Doing the Double Shuffle

by The FraudulentBrit

Crashing Down

Double Shuffle sat at one end of the table in the Apple Family’s kitchen. At the other end of the table was her brother, Shell Shock. However, there was one thing that Double Shuffle knew was different though. His blood shot eyes, runny nose, and vain attempts to control his breathing made one thing clear; he had been crying. For all life, she had never seen Shell Shock, or any of her brothers cry or actually show weakness. Semper Fi often went on long-winded speeches about never showing weakness and always showing strength. In truth, Double Shuffle had often been the most emotional of the family, which she attributed to her being a girl, and having a passion that allowed her to express herself.

But she never expected Shell Shock to break down. Double Shuffle always knew that her father considered him his favorite. It was often why he was pushed the hardest by their father. That alone was almost certainly the reason he often felt he had to be the one who took charge or felt responsible for everything. If what she heard from Apple Bloom and Tender Taps was true, Shell Shock’s façade had finally snapped. She was just surprised that it happened here.

“So….” Double Shuffle began. “Save it.” Shell Shock interrupted. “I know where this will go, so let’s not waste time.” “What do you mean waste of time?” Double Shuffle asked her brother. Shell Shock continued, “They have dad, and I bet they have Buck Shot and Nine Tails. At this point we know what’s next. They’ll throw dad in some hole and send us off to some orphanage.” Double Shuffle didn’t know how to react to Shell Shock’s sudden pessimism. More often than not he’d try to assert himself as the one in charge, at least if the other two weren’t there. She wasn’t used to him having resignation in his voice.

She also didn’t know how to tell him that she had been “taken in” by Tender Taps and his family.

“So where have you been hiding?” Shell Shock asked his sister. “Huh?” Double Shuffle asked her brother. “You heard me.” He continued, “Since the cops took the house we’ve been hiding out. Where have you been hiding?” “For your information, I haven’t been hiding anywhere.” Double Shuffle indignantly answered. Shell Shock then asked, “I take it the dancer took you in?” Double Shuffle nodded yes. ‘well, seems he was able to figure it out himself.’ She thought to herself.

“Figures. Ponies always like you.” Shell Shock answered glumly. Double Shuffle then replied, “Well, considering how you treated Tender Taps it’s not like you set a good first impression.” This remark seemed to really irritate Shell Shock. “Oh, I’m sorry!” He sarcastically stated. “I was just following dad’s orders to protect you.” “What makes you think picking fights and being a bully will protect me?” Double Shuffle shouted, finding it difficult to understand her brother and father’s logic.

It was going to be a long conversation.

Applejack had to admit to herself that she had had a hectic week, but this still didn’t prepare her for the sight before her. Semper Fi was being escorted out of the castle by several guards led by Flash Magnus, and was escorted into a prison chariot. As Flash Magnus began to read the stallion his rights, Twilight, Shining Armor, Soft Shoe, and Hoofer Steps followed, the entire group appearing to be emotionally strained. Applejack didn’t want to wear them out any more, but it she knew what she had seen was too important to ignore.
“Howdy Twilight.” Applejack greeted her friend, putting on a friendly face. Twilight walked up to her friend and, to her surprise, wrapped her hooves around her. “Uh, Twi?” Applejack asked. Twilight managed to regain her composure and answered, “Oh, sorry.” Twilight answered as she released Applejack. “It’s been a hectic few hours. As you can see we’ve been dealing with Semper Fi and listening to him.” “Yeah, about that…” Applejack began. “We found one of his sons.”

Soft Shoe was the first to speak up. “Really?” “Yup.” Applejack answered. “Right now Apple Bloom and Tender Taps are keepin’ an eye on him.” This answer slightly startled the group. They knew that Semper Fi’s sons had had a nasty tussle with Tender Taps not much earlier, and the knowledge that he was watching over one of the siblings was troubling.

Shining Armor then ordered, “Applejack, please take me to this foal.” Applejack nodded and answered, “Ok, follow me.” As the two ponies departed, Soft Shoe made her way up to the two and asked, “Uh, Applejack, which one of Double Shuffle’s brothers did you guys find?” Applejack answered, “Shell Shock, Ah think.” This sent chills down Soft Shoe’s spine. “This isn’t good!” the mare panicked as she remembered that this was the colt that was most aggressive with her son.

“So where are they now?” Soft Shoe asked Applejack. The country mare replied, “Oh, they’re at the farmhouse. At least as long as they ain’t run off somewhere.” This made Soft Shoe feel somewhat secure. After all, the Apple family’s farm was a moderately safe location, and there should have been at least two grown ponies present, so it seemed that it was unlikely that Shell Shock could cause more problems. She just hoped that things wouldn’t take a downward spiral in the roughly ten minutes to go from Twilight’s castle to Sweet Apple Acres.

