Chapter 11
Family Issues
Shining Armor, Midnight Star and Princess Celestia waited patiently for Splintered Lance to arrive. Several other ponies were all in attendance and waited. Shining was nervously tapping his hoof while Midnight was biting her lip hard enough to draw blood. The ponies all sat in grand stands that surrounded the arena that Lance had claimed his victory over the corporal in.
Celestia was about to speak before seeing a bright flash of lighting strike in the center of the arena. The light faded to reveal a heavily bandaged Splintered Lance. Celestia could see several burn marks on the young stallion’s body.
“Sorry, I’m late Princess.” He said with a pant.
“Are you alright my little pony?” She asked in a concerned tone.
“I’m fine.” He said with a smile. Celestia cocked an eyebrow and looked over to General Brass Star who gave her a reassuring nod.
“Very well.” She said as she stood up. “Recruit 117.” Lance stood at attention. “You are here to see how the past months of training have treated you. Your objective is to fight and subdue your opinion. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He said as he relaxed. The door on the far side opened to reveal a large Unicorn stallion in bright golden armor. Lance cracked his neck and removed several bandages and showed a few odd gauntlets strapped on each of his legs and a large black vest that was on his chest.
“You may begin!” The golden stallion immediately let loose a barrage of spells that Lance easily dodged. The white stallion charged at the Unicorn and ignited his horn. As he got into proximity, the stallion’s own magical energy acted like a shield for him. Lance immediately backed away and analyzed the situation. Lance charged forwards once more and tried to land a blow, but was either blocked by the enchanted shield or the guard’s own hooves.
The trainee panted and weighed his options. He looked up towards his teacher who grinned and gave him a nod. Celestia caught the notion and narrowed her eyes on the trainee. Lance cracked his neck and started to remove his garments. Midnight and Cadence looked at Shining as his eyes widened.
“What are those things?” Cadence asked.
“Training weights.” He said as he eyed the training equipment. “Standard issue.”
“Does he honestly think that he’s gonna be faster by dropping a few pounds of weight?” Midnight asked. As she looked back she saw that Lance had removed the vest and was holding it in his hoof. He threw it up into the air. The vest landed behind him and created a three foot deep crater. Everypony’s jaws dropped in shock except for the General who had a massive grin on his face.
“Ready?” Lance said as he looked at the nervous Unicorn. The stallion charged forward and smirked. The stallion raised his magical shield and waited for Lance to slip up. As Lance got within four feet of the stallion he turned on his hoof and vanished from his view.
The stallion was then met with a white hoof that came from the right. The punch sent the stallion back a good ten feet and he rolled on the ground. Shining and the two mares looked at Lance in shock. The blue maned stallion heard the General chuckling to himself. Lance and the two mares made their way through the crowd until they were next to him.
“Ah Shining, good match yours was.” He said with a smile.
“Thank you sir. Mind telling us what that was?”
“It was a flash step.” The ponies looked behind them to see Princess Celestia watching the match. “It’s a way to speed up one’s movements utilizing magic and physical stamina.” She said in a flat tone.
“How come I’ve never heard of it?” Midnight asked.
“Due to the fact that it’s too dangerous.” Celestia said as she glared at the officer. “Normal Unicorn bones can’t handle the strain it puts on the body and the test subjects we had testing the theory either broken almost every bone in their body or became deformed.” The ponies cringed at the words. “Out of the seventy-two candidates, only one was able to use it.” She said as she glared at the General.
“With Lance being half Earth pony, his bones are a lot thicker and more stable than an average Unicorn’s.” Brass explained. “It was far from easy, but he managed to pull it off.” He said with a smirk.
“His improvements are impressive,” Celestia said in a flat tone. “but it takes more than just speed and strength to pass this test.”
“Oh trust me Celestia, you haven’t seen anything yet.” He said with a confident smirk. The ponies then turned back to the battle. The armored stallion was doing everything in his power to avoid one of Lance’s hits having very little succession as he was hit with another jab to the stomach by the white stallion.
The guard grunted and his horn flared and launched a barrage of magical spears at the stallion. As Lance finished dodging them he stood still and panted. The armored opponent’s horn glowed and a set of massive steel shields appear on all sides. The white stallion grunted and picked up a nearby rock and hurdled it at the shields. The rock was instantly turned to dust as it got within range of the shields.
