During one of Discord's visits and a visit from Rarity's cousin, two new colts arrive claiming their from different times and universes. Could there be any truth to their words?
While searching through the Everfree Forest for flowers, Cheerilee comes across a strange young colt. Foul mouthed, vicious and angry, the child is like nothing she'd ever seen. More importantly, he claims that ponies are like nothing he's ever seen. Could this little colt truly be something called a 'drow'?
At the same time, Rarity is preparing to welcome her cousin, a young filly named Silverbelle, to her home. However, the preparations are interrupted by a small colt calling her 'mommy' and of obvious draconic heritage. With three new foals arriving on the same day, could it all be coincidence, or is something far darker on the horizon?
Cheerilee let out a soft sigh as she plucked yet another small green flower and tossed it into the basket. It was boring, tedious work, but the children would absolutely adore pressing all the flowers into their books. The fact they were from the dark and scary Everfree Forest would make them all the more encouraged to continue with the new task.
Now, normally she wouldn't want to come any closer than Fluttershy's cottage on the edge of the forest, but today had been special. She shivered a bit as she thought of what had caused her to vacate the town.
Discord. The 'reformed' spirit of chaos. Every time he came to town he caused nothing but trouble and she couldn't imagine how any of the ponies in the town could deal with him. By the time she'd left she'd already seen a few of the children riding great animal crackers and she imagined the abomination was only getting started. He would only be there for the one day and for the sake of her sanity she decided to steer clear of the town as long as she could.
Besides, she wasn't that deep into the woods and she was staying near the path to Zecora's hut. She was being careful and smart. Even better, the children would absolutely adore having some novelty item from such a strange place. She plucked another green flower and tossed it into her basket before continuing deeper into the forest.
The soft tinkling of water caught her attention and she walked a little faster. A small stream quickly came into view and she trotted right to it. She froze at her reflection. She looked an absolute fright. Little twigs and leaves were stuck in her light pink and white streaked mane and her dark pink coat was covered in dirt. Well, it was better than risking having her mane come alive and trying to eat the leaves. It wouldn't even be the first time Discord had done something so inane.
She splashed some of the water across her face to clear the grime away before looking up to continue her search for pretty flowers. Her heart nearly stopped when she caught sight of the little silver and black ball a few yards away, collapsed by the stream. It took her a few moments to realize why she felt so horrified as her mind processed the sight. It was a child. A little colt or filly, collapsed by the stream. She leaped forward, racing to its side, completely ignoring her basket.
“Hello, hello? Can you hear me?” she called, gently reaching out to shake the child. It was a unicorn and a quick examination revealed it was a he. He was young, very young. Probably younger than many of the children she taught at the Ponyville Schoolhouse.
Worst of all, though, was the fact he wasn't moving. He was breathing, but he looked exhausted, half starved and her shakes only got little groans from him. There was no telling why he was out here. But she swore if she ever found the parents she would find a way, any way, to make sure they suffered. But first she had to make sure the child was going to be okay. She quickly scooped him up onto her back and galloped back the way she came.
------
“And you found him in the Everfree Forest, by a stream?” Nurse Redheart asked as she took notes down on a small clipboard. Despite the franticness of the day, she seemed calm and steady. Her light pink mane wasn't even disheveled and her white coat was neatly combed and cleaned. “Why were you even there?”
“Discord is in town,” Cheerilee said quickly. It had been almost ten minutes since she'd brought the poor colt in. At first she'd only been able to make light squeaking noises, having run almost the entire way to the hospital. Normally it wouldn't have been such a horrible exercise, but Discord had turned one of the streets to jelly and another to pudding. The children were enjoying it, but she was considerably less. She'd already had two glasses of water and had finally managed to regain her breath enough to tell what had happened.
“Ah, of course.” The nurse took down a few more notes. “You should have come here. The hospital is an official chaos free zone.”
Cheerilee blinked a few times before face hoofing, being rewarded by a face full of jelly, pudding and dirt. Of course it was a chaos free zone. Of all places that Discord couldn't be doing his... behavior, the hospital was the one place that such things couldn't be afforded.
“Here, dear.”
A small towel was put into Cheerilee's hoof and she wiped it away. “How long was he there? Did Discord do this?”
“Unlikely,” the nurse said. “As far as I know, the spirit has only been in town a day. That child seems to have been in the forest for at least two or three days. We're running a check to see if there have been any reports of missing children in the area. Do you recognize him from your classes?”
“Not at all,” she said with another nervous glance towards the door. “Is he going to be--”
“GAHHHHH! BACK DEMON HORSE!” a voice screamed a moment before there were a few loud thumps, followed by a shriek of pain.
“What was--” Cheerilee was cut off by a sudden small explosion, and a much louder scream.
“Get the fire extinguishers! Get a doctor! Get the tanks of oxygen away from here!” a voice called from the back. Redheart dropped the clipboard and ran towards the back.
“Get away from me! Get away! I'll blow you all up! Do you know who I am? I am-- AHHHH! Ow! Get off me!”
“Get a horn neutralizer! OW! He bit me!”
Cheerilee gulped and knew she shouldn't, but she had to. She followed after the frantic screams and soon came to the scene. Three of the medical ponies were working to put out the fire caused by one of the tanks of oxygen while another was struggling to hold the child she'd found down, while simultaneously swatting his horn whenever he started to try to use magic. The colt looked terrified and was trying to do everything he could to attack the person holding him, including goring with his horn. Fortunately, he seemed to have no real motor control and was more harmlessly flailing about than actually being a threat. She was shoved aside as one of the nurses ran in with a small metal ring. The nurse helped hold the colt down and they locked the device in place, clamping it down around his horn. Most of the fires were put out, too. Still, he was screaming none the less.
“Let me go! Do you know who I am? I am Valkala Del Hsskrugnr of house Araknioss! I'll have the flesh torn from your bodies, you'll be maimed! Tortured! You'll spend a hundred years being devoured from the inside out by our pets! Let me go! LET ME GO! You'll BLEEPing be sorry!” he screamed, frantically pulling against the nurses holding him. Cheerilee couldn't help but stare in horror. She'd never heard a child actually bleep before. Well, she had, but not one so young. The things he was screaming weren't helping either. Where did a child even come up with such words?
A unicorn then dashed into the room. There was a flash from his horn and then the child went limp, collapsing into their legs.
“Found him by the river, you say?” Redheart asked as she walked over to Cheerilee. Behind her, the ponies were working to clean the room up while they moved the child to another room. Somehow the nurse seemed completely calm and collected, as if she didn't have a care in the world.
“Y-yes.”
“Are you sure he wasn't just abandoned?”
“No. What did he do? How did that tank explode?”
“He blew it up!” one of the aides said as she shook her head. “Started screaming and then shooting little balls of fire all over the place. One of them clipped the tank.” She shook her head and motioned to the broken tank. “We could have all been killed if the enchantments on them hadn't held!”
“Fireballs? That's impossible,” Cheerilee said with a shake of her head. “He's barely old enough to start learning telekinesis. There's no way he could have started shooting fire balls!”
“It's not unheard of at that age,” Redheart said quickly. “Little bursts of magic when in a panic or excited. We have a name now,” she said as she started trotting back towards the waiting room. “We should be able to find out who he belongs with at least.”
Cheerilee nodded and followed after her. “He... seemed scared. I hate to ask but... is it possible that he's sick? Delirious?”
“A few days in the Everfree Forest? Yes. Quite likely, even. But don't you worry. He has the best care in all of Ponyville here. He'll hardly be the first pony coming out of the Everfree Forest acting crazy. Once we've run a few checks and find his parents, I'm sure he'll be fine. You can go home if you like. He'll--”
“I'll wait until his parents get here,” Cheerilee said quickly. I don't think I'd be able to think clearly until I know he's okay, anyway.”
Redheart nodded. “I can understand that. Feel free to wait in the waiting room then. I'll let you know if there's any changes.”
“Thank you,” Cheerilee said as she trotted back out into the room. That poor child, she couldn't imagine what could possess somepony so young to say such horrible, horrible things. She'd have to talk with his parents about that bleeping, though.
“No idea who he is,” Redheart said from across the counter as she looked at Cheerilee.
“What? How? Somepony has to have reported a missing child, correct?”
“We can't find any record of anything even close to those names he mentioned,” the nurse said with a shake of her head. “Probably something he found in a book somewhere. But his colorations are just... not very common. In the local area there's only one pony with colorations even close to his. Thunderlane. But we contacted him and his family and they deny knowing any unicorns of his particular colors.”
“They can't be that uncommon. Why, I've met...” Cheerilee's words trailed off as she thought about it. Now that she actually focused on it, she'd met plenty of ponies with white manes, but she couldn't remember meeting anypony with a pure black coat. Though that was hardly fair, most ponies in the Canterlot and Ponyville area tended to have light and colorful coats. Likely due to Celestia's unintentional influence over the years. “Perhaps he's from another region?”
“Maybe. We'll be sending him to protective services once he's better, though.” Redheart looked down at her file. “We can't find anything wrong with him. Aside from a little bit of dehydration and malnutrition, he's fine. Nothing poisonous in his system. Considering where you found him, that's quite lucky. We have him on an IV for now, but we need to get him to wake up and eat something. But if he goes into another panic we'll have to put him under again.”
Cheerilee nodded. “Would you mind if I tried?”
“What? Why?”
“Well, I do have a way with children,” she said with a smile. “You have an inhibitor so it's not like he could hurt me with his magic. I know he couldn't hurt me with his hooves. I might be able to calm him down.”
Redheart glanced down at her clip board again, before giving a nod. “Well... normally I'd say no. But I know how good you are with children. I've even seen some of it first hoof. I guess you're welcome to give it a try.”
Cheerilee smiled and gave a little nod. “Of course. I've dealt with dozens of children who don't want to eat their vegetables. He'll be no different.” That at least brought a smile to the nurse's lips.
------
Cheerilee sat at the end of the bed, watching the drowsy unicorn. He'd been slightly responsive, diving in and out of consciousness for the last few minutes as the spell finally began to wear off. He was fighting it, but it would still take a while for him to clear. The only thing in the room was his bed and the IV. Everything else had been removed to avoid the risk of him hurting himself. She was the only one in the room, though there were a few aides and a doctor outside the room waiting in case he panicked again.
Finally his eyes opened and they stayed open. She took a deep breath and smiled to him. “Hello. Are you feeling better now?”
He stared for a few moments before groaning and falling back. “I... I was wrong. Oh BLEEPing BLEEP I was wrong. If only it was demon horses.” He shivered. “I've been captured by paladins.” He then tried to sit up, but all he managed to do was kind of roll around a bit on his side. “You, mount! Where is your master? And summon whatever mage you had turn me into this... this thing! I will not be made a foal o--” He paused. “Did... did I just say bleep? But I said BLEEP!” His eyes widened. “BLEEP! BLEEP BLEEP GOSH BLEEP! What? You! What vile witchcraft is this?”
She took a deep breath. Well, this was going to be a tad more annoying than she initially thought. “Child, you need to be calm, please. You're safe now,” she said with a comforting smile. “I don't know what you're talking about, but trust me. You're safe and sound, nothing will hurt you here. Tell me, how did you get into the Everfree Forest?”
“The Ever... oh BLEEP you really are the mounts of paladins.” He groaned. “Is this some sort of torture? Turning me into a horse?”
“Dear, you're not a horse, you're a pony. You need to calm down and take deep breaths, listen to--”
“I WON'T LISTEN TO ANYPONY!” he yelled, rolling around a bit more angrily. “WHY DO I KEEP BLEEPING BLEEPING?” He then paused. “Did... I just say anypony? AnyONE. I won't listen to anyONE.”
“That, young man, is the language filter,” Cheerilee said firmly. “It's on in all public places like that, especially for children. Now, will you calm down? You need to eat something, but first you need to calm down.”
“I will not be calm until you tell me what you're doing to me! Who are you ponies? I will incinerate every last one of you!” He let out a yelp of pain as his horn flickered. “Ow ow ow ow!”
“That's the horn neutralizer.” She slowly moved closer. He tensed up, but his coordination was so bad he could do little more than wiggle ineffectually. She reached out and gently stroked his head, receiving a glower for her troubles.
“Don't touch me.”
“You need to calm down and listen to your elders. Now, will you promise to not make a mess or throw anything if I get you something to eat?”
He glowered for a few more moments, but she could see the soft waver in his eyes and mouth. He licked his lips a little bit before giving a small nod. “What exactly to eat?”
“Well, your stomach is pretty weak right now so probably some grass and daffodils.”
Now he just looked surprised, his mouth falling open. “You want... what? You want to feed me grass? I thought paladin horses were supposed to be smart. I can't eat grass. I need meat! Butcher a cow and--” Cheerilee covered his mouth before he could continue, the color draining from her face.
“I... I don't know what kind of books you've been reading or shows you've been watched, but we do not talk about cows like that. They are... very well.” He was currently trying to bite her hoof. “How about a nice banana? That should be easy enough on your stomach.”
Now he just looked confused again. “What's a banana?”
She smiled and got to her hooves. “I'll be right back. And I'll bring a daffodil sandwich too, I--”
“I do not eat flowers! I am a proud drow, I am not a horse!”
“What in Equestria is a drow?”
He opened his mouth again to speak, moments before closing it. He tried opening it again, but no words could come out. Finally, he coughed into his hoof. “Did... did you just ask what a drow is? How could you not know what a drow is? That's like asking what's a goblin, a beholder or... or a bear!”
“Well, I know what a bear is, but I've never heard of those other creatures.”
He went flat on the bed, his eyes wide. “I've died. That must be it. They burst into my room and killed me. This is all some kind of BLEEP. Wait, really? I can't even say BLEEP?”
Cheerilee sat back down quickly. “Could somepony bring a banana, please?” She then looked down to him. “Who burst into your room? Do you remember how you ended up in the Everfree Forest?” Had somepony tried to kidnap this poor unicorn? Is that why he was saying such strange things? Was he just living in his own fantasy world away from everypony else in an attempt to deal with the pain?
“I don't know. The alarms were going off and they were pounding on my door when—” His eyes widened and a grin spread across his lips. “Of course! I must have teleported out and come to this strange... plane. This must be where the paladin's mounts are stored when not in use and--” He then looked up at her. “You! Horse! I demand to know who is in charge here! I will conquer this land in the name of House Araknioss! Stand in my way and you will perish like all the others who dare stand against the drow!”
She sighed and shook her head. The pony was making absolutely no sense. All she knew for now was he had a very active, and brutal, imagination. One of the aides walked in with a small tray, handing it to her. She took it graciously and smiled as the aide left. She then turned to him. He was staring at where the pony had gone. “Is something wrong?”
“That... that was a unicorn. How... how did... Paladins can't have unicorn mounts, can they?”
“I'm afraid I don't know what a paladin is. But I assure you, here in Ponyville there are dozens of unicorns. Not as many as are in Canterlot, but still quite a few. In fact, you're one.”
“What? I am not!” he said quickly, sounding disgusted. “I am not a pony! Your witches have turned me into one, but I will regain my normal form and destroy you all! No, I will ens-- mmff!” Cheerilee stuffed the banana into his mouth to earn herself a few moments of peace. He coughed a little, but after a few seconds he relaxed and swallowed. “That... was not an unpleasant food. Are there any more?”
“Maybe. But first you need to eat your sandwich.” She held up the small snack.
He made a face. “I will not eat flowers!”
The teacher sighed and shook her head. Now she'd seen it all. A foal who didn't like daffodils. Next thing he'd tell her he liked eating his brussel sprouts. She peeped between the two slices of bread and, to her delight, found it wasn't flowers at all. “It's peanut butter and jelly.”
“What?”
“Here. Grab it with your hooves.” She held out the tray.
He stared at it for a few moments, before looking up at her. “You're an idiot, aren't you? How can I grab it with hooves? You need fingers to grab things.”
Cheerilee took a deep, calming breath. A part of her longed for the old days when she could smack a child on the hoof with a ruler when they were so rude. “Just try, dear.”
“Why? What do I get out of it?” he asked, glaring at her. “Is this some kind of sick game? Make the drow make a foal of himself while he's your prisoner?”
“You're not our prisoner. We're waiting for your parents to come get you.”
That made almost all the color drain from his face. She thought he'd looked scared before when he'd been fighting the aides, but this was a look of sheer terror in his eyes. She'd have thought he'd seen a ghost. “My... my mother is coming here?”
“Yes. Just as soon as we find her, we'll send a message and she can come pick you up.”
“Y-you're holding me ransom? Don't you realize what she'll do to you when she gets here? What she'll do to ME? You'll just die! But me, ohhhh, for being captured she'll... she'll... I-I don't know what she'll do!” The child looked horrified, his eyes wide and frightened.
Cheerilee felt a lump in her chest and quickly got to her hooves. “Eat your sandwich. Or... or at least try. I'll be right back.” She quickly trotted out the room and closed the door behind her.
“Yes?” Redheart asked, looking up from her clipboard.
“Can you call foal protective services? I think I might be understanding why he's so... strange.”
“You think there's any merit to his stories?”
“He's frightened, very frightened. I've seen foals in situations with abusive parents before, they don't always understand what's happening to them and can make up all kinds of weird stories.”
The nurse nodded. “Then you'll be happy to know there's already somepony on the way. We called them a few hours ago.”
“And they're still not here?”
“Discord has been making travel... difficult,” the mare grumbled. “It's one of the reasons his visits are always part of our slowest times. That, and nopony ever seems to get really injured when he's around. At least nothing worse than a sprain.”
Cheerilee nodded and walked back into the room. She had to struggle to hold in her laughter. The little colt was struggling to squeeze his sandwich between his two hooves, but his lack of motor skills were working against him and now he and his bed were covered in jam, his poor sandwich a squashed, gooey mess. “Can we get another peanut butter and jelly sandwich, please?” she called out before trotting over to him. “Okay, let's get you cleaned up.”
He glared at her. “I know what I'm doing!”
“You obviously do not,” she said firmly before taking an edge of the blanket, lightly spitting on it and dabbing at his face, wiping the jam off.
“Stop it! Ew! Knock it off! Stop ittttt!”
“Hold still and this will be over in a moment. Can we get a new blanket, too? His is covered in jam,” she called back as she kept working. Soon enough she had the mess mostly cleaned up, though his face was still pretty sticky and his sheets were a mess. She tossed the blanket on the ground and smiled at the little colt. “Now. How about we start small. My name is Cheerilee, what's yours?”
He glared back. “ Valkala Del--”
“Your real name,” she interrupted. “Not your make believe name.”
“That IS my real name!”
She sighed and shook her head. “Fine. How about I just call you Val?”
“It's Valkala Del--”
“So, Val, do you remember anything about how you ended up in the Everfree Forest?”
“No,” he said with a scowl. “I just woke up there after the attack. What kind of stupid name is Everfree Forest, anyway? It's hardly scary or anything.”
“Okay, how about we move onto the attack. What do you remember happening before you ended up there?”
He took a slow, deep breath, suddenly looking unsure of himself. “Well... I was locked into my room at the time... but...”
Rarity groaned and rolled over in her bed. She didn't want to remove her eye covers, for a very good reason. She knew Discord was... visiting again. While he had managed to become slightly less tedious to be around since the whole Tirek incident, his visits were still a good reason to sleep in. So long as she didn't see the world, none of his destructive sights could faze her and turn her world into a nightmare. At least, that's what she told herself.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling she was forgetting something. Something important. She slowly reached a hoof up and took a deep breath. Okay, here she went. She lifted the face mask up. She instantly let out a scream and flew back, flailing her hooves before falling out of the bed, taking her covers with her. Unfortunately, it also took her sister, who had been laying on the covers and staring into her face, as well. The little white filly landed on top of her elder sister with an oof.
“Sweetie! What are you doing?” the mare asked as she untangled herself from the blankets and filly.
“Waiting for you to wake up, duh,” the filly said as she hopped around. “Today's the big day!”
She let out another exasperated sigh. “Yes, I'm aware. Discord's... coming. It's all I've thought about for the last week, Sweetie.”
“Nooo, not that! Silver is coming today!”
Rarity's blood ran cold. How could she forget about her cousin? She looked at her clock and let out a shriek of despair. “Ohhhh! Sweetie, how could you let me sleep in so long?” She put a hoof to her forehead and swooned back.
Her little sister looked at the clock, before looking to her sister incredulously. “She doesn't get in until almost three. It's not even noon.”
“Yes! It's almost noon! So much time wasted!” She then thought about what was likely waiting for her outside. “Then again, it is the perfect day to stay inside and just sleep away. Maybe--”
“Can I go out and play? Applebloom and Scootaloo already came by but you said I can't go out without permission and--”
“What? Oh, yes, of course. Just make sure you're ready to go by two. We need to meet her at the train station,” the elder unicorn said as she trotted towards the mirror and quickly got to work removing her curlers, face mask and then reapplying her face.
Sweetie let out a squeal of delight. “Yay! Pudding avenue looks like so much fun.”
It took a few seconds for Rarity to realize what her sister had said. It then took her a few more moments to realize what Discord had done. “Wait, Sweetie--” But she was cut off by the sound of the door slamming below. She sighed and shook her head. “Discord...”
------
Sweetie giggled happily as she galloped down the street, headed straight towards pudding avenue. She passed at least a dozen ponies on the way, some looking annoyed, some looking happy and a few looking for the best place to hide. Discord had that effect on ponies. She couldn't imagine why. Sure, he USED to be a bad pony. But now he was great. He did so many wonderful things, like turning an entire street into vanilla pudding! Or chocolate. Or... well, he kept changing the flavor she heard, but last she heard it was vanilla.
She arrived to find plenty of other colts and fillies engaged in a pudding ball fight, the off white balls sailing through the air with all the grace of a featherless pigeon. It took her only a moment to find Scootaloo and Applebloom. Namely because they were by the only 'adult' who seemed willing to enter the pudding mess.
“Ha! Is that the best you've got?” Rainbow Dash yelled before throwing a ball of pudding the size of her head towards a small swarm of fillies and colts. They scattered. Her normally blue coat was covered in the pudding, but her mane had suffered the most. It was a solid lump of off white pudding, not even a hint of the rainbow colors peeking through. “Keep them coming!”
Behind her, Applebloom, Scootaloo and a few other fillies were running about, gathering up the pudding and arming the pegasus with a great relish. On the side lines a few other adults were watching, though they apparently thought better of actually engaging in the mess. Sweetie grinned before sliding into the street. To her surprise(and delight) the pudding reached up almost to her belly. She was easily able to sneak down so it covered all of her and slowly sneak forwards. She had to pop out after a few seconds, but fortunately her white coat blended in nicely with the pudding and her pink mane was already completely covered. She snuck forward, silent and ready.
Rainbow had no idea what was going on as she threw little balls of pudding at her opponents, the children only giggling as they hurtled more at the pegasus. Sadly, the mare dodged and weaved between her own assaults, avoiding most of them. She didn't notice when her ammo makers stopped and started giggling. Instead, when she reached down for a ball, she found none. “Huh?”
She looked down, only to get a face full of pudding. “Sneak attack!”
The pegasus shrieked and toppled back, dramatically. “Gahhhhh! Sneak attacks, my one weakness!” Her wings fluttered a few times before she plopped backwards into the pudding, slowly sinking into the dessert. It didn't last for long as the colts and fillies started running up, tossing more on the pegasus to bury her. “What? No! Hey!” she shrieked, twisting around and trying to escape the burial. The children responded by jumping on her. “Wait, stop! Eek!” the pegasus went down, disappearing under the murk. For a few moments there was silence, then the pudding exploded, sending the children into the muck as Rainbow flew up, spinning a few times to get it off her. “Now that was just fighting dirty! Well, two can play at that game.” She then dove, cannon balling into the muck and sending the pudding soaring around, catching the foals in a tidal wave of pudding, as well as the observers who were unfortunate enough to stand too close.
For a few moments there was silence as the younger ponies slowly popped up from the pudding, drenched in the stuff. They stared at Rainbow for a few moments before bursting into little giggles. Rainbow was already doing her mid air strut as they slowly crawled their way out of the mess.
“So, today's the day, right?” Applebloom asked.
“Day for what?” Dinky asked.
“Wait, you're not Sweetie?”
“I'm over here!” the little (now pudding colored) unicorn called out as she crawled out. “And yep! We'll be going to see her around two! You'll love her. I think.”
“Really? You've never really talked about her.”
“W-well that's normal,” Sweetie mumbled. “We didn't even know about Babs until she got here and Rarity says she had no idea Twilight even had a brother until the wedding.”
“Yah didn't really know about her, did yah?” Applebloom asked with a chuckle.
“I didn't know about her specifically, but I knew I had cousins,” Sweetie said, the pudding hiding her embarrassed glowing cheeks. “But Rarity says she's going to be simply divine,” she said in her best imitation of Rarity's voice. “Besides, she's from Prance. Rarity says that means she's cultured.”
“Ah got a feelin' Rarity's gonna be a lot more excited about it than any of us,” Applebloom said with a snicker.
“Rarity told me last night that she doesn't have her cutie mark yet. We can help her find hers!”
That made the two ponies shoot up and grins form on their face. Having just recently acquired their cutie marks, that could only mean one thing. “We need tah go get the club house ready!” Applebloom shrieked.
“Yeah! A new crusader to--”
“SWEETIE!” Rarity's voice cut through the air like a knife, making everypony cringe. The little filly slowly looked up to see her big sister standing at the end of the street, looking furious. “I thought I told you to be ready by two.”
