Chapter 3 - A Big Announcement
The next morning Arc stands in his room looking out the window. A knock at his door rings out. Turning around he calls out.
“Come in!”
Opening the door, Twilight walks in as he moves to greet her.
“Good morning, Twilight.”
“Good morning. Sleep well?”
“Very.”
She looks to his unmade bed before speaking again.
“So who were your bedmates last night?”
“Fluttershy and Auriel.”
Twilight nods approvingly. “A good combination.”
Arc nods. “Yes, they have more in common than I originally thought.”
“Other than personality?”
“Oh yes. Both are experts in their respective fields, timid, and if you mess with someone they care about… watch out.”
Twilight giggles. “Yes, I remember Fluttershy going after Tempest when she threw her weapon at the Ursa Major during her attack of your base.”
“And Auriel did something similar during our escape from the military when we went to save Celestia.”
“They can be brave when they want to.”
“Agreed. But that isn’t the reason I wanted to talk to you.”
“I thought not. Is something wrong?”
Arc shakes his head. “Not at all. But where are the others?”
Twilight looks to the door. “They’ll be along shortly. I wished to speak to you alone before then.”
“Oh?”
“I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me since I came to Canterlot.”
Arc chuckles. “It’s not as much as you’d think. All I really did was give you some encouragement.”
“Which was exactly what I needed at the time. It made all the difference to me. That and you sticking by my side when things were bad.”
“I did my part just like the guards.”
“When we first entered the city to take the throne and when we went to Light’s Hope to find Princess Celestia… I was really scared.”
Arc sighs. “It was a hard time for everyone.”
“But I HAD to be there. You didn’t.”
Arc smiles as he looks to Twilight. “Sure I did. After all, someone had to stabilize the situation.”
“Which you did.”
“I was actually going to say you did that.”
“Huh?”
“The public saw you walking to the castle when we arrived. They knew it would be you taking down Decimus’ regime.”
“But Ambassador Ashe did that.”
“True. However, for the sake of diplomacy, I ordered that the report read that I killed him on your behalf.”
Twilight appears confused. “Why though?”
“Didn’t want it coming back to bite us later during future dealings with the Griffon Kingdom. That and it gave your reign a bit of a boost.”
“A boost?”
“Yes. It showed the ponies of Canterlot that you’d do whatever it took to free them.”
“That doesn’t sound very honest to me, Arc.”
“I suppose not. But we had to reunite the nation somehow.”
Twilight sighs. “My brain tells me that you’re right. However it still feels misleading.”
“Well, it’s in the past.”
“Right. So let’s focus on the here and now.”
There is a knock at the door. Twilight pushes it open with her magic as the rest of the Mane 6 enter along with Ember, Hammer, and Auriel.
“Hey there, sugarcube.”
Rainbow Dash smiles wickedly at Arc and Twilight. “You two being naughty in here?”
Fluttershy giggles. “They look to be behaving themselves to me.”
Rarity smiles. “Yes, indeed.”
Pinkie puts a hoof to her chin and looks the pair over. “I don’t know… could be a setup!”
Twilight blushes. “We were just talking!”
Ember grins. “Well, there’s talking and then there’s ‘talking’.”
Hammer looks to Arc. “Hey now! No hanky-panky allowed! At least not unless I’m involved!”
Auriel smiles sweetly. “I want in on that too, of course. But at the same time I’m very interested to hear what it is Arc wants to tell us.”
Rainbow Dash lands nearby. “Yeah! What’s up, Arc?!”
“Just a minute, everyone. We need a few more guests first.”
Calling forth his gauntlet Arc opens a portal. A few moments later Dinky runs through followed by Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Derpy. The little filly runs over to her father and jumps into his arms.
“Hi dad!”
Arc grins as he twirls around with her. “Hey there, sweetie!”
Apple Bloom trots over. “We’re here!”
Sweetie Belle waves a hoof. “Hi mom!”
Rarity giggles. “Hello, Sweetie Belle.”
Derpy smiles as she steps forward. “It’s been a while, Arc.”
“Sorry about that.”
“No, no. We understand.”
“Yeah dad! But now we can be together, right?!”
Arc nods as he sets her down. “After I make a very special announcement, yes.”
Apple Bloom gasps. “What about?!”
Sweetie Belle giggles. “Yeah!”
“Something very important that involves everyone.”
Pinkie trots in place happily. “Then let’s hear it!”
Ember groans. “Yeah! The suspense is killing me!”
Arc chuckles. “Patience. Derpy, would you and Dinky please go stand with the others?”
“Okay.”
