own home.
"Welcome Home, Your Majesties!" Two members of the Tambelon Royal Guard, Oath Sworn and Task Duty, enter the hall and salute before the Princess and the younger Princess.
"Thank you," Twilight gives a delightful nod of her head and smiles onto the mare and her coltfriend, who have proven to be sworn protectors of her little Starlight now and always, "At ease"
"Hi Oath!! Hi Task!!" Starlight giggles and flies on over to them, "Tyke is gonna come over and play next weekend. I am so excited!!!"
"That is wonderful, kiddo!" Oath expresses her happiness for the little filly she watches over and sees as a little sister.
"It sure is!" The white unicorn expresses to his beloved marefriend, happy to see both her and Princess Starlight happy and with a bond that is so special in his eyes.
"Well, I am going to go and rest in the bedroom for now," Twilight informs the two lovebirds and her daughter.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Both Oath and Task reply to their ruler...only to have the former add in a question, "By the way: We have not see Prince Courageous Heart all day. Is he out or something?"
"Huh? Oh! No, he is over there," Twilight remembers and points over at the corner of the hall where a few pictures hang along with a potted plant or two resting upon the floor and against the wall.
"Uh...forgive me, your Highness...but I don't see him." Task apologizes and cannot see anything in that corner over there.
"That is because...." With her horn glowing bright with magic that is the very color of her own coat, the Princess of Friendship cases a spell onto one of the plants...changing it back from a green decoration to a brown alicorn prince, "...I have not used my magic to change him back yet~"
"Oh...." Task nods and gulps a little, wondering why the Prince of Courage was a plant in the first place...and hopes his own marefriend will not get any ideas soon on this.
"Why me...?" Courageous Heart complains while he stands back up on his four hooves, "Twilight. Must you do this to me every day?"
"Mmmm...." Twilight thinks on it for a brief moment; The thoughts on the pain of being pregnant as well as giving birth in the future clouds her mind, bringing her to raise an eyebrow at her husband...along with her horn lighting up again, "You really want me to answer that...?"
"Nono! No, it's fine!" Courageous answers in a post-haste reply, smiling and sweating nervously; He knows the mood-swings his wife is going through are temporary, feeling it is best to let her do that which makes her happy to help take her mind off the pain.
"Good~" The currently happy Twilight Sparkle smiles and moves her way onto the bedroom to get some sleep, but turns her head towards her husband whom she loves...and loves to use as a source to take her mood-swings out on, "Coming, Courageous dear?"
"Yes, dear...." The nervous, but caring, stallion replies...knowing that is is best to be with his wife during the last month of her pregnancy.
Once the Prince and Princess are gone and away, Starlight wonders why her mother acts like this towards her Daddy, and tilts her head in confusion. "Why does Mommy keep turning my Daddy into objects? I mean, it is funny to watch...but why does she do it now out of all times?"
"Uh..." Oath is unsure how to answer this, so she just rubs the head of the curious little alicorn filly, "You will understand when you are older. But for now, enjoy the humor that comes from watching your mom turn the prince into anything she wants to."
"Yay!!" Starlight cheers and giggles, hoping the next time will be just as funny as this time.
*********************************************
The Following Weekend....
"YesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesYEEEEEEEES!!!" Starlight repeats with joy while she hops around the circular table within the kitchen, "Today is the day Tyke comes over to play! Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!~"
"Hehehe. Alright Starlight, calm down." Courageous asks politely while he finishes his breakfast of oatmeal and orange juice, "The Changeling Queen and Prince will be here later this afternoon...so remember to have your chores and homework done before-"
"All done, Daddy~"
"Come again?" The confused stallion of brown asks of his excited young daughter.
"I did ALL my homework last night, and finished my chores early this morning~" Starlight informs her father with pride in her voice and her wide smile.
"Oh really...?" Courageous Heart asks, having some doubts.
"It is true, your Highness," Oath Sworn steps into the kitchen and bows her head onto her Prince, supporting her little sister figure, "I checked her homework last night and watched her complete the chores you listed. You have nothing to worry on, Prince Courageous: I vouch for Princess Starlight one-hundred percent!"
"Awww, thank you Oath. I love you!" The happy little princess hugs the bodyguard and sister figure who has looked out for her since she was a wee foal.
