//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: How not to avoid marriage... // Story: Night's Children // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// The rhythmic beeping hit Warding Spear's ears as his eye opened, a bright light causing him to wince. The feel of somepony laying next to him made him turn, seeing Blazing Petal pressed against his side. He reach a hoof up and brushed part of her mane from her face, smiling at the look of peace. Peace that was shattered a moment later. “So... you finally woke up?” He looked across to the other bed, and the grinning stallion with a bandaged wing. There were more dressings all over his body, and one wrapped around his head. There were a number of flower and fruit baskets as well as get well cards on the table next to him. “Are you okay?” Alec started chuckling, which turned into full laughter until he clutched at his side. “Dude, don't make me laugh, it hurts. I find it funny that you ask after my well being before your own.” “The table shows that you matter, and that I do not.” “Really? I think that mare would have something to say about that. Plus.. why don't you look at your own table?” Spear tilted his head, eyes going wide with shock at the single envelope waiting for him. He reached over and picked it up, ripping it open. It had a photo of Canterlot on the cover, and his eyes started to tear up as he read the inside. 'To Warding Spear, get well soon, Sky Sapphire' “But... why would she...” “Because that's who she is.” “I tried to... oh Celestia, what have I done?” The sound of sobbing roused Petal from her slumber, and she pulled Spear to her chest, running a hoof through his mane. She glanced at the card in his hoof and then over to the other bed, before pushing him into a sitting position. “Shush, it's okay. Come one, stop crying and smile.” “Don't say th....” The sound of fast hoof steps came from the corridors, and Alec tried to use his magic to shield them. He didn't manage it in time, the door slamming open to reveal a pink earth pony mare. “Too late.” “Did somepony say smile?” Pinkie rushed over to Spear's bed, getting uncomfortably close. “Hey, I know you! You're the one whos bits we gave back! So, when are you two having a foal? Oooh, can I do your baby shower?” “We're... not married.” Pinkie let out a massive gasp as she hovered in the air for a few seconds, hitting the floor with a massive smile. “Then I can do the engagement party! They'll be cake, and streamers, and balloons, and cider, and...” The list trailed off as she bounced out the room, leaving Alec to chuckle at the blank faces of Spear and Petal. “Yeah, that's Pinkie Pie. Don't ask. Anyway, heal up, I've got a job for you.” Surprisingly, Spear's condition was better than Alec's, and he was released two days later. Alec was passed over into the care of Luna, meaning he couldn't get away with anything. So when she entered their bedroom to find him missing, it was fair that she had a scowl on her face. She returned to the main room to find the balcony door open, finding him looking down into the streets of Canterlot with her telescope. “Alec?” “Oh hey, come look!” He passed the telescope over, and she looked down it to see Flame and Sky looking around the markets. She pulled away and glared at him. “WHAT ARE THEY DOING OUT THERE ON THEIR OWN?!?!” “Relax, they're not on their own.” She looked once more, seeing Blazing Petal smiling next to them. Trudging along behind was Warding Spear, weighed down by multiple packages. There were three guards behind him. “Explain, now.” “Sky and Flame wanted to go shopping. I couldn't go, and you weren't around.” “So why not ask Celestia?” “Busy, another tribe of griffons have appeared in the badlands. The changelings don't like it.” “But why him?” “Does it look like he is suffering? “Yes, it does.” “Then that's why. Luna, I beat the hay out of him for trying to kill me. Sky wanted to go shopping, hence why he is her personal slave for the day. And Flame wanted a laugh. Look, I'm not entirely fine with the idea either, but if we just keep him locked up in the castle, we'll never see who he really is.” “And Miss Petal?” “She's got to look after him for three months, remember?” Luna used her magic to pull out a couch, hooking the telescope up to her little screen. She settled against Alec's least bandaged side and enchanted the telescope to follow Warding Spear around. “This is going to be fun.” Alec brought a hoof up and turned her to face him, giving her a passionate kiss, pulling away with a smile. “And that is why I love you.” Warding Spear collapsed to the floor under the strain of so many bags. He just stayed that way, even as a small hoof jabbed his shoulder. He just mumbled in to the rug he was on, then yelped as something hit his flank. He looked up to see Sky Sapphire with a riding crop in her mouth. “Where in the hay did you get that?” “It's mommy's, she uses it for when daddy's being naughty. And you are being naughty right now!” “There is seriously something bucked up going on around here.” “We