//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: The Winning pony and the Templar // by Ebony Gryphon //------------------------------// The next morning Leaning forward, Tornado Kicker took a gently slurp of his morning coffee. Next to him, Atticus stood, his hands folded behind his back. Thirst now somewhat sated, his steely gaze back to his paper. “Huh… Apparently, Princess Celestia doesn’t like tea… And many are calling for the removal of Prince Marcum…” Atticus raised his eyebrows. “I beg your pardon?” Eyes still roaming over the ink, the Pegasus continued, “Apparently, in light of this recent development, many are feeling that the human is an undue influence on her majesty. This reporter also must remind the faithful readers of the horrid fight the Regents had, when he referred to our loving Celestia as an insufferable nag.” Chuckling, Tornado turned the page. “When asked to comment, the Prince replied, “Bloody fucking hell! Why the fuck can’t my wife have her own likes or dislikes?” This of course is in light of the loss of capital in the tea market as jobs are lost and pony’s concern of capital gains ignored.” Lips sliding from its usually neutral line into a slight frown, Atticus said “I fail, sir, to see what is so funny…” Giving a slight shrug of his wings, and wincing at the still sore feeling in them, Tornado took another sip of coffee. “I don’t know what the big to do is, that’s all.” “Agreed sir. But nevertheless, your kind is not readily accepting of any major changes in their day to day lives. Such things are… unsettling.” Giving a nod of approval, the stallion said, “Quite right. A very clever insight from one who’s not an pony.” “Thank you sir. Your praise is what makes it all worthwhile.” Rolling his eyes, Tornado turned back to his paper, growling, “Smart ass.” “I am also surprised you’re so glib about one insulting your goddess sir.” Frowning slightly, the memories of his discussions with her majesty over his wifes demise still fresh, the stallion replied curtly, “I stopped think of her that way long ago son.” He nosed the paper shut, and gave another chuckle. “And in any case, all couples have their tiffs. I remember this incident as well, and those two made up almost immediately.” The Pegasus looked around the café they were in. Unlike the local pony establishments, which never appeared to know the phrase tone it down, the human was decidedly more rustic. Nondescript wooden tables and chairs, plain coffee cups and glasses. Everything immaculately kept free of dust and grime by the owners. Pony’s, again in general, tended to avoid it. Mostly because of rumors, but also because of the humans diet. While ponies did eat eggs, the appearance of steak and ham repulsed and deterred most equine patrons. Of course, since pegasi did eat fish from time to time, they didn’t have the same problem with it as their fellow unicorn and earth pony’s did, and had helped to keep the local business afloat. Tornado Kicker loved it. Nice and quiet, a soft song being sung on the radio on the counter. Though the couple of skulls on the shelf behind it were somewhat unsettling. Good coffee, which was worlds above the swill he’d been sucking down for weeks beforehand. Good company too, Atticus included. No pony trying not to stare, or turning the other way when he walked in. He remembered his commanding officer talking about it was a show of respect, he should enjoy it. But… despite the tireless rhetoric he endured over the years about family and tradition, the real reason he joined the guard was to help his fellow ponies. And with his wife’s frigid attitude towards all things bedroom, at least until the latter years of their union, the uniform certainly didn’t hurt his carnal pursuits of mares and stallions alike. He hated though, how everypony was so afraid of him. Over the years, as he rose through the ranks, more and more he found himself away from those he swore to protect. And as he was drawn away, he found himself more and more among the nobility and movers and shakers of Equestria. His wife, in her rare moments when she did speak, would often chastise him over his close-muzzled approach in these encounters. Or lectured him on his soft hearted approach to their only daughter. “What did the doctor say?” Drawn from his musings, the stallion snorted, then nodded towards his saddlebags. “Geez, you fuss like a mother hen. Look, its ok. He gave me some antibiotics.” Taking his cup between his hooves, he took sip of his drink. “Antibiotics for what?” The human sitting at the next table let forth a litany of curses as the Pegasus spit take coated the back of his head and shirt in luke warm liquid. Wiping his muzzle with a hoof, and ignoring the angry yells of a disgruntled patron, the white coated stallion guiltily turned to the mare stand a few feet away. “Oh, hey kiddo…” Giving a nod and a smile to the human, Cloud Kicker turned her gaze back to her father. Smile fading into a frown, she walked forward. “For what dad?” Chuckling, Tornado rubbed the back of his head. “Oh, you know, for uhh… Atticus here! He caught a little bug, you know, in the badlands?” Not taking her gaze from her father, eyes narrowing, Cloud Kicker walked forward. Tornado Kicker leaned back slightly as she drew close, and their noses touched. Not breaking eye contact, the lavender mare said “Sick huh?” Covering his mouth, the human let