//------------------------------// // chapter 9 // Story: serenity under the night sky // by flutterguy54123 //------------------------------// Chapter 9 Entering the house Scootaloo turns to the other crusaders. “Ok girls you know what to do Sweetie Belle look in the kitchen, Applebloom the living room. I will check upstairs.” Turning to Blade and her brother she continues barking orders. “You can come with me upstairs I'll take the left and you take the right. Everypony ready? Good, We'll meet back here in one hour.” Following there instructions the ponies part ways. Behind one of the rows of shops in a secluded ally in Canterlot. A hooded figure stands waiting. Cautiously trotting up comes Private Cloud as he begins speaking. “Your highness I apologize for my tardiness. I was momentarily......... detained. What is it you will have me to do your grace?” Without moving from his spot the hooded alicorn begins talking. “The prince is missing. What do you think I want? From the moment I realized I loved Princess Luna I have been searching for a way to become part of the nobility. Now with it so close to my grasp you can't even find one single pony. No wonder you were demoted.” The wind blows the hood off of the figure revealing a white unicorn with a black and red mane. Paying no mind he continues speaking. “Find the prince. If you don't I might as well give up my dreams of my fair lady.” After completing his sentence he makes a hidden door open ,and takes his exit. In the Ponyville library an anxious mare paces in front of a bored baby dragon. “So Spike how should I let him know that I know he's Prince Thunder Flicker's assistant? I could pounce him the moment he opens the door like pinkie would ,no that's the worst idea ever. How about I make a nice romantic dinner? That would never work my cooking is horrible compared to his.” Groaning she continues. “Why is he so perfect?!” I should just tell him I know at this rate ,besides he will need all the time he can get just to complete the work that Luna sends him.” With an annoyed face the baby dragon starts speaking. “Great now can we eat? I'm starving.” Twilight stops and looks at him with her eyelids half way down. “Spike we just ate.” In a lighter tone she continues speaking. “Could you bring me the book Luna sent Blade? I've been wanting to read it ever since it arrived. The name was some this like The Studies of Starswirl The Bearded. That should be close enough to find it.” Groaning the little dragon does as he is asked ,and places it on a stack of books. “Here you go Twilight did you want the second volume too?” Giving a puzzling look the lavender mare replys. “What second volume did he get another book?” Shaking her head she continues. “Yes please bring the second as well.” Doing as she says he fetches the second book while saying. “You just ate but for every other pony it's lunch time.” Giving up Twilight nods her head toward the kitchen. In the old rundown house Butterscotch and Blade are searching an empty room when they hear a dull thump come from across the hall followed by a deep laugh. Turning to the little blue maned colt he tells him to go down stairs with the other as he inspects what is going on. Entering the room adjacent to the one he just exited Blade sees a little orange filly with a bruise on her face almost unconscious on the floor. Behind her is a brown earth pony surrounded by hard cider bottles and a rather old sleeping bag. The disgusted stallion begins speaking first. “Who are you ,and why are you in my house with this trash.” He points at the little filly on the ground. Blade begins speaking in an authoritative voice. “Your house. I just bought this house ,and that trash as you call her is my daughter! Now leave before I call the police.” A grin comes to the strange stallions face. “You're lieing. The entire time you spoke you never once looked me in the eye. So this is what I think of your daughter.” The stallion gives her a swift kick causing her to holler in pain. Unable to take it the prince teleports her behind him. “Scootaloo get out of here. I have some unfinished business with this low life.” Doing as she is tolled she leaves the room but stops at the door and watches without being noticed. “Now that you don't have an innocent foal to hide behind lets see what you do!” The ugly stallion with a greasy mane steps forward trying to intimidate the prince. Blades face remains the same as he continues speaking. “If you think you scare me you are sadly mistaken ,and you will pay for hurting my daughter.” The brown stallion rolls his eyes. “Oh come on she's not your foal. She looks nothing like you. Not to mention she's a pegasus and