//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: What a wonderful world it is // Story: Panzer Pony // by The Lutece twins //------------------------------// Aegis was sound asleep, laying next to Daniel. Daniel held his mare close to him, Steel Heart sleeping on his chest. The sun shined through the window, hitting Aegis's face. Aegis grunts and rolls over. The movement made Daniel tighten his grip on Aegis. Aegis opens her eyes sleepily and looks around. She notices Daniel and smiles, before closing her eyes again. Daniel nuzzles her cheek, causing Aegis's smile to widen. The human murmured lightly and turns onto his side, causing Steel Heart to fall onto Aegis. Steel Heart wakes up sleepily and yawns. "Nnnggh...morning you two..." Daniel grunted. Daniel gave them both a kiss on the head. "Morning." Aegis said. "Morning Daddy... " Steel heart said sleepily. Daniel held them both close, his tail thumping on the bed. Steel Heart nuzzles him. Aegis yawns. "How's my beautiful little filly?" Daniel asked, returning the nuzzle. "Tired..." Steel Heart yawned. "Me too, sweetie." Daniel said. Daniel runs his hoof through her mane. Steel Heart smiles, then yawns. Daniel holds Steel Heart close to him and smiles at Aegis. "We make a great family." Daniel said, pecking Aegis on the lips. Aegis smiles and nods. "We do." She said. "Guess we should get up, huh?" He asked. Daniel smiled back, holding Steel Heart in his hooves. Aegis nods and gets off the couch. She yawns and stretches, revealing the scars across her body. Daniel sighed and the sight of them, feeling each of them was his fault. Aegis looks at him with a smile. "You say something?" She asked. Daniel shook his head and rubs a hoof over the scar along her side, a tear slipping from his eye. "It was all my fault..." he sniffed. Aegis looks at him with a frown. "Daniel, it's not your fault, you didn't know that one of the soldiers was going to sneak up on us." She said. Daniel tightly hugged Aegis, remembering everything. He starts to cry, holding her tight. Steel Heart looks up at Daniel. "Daddy?" She asked. Aegis is shocked, before hugging back. "You were just pulverized!" He wailed. "Let it out Daniel, let it out." She said. He cries into her chest, soaking her synthetic fur with tears. Aegis rubs his back. Tears start to form in Steel Heart eyes. "D-Daddy?" She sniffed. After a few moments he calms and holds Aegis close. Aegis looks at him. "Better?" She asked. He nodded. "Yeah...thanks." he said. Daniel kisses her cheek. "I love you so much." He said. "I love you too." Aegis said. "D-Daddy?" Steel Heart said. "Yes, sweetie?" He asked. Daniel rubs Steel Heart's mane. "A-Are you okay?" Steel Heart asked. "I'm alright." he kisses her nose. Steel Heart smiles and wipes her eyes. "Dawww!" Aegis said. Daniel nuzzles his little filly. "Daddy loves you!" He said. Steel heart nuzzle him. Daniel held her close and tight. "My precious little filly, I love you so much." He said. "I love you too, daddy!" Steel heart said. Daniel smiles. "Anypony hungry?" He asked. Aegis's stomach growls after he said that, causing her to blush slightly. "Well, let's see what Fluttershy has." Daniel said. "Shouldn't you think we should ask first?" Aegis said. Daniel chuckles. "I know." He said. Aegis's stomach growls again. "Let's get up, then, shall we?" Daniel asked. Aegis nods. 'Wanna ride on my back, Sweetie?" Daniel asks Steel heart. Steel heart smiles widely and nods vigorously. Daniel chuckled and got up from the couch. "Okay, get on!" he kisses her cheek. Steel heart smile widens and she jumps on him. "Daddy!" She yells. "So cute." Aegis said. "You bet!" Daniel said. Hooves were heard walking on the floor above and soon Fluttershy came down the steps with a yawn. Aegis looks at her with a smile. "Morning Fluttershy!" She said. "Good morning..." Fluttershy yawned. "Um Fluttershy, if you don't mind me asking, do you have any coffee by any chance?" Aegis asked. "Sorry, I only have