out the most disingenuous cough of all time.Sighing, the mare turned away, shaking her head. As she walked, Tornado Kicker shot a look that spoke volumes. What was that? Atticus tilted his eyes downward, and gave a quirk of his right brow. It was I could think of sir. Grimacing, the stallion looked back his foal. Tilting his head, his grimace worsened. “Hey, Cloud, you ok?” Looking up, the mare smiled and nodded, then leaning her head down, took out a couple of bits from a pouch on her foreleg. Raising her head back up, and seeing her father’s look, she spat the bits out, and frowned back. “What?” “Lieutenant?” The human clicked his boots together, then saluted. “Sir.” The stallion nodded towards his daughter. Eyes not leaving the target, the soldier moved in. Before his quarry could escape, he pinned her down, chin pressed against the table top. Leaning down, he gently proceeded to extend her wing as she yelled. “Hey…. Hey,watch ittt…. Yah! What are unnnnnngggg….” Her eyelids fluttered as her wings were toyed with, but she yelped and jumped as he felt along the edges. “Sir, her wing is swelling here.” As he spoke, he slid his fingers along the length of the opposing, making the mare gasp, then yelp again as the he prodded the tender spot.“And here.” Face letting out no emotion, Atticus stood again, leaving the mare with eyes half lidded on pleasure on the table. Her fathers snickering drew her out of her moment two seconds later. “I also noticed something else sir.” Smirking, the stallion looked up. “Oh?" Nodding, Atticus walked back over to the café’s register, where the owners wife was“Excuse me one moment sir.” Tornado Kicker turned back to his table, and nodded towards his daughter. “Really now, such a display in public.” The stallion made a tsking noise. Blushing furiously, Cloud Kicker pouted and tried to flatten her wings to her side again. “That was mean. You could have just asked….” Before the snickering elder could reply, Atticus returned, a bowl in hand. “You are of course right, ma’am. That was terribly rude of me. In the Territories, when one wrongs another, we are expected to make restitution.” Smiling pleasantly, he placed the bowl on the table. Looking down, Cloud Kickers eyes widened in horror. No… not that… she’d sleep with a diamond dog before she’d face this horror… “You like ice cream, Miss Kicker?” Grinning sheepishly, Cloud Kicker rubbed the back of her neck. “Oh, no… I couldn’t.” “Oh, but you must. To refuse amends when a peace offering is offered is an insult.” Cloud Kicker looked helplessly at her father, who grinned and shrugged his wings. “You wouldn’t want to offend such a gracious gesture, would you kiddo?” “I…. can’t. This is chocolate. I’ll get pimples.” “You’re covered in fur.” “My parents never let me eat dessert before dinner …?” “Oh no, I couldn’t deprive you of such a tasty treat.” “Dad… I really….” “Present spoons soldier,” Setting her jaw, the mare took the bowl between her hooves. Lifting it to her mouth, she took a bite from the top half, then swallowed, and laying the bowl down made yum sounds. Atticus counted off in his head. 3…2…1 Cloud Kicker eyes teared up in an instant, and pressed her hoof to her cheek. As the cold confection slid into her muzzle, it touched the still setting tooth, sending the equine into fits of agony. Tornado raised his eyebrows. “What happened?” “You’ll get mad…” Seeing her father’s look, Cloud Kicker sighed. “It was Garret…” For a moment, both Atticus and Tornado looked at the blonde bombshell, and then her father went back to his paper with another shrug of his wings. “Oh, ok.” “What, is that it?” The stallion looked up, and smiled. “Well, it was obviously your fault my dear.” The mare dropped her hoof, and didn’t even feel the fresh shot of pain as her jaw dropped. “How can you say that?” As they spoke, Atticus discretely went to stand before a window. Rolling his eyes, Tornado Kicker went back to his paper. “Look kiddo, we’ve been here before. Your old enough now not to get yourself in these scrapes, right?” Pouting again, she nodded. “Yes sir.” “So, you want to tell what happened?” “It’s just…. He’s a pretty good buddy of mine. But the last few weeks, he’s been acting weird. So, last night I just went to talk with him, and we got into a shouting match. This escalated into a full blown fight.” Sighing, the stallion nosed his paper shut, and regarded his little foal. For a moment, he thought of telling her the truth, his mind flashing back for an instant… Nimbus glided silently through the window of their home, and made dents in the cloud as she landed. Looking up, eyes’ brimming with tears behind the exposed part of her helmet, her eyes wandered over the photos of her graduation…. The day of her wedding…. Her little filly, cuddling next to her… Her stomach gave a lurch. Walking forward, she gently took the picture of her foal from the wall, and holding between her teeth, walked towards the sofa. As she walked, she disarmored, letting the still warm metal fall to the white of the floor. Her husband watched eyes wide. No soldier worth his salt would let their gear down like that. Nimbus undid the straps and buckles of her wingblades, and the weapons fell of his drooping wings as they dragged across the ground. Jumping onto the couch, she turned, and sitting up on her haunches, held the photo in her fore-hooves. Tornado Kicker walked into