you're a unicorn.” The unnamed pony trots right up to the prince and backhoofs him. Smiling with his small victory he continues speaking. “So you can take a hit ,but why would you do it for somepony you don't even know? Unless...... no it can't be. You actually think of her as your foal don't you? Pathetic.” The brown pony tries to take another hit but is stopped mid-swing by a dark gray hoof. After stopping his assault Thunder takes his other hoof and connects it with the musky stallion's face making him fall to the ground. “Never.... Touch.... My...... Filly. If you do this is only a small amount of the pain that you will feel. I don't care if I am not her biological father I protect my foals. Even if that means I half to track you down to do it. Now like I said leave before I call the police or worse.” With fear on his face the disgusting stallion gallops out of the house. Slowly Scootaloo enters the room and begins speaking with tears in her eyes. “D.... did you mean what you said? Do you really think of me as your....... daughter?” Turning around Blade sees a tear trickle down her cheek. Trotting over to her he gives her a hug. “I meant every word of what I said sweetie. I know this is probably the wrong time to ask ,but where are your parents? Every time something happens that calls for there assistance they're never there.” Scootaloo buries her face in Blade's chest as she continues crying harder. Knowing that he was not going to get an answer the prince just holds his little filly. “There there my little angel. It's going to be ok.” Scootaloo looks up at him with a hopeful face and says. “Why would you think of me as your daughter? I'm just an ordinary filly. Nothing spacial nothing different.” She keeps sniffling as Thunder starts speaking. “I....... it's complicated. I know you and your brother are orphans. What I want to know is why such a smart little filly like yourself would not go to an orphanage. How about it want to tell?” Lowering her head she nods ,and begins her backstory. 4 years ago An orange stallion with a dark blue mane sits in the living room of his home with his wife and two foals. “You know it's amazing that they both have orange coats. Not in my wildest dreams did I think they would both have the same color coat as me.” The little filly looks up. “Daddy can I pway outside? I'm bored.” She says as she knocks over the blocks she was playing with. Giving a chuckle he replys. “No Scootaloo it's raining I can barely be out there in this kind of weather.” Giving a huff the little filly starts building a house out of her toys. Turning to his wife the pegasi continues talking. “Speaking of going outside it's time I go to work. Those clouds don't clear themselves.” Hopping of the couch he leaves the house. About two hours later. A mare with a orchid mane and a cyan coat begins speaking. “Scootaloo I'm going to find your father watch your brother while I'm gone. And I mean watch him. He's only two years old he can't take care of himself. Ok?” The little filly nods her head. Exiting the house the cyan mare spreads her wings and takes flight. Flying through the harsh rain she starts feeling little balls of ice hitting her wings and back. Looking around she notices it is hailing. Barely able to see two hooves in front of her she almost fly’s right into the pony she is looking for. “Oh thank Celestia you're safe! I was fearing the worst when the rain started coming down harder.” Turning to his wife he briefly notices something of in the distance. “Did you see that? It looks like somepony is stuck out in this.” Turning around she sees the faint shadow. “We can't leave them out there. We have to help.” Flying into the storm they come up to the drunk pegasi. With out warning he pulls a knife and slits the throat of the mare. Gasping for air she sees her husband stabbed in the ribcage ,and he lifelessly plummets to the ground. Present day Scootaloo continues speaking “The police came the next day and took me and my brother to an orphanage we stayed there for a couple years ,but they wanted to split us up. S........ so we ran away.” With tears in his eyes Thunder holds her close to him. “Oh my little princess the pain that you have suffered. Scootaloo will you give me the honor of being your father?” The little filly looks up at him with tears in her eyes and says. “W...... What about Butterscotch?” Thunder gives a small chuckle. “I wouldn't separate the two of you even if Celestia herself told me to.” A smile comes to her face. “Then you got yourself a deal pops.” Blade looks down at his new daughter. “There is something you should know if your going to be my little filly.” A confused look comes to her face