The Vanishing Star
By NocturneD
Edits/Proof-read: Brickguy213
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Note: This is a long chapter.
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*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
“I do say, hold your horses.” The veteran butler trotted to the large oak door. With a twist and pull on the knob with his own mouth, he stepped back a few passes to let the door swing open slowly, revealing a white Kirin with a long black mane.
“Oh. Ghendi Kirin, what a surpri...” Reginald was about to bring out the usual formality like every other time the Kirin stopped by to visit in the past.
“Yeah, I’m sorry Reggy but is Doctor Lucrecia in?” The Kirin nearly shouted anxiously, as his hooves trotted up and down ready to burst in through the door.
“She is, but with another guest at the moment.” Reginald blinked to recover from the Kirin’s surprise shout.
“It’s really important that I talk to her!” Ghendi paced back and forth, wanting to get into the household, much to the butler’s displeasure. Seeing or even thinking of untidy hooves trotting on the fine wooden floor he moved aside to let the Kirin in, in an unprofessional manner.
“You’re welcome.” Reginald grumbled as he watched the Kirin trot down the hallway. Ghendi stopped dead in his tracks then peered over his shoulder, ready to ask where the doctor could be. The butler sighed, “She’s in the first floor in the trophy room.”
“Thanks.” Ghendi nodded, then turned the corner at the end of the hallway.
The white Kirin then took another turn down the familiar hallway and stopped in front a large pine red door, marked with custom edging by a master craftsman. The door resembled fine art carved in the shape of a trophy. First note of his expert ninja training... Know his surroundings. He stood there to make note of anything different, nothing booby trapped, nothing altered. The Kirin pressed his ear against the door and to no surprise there were voices on the other side. One of a very familiar elder pony he would visit from time to time, the other, somepony he hoped to never talk to ever again. No signs of any argument, or anything negative were felt, and he assumed things were normal. He sighed and knocked once, then twice more hoping the elder unicorn heard his signal.
“Oh... Oh dear. Could you wait a moment honey? That might be Reginald knocking. Come in.” The elder pony commanded kindly from the other side. The Kirin pushed the door open and let it swing slowly, showing himself to the ponies inside. And it was what he suspected, two ponies. One an elderly unicorn, the other a white alicorn with a blonde mane. Both were sitting in Victorian fashion chairs opposite of each other as well as having tea and small pastries.
“Oh Ghendi.” Doctor Lucrecia let a smile cross her wrinkled face. “A pleasant surprise to see you here again. How is the new leg working out?”
The Kirin tapped it on the floor a couple times to let a ching sound whistle into the air, but with a frown on Ghendi’s face, “The new leg works like my old one.”
“Well that is wonderful then.” Lucrecia nodded, “Why don’t you stay for a bit? We can trade stories like we used to do with our guest here.”
The white alicorn raised his cup towards the newcomer and smirked. “Hello again G.” The Kirin growled then turned his attention back to the elder unicorn. The white alicorn turned his head to look down to his tea cup then muttered with sarcasm, “Well some pony woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning”.
“I heard that...” Ghendi turned his head quickly.
“Your sensitive hearing is still top notch, I see.” Lorenzo then sipped his tea. “Was worried that you were getting sloppy after that little over excessive quarrel with Prince Shining Armor”.
“No surprise that you were watching.” The Kirin grunted as he turned his attention back to the older unicorn.
“Doctor Sparkle, I need to talk to you.” Ghendi approached the doctor closer until he was standing face to face with her. “Privately.”
“Why?” Lucrecia blinked, “Is something wrong?”
“It concerns F-” Ghendi almost blurted out in front of his former boss then held his cool. “It is a family matter.”
“Oh, my.” Lucrecia then opened the door to the hallway. She properly excused herself from her earlier guest to step out. “I am sorry Von, but I have another matter to talk about. Please make yourself comfortable in the mean time.”
“Thank you...” Lorenzo levitated his tea cup down to the fine table. “I think I’ll just admire grandfather’s collection some more.”
“Wait...what?” Ghendi asked as the doctor quickly closed the door in front of him. Lucrecia then waved for her younger friend to take a walk with her. The Kirin lifted his hoof to clean his ear to make sure there was nothing stuck in it. “Did... Did I hear that right doctor?”
“Come along dear. It’s a very long story but I’m sure you would have not come to my home and excessively try to bang my door off the hinges without something important.” Lucrecia kept walking forward through the hallway.
“It’s about Fade.” Ghendi blurted.
“Van you mean.” Lucrecia corrected him.
“Van, Fade, Big Lebowski, HungLikeAHorse69@eol.com, same pony.” Ghendi grunted.
Lucrecia blinked, “Kids these days with their screen names...” Quickly she shook the disturbing name out of her thoughts. “What is the news with my grandson?”
“He is missing.” Ghendi replied quickly.
The two stopped, the doctor asked, “What? H-How? Where could have he gone? When did you notice”? She pressed her hoof to her cheek to ponder the ask, “Have you notified the police, or guards”?
Ghendi nodded, “Apparently during this mornings ice cream social, Swan Song came running up to me saying that Fade was looking for Synn so we could all go home today on short notice.”
“Oh my.” Lucrecia sadly replied. “But, what else?”
“Well. He could have gone anywhere from the time frame of when the even started this morning, until a half hour ago from when she told me.” Ghendi brought together the only evidence he knew the put it bluntly. “That and he was supposedly sick from the previous night or in other words he had a hangover.
“Did any pony call the police or guard?” Lucrecia scoffed.
“I told Dawn... Or Twilight, whatever name she goes by, and the others to go back to the castle and notify Celestia.” Ghendi replied. “She can send a search party around the city. Hopefully he isn’t passed out in an alleyway somewhere. None of her friends or family even saw him.”
