//------------------------------// // 13: Return Day 1: Rarity & Crusaders // Story: Dawn of The Ice King // by KingdomBrony16 //------------------------------// I woke up with a yawn and opened my eye to the blinding sun, "Fuggin…. Celestia… I swear she shines the sun on me directly because she knows I hate it." I tried to stretch only to have my arms held down by Shy and Goldy, "Right… I'm home, kinda forgot that." I stretched my neck and looked down at them; they were sleeping peacefully, breathing slowly, in and out in and out. I laid my head back down and closed my eyes. "I suppose I can sleep a few more minutes…" BEEP BEEP BEEEEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEP BEEEP BEEEEEP! I groaned, "Never mind…" "Is it morning already?" I heard Shy ask through a yawn. "Yeah, it is. How did you sleep?" She sat up and rubbed her eyes, "Really good, I'm glad you're back." She gave me a kiss on the cheek. I just blushed and nodded, when we heard a little groan come from next to us. "W-what time i-is it?" Goldy asked, also yawning. I looked at the clock on the nightstand next to our bed, "6:30 and that means you have an hour before your first day of school starts." I ruffled her hair. "Good, that means I can go back to sleep for a bit." Her head slammed back into the pillow, her horn puncturing it. Shy sat up and poked Goldy's back, "No, that means you go and take a shower, get dressed, and get packed while I cook some breakfast." "Do I have to?" She whined out, "Daddy…" "Don't look at me I have no sway in what your mom says, never have and I never will." I said rolling on my stomach. "Fiiiine." She climbed out of bed and a few seconds later I heard a shower running from the hall. "The same goes for you mister, you have to go into town to meet everypony again." Shy told me firmly. My tail twitched unhappily, "Shiiiit, do I have to?" "Mhm, though I won't tell you who to go see first, even though you know who you should." She said getting out of bed and putting on a robe. "I know I know, but she's going to kill me for not doing so yesterday so a few more hours… or days… won't hurt." I mumbled through the pillows. "Well don't say I didn't warn you." And with that she was out the door. "Hey Ixis you up yet?" I asked the dragon that shared the same mind as me. +Yeah, I wake up the same time you do, same mind and all remember?+ "Sarcasm, cute, well I'm used to it. So who do you think I should go see first today?" +Personally I think it should be Pinkie as well.+ I made a squealing sound. +Fine if not Pinkie, then Rarity, Rainbow and Apple Jack first after that Twilight and Spike, followed by Bon Bon and Lyra and finally Pinkie.+ "Sounds like a plan to me." I rolled off the bed and clambered into the shower. After a good cleaning and getting dressed I was downstairs sitting at the table eating some toast, Goldy was eating some eggs, toast, and had a glass of milk and Fluttershy was eating… tofu? Gross. "Don't even understand how you can stomach that mess Shy." I told her biting into my toast with a satisfying clink and crunch. Did I mention my toast had gems in them, actually the bread in general did, I brought it back with me from the Crystal Empire. "Most ponies eat it…" She said under her breath. I swallowed, "Right sorry… it's just I've been out of Equestria so often that I tend to forget ponies only eat plants." "Well I never had gems before now, I mean I've seen Spike eat them all the time but I never thought I could." Goldy said. "Pfft your own fault for never asking, anyway it's about time you went to school. I have to go out anyway, you want me to walk you there?" I asked her, she nodded. "Ok, go get your backpack and your… wait right you don't wear shoes, go get your backpack on and we'll be good to go." She ran off leaving her fork to clatter on her empty plate. "Chris…" "Yeah Shy?" "You're a great father." She said with a smile. "Eh, it's only been a day, I'm sure I'll fuck it up at some point, but I'll try not to." I said finishing off my last piece of toast. "I don't think you will, but have fun with your day." "I plan on it, actually, what are you doing today?" I asked her. "I plan on visiting whitetail woods to see some friends." She said pulling out a picnic basket. "Are they two bears?" I asked jokingly. She nodded, "Two actually, a papa and a cub." I looked at her, "Is one named Yogi and the other Boo-Boo?" I was really hoping she'd say no. "Yes they are… how did you know?" She asked with an incredulous look on her face. "I-I… don't… just… I'm gonna take Goldy to school, say hi to your bears for me ok?" I got up and kissed her on the cheek and went to the door to wait. "Ok I'm ready." Goldy said looking up at me. "Cool, let's go." I said and so we went. "Hey dad, you're a prince right?" Goldy asked me on the way there. "Yep, why do you ask?" "Well does that make me a princess or do you and mom have to get married first?" I blinked, "Hmm, I'm not sure, I think you're a princess because you are my kid." "Can I tell the kids at the school I'm a princess?" She asked. "You can if you want just be nice and stuff." I told her. "Well I wasn't going to be mean…" "I know but school does things to kids, trust me. Just be yourself, you do that and you will have friends regardless if they know you're a princess or not, you'll have better friends for it too." I told her. She nodded, "Ok… will you pick me up once school is out?" "Of course and if I'm taking too long…" I pulled out a small ruby from my pocket and handed it to her. "Tap on this three times and I'll be there." "What is it?" "No idea, Twilight made it for me and gave it to me when we were around each other once. All I know is that when you tap on it, the emerald on my wristband will glow and vibrate with a red glow." "Ok… well it looks like we're here." She said softly. "Nervous?" she nodded, "Don't be, remember what I said be yourself and pay attention in class alright? I've met Cheerilee once before, she was really nice, so you shouldn't be in for too much trouble unless you have another CMC in your class." I laughed. "Alright, I'll see you later, love you daddy." She said giving me a hug "I love you too Goldy, remember tap on the gem three times if you need me for anything." I kissed her forehead and watched her go into the school house with the rest of the kids. +And you still think you're a bad dad?