With a crack, Twilight and Frederick were pulled across space, landing outside a modern two story house. The front of it was made from large glass panels, held together with long beams of metal; overall it looked out of place, but very modern.
Frederick wasn’t feeling impressed. If anything, he felt nauseas, quickly looking around for anything bowl, just so he wouldn’t have to vomit on the floor.
“Are you alright?” Twilight asked, concerned. She knew this would happen, as it did to almost every unicorn during their first teleportation; but this seemed worse.
Frederick clutched his hand and grimaced in pain. He hid it in front of him, so that Twilight wouldn’t see; he didn’t want her to worry. “I’m,” he took a breath and focused on negating the pain, “fine...” he said calmly.
“Really?” She asked.
“Really,” he confirmed, turning around. He held his hand behind his back, slowly rubbing it. He could feel the pent up magical energy the shards of Unox had absorbed from Celestia; it didn’t feel right, having someone else’s magic in him, almost dirty.
Twilight nervously looked between the house and Frederick. “Are you sure you have to ask my dad. I think it’s a little early to be meeting parents...” Twilight said, before holding a hoof over her mouth, “I’m so sorry, I forgot...”
“It’s okay Twi,” Frederick replied, cupping her cheek.
She leaned into his hand, “But why now, it’s been what, ten minutes?”
“Because, this is tradition. It wouldn’t be right for your father to not know you are dating someone, it’s almost like lying to him.” Frederick explained, stroking Twilights cheek, “It’s taken seriously on my world and seeing as it’s the only thing I can currently do at the moment, I plan on doing it right.”
“I... didn’t know. If you have to, I will let you.” Twilight replied, smiling. “But my dad is very protective, so is my brother.” She warned.
“How bad could they-” Frederick started, before being interrupted by something slamming him in the side.
He flew across the cobble, landing on his back and rolling into a bin. Looking up, he just about saw a spear held over his neck and Twilight shouting at a stallion; then lost consciousness.
___
Twilight stood there, her face cupped by Frederick. “How bad could they-” she heard him say, before he was viciously ripped away and across the cobble.
She turned towards the location of the hit and found Shining armour and her dad, Nightlight.
“What the buck!” She screamed, rushing over to Frederick. She was stopped by a purple shield materialising over her, stopping her from getting close.
“Twill, it could be dangerous.” Shining said, running up to the shield, his horn glowing. “Are you hurt?”
“No, but you will be if you don’t let me out!” She screamed again.
Shining armour frowned, “That thing was trying to hurt you.”
Nightlight rushed over, grabbing a hold of shining’s spear and placing it against Frederick’s throat.
“No, THAT THING is a he. He is my colt friend!” She shouted, blood rushing to her face.
Shining armour laughed, “Now is not the time for jokes Twily, where did it come from, the caves?” He asked, a serious expression on his face.
“Shining Armour!”
Shining turned around, “Cadence, please go back inside, this could get dangerous.” Shining asked, walking over to his wife. By now, there was a small crowd of ponies watching from the other side of the street.
“Dear, let Twilight out of that shield, now.” She demanded, “She is more than capable of defending herself.” Cadence turned to Nightlight, “take that spear away from his neck.”
“But honey,” he pleaded, looking around.
“Now.”
“Fine,” Shining Armour frowned and dropped his shield around Twilight, its solidity melting. Nightlight reluctantly took the spear away and levitated it back to Shining.
As soon as all of the shield had melted away, Twilight ran over to Frederick. “Oh no,” she muttered, worry overcoming her. “What possessed you to do this?” She screamed at her father.
“Honey, I saw it touching you!” He replied, moving closer.
“No, stay back, you’ve done enough!”
“Twilight, please. It could be dangerous still.” Her father pleaded, not listening to his daughter.
“HE! His name is Frederick!” She shouted, tears streaming down her face as she hugged Frederick’s chest. She could feel him breathing still, meaning he wasn’t in a horrible condition.
“Twilight, let me bring him inside. That’s no place for him to stay,” Cadence offered, moving forwards.
Twilight looked up, stared at Cadence and nodded. She felt Cadence’s aura pick them both up, letting her stay with Frederick. They were brought in the house where they were placed on the sofa.
Shining and Night light followed behind apprehensively. They tried whispering to each other, but a stern look from Cadence put a stop to that.
___
Frederick woke up with a splitting headache and sore back. He opened his eyes to find himself outside, in the castle gardens.
“Luna!” He shouted. A few minutes later, the sound of wings could be heard behind himself. Frederick turned and saw Luna in her human form, she was wearing the familiar yellow dress again, but this time she had wings poking out of the back and a horn on her forehead.
“Frederick, what brings you to my domain this early in the day?” She asked, more confused than annoyed.
