//------------------------------// // Chapter 31: Kids'll be the Death of Me // Story: Chaotic Harmony: Do Over // by shirotora //------------------------------// I sighed in satisfaction as I watched blood bats flying away. Not a single blow was traded between us, only a large fountain of flame blasted into the air and a loud roar was enough to convince them it wasn’t worth risking a fight. Still, it was yet another example of creatures not native to the area showing up. It was really starting to worry me. Something was driving these creatures out of their homes. To make it worse, according to reports, there was no pattern to it.  It wasn’t just creatures from a certain region migrating to another specific region. The same region that that scorchpion came from had reports of quarry eels. It was like some kind of twisted monster exchange program was going on. From what I understood, blood bats were from far, far to the east. How they flew all the way here when they rarely ventured more than a few miles from their roost was a mystery. I turned back toward town and started back. “Hey, Poe,” I called out to my Raven, knowing he’d be nearby. Sure enough, he landed on my shoulder. “Can you tell Fluttershy what happened?” With a caw, he flew off toward Shy’s cabin while I headed to pick up some stuff for dinner. It was Friday, the day Jynx and I set aside for our other relationships, me with Fluttershy, and her with Twilight. It was one of the few times I could make a meat dish for someone else. It was also usually the only day a week I could be sure Shy actually got any meat. She ate it on occasion without me, but it was rare. She was still worried somepony would see her and realize she wasn’t all pony. I wish I could’ve said it was an unfounded fear, but there were ponies that saw hybrids as abominations. I could have guessed on a few of them, based on some of the looks Jynx and I got, but they knew better than to try anything.   Thankfully, that kind of pony was rare, as demonstrated by the various friendly greetings and warm smiles I received.  “Hey, dad!” Midnight said as he ran by with the Crusaders. “Did you take care of those bat things?” “Ah did,” I said. “Didn’t even have to fight them.” “Aw, that sounds boring,” Scootaloo said. “You know he don’t go hurtin’ creatures if he don’t have to,” Applebloom replied. “That’s right,” I said. “Ah only kill for food and when Ah’m given no choice.” Scootaloo huffed, “I didn’t say I wanted you to kill them. It’s just cooler when you fight them off.” I chuckled. “Yeah, it is cooler, but it’s better to give them the choice to leave. If Ah didn’t, would Ah still be the good guy?” Scootaloo smiled, “Oh, yeah. I get it. Give them a chance to leave, and if they refuse they’ll have no one to blame but themselves when they get hurt.” She emphasized her point with a few punches, pretending to be fighting some monster. “Exactly,” I said. “So, what’re you kids gonna be doin’ today?” “We’re gonna try bakin’,” Applebloom said. “We tried it already, but Midnight hasn’t. We figured, if he gets a cutie mark in some kinda cookin’, y’all could work together.” “Oh, that would be cool,” I said. “But remember, if it doesn’t work, don’t worry. Ah’ll be proud of you no matter what cutie mark you do get.” “Even if he gets a cutie mark in bank robbery?” Scootaloo asked with a smirk. “Ah, get outta here, ya smart ass,” I said, chuckling. “Ah’ll see you tomorrow, Mid. Have fun. You girls go easy on him.” “No promises,” Sweetie Belle said with a giggle. As they headed off to do their thing, I continued on my own way. “Mister Shiro?” I looked back to see Applebloom had broken away from the others, apparently wanting to talk to me alone. “What’s up, Bloom?” Applebloom hesitated, rubbing her neck with a slight blush. “Ah was wonderin’... H-how would you feel if Ah... uh... asked Midnight out?” I smiled. It was sweet that she was asking my permission. Also, Rarity owed me twenty bits. She should have known I knew my son well enough to know he was way too shy to be the one to ask her. “Ah think it’s about time one of you asked the other,” I said. “Well, not just that,” her race went from pink to red. “Ah mean... Applejack said humans treat datin’ different, especially... you know... after the date, and Ah should make sure you’re... okay with it.” What she was really asking hit me like a truck. I knew it was something that was culturally accepted among ponies, but I never really let myself think that would be included in Mid and Bloom’s inevitable relationship. “Ah... That...” I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell her that they couldn’t until they were preadults, at least. Finally, though, I sighed and said, “Ah already promised myself Ah wouldn’t force human values on Midnight, and Ah intend to keep that promise. Just... make sure Ah can pretend it ain’t happenin’.” Applebloom leaped up and wrapped her hooves around me in a tight, Apple family hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’re the best!” “You’re welcome. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Ah’m gonna go convince mahself half this conversation never happened.” “Sorry if Ah made you uncomfortable,” Applebloom said. “It’s fine. Thanks for askin’,” I replied. “Who knows, maybe you’ll wind up my daughter-in-law one day.” “That’d be nice,” Applebloom said before running off to rejoin her friends. With that, I started back toward the store to pick up stuff for dinner and to try to forget that I just gave a couple twelve year olds permission to bang. “...so, they agreed to be sent to a zoo,” Fluttershy finished her story about finding the rogue blood bats as I started to put the finishing touches on dinner. “Ah’m sorry so many of them didn’t make it,” I said. Apparently many hadn’t survived their trek. “Were you able to get any hints as to why they left their home?” She shook her head. “You know I can’t get something so specific from them. The only thing I could learn was they were scared of something. They aren’t intelligent enough to communicate much more than simple concepts and emotions. “The zoo, I explained as a small space they can’t leave but would be safe and well fed. They’re agreement was communicated as simple happiness and acceptance.” “Huh... they seemed smarter than that,” I said. “No, just good instincts,” Shy explained. “So, what else has been happening?” “Well, we’re updatin’ the menu with a few new dishes, including a new dessert,” I said, happily. “Oh, and Applebloom’s goin’ to ask Midnight out.” “Oh, that's wonderful! I was staring to wonder if it would ever happen,” Fluttershy said with a giggle. “How did you find out?” “Applebloom asked my permission to ask him out,” I said as I started to plate the food. “And to have sex afterward.” Fluttershy gasped. “Oh, my. That had to be awkward for you.” I laughed. “You have no idea.” “What did you say?” I set the plates on the table and took my seat before answering. “That Ah wasn’t going to force Midnight to live by human standards.” Fluttershy smiled at that. “I’m proud of you. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you told her no.” “Yeah, but they aren’t humans. They’re ponies,” In said. “Sex is an important part of close relationships. Ah already know the Crusaders have been experimentin’ with each other.” “How do you know that?” Shy asked. “Ah walked in on them at the Junior Ranger House,” I said. “What did you do?” Shy asked. “Ah Told them to be finished up in half an hour and left them to it,” I replied, taking a bite. Shy gave me a small smile and said, “You know, you could probably have joined them... Oh my gosh!”  She quickly rushed around the table to administer the Heimlich Maneuver. As we cleaned up, Fluttershy apologized for the dozenth time. “I really am sorry. I’m just not very good at teasing.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “For the hundredth time, it was a good one. You just probably should have waited until Ah swallowed. Gotta admit, though, Ah never knew you could even make jokes like that.” “Well, it was only partially a joke,” Fluttershy said. “They really do like you. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a couple years, they actually do ask you to join in.” I blushed. “Maybe, but that isn’t somethin’ Ah’m comfortable thinkin’ about right now.” “Well, what would you rather think about?” Fluttershy asked. I smirked. “You... on your back, moanin’ my name.” “Oh, my.” Fluttershy blushed. “Y-you only want to think about it? Wouldn’t you rather make it happen?” I pulled Fluttershy to me as I stood upright, holding her to me while I kissed her. She wrapped her fore hooves around my neck and hind hooves around my waist as I carried her into the living room. I laid her down on the couch and climbed on top of her, leaning some of my weight on her, just enough to make her feel snug beneath me. My paw drifted down her thigh. A flash of purple light interrupted our love