+ "Always will, like I told Fluttershy, I know I'm gonna fuck up at some point the best I can do is hope she doesn't hate me when I do." I said with a sigh. +You beat yourself up far too much you know. You're doing fine, just keep this up and you'll be fine.+ "I wish I could believe you Ixis I really do." And with that I made my way to Rarity's Boutique. I was about to knock on the door when I remembered that during the day this is mainly a shop, so I just walked right in and was greeted with. "Welcome to Rarity's Boutique, where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique how may we help you today?" Said a unicorn I've never seen before. He was about a head shorter than I was with white mottled fur and had charcoal colored hair and tail. "Uh... I was wondering if Rarity was in…" I was still really confused who this was as he was wearing no nametag or anything and he hasn't introduced himself. "Ah, she is but you need an appointment to see her, she is rather busy and doesn't liked to be disturbed by anyone other than her friends." He said. "That's… what?" I asked, cocking my head to the side. "Yes, well ever since Ms. Rarity became one of the largest names in fashion a few years back she's been swamped with orders day in, day out, so she had to make the choice to only see her friends and family during the day. And that is why I, Hot Flash, am here, she hired me to take care of anypony who isn't friend or family. Actually… you aren't a pony at all." He said giving me a good look up and down. "Well aren't you observant, yeah I'm not a pony. I'm a Drako, and yes I know you've never heard of it, I'm the only one so it makes sense. And the name's Chris, pleased to meet ya." I said. "Yes well you still need an appointment to see Ms. Rarity." He said looking at his clipboard. "Why? I'm her friend, a friend she hasn't seen in five years mind you but a friend regardless." I told him. "She's never mentioned you before." He said. "I swear I'm her friend, seriously just go and ask her and if you won't I will use my authority on you." I warned. He raised a brow, "What authority could you possibly have?" I groaned and pulled out a chain that had a crest with a snowflake emblazoned over half a Crystal Heart and half a Shield with stars, "I'm a prince of the Crystal Empire and adopted brother of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor." "Right, well, being from Canterlot I can tell you that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor do not have an adopted brother unless you count the dragon that Princess Twilight Sparkle has with her." Hot flash said. I smacked my face with my palm, I forgot I told them not to tell anyone I was a prince, but they left out that I was part of the royal family all together… well fuck, "Look… just where is Sweetie Belle? She could vouch for me, I swear she could." At that he looked surprised, "You know Ms. Belle?" "Yes I know Sweetie, she's also a friend of mine. I also know Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. I know Apple Jack, Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and my marefriend is Fluttershy, we even have a daughter. Now, you're running down my patience and I swear if you don't go tell Rarity that I'm here…" I formed an ice spike in my hand and shot it through one of the ponnequins' leg, "That will be you next." I added in a deep growl just for effect. I could hear him swallow, "R-right… let me check and see if Ms. Rarity is available." He said nervously. I gave him a happy smile, "Thank you." I said cheerily as he walked up stairs and around a corner. +That was mean Chris… funny but mean.+ I shrugged, "Eh I gotta get my amusement somehow." I few minutes later he came downstairs. "Yes, well, Ms. Rarity said that she will be down in a few minutes, also she told me to apologize to you so…" He looked away. "Eh don't worry about it, I know you were just doing your job and I was just messing you, I was never gonna hurt you, worst case scenario is that I was just gonna sit here until she came out of her room." I gave him a pat on the back. "Loosen up some man and seriously wear more comforting clothes, you look like you're about to die." He nodded, "Sir, if you don't mind are you really a prince?" "Yeah, but I'll be honest I don't care and don't call me sir." "My apologies sir… uh, what would you liked to be called?" He asked. "My name, just like I'd call you Hot or Flash, whichever you prefer." I said sitting in a chair. "I prefer Hot Flash." "Well Hot Flash it is." "Would you like anything to drink while you wait Sir Chris?" He asked, his entire demeanor different than when I walked in. "Nah, and I told you cut the sir crap, just be yourself. I'm a prince yes, but I'm still a normal guy. And hell I've only been a prince for five years, I only feel like a prince when I'm at balls or political meetings or some shit. So just relax and come sit down, and if Rarity gets on your case I'll