“That’s the thing, I can’t remember.” He replied, stretching his back, “the last thing I remember is talking to Twi... then here, but I can’t remember what about.”
“Interesting, can I check your memories? I might be able to find out.” Luna suggested. “Only the ones from today.”
“I guess, I’m sure you’ll find out from your sister anyway.” He said, smiling softly.
Confused, Luna charged up her horn and placed it on Frederick’s forehead. Instantly, she felt every emotion, every moment of the day flood through her, leaving her breathless. She pulled back, horn sore from the rush of emotions that flowed through it.
“So?” Frederick asked.
“Well done,” Luna said, catching her breath, “You met the father.”
“Twilight’s father... what happened?”
“He hit you, that’s what happened and why you are here, however you managed to get here without me letting you in.” She looked around, as if examining the area, “oh well.”
“Do you know what’s happening now?” Frederick asked.
“I do not, your memories only last until you fell unconscious. I will go to the house, heal and wake you. Maybe I can calm them down.”
“Alright, be quick. I have stuff to ask.”
“I know.”
___
Frederick woke up again, this time feeling groggy and tired. He felt a hoof on his hand and gripped it. Opening his eyes, he saw Twilight sleeping with in the chair next to the sofa, she was hunched over.
With a smile on his face, he looked around the room, only to freeze up at the sight of two angry stallions glaring at him. The three mares next to them made him calm down though.
Princess Luna, a pink mare he had never seen before and what he could only guess as Twilight’s mother were standing there with unreadable expressions on their faces.
Frederick coughed, the two stallions tensed up. Frederick could see the aura around the spear darken slightly before lightening.
“As you can see he is not dangerous. I would have expected you to listen to me, I do know him after all.” Luna spoke, shaking her head. She looked over to Frederick and smiled.
He smiled back and gently rubbed Twilight’s hoof slowly waking her up. “Mm, Frederick?” She mumbled as her eyes opened.
She saw him lying there with a smile on his face and lost it, she leaned forwards and hugged his chest with bone crushing force, bringing a larger smile to Luna’s face.
Twilight’s mother frowned and walked out of the room, while her father simply glared dagger into Frederick.
Shining armour was tempted to charge up a spell but thought better; lest he incur his wife’s wrath.
Cadence place a hoof on her cheek and sighed, looking dreamily at the scene. She was imagining Shining being that loving again; ever since the changeling incident, he had been ever so slightly distant, raising Cadence frustration ever so slowly.
She shook the thoughts away and stepped forwards, “Twilight,” she said.
Twilight reluctantly stopped and turned around, “Yes Cadence?” She asked, a blush developing on her face.
“Can I talk to Frederick, “she turned to the others in the room, “alone?” The others hesitated, but knew better than to get on Cadence’s bad side, especially when it came to Twilight.
“Of course,” Twilight turned to Frederick, “I’m going to talk to mother; will you be okay?”
Frederick nodded, “I’ll be fine, go find her.”
Twilight trotted to the door where her mother walked out and looked back, she didn’t want to leave him, but couldn’t stay for what was going to happen. She walked out and closed the door.
Cadence moved forwards, “Please sit up,” she asked. Frederick did so with a pained expression.
For the first time, he got to see the room properly. The sofa he was on was located directly in the middle of the room. The floor was made out of mahogany, giving that clip-clop sound whenever someone moved.
All of the walls except the front were painted cream, giving the room a bright and spacious feel. Numerous items were laid around on tables and shelves including books: lots of books.
Quite a few pictures were hung up on the back wall. A few that he had seen before, such as the ones in the stained glass windows, plus some new ones like a portrait of Twilight; she looked like she was out of crystal and seemed to simply catch his gaze forever.
“Ahem” Cadence coughed, bringing Frederick back to reality, “How do you know Twilight?” She asked getting straight to the point.
“I, uh... we met a week ago. I saved her life and then she saved mine.” She stated, unwilling to lie to a potential family member.
“I see...” Cadence said, confused. “What happened and why didn’t I hear about it?”
Frederick explained what caused him to become trapped here and the following events to the best of his ability. Cadence stood there listening intently and stopped him once he moved into the library.
“I think I understand, I needed to why you know her,” she took a breath, “I am Princess Cadence, co- ruler of the Crystal Empire.”
“It’s an honour, forgive me if I cannot bow.” Frederick said.
“There’s no need to. I can sense that there’s a connection between you two.”
Frederick’s face tinted ever so slightly red, “I’d say so.”
“But I know so. It’s small, but it’s there.” Cadence said, smiling. Her horn glowed, easing a little bit of Frederick’s pain in his back, plus secretly strengthening his and Twilight’s bond. Normally she wouldn’t do that, but she could see doubt on his face, but could also see an honest pairing; she wouldn’t let that die, not like hers.
