Chaotic Harmony: Do Over

by shirotora

Chapter 49: Sleepover

"And tell your friends, Ah'm back!" I yelled at the retreating chupacabra.

When I was confident it was gone, I returned to the scene of the attack. Fluttershy was there with Soft Touch, one of Ponyville's emergency responders.

"How is he?" I asked as Soft looked over the colt the monster attacked.

The mare shook her head. "Not good. I have him in a stasis spell. His heart and lungs have stopped."

Fluttershy took over the explanation. "The chupacabra's venom is a powerful paralytic. Unless we can somehow remove it..."

"Ah might be able to get rid of it," I said. I looked at Soft. "Can you switch over to and maintain a life support spell, then switch back?"

"Yes. What are you planning?"

"One of the uses of divine magic is its ability to infuse. If Ah mix divine magic with mah silver fire, Ah think Ah send it throughout his body and burn away the venom."

"And because you're using divine magic, it'll be holy fire, so it won't leave any harmful byproducts when burned," Soft Touch added. "Let's do it."

My silver fire ignited in my paw, though calling it that now wasn't entirely accurate. Little bits of rainbow flickered within the silvery flame.

As soon as I had the divine silver fire in paw, Soft Touch dropped the stasis spell and activated a life support spell. The magic stimulated the heart and forced air into the foal's lungs, keeping him alive.

I placed my paws on his chest and willed the fire into him, commanding it to destroy the venom. Hopefully I would be able to destroy enough of it that he would survive.

I knew I wouldn't be able to get all of it. Mortals can't normally take much divine magic directly on them without negative effects. The only reason heralds can is because of the shard of their god's soul in them.

I held it for about thirty seconds before I pulled it back. "That's it. Any more and we risk hurtin' him."

Soft switched back to the stasis spell. "Thank you. You might have just saved this foal's life."

Fluttershy gave me a quick kiss. "You certainly saved other lives."

"Thanks."

That was a hell of a way to start a week. The weekend was nice and quiet. Scoots and I hung out a little the day after our date, kind of a mini date, and just talked.

Mostly we talked about her plans. She was going to take her basic college courses here, in Ponyville, for two years, then transfer to Canterlot U for her degree.

It made me consider taking some classes, myself. We talked about that, too. She said I would have to take an aptitude test to see what my education level was so they could determine where I would start. Most likely I would have to take some basic courses before going to university, but that was fine.

Sunday, Jynx and I talked about it. If I was going to go through with it, I wouldn't have time to really hold down a job, too. That meant she would be supporting us. Luckily, between her job at CU and her various patents, she was making plenty.

Of course, nothing was decided, yet. At the very least, it would have to wait until after the mess with the Cult of Kronos was over and dealt with. I doubted they would be so courteous as to wait until after classes were over to try their bull shit.

We dealt the cult a major blow. They not only lost their leader, or at least one of them, but also the one she sacrificed herself to summon. That said, I was under no delusion that they were defeated. Verin's warning was genuine. I could feel it.

"You're thinking about the cult again, aren't you?"

"Huh?" I was pulled back to reality by Fluttershy. I hadn't even realized we had gotten home already. "Oh, heh. So you can read minds, too?"

Fluttershy giggled as we went inside. "I don't need to. You're like an open book. Besides, I've been thinking about them a lot, too."

"Oh? Are you worried they'll attack Ponyville?" I asked as I took a seat on the couch.

She sat down and cuddled up to me. "Not so much Ponyville, though they might. I'm just worried about what they'll do next. I don't want you to have to fight them alone. I... I want to fight, too."

I looked at her, brow furrowed. "Shy, you don't have to. Ah have Jetaga with me... somewhere. Actually, where is that guy? Ah know he hasn't left town." I shook my head. "Later. Ah'm not fighting alone. You don't have to fight if you don't want to."

"I don't want to fight any more than you do. What I want is to help and protect those I love." She turned and straddled my lap, her hooves on my shoulders. "I love you, Shiro, and I want to fight at your side. Please, teach me how."

I looked into her eyes. She had that determined look she sometimes got when she felt passionate about something. That look was one of the reasons I fell in love with her in the first place.

"It won't be easy," I said. "If Ah train you to fight beside me, Ah'm gonna make sure you're ready. What Ah'm goin' into ain't just some fight with a wild animal, it's war. A lot of folks are gonna die, many of them by mah hand. You'll have to be ready to kill."

"I know," Fluttershy said, that passion still in her eyes. "I don't like it, but if I have no choice..."

"If Ah train you, Ah'm not pullin' punches," I said. "You're gonna hurt, a lot of it will be because Ah hit you."

"I know. I want to be strong, for you and everyone else in Ponyville."