just buy like 40 already made clothes or something, should calm her down." I leaned back. "I-I don't know…" "Dude, just sit down, relax a bit." I patted the seat next to me. "Y-yes sir…" He sat down but was still stiff as a board and was holding his clipboard very tightly. I put my hand on his chest and pushed him back against the back of the chair. "Re-lax." He took a deep breath and his posture settled, "Better?" he nodded, "Good, now tell me a little about yourself, start anywhere with anything, I don't care." "I well…you said Ms. Fluttershy was your marefriend?" "And I have a daughter, yeah, why do you ask?" "Well… how did you do it? I mean how did you get her to like you?" "Me? Well I'm not too sure, I didn't do anything special. I was just myself. She was nice to me and I was nice back to her and eventually we just fell for each other pretty fast. It wasn't till a few months later that we actually officially became a couple and after that I had to go away for 5 years. It was tough but we talked through letters and I hoped to see her at the Grand Galloping Gala but sadly she never went. Twilight told me that she was always too busy to go and I guess I know why now. She had to take care of our daughter." "Why did it take you months to officially become a couple?" I laughed nervously, "Ah… you see, that was my fault, I'm a broken man. Going over how would take too long but I'll tell you that I was just in a bad place for a few months due to a bad choice I felt I made and eventually it was confronted and things came out and I felt better and we made it official. After that well things just kind of went how they went, if you want to know more you can ask Rarity." "Oh I see… I don't know how that can help me though." "I'm guessing there's someone you want to get with?" He nodded, "Yes well.. s-she's really nice and funny. Uh… her coat shimmers in the sunlight and hi-her eyes are the deepest shade of blue. And I just… I want to… I want hi-her to like me too but I don't… know if h-she does and…" "Stop right there, first off stop lying. You don't like a girl do you?" He gulped, "Y-yes I do! Her name is Sh-Shimmer… Shine…" "Uh huh… right, and I'm guessing she has a great personality, her body is amazing with nice flanks, great breasts, and a bulge to die for." I slipped that last one in there quickly so that he could hear it but not catch on right away. "Yes all of those especially the last one!" He said and the blushed realizing what he said. I just gave a devilish smile, "Caught ya." "I-I-I… please, sir, don't tell anyone… I'll leave your presence if your promise not to tell anyone. I understand if I disgust you." He said starting to get up. "I won't tell anyone but stay where you are." I told him. "Sir?" "You heard me, sit your butt down." I pulled him by his tail back down. "You aren't… repulsed by me?" He asked. I laughed, "Psh, no, dude I suck dick too." "What… but, sir, you said…" "Yeah? That I have a marefriend and a daughter? So what? I find both dudes and chicks attractive. Son, how old are you?" I asked him "18 sir." He said. "Ah, when did you realize you didn't like mares the same way every other colt did?" "Only recently, I always thought I liked mares. I've even had several marefriends who've wanted to do sexual things with me but I could never…" He trailed off. "get it up?" he nodded his face turning a very deep shade of red, "And I'm guessing this guy does?" Again a nod. "What's his name?" "Bolt Stream… his name is Bolt Stream." He said. "Pegasus?" "Yes sir, with the best wings I've ever seen." He admitted. "Heh, yeah pegasi do have great wings. Anyway, you two friends?" "Yes, we've been friends for years now." "Ah one of those huh? Alright I can give you some advice, it may not be good and you can take it or leave it but I'll give you some advice. He's your friend, possibly your best and closest friend, tell him how you feel. Worst case scenario is he's straight as uncooked spaghetti and he'll still be your friend regardless, best case scenario is he's cooked spaghetti and feels the same way. Either way he'll still be your friend and you'll still have him around. Trust me it may hurt if it's the worst case but at least he's still around, he could easily just say nope and stop being your friend and if that happens he was never your friend to begin with and at that point come find me again and we can drown your sorrows and a huge tub of Ice Cream." I patted him on the back. "Seriously, just be yourself, it may sound cliché but it works." "I will try that sir, thank you." He said with a smile. "No problem and like I said, cut the sir crap." We talked for pretty much an hour until Rarity came downstairs, her hair in a bun held together by two pencils, that I'm guessing she used to draw up sketches of her designs. She looked tired as all hell and yet still elegant, not surprised. "Hot Flash, dear, why are you sitting down? Shouldn't you be serving Chris or checking orders?" She asked the colt sitting next to me. I stood up to greet the fashionista as she got to the bottom floor, "Eh, my fault Rarity, I told him to take it easy and we've just been talking. Also, if I need something to drink I know where the kitchen is." "I don't understand why, if I was a princess I would be waited on hand and hoof every day for the rest of my life. I'd have suitors lined up for as far as the eye can see and I'd be the pony that everypony should know." She said dreamily. "And you'd hate it with a passion, much more so than I would. It goes against your nature, you'd rather do something else for someone than have someone do everything for you. Yeah you're a lot like the ponies in