“Oh dear. We wouldn’t even know where to look for him. Or even start...” Lucrecia tapped her own cheek in worry.
“Well, with the guards they should find something.” The Kirin replied.
“No offense, but the current guards cannot even find a Hearth’s Warming tree in a white room with a big flashing arrow pointing to it.” Lucrecia fumed, then sighed in defeat. “I guess that’s our best for now. Oh my stars.. Please let him be okay...”
“Ahem...”
“Did you say something?” Lucrecia asked.
“No. Did yo- Oh great.” Ghendi moaned, “Oh no, no, no.”
“I think I can help you two with this predicament.” Said the voice inside the Kirin’s head.
“Yeah... I totally forgot you had the ability to communicate by talking with your mind.” The Kirin formed a sweat bead on his forehead.
“Ghendi, please.” Lucrecia hushed him. “I know you and Von don’t get along but we need the help we can get.”
“Fine. But only because I want to find my best friend.” Ghendi crossed his fore legs.
“Go ahead Von.” Lucrecia nodded.
“Well apparently since the night of the banquet back at the manor, the main family and Sirius were keeping tabs on the progress of the branch families with collecting information and passing out cuts. With the sudden appearance of Mister Fade Away and his family, the main family was curious of his interest. They welcome outside interest, and because Fade Away won a medal from princess Celestia, that is more than enough for him to be welcomed and heard out. And...” Lorenzo explained, being cut off.
“Yeah, speed it up a little.” Ghendi interrupted.
“As I was saying before the little half wit interrupted me.” Lorenzo continued, “As each branch family were making their presentations, Sirius could not help but keep his interest on the outsider. One in particular, Fade Away the inventor who I often liked to describe as a modern day Prometheus. Fade accomplished some major breakthroughs, so it was not surprising that Sirius would try to make conversation with him and act as welcoming as possible. To smooth the ice of course, show that the Sparkle clan has, and is, invested in most of the things that help run Equestria. Butter Mister Fade Away up to show that both sides can benefit from each other.”
“Sirius...” Doctor Lucrecia mumbled. “Not surprised that he is still trying to seduce his way into things.”
“Well before anything could take off, some trouble happened in the presentation when it was the Dawn branches turn. You were there G...” Lorenzo chuckled.
The Kirin grumbled, “Apparently some ponies in Canterlot are still racist towards Kirins.”
“Also towards zebras, griffons, donkeys, hell, even ponies that are not unicorn or Equestrian.” Doctor Lucrecia added.
“Oh, but Kirins especially, since they’re pretty much beasts if put in the wrong setting which history taught us fifty percent of the time.” Lorenzo added with pleasure.
“Shut up.” Ghendi growled. “We’re civilized as every pony else.”
“My apologies, even if your race is destructive.” Lorenzo chuckled. He loved to play with the Kirin’s emotions.
“THAT IS ENOUGH!” The doctor scowled. “VON IF YOU DO NOT COOPERATE I WILL COME IN THERE MYSELF AND GIVE YOU A HOOF ACROSS THE FACE! I AM NOT AFRAID TO SLAP AN ALICORN EVEN IF ITS MY OWN GRANDCHILD!” Ghendi just stood there almost amazed that the old mare he kept visiting would actually threaten his former boss. “YOU’VE BEATEN AROUND THE BUSH FOR FAR TOO LONG! A KIRIN SAVED YOUR GRANDFATHER BACK THEN! I THOUGHT YOU KNEW BETTER!”
“Ugh...” Quickly the older mare clutched her chest to catch her breath. A stinging pain was swimming in her chest.
“Doctor Lucrecia?” Ghendi threw his foreleg over her shoulder. “Do you need to sit down or need any water?”
“No, no child. Do not worry about me.” Lucrecia eased the Kirin’s foreleg away. “It takes a lot to get me angry like that but we’re in deep right now.”
Lorenzo sighed, “Very well then. My apologies.” He cleared his throat with a deep cough. “As I was saying. If my suspicions are correct then headmaster Sirius set up an arrangement with one of the reps of Big Tech. Doesn’t matter if they could not fit him in, he will do what he see fits. My guess is that he tried to confront Big Tex or even Fade Away himself. And by fitting the last piece, I’m guessing that Sirius somehow got to know Fade Away... That, or mister Fade Away might have been interested and sought him out.”
“You don’t mean?” Ghendi pondered.
“Mmhmm.” Lorenzo replied. “Could mean that Sirius is persuading Fade Away to join up and maybe start a branch of his own. He already has a lot going for him. Invented two of the best widely used inventions in Equestria, if not the world. Getting married too, having a loving family image. Going to be president of his own company soon. Even won the highest honors of any pony in Equestria by receiving the medal from Princess Celestia.”
“Sadly that’s how the Sparkle clan stays so large, it invites successful ponies to join.” Lucrecia slowly tried to regain her breath but then blurted out with another set of coughs.
“DANG IT!” Ghendi scowled, “You’re obviously not well, doctor!”
“Never mind about me. I just need to lay down for a bit.” Lucrecia coughed again.
“No way.” Ghendi shook his head slowly. “No way.”
Lucrecia chuckled lightly, “You’re just as stubborn as your mother.”
“Lorenzo...” Ghendi narrowed his eyes. “If you’ve got anymore information on where my friend could be...”
“Don’t fret. I will tell you.” Lorenzo answered, “Below the castle lies an underground bunker that is buried within the mountain where the Sparkle clan invests a lot in transportation. My little brother Lucian is currently there in a meeting with Sirius to discuss his current project...”
“And how do I get in?” Ghendi asked.
“You don’t.” Lorenzo replied.
“Gee wiz thanks for the helpful tip.” Ghendi frowned then shouted, “NO, REALLY? NO WAY IN?”
“The hell is that?” Lorenzo asked.
