Reunion

"Now make sure you get plenty of sleep. Tomorrow is a big day."
>"I know! But why do I have to go to bed so early?!"
"It's twelve o'clock, dear."
>"And? Aunt Luna stays up far longer!"
"Well, when you're old enough to run the country, raise the sun, and wash your own clothes. You can stay up for as long as you want. But for now, get some rest."
>"Fine.."
"Goodnight dear."
>"Groooan."
>You are Princess Celestia. And you have just put your daughter to bed.
>The door to your daughter's room closes with a hushed click. Usually it took forever before she'd even consider going to bed, but over the years you've been getting better and better persuading her.
>Tomorrow was her birthday. She would be turning one thousand and eleven. Another birthday he would miss.
>Slowly you made your way to your own chambers. It was a path engraved into your memory like your earliest days. Back when you were young and new. Fresh and unscarred.
>But you were tired now. Old and battered, pushing four thousand years.
>The kind guards bow their heads as you approach. It was a gesture that was second nature to them, the many generations before them, and the generations that would follow under your rule.
>They open the massive doors to your chambers and you enter without a word. The doors close behind you, sealing you in and granting you peace from the day's wears.
>Concentrating, you focus on the horn atop your head. Slowly, magic crept its way along the length and slowly enveloped it in a faded golden glow.
>The glow spreads to your golden crown and you strain a little to lift it from your head. These days, it took effort to perform simple magical tasks.
>You gingerly place the crown on the old nightstand that never moved for thousands of years.
>From the large indigo jewel in the center, you could see your worn reflection.
"What would he think of me now."
>You chuckle at your slight vanity. It wasn't the first time you noticed how far you fell from your former self.

>Oh yes. You remember how beautiful you were. Oh you were the grace of the kingdom. The morning and evening star. But as time past after he left, your golden age ended.
>Your tired reflection stared back at you, angry. It wasn't fair. This wasn't supposed to be your life. This wasn't what was meant to be, and yet it was.
"Where has the time gone.."
>You sigh and look away from your reflection. It made you wonder though. How did your daughter see you? What did she when she looked into the aged eyes of the immortal ruler? What did you see when you looked into hers?
>Immediately you pushed the thought away. It was too painful.
>Right now you wanted nothing more than to just slip into bed and forget everything. It was all you did these days. Try and forget the pain.
>You concentrate, pushing your magic up the length of your horn. The light tugs at the edge of the bedding and you pull it back sluggishly.
>Normally, you would have immediately crawled into bed. But this time it was different. A chill shot through your spine like a bullet of ice and your heart began to race.
>Something tugged at your gaze, pulling it over to the glass doors that lead out to the balcony. The transparent curtains swayed gently from the draft. They looked like ghosts dancing in the breeze.
>You stared for a moment. And then another moment. And for a moment more. There was nothing. Hey, you were getting old. Maybe you were starting to see things. You'd have to see a doctor about that.
>But just as you were about to brush the feeling aside, you saw movement.
>It startled you. Made you jump back a few paces and lower your horn towards the balcony.
>There was definitely something there. Lurking  behind the the curtains. It moved with grace and elegance, like it was one with the wind outside. It looked familiar. A little too familiar.

>You slowly raise your head as you heard the door unlatch and a single slim hand crept into your room, along with a light fog. The hand is followed by a long outstretched arm. And then another arm. Then a foot, joined by the second. Then the hands took hold of both curtains and pulled them apart.
>Your breath was stolen from you by the devil himself. The blood in your body ran cold as the icy north winds. Your vision blurred, like all the blood suddenly left your brain. You felt sick, yet joyful.
>Tears fell down the sides of your cheeks. Your eyes shot open and your jaw dropped just a tad bit. It was him.
>He stood there in the threshold, staring at you like a specter. He was tall, handsome, and didn't look the least bit older.
>His eyes were still the soft gentle eyes of a young man who dreamed of great things. His smile was still warm and void of any hardship. How dare he.
>"I'm home." He said, outstretching his palms and smiling brightly. His voice was the sound of liquid gold and pulled at your heart.
"You-" You started.
>"It's been awhile hasn't it, Celestia."
>His feet left the ground and he began to glide. Slowly, as if carried by the fog.
>You immediately step back.
>He stopped. His head fell to the side as he looked at you curiously. His arms falling to his side and digging into his pockets.
>"What's wrong? I've come back. Aren't you happy to see me?"
>The words were like sharp, poisonous daggers stabbing you in the chest and burrowing into your heart. How dare he. After so long. How dare he!
"Get the hell away from me!"
>You shouted. You didn't mean to. It was an impulse. He backed away, confused.
>"Celes-"
"How dare you........ Where!? Where have you been!?"
>Your voice rises higher. It bounced off the high walls and funneled around you two like a tornado.
>A hand fell from of his pocket and he lifted it to his chin and lolled his head back as if thinking about the past.
>"Right, about that... Sorry."