Lance let out a sigh and looked at his mentor who nodded. Lance closed his eyes and focused his magic. His horn glowed a bright red color and the skies above started to turn dark. Celestia watched closely and saw that the ground around Lance was being struck by lightning. Celestia’s eyes shrank as she glared at the General.
“Bronze. You didn’t!”
“Oh I did.” He said with a smirk.
“So that stallion, who isn’t even a guard yet is able to use 'that?'”
“Correct.”
“Okay what are you talking about?” Midnight asked.
“You all are in for a treat.” Bronze said with a smile. The lightning around the stallion started to converge and it struck the white stallion. The crowd gasped and shut their eyes. The ponies heard a crackling sound and saw that the lightning was arcing around Lance’s body. The white stallion grinned and charged forward with his horn blazing.
“Is he...wearing lightning as armor?” Midnight asked as the stallion rocketed forward.
“That he is.” Bronze said with a smile.
“This is extremely dangerous Bronze!” Celestia barked. “How is he able to handle the strain?”
“The fact that he’s got earth pony in him and that he’s use to pain helps.” He said with a sigh. “But, there’s something else that’s driving that boy, something that I haven’t seen in a long time.” The red maned stallion charged forward and broke through the first line of shield with ease. The armored guard looked in fear as the massive steel shields started to crumble away one by one.
Lance reached the last shield and poured whatever magic he had left into his legs. His opponent lashed out at him wildly. Lance dodged the blow and delivered a final punch to the stallion’s gut. The crowd looked in surprise as the stallion was sent crashing back against the wall. Several cracks formed around the body and reached up the larger wall until it crumbled away.
Lance staggered for a moment before steadying his breathing. Celestia then teleported next to the stallion and the crowd remained silent. The Alicorn looked at the trainee who had received many burns from his spell.
“Splintered Lance,” The crowd waited in anticipation. “welcome to the Royal Canterlot guard.” She said with a bow. The ponies erupted in cheering and stamping their hooves. Lance smiled and saluted the white Princess. Lance then felt his strength leaving his body and started to collapse, only to be caught by two familiar white and black Unicorns.
The two shrugged and carried the stallion back into the locker room as Celestia chuckled. Back in the stands, Cadence looked at Midnight who had a look of relief and admiration strewn across her face. In the locker room, a barely conscious Lance laid on his back and let out a sigh. He could hear the still cheering crowd and the smell of smoke.
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The dream collapsed and the guard’s eyes snapped open. He looked around the room to see a thin layer of smoke filling his room in Carousel Boutique. Lance quickly galloped out of his room and down the hallway. As he reached the top of the stairs he hit something soft and fell down the stairs with the object landing on top of him.
He opened his eyes again and through the smoke he saw a pair of familiar sapphire eyes looking at him. Lance then noticed that something was touching the end of his nose. As he ignited his horn he saw that he and the designer were touching noses. Even through the smoke the white stallion could see the blush on her face.
“Um, Rarity. There’s a fire in your kitchen.” The mare immediately snapped out of the trance and got off the stallion. Lance and Rarity raced into the kitchen to see Sweetie Belled fumbling with a fire extinguisher. Lance quickly ran over to her and used it on whatever she was trying to cook as rarity opened up the windows and the smoke started to funnel out.
Lance finished putting out the flames and set the empty fire extinguisher aside. The two Unicorns then turned towards Sweetie Belle, who had a guilty look on her face. “Sweetie, what happened?”
“I was just trying to thank you for saving us yesterday by making you breakfast in bed.” She said in a defeated tone.
“I appreciate the gesture, but leave the cooking to the adults okay?” Lance said with a small grin.
“Okay.” She said as she hung her head. Lance lightly patted her on the head and cracked his neck.
“I’ll show ya how to cook one of these days. Okay?” The filly smiled and gave him a nod. “Good, now if you two would excuse me. I have some business to deal with.” He said with a nod. Sweetie Belle smiled and trotted back up to her room. Rarity bit her lip as an idea came to her.
“Lance, hold on a second.” She said as she trotted up to the stallion.