“It sounded like a roar of some kind. Or something letting out a wail.” Lucrecia perked her head up to look left then right. “Almost whale like...”
“Whatever it belonged to must be huge.” Ghendi added.
It was an unsettling wail. Large enough to be heard throughout all of Canterlot, maybe even further than that. All the way out to Ponyville. The wail was so loud it shook the ground to replicate a tiny earthquake rumble. The various pictures along the wall tittered and flapped until they came loose and crashed into the ground.
“HOLY...” Ghendi was cut off by another loud wail coming from outside. Almost as it was ear piercing, ready to puncture his ear drums.
“You have any idea about this Lorenzo?” Ghendi asked.
“No clue.” The male alicorn answered.
---
Earlier...
The lavender unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle raced through the streets of Canterlot. Her destination? Her childhood home. For what? To make sure they all get to the castle of course. As well as good piece of her mind. The lavender unicorn paced through the busy streets. With a quick crane of her neck she looked up at the street sign and smiled lightly. She was drawing nearer and nearer.
Finally she paced up the stairs to the front door. Still sturdy as ever, she banged and banged on the door while using her magic to ring the doorbell many times more. Again and again she did this until she could hear the irritated groan of her father inside.
“Alright, alright hold your horses!” She heard him say. Finally the strong wooden door pulled open from the other side to reveal a middle aged dark blue stallion.
“Oh... Twilight.” Her father’s scowl then turned more positive to see his daughter. “You really didn’t need to ring the doorbell a million times I would ha...”
“Dad? Is Mom in there with you?” Twilight asked quickly.
“Well... Yes, why?” He raised an eyebrow to notice her anxious attitude. “You’re usually patient. What is up?”
“Anypony else?” Twilight asked anxiously.
“Well a couple of your aunts and uncles over for brunch but that is it.” Orion nodded. “Why?”
“I... Uh... Van...” Twilight trailed off.
“Nope.” Orion shook his head slowly. “Haven’t seen him all day. Wouldn’t blame him for keeping his distance though.” His eyes slowly wandered.
“From what you did to him, I’m sure it’s justified that he still hates you.” Twilight narrowed her eyes at her father.
“Fair enough.” Orion sighed. “But what’s this about Van that has you racing to my house?”
“Vanishing Star is missing Dad.” Twilight came out with it. “I was told to go back to the castle to notify the princess, but instead I came to you to ask if he came here.”
“And as I said earlier... No he has not.” Orion rubbed the bandage on his forehead.
“Well in that case he might really be missing, because his fiancee said he left hours ago and never returned her calls. So I want you, and whoever is in there to report to the castle for protective custody.” Twilight ordered.
“Honey, that isn’t how the police procedure works.” Orion frowned. “Besides, he might have been busy with something else...”
With no raw emotion in her voice, she still showed command. “He was sick dad. Don’t make me get the guards. Just trust me on this...”
“If Van is missing then you can call the police. If they want to ask me or your mother questions then they can come here.” Orion reached for the door ready to close it. “I will be here all day just like I am everyday.”
“Honey, who is it?” His wife called from the other room.
“Just our daughter dear.” Orion called back.
“Well invite her in!” Velvet said as she emerged from the dining room. “Just in time for tea and cookies.”
“Well... Maybe Mom will know then.” Twilight muttered as she slipped under her father’s fore leg to get into the house.
“Yes, please come in.” Orion mumbled as he closed the door behind himself.
“MOM!” The lavender unicorn trotted up to her mother and welcomed her with a brief hug.
“Oh Twinkle Dawn.” Velvet hummed as she enjoyed the embrace. “So, what brings you here?”
“Well...” Twilight paused the pushed lightly on her mother’s chest to step away. “I was wondering if Van stopped by today.”
Velvet quietly shook her head in a negative fashion. “No Twilight. He hasn’t. Why?”
“Well.. Van is... Well we think might be missing.” Twilight sighed. “Ghendi told me and the girls to go back to the castle and tell Princess Celestia to put out a missing pony report and form a search party. Instead of me going, I came here thinking Van might have wanted to set things straight with you two.”
Velvet paused as she listened to her daughter’s sudden news. Her long lost son is supposedly missing again out of the blue. The incident twenty years ago still haunted her dreams long into her current years. The feeling of emptiness, guilt, and self hate was still there but as time went on, it numbed. Yet the picture of losing another child stabbed the back of her brain over and over. Even with all the alcohol to drown herself in over the years only tried to sweep the guilt under the rug.
---
(20 years ago...)
“NOW YOU CAN EITHER BEHAVE OR WALK HOME IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT!”
“ALL YOU DO IS GIVE TWILIGHT WHAT SHE WANTS!” A blue colt around the age of eight looked up at his father, tired of the entire day that was supposed to be catered to him only ending in disappointment. “IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! NOT HERS!”
A more youthful Velvet just watched as she scooted a frightened Twilight behind her flank as she sat on the pavement. Shining Armor tried to direct his attention away by facing out to the young mares trotting away across the street. But as hard as he tried, his father’s hurdling voice could pierce any pony’s attention.
“The whole point of a birthday is for every pony to have fun around you, not just you.” Orion tried to retain his composure. He came too far from the many help sessions to give up and go crazy now. As much as he felt the temporary power to deal with the situation to beat his children, it finally took notice that every pony was getting sick of him and would love to see him fall on the ladder. Sirius, his lifelong rival was just daring him to strike out one last time so he could be left with nothing.
“And I am not having fun!” Van shot back.
Orion took a deep breath. “And what makes it seem like you’re not having fun?”
“Well first you promised me to take me to Pony Canyon then decided to come here to play stupid Putt-Putt golf!” Van listed off. “I hate golf! I wanted to play an arcade game instead but you told me you did not have any bits for tokens and then you gave Shining a fifty bitcoin afterwards. And then you spent ten bits just trying to win Twilight a stupid stuffed toy out of the machine! You already bought her that stupid book!”
