//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Halcyon Hearts // by TheMyth //------------------------------// “You will never escape me, Subject Ten!” Scootaloo ran as fast as she could, through the alleyways of Canterlot. Her wings were back to their miniature size, not granting her the gift of flight as all pegasi deserved. She was covered in grime and cuts, with sweat pouring from her body. She saw no end to the alleyways, nor any friendly pony to help her in her time of need. “Mom! Help me!” she called out to her mother, Rainbow Dash, but she was met with silence around her. The silence gave birth to a menacing laugh coming from behind her, that was drawing closer. She turned to see Bloodwing advancing towards her, with his eyes glowing red. Bloodwing spread his wings, and flew towards her. “You’re mine!” Scootaloo galloped away as fast as she could, not daring to look behind her. She clenched her teeth, as her hooves dug deeper into the ground to accelerate her speed. Oddly enough, this only made her go slower then she had previously went, like her hooves were being stuck to the ground. Then she felt the chains, clamping around her hooves and neck. She cried out in terror, but the sound was silenced by a cruel tug of her collar, choking her. She was being pulled back, toward the object of her fears. She was forced to turn to him, and saw the sadistic smile etched onto his face. A face she did not want to see again in her whole life. “Now I have you, my pretty~” “No! No! Let go of me!” Bloodwing punched her hard in the face, and he saw her cry out in pain as she started to tear up slightly. “You are my property, and as my property, I can do whatever I want to you.” Scootaloo opened her eyes as they were tearing. “You’re gonna be in so much trouble when my mom comes and messes you up real good, you low-life loser!” Bloodwing released a cackling laughter, that soon turned to a sick form of giggling. “Your mother won’t be able to help you, once I am done with you~” With that, Scootaloo could feel her energy leaving her. She tried to squirm out of his hold, but it was no use. She cried more as she tried to scream, but no sound came from her mouth. She was only met with an icy cold feeling around her, and darkness soon invaded her sight. Scootaloo’s screams filled her room as she bolted upright. She looked around the room. It was her room, nice and safe inside Rainbow Dash’s house... the house of her mother. Not a second later the door burst open. “Scoots? Are you okay?” Not waiting for an answer, the cyan pegasus flew to her daughter’s bed, wrapping her forelegs around her. “Scoots, it’s okay, it’s okay... I’m here.” Unconsciously, the filly returned the hug, weeping into her mother’s barrel. “I... I had the dream again...” A blue hoof gently stroked her mane. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Bloodwing’s gone, and if he ever came back, he wouldn’t get you again.” The filly just continued to cry. The older mare was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Do you want to sleep with me tonight?” Scootaloo’s wordless nod was expected, and she soon found herself being lifted up from her bed and gently carried to her mother’s bedroom. It had been three weeks since they had returned home from Canterlot, three weeks since her birthday party. In those twenty-one days, fifteen of them had ended with her curled up in her mother’s bed. Once the thrill of finally having a home and a family wore off, the trauma of the experience had sunk in, and the nightmares gnawed at her mind constantly. She felt herself being laid on larger cloud bed. Soon, foreleg, wing, and blanket all joined to form a cover for her. She nuzzled in closer, and a smile appeared among her tear stained cheeks. Rainbow Dash kissed her daughter on the forehead and watched her drift off to sleep, her heart both swelling with love and aching with pain. She loved her child deeply, and it pained her to see her such a wreck. The psychiatrist Celestia had assigned had said it would take time for her to properly heal, but she wished she could hurry it up. Sighing, she placed her own head back onto her pillow, trying to get back to sleep. She needed to have a talk with that doctor tomorrow morning. Spike was not royalty, not technically, but after three days in Canterlot he was starting to feel like it. “I made you your favorite breakfast!” Twilight Velvet practically sang as she laid a plate of chocolate chip pancakes onto her grandson’s plate. Licking his lips, Spike pointed his horn and concentrated. When only a few sparks came out, he sighed. He reached a hoof forward and concentrated. It glowed a purple aura, and for a few seconds it began morphing into a claw. But it faded quickly. Sighing, he used his mouth to grab the plate, pulling it in