the room, his eyes hard. “So, are you happy then? Is this what you wanted?” Nimbus just looked down. “Well, answer me soldier!” The mare flinched, and made a sound that her stallion couldn’t recognize at first. Walking towards the couch, he said timidly, “Nim?” She didn’t look up. Sitting down in front of her, he gently took the helm she still wore. She was crying. Gently, he wiped her cheek with a wing. “Oh Nimbus…” He couldn’t help… even after all these years, all the struggles… she was still so beautiful. Looking up at him, her mane beginning to show some of the gray fur of age, she whimpered. “Celestia’s name…. What have I done…?” Tornado slowly wrapped his legs around his mare. Leaning her face to his chest, she sobbed, “What have WE done… I… I never wanted this…” Slowly, the stallion stroked her mane. “Dad?” Tornado snapped up, and looked at his daughter. “Huh?” “Garret?” Sighing, Tornado rubbed a hoof on his forehead. “Look, Cloud, I know your worried, it’s just…” Tornado lowered his hoof, and stared at Cloud Kicker sternly. “A person’s past is their business. If he doesn’t want to talk about it, then drop the matter. Clear?” Sighing softly, Cloud Kicker nodded. “Yes sir.” .................................................................................................. meanwhile, at the edge of the Everfree Dinky shivered like a leaf under Zecoras bed. Peeking out, she covered her mouth with both hooves to cover her breathing. That afternoon, she had been helping the zebra pick various roots and herbs suddenly, as they were boiling the flora, Zecora told the filly to hide under the bed. When she heard the hoof steps, she had shut her eyes as tightly. “wewe! Kahaba!” This time the herbalist spoke. “Ah, hivyo wale umri mbwajike hatimaye alimtuma wewe.” More hoofsteps echoed. “kujisalimisha! The mapenzi ya the kabila ni kabisa.” A hoof stomped near the bed, and Dinky jumped slightly. Zecora shouted, “Kuma mamako’s!” Screams echoed through, and Zecora screeched in agony. An odd thump sound, and Dink slowly opened her eyes. Oh Maker…. Her mentor lay bleeding, the end of a spear through her side and throat. Eyes widening as the blood began to draw close, she scooted back. The two weapons jiggled in their prey, the two different striped hooves pressed to the body. With a disgusting sound, the ends of the spears were pulled, and the body was dragged. Dinky whimpered. The four sets of hooves stopped. “Nini ilikuwa kwamba?” Suddenly, a set of hooves belted back, and a sneering striped face poked under the bed. Slowly an unsettling leer crawled across the muzzle. “Hey, ‘ittle un. Come to your uncle, eh?” Dinky shook her head. Morbid grin widening to show his teeth, gaps where the molars had left, the stallion crooned, “Oh come on. If you nice to uncle, uncle be nice to you, eh?” The other zebras snorted and chuckled. “Pretty please?” Dinky shoved herself into a corner. “Come here little filly. You come with me, maybe be my sons new bride, eh?” Grinning, the zebra reached under the bed towards the foal. Dinky screamed and clawed helplessly against the floor boards, and finally, her bladder let loose in her desperate attempt at escape. Suddenly, the chuckling was silenced as an odd whistling, then a meaty thunk echoed through the room. The stallion let out an “Unnnkkughh….” as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. In the room, the remaining four hunters stood stunned. From the back of their leaders head, a tomahawk stood, the blade sunk deep across the skull, splitting the Mohawk of the stallion in the back of his head in half. The other four clutched their spears. “Ndugu! No, si Ndugu!” a young voice called. Another stallion yelled, “Ambao ni wewe?” Dinky covered her head in her hooves, and standing at the doorway, she saw the dark leggings of a human, its feet covered in heavy boots. Slowly, the boots walked forward. And then the human spoke, it’s very words sending chills up Dinky’s spine. “Yako avunaye.” Screaming in a battle cry, three of the four charged. Sidestepping the zebras easily, the unicorn filly winced as the air whistled with drawn blades, and battle cries to shrieks of pain and shock. As the boots skidded across the floor, Dinkies eyes widened further. Hanging down from his hands were a short sword and another tomahawk, both dripping with blood. The other zebras suddenly collapsed, bodies gashed and indented from the weapon play. The other zebra closest to the bed whimpered, and Dinky winced as he dropped his spear. “No! Please… I… I didn’t want too to be here! I didn’t kill Zecora, please!” The human turned to him, and the zebra collapsed. Dinky slowly crawled out from under the bed, eyes away from the bodies, and just focused on the last zebra. He… he was so small. With a new feeling of horror present, Dinky realized he was just about the same age as she was. “Please no! I… couldn’t stop them, please!” Slowly the boots walked over the floor, and Dinky looked up to see her savior. His upper half was covered in a camouflaged leather of browns and greens, and his head was covered with a hood. His face was covered in brown a green cloth, concealing his features. All she could see were his eyes. “No…” A voice gurgled. Dinky and the zebra foal gasped, and even the human turned to look down. Zecora lay in a pool of her blood, several cuts and a couple of deep wounds. Pressing a hoof to her