//------------------------------// // Finding A Place in the World // Story: Sweet Child of Mine // by Ron Jeremy Pony //------------------------------// Sweet Child of Mine Chapter 3 ‘Finding a Place in the World’ (Golden Oaks Library – Ponyville – a week and a half ago) Scootaloo grinned sheepishly at Twilight from the couch she was sitting on with Spike. The sound of a belch and flame had woken the older unicorn mare up and she had run downstairs to find the dragon she had raised from a hatchling in the middle of a makeout session with the orange Pegasus. Trip had ran down behind her mom and looked at the guilty party. “Oh Ewwww, really? That’s the reading couch!” Trip exclaimed. “Trust me it’s no worse than what I’ve walked in on…” Spike started before Twilight glared at him. “I just trust that the two of you are being safe,” she said before she looked at Spike, “Did you get a letter?” Spike picked up a scroll and handed it to her. Unlike Princess Celestia’s letters this one was written on a crystalized piece of paper. She looked at it and smiled. “What did Dad say?” Trip asked. “There’s some stuff in this that I’m not going to read you, but your father said to tell you that he’s doing well, and there should be a letter especially for you coming…” she was saying as Spike belched again and this time another letter formed, “Now I suppose.” Trip walked over to Spike and grabbed the rolled up scroll. She unrolled it and let her eyes take it in. She noticed that she was being looked at, and she grinned before she walked over to a chair. She took a seat and cleared her throat. In truth she considered sitting there and making them wait for a few minutes just for the fun of it. “What did he say trip?” Scootaloo asked. She looked at the mare that was dating her brother and smiled, and she began to read the letter word for word. Dear Trip, I miss you and your mom too. It’s been lonely here in the empire, but I’m doing okay. The work is going along as planned, and Shining told me that he and Candace are expecting. I guess that means that soon you’re going to have a niece or nephew before too long. It’s about time if you ask me. The crystal ponies have been watching me intently for the last few days. I guess that I forgot what it is like to be an outsider. After all, how often do you get to see a shaved monkey looking thing? One of the guards here is named Sure Shot. Sure seems to be about the friendliest stallion I’ve ever met. I got to meet his wife, their foals, and we’ve become close friends. I’ve invited him to visit us once I’m back home. I’m sure that your mom won’t mind, and I think that you’ll get along with his son Big Shot. And no, I’m not trying to find you a date. You’re still not allowed to date until your thirty, and then it needs to be a stallion that will treat you like a lady and not like a conquest. Sweetheart I’m going to cut the letter a little short. I’m very tired from helping with the data transfer today, and I could use a few extra hours of sleep. Uncle Shining and Aunt Candace did ask if you would be interested in visiting them after the baby is born. I think it was Shining’s way of asking if you would be interested in babysitting. We’ll just have to see about that. Tell your brother and mother that I love them very much, and give them both a kiss goodnight for me. I love you babygirl, Your Daddy She looked up at them and saw her mom smiling. She then looked at Scootaloo who was cuddling closer to Spike. “So, your aunt and uncle are finally having foals huh?” she asked. “Yeah…” Spike replied. “You know, I was thinking that later on, after I’m in the Wonderbolts, we might think about a family,” she said nuzzling Spike. Trip looked to see her brother sitting there, looking uncertain. “Don’t you think that would be a good idea?” Scootaloo asked. “Ummmm… yeah, that would be great. I mean we want to wait a while though before we do. I mean because you want to be in the Wonderbolts, and right now I know we’re not…” he started before he noticed her expressing changing. It didn’t look like the excited dreamy look she had a moment ago. Instead she looked a little confused and maybe a little hurt. “Oh, you don’t really want a family huh?” she asked. He sighed, pulled her into a hug and shook his head. “It’s not that Scoots. We’re both adults, but I’m still living with Twilight. I really want to have a house of my own before I start a family. I’ve got some money saved up, and what jewels and gems I haven’t eaten I’ve saved back as well. I… Well, I just want to make sure that we have a place that’s going to be big enough for a family,” he said. She smiled and nuzzled against him. “Good, because I would have hated to tell Dash that you were didn’t want to start a family with me,” she joked. Trip smiled as she watched Spike fidget in his seat a little. She couldn’t blame him. Dash had become Scoot’s parent after an accident took her mom and dad from her, and Dash was fairly protective over her. “Yeah, we don’t want to do that,” Spike said. “Well, I think that we should all turn in. Scootaloo, you’re welcome to spend the night, but regardless over the fact that your both adults I ask that you both show a little restraint, self-control, and keep this kind of thing to Spike’s room,” Twilight said as she got up. “I will Twilight, and thank you,” Scootaloo said as she got