“I still have plenty of time before two, I can shower and-- eep!” the little filly let out a squeak as she was picked up by her sister's magic.
“No no no. This will simply not do. Come along, we'll have to get you cleaned up and proper for your cousin's arrival.”
“All I need to do is take a shower! Come oooon,” Sweetie whined. “Look, the pudding changed to apple!” She motioned towards the now green pudding covered street.
“Lima bean, actually,” Scootaloo called back after poking the goo with her hoof.
“... I think I'm ready to get cleaned up now,” Sweetie mumbled as she looked at the now green pudding covering her body. She could even taste it. Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder if Discord maybe was a little evil.
------
Sweetie grumbled darkly as she looked down at herself. She'd been cleaned verrrrry thoroughly and now was stuck wearing one of the fanciest dresses Rarity had. It wouldn't be so bad, but there was so much lace and jewelry across it that she could barely walk. Making her way to the train station had been a slow, boring trip that would have normally only taken half an hour, at most, but had taken over an hour this time. It didn't help that they'd had to avoid entire streets due to Discord's play. And she'd had to listen as the other foals were busy having fun. She wanted nothing more than to tear off the dress and run to the club house, where she knew her friends were waiting. But she knew if she even tried to do that, Rarity would kill her.
But there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Even now she could see the train off in the distance, coming closer. When it arrived, her cousin would be here and, with her, her aunt and uncle. Once they had Rarity distracted with news from Prance, escaping with her cousin would be easy. She'd just get outside the station, take off the dress, run back home, toss it on the counter and then make a bee line straight for the club house. It was the perfect plan.
The train pulled into the station, the high pitched squeal of the brakes making her want to cover her ears, but with this gown she couldn't even lift her hooves that high. That, and if she fell she wasn't sure she'd be able to get back up. So instead she suffered in silence, watching the train grind to a halt and the doors open.
She let out a yelp and took a few steps back as a tidal wave of ponies surged out, yelling and stomping their hooves as they went. Rarity quickly moved besides her, keeping her safe against one of the back walls while the crowd surged through. Sweetie couldn't help but notice the thick scent of sweat in the air, all those poor ponies cramped into a little space like that. Soon it began to die down, though there were still plenty of ponies hanging about, chatting away with those who had come to meet them.
Then a small white unicorn filly stepped out, looking around with worried eyes. She had a small trolley tugging along behind her, the end held in her mouth. Her mane was short and a bit limp, a dull gray with small stripes of purple.
“Silverbelle?” Rarity called out.
The filly looked up instantly, dropping her luggage grip. “Ah! Yes! I am... the Silverbelle!” the filly said happily. “You are... the Rarity, yes?” Her accent was a lot thinner than Sweetie had expected, but the mare paused every few words, her nose scrunching up a bit before moving on.
“Yes, I am Rarity. This is my little sister, Sweetie Belle. Aren't your parents coming along?” Rarity asked as she looked towards the train, hopeful.
“Oh! Yes! They will... err...” the little filly scrunched up her nose again before taking a slow, deep breath. “Be... late.”
That made the elder unicorn pause and turn towards the filly. “Excuse me? Late? They sent you off on your own?”
“Wee! I mean, yes!” Silverbelle said proudly.
“I... I see,” Rarity said, her eyes wide and horror stricken. Sweetie let out a sigh of sadness. Just like that, her hopes of escaping while her big sister was distracted were shattered in more pieces than the vase she and the rest of the cutie mark crusaders had once tried to repair. Still, there was a little bit of hope.
“Well, I'm sure she's pretty tired, we should probably get her back to the Carousel to unpack, right?” Sweetie asked with a big grin.
“Hmm?” Rarity asked, her eyes still focused on the train as if she thought the filly's parents might pop out at any time. “Oh, yes, quite.” Her horn glowed and the cart holding the filly's luggage was pulled along. “Silverbelle, please follow us and we'll show you to your new home. Do you know when your parents will be arriving?”
“Arriving? Here now,” the filly said with a smile.
“Really? But you just said--” the mare shook her head. “No, oh dear. Parents. Mother, father.”
“Oh!” the filly giggled a little nervously. “Week, late.”
Rarity gave a firm nod before she started walking towards the exit. “I see. Well, I suppose being... a week late isn't so bad. A month long visit is...” She glanced towards her little sister. “Sweetie, would you be a dear and keep your cousin entertained while I set up her room?”
Sweetie's eyes widened. Hope! Actual hope! There was a light at the end of this tunnel and it said 'Entertain your cousin'. “Oh, of course. Do you mind if I get rid of the dress first?”
“Hmmm? Oh, yes, whatever you please,” the elder sister said, not really paying attention. There was a sudden rustle and when the mare looked back, the two little fillies were gone and there was naught but a small dress, slowly tumbling through the air onto the cart. She sighed and shook her head. “Truly, a week? What are those two thinking? You'd think two such refined ponies such as them would make sure they were punctual.”
She started the long trek back home, her mind still focused on the missing parents. She'd had so many wondrous plans, now they would all be for naught! Or rather, delayed by a whole week. She'd now have to squeeze four weeks of showing the grace and majesty of Ponyville and Canterlot into three weeks!
Her mind was so aflutter that she didn't even notice that small white pony sitting on the steps of the Carousal Boutique. However, she did hear the light scratching of claws against the door. She looked up to see small claw marks dug into the wooden door, along with the pony clawing at it. She let out a shriek of horror. “What have you done?”
The little pony turned towards her and she let out a gasp. It's eyes were slitted purple, just like a dragon's. Its mane was thin and purple, trailing down the entirety of its back like a dragon's scales. Most startling of all, at the end of said back was a tail, an actual flesh and bone tail. At the end of its hooves were small dragon claws, which it had used to tear up her door. Rather than pony ears, it had strange, fin like green ones, like a dragons.
When it saw her, its eyes lit up. “Mommy!” It leaped at her. She let out a shriek and raised her hooves to defend herself, lashing out with a firm right hoof, her eyes closed. She felt it connect and the strange pony tumble back.
Then she heard one of the worst possible noises. Crying. She slowly opened her eyes and found the little pony, laying on its back and staring at her with a look of the utmost betrayal and hurt. Tears were flowing down its eyes like water and its entire body was shaking as it let out little sobs. Weak and pitiful.
She cringed and slowly moved forward, forgetting the cart. “W-wait, dear. I'm sorry, you just startled me. Please stop crying, please,” she said as she lightly tapped the pony's head. “Are you a customer? Are you--”
And then the creature lashed out again, its hooves wrapped around her neck in a tight hug. She readied to defend herself, but all of a sudden its head was buried in her chest and it sobbed into her.
“Wahhhhhhhhhhh! M-mommmmyyyyyyyyy!” Even muffled, the words were so strong and high pitched it made her ears hurt.
Rarity stared down awkwardly at the creature. She wanted to shove it away, but the poor thing very much needed some comfort. With no other choice, she gently reached out and patted it on the back. “Err... there there, little... dear. Where are you--” Then her mind finally caught up with what was going on. Discord. There was no other explanation. “Oh you poor darling!” she said as hugged the sobbing pony. “What has Discord done to you? Well, don't you worry. I will have a firm talk with Fluttershy and we will have you returned to normal before you know it.” Her horn glowed as she opened the door to the Carousel, before sliding the cart inside. “Also, we'll make him fix the door because this is most definitely his fault. There there little dear.”
The sobbing creature slowly looked up with tear stained eyes. “D-Discord?” it asked softly.
“Yes, don't you worry,” she smiled softly and kept rubbing the ponies back. “It's all going to be okay, I promise.” She swore she would find a way to make that monster pay. Turning the streets to pudding was bad enough, but actually turning some poor pony into... into THIS? There was no justification in the world for it! If only they'd left the monster trapped in stone where he belonged.
Cheerilee stared at the small colt before her, the color having drained almost entirely from her face. The little story he'd told her about where he had been didn't make sense. It was impossible, for one. No... family could ever treat a child of theirs like that. Not to mention the other things he mentioned on the side. But the fact the colt had even thought up such stories spoke of a much deeper underlying problem. This pony had obviously been through quite a lot of emotional abuse and was struggling to come to grips with reality.
She had wished it could be explained away by perhaps something he'd eaten from the Everfree Forest, but there was nothing. On the up side, he had begun to calm down finally. Was even letting her feed him. He was only giving death threats every few minutes now as well, instead of constantly. However, he was still far from being better.
“What are you staring at, pony?” he snapped as he glowered at her, his little hooves crossed awkwardly over his chest. He was getting a little better at moving, too.
“Val, there's going to be a social worker here in a little bit to talk with you. I need you to try to calm down and remember where you're actually from. Who your mother and father is.” She paused. “If... your parents are hurting you, they can protect you.” She smiled softly. “But they need to know who your parents actually are.”
“I TOLD YOU ALREADY!” he screamed. “You're the ones not listening! I told you who I am and who my family is! You're just too stupid to understand me! It's because you're a horse, a little tiny horse with a little tiny brain! Where are your owners? They'll surrender and then I'll free myself from your foul clutches!” He tried to get to his hooves again, but the blanket was too fierce a contender for him to get out of and all he managed to do was kind of roll around a bit.
She sighed. “Oh you poor dear. Please, listen. You've been through a lot, I understand.” She gently put a hoof on his head to pat it, but he tried to bite it. She yanked it back quickly. “But you need help now and we want to give it. You can trust me. I just want what's best for you.”
“Then let me go,” he growled.
“You're just a child, you need help. You're half starved and can't even feed yourself.” She glanced towards the door as it opened. “Yes?”
“The social worker is here,” Redheart said. “She'd like to speak with Val, alone.”
Cheerilee nodded and got to her hooves before smiling back to him. “It's going to be fine, Val. We're all here to take care of and help you.”
He grunted and glared back at her, not saying a word. She trotted out of the room and smiled nervously to Redheart. “Have you ever seen a patient like him?”
“No. Have you ever met a child like him?”
Cheerilee shook her head. “No. I've met a few trouble makers and spoiled foals in my time, but never anypony who so quickly just... turned to lies and attacks like that. It's a little scary, I think he actually believes some of them. Could you imagine...” She shook her head. “So there's nothing found on him yet?”
“I'm afraid not,” Redheart said. “Not all of our tests have come back yet, but as far as we can tell, he's a healthy young colt with... a striking imagination.”
“There has to be something,” Cheerilee muttered.
“If there is, the social worker will find out. She's quite good, you know. Fresh from Canterlot, I hear.”
Cheerilee nodded, her eyes still focused on the room. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could imagine the child was giving the poor mare no end of trouble. “I think I'm going to go get something to eat,” she finally said. “I don't think I've had anything since I've arrived here and frankly I just... I really need something.” She smiled to Redheart. “Can you call for me if there's any changes?”
“Of course. Are you sure you wish to stay around? He's not your responsibility, he's--”
“He's another child, just like any of my students,” Cheerilee said with a smile. “Besides, I'd never feel right leaving a child like that alone, without knowing where he's going.” She turned and trotted towards the cafeteria, her eyes downcast. She just wished the child would give some inclination that he knew what ponies actually were. Some way he'd show that he wasn't completely crazy or brain damaged.
Besides, the way he was talking didn't make any sense. Why would something live underground like that, not to mention the whole walking on two legs. The only creatures she knew like that were diamond dogs and the rest of his stories didn't make any sense if he was one of those. It was all so crazy and weird, just...
She face hoofed. It was so chaotic. Of course. She veered off from the cafeteria and made her way towards the exit. Now he had gone too far. It was one thing to be... incredibly annoying. But whatever he'd done to that poor child's mind was just... just evil! What kind of unrepentant monster could harm a child in such a way?
Fortunately, she knew exactly where to find Discord, there was only one place he'd be. Fluttershy's cottage.
------
Rarity tried to keep a smile on her face as the small... pony thing followed behind her. It was really quite affectionate and almost cute. Were it not for its great fangs and claws, it would have made quite the adorable little filly. Or colt. She really wasn't sure. The face was quite filly like, but the back was more like a colt. It also had a dragon's tail and she had no idea how to identify the gender of that. Worst of all, it kept nipping and nibbling at her dress, trying to pop out the few jewels she had buried within. “Knock it off,” she said for the umpteenth time.
“But mommmmmmmy!” he whined in a high pitched squeal, staring at it. “Aquamarines are my favorite...”
Rarity turned even redder as ponies turned to stare at the child and her. “Discord's doing,” she said quickly as she gave a sheepish smile, before glowering back at him. “Now come along. Once we get you fixed, we'll... see about getting you some aquamarines.”
“R-really?” His eyes lit up like gems, making her smile.
“Of course.”
He gave her another happy nuzzle. She looked down and smiled at him. She was going to kill the abominable spirit. Thrash him to death even if it chipped her hooves in a dozen different places. She didn't know who this little colt was, but he did not deserve to be turned into... whatever this was. She shuddered at another thought. What if he was a baby pony AND a baby dragon? She wouldn't put it past Discord to meld two unsuspecting creatures for his amusement. She ground her hoof into the dirt a little bit as she walked. He would payyyyy.
All of a sudden there was another pony, looking nearly as mad as her, joining her on the way. “Well, hello there miss Cheerilee. What brings you out this way?”
“Discord,” the mare grumbled, before looking back and smiling. “What are-- ahhhh!” All of a sudden the little dragon pony creature lunged on the mare, knocking her over.
“Teacher!” the creature said, hugging her tightly.
“W-what? I... what?” Cheerilee asked, looking down at it. “Err... hello there. What's, errr, your name?”
“Claw! I can spell it now and everything!” it said happily, before it began sniffing her, its tail wagging the whole time. It then looked disappointed. “No rubies...”
“Err... of course no rubies,” the teacher said before looking up at Rarity, confusion on her face. “Is... this yours?”
“I do believe it is the result of Discord's... games,” Rarity muttered darkly. “Claw, please get off her.” Well, at least she had a name for the creature now. She couldn't help feeling silly for not having asked earlier. “Come along.”
Cheerilee got to her hooves a few moments later after the creature got off. “Is... that a... dragon... pony... err... what...”
“I'm not quite sure.” She sighed as it scampered off ahead, chasing a poor cat that bolted up into a tree. “To be honest, I'm not even sure if it's supposed to be a colt or a filly. It doesn't seem to have a very long attention span, though. And it keeps calling me...” She shuddered. “Mommy.”
“Mommy?” Cheerilee had to smile then. “Well, I have heard stories of Spike's infa--”
“Not another word,” the designer said quickly as she started walking faster. “Discord's little games will be ended forth with. I can't imagine what would make that creature do something like this!”
------
The two comrades in vengeance stopped as they came to the small cottage housing Fluttershy. Normally the place was filled with the sounds of birds chirping and animals frolicking, but now it looked borderline abandoned. Every single animal pen was empty, there wasn't a single bunny to be found. Rarity shook her head and trotted to the door, knocking on it.
It took a few seconds before a soft voice answered. “Y-yes?”
“Fluttershy? It's Rarity,” the unicorn said quickly. “Along with miss Cheerilee.”
The teacher couldn't help but start to feel old. Did Rarity really have to say miss EVERY time? She wasn't that much older than the designer. They'd gone to school together, in fact.
“Is Discord there?”
“Oh, yes,” Fluttershy said before opening the door, revealing the yellow pegasus with a pink mane. “Whatever can we do for--” Her eyes landed on Claw and she let out a little frightened eek, backing away. She then blinked and looked confused.
Claw's eyes were focused on the back of the house, where the creature known as Discord was laying, sipping a cup from his tea. He was a strange creature comprised of a plethora of different species and, in Rarity's opinion, looked absolutely dreadful. But the worst part about him wasn't his appearance, it was his personality and power. He was one of the single most powerful beings in all of Equestria and had abused the power on more than a few occasions, though she and the others had always put it right. He was still a--
“Uncle Discord!” Claw shrieked before galloping forward. The spirit of chaos looked up in confusion, a moment before the pony landed on his stomach.
“And what, pray tell, are you?”
Claw didn't answer, instead he circled on the spirit's stomach for a few seconds before lunging down, biting on the spirit's tail. Discord looked unamused as he lifted his tail into the air, the little pony still dangling from it. He lifted a hand, before his eyes were drawn to Fluttershy and he sighed, pulling the hand back.
“That's what I want to know, Discord,” Rarity said angrily. “It's one thing to turn our streets into candy, but to transform a defenseless foal? Have you no shame?”
“That's not the only one, either,” Cheerilee snapped angrily. “The little colt in the Everfree Forest, Val, what did you do to him to make him like... that?”
“L-ladies, please,” Fluttershy said softly. “I-I'm sure Discord has a perfectly l-logical explanation for anything he's done. Really! He's good now!”
“Quite so, quite so,” he said before his tail disappeared into bubbles, making Claw fall to the ground with a little yelp. “As for... this thing, I have nothing to do with it. Or any colt in the Everfree Forest.” He smiled. “Please, I am good now, remember? I... will admit I've had a few momentary lapses in my... decisions, but those days are behind me. I haven't changed or altered any pony in months, scouts honor.” He held up his left paw with a smile that not even his mother would have believed, if he had one.
“That's the wrong paw,” Cheerilee said bitterly. He quickly switched his paws. Not the arms, just the paws.
“Fine then, Discord,” Rarity said bitterly as she motioned to Claw. “If you're not responsible for this, then what is it? It likes you, that alone tells us something is wrong with it.”
“Rarity!” Fluttershy said with a startled gasp.
“No, no, it's quite alright,” Discord said before scooping up Claw in one hand. “My horrible deeds are not easily forgotten. It's only natural that she would blame me. However, I assure you with the utmost honesty, I am not responsible for this...” He paused and looked down. “Colt's form.” A sudden grin formed on his lips. “Perhaps you should take him to see Twilight? I imagine a challenge like this would simply make her day.”
Rarity kept glaring, but slowly relented. “Very well,” she said bitterly. “But Discord, if I find out you're responsible for this, you're... hmph.” She turned and started trotting away. “Come along, Claw.”
The little pony gave Discord a lick on the face before wiggling about in his grasp, finally getting free and running after the unicorn.
“That still doesn't explain Val,” Cheerilee said as she glared at him. “He happens to show up the exact same day you arrive in Ponyville? I find that a bit hard to swallow.”
“Oh?” Discord asked, before looking to her. “Why are you so certain he's my fault?”
“The things he says just... don't seem possible. His mind is all messed up and chaotic, he--”
“Well, I fail to see how that's my fault,” Discord said with a flourish of his paws. “Why, I've long since given up my mind altering days. I'm afraid you have the wrong pony.”
“If you're not responsible, then who--”
“Why don't you ask him, that?” Discord said before snapping his fingers. Cheerilee let out a yelp as she found herself, once again, inside the hospital. How had she gotten here? What was... why was there screaming?
“Lock the doors! Keep that... that child penned up for now! We'll need a professional!”
Cheerilee slowly walked back towards the room where Val was being tended. She could barely believe how quiet the hospital was today, she wondered if Val was their only patient. At the very least, he was their most difficult. She found the room, barred and locked. Four aids were sitting down against the wall. They looked as if they'd seen a ghost, sweat billowed down their bodies and they were bundled up in thick blankets. “What happened?”
Nurse Redheart glanced up. “Ah, Cheerilee. You've returned. You'll be happy to know that the... child you've brought in has a few more tricks up his sleeve than we initially believed.”
“Oh no,” she said, a feeling of dread in her stomach. She then caught sight of the social worker, rocking back and forth, bundled up. “What happened?”
“Well, as a sign of good faith, she removed the horn neutralizer from the child. His... magical aptitude is apparently more in control than we initially believed.”
“Oh no...”
“Indeed. Please, come with me,” she said before trotting back down the hall, leading her to her office. Once the door was closed the nurse gave a soft sigh. “I only... saw the magic, but it was... quite a fright. Two orbs of this... black void like magic. They shot out and hit the two nearest ponies. There doesn't seem to be much physical damage, but the emotional and magical damage it caused is quite severe. I'm sure you noticed them.”
“It would have been very difficult not to.”
“One of them said it felt as if their very soul had been drained. As far as I can tell, it seems to have been some sort of mind spell. Very, very dark magic. I can't even begin to imagine where a child would learn such magic.”
Cheerilee nodded. “I see. What now?”
“I'm not altogether sure. We have no more leads on where he is from. I'm half tempted to ask the princess to come here. If anypony knows about magic, it's her. The child is... frankly, beyond anything we're prepared for. Our tests on his horn haven't even returned yet.” For the first time today, the mare looked slightly frazzled. A hair was even out of place.
“There's... something else, isn't there?”
“We haven't found any hint to who the child may be. It's... not outside the realms of possibility that he was abandoned. Magic like that... his parents could have been very, very bad ponies. The princess may wish to question him thoroughly. After that... with magic like that and his... desire to use it...”
Cheerilee nodded, the mare didn't have to say any more. She thought back to Discord. Maybe she had been wrong, maybe he wasn't responsible. She then thought about the other things he said. Maybe it was time she asked him, really asked him. “I'd... like to go back and speak with him again.” After all, he was just child in the end, like any one of her students. It was time she started acting like a teacher, not just an adult.
“I'm sorry?” Redheart asked.
“I'd like to try talking to Val again,” she said with a smile.
“I'm not sure that's wise. After his last... display, there's no telling what he could do.”
“I'll be careful. I promise. Besides, I'd like to try something new.”
Redheart sighed, before giving a nod. “I... suppose. It's not exactly... procedure. But then, you did rescue him. Maybe he will respond better to you than he has to any of us.”
Cheerilee nodded and smiled, before following the nurse back to the room. She knocked on the glass. “Val?”
“Go away!”
“It's me, Cheerilee. I'm coming in.”
“I'll blast you just like I did the others!”
She took a deep breath before pushing open the door. Val's horn was already starting to glow. “Now you knock that off right this instant, young colt, or you're going to time out!” She wasn't sure if it was her words or the tone, but the spell fizzled as the colt stared up at her with wide eyes. She shut the door behind her and trotted forward with determination, her head held high as she went. He just looked confused.
“I'll blast you,” he said again, though he sounded unsure.
“We're going to have a nice, long talk,” she said firmly, putting on her best teacher voice. She wasn't sure what it was about it, but she could see he was responding to it, quickly.
“Well, too bad. I don't want to talk to a pony,” he said bitterly. But he wasn't looking her in the eye anymore. His hooves were twitching a little and he had tensed up, moving away from her. He was finally just a little colt being talked to by an adult. Most importantly, he was listening, no matter how vehemently he denied it.
“That's too bad. I'm going to talk, and you're going to talk with me. Now, let's start from the beginning, Val. Who's your mother?”
“I already told you that,” he snapped angrily. “None of you listen to me! You'll all end up dead, you know. If you're lucky.”
“If we're not?”
He stared down at his bed for a few moments, before sighing. “She won't let you die.”
She nodded slowly. He was a rather... grim child. “Let's move on. That magic you used on the others, what was that?”
“Oh, that? Hah! Fel magic! My specialty,” he said with a chuckle. “Drains the very life force from you.”
She kept nodding. “I... see. It has had quite the effect on the staff here. Where did you learn it from?”
“Learn it? Do I look like a WIZARD to you?” He made a face, sticking out his tongue. “I am a warlock, like my mother. Magic like that is innate to me.”
She nodded slowly, watching him. She'd heard of all kinds of talents, but she found it hard to believe anypony could have a talent in such dark magic. Especially one so young. “And your mother has the same magic?”
His confident smirk wavered. “She's... far more powerful. Mine wears off after a few hours. If she had cast a spell like that, though... you'd be nothing but wights.”
“We'd be white? It drains the color?”
“Not white, wights! You know, vengeful ghosts!”
She giggled softly. “Silly colt, ghosts aren't real. They're just stories to--”
“Stupid pony,” he growled, his horn flickering. “You really don't think ghosts are real? You've never been to the under dark, then.”
She frowned and narrowed her eyes. “No, I'm afraid not. Very well, she'd have turned us to vengeful ghosts. But yours doesn't?”
“It does if I do it enough times. If I drain enough of your life.” A grin spread across his lips. “Maybe I'll show you. If you refuse to fear me, maybe making a few ghosts out of you and your kind will help you understand my power.” He looked up at her.
Cheerilee met his gaze with her own, giving him the unamused teacher's glare. She was starting to get a good feel for him. He was very arrogant and talked big, but she couldn't help feeling it was all big talk. He kept looking away from her, staring off and not meeting her gaze. “Very well, tell me about your father.”
“What about him? I've never met him.”
She cringed. “He left you and your mother?”
“Of course not,” he said with a giggle. “My mother probably fed him to the spiders for having her bear a son. That or he was just another guard or something. I don't know.”
She frowned and cocked her head to the side. “So, again, who his your mother?”
“She's the matriarch of the house Araknioss. Ruler of the most powerful drow family in the underdark.”
“And what do you think she'll do when she finds you?”
And there it was, the full fear. His hooves moved up to his chest, pulling the blanket to him. “I-I don't know. I-I'll e-escape long before then.”
“Do you think she'll hurt you?”
He giggled. “She won't kill me, like she will you.”
“But you think she'll hurt you?” Her hooves started to reach out, but she stopped. “Are you... afraid of your mother?”
“Of course I'm afraid of her! Who wouldn't be? The only reason you're not terrified is because you don't know who she is!” He shook his head. “You have no idea the powers she wields. What she... what she does to those who--” His words were cut off as her hooves wrapped around him.
“You poor, poor child,” she whispered softly. “Val, I want you to listen to me. I promise, no matter what happens, I will keep your mother away from you.”