Canterlot but unlike them you're still well, as we say on my world, human. No offense Flash." I told her. "None taken sir." He said. "You're infuriating when you're right Chris." She said rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Tis my job." I gave her a hug which she returned. "I've missed you, we all missed you. When did you get back?" She asked. "Yesterday actually." I told her. "You got back yesterday?! Why didn't you come to see any of us?" "Well I went to Fluttershy first obviously and I spent the day with her and Goldy." I told her. "I guess I'll just excuse myself." Hot Flash said walking to a back room. "Goldy…? Oh Golden Skies! Ah, so you met your daughter, she's such a sweetheart isn't she? She takes after Fluttershy so much, well except all the dragon stuff." She said offhandedly. "Really? She takes more after me when we're at home, maybe she's much more subdued outside of the house like Flutter…Shy…. Damn it." Rarity giggled and gave me a hug, "It's good to have you back darling." I sighed and hugged her back, "It's good to be back Rarity. So how has life been to you these past five years?" "Oh it's been absolutely wonderful, busy but wonderful. I've finally been recognized in Canterlot and I even have a shop out there that I ship clothes to, I'm hoping to expand all over the world." (this was written well before the episode where this actually happens) I sat back down, "Trust me a lot of the world needs it. I've been to places where people don't have clothes because they can't afford them or they just aren't being made. The world is much bigger than Equestria, lot different too." "That sounds absolutely dreadful; surely not every place you visited was like that." "Nah a lot of places were like Ponyville, some were like Canterlot, like I said the world is very different outside of Equestria. I met so much royalty that I'm pretty sure I'm sick of the color purple… err no offense." She waved it off, "None taken, so what brings you to my home and shop?" "Just wanted to catch up really… that and I'm doing my best to avoid Pinkie." I said with a shudder. "Darling you know that's not a very good idea right?" "Yes I do, but I've been gone for 5 years, a few more hours can't hurt." I'm probably gonna regret that. She shrugged, "Well, as long as you know what you are getting yourself into. Though, since you have come to catch up, let us gossip." And so we talked for a little bit, Hot Flash was doing busy work and stopped to offer water or some snacks, which I graciously accepted. He even stopped to listen in and talk sometimes, good kid. "So how is Sweetie?" I asked her. Rarity's smile diminished, "Well… she's been… a problem, for lack of a better word." "A problem?" She nodded, "Yes, about a year after you were gone she started to get more rowdy and distant. After she left Cheerilee's Classes to go off to her second school with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo it got worse. She's never home and I've been getting complaints that she's been well… more destructive with her antics… which is strange since they've already gotten their cutie marks." I scratched my chin, "And you say this started a year after I left/ didn't come back?" she nodded. "Hmmm… maybe…" "Maybe what?" "I was just thinking did you tell her that I was going to be gone for five years?" "Well of course we did, we told everyone. Though the girls didn't believe us for a while and when… Oh dear, I see." "Yep, her and I were pretty good friends, even during those months of horrid depression I hung out with the crusaders and stuff, mostly with Sweetie. She was cool for a kid. So I guess she was lashing out because she thought she lost a friend. Oh man… well if I see them I'll talk to her I promise." I told Rarity. "Please do, it would be a huge favor for me." She said. At that moment Hot Flash poked his head from behind a corner, "Miss Rarity there is a Mister Fancy Pants on the phone for you." She stood up quickly, "Excuse me Chris, I have to take this." "Sure go ahead." Wait… when did she get a phone? I mean in the past five years phones became more popular but they were still pretty scarce. I just assumed it was because she needed a way to instantly contact her store in Canterlot. A few minutes later Rarity came back from the phone call, "I'm sorry dear but it seems that quite a number of requests have come through and they are urgent so I'll have to cut our reunion short. What are you doing for the rest of the day, maybe you can come back and we can catch up some more." I stood up and stretched, cracking my neck and uncrunching up my tail, "I'm going to go talk to everyone else, Rainbow next. But if I have time I'll come back I promise." "Alright, well if you will excuse me, don't be a stranger." She said walking back upstairs. "Alright!" I called after her, "And Hot Flash, don't forget what I said." I said to the colt. "Yes sir, I'll remember." He said stiffening up a bit. "I'll say it again, relax and cut the sir crap." I said with a smile before leaving the shop. I cracked my knuckles and neck letting out a sigh or pleasure, "So good, all right up next is Rainbow, it's the middle of day so I guess she'd be at work… now where was the weather station at again, next to the town hall, right?" I shrugged, "Good a place as any to start looking." And so I made my way to the town hall, I saw a lot of ponies that were here five years ago and a lot of new ones as well, the town sure grew quite a bit in five years, but as I normally am, ha, I was right the weather station was right next to the town hall. I walked in and saw a teal unicorn with deep blue hair sitting at the front