//------------------------------//
// Charcoal 
// Story: Immovable 
// by Purplescales42 
//------------------------------//

	Iron Ore and Charcoal stared at one another letting the realization of the situation set in. Here they were, after four years of not seeing one another, in the same room. Iron couldn’t believe he was looking at the same stallion as when he left. The last time Iron saw his father, the older stallion was in pique condition. His mane was graying perhaps, but he was as strong as ever. Charcoal could easily hold his own against anypony in a fight, Iron included. But now? Charcoal looked like he could barely move on his own. He seemed so weak and frail as if even touching him would cause him to fall apart. His mane was all gray now and his coat had little white patches here and there. Iron felt pity for his dad.
“How long have you been like this?” asked Iron. Charcoal sighed slowly.
“A while,” he said. “I’ve lasted longer than the doctors have expected but. . .”
“You never did like anypony telling you what you couldn’t do,” interrupted Iron. 
“Hmph,” grunted Charcoal giving him a smirk. “I’ll be honest with you, Iron. I didn’t expect you to come.”
“I almost didn’t,” Iron admitted.
“So why did you?”
“I realized I didn’t want to lose the chance to try and mend things between us,” said Iron. Charcoal chuckled a little.
“I’m always amused on how much we think alike,” he said. “That’s why I wanted you to come.”
“It is?” asked Iron raising a brow. “I’ll admit, I didn’t expect that.” He felt a little guilty for admitting that.
“I don’ blame you,” said Charcoal in understanding. “I’ve never given you a reason to think I would apologize.”
“So, why now?” asked Iron. “Why did you wait until right now?” His voice began to betray how frustrated he was feeling. 
“Because I was too stubborn for my own good,” replied Charcoal. “However, I’m running out of time. Death’s too close for me to hang on shallow pride.”
“That’s a little morbid,” admitted Iron. It was quiet between the two. Neither really knew how exactly to go about this. Finally, Iron decided to speak up. “When I left, you and I hated each other. What changed your mind?” Charcoal sighed.
“Hindsight, I suppose. For a long time, I was bitter against you. I blamed you for Copper’s death and I always resented how you could just never seem to be well enough alone. You held the moral high ground that I couldn’t. I thought you leaving would mean things would be easier, but after a while, I just felt more guilt. I’ve already lost one son to an accident nopony could see coming. I lost another because I pushed him away. You leaving was my fault.” Iron wasn’t entirely sure he was talking to the same stallion who had left four years ago. “What changed your mind?”
“Me?” asked Iron caught a little off guard. “I guess the same as you. All that time away gave me time to think. Perhaps things could have been different if I wasn’t so stubborn.” Iron started laughing. “Gotta hate hindsight, huh?” 
“Hmph. That’s putting it lightly.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” said Iron becoming a little solemn. “To be honest, I do take responsibility for Copper’s death. I’m sorry for everything. I should never have-”
“Enough,” interrupted Charcoal. “I won’t hear this.”
“But-”
“No,” said Charcoal firmly. “What happened to Copper was an accident. You couldn’t have known. Besides, he died saving his little brother. I can’t think of a more noble way to go. As for everything else, perhaps it could have turned out differently, but don’t dwell on the past like I’ve done. Learn and move on.” He sat up and looked Iron in the eye. “And never lose your drive to protect those who need you. Understand.” Iron gulped and nodded.
“Y-Yes, Sir.” Charcoal nodded sat against the bed’s headboard. Charcoal looked his son over noticing his scars, hat, and bandanna.
“You look like you’ve been keeping yourself busy,” he said. “Where’ve you been living?”
“I was just wandering around for the first couple years,” said Iron. “I had a tendency to get myself kicked out of places.” Charcoal grunted causing Iron to shrug. “The scars are from a Timberwolf fight.”
“You keep getting into trouble with those.”
“Yeah. Didn’t lose any body parts this time, however, so that’s a plus.” Charcoal smiled and shook his head. “I wandered into a place called Ponyville and met a mare named Applejack. I’ve been living with her and her family for about a year now.”
“She the one who gave you the hat?” asked Charcoal. Iron nodded. 
“Yeah. She actually came with me. I wasn’t sure if I could face you myself.”
“You’re doing fine right now.” Iron smiled.
“I guess so.”
“So, this Applejack mare,” began Charcoal. “She must be a good friend if she’s willing to come all the way here with you.”
“Yeah. She’s, um, very special to me.” Charcoal nodded.
“I see,” he said. “In that case. I’d like to meet her.” Iron suddenly got a little nervous.
“Are you up for more visitors?” he asked.
“Don’t start with that, Iron,” said Charcoal a little annoyed. “I’ll see whom I will.” Iron nodded and left. He returned with Applejack who seemed uneasy. “So, you’re Applejack?”
“Um, yes, Sir,” she replied. “Ah, hope ya don’t mind my bein’ here.”
“It’s fine. I just wanted to thank you for helping Iron. The stallions in are family aren’t always easy to get along with.”
“Aw, chucks, Sir. It tweren’t nothin,’” said AJ. “Iron’s a good stallion. Ah’m glad to have him around.”
“You’re smart to realize that,” said Charcoal. “I failed to for a long time. Keep an eye on him, would you? He tends to be a little headstrong sometimes.” Iron gave an irritated grumble but AJ chuckled.
“Ah promise I won’t be lettin’ him out of my sight any time soo,” promised AJ. Charcoal nodded and looked at Iron.
“I’m glad we could meet, Iron,” he said. “Could I trouble you to stay for a few days? I want to try and catch up as much as we can.” Iron nodded.
“I’ll stay as long as you need me, Dad,” he said. “I won’t abandon you again.” Charcoal smiled and Iron could have sworn he saw a tear start to prick the old stallion’s eye. “We’ll let you rest.” Charcoal nodded secretly grateful Iron was sparing him the embarrassment of seeing him cry like a foal. Iron and AJ left the room and Iron shut the door. He looked at AJ. “I guess I won’t be going back for a while. Is that alright.”
“Of course,” said AJ.
“Thanks, AJ, I-”
“And Ah’ll stay too.”
“What?” asked Iron. “But the farm-”
“Can last a few days without me,” AJ assured him. “Ah ain’t goin’ ta leave when ya need me.”
“You don’t have to do this,” said Iron. “I won’t be upset if you leave.”
“Ah know,” she said. “But Ah’m stayin’ anyway.” Iron chuckled and shook his head.
“You’re too good to me.” He began to walk down the hall. “Come with me.”
“Where are we goin’?” asked AJ following him.
“I want you to meet my Mom and brother.”