as Blade steps back. Bringing his horn to a glow he turns back to his glorious alicorn self. Scootaloo's mouth drops to the floor. “Y..... y........ your the prince?!” Thunder nods his head as he begins speaking. “And as my daughter that makes you Princess Scootaloo a member of the royal family. That would also make your brother Prince Butterscotch. Is this ok with you? If not I understand.” His ears drop to his face. Scootaloo a little dumbfounded begins speaking. “So I'll become a princess if you become my dad ,but I don't know how to act like a princess.” The prince turns back into a unicorn. “Scootaloo I've been looking to adopt for quite some time now. I would like it to be you and your brother.” Scootaloo looks up at him. “If I say yes then would I still be able to see my friends whenever I want?” Blade gives her a confused look. “Of course you could I will let you see them every day if you wish. But you will be living in the Canterlot palace until my home is finished maybe even after considering on weather mother will split the guards up.” Scootaloo slowly trots forward. “I can't believe I'm saying this but ok I'll be a princess.” The little filly almost vomits on the last word. Chuckling Blade bows his head. “Well Princess shall we inform the young prince of your decision.” Scootaloo facehoofs at the gesture. Nodding she says. “How did I get into a situation like this?” In the door way three heads pop up from the side seeing a bruise on there friends side and on Blade's face. Noticing them Thunder motions for them to enter and they do. Blade begins speaking. “I think we should all go home. Sweetie Belle would you leave Butterscotch at the library ,and tell Twilight what happened? I think Scootaloo needs to go to the hospital.” The white unicorn silently nods her head as her friend looks her way. Blade's horn starts glowing with a red aura ,and in a flash of almost blinding burgundy light the prince and Scootaloo disappear. At the Ponyville hospital Scootaloo is laying in her hospital bed as Blade telepathically contacts Celestia. “Thunder! Where are you? How are you? Are you alright?” rolling his eyes the prince begins thinking. “Mother I'm fine. I have contacted you to let you know that I will be appearing briefly in Ponyville before returning to hiding. Despite what you think I am not punishing you.” Scootaloo lays there in the awkward silent room. As Celestia speaks to her son. “Thunder what is this all about? First you prevent me from knowing where you are then you tell me. What are you hoping to achieve with all of this?” The prince ponders this for a moment. “Mother could you send my guard to Ponyville posthaste. I have need of them to protect the new prince and princess.” In Thunder's mind he can see every expression his mother is making. “New prince and princess. Thunder what are you talking about this makes no sense.” Letting out a large sigh the prince begins explaining. “For the past two years now I have been searching for a filly or colt to adopt. On my........... vacation I have found the perfect filly and colt. A brother and sister to become my foals ,but at the moment one of them is hurt and at the hospital with Aunt Luna's student. I still need to file the proper paper work but at the mean time I fear the stallion that hurt her might come back. I know this is probably the worst way to tell you about all of this ,but it had to be done. Please just send the guard?” there is a moment of silence from Celestia. “So you're telling me I'm a Grandmother! I'm not that old! The guard will be there shortly. Don't go anywhere.” Hearing this Thunder goes into the restroom and turns into his normal form. Coming out he almost gives the nurse 'that had not previously been there' a heart attack. Falling onto her face she starts stuttering. “Y.... y..... y.... Your Highness. W..... w...... what are y.... you d... doing here?” Thunder raises an eyebrow. “Can a father not see his filly when she is hurt?” The nurses eyes grow wide almost covering her entire face. “Y..... y..... you're...... daughter......... filly............. daddy........ royal........” The nurse passes out from shock. Thunder turns to Scootaloo. “I have things that I must attend to will you be alright?” Scootaloo slowly nods her head. In a burgundy flash Thunder goes to the library. In the public library Twilight levitates the mysterious book The Advanced Studies of Starswirl The Bearded. Opening it she is almost blinded by a deep red light. Looking up she sees the prince. Standing there not even moving as he eyes the book she has. “Miss. Sparkle I would normally say nothing about a student furthering there education ,but that book is not what it seems.” Twilight looks down at the book with a confused look. Getting up from where she is she bows ,and says. “If you don't mind me asking what do you mean by that?” Thunder groans hating to see his marefriend bow to him. “That book and the second volume they are...... my personal journal's. Did Handsome Blade receive anything today I am under orders from my dear Aunt Luna to deliver anything of his to the hospital that could keep him busy since I have asked a favor of him.” Twilight face turns white as she realizes what she was about to do. “Oh ya there's a bag full of mail on his bed I'll go get it.” With that Twilight leaves only to enter with exactly what she had said a bag full of mail. Thanking her Thunder returns to the hospital to find an excited filly and an equally excited guard. Looking around the room he sees Queen Faust ,Shining Armour ,Butterscotch ,and Scootaloo. After a few moments of awkward silence Thunder begins speaking. “So Grandmother you picked up Butterscotch?” She silently nods her head as Shining Armour steps forward and salutes. “Prince Thunder Flicker I am the new captain of the weather warriors. I hope not to disappoint.” Looking at him a mischievous look comes to Thunder's face. “Are you kidding me? Mother made my best friend captain of my guard.” The same look comes to Shining Armour face as he says. “Ya you're stuck with me. So I here you're going to adopt these little foals. You sure don't want to make my job easy do you?” With a grin larger than Manehattan, Thunder shakes his head. Turning to his grandmother he sees Butterscotch with a confused look on his face. Thunder slightly changes his gaze to where he is looking right at the queen. “Has anypony told Butterscotch what is going on?” All the grownups in the room exchange that same look of shock that the little colt was left in the dark. Hunching down on his knees Thunder gets to his level. Then turns to face the captain. “Shining could you leave the room for a moment? This is a little personal.” Nodding his head he does as instructed. Thunder turns back to the little colt. “I have a question for you. What do you think of Princess Luna's student?” Giving him a strange look the little colt answers. “Well I wike him. He's weally nice and funny. Why?” While Butterscotch maintains his sister's knack for being suspicious Thunder goes into the restroom and turns into his unicorn self ,then reenters the room going straight up to the colt. “Butterscotch Would you like to know a secret?” The little colt jumps up. “Would I ever!” Thunder leans down and whispers into the colts ear. “I'm really not Princess Luna's student. I'm really the prince.” The colt gives him a confused look then says. “Prove it.” Thunder brings his horn to a glow and is encased by his own magic. The little colt's eyes grow to an enormous size as he watches the unicorn grow taller as wings appear on his back. With the process over he stares as him in awe. With out saying a word he gets back on his knees then says. “I know you don't have a mommy and daddy. While I might not be married I can at least be your daddy. What do you say will you give me a chance?” The little colt looks over to his sister lying in the bed. With his eyes he secretly asks his sister's permission to say yes. A smile comes to Scootaloo's face as she nods her head yes. With that little gesture a large smile comes to the little colt's face as he throws his hooves around Thunders neck and yells. “Yay I got a daddy!” hugging his little colt a tear trickles from Thunder's eye “Yes my little colt and I have a son.” Scootaloo sits as her brother hugs her new father only to see him glance her way. “Hay Scooter don't think I forgot about you.” After saying this he puts Butterscotch on his back and trots over to his new daughter ,and gives her a hug. Even though she fights against it she is secretly happy to have a father that loves her again. “Now foals I need to actually go do the paper work for the adoption. So who want's to help me sort through the daily mail and find the letter?” Scootaloo starts laughing. “You do know Butterscotch can't read right?” Thunder's face brings forth a duh expression. “Well it's ok I'm sure Grandmother and I can find the letter really fast if we work hard” As Thunder is speaking he remembers his guard out in the hall ,and calls for him. Shining Armour enters the room and looks around. “Did you need something?” Thinking for a moment Thunder nods his head. “Could you help me sort through all this mail? If you do then you can have a day off tomorrow with pay.” Jumping at the chance of a day off with pay Shining Armour digs through the bag sorting the letters in stacks.