desk flipping through a magazine. She looked up at me and then back down at her magazine before looking back up at me with wide eyes. "Uh… h-how may I help you sir?" She asked, stumbling over her words a bit. I was unaffected by this reaction, I got it a lot on my travels out of Equestria, "Yeah, I was wondering if Rainbow Dash was in?" She gave me a confused look, "Sir?" "You know, Rainbow Dash? The leader of the weather team in Ponyville?" She still gave me a quizzical look, I sighed, "Sky blue coat? Rainbow hair and tail? Sonic Rainboom and all that jazz? Obsesses over the Wonderbolts like they're gods?" That last one caused something to spark, "Oh right, her, she hasn't worked her in 2 years." It was my turn to be confused, "Really, what happened, did she get fired?" She shook her head, "No she finally got accepted into the Wonderbolts, well training to be a Wonderbolt." "Wow, so she finally got her dream to come true, and she's been gone for 2 years?" "Mostly, she comes back to Ponyville when she can or whenever there's a crisis… which is like every 3 months." She mumbled the last part. I scratched the base of my horns, "Well that sucks… I was hoping to see her. Do you have any idea when the next time she comes to town is?" "Sorry, I don't. Uh, sir do you mind if I ask what your relationship with her is?" "Hmm? Oh, I'm just an old friend, I recently came back from training of my own and I'm visiting all of my old friends, she just happens to be one of them." "Oh I see, well if I see her again do you want me to tell her you were in town? I mean I would need your name but…" "The name's Chris, but no need, I'll be in Ponyville for quite some time, after all I live here, at least now I do. But thanks for the offer ms?" "Sea Breeze." (Also before the breezie episode) "Thanks Sea Breeze, also don't be so afraid by appearances alright and because I know you're wondering, yes all this is real. What am I? A Drakon, what's a Drakon? Human/Dragon hybrid, what's a human? What I was originally, do I feel like explaining more? No sorry. Anyway, have a nice day." "O-ok?" She just looked back down to her magazine confused as all get out. I just chuckled and left but as soon as I stepped out the door I was rammed into from the side and sent flying against a tree several feet away. I was sitting on the ground a bit dizzy, but not was broken, "Thank chimichangas I'm part dragon." I held my head for a second, "Anyone get the license plate of whatever that hit me?" +Yeah, it was blue and rainbow colored.+ Ixis said in an annoyed tone. "Sounds a bit redundant but… wait… rainbow colored?" I looked up to see a toothy smile and magenta eyes that had locks of red, orange, and yellow hair cover a good majority of her face, "Rainbow…" She held out a hand to help me up and I took it, "Sup big guy, I thought you weren't gonna be back for another few months." I brushed myself off and cracked my back, "Yeah well I finished sooner than I thought, what about you? I heard you were a Wonderbolt and that your schedule was all sorts of erratic, what are you doing in town?" "Training to be a Wonderbolt, I still have one more year left until I'm a full-fledged Bolt. But I have the rest of the year off of my training, not really sure why but hey I ain't complaining, got some time to actually sleep in." She said with a laugh. "Yeah, wish I could say the same." "Right, daughter and all that… wait you have met her right? Cuz if not then I just spoiled the biggest surprise ever, and if I did forget I even said anything." She said quickly. "Nah, you're good I met Goldy already, a real sweetheart, she takes after her mom." "Really? I heard she takes after you more and likes to study like Twilight." "I really hope you aren't implying anything because if you are." I knew she wasn't implying anything I just love messing with her… and everyone. "What?! No! I was there when she was born and everything! Shy even made me a godmother I would never think that…" "Relax, I know you didn't, I was playing. You have time to catch up or are you too busy?" I asked her. "Well not that you mention it, I'm actually late for something, but I'm free all day tomorrow we can catch up then if you want." She said stretching, her uniform, which she was wearing, hugged her body very… nicely. "Yeah that sounds fine, I need to head towards the school anyway, I wanna check on Goldy. Oh and don't go telling Pinkie I'm here." I told her. "Sure, but only if you're still letting me train you when you get your wings." "Of course, I want the best to teach me, you mind if I bring Goldy along too? I don't know if she's old enough to fly by pony standards and I'm not sure about dragon standards but it'd be good for her to learn early and such." "Sure, the more the merrier, well I gotta go see ya popsicle!" She spread her wings and took off in a burst of speed. I whistled, "She got faster, very nice." I was on my way to the schoolhouse when I spotted a familiar group of ponies. They looked to be about 16 years old, it was Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. +Well if that's not convenient…+ "Then I don't know what is." I got closer and heard their conversation. "Sweetie Belle, what's been going on, we both know you've been acting strange for a while now and we've been looking past it but now we're worried, come on you can tell us, we're your friends." Scootaloo said. Sweetie just looked away, "You wouldn't understand…" "Well of course we don't understand, ya won't tell us what's wrong so how could we understand Sugar?" I see Apple Bloom caught the 'sugar cube' from Apple Jack. "Why are you worried now? It's been like this for years and you never worried before." She said with a bit of spite. "W-well… we just thought ya would've gotten over whatever it is that's botherin ya." Scootaloo placed a hand on Sweetie's shoulder, "Yeah, look we're sorry that we didn't ask about it before and stuff but you know…" Sweetie brushed Scootaloo's hand off and sighed, "If I tell you will you leave me alone?" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each and then nodded. +Should we intervene? I mean it looks like she's about to get rid of her friends.+ Ixis said. "No… let's wait this out." I climbed up a nearby tree so I wouldn't be spotted but I could still hear them. "It started about five years ago, you remember Chris right?" Apple Bloom nodded, "Ya mean the cool dragon guy?" "Yeah well, you remember how he would play with us and stuff, even when he was depressed and stuff?" "Of course, I mean, back then we didn't understand what was going on but we do now and we know that we couldn't do much about it." Scootaloo said. "Well he left remember? He left and didn't tell us at all, I thought we were his friends. We were told by our sisters that he left so he could feel better, but his friends make him feel better, so why didn't he take us?" She asked her voice getting louder and louder. "And then he never came back! I know they said he was only going to be gone for five years but…" "Sweetie…" I looked down at them from the tree, Sweetie's hands were balled up into fists. "Sweetie, they told us why we couldn't go, somethin about him that we wouldn't be able tah handle at that age." "Then why was Spike able to go?! We're the same age!" She was yelling at this point, a few tears were dripping from her cheeks. "I don't know… but when they got back Spike looked like he saw or heard something terrible, what if that's what they were trying to protect us from with Chris?" Scootaloo suggested. "No, I don't believe that, Chris was nice, kind, caring, and handsome even when he was depressed." Sweeties said not catching the last thing. +Did she just?+ "Well that was a thing that happened…" "Sweets did ya just say handsome?" She got wide eyed and started to stammer, "I-I… no… I… didn't… um…" she fell on her knees and sat down. "Belle, did ya like Chris? Do ya still like 'im?" Apple Bloom asked the question we were all wondering. Sweetie Belle didn't answer she just looked away and sniffled. "Is that why you've been avoiding Fluttershy and her daughter?" Scootaloo asked. "She's been avoiding Flutters and Goldy?" I asked no one in particular. +Apparently so, are you sure we should still wait this out?+ I nodded, "I don't think it would be a good time for me to just appear right now." +Hmmm, alright. Let us continue to watch and listen then.+ "I… I don't like to admit it but I'm jealous of Fluttershy… she gets to be with someone who is so nice and caring, they even had a kid. I just..." +Ok seriously I think you should intervene now.+ Ixis urged me. "Yeah… I do too." I jumped out of the tree landing in an Iron Man style pose and slowly stood up. I started walking towards them, "Hey girls, what's up?" I said while waving my hand. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked up and gasped while Sweetie's ears perked up but she didn't look up. "What? It looks like you've just seen a ghost, it's not like I died, and I know your sister's didn't tell you that." I adjusted my eye patch, it tends to slip a bit. "I… but… your…. What happened to your eye? And that scar? And the tail!" Scootaloo asked. "Oh yeah that… those… them. I'll tell you all about it later, I need to talk to Sweetie, alone. Please." I just gave them a curt nod. "Alright… but you've got a lot of explainin tah do." Apple Bloom said a bit miffed but she dragged a stunned Scootaloo off with her, not too far but far enough that they couldn't hear Sweetie and I talking. I kneeled and put my hand on Sweetie's shoulder since she was sitting on the ground, "Sweetie…" "Why?" I sighed, "Sweetie, look I'm sorry I know I should've…" She pushed my hand off her. She looked up quickly at me with a blaze in her eyes, "You're sorry?! You decide to leave and not take us, even though you took Spike, and then you leave for five years and you think you can say, 'You're sorry.' And everything will be ok?!" "No, I suppose not…" "I loved you, didn't you know that? I still love you…" Her voice hitched with a sob. I got on my knees and pulled her into a hug, "I love you too Sweetie, but… not like that. I love you like you were my little sister, and I'm so so sorry for putting you through this. But trust me when I say you'll get over this, you'll find someone you truly love and who truly loves you back. You'll always be my friend and baby sister though… and I promise I won't ever leave again without telling you." She just cried into my chest and I let her, sometimes it's all someone needs is to be held really. After a few minutes she pulled away, "I'm… I'm sorry I was acting like a kid." I gave her a warm smile, "Hey just be glad that you can still get away with it, I was literally made to go to Canterlot to talk about my problems. So enjoy being a kid, it only comes once a life. Now smile, you're too pretty to be crying." She laughed at that, wiped her tears away and nodded, "You know I still like you though, right?" "Yeah, but honestly, who doesn't? I'm just that awesome ya know? Now come on I owe you and them a very long explanation." I stood up and helped Sweetie up as well and we walk over to the others, I told them of my past… "That's… horrible…" Sweetie Said. "I swear if I ever meet that girl I'm going to… argh!" Scootaloo punched a fence post. "Girls Ah think we're focusin on