“W-what?” He snickered. “You should be scared for yourself, pony. She'll kill you happily to get to me. Even if she hates me, she won't stand for something taking her property.”
“She'll try,” she said vehemently, without an ounce of doubt in her voice. The child wasn't pulling away, but she could feel him lightly shaking.
“L-let me go,” he mumbled.
“No.” She slowly stroked his back. She didn't want to believe any of what the child said, it was impossible. But he wasn't changing his story. She'd loved to find some flaws in his story, but the entire thing made no sense so there was no reason to use against it. But she knew one thing. The child was afraid. Terrified, even, of his mother. She wouldn't let that stand. After a few moments she felt the trembling stop and she loosened her grip on the child, smiling down at him. “Okay then. I... want to try something.”
“What?” he asked with annoyance.
“I'm... going to believe you.”
He cocked an eye. “So?”
“No. I mean these things you tell me. This... other world. These drow. I can't explain where these come from, so I'm going to listen to you. But I need you to do something for me. I need you to believe that I know nothing about them. At all. I need you to explain them to me as you would somepony who had never seen or even heard of such creatures. And I need you to believe me when I say they are not here. That you are safe now.” She finally let him go.
He glared at her none the less. “Fine. Drow are the uncontested rulers of the under dark. I suppose you'd probably know us as dark elves.”
She nodded slowly. “Good, I see. What's an elves?”
His face lit up then. “Wait, you don't have wood elves here? Any elves?” She gave a shake of her head. “Ohhhh, this place just got a lot better!”
“Tell me about the drow. What do they look like? Imagine you're telling somepony who has never seen one and has only seen ponies before.”
He opened his mouth before pausing. He rubbed his chin. “Drow are... we walk on two legs. Don't have any fur. We have... arms, instead of second pairs of legs. We're beings of tremendous magic,” she said with a smirk. “As you can tell from me. I, for example, am considering a prodigy due to my talent with fel magic.”
She nodded. “And that's important to them?”
He blinked a few times before disappointment filtered over his features. “No... not particularly. We are a matriarchy. The high priestesses rule and... there are no high priests.”
She reached out and gave him another soft hug. “I see. A colt in a world with only room for fillies. Your mother then, she wasn't proud of you for your... accomplishments?”
“She's mad I haven't managed any spells powerful enough to truly kill anypony yet, aside from making them sick. I can light them on fire, though!”
She took another deep breath. What he was saying couldn't be possible, but she had to keep pretending she believed him. If nothing else, maybe she could find out more about why he felt he had to make up such stories. “I see. Now, how about I tell you a bit about our world?”
“You're ponies. What could there possibly be to tell?”
She smiled. “Quite a bit, child. Now, how about we start with the princesses?”
Rarity smiled as the castle came into view. The great crystal tree, palace of Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship. Not to mention her close and personal friend. If anypony could figure out who Claw was, she could. Why, it would probably only take the mare a few moments to realize... where was Claw?
She stopped in place and looked around, but the little colt was nowhere to be seen. Panic began to rise in her. He was far, far too young to be running off alone. What if he broke something? What if he broke somePONY?
A shriek drew her attention and she took off full tilt, her eyes wide with horror. She soon found her panic was misplaced when the little colt came into view. On his back, with Pinkie blowing raspberries on his stomach. Claw seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, wiggling about with his lil claws in the air.
“Stawwwwwp aunt Pinkieeeeeee!” he whined helplessly, struggling to wiggle away in vain. She didn't stop until Rarity trotted up besides them.
“Claw, you shouldn't have ran off like that,” Rarity said firmly. “Pinkie, thank you ever so much for finding him.”
“Ohhh, it's no problem! This little guy is a real blast!” Pinkie said before helping him to his feet. “You didn't tell me you had a colt, though? When were you pregnant?” She gasped. “Was that why you were in Canterlot Boutique last week? Ohhhh, the--”
Rarity covered her mouth with a hoof. “He is not... I was never pregnant,” she said.
“Mommy?” Claw asked, staring up at her with confused eyes.
“I wasn't. He's a... well, I'm not sure what he is. But he is most definitely not my child and... and I...” Her words began to falter as the little pony's eyes began to water.
“M-mommy doesn't... doesn't want me?”
“What? No, I never said that,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “Claw, you're a delight, you're just not... you're not my child. I never... Claw, please. Don't--”
But it was too late. The little colt began to cry. And while she couldn't deny he managed to do many things in the most adorable manner, crying was not one of them. No, that wasn't right. What he'd done before was crying. This was full bawling, without restraint. It came out like a high pitched siren, rattling her entire body and making her topple back from the sheer force. Her head rang with the sound.
The ponies in the street were faring no better, covering their ears and running away. The sound of shattering glass filled the air. Even Pinkie had recoiled from the sound, her hooves over her ears as she stared at the source of the wailing. Finally she nodded and disappeared. A few moments later and she appeared, holding a large, blue cupcake coated with diamond shards. She held it in front of the colt and the crying stopped almost instantly.
Claw stared at the cupcake, his eyes wide with wonder, a little drool coming out of the corner of his mouth. Pinkie moved it a little closer and he lunged, claws wrapping around it as he began the process of scarfing it down. The pink mare then turned towards Rarity. “How could you say that about your own son?”
“He's not my son! He's... wait, how can you tell he's a colt? Is it the dragon aspects or-- wait, never mind. I assure you, Claw is NOT my off spring.”
“He calls you mommy.”
“That is neither here nor there. The child is obviously--”
“I'm coming!” a new voice filled the air. The two looked behind themselves and towards the sky. A purple alicorn came flying through the air, awkwardly flying, a book held tightly in her magic. “Where's the banshee?” she asked, landing besides them and craning her head from left to right. The book read 'How to banish a banshee in five easy steps.'
“Banshee? Darling, there is no banshee, there is just...” She trailed off as she looked down to where Claw had been. To her amazement, he was once again nowhere in sight. She looked around and soon found him, struggling to hide behind her tail. “Claw? Darling, what are you doing?”
“I-it's aunt Test,” he mumbled softly.
“Twilight, look, Rarity has a son!”
“WHAT?” the princess said, her eyes widening as she looked to her friend. She then raised her hooves, counting on them. “Wait, if you had a son, that would have meant you were pregnant back when... have I really been that out of touch that--”
“He's not my son!” Rarity said firmly, stomping a hoof. “We don't know who he is!” Her horn glowed and Claw was shoved forward, skidding slightly across the floor in front of the alicorn. He tried leaning as far back from her as possible.
Twilight stared at him for a few moments before her eyes lit up. “Is... is this a... it is! An actual dragon pony mix! I've heard of them, but I never thought I'd see one! Eeeeeee!” She trotted in place in excitement. “Who's is he? Where did he come from?”
“Rarity's,” Pinkie said quickly. “And... probably Spike's.”
“He is not! Dear, we do not know who he is, we just--”
Her words were cut off as suddenly Claw leaned forward, right into the excited Twilight's face. The alicorn's excitement soon disappeared as flame, a scroll and... other things she decided not to mention shot out of its mouth, smacking her in the face. For a few moments the princess stared, before turning and running towards the fountain. “IT BURNS! IT BURNS IT BURNS IT BURNS!”
Rarity glared at the little colt, who had a smug smirk on his face. It evaporated at the glare. “Sorry mommy... she said to give it to her, though...”
“Who said to give it to her?”
“Aunt Test.”
“And who's aunt Test?”
Claw slowly raised a claw and pointed at Twilight. Rarity sighed and shook her head.
“So you're saying Twilight said that you were supposed to throw up on her?”
He paused and seemed to be processing what she said, before giving a nod. “Yes?” he said, sounding unsure.
“Claw...”
“B-but she diiiiid!” the little dragon pony said, letting out another whimper.
Twilight came back over, the front of her face and mane slightly singed and dripping water. “That was... unpleasant,” she said before looking to the small colt. “It's... quite alright, I imagine you... errr...” Her eyes were drawn to the scroll and her magic lifted it up into the air, drawing it over. “That... that doesn't make any...”
“Twilight? Darling? What's wrong?”
“It's... my seal,” the princess said before turning the scroll over. Sure enough, there was a small purple seal on it, with her cutie mark. It was slightly burned. “But I don't remember sending this.”
Claw glared at her. “Y-you made me eat it and promise to give it back!” he whined softly.
“I see.” She spun it around a few times, before opening the scroll. She let out a soft gasp. “Dear... past me.” She then looked up at Claw. “Where are you from?”
He just gave her a confused look.
“Where do you LIVE?”
He perked up and then pointed at Rarity. “With mommy.”
“No, no no. I get that, but--” She took a deep breath. “Of course. Titanium impregnated parchment. It would definitely survive even Spike's stomach. But why...” She face hoofed. “WHY DID I USE NORMAL INK?!”
She flipped the paper over and on top, in large letters, were the words 'Dear past me'. However, under it, tons of words were scribbled. The problem was, all of the words were so close together that when the ink had run, they had become nothing more than a smudged mess. Only a few of the words were eligible. The only readable word of any real import was 'killed'.
Rarity's face paled. “T-Twilight, darling. You haven't been... fiddling with time magic again, have you?”
“No! I mean, well, aside from the time loop, no. But that's all fixed! I... errr...” She then looked to Claw. “We need to run some tests.”
Val struggled to contain his giggles. “Princess of LOVE and FRIENDSHIP? That has got to be the silliest BLEEPing thing I've ever heard! You're silly, you ponies are silly. Even paladins aren't this... goody. How have you not all been invaded yet?”
“Oh, we've been invaded plenty of times. Princess Celestia always repels them, or Princess Twilight.”
“Okay, your... sun raising pony, I will admit she might be quite powerful. For a unicorn.”
“Alicorn.”
“Yes, the thing with the wings and the horn. But how could friendship be powerful?”
“Friendship is a powerful force.” She paused and looked him over. “Let me guess, the drow do not have friends?”
That made his face turn pale. “F-friends? Of course I have friends! Why, I have... stop it with the hugging!”
“Oh you poor, poor child,” she said softly.
“I will blast you with fel magics of the highest caliber!”
“No you will not,” she said firmly and felt him stop resisting. She was discovering quite a bit about him. He responded quite well to teacher Cheerilee. She imagined his mother, as detestable as she sounded, had something to do with that.
For a few moments there was silence, then he looked up. “So... the pegasuses really change the weather, by themselves?”
“Pegasi. And yes, all weather is set up by the pegasi.”
“That's... not so stupid. We don't really have much weather underground. It tends to just be cold and...” He frowned and looked towards the window. “It's kind of... light here.”
“Light?”
“The colors. It's so... everything is so bright. I thought it would hurt my eyes, but it doesn't. Everything is bright, though. Even the wood is brighter than... wood is back home.”
She smiled and slowly let him go. Despite his threats and arrogance, he did seem quite mature for his age. In some ways he seemed more mature than most of her older students. But then, harsh lives had a tendency to age ponies quickly.
There was a light knocking on the door. “Cheerilee? Could you come here for a moment?”
“I'll be right there,” the teacher said before looking to him. “I'll be back in a few moments. Don't cause any more problems.”
He glared back. “I'll blast anyone who tries to come in!” he snapped angrily, before pausing. “Except... for you,” he grumbled. “Only because I'm merciful.”
“Of course,” she said before trotting to the door and closing it behind herself, then looking to Nurse Redheart. “Yes?”
“Some more tests came back. We did a horn scan when he was out, in case there was some kind of magical feed back hurting him.”
“And?”
“Well...” Redheart looked to the door, then to the teacher. Most of the staff had left already, probably to deal with other patients or tasks, leaving only two nurses by the door. “Listen, I wouldn't say this normally. But this is Ponyville. In the last few years we've had Nightmare Moon, Discord more times than we can count, Tirek, countless other problems that I've probably never heard of. Not to mention the Everfree Forest being right next to us.”
“You're stalling, what is it? Is... is the child going to be okay?”
“That's just it, we have no idea. His magic is...” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “We've scanned unicorn magic before. Not to mention dragon, pegasi, earth pony, have a few changelings on file, zebra, one yak, griffon--”
“What are you saying?” she asked again, panic rising in her voice.
“His magic is nothing like pony magic, or any other magic we've ever seen. In fact, magic like that shouldn't exist. It's as if it operates under a completely different set of rules and... this is so far beyond my pay grade I can't even begin to imagine. We've sent an aid to request the help of princess Twilight, but there's no telling when she'll get here or even if she'll get here today.”
Cheerilee gulped. “You... don't think that... there might be actual merit in what he says, do you? From another... place like that?”
She gave a slow nod. “There are plenty of places in the lands outside of Equestria we don't know about.”
That made Cheerilee lock up. “You mean a place like that could... exist HERE?”
“I'm saying his magic isn't like a pony's. Or that, according to the laws we know magic to follow, it shouldn't exist here. That... it's not completely impossible that he's from another species or another... place. It is still possible that his magic is different. It could just be that it operates on... a different level than ours does, that's why it seems to have different rules. One our tools aren't set to measure. We'd need an expert on that and fortunately there is one that lives in town.”
Cheerilee nodded and looked towards the room. “So... his ideas that... his lack of knowledge on ponies is...”
“It may make sense. At the very least, he's not from around here. He's likely not even from Equestria. Perhaps somewhere past the badlands.”
Cheerilee nodded and walked towards the room. “If... it would be okay, could we take him to Twilight?”
“?!” The nurse couldn't even speak, her mouth just fell open as she stared at the teacher as if she'd lost her mind.
“From another place or not, he's a child. All he's seen is a hospital room. I think letting him go out into the open world like this would be good for him. Let him see that we aren't being dangerous or intending to hurt him.”
There was a pause from the nurse, before she shook her head. “I'll... see what I can do. Maybe we can get a guard escort for you and him.”
Cheerilee nodded. “Thank you. I'd best go check on him again.” She took a deep breath before trotting back into the room.
Val was laying on his back, his eyes drifting closed a little. However, he sat back up the moment she stepped in. “I'm awake!”
She sat down besides him. “It's fine if you want to sleep, Val. You don't--”
“I'm not tired!” he said angrily. “Why do you want me to sleep, huh? Hoping to put another one of those... bindings on me? I won't let you!” He stomped a hoof and his horn began to flicker.
She glared and the flicker stopped, his eyes lowering. She then sighed and reached out. “Would you like to go outside?”
“What? Outside?”
“You said you lived underground before, right? Would you like to see what it's like here? There's... somepony I want you to meet.”
“Who?” he asked, sounding suspicious.
“Twilight, the princess of Friendship.”
“Really? Taking me to the royal family? Why not just take me straight to the queen, I'll take her surrender,” he said with a smirk.
“Err... Equestria has no queens. Just the princesses.” She decided to not touch the comment on surrendering.
He stared for a few moments, his mouth opening as he tried to process that. Finally, he just looked confused. “But... I thought... princesses become queens, right?” His voice was filled with doubt.
She gave a small shrug. “I'm not sure. But here, they never took on the role of queens. I believe it's because they wish for us to govern our selves as best we can. A queen just feels too powerful and dominant.”
He stared for a few moments. “That's... just... whatever. Fine, I'll come with you. This place is weird, anyway. But if anypony tries to put another seal on me, you'll regret it!” His horn flickered threateningly.
“Of course. Now stop that,” she ordered.
------
“Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders official cutie mark finding headquarters!” Sweetie yelled as she held a hoof out towards the tree house.
“What took yah so long?” Applebloom called down from the window, Scootaloo standing besides her.
“Errr, I got busy,” Sweetie said quickly. She most definitely did not accidentally get lost and go to the wrong side of the field and spend twenty minutes wondering how and why they moved the tree and tree house after so long. Twice. “Meet my cousin, Silverbelle,” she said before motioning to the young mare. She just gave a feeble wave, staring up at the other two crusaders.
“It is... much good... to meet you?” the mare asked softly.
“She don't talk super fancy,” Applebloom said with a chuckle before motioning them up. “Come on up, we got it all ready for her initiation!”
“Come on!” Sweetie said before trotting up the ramp towards the tree. “You're going to love everypony here, and don't you worry. You'll have a cutie mark before you know it.”
“I... yes? See?” Silverbelle said nervously as she trotted up the steps.
“First part first,” Applebloom said once they came inside. The tree house was covered in little posters and lists, things they had once tried to find their cutie marks in. “Initiation!” She ran behind a podium and stood on her hind legs, looking down at the stack of papers. “Do we really gotta read all this again?”
Scoots groaned. “I'd rather we didn't. It takes forever.” She ignored the glares the others gave her. Just because she wrote it didn't mean it was her fault. “Just hit the highlights.”
“We welcome yah to--”
Silverbelle slowly raised a hoof, making the earth pony pause.
“Yeah?”
“What, err, is the going on?”
“We're gonna help yah get your cutie mark, of course!” Applebloom said with a proud grin.
“Why?”
There was a big pause then as the three crusaders shared a look. Then they looked to her. Then back at each other. Finally Sweetie coughed. “Don't, err, don't yah want your cutie mark?”
The filly just shrugged. “It... come when come?” she said nervously.
Sweetie finally understood why her big sister carried around a swooning chair. “But... a cutie mark is...”
The little filly backed up again, lowering her head. “No, I much sorry, no mean--”
“Ah, shucks, it's fine,” Applebloom said as she hopped down from the podium. “If yah don't want help tryin' tah get your cutie mark, there's probably loads we can still do tagether!”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah! You came all the way from Prance, so there's still loads to show you.”
Sweetie gave her friends a heartfelt smile before looking at the filly. “Yeah. How about we all go down to Sugarcube Corner?”
“Yeah! Come on, I'll pull the wagon. Sweetie, Applebloom, give me a hoof?”
The three crusaders walked out of the tree house, leaving the prance pony to wait. Once outside, they gave a little nod. “So, operation secretly help her get her cutie mark is a go?” Applebloom asked.
“Of course,” Scoots said with a grin.
“Err, what? There's an operation now?” Sweetie asked.
“Of course! We're makin' it up right now!” the earth pony said with a grin.
“Ohhhhh. Then yeah! Operation help her... all that stuff!” Sweetie said. The three jumped into the air and bumped their flanks together.
“Cutie Mark Crusader secret cutie mark finders!” they said in unison.
Silver just looked at the three, confusion etched on her face.
“Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrr. Grrrrrr.” Claw growled ineffectually as Twilight watched the machines she currently had him wired too. She completely ignored the annoyed colt as her eyes danced across all the different measures, numbers, lines and readings. They'd even cleared out a small section in the library to set up all the machines.
Rarity was far more worried as she looked from the colt to the princess. “Twilight, are you sure this is safe? He is just a colt. You wouldn't... put him in any danger, right?”
“Of course not!” Twilight said, looking up quickly. “This merely measures his time dimensional access against the standard disparity according to Starswirl's third law of dimensional and relative time travel. I'm trying to determine if he's a first, second or third case.”
“... What? Wait, I thought you were just trying to determine if he was from the future or not!”
“Oh, he is. Well, not necessarily from the future, he could be from the past. He's not from OUR time, at the very least. His time residue is completely off.”
“Grrrrrrrrr,” the colt kept growling.
“It's really quite fascinating. You see, there's three different types. Either what he does now is guaranteed not to have any effect on the future, meaning he already did it once, well the other Twilight had experienced it. Or the second type, where his mere presence here will have drastic effects to the point where he'd never even exist.”
“W-what?” Rarity asked. “N-never existed? But if he's here--”
“If he wasn't here before, then this likely alters, however slightly, whatever led to his birth. Delaying his conception by even a few days could completely alter him. He could come out as a girl, maybe more pony, more dragon, anything.” She paused. “But... that could mean we can't send him back.”
“And... the third option?”
That gave Twilight pause and she shook her head. “I... don't think it's the third option and we should not focus on that.”
“Twilight... tell me.”
“It's option two, but... worse. He never existed, after all...”
“What would... oh,” Rarity said softly, gulping. “So... the message...?”
Twilight glanced to the scroll which was now, mostly, clean. “It'll take a while to fix. Were it just normal paper, repairing the ink would be easy. But noooo. It had to be covered in dragon slobber.”
“Sorry,” Claw mumbled.
“Now dear, there's nothing to be sorry for,” Rarity said gently. “You did nothing wrong, it was just an accident.”
“Well, if he hadn't breathed fire when--” The alicorn cringed when she got a nudged on the side. “Ow. Right, nothing wrong. Interesting. Claw, can you try speaking for me?”
“Yes!” Claw said.
Twilight stared and waited, before face hoofing. “I mean, say a bunch of different things.”
“Oh, yes. Mommy, daddy, Aunt Test, Uncle Discord,” that one brought a confused look from Twilight, but Rarity only shrugged, “Gooey thing, ummmm...”
“Well, that should be enough, thank you,” Twilight said as she looked over the scans.
“What is it?” Rarity asked.
“It's his brain.”
That made the unicorn tense up. “What's wrong with it?”
“Err, nothing, I think. Maybe? It's not a pony brain, but it's not a dragon brain, either. Trust me, I've done enough scans on Spike to know. Or maybe it is, I've only really had a chance to do these scans on one dragon but... anyway. When he speaks, his brain goes haywire. It's a lot more active than a pony's brain would be.”
“That's... good, right? It means he's smart?”
“Actually, it means he's struggling to form the words. No, not struggling, it more means his brain requires more work to form the words than a normal pony. But I guess that's not surprising, his brain probably operates on different levels than ours. Not to mention the different levels of magic and organs his body maintains. I wonder if his horn can do pony magic, or if it's just for decoration or a weapon. I know he has the fire breath, but does it have the innate magical properties that Spike's has, or does it just have--”
“Is he going to be okay?!” Rarity finally shrieked.
The princess cringed and gave her friend a meek smile. “Err, yes. He is going to be fine. As far as I can tell he is completely healthy. Both by pony and dragon standards. He'll just likely have some problems in certain areas growing up. He'll likely thrive in others, though. Depending on how his mind operates.”
Rarity nodded. “Good. So he's from another time and he's healthy. And... about him being... my son. Do, errr...?”
That, for the first time made Twilight look away. “I haven't determined yet. I'd need samples from you and Spike.” Was Rarity imagining it, or did the princess suddenly seem annoyed? Even, dare she say it, angry?
“Is something wrong, dear?”
“Wrong? No, no, what could ever be wrong? Not like I'm looking at the off spring of one of my best friends and my BABY dragon who's like a brother to me,” she said a tad bitterly.
Rarity cringed. “Err, Twilight, darling, I-I'm sure whenever... if... whenever... this happened, Spike and I were... I'm sure he was... I mean, there's no actual proof he's mine. Or Spikes. But if it was, I'm sure it was consensual. From both of us. And, errr, I'm sure you were okay with it. I'd never do anything to... jeopardize our relationship. Maybe... I just happen to look like his mother? He might not even be Spikes, either,” she said with a nervous grin.
“I'm sure,” Twilight mumbled with just a tad bit of annoyance. However, it faded quickly as the princess lost herself in her research again, all her annoyance abandoned. “Ohhhhh, maybe if I tried a gentle matrix array set through the third polithial of...”
“What's going on?” a small, purple dragon with green scales asked groggily as he stepped in through the library's main doors, letting out a soft yawn. Spike.
“DADDY!” Claw yelled before racing forward, yanking out most of the sensors and causing Twilight to shriek. He lunged over the screens and raced to the door, skidding to a stop in front of Spike. He then paused in place and looked down at the small, confused dragon. “Daddy?”
“Errr, Twilight?”
“Possibly your son from the future.”
“Oh,” Spike looked up at the dragon. “Cool. Errr, who's the mom?”
“We're trying to figure that out but it seems it might be Rarity,” Twilight said, the anger returning to her voice.
“WOO HOO!” Spike yelled, jumping into the air and fist pumping the air. He let out a yelp as Claw batted him down.
“Why daddy so small?” Then gasped. “Did the slime make yah small? Mommy told yah not to touch it!”
“Err, Twilight?” Spike asked again. “A little help?”
“Claw, dear, come get back into the machine. Twilight still needs to do measurements,” Rarity said gently.
“But I wanna be with daddyyyyyyy!” Claw whined, before lunging forward. Before Spike could object, Claw had the little dragon pinned and was licking his face. “I missed you daddy!” He giggled. “You still taste the same!”
“Ack! No, stop! I'm not, hey! Twilight!”
“Claw!” Rarity snapped. “Get back, now!”
The colt cringed and lowered his head, walking back into position with his head and tail limp on the ground. The unicorn sighed and moved over, giving him a gentle stroke on the back of the neck. “There there, dear. You know this is important, right?”
He nodded. “I know. But I really, really, really missed daddy,” he mumbled.
Rarity froze. “When... was the last time you... saw daddy?”
He blinked a few times before looking to Twilight. “When Aunt Test took him with her to the ooze.”
Twilight glanced up. “The... ooze? How long ago was this?”
He blinked and tried to think. “Ummmmm... forever ago?”
Twilight looked between Spike and Rarity. Then her eyes shifted back towards the note. “I think I've done enough tests for today.”
All three ponies were shaken to the core at that. “I... what?” Rarity said, her mouth falling open. “But... you don't want to... do tests?”
“I really need to get working on this letter.” The princess held it up, her magic stroking along it. “Maybe if I find the right mix I can reset the ink, or maybe a time winder spell. If only dragon's weren't so naturally magic resistant this wouldn't be so difficult.”
