//------------------------------// // Extras 6 // Story: Hands // by Andrew Joshua Talon //------------------------------// Hands A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction By Andrew J. Talon DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro, and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. - - - In the future... - - - I was out for a jog with Dawn galloping alongside me in pony form, rounding the outskirts of Apple Acres Farm. My dad had taken me and my little brother jogging a lot when we were little, as a way of exercise and to see the world around the neighborhood and just to have fun and bond. And I was happy to repeat the tradition with Dawn, just a man and his wonderful daughter. A wonderful centaur daughter I'd had with an alicorn princess, who was as cute as could be! Though she did have trouble going down stairs sometimes. "Haa... Haa... Daddy! Can we stop?" She panted. I slowed down, and we came to a stop by a tree stump on the side of the road. Dawn immediately leaned against the stump, catching her breath as I did the same. "Geez... Two legs... You can still outrun me!" She whined. I laughed a bit and knelt down to ruffle her mane. She made a face. "That's just because I'm bigger than you," I said with a smile. "When you get old enough you'll get wings and then I'll never be able to catch up to you!" "Ha!" She said happily with a big smile. "I'll just carry you!" I laughed. "I'd appreciate that a lot, Dawn..." I froze as my senses, honed from years of paranoia, alerted me to something approaching. My hand slid to my revolver, hidden under my jogging shirt as I turned around. "Er, ahem... Mister Shepherd? Sir?" I lowered my hand with a sigh when I saw a few teenaged colts trotting up to us. "Hey guys," I greeted cordially, "what can I do for you?" "Er..." They looked at one another uneasily. The one in the back, a pegasus, nudged forward a pinto colt. Pipsqueak, I think his name was. He cleared his throat. "Er, sir, we were hopin' to get yer permission," he began in what was practically a Cockney accent. I raised my eyebrow. "My permission? For what?" "For dating... Er... Askin' out the Cutie Mark Crusaders, sir," Pipsqueak said nervously. I smiled at them pleasantly enough, though because I was still a bit winded I opened my mouth wider than usual. "Why would you want to ask me about that?" "Errrr..." The colts muttered. Dawn nudged me with her hand. I looked down at her, and she pointed behind us. I looked over my shoulder and sighed. "Excuse me," I said, getting up and striding over to the trees nearby. I scowled at the suspicious shadow lurking just beyond them... "Oh come on!" I shouted. "Really Chewie, you're better than this!" My Manticore emerged, snuffling and growling. I shook my head. "My daughter saw you coming," I said. Chewie growled. "Of course I knew you were lurking around," I said flatly. "But when my daughter can pick you up so easily you've really slipped!" Dawn huffed. I rubbed the top of her head, ruffling her hair, and she smiled up at me again. I then glared at Chewy, who growled again. "I know, I know, you're bored," I said. I sighed and rubbed my face. "Look, I can't play with you right now-" Chewie roared. Dawn immediately hid behind me... As did the teenagers. I rolled my eyes at the display. "Stop being such a baby! What would your mate and pups think if they saw you, trying to intimidate me, huh?" I asked. Chewie growled, considered... And warbled a suggestion. I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. "Fine, I'll check my schedule and see what I can do..." A snuffle. "Yes, yes, the Canyon of Doom, sure," I said boredly. "I'll bring my shotgun." Chewie growled. "Fine! And the new portable gatling gun," I said, raising my hands up. "There. Is your pride satisfied?" Chewie grunted, and then nodded. I smiled back. "Good. Because you're taking Dawn for rides right after." "H-He is?" Dawn asked, trembling. I kneeled down and rubbed my daughter's back to relax her. "Trust me, it's a lot of fun," I said. "I do it all the time, and I'll be with you so nothing bad will happen." "But... But what if monsters attack?" Dawn asked worriedly. I grinned at my daughter. "You know what monsters are afraid of?" I asked. I grinned at Chewie. "Me." Chewie growled in agreement, grinning right back with all of his sharp teeth. I stood up and waved. "I'll see you then, Chewie," I said. Chewie growled back, and flew off back towards the Everfree Forest. I turned back to the teenaged colts. "Now, what were you... Saying?" I asked. All of the colts were prostrate before me, trembling in fear. "D-Don't hurt us!" Squeaked the pegasus in back. "I-I have had impure thoughts about Sweetie Belle but only cause she's so cute!" Pipsqueaked squealed. "Mommy!" Whimpered the last one. "Oh for crying out loud," I muttered. "Okay! Fine! You can date them! Geez! Just take care of them and-OOF!" The colts bowled me over and hugged me, all crying. "Thank you! Thank you sir! They won't be harmed! Not on our watches!" They cried before they galloped off. Dawn watched them go, confused. "Daddy...? What was that about?" I shook my head and sighed as I got back up to my feet. "I have no idea," I admitted. "But teenagers can always be confusing." She giggled. "I kind of think Pipsqueak is cute..." "Oh? Do you now?" I asked with a little grin. "Daddy!" Dawn squeaked, covering her face in embarrassment. "I-I don't mean-That is... Colts! Ew!" "Good, good," I said, as my hand went back to my revolver... And very slowly lowered back to my side. Huh. Weird. - - -