teas and herbal drinks..." Fluttershy said sleepily. Aegis sighs and nods. "All right, some tea wouldn't hurt." She said. "Plain or lemon?" Fluttershy asked. Fluttershy asked as she crossed the living room. "Lemon please." Aegis said. Fluttershy gave a nod as Daniel trotted circles in the living room with Steel Heart on his back. Steel Heart is giggling with happiness. Aegis looks at him and warmly smiles. "Daaaw, so cute!" She said. Daniel chuckles. "It's great to finally be a pony!" He said happily. Aegis nods. "But we should change your name a bit, it will sound weird to other ponies, if its all right with you?" She asked. "I like my name." Daniel said, kissing Aegis's cheek. "But not as much as I love you, my beautiful lovable mare, you." He said. Aegis blushes. "Oh stop you." She said. "Stop what?" Daniel brought his head back enough to make a double chin. "Stop loving you?" He asked. "Okay!" He says sarcastically as he lifts his head and goes slowly to the front door. "Oh woe is me! How will I EVER survive out in the wilderness alone!? The agony is already too much to bear!" He says as he drops to one knee. Aegis deadpans and facehoofs, sighing. "What am I going to do with you?" She asks. Now laying on his back, he lifts his head up and looks at Aegis. "Take me back?" He asks. Aegis smiles and right as she was about to walk towards him, steel heart runs up to him and tackles him. "Ooof!!!" Daniel grunted, wrapping his hooves around her. "At least my wonderful daughter still loves me!" He said. "Daddy!" Steel heart yells happily. Aegis warmly smiles at the two. Daniel gets up and tightly hugs Steel Heart. "Yeah, Steely?" He asked, nuzzling her. "I love you!" She said. Fluttershy comes back with the tea for Aegis. Aegis looks over and nods. "Thanks, Fluttershy." She said. "Anything for a friend!" Fluttershy smiled. Aegis takes the cup of tea and drinks it. She closes her eyes and enjoys the taste. "So, honey...what's on the to do list today?" Daniel asked. Aegis opens her eyes and looks at him, setting the cup down. "Well, I do want to explore more of the town." She said. "Alright." Daniel said, smiling. "Am I a good looking stallion?" He asked. "Minus the hole in your head, you look great!" She said. Daniel frowns. "Can we not talk about that?" He mutters. Aegis smiles sheepishly. "Sorry." She laughs slightly. Daniel nuzzled his cheek against Aegis' neck. "You three are so cute!" Fluttershy smiles. "Well, we are a family. We've been together ever since we met." Aegis said "Yep!" Daniel said, smiling. "What about you Fluttershy?" She asked. "What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked with a tilt of her head. "Do you have somepony that you like?" Aegis asked. "My friends of course!" The cream yellow mare smiled. Aegis smiles as well and nods. "So, me and my wonderful marefriend and our precious little girl are going to go explore the town." Daniel said, rubbing his hoof along Steel heart's mane. "But you haven't eaten yet!" Fluttershy protested. "Some breakfast wouldn't hurt." Aegis said. Fluttershy smiles and trotted back into the kitchen. "Hey..." Daniel asks as he notices the oil can from yesterday and goes to get it. "Thirsty, sweetie?" He asks. Aegis nods. Daniel gives the can to her. "Just leave some for little Steel Heart, okay, honey?" He asks. "I know." She said, rolling her eyes and taking a sip of the oil, but for some strange reason, instead of tasting good, the oil tasted a little funny. She looks at it with a raised eyebrow. "Something wrong? Wait...it's not the special formula you need..." He chuckled, tapping Aegis on the shoulder, her steel frame clunking from the impact. Aegis takes another sip. "No, I can drink any oil like this, but, somethings not right, the taste is... off." She said. "It WAS left out over night...but then again it isn't milk...but then again we're not on earth..." he shrugged and pulled Steel Heart into his hooves, hugging her. Steel heart yawns. Aegis