"I love you too, Starlight." The blushing tan coated mare expresses her warm feelings for the little filly, always happy to be there for her the way Task does.
"Alright." Courageous nods his head in approval, "Go get ready for when they arrive, sweetie."
"Yes, Daddy~" Starlight replies with a smile, only to zoom on out of the kitchen and down the hallway where her bedroom lies not too far away. With the urge to brush her mane and brush her teeth, Starlight races on to prepare before her best friend arrives to play.
***********************************************
"Yay! We are here, Mommy...!" The little Changeling Prince informs his mother once their own carriage pulls passed the front gates and into the front courtyard of the castle.
"I see that, sweetie~" Queen Chrystala, after finishing the final touches of her makeup, smiles onto her precious little colt...looking out the window to gaze upon the glorious golden palace of the two rulers of the Island of Tambelon.
"I can't wait to play with Starlight!" Tyke says with excitement, knowing that his one and only alicorn friend is perhaps the one pony who doesn't make him feel all nervous.
"You two will have plenty of fun, I know that much...but remember to be on your best behavior while inside the palace; This is the home of the Prince and Princess of our home...so show respect to them as they do to us."
"Yes, Mommy. I promise." Tyke makes a Pinkie Promise to his mother with the correct hoof gestures, "Cross my Heart and hope to Fly. Stick a...a..."
"Stick a cupcake in your eye?~" Chrystala finishes her son's Pinkie Promise, all while giggling.
"And stick a Cupcake in my Eye!" Tyke finishes on his own, wanting to make sure that is promise his genuine and true.
"That's my little colt~" The loving mother nuzzles her son and gives him a soft kiss to his cheek, so proud of the little youngling she will always raise until he rises to full status of Prince of the Changelings.
Once the carriage comes to a halt, the Queen and her son exit and are escorted by the Royal Guard themselves into the great golden front doors of the palace...where the Royal Family of Tambelon await.
********************************************
"Hiya Tyke!!" Starlight squeals when her dearest friend and his mother pass through the castle doors and into the grand entrance, where many hallways connect to the different areas of Tambelon Palace, "You're Here!!"
"I sure am...!" Tyke expresses his excitement, but tries to keep calm due to him and his mother being guests in the home of Royalty, "I...I can't wait."
"Daddy? Can Tyke and I go play in the gardens?" The eager little princess turns her eyes up towards her father in hopes that this simple little wish can be granted for herself and her changeling friend.
"Of course you can, sweetie...."
"Yay!!" Starlight cheers, "Let's go-"
"...as long as Oath and Task watch over you." Prince Courageous Heart finishes his sentence that shows good parenting when it comes to having guests.
"But-"
"No buts, Starlight. Those are the rules since your mother and myself will be busy keeping our honored guest..." The Prince turns to his foalhood friend from long ago and bows his head to her, then returns his attention to the daughter he is proud to call his own, "...so my rules stand to have your bodyguards watch over you and your friend while she talk. Understand?"
Despite how much she loves Oath as a sister, Starlight feels in her mind she wishes to play with Tyke without the need of being watched all the time. However, there is no point in pleading, especially in front of the honored guests...since it may only lead to her embarrassing herself, "Yes Daddy...."
"That's my girl." Prince Courageous smiles down onto his daughter, gently petting her head and mane. Afterwards, the alicorn Prince of Courage turns his sights to the two armored unicorns that stand among the other guards that are at attending within the entrance hall, "Can I count on you two to watch over the young prince and princess?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!" Oath and Task salute at once, promising to do all they are sworn to do: Watch over and protect the next generation of Royalty.
"Very good." Courageous approves upon turning towards the hallway to the left, "Twilight awaits for us in the lounging area; Tea and cookies will be there as well."
"Sounds delightful, my friend." The Queen gives a warm smile to the one pony who helped bring her out of the Darkness so long ago...giving her kind another chance, plus a son she could raise in happiness and love.
"Come on, Tyke! Let's go!!" The anxious little alicorn filly calls to her friend while they run on down the opposite hallway towards the gardens that await for them outside.
"Coming!" The smaller, but strong hearted, youngling tries his best to keep up...with his wings giving a small boost.
"You two don't run off too far too fast!" Oath shouts while trying to keep up with the young and energetic filly, who reminds her very much of herself at that age, "Let's go, Task!"