“Pony Canyon is closed for maintenance. I’m not the creator for Faust’s sakes so I can’t just magically open it up.” Orion answered. “And when I said I was out of bits for tokens I said I would give you some after I take care of giving some to your siblings. You just have to learn patience.”
“I didn’t even get to play one game!” Van argued back. “While Shining played a hundred! He even took my golf ball and threw it into the street!”
“Shining!” Orion turned his head.
“And Twilight ate MY birthday cake! AGAIN!” Van shouted. With a quick turn he watched as Velvet was wiping away the frosting from Twilight’s mouth.
“Well I can’t fault you on that.” Orion rolled his eyes. “I should have put the cake where Twily Dawn could not get to it before we gave it to you.”
“Every time I wanted to do something it always blows up in my face.” Van tried to wipe away his own tears while choking for air. “I can never have anything I want without Shining beating me up or Twilight wrecking it or you yelling at me! Just one day... I want to do something I want to do.”
“Orion.” Velvet said with disappointing eyes.
“Von is already having a big birthday party back with mister and misses Lorenzo.” Van tried again to wipe away his face and still keep it hidden.
“Well I can not help that the Lorenzo family is spoiling your brother.” Orion rolled his eyes. “Bad enough that they got the better one...”
Loved Von more...
Velvet gasped, “ORION!”
He hates you... He always did...
Van finally snapped. From all the favoritism his father showed between him and his siblings, especially his twin brother. He just finally snapped. His eyes were hurting from all the pounding. Veins inside him were ready to burst from all the torture and self loathing. Within a quick flash his little colored eyes turned a demonic red. Van used his magic to grip the stupid putt-putt golf club, aimed way back and then...
Power... Give me... Power...
*WHAM*
“VAN!” Velvet gasped again as she placed Twilight inside the carriage then ran over to the two arguing ponies.
“Whoa.” Shining smirked.
“Uh oh...” Twilight’s ears lowered. She knew where this was going.
Orion gripped the back of his hind leg in pain as he growled. Quickly he looked at Van who was still holding the club with his magic. A huge scowl graced his lips, teeth clenched and heavy frustrated breaths escaped his lungs. Quickly, with no rational thought, Orion yanked the club with his own magic and threw it in a random direction. Only to hear a loud clunk following it.
Van was scared. He felt the anger finally diminish seconds earlier and hated the feeling as the blood red color quickly vanished. Now it was his father’s turn to feel the turmoil. This is where fathers differ on the situation, some would yell, some would actually pick their child up and walk away, some would scold them... Yet Orion, as he kept trying to feel up the area where his son hit him, kept his angered eyes on the young colt.
“You know what. TO HELL WITH THIS!” Orion growled. “I AM THROUGH WITH THOSE STUPID CLASSES!”
“Orion, he didn’t mean it!” Velvet tried to put distance between the two ponies.
“THE HELL HE DID!” Orion shot back. “I’M BEATING HIS ASS FOR BEING AN UNGRATEFUL LITTLE SHIT!”
“NO YOU WILL NOT!” Velvet pushed back on him. “IF ANYTHING YOU NEED ONE!”
“Get your cow tits out of my way!” Orion growled.
“No.” Velvet frowned. “I should have done this a long time ago. When we get home, I will punish him myself.” Van trotted behind his mother and hugged her leg for protection.
“Like you ever will.” Orion scoffed.
“Don’t yell at mom!” Van shouted.
“Just shut up you little shit.” Orion eyed his son in disapproval. “Of all the kids we could have had, we got you. All because your mom can not hold a baby to term without some artificial womb or whatever that Lucia mare calls it.”
“You just can not let that go can you?” Velvet heaved. “We needed help. Stop acting like my baby here symbolizes us failing!”
Orion frowned. “I’m done for the day. I’m going back to the hotel.” The blue unicorn marched towards the carriage ready to leave. His other two children received the hint and got in their respective seats. He gave one look to his wife as she was still scared of standing her ground earlier. Yet the smaller blue followed closely behind, saddened that the one day of the year he could be happy was tarnished.
“When we get back to the hotel I want absolute silence out of all of you.” Orion growled. He turned his entire body to face the children and propped his fore legs to point to one or the other. He pointed to Twilight, “No more sweets or buying books for the rest of the trip!” He looked at Shining next, “Learn how to share with others! And hell... Take better care of your money!” He looked at Van finally, “You... Stop being selfish.”
“I’m being selfish?” Van repeated. “No way!”
“Just shut up and take whatever he tells you.” Shining moaned with his head against the glass.
“NO! I’M TIRED OF THIS!” Van screamed and started kicking the seat wildly. “Grandma and grandpa would not yell at us like this! They would also not get mad over stupid things like you do!”
“Of course they don’t. They spoil you kids rotten!” Orion scoffed.
“THEY MAKE BETTER PARENTS THAN YOU AND MOM!” Van countered.
“Van...” Twilight hid behind her novelty ladybug blanket and shivered. “You do not mean that do you?”
“Whoa...” Shining scooted further away from his younger sibling.
“Fine. Go call grandma on the pay phone over there and she can pick you up.” Orion reached into his bit pouch and pulled out a few bits then tossed them onto the seat.
“FINE!” Van shouted as he grabbed the bits along with his saddle bag and ran out to the pay phone at the end of the parking lot. From where they were parked it almost seemed like the parking lot was the size of a football field. He had no intention of stopping. “Twilight ate my birthday cake and made us drive an hour back so she could buy a stupid book. Stupid Shining never heard of sharing. They can take all of my stuff and dad does not bat an eye but when I take something then the world ends.” The little blue unicorn mumbled to himself. “He calls me selfish and when mom finally sticks up for me then its not for long.”