closer and he dug into the pancakes, albeit having a few marks on his muzzle. “Thank you, grandma.” he told Velvet in between his bites. Twilight Velvet nearly let out a high pitched ‘squee’ when Spike called her that. She could still remember the day when Twilight got accepted as a student to Canterlot Magic School for Unicorns, both gaining her cutie mark and becoming Celestia’s personal student. She could also remember how happy Twilight was in getting a baby dragon on that day too, something which she did not expect. The real shocker was when Celestia herself spoke in private with her and her husband, Night Light, about the baby dragon who was literally their daughter’s son. Thus on that day, they also became grandparents. Twilight Velvet shook her head slightly, and looked on to Spike munching on the pancakes before him. She had heard about what happened to the poor child and how he had changed forever. She noticed Spike finished his breakfast, and made her way to the table. “Who is up for seconds?” she asked her grandson, seeing the glee in his eyes. “Me please?” Twilight Velvet walked up the frying pan and made another batch of pancakes, and stacked them all onto the same plate that Spike had eaten from. Just as she turned to the table with Spike on it, she was met with her daughter, Twilight Sparkle’s, annoyed look. Twilight Velvet smiled nervously and looked to her plate of pancakes and back to her daughter. “Morning, sweetie, had a good night’s rest?” she asked her daughter just as she walked to the table and placed the pancakes on the table, drizzling it with chocolate sauce again. Twilight Sparkle sighed and placed a hoof to her face, “Mother, I thought I told you not to constantly feed my son pancakes for breakfast.” “Mom...” Spike began to protest, but Twilight kept talking over him. “He’s not a dragon anymore, he needs to get use to eating a normal amount of food.” “Oh, hush,” Velvet waved her daughter off. “It’s just one weekend, it won’t hurt that much.” “You know, I don’t recall you and Father spoiling me and Shiny like this when we were his age.” “Spoiling him? We are not!” “Oh really?” Twilight said, arching an eyebrow. “What was that buying him a full set of hoofball gear yesterday?” “Oh, he’ll need it for the exercise...” “And that expensive quill and ink writing set?” “Oh, well...” “Or the fact that you've taken him to that ice cream parlor twice a day since we got here?” “Twiley...” her mother said sharply. “He’s my grandson, and I have ten years of spoiling him to catch up on. Besides, we’re not doing anything too bad...” At that point, Night Light came into the room. “Hey, kiddo! Ready for a trip with your grandpa today?” “Yeah!” Spike exclaimed, leaping up and rushing to his grandfather, hugging his foreleg. “Are you going to buy him something again? Honestly, with the amount of things you buy for my son, we won’t have much space to move around the library!” Night Light scoffed his daughter with a waving hoof, “Well if I am, I’m not deciding. He is.” he pointed to Spike. “Alright!” Twilight hanged her head low in defeat, “Please let somepony help me, please...” A knock on the front door was heard, and Twilight Velvet made her way to open it. Once the door was open, she gasped and hugged the pony that was on the other side. “Shiny! My boy!” she spoke with some tears of joy flowing from her eyes and felt the strong hoof of her son on the back of her head. “Hi Mom, how things over here?” Twilight Velvet let go of her son, and looked behind her to where the kitchen was. “We’re just having a family moment here,” she said, just as Twilight Sparkle’s voice came from the kitchen. Shining perked up and as he came inside, he made a beeline to the kitchen. Once he was there, he saw Twilight and his father looking at him with wide eyes and mouths agape. “Twiley!” he exclaimed as he reached his baby sister and gave her a firm hug with her doing the same. “Shiny! It’s good to see you again,” she said as she let go her brother, and saw him giving their father a bump on the hoof followed by a hug. “I thought you were at the Crystal Empire?” Shining looked at his sister, with a smirk. “Well, we heard you were in Canterlot for the weekend, after the whole fiasco. So Cadie and I decided to drop in, hoping to see the Hero of the Crystal Empire. Speaking of that,” he looked down to where Spike was standing, and ruffled his green hair as he held onto the little colt. “How’s my nephew doing today?” Spike chuckled softly, as the ruffling was slightly ticklish. “It’s going good, Uncle Shiny,” he said as he was let go of his uncle’s grip. Shining smiled smugly as he rose to a high level. “It’s going to get even better, seeing as what I got for you.” Twilight’s ears dropped and her eyes widened. “Oh no...” “Wow, what you got for