The farm was quiet. In fact, it was far too quiet. Soft Shoe turned to Applejack and asked, “Isn’t your family busy cleaning out one of the barn?” from behind the group, a stallion’s voice answered, “Eeyup.” Every-pony turned to see an incredibly worn out Big Macintosh, sweat pouring from his brow. Applejack stepped up to her brother and asked, “You hear anything from ‘em?” Big Mac simply shook his head and answered, “Nope.” Applejack then turned back to the group and said, “Guess they’re still in the farm house. Follow me.” Twilight, Soft Shoe, Hoofer Steps, and Shining Armor made their way towards the house, only to hear a colt shouting.

It was a shrill, scratchy, colt’s voice that oozed pain and instability. And what hurt the most was that this voice said three words that no-pony ever wants to hear, not only said to them, but at all.

“I HATE YOU!”

“That’s not good!” Shining Armor nervously stated as he and Soft Shoe charged into the house. They were quickly greeted by an incredibly terrified Apple Bloom. “Apple Bloom, what’s going on?” Soft Shoe desperately asked. Apple Bloom answered, “Ah think Shell Shock said somethin’ nasty, an’ then…” She was interrupted by Shell Shock being shoved out of the kitchen with Double Shuffle leaping on top of him, unleashing her anger. As Tender Taps tried to pull her off her brother, the young filly shouted, “Take that back!” Shell Shock simply answered, “Never! You turned your back on us!”

As Tender Taps was pushed off Double Shuffle, Soft Shoe did the only thing she could. She raised her voice and commanded, “Double Shuffle, stop hitting your brother this instant!” This instantly got Double Shuffle’s attention. The filly immediately stepped off her brother and began to salute, only to realize that it wasn’t her father who had commanded her, but Soft Shoe. “Uh…. I… Uh….” The filly muttered as she began to tear up. She then darted back into the kitchen, and then out of the farmhouse.

As Shell Shock rose to his hooves, he said to himself, “Good riddance.” This only earned him several glares from the ponies who were now staring him down. Soft Shoe walked up to him, only to run into the kitchen, after Double Shuffle. Shining Armor then stepped forward and said, “Son, I need you to come with me.” Shell Shock hesitated for a moment, glaring at Apple Bloom and Tender Taps. Eventually, he said, “Fine. Anywhere is better than this dump.” The colt made his way towards Shining Armor, figuring that the stallion would simply escort him away.

Shell Shock was surprised to have Shining Armor, former captain of the guard and prince of the Crystal Empire, reach down and wrap the colt in a warm embrace. The colt couldn’t comprehend why the colt would hug him. Shining Armor then said, “It’s ok kid.” Something broke in Shell Shock, and he broke down again. As tears began to stream from his eyes and he started to sniffle and choke, Shining Armor began to stroke Shell Shock’s mane as Hoofer Steps made her way up to him. “Vhat’s going on?” The dance teacher asked. Shining Armor replied, “Sometimes all some-pony needs is a little love.”

Finding Double Shuffle wasn’t difficult. The young filly was crying her heart out on the hilltop, seemingly having given up on running any further. Though she had seen Double Shuffle upset and distraught before, this was a different kind of sadness. It was as if the filly was releasing a lifetime’s worth of pain and anguish.

“Double Shuffle?” Soft Shoe gently asked the young filly. The filly turned to face Soft Shoe and began to panic. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to get angry!” she then curled into a ball as she continued to cry. Soft Shoe simply sat down next to her and, for a few minutes, simply caressed the young filly’s mane as she let cried her heart out.

As Double Shuffle’s crying softened to a few sniffles, Soft Shoe asked, “So, what happened?” Double Shuffle immediately asked, “Promise you won’t get angry?” Soft Shoe then made the gestures of the Pinkie Pie promise. Double Shuffle then began to choke up again as she started to explain, “Well, Shell Shock and I were arguing about how I was staying with you guys. He started saying how you were just doing it because I was a dancer, and that you really didn’t like me.” Soft Shoe placed a hoof under Double Shuffle’s chin and said, “You know that’s not true. We took you in because you needed some-pony to look out for you.”

Double Shuffle started sniffling again as she continued, “I know. I told Shell Shock that I’d…” she started to tear up again as she admitted, “That I’d rather be with you guys than with him and dad and…” Double Shuffle immediately broke down again. This time, Soft Shoe wrapped the filly in a tight hug. “Shh, Shh. It’s ok. Just let it out.” The older mare reassured. Double Shuffle then managed to squeak out, “That was when he said he hated me. After that I, I just lost control.” Soft Shoe felt her heart melt. Sure, she hadn’t been the closest with her own brothers, but they had never said that they hated her.

Soft Shoe heard a few hoof steps behind her. She turned around to see Apple Bloom, Tender Taps, and Hoofer Steps. “Everything alright?” Tender Taps asked, concern evident on his face. “Not really.” Soft Shoe replied. “I think we just need a little time to let things out.” Hoofer Steps then said to the other two foals, “Come along you two.” The three of them turned and left.