the wrong thing here, sure Chris didn't have the best life, but what he did have, even if he didn't realize it till later, was that he had amazing friends to help him through it all." Apple bloom said. "She's right, I did have good friends, still feel bad about leaving them behind… kind like how I did with you three… sorry." I said with a nervous chuckle. Scootaloo gave out an annoyed sigh, "For the 10th time we forgive you dude." "So what about your eye, the scar, and the tail?" Sweetie asked. "Oh yeah that… well you see what had happened was…" And so I told them about my little trek through the Crystal Empire and such. Apple Bloom looked at my eye patch, "Didn't having your eye teeming with dark magic hurt?" I shrugged, "I wouldn't know I had so much adrenaline pumping through me that I didn't feel anything except my broken bones and even then I barely felt those, and after I sent Sombra flying I passed out." Scootaloo had a giant smile on her face, "I still think it was cool that you went all rage mode and beat the crap out of that creep after he hurt Fluttershy." I tilted my head, "Cool huh… I don't know, I'm not a fan of going out of control and almost killing something no matter how evil it was. But I'm pretty sure I would if someone I loved was in danger again." "Well I understand why Spike was so shaken up… I don't know how I would've done if I saw a pony that looked like my sister frozen in solid ice." Sweetie said with a whisper. "Yeah the poor guy was pretty shaken up after that, I heard he took it like a champ though. Also means you're possibly related to Princess Platinum Sweetie." "Me?!" He voice squeaked, good to know she still had that little quirk. "Woah Sweetie is a princess or something like that? Cool." I shook my head, "No I don't think so, I mean she could potentially rule in the Crystal empire but it'd take like the entire wiping of her family, mine, Cadence's' and few other ponies' as well." "Well I wouldn't want that, they can all have the throne!" She said, hoping I didn't jinx anything. "Heh… no but…" I felt a vibrating in my pocket and saw a faint red-green glow coming from it, "Crap… uh sorry to cut this short girls but I gotta go, do me a favor and not tell Pinkie I'm back, ok? Thanks, bye." I stood up and sprinted down the road to the school without waiting to hear their answer. I skidded to a stop when I reached the front of the school, but I didn't see anyone at the front, but I heard some noise coming from the back so that's where I was headed. When I got there I saw Goldy back into a corner by three other kids, one colt with green fur and purple hair, a filly with a white coat and pink hair, and another filly with a black coat and black hair. +You know they are called manes right?+ "Yeah but human first, dragon second, pony third so it's hair to me. But I think we should stop this." +Agreed, let's have some fun with this though.+ she suggested "What do you have in mind?" I listened to her idea and got a very devious smile. I stalked up behind the kids who had my daughter backed up against a wall, shushing the others as I walked passed them. Well stalked isn't exactly the right word… slid is a bit better, basically I froze a strip of the ground so I could skate soundlessly up to them, ice powers always come in handy. When I was behind the middle foal, the colt with the all black look going on, I saw that he was holding the gem that I gave to Goldy. "So what's this thing huh?" He said turning it around in his hand. I-It's something my…" Her eyes darted past the colt and directly at me I just put my finger to my lips and made a hand movement to tell her to keep going. "Your what?" The colt demanded. "My… dad…" Goldy responded. "Your dad? Hah, what is he a freak like you too?" The filly said. Goldy bristled at that, "My dad is not a freak!" "You're right, your dad isn't the one who's a freak, your mom is for having you with him!" She retorted back. +Oh we have to bump it up a notch at that…+ Ixis said. 'Agreed, how about we do that?' I offered +I don't know Chris… it could be dangerous.+ 'It'll only be off for a second I promise, just to give them a good scare.' +Fine but only for a second, last time it took all I had to bring you back.+ 'Yeah yeah got it.' I nodded to Goldy. "Take that back or else!" Goldy warned. "Or else what, are you going to growl at us? I'm so scared." The green colt said, finish with a mocking laugh. Goldy just smirked, "May not be scary but he is." I took that as my queue and lowered my body's temperature so that my breathing came out as a thick steam/fog, and gave a low threatening growl, with my eye glowing a very bright blue, then I took my eye patch off. The three bullies turned around to see me with my teeth bared, a scowl on my face, a piercing blue eye, and whatever was underneath my eye patch. Also I guess the fact that I'm a creature they've never seen before helped. The black colt dropped the gemstone and backed up, the other two following suit before sputtering out, "Wh-who… what… a-are…?" I put on a menacing smile, "Who… am I? I'm her dad." They looked behind them at Goldy who just stuck her tongue out. "And to you…" I snarled, "I'm… YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!" I let out with a roar that blasted frigid air over them. They whimpered, screamed and passed out right on the spot. I just blinked and stood back up putting my eye patch quickly back on, "I think I might've overdone it some." +Just a tad, but it wasn't entirely your fault.