“Thank you,” Frederick said, grateful that the lingering pain was gone.
“You’re welcome. Shall we get Twilight back in here?” She asked.
Frederick nodded, “Yeah.”
“Alright, I’ll be back in a second.”
Cadence turned and trotted to the door, opened it and walked through, closing it quickly.
___
Twilight walked into the kitchen, and found her mother sitting at the table. The kitchen was made out of granite worktops, graciously space around with a marble floor. Countless utensils were spread evenly about ready for any pony to start cooking in an instant.
“Mom, are you alright?” Twilight asked, walking over to the table, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Twilight Velvet sniffed and wiped away a small tear, “How could you do this to us?”
“Do what?” Twilight said, confused.
“Be with that, thing,” she said viciously, turning towards Twilight, “it’s not a pony.”
“That doesn’t make any bucking difference!” Twilight retorted, “Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s true.” Her mother replied, turning away, “it’s disgusting, I bet it only wants to rut you, like an animal.”
Twilights face fumed red, “Screw you, I’ve made my decision. If you can’t accept that...”
“You’re barely an adult, you don’t know what you want,” Velvet interrupted.
Twilight looked on in shock, “I’m twenty two, not a child! I’ve saved every pony multiple times. Do you remember discord, what he made you do?”
Her mother frowned and turned even further away “We don’t talk about that.”
“Good.” Twilight brushed some hair out of her face, “Of all ponies, I would have thought my own mother would be happy for me.”
“Not when I have a Cross breeder for a daughter.” Velvet mumbled a little too loudly. Her eyes widened and she turned to Twilight with regret.
Twilight’s mouth hung open, tears down her face. She wanted to say something, but nothing would come out. Instead she teleported away with an ear-splitting crack; leaving a crackling burn on the granite floor.
The door to the kitchen opened and in walked Cadence, she looked down for a few seconds before looking up at her mother in law, “What the bucking hell did you say to her!?”
___
Luna walked out of the room behind Shining and Night Light. They went outside, to the front of the house. They were still annoyed, but seemed to have calmed down from their murderous glares.
“What was she thinking, choosing something like that?” Shining spoke, much to the anger of Luna.
“I know, didn’t we teach her better?” Night Light said.
“Oh shut up, both of you.” Luna mumbled.
“What was that, Princess?” They both asked.
“I said shut up!” She shouted, causing both of the stallions of back away, “how dare you say such stuff about my friend.”
“Princess, you don’t mean...”
“Yes, he is thy dear friend. We have conversed with him and it turns out splendid every time!”
“But it looks so strange and ugly,” Shining said, instantly regretting it.
“What did you just say, whelp?” She shouted, causing onlookers to back away, “hold your tongue, lest you lose it,” Luna was having a hard time keeping her emotions in order, “you maybe my nieces wife, but you are still one of my subjects.”
“Yes princess,” he bowed.
“Princess, if I may. We are simply looking out for our Twilight.” Night Light spoke up, “We simply want her to be with a pony, not something. What if she wants foals later in life?”
“Then we will help them, we art an Alicorn. There are things you mortals don’t understand.” She whispered menacingly.
Night Light swallowed, “Please, think of her future. If she stays with him, she’s throwing it away,” he begged.”
“We will not listen to you anymore. We suggest you don’t see her for some time. I doubt you are family to her,” Luna turned to Shining, “you are not mine anymore.”
Luna turned and walked inside. She walked into the living room, “Come Frederick, we are leaving.”
“But I have to wait for Twilight, then talk to her dad,” Frederick said, “I can’t just leave.”
“I don’t think that will happen,” Luna replied, “They are not happy with us.”
Cadence pushed open the door, hard and walked in to the room, “It’s bad, Twilight teleported away.”
Frederick stood up, “Where did she go?” He demanded.
Luna looked to Cadence, “Well?”
“I don’t know any tracking spells.” Cadence said, looking down.
“Good thing I do then.” Luna stated, charging her horn. The room was lit up by a bright light, once it cleared Luna frowned, “she’s in her old chambers in the castle.”
“Teleport me!” Frederick said, moving closer to Luna, “now.” He looked down at the table and picked up Twilight’s present.
“Frederick, this will hurt, a lot.” Luna replied, looking at his hand.
“I don’t care. Do, it, now.” He said, anger in his voice. Luna had never seen him like this, but knew he wouldn’t do anything stupid; or at least she thought he wouldn’t.
She charged her horn up and placed it on his chest. Cadence shot one last spell at him, just for good measure and with a blood curdling crack, he was gone.