I nodded. "Alright. But Ah don’t want to hear you complain. If it gets to be too much, we can stop. No one will think any less of you."

Fluttershy smiled. "Thank you. I promise, if I can't handle it we'll stop."

I leaned in, kissing her neck. "You're so sexy when you're passionate about something."

She giggled, wiggling her rump. "Considering what's poking me, I believe you."

---

The next day was the first Junior Rangers meeting I was able to attend since getting back, though I wasn't able to really focus on it. My thoughts were on the kid from the day before. He... didn't make it. Despite what I was able to do, the venom had done too much damage. He died in the night.

"You wanna talk about it?" Applebloom asked as she, the girls, and Midnight sat around me, the meeting having already ended.

I gave them a sad smile. "Thanks, but Ah'll be okay. Ah know Ah can't save everyone. Ah just wish I could have done more."

"You did what you could, and even figured out how to help neutralize venom," Sweetie Bell said.

"Yeah, chupacabra venom's some of the most deadly around," Midnight said. "A foal usually wouldn't survive five minutes, even with instant medical care."

"Why don't we go do something to get your mind off of it?" Scootaloo suggested.

"Oh, the first in a long list of Ranger orgys?" Sweetie suggested with a cheeky grin.

Applebloom gave her a quick smack across the back of the head. "Get your head out of the gutter."

"I was joking," Sweetie said, followed by a mumbled, "mostly."

"How did you turn out so pervy when your sister's so proper and lady-like?" Applebloom asked.

Sweetie and I shared a look and busted out laughing.

After a good minute of laughing, we managed to get ourselves under control enough for me to ask, "So, barring orgies or other sexual activities, what do you want to do?"

The girls and midnight looked between themselves.

"I have an idea," Midnight said.

---

Midnight looked around the table, an intense look in his eye as he spoke. "The airlock hisses as your ship docks with the derelict. As the door slides open, you're met with darkness and silence. Detritus and debris float through the airless vessel."

"I'll take point," Sweetie said. "Shiro, stay near Applebloom."

"Will do."

Applebloom was next. "Ah reach out with mah mind. Do ah sense and minds nearby?"

"Roll a Sense Minds check," Midnight said.

The twenty sided die clacked on the table. "Uh... plus five... eighteen."

"You get a faint glimmer of a mind, but can't determine where it is."

"Any chance Ah know what kind of ship this is, now that we're inside?" I asked.

"Nope. You feel as if it's a Syndicate ship, but it's like none you've ever seen."

"Are there signs of fighting?" Scootaloo asked.

"Roll investigation."

"Twenty-two."

"Nice. You do find some scorch marks on the bulkhead from plasma fire, and a bit of blood."

Sweetie, in an overly serious and gruff voice, said, "We might not be alone. Lock and load. I ready my repulsor shotgun."

Applebloom looked at the clock and said, "Ah'm gonna have to get ready to head home. We should probably wrap it up for now."

"Yeah, Ah need to get started on diner, anyway," I said.

"Oh, can I stay?" Sweetie asked, hopefully.

"Me, too!" Scootaloo piped up.

I chuckled. "Ah don’t have a problem with it, but let your sister and mom know."

"I'll walk you home, Bloom," Midnight said, hopping up from his seat.

"You stayin' over there, again?" I asked my son.

"Uh... I don't know," he said.

"Alright. Call if you are, alright."

"Alright."

"Speaking of, where's your tablet?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"In mah bedroom," I replied.

One of the newest inventions Jynx made was a tablet that essentially worked like a video phone. It was large and heavy, and the range was only about ten miles, but it was useful for communicating in town.

At the time, other than us, only Twilight, her friends, and the mayor's office had them, but more were being made for other ponies. A few public places and some businesses would be getting the first ones finished, then they would be for sale to the general public.

Of course, several other cities were also manufacturing some for their own use, too.

While Sweetie called Rarity and Scootaloo ran home, I got to work. I knew Scootaloo and Sweetie both liked fish, so I decided on some nice fried cod with a rice pilaf.

I was still deciding what to make for Jynx and Midnight when Sweetie called out, "Hey, Jynx called. She's working on something with Twilight and won't be back tonight."

"Okay, thanks." That made that easier.

I knew Midnight wasn't big on fish, so I decided on a barley steak for him.

"Shiro, Midnight called. He's not coming back, either."

I chuckled. "One meal it is, then."

Scootaloo got back before Sweetie was finally able to call Rarity, which made me chuckle a bit.

"How'd it go?" I asked.

Scootaloo sighed. "As expected. Mom teased me about 'getting lucky' and Aunt Holiday fussed at her, then they said I can stay as long as I want, even overnight, which I said probably wasn't gonna happen."

