Chapter 16
There was nothing. A vast expanse of space that was black as a moonless night. The sky, vacant of any stars making it all the more hollow and empty. A light mist clung to the ground, creating the only discernible separation of earth and sky.
There was nothing. Nowhere to go, yet still she ran. She had to, she had to get away.
Through the miasma of the nothingness Dinky Hooves ran as fast as her little legs would carry her. He was coming for her, she could feel it. Her horn shone the way through the endless darkness as she ran. The light served no real purpose in such a blank landscape, if nothing else it gave her a sense of courage to run through it, less she simply curl up and be engulfed by it.
With no sense of direction she may as well have, but that meant stopping and waiting to be found. No. As futile as it was, that would be worse.
“You shouldn't be here.” The voice boomed all around causing her to shriek and pick up the pace into a mad gallop. Her heart was pounding so hard she felt it would leap out of her chest, but she had to get away.
She chanced a look behind her and her blood froze. Fire. Fire consuming the nothingness, and in the middle was a pair of icy blue eyes.
She wanted to run faster, but she couldn't. What began as a slight teetering became a full blown wobble and soon the little unicorn found herself skidding off the non existent ground and crashing to her stomach. In no time the fire spread encircling around her. The heat was so intense that she shielded her face. A low rumble that shook everything around her caused her to whimper as she prepared for what came next.
“Stop.”
Came a voice, and with it came relief from both the heat and the fear that threatened to consume her.
Slowly, she took a chance and looked up to find an unexpected, but most welcome sight.
“F-Flint?” Dinky looked up and saw her stern friend standing over her. The dark blue colt seemed not to notice her, rather he appeared more focused staring down something behind her. With a chill of realization, she turned and saw that the blue eyes were looming menacingly over them both, held by a shadowed outline of a giant monster.
With another whimper, she pulled herself closer to Flint, gripping his foreleg tightly.
“You shouldn't be here, Dinky.” Upon hearing those words, now coming from the colt the little filly slowly raised her eyes to her friend. To her continued horror, his once Amber eyes took on the same shade of icy blue of the beast.
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Your eyes opened to the view of the ceiling of your room. Pulling yourself up you stretched out your neck and shoulders releasing small pops as your bones resettled themselves into the proper position.
With a foreleg you rubbed any remaining sleep out of your eyes. You hadn’t slept as well as you should have, the faint memories of lingering dreams slowing fading from the forefront of your mind.
From the start you had disciplined your mind to be closed to dreaming for the sake of staying hidden. Despite this though, you could feel flashes of the night before, images and sensations of running down prey coupled with an odd feeling of...protecting something.
‘You're getting careless.’ You berated yourself. ‘Any further slip ups and the royals will render you a drooling idiot, spouting out nonsense of harmony.’
Another part of you though, almost wanted them to find you; to face them and be done with it. No more hiding, just them, and you.
A glance down at your scrawny body detracted more than a bit from that sentiment.
“World’s shortest rematch.” You chuckled bitterly to yourself.
Rolling over you landed nimbly on your hooves and made your way out of your room. The promise of breakfast set your course for the kitchen.
It was Saturday once more and that meant Cozy would be spending more time on the morning meal due to her having the day off from the office.
As you approached the stairs voices could be heard emanating from your destination.
“Oh babe, that is so amazing!” Came the excited voice of your male progenitor.
Admittedly, this mildly piqued your interest in what the mare had made for breakfast that was so quote: “amazing”.
“I hadn't expected it to turn out like it did, but there you have it, I guess.” Cozy responded in kind adding a giggle at the end.
‘This could only mean that she was experiment cooking again’ you grumbled slightly at the thought, memories of shredded zucchini spaghetti noodles and Broccoli breakfast muffins briefly halted your step. ‘I committed some terrible things against nature, but seriously? At least I offered an end to the suffering and not stained it's tastebuds for a solid week.’
Still their further exuberance resumed you path down the stairs. ‘They seem thrilled enough so it can't be that odious.’
“Pretty obvious now, why you’ve been so sick lately.” Sparks said sheepishly.
‘Definitely experiment cooking again.’ You reaffirm with a sigh. ‘At least she had the decency to test this concoction on herself first.’
“Oh Sparks!” The Cozy cooed. “I'm soooo happy!”
You rounded the corner, much to your misfortune, in time to catch Cozy and Sparks embracing each other while simultaneously sucking on each other's lips.
You decided to give them a moment to break it up themselves. When that moment quickly came and went, you decided to take a more proactive approach.
“Good grief you two. It's just breakfast!”
The ponies jumped a bit at your words but smiled none the less as they disentangled themselves from one another.
“Morning sweetie.” Cozy was the first to speak brushing her mane behind her ear as she smiled at you.
Your only response was a cross between a ‘yeah’ and a huff as you fully entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.
Your eyes went to the stove only to find it crisp, cool, and bafflingly devoid of food. This observation merit the raise of one of your eyebrows.