"Right behind you!" Task Duty, with his white hooves pounding upon the floor as he races down the hallway with his marefriend by his side.
********************************************
"Our honored guest has arrived, my love." Courageous Heart addresses to his wife upon entering the lovely lounge room where shades of lavender silk hang upon the windows to keep the sun from shining in too bright. However, what draws the attention more than the drapes and the sun that shines down on into this room...is the pregnant princess laying on her side upon the soft, velvet pillow that rests upon the floor as Twilight Sparkle does.
"That is...wonderful, dear." With her magic ever so in a delicate state the way her own body is, Twilight tries ever so to pour some tea without straining herself.
"Allow me, your Highness~" The Queen of the ever changing changelings offers her assistance, summoning her magic of sparkling green to pour the hot tea into the elegant pink teacup that rests upon a saucer.
"Why...thank you, Queen Chrystala."
"You need not be so formal, dear. We are all the best of friends...since I can feel such within my own heart." The lovely, slender changeling mare expresses with a warm heart of friendship to the Princess of Friendship.
With but a giggle in response to such kind and caring words spoken from one who knows of love as much as her sister-in-law Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire, Twilight Sparkle accepts the ever-strong friendship she shares with one who was once her enemy, "Of course, Chrystala. Come. Sit and let us converse of whatever is on our minds."
"I would be delighted, Twilight Sparkle." Bowing her head to her friend and ruler of the land she now lives in, Chrystala bends her knees to sit her onyx coated body onto the soft and plush cushion of red and velvet.
Watching his wife and friend converse as best friends would, Courageous rests himself upon the floor pillow that lies beside Twilight. With so much to discuss and look forward to this bright and beautiful day, the brown alicorn watches and listens while the ladies begin the conversation of a random topic...hoping to join in soon enough.
******************************************
"What do you...wanna do first...Starlight?" Tyke asks of his best friend upon entering the outside gardens, where many colored flowers of such sweet fragrances that reach the nostrils of the youngling prince. The very scent brings a blush to his cheeks, and begins to understand why his best friend loves this part of the outside so much.
"Well...." The pretty little princess trots up to the round sphere that rests upon the soft green grass before her hooves, "We can toss my favorite ball around for a while...if you like that is, Tyke."
"That sounds like fun!" The prince replies without hesitation, wanting not to disappoint his friend and host...this being her home and all.
"Alright!~" Starlight levitates the purple ball into the air with what magic she can muster, then tosses it towards the little onyx coated colt over yonder, "Catch~"
The ball flies into the air and descends on down towards the little changeling. Tyke gulps, but refuses to cower in front of his best friend...and leaps up into the air with the help of his wings to bounce the ball back with his head, "Got it~" Tyke calls out to Starlight upon spiking the ball back with his forehead and without allowing his curved horn to pop it.
"Hehehehe~" Giggles the excited little alicorn, and readies herself to bounce the ball right back...continuing the cycle until one of them drops it.
Nearby, the two unicorns of the Tambelon Royal Guard, Oath Sworn and Task Duty, sit together on the bench while they watch over the two young foals who continue to play a fun game of tossing the ball around.
"They are so cute together...." The tan coated mare blushes in admiration to the sweet friendship those two share, "It makes me so happy to see Starlight happy."
"Me too." Task admits to the mare he loves, magically removing his helmet for a moment to brush his mane a bit, "I hope they remain good friends for years to come."
"I hope so too...and...maybe even more than friends someday," Oath giggles at the beautiful thought of what her little sister figure might find someday in the ways of love...as she has with the handsome stallion that she scoots closer to.
"Y-Yeah...." Task blushes when Oath rests her head underneath his chin, pressing the side of her face into his chest. With a warm smile upon his face, the lucky stallion places his foreleg around the body of his marefriend and whispers, "I...I love you, Oath...."
For the first time since they have dated months ago, the ears of the unicorn mare perk up to the words she has longed to hear from the stallion of her dreams, "Oh Task! I...I love you too."
"Hey, look." Starlight stops the ball in the air with her magic when it was starting to fall down to her, only to whisper to her best friend when she notices her big sister and protector snuggling with Task on the bench, "Looks like Oath and Task are gonna get all lovey-dovey~" She tries to giggle as quiet as possible, and motion her friend over to the bushes to watch.