neck, the zebra snarled, “So… this is all the hunters can do? Feh...” Dinky screamed and rushed to the herbalist, and with a screech of his own, the stripped colt bolted. Reaching out, the human grabbed a handful of the black and white mane. “Please! I… I DON’T WANT TO DIE! PLEASE!” “Garret!” Slowly, the human turned. Zecora lifted her head weakly, and shook it. Rolling his eyes, the human said “As if I would do that. Just making sure he sticks around.” The foal yelped as he was dropped onto his rump. Tucking his forelegs to his chest, the zebra sobbed. “Chane!” The foal jumped slightly, and slowly turned to Zecora. Tapping her hoof on the ground, Zecora huffed, “Come here boy.” Whimpering, the foal stood, and walked over to the unicorn and zebra. Dinky’s eyes narrowed as he drew close, and she actually snarled at him, her horn shooting sparks. Chane whimpered, and lifted a foreleg up as though ready to bolt again. “Dinky…” the striped mare cast a disparaging look at the filly. The filly huffed, and gave the mare a nuzzle. Slowly, the zebra continued his trek. Coming up too Zecora, his hindquarters slumped, and he sniffed, and then gave a choked sob. “I’m…. I’m so sorry sister!” Smiling softly, Zecora lifted her brothers chin. “Oh Chane…. Why, why would you do this?” Tears streaming down his cheeks, the foal screamed, “No Zecora! It was not I! Father… he said it was my duty!” Rubbing his foreleg, he ducked his head again. “But…. I couldn’t… I failed…” Zecora eyes flashed. Raising her brother chin again with a hoof, she said firmly, “No Chane! I… I know now you would never hurt your family! You are not the weak one, Jelani is!” The foal gasped, and knocked the hoof away. “Sister! You dare disrespect father in such a way!” Smiling, Zecora reached out in a flash, and drew the foal close. “Oh Chane… my sweet Chane,,,” For a moment, the foal struggled, then collapsed. Sniffling, Dinky crawled next to them and hugged them both as hard as she could. Garret looked on, and for a moment, thought, “Through the gates of hel, I see the light of the long tomorrow…” and with that, turned, and walked out to get the local towns doctors. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. The doors to the hospital exploded into shards of glass and metal shrapnel, sending doctors, visitors, and patients scattering as a yellow blur whizzed down the hall, her shrieks making all fur stand on end. Meanwhile, at the other end of the hospital, a brown coated and black maned earth pony in a security guard outfit, and an anvil as a cutie mark, glared furiously up at the human leaning against the wall. “Sir, we told you before, you aren’t allowed to have that damn it!” Eyes burning in his skull like blue fire, the human glared down at the equine, and said “You want my smokes? Better guards then you have tried…” A red mane’d, white coated unicorn walked up, and tapped her hoof impatiently. “All right Forge, what’s wrong?” “This bucking monkey is smoking!” “Is that so?” the mare turned to the human, one brow raised. Suddenly, she smirked, and nodded to the clenched pouch in his hand. “Mind if I bum one of them offa ya sonny?” Nodding, Garret rolled up a tobacco leaf into some paper, and then flicked it to the nurse. Catching it between her lips, she nodded thanks. Lighting the end of her horn, and then the cigarrete, she walked back to her desk. Snorting with disgust, the stallion stomped away. Garrets hair suddenly rustled as the yellow Pegasus blurred past him, to stamp her hoofs on the nurse’s desk. “Zecora!” The mare continued typing a moment, then looked, and said through the cigarrete, “Name?” Fluttershy’s eye twitched as her wings flared out, and she screeched, “Zecora!” Looking back down, the nurse said haughtily, “I’m sorry ma’am, but visiting hours are between…” suddenly, the mare found herself knocked off her seat and pinned to the wall. Baring her teeth fully, and tears streaking down her yellow cheeks, as her eyes blazed with hellfire and damnation, Fluttershy said in an entirely pleasant and kind tone, “Room number.” Grinning back nervously, the mare said, “173.” In a flash, the mare fell with a thump onto the tiles of the floor. Scowling, she stood, and walked back to her desk, muttering, “Damn, she’s a sweetie, but is that ninety-nine percent sweetie worth the one percent crazy?” Cloudkicker briskly flew down the hall, rubbing her ribs with her hoof as she weakly called, “Come on Eepysqueak… they said… Acchhh!” She glared behind to Garret, who clutched her tail, stopping her procession. “Wait CK. Only Fluttershy can see her right now.” Scowling, Cloud Kicker floated down, and watched forlornly as a pink tail disappeared around a corner. Releasing her tail, Garret took a drag of his stick, then taking it between his fingers, took it out. Blowing the smoke out into the atmosphere, he cast a gaze down to look at the mare next to him. “She’s special to you…” Snorting, Cloudkicker cast a gaze over shoulder, and shot back, “Yeah? No shit.” Putting out the smoldering stick, Garret then crossed his arms. “How long you been after Fluttershy?” Cloud Kicker sighed, and sat down next to the human. “We’ll, we first banged in Flight camp.” “Huh, didn’t know you were a counselor.” Cloud Kicker scuffed a fore hoof against the ground. “I wasn’t… and neither was she.” Garret jerked off the wall. Looking incredulously down at the blonde mane’d