up. Trip watched as the orange mare walked toward a large storage room that had been converted into a bedroom and walked inside. Before Spike could follow her Trip walked over to him and hugged him. “What was that for squirt?” Spike asked. “It was just for being the best big brother ever. Thanks for letting me read Dad’s letter,” she said. “It’s fine, and besides I miss him too. Now, you better go ahead and get back to sleep. I know that you have a long day ahead of you,” he said. “I know… Oh, did you think about what Rarity asked me to ask you?” she asked. “Yeah I did. Tell her I’ll try to help her on Saturday if I can. I know that Scoots really wants me to come over to her house part of this weekend and see if I can help her train, but I think that Saturday she’s going to be getting a physical as part of the entrance application to the Wonderbolts. If she is, then I don’t mind to come with Rarity and help her out,” Spike said. Trip nodded, hugged him again, and made the trip back upstairs to her bedroom. She walked into the room, closed the door, slipped out of the robe she had thrown on to run downstairs in, although she wasn’t sure why she was bothering since her dad gone, and crawled into bed. She stretched out, grabbed a pillow and hugged it close before using her magic to make sure the light was out. “Maybe having a colt friend wouldn’t be a bad thing,” she wondered aloud. “FRIEND Trip is considering sleeping ritual FRIEND Twilight and MASTER Jacob engage in!” Hal chirped. “Hal! No, out of my room!” she exclaimed. “It is dark downstairs FRIEND Trip. Hal does not like the dark,” he whined. Trip rolled her eyes, lifted her blanket, and offered him a place near her back. “Not a word, and let me get to sleep,” she said. “Hal will let FRIEND Trip sleep, and will stand guard over her. Hal likes to help FRIEND Trip. FRIEND Trip is good to Hal,” Hal chirped happily again. Trip could feel the heat radiating off of the little blue colt. Somehow she knew that Hal was a colt, and to be honest she was certain that he was always going to be a colt. It was hard to explain, but even when she grew he didn’t. Oh, he learned everything there was to learn. If it was written down he devoured it and added it to his expanding database of knowledge, but it was just facts and figures. He didn’t seem to let anything he devoured bother him. It didn’t matter what it was. Instead every day he wanted to help all of them. He was so childlike that it was hard to stay mad at him for any real amount of time. “FRIEND Trip?” Hal asked almost muffled under the blanket. “Yeah Hal?” she asked back. “FRIEND Trip, do you like Hal? Is Hal like FRIEND Spike?” he asked. “Yes, you’re like Spike. You’re like a bother to me. A very annoying little brother at times, but a brother,” she said. “Good, Hal is glad FRIEND Trip,” he said contently. “Why are you asking Hal?” Trip asked. “Hal found data in FRIEND Trip’s desk drawer,” Hal said. “Oh for the love of Luna, Hal you didn’t eat my Diary did you?” she asked. “Hal did not think before Hal touched the Data FRIEND Trip. Hal will not tell anypony what Hal knows,” he replied in almost a whisper. “Hal, one of these days you’re going to get into so much trouble,” she said. She felt him shutter under the blanket, but instead of letting him worry she moved a hand behind her and gently scratched behind his ears, once she found them. She felt him lean into her hand and a soft sigh of contentment came from him. “Hal like that FRIEND Trip,” he said. “Goodnight Hal,” she said. “Goodnight FRIEND Trip. Enjoy sleep ritual,” he replied. She soon found herself asleep. The warmth Hal emitted felt surprisingly good as she slept. It was comforting to feel him so close. It was like having a little brother needing to be comforted, and she was willing and happy to do so. The next morning she woke up to the sounds of muffled singing. She lifted the cover to hear a song her father had sung to her as a filly. Normally Hal’s voice had a slight odd distortion to it, but as he sang it was actually quite beautiful. She turned over and looked at him to see that his eye lids were closed. “Hal?” she asked. “Hal is not sleeping FRIEND Trip. Hal does not sleep, but Hal heard you ask MASTER Jacob to sing his song for you. Hal remembered the song, and Hal wanted to sing the song for FRIEND Trip,” he replied. She smiled at the little colt. The song had actually made her feel better, and although her Dad sung it different than Hal it was still reminded her of him. She pulled him into a hug which caused the little blue glowing colt to squeak with surprise. “FRIEND Trip is engaging in full tactile contact with Hal! Tactile contact is called hugging! FRIEND Trip is happy with Hal!” he chirped happily as he returned the hug. “You are such a sweet little colt,” she said. “FRIEND Trip, do you wish to engage in sleep cycle again? There is still one quarter hour before FRIEND Trip is to be awake and dressed,” Hal said. “No, I’m going to go ahead and get up. Thanks for singing to me,” she said. She crawled out of bed and began going through the clothes in her closet and dresser. She quickly found a black skirt, a blue tank top, a ‘bra’, and a pair of underwear. Yawning she stretched and walked out into the hall. She heard a soft moan downstairs. The sound was more than enough to make her not want to ask if anyone