There he finally made it to the pay phone across the lot. It was dirty with candy wrappers littered and graffiti painted on the side. Van raised the bits to the coin slot and gently pressed them in with his magic. He then pulled the phone towards himself only to find that the cable appeared to have been ripped out. With a stressful grunt he slammed the phone back on the receiver and pulled on the silver lever to get his bits back.
Meanwhile in the carriage, Velvet with all of her might tried to calm the situation between the three.
“That’s enough you three!” Velvet turned her head to face her husband then peered at the other kids. Her anger so unreal it made her growl with her teeth still clenched, “Today is Van and Von’s birthday. Now because Von is with the Lorenzos we could at least give Van a good day. And so far all three of you have been disrespectful, rude, mean spirited, and un-thoughtful!”
Shining and Orion just rolled their eyes while Twilight snuggled her blanket harder. She looked at Shining and with burst of magic she grabbed his chin to make him forcefully look at her. “You young man, it was a miracle that you finally got off the junk but just because your grandfather dropped you as his student does not mean you have to take it out of your brother. That is your fault because you wanted to know what drugs were like but no. You wanted to be so cool in front of the popular crowd! You should feel ashamed of yourself. For that, you're grounded for the rest of the summer until you can get your act together.”
Velvet then let go of her son’s chin then looked at Twilight. “As for you, young missy. When I tell you no. I mean it.” Twilight whipped up some tears. “Don’t try to play that game with me young lady! Just because you are the baby of the family does not mean you get everything you want! And because you ate your brother’s cake then made a mess out of the back seat, no more desserts for the rest of the week. Matter of fact, I’m taking your new book too.” With a quick jolt of magic the book sitting next to the lavender filly lifted up. Young Twilight gasped as the book floated into the front seat next to her parents. Immediately, like any child who had their toy taken away from them, she wailed throwing her fore legs around furiously wanting her book back.
Velvet only shook her head disapprovingly. “Twilight you will get this back when the weekend is over.”
“I WANT IT BACK! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT!” Twilight cried over and over.
“And for that you’re going to bed earlier, too.” Velvet added. Twilight continue to cry as she threw her blanket over herself to shield her.
Velvet narrowed her eyes then turned her head while crossing her fore legs. “Go ahead and cry all you want.” She turned her attention now to her husband next to her. “As for you. I do not even know where to begin.”
“Don’t even start. I know I lost my cool back there, but wasting my weekend when I could have been back at the office doesn’t help.” Orion rolled his eyes. “How would I know he wanted to go on a trip out of town?”
“You don’t get it do you?” Velvet shook her head. “Pony Canyon was the one place where there were no fights between Van and his siblings, where his grandparents treated them as equals, and gave them all a good time.” The white mare eased further into her seat, still annoyed by the wailing filly in the backseat.
Orion let out a puff of his own breath from his lip to blow a piece of his own mane aside.
“Look... I know you and your own father had disagreements here and there but could you just put your judgment aside and look at what he was trying to show you?” Velvet asked.
Orion sat silently. Tapping his hooves onto the dashboard pretending he was trying to listen and take in what his wife was saying. On and on his wife went about how he should look at his lessons in another light than just an emotional exercise punishment. But deep down, he knew his spouse was right. It was almost a whole year since his father passed on, and he still felt regret. He tried to mask it with delusion and figured he could let a death in the family be his ticket towards the job he wanted. Only... That it was despicable, even to him. Even before his father’s death, he never truly said he was sorry or told him he loved him.
“He was the first one to ever call me ‘Orion’.” The blue unicorn sighed. “My parents knew I hated the name ‘Night Light’ because it sounded sissy…”
“WAAAAAAAAH!” Twilight wailed.
“SHUT UP!” Velvet and Orion turned their heads to Twilight and shouted in unison. Twilight quieted down finally but still sniffed away the hurt.
Within seconds Orion turned his attention back to young Vanishing Star who stood by the side of the carriage. Orion leaned over to look out the window.
“Well young man?” Orion asked.
“I called grandma.” Van let his eyes wander as he was obviously lying.
“And?” Velvet gasped.
“I hope you said how much of a fun trip you were having.” Orion reminded him.
“Told grandma that you were being mean again...” Van frowned with his eyes dead locked onto his father. “As usual.”
Orion slammed his head into the dashboard in a fit of anger almost denting it. “That is it! Get your blue butt in this carriage right now!”
“NO!” Van shouted.
“I AM NOT GIVING YOU A CHOICE YOUNG MAN!” Orion shouted back.
“Like you ever do.” Van countered.
“Amazing, eight years old today and he developed a smart-ass complex.” Orion threw his fore legs up in the air.
“Gee wonder where I get it from.” Van rolled his eyes.
“Did you call your grandma so she can pick you up, while the rest of us have fun?” Orion asked.
“Oh yeah. She said she will be here quickly.” Van waved his hoof sarcastically.
“Oh, is that a fact?” Orion scoffed. “Van are you stupid or what? Between here and Canterlot. It would take her four hours going the shortest route to get here.”
“Yeah. She’s working on a super speed spell or something.” Van nodded. “Matter of fact think I will wait here for her then.”
Orion rubbed the temples to his forehead. His son was smart but by god was he stupid at making up obvious lies. He knew what type of spells his mother worked on and never before has she ever daunted the idea of a super speed spell. Not at her age for her aching joints. So he was going to do the next best thing, he was going to call his son’s bluff.
“So... Your grandma is going to zap herself here then huh?” Orion asked.
“Yup.” Van nodded.
“Okay, so...” Orion shifted his shoulders. “You’re fine going home then?”
“Uh huh.” Van nodded again.
“Walking home?” Orion asked again. “So you would not mind if your mom and I along with your brother and sister have fun for the rest of weekend?”