equine, he said “Excuse me?” Cloud Kicker chuckled weakly. “Precocious little scamp ain’t I?” The human shook his head. “Did one of the counselors…” The mare shook her head, and took a shaky breath. “No, no, nothing like. One day, it just… sorta happened, you know?” Leaning up off the wall, the human frowned down at Cloud Kicker. “No, I don’t know. Whatever possessed you too… I can’t even say it.” Still looking down, Cloud Kicker shrugged. “Don’t give me that. Never mind whatever problems you got, ever think what that did to Fluttershy?” The equine cast a slight gaze upward, then looking down, nodded. “Everytime I see her.” Snorting the human waved a hand in front of his face as though swatting a bug. “Ahh, feel guilty? Well, shit, I guess that makes up for probably forcing yourself on someone else.” “I didn’t force her Dash!” Brows knitting together, Garrets gaze softened. “Dash? Rainbow Dash? What does she have to do with this?” Ears flicking back against her skull, Cloud Kicker sat on her haunches, and wrapped her wings slightly around her barrel. “We…. She thought I raped Eepy, and came after me. I… we hurt each other . But… I messed up her…” the mare cleared her throat, “Well, her snatch… pretty bad. She can’t have foals because of me, and Eepy broke up with me the same day I went into the hospital.” Sighing, Garret rubbed his arms as though he was cold. The room was perfectly warm. “Oh Elohie Cloud… Where were the counselors? Any adults?” Cloud Kicker shrugged her wings, and gave a bitter smile. “Probably doing what me and Eepysqueak were up too.” “This isn’t a joke CK.” The equine nodded. Uncrossing his arms, and rubbing the back of his neck, the human scowled. “Damn it Cloud…” The equine glared up at Garret. “Haven’t you ever done something you regret?” Garret winced, and looked down. “Yeah… Yeah I have…” Sighing, Garret sat down next to Cloud Kicker on the floor. “What a mess.” Slowly, Cloud Kicker leaned against Garret, and rested her head on his shoulder. The human felt slightly uncomfortable as she pushed a wing across his back, over his shoulder, and with a whimper, wing snugged him. ....................................................................................... Fluttershy stroked the mane of her lover gently, leaning forward to nuzzle and nip the zebra affectionately. Thankfully, everything was bared to her since the doctors had removed the mare numerous gold rings, and sighing, the pink maned pegasi laid her head on the zebra’s chest. “You’re her.” Fluttershy yelped, and looked to her side, eyes wide. A young zebra sat next to her, eyes bloodshot. Still stroking Zecora’s mane, she looked at the foal, giving a soft smile. “Oh dear, little one. Shouldn’t you be in bed?” The zebra shook his head. Slowly, Fluttershy panned her eyes over his frame. He was simply far to thin, and it was almost ten at night. Tsking softly, Fluttershy whispered , “Oh come now. Time for all little foals to be in bed.” The foal hmmphed, and stuck his nose in the air. “Condescending wench. I am a proud warrior of the Zebra grasslands, and will be addressed as such.” Fluttershy just smiled and nodded. “Of course, forgive me.” For a moment they just watched the mare before them sleep. “Your Chane right?” The foal closed his eyes a moment, then gave a nod. “I am.” His eyes shot open as he felt Fluttershy’s wing go around him and draw him to her side. Cheeks flushing, he looked up at her, and smiling, she leaned down to nuzzle his cheek. “Well then, it’s very nice to meet you Chane. Welcome to Ponyville.” The foal looked back down, squirming slightly in her embrace. Zebra’s were more often than not touch shy. From the time their weaned, both males and females are denied embraces or nuzzle, to harden them to the harshness of their lands. And even as adults, aside from mating in in the privacy of their huts or houses, it was generally frowned upon to show to much favor to your mate or offspring, the belief being that such a state would detract from the tribe overall. Mind racing, Chane ran through reason after why he should nudge her off, or slap her for being so forward. But, after a moment, when his resolve weakened under the gentle warmth of the pegasi, he settled down with a sigh. “Madam Fluttershy?” “Yes Chane?” He sighed again, and wiped his nose with a hoof. “You know who I came with, what they wanted me to do. I didn’t want too, but my sister disgraced us, and refused to return. So, why do you embrace me, this foal who should be your enemy.” Fluttershy looked at him a moment. Smiling, she drew him to her neck, and rested her head on top of his head, flattening his Mohawk. “Oh Chane. Tell me, why are you so fearful of me?” “You… You corrupted my sister. You spend all your time in debauch and filth. You are an outsider, a heathen…” Leaning back slightly, she looked down at him, still smiling. “I’m… different?” Slowly, the foal nodded. Taking his hoof, she pressed it to his chest. “Tell me little one, what do you feel?” The foal looked down a moment. “My… heart beat?” The yellow mare nodded, and drew him against her again with a wing. “What do you hear now?” The foal shrugged against her. “Your heart beat. Why?” Nuzzling the top of his head again, she said softly, “See?” “See what?” “There exactly the same.” The foal looked down, brows knitted as he went through this. He looked up, and frowned somewhat as she continued