Sweetie returned soon after. "Jynx is sending Spike back with Razor. She wants you to make sure he's fed before you put him down."

I grabbed two more pieces of fish, some chicken nuggets and Spike's box of jewel shavings.

Spike arrived while I was cooking so he helped set the table while Sweetie and Scootaloo played with Razor. With the young dragon's help, it didn't take long for dinner to be ready.

Sweetie put Razor in his highchair and sat on the other side of him from me. "I'll feed him!"

I smiled. "He can feed himself, for the most part. We just have to make sure he doesn’t make a mess."

I plated the food, Razor's nuggets on the thick, sturdy wood slab. Sweetie looked at it in confusion until razor hopped up and sank his teeth into it.

"Keep your hooves away," I warned.

Sweetie looked at the slab and the deep bite marks littering the edges and nodded.

As we began to eat, Sweetie opted for a fork in order to free up her magic so she could levitate Razor's nuggets and float them around him. Razor was thrilled at the opportunity to snap the little chicken wads out of the air.

We all just watched with smiles on our faces as my son had the time of his life 'hunting' his food.

"You know, you're goin' to be a great mom one day," I said.

Sweetie smiled, warmly. "I hope I get the chance one day. Maybe when I find the right filly and get married you or Big Mac would give me one."

"Not looking for a coltfriend?" I asked.

Sweetie shrugged. "I'm not really interested in colts, other than you and Big Mac... maybe Spike." Spike nearly choked on his fish. "Even then, I don't think of you romantically. You're kind, caring, and hot, but I just see you as friends."

I smirked. "Well, that's actually a relief. Ah don't think Ah can handle another marefriend."

Scootaloo chuckled. "Yeah, unless you turn into a vampire or lose a hoof or something." Sweetie giggled.

I cocked an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sweetie rolled her eyes. "Oh, like you can't tell? Let's see, a unicorn without a horn, a pony that's a quarter dragon, and well..."

I never thought about it like that. "Well, Ah'm attracted to strong women, and adversity makes for strong folks."

Sweetie smiled, softly. "Yeah. Scootaloo is one of the strongest ponies I know."

I glanced at her, shifting to Scootaloo and grinning. "Yeah, she is."

Scootaloo blushed and huffed. "Okay, okay, stop with the flattery."

I smirked at her, lifting her chin and giving her a peck on the lips. "Then stop being so flatterable."

Scootaloo snorted in amusement. "That's not even a word... I think... is it?"

Sweetie frowned. "Why are you looking at me?"

---

I gave Razor a soft peck on the forehead as he squirmed under his blanket. I couldn't help but watch him sleep for a minute, smiling down at him. Sometimes I still found it hard to believe I was a dad. As much as I wanted to stay, though, I still had company. It would have been rude to leave them alone for too long.

So, I closed the door most of the way and headed back to the kitchen where the others were just finishing cleaning.

"Thanks for takin' care of that," I said.

"You cooked, we clean. It's a fair trade," Sweetie said.

I helped put the last of the dishes away and invited everyone to sit with me in the living room before grabbing four glasses, a mostly full twelve pack of apple ale, a shaker of ground cinnamon, and a bottle of simple syrup.

"Who's thitsty?" I asked.

"Really?" Scootaloo said, perking up.

"If your mom and aunt trust you enough to date me, they'll be fine with a drink or two," I said. "Spike's already old enough, anyway, and I know Rarity lets Sweetie have an after dinner drink on occasion."

I poured about a half tablespoon of simple syrup and a bit of cinnamon into my glass, followed by the apple ale. The others watched me, curiously, before first Scootaloo followed.

She took a sip. "Oh, wow. That's not bad. Kinda tastes like pie."

"So," I began as the others mixed their own drinks the same way. "I know Scoots is planning on college, but what about you two? Any plans?"

"I'm thinking about going into business," Sweetie said. "That or medicine."

Spike mumbled something incoherent.

"What was that?" I asked.

"I said... I want to go into fashion. And no, it's not because I have a crush on Rarity. I mean, I kinda still do, but that's not why. I just kinda... really like it. Rarity's been teaching me a lot about it, and since she specializes in feminine clothing, I'm going to focus on masculine clothes and we're going to partner up."

"And you're shy about that why?" I asked.

Spike shrugged. "Most guys think its sissy."

"Most guys wear some kind of clothes, so jokes on them," I said. "You have any designs?"

"A few, but they're at the boutique. I'll show you tomorrow, if you want."

"I'd like that."

"Me, too!"

"I've seen them. They're really good."

I looked at Sweetie. "Business I get, but medicine?"

Sweetie shrugged. "I mean, everyone I know keeps getting themselves hurt. Y'all need a white mage."

That got a laugh out of us.