me?!” “This!” Just as he spoke, he focused his horn on Spike. The colt began to glow in a bluish aura. The aura intensified and when it was done, Spike was left with a set of royal army kit. The special thing about this armor was that it was made of pure crystal. “Cool!” Spike exclaimed. Twilight put a hoof to her head. “I thought a hero of his caliber deserved a hero’s armor.” He leaned down to his nephew and whispered, “Between you and me, armor drives mares crazy.” Spike snickered at this. Twilight arched an eyebrow. “What are you telling him?” “Nothing!” “I’m sure,” Twilight rolled her eyes. “You’re going to spoil my son rotten.” “Aw, let him have a week of fun,” Shining brushed her off. Then, after making sure Spike was distracted showing his armor off, he leaned closer to his sister and whispered, “I take it there’s none of that... greed stuff you told me about?” Twilight shook her head. “No more than any other foal. I guess he lost the hoarding instinct when he became a pony...That’s really the only reason I let this go on, to be absolutely sure.” She looked back at Spike and raised her voice in alarm. “That’s not a real sword, is it?” Spike was waving around a crystal sword that came with the set, trying to imitate the knights he had seen at practice. “Relax, that’s just a rubber training sword... not that he should be swinging it around anyway. Put that back,” he chastised. Grumbling, Spike did as he was told. “I just wanted to try it...” “I’ll take you outside in a minute and show you. If you learn well enough, I’ll buy you a real one for your cute-mitzvah.” Twilight’s eyes nearly went wide. The thought of her son running around with a real sword... “You couldn’t consult me about a decision like that?” “Oh, pshaw,” Shining Armor waved her off. “Getting a cutie mark means he’s a stallion, he can own a weapon at that age. Isn’t that right...” He trailed off at the sight of his wife wrapping her nephew in a hug and kissing him several times on the cheeks. “Oh, you just look so adorable in armor!” Shining kicked at invisible dirt, pushing out his lower lip. “I look cuter,” he mumbled, but he wasn’t acknowledged. Spike stood on his hind legs, wrapping his forelegs around Cadance’s neck. “It’s so good to see you again, Auntie Cadie!” Cadance returned the hug and nuzzled her nephew affectionately, “It’s good to see you too, Spike,” she said as she was hugging him. “Spike, can you please let go now?” she asked him politely, though she saw the slightly moist eyes of Spike and she bit her lower lip slightly. “It’s just this body isn’t just for me now.” Spike turned his head, with his eyebrows raised, “I don’t get it...” Twilight’s eyes shined with this and she approached Cadance and looked to her stomach, causing the pink alicorn to blush with a shy smile. “Cadance, are you?” Cadance nodded her head, “I’m going to be a mother, just like you, Twiley,” she answered her happily, with tears of joy cascading from her eyes. She was soon joined by her husband, who stood by her side and nuzzled his wife. Twilight clapped her hooves together in glee, with her eyes shining as bright as the stars. “Congratulations, both of you!” she hugged both her brother and sister-in-law, feeling two hooves wrap around her neck and a wing folding over her. Twilight Velvet and Night Light approached their daughter-in-law and both gave their words of congratulations to the future mother and father before them. Twilight Velvet sniffed, seeing as she couldn’t stop crying. “Now my boy will also be a loving parent, just like my little girl!” she shrieked slightly with a smile that would never cease on that day. Night Light patted his son’s head and gave Shining a slight noogie. “That’s my boy!” he said, as he leaned in to Shining’s ear. “How many tries did it take?” Shining’s face became pale for a moment before his cheeks burned bright. “Dad!” Night Light laughed at his son’s face. “I’m just messing with you!” But the laughter became awkward as he was met with a withering look from his wife and daughter. “I’ll just keep my muzzle shut.” Spike approached Cadance and looked at her stomach too, that now played a role in nurturing a new life. He looked at it in awe and wonder, boggled by how life could come from there. He then felt a slight chill running down his body and his moment of merriment was soon turned to sorrow, for the briefest of moments. Though Twilight Sparkle was able to notice this as she glanced at Spike. “Something wrong, Spike?” Spike jumped a bit. “Huh, what? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking...” Twilight arched an eyebrow, but decided against pressing the matter any further, at least at this moment. “Oh, let’s go out to eat tonight and celebrate!” Twilight Velvet clapped her hooves. “We just have to celebrate this!” Dr. Healing Heart calmly looked over the pencil drawings Scootaloo had given him. They were all rather terrifying for somepony her age to draw, but they were an improvement, Nodding, he looked up at his patient, across the room to where she sat. “So, the nightmares...have they gotten any better?” “It’s been happening every night,” Scootaloo cried. “I just want them to stop!” The doctor calmly wrote in his notepad, occasionally floating a drinking glass up to his lips for a quick sip, but otherwise keeping his attention completely on his young patient. “That’s quite understandable. Tell me, do you still honestly fear Bloodwing? Do you think he might have survived?” “I don’t really think so,” she answered. “You ‘don’t really think so’? You’re not entirely certain?” Scootaloo studied the foreleg rest of the chair she sat in. “Bloodwing... he was always trying something new with his experiments. Sometimes... sometimes I wonder if he could actually be able to come back from that.” “How, exactly?” “I don’t know!” she snapped. “I never understood how Bloodwing ever did anything he did, but he did them! I...” she cried a bit. “I always worry what he came up with. He never told me anything...” She cried a bit. Healing Heart waited patiently for her to let her emotions out, writing down this new fear in his notes. “Tell me, Scootaloo, have you read Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s assessment of Bloodwing’s lab?” “Y-yes,” she answered timidly. “Then you’re aware they concluded that Bloodwing had not perfected anything that could allow him to come back from what happened. Do you trust the Princesses?” “Yes... but...” she swallowed, trying to find the right words. “No matter how good they are... Bloodwing could have...” Healing Heart gently placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder. “Scootaloo, there are plenty of ‘could have’s’ and ‘maybe’s’ in life. It’s understandable you would be worried, but you can’t let these things control your life.” “I know...” Scootaloo answered in a small voice. “Then repeat after me. ‘Bloodwing is not coming back.’” “Bloodwing is not coming back.” “Good, keep saying it. Bloodwing is not coming back.” “Bloodwing is not coming back.” “You need to keep repeating that to yourself, every time you’re scared. Understand?” Scootaloo nodded. She saw the time on the clock behind Dr. Heart, with the doctor looking behind him too to view it. “Our time is up it seems, for this week at least,” he told her as he archived the notes in a separate file cabinet that beared Scootaloo’s name. “Now you must practice what we spoke about today, and tell me if there is a result, ok?” Scootaloo nodded again, taking a tissue and wiping her eyes before she blew into it. “Ok, I will try,” she said as she stood up and was led out by Dr. Heart to the waiting room where Rainbow Dash was sitting. Just as Scootaloo hugged her mother, Dr. Heart cleared his throat. “I would like to speak to you in private if I may Ms. Dash?” Rainbow looked up to Dr. Heart, before looking down to Scootaloo. “Scoots, I’m just gonna be a minute with Dr. Heart here. You wait right here, ok?” “Ok, Mom.” With that, Rainbow was lead to a separate room with the psychiatrist and with the door closed Dr. Heart turned to Rainbow. “I have concluded that Scootaloo will not be in need of any medication, though there still is healing to be done. I presume you know what your daughter is going through each night?” Rainbow looked down, with her eyes becoming watery. “I do..” she whispered softly, though it could be still heard. “She’s been having so many nightmares and I feel so useless!” she spoke through her tears, something she did not show many ponies in her life. Dr Heart sighed and gave Rainbow a tissue, which she gladly accepted. “The fact that you are crying for your daughter means that you care for her, more than your own life. That makes all the difference,” he told her, seeing her look up to his level. Rainbow sniffed a bit before looking away and looking back into the psychiatrist’s eyes. “There’s is something I need to know though...” “What you speak here today will not be spoken to others unless you want them to hear.” “It’s just, for the last three weeks, she’s been sleeping with me most of the time. Is that... you know, healthy for her?” Dr. Heart tapped his chin with his hoof for a moment. “It can be damaging,” he admitted finally. “By letting her do that, you’re not letting her face her problems. You might be sending the message that she’s not safe unless she’s with you.” “Then... what should I do?” “Next time she has a nightmare, be there for her, comfort her. Then, put her back to bed and tell her to be strong. Offer her a reward if she sleeps alone for a certain length of time.” Rainbow Dash rubbed her head a moment. “Like, if