Chapter 44
It had been a day since Charles was brought to the hospital by his wives, he was now resting in bed after his incident with the stone monsters he made to vent his rage. He now had his leg in a cast and sling as he lay on the bed. It was around midday when he received visitors. His two wives, Applejack and Rarity, and the three fillies he now called sisters came in.
“CHARLES!” The three fillies cried as they ran up to him, “Hey there big bro.” Scootaloo spoke first, looking up at Charles.
Charles smiled down at the three fillies. “Hey you three, what are you doing here?” He asked.
“When we heard what happened, we just had ta come see ya.” Apple Bloom expressed with a bit of worry.
“Yeah, I was being a bit of an idiot there. Sorry if I worried you three too.” Charles offered another warm smile. “But as you can see, I’m just fine, just a bit of a broken leg. No biggie.”
“What exactly were you doing again?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Charles looked to Applejack first. “What did you tell the girls?”
“We just told em that ya had a bit of an accident is all.” Applejack informed.
Rarity came up to Charles on his other side and whispered in his ear. “We figured it would be best to leave out the part about you creating stone creatures and fighting them. Please don’t say anything.”
Charles gave a simple nod in response. He turned back to the three fillies. “Nothing really, I just got a little careless in practicing with my abilities is all.”
The three fillies gave a sigh of relief. “Well, as long as yer ok. Please be more careful.” Apple Bloom said with smile.
Charles couldn’t help but smile a bit more. He was being told to be careful by a filly, and a Cutie Mark Crusader no less. “Don’t worry Apple Bloom, I’ll be more careful in the future.”
Twilight and Pinkie Pie soon entered the room as well. “Hey there Charles, how are you doing today?” Twilight asked with a smile.
Charles greeted back with a wave of his hoof. “Hey you two, I’m doing ok. Thanks for coming to visit.”
“Well of course we came silly, we just want to make sure our hubby wubby is still healthy.” Pinkie said with a grin.
Charles felt warm inside, knowing his wives cared so much about him. “Thanks for visiting girls.” They all sat and chatted for a bit before it was time for them to go.They all said their goodbyes to Charles as they left.
Red Heart, the nurse tending to Charles, soon entered the room with lunch for him. “Hello Charles, how is that leg of yours doing today?” She asked happily.
“Fine, thanks. Man, I am starving, what’s for lunch?” He asked as he hungrily eyed the tray Red Heart was wheeling over to him.
She placed the tray over his lap and presented him with his food. “A delicious garden salad sandwhich with a side of jello and some apple juice.”
Charles gave a grateful smile to Red Heart. “Thanks, it looks great.”
“You’re welcome, I’ll be back later to take your tray when you’re done.” She stated as she began to leave the room.
A couple hours later, Charles soon got another visitor. “Good day Charles, how’s that leg of yours?” Captain Lighting Thrash asked as he walked in.
Charles was a little startled by his captain’s sudden entrance. “Captain!” He nearly jumped in his bed. Charles gave a hasty salute to his superior officer. “Sir, it’s good to see you sir.”
Lightning couldn’t help but laugh. “Take it easy there soldier, you’re off duty right now, no need for formalities.” He said with a smile.
Charles relaxed and dropped his salute. “Sorry, you just surprised me is all.”
“I came by because I wanted a full report of what happened yesterday, your wives and friends didn’t exactly let me get a full report from you when they brought you into town.”
“Sorry about that sir. Anyway, that ruckus outside of town was my fault. I was just feeling so angry with everything that had happened. Hearing about this war coming was the last straw. I just couldn’t control myself, I just felt so guilty that the whole thing is my fault.”
“And why do you feel that Charles?” Lightning asked.
Charles gave a sigh as he had gone through this in his head so many times. “First of all, Jonathan, that human that we have locked up here in Ponyville prison, is the one that found me in an attempt to bring me back to earth for those damn military experiments to create super soldiers, he followed me here. Obviously, the military now has something that can send people here. He found me and now war is coming. If I had never come here, they wouldn’t have found this place, now they want to turn all the ponies into guinea pigs to learn what they can about magic and further their own agenda.”