“Go ahead... Have fun.” Little Van crossed his fore legs. “Thanks for the crappy birthday.”
“Alright then.” Orion put a devious smile on his face. He knew his son’s little game and he was going to go along with it.
“Honey what are you doing?” Velvet panicked. The carriage soon started to move away slowly from the child. “Honey this is stupid. Stop the carriage.”
“Cool. Are we really leaving Van on the outskirts of town like I wanted?” Shining asked.
The little colt watched as his family pull away from the parking lot and made a turn. He then made his way to a nearby bench on the sidewalk and sat down on it, resting his saddle bags down next to him hoping his parents would come to their senses. Meanwhile, further and further the carriage drove away down the road. Van could barely even see the back of the tail lights as the minutes passed. Many happy ponies would pass his sight and cheer for the fun time they had at the golf course. There were some onlookers to Van’s family but no pony bothered to step in and stop it. Figured it was just another kid throwing a tantrum. Boy they didn’t even know the half of it.
“Honey. Stop the carriage and turn around.” Velvet turned her head to look out the carriage window.
“Relax honey.” Orion smirked. “Our son is trying to play a game with us.”
“Well whatever game you or Van is playing, it’s not funny!” Velvet grunted. “What if your mother really does come for him?”
“Honey, the phones in the parking lot are broken.” Orion corrected her. “We’ll take a lap around the block, and pull back into the golf course. It shouldn’t take longer than a minute or two.”
“That is stupid, even for you. Your plan is mean spirited and it only takes a minute for something to happen!” Velvet yelled. “He is just a boy!”
The carriage made a couple more turns. Orion himself was getting a little worried. “Gee. I thought I knew this place but apparently the construction going on in Pony Canyon also affected the streets.” He then brought the carriage to a pause to wait behind other carriages as a lone pony was waving one through making sure it was safe to pass. They sat there for minutes, with each passing second Orion was sweating bullets. “OH COME ON!”
Velvet stuck her head out the window. “MOVE IT!”
“What’s the hold up?” Another pony yelled.
“Get moving!” One pony behind the Sparkle carriage honked their horn.
A police officer strolled down the lane where the Sparkles were waiting in their carriage. Orion grabbed the officer’s attention. “Excuse me officer, but what is going on up there?”
“Well apparently one of the walls to the theme park came crashing down, and the crew is trying to clear the debris. Thank Faust no pony was hurt.” The officer answered. “Relax. Your turn is coming up.”
“Honey, tell him.” Velvet punched her husband’s shoulder.
“Tell me what sir?” The officer asked.
“I was wondering if we could go ahead next because... Our son is at the golf course and needs to be picked up right away.” Orion explained, then lied. “He’s not feeling well.”
“Well. You’re turn is coming up next anyway.” The officer pointed out. “Have a nice night folks.”
“Sure officer.” Orion gulped.
“So help me Faust if something happened to my baby I will tear your head off.” Velvet growled.
The Sparkles were about to pass next around the obstacle until one of the workers stopped their carriage by standing in front of it. “Sorry folks but looks like the wall that imploded is falling a bit more onto the streets so we...”
“OH TO TARTARUS WITH THIS!” Velvet shouted as she left her position from within the carriage and now outside. “I’m going to get my son before hobos adopt him!” She saw an obvious opening where the back wall crashed down, and clear across the park was the entrance where workers were keeping it open incase of emergencies.
“Ma’am I would not suggest cutting through the theme park!” The worker warned.
“SUCK MY TRIPLE F TITS!” Velvet turned around to give the pony version of flipping the bird then ran the other direction. “BITCH!”
“Well now.” The worker blushed. “Not everyday a pony with that generous figure insults you like that.”
“Can I go now?” Orion barked angrily.
To see the “happiest place” in Equestria closed down for maintenance could strike disappointment in any child. But it was in a lot worse shape than one thought. Velvet huffed and puffed as she jogged through the park. Within two or three minutes she finally made it to the entrance to hop over the safety railing. Just her luck the entrance line was on the same street as the golf course.
“Just hang on Van. Momma is coming. Daddy was stupid to play this game.” Velvet kept repeating to herself as her breath was running short. Finally she made it to the parking lot where it seemed even less of a crowd from when they left earlier. Most families and groups were packing up to leave. The lights on the street lamps were flicking on.
“Van?” Velvet called out. “Van?”
Left, then a right she looked.
“Vanishing Star?” Velvet ordered. “Where are you?” More ponies passed by. Some were looking back on her as they passed but then kept walking.
“Van?” The white mare checked every square inch of the parking lot. Then raced to the bathrooms and called in. Hoping it did not come down to that situation where some psycho might have lured her son into the restroom and to rape or even mutilated him. She checked both mares and stallion but did not care if there were any stallions in there. More and more her heart raced like a jackhammer as her breathing became more erratic.
“VAN!?” The unicorn cried out. She then trotted to the front desk and asked the earth pony mare if she seen a blue unicorn colt anywhere. The only answer she was given was from watching her family from earlier, because they were causing a scene.
Just then the family carriage pulled up. Orion spotted his wife running around frantically. The police were informed, and the rest was history...
“No... Not again.” Velvet told herself.
“What again?” Orion frowned.
“I’m not losing my baby again. Twenty years of him missing, twenty years of pain that I can not bare.” She heaved almost ready to cry again. “I do not know how I can take anymore if something did happen to him.”
“Honey, I...” Orion was then cut off.
“If you really want your son to think differently about you dad, then man up.” Twilight added. “And help us.”
Just then.... With a terrible sound and the ground suddenly shaking...
RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
“The hell is that?” One of the guests in the other room yelled.
Twilight was in shock. She had heard of dragon roars before but that belonged to something bigger she figured. Though one roar would always haunt her on that day she lost one of her mother figures, one of her best teachers and first friends. Strangely, it did not sound as organic as the followup sounded more metallic. Still it sent chills down her spine.