sets the oil down. "Sleepy still?" Daniel asks. Steel Heart nods. "Hehe. A good breakfast will wake you right up!" Daniel chuckles. Steel heart nods. Aegis looks around the house, admiring the place. "I love you, Aegis." Daniel kissed Aegis softly on the cheek. Aegis smiles happily at . "I love you too." She said. "Not as much as I love you!" Daniel said happily. Aegis smiles and was about to say something, when a creature, one that's a mish mash of animals, wearing a night cap looking somewhat tired walks in. It took quick notice of Daniel, Aegis and Steel Heart. "Discord." Daniel mutters. Discord yawns. "Hmm, what is this, new ponies in town?" He asked. "They're friends, Discord!" Fluttershy called from the kitchen. Discord looks over towards the kitchen, then back at Aegis and Daniel. He immediately knows that something is off, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm, something's off, you are not from around here are you." He said. "Oh, hehe..." Daniel chuckled nervously. "I can sense a lot of chaos coming off from you three, especially you." Discord said, pointing at Daniel. "What, why?" Daniel asked. "I can feel this dread hanging around you, like your dead or something." Discord said. Daniel felt creeped out. Discord stares at him for a second, before putting on a happy smile. "All well, it ain't my business! I'm in a good mood and I don't want to ruin it." He said. "Okay, see ya." Daniel said. Discord snaps his fingers and disappears. Daniel shrugs. "So...maybe guys night with Discord, Spike and Big Mac could be a possibility??" He asks. Aegis laughs slightly. "That'll be the day." she said. Daniel chuckled. 'No, I belong with you.." He said, nuzzling her. Aegis nuzzles back and notices that Steel heart was wondering around the house, looking around. Daniel trots merrily over to her. "What cha doin Sweetie?" He asks. Steel heart looks up at him. "I'm just looking around daddy." She says. Daniel smiled. "Just don't touch anything. Can i have a hug?" he asks. Steel heart hugs Daniel and a squeeing sound was heard from somewhere. Daniel returned the hug and turned to see Fluttershy was setting the table and had caught them red hoofed in hugging. Aegis warmly smiles at the two. Daniel turns a glare at Aegis. "You touch her I'll tickle you to death!" he warned. Aegis bursts into laughter. "Savor these moments, for they will be your last!" Daniel joked as he tackles Aegis tight in his hooves and nuzzles her. Aegis has a content happy look as she releases a relaxed sigh, then nuzzles back. "Who's the prettiest mare in existence?" Daniel asked. Aegis smiles warmly. "I am." She said. Daniel smiles. "Good!" He said, getting off of her. "Never thought I'd uh...fall in love with a robot pony...but I'm glad I did." He said happily. Aegis giggles and stands up. "At least you're a pony like me." She said. "The recruits...they always knew of my love for you...they told me there was no way you could ever actually love me..." he sighs. Aegis places a hoof on Daniel's shoulder and gives him a reassuring smile. "Sometimes I feel I'm going crazy..." Daniel said. "Do you need to let it out?" Aegis asked. "I'm good...I'm..not saying you don't love me...I know you do! It's just the things they've said makes me doubt it sometimes..." he said. Aegis pulls him into a hug. Daniel sighs. "Know what else?" He asked. "What?" She asked. Daniel giggled slightly. "I can feel air blowing through the hole in my head!" He said. Aegis giggles. "Well, I guess that makes you an air head." She said. Daniel nods. "Yep!" He said. Aegis smiles, just as Fluttershy came walking back in. "Breakfast is ready. I-I made pancakes and eggs." Fluttershy said quietly. Aegis looks at her and nods. "Thank you, Fluttershy." She said. "Steely, you hungry?" Daniel ruffles Steel Heart's mane. Steel Heart's stomach growls as he said that, causing her to nod. Daniel kisses her head. "Well, come on then." He said, walking into the kitchen. Discord appears out