"Huh...?" Tyke tilts his head, all puzzled by what Starlight is talking about...but follows her to the bushes to hide, "Why...are we hiding...?"
"So they don't see us, silly~" The giggling alicorn giggles and hushes her best friend by putting her hoof to his lips, "Now keep quiet. This may be our chance to sneak away and do something extra fun without being watched."
Blushing to the touch of the pink polished hoof of his best friend upon his mouth, Tyke listens to her and watches from where they hide: Inside a soft bush of green with only his eyes and hers peeking out to watch the two unicorns cuddle.
"They make such a cute couple, don't they~" Starlight whispers with a giggle to follow, removing her hoof from the mouth of her blushing friend, "Oath deserves to be with somepony she loves."
"Yes...she sure does," Tyke agrees in a rush, wanting not to seem like he would disagree with the filly he admires and his happy to spend time with.
"Come on. Let's sneak out while we can."
"And...go where?"
"Anywhere, Tyke. My home is a palace with many rooms to explore and play in; Plenty to find and discover~" She whispers into the twitching ear of the little youngling, and moves her way out of the bushes and away from the area that Oath and Task have locked on...if they were not busy cuddling one another, "Follow me~"
"Okay...." Whispers the curious little changeling prince, following with each step taken in a quiet motion, staying as low to the ground as possible...using the rest of the bushes and flower beds to cover himself and his friend who leads him out of the gardens and towards the side down back into the castle.
***********************************
Meanwhile....
The quiet lounge room of Tambelon Palace turns into an uproar of laughter by two mares of royalty...who have found the most delightful and hilarious subject that has left the single stallion within blushing in complete embarrassment.
"Can we please talk about something else...?" Courageous Heart, with his cheeks as red as the Applelulu apples, pleads while his wife and friend giggle away on a subject he wishes not to be discussed right now.
"Awwww, lighten up dear. Nothing wrong with us mares talking about "love in many forms"~" Twilight Sparkle giggles ever so, trying to hold her teacup straight and steady while finding this subject so hilarious.
"It's not...except when the one you love turns the other into whatever form she desires for her own amusement...!" The ears of the brown coated alicorn flatten against his head and blushes more, feeling more embarrassed than before.
"Awww...I think it is sweet that Twilight does this to you," Queen Chrystala admits, while trying not to laugh so hard at this amusing moment, "For a changeling, the husband would perform with his shape-changing powers to keep the wife happy while she is pregnant...but in your case, Twilight does the changing on you to keep herself entertained~"
Twilight snorts and loves how the Queen supports her on this, which any of her friends would if they were here.
"Yeahyeah...." Courageous chuckles and sighs, blushing a little less than before. "I don't mind it at all...just when she leaves me as such for hours."
With but a grin on her lips, Twilight Sparkle powers up her horn, "You're right...and I shall vow to never leave you in such a state for no longer than...twenty minutes~"
"Tha-What?!!" Courageous's ears perk back up, and comes to realize what is about to happen, "No please...not right now...!"
"Yes...now!~" Twilight cannot help but summon her Transformation Spell and point it directly at her husband, with her grin still strong upon her face.
"Nononono!" Courageous tries to plead for his wife not to do this, and is about to get up and run away.
"Just kidding~" Twilight powers down her horn, laughing along with Chrystala for the amusement that the Prince of Courage, who showed quite a bit of cowardice for the moment, displayed for the mare's entertainment.
"By Celestia, that was SO FUNNY!!!" The Queen of the Changelings spits her tea out of her mouth and cannot help but laugh so hard at this moment that has just made her day...and next few days.
"Ugh..." Calming himself down, Courageous Heart slumps down into the couch and is both relieved to not becoming a critter for the moment...but help but feel annoyed by his wife's mood-swings; This being one of them.
"Awwww, don't feel so down, honey~" Twilight sits up the best she can and presses her lips to the cheek of her dashing stallion, showing that she loves him no matter what mood she might be in, "I love you, you know that~"
With his cheeks turning bright red once more, Courageous feels ever so love-struck by the mare of his dreams, "Yeah....~"
"You two are such a wonderful couple. I can feel how strong your love is...and it is the most powerful in all of Tambelon." Queen Chrystala, with her powers to sense and feel love from anywhere closeby, reveals to the Prince and Princess of Friendship and Courage, "Even when you have a new foal on the way, both of you continue to share your love in ways that few can match. Even your own brother and his wife."