“There could not be another one... Could there?” Twilight thought.
Meanwhile...
“SHUT THE DAMN THING OFF!” Sirius ordered.
“I’m trying!” Lucian was typing away on the master controls while he stood.
The dragon creature thrashed around in its supports. Trying to free itself with the sounds of metal tearing away from the walls that held the supports in place. The engineers were ordered to help maintain the situation, but as the creature rocked back and forth the platforms were collapsing. Ponies fell to their death if they weren’t pegasi or a talented unicorn. Some earth ponies were lucky to grab onto a ledge.
“I thought you said this thing was dead!” Sheen Lorenzo barked.
“It is!” Sirius counted. “At least it looked that way once the king and queen vaporized it leaving the bones!”
Power... It wanted power...
Then it finally broke free from its restraints. Arms free, back legs free, neck free, then finally the tail.
Where was I during this you ask? Oh... Just wait and see...
“Mister Fade Away?” Lucian tried to type more code in hopefully to the shut down the giant machine. The machine then drew back its arms then quickly slammed them into the thick metal walls.
“Kid it’s dangerous!” Fade Away charged towards the controls.
“No! I can fix this!” Lucian continued to type.
*CLUNK*
I looked up at the ceiling as a ton of metal loosened and about to crash down onto us. Explosions and the ear piercing cry of metal shredding as well as pounding were all around. This looked like the opportune time to run back to that elevator I came down in. More and more I wrestled the teen away from the controls.
“NO!” Lucian grabbed the control unit.
“STOP THIS LUCIAN!” Fade shouted.
“I CAN SAVE THIS!” He argued.
*BANG*
“Oh Faust no...” Lucian watched as the machine finally ripped the metal walls away like they were made of paper.
*BAM! BAM! BAM!*
Soon the light of day pierced the hanger. The machine forced the hole bigger and bigger so it could finally make its escape. It gripped the outer edges of the metal opening with its talons for support. Its wings flapped dangerously hard to create a small hurricane or at least something strong like one. Fade along with Lucian, Sheen Lorenzo and Sirius were blasted back into a metal wall near the elevator. And watched as the metal dragon make its daring escape by climbing out the giant gaping hole. It left one more giant roar as it flew away. Ready to bring down the next target.
“Lorenzo! I want that thing contained!” Sirius growled as he punched the elevator button to open it. “Get the Black Suns on it!”
“I will get my ponies on it.” Sheen Lorenzo pulled out his own cell phone.
“Also, your boy needs to check his programming better.” Sirius added.
“I checked everything thoroughly, Headmaster Sirius!” Lucian nervously replied.
“Well something had to have activated that thing!” Sirius roared.
“Lay off!” Fade yelled. “Who thought giving a dragon robot armor and lasers was a good idea anyway!”
Yes who would think that would be such a great plan? I argued with Sirius some more while I noticed Lucian had a look of guilt etched across his face. Poor kid. Roped into things like this and all he ever wanted to do was create for the better good. We finally made it to the top floor and heard the sound of sirens in the distance. Ponies were screaming outside along with the metal roars of that thing. I still had no idea where I was.
That creature... That machine... Whatever it was... I just looked up at it and... Something just flickered on. Like it was waiting for me or something. I was watching the dragon thing fly over the town of Canterlot from the large windows. Could not help but get the feeling that this was entirely my fault. I just felt my eyes lock on and... before I knew it the machine was thrashing like crazy.
“The Black Suns are on the job sir!” Sheen’s phone echoed.
“Keep the creature on the ground if you can and use the energy weapons to neutralize it.” Sheen barked into his phone. “Try to cooperate with the guard if you can, but let them know they are in charge of keeping the civilians safe! You have my permission to bring out the tanks and aircraft carriers.”
“Think that will be enough, dad?” Lucian asked.
“Don’t you worry. We brought down worse.” Sheen smirked.
“The rest of the family must be worried.” Fade pressed up against the glass. “We have to inform Celestia about this thing! Hell, we have to tell her everything about this!”
“Surely.” Lucian added.
“We could...” Sirius sneered.
Just then I heard a gun click behind me.
*Cu-Click*
“Headmaster Sirius...” Fade slowly turned around still keeping a cautious pace. “Don’t tell me...”
“Yeah...” Sirius smirked. “You pretty much know some of this stuff already and I can’t trust you keeping your mouth closed.”
“Headmaster, this isn’t the time to be playing Judas.” Sheen put down his own phone to try and step in between the two. Sirius waved him away furiously like he would blow his head off as well if he tried to interfere. Young Lucian was panicking because of the sight rolling out in front of him.
“Why?” Fade asked.
“Because you’re the ponies champ. A lot of ponies look up to you and will actually side with you on certain matters plus those conspiracy theorists grab onto anything. So this is why I took your phone so you don’t end up taking pictures of Equestria’s newest self-defense weapon.” Sirius raised the handgun higher to Fade’s face.
“You’re insane.” Fade growled.
“Hey now.” Sirius merrily hummed. “I got everything I want from you anyway. Such a sad story, vice president Fade Away killed in the dragon raid.”
“You can’t do this!” Lucian pleaded.
“You planned this?” Fade asked furiously.
“No. But convenient how we don’t have the entire blame on the Sparkle clan.” Sirius smirked.
“You won’t get away with it.” Fade replied.
“Oh no. The Black Suns and Sparkle Clan are going to be the heroes of this story.” Sirius shook his head. “Any last words?”
“Yeah....” Fade nodded, then said... “Fuck the Sparkle clan.”
“Aww...” Sirius frowned. “Too bad, was hoping you would take my place after I retire. You really have to hand it to princess Celestia though. We take the load off of her work pile and she does not even bat an eye. That is how it’s always been. Why else do you think she disappears in the minute of crisis?”