“Yes?” He asked.
“While my sister’s plan did go wrong, she did bring up a good point.” The guard cocked an eyebrow. “I still have to thank you for all you’ve done for not only me, but Ponyville as well.”
“It’s not-” He was cut off as Rarity gently put a hoof on his lips.
“I know it’s not necessary, but I want to thank you.” Rarity smirked as she thought up the final nail in the coffin. “Unless you’re not as honorable as you claim to be.”
“Excuse me?” Lance said as he narrowed his eyes on the fashionista. “Care to run that by me again?” Rarity smirked. He had taken the bait and the trap was set.
“Well, it’s just that I was going to ask you to accompany me to dinner tonight and here you are rejecting a mare’s generosity.” She said in a dramatic voice and putting on her best puppy dog eyes.
“I never said I wouldn’t!”
“Splendid!” She said changing her tone to an almost high pitched squeal. “Meet me at the Violet Rose tonight at six and don’t be late.”
“Fine. I will.” He said with his head held high.
“I’ll be looking forward to our date~” She said in a sing song voice. As Lance closed the door behind him he froze.
“Date?” He then replayed the conversation in his mind. He took the bait, sprung the trap and was now caught. If he stood her up then he would break his moral code and if he did go....
Well played Rarity, well played. The stallion groaned and walked around the streets of Ponyville with a blank expression on his face.
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The white stallion woke up in the hospital portion of the barracks and saw Shining, Cadence and Midnight looking down at him.
“Look who’s up.” Shining said with a grin. The two mares smiled as the stallion sat up.
“What happened?” He said as he rubbed hi head.
“Well, after Bronze and I dragged you inside your magic level was pretty low. So we called the medic.” The white stallion said with a smile.
“How long have I been out?”
“Three days.” Midnight said.
“What?” Lance yelled.
“Just kidding.” She giggled. “It’s only been an hour.” Lance frowned at the mare.
“Why do you torture me like that?”
“It’s fun.” She said as she stuck her forked tongue out at the stallion.
“Hard to believe that just a few minutes ago you were nearly in tears over him.” Cadence said as the bat mare shot the Alicorn a death stare. A tan unicorn pony wearing glasses and a white coat walked up to the group.
“Excuse me sir, but there’s a mare with four fillies waiting outside. Should I send them in.”
“By all means.” Lance said with a smile. The doctor trotted away and opened the door. The white stallion was then tackled by two small earth pony fillies that looked like twins. both had dark brown coats with a blonde manes. The other had the same color scheme only a her mane was styled in a ponytail. The next two mares seemed to be a year apart from one another.
The younger of the two was light red and had a chestnut brown mane. The other was light green and had a light orange mane.
“You always jump the gun.” The green mare said with a groan.
“You know me Florida.” He said with a grin. A stunning light blue Earth pony mare with a deep red mane then trotted into the room.
“I swear you have your father’s stubbornness.” The mare said as she face hoofed.
“Sorry mom.” The family all rolled their eyes and hugged the stallion. “Hey, where’s dad?”
“Oh he wanted to come sweetie,” The blue mare said with an apologetic smile. “but he got sick a few days ago and the doctor put him on bed rest and medicine.” Lance gave her a nod. “Knowing him he’d never listen.”
“I still don’t.” The group all turned their heads to see a maroon Earth pony stallion with an orange mane, tail and beard.
“Dear, you really shouldn’t-”
“Did you think that I was gonna miss my son’s graduation?” He said with a smile. Shining then let out a cough.
“Oh right. Guys this is my dad, Rusty Scythe.” He said as he pointed to the stallion.
“Ya can just call me Rusty.”
“My mom, Stringed Corset.” The blue mare gave a friendly wave. “The scary one is my younger sister Florida.” He said as he pointed to the cross green mare.
“Watch it!”
“See what I mean by scary.” He said as the mare pouted. “Next is Pomegranate.” He motioned to the red mare who was avoiding eye contact.
“H-hi.” The mare said in a shy tone.
“She’s just a little nervous around new ponies. Finally we reach the end with these two.” He said as he pointed to the twins. “This is Hazel,” He said as he pointed to the filly with the ponytail. “and this is Willow.”
“Hi!” The two said in unison.