>Sorry? That's all? He disappears for a thousand years, and all he can say...is SORRY?"
"Sorry?! I waited for you! We all waited! I thought you were dead!"
>"Dead? Nonsense, you worry too much."
>The man then chuckled and placed his hand back in his pocket as he levitated just a few paces away from you.
>And what was that? You worry too much? Perhaps that explains the countless nights you never slept. The years you spent searching for him. The soul crushing loneliness you had to endure, because of him.
"Anon. You have very little time to explain yourself. If I don't like what I hear, I may kill you on the spot."
>You didn't know if you were serious or not. Your sanity had started to slip recently though. You may actually do it.
>"Kill me? For goodness sake, what happened to you? When did you become so problematic?"
"The very day you vanished."
>You spit the words at him like venom and he winces. He frowns, that painfully lovely smile leaving his face.
>"How long has it been? A thousand? Time is strange to me these days, I don't think the human body was meant to last this long."
>You stomp a hoof and lower your horn, aiming for his throat. He notices your impatiences and clears his throat.
>"The day before the child's birth. I received a letter. I don't know from who, but I was told to search for something. Something very important."
"You are trying my patience Anon. Get on with it."
>You hiss. Anon pauses before speaking again. He then begins to levitate around the room whilst speaking to you.
>"It was a way back to Earth. My home world."
>You watched him as he made his way around your chambers. Eyeing the many photos placed on mantles and dressers. They were mostly of your daughter and yourself. Void of his presence. It was impossible to see his face as he picked up the picture of your daughter on her first birthday.
>He looked to you, his eyes unreadable. But if you didn't know any better, you'd think you saw a trace of sadness.

>"There aren't any of you and I."
>He said in a low voice, almost a whisper.
"No. There wouldn't be."
>He stared at you for a long while before placing the photo back down. Anon then turned to you and made his way across the floor and onto the bed. He sat, hunching over with his elbows on his knees and covering his mouth with his interlocked hands. He continued.
>"I left that day to pursue a way home; back to Earth. I had no intention of abandoning you, if that's what you're thinking."
>You looked at his perfect face. The same face he had when you met all those years ago. Not a hint of regret or sorrow played across it, and that made your blood boil.
"You didn't mean to abandon me?"
>You laugh a dry laugh. The sort of laugh that gets stuck in your throat and you're forced to drag it out of you.
"You disappeared Anon. Without reason. I searched for you. I searched and searched, but never found any trace of you. And you tell me you were off looking for a way home?"
>What he said had hurt. If Earth was his home, what was Equestria? What were the memories, his friends? What was his daughter and what were you? An unplanned pleasantry?
>"You have to understand me. I didn't want to leave. But I had been away from Earth for so long. If you had gotten the chance to go back, tell me you wouldn't take it!"
"I wouldn't!"
>You shouted back. Anon looked surprised, is mouth was hung slightly open and he leaned backward a bit.
>"What? Of course you would! Anyone would take that chance!"
"Not if it meant I'd be giving up what I had here! You chose to leave us Anon! Me! You threw us aside as if we were nothing to you! And what's this? You don't find a way back to that miserable world and so you come crawling back here after a thousand years of absence!?"
>He stood defiantly. His fists were clenched and his brow furrowed in anger.