was fixing any breakfast. Instead she walked into the bathroom, turned on the shower, grabbed a towel and washcloth this time, and then climbed under the hot water. She let the pleasure of the hot water rush over her before she turned it off, stepped out, and toweled off. She stopped at the sink and brushed her teeth. Once again she looked at the reflection staring back at her. “Why do you have to be so weird?” she asked the reflection. Of course she didn’t expect an answer. Instead the reflection just dumbly looked back at her as she finished brushing her teeth. She walked out, went into her room, and got dressed. A few minutes later there was the sound of someone running up the stairs and pounding on her Mom’s bedroom door. “TWILIGHT OPEN THE DOOR!” Spike shouted. She ran out of the room and saw Spike holding a scroll. Her mom took it and quickly read over it before she stumbled back. “No… nononononononono Jacob you promised me!” she cried. Trip walked toward her and looked at her mom as she shook back and forth. “Twi, what do you want to do?” Spike asked. “The princess! Spike, write Princess Celestia and tell her that I’m heading up there today, right now, and that I desperately need her help! Explain what’s going on, and that I will be there as soon as I can!” Twilight shouted as she ran down the steps. “BBBFF… What’s going on?” Trip asked. He looked at her, swallowed a little and then handed the letter to her. Spike, Take this letter to Twilight immediately and let her know what’s going on. This morning we were attempting to code more data onto the crystals, and Jacob thought of the fact that we could enhance the border spell around the empire if we encoded a written enchantment in them. It seemed like a good idea, but it had to be done from the outside. There hasn’t been any trouble in so long that none of us really worried about anypony going out there. Unfortunately it appeared that somepony had been waiting for Jacob to step outside of the gates without protection. A black fog covered him, and before I, or any of my guards, could make it out of the city he was gone. Candace and I are doing all we can to find him, but I know that Twily will want to help as well. Let her, and please Twily when you read this understand that we didn’t intend for this to happen. None of us knew it would, and that includes Jacob. We’re going to get him back. I promise you that we will get him back. I love you little sis, Shining Armor Trip felt tears welling up in her eyes and she fell to the ground. She pounded the ground with her fists as she cried. It wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right. Somepony had just come along and took her dad, her DAD, away from her. She got up and started to head down the steps when she felt a pair of powerful arms around her waist. She struggled against the her brother as he carried her to the couch and made her sit down. “No, you’re not going anywhere Trip. Without Twi… Without mom here I’ve got to look out for you, and I know how much this sucks. Jacob is my dad too. He accepted me as his son, and that means so much to me. But we can’t take off beating our chests and expect to get anything done. Mom has went to Princess Celestia for help. If anypony can help it’s her,” he said. “But it’s our dad! It’s dad and whatever that thing was… It took him from us! I don’t want to just sit here and do nothing!” she screamed. “We’re not just doing nothing. Look, I know that Hal has a huge volume of spells in him, and he has every encyclopedia that this library, and the private one in Princess Luna’s room, had. He might have something on what happened to your dad. If you want to help find him then research what happened. I’ll help,” he said. She nodded and then she felt a head gently nuzzling the top of her own. “I already told Dash that I would be staying here while we get this figured out,” Scootaloo said as she walked in through the front door. “Thanks sweetheart,” Spike said, “That was fast. Where was she?” “She was over at Sugarcube Corner getting some breakfast. But Spike, it’s not a problem, besides, I want to help if I can,” she said. “Maybe there is a way you can… Scoots, does anypony know about what’s around the Crystal Empire?” Trip asked. “Well, I know that Rarity, Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, your mom, and Pinkie Pie all went there a while back. They would have some idea of what was there, or at least what was there when they were there,” she said. “Do you think that Dash would mind talking to us about it?” she asked. Scootaloo rubbed her chin with her hoof for a moment and then nodded. “I’m sure that she wouldn’t mind especially if it was helping out in some way. I can go over and ask her before she leaves,” Scootaloo said. “If you don’t mind that would be great. I’d ask if you could get Pinkie Pie too but…” Trip said. Scootaloo nodded. “I know, it would take a while to get the full story after she took a bunch of detours,” Scootaloo said. Trip nodded. She turned around and watched as Scoots headed out of the library. She felt Spike pull her into another hug, and she just relaxed into it. “It’s going to be okay Trip,” he said. “I know… I… I just feel so useless,” she replied. (Canterlot Castle – Canterlot – Alternate Timeline) “Rainbow Dash came over and told us about King Sombra. She told us what she had