She takes Dinky’s hoof in hers and walks over to the rest of the group as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hurry over to Applejack and Rarity respectively. Arc stands before them and collects his thoughts for a moment before speaking.
“Thank you all for coming. I have a very special announcement to make before we head back to Earth.”
“Is something wrong, dad?”
Arc shakes his head. “Not at all, sweetheart. In fact things are just great right now.”
He turns to Applejack before continuing.
“Would you please come here?”
“M-me?”
Arc nods. “Yes. It’s time for us to be Honest with everyone.”
Taking a deep breath, Applejack does as she it told. Looking down at her Arc smiles for a moment before extending a hand to her. Putting her hoof into it the pair turn to look at the group before them.
“As all of you know, Applejack and I went on a date recently.”
Dinky gasps. “You did?!”
Apple Bloom grins at her sister. “Did you have a good time, Applejack?!”
“I did, yes. But…”
Sweetie Belle looks to Rarity. “When are you and Arc going out again?”
“Soon, my dear. Now hush.”
Arc continues. “While we were gone for only a few hours, time passes faster in the Celestial Realm.”
Twilight appears surprised. “It does?”
“Apparently.”
Derpy appears suddenly nervous. “How long were you… gone?”
Applejack sighs. “About a week.”
Rainbow Dash folds her front hooves over her chest and scoffs. “Which still seems TOTALLY unfair to me!”
Fluttershy puts a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Please, Rainbow Dash. Let them finish.”
“We really bonded in there, which leads me to make this confession to all of you here and now.”
He pauses and looks at each face before continuing.
“Back then, I… I asked Applejack to marry me.”
Ember’s eyes grow wide. “You did?!”
Hammer gives him a thumbs up. “Way to go, tiger!”
Apple Bloom gasps. “What’d you say, big sis?!”
Applejack smiles and blushes. “I told him ‘yes’.”
Dinky turns to her friend. “We’re going to be sisters!”
“I know, right?!”
Pinkie pulls out her party cannon and fires a blast of confetti. “Congratulations, you two!”
Rainbow Dash grits her teeth angrily. “What about the rest of us?!”
Arc turns to her. “Remember, I only agreed to go out with everyone.”
Ember shrugs. “Someone had to be first though.”
Derpy puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “I suppose that does make sense.”
Auriel smiles happily. “Indeed it does.”
Hammer turns to Rainbow Dash. “Now we race to see who’s next, right?!”
Rainbow Dash grins. “You’re on, cupcake!”
Twilight smiles at Applejack. “Congratulations you two.”
“Thanks Twilight. It’s a good feeling to know that I’m going to be part of the herd someday.”
Sweetie Belle raises a hoof nervously. “Um… excuse me.”
Arc looks to her. “Yes?”
“What… what about Rarity?”
Rarity pats her daughter’s head. “I’m still in love with Arc, my dear.”
“But he never asked you to marry him though!”
Dinky nods fervently. “He will!”
“Right.”
Arc steps forward with Applejack to stand before Rarity. Kneeling down, he takes her hoof in his hand.
“Rarity… will you marry me?”
Smiling as tears flow down her face Rarity swoons slightly before nodding weakly.
“Yes… yes, I’d love to!”
Throwing her hooves around Arc’s neck she begins crying happily as the others look on approvingly.
Derpy smiles. “Congratulations, Rarity!”
Sweetie Belle hops onto her mother’s back and grins. “I knew you could do it!”
Dinky giggles. “Now we can all be a family!”
Hammer turns to Rainbow Dash. “Try for third?”
“Bet he asks me first!”
“You’re on!”
Auriel shakes her head. “Now, now. This isn’t a race.”
Fluttershy nods. “Right. We’ll all get there in due time.”
Arc looks around at the others. “Exactly. After we all get to know one another.”
Ember clears her throat loudly. “Arc, I hate to break up this party, but you should probably get moving.”
Hammer laughs. “What’s the rush? He just asked someone to marry him, after all.”
Auriel shrugs. “True.”
Twilight looks at the clock. “Audiences are scheduled to start soon. Do you need some time, Rarity?”
Rarity shakes her head as she turns to Twilight. “Just… just give me a few minutes to make myself presentable.”
Applejack turns to Derpy. “Well, I hope you and Arc will have as magical a time as we did in the Celestia Realm.”
“Thank you. I hope so too.”
Dinky waves a small hoof. “Have fun, mom!”
Sweetie Belle grins. “Rarity and I will be waiting for you, Arc!”
Apple Bloom giggles. “Come home soon! My big sister will be lost without you!”
Applejack gasps as she blushes. “Apple Bloom!”
Pinkie shrugs. “She’s right though!”