>"Now listen here. Don't you turn this around on me! I would have come back, believe me I would. I never meant to leave Equestria. It was for closure! I needed to know if there was a way!"
"At the cost of your family? Anon, your daughter has never seen you. Not once!"
>Anon was silent now. His stare was as cold as the void of space and his teeth could grind rocks into dust. The malice in his eyes was enough to frighten dragons. But you wouldn't be shaken. Your hatred far exceeded his own in that moment and you made it clear.
>"Have you told her about me? Has she asked?" He asked after a long silence.
"No. What would I say to her? That her father left the very night she was to be born? That he was a selfish man who only thought of himself? Tell me Anon, what would I tell her?"
>You turned your back on the man. At this point you wanted nothing to do with him. Even looking him in the eye was enough to make your stomach churn.
>"You told her nothing of me? Confound it woman how could you? My daughter has grown a thousand years without any knowledge of her father!?"
>He stood, and in that moment the air started to stir. His anger always did get the best of him. Why, back then he'd seemingly pop a vain at the smallest things. You always found it amusing and-
>Annoying.
"Why have you come back here, Anon?"
>You turned back round again to see him. His feet were now on the floor and his hands melded tightly into fists.
>His expression softened and in that moment you saw the man you fell in love with all those years ago. But it passed as he began to speak.
>"....I have come back because I wish to take the girl with me."
>What?
>Did he just say he wanted to take your daughter away from you? The girl you've cared for after countless years? Your one reminder of the old days, back when life was grand and full of happiness?
"What...did you say?"
>"Are you hard of hearing? I said I want the girl."

>His hands fell into his pockets again and he turned his nose upward at you. It made your blood boil and you nearly charged him.
"No."
>You said flatly. Anon's face then fell into a very large frown. He raised a brow curiously, confused about your answer.
>"What was that?"
"I said no. I won't have it."
>"And why not? I am the girl's father, it is my right."
"Right? Perhaps if you had stayed with us. Watched her take her first steps. Hear her first words. But you weren't. Perhaps if you had been more of a father to her than you were, maybe I'd consider it."
>You watched as Anon lulled his head to the side. His eye burrowed deep into you like a crow picking at a dead carcass.
>"Celestia. When did you become so mad? Remember how we used to get along? We never had any arguments, not one. Never any hardship in our lives. When did you become....this?"
>He looked you over. Judging you. His handsome face overlooking your aged, fallen from grace body.
>You were immensely jealous. He looked like he had never known any pain in his life. He seemed to live a carefree life during his 'search'. He didn't know the stress, the troubles that fell on you in these long dreadful thousand years.
>You felt like you wear being looked down on by someone of a higher class. Someone who had seen the world and knew its secrets. The fact that it was the same person as your lover only twisted the blade in your heart.
>Do you hate him?
No.
>Do you want to hate him?
Yes. Desperately so.
>Then why not be rid of him? Cast him away like he did you?
"Anon. I want you to leave. Leave and never return."
>The tears in your eyes now clouded your vision and the sadness in your throat prevented the words from leaving smoothly.
>Anon merely stood there, motionless and surprised.
>"You what? Leave? Come now Celestia, it has been ages since I was last home. And now that I've finally returned you want me to just leave?"

>He laughed aloud. The sound of liquid gold. It felt nice hearing his laugh again. But at the same time it felt as if someone were crushing you under their boot. This man brought on an array of contradicting emotions.
"I want you out of my sight. I don't want you anywhere near me or my daughter."
>Now it was your turn to dig your gaze into him. You wondered what you'd see if you burrowed into his soul. But when you thought about what you might find, you ceased thinking.
>"Your daughter? Celestia, you can't keep her from me." He smiled.
>You were silent. For an answer you merely lowered your horn and pointed it straight at his heart. You wear serious and he knew it.
>Anon's shit eating grin slowly fell from his face. His feet left the ground once more and the air began to stir around you erratically.
>"Celestia. If you do this, it'll only end badly."
"I'll ask you one last time Anon."
>"And if I say no?"
>You focused all the magic into your horn. The dull bone being enveloped by the gold light. It illuminated the room, giving the illusion of daylight.
>Anon sighed and reached for his tie. With both hands, he loosened it around his neck and unbuckled the cuff links on his wrists.
>Within a matter of seconds his hands began to glow from his own magic. It was a dark magic and it filled your nose with a most terrible stench. It befitted him well.
>The both of you were silent and neither of you seemed to breath. In the silence you thought to yourself.
>You thought of the before times. Back when your life was happily spent walking with him through parks. Spending the day doing nothing but blowing off responsibility and being carefree. You still loved this man. But it was clear that he did not feel the same and that was worse than any kind of physical pain.
>But in the name of your former love, you saw it fit to give him one last chance. You really didn't want to kill him.