seen, and then she and Scoots went to get Rarity. Rarity told us about him too, and what they said seemed to match up with the black fog. Hal, well Hall brought up everything he had collected in order to help,” she said before she turned to the little glowing blue colt, “Hal, show the Princesses what you showed me when I first asked you about information.” The little blue glowing colt’s eyes lit up and a bright light shot out of them. The light stayed in the midair for a moment before he focused it into a screen of text and pictures. “What kind of magic is this?!” Luna excited asked before catching herself and returning to a more regal stature. “FRIEND Luna this is not magic. This is Hal projecting the Data FRIEND Trip asked for Hal to project!” he chirped happily. Celestia studied the page for a moment and then looked down at the small colt. “Can you turn the page please?” she asked. He nodded and the page turned easily in the air. She read it a little more and then let out a sigh. “So, while there are an infinite number of things it could have been, but knowing what it looked like dwindled it down to three possibilities. It could have been Sombra, another unicorn practicing Dark Magic, or the Terror,” Celestia said. “Princess, I’ve read a little on the last one, on ‘the Terror’ but there’s not a whole lot of information about it,” Twilight said. “Indeed there is not Twilight Sparkle. The Terror attacked a village under our…my protection while I was banished. It is a force of pure horror. The nightmares I produced while under the influence of my jealously and anger were nothing compared to the darkness it brought with it,” Luna replied. “How did it get stop?” Trip asked as she looked at Celestia, “Did you stop it?” “My precious little one I am afraid that I did not. Powerful as I am I had to attend to matters here. The village it attacked, the village of Marehoof was a colony outside of my protection. At the time I had a very uneasy alliance with the Griffins, but they were also unable to help. The ones that stopped the Terror were the villagers, a prophet, an advisor, and an inventor. Those three laid down their lives to ensure that the Terror was trapped inside of a mountain for all time,” Celestia said. “Could someone have released it?” Trip asked. “No, it is still trapped, for it was released I would see it in the dreams of the ponies who live near the mountain,” Luna said. “I thought that Sombra was dispelled though. I thought the magic of the Crystal Heart completely dispelled him,” Twilight said. “My faithful student… No, I’m afraid that all it did was weaken him. Sombra was extremely powerful, but it is very likely that he regained enough strength to take this little one’s father,” Celestia said as she motioned toward Trip. “I know… and I found something in the encyclopedias of Princess Luna’s that Hal had ingested. There was a spell that would help find Dad because it could track a being not of this world down to his precise location, no matter where it was,” Trip said. “And if Hal has that inside of him then they can’t use it there,” Twilight said. Trip nodded. “I’m starting to see why this other me gets so infuriated at you,” Twilight said looking at the little blue glowing colt. “Hal is sorry FRIEND Twilight. Hal cannot help eating Data. It is what Hal was created for. Hal is to learn all there is to learn about everything and then share all Hal has learned,” He replied. The floating page disappeared as Hal closed his eyes and looked at the floor. A moment later a gentle wing pulled him close and he looked up to see Celestia holding him. “It is okay my little pony. It is in your nature to do what you do, and no one should fault you for obeying your nature; however, you should learn restraint,” she said. “Okay FRIEND Celestia,” he said. Trip noticed that Hal still seemed sad. She walked toward him and gently scratched behind his ears. He grinned and moved his head toward the sensation. “Hal, do you want to help me?” she asked. “Hal wishes to help FRIEND Trip!” he excited squeaked. “How about you sing dad’s song for us? Would you mind to do that?” she asked. He smiled and nodded. He opened his mouth and a moment later a beautiful set of voices began to escape from him. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight looked stunned as the little colt sung a song with perfect precision and ability. When he finished he looked up at Trip and smiled. “Hal helped FRIEND Trip,” he said. “Yes, you did Hal. Thank you,” she said. Celestia quickly regained her composure and smiled down at him. “You sing beautifully my little Pony,” she said. “Thank you FRIEND Celestia,” he replied. “Twilight, it is far too late for all of you to return to Ponyville. I will have the servants prepare you a room, and not your old one. I fear that our little colt may not be able to resist the temptation of your old library,” she said. Twilight nodded and looked at the little blue glowing colt. “Thank you,” she said. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna… Thank you,” Trip said. “It is fine,”Celestia said. “We shall do all that we can to help,” Luna said. Trip smiled and felt a wave of relief wash over her. The princesses were going to help her, and she was going to be able to take Hal back with her and let her mom see the spell he had inside of him that would help them.