Spike stared at the alicorn, his eyes so wide they threatened to fall out. “Did... did she say she didn't want to do te-- EEP!” Once again her was tackled by Claw, who proceeded to start licking him again. “Gah, stop it! Stop iiiiiittttttt!”
“Claw, down,” Rarity said as she trotted over. “Come here.”
The colt whimpered, but backed away. Spike panted for air before smiling up at the unicorn. “So... uhhhh... you and I, in the future... err?”
Red flooded her cheeks. “There's... no actual... it's not actually set in stone. Maybe. I mean, w-well, you've always been a dear friend, I... I really should return home and continue unpacking! Come along Claw!” She galloped off, leaving the little dragon behind. Her snapped his fingers in disappointment.
“Oh sapphires. Eeeeeee! Me and Rarityyyyyy!” He wiggled in place happily, his claws flailing about.
Meanwhile, Twilight stared at the note, glaring at all the smeared ink that refused to heed her fixing spells. Were it just covered, it would be simple. But no, she had to find a way to reset the ink back to its original position. It was made even worse due to the fact the parchment was completely smooth, the specific materials made in its processing didn't allow for much imprint of the quill to be left. That cut down on practically every refreshing spell she knew.
Dear p*st me,
***ngs***ve ***e horr******ho***bly wr*******is ***Cl****th***on o****ike a***Sw***ie****k***, I***ow, n*****f us******ted it ****er. A*****th****ath ** Ra***y******* th***** b***ed*******sely****t i***** in****abl***** hel*** th*****ey *********t the *****age*******But th***s not w****s im**********
W****s impo***** is **** I ***t hi*****k in time for a ver********ant mi****n. He*****ill****hild, so *****esn't ******tand eve****ing, but***** spell ******y, ***********ous. If ****************on d*****lity, I'm d*****ul ********vive. I ****him swallo****************************he onl******* could **********wou*****t to you. I****e sure to *************impregna*********ment to *****it endure.
If I*******ect, ************time ************e na***** Val shoul******rri****. Watch***********from ******r di****ion, h*****ther shou*******ve at ******thre*****ks **** n****************off*******n reac**** th*******ly get****l of us kill*******lud*******ity, may her ***l r*** in peace. ***************s, you ********stop her ****se*******p****** some********e way. The*****************sen***************e untold chaos ********t***ly *****t the ***oze.
The **************d every******n Eque****a han** in the bala******ur fr****** ve** lives rest in************. I ***************** too late.
At least she'd managed to make a little progress so some words and spaces were noticeable. She even had a few commas. She loved the commas the most, they were small and cute and showed she was making some progress. Sadly, though, her progress was a result of cleaning it as best she could and then using every restoration of text spell she knew. And she knew a LOT of spells like that. She glanced around the library of her castle, thinking back to when her library had first been destroyed.
She shivered and leaned back against the note. Claw said it had been forever ago, had something happened to Spike? What if it had been months, weeks? A smile spread across her lips as she thought back to when Spike was younger and 'forever' could mean anything from twenty minutes to three days. For all she knew, Spike was fine and was just gone a few days.
The smile disappeared. But if he was fine, why would she send his son back in time? Why risk damaging the time space continuum? She didn't even know if she could send him back. What if she wasn't SUPPOSED to send him back? What if both his parents were dead?
What if her little baby dragon and one of her best(pending a full inspection of what she did with Spike) friends were dead? A chill went down her spine and she buried her face back in the scroll as some books slid off the bookshelves. Something must have happened in this time for her to send the colt here now. Something important.
She barely even noticed when suddenly Spike belched and a letter shot out of his mouth, landing neatly on the table besides her. She barely had time to look at it before a heavy knock echoed through the castle. Followed by the sound of the door crashing down. “Sorry!” a bubbly voice said. “I didn't mean to! I just don't know what went wrong!”
------
Val stared at the pegasi before him. They all wore golden armor and and had the same short tails with straight manes. He couldn't deny it. He hated it with every single fiber of his being. Soooooo much.
But they looked kind of cool. For ponies. Not that he'd ever let them know.
Cheerilee smiled down at the colt, trying to avoid chuckling as the colt stared at them with wide eyes and his mouth hanging open. She couldn't deny it, she herself was feeling quite impressed as well, her heart all aflutter. She'd expected an escort from maybe a police pony. Possibly a soldier. But royal guards? Not to mention four of them?
A brown one stepped forward and saluted. “My name is Flash Sentry, I'll be escorting you this evening,” he said firmly, before smiling down at the little colt. “I hope you're excited to meet the princess.”
“Bah, I've met plenty of princesses,” Val said with a lie, making the teacher roll her eyes. She then smiled to the soldiers.
“Thank you for the escort, but I have to ask. How did you get here so fast? I thought the request had only just been made.”
“We were already on the way to see the princess,” Flash said with a nervous smile. “Important royal business. When she realized we were on the way, she sent a message asking us to gather you immediately.” He looked down. “You must be Val. The princess says you must be very important.”
“I am!” he said proudly. “I'm going to dethrone your princesses and rule with an iron fist. As any drow would, foalish pony!”
He just stared at the child for a few moments before looking to Cheerilee. “He might be from another dimension. Probably another species, as well,” the teacher said.
“Ohhhhhh.” He gave a nod. She had a feeling he was just nodding because he was expected to nod. “Well, to the princess!” He trotted to the front of the group. Cheerilee and Val were surrounded by a pegasus on each side and one behind. The little colt struggled to stand, his little hooves unable to keep his balance right. She couldn't imagine how he had survived at all in the Everfree Forest.
“Dear, would you like to ride on my back?” she asked softly.
“Hah! I need no help from you, pony! I have mastered the use of two legs, four is easy!” He kept trying to move two at the same time and did more of a leaping motion than actually walking. She hummed for a bit, before smiling.
“If you're going to conquer us, shouldn't you be riding on a noble steed?”
That made him pause before nodding. “Of course. Yes, pony, carry me!”
She smiled and put him onto her back. Perhaps drow children weren't quite so different after all. They were certainly just as easy to get to do what you want, you just needed to know how to talk to them.
Rarity stared ahead, taking slow, steady breaths. This wouldn't be easy. Then again, whatever could be? Oh, she was doomed. She knew it. There was no escape from this. It was like staring at an avalanche as it came at you. And you were trapped with your hoof in a rock. There was nothing you could do but wait for the snow to wash over and carry you away.
She stared into the eyes of her little sister and her two friends, standing in the doorway with their cousin behind them. All sipping on shakes. Claw was behind her. A foal with no cutie mark. There was no hope. No escape. There was nothing she could do now but ride the inevitable wave of the cutie mark crusaders and hope she wasn't bashed against the shore. It was a... very... tidal wavey... avalanche.
“Who's that?” Sweetie asked. An innocent question. A simple question. Should she lie? What was the point? She'd find out soon enough, then just be upset she was lied to.
“Time traveling baby pony slash dragon from the future that is the off spring of Spike and some unknown pony.”
“Mommy, who's this?” Claw asked, staring at the ponies curiously.
And just like that, she could see their eyes widening. The excitement. The dozens of plans forming in their heads. Truly, she was doomed.
“You had a son in the future?” Scootaloo asked.
“With Spike?” Applebloom asked.
“Why didn't you tell me?” Sweetie asked.
“If he's from the future she probably didn't know!” Scootaloo said with a wide grin. “Ohhhhh, is he the first time traveling pony? Is he going to get his cutie mark in that?”
“Of course not, he's going to get a dragon cutie mark,” Applebloom said, rolling her eyes. “Jus' look at him, how could yah not get a cutie mark like that?”
“You had a baby and you didn't tell me?” Sweetie asked, the only one seemingly immune to the call of the cutie mark.
“I didn't--” Rarity said, but there was no time for her to finish. Claw suddenly pounced, landing on Scootaloo and giving her a big lick, before cocking his head.
“Aunt Chickenwings?”
There was a momentary pause, followed by the full unleashed laughter of Scootaloo's friends. “I'm not a chicken!” she snapped angrily.
“Claw,” Rarity said with a shake of her head, a moment before he was twisted around and Scootaloo had him in a full body hold. She couldn't help being a little impressed.
“What's my name?” Scootaloo demanded.
“Aunt Scootaloo, Aunt Scootaloo!” He shrieked, thrashing his little tail about until he was released, jumping back.
He gave a little glare.
“I have a nephew?” Sweetie asked, her eyes still wide and shocked.
“We should help him get his cutie mark!” Applebloom said and Rarity gave a sigh of defeat. There it was, the final push of the avalanche. She then noticed Silverbelle in the back, just looking on with confusion.
“Ah, hello Silverbelle,” Rarity said with a smile. “I do hope my sister and her friends are being good hosts. I'd hate to think she was forsaking her duties.”
“Huh? Eeep!” Sweetie's eyes bulged as she looked back at her cousin. “We forgot to show you your room, it's...” The words caught in her throat as she looked down the street. Rarity glanced back and even gasped at the sight. Four pegasi royal guards were escorting... CHEERILEE? Of all ponies? What could she have possibly done to get in trouble with the royal guards?
On her back was a little black colt, staring out with wide eyed wonder, looking at all the buildings. Pointing some out. “Ohhhh, I'm going to turn that one into the torture chamber! Oh, that'll be the magic research facility! That one will be the stables! Ohhh, that is the one I'm going to take and put a BLEEPing sign that has all those BLEEPing words on it for your BLEEPing princesses to read!”
Rarity blinked a few times, her mouth falling open. She then shook her head. “Okay, everypony inside! Go!” she ordered. She didn't know what the buck was wrong with that pony, but she would not let her sister, possible son, cousin and their friends hear such foul language! To her horror, Silverbelle was staring at the pony. The poor dear had probably never heard such crude language in all her life and was now stricken. She gently picked the filly up in her magic and carried her into the house.
“I'll need to rearrange a few things to make sure I have space for everypony,” the mare said. “I suppose if I compressed my work room and storage room into one, I'd have two available...” She looked down at Claw. “Dear, will you be okay in the smaller room?”
He nodded, staring at Applebloom. Finally he jumped forward and pinned her. “Aunt Applebloom!” Oh, of course. SHE got her full name.
The filly let out a shriek as she tried to push him off. It got even worse when he licked her. Sweetie giggled softly and then smiled at him. “Oh? Then you know who I am, right?”
He looked at her and just looked confused. Rarity could practically see the gears in his head trying to work, until finally his eyes widened. “Aunt Sunny!” Yet another tackle and lick.
“Eek, no, stop!”
He did after a few moments before blinking. “Where are your wings? Why you so small? Why's your mane all... pink and not rainbowy?”
Rarity frowned. Was she mistaking Sweetie for Celestia? How could he know her friends, but not h--
She locked up and her eyes widened. “Claw, how about you come with me and help me clean out the storage room? Sweetie, dear, how about you and your friends go play?”
“But we--”
“Go along, darling. Now,” the mare said quickly before trotting off, dragging Claw behind her in her magic. He gave a whine, but soon relented to her parental authority. She trotted upstairs and stepped into the storage room, which was filled with all manner of fabrics. Once there, she closed the door and turned towards him.
He was already halfway to the dresser, reaching for the little bowl of sapphires on it. “Claw, dear! Stop!” she ordered. He whined, but turned to her.
“But mommyyyyy!”
“You can have some in a few moments. But first, let's talk. Now, you do remember my little sister, right?”
He nodded rapidly.
She relaxed. “Good. And her name is...?”
He blinked and then hummed. “Aunt Test, Aunt Chicken, Aunt Applebloom, Aunt Apples, Aunt--”
“What? No! Not the ponies who are like a sister to me! My actual sister. You know, Sweetie Belle? The dear little mare with the pink mane?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Pink mane?” He paused. “Like yours!” Then blinked. “But it's not pink anymore...”
She opened her mouth to object, then froze. She closed her eyes. “Darling. I have... a pink... mane?”
He nodded rapidly.
“And, dear. Do tell me, what is my cutie mark?”
He perked up and grinned. “Purple!”
“Of course. Now... is it three little marks, or one big mark?”
“A big purple shield!”
“Very good dear.” She hovered the gems down to him, feeling something inside her snap. “Let's go have another talk with... daddy.”
“Yayyyyy!”
------
Twilight looked up as the door to the library opened. “Presenting, Cheerilee and Val!” Spike said in a boisterous announcement. She rolled her eyes as she noticed he forgot to mention the escorts. She looked over them for a moment, only pausing when she noticed Flash was amongst them. She gave him a nervous smile, only to shake her head and look back to her book. Right, save her number one assistant and THEN worry about cute guard.
“Wonderful, so.” She motioned towards the machine. “Spike, could you help strapping him in?”
“Sure,” the dragon said. However, when he walked over Val just glared at him.
“Are... you a dragon?” he asked softly.
“Eeyup!” Spike said proudly.
“Wow, that's so pathetic. Are dragons in this universe so lame that they take orders from ponies? That'd be like... I don't know, a human taking orders from an ant. Come on, where's the fire, the brim stone? The vast hordes of riches?”
Cheerilee just stared at him in horror. She quickly looked to the dragon. “I am so, so sorry, Spike. He's not... well, we're not sure where he's from. Possibly another dimension.”
Twilight hadn't even looked away from her work. “Spike? Are you almost done?”
The dragon just stared at the child. Finally, he spoke up. “Hey!”
“Oh my gosh you're dumb, too,” Val said with a shake of his head. Cheerilee couldn't help it. She bucked slightly and the child let out a shriek as he fell off, crashing to the ground. “Ow.”
“Listen, I'm Twilight's number one assistant and--”
“Oh come off it!” Val said as he got shakily to his hooves. “Look at her. She's a BLEEPing pony! She's bright PURPLE! PURPLE! Could you possibly get more lame than that? And what did you all say she was, friendship? That's the most--” He let out a yelp as Spike struck him upside the head.
“D-don't you talk about Twilight like that!” the dragon said, glaring angrily at the colt.
“Oh yeah? Or what? You hit like a drunken elf. And your pony looks like a dried out--”
Cheerilee eeped as the two suddenly went into full scrape mode, a little whirl of dust on the ground. She took a deep breath, before stomping her hooves. “ENOUGH!” she snapped in full teacher voice. “You two are both going into time out!”
“B-but he started it,” Spike said.
“I don't care. Spike, you're older and smarter than Val is, you should know better. Val, go sit on the round thing over there.”
“Hey! I'm not dumb!” the colt whined.
“Now!”
Cheerilee sighed and shook her head as the child walked off, grumbling darkly about working ponies in the mines. She then caught sight of Twilight who... was standing at attention. Ah, right. Teacher voice. “Spike, would you be a dear and help him get set up?”
He grumbled and nodded, moving over to the colt. Val opened his mouth to speak.
“Not a word,” Cheerilee snapped. Soon he was all hooked up and the dragon stepped back.
“There.”
Twilight quickly got to work. “There's got to be... something. I sent Claw back to when this pony arrived for some reason... Now, please do a basic telekinesis spell.”
“A what now? Why would I know a useless spell like that? I have hands!” He paused. “Had hands!”
She glanced back to him. “Do you know... any spells?”
He grinned and his horn glowed. Two orbs of black light formed above his head and then sailed straight at her. Cheerilee's eyes bulged. Okay, she wasn't sure but she was at least ninety percent certain that assaulting one of the princesses with dark magic was a pretty severe crime.
Twilight merely waved a hoof and both orbs stopped in mid flight, popping into little purple bubbles. “Wonderful! Ohhh, interesting. This is definitely black magic, but not like any I've seen before. Who taught you this spell?”
“I just... I just know it,” he mumbled softly, staring at her. “It's... magic missile. I just... fel magiced it and... and how are you doing that?”
“Hmmm? Doing what?”
“You... you can't trap magic missiles. That's not... you can't... they don't...”
“Starswirl's Swift Spell Storage Stassis Spell. Or the SSSSSS for short,” Twilight said proudly. “It's great for capturing and studying swift moving spells such as these.”
“R-right,” he said, looking shaken.
“Do you know any others?” She then paused. “That's... interesting. Your drain was... hmmm... cast a few more spells for me, please. Like this, if you could.”
Suddenly the door to the room opened and Cheerilee let out a frightened little eep. Even the guards took a step back. Rarity stood in the frame, but the teacher had never seen her like this. She looked... out of sorts. Her mane was frazzled, her eyes were twitching and, most importantly, her pupils had gotten very small.
“Oh Spikey-wikey?” she said in the sweetest tone.
The dragon turned instantly, hearts in his eyes. “Yes, oh-- eep!” Even he froze in the presence of her glance. He let out a frightened yipe as he was lifted into the air by her magic.
“I... think we need to have a talk. Come, darling.”
“E-eep.”
Cheerilee looked down at their son, the very confused Claw. He just smiled back. “Do you have any gems?”
“I'm afraid not. Perhaps you should stick with your mother.” She gave a worried glance towards the disappearing unicorn and dragon. She did hope they'd be okay. But first she needed to focus on Val.
Twilight stared at all the readings before her, her mind struggling to process all this new information.
Claw was a dragon pony, the first she'd ever seen. Also, from the future. That much she knew. Probably from Spike and Rarity. Still a tad big miffed about that, but she'd be fine.
Val was... different. Not pony, not pony magic, very strange all around. She wondered for a moment if he was from Canterlot High, but the stories Cheerilee told her made her doubt it. That world had been strange, but it hadn't been horrifying. Besides, magic didn't seem to exist much there, while Val claimed that magic was common where he was from. That meant there were more dimensions, joy. She'd have to write a dozen letters to the princess, start a committee, years of research. There could be entire dimensions out there, of all kinds. Why, there might even be other realms like hers. Maybe ones where she wasn't an alicorn. Ones were her friends weren't even friends. But there could be horrible ones, too. Ones where... maybe they'd gone to war with the zebras or the griffons, any number of things. That sent a chill down her spine and she focused on the task at hoof.
So she'd sent Claw back from the future, to this specific time with a damaged letter that she couldn't decipher without a lot more time and effort. For all she knew, Claw's parents were in deep, deep trouble. The trouble had to stem from something about this time, something she had to stop. She had to deal with. But what? Val and Claw arriving at the same time couldn't be a coincidence. It was possible that his arrival just happened to be the easiest time to send him, though. The temporal disruption he caused on his arrival could have been what she focused on in order to send Claw through time. Well, at least there wasn't anything else going on today.
“Ah hem, princess?” Flash asked.
Oh, right. Royal guards. So there was a third thing. She glanced back. “Err, right. Sorry, distracted. I uhhh, lots of research to do. Yes, lots!” She held up the book to demonstrate, giving him a nervous smile. Whyyyy had the princess sent him? She suspected it had something to do with his name being mentioned in her reports about that other world. She loved her teacher greatly, but she suspected that the mare had a mischievous side. Maybe. Possibly. “You came for a reason?”
He nodded. “Yes, your highness. We've come to protect you.”
She blinked a few times and looked them over. “Four pegasi? Are there more outside?”
He blinked. “Err, well, no.”
The alicorn couldn't help but be a little tiny bit unimpressed. She quickly did a few mental calculations, measuring the average speed, strength, endurance of a royal guard pony, then amplifying it by an additional twenty-five percent just in case they were the pick of the litter. Even still, just four seemed a little... low. “Protect me?”
“Yes. There was a theft in Canterlot. Starswirl's wing in the library was hit and a number of books were stolen. We have reason to believe they'll attempt to steal from you, next.”
She nodded. “Ohhhh. You're here to guard the library! Yes, of course. Ummm... carry on.” She motioned with a wing. “Do the... thing that you do. So well. I guess. I'll ummm, just get back to my research. Yes, that would be best.” She quickly turned around and buried her head into the letter. Nope, there was no way he could suspect anything. Why would he?
Wait, hold on a minute. Where was Spike? She would have sworn he was here a moment ago. She then shook her head. Focus, Twilight, focus! Some kind of thievery, a time traveling pony, an interdimensional pony, an unreadable letter. It all had to make sense, somehow! She had to make sense of it. Somehow. The lives of her friends depended on it. On her poor, baby dragon. Who her friend had apparently taken advantage of and-- no, no no, not now. Focus. Getting focused on that mystery later. Now, saving everypony.
------
Spike gulped nervously as he stared up at the rather... disgruntled Rarity. Her mane was a little bit messed up and her eyes were little pin pricks. He also had the oddest feeling that he was going to die. Also, that it was going to hurt. She'd hauled him off to the great table and stuffed him into his chair. Rather firmly.
“Spikey, I think it's time we had a little talky.”
The dragon gave a nod and eyed Rarity's hoof which was currently in the middle of tapping on the table with enough force to make it shake. “Have... you been hanging around my little sister a lot lately?”
“W-what?”
“My dear, innocent, naive little sister. Sweetie Belle. Remember, she just got her cutie mark not long ago? I know you were at the cute ceañera. She truly was adorable, wasn't she?”
“I... guess?” he asked softly, looking up. “I didn't really notice.” And gave her that little fidgety love sick look again. How could he! Use her sister like... no. That was future Spike. She took a deep breath. She would deal with this with dignity and grace. Like a grown mare.
“How could youuuuuuuuuuu?” she whined, her eyes getting all wet and watery as she looked down at him. “She is my little baby sisterrrrrrrrrrrr.” She collapsed dramatically over the table, a hoof over her head. “She isn't ready to be a mother! In fact, neither am I, but... how could you? Why couldn't you keep your claws to yoursellllllllllf?” she whined with all her power.
“W-what? I am keeping my claws to myself! Honest! See? Right to myself, under my arms.” He crossed them dramatically for effect. “P-please don't cry. I-I don't know what I did!”
“You had a baby with my sisterrrrrrrr!”
There was a pause as he cocked his head to the side. “Wait, another time traveling dragon pony arrived?”
“No, Claw is yours and Sweetie's!” she wailed. “I don't know how this happened! She's such a good girl, so young, so naïve, how could you?”
He just looked confused. “Wait... I thought he was yours and mine?”
“I thought he was too-ooo-oooooooo,” she whined some more.
“Are you sure? Did Twilight do tests?”
“No...” Rarity said, before covering her face with her hooves. “But he told meeeeeee!”
Spike glanced towards the door, where Claw was distracted trying to catch the door knob in his hooves, before leaning up to gnaw on it. “Are you sure he's not... err... confused?”
“He told me it was her cutie marrrrrrrk! How could youuuuuuu? She's my little baby sister!” she whined dramatically as she wallowed in her misery. “She's too young to have a colt friend! Whyyyyyyy?”
Spike groaned and swore if he ever got the chance, he would smack future Spike for making this current Spike's problem. It wasn't fair, he didn't have any kids, yet now he had one and he didn't even know who the mom was! Then he looked sad. “Wait, so you mean... you and I don't get together in the future?”
She paused and blinked. “W-well, that wasn't... necessarily a likely scenario anyway, it--” She had to roll over a little to give the dragon room to collapse on the table and fall into his own rolling, whining mess.
“It's not fairrrrrrrrrr,” he whined.
“I knowwwwwwww,” she whined back.
“I thought I finally got youuuuuuuu.”
“I can't believe you used my sister like thatttttt! How could youuuuuu?”
There was a pause and he sat up. “Wait. What does that mean? I'd never, ever use your sister!”
She looked back at him. “Of course you did! She's just a child!”
There was a pause, followed by a flat look. “Well so am I!”
She blinked a few times. Then put a hoof to her chin. “Of course! It all makes sense! You two are just close to the same age and--” There was a crunch and she let out a shriek, rolling off the table and galloping towards the end. “No, Claw, bad! Don't eat the chairs! Don't eat the chairs!”
------
Twilight hummed as she examined the magic, before nodding. “Well this is quite fascinating.”
“Are you almost done?” Val asked, glaring up at her.
“Huh? You're still here? I'm sorry, I thought I told you you could leave.”
The colt just stared, his eyes wide. Then he shrieked. “You mean you've left me strapped in here for... forever and I could have just left! BLEEP this! For the underdark!” He charged forward, got tangled in the wires and flipped head over tail, landing hard on his rump.
Cheerilee cringed, waiting for the colt to burst into a tirade of cursing, screaming and threats. Instead, little tears began to form up in his eyes. Then he began to full on bawl. The teacher just stared for a moment, her eyes wide. This was... this was...
This was a great relief! It was the first normal, colt like thing she'd seen him do! She swooped in besides him and began untangling him, before picking him up in her hooves. “There there. It's okay, Val. See? It's just a little boo boo,” she said softly.
“I-I want to go home!” he screamed, before giving a little hiccup.
“I know, I know,” she whispered. “We're doing everything we can.” Buck that. She wasn't letting anypony send this poor, abused colt home. That place sounded... despicable. Worth a few bleeps if ever there was one. She gently cuddled him in her hooves. “How about we go get you something sweet, okay?”
“I-I'm not eating grass,” he muttered softly.
“Of course not. How about a nice cupcake? Or ice cream?”
“You can turn screams i-into ice?”
She paused for a few moments, just staring at him. Then a grin spread across her lips. “How about we go get you a nice slice of ice cream cake?”
He just looked up at her, confusion on her face. “W-what?”
“You'll see.” Once again she let him ride of her back as she trotted out the castle. Twilight didn't even seem to notice.
“I-I wasn't crying,” he muttered softly.
“I know, dear,” she said with soft chuckle.
------
“AHHHHHH!” Val shrieked as he held on, looking at Pinkie with the utmost fear. She thought he had been afraid of his mother, but this was apparently even worse.
“A very welcome to Equestria, to youuuuu~” Pinkie sung as she danced about.