Lightning Thrash took a few steps closer to Charles. “Charles, this isn’t your fault, no pony blames you, nor could they even if they wanted to.”
Charles hung his head a little as he gazed at his lap. “I know sir, my girls already talked to me about it. I shouldn’t blame myself for this, it was all an accident that I ended up here. But at the same time…..” Charles lifted his head with a smile. “Despite all the bad things that have happened so far, I’m still grateful I ended up here, I’ve found happiness, something I never really got a chance to experience back on earth.”
The pegasus captain smiled. “Glad to hear it, now about what all that noise was yesterday?”
Charles resumed. “Right, sorry…..anyway, I found a secluded area outside Ponyville and combined my earth magic with my alicorn magic and used a come to life spell to create these rock creatures to fight to try and vent all the rage I felt building up inside me. After dealing with them, I created a giant one and fought that. That is how I got in my current state.” Charles finished his report.
“I see, well be a little more careful next time private.”
“I will captain, I promise. I already got a scolding from my wives about my recklessness.”
“Good, now before I go, there is another pony here who wishes to meet with you.” The captain informed.
Charles looked at the captain in confusion. “Really, who?”
Without missing a beat, Lightning turned his head to the doorway that lead to Charles’s room and princess Celestia strolled in as graceful as ever. “Hello Charles, it is good to see you again.”
Lighting gave a bow. Charles bowed his head. “Hello princess, good to see you too, it is an honor that you would visit me.”
Lightning Thrash rose from his bow as Celestia gave a warm smile. “Tell me, how is your leg doing?” She asked.
“Not bad, the doctor says I’ll be out in about two weeks.”
“That is good to hear. But what were you doing that caused this?” Celestia asked with concern.
Charles gave another sigh before retelling the incident. By the time he was done, Celestia had a blank expression on her face. “So that’s what happened your majesty.” Charles stated at the end of his tale.
“I see, interesting…..I am glad your okay but do….”
Charles cut her off. “Be careful in the future, I know.” He stated with boredom in his voice. He flinched upon realizing what he just did. “Uh, I mean, oh jeeze, sorry for cutting you off like that princess, its just I’ve already been told that so many times today.”
Celestia let out a light chuckle. “It’s quite all right Charles, that just means there are ponies who care about you.”
Charles smiled at the princess. “I know, and I am grateful for it. By the way, did Apex already tell you what we found out from Jonathan?”
Celestia’s smiled dissapeared, only to be replaced with a frown. “He did, it seems we have much preparing to do for this war with the humans when they get here.”
“I’m sorry your highness, but don’t worry, hopefully, the warriors me and Discord gathered will prove to be more than enough to handle this fight that is coming. Plus, I have learned a bit more of my elemental powers that may prove useful now.”
Celestia cocked an eyebrow in interest. “Oh, like what?”
“Dust, the alicorn of earth in my head, has informed me that I will be able to create massive stone walls around the cities of Equestria as protection. It might not be much, but it will help to protect the citizens, I won’t do it without your consent though.”
Celestia looked in thought. It was a minute before she finally spoke. “Charles, I think that would be a fine idea. Once you are all better, I will send word to all the cities of this. As long as it won’t be too taxing on you, I would appreciate it if you provided the fortifications of the cities, starting with Ponyville.”
Charles gave a bow of his head. “Yes princess, I will do just that.”
Celestia gave a smile. “Thank you Charles, and my thanks to the enlightened five as well.” She gave a bow with her head.
Charles returned the smile. “They say you are most welcome.”
“I’m afraid I must take my leave now, I wish you well Charles.” Celestia then turned and left Charles with his captain.
Lighting Thrash turned to Charles once Celestia was gone. “Well Charles, It’s time for me to get going too, you take it easy now.” Lighting then took his leave as well, leaving Charles alone with his thoughts.
Those thoughts were soon interupted by a pair of unicorns walking in. A stallion of a dark blue coat and black mane and tail, and a mare with a light pink coat and a blond mane and tail walked carefully in. Neither had a cutie mark. Daniel, the stallion started. “Hello so….Charles.” Daniel stated, still careful as to not call him son since that always seemed to enrage Charles the last time he did.