“Sheesh, you weren’t kidding when you said you had a big family.” Midnight said as she looked at the group.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friends?” Corset said as she looked at the three ponies.
“This is Shining Armor.” He said as he looked at the white stallion.
“Nice to meet you.” He said with a nod. Florida and Pomegranate giggled to one another as they looked at the stallion.
“His mare friend. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” He motioned to the pink Alicorn. The two giggling mares then let their ears droop in disappointment.
“You can just call me Cadence.” The pink pony said with a smile.
“Princess?” One of the brown fillies said.
“I’m Celestia’s niece.” She said as she flared her wings out. The filly’s eyes boggled with wonder at her beauty.
“Last, but not least is Midnight Star.” He said as he looked at the bat mare. The farmers all gulped and smiled at her. Hazel then trotted up to Midnight and examined her closely. Midnight put on a weak grin and gulped.
“Why do you look so funny?” The filly said.
“Hazel!” The blue mare said with a frown. “My apologies Midnight, she’s still learning her manners.” She said as she glared at the filly.
“It’s cool. I get that a lot.” Midnight said with a weak smile.
“Midnight.” The green mare said as she scratched her chin. “Oh! You’re the mare Lancey writes to us about.” Florida said with an evil grin on her face. Lance’s face turned bright red. The twins saw their older brother’s red face and laughed.
“Lancey?” Shining said as he burst into laughter.
“I’m gonna get a lot of milage out of this one.” Midnight said with an evil smirk.
“Lancey’s got a mare friend~ Lancey’s got a mare friend~” They said in a mocking tone.
“I do not!” Lance yelled as his blush brightened. The twins continued to sing. “Both of you stop or face my wrath!” He said as his horn flared and two feathers appeared out of nowhere. The fillies continued to taunt the stallion. Lance grinned and instructed the feathers to brush against the fillies’s small bodies making them cry out in laughter.
“Is it like this all the time?” Cadence asked with a chuckle.
“Pretty much.” Florida said with a snicker. “Never a dull moment at our place.”
“Alright ya nut jobs.” Rusty said in a flat tone. “We’re here to celebrate, so let’s head out to eat.”
“Dad are you sure about-”
“No but’s boy, now get off yer sorry flank and lets go.” He said with a chuckle. “You all can join us if ya want.” He said as he looked at the group.
“No thanks. I have a little sister of my own to contend with.” Shining said as he snickered.
“How about you Midnight?” Corset asked. The bat mare gulped and thought for a moment.
“N-no thanks. I have some plans of my own.” She said with a weak smile. Lance cocked an eyebrow at the mare. “I actually have to go right now. See ya later Lancey.” She said with a laugh before zooming out of the room. Shining and Cadence both stifled their laughs.
“I swear she’s never going to let that go.” Lance said as he face hoofed. “Thanks a lot Florida.” He said in a sarcastic tone.
“Any time bro.” She said with a grin. “Now come on, I’m starving.” The stallion rolled his eyes as he got out of bed and led his family out.
Midnight trotted down the deserted hallway of the castle holding her head up high. She walked into her room that she shared with the two stallions and locked the door behind her. The mare flew up to her bunk and laid down with her face in her pillows. Soon the pillow became damp as tears poured from her eyes like a cascading waterfall.
Damn tears. She thought as she buried her head in her pillow and waited for them to stop.
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Lance trotted into the library to see Twilight sitting at the table with Shining and Princess Cadence. The two saw the white stallion and smiled.
“Hey Lance.” Cadence said with a grin.
“Morning.” He then looked at the stallion. “Still here Shining?”
“Thought I’d spend some time with my sister.” Lance gave a nod. “So what’s up?”
“I need some info from Twilight.” The lavender mare perked up.
“On what?”
“Your friend Rarity.”
“Why?”
“If she’s anything, then crafty would be the word.” The group cocked an eyebrow at the words. “She managed to trick me into going on an outing with her tonight.” Cadence and Shining looked at him in surprise. “What?”
“Just surprising to hear that you’re going on a da-”
“It’s not a date. It’s a social engagement.” Lance said in a flat tone. “That’s why I came here. What’s Rarity’s angle?”
“Excuse me?” Twilight asked.