of nowhere again. "Did I hear breakfast?" He asked. Fluttershy nods. "Uh-huh!" She said. Discord smiles happily and walks into the kitchen as well. Daniel's eyes followed Discord. "You know, it isn't polite to stare." Discord said to Daniel without looking at him. Daniel shook his head and looks away. "I-in my defense it's hard not to...when I happen to you know...be in the presence of the god of chaos himself...when I thought he was just a fictional cartoon character..." he said. Discord stops and his ears perk up, interested. "Wait, what did you say?" He asked. "Perhaps I've said too much..." Daniel said. Discord appears next to him and leans against him. "Go on, you caught my interest. You said something about me being a fictional character?" He asked. Daniel began to sweat. "I...don't know what you're talking about, Discord..." he said, walking away. As Discord watches Daniel walk away, be notices the hole in Daniel's head. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" He said, looking at him. "If you don't mind me asking, why do you have a hole in your head?" He asked. "Well...it's a long story I don't want to talk about..." Daniel said as he sat at the tables with the others. Discord lazily floats over to him. "Come now, you have my interest." He said. Daniel sighed. "I shot myself." He said. There was nothing but silence. Discord was actually surprised. "Discord I woke up in the Everfree as a pony...with a hole in his head." Daniel said. Discord tries to say something, but nothing comes out. Aegis and Steel Heart look away. "Yeah..." Daniel sighed. Discord floats down to the ground and places a claw on his chin. "Well..." he said. "What?" Daniel seems upset again. "This...Is new to me..." Discord said. "I....wow...really?" Daniel asked in surprise. Discord nods. "Huh." Daniel said. Discord nods again. With a shrug, Daniel began to eat his serving of food. Discord began to eat, except he was eating the plate. Aegis pours syrup on her pancakes. Fluttershy sat silently at one end of the table. Daniel says nothing as he ate. Discord tries to think of something to talk about to try and lighten the mood, but can't. Daniel glanced over at Aegis, a small smile appearing on his muzzle, but his head began to hurt all of a sudden, and his brain tricked him into seeing her explode. "Gah!" he winced in pain as he leaned over, his hooves at his temples. Aegis quickly looks over at him with worry. "Daniel, what's wrong!?" She asked. Daniel seemed to have a blank, out in space stare. Aegis holds him tight. Daniel sighs. "Daniel, are you okay?" She asked. Steel Heart looks up at him, tears in her eyes. "Daddy?" She sniffed. "It's just these visions...they won't top..." he said. Aegis tries to think of something to help him, but has nothing. Discord walks up to them. "I'm willing to bet they don't have ibuprofen..." Daniel said. "May I be of assistance?" Discord asked. Daniel shakes his head. "I'm...I'm fine..." He said with a dismissive wave of his hoof. Discord nods and snaps his fingers, causing a business card to appear. "If you need any help, just call." He said. "Sure thing." Daniel sticks the card in his mane. Discord smiles and nods. Daniel nuzzled Aegis' cheek before returning to eating. "I'm just happy to see that you're fine." Aegis said. "As long as you're still with me, honey." Daniel said. Aegis smiles. Daniel pulls Steel and Aegis into a hug. Fluttershy still sat at the end of the table, unable to take this all in. Discord looks over at Fluttershy. "Well, Fluttershy, do you want to join?" He asks. Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm okay." She said. Discord puts on a sad face. "Oh, come on, Fluttershy." He said. "Oh..okay..." Fluttershy got up and joined. Daniel reached his head over to gently nuzzle the yellow Pegasus. Discord hold up a camera. "Say, chocolate!" He says. They all say chocolate. At the last second the camera goes off, he joins them with a wide smile. Daniel pulls Steel Heart close and hugs her tight. A second Discord wearing a photographer's outfit was standing holding the camera. "Ohhh, that is just perfect!" He said. Daniel chuckled and kisses the filly on the head. "That's it, that's the money maker!" the second Discord said. Daniel chuckled again. Discord was wearing a fake blonde wig while wearing a white dress. "Does this dress make my butt look big?" He asked. "No, Discord." Daniel said softly. Aegis bursts out laughing. "What, what's so funny? Do I have something on my face?" Discord asks. "Not sure." Daniel said. Steel heart giggles. Discord snaps his fingers and his face was plastered with makeup. "Is this better?" He asks. Daniel rolls his eyes. "Definitely!" He said Discord strikes a pose. "I'm ready cameraman!" He yells. The second Discord flies around the first Discord. "Ohh yes baby, that's it!" He said. "Aww, Aegis, you're blushing!" Aegis stops laughing and tries to not blush, but it fails. "I am not!" She yells. "Then why are your cheeks red?" Daniel asked. Aegis looks away. "I...I don't know what your talking about." She said. "Maybe so, but the red on your cheeks proves it!" Daniel planted a soft kiss on her cheek. "I love you, my sweet." He said. Aegis warmly smiles at him. "I love you too." She said. "Not as much as I love you!" Daniel said, nuzzling him. Aegis sighs happily and nuzzles back. He then jabbed her in the side to tickle her, causing Aegis to giggle. "You know that lady at the front desk why she hated you?" Daniel asks. Aegis thinks and remembers a lady who hated her. "Now that you mention it, I always wondered why she hated me." She said. "She was jealous of your mane. Like...if you'd you know...not smoke your hair wouldn't be falling out!" Daniel laughs. Aegis blinks, then laughs with Daniel. "Plus she was always re coloring it! Dye kills your hair! Dries it out!" Daniel said. "Well yea, due to the chemicals in the dye!" Aegis said. Daniel scrunched his nose. "I heard they put animal pee in that stuff!" Hs says. Aegis laughs harder. "Did...did you pee in her dye, Aegis? You're a pony, you know..." He said. Aegis stops laughing and glares at him. "I would never do something like that." She said. "I know! You don't urinate! But it's funny, hehe...when we have to change your oil it comes from the same place hehe." He chuckles. Aegis facehoofs. Daniel jabs her side again with a smirk. Aegis giggles again. "You know you love me." He said. "I know." Aegis said. Daniel smiles. "Wonder who I can pick on next?" He turned his head towards Steel Heart. Steel heart was looking at the two Discords with interest. Daniel sneaks up to her and shakes her from behind. "BOO!!" He yells. Steel heart yelps and jumps up high. Daniel catches her on his back. "Hi, Sweetie!" Daniel said. "Hi daddy!" Steel said. Daniel nuzzles her. "I love you sweetie." He said. Steel heart grabs his neck and nuzzles him back. Daniel sighed, knowing he isn't her biological father. Steel heart yawns. "Awe, is daddy's little girl sleepy?" He asks. Steel heart rubs her eye and nods. "We were going to go and see the town, remember?" Daniels asks. Steel heart shakes her head and nods, trying to stay awake. Aegis looks over at Fluttershy. "Do you need any help Fluttershy?" She asks. Steel heart's eyes start to droop. Fluttershy shakes her head. "Nope." She said. Discord floats the plates up. "At least let me help, since I'm living here." He said. "Well, alright." Fluttershy said, blushing. "Sleep tight my sweet baby girl." Daniel said. Discord walks into the kitchen with the plates floating behind. Steel heart closes her eyes and falls asleep a few minutes later. Daniel smiles at her. Aegis warmly smiles. "Awww." She said. Daniel looks over at Aegis. "I love her so much." He said. "As do I." Aegis said. "Our little girl." Daniel said, nuzzling Steel Heart. "Being a robot...she's stuck as a filly." She said. Aegis nods and sighs. "Yep. Maybe soon, we can figure that problem out." She said. "Then again...you won't have to wish you could hold her again." Daniel said. "True." Aegis said. Discord walks back out from the kitchen. "I heard your problem from the kitchen." He said. Daniel holds Steel Heart close. "Oh, it's no problem, Discord. Just a statement. We're fine." He said, nuzzling her while trying to not wake her. "When we have a problem, yes, but there is nothing to be fixed at the moment." Daniel smiles. "I can help them become, more normal." Discord offered. Daniel glares. "No! They're good as they are!" He yells. Discord raises his paw and claw. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, there's no need to be violent. I only gave a offer to help." He said. "And I said no three times. You're not changing who or what they are." Daniel said. Discord nods. "Okay. Just give me a call if you do. You have my card." He said. Daniel nodded. Discord snaps his fingers and disappears. Daniel looks at Aegis. Aegis smiles happily at him. "What are you so happy about?" He asks, kissing her lips. "I'm just happy to see you loving our daughter." Aegis said. Daniel sighs. "I wish she was biologically..." he sighed. "Oh come now, we're here and together, that's all that matters." Aegis said. "I know, but the fact still stands and it bugs me. It'll break her heart if she finds out and...I'm basically lying to her..." he said. "Maybe Discord can help us." She said. "I don't trust him." Daniel said flatly. Aegis sighs. "I know, neither do I." She said. "Not with something like this. Not a chance." Daniel said, kissing Steel Heart's head. "My precious little filly..I'm sorry..." he said. Steel Heart leg twitches slightly as she slept. "Daddy..." She mumbles. Daniel sighs. Aegis sighs as well. "I guess I should tell her...before she finds out and hates me for it..." Daniel said. Aegis shakes her head. "No, don't. Think of what would happen. Besides, she is a smaller version of me, and your with me." She said. Daniel looks down at her. "I don't want her to hate me..." he sniffed. Aegis pulls him into a hug. "I have too..." Daniel said. "Think of what would happen though." Aegis said. "She might understand...it's better if I tell her..." Daniel said. Aegis sighs. "All right." She said. Daniel lightly shook Steel Heart. Steel heart raises her head and opens her eyes sleepily. "Hey, sweetie." Daniel nuzzles her and kisses her head, holding her tight. Steel heart yawns. "Hey...daddy..." She said sleepily. Daniel chuckled. "How's my little girl, doing?" he rubs her back with his hooves. "A...little better... still tired." She yawns. Aww..." he kisses her head softly again. Steel Heart yawns again. "I...I have something to tell you, sweetie..." He said. "Yea... what is it... daddy?" Steel asks, trying to stay awake. "Oh...never mind...just go back to sleep..." He said, looking away. Steel heart yawns and snuggles closer to him. Daniel felt a tear coming so he wiped it with his hoof as if his eye were itchy. Aegis places a hoof on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel set down Steel Heart before getting up and goes outside. Aegis looks at Steel Heart, then at Daniel. Daniel sat on the porch against the wall, thumping his head against it. Aegis carefully places Steel heart on her back and walks towards the door. Fluttershy watched with concern from the kitchen as she washed the dishes. Aegis steps outside and sees Daniel sitting there. "Hey, honey..." Daniel said. Aegis carefully lifts Steel heart off her back and lays down next to her. "Daniel..." She said. "Yeah?" He asks. "I know you couldn't tell her." she said. "You think?" Daniel groaned angrily. "I'm gonna go for a walk." He mumbles. "Daniel, wait. I know you couldn't say it to her, because you didn't want to hurt her feelings." Aegis said. "Well no duh. Guess I'll have to deal with it when she comes to hate me." He said. He lowered his head and walked off. Aegis's ears flatten as she looks down at Steel with sadness and sighs. TO BE CONTINUED