"Awwww...thank you, Chrystala. That means a lot coming from you." Twilight expresses her gratitude, and believes every words the Queen speaks off; In her own heart, Twilight's love for Courageous is stronger than anything and will never allow anything to come between them.
"You are welcome." The onyx coated changeling mare replies with smile, pouring herself another cup of hot tea, "Speaking of love: I noticed something between those two Royal Guards of yours. What are their names again...?"
"Oh, you mean Oath Sworn and Task Duty....?" Twilight informs to her curious guest and friend, "Yes...they are quite the couple~"
***********************************************
"I think...we...lost them~" Starlight informs her friend, panting a little after the quick flight down the hallway to get as far from the gardens as possible, "I would like to see Oath and Task find us now~"
"Yeah...but...won't they...get mad at us?" Tyke questions the panting little filly, while trying to catch his breath also.
"Maybe a little...but I do this all the time with Oath. Plus, I like to hide and see if she can find me~" Starlight regains her breath and giggles at the little game she has made out of defying her parents and bodyguard, "Let's go and hide before Oath and Task find us~"
"Uh...well...okay."
Spreading out her feathery wings of pink, Starlight flaps on hard into the air and soars on ahead down the hallway...with Tyke following close behind. However, the young schoolfilly proves to be the faster of the two...and goes on ahead while her friend struggles to keep up. Giggling from the excitement of the flight and the time spent with her best friend, the little filly named Starlight flies on down the hallway and takes a detour down another...leading right to her parent's lounging room.
"Gotta keep quiet or they may hear me...." Starlight thinks to herself, landing down upon the red carpet that lies along the hallway. One hoof at a time in a quiet pace, the pink alicorn filly does her best to sneak passed the open door that leads into the lounge room.
While successful, Starlight cannot help but overhear that which her parents and Tyke's mother are discussing...and it shocks her to a complete and utter halt:
"They sure do make a lovely little couple~" Twilight Sparkle admits while releasing a delightful giggle to the subject under discussion.
"I think they do to," Chrystala admits also, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were to marry in the future."
"I have a feeling they will...since they enjoy spending so much time together." Courageous Heart believes while sipping his tea, with the aid of his hooves.
"I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if we were to hear wedding bells soon someday for adorable couple~" Chrystala giggles ever so like a young schoolpony, feeling how strong a bond of love can be between a mare and a stallion.
"Well, I guess we shall just have to wait and see when the time comes." Twilight suggests, hoping for a wedding that she herself can attend with all her friends and family, "I just might be the one to marry them myself~"
"Oh? Why can't it be I who does so?~" Chrystala teases, feeling she would like the honor of marrying two ponies with such a strong bond of friendship and love.
The two mares continue to giggle and blush at the mention of a wedding between two lovebirds they know within this very castle. Little do they know is that somepony is already listening in....
"Are they...talking about...me and...Tyke?" Starlight holds in a gasp the best she can, and blushes ever so red at the thought of marrying Tyke. But what she thinks next may only bring her to freeze up inside and out, "Us...getting...married?"
Unable to stay another minute and hear what her parents are discussing about her and Tyke's future...or even with something that might arrange....Starlight takes flight and soars on down the hallway...wanting to get as far away from what her ears might here that might only make her more confused than she already is. She passes by Tyke without even noticing him.
"Starlight? Where are you going?" The pondering little changeling asks, only to receive no answer. Turning to face the opposite direction he was heading in, Tyke follows Starlight in hopes of where she may be going this time.
*******************************************
Finding some solitude on the balcony overlooking most of the City of Tambelon, Starlight gazes on up into the clouds where the pegasai, griffins, and even dragons soar. The sights of such wonderful friends dancing among the sky helps ease that which troubles her worrying heart, but does not make it go away entirely.
"What...am I...going to do...?" Starlight worries deeply on what her parents were talking about, and wishes she did not hear any of it, "Why...?"
"Why what, Starlight?" Asks the exhausted little changeling who finally finds her after doing his best to keep up...only to notices his best friend sitting down with her ears and her head sunk down pretty low; Never in a long time has Tyke seen Starlight look so sad, "What...what is wrong, Starlight?"
"I...I...." Stutters the embarrassed and still-confused filly, trying not to look at the colt who, she cares for very much as a friend...but unsure about him being a future husband, "I...I overheard...our parents...talking...about.......us...."