would appreciate it if you did not swear around our daughter.” He turned to see Luna smirking at him from the main bedroom. “Now, what prompted you to do such a... oh, buck. Sapphy, could you put that down and come in here please, your father and I need to speak with you.” “Okay mommy. You, Spear, put those bags in my room.” She leant down to his face with narrowed eyes. “Neatly.” “Yes ma'am!” And with that she was gone, happily skipping over to the doorway and disappearing. Spear looked up in time to see Luna wink at him, before the door closed. He just stared at it confused until he once more felt the crop on his flank. “Who the buck...” Upon turning, he came face to face with Blazing Petal, who had picked up said crop with her wing. “I believe the filly said to put her bags in her room?” “Yeah, so? What are you going to do about it?” SLAP “Ow! Sheesh, you don't have to be bossy about it!” “But I like being bossy, and your wings tell me you do too.” His mumbles were muffled as he picked up the backs and headed towards the filly's room. “All new year two students, this way please!” Flame and Sky rushed over to the mare, throwing themselves around her forelegs. She looked down and smiled, gently prying them off. “Good morning to you two, Prince Flame and Princess Sapphire. Have you two been good foals over the holidays?” Sky just smiled up at her whilst Flame nodded vigorously. “Yes Miss Lecture, we have.” “Oh good. Now, do you want the good news or the bad news?” “Well... the bad new first, if you please.” “Of course. The bad news is that you will not be meeting your new teacher today. However, the good news, I have been appointed the teacher for this year group.” The twins jumped up with a resounded squeal, rushing into the class. She turned to the stallion standing under a cloak. “Now, Mr Luckes, I thought I already told you that you didn't have to hide here!” “I am not a pony of that name.” “Then... who are you?” “It doesn't matter about my name, suffice to say I will return at the end of the day to collect them. Which is what time again?” “We finish at three today. Will... Mr Luckes not be joining you?” “No, he is currently under house rest, being looked after by his wife.” “Oh, I had heard that there was a fight up at the castle. Did you see it?” “Yes, I did.” Lecture was about to ask about it when she noticed the bandages around his legs, and caught the sight of scars and burn marks all over his legs. He seemed to notice as well, and shifted nervously. “It is nothing to worry about, I shall take my leave.” The stallion bowed to her and turned, leaving the school grounds. The mare noted that he seemed to be trailed by a few Royal Guards. It didn't take them long to reach the castle, where Alec was waiting for them. “So, how did it go?” “They are at school, and will leave at three this afternoon. I shall collect them then.” He went to enter the castle, but a sandy brown wing blocked his entrance. “Sir? Am I not allowed in?” “Hold on a minute, Spear...” “Please, don't call me that.” “It's your name, you live with it. Now, the matter at hand. Or hoof. Whatever. You know how Celestia can be a bit of a trolling bitch?” “It... has never crossed my mind.” “Yeah, okay. Anyway, she's done it again, and wants you to report directly to the throne room. But I didn't tell you that, so it's your choice.” “Is... there something wrong?” “Well... I'm not going to kill you any more, you've suffered enough, both physically and mentally. The pony in there, however, may still want to.” “Who is it?” “Your mother.” “Oh...buck. Fine. Let's get this over with.” The walk was sombre, nothing being said between the two stallions. The guards lining the walls seemed to look at Spear with sympathy. They paused before the final set of doors. With a deep breath he pushed through, holding his head high and trotting to the dais. He bowed low and then stood, staring at the top step just below the throne. The mare next to him walked around him a few times, stopping in front of him. She reached up a hoof and slid his hood back, staring into his one good eye. He gave her a small smile, which quickly disappeared as she smacked him hard, continuing to relentlessly beat him. He just stood there and took it, and she didn't stop until his cloak fell down, revealing his scared body. The mare gave a shocked gasp, throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing uncontrollably. Spear brought up a hoof and slowly placed it on her back, lowering his head to hers. “I am so sorry... I didn't know...” “Mother, it is fine. I understand why you feel that way. Princess Celestia, could we have some time?” “Take what you need.” He nodded and turned around, preparing to guide the mare out when he noticed Alec shaking jus head. He also saw the guards silently leaving the room, Alec then backing away and closing the doors behind him. “Spear? Is it really you?” He turned to the voice of a stallion, smiling as he saw who it was. “Yes father, it is me.” Flame and Sky bounced around the gardens in excitement. The day