Fluttershy puts a hoof on the filly’s shoulders. “We’ll take good care of Dinky while you two are gone.”
Derpy smiles. “Thank you, everypony. I’m sure we’ll…”
Pausing, she thinks for a moment before turning to Arc and shaking her head.
“No… no we won’t.”
“Derpy?”
“I don’t think we’d have a very good time back on Earth, Arc. Not as things are now.”
Auriel gasps. “But why not?”
“Because what I want to do with Arc is to build a family.”
She looks to Dinky and smiles before continuing.
“And I can’t see myself doing that without my little muffin here.”
“Mom?”
“We should take Dinky with us, Arc.”
“Sure. After all, she is our little sweetie.”
“Are you sure you want me to come though, dad?”
Arc nods. “Yeah. Let’s make this a family trip.”
Dinky puts a hoof to her chin. “A family… trip.”
She turns to her father and beckons him to come toward her.
“Dad, mom’s right. We should be using this time to bond.”
“Glad you agree.”
“However I’d also like the chance to do some family bonding of my own.”
Derpy appears confused. “With your father?”
“That too, yes. But also with my future sisters.”
Apple Bloom gasps. “Dinky?”
Sweetie Belle appears confused. “What are you saying?”
Dinky grins. “That I think you two should come along as well.”
Applejack shakes her head. “But this was supposed to be just the two of them, Dinky.
Rarity nods. “Right. Dinky is a special exception though.”
Auriel looks to him. “What do you think, Arc?”
Ember shakes her head. “I think he should go with just Derpy and Dinky.”
Hammer folds her arms over her chest. “No way! All of them need to spend time together!”
Arc looks up. “Rarity? Applejack?”
“We’ll go with whatever you decide, my love.”
“Right. You can take them or leave them with us, sugarcube.”
Arc turns to Derpy. “What do you think?”
Derpy giggles. “That this is a perfect opportunity for all of us to know what a real family feels like.”
Arc chuckles. “Guess that settles it.”
Apple Bloom hurries forward. “We’ll be good!”
Sweetie Belle trots after her. “Right! Promise!”
Applejack waves a hoof. “Just be sure to stay out of trouble over there.”
Rarity nods. “And obey Arc and Derpy while you’re gone.”
Derpy smiles. “I’m sure they will.”
Arc chuckles. “Yup. Now then, can someone shout for Sereb?”
Auriel giggles. “Ember can cast that spell too, Arc.”
Ember gives them a thumbs up. “Leave it to me!”
“Alright then.”
Pulling out several robes from his ring Arc passes them out to his little family before turning to Ember.
“Ready when you are, Ember.”
They gather around him and grin expectantly. As Ember approaches Arc holds up a hand to her.
“Just a second.”
Hammer chuckles. “Cold feet, Arc?”
“Nah. I was just thinking…”
Twilight smiles as she interrupts him. “Now, now. If you keep doing that you’ll eventually invite all of us.”
Pinkie grins. “Is that an option?!”
Fluttershy rolls her eyes. “I don’t think so, no.”
“Aw…”
Rarity sighs. “Indeed. The group’s already quite large.”
“Well, I just wanted to add one more member to it.”
Rainbow Dash raises an eyebrow. “Really? Who else would fit in with all of you?”
“Scootaloo.”
Closing his eyes, Arc calls out to his thrall.
“Scootaloo?”
“Yes, Big Brother?”
“Where are you right now?”
“Looking over the security with Colonel Flash Sentry. Did you want me to do something?”
“I’m about to leave for Earth with Derpy, Dinky, and her friends.”
“Have a nice time.”
“And I’d like you to come with us.”
“Uh… okay. Any particular reason why?”
“This is going to be a family outing. And you’re part of my family.”
Scootaloo sighs. “As your thrall I can’t really say ‘no’. But I do have a lot of work to do here in the castle.”
“Which is exactly why you should come. Take a break. After all, you’ve been going at it pretty hard for a while now.”
“Do I have to?”
“I won’t force you to come if you REALLY don’t want to. But I do think you need to work on your social skills.”
“But I’m getting pretty good with my command!”
“That is true, yes. However that wasn’t what I was talking about.”
“Then what…?”
“Your proficiency dealing with others your age.”
“But there aren’t any other foals here in the castle.”
“Right. Around here it isn’t really possible for you to get any practice. That’s why I want you to come with us.”
“Very well, Big Brother. I’ll come.”
“Good. Meet me and the others in my quarters. We’ll wait for you.”
“Be right there.”
“See you soon.”
He severs the connection and turns back to the others.
“She’s on her way.”