"Oh? What...what about us?" Tyke questions, sitting by Starlight's side.
"I...I...I..." Unable to finish her sentence, Starlight just keeps her sights onto the stone of gold of the balcony they sit on, "I just...."
"Starlight...?"
"Just...give me a minute...."
"O-Okay...." Tyke nods his head in understanding, and remains silent for now. While wishing to know what is causing his friend to be like this, the youngling prince gives Starlight the time she needs to answer.
After a moment or two to calm herself down, on the inside, Starlight turns her head to the left upon looking up again...and looks into Tyke's eyes when they turn to meet hers, "Tyke?"
"Y-Yes...?"
"Do...do you...like me?" Starlight sums up her courage to ask this, while fearing what the response might be.
"Do I...like you? Of course I like you, Starlight." The slightly confused Tyke answers to a question that even he knows is obvious, "You are my best friend and-"
"No...." Shaking her head to inform the little changeling that it was not the question, nor the answer, she was asking or hoping for, "I meant...do you...like me?"
"Uh...." At first Tyke is unsure what Starlight is talking about at all. While the answer he gave was to the question she asked, the youngling does not know what else to say, "What do...you mean?"
With but a sigh and a shake of her head, Starlight turns away upon now realizing that there is nothing between them...and that her parents were wrong, "Never mind...."
"But...Starlight-"
"I said never mind!" She snaps at her friend, and walks off to leave him on the balcony alone.
While the little changeling colt might be very confused and saddened by Starlight's sudden outburst at him, Tyke knows that something is wrong and does not wish to just sit there and allow his friend to walk off all upset. With his wings to give him the strength to fly, Tyke flies on over and lands in front of his friend...halting her from leaving the balcony, "No Starlight. I..." He gulps for what he may have to say; This may be the first time he lets go of his shyness to speak up, "I...I don't want to see you sad like this. Please...tell me what is bothering you."
With Tyke blocking the only way off the balcony, except for the option of "flying over the edge", Starlight sits herself down...and sighs, "I...alright."
*****************************************
"Have you found them yet?" Oath races down the hallway towards her coltfriend upon spotting him, "I checked the kitchen and playroom. Nothing."
"There are not in the bedrooms either." Task Duty sadly informs his worrying, yet frustrated, marefriend.
"Ugh, why does Starlight do this?!" The upset tan unicorn snorts in anger, hating it when Starlight pulls this kind of trick, "She always runs off when I am left to watch over here. I ask again: Why?!"
"Calm down, sweetie. If anypony is to be blamed...it is to be me," Task places his hoof upon the shoulder of the mare he loves, trying his best ease her anger and confess to all this, "Our first priority was to watch over Starlight and Tyke...but I was the one who wanted some cuddle time with you, causing both you and I to turn our attention away from them. So...it is my fault." Once his confession is done, Task hangs his head in sadness for bringing this upon himself and Oath.
"Oh no, Task...." The loving mare of the loving stallion nuzzles his cheek and kisses him, "It is not your fault in any way. We are a couple, and it was my fault too for choosing to turn my attention from the foals to you, my love." Oath nuzzles him even more, blushing ever bright to the stallion who nuzzles in return.
"Oh Oath...." The blushing white unicorn whispers into the ear of his marefriend, "I love you too...and...thank you."
With a gentle giggle released from her sweet lips, Oath Sworn sighs with content to the stallion she hopes to love now and forever...and more so someday, "Come on. Let's go and find them before the Prince, Princess, and Queen find them first."
"Yes, let's go it!" Task agrees and turns back towards the hallway that leads to another part of the palace, "This way!"
Standing and running by the side of the stallion with the noble sword cutie mark, the mare with the cross blades sets her focus and sights to locating the young princess and prince...whom she knows are somewhere in the castle. The only question...is where.
****************************************
"Please Starlight...why are you so sad? Please tell me...." Tyke pleads to his friend, wishes ever so to help her smile again.
"It's just...." Starlight is unsure of what to say to Tyke on what she heard from their parents, "I...I just want to know...if you...like me. Like me enough to...."
"Like you enough to...what?"
"Do you like me enough to...." Starlight cannot bring herself to ask the question that may answer whether or not Tyke actually likes her enough to become the couple that their parents hope for from what she heard before. A tear comes down her eyes and feels so close to blurting out those words "To marry me".
