//------------------------------// // Part 2: The Father // Story: Give Me Shelter // by TheWingman //------------------------------// “And in other news, the Wonderbolts are set to perform at the Summer Sun Celebration later next month. Spitfire went on record to say that they've been training rigorously to put on a good show for the many onlookers. We can only imagine how excited they are. Be sure to tune in next week for a special where we'll interview the team in Cloudsdale. This is Time Turner, and we'll be back later this evening.” *Click* A click of the remote and the last bite of his sandwich, Dumbbell sighed as he sat back on his couch. Once the plate held nothing more than crumbs, he gently laid it upon the coffee table. The past fifteen years had not been all that well off for him. In his divorce from Lightning Dust, he was left with just enough for a place in Ponyville and to get by. Despite the separation, his daughter Summer Rush has made many visits to him, some of them with her husband, Glidestream. When she announced that she was going to be a mother, his excitement was merely a cover for his sorrow. Getting up, his eyes shifted to a lone framed photo sitting upon a shelf. Upon closer examination, it was something he remembered all too well, though he wished he forgot it. It was of a happier memory, the birth of his son, Skychaser. He frequently looked to that memory for comfort, a reminder of a time where happiness still existed in his family. As of late, it had become a reminder of his sins toward his estranged son. “It's a colt,” Lightning softly spoke, “We have a son, Dumbbell.” Walking over to his exhausted wife on the hospital bed, Dumbbell saw his son resting peacefully in his bundle and his mother’s hooves. Though tired, he could tell his son was full of joy, meeting his parents at long last. The air was silent and calm. As far as they were concerned, all was right with the world. “Would you like to hold him?” “S-sure.” He answered, taking a seat and his bundled-up son in his hooves. As he laid his eyes upon the foal’s face, he began to open his eyes. Upon their eyes locking on one another, the foal began to make a noise as he outstretched his hooves, latching on to his father’s. At that moment, Dumbbell could not hold back a tear as he smiled when joy overwhelmed him. He was proud to be a father and knew he would be a great one. “Skychaser.” “What?” “His name. I think it fits, dear.” “Skychaser,” Lightning mumbled, “a beautifully strong name. I like it. Our little Skychaser.” Dumbbell gave the foal a light peck on his forehead before handing him back to his mother. Staring up at the ceiling, Dumbbell was excited to start a new chapter in his life. His doubt soon gave way to thoughts of happy memories they will soon make. He will love his son no matter what, and that is all that matters to him. *sigh* “There's probably a special place in Tartarus for stallions like me.” Dumbbell muttered as he sat down, clutching the picture, “I lied to him then, and failed him time and time again. I'm lower than shit!” As he continued to stare at the picture, a feeling of great shame washed over his mind. Knowing how things turned out, the sight of his infant son haunted him. Out of impulse, he threw it against the wall, shattering the frame into pieces, leaving the picture intact. In his eyes, he was now seen as some monster to Skychaser. Never will he ever see him again and never will he forgive him. When Lightning began the abuse, all he could do was stand by and watch. As badly as he wanted to intervene and get him somewhere safe, the only thing that stopped him was the potential consequences he feared. “Damn it all.” He croaked between sobs, only to be interrupted by a knocking noise. Snapping his view towards the door, he quickly composed himself. He stood up and dusted himself off, “Come in!” The door opened and through it, entered Summer Rush. Though surprised, he was happy to see his daughter nonetheless. She trotted over and gave him a brief hug before he smiled warmly at her. He was proud of the day that she became a Wonderbolt, and even attended her graduation. For him, she was a symbol of pride. “What brings you to my neck of the woods, Summer?” Dumbbell asked. “Oh nothing, just a friendly visit.” Summer replied. “Just got back from dropping off Autumn at my place. I can tell that she's going to enjoy that dance school.” “I would bet. She always had an affinity for music. Plus, I see it as an opportunity for her to make some friends.” “Indeed. So, you have heard about my news interview next week.” “Just heard about it on the news. Are you nervous?” “A little, but I'll manage.” Filled with pride, Dumbbell gave his daughter another hug. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar sight he prayed that he would never see again. Silence filled the room as Skychaser trotted in. His heart rate climbed as he heard an audible thump as time seemed to slow to a crawl. He felt as if a ghost had come to torment him for his past sins. “S-son?” “Father.” Skychaser deadpans, closing the door. “You look like you're doing well for yourself.” Breaking from the hug, Dumbbell slowly backed into the kitchen. As his estranged son got closer, the voices in his head gradually intensified. Crying, begging, screaming, all of that was his son in torment as Lightning Dust screeched all magnitude of venom. He dearly wanted to intervene and escape the house with him in tow. However, Lightning once made it clear with no uncertain terms that she would divorce him and take the foals. So, all he could do was stand and watch the horrors. “No, no, no, no, NO!” Dumbell gasped in horror, “Please, leave me alone!” “Oh no, you are not getting out of this one,” growled Skychaser. “And do I have some words for you.” As tears were developing in Dumbbell’s eyes, Summer was inspecting the picture among the shattered remnants of its frame. It did not take her too long to put two and two together and deduce who the