to stroke his sisters mane. Rolling his eyes, he leaned against the yellow mare, and scrunched his muzzle. Looking back, and seeing the look, Fluttershy giggled. “What’s wrong?” “We might be the same, but I still think what you and my sister do is icky.” Giggling, Fluttershy nuzzled the foal. “Well, I think some of the comics colts read are icky. Just because we disagree, does that mean we can’t like each other?” The foal shrugged. “I guess we can come too amicable agreement.” Tittering softly, Fluttershy wrapped her hooves and wings around the foal, and squeezed him tight. Cutest. Baby. Brother. Ever! Zecora chuckled as she watched the show. “It is nice to see the two ponies’ I love getting along so well.” Chane yelped and squirmed. “Release me heathen! You dare embrace me in front of my kin, unclean one!” Giggling again, Fluttershy let the foal go, who jumped to his sisters side. “Zecora, are you… ow” Sticking out his bottom lip, he rubbed the top of his head. “Troublemaking little snapper!” “How dare you strike the eldest born son… ouch!” Snorting derisively, Zecora spat back as she raised her hoof again, “Even in our homelands, or whether I liked stallions or mares, little brother, I’d be whipping your worthless hide as much as I want.” “Witch! Harlot! My vengeance… ow!” “That is quite enough Zecora!” Setting her jaw firmly and giving her mate a stern look, Fluttershy drew the colt to her chess. “Now I know your brother and you aren’t happy with each other right now, but you will not treat him like that in front of me!” Leaning down, she nuzzled the now sputtering foal in her embrace, and cooed, “Now don’t you worry. Your big sister Zecora is just cranky from having to heal up…” Zecora sat up gaping. “What? I’ve got a hole in my side and neck, and you take the side of the boy?” Fluttershy gave a curt nod, and looked at the zebra expectantly, brows raised. “What?” “Apologize!” Zecora crossed her forelegs, and made a duck face. “I certainly will not.” “No double ended marital aid for your missy!” “Yeah, well…. Hey, Chane?” Fluttershy looked to her side. “Is he asleep?” “I think he fainted….” ……………………………………………………… Cloud Kicker groaned as she stretched out her legs in her sleep. Nuzzling into her pillow, she murred softly. “Uh, yoohoo, Cloud…” Grumbling now in annoyance, the pegasus wrapped her forelegs around her pillow. “Ow, damn it! Let go!” Five more minute mom… she thought. She was to cozy to even care… if she felt a tongue go across her cheek, blech! Launching off of the human to bounce a few feet away on her rump, she vigorously scrubbed her cheek. “Damn it Garret, what the hay?” Scowling, the human stood and stretched. “You were spooning me!” “I’ll have you know most males would think themselves damn lucky to being embraced by a fine specimen of mare like me." “That’s cause most males don’t know you!” Earning himself his first equine raspberry of the day, Garret sat down again. “Look, just… sorry, ok? I’m not used to this sort of thing.” He patted the spot next to him. Sticking her nose snootily in the air, Cloud Kicker sat back on her haunches and crossed her forelegs. “Maybe I don’t feel like cuddling some jerk? Maybe I….” suddenly, her words were cut off as lightning clapped outside, and thunder rolled, rattling the windows in there frames and temporarily dimming the lights. In the moments between darkness, Cloud leaped across the floor and dug in next to the human, eyes wide, ears flat against her skull. As the lightning cracked, she gave a small cry, and pressed her face to Garrets shoulder. “Geez, Cloud… what is, some kind of….” He stopped as he stroked her mane, and felt her trembling. “CK, you all right?” The mare nodded, then cried out again when the storm continued outside. “Good heavens! You spend all day with in the clouds! I would think this sort of thing would be your thing.” Cloud Kicker whimpered, and nuzzled the humans shoulder. “Lightning doesn’t bother me… It’s thunder…” “How come?” Whimpering, the mare lay a wing over the humans chest. “When… when I was a foal, my dad and uncle went and explored some caverns in northern equestrian. Problem was, we didn’t know that local weather team was running through, and we were flooded. I got knocked off my dad’s back, and was swept further down into the caves. It felt like hours, and the whole time, underwater or with my head sticking out, all I heard was that horrible thunder echoing through the cave. My dad dragged me out, and gave me cpr. Ever since, I can’t stand storms.” Garret gave the mare a scratch behind the ear, and despite initial annoyance over being treated like a dog, she began to feel better. Fear somewhat abated, she sat up slightly, looking curiously at the armor the human still wore. “You fought three Zebrican hunters in that?” Getting a nod, she shook her head. “You are either brave, or foolish.” Grinning, the human replied, “I’m neither.” Undoing the clasps on the green and brown leather armor, he lifted it slightly. Under it, he wore another shirt, but under the soft leather of the armor was mesh of chain mail.Fascination with all things military in full effect, Cloud Kicker tilted her head. “That’s… not steel, or iron. What is that?” “Kalresian. Light as a feather, five times stronger then thunder forged steel. Of course, if a dragon were to chuck me onto a mountainside…” “Sweet Celestia… that must have cost a mint…” “Nope, my