"Walk away. Now."
>"I'm leaving with the girl, Celestia. I need her if I am to ever find the way home."
"Then there is no stopping you then?"
>He didn't answer. Instead he distanced himself from you. A wise move, he knew the moment you engaged him he wouldn't have much room to maneuver.
>Now you had made up your mind. You would kill him here and now. To get back at him for all he's put you through. Though it was petty. But he deserved it right? He deserved to die.
>Oh how you've fallen so low.
>You lunged forward, charging at him with a glowing horn, intent on either impaling his heart or blasting him out of existence as well as part of the tower.
>Anon only stood there, waiting. He thought he would meet your charge and hold you like great stone walls withstanding a siege. And he could do it.
>Five feet.
>Never had you thought it would be like this.
>Four feet.
>Was it your fault? Did you somehow drive him to this?
>Three feet.
>Has he always been this troublesome? Or perhaps he was. Wasn't that what you liked about him? It gave you a challenge.
>Two feet.
>He's not going to move, is he? He isn't going to avoid you or anything. He won't realize how foolish he's being and beg for forgiveness, will he?
>One foot.
>That's okay. At least now, you can move on.

>"Mom?"
>You stop. Anon's hands clasped tightly around your horn and neck and the spell desperately trying to burst from your horn.
>Your eyes dart to the cracked bedroom door. Your daughter was rubbing her eyes and yawning. Sometimes she wouldn't be able to sleep if she was too excited and would creep into your room. Sometimes long after you had fallen asleep.
>Her giant magenta eyes trailed along the room until she found you, pinning a strange creature up against a wall.
>"Who is that?" She pointed at the man who's heart was inches away from the tip of your horn.
>You felt Anon's grip loosen around you and so you quickly pulled back, dropping him to the floor.
"He is your- ......an old friend of mine."
>Anon looked at you angrily. You payed him no mind as you quickly trotted over to your daughter and wrapped her in your wings.
"Mommy hasn't seen him in a very long while. I knew him before you were born."
>You looked up at him. His face was priceless. He was confused and stricken with daddy shock. Strange that this was the same man you were about to have a deadly custody battle with.
>Your daughter also stared at him, and he stared back. He looked her over and marveled at how much she looked like the both of you.
>She noticed it to and began to think. Slowly she began to break away from you. But you held her tightly, not wanting to let go.
>But she continued to pull away from you and gravitate towards the strange man across the room.
>"Is he...."
>Anon was still. He didn't dare move and neither did you. You desperately wanted to stop her from approaching him but felt that this needed to happen. You owed it to her, as did he.
>She gingerly stepped within three feet of him and stared into his similar eyes. They stared back at hers and she beamed.
>"Are you, my dad?"
>Anon's expression then softened and he glanced up at you. You saw that look in his eye. It was a look he'd get when something really tugged at his heat strings.

>Then he looked back down into his daughter's eyes. She had rainbows in her eyes and a smile brighter than the sun.
>He thought long and hard about what he'd say. Anon never really gave any thought to the words he would say to his vary own daughter. He didn't even think he'd care in the slightest. But now here he was, struggling to even get out a simple hello.
>"Mister? Are you my-"
>"No child."
>You gasped. You couldn't believe what you had just heard. Neither could she.
>"Really? Because you really look like me and I'm pretty sure there aren't any other things like you around. And Mom says that I'm the only one of my kind, and seeing as how you and I share a veeeeeeery similar appearance, I'd say you wer-"
"Sweatheart."
>You quickly approach, covering your daughter's mouth with your wing while scooting her to the side with the other.
"Why don't you give your f- give us some time to talk?"
>You leaned down to her and planted a kiss on her forehead. She swatted you away like she always did and yawned.
>"Fine. 'Night again mom. 'Night Mr. Looksexactlylikeme."
>She then crawled into your bed and carefully wrapped herself in the blankets the very special way she loved. She would end up in a cocoon of bed sheets and pillows.
>You turn your attention to Anon as he watched her move around the bedding.
"Anon, let's go outside."
>He continued to stare, but nodded. You moved on, content on waiting on him.
>Opening the balcony doors, you stepped out into the cool night air. It was a lot like the night you met. You thought about it as you leaned over the balcony and sighed.
>You heard footsteps approach from behind, but you didn't make any effort to turn. They stopped just a little way away from you.
>Nothing was said other than the mountain speaking the tongue of the soft howling wind.