"Seriously, though, my time with the Junior Rangers taught me a lot. The first-aid especially was something I enjoy. I love knowing that I helped someone and made a difference in their lives."

"A noble pursuit," I said, approvingly.

"What about you," Scootaloo asked. "You said you were considering taking classes. Any idea what?"

"Magic," I said immediately. "Not sure what kind, but definitely magic."

"Hey, that's perfect!" Sweetie cheered. "Depending on what branch of magic you study you might get to work with us. Aviation, especially, works with magic, so you could work with her."

Scootaloo nodded. "I've already been talking to Jynx about installing a motor on my scooter and a pair of wings."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Why bother with the motor? I've seen you hit pretty good speeds. I'm sure if you just slap some wings on you could push yourself."

Scootaloo winced. "Ah... well, it's kinda... um..." She glanced over at Spike for some reason.

Sweetie looked between the two and let out a yawn. "Oh boy, are we suddenly tired."

"We?" Spike asked, looking at her in confusion.

"Yes, we," she glared at him. "You and me. We're both tired."

"I'm not-"

"We're tired."

"Oh... right... yeah, I guess I am." Spike finally got the hint.

Sweetie got to her hooves and led Spike down the hall as their drinks hovered after, the young man glancing back, confused but accepting that what was about to be discussed didn't involve him.

The suddenly serious atmosphere had me a little concerned.

"So... have you ever noticed how I stop flapping when I hit a ramp and go airborne?" Scootaloo asked.

I thought for a moment. "Ah can't say Ah noticed, but go on."

"Well, that's because... I only actually push with one wing," Scootaloo said. "On the ground, that's fine, because the wheels keep me going straight, but in the air... well, I'd be going in circles."

I was almost afraid to ask, but I had to. "Why do you only push with one wing?"

Scootaloo took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before releasing it. "Because I only have one wing."

Before I could even comprehend what she said, she reached under her right wing and detached something. The wing's color faded and turned white with clear feathers as she removed it and set it on the table.

What was left of her wing was a gnarled mess crossed with black veins.

"It was a rot wolf," she explained. "I was playing with a friend of mine, Sweet Rose, when it attacked. She didn't even have time to scream before it tore out her throat. I tried to run, but it bit my wing." She paused for a moment, taking a gulp of her drink. "You know what a rot wolf does?"

I nodded. "It rots the magic inside its victim."

Scootaloo nodded. "Dad managed to fight off the wolf and get to me in time to... to cut off my wing before it could do more damage. It did a real number on my magic system, but not enough to kill me right away. Dad, though... the wolf bit him on the side."

I fought to hold back my tears. She lost her wing and her dad at the same time, by the same monster.

She sighed. "It didn't do enough to kill me right away, but the damage it did... by the time I'm thirty, my body will start to break down. Muscles and bones will weaken, until eventually my organs will start to fail. The doctors say I might even see fifty if I take care of myself. That's the real reason Sweetie wants to go into medicine. She wants to find a cure for me. A way to counteract the decay." To my surprise, Scootaloo actually smiled. "It's okay if she doesn't, though. I'm going to live more in those thirty years than the average pony sees in their hundred and fifty. Heck, even after my body starts to fail, I'll still be living. That way, when I do die, I'll die happy knowing that I never wasted a single moment."

She looked at me with a pleading look. "Just... don't tell anyone. The only ones other than doctors and family that know are Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. I don't want everyone coddling me."

I looked at her with a new admiration. Fifty may be a lot to a human, but ponies usually live at least three times that. This young mare was facing death with a defiant smile, standing tall and unafraid.

I couldn't help but pull her into my lap and into a kiss.

I pulled away and looked into her unfocused eyes. "You have no idea how incredibly sexy you just became."

"R-really? Wait, me dying is sexy?"

I chuckled. "No, you being so brave and determined... I..."

Words failed to express how I felt right then, so I would let my actions speak for me. I got to my feet, holding her bridal style, and carried her down the hall to my bedroom.

I wasn't going to put it off any longer. If we only had a few decades together, we would get the most out of it we could.

Comments

[Fireeaters]

sadge

[ShadowSpectrumSwordtails]

I’m sure some, Divine intervention might be able to help Scoots. I mean, Shiro’s divine magic might be able to help her, and if not, with the way she takes on a challenge. She has to have gotten some gods attention, like Hermes. Just, something has to be able to help her. Right? You can’t honestly say you’re just going to kill off my favorite CMC member, right?

[shirotora]

11633949
I mean, I've killed off Crusaders before...

You'll just have to wait and see.

[ShadowSpectrumSwordtails]

11633975
Like I said though, there may be a way to save her, and give her back her missing wing, after all, Dash can’t be the only one who can potentially get some replacements. Right?