Right now, Double Shuffle just needed someone to listen to her.

Soft Shoe and Double Shuffle made it home just as the sun began to slip below the west. The young filly had fallen asleep on Soft Shoe’s back, still sniffling in her slumber. As Soft Shoe opened the door, Hornpipe and Tender Taps, who had been waiting in the living room, began to quietly make their way towards her. As they got close, Soft Shoe raised a hoof towards her mouth, signaling them to stay quiet, and began to ascend the central stairwell. When she reached the top, Soft Shoe walked into Double Shuffle’s room and then placed the filly in her bed. As she tucked Double Shuffle in, Soft Shoe whispered, “Sleep tight sweetie. I love you.” She then gave her a kiss on the forehead and departed the room, leaving the filly to hopefully get a good night’s sleep.

Soft Shoe returned to the living room, smiling to see that her husband and son were still there. “How is she?” Hornpipe asked, concern for the Double Shuffle. Soft Shoe sighed and answered, “Not too good. She’s been carrying more weight than we thought.” Tender Taps then asked, “So, what’s going to happen to her now?” Neither Soft Shoe nor Hornpipe knew what to say. Sure, they had taken the filly in, but they hadn’t experienced anything like this. Tender Taps may have had the occasional issue with a bully, he never had to deal with anything like Double Shuffle had been through.

Hornpipe and Soft Shoe were so lost in thought that they didn’t hear the knocking at the door. “Guys?” Tender Taps asked as he managed to snap his parents out of their pondering. “What’s going on?” Hornpipe asked as he remembered where exactly he was. Tender Taps simply shook his head and walked over towards the front door. He opened it to see, to his surprise, both Twilight Sparkle and Hoofer Steps. “Oh, your majesty!” Tender Taps nervously answered as he began to bow. Twilight immediately replied, “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t ask any-pony to bow before me.”

Both of Tender Taps’ parents noticed their new guests, with Soft Shoe greeting, “Oh, your majesty. Please make yourself at home.” Twilight playfully rolled her eyes and followed Hornpipe into the living room. Once she and Hoofer Steps were seated, Twilight asked, “So, how is Double Shuffle dong?” Soft Shoe sighed and answered, “She cried herself to sleep, and I would prefer we not wake her up.” “Agreed.” Hoofer Steps quickly added. “From some-pony who knows vhat’s she’s going through, she has a lot to take in und comprehend.”

Tender Taps then asked, “So what happens now? Like, with Shell Shock and the others.” Twilight answered, “Semper Fi will be transported to Canterlot for court marshal, Shell Shock will be taken in by FPS and eventually to a foster family, and the same for the Buck Shot and Nine Tails.” This certainly shocked Tender Taps. “You mean they’re going to be separated?” Twilight continued, “With what we’ve witnessed, as well as evidence gathered from their home, this is an incredibly dangerous situation Double Shuffle and her brothers are in. Right now the best thing we can do is give each of them the help they need.” Hoofer Steps then added, “Und even if zeir father didn’t abuse zem, he abused his power und deserted his post, so he’s looking at, at least a few years in prison.”

Twilight immediately interrupted the other mare. “We’re getting a little distracted here.” She then returned her focus to Hornpipe and Soft Shoe. “I’ve decided that it is in Double Shuffle’s best interest to remain in your care.” Soft Shoe answered, “I agree. Besides, I’ve grown very fond of her.” Tender Taps added, “And if I may, it’s kind of nice to have a sister.” Hornpipe, however, asked, “So, does mean we need to fill out some paperwork?”

At that moment, the group heard screaming from above them. “Oh no.” Hornpipe said nervously as he got up and made his way up towards Double Shuffle’s room. Opening the door, he found Double Shuffle rolling in her bed, tears streaming from her eyes. “Sweetie, wake up!” Hornpipe said. Double Shuffle woke up and began to nervously eyeing her surroundings. Hornpipe then said, “I tink you were havin’ a nightmare.”

To his surprise, Double Shuffle immediately wrapped her hooves around Hornpipe, tearfully begging him, “Please don’t leave me! I don’t want to be alone again!” Hornpipe then asked, “Dream about your mum?” Double Shuffle nodded yes. “I was with her, before she…” she started sniffling again as Hornpipe continued to hug the young filly.

Downstairs, Twilight said to Soft Shoe, “That’s another thing. I would recommend that Double Shuffle begin therapy to work through her trauma. Luckily for you, I have the perfect pony in mind.” “You don’t mean Starlight, do you?” Soft Shoe nervously asked. Twilight replied, “Oh no, not her. This is way out of her league. I was thinking…” She then made her way to Soft Shoe and whispered something into her ear.

“Her?” Soft Shoe asked in surprise. “I know.” Twilight answered. “She found out about Double Shuffle’s situation and told me she wanted to help.” Tender taps asked, “Who is it?” Soft Shoe hesitated for a moment before she answered, “Princess Luna.”