Applejack motions to the door. “Well, we should probably get a move on then.”
Hammer nods. “I’ll escort all of you to the Audience Chamber.”
Rarity giggles. “Right. Everypony here needs to get changed, after all.”
Pinkie waves. “See you later, Arc!”
Fluttershy smiles warmly. “Take care.”
Auriel calls out. “Remember, no working over their either.”
Twilight nods as she leads the others out the door. “Enjoy your time off.”
Scootaloo passes the Mane Six, and Hammer as they leave. She walks slowly up to Arc and looks up to him.
“I’m ready.”
Arc nods as he heads for the door. “Good. Now then I’ll leave the room so you and the others can get changed.”
Ember raises an eyebrow. “Right. But don’t you need to be here to act as the human aspect?”
“Celestia used Auriel for that to make Applejack a human. Could you do the same?”
“Uh… that might be a bit tricky.”
Auriel nods. “Agreed. Remember, the princess has centuries of magical experience at her disposal. “
She turns to Ember nervously.
“No offense to you, of course.”
Ember shrugs. “None taken.”
Arc frowns. “That just feels a bit… inappropriate though. Especially with the fillies getting older.”
“I don’t mind if you see me bare, dad.”
Apple Bloom giggles. “And we’ll be covered by our robes.”
Sweetie Belle shrugs. “Right. And then we can get changed.”
Derpy smiles. “Sounds like they have it all figured out, Arc.”
“Guess so.”
Ember shrugs. “Alright then. Everyone gather around Arc and we’ll see if we can do this in one go.”
They huddle around Arc as he kneels down. Derpy smiles as she takes her place at his side. Casting the spell on Arc, it quickly spreads to the others. A moment later they change into their human forms. Sweetie Belle giggles as she holds out her hands and wiggles her fingers.
“This is so cool!”
Apple Bloom looks down at her new feet. “Yeah! I feel closer to Arc already!”
Scootaloo sighs. “It’s just slightly different limbs. Nothing to get excited about.”
Dinky frowns. “Well, I still think it’s a blast being a little girl!”
Derpy smiles. “Now, now everypony. I mean everyone!”
Arc chuckles as he stands. “Nice catch, Derpy. But in any case are we ready?”
Dinky raises a hand. “I am!”
“Me too!”
“Me three!”
Derpy turns to Scootaloo. “How about you, little one?”
“I guess.”
Ember raises an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”
“Kinda. There’s a lot of work to do here.”
Auriel smiles. “We’ll take care of things while you’re gone though.”
Ember shrugs. “Right. It’s not like were leaving Canterlot undefended, or something.”
Arc touches his ear. “And if something comes up they can call me on my earring.”
“I… guess that’s true.”
Ember laughs. “So loosen up and have a good time!”
Auriel nods. “Right! And remember, all work and no play make for a workaholic like Colonel Diva!”
Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “That mare whom attacked Light’s Hope?”
Arc sighs. “Maybe not the best analogy there, Auriel. But let’s get moving, shall we?”
Reaching into his ring Arc pulls out the Rainbow of Light. Powering it up, a wormhole opens. Motioning for the others to head through he turns back to Ember and Auriel.
“Call me if something comes up.”
“We will.”
“Seriously. I don’t mind having to come back early if need be.”
Auriel giggles. “Okay. But you can’t come back if you don’t leave first.”
Arc chuckles. “Yeah, yeah. See you two later.”
Walking through the swirling energies the portal closes behind him. Ember looks to Auriel.
“That was kinda drawn out.”
“It was almost as if like he didn’t want to spend time with his family.”
“No, it wasn’t that.”
“Then what…?”
Ember sighs. “I think it was more along the lines of him not wanting to rest while everyone else is working hard.”
“But he needs time off!”
“Try telling him that.”
“And we did!”
“True. But it took all of us to convince him.”
“Then let’s not bother him unless absolutely necessary.”
Ember grins as she heads for the door. “I couldn’t agree more.”
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interesting chapter
At least Arc didnt need to get kicked out by his doctor.
Time off is needed for rest, Arc's bad habits are starting to affect even Scootaloo
big family vacation whoo
cutimark crusaders earth explorers yay ?
ps reply to last comment: one word Paparazy
11395665
But what always seems to happen when Arc tries to take a vacation?
11395651
They are linked via their master/thrall bond. For better or worse, that is.
11395641
Indeed. He (usually) takes the hint.
11395552
Glad you liked it.
Rest and relaxation ahead... I hope.
Will you all kindly SHUT THE BUCK UP!! At this point, this blatant sexual disrespect is driving. Me. CRAZY!!