Cheerilee merely rolled her eyes and let the mare continue. She couldn't imagine how the pink mare had discovered he wasn't from Equestria, but her mind had already come to the perfect decision. If he wasn't from Equestria, that meant he was new. That meant if he was new, that he probably hadn't had his welcome to Equestria party. If he hadn't had his... well, Pinkie was not one to stand by and let some pony be un-partied. The poor colt had no idea what to make of the singing, dancing mare. Or the cakes, or the presents(where in Equestria had she gotten presents so fast?), or of... well, Pinkie. He was trying, with great futility, to hide in Cheerilee's tail. Unfortunately, hers was nowhere near big or bushy enough for him to.
“Where the sun always shines!” And a cupcake was shoved in the screaming colt's mouth. He choked a little, coughed a few more times before his eyes lit up.
“Silence, scary jester pony!” he yelled. Or tried. It more came out as a little over a whisper, allowing the pink pony to continue her song.
Cheerilee blinked before jumping to the left, barely avoiding the party cannons as they went off, burying poor Val in confetti before Pinkie went into her knee skidding final slide, her hooves splayed out. “Welcome! WELCOME! WELCOME!!!!!” she yelled, panting and then looking down at the little colt.
His head popped out and he spit out some confetti, before glaring at her. “That song was BLEEPing ridiculous!” he snapped. “And the dance an undignified mess!” But then he paused. “However... your... little treats of the spongy and soft variety do make up for it. I will allow you to live and serve as my cook when I reign in this realm.” He nodded, before letting out an eep as he was picked up and twirled by the pink pony. “Ack, no, stop, put me down! This is not a dignified way to handle your future overlord!”
“My name's Pinkie and we're going to be the best friends ever!”
“Help meeeeee!” Val whined, holding out a hoof to Cheerilee.
The teacher merely shrugged and nibbled one of the cupcakes. “Why? I thought you, the great and powerful future ruler of Equestria, would be more than capable of helping yourself.”
“Put me dowwwwwn!” he whined, wiggling about. She did not. But she did feed him another cupcake, temporarily satisfying his blood lust.
------
Rarity looked at the slightly torn chair of Twilight's. It was made of very, very sturdy materials so it wasn't too damaged. Still, she looked at Claw with disappointment. “Darling, you should know better than to eat other pony's property.”
He hung his head, his tail squirming down between his legs. “Sorry mommy...”
She sighed before gently reaching out, giving him a hug. “It's okay, darling. You're just hungry, aren't you?”
“Uh huh...”
She nodded. “I'm sorry. I really should have gotten you something nice and filling to eat before we left to travel all over Ponyville.” She then glanced to Spike. “So... errr... what kind of gems are filling to a dragon?”
“Probably garnets,” the dragon said with a shrug. “They aren't the best tasting, but full of fiber and fill you up real fast.”
“Nooooo!” Claw whined. “I don't wanna eat garneeeeeeeets!” He wiggled about in her hooves. Rarity sighed.
“Fine. How about we get some nice garnets and then, if you're good, we'll get you some rubies.”
That made the colt perk up, a smile spreading on his lips. “Can daddy come too?” Now his tail was wagging.
Rarity glanced back to the baby dragon before giving a sigh. “Very well. I suppose it won't be... that troubling for him to come. You're still in trouble though, Spikey.” She let the colt go and stood up.
The dragon gave a little whimper. “But I didn't do anythingggggg!”
“Yes, but you will,” Rarity said with a harumph before trotting out, her head held high.
Claw looked between the two, before mimicking Rarity's movements. He held his head too high and walked into the wall, falling back with a whimper. “O-ow... owie...” He gave a little sniffle. “M-mommyyyyyyyy.”
Almost instantly he found himself scooped up in Rarity's magic and carried to her waiting hooves. “There there, my little darling. Don't worry, mommy has you.”
He snuggled her affectionately. Spike crossed his arms and trotted after them, pouting. “Why do future Spike's problems have to be my problems?”
------
“Your sister is acting really strange,” Scootaloo mumbled as she, the other members of the cutie mark crusaders and Silverbelle peered into Twilight's castle through one of the windows. The guard by the door occasionally glanced over to them, but they seemed harmless enough.
“Ah can't believe she had a baby! With Spike!” Applebloom said quickly.
“I can't believe she didn't tell me,” Sweetie mumbled, dejectedly.
“Well, she probably didn't know it was going to happen,” Scootaloo said with a shrug. “It was in the future.”
“Yah don't suppose she's pregnant now, do yah?” Applebloom asked.
“Nahhhhhh. She'd tell Sweetie if Spike was her very special somepony. Right?”
Every eye moved to look at the little white unicorn. She gave a tiny nod. “I... think she would.”
“Then yah know what this means, don't yah?” Applebloom asked as a grin formed on her lips.
“What?” her two friends asked in unison.
“We need tah make sure that the two stay together! After all, if Spike's not her very special somepony, then there might not be an egg or however baby dragon ponies come an' then all that time stuff goes wrong, right?”
The three shared a look, before jumping into the air and high hoofing. “Cutie mark crusader--”
“Super spies?” Rarity asked, peering down at them. The three looked up and shrieked, backing up.
“She ummm... miss Rarity is here,” Silverbelle finally mumbled, her voice just above a whisper.
The mare looked unamused, Spike behind her and giving a little wave. Claw was a few feet away, snapping his jaws at a little gem held in her magic, bouncing around playfully.
“Now, what exactly are the three of you scheming?” Rarity asked flatly, staring down at them.
“Errr... j-jus' how tah make you an' Spike very special someponys,” Applebloom said, gently poking at the ground. “We didn't mean anythin' by it.”
Rarity took a deep breath, before smiling. “Now, girls. I do appreciate your desire to help, truly I do. But what's going on with Claw here is between me, Spike and...” She looked down at her sister. “Twilight. There's no need for you three to get involved. Now, run along. I want you to try focusing on something else for a bit.” She then looked to Claw and gave another nod. “Spike and I have plenty we need to discuss. How would you two like to take Claw to get something to eat? Think of it as... foalsitting.”
Their eyes lit up and they practically leaped into the air. “Cutie mark crusader foal sitters!”
“Very good,” Rarity said before dropping a few bits into Sweetie's hooves. “Make sure he's full, please. Mostly on garnets. If he eats them all, he can have some rubies.” She let out a sigh of relief as they dragged the stallion off, Silverbelle trailing slowly behind the energetic crusaders.
“Are you sure that's a good idea?” Spike asked softly.
“What?” She glanced down to him.
“Letting them... run off with him? What if they figure it out?”
Rarity glanced back towards the fleeing crusaders and sighed. “I'm going to have to tell her eventually.” She then glared back. “You better not be making a move on my sister for a long, long time,” she warned.
Spike held up his claws defensively. “I didn't! I don't want to!” he said pitifully.
Rarity sighed and started trotting. “Come along, Spikey. You can help me set up his room.” She glanced back to Spike. She knew it wasn't his fault, but she couldn't help being a little miffed. Spike's little crush had always been so cute, so adorable. Little puppy love. She never imagined anything would come of it. Well, okay, she had once or twice imagined that there could be a small, itsy bitsy tiny chance. He was quite charming, in his own little, adorable way.
But now they had a living, breathing, gem eating sign of exactly what he was capable of. Worse, what he was capable of with her little sister. She knew it wasn't him, that it was future him. It was no fair to get mad at him for something he hadn't even done yet and, if Twilight's theory proved right, might never even do. But she still couldn't stop it. She wondered if anypony had ever felt like she did right now.
------
Twilight sneezed, cringing as she tried wiping off the paper with her hoof. Where had that come from?
Val let out an angry growled as he tried hopping onto the counter. At least he was getting better with the hooves. “Give ittttt!” he whined.
“Not until you say you're sorry,” Pinkie said solemnly.
“I am not saying I'm sorry!” he snapped. “It's not my fault they're such cry babies!”
The pink pony just glared back at him, a gaze as hard as stone. He glared back. He could only hold it for a few moments before his gaze lowered. “Fine. I'm sorry about what I said...”
“About?”
“About the little ponies.”
“And their names? Real names, not the things you called them?”
He groaned, but gave in. “Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake.”
She nodded, satisfied. She put a small plate in front of him on the table. On it were a small sampling of different cakes. He quickly stood up on his back hooves, trying to reach them. He let out an eek as he adjusted too far and started toppling back.
Cheerilee rushed to his side, her eyes wide. However, as she ran, suddenly the door swung open, catching her in the face and making her topple back.
“Cutie mark--” Was all the three said before Val landed amidst them.
Cheerilee groaned and held her nose, before slowly peering out around the door. She then shook her head. “Oh dear...”
Val had managed to avoid landing on and instead landed smack dab in the middle of the crusaders. And the little dragon pony, Claw she believed, was in the midst of licking his face. He let out little undignified squeaks. “Get off! Get offfff! Stop it! Sto--” Followed by hacking and coughing. “Ew ew ew ewwww my mouth was open and everythinggggg!” He held his tongue off, trying to wipe it off with his hooves. Then blanched. “Ewwww, I walk around on these! Guhhhhhh!”
He finally managed to shove Claw away, turning back to glare at him. “What are you doing, dog? I am not a... not a...” He froze, his eyes looking up at the cutie mark crusaders. His eyes focused on Sweetie and a little red flooded his cheeks. It lingered for a moment... until Claw leaned in and gave him a nice, big lick that covered his entire face. He stared with wide eyed horror before covering his face. “Gahhhh! Get it off ew ew ewwwww slobberrrrr!”
Cheerilee smiled before trotting over. She gently guided him towards the table and grabbed a napkin, before wiping it over his face. “Calm down, Val. It's just a little saliva.”
There was another gasp and she looked back in time to see the five pairs of eyes looking between her and Val. She let out a sigh of exasperation. Here they went again.
“Your son from the future came back in time, too?” Sweetie asked, staring with wide eyed glee.
She paused. Looked down at Val. Looked back at Sweetie. Then at Val. She... really didn't know how to answer that. She didn't even know what she was really being ask. She struggled for a few moments before sighing. “No?”
“Awwwwww,” the three said in unison. Silverbelle said it a few moments later, the filly looking as confused as her.
“Then who is he? Why doesn't he have his cutie mark? Can we help him get it? Is he your son from the past? The present? Ohhhh, do you have a very special somepony now? Is it Big Mac? No, wait, unicorn. Is it a prince?” Scootaloo asked as she trotted over, looking closely at the unicorn. He was too busy scrubbing his face to notice.
Cheerilee sighed and shook her head. “No, I do NOT have a very special somepony right now. He is not my son. I am merely taking care of him for the time being.”
“Awwwww,” the three said in unison, again. Claw was in the midst of stealing Val's cake, his long tongue snaking out along the table.
“Ummm, awww?” Silverbelle added.
“He doesn't have a cutie mark yet and I doubt he will for a while.” Could dimension traveling ponies even get cutie marks?
“Gahhh!” Val cried out when he finally moved the napkin away.
Scootaloo grinned down at him and held out a hoof. “Hi! I'm Scootaloo!”
“Applebloom,” the earth pony said as she appeared at her friend's side.
“Sweetie Belle!” the unicorn added as she appeared.
“Errr... I uhhhh.... errr.... S-Silver... Silverbelle,” the last pony said, quickly hiding behind her cousin and friends.
Val stared up at them for a few moments. He then smirked. “I am Valkala Del Hsskrugnr of house Araknioss!” He stood up wobbly. “But you may call me Lord Valkala, future ruler of equestria!”
There was a pause and... “Wait, are you Twilight's kid?” Scootaloo asked.
“What? No, why would I be... wait, the princess of friendship? I have nothing to do with that strange creature!”
“Then how can yah be a ruler? Are yah related tah one of the other princesses?” Applebloom asked. “Luna?”
Cheerilee face hoofed. Oh heavens give her strength, they were encouraging him.
“What? No! I will not claim my throne through birth right, I will claim it through battle and victory! I will conquer this land and--”
“Wait, you're going to become a royal guard?” Sweetie asked.
He started to deflate. “W-what? No, I'm going to... defeat in conquest... how... why would I be a guard for that?”
“Well, how are you going to conquer things if you're not a soldier?” Scootaloo asked.
“I am a powerful warlock! I will make all bend before my magical might!”
“So yah gonna try tah out magic Twilight? Yah ain't been here very long, have yah?” Applebloom asked with a little giggle.
“What? I, hey! Stop laughing!” he stomped his hoof. “I am going to out magic all who dare challenge me! Be they pony or... or whatever your winged horsed horn things are! I will one day rule this realm and all will kneel before me, for I shall be their lord and master!” He posed dramatically, a hoof clenched to his chest, the other straight on the ground.
The crusaders looked at him, then each other, before bursting into laughter. Applebloom reached out and put an arm around his neck, giving him a noogie. “Ah like yah, you're funny!”
“Ow! Ow ow! Cease your abusing of my head!”
“Now, don't yah worry one bit! We'll help yah get your cutie mark no problem! We were already gonna help Silver--” Her mouth was covered by her two friend's hooves.
“Shhhhhhh,” the two said in unison. She eeped and nodded.
“We were already gonna help Claw get his,” she said once the hooves were removed.
“Owww,” Val said, wobbling a bit in a daze. Cheerilee sighed and just nibbled her cupcake. If nothing else, at least the poor colt was being swept up into the tidal wave that was the cutie mark crusaders. Never stood a chance.
“So, where yah from?”
“Far away,” Cheerilee popped in quickly before he could start going off on them. As cute as she thought it was that he was interacting with foals his own age, she didn't want to start another incident. There was no way she was going to try to explain to them he was from another dimension that just... no. So much no.
“The Underdark, kingdom of the drow!” he said proudly. Or he could just ignore what she was trying to do.
“Cool!” Scootaloo said. “That's one of the zebra places, right?”
“The BLEEP is a zebra?”
There was a gasp from the fillies, even Claw covered his mouth in shock as they all stared at him. “Errr... what? Are zebras important?”
“Y-you bleeped,” Scootaloo said, her eyes wide.
“Y-you aren't supposed to bleep,” Sweetie added.
“Y-yah gonna get in big trouble,” Applebloom said, actually shaking a bit.
He stared at them for a few moments, before a smile formed on his lips. He opened his mouth, but Cheerilee covered it before he could speak.
“No,” she said firmly, before uncovering it.
“But--”
“No.”
“But--”
“Do you want to go back to the hospital and the bed? We can head right back there, young man. No more cup cakes or ice cream. At all. Is that what you want?”
He glared up at her, but only for a few seconds before looking away. “Fine...” He looked up at them. “What's a zebra?”
The three shared a look, before smiling to him. “Striped earth pony,” Scootaloo finally said.
Cheerilee cringed. “Actually, children, it's not quite that simple. You see, zebras have a rich and varied history that--”
“What's an earth pony?” Val asked, interrupting.
“Me and Applebloom are earth ponies.”
He looked between them. “But... you're just ponies.”
“Right, earth ponies,” Applebloom said.
Cheerilee just rolled her eyes and gave up. She wondered why she tried, sometimes.
Val looked between them a few more times before face hoofing. “You... you're joking, you're joking. You actually had to come up with a special name to call your BLEEPing normal ponies--”
“One more bleep out of you and we're going back to the hospital, without any cake,” Cheerilee snapped, glaring down at him with the full ferocity of her teacher's gaze. He looked up, for only a second, before looking away.
“Whatever,” he grumbled.
“So, do you want to come back to the club house and we can start?” Sweetie asked, giving him a smile.
Val locked up for a moment, before quickly looking away. She swore his cheeks got a little redder. “Start what?”
“Getting you your cutie mark!” The crusaders said in unison.
“Um... yeah,” Silverbelle added.
“What the...” He glanced up at Cheerilee and the words died in his throat. “What, errr, is a cutie mark?”
They looked at him, at each other, and the teacher quickly stepped in before the tidal wave of the crusaders could take out the whole shop. “Girls, Val has had a really, really busy time today and I think he's going to need a bit of time to process everything. How about we schedule this little play date another time? Maybe tomorrow?”
“Awwwwww,” all five of them said it that time.
She glanced back to Val. “Come on, let's get you back to the hospital.” She raised a hoof to signal Pinkie, but the mare already had a small bag of treats deposited to her hoof.
He gave a groan. “Ugggggh. But the place is so weird and clean and just... ugh.”
She put a hoof to his back and gently guided him out. “Now come along. I'll see you later, girls,” she called back.
The group watched them go, before Sweetie trotted to the counter, tossing her bag of bits on the counter. “Ummmm... all the gem stones you have, please. Claw is really hungry,” she said before motioning back to the dragon pony who was currently gnawing on a plate. “Oh, and mostly garnets.”
------
Cheerilee smiled as she stepped back into the hospital. Today was turning out to be quite the hectic day, but it was almost over. All the little signs of Discord's arrival were now gone, the streets were back to normal, there was nopony walking upside down, even the homes were now on the ground instead of trying to sumo wrestle each other. She was looking forward to returning to her nice, small home, having a small glass of grape juice and reading a book.
Of course, not everypony was looking forward to the night. As they stepped into the building there was a light shriek and the employees scattered. Somehow one of them had even managed to get a big plastic shield. She couldn't imagine where from.
“I see he is back and unharmed,” Redheart said with a slightly strained grin. “I take it Princess Twilight wasn't able to decipher anything?”
“Not yet, she did validate the dimension theory. Sort of,” Cheerilee said with a shake of her head. “I'm just dropping him off before I go back home.”
“Oh. I... see,” the nurse said as she gave him a wary look. “And she didn't wish to... hold him... nearby? By any chance? Perhaps in the castle? Maybe even the dungeon?”
“Redheart!”
She cringed. “Right, sorry,” she said. “Come along, I'll show you back to his room.” She started trotting off, Cheerilee followed behind her.
Val, however, wasn't following. The teacher stopped and looked back. “Val, what's wrong?”
“You're leaving?”
“Of course. I need to get home. It's getting late.”
He looked outside, before glaring up at her. “I... I don't want you to go. I demand that you stay here,” he said angrily, stomping a hoof down.
She rolled her eyes and moved over. “Now now, that's not going to happen. I need to get home. You'll be safe here, all of these ponies are professionals.”
“No!” he shrieked, shaking his head. “I won't I won't I won't! They'll try to put the thingie on me that stops my magic! I won't be a prisoner here! I demand you stay and be my guard!”
“Val...”
“NO! I WON'T!” he screamed again, stomping his hooves.
“Val!” she said firmly again, making him freeze. “I am going home and you are staying here. That is final.” She could practically feel everypony in the building staring at her, and him. “You will be fine, and safe. These ponies look over dozens of ponies a day!”
“NO!” he screamed and tried to run. She saw it coming from a mile away and grabbed his tail in her mouth, dragging him back before he made it two feet.
“Val,” she said after pinning his tail with her hoof. “This is what's best for you.”
“I don't wanna I refuse!” he screamed, his horn glowing again.
“Val!” she yelled again, but this time he ignored her. Great white balls formed over his head and started shooting out, slamming into a window and shattering it and another sending a fire extinguisher down the hall. “Val, knock it off.”
“No no no!” he wailed, thrashing his hooves on the ground. “I won't I won't I won't!”
She put a hoof to her forehead, starting to get a new appreciation for the poor ponies who had their children act out in super markets. She already had to spend all week taking care of children, and while she did love it, she needed a break. Her day had been stressful and...
She then reached out and plucked him up, pulling him in for a hug. “Very well. I'll stay, Val.”
He blinked and looked up. “R-really?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “I know all this must be very, very scary for you. A new place, a new world, a new species. All... of this. If I help make you feel comfortable, then I'll stay with you until we get all this figured out.” She looked to Redheart. “Is that okay?”
“Yes!” the mare said quickly as she eyed the broken window. “In fact, if you want to take him home with you, you're more than welcome. Or to the princess. Did, err, she find anything? Else?”
“Well... it looks like there might be something to the other dimension theory and his magic is weird,” Cheerilee said as she gently patted the colt's back. “There there. It's going to be okay.”
“Y-you're not going anywhere?” he asked, looking up at her.
Cheerilee glanced around at the frightened staff and then down at the child. She gave a nod. “We will.” She smiled to Redheart. “I think I'll do that. Take him with me. Are there any more tests that need to be done?” She could almost feel the collective sigh of relief from the staff.
“No, no. If child services sends anypony to talk with him, where will he be?”
Cheerilee looked down for a moment. She thought about him attacking the princess and let out another sigh. “I... suppose I should take him to my home. I have a... spare room he can sleep in.” He was relaxing and she felt relief go through her. Her day had been stressful, but she imagined the poor colt's had been far, far worse.
“Great, great, you can go ahead and take him with you. We'll have all the paperwork dealt with,” Redheart said quickly before trotting off.
The teacher glowered at the retreating nurse, having a sneaking suspicion they planned all this. She soon came back with a small, red box. “Here. In case you need it.”
Cheerilee blinked and peered inside. An inhibitor ring. She quickly closed it and balanced it on her back. “I doubt I'll need it, but thank you. He's really not so...” She tried thinking of the right word. “Violent, when outside the hospital. Truly. Usually.”
“I'll take your word for it,” the nurse said, taking a step back.
“The ponies he... errr... hit with that spell. Are they going to be okay?”
“They're still resting it off, but we're watching them continuously.”
Cheerilee nodded and looked down at Val. “Come along. Let's... get you home.” She stepped out of the hospital and gave a little sigh. Well, it wouldn't be the first time she foalsat a pony. Besides, he at least listened to her. Mostly. She was sure they'd find somewhere to put him before she knew it.
------
The teacher let out a soft sigh of relief as her home came into view. The sun was just going down, its golden rays giving the small, pleasant cottage a gentle glow. It was about the same size as Fluttershy's, though it was far more organized. There wasn't any moss and it was colored dark brown.
“It looks like something a druid would live in,” Val grumbled.
“I'll take that as a complement,” she said as she trotted to the door and pushed it open. The main living room had a small fireplace, a couch, a few book shelves, desks and a coffee table. The right side lead to the kitchen while the left side had the stairs upstairs and the entryways for the two extra rooms. She rolled her eyes at the sight of all the presents in the back of the room. Apparently Pinkie hadn't forgotten them. Though how the mare knew that Val would end up here she'd never know. “You'll need to sleep down here, tonight. Tomorrow we can work on cleaning out one of the side rooms and... I suppose I might have an old air mattress we could set up for you.”
“You make beds made of air?” he asked, actually sounding impressed.
“No, no, that would be pegasi. It's just a plastic bed filled with air.” He just looked confused. She smiled and led him towards the couch before plopping him onto it. “Try to behave, please?”
He sighed. “I'm still going to enslave and conquer your country,” he warned.
“And knock off talk like that.”
“But--”
“Uh uh uh,” she said. “If you're a good boy, we can even watch a little television before bed.” She made her way towards the kitchen. She really wanted that glass of juice. Maybe calm down with a nice crossword puzzle. Today had just been so stressful.
“Whats that?”
“What's what?”
“Teel vision.”
She paused, her hoof one the refrigerator door. She then shook her head, pulling it open. “Behave and you'll find out.”
He gave an undignified grump, but sat on the couch. “Fine.”
She soon came over and sat besides him, holding out a glass of grape juice in a sippy cup. He dropped it in a few second, but the magic of the sippy cup held. “Careful.” She then flipped the television on.
His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “You... you have magic illusions?”
“I do believe they use magic in the making of these,” she said with a smile. “Don't you have them back home?”
“Not like this,” he mumbled. “Are you... spying on ponies? Is this a great scrying box?”
She smiled and flipped the channels until a cartoon came on, before leaning back. “Of course not. It's just television. It--” She paused and took a soft sigh. “It's illusionary stories. They're fake, not real. You know about stories, right? These are just... better shown ones.”
He nodded. “Ohhhh. So it's like... a box that tells bard stories?”
She nodded. “Yes. Just like that.” She had no idea what that was, but so long as he knew it was fake, she was sure there would be no problems. She still had a feeling it would end up broken soon. “If you touch it, there won't be any more stories,” she warned.
He gasped. “The magic in it is that delicate?”
“Yes, yes it is.” She sipped her juice and watched it with him for a few minutes. He seemed enthralled at the simple show. It was nothing like the... horrible gladiator matches he'd mentioned before, but it still seemed to have him quite entertained. She slipped away after a few minutes, trotting upstairs to grab some blankets and sheets. When she came back down, the necessities balanced precariously on her back, the colt was laying on his side and watching the show with his head on the leg rest. “Did you finish your juice?”
“Mmmm hmm,” he mumbled as he stared at the screen.
“Okay.” She gently lifted his head up and put the pillow under it. He barely seemed to notice. She then put the blanket over him and turned off the television.
“Huh? What? I-I was watching that,” he objected drowsily.
“You need to get some sleep,” she said firmly. “Today was a big day and you need your rest. You're a growing colt.” Not to mention whatever else he was.
“'M not tired,” he muttered groggily.
“Of course not, but you need to sleep.” She gently leaned in and softly hummed. “Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head...” she softly sang. It wasn't long before the child's eyes closed and he fell asleep. She smiled before trotting to the lights and started turning them off. Well, today had been a very, very interesting day. But it all worked out in the end. Knowing Twilight, by tomorrow she'd have this all figured out, have the boy transferred somewhere safe, away from... those ponies he called family, and everything would return to normal.
Why, she was sure Twilight had it almost all figured out already.
------
Twilight stared at the scrolls, banging her head on the desk. She had no bucking clue what ANY of this meant. It would take her forever to figure all this out! Oh well, at least it probably wasn't time sensitive. Aside from the fact Claw was sent back in time which meant it had to be something near now and gahhhhhh!