"Starlight..."
"Just tell me if you like me enough to...to...." Starlight sheds a few more tears, closing her eyes tight...and about ready to shout the words out enough for him and probably most of the castle to hear...until...she feels a warm, familiar embrace from the front where her friend now stands.
"Please don't cry, Starlight. It...makes me sad...seeing you like this...." The kind and caring youngling confesses, trying his very best to hold back the watery tears that are beginning to form within his own eyes. "I like you...so much. You are...the greatest friend I have ever...ever known."
With but a gasp escaping her lips from the sudden hug that brings a blush to her cheeks, Starlight finds herself unable to complete what she was going to ask, "Tyke...."
"Please...don't cry anymore. I...never want to see you cry...." Tyke finds such courage inside him like never before, and admits this to the filly he cares very much for, "Please...smile...like you always would...for me."
"Oh Tyke...." Starlight wipes her tears away with her hoof, and hugs her best friend the same way he does to her...and rests her head of his neck, "You are...the greatest friend I have ever known too. I...I...."
"Y-Yes...?"
"I will always smile...for you." Starlight whispers in a soft, tender voice that shows how much she cares for Tyke as a valued friend...and more so.
Even if the young changeling does not understand what Starlight was talking about, due to him being so young and inexperienced when it comes to communicating and understanding such, what matters now to the little colt is the filly he holds close to him. The friendship that he shares with the princess is one that will forever remain...no matter what happens.
"Awwwwww........" The watchful parents of the two little ponies admire the sight of the young prince and princess embracing as good friends, bringing them to give away their position...which is not much of a hiding place since they are standing in plain sight to begin with.
Gasping upon the sound of their parents awing to their hug, Tyke and Starlight break it gentle...but all the while blushing to the embarrassing moment their parents have brought.
"Mommy...! Daddy...!" Starlight complains at her parents for interrupting her warm moment with Tyke, "How long were you listening or watching...?!"
"Not long, sweetie." Courageous Heart informs with truth, "We were on our way down the hall when we spotted you and Tyke hugging. Honest."
"It's true, Starlight." Twilight Sparkle admits, unable to stop giggling for the moment to the beautiful sight she just witnessed with her own daughter, "We saw you both hugging and could not help but admire the friendship you both share...which is a very strong one. I should know since I am the Princess of Friendship after all~"
Starlight smiles onto her mother, no longer feeling a little upset for her parents spying even for only a moment's time, "Thank you, Mommy."
"Princess Twilight is correct: You both have a strong friendship...and we hope you will forever keep it shining bright as the Light itself," Queen Chrystala supports her friend's words, all while sensing that there is more than just a friendship between the two foals...even if it has yet to blossom completely.
"By the way, what were you too doing out here anyway...without Oath or Task to watch over you?" Courageous remembers the rules he set in place earlier, and asks the question that he expects his daughter to answer truthfully.
"We...we...." Starlight sighs and cannot hide this, feeling it is time to confess to two things that happened today, "We were playing in the gardens, and then when Task and Oath were not looking...I...I..."
"I...w-wanted to see more of the c-castle...and I...I convinced Starlight to s-sneak us out of the gardens and into the castle...to explore and have f-f-fun without being watched." Tyke steps in to defend his best friend, and share part of the blame, "It...it was m-my fault."
Even without the Light to call upon, Courageous Heart can sense the young changeling prince is lying to protect his daughter. Despite that, the stallion of great courage admires the same courage he sees inside Tyke.
"Oh Tyke...." Starlight smiles onto her friend who is doing what he can to protect her...but stands beside him to finish the part she herself witnessed, "I also...was eavesdropping on the conversation you were all having in the lounging room...and heard you talking about us and...what you think should be my future with Tyke...."
"What...?" Courageous asks to this question that he has not a clue about.
"What do you mean, little one?" Chrystala tilts her head in confusion to the little princess's words.
At first Twilight does not understand...until, "By Celestia, you heard that?!"
"Y-Yes...Mommy..." Starlight nods her head slowly, feeling terrible for bringing up this subject.
"Oh Honey...." Twilight moves closer to give her little filly a loving hug that only a mother can give, "Whatever you heard...it was not referring to you or Tyke."