"So?" You asked.
>"So, what?" He replied.
>Now you looked at him. He looked at you as if he didn't want to admit something. Like his prideful nature was keeping him from being true to you and himself.
"I want an answer. You had your chance just now. Why didn't you take her? And why did you deny that you were her father?"
>You eyed him now. Scanning for any sort of hint or clue that would give him away.
>Anon simply laughed out loud. His voice traveling down the mountain slope and nearly waking everypony in the city.
>"Because I am not her father."
>He joined you on the balcony. Leaning over it a tad bit too far.
"What? What do you mean?"
>His smile remained. Though it was pained and his eyes were dark.
>"You were right. I abandoned her for my own selfish desire. It was foolish of me to come back..."
>He had a point. What was he thinking coming back, just to take her away?
>"She looks so much like me Celestia. And she's so...."
"Sassy? Bossy? Overly demanding? Take your pick."
>"....Dear God. She really is mine."
"She's very similar to you in many ways."
>"Do you remember what I said to you all those years ago? About how I was never capable of feeling regret?"
>You were silent. But you watched the many emotions play out on his face like a moving picture.
>"Well, for the first time in my long life, I regret."
".....You missed a lot you know."
>"Oh yes, I imagine so."
"She's always wondered what kind of person you were. You know, when she was very small... she would draw pictures of her and I. But there would always be an empty throne next to mine."
>Anon continued to gaze down at the slumbering city down below.
"She's waited for you just as long as I have."
>"And I've kept you waiting for quite some time."
"Oh yes."
>He laughed and pushed himself over the balcony, catching himself in mid-air. You stood straight up, alarmed and curious.
>"I realize now that I've made a mistake. I should have stayed. But you can't change the past I'm afraid."

"No you can't. But you can strive to make a better future, Anon. Stay. Get to know her. She's wanted to meet you for a very, very long time."
>Anon stood on the air, thinking. He didn't have to think for long though.
>"Maybe I will. I've had enough of the traveler's life anyway. But I'm afraid I have to tie up some loose ends. Wouldn't want Oberan and his minions swarming the castle."
"What....exactly have you been doing this entire time?"
>"That's not important." He said with a smirk.
>"But before I go, Celestia. I would like to ask for your forgiveness. I know what a complete ass I've been, but I'm willing to make up for it in anyway I can."
>He now looked at you earnestly. He was serious and you felt it in your heart.
"That....will take time, Anon. A lot of time. But, for the sake of our daughter; I can at least give you a chance."
>For the first time in this long dreadful night, you smiled. In that moment you felt all the wear and age drain away from you and you felt young again. As young as you felt thousands of years ago, with him
>"Right then. I best be off, I'll return in about a week."
>Anon then kicked off of the balcony railing and began to float away like a leaf on the wind.
"Don't take too long."
>"I'll try not to. Oh, and another thing."
>You reached an ear to him, finding it harder to hear him as he drifted away.
>"What is her name?"
>You smiled again and with a bit of effort you raised your voice.
"I'll tell you when you get back! As an incentive."
>Anon chuckled to himself and then waved goodbye. Turning to away and gliding out of sight.
>You watched him go until he was no longer visible in the night sky. You thought of the words you would say to him the day he returned. And what you'd say to your daughter who now slept comfortably in your bed.
>It was exciting, but still enduring. There was a very long road ahead of you. Who knew how long it would take for you to heal the wounds in your heart. But that was unimportant at the moment.

>What mattered is that your daughter's father was coming home. A whole new world was waiting for her. A brand new array of stories, ideas, and history.
>You stepped inside the now quiet chamber that was your room and carefully made your way over to the bed to join your daughter.