“Oh, sorry buddy.” Sparks said noticing your confusion. “Your mom was feeling sick again this morning and wasn't up to making breakfast.” He said rubbing the mare’s hoof comfortingly.
Despite supposedly being ‘ill’ the mare who called herself ‘your mother’ seemed rather happy, she practically glowed with the feeling.
“I ran out this morning to get her something that might help figure out what's wrong, and I got raspberry danish from Sugar Cube Corner.” He explained, before adding a wry smile. “Pinkie says ‘hi’ by the way.”
As schooled as your stoic expression was you felt your face scrunch at the mention of the manic pink temptress. She had succeeded in breaking you down and getting you hooked on her sugary baked goods and she seemed ever so gleeful in reminding you of it.
Shrugging it off, you got up from your seat and walked over to the box. Lifting the box lid your eyes only further narrowed as you read the glazed message the pink baker had left special for you.
Remember to Smile, Flint!
-Your friend,
Pinkie
With a bit more gusto than necessary you brought the butter knife down into the fruit pastry and cut yourself a slice.
“Sugary dope peddler.” You mutter as you placed your addiction onto a plate and turned back to the table with self loathing.
With a slight start you find your parent’s have taken a seat at the table and we're watching you eagerly.
After their gaze for a few breaths you finally speak up. “You were so wild about this before, now you're not having any?”
“What?” Cozy looked confused before she smile and just shook her head dismissively. “No, no, I'm fine.”
Your eyes fell to the stallion. “Oh sure, that be great pal!” He said expectantly. After not moving to get up and get his own, you merely growled and passed him your plate and turned back to once again face that moronic message.
“We’d like to talk to you, Flint.” Cozy said as you forcefully cut deeper into the pastry, actively severing the message apart.
“Yeah?” You said bluntly before turning back to face them at a second attempt at breakfast.
“Yes.” Cozy said as she sat up in her place looking at you fondly.
“I don't know whatever for,” you said gruffly as you sat and began eating, “I haven't caused any trouble lately.”
“I know and we are so, so, so proud of you.” She said pulling you close into a hug and thus preventing you from savoring your first bite as you slightly choked on it.
As always, the hug lasted for far too long and needed coaxing to be ended. “What did you want to talk about?”
She returned you to your seat where you readjusted yourself with a small huff.
“Flint…” Sparks asked, picking up where Cozy got side tracked to smother you, “...how would you feel, if somepony else came to live with us here.”
It took a moment for that information to sink in, and when it did you couldn't help but feel your mood turn sour.
“That senile old bat, is NOT moving in here.” You stated with unmoving finality in your tone.
“That's...not…” Sparks tried to respond but was obviously a little floored at what you had said about his mother.
“In any case,” Cozy said once again taking the reigns of the conversation. “Your father and I have some news and we wanted you to be the first one to hear it.”
“Out with it then.” You barked, narrowing your eyes at the two of them. You despised drawn out conversation almost as much as surprises, and this was apparently both of those in one.
As usual the chipper mare either ignored or didn't hear as she looked to her husband who nodded in approval.
“Well…” she practically squealed, “...you’re gonna be a big brother!”
“.........” You had not expected this. Frankly, you were stunned.
“Isn't that exciting bud?” Sparks said coming alongside you. “A little brother or sister, you can…” His darting eyes let you know he hadn't completely thought realistically how he was going to finish that sentence.
“You can… Hey! A brother or sister!” Smooth Sparks, very smooth.
Despite this, your mind was hard at work processing this latest development. On the one hand you tried to figure out why you should care?
‘Circumstance brought me with these two, nothing more; why should it matter if they wished to reproduce?’
Another part was...curious?
These thoughts continued to go back and forth, neither seeming to retain a dominant hold in your mind. After a moment you looked up to realized the two were looking at you expectantly.
Taking inhaling deeply, you regarded regarded the two.
“I have made my own plans today.” You said calmly. “We will discuss this in more detail tonight.”
Without another word, you went to the hallway and pulled on your small saddle bag. You reached for the knob only to pause for a brief moment to look once more at the two of them, who smiled at you. For a moment, your gaze fell to Cozy’s stomach, the sense of curiosity holding your attention there. For a instant, the briefest instant, you felt the muscles in your face wanting to tug slightly upwards, before quashed the urge and out of the door, eager for something diverting.
Either he'll jump off a cliff or he'll drop the foal off the cliff
7524746 that's a bit positive thinking, I thought he would either gutt or burn or drown them alive.
Am I the only one who thinks Flint will be a good brother by the time his sibling arrives? He does have at least several more months before they arrive after all, and Ponyville is quickly steering him away from his... draconic behavior.
7524880 Why so negative, he was obviously happy about it since he had to fight of a smile when he left home. He's probably just in denial about it at the moment.
7524746 Or he'll regret having done neither.
I'm waiting for it to be discovered where Dinky learned of the ancient land of the dragons, as it will undoubtedly lead to an interesting realization that "Flint" is older than he appears...