"It...it wasn't?!!"
"Oh no...." Twilight explains the truth behind that conversation discussed back in the Lounge Room with her husband and friend, "All that were were discussing was about another couple that you happen to know pretty well." Twilight touches Starlight's nose with her hoof and winks, hoping she will understand whom she is referring to.
Courageous Heart and Chrystala soon realize what is going on...and feel a little bad that Starlight misunderstood. The Prince moves into to hug his daughter along with his wife...while the Queen embraces her little colt close to her.
"So...you never were talking about us? I mean...it felt like you were...wanting me to...you know." Starlight admits to everything heard spoke from her parent's mouths.
"No, sweetie...it was never about you. You are way too young for anything like that." Twilight promises to her daughter, with a kiss on her cheek to seal it, "You and Tyke share a strong bond of friendship that can only become stronger as time passes...just like it was with your father and myself."
"She is right, Starlight. We would never force such a thing on you or anypony else...because friendship is something that can never be forced. It can only grow with time and blossom into something beautiful." Courageous explains to his daughter, all while blushing at his beautiful wife...using the friendship and love he shares with her as the perfect example.
Twilight blushes to how her handsome and dashing stallion brings up the love they share like this, making her want to kiss his lips ever so passionately...but not in front of the kids.
****************************************
"W-Wait...." Tyke stutters as he politely interrupts the Prince and Princess's moment, "What...what did Starlight hear? She...never told me."
"It's not important, my little one." Chrystala snuggles her precious youngling in her forearms and licks his mane, "All you need to know is that you have a special friendship with Starlight. Always be there for each other, and be the best of friends you can possibly be."
"Alright...." Tyke smiles and snuggles into his mother's warm and loving embrace, while turning moving his eyes to look onto his dearest and best friend in the whole wide worlds: Starlight.
The young princess of Tambelon snuggles into her mother's and father's embrace and gazes on over to Tyke, smiling ever so warmly at the friend she hopes to be friends with forever. Even more so in the future to come.
Watching quietly from the hallway, Oath Sworn and Task Duty finally found the missing and mischievous little ponies...only to find that the parents found them first...and are now sharing a warm family hug each.
"So adorable...." Oath whispers to her coltfriend, blushing ever so bright to the strong friendship her little sister shares with the little changeling prince.
"It sure is...." The blushing white unicorn stallion admits in a hushed voice to his marefriend, hoping that Tyke will always be there for Starlight in the days to come.
With their presence yet to be discovered, Oath gently pulls Task away from the area...and they trot off together to resume their usual routine patrol...and later to find some ink and parchment to write the important lesson discovered back there. But while they walk, the two unicorns cannot help but walk closer together, side by side, with their tails wrapped around the other as a sign of their everlasting love for one another.
****************************************************
CREDITS:
Story written by:
Cover Image by:
Artwork by:
Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.
Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic
Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP:FIM Characters belong to Hasbro.
THANK YOU Literature
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Starlight and Tyke are the best of friends, and they wish nothing more than to spend more time playing on their days off from school. When Princess Twilight allows for Queen Chrystala and her son to visit the palace for the weekend, Starlight becomes excited to spend more time with the changeling she admires very much. However, things might take an unexpected turn when the little princess overhears her parents discussing them getting married in the future. Will this discovery put the friendship of Starlight and Tyke in jeopardy? Find out!!!
MLP: Earning Your Stripes: MLP: Earning Your Stripes MLP: Born of Harmony: MLP: Born of Harmony
MLP: The Future is Magic Vol II List: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Future is Magic Volume II Cover Image: dafinaspride.deviantart.com/ar…
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Wow, Courageous has the tolerance of the Rotherham police. If I were him I would've buggered off after the first time and left a letter saying that I won't stand for being a punching bag for somepony who's just acting like a big foal themselves, and I would be back when it was born. There's no excuse for that kind of reprehensible behaviour, pain or no pain.
Well, that's just me...I don't put up with bullshit at all. Being forced to makes me think of things that would have me in a criminal psych ward if I ever acted on them >.>
Super cute story for Starlight and Tyke though! They make a perfect couple.
Well, that's just me...I don't put up with bullshit at all. Being forced to makes me think of things that would have me in a criminal psych ward if I ever acted on them >.>
Super cute story for Starlight and Tyke though! They make a perfect couple.