Shield had recovered from the nightmare just as he always did. His sister had been the one shaking him, but he’d sent Rainbow Dash back to bed. Afterwards he had spent the rest of the night sleeping relatively comfortably. The morning was similar to the one before in terms of getting up and going to work. In a way it reminded Shield of the days in boot camp, minus the screaming drill instructors.
The stallion reassured his sister he was fine before leaving, and he was sure to observe his wonderful cloud buddy. When he landed he found the door unlocked, immediately he feared there had been another break in. Thankfully the fears were put to rest when he entered the building. Cheerilee was in the school early, and she gave him a smile as he closed the door behind him.
“Guess who’s waiting in your room?” She asked, her smile faltering a bit.
“He couldn’t wait until the end of the day? I have shit to do in the mornings.” Shield groused before letting out an annoyed sigh. He’d dealt with Filthy Rich before, it had not gone well. “Fine, I’ll get this over with. Could you do me a favor and start a pot of-” He was cut off when he caught a whiff of coffee wafting from Cheerilee’s room. “You’re the best.”
“I try.” Cheerilee responded with a playful grin. “Now get in there so we can get on with our lives.” Shield nodded and trotted towards the door to his room, out of the corner of his eye he saw Cheerilee staring at him with a thoughtful expression. He could understand that, what he’d said the night before was probably a bit concerning. Shield ignored her and took a breath.
When he entered the room, he found Filthy Rich sitting with an unamused scowl on his face. The stallion looked up at the sound of the opening door, his glare landed on Shield within moments. The marine was unphased and trotted to his desk in silence, then sat down and leaned back in his chair. For several moments there was nothing, simply the two imposing stallions eying each other up for weakness.
“I’m a very busy stallion, Mister Rich.” Shield finally said, leaning forwards onto his desk. “If you have something to say, I suggest you say it.” Filthy Rich let out an indignant snort in response.
“Why did my daughter come home covered in dirt, and with twigs in her mane?” The stallion finally spoke. “The poor dear could barely stand, and when I asked why she said it had to do with you.” Shield silently reached into his desk and pulled out several grading sheets, he then placed them out for his ‘guest’ to see.
“These are the grading keys for the final exam.” The marine said flatly, making sure that Filthy Rich got a good look. “As you know we are several weeks shy of the end of the school year, your daughter broke into my classroom with two other students in an effort to steal these.” The stallion across from him looked as if he’d been struck. “I have exhausted all other avenues of punishment, and as such, I am reduced to using the ‘Corporal Clause’.”
Filthy Rich let out a sigh, knowing he’d been beaten. The stallion was familiar with that particular clause, as he himself had been subjected to it in his youth. To Shield’s surprise, Filthy started to look rather sorry.
“I… I understand.” He said, hanging his head. “Diamond Tiara has been rather difficult in the past, I can’t tell you how many angry letters I’ve received regarding her.” Shield was at a loss for words, he’d expected more of a fight. “I just don’t know how to handle her, and I try to be her friend more than her father.”
“I can’t say I have advice for you, I’m not a father.” Shield stated, slipping the grading sheets back into his desk. “Talking to her might be a good idea though, find out where you stand.” Filthy Rich nodded.
“I won’t bother you about this again, Mister Dasher.” He said, standing up. “Just please, go easy on her?” Shield nodded, watching him walk to the door. “I’ll see to it she’s on time from now on, as well.” With that, the stallion exited the room. Shield let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. It was far too early in the morning to be dealing with family dilemmas, at least without proper caffeination.
For several minutes his room was silent, Shield began opening the shutters and getting everything ready for the day. He sharpened the pencils and wrote several notes on the board, the day’s subject was one he was sure had been covered dozens of times before. Cutie marks. Shield never really understood why they were so Faust damned important to everyone. He couldn’t say with certainty what his meant, he didn’t even remember getting it. Before he could delve further into the problems with society, there was a knock on his door. Cheerilee entered moments later, carrying two steaming cups of coffee on a tray.
“How’d it go?” She asked, letting Shield take one of the cups.
“Different from what I’d expected. At one moment he looked like he wanted to kill me, then I told him what happened and he got all… well. I don’t know what to call it.” The Marine replied, scratching his head and sitting down. He sipped the cup and let out a sigh. “This is that new Manehattan Brew, isn’t it? Can practically taste the city.” Cheerilee nodded, sipping her own cup. She was looking at the board, noticing how light the notes seemed.
“Are you sure they’ll get enough information from these?” She asked, Shield nodded and looked at the board.
“They’ve already heard this a dozen times, I don’t understand why we need to teach it AGAIN.” The stallion let out a sigh and shook his head. “It just makes those who don’t have one targets for those who do. A problem I am trying to correct.” Cheerilee nodded, looking at a book near the board. The curriculum, which hadn’t been updated in seventeen years.
“That’s the hoof we’re dealt, I’m afraid…” She looked off for a moment, staring out the window at the sun that was rising higher into the sky. For several minutes there was silence until Shield cleared his throat. The mare turned and looked at him, and he could tell she was trying to think of something to say. “The stuff you said last night. I can’t imagine what it’s like, but, if you need someone to talk to…”
“It’s okay, Miss Cheerilee.” Shield replied, sighing. He sipped his coffee once more, then leaned back in his seat. “I can handle myself, but thanks for the offer.” The mare nodded and gave a small smile.
“Any time.” Cheerilee started trotting to the door, then paused. “Really…” With that, she left the stallion to his thoughts. His eye drifted to the curriculum, Shield stood up and walked over to it. It was old and falling apart. Without a thought the stallion picked it up and tossed it into the trash can by his desk. The bell would be ringing soon, and class would start as usual.
[♠]
Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest…
Crimson Star let out a sigh as he watched the little town in the distance, he’d noted nothing of interest save for one pony. A one eyed stallion. What was more, this one eyed stallion walked with a familiar stride of confidence. He could tell in an instant, the stallion was a Marine. Crimson had fought many during the war in Stalliongrad, they were formidable opponents.
Crimson had also noticed that wherever the stallion went, a cloud always seemed to follow him. Obviously he was of some importance, and that would complicate things later down the road. His comrade had yet to arrive, and the waiting was making him anxious. Not that it would matter, he’d checked the area he’d been instructed to check, and the seeds of vengeance had taken root. When the longest day of summer arrived, they would strike and liberate his home.
The Stalliongradi looked at Canterlot, noting a small neighborhood where he had killed several guards. His thoughts turned to a little filly he had watched from the roof, and a smile crossed his face. She was his reason for being in this Luna forsaken forest, and for her he would do it a thousand times over. If it meant she could live free of oppression, he would stay as long as it took.
“Daddy will come home soon…” He said to himself, holding back a tear. Crimson Star went back to watching the town, praying that all would go well.