Cheerilee rolled over in her bed, smiling wistfully. She had such a pleasant dream. It was bright, sunny and... what was tickling her nose.
She opened her eyes to see one of the biggest spiders she'd ever laid her eyes on. Big barbed teeth clicking a bit. She was a teacher, she'd done classes on these spiders before and knew they weren't poisonous or dangerous in the slightest. In fact, most of them were quite friendly.
That did not matter when it was two inches from her nose and poking it with one of its many, many legs. She recoiled and screamed, falling out of the bed and crawling away.
“Look, I found a pet!” Val said happily from the foot of her bed. The spider walked over and crawled over to his leg. He pulled it up and nuzzled it, grinning from ear to ear. The thing was almost as big as his head!
“I... I see. And you had to put it in bed with me... because?”
“I wanted to show you!”
“Where... err... where exactly did you find it?”
“Oh, I was going through your rooms and it fell down and landed on my head. There was a whole bunch of them and--”
“And that's quite enough!” She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Well, there was nothing for it. She had a spider infestation. That meant one thing and one thing only. A trip to Fluttershy's. She didn't want to imagine what would have happened if it had landed on her head. She imagined fire. Lots and lots and lots of fire.
------
“Mommy?” Claw asked softly, his head on the side of Rarity's bed.
The mare groaned. “Yes, dear?”
“I'm hungry.”
“Of course you are, dear.” She was beginning to wonder if he ever didn't eat. Sweetie had spent all those bits on jewels and he'd STILL come back home looking for more. How could she possibly feed him? She'd need to go back to the jewel mines and spend hours scavenging them just to feed him for one meal. She slowly lifted her face mask up and smiled. “Did you ask Sweetie to make you breakfast?”
“Mmmm hmmm! It was delicious! Just like mommy's cooking!”
Rarity paused. Then he belched and she got a firm whiff of something burnt and charred. “I... see.” Well, he was her son, after all. Allegedly her son. Maybe. Oh gosh she hoped not she'd really have to hate to kill Spike. “And is... daddy still here?”
“Yup! I let daddy sleep though. He was really tired.”
“Oh, of course you did,” Rarity grumbled as she crawled out of bed and began the process of removing her creams and other nighttime requirements. “No, ack, stop! It's not edible! Eek!” She fell over as Claw decided to completely ignore her objections and continue to lick her face. “Claw! Out, now! Downstairs! Or no gems!”
That made him yipe and run off. She crawled up and glowered into the mirror. “If this is what happens when a pony and dragon...” She shivered and shook her head. Soon, however, she felt refreshed and ready to face whatever new horrors the day brought on.
As she stepped out of her room she could smell the charred remains of said horrors. Oh dear. She trotted to the living room and glanced over to the couch, where Spike was sleeping on his side. She considered waking him, but then shook his head. Despite her annoyance with him, he had been more than gracious and willing to sleep over to help tend to Claw. He was taking all this far better than she was, as well. Then again, it wasn't HIS little sister who...
No, no. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She would handle this. Perfectly. With poise and grace. She trotted to the kitchen and her eyes twitched. It was a mess. Everything was burnt, her poor pots and pans. Of course, Claw seemed more than happy to eat the food. And some of the plates. Silverbelle, on the other hoof, just stared at her food with despair.
Rarity sighed and motioned them over. “Come along, children. How about we go out for breakfast?”
“What? But I already made it,” Sweetie said with a whine.
“Now now. We have guests. Shouldn't we show them a fabulous time while they're here?” Rarity deflected.
The filly frowned, before nodding. “I guess...”
“Good. Come along, children,” she said, herding them towards the door. Claw gave a little whimper, before drinking the charred black orange juice(or possibly toast, she couldn't be sure) and then following after her.
She stepped outside and let out a sigh of contentment as the fresh morning breeze washed over her. It was looking as if it was going to be a positively fabulous day and that nothing could go wrong. She glanced down at the children. “How about we go to the Grazing Field?”
Sweetie eeked and nodded. “Ohhhh! Can I get a cabbage omelette with hay bacon?”
“Of course, Sweetie,” Rarity said as she trotted. “What would you like, Silverbelle?”
The child just gave a little shrug. “I... I guess... ummmm... pancakes?”
“And you, Claw?”
“Rubies!”
She rolled her eyes and gave a little nod. “Of course. Come along them, children.”
“Oh, come on!” Sweetie objected, pointing a hoof out. “How did he get it already? It's only been one day!”
Rarity blinked and looked ahead. There were Cheerilee and the young child again. Val, she believed he was called. Across his flank was a great big spider. A strange cutie mark, to be sure, but--
Then the spider moved and climbed up his back, making her cringe. “I... ahhhh... I do not believe that is a cutie mark, Sweetie.”
“Oh. Yay! We can still help him get it then!” Sweetie said before looking back towards her cousin and Claw. “After breakfast can we go down to the tree house?”
She considered it for a moment before giving a nod. “I suppose there wouldn't be any harm in that.” Though, she supposed her sister and friends could find someway to make it harmful.
------
Cheerilee walked at a quick, steady pace as Val trailed behind, struggling to keep up. “Walk slower! These legs are all... short and stumpy and stupid!” he whined.
“I errr, I just think we should rush,” Cheerilee said quickly, occasionally glancing back towards the spider. She couldn't believe she had a whole nest of them. A nest! A whole nest of those big, creepy, web filled... she gave a little shudder.
“Come on, Nipper.” Then Val started running, panting a little as he passed her by.
Of course, Nipper. Why would somepony call their pet spider anything else? Finally, Fluttershy's cottage came into view and she smiled. A few knocks on the door brought a gentle call from inside.
“Hello?” Fluttershy's voice called a moment before the door opened. “Can I help... Miss Cheerilee?”
What was it with Rarity and all her friends calling her miss? She really wasn't that old! “Hello, I just need to speak with you about a minor spider problem in my home. It...” She looked down at Val. He was staring at the pegasus with wide eyes, completely star struck. “That, err, particular breed.” She motioned to the one on Val's head.
“Ohhhhh!” Fluttershy plucked the spider from his head and it wiggled about on her hoof as she pet it. Cheerilee felt a sudden rush of shame at her fright. “Well, there's no need for you to fret. These types of spiders are completely safe and non-hostile. In fact, they're great at scaring away all kinds of nasty little bugs. Even parasprites.”
The teacher nodded. “That's... delightful. But I'm afraid the room they're currently in I will be needing cleaned out.”
“We could keep them in there, with me,” Val offered. “I could have a whole army of spiders to do my bidding!”
The teacher's eyes widened and horror spread through her. Dear Celestia, no.
“Ohhhh, I see,” Fluttershy said with a charming smile. “Don't worry one bit, Miss Cheerilee. I'll be by this afternoon to relocate them.”
“Thank you, Fluttershy,” she said before looking down at Val. “How about we go get something to eat? Would you like to join us?” she asked, glancing back to the animal caretaker.
“Oh, no. I'm afraid I'm really quite busy today,” Fluttershy said with a sheepish smile.
Concern flooded through the teacher. “O-oh. If you'd like, we could delay the move until you have more time? I don't want to be a bother.”
“Oh, no, it's nothing like that. I just have a lot of chores to get done. I fell a teensy tiny bit behind yesterday, with Discord and all. I need to clean out the otter cave before anything else, that'll take most the morning. I'll be over as soon as I'm done.”
“Of... of course,” Cheerilee said, trying not to remember that... creature. She still suspected he had something to do with Val's arrival. She then yelped as she felt a sudden weight on her back. She looked back to see Val, with the spider on his back, riding her back.
“To the place of dinner!”
The teacher cringed and sighed, trotting back. Just don't think about the spider, don't think about the spider, don't think about the spider crawling all over your skin you're a grown mare Cheerilee there is no need to be scared of a harmless giant spider! Fluttershy could pet it, you can handle it!
------
Claw moped softly, his head on the table as he eyed his empty plate. The Grazing Field did make delightful meals from scratch, unfortunately they had a tendency to take a while to arrive. “So much food back at home,” the baby dragon pony whined. “Big black milky toast. Charred and runny pancakes. Bubbling haybacon...”
Rarity shivered at the thought of that... meal. “Now, dear, you must be patient. A meal should never be rushed. Besides, this gives us ample time to talk.” She paused. “I just wish Twilight were here. Perhaps we can visit her after all this is over. See how she is coming along.”
“Awwwww,” Sweetie whined. “I wanted to go meet up with Applebloom and Scootaloo.”
Rarity nodded. “I suppose there wouldn't be any trouble in that. You can take your cousin and your... and Claw. I'm sure Twilight could use my help, too.” She glanced to Silver. “How have you been enjoying your trip so far?”
“What? Oh, ummm... it's been pleasant. Very... ummm, pleasant,” the filly said softly, lowering her eyes. “Sorry.”
“There's no need for you to be sorry, dear,” Rarity said with a light chuckle. “I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to do more, though. It's just been a... very hectic day.” She cringed when she glanced to Claw. “I'm sure everything will calm down soon.”
Suddenly the door to the restaurant slammed open. “Listen you meager peasants! I demand mead and the finest cuts of beef! And lamb! And--” Val let out a yelp as he was grabbed and plucked into the air.
“No. Now say you're sorry,” Cheerilee said firmly.
“But--”
“Say it or we're going back home and no television OR cakes for a week.”
He glowered at her with fury in his eyes, before looking back towards the stunned room. “Sorry,” he grumbled darkly. He was gently put back down.
“Ohhhh, it's Miss Cheerilee and that new pony,” Sweetie said, raising a hoof. “Miss Cheerilee, over here! Look, look! Sit with us!” she said happily.
The teacher looked over and gave a sigh, before she and Rarity shared a look. For a moment it was as if the two shared a special bond as they apologized profusely for what was bound to happen within the next few minutes. Still, the unicorn's horn glowed and she pulled out a chair for the bedraggled earth pony. “So, darling, what brings you out here this morning?”
“I had to have a talk with Fluttershy,” Cheerilee said as she eyed Val. He had chosen a seat between Sweetie and Silverbelle. She eyed him suspiciously. Then shivered as his spider walked off his hoof onto the table.
“Wanna see my familiar?” he asked Sweetie, who nudged it with a hoof.
“Ohhhh, what's a familiar?”
He puffed up his chest proudly. “Why, it's an animal companion that obeys the whims of its master. Only the greatest and most powerful warlocks have them. Warlocks like me.”
“H-hi, my names Silverbelle,” the other mare said softly, her voice only a whisper.
“What?” he asked, turning his attention to her. She merely gave a little squeak and looked down.
Val shrugged and then pointed a hoof at Sweetie. “You, unicorn. You must know many great magics as well, correct?”
“Ummmm... a... a little,” Sweetie said nervously. Her horn glowed and she picked up the bowl. “Like this?”
“... You can lift bowls? That's pathetic,” Val said with a grimace. “Truly a unicorn of such purity must--”
Cheerilee cringed as Claw suddenly leaped the table and tackled the unicorn, starting to lick his face.
“Claw, stop it, you're making a scene!” Rarity said, shaking her head. Her horn glowed and quickly separated the two, depositing them back in their seats. Cheerilee got to her hooves and walked over, wiping his face with a napkin.
“We should probably go,” the teacher said with a shake of her head. “I think all this... excitement might be a bit too much for him.”
“Nooooo,” Val whined. “I don't wanna go! I like it here!”
Rarity looked around. Practically every eye in the restaurant was on them. “Errr... I think that may have been more... Claw's fault. Claw, darling, please remain sitting, no more jumping on ponies.” She put her hoof down on the table and felt something rub against her hoof. She looked down to see Val's giant spider nuzzling her hoof.
She stared for a few seconds, before screaming like a banshee, flinging her hooves wide and falling back, kicking the table with her hooves as she went. Her blow sent the spider flying into the air, where it wiggled its legs wildly before landing on her. It skittered about for a moment before the unicorn jumped to her hooves and started running. “Get it off get it off get it OFFFFFFFF!”
Val watched for a moment before looking back to Sweetie. “So, magic?”
------
The door slammed shut behind them and Rarity and Cheerilee hung their heads in shame.
“I really am truly, absolutely, positively sorry about that, Miss Cheerilee,” Rarity said softly before shaking her head. “I just don't know what came over me.”
“No, please, it's fine,” the teacher said with a sigh. “I really shouldn't have brought Val here anyway...” She glanced back to the colt, who was busy trying to talk with Sweetie again, while simultaneously trying to avoid Claw nipping at his tail. “Nipper tends to be a bit... much... for anypony to deal with.”
Rarity glanced down at the spider. “I can't imagine why you let him keep the ghastly thing. Surely Fluttershy would be more than able to... errr...”
Cheerilee sighed and shook her head. “She'll remove the nest. Or nests. But... I think it reminds him of home.” She shuddered. “In a good way. Makes him feel more comfortable.”
Rarity nodded and then glanced to Claw. “I'd best see if I can aid Twilight in her research. Sweetie!” she called out gently, making the unicorn filly look up. “How about you take Silverbelle and Claw to your tree house and have fun? I'll be at the castle if you need anything.”
“Okay!” Sweetie said before she started to trot off, the other two in tow. She stopped after a few feet and glanced back at Val. “Are you coming? We'll help you get your cutie mark too!”
Val just stared for a moment before perking up. “Hah! Of course I am, I--” He let out a yelp as suddenly Cheerilee put a hoof down in front of him.
“Oh no, Val,” she said firmly. “I think it would be best if we go and help the princess. See what we can do about getting some more information about your home.”
He let out a whine. “But I wanna go have fun!”
“Yeah, can he please come? Pleeeeeeeeease?” Sweetie asked, looking up with the big wide eyes of filly doom. Cheerilee quickly looked away as Silverbelle and Claw added theirs. She suspected the latter didn't even know why he was doing it, he just was.
“No. No. Not a chance.” She gave a pleading look to Rarity. Alas, the other adult had already been captured in the gaze of the three foals.
“I don't see how it could cause any problems...” she said softly, mesmerized in the filly adorastare.
The teacher let out a frustrated grumble, before nodding. She knew when to accept defeat. “Very well. But I expect you to be on your best behavior, Val!” she said firmly.
“Some kind of mind magic, it must be,” Val mumbled as he stared into the gaze, his eyes little swirls.
“What? No, snap out of it!” Cheerilee said, lightly shaking the colt. She then gazed back at the three, their stares of adorableness gone to be replaced by those of excitement. “If he causes any problems, though, just...” She shivered. “Please just get an adult.” She really, really didn't want to imagine Val out in the world by his own. “Maybe I should come with you, just to be sure.”
Val huffed. “I can take care of myself!” he said firmly. “I do not want, nor need, an escort. I--”
“Okay, that's it, no,” Cheerilee said firmly, glaring at him. “If you won't be on your best behavior, you're not going anywhere.”
“I'll be good, I'll be good!” Val said with a quick nod. “Promise, promise!”
The teacher glared down at him for a few more moments before finally relenting with a soft sigh. “Fine. I'm trusting you, Val. No problems. No destruction. No. Magic. Understand?”
“I won't cast a single spell, I give my word on the honor of the drow.” He crossed a hoof over his heart. He was getting good at the whole moving and standing thing. She couldn't help feeling a tiny bit proud.
She nodded and then watched him run off with the others. It would be good for him, probably. From another dimension or not, he was still just a little colt. Being around ponies his age would help him adapt better. Maybe make him less jumpy and scared. Hopefully give him a better grasp of what to do.
“Did... did I just agree to something?” Rarity asked as she looked around in confusion. “I was looking at the kids and then... nothing. Where'd they go?”
Cheerilee glanced back at the other adult and sighed, hanging her head and shaking it. “They went to their club house. Come on, let's go help the princess.”
Val wasn't scared of anything. He was a drow, they never admitted defeat, never admitted loss. Never admitted they were scared. Especially not of a tiny pony with wings. No matter how cocky she looked or--
In a moment the orange filly was on him. He let out a shriek of pain as his body was contorted into a shape he was quite certain it was never, ever, EVER meant to be in. After a few moments he was tossed aside and little Nippers swirled around his head.
“Huh. Well, I guess a wrestling cutie mark is out of the question,” Scootaloo said with a shrug.
“All of my world is pain,” Val said with a groan.
“Oh, knock it off,” the pegasus said with a roll of her eyes. “I went easy on you. Now, if you had wrestled Applebloom you'd be in some real pain.”
He glanced up at the earth pony filly, who just smiled sheepishly. “Aw shucks, yah dun have tah say it like that.” She held out a hoof and helped untangle him, before bringing him to his hooves. “Okay, though. Claw's turn!”
“Hmm?” the dragon pony said, before letting out a yelp as Scootaloo tackled him. Within a few moments he was whining and tapping the ground with a claw. “Auntie, auntie!”
The pegasus smirked as she got up. “Awww yeah. You ready, Silverbelle?”
The little unicorn let out a yipe and shook her head. “N-no! I uhhh, I don't... don't really want a wrestling cutie mark,” she said sheepishly. “Please?”
“Okay, fine, onto our next task,” Sweetie said happily as she pulled over the checklist, checking off wrestling. “Canoeing!”
“What in the BLEEP is canoeing?” Val asked with a groan, before falling over. “I'm fine! Just... just going to lay here a moment.”
“You shouldn't keep bleeping like that,” Scootaloo said with a glare. “It's rude.”
“Who... who's going to stop me?” he asked, shaking his head as the world spun.
There was the sound of three face hoofs, followed by one face claw a few moments later. Scootaloo grinned and then leaped. Val let out a shriek a moment later. “I give, I give!”
The pegasus grinned even wider as she crawled off. “Okay, so what's next if not canoeing?”
Sweetie looked at the list and giggled. “Flower arranging.”
“I... I'm still... not sure... what a cutie mark is,” Val said with a groan. “But... I don't care if... it gives me the power to... turn all plants into zombies to heed my commands. I... am not getting one... in flower arranging.”
The unicorn rolled her eyes, before looking to Silverbelle and Claw. “What do you two say?”
“Oh, ummm, f-flower arranging sounds... nice,” the filly said with a weak smile. The dragon pony just watched Val for a few moments, before he nodded. He trotted over to the fallen colt, leaned down, and licked his face again.
“GAHHHHH! Stop doing that!” Val screamed, wiping his face furiously with a hoof. “Ew ew ew EW!”
“Hee hee,” Claw said before following after the rest of the CMC, their giggles joining his.
The drow pony just glowered up at the sky. “Beaten by a pony and covered in slobber. Truly this is the work of one of the trickster pantheons. Or whatever they're called. Perhaps this is all part of my mother's torments for my newest failure. Confined to chambers with no food just wasn't enough, had to turn me into a pony and send me to this realm. Maybe even...” His words trailed off as he realized he was alone. “Stupid ponies don't even wait around to listen to me gripe about them,” he grumbled, crossing his hooves and pouting.
------
“I'm really not sure,” Twilight said with another shrug. “To be honest, all this is quite confusing and trying to find a link between them all is almost impossible. But, I do think I might understand why Claw was sent to this time.”
“Oh? Why?” Rarity asked as she eyed the big, purple dome that the letter was currently wrapped in. Within the dome it was slowly losing ink and then new ink was applied, only to be removed and applied again.
“Well, according to my instruments, Val's arrival caused a temporal shift in the magical field that permeates through everything in Equestria. Namely, his arrival stands out like a small beacon that can be easily located through the use of time and space magic.”
Cheerilee nodded, trying to follow along. She knew a little about magic, namely due to her works as a teacher, but most of this was over her head. She knew just enough to help foals study the bare basics. Fortunately, this was the fourth time Twilight had explained it and she was finally breaking it down into bite sized chunks. “So he was sent here not because of Val, but because Val arrived early enough that you'd have time to fix things?”
“Yes,” Twilight said with a nod. “In fact, it makes things easier. I should be able to reverse the transfer and send Claw back, along the same time stream. Since, well, I have one end of the time shift sticking out, I just need to find the connection.” She paused. “Am I explaining this well enough?”
“Yes, of course darling,” Rarity said as she nodded. “But... errr, are you sure sending him back is wise?”
“Of course, he's not from our time. It makes more sense to--”
“Aren't his parents gone in that time?”
The room got deathly quiet. Twilight coughed into her hoof. “Well... I mean... quite possibly, yes. I... err...”
“And didn't you say it was unlikely that he'd ever exist, now? In this time?”
The alicorn gave a nod. “Well, yes. I mean, if we can stop whatever he was sent back here to stop, the chances of him... existing are... hold on.” She hummed, looking at a paper and then holding it up. “To one.”
“That's a lot of zeros,” Cheerilee said softly as her eyes looked over the paper.
“I rounded down. It should look more like nine six four two three--”
“No, no, we get it, next to impossible,” Rarity said quickly. “Is this because... well...”
“If he's the son of Spike and Sweetie, there's no telling what led to the two of them being together. Likely whatever events we're supposed to stop,” Twilight said with a sigh. “For all we know, this entire thing could have been an accident. There's no... point where they get together that we know of. It could have been a long term romance, an accident of grief, perhaps they were both drunk or--”
“Are you saying that Claw was an ACCIDENT?” Rarity asked, her eyes narrowing to slits.
“Well, it's possible. There's a-- eep!” The alicorn let out a squeak as she was suddenly tugged in front of Rarity.
“Now you listen here, Twilight. My little sister would never, EVER have an accident like that. She is a sweet, kind, loving child and I'm sure if she and Spike... did anything, it was after long, long, long considerations.” She paused. “Also, Spike might have tricked her. She is a bit naive. And--”
“Naive? Trick?” Twilight said defensively. “I'll have you know that Spike would NEVER sink to such levels! He is a perfect little angel and would never, ever try to trap some mare into bed with--”
“GIRLS!” Cheerilee said firmly, stomping a hoof down. “May I remind you both that, at this moment, both Spike and Sweetie are still children and are not, in fact, thinking of anything of that sort?”
The two looked at her and then lowered their heads. “Sorry Miss Cheerilee,” they said in unison.
“Just get back to work,” the teacher said with an annoyed sigh. She couldn't believe it. She was actually scolding a princess. This was all so far above her pay grade. So far above that one couldn't even see her paygrade from here.
Twilight looked back towards the paper. “We don't have enough information. All we know is this is the beacon to where he was sent. The problem could arise a day, a month, a year, even a decade after his arrival. All we know is it's something with some kind of ooze and...” She paused and glanced towards Rarity. “It... seems... you don't make it.” Her voice was kept as steady as possible, but the sadness leaked out as if through little cracks.
The unicorn coughed. “We don't know that for sure, dear. It could be I am just... away, often. On business. Maybe he hardly knows me?”
“Maybe,” Twilight said, though she sounded unconvinced. “I mean, what if it was... the loss of you that propels the two of them together?” She sighed and looked at a small screen, before her horn glowed. She then gave a nod and smiled. “Or it's possible he is actually your daughter.” She cringed at the confused looks she got. “If something happened to... you... it's possible that Sweetie... stepped in. Took the place of mommy.”
“W-what?” Rarity asked, her eyes widening. “Y-you mean Spike just--”
“It's just a possibility, not a likelihood! I won't know anything until I have time to run proper tests on his origins!” Twilight added quickly, shaking her head. “I severely doubt it's anything like that, but we need to be prepared for any possibility. Theres so many different things that it could end up being. Maybe he was adopted, or what if he isn't even actually their child? What if it was some kind of spell or something else that brought him into being and they just took care of him? I don't know! I have no way of knowing!” The alicorn said before smashing her face on the top of the desk, scattering the papers. “I... I don't know if... I don't know if I can fix this. I don't know if I'll be able to stop whatever is coming.”
Cheerilee and Rarity shared a look, before slowly the unicorn stepped forward and put a hoof on her friend's back. “Darling, calm down. You can do this. How about we start with what we have now, okay?”
Twilight perked up slightly and smiled to her friend. “Well... okay. I think there is one thing. Val's magic is all I can work on for the moment until my other spells finish,” she said, motioning to the domed off letter. “But it is all I can do for the moment. The letter is all I have for a clue.”
“Okay then. What would you be doing if you didn't have the letter?” Rarity asked with a smile.
“I'd probably be in Canterlot right now, trying to deal with that thief, there's no telling how long that would have taken. But with Claw being here I just can't afford to leave right now.” She shook her head and then gasped. “I've got it!” She jumped to her hooves, nearly knocking over Rarity in the process. She galloped off and soon came back with the purple orb around the dark magical ball of Val's.
“You... still have that, darling?” Rarity asked nervously. Even Cheerilee gave a small shudder at the sight.
“Of course. The magic is fascinating. It's possible it could have something to do with all this, as well.” She laid the orb on the table. “If whatever causes these problems is related to Val's dimension, then his magic can give me insight into it. I just wish there was a way to see his magic in a more... natural form. To know why it shifted. Would it change in other dimensions? Or is this his natural magic across all dimensions? His form changed to match our world's, so why didn't his magic?”
“What have you discovered so far about it?” Cheerilee asked softly.
“Oh, frankly? His magic shouldn't work. It's so... how to put it...” Twilight waved a hoof and sighed. “It's like... a unicorn's magic comes from inside, you understand? We choose a spell and then have to properly cast it and expend the energy to cast the spell. But our magic is directly tied to our being. Out natures and talents. If we expend all our magic, we can hurt ourselves. Now pegasi and earth ponies have their own magic as well, but it tends to be a more subtle type. But, again, it is a very part of our being. To lose our magic is to lose a great deal of ourselves.”