infant was. Handing it off to her brother, Skychaser immediately saw himself in the photo. He was flabbergasted that his father would keep something of that sort in his possession. Why would he still hold fond memories towards him? As far as he was concerned, he was there for one thing only: answers. “What do you want from me?” Dumbbell begged, “Name it! Anything!” “The truth,” Sky snarled, “not just for me but for Summer as well. You have a lot to answer for and I want not a single ounce of bullshit from you. Understand?” “Yes, my son.” He complied, standing up and meeting his children in his living room. With his two children in front of him, it was difficult to look either of them in the eye. With a deep breath, he gathered as much courage as he could to even talk. “Summer, I have no doubts that Sky told you what happened.” “He did.” Summer replied, “He told me about how mom treated him like dirt, and you were doing nothing but watch. Was what he said true?” “Yes… all of it is true.” Dumbbell confessed, much to her shock. “But, there's more to it, something that even concerns you.” “What is it?” “Your mother,” *sigh* ”had been playing the both of you from the start. When Sky was born, she'd been talking about making him the next great Wonderbolt as she wanted. However, in reality, she never became a Wonderbolt. She failed in her goal. Your mother began training him for the sole purpose of living out her failed dreams… through him.” Dead silence, the siblings were both in shock. For Skychaser, it felt like reality had shattered around him. Suddenly, everything clicked into place for him. His mother never truly cared for him at all, only viewing him as an instrument of her aspirations. It chilled him to the bone and made his blood boil with anger. Why didn’t his mother see him as a son? Did all those hugs she gave him mean anything? She never loved him, and it hurt like an icicle to his heart. “That deceitful BITCH!” Skychaser snapped with anger, “Damn her! How could she?” “Father, are you certain?” Summer asked. “As certain as the sunrise.” Dumbbell nodded, much to his daughter’s vexation. “When he strayed from her path, she called you her ‘Plan B’ and began favoring you over him as a result. She used you, Summer!” She frowned until it grew to anger. The trust between father and daughter had been broken, and Dumbbell was ready to bear the consequences. “How could you do nothing while mother did all that?” “Because… *Sniff* I wanted to intervene, I truly did. However, your mother threatened that I did anything, she would take the both of you away from me. I wanted to stop her but the thought of losing my children scared me. I'm so sorry I didn't act. Both of you have every right hate me. My cowardice had caused more damage than I thought. I'm sorry.” Burying himself in his hooves, Dumbbell lost himself in his sorrow. He failed as a father and as a stallion. He will never forgive himself for leaving his son to his living hell. He could have put a stop to it at any point, but fear outweighed his determination. Not only did he betray his son, but he also betrayed his daughter. “Mother…” Summer shuddered from the revelation, “how could you?” Sensing his sister was distressed, Skychaser wrapped her in a hug, assuring her that everything would be all right, despite what was said. They both were left hurt that their mother used them instead of caring for them as a mother would. “We've both been played like cards,” Sky muttered. As much as he wanted to thrash his father, verbally or physically, something compelled him to stay his anger. Whether it was pity or the knowledge that his father showed genuine regret, the result was the same. He could not stomach taking his anger out on Dumbbell. His mother was the one who made his life a nightmare. Many dreams had her menacing glare staring back at him; her eyes piercing his soul. She was to blame for all that, not his father. However, he questioned whether to forgive him for his inaction, “Father.” “Y-yes?” Dumbbell croaked, eyes still puffy and red from crying. “As much as I want to, *Sigh* I can't hate you completely. However, It'll be a long time before we will be on talking terms again.” Standing up from the couch, Skychaser made his way to the door, “Come on, sister. We're leaving.” Getting up, Summer Rush looked at her father dead in eyes. “Where are you two going?” “We're going to mother’s house to set this thing straight.” Summer said, “She has a lot to answer for.” Turning around, she exited the house, upset and disappointed. Before he closed the door, Skychaser took one look back at his father. "Son, I've not done right by you my whole life and I regret it, dearly. However, no matter what comes of this, I will make it up to you no matter what.” Without a word or gesture, Skychaser closed the door behind him, joining his sister near a fountain. Their minds were exhausted, all processing what happened moments ago. However, at the same time, they could finally relax now that they have found the answers they sought after. The night was growing closer, and soon the stars will shine, leaving them with little time left. “It's almost night.” Summer remarked, “Mother usually goes to bed at around ten.” “Then we'll have the perfect time to confront her.” Summer said with a sigh, “It will be surreal to visit home again after all this time.” Sky’s heart began to race at the thought of seeing his mother again, the bane of his memories. Though it makes him feel nervous and shaky all over, it was something both he and his sister had to do for their sake. “Be strong, brother. We all know our mother was behind this. Now, she needs to be brought to book on this one.” Nodding, Sky and Summer took flight towards Cloudsdale, their hometown. For years, Skychaser avoided the place like the plague, only having bad memories. Now, the prodigal son was poised to return to settle a matter with his mother. It had been a long time coming and the time to bury his demons for good was nigh.