“To help ponies?” Lucian asked.
“No you hormonal mentally challenged piece of shit. It’s because Celestia wants to retire and leave her chosen ponies to fight the evil.” Sirius reminded him still with the gun to Fade’s face.
“That is how it’s always been.” Fade answered. “Twilight and the elements of harmony fight the evil.”
“Yeah... Only that Twilight and her friends are basically the first line of defense in parts of Equestria.” Sirius turned his gun to the side like a gangster. “Not the entire nation, or even the world. That’s why the E.D.F. exists, that’s why militia exists. Hell, it’s even why the Black Suns exist because basically Celestia’s guard can’t do shit these days. And here’s the icing on the cake. If Twilight was to ever fail, the Sparkle clan has several back up plans.”
“Is this true, Sheen?” Fade looked over to the older Lorenzo.
Sadly Sheen sighed. “Yes. We have spells, weapons, you name it. To avoid certain protocols.”
“And why wasn’t this deployed during the whole Nightmare Moon, Discord, or the whole changeling invasion?” Fade asked.
“Like I said. Celestia wants Twilight to be the first line of defense so we can actually make the old alicorn still seem important. Hell, she doesn’t even run half of the stuff ponies think she does.” Sirius chuckled. “We do. Celestia... is just the face of all things goody-goody.” He aimed the gun correctly with the iron sights lining up. “Anything else?
“Fuck Equestria and fuck you too.” Fade added. “I hope Equestria wakes up one day and gets rid of assholes like you, and decides to run itself properly.”
“Yeah... no.” Sirius frowned. “By the way Sheen. Release some of those modified changelings your wife was working on to help the situation.”
*BLAM*
“NO!” Lucian screamed.
Before I knew it, I saw red again as the bullet entered my chest and left a gaping hole in it. That gun he used, must have been a .357 or something. Sorry... Am I talking too much? So as I was saying, I was shot in the chest, the force enought to send back hitting the window behind me. Lucian screamed for me as we tried to reach for each other but I couldn’t get a grip in time. I fell out the window, remembering how wonderful the sky was. I could still hear the screams of ponies in the distance.
*Sigh*
Think I can see my house from this angle, falling head first into the ground below. All I can do now is look back on my life. The street near my house I used to play with my friends on. Oh man I wished I could have met up with them again during this trip. Why did I ever decide to throw a contest in the first place? Could I have been nicer to every pony? No, they don’t call me the ponies champ for nothing.
Looking back down at the large hole in my chest. Blood was flying out and I was ready to black out. Or die, if this is coming to it. Everything just felt like it was in slow motion yet still, I was falling further and further away from the window out of what seemed like a twenty story building.
-Don’t die...
My eyes were killing me again. Pretty ill in comparison when I’m falling to death.
-Do not let him win...
I could hear a dark voice in my head. Very demonic as it screeched, and wailed.
-Do you want to die today?
“N-no.” Fade mumbled, as he was not ready for death to take him before he hit the ground.
-Then accept me... I can save you... Accept me...
“Wh-who... ar...” Fade tried to ask.
-The thing that laid dormant inside of you for many years... Your power... Your destiny… I am your fear… Your sorrow… Your anger...
“I....”
-Say it...
“I....”
-Say that you accept me... You want power... I’ll give it to you...
“Power... give me power...” Fade gargled from the blood in his mouth.
-Say it...
“I accept!” Fade yelled the best he could.
-Good...
Again... I could only see red. Something consumed me. I could feel the power flowing through me but... I still hit the ground...And made a large hole in what seemed to be concrete in some busy street. I heard the ponies scream from the dragon howling from the sky above but some ponies catered around my side.
“What in Tartarus is going on!?” One pony screamed.
“First dragons now we got bloody ponies falling from the sky!” Another shouted.
I heard a flurry of howls and a strange buzzing sound. Then I heard a pony scream something about changelings having no skin running rampant down the street. The changelings were tackling ponies and absorbing their aura. The blood curdling screams... I could not move for the life of me. I heard husky growling right above me, then what felt like ponies plopping down to my level in the crater I left in the street. Breathing on me from what I could tell, three of them were very hungry. Their mouths wide open, ready to absorb the speck of love I ever had for any pony.
My friends... My fans... The ponies who looked up to me... My current family... My original family... Swan... I’m so sorry... I really took the fun out of this trip and I ignored you... But every time I tried to remember the best parts of our relationship, It felt like they were being erased because of the changelings sucking the love out of me. The day that she announced she was pregnant with my baby was one of the happiest days of my life...
“You’re going to be a daddy.” I remembered Swan hugging me and crying for joy.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” I also happily cried. But slowly those memories were being forced away from me. I could now see Swan Song being alone, crying as she ran from changelings wanting to absorb her too. Ghendi, Synn, Tex, Betsy, every pony about to fall the same way...
“No...” Fade growled. The changelings around him sucked more and more trying to leave him dry.
Just then... I exploded... With a burst of energy the changelings around me were stabbed with strange red tentacles flowing from the aura around my body. Slowly they were vaporized or absorbed. I felt stronger now but felt husky... I stood up on my own four hooves and walked out of the crater. Ponies were still screaming as the changelings tried to pin them down but then focused on me...
I stood there... Blaring with a proud yet raging magic aura surrounded me. My eyes... I could finally see the world for what it really was. A chaotic mess.[/i]
I heard radio chatter from what appeared to be from special forces, “We got an unidentified pony fighting changelings in the street. Waiting for orders!”
“From that day forth... My eyes changed... A voice echoed in my head...” Fade’s voice echoed through the raging aura. “Power... Give me more power...”
Changelings squawked and readied themselves to fight.
“And if I become a demon... so be it. I will endure the exile... Anything... to protect them...”
-Kill them... All...
---
to be continued...
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