Just watch Nightmare Moon be the little sister. That'd be great.
Just wait for the baby to be an old friend or enemy from his dragon days.
7524944 That's before he eventually has to deal with the crying, the diaper changing, and drool
7524746
Welcome to Sparta?
7525038 That would be a great plot twist, just he finally lighten up he learns that his sibling is one of his previous live victims enemies that has reincarnated and still remember him, all doe I don't know how the foal will recognized him for what he sued to be. I think it would most likely be that the foal will only have as passing resemblance, that will disturbed him for a while or that with having creating a bond with the foal he will have to struggle with his newly discovered sense of gilt maybe.
I am curious to know of what could be the significance of the dream that Flint had about dinky and the presence of the form of his previous life and that he wasn't in that form in the first place and that he fond himself protecting her against himself. I am also curious to know how he manged to avoid dreaming in the first place.
Also it it great to see your story being updated again Sipioc, I hope that the next one will be even better then this chapter which was really good too
Glad to see this story is still in the works. Flint's reaction, or lack thereof, is quite telling considering his usual modus operandi.
Grumpiness commence! Late nights with foals crying awaking everyone! This is a wonderful trainwreck waiting to happen, I look forward to it.
7525131
Shared dream perhaps? That or maybe Dinky accidentally performed a soul binding and there's now a small piece of her in him and he's protecting that piece of her from his old instincts?
I just read all of this story and i gotta say that i love it so far. Keep up the awesome work.
7527983 just search "one and a million" and "changeling" and you'll find it
7529496 found it!
Another amazing chapter I'm liking flint more and more
Good story so far. The last few chapters especially have been quite fun. Hoofball was a blast, being told about the meeting with Pinkie Pie was a fun method of storytelling, and this twist will leave some interesting potential.
Also: is that a romance tag I see?
I wonder who it could be?
Can't be the mane six,
too old are those chicks,
so who's the potential filly?
(I'm sorry! I don't know what happened! It just sort of did!)
So far we've got hints of Applebloom in one chapter (unless I missed some earlier), but I don't know if that's indicative of where it will go. It depends on if we see Flint when he's a stallion, that'll change the shipping board. If so, it might be with Princess Luna, considering how she's the first tagged pony.
Speaking of Luna, though, where is she? We've seen her in one chapter so far. Two if you count that time Flint dreamt of when he fought her and Celestia.
Edit: after rereading the story, I can see I've missed quite a few hints of Applebloom. So many in fact, that I can confidently put down the 'mystery' of who Flint will get shipped with. I might be wrong, but I feel I have enough evidence to work with.
7530826 I am building to the romance aspect. I have a few stops to make before that but over all I am leaning towards ------------------.
As for Luna, she is closer than you might expect.
One thing about this story is that is has evolved each time write it. I have ideas on where it's going to end up but nothing overall concrete.
I do appreciate the support and comment!
7530754 Sure, it's sure to kill at birthday toasts!
I admit it was rather underhanded of me to go with a back door way out of a Pinkie Party but I feel it would be something that Cozy would do to prevent Flint from flipping out.
7530002 Thanks, considering I write him as a grumpy adult despite the fact that he is quite immature
7530970 I'm not complaining. It does make sense, and it's almost a cliche at this point (though not necessarily a bad one), so I don't mind that you've missed it, or at least put it off until much later.
yay another chapter. many jubilations and cheers.
7634969 Verily?
7635328 derpicdn.net/img/2013/8/8/394633/full.png you get it! You really get it!
Hah! I wondered if you'd go with a pregnancy. Poor Cozy certainly deserves it (unless it's a Sombra reincarnation ).
That's conveniently timed for them... I wonder if they started trying again because of the promotion or if it was just serendipity?
I love the fact that Flint is now protecting Dinky from his own split-personality. That could lead to some... interesting scenes with Luna.
Flint will probably brainwash his little sibling and turn him/her into a total dragonphile (dracophile? I dunno).
7635489
All chapters have been read.
And I learn this is quite an story.
Those dreams, are they all in my head?
Getting an brother or sister,Hip hip hooray!
I will leave an Like and an favorite, okay?
And I will keep an eye on this tale.
But for now I must be away!
7659273 You honor me with your touching rhyme,
I will write more when I have time.
I have plans to wrapping up this stories end,
So until then,
Bye!
His parents should be able to catch those subtle hints he's giving about how he really feels about the idea. Which seems to be 'uncertain, oddly interested and possibly excited, need more time to process'. It's interesting how clueless he can be despite his maturity XD
7724644 Well someone went on a binge. Thanks for the comments and the consideration of my little story here!
I am currently working on the next chapter and I hope to have it up by the end of the month.
7727332 It was a good Binge. It's been a while since I felt drawn to commenting that much. It's a lot of my loved themes. Transformation, rebirth, Good slice of life and best of all amazing character development coupled with good writing.
Haha, i love how he was so professional about it.
Immediately came to mind when I saw the opening.