+ "Ah I see, I'll have to make it up them…" I looked to Goldy, who was a bit shaken up, "Are you ok? I didn't scare you did I?" She shook her head, "Probably not as much as everyone else." I looked behind me at the kids who were just staring, far away, but staring. I just smiled sheepishly, "Do you wanna build a snowman?" I got several cautious nods. "Cool then watch this…" I closed my eyes for a second before opening them and turning a good bit of the water in the air into snow, gave them about 8 inches, should be good. They just all looked around them before what happened really dawned on them then they went crazy…. Ah kids, speaking of… I turned to the three unconscious ones, "I think we should get them inside." Goldy picked up the gemstone and looked at me, "I tried to fend them off with my powers but I couldn't get anything to happen… I just… I wanted to do this by myself, but I'm glad you came." "Hey you're the one who called me, or the gemstone realized you needed help and called me for you, Iono. But Goldy, don't use your powers against bullies, you'll only become like them and it's better to just hold your ground and ignore them." I told her, very away of my own hypocrisy. "But you just…" She stated before I cut her off. "I know I know, and honestly that wasn't right of me to do at all but sometimes they do need a taste of their own medicine but I didn't want you to do it. I'm an adult I can handle the consequences. Now go play and make some friends, I'll drag these three inside. Oh and don't tell anyone what's under my eye patch ok? That's a secret that no one is ready to know yet." I picked up one kid in each arm and the third with my tail before walking into the school house. Cheerilee looked up from the book she was reading and gasped, "Oh dear, what happened?" she got up and came to inspect the foals. "That was my fault really, only meant to give them a little scare, afraid it went too far. They're fine though, just fainted really, they should wake up in a few minutes." That's when she looked up at me. "Oh Chris… it's you, when did you get back, what happened to your eye, and…" "My tail? It's a long story, as to when I got back, yesterday. Where was I at the past five years, Prince training, don't tell anyone though." I set the kids down on some benches in the back. Cheerilee sighed, "While I can't say they didn't deserve it, I can't say they did either. So what exactly happened so I can tell their parents." "They were picking on my daughter, I'm not really a fan of bullies, and I wanted to scare them a bit but… I may have taken it out of hand." I said with a weak laugh. "Oh my… wait, your daughter? She wouldn't happen to be Golden Skies, the new student?" She asked me. I just gave her a look. "Right well… she's very smart and kind, though most of the kids tend to avoid her, at least so far." "Hmm honestly I figured that would happen, but she'll pull through, she's strong. And besides, who wouldn't want to be friends with a kid who's dad can make it snow on command?" I point my thumb to a window. She looked out it and shook her head, "I hope that will melt." She looked back to her three students, "I'm going to get into so much trouble for this." "I'll get rid of the snow before I leave, and just tell their parents that if they have any problems they can take it up with me, I'm staying with Shy obviously." I told her. "Alright, it looks like recess is just about over anyway, could you go tell them it's time to come back in?" She asked me. "Sure sure, it was good seeing you again Cheerilee." I held out my hand. She looked down and shook it, "Likewise." I went back outside, "Alright your teacher told me to tell you all that recess is over." I got groans of sadness in response, "Yes yes I know but still, school is important." They all reluctantly went back inside, though they each thanked me for the snow and taking care of the bullies, hey the enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that. I watched them all come back in, only to have Goldy to stop when she reached me, "Sup kiddo?" "Just… thanks for being here daddy. You're still going to come pick me up right?" "Of course, I'll be at the front of the school when it's time for you to get out." I got on one knee, "Now give me a hug." She hugged me tight and I gave her a little peck on the up of her head. "See you later daddy." She ran inside and I closed the door before walking to the front of the school. "Now… what?" +Well we don't have much else to do, we could just take a nap.+ Ixis said. "Where though?" I looked around and saw a tree close by. "That'd work." I climbed the tree and climbed until I found a branch sturdy enough to hold my weight. Once I did I leaned against the trunks and I wrapped my tail around the branch tightly just in case I fell. I hummed a song from earth and fell asleep rather quickly. I wasn't asleep long when I heard the bells for the end of the day ring, it startled me so much my tail quickly uncoiled and I actually did fall. "Ouch…." I pulled myself together before the kids started pouring out of the school. When they did, I just stood at the tree waiting for Goldy. She came out and walked over to me, with her backpack on, it obviously much more full than what she left home with, "You ready?" I asked her. "Yep, I wanna go home and get my homework done quickly." She said very enthusiastically. "Yeah… you definitely hang around Twilight too much. But keep that attitude, it'll carry you pretty far. At least in my world it would. So on the way home why don't you tell me how your day went and I'll tell you how mine went, fair?" She nodded and started walking before stopping and looking back at me, "Well are you coming?" She asked with a smile. "Yep." I answered back before walking home. It's good to be home… it really is.