she does it for a week, we can get something at Sugarcube Corner?” The psychiatrist shook his head. “It’s not a good idea to reward foals with food. That could lead to obesity later in life.” Rainbow Dash groaned. “All these things I have to remember... my head hurts.” He nodded sympathetically. “It’s a worry of every parent. You’re doing just fine, Ms. Dash. Just remember what I told you...and I should tell you to avoid corporal punishment, as well. Scootaloo’s coming along fine, considering all she’s been through.” The cyan pegasus nodded. “Thank you.” “Make sure Scootaloo gets plenty of playtime with her friends... and quality time with you. That should help her recover some. Other than that, I think the best thing for her is time.” Rainbow Dash gave a motion that she understood. “Thanks, doc... I think I’ll take Scootaloo out to eat tonight.” “You do that... and have a great week. I’ll see you both next Saturday, same time.” “Spike, would you like some fried tomatoes?” “Yes, please.” Spike sat next to his mother and grandfather, in a family restaurant close to Night Light’s residence. It was busy with a number of ponies eating out that evening with their families, and the feeling of jubilation ran high in that place tonight. “Where did you get that armor for Spike?” Night Light asked his son Shining, as he was sipping on his ginger ale. Shining smirked before answering, “In the palace, there was this old vault that housed the old royal armor and I thought since Spike helped save the day with Cadie he ought to have had it.” Night Light took a large gulp of the ale, laughing a bit. “Well I can say that my grandson is going to be a filly-killer with that now!” Both Shining and Night Light laughed at the statement, that was not heard by the three mares and little colt who were busy discussing other matters. Twilight Velvet could not cease her smile, even for a second when she looked at both her daughters. “How long are you due for?” she asked Cadance, eager to know the arrival of her second grand foal. Cadance looked down on her stomach, “The doctor says at least another ten months from now,” she said as she took another bite of her potato, that was covered with sugar and lemon juice. Twilight pursed her lips together as Cadance took a bite out of it and actually enjoyed it. She blinked a few times before turning away to face Spike, who she saw was enjoying the fried tomato and mixed hay and potato chips. Twilight leaned down to Spike’s level, “You’re enjoying yourself, Spike?” Spike swallowed the bite and looked up to Twilight, “I am, thanks Mom.” he said to her with closed eyes, failing to notice the wide smile Twilight was emitting. Twilight then looked to the rest of her family, and cleared her throat to gain their attention. “Mother, Father, I want to thank you for having me and Spike over during this weekend.” she said to her parents, who she saw were both blushing. “Though tomorrow, Spike and I will have to return home to Ponyville.” “What? Already?” Spike moaned. “Do you really have to?” Twilight Velvet asked sadly. “It’s a joy having you around.” “I’m afraid so,” Twilight sighed. “Spike starts school on Monday, and he needs to be home to get ready.” Spike sighed. Of course, he remembered. Now that he was a pony, he had to go to school. There were things to learn now that it was sure he would never be leaving pony society. That meant no more picking up facts from browsing Twilight’s books, or plenty of free time for writing. There simply wasn't enough time. At that thought, he winced. Time...how much did he have now? The thought had come to him a mere week after he received his new body. Did he have a dragon’s lifespan still? Was he going to live just a few decades? Would turning back into a dragon change that? He had no answers, and he had been too scared to confront hi mother about them. He wasn't sure he’d like the answer. He wasn't even sure which answer he wanted. “Besides,” Twilight continued. “Blaze is about to start his probation period, I need to be there to watch him.” Night Light and Shining Armor gave each other a look. Both males of the Sparkle family held a wariness for Bloodwing’s former lacky, even if the position had been because of force. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay around him, Twiley?” Shining Armor asked. “He could be...” “Shiny...” Twilight said in a tone that made it clear he should stop talking, “He was being forced to serve him, and as soon as he got a chance he left, and freed Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo in the process. I really don’t think I need to worry about him.” “Your brother’s just worried about you,” Night Light said carefully. “I know...” Twilight said, “but he shouldn’t. Blaze is actually pretty nice when you get to know him.” “Weren’t you trying to kill him three weeks ago? I remember Princess Celestia had to hold you back...” “Hey, Spike was in trouble, I had the right as a mother to act that way.” Velvet patted her daughter on the shoulder. “That’s true.” She turned to Cadance. “You just wait. If anypony tries to hurt your foal, not even all your love will stop you.” Cadance just brushed the back of her head with a forehoof. “Well, I’m hoping it’ll never come to that...” She then grinned slyly. “I don’t think we need to worry. I saw Blaze play with that little brother of his, and he seems pretty nice. Don’t you think so, Twilight?” Twilight beamed at her sister-in-law, “Exactly! So I really don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Dr. Healing Heart is counseling them both after all, he’s predicted they won’t be much trouble,” she told her father and brother, who she saw were both looking at each other with frowned eyes. “Well if you insist on that, but if he tries anything then I will-” “Shining!” “Sorry!” Spike sat there in silence for the duration of the adults talking, furrowing his eyebrows as his eyes were focused on the food before him. A myriad of thoughts flashed before his mind, about the new changes. He sighed and continued eating silently, mulling over what his mother said earlier. He felt a hoof to his shoulder that brought his attention back to his surroundings, and looked up to see his mother looking demurely. “I’ll talk to you later when we’re back home, ok, Spikey?” Spike simply nodded his head, looking down from his mother’s gaze. He then felt her soft kiss on his forehead, and he could not help but smile slightly. Whatever changes came into his life, he knew he had his mother to lean on for support. Scootaloo came flying down from her room, with her mane uncombed just like her own mother’s. “Mom! I’m going to out to play with my friends now!” she shouted out to the living room, where Rainbow Dash was busy cleaning up. “Hold on just a second!” she yelled back to her daughter and came flying out, she then gave Scootaloo a firm hug and nuzzled her affectionately. “Be back by dinner, ok?” Scootaloo just smiled. “Always,” she answered, and gave Rainbow a peck on the cheek. “Love you, Mom!” she flew out the window at top speeds. Rainbow sighed and shook her head, wearing a proud smile. “Like mother, like daughter, hey?” she asked herself, caressing her cheek. She then turned to her living room and continued cleaning it, dusting all the trophies and photos of herself and her friends. New photos that were added were that of her and Scootaloo; flying together, sharing lunch, even her reading Daring Do to the little filly. She smiled contently at these pictures, feeling her stomach lighten as though butterflies were in it. A knock on the door averted her attention and she soon hovered over, answering it. “Um... hi, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said slowly. “Oh, hey, what’s going on?” The yellow pegasus seemed nervous, twisting her hooves around in the clouds. “I... I need you to come to my cottage right now. It’s really important.” Rainbow Dash blinked at her foalhood friend’s odd behavior. “‘Shy? What’s wrong?” “Um... it’s hard to explain. Just... please come with me?” “Sure.” The cyan pegasus lifted off. Let’s go.” They were off in an instant, not even stopping to lock Rainbow Dash’s door, not that it was needed in a town like Ponyville. They flew along, the cyan mare wishing not for the first time that her friend was a faster flier, as she found herself constantly having to slow down to accommodate her. Finally, they reached Fluttershy’s home on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Rainbow Dash reached it well in advance and was about to enter, but was halted by Fluttershy’s cry. “Wait!” Fluttershy picked up speed, landing in from of her friend and standing between her and the door. “I... I didn’t want you going in until I had time to prepare you for it...” The rainbow-maned pony gulped, her heart racing faster. “Wh... what’s going on?” Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Well... um... he... you might not be too happy to...” “Oh for Celestia’s sake,” she muttered, pushing past her friend and reaching for the door. “No, no, Rainbow Dash, don’t!” It was in vain. The door was opened, and Rainbow Dash stepped inside, looking around the room. When her eyes hit Fluttershy’s sofa, they widened, her irises shrinking to the size of pencil points. There, laying on the couch, was a pegasus stallion. His coat was purple, with a cutie mark of a checkered racing flag on his flank. His eyes were a dull golden color, and his mane was a rainbow of colors, just like hers. “D-Dashie?” the stallion spoke with his voice dried. Rainbow Dash recognized the stallion in Fluttershy’s house... her father.