“What does she hope to gain from it?” He asked in a flat tone. Twilight looked at the stallion in shock.
“Um, not too sure.” She lied with a shrug.
"Thanks anywat Twilight." He said with a sigh. "Did you sent those invites yet Shining?"
"I will after I return to Canterlot." He said with a smile. The white stallionnodded and decided to head back towards the boutique. After he got to the clothing store he heard a bunch of different voices inside. As he opened the door he noticed that the white mare had a table set with three places. The stallion then saw the white mare trot out of the kitchen.
“So Sorry, but Carousel Boutique is closed for...Oh Lance this is a surprise.” She said with a coy smile.
“Sorry, just came by to get something. You have company?” He said in a flat tone.
“Oh yes some friends of mine from Canterlot.”
“I’ll be out of your mane soon-”
“Lance?” He looked passed the mare to see a white stallion with a blue mane and mustache. He was accompanied by a stunning Unicorn mare.
“Buck.” Lance muttered under his breath.
“I’m sorry, do you two know each other?” Rarity asked. Fancy trotted over to him and sighed before he slapped him across the face. “Fancy!” The fashionista said in a surprised tone.
“Honestly boy! Your mother thought you were dead!” Fancy yelled.
“I was out of Equestria, couldn’t really keep in touch.” He said with a shrug.
“That’s no excuse!
“Before you go and get all upset I was in the hospital.” He said with a sigh. Lance could see that Fancy wasn’t backing down. “Look, I ran into Florida while I was on a job and I talked with her.” Fancy raised an eyebrow. “I also arranged for my mom and sisters to come to the Grand Galloping Gala.”
“She’s coming back?”
“Hopefully.” He said with a shrug. Fancy let out a sigh and hung his head.
“I suppose I see your point. Sorry about the hit old boy.” He said with a shrug. “You know, family duties.” Lance smiled and shook his hoof.
“Relax Uncle, I get it.” He then turned towards Rarity who’s right eye was twitching. “I suppose you’ve got a lot of questions?”
“Yes, but I’ll ask them while we’re at dinner.” She said with a smile.
“Wait you’re taking Rarity out to dinner?” Fleur asked.
“Yes.” Lance said in a flat tone.
“What about M-” The mare was cut off as Fancy quickly covered her mouth.
“So Lance, why are you in Ponyville anyway?” He asked in a worried tone.
“I was ordered by Celestia to guard Rarity and the Elements of Harmony.” Lance answered. “Sorry, but I need to pick up something and head back out.”
“Of course my boy, you have a job to do.” Fancy said as he hugged the stallion. Lance smiled and trotted upstairs to his room. Fancy let out a sigh and turned towards his wife. “Um, Rarity I need to have a word with my wife for a quick second.” Rarity nodded and left the two alone.
Fancy whispered in his wife’s ear. Fleur put ahoof to her mouth in shock. The mare fought back the tears as they heard the door from upstairs close. The three Unicorns looked to see Lance wearing an old vest with several weights attached to it.
“I’ll see you later tonight Rarity.” He said with a nod. The white mare smiled and waved him off as he exited the boutique. The white stallion trotted down the streets with the weights moving with his body. The stallion cracked his neck and broke into a trot. As he neared Sweet Apple Acres an odd sight caught his eye.
Several dark barked apple trees were donning grey apples and electricity seemed to move down the bark. The stallion walked over to the orange mare who was putting barrels underneath the trees.
“Howdy there Lance.” She said with a smile.
“Morning, mind telling me what’s up with your trees?” He said as he pointed to the odd fruit tree.
“These are our Zap Apple trees.” She said in a proud tone. “These babies make our world famous Zap Apple jam, cider and all sorts of other things.”
“Are you bucking kidding me?” He said in a flat tone.
“Pardon?”
“My family has these back home in Missourneigh.” The mare’s jaw dropped.
“Say what now?”
“Well, except ours is an orange tree.” He said as he scratched his chin. “I call them Citrus Shock trees.”
“No way! How many do you have?” She asked in a surprised tone.
“Just one.” He said in a low tone. “It only grows in the most fertile and best soil we have.” The mare then noticed his odd attire.
“What’s with the get up?”