Commanding officer gave it to me when he retired. I got a plate one at home, but this one’s lighter and gives me more freedom of movement.” And with that, the two settled into discussions of respective equipment .......................... The Next morning Dinky sat morosely on the bench, kicking her hind hooves over the dirt under her current seat. Since yesterday, doctors had been in to see her, asking how she felt, if she got enough sleep. Any nightmares. It didn’t make sense all the fuss everyone was making. Mr. Garret had walked in saved her and Zecora from those bad zebras. When she had said this, of course the nurse and doctor looked shocked, and asked how she felt about the bad stallions dying. She merely said, “They were bad guys.” Now she was under observation. Hay, it wasn’t like she’d never seen a dead pony before. Hearing somepony’s hooves crunching the dirt path through the hospitals private garden, she looked up a moment, then down again. Chane. Despite avoiding him when she could, she really didn’t hate the little zebra. Not only was he Zecora’s brother, but he tried to stop the bigger zebra’s from being so mean. Now, the grown-ups were trying to find a place for him, though both Fluttershy and Zecora said he could stay with them. “Hello.” “Uh, hi… Chane. Wanna sit down?” The colt nodded, and said, “Yes, I would like that very much, thank you.” That was another thing. He wasn’t any older than any other foal in town, why was he always talking like a grownup? Jumping onto the bench, Chane folded his legs under him, and looked at Dinky. “Ms. Dinky, there’s a matter I wish to discuss with you.” There it was, that grown up talk. The little grey unicorn gave a nod. “I want too…. Apologize. I’m so very sorry I couldn’t stop what happened, and am especially sorry over the behavior of that stallion.” Dinky shrugged. “Is okay. What did he mean though, I’d be a bride for his son? I’m just a filly.” Chane winced. Back in the home country, though the princesses had done much to eradicate such practices, a forced marriage was still a semi-rare occurrence. He remembered the scared, hollow look of the girls his father had married, and how quickly they’d disappeared. Shaking his head, he smiled. “Its… complicated…” Pouting, Dinky looked down to the dirt again. “Miss Kicker and Sparks always tell me that. And mommy would do the same thing too.” “Where is your mother Ms. Dinky?” “She died.” Chane winced, and looked down shamefully. “I’m sorry.” “Where’s your mommy?” Shrugging his shoulder, Chane said “She’s dead.” “I’m sorry.” Chane drew invisible circles in the bench with his hoof. Really, one of the first conversations he’d had with someone his own age since he left home, and already he stuck his hoof in his mouth. Ears turning towards the trees, he looked up. Maybe… smiling, he said, “Ms. Dinky.” The unicorn turned to the zebra. Looking up at the tree, Chane let out a sweet litany of notes. From the tree, a song sang back. Dinky’s eyes widened as a little blue bird flittered down, and gazed up at the two equines. “It’s… It’s a blue jay…” Chane nodded, and whistled again. The bird took a couple steps forward. “You can talk to them like Ms. Fluttershy.” Chuckling, Chane shook his head. “No, I don’t. In any case, birds don’t sing to be pretty or because they like it.” “They don’t?” “No. The sing to stake out territory. Basically, they’re yelling, “MY TREE, MY TREE.” The avian let out a series of notes. Snorting, Chane leaped off the bench, and lowered his head to the ground. “No, MY DINKY! MINE!” The bird sang again, telling the zebra to fuck off, he was making ground here. And again, Chane shook his head firmly. “Nuh-uh, MY DINKY! Go get your own, MINE!” Sticking its beak haughtily into the air, the bird relented. Nodding and smirking, Chane said, “Yeah, you’d better flap off! NEEEAAAGGGHHH” At the end, he stuck his tongue out for good measure. Dinky giggled, and covered her face with her hooves. “Oh Chane, your so silly!” Chapter three, part three ………………………………………………………………………… The next morning Cloud Kicker and Garret wandered through the market, the human decidedly the more disgruntled of the two. Holding the cloth sack in his hands, he raised his eyebrows. “You mind telling me again how I ended carrying your shit?” Cloud Kicker shrugged her wings, perusing the apples in front of her. “Mysterious powers of all females mixed with humans disposition for chivalrous acts?” Tossing a few bits towards big Macintosh, Cloud Kicker giggled. “Ok, I got one. How do you know a humans been through your yard?” Garret shrugged as a few apples were added to his load. “Your dogs pregnant and all your trash cans are empty.” “Charming. Ok, how do you know a Kickers lost their spear and wingblades?” Rolling her eyes, the equine wandered to the next stall. “We switch to the stick up our plots as a back up. Come on, that one goes back to the Lunar Rebellions.” “Gotta respect the classics.” The mare gave a nuzzle to Rose, and whispered something in her ear that made the mare blush and knock her away. Giggling , Cloud Kicker looked over her selections. “Ok, how do you hide money from a human?” “Uh, no idea.” “You hide it under the soap dish.” Snorting, the human followed the lavender furred mare to her next destination. “All right then. What do ten Kickers say when they come up against a single human soldier?” Cloud Kicker