“His magic doesn't operate like that?” Rarity asked.
“Are you two familiar with Portion Control's theory of portioning magic?” Twilight asked as she looked back. The two just stared at her blankly. “Right, of course. Well in simplified terms, the theory goes that if a pony lost their magic, all of their magic, they would... cease to be. Either die, or lose their very essence. Now, when we fought Tirek, we learned that wasn't quite true, but ponies who lost their magic still did lose a great deal of themselves. Even unicorns who go through burn out haven't completely used up all their magic, they'd pass out long before then.”
“So you're saying Val's magic doesn't have this limit?” Cheerilee asked nervously. “So it's... limitless?” Just the thought of that made her shudder.
“Oh, no,” Twilight said with a giggle and wave of her hoof. “It doesn't work like that at all. In fact, I'm afraid that he might end up killing himself due to how limited his magic is.”
“WHAT?!” Cheerilee asked, her eyes widening. “What's wrong with it?”
“All of his magic is just... it's perfectly portioned. In every way. Look.” She held up a full body picture of val. It was covered in little dots of assorted lengths.
“What?” Cheerilee asked.
“It's a MAT scan. A unicorn's magic isn't like that. His goes from big spells, to little spells. Rather than all of his magic being stored away into one big clump that flows through his body, it's stagnant and unmoving, divided into set spells already. If he was to cast all of them, well, he'd have no magic left. It could very well kill him.”
“It... could?”
“Or not. It might have no effect on him what so ever. It could make him sick, make him tired, maybe he'll pass out before hoof. There's no telling what could happen with magic that is just so... strange. It's hard to believe magic like this even exists, but it does explain why he can't do telekinesis like we can. I wonder what kind of life the creatures on his planet went through to evolve to the point where all their magic is pre-set in their bodies. Perhaps it allows them to cast spells quicker? But he doesn't seem to have so many that it would be that great an advantage.” She sighed and then spun the dark ball around. “On the other hoof, this magic is quite unique. See, it doesn't drain the soul, so there's no need to worry about that. I think. Maybe. What it does is sap a ponies... well... everything. Physical, at least.”
“Everything?” Rarity asked, cocking an eye.
“Yes. Magic, mind, body, everything. But it doesn't drain that much and I doubt the effects would be permanent. However, a stronger version of this kind of magic... I shudder to think what kind of destruction it could create. It could leave a pony nothing more than... than an empty husk. It's dark magic the like of which I'd never seen and I don't believe has ever existed in Equestria.” She sighed. “If I didn't know better, I wouldn't believe that Val was capable of such twisted arts.”
Cherrilee gulped, glancing towards the window and suddenly quite a bit more nervous about leaving Val with the girls. He would be alright, she was sure. She hoped. She prayed.
------
“Hah! In your face!” Val said, pointing a hoof at Scootaloo. Nibbler raised his little legs into the air as Scootaloo's beetle hung its head in shame.
“In my what?” the pegasus asked.
“In your... I... don't really know. I guess... errr... disappointment is in your face?”
“So, did yah get a bug racing cutie mark?” Applebloom asked, looking at his flank. It was completely blank. “Awwww.”
“Well, it's only the beginning. Silverbelle, do you want to try?” Sweetie asked, looking back at her cousin.
The unicorn gave a little squeak and shook her head. “N-no please...”
“Well, what's next then?” Scootaloo asked with a grin.
“Parasailing!” Applebloom said happily.
“What's that?” Val asked as he trotted after the fillies. Claw hung back with him, eying and waiting for the perfect time to apply maximum lickage of face.
“It's where we tie yah to a boat an' yah--”
“Wait, a boat? Like... on the water?” Val asked with a little squeak. “I don't think I... I'd rather not...”
“What's wrong? Ain't a fan of the water?” Applebloom asked.
He snorted. “Of course not, the water is stupid and--”
“You can't swim, can you?” Scootaloo asked with a big, wide grin.
“W-what? Of course I can!” His cheeks turned bright red. “I-I can swim all of the--”
“Then there isn't any problem. Come on, it's a lot of fun, you'll love it. And after, we can all go swimming,” Scootaloo said with a smirk.
“But... but but... but... I-I don't want to go--” Claw saw his opportunity and pounced, his tongue snaking out and getting him across the face. The colt froze and let out a growl. “CLAWWWWWW!” The dragon pony turned tail and ran, galloping down the path, pursued by the angry colt.
------
Cheerilee gave a shrug. Ehhhh, for all his magic, he was still a child. She was sure that no matter what happened, they'd deal with it in good time. Besides, he promised not to use his magic. Without it, what trouble could he possibly get in? Well, at least when compared with the CMC he was with? If anything she was sure she should worry about him.
The problem was that she was already worried about him.
“This'll take days to figure out,” Twilight muttered with a sigh as she flipped the ball around. “I wonder what it's like at its base elements. I wish I could take you apart,” she whispered so softly.
“Twilight, darling, is there anything we can do to help?”
“Not particularly,” Twilight mumbled. “Maybe if I... no... that could just cause a feedback loop. I guess if I do ruin the spell, I can just have him cast more. But what if it ends up hurting him? Ugh, why does all of this have to be so difficult?”
“Because nothing is ever easy,” Rarity said with a smile. “There has to be something we can do. Perhaps get you something?”
“No, no, the Canterlot guards are taking care of it. Maybe if I sent one of them to Canterlot, they have a far better research lab there, with better equipment. But I don't think it's an equipment issue here, either.” She grumbled softly and rolled the purple orb around in her hooves. “If only there was a way to research his magic closer...”
Rarity sighed and gave a nod. “Perhaps I should go make sure Spike is doing well.”
“Mmmm hmm,” Twilight said absently.
The unicorn gave Cheerilee a sheepish smile and nudged towards the door. The two trotted outside and Rarity gave a little sigh. “I'm so sorry, darling. I really thought we could help more.”
The teacher nodded. “Indeed. You... don't think she's right, do you? About Val... dying?”
“If he uses his magic? Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. Twilight has a tendency to... over worry about things like that. As long as he doesn't go around casting his spells wantonly, I don't see how their could be a problem.”
“Aren't you afraid about what she said? About you dying?”
That made the unicorn stop. Then, slowly, she nodded. “A little. I mean, I do believe the idea is possible. But... at the end of the day, Twilight sent Claw back here to avert this. I trust that she'll succeed. Both past, and future her.”
“And what if she doesn't?”
“Twilight has never let us down. This is something important, so I know she'll succeed.” Rarity gave a little smile. “I'm sure she'll save Val, too. She's really good at these kinds of things. I do wish she'd learn to better accept help from her friends, though.”
Cheerilee gave a soft sigh before nodding. “Indeed. Well, I'd best head out to pick up Val.”
“Really? But it's still so early. Why not let him play for a bit?”
The teacher glanced up at the sun, before shaking her head. “Well... I suppose him having a little bit of fun couldn't hurt. I should head home and get started on dinner before I get him. Maybe clean up that room a bit. I'm sure Fluttershy has it cleaned out by... now.”
Rarity gave a sigh and nodded. “I should probably head home too. Clean up the mess Sweetie made.” She then smiled to Cheerilee. “I don't suppose you'll ever be teaching proper cooking in--”
“Not a chance,” the teacher said quickly. “I did... once. The school nearly burned down.”
Rarity gave a sigh and started trotting off. “Well, I suppose it was worth a try.”
Rarity took a deep breath as she stood outside her boutique. Well, she supposed it was now or never. She cringed and the door opened slowly. She braced herself, ready for the scent of charred food.
Instead, the soft smell of lime filtered to her nose. She blinked and stepped inside, her eyes widening. The main room was spotless, practically sparkling. There was a light hum from the kitchen and she gulped, slowly trotting towards it.
The kitchen was even cleaner than the main area. It actually DID sparkle. There wasn't a single dirty dish, the trash was taken out and every sign of the morning's charred and destroyed breakfast was gone. Spike was in front of the stove in an apron, stirring a large pot where the most delectable scent of tomatoes and corn came from. She couldn't recognize what he was humming, but it was music to her ears after the sight she was seeing.
“Spike, did you do this?” she asked softly, her voice in awe.
He glanced back. “Oh, yeah. There was a bit of a mess, so I just tidied up a little bit. I uhh... I hope you don't mind.” His apron had some red splatters on it, as did the stove, but compared to how the kitchen looked before she didn't mind in the slightest.
“No! Not at all! Why, dear Spike, this place looks marvelous. Errr... ummm... Sweetie had... cooked some things.” She glanced towards the fridge with worry. “What, err, did you do with them?”
“Wait, Sweetie made those?” he asked with a light chuckle. “And here I thought Twilight had swung by. There wasn't a lot left, so I finished them.”
The unicorn paused and stared at Spike. She then rolled her eyes. Of course, he was Claw's father after all.
“I see. Well, thank you. What is that you're cooking?” She trotted over and gave it a nice sniff.
“Stew. Nothing fancy, but it's really easy to make a lot of it. I figure with all the kids here, it'd be best to make something with left overs. I uhhh... I hope you don't mind. I used up the last of the tomato sauce. I can go shopping for more later, really, it's--”
She hushed him with a hoof. “It's quite alright, Spike. To be honest, at this point I welcome the extra help. I've been feeling a little over whelmed as it is, what with Sweetie Belle, Silverbelle and Claw all at once. Having your assistance is quite delightful.” She then paused and looked at the food. “Though, I am curious where you learned to cook.”
“Hey, who do you think takes care of Twilight whenever she goes into research mode?” he asked with a chuckle before returning to stirring the pot. “She's actually in it now, but I told the guards what to do. So long as they make sure she eats something every four or so hours, she'll be fine. She probably won't even realize I'm missing.”
Rarity looked around at the spotless kitchen and then rubbed her chin. Well, maybe he wasn't quite so bad, after all. Well, no. Of course he wasn't bad. He's never been bad. Her little Spikey Wikey was always so sweet and caring. But she still wasn't sure she was okay with the idea of him being with her sister.
But at least she could accept that if the two did, somehow, get together, that he would take care of her. Making his cooking, not hers. Oh heavens she didn't want to imagine her dear little sister eating nothing but burnt pancakes for the rest of her life. Even better, she knew on the... hopefully rare occasions where the filly did cook, she would have a lover who would make sure to eat all of her food and enjoy it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
But hopefully that would never, ever happen. Twilight was going to fix all this. She wasn't at all set on Claw going back, though. Even if he'd likely never be born now, he was still part of the family. If they sent him to the future, would it be fair if he never had his parents? It wasn't the most ideal situation, but at least here he still had a mommy and daddy. Even if they were both younger than him. Probably. Unless she was his mom and... ugh, all this timey wimey stuff just gave her a headache.
“Is something wrong?” Spike asked nervously.
“I'm sorry?”
“Well, you're just kind of... staring off into space. Is it the stew?” He looked down at it nervously. “I tried to make it as--”
“It's fine, dear.” She gave him a light nuzzle. “It's all fine. Thank you very much for this. It simply means the world to me that you're helping around here. But are you sure Twilight will be okay without you?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I don't really know most that magic stuff, anyway. The most I could do is send letters to Celestia and, frankly, I think she knows a spell to do that already.” He gave a sheepish smile. “Besides, I want to help out around here. I... ummm...” He looked down. “I'm sorry about... Claw.”
“What? Why?” Rarity asked, her eyes widening slightly.
“I know... you don't really want him. I mean, since he's my... and our... I mean... I don't know what I do in the future, really. But I must have been bad and... I don't know why we... but I never wanted to--”
She silenced him with another hoof, shaking her head. “I'm sure whatever happened to lead to the birth of Claw, it was something that everypony was okay with. You have nothing to be sorry for.” She paused at the wide eyed, happy expression on his face. “That does not mean whatever led to it will happen again, of course. Maybe it was something... anything, that won't happen again. But it is not your fault and there is absolutely nothing you need feel bad for. You are a good, wonderful dragon who has been nothing but sweet and delightful since I've met you.” She gave him a light nuzzle. “And I'm sorry if I've done anything to make you feel like you are a bad dragon for the creation of Claw. I can see a lot of goodness and kindness in him and I am certain, without any hint of doubt, that a lot of it comes from you.”
Spike blushed and stared at her. His heart beat so fast he thought it might tear from his chest as he stared into her eyes. There was a light snap, drawing both their eyes down to his claws, where the snapped stirring spoon stood grasped tightly. He eeped. “S-sorry...”
She merely chuckled and gave him a light pat on the head. “It's fine, dear.” Her horn glowed and her magic grabbed the fragments of the spoon, tossing it into the trash before she pulled out another, giving it to him. “Thank you for cooking dinner, dear. I'm going to go find the children and let them know supper will be ready soon, okay? I do hope they haven't managed to get in too much trouble.” She turned and trotted away.
Spike watched her go, a claw moving to his heart which pounded desperately on his chest. “C-calm down,” he whispered to it, before shaking his head and turning towards the stew. “Best cooking job ever.”
------
Cheerilee sighed as she opened the door to her house. She could tell that somepony had been there, there looked like quite a few dirt marks across the ground. Not hooves, though. Something smaller and... with more legs. She shivered and stepped inside.
Yep, Fluttershy had definitely been here. The door to both the downstairs rooms were opened and she could see the little trails of webbing. At least now she knew all the spiders would be gone. She doubted any of them could resist the siren call of that pegasus. She stepped towards the right one, closing the door on the left. She flicked on the light and cringed.
Sure enough, the top corners were all covered in webbing. She could see the signs of where the spiders had made their nests. Fortunately, all that remained was cobwebs. She would have shrieked like a banshee though, had she come through here before. The room just had a bunch of old junk, stacks of boxes. She'd been meaning to toss half this stuff out anyway, she just never got around to it. Welp, there was no time like the present.
She trotted upstairs and grabbed a few towels in her mouth, before trotting back down. The room itself wasn't completely full, it just had lots of boxes stacked up far higher than they should have been. She hummed softly before shaking her head, trotting to the front door and opening it, before following through on the windows next.
She took a deep breath and trotted to the room, slowly grabbing the nearest stack with the towel in her mouth. Slowly, gingerly she pulled it towards the open door, nervously eying the tower of boxed junk. Just a little tiny bit further, that's all she had to do.
It wavered precariously, almost threateningly. But it didn't topple. Inch by inch she guided it outside and for moment, it seemed as if it would all be fine.
Then it fell. She let out a shriek as the boxes toppled on her, the old cardboard exploding, filling the air with dust and cobwebs and coating her completely in it, until she was more a gray pony than a pink pony. She let out an exasperated groan and looked at all the... junk. Paper work that had long since expired, forms that she had kept in case she ever needed them, a few pieces of electronic devices that she definitely no longer had a use for. She shook herself, sending more dust into the air and not managing to clean herself in the slightest. The remnants of the boxes were scattered all over her lawn.
She eyed it for a few moments, before shrugging and giving one of the boxes a nice healthy buck, sliding it down. Well, she was already filthy, not like it could get much worse. She gripped the dusty towel in her mouth and headed inside to grab the next stack.
Within an hour all of the stacks were outside, some neatly stacked while others had met a similar fate to the first. A long trail of dust led from inside to outside. Fortunately, none of the stacks had managed to fall inside, so she was able to close the main windows without problem. Though there had been a really close incident when all the dust build up had made her sneeze and she nearly sent one of the boxes toppling across her living room.
Her hooves left dusty hoof prints across the ground as she headed back into the side room. It was large and spacious, at least. Val could enjoy himself in here. At least for the little bit of time they had together, she reminded herself. This was just temporary, after all. He'd be out in a few weeks, she was sure. Once they had all this stuff settled with the princess. She pushed open the window. Or rather, she tried. The darn thing jammed and she let out a low growl, pushing with all her might. There was a loud shriek and, slowly, the rusted metal began to slide. After a few moments of strenuous shoving, the window opened and fresh air billowed through the dusty room.
“I really should come in here more often,” she grumbled, looking around. There was a small closet and then the rest of the room was a square. Cobwebs dangled from the ceiling and there was almost an inch of dust on the ground. But, all in all, it was a start. He'd be fine in here, for now. Probably. Hopefully. She'd have to grab the broom to clean the walls and ceiling and then the vacuum to get all the dust, but it would be a lot easier than the other job. The fresh air would help, too. She trotted out of the room and closed the door, before turning towards the main entrance. She was not looking forward to this.
But stiff upper lip and all that. She trotted outside and looked at the stacks of old, dusty, sometimes moldy junk she'd acquired over the years. She really had to learn how to take better care of her things. She picked up an old slightly faded newspaper and sighed, she couldn't imagine why she'd even kept the thing, it--
Oh. The date. A small smile spread on her lips. The newspaper from the day she first started teaching in Ponyville. It was such a beautiful day and she'd had so many plans. And so many of them had succeeded. Thankfully she'd had plenty of time to practice as a teacher's aid by then, but it had been her first job as a full teacher, without somepony hovering over her shoulder. She let out a soft, happy sigh before shaking her head. Well... it wasn't trash, that was for certain. She put it aside in a small keep pile.
Next she found some old magazines and rolled her eyes. Fashion magazines with tips she'd just 'absolutely had to have!'. She cringed as she saw the manes. Oh dear, she could hardly believe all those spikes had once been in fashion. At least her current style was far easier to maintain. She tossed them in a to-trash pile.
She hummed softly as she worked, picking out little things. She stopped at a big ceramic apple and giggled. It was signed by all of her students a few years ago. She very delicately put it in the keep pile and watched it for a few moments, giving a soft sigh. She really did need to keep her stuff better organized.
She then snickered as she came to a box of old, half baked games she'd made over the years. Little tokens and boards set all over the place. For a little while she'd planned on making her own learning games, with grand thoughts of all the students she could touch through them and help learn. She'd abandoned the idea quickly when she realized how difficult it actually was to create a game. Still, she had never quite given up on the idea and over the years had occasionally brought out a few of the prototypes for the children to enjoy. She set a few of her better thought out ones aside. Perhaps Val would enjoy them.
She cringed as she came to a box filled with, for lack of a better term, garbage. Little broken pieces of blocks, toys, pretty much anything that she had broken and planned to use later had been stuffed into the box and promptly forgotten about. Most of it was completely useless and she shoved it into the toss stack. At least after she was done, she'd probably have a lot more space. Maybe once Val was gone, she could turn the room into a full second bedroom. For when she had more guests come over. She more than had the space, after all. Her house had always been pretty big.
“Pink pony!” a voice called out, making her cringe. She looked up and almost immediately burst into laughter, barely managing to suppress the giggles.
“V-Val? What... what happened to you?”
He was soaked, from horn to tail. Sea weed was wrapped over almost ever inch of him. He looked ridiculous. “Scootaloo's idea. It was supposed to make me... water dynamic.”
She couldn't hold it in any longer, she burst into a little fit of giggles, her hoof to her mouth. Unfortunately, this brought all the dust right to her nose and she soon broke into a massive sneezing fit, hacking and coughing helplessly. When she finally managed to settle, Val was besides her. “You okay?” he asked worriedly.
“Just too much dust,” she said with a sigh. “What are you doing home so early?”
“Early? I thought the sun going down meant it was late?”
“Huh?” She looked up and let out a little eek. The sun was beginning to get lower, in another hour the moon would be out. She looked around. There were plenty of stacks finished, but there was still so much more work to do. She let out a soft sigh. “Well, I guess I can finish the rest tomorrow.”
“Want me to help?” Val asked, smiling up at her.
She glanced down, before smiling. “Very well. But first...” She reached down and started tearing off the sea weed. He let out a little eep as the long strands of plant were torn away. Soon he was just soaking wet, his coat covered in little green strands. “There. Feel better?”
“Not... particularly,” he whined, shaking a little to try and get it all off. “Ugh. I smell horrible.”
“Don't worry, you can take a bath soon.” She then looked around at the stacks. “So just try pulling the stuff out of the bins and putting them aside, okay? I'll go and get the tarps from out back. We'll cover it for the night.”
He nodded and she got to her hooves. She soon heard the sound of something crashing. “I'm okay!” Val's voice came, making her roll her eyes. She trotted back behind the house towards a little shed behind the back door, walking in and grabbing a small blue tarp in her mouth, before trotting back.
She cringed again when she saw the colt had already managed to knock over four boxes, spilling their contents across the ground. He still was obviously not used to his hooves and four legged body, but at least he was trying. He had stopped though, standing over a small black book. He looked up at her as she walked over. “Hey, what's this? It's got pictures.” He nudged it open to reveal the picture of a griffon on the inside cover.
“Ohhhh, I remember that. My old Oubliettes and Ogres game book. Wow, I haven't played that in ages. Not since I was in school. As a student, not teaching.” She let out a soft chuckle, but got nothing but a confused look from him. “Oh, it's a make believe game with... well, griffons, dragons, zebras, things like that. I used to be the game master for a few of my old friends.” She gave a soft sigh. “Also used to run a few games for my nieces, helped them with their math homework. I'd always put in little homework challenges to help get them going and they never realized.” She let out a little giggle into her hoof, before shaking her head.
“Ohhhh, so it's like a game? Can we play?”
Cheerilee paused before shaking her head. “Not right now, maybe another time. It's not meant for only a few players, anyway. You need at least four.” She picked up the book and cringed as some papers fell out. She let out a sigh of relief when she realized they were just old character sheets. “Ah, I remember these. I used to make dozens of little pre-made...” She paused and looked down at the confused unicorn, before sighing. “Nevermind. We can play it another time. But first we need to get this stuff all packed up.” She tossed the book back in the bin before moving to spread out the tarp. “Grab one end and help me spread it out, okay?”
“Okay,” he said before moving besides her and grabbing the other end. She didn't say it, but she couldn't deny feeling a little thrill at how good and helpful he was being. No threats, no objections, no arguments. Heck, he wasn't even bleeping. Maybe a day with foals his age was rubbing off on him. Hopefully he didn't rub off on them. The tarp was soon spread out and she weighted the ends down with stones, nodding proudly. “This'll do for now. Now comes the hard part.” She looked to the sky, it was almost dark. “Come on. Let's go clean out your room.”
To her delight, cleaning the room wasn't too bad, at least compared to sorting everything. He was near hopeless at grabbing anything with his hooves, but after a few tense moments where he threatened to blow up the vacuum, he was soon able to nudge it along with his head. She used an old broom to knock all the dust and cobwebs down from the ceiling and soon enough the room was all clean and ready to live in. After that, she just had to set up a fan in the window to blow all the dust out. “Okay, Val? How about we...” She stared at him and sighed. “Do you know how to bathe yourself?”
“Of course!” He said, glaring. “I bathe at least regularly once a month!”
Cheerilee paused. Cringed. Tried not to retch. Finally, she shook her head and grabbed him by the back of his neck, hauling him off.
“Hey! Stop! Put me down, what are you doing?!” he shrieked as he swayed from side to side in her grip. She trotted down to the bathroom and gently stuck him in the bath, before spitting into the drain.
“Ugh, you're filthy. Okay, rule one. You need to bathe more than once a month. Every few days.” She paused. “If you plan to keep hanging out with the cutie mark crusaders, probably once a day. Lots of tree sap.” She looked down at her own dust covered form and sighed. “Well... you were a drow before so... let's just get this over with.” She shook her head and stepped into the tub, turning the water on.
He was hardly the first child she'd had to bath, but he was making himself a top contender for most difficult. The moment the shower came on he stepped back, hissing at it. “What sorcery is this? I thought you didn't know magic?”
“In door plumbing,” Cheerilee said with a nod. “A magic all its own, true, but not like unicorn magic. Now come on, under the spray.”
“I don't wanna...” he whined.
She rolled her eyes, reached out and grabbed him, dragging him under. He let out a little shriek and closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head. However, after a few seconds they slowly opened. “See? It's not so bad, is it?”
“It's warm...”
“Yes, as I said, magic all its own. Now, close your eyes. You're filthy and need a lot of shampoo to get all this out.”
“Okay...”
She hummed and put a generous dollop of shampoo on her hoof before she began rubbing it in. She cringed as she knocked a few twigs and clumps of dirt out of his mane and tail and cleaned up the muck from his coat. She hadn't even realized how filthy the poor colt had gotten. Then again, she couldn't help but wonder how much of it was from yesterday, too. Maybe she'd need to clean off the couch later. Possibly get it fumigated. Ugh. At least he didn't have any fleas. They were always a real pain in the flank. Especially if Fluttershy found out a pony just washed them out. She couldn't imagine how the pegasus could find even fleas adorable. Though her flea circuses were quite impressive.
“Ow!” Val let out a low cry and whimper as she got a knot out of his mane. She smiled despite herself. He was covered in so many bubbles he looked more like a cloud than a pony.
“It's okay, it's okay,” Cheerilee said calmly. “Keep your eyes closed, I don't want to get any of this in your eyes. It--”
“What? Why, what happens if it-- GAHHHHHHH!” He let out an ear piercing scream, making her cringe. She quickly pulled him against her chest and gently patted him on the head.
“Shhh, shhh, it's okay. It's just water, blink and the stinging will go away. It's just shampoo.”
He let out a soft little whimper. “But it hurrrrrrrts,” he whined, shaking his head.
“I know, I know.” She made sure all of the shampoo was off her hooves before she held his head still. “Now, I'm going to splash some water in your eye to clean it out, just be still, okay?”
He whined, but didn't object as she splashed his eyes a few time. Soon the whimpers gave way and she was able to wash the rest of the shampoo away without incident. She then shut off the water, grabbed a towel and started to wipe him down, drying him as best she could.