“It’s a training vest, you can put different weights in it and it helps keep you in shape. I was just about to go for a trot.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you, have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.” He said before trotting back down the road.
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Lance walked his parents to the train station and said his goodbyes. “Are you guys sure can’t stay longer?” Lance asked.
“Sorry ma boy, but we gotta get back to the farm.” The farmer said with a smile. Lance gave him a nod. The farmer checked his corners and waved for his son to come closer. “Look here ma boy, ah saw how you looked at that bat pony friend of yours.” He said with a smug grin and waggled his eyebrows. The white stallion’s face turned a bright scarlet.
“Dad! Its not like that!” He protested. “We’re just good friends.”
“That’s how all relationships start son.” He reached into his back pocket and handed him something wrapped in a dark plastic bag. “Had to sneak these by your mom. Don’t tell her or she’ll tan my hide.” Rusty said as he looked over his shoulder. The final whistle started to blaze and the farmer sighed.
“You should probably get on board dad.” Lance said with a smile. “I’ll see you guys at Hearths warming.” He said as he outstretched his hoof. The farmer gave him a hug and patted him on the back.
“You’ve made us all very proud my boy.” Lance smiled and returned the hug. As the stallion got on the train he poked his head out the window. “Use them when the time was right.” He said as the train pulled away. Lance looked into the bag and his jaw dropped in shock. His father had just given him a box of condoms.
The white stallion face hoofed and made his way back towards the castle. He looked at the night sky and saw a few flurried of snow beginning to fall. He made his way through the barracks and sighed.
Shining must still be with his folks. The white stallion entered his room and quietly trotted over to his bag and hid the box in his bag. As he laid down to sleep he heard what sounded like sniffling coming from the top bunk. The stallion turned on the lamp near his bed side and peered over the bunk edge.
“Midnight?” He said in a soft tone.
“What?” She said in a spite filled tone.
“Are you-”
“I’m fine! Now fuck off!” Lance flattened his ears and frowned. Midnight had always been grouchy before, but never cruel. The stallion’s horn flared and picked up the mare in a telekinetic grip. “Put me down!” The bat mare yelled as she thrashed.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“I said I was-” She was cut off as the stallion turned her around. The white stallion’s face lost all color as he saw the iron tough bat mare’s facial fur stained with tears. Her eyes were bloodshot. “I-I’m f-fine.” She said in a shaky tone.
“No, no you’re not.” He said as he set her down in front of him. The mare hung her head and hid behind her snow white mane. “C’mon, talk to me. I can help I can-”
“What would you know?” She yelled as she glared at the stallion. “You don’t know what it’s like to not feel wanted! You don’t know the looks ponies give me every time somepony sees my eyes or wings!” She yelled as she pointed to herself.
“Is this about what Hazel said?” He asked.
“No! This isn’t about your fucking sister!”
“Then tell me what it’s about and I’ll help you!”
“You can’t!” She screamed as tears flowed down her face. “How could somepony like you who came from a happy family possibly understand how I feel?” Lance stood frozen as she shook. “In the Shadowlands you either do what you’re told or you get the life beaten out of you.” She cried as s a few tears hit the floor. The mare hesitantly reached up towards her chest and parted her fur.
The stallion’s eyes shrank as he saw a massive scar on her chest. “This is the only thing my father ever gave me!” She cried. “I ran away! I’m an outcast there and I’m one here!” Lance reached to put a hoof around her, but she quickly backed away. “Don’t touch me! You don’t know what it’s like to have ponies look at you like some kind of freak!”
“You’re wrong on that note.” He said in a flat tone. The stallion’s horn flared and he levitated over his family picture to the bat mare. “Look at this picture and tell me what you see.” The mare rubbed her eyes and looked at the picture with a deadpanned expression. Her spliced eyes glanced at the group of happy ponies and scoffed.
“Are you trying to make me feel worse?”
“Just tell me what you see?”
“I see the happy family that I never had!”
“Look closer!” Lance said practically ramming the photo in her face. Midnight looked closer at the photo and something stuck out. Her eyes shrank as she made the connection. “You see it now?”