hmm’d, tapping her chin with a hoof. “I give up.” “Correct.” “Hey, what do you call a human who graduates from kindergarten at the age of fifteen?” “I don’t know…” “A genius.” “Hey, what do you call a pony mixed with a flower? A blooming idiot!” Cloud Kicker shook her head, snorting with amusement. “Ok wise guy. What’s two miles long and has an IQ of six?” “I don’t know.” Cloud Kicker giggled. “A Templar parade procession.” The human smirked. “Ok, why do Kicker’s encourage their foals to join them in exercises?” “No idea.” “So their soldiers can beat someone in hoof to hoof drills.” ………………………………………………………………….. Chane walked mutely behind Fluttershy. Humming softly to herself, she looked up into the air as she considered the future of her newest charge. “Oh, lets see. You’ll need some new notebooks, a saddle bag, new pens… hmm…” Chane looked up, and tilted his head. “For… what?” Looking over her shoulder, she gave a encouraging smile. “For school of course, silly.” The zebras brows knitted together a moment, then he ahhed. “Oh yes. The place where your offspring learn.” The Pegasus gave a nod. Chane gave a derisive snort. “I already know how to read and write. And I already speak your tongue. What more do I need?” Fluttershy giggled, and shrugged her wings. “Oh Chane. School is so much more then that! Theres preparation for festivals, playing with your friends, learning something new everyday…” the mare jumped and down excitedly in place a moment, and walked back to Chane to give him a nuzzle. “Oh, your just going to have so much fun!” Chane chuckled, still tensing slightly at the affections of the Pegasus. “Did you like school, Ms Fluttershy.” The yellow mare took a step back, her smile fading… Clutzershy! Hey look, it’s the failure… Ms. Shy, would you please step in her and close the door… Yes, there is something you can so I won’t call your mother… We’re sorry ma’am… the damage was too much… she’ll never be able to have foals… Hey Eepysqueak… wanna try something new? No its ok, I promise its fun… trust me…. There was nothing we could do… Your mother… Fluttershy jumped slightly from the nuzzle under her chin. Chane, blushing furiously from being so forward, looked at her, blue eyes wide with concern. “Ms. Fluttershy… are you ok?” The Pegasus smiled, and gave a nod. Turning around, she walked down the road too her cottage. Chane shook his head sadly. That same look as those mares his father married. His little heart heavy, he followed Fluttershy. ………………………………………………………………. Cloud Kicker slid the saddlebags off her back, and flopped on the couch with a groan. Garret sighed, and shaking his head, walked into the kitchen, and began to put the various products away. Smirking, the mare lifted her head to wink at him from her reclining spot. “It’s so nice to have a woman who knows their way around the house.” “Oh, ha ha.” Giggling, Cloud Kicker sat up on her haunches, continuing to observe. “Seriously though. You certainly know your way around the kitchen.” The human shrugged. “Was raised in orphanage. No mom to help. Had to relearn everything when my wife died.” Cloud Kicker jumped slightly. “Oh Celestia…. Garret…” The human turned his back to her, putting boxes away. “She was… carrying my son at the time…” The mare gasped, and looked down at her saddlebags. “Oh geez… I’m so sorry Garret…” She looked up again. “How…?” The human paused, then put the last box from one bag in place. “Bandit raid. First settlement got razed, I was out on patrol. We got ambushed, and I was the only survivor.” “The village…” “Everyone dead…” Cloud Kicker snarled, and lay down again. “I hope you caught the bastards.” Garrets eyes widened, and his hands shook. Within the day court, Celestia looked over the bills and treaties, when a Pegasus burst through the door. Weeping, he prostrated himself before the princess. “Princess, Princess, please! You must help me!” As the guards moved forward to remove him, the diarch stilled them with a glance. Rising from her throne, she extended her wings to their fullest. “Leave us.” Bowing, the various servants and guards quickly emptied the room. Smiling gently, the mare walked down the steps. The pegasi winced, and looked up, eyes wild. What was that? Something in the rafters… no, no. He was safe… he was ok. “What is wrong my little pony?” Tears streaming down his cheeks, he cried, “Milady, the clan… something is hunting us! Sixteen have already fallen, my comrades sit and do nothing! My family will not heed my words! I know I am next! Please…” He looked up, eyes wide with hope, then gaped in horror. “Please…” Celestia repeated no smile graced his regents lips, her eyes were a cold fury. “How many, my little pony, said please..,” the equines entire body locked, his eyes widening in horror. Suddenly, from far away, he registered some weight on his back, and as he collapsed his wings were pinned beneath two knees. “My little pony…” He looked over his shoulder behind him, and saw a covered face, and piercing green blue eyes. His ears ached with the heaviness of his princesses next words. “I am… very disappointed in you…” The equine jerked as the curved throwing knife jabbed his throat, slicing through artery and muscle as it sunk inward. As the blade was drawn out, and his blood gushed out over the carpet, his last thought was… “But… I did it for you…” Garret frowned, and began to put the rest of the groceries away.