they had been waiting for had come, and as it was midterm at school, they had a couple of weeks off. It would have come sooner, but Luna was being extremely strict with Alec. So when they appeared from one of the many doors, the excitement only got more intense. They raced over and jumped at their father's neck, making him chuckle. “Okay, you two, calm down! Now I know we said we were going to teach you, but I've managed to get some help.” “Who from, father?” “Heya squirts, did you miss me?” They whipped round and prepared to leap at the mare, but paused as they saw her condition. “What, never seen a fat pony before? Anyways, meet your theory of flight and wing exercise instructors. Flame, you'll be flying with Soarin, Sky, you've got... now where the hay did she go?” A white pegasus mare with a blonde mane and tail landed right in the middle of the group. “SURPRISE!” “There she is. Sky, this is Surprise, your instructor.” The twins were taken to a separate area of the garden, one that was cleared of any obstacles. Luna and Alec sat under a tree, the mare leaning back against his chest as the foals were taught the basics of pony flight, and then onto exercise to strengthen their wings. After lunch the Wonderbolts had to leave, much to Flame and Sky's disappointment, especially as Twilight was back to teach them some more extra curricular stuff. The only consolation was that she brought Gala Sparkle with her, although Flame quickly got bored as they braided each others mane and talked about colts. Out in the garden Alec ran a hoof through Luna's mane as she snoozed in the afternoon sun. The scent of apples drifted across his senses, and he looked up to see Big Mac slowly approaching. The larger earth pony slowed to a trot, sitting a respectful distance away. “Hey Mac, what's up?” “Not much, but can Ah ask you a favour?” “Sure, go ahead.” “Well... mah cousin Breaburn has gone missin'. We looked all over Appleloosa an' Ponyville, but there was no sign of 'im. He's due to be married next week, as Ah'm sure y'all know, an' Miss Fluttershy is getting' really worried.” “Hmm, I'll talk to Celestia, see if I can't get somepony down to help search.” “Thank you, it'll be much appreciated. Now Ah better go find mah wife and make sure she ain't causing headaches for the foals.” With a quick nod, the massive farm pony left the gardens, leaving the couple alone. Alec gently lowered Luna down onto the blanket under them, following next and wrapping a wing over her, closing his eyes. They opened a moment later when he sensed a pony nearby, seeing a stallion with a dark cloak covering them, who could only be one pony. “Spear, what are you doing?” “What I should have been doing all along, protecting your family.” “We're in the middle of the garden, what could happen here?” As soon as he said this a squad of griffons dropped in, surrounding them. Warding Spear immediately removed his cloak and spread his wings, blocking the couple on the floor. “Place your weapons on the floor and step away.” None of the griffons moved, instead gripping their spears tighter. “You will not harm them, not when I stand in your way.” “Stand down squad, they're friends.” They backed away and spread apart, revealing a griffon hen with a crown on her head. She walked right up to Spear and eyed him curiously. She stepped around him and over to the blanket, smirking down at Alec. “Well, are you not going to stand up in the presence of royalty?” “Show me some and I might do that, Gilda. What do you want?” “What, can't just drop in and say hello?” “Not with a squad of soldiers, no. So again, what do you want?” “Fine, we're here to sort out the griffon and changeling problem. One way or another.” “Go speak to Celestia, it's nothing to do with me.” “And what about your wife? Also, we found a pony hiding in the mountains that border our country, muttering something about 'a fate worse than death'. Sounded like Applejack.” “Was this pony a stallion, wearing a Stetson and vest, with an apple for a cutie mark?” “Yeah, you know him?” “That's Braeburn, and he's due to be married in a week. Where is he now?” The sound of struggling came through the garden as the stallion in question tried to pull away from the griffons and Royal Guards escorting him towards the castle. “Well, that makes the search much easier.” “NO, LET ME GO!! AH CAN'T GET MARRIED!! SOMEPONY, ANYPONY HELP ME!” There was the feel of vibrations in the ground as Mac ran out to meet them, Braeburns face turning to one of relief... “Mac, ya gotta help me! Mah life is about to end!” ...until Mac raised a hoof and slapped him. “Snap out of it Brae! Fluttershy has been worried sick for ya! Now you get your flank back t' Ponyville and say you're sorry, or Ah'll buck your from here to there, right here, right now!” The smaller stallion stood still, but then ran away as Mac began to turn. “Apologies your majesties, but Ah best keep an eye on that one. Tell Twi Ah'll see her later.” With more vibrations he chased after Braeburn, indtending to ensure his apology was carried out.