“You’re the only Unicorn.” The stallion nodded. “Wait, the Unicorn gene is-”
“A dominant trait,” He finished. “while Earth Pony is recessive.” The mare gulped and put the pieces together. “Rusty isn’t my biological father. I’m a bastard child.” Midnight’s ears flopped down hearing the words. “My mom got pregnant at a young age and her parents disowned her. Luckily she had friends like my Uncle Fancy to help her out.” He said with a sigh. “She took a train to Missourneigh, met my dad and the rest is history.”
“Sweet story.” She said as she rolled her eyes.
“Midnight,” He started. “I’m not the only Unicorn in my family, I’m not the only one in my graduating class,” He said with a gulp. “I was the only one in the whole town.” The mare’s eyes widened at the words.
“It was an Earth Pony village and a lot of them didn’t like Unicorns. I was labeled the neighborhood freak and whenever I tried to make friends they would shoot me down and yell at me. Calling me things like pin head and Uni-terd.” He said as he hung his head. “Those icy glares you’re talking about,” He said as he did an almost perfect impression of the stare. “I got everyday for the first eighteen years of my life.” Midnight hung her head in shame.
“L-lance. I’m so sorry.” She said in a weak tone.
“I lied to you.” He said with a sigh. “Six.”
“What?” She asked.
“I was the oldest of six.” The stallion said in a flat tone.
“But I only saw five sisters.”
“There was one before Florida.” He said as tears formed in his eyes. “I was six and she was five. She was my first real friend.” The two sat on the bed and sat in silence for several minutes. “One day while I went into town to get some flour for a pie my mom was baking some punk colts in my class started making fun of me. The adults just pretended that they didn’t hear it.”
“I told my sister, Citrus to go home.” He said in a flat tone. “She was just so damn stubborn!” He said as a few tears formed in his eyes.
Many years ago
“Sup pin head?” A tan Earth pony colt said. A young white Unicorn stallion stood still and rolled his eyes. The earth pony also had a grey colt and a tall dark brown colt beside him.
“What do you want Crusher?” He asked with a groan.
“Just wondering what you’re doing on my turf!”
“You don’t own the store.” A light orange Earth pony filly with a light green mane piped up.
“Shut up squirt!” A grey colt said.
“Hey, don’t talk to my sister like that plot hole!” Lance yelled as he got in the colt’s face.
“Or what?” The chestnut colored pony asked. “There’s three of us and only one of you, you Uni-terd.” Lance let out a heavy sigh and motioned for his sister to follow him.
“C’mon Citrus, let’s go.”
“But we still need that stuff.”
“We can get it later. Let’s just go.” He said as he took his sister by the hoof and practically dragged her out of the store. Lance ignored the hate filled glares he was getting from the older stallions. Citrus looked back and saw that one of the colts had emptied out a glass bottle and filled it with sand, dirt and a few small rocks. The grey colt twirled it in his hoof and threw it right at the back of the Unicorn’s neck.
Citrus broke from her brother’s grasp and jumped up to intercept the object. She spun in the air hoping it would hit her back. The bottle spun off course and struck her right at the base of the skull. The bottle shattered and the filly dropped to the ground like a ton of bricks.
“Citrus!” The Unicorn yelled as he looked at hi sister. “C’mon sis, wake up!” He shook her and the filly coughed.
“I’m sorry big brother.” She said as her eyes started to close. “Wh-where are you? I can’t see anything.”
“I’m right here Citrus.” He said as he held her hoof. “I’ll always be here.”
“Forever?” She asked.
“Yes, please hold on!” He said as a crowd started to gather around the two.
“I...love you...big...brother.” She said with a smile. The filly’s head fell back on the dirt, lifeless. Lance shook his sister again hoping to see her eyes open. Several ponies around him put hooves to their mouths in shock. Over the sounds of grief Lance heard three voices of laughter.
The three colts that had hated him for just being different. The three that had beaten him up almost everyday after school were now laughing at what they did to his sister. Lance felt something snap inside him. He gritted his teeth as tears flowed down his face. The three stopped laughing as they saw the colt’s horn glow a magnificent red color.
As Lance screamed the grey colt was grabbed by an unseen force and was smashed several times against the side of the building.the crowd heard several bones creak and break. The other two colt’s ran away but were soon caught by the unseen force. Lance threw his head back and the tow were sent fling high in the sky. As Lance brought his head down the two soon felt themselves falling at an alarming rate.