making before it could even really get going. “Shiro! Quick! It’s Jynx!,” Twilight said in a panic. “What’s happenin'?!” I demanded. “She’s going into labor!” Twilight said. “Are you sure? It’s a month and a half early!” I said. “Seeing as her water broke on my face, yes, I’d say I’m sure!” Twilight said. Before pulling me and Fluttershy to her and wrapping all of us in her magic. A flash of light and mild nausea later, we were as close to the hospital as its magic defenses would allow. We all rushed inside as quickly as we could, Fluttershy almost even able to keep up with me. “Where’s Jynx Charm? I’m Shirotora, her husband,” I said, a little more demanding than I probably should have. “Are you two also family?” the nurse asked the others. “I’m the father’s girlfriend,” Fluttershy said. “I’m the mother’s girlfriend,” Twilight echoed. “You two will likely have to wait outside the room, then,” the nurse said. “If you’ll follow me.” As the nurse led us through the halls, all my fears came rushing back. We still didn’t exactly know what the baby was. Was it a pony, a tiger, or a hybrid? It being a month and a half early suggested it wasn’t a pony. “Fluttershy, how long is a normal tiger’s gestation period?” I asked. “About thirteen to sixteen weeks,” she replied. “For a sapient, long lived, sapient species of tiger, though, I would guess six to eight months. There are a lot of factors that could affect that, though.” She looked at me with as much empathy as she could, which for her was a lot, and said, “There’s a good chance your child will be a hybrid, but it could still be a foal or cub.” “Which is why a top hybrid specialist is already on their way,” the nurse said. “The Princess has taken a surprising interest in this child’s well being, and is paying to have him sent here, even if his services end up not being needed.” Hearing that eased a good portion of my fear, but it was far from eliminated. “Here we are,” the nurse said. I had to force myself to not rush inside. Instead, I walked in as calmly as I could. Jynx was laying in the bed, sweating, but calm. “Hey, Jynx. How are you feeling?” I asked. She gave me a tired smile. “It hurts a bit, but not too bad, just ye-Ah!” She cried out, as I rushed to her side. After nearly a minute, she relaxed again. “That was a big one. Doc, Is this baby going to be coming out anytime soon?” “Very soon,” the doctor said, after examining her. “One more contraction and you should be ready. Mister Tora, I suggest you get ready.” Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie had joined Twilight and Fluttershy in the waiting room by the time I emerged from the back. Immediately, they all jumped up and rushed me. “How’s the baby? Is Jynx alright? Are they both healthy?” Rainbow fired off at a mile a minute, not even trying to hide the worry in her voice. “Jynx is fine,” I said. “As for the baby, why don’t you see for yourself. Everyone, meet my son.” Everyone looked down to the bundle in my arms as I slowly pulled the blanket away, revealing my baby boy as he slept, sucking on his little paw. “Oh my gosh,” Fluttershy cooed. “He’s so cute.” “He takes after his father, as far as appearance,” Twilight said. “Other than the mane, he looks like a baby version of you.” “Not exactly,” I said as he stretched out, one hind hoof poking out the other end and a tiny wing flexing. “On my gosh!” Rainbow struggled to stay quiet. “He’s part pegasus? Be right back!” She rushed out just before letting out a “Woohoo!” loud enough I was still worried she’d wake the baby before rushing back inside. “I am so teaching him everything I know.” “What are you going to name the little darling?” Rarity asked. “We were thinkin’ of namin’ him somethin’ with ‘wind’, after his grandmother,” I said. Pinkie gently smoothed his mane out, wearing a look of sheer joy... until he decided to reach up and grab her hoof and try sticking it in his mouth. I carefully helped extract his claws, trying not to laugh at the poor mare. “Geeze, he’s already got some little razors on his feet, doesn’t he?” Pinkie joked as she nursed her hoof. “Yeah, he does,” I said, showing them where he got me earlier. “Hey, how’s that for a name? Razor Wind.” “It sounds like a character from some cheesy action movie,” Rarity said, obviously wanting me to try something else. “Heck yeah, it does,” Rainbow said, clearly liking the name. “Ah like it, his auntie likes it, and Ah know Jynx’ll like it,” I said. “Razor Wind. Mah son.”