“We heard about what happened, we were worried so we thought we’d come by and see how you were. I hope that’s allright.” Carol said carefully.
Charles gave a light glare at them, but a thought soon echoed in his mind. “Family looks out for one another.” Rarity’s words rang in his head. His glare softened, he had decided to try and give them a second chance after all the trouble they went through just to find him.
“Listen you two, after some thought, I figured I’d give you a second chance. You want us to be a famiy again? You want me back in your lives?”
“Of course we do.” Daniel stated without hesitation. “We felt so terrible for what we did to you. We just had to do something to make it up to you, but first we had to find you.”
“Charles, we risked our lives doing what we did to come here. When we heard the military found a way to follow you to another world, we just had to take the chance. Please, we miss our son, and we feel so terrible about what we did to you.” Carol stated looking like she was on the verge of tears.
Charles’s look softened even more upons seeing his now ponified mother ready to cry. “What is wrong with me, why do I care she’s sad? She and him ruined my whole life. I may have resolved to give them a second chance, but why do I care about her looking like that?” Charles thought to himself. He just stared at them for a long time in thought.
Soon, Carol just broke down in tears and cried as she recalled the past and how her and her husband drove their son away. She sat down on her haunches as she spoke in between sobs. “Please…..please forgive us….we feel so horrible…...I just want my baby boy back…...please….”
Daniel carefully placed a hoof around his wife’s back to try and comfort her. “It’ll be all right dear, please try to calm down.” He spoke softly.
That was the last straw for Charles, he let out a heavy sigh. “Look, I had already resolved to give you two another chance, though I’m not sure what all we could do together. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m all grown up and have a life of my own. Plus, you two are going to have to work really hard to earn my trust back after what you did.”
Carol’s sobbing started to die down, she looked up at Charles with teary eyes. “*sniff* Really, you’ll give us another chance?”
“So we can be a family again?” Daniel asked.
“I’m still not sure I’m ready to say ‘family’, but I am giving you a chance to make up for what you did.” Charles warned.
The two gave weak but grateful smiles. “Thank you, does this mean we can call you son again?” Carol asked with hope.
Charles looked to the side in thought as he crossed his forelegs. He was in thought for a minute before he turned back to them to give an answer. He sighed first with his eyes closed. “Fine, you can call me your son again, just don’t do something stupid to mess up this chance I’m giving you.”
They’re smiles grew wider at Charles’s answer. They wanted to rush over to him and hug their son, but figured with the way things were, he would probably just get mad at them. They settled with just sending grateful smiles to him. “Thank you, we promise to be better parents this time.” Daniel said.
Charles gave a snort through his nose, still unsure if this was a good idea. “We’ll see.”
XXX
Two weeks passed for Charles and was now out of the hospital, his leg was all better and Celestia had already sent word throughout Equestria that Charles would be visiting each town to erect large stone walls to act as protection for the towns. Thanks to his lighting powers to increase his flight speed, he was able to make the trip from town to town in practically no time at all. He had erected massive thick stone walls around each town that were five stories high and ten feet thick, and left archway’s around them for ponies to come and go out of the towns the walls surrounded. The walls looked like they were built expertly and the stone walls were smooth.
Even though Charles was able to travel from town to town quickly, there were a lot of cities to go to and it took him almost all day to erect the stone walls around each city. The only city he didn’t have to visit to do so was Cloudsdale since it was a cloud city that resided safely in the sky. Charles finally returned to Ponyville and flew over the walls at normal speed feeling tired. He landed in front of his house that had a recent addition made to it. A new room on the second floor to act as the nursery for when his babies came along. With so many kids on the way, they may need a new and bigger house entirely.
Charles was too tired at the time to think about that, it was still somewhat early in the afternoon and his wives were still at their jobs. Charles trudged in with his head hanging down. He was happily greeted by the four pets belonging to his wives…..well, happily greeted by Owlowicious and Winona, a casual greeting by Opal Essence, and a simple stare from gummy who was on the table in front of the living room couch. Charles gave Winona a pleasant petting along her head and back and greeted Owlowicious with a stroke on his chest.