Something then knocked the white colt on the head making him lose his concentration. The two colts then felt themselves wrapped in a white aura ad were gently put on the ground. Lance looked to his right to see a Unicorn stallion wearing golden armor. He had seen royal guards in the newspapers his dad reads but never one up close.
“Royal guard!” The stallion yelled. “What’s going on here?”
“Th-that monster just tried to kill those three.” A stallion yelled. Lance paid the crowd no mind as he walked back over to his sister’s body and cried his eyes out. The guard put a hoof on Lance’s shoulder and slowly led him towards the police station. Several police ponies broke up the crowd and covered the filly’s body.
The white Unicorn colt remained silent as the guard led him inside and brought him something to drink. “I sent a police pony to find your parents. They’ll be here shortly.” Lance kept his head low. The guard nervously scratched his mane and sat next to him.
“Why?” Lance said. “What did Citrus do to deserve that? Why does everypony look at me like I’m some sort of freak?” He said as tears flowed down his face. The guard sighed and put a hoof around him.
“I honestly don’t know.” The stallion said.
“I..I almost killed those guys.” He said as he started to shake violently.
“You’ve got strength in you kid. What matters is how you use it.” He said with a sigh.
“I...I want to prevent stuff like this from happening.” Lance said with a sniffle. The guard gave him a small pat on the back as the door burst open to reveal two Earth ponies.
“Lance!” The mare yelled as she galloped over and hugged her son. The guard got to his hooves and walked over to Rusty.
“I’m sorry for your loss sir.” He said as he pulled off his helmet and held it against his chest. Rusty just gave him an emotionless nod. “I’ll fill out the report for self defense. Your son won’t face any charges.”
“Thank you sir.” Rusty said in a low tone. The soldier saw tears forming in the farmer’s eyes and he left the family to grieve. A funeral was held for the filly. Some of her friends and teachers were in attendance. A white Unicorn stallion with a blue mane and light mustache were also amongst the group. Even after the group had left the white colt sat in front of the grave. The grave was just underneath a freshly planted Orange tree sapling.
“I..I suggested this spot.” He said to the tombstone. “You always did like this tree, it was the first one we planted together.” Lance said as some drops of rain started to land on him. The colt couldn’t hold the pain any longer and laid down in front of the grave. “I’m so sorry sis!” He yelled in agony.
“It’s not fair!” He yelled as his horn glowed a bright red. His eyes glowed white and a bolt of red lightning came down from the clouds and struck the tree. The shock knocked the colt back a good three feet. When he looked back at the tree he saw that the oranges were crackling with electricity and changed to a reddish color. He was so distracted by the odd fruit that he didn’t notice the crossed swords with an orange between them appear on his flank.
Present
Midnight sat next to the stallion with tears running down her face. Lance sat motionless as a few tears formed in his eyes.
“That’s what made me want to become a guard.” Midnight put a wing around him and cried into his chest. “After that, no pony messed with me or my family. Either out of decency or fear.”
“I-I’m so sorry Lance.” She sniffled. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine.” He said as he got up and pulled out a small silver locket. He opened it up to show a small white colt and a light orang filly in a picture.
“Is that her?” Midnight asked as she held it in her hooves.
“Yeah, that was taken a week before....” He stopped himself before he burst into tears. “I’m gonna...hit the hay.” The bat mare nodded and slowly flew up to her bunk. The stallion turned the lights off. Midnight laid awake in her bed staring up at the ceiling. Her ears twitched as she heard some sniffling sounds. The bat mare gulped and silently flew off her bunk.
She slowly crawled into bed next to the stallion and draped a wing over him. Midnight rested her head on a pillow and eventually fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lance forced the memories from his mind and quickly wiped the tear that had formed in his mind away. He looked towards the clock tower and sighed.
Better take a shower before I meet Rarity. He thought with a groan. The stallion teleported back in front of the boutique and made his way inside. He took off the training vest and set it in his bag. The stallion trotted into the restroom and turned the shower head on. He sat in the bath letting the water wash over his body. He turned the water off and quickly shook himself dry before laying down to rest.