Charles walked over to the couch and slumped down. “Boy what a day, I had no idea that would take so much out of me.” He said to himself. “Then again, that was a lot of work. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“You did a fine job with the walls Charles.” Dust said from Charles’s mind.
“Yeah, those walls will provide great protection for the towns. No way that human army will get through.” Flash point stated.
“I hope you’re right guys. No way I’m going to let anything happen to the ponies of this world, I’ll do whatever I can to keep every single one of them safe. Those humans won’t lay a single greedy hand on them as long as I’m alive.”
As if sensing Charles’s mood being down, Winona came up to him and licked his face panting happily.
Charles couldn’t help but smile and petted her on the head. “Thanks Winona, you’re such a good dog.” Winona barked happily in response with her tail wagging. After that, Charles got himself comfortable on the couch and let himself fall asleep for a nap.
Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Spike and Twilight Sparkle were all walking together on their way home. “Garsh, look at them walls, Charles did one heck of a job puttin them up.” Applejack commented.
“I’ll say, they’re so tall.” Rarity added in.
“Did he really need to make them so big?” Pinkie asked.
“I guess he just wants to make sure we can be as secure as possible before this war starts.” Twilight pointed out. “He really cares and wants to make sure we’ll be safe.”
“Yeah, yer right. I can understand that.” Applejack said with a smile.
“I think it’s kind of cool.” Spike commented. “A little creepy, but still.”
The four mares and dragon soon arrived at their house and walked in. Their ears were greeted with the sound of a snoring alicorn on the couch with Opal Essence curled up next to him, purring contentedly. They couldn’t help but smile at the scene. “Oh, would you look at that. Our poor hubby must have been exhausted after putting up walls around the towns all day.” Rarity pointed out.
“Should we wake him, it is almost dinner time.” Pinkie asked.
“I reckon so, wouldn’t want him ta miss out.” Applejack stated.
Twilight opted to walk up to him and gently nudged Charles with a hoof. She spoke softly to wake him. “Charles, wake up, it’s almost time for dinner.”
It was enough to stir Charles from his sleep. He gave out a yawn and his eyes fluttered open to see a purple angel before him. “Hey Twilight, what time is it?”
“It’s about five in the afternoon, what time did you get back?”
Opal gave a stretch before jumping down from the couch while Charles stretched his legs as well before answering. “I think it was around three when I got back.” He sat up on the couch and saw his other wives and little dragon brother smiling at him. “Hey girls, hey Spike, so how was every pony’s day?”
Pinkie Pie answered happily. “Oh you know, same old same old, nothing new really.”
“I see. So, how about you all relax while I get dinner started. How does some nice vegetable soup sound?” Charles offered.
“That sounds lovely dear, thank you. I am a might pekish.” Rarity said.
“Sounds good to me.” Pinkie chirped happily.
“I can help make it.” Spike offered.
Charles smiled at Spike. “Thank you Spike, I appreciate that.” Charles and Spike then made their way into the kitchen while the four mares sat around and chatted.
XXX
The next day, Charles was back on duty as a guard. He was patrolling the streets next to his bat pony friend, Black Cloud. Charles had informed him about what had happened two weeks ago as well. “So you made stone soldiers to fight against to vent rage?” He asked.
“Yeah, and in the process, I hurt my leg, which is why I was in the hospital.”
“My apologies for not visiting comrade Charles.” Black stated.
Charles gave a reassuring smile. “Hey, don’t worry about it, no big deal.”
Black Cloud then shared a thought. “So this means you now have way of creating a stone army to help in war that is to come, yes?”
“I…..” Charles paused, he never thought about it before, but he had just stumbled on creating an army of his own made of rock soldiers. “Sweet Celestia, YOUR RIGHT!” He exclaimed, startling Cloud. “Sorry.” He gave a sheepish smile. “But I never thought about it before, this is great. Wait, if I can do that with stone, maybe I can do that with the other elements? This is definitely something to look into. Black Cloud my friend, you are a genius.”
Black Cloud smiled in return. “Thank you comrade. I am glad to help.”
Charles now had something to test out, but it would have to be away from towns in order to reduce the risk of some pony bystander getting hurt in case something goes wrong. “If this works, then no pony guards will have to risk their lives in this war to come.”