She barely managed to hold in her laughter when she finished and his coat puffed up. He no longer looked like a cloud, more like a small black pillow. She gently lifted him out of the tub and put him on the bathroom rug. “Okay. I want you to go down and sit on the couch for a little bit, okay? I'll be down in a minute to make dinner.”
He nodded. “Okay...” He glanced up. “If... errr... can we watch more of the magic box?” his voice bristled with hope.
She nodded. “Yes, if you're good and sit down quietly while I finish here.”
He nodded and ran off, accidentally slamming into the door the first time, but quickly bouncing back and charging out.
She sighed before turning the water back on and proceeding to wash out the dirt and dust her coat had accumulated. She was, fortunately, nowhere near as dirty as him, but little twigs and other clumps had gathered near the drain and she had to take a few moments to clean out the majority of those. She'd need to clean the full tub thanks to the mess he'd made.
Still, she was soon clean and refreshed, stepping out of the tub with a gentle sigh. She dried off and trotted downstairs, half expecting him to be destroying or breaking something. Instead, she found him laying on his side on the couch, cradled up into a little ball with Nibbler held tightly in his hooves against his chest, like some kind of spidery stuffed animal. She grinned and moved over, gently pulling the blanket up and putting it over him. Well, she didn't see any harm in letting him get a little bit of sleep while she prepared dinner.
It was late and she knew she could probably get away with something microwavable. Or maybe just a sandwich. She was tired, he was tired, it would have been easy.
Instead, she found herself boiling up a pot of water and starting to cook some noodles. It'd been a while since she'd last made neighsgetti, but it was a simple enough recipe. Soon the tomato sauce was bubbling and she tossed in a few veggies to go with it, humming softly to herself. She then made a nice nut salad to go on the side. While it was cooking, she trotted over by the room and started cleaning up the dirt and dust they'd dragged in the hall. She'd need to go over it one more time with the vacuum, but it could wait until after he'd woken up.
Finally, she trotted to the kitchen and sat down on the chair. This wasn't so bad, now that she had time to think about it. It was hard work, there was no doubt about it. But she couldn't deny that Val was growing on her. Kind of like moss or other fungi. When he was tired and at least trying to listen, he was almost adorable.
She glanced towards the couch where the little colt was sleeping soundly.
Okay, definitely adorable. And after a day with the girls, he was a lot more tolerable. Apparently the secret was to just let them tire him out.
A chill ran down her back as a new horror dawned on her. Tomorrow was a school day. She couldn't just call in, could she? Maybe she could leave Val with Rarity or Twilight. No no. He was still a child, she couldn't just pawn him off. Maybe school would be good for him.
She looked over to him and gave a sigh. Maybe she should ask him what he thought, rather than just assuming he'd cause problems or dislike it. She walked to the stove and hummed, testing the sauce and noodles before turning off the stove. She gave a nod and started dishing up the neighsgetti and nut salad, putting them on some plates, carrying them on her back to the table. With a flick of her back, they landed smoothly in two little spaces.
She then trotted to the couch and leaned over, smiling down at him. “Val? Dear?” She pulled the blanket off.
He didn't move, just kept laying there, snuggling Nibbler to his chest. She sighed and reached down, gently shaking his hoof. “Val, wake up. VAL!”
He let out a yipe and recoiled, nearly crushing Nibbler in his hooves as he turned around wildly. “What? Who, what?” He cowered in the corner of the couch, eyes wide and frightened. He then looked up at her and gave a sheepish smile. “Errr... time for magic box?”
She shook her head and gave a comforting smile. “No, time for dinner. Sorry for waking you up, but you need to eat. Come on.”
He nodded and slid his spider onto the ground. It rolled over and groaned from its previous hug squeezing. He jumped up and followed her to the table, sliding into the chair. His head cocked to the side. “I didn't think you ate worms.”
She sighed. “They're noodles, Val. Not worms.”
“I know, I was making a joke.”
“Fine, I...” She paused and looked over at him. “Wait, you made a joke?”
He nodded nervously. “Errr... yeah? Is ummm... is that okay?”
She reached out and gave him a big hug. “Yes! It's okay! It's wonderful, marvelous! You're making bad jokes, that's perfect!”
He blushed, his eyes widening. “W-what? Bad jokes? It wasn't bad!”
“Oh, it was horrible and just ridiculous and for little foals like you, it's perfect.” She leaned down and gave him a little kiss on the forehead. “I'm very proud of you, Val. In the last day I've seen a vast improvement in your behavior.”
He blinked and glowered up at her. “I am not behaving nicely.”
She chuckled and gave him an even tighter hug. “Yes, you are. When I first met you, you were...” She paused and then looked down at him. Now that she thought about it, she'd only known him one day. During that time he had been sucked through another dimension and deposited someplace he'd never seen. He'd been a little monster, sure. But who wouldn't in such a situation? She gave another little grin and then motioned towards the chair. “Go ahead and sit down. After we finish eating, we can watch some television, okay?”
He nodded, staring up at her in confusion. “You're a very strange pony.”
“And you're turning out to be quite the wonderful little child.”
He blushed sheepishly and grumbled mildly as he sat down. She sat across from him and started eating. “How do you do that?” he asked softly.
“Hmmm?” She looked up, the hoof halfway to her mouth. “Do what?”
“Grab the fork in... well, a hoof?”
“Oh, I just... well... I ummmm...” She looked down at her hoof. “You know what? I've never thought about it.”
He sighed and nudged his fork around.
“Try using telekinesis to... oh, right. I ummm...” She hummed, watching him. Slowly she got up and trotted over to the kitchen, grabbed a small towel and carried it over to him.
“What's that for?”
“We'll need it. Trust me,” she muttered before grabbing his hoof gently in hers and softly putting the fork in it. It clattered uselessly to the table. “Now, try to grip it.”
“Ugh, why don't you have fingers? It's hard enough to do all this without them. You need thumbs! I must grow fingers and thumbs, that is the only way.”
She rolled her eyes, but smiled none the less. “Come on, dear. You'll get this right in no time, trust me.”
He grumbled and tried again. And again. And again. Before long even she was getting annoyed, her hoof tapping on the table a few times. Finally, she sighed and pushed it aside. “Very well, let's try this. We'll try just using your mouth.” She cut up the food herself, making neat little piles on the plate. “Just use your mouth and tongue. We'll work on it over the next week, okay?”
“Okay,” he mumbled, before she moved to sit across from him. She watched for a few more moments before clearing her throat.
“Val, how do you feel about school?”
“Who, the prison warden? He seems okay. Bit weird. Has a strange fascination with dogs.”
She paused. “Errr... I mean going to school.”
“Wait, I can go home? I thought you said there was no way to go home?”
She stared for a few moments before shaking her head. “No! No no no no! Not... it's not a place from home. It's a little... it's a place little foals go to learn about the world. I'm a teacher, I go there and teach ponies about the world and everything.”
He nodded. “Ohhhhh! Yes, like a tutor?”
She perked up. Something she could use! “Yes, it's like a building with tutors, except each tutor has multiple students and teaches them all at once.”
He nodded, rubbing his chin. “I... guess that could be fun. It can't be too hard, right? What would I have to do?”
“Just come, meet other foals, try to learn. Things like that.” She relaxed and smiled at him. “You'd be in my class, so I can keep an eye on you.”
He gave a shrug. “I guess. I need to learn about this world anyway if I plan to conquer it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Exactly.”
“Hey, do you teach about things like that? Conquering the world?”
“Well... no. I do teach the students about our political system, though. It starts with the princesses at the top, followed by the politicians who are put in positions of authority over their chosen fields. Then the ponies under them and under them, all the way to the bottom.”
He nodded. “Right. So a matriarchy.”
That made her pause. “I... suppose in a way, yes. I am a little surprised to find out you know that word. Where... did you learn it?”
“The drow are the same way.” He said with a nod. “Males aren't even allowed into positions of power over anything. Well, usually. I've seen a few male guards. My sisters talk about it all the time.”
Cheerilee paused and shook her head. “N-no, it's not... quite like that. The princesses rule because they're alicorns and the most powerful. Well, that and they're thousands of years old.”
“All of them?”
“Well, Princess Celestia and Luna are, at least. Twilight and Cadence are new, as far as I know. But, they don't rule because they're female, only because they're alicorns. That and they have years of experience and protect us against all the threats in the world.”
He nodded. “Right. Gotcha. Males can't become alicorns either, right?”
That made her blink a few more times before she shook her head. “No no no no! I'm sure there could be male alicorns, just--”
“Are there any?”
“Well, no, not that I know of, but--”
“See? The same female superiority thing exists here, too,” he said with a shrug.
“No!” she said quickly. “I'm sure a male has just as much chance to become an alicorn as any other pony.” She turned a little red. “In fact, I can think of a few who... might have a good chance.”
“Oh? Who?”
“Big--” She then shook her head and coughed. “Anyway. There are plenty of stallions in positions of power, even if they aren't at the top. Princess Luna and Celestia have ruled for millennium and kept us safe. Not because they're mares, but because they're immortal... beings of immeasurable power. They just happen to be mares.”
He nodded, looking skeptical.
“You're a little young to be thinking about this kind of thing, anyway.” She sighed and shook her head. “So, would you like to come to school then?”
He nodded. “It'll be good, right? Learning. I can learn all of your weaknesses.”
She let out another sigh of exasperation. She liked him more when he was asleep. Or tired. Or being helpful. Now he was just being whiny. She gave a small nod. “Okay. We'll have to go to bed earlier tonight than last night, soon in fact. But we can watch a little television before, okay?”
He nodded. Soon enough the two were finished and she turned on the television and let him watch while she did the dishes. She then trotted over and smiled as he stared at it, hugging Nibbler to his chest. He was a little cute like this. Just a little. So long as he didn't open his mouth she couldn't help but find his company enjoyable. She sat down besides him, watching the little cartoon with a smile.
However, once the commercials came on she stood up. “Ah! I almost forgot. Come along.” She started trotting back towards the bathroom.
“What? Why?”
“It's time to brush your teeth.”
“... What?”
“Brushing your teeth, to get all the...” The color drained from her face. “You... know what brushing your teeth is, right?”
“Why would you use anything on your teeth?”
“To stop them from getting diseased and falling out.”
“If they do that, just have a cleric regenerate them, obviously.”
She blinked a few more times and stared at him. Finally, she scooped him up and carried him off to the bathroom. “Hey! Put me down!”
“Nope. Teeth brushing, then television. Now, hold on.”
It took her a few seconds to find an unopened tooth brush, but she popped it open, put some water and toothpaste on it and then looked back to him. He glared at her, defiant. She rolled her eyes. Not again. “Just... stand still.”
He let out a yipe as she proceeded to clean his teeth with the little brush, wiping his mouth clean. He tried tugging and yanking away, but a hoof on his shoulder stopped him from going far. “Calm down. It doesn't hurt, does it?” She was too tired to deal with this, but she'd be darned if she was going to ignore good oral hygiene.
After a few minutes of struggling he gave up and let her brush his teeth. After that it didn't take long at all. “There, now spit.”
Instantly she got a mouth full of spit and tooth paste to the face. She sighed. “I meant in the sink.” She grabbed a towel and wiped her face off, followed by his. “There, now just... go watch T.V.” She glowered as he walked off, before turning to the sink, grabbing her brush and proceeding to brush.
Just a few more days or so, she was sure. They'd deal with all these little problems and then he'd be out of her hair. She could hardly wait.
Cheerilee took a deep breath. She could do this. She would do this. It was going to go bad on so, so, so many levels. But she would do this. She looked back at her little escort. Claw, who was in the front and looking so excited to be here. Val, who was shooting daggers at Claw with his eyes. And Silverbelle, who was trying, and failing, to make herself so small she'd disappear.
Three new foals. At least one of them was well behaved. Rarity owed her big for this. She looked ahead towards the school building. Already the school yard was filled with colts and fillies playing little games. Most looked up and waved at her as she passed, a few stopping to gawk at the strange procession following her.
She walked inside and led the three through the halls, towards her office near her class. She took a deep breath as she stopped outside it. “Okay, children. Come along, I need to explain the rules before anything else.” She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Her office was small, with a few decorations, the majority of them being pictures of old classes and students. And one signed picture of the Ponytones. She walked over to the desk and sat down, motioning the three to sit down on a long, padded bench. They sat down.
“Okay then. This is... probably the most interesting group of new students I've received in a long while,” she said as she looked over at the three. “One from another time, one from another dimension and one from another country.” She looked to Silverbelle first and gave a small smile. “You'll only be with us for a short while so I just want you to relax and take it easy, okay? If you have any questions, feel free to ask Sweetie. I've already talked with her and she'll be more than willing to help you if you need it.”
“O-okay,” the little unicorn mumbled, her eyes never leaving the ground.
The teacher then took another deep breath and looked to Claw. “Now, Claw. I don't know how things are in the future, but--”
“You're my teacher,” he said happily.
She paused and stared. Well, at least that kind of counted as job security. Sorta. Maybe. She supposed the fact he didn't recognize Val must have meant the little colt eventually found a new home. That was a relief. “Well... I suppose that's good. You know the rules and think you'll be able to follow along?”
“Mmm hmm!” he said happily, nodding so fast he made the chair shake. “No problems!”
She then turned to Val. Now came the real trouble. “Val.”
“What?” he asked innocently. “I didn't do anything!”
“You tried to sneak Nibbler along. You pretended he was your cutie mark. You don't even know what a cutie mark is and you tried pretending.”
“H-how was I supposed to know they were supposed to be flat?” He refused to meet her eyes.
“I need you to behave. No threatening anypony, no picking fights. No bleeping. No casting spells. Can you please, please do this for me?”
He gave a nod. “Really, I can! I'll be super good, won't cause any problems.” He gave an innocent smile. The kind she'd expect to see on Discord. She barely managed to resist face desking.
“Of course you will. You'll also be sitting in the front of the class with Claw. I'll be keeping a close eye on both of you. So please, Val. Behave.”
“Why are you picking me out? He's just as bad!” he pointed a hoof at Claw accusingly.
“He hasn't threatened to destroy all of us and rule with an iron hoof.”
“I said iron fist!”
“Same thing.”
He crossed his hooves and pouted. She sighed. “You're also from another dimension, so I know all this will probably be the hardest for you. I know you have a lot of difficulty not lashing out violently when you're upset, but please. I need you to try to control yourself. You're not in any danger and if there's anything you don't understand, just feel free to ask me. But please, no threats or violence. Can you try that for me?”
He sighed and gave a nod, still pouting. She smiled and gave another nod. “Good. Now, I'll introduce all of you to the class once the bell rings. Does anypony need anything before we start?”
There was a shake of heads and she leaned back in her chair. Hopefully the day would end without any bloody noses. She cringed. “Remember, no magic, Val.”
He gave an exasperated sigh, but nodded. After a few minutes the bell rang and she got to her hooves. “Okay then, everypony follow me.” She waited for the second bell before heading down the hall towards the class. By the time she arrived, all of the children had sat down and were now waiting for her. She opened her mouth to speak.
“Ummm, Cheerilee?” Val asked.
She sighed. “Yes?” It was going to be one of those days.
“If you're ponies and stand on four legs, why does all of your furniture seem to be designed for sitting with your top legs out?”
“So we can use our front hooves to draw. Now, class,” she said firmly as she trotted in front. “Today we have a special treat. Three exchange students. They'll all be with us for at least a short time.” She smiled as she saw the cutie mark crusaders already lifting their hooves to wave at the three. Well, at least they had friends. “This is Claw, Val and Silverbelle. Please make sure to treat them with the same kindness and respect you would any new pony to Ponyville.”
There was a few waves and she quickly motioned forward. “Claw, Val, take the seats in front. Silverbelle, you can sit by Sweetie Belle.” The three walked off and then she moved towards the chalk board. “Okay. Today we'll be starting with basic addition. Now...”
She soon found herself in her groove, relaxing as no chaos or trouble started. She occasionally glanced back at the children, but they all seemed to be doing well. Sweetie and Silverbelle occasionally whispered to each other, but she couldn't imagine the latter was doing anything other than asking for help. Claw seemed... attentive. As full of energy as the little colt had been when she saw him, she was amazed at his ability to sit still. He was trying to hard and doing a marvelous job.
Val, on the other hoof, looked bored. But he seemed to be following along. She'd expected fire balls or wanton destruction. Instead he seemed to be paying attention and not causing any real problems. Even through his boredom. Maybe she had been a bit too paranoid after all.
She looked between the many smiling ponies and then turned back around, getting to work. Everything was going smoothly as she went about the lesson. Soon, they moved onto reading and she handed out all the books. “Now, today we'll be continuing the story of Mareygold. We're only a few chapters in, but can anypony remind us of where we left off?”
She looked around at the raised hooves before finally pointing at a small pink earth pony filly. “Yes, Diamond?”
“Well, she just got her cutie mark and it had nothing to do with what her family did for a living,” the little filly said proudly.
Cheerilee nodded. “Very good. Now, can anypony tell me why during the period this book takes place in, that was bad?”
Diamond gulped and raised a hoof. “The... castes?”
Cheerilee nodded. “Very good. During the time of this book, Equestria operated on a very heavy caste system. Whatever your family did, you did. Very few ponies were able to do tasks outside of their families line. Now, Mareygold's family were unicorns known for making very, very pretty types of flower displays, often for members of nobility. Mareygold, unfortunately, was talented in making illusions, not setting up flowers. Yes?” She pointed towards a small little brown earth pony. “Button?”
“Why couldn't she just try to find a new job, then?”
“Times were different, then. When a pony discovered her special talent, she often had to find a way to adapt it to whatever her job already was. Ponies weren't allowed to do jobs outside of what their families did. Fortunately, the princesses removed this system many, many centuries ago and now ponies are free to select whichever job they wish that supports their talent, rather than the other way around.” She paused and then smiled. “In fact, there is a very heavy debate going on about cutie marks now. If everypony remembers our recent elections?”
There were a few nods. “Well, at the end of them three ponies from this class achieved their cutie marks. Three ponies getting cutie marks at the same time is extremely rare, even two is something only heard of once a decade, normally. The fact they were all almost the same is even rarer. Something that has only happened a very few select times in all of Equestrian known history.” The ponies were watching her with wide eyes now. Not that she was surprised. Cutie marks always had a lot of attention. Even Val seemed to be following along, or trying.
“In the field of cutie marks there are two current views on how they are created. Namely, some ponies believe that it is what we do, the decisions we make and what we're associated with that ultimately determines what our cutie mark is. That if we try, we can even change what our cutie mark will eventually become. There are others who claim that our cutie marks are a representative of who we are and determined by that. That our actions aren't what determine our cutie marks, that our actions are determined by our cutie marks. There is actually plenty of information supporting both theories.”
“Namely, due to some magic, ponies have switched or gained new cutie marks and as such, gained the powers that the cutie mark represented. However, this was usually caused through dark magic or other means and is not always considered a good representation. On the other hoof, we have the cutie mark crusaders.” She motioned towards them. “There are very few who would argue that their cutie marks don't represent them, in fact the shield is a part of the very symbol of their club. There are some who would argue that the symbol was made by them because of their destiny, while others would argue that they would have gained whatever symbol they had used for their club as their cutie mark.”
There were a few nods and confused looks, but most seemed fascinated by the information. “The only thing both sides agree on, however, is that a cutie mark is a very important part of any ponies existence. Without it, a pony would feel lost and confused, like they lost a part of who they are. Going against ones cutie mark has led to many ponies being hurt, sick or even worse. Unfortunately, not all ponies see it that way and there are more than a few stories of ponies who decided to try and force their children to act a certain way, despite their talents. This... rarely ends well. Mareygold's story is just one of many like that.”
A little white hoof went up and she motioned towards it. “Yes, Pipsqueak?”
He gulped. “If she could do illusions so well, why didn't she just make illusion flowers? They'd still be pretty, right?”
The teacher gave a nod. “Perfect, exactly. In fact, she tries that very thing. We'll be reading a few chapters today and we should make it through that very portion. Would you like to start us off today?”
He gulped and lowered his head to the book. “O-okay. The... earth pony... awoke with...”
She smiled as she watched him. She could remember when the tiny colt had first joined her class, he could barely spell anything, now he was spelling words left and right. But, then again, he was class president now. She imagined he received all kinds of things to read. Not that there was a lot of work for the job, but there was still some reading involved. He still had a little trouble with some of the words, but she was quick to step in and aid him as he went.
After he went through a page, she switched to another one of the children, motioning with a hoof. One by one she let each child have a chance to read. Some of them could have read the entire book by themselves with ease, while others needed help with every other word. She made a mental note to send some supplemental work home with Snails.
To her delight, even Claw raised his hoof for a chance. Despite her worries, he was able to read it without any problems. She gave future her a mental pat on the back. He did have a few problems with pronunciations, but she imagined it had more to do with his tongue than lack of reading ability. Before long everypony, aside from Val and Silverbelle, had read.
“Very good, class. We'll stop there. Now, what did everypony learn?”
“Aren't they going to read?” Diamond asked, pointing towards Val and Silverbelle. The former didn't even seem to notice, his head buried in the book and staring at the words in confusion, while the latter eeped and lowered her head as far as it could go, hiding in her seat.
“No, they'll be fine, now--”
“Can't they read?” she asked, sounding a little concerned.
“If they don't wish to join in on their first day, they don't have to. Now, onto the question at hoof. What did everypony learn about this? Yes, Button?”
“Well... when she tried to use illusions, they worked really well,” Button said softly. “But they didn't last long and the fake flowers disappeared. She got in a lot of trouble then.”
Cheerilee nodded. “Exactly. Her talents were in illusions, but what had she been using them for, before? Yes, Snips?”
A little green unicorn colt looked up. “Well, she only did them for stories and stuff before. Things that didn't last long.”
“Exactly. While there are ponies who can make illusions that last hours, days, weeks or sometimes even months, that is a different type of spell than the kind she'd been practicing. She was able to make wondrous flowers the likes of which nopony had seen, but they didn't last long enough and nopony wanted fake flowers that disappeared after a few seconds. Her family was very upset about this and tried to teach her how to properly make and shape the flowers herself, but her talent and heart just wasn't in it. Then what happened? Yes, Snails?”
“She... ran away and cried,” a very tall orange unicorn colt said. “Because she was sad.”
“Exactly. Trying to force a pony to be something they're not does nothing but harm in the end. She had the ability to make the flowers they wanted, but her methods were different, using illusions. Had they encouraged them, it would have been possible for her to learn how to make them last longer. Instead, they tried to force her to learn their methods. Unfortunately, trying to force a pony to have a special talent of your choosing does not work. Now, it's almost recess. But first, take out your art supplies and let's do a bit of coloring before hoof. Val, Claw, Silverbelle? Would you three follow me outside for a moment?”
Slowly the three climbed out of their chairs and followed her out of the room. She closed the door behind her, counted to ten, opened it to shoo away the ponies who tried to sneak up and listen, before closing it again. She then looked back. “Okay, then. Let's go one by one. Silverbelle? Are you having any trouble keeping up? I noticed you had to talk with Sweetie a lot. Is everything okay?”
The little filly gave a quick nod. “Y-yes! Is much good! Equestrian not like Prance, letters different. Learning now, sorry. Much sorry,” the filly said, her head lowered and huddled up.
Cheerilee smiled and shook her head. “Nonsense, child. You're from another country. Nopony could possibly expect you to learn our language and learn to write it so quickly.” She gently patted the filly on the head, getting a small smile from her. “I know there are plenty of similarities between the two, but I know the differences must make it difficult. Have I been speaking too fast for you?”
“No!” the filly said quickly. “Cousin Sweetie been helping much all time. Much easy with help.”
“Good, good. If you do require any help, do not hesitate to ask.” She then turned to Val. “Now, Val, I wish to talk with you. Are you having any troubles?”
He blinked, then quickly shook his head. “Of course not, no!” He puffed up his chest and pounded it once. “I'm a drow, I don't need help with anything!”
She smiled. “I know. But if you're not able to read--”
The color left his face and he shook his head. “Of course I can read! All the little ponies in there can read, of course I can!” He stomped a hoof.
She gave a little nod. “Then you know all the letters, right?”
“Yes, of course! I have known them forever!” He paused and then looked towards the door. “Though... I... am surprised that you use the same letters we do. I thought pony letters would be more... big and clunky. Not so curved and precise.”
“Curved and precise?”
“Well... yes. Like drow letters. I figured without fingers, you'd all use more... clumsy letters. With lots of spaces and shapes and things like that.”
She frowned. “I... see. Equestrian manuscript does do that. So all three ponies can learn it.” She glanced towards the door. “Val, when we get back in, I want you to try doing something for me, okay?”
He nodded slowly. She then looked towards Claw. “Now, how are you keeping up?”
“Just like in old school! Never done this book, is good.”
She nodded. Well, at least one of them wouldn't have trouble keeping up. “Okay, let's go back inside and get back to drawing.” She led them inside and sat Val down. She grabbed a pencil and dropped it in front of him with a smile, along with a piece of paper. “Now, I want you to draw a random letter from your language, okay?”
He looked down at the pencil, then up at her. “How?”
“Just pick it up and draw it. Don't worry, I'll be here the whole time.”
He sighed and tried picking it up in his hoof. It refused to be picked up, moving around along the table, rolling and twirling around his hoof no matter how he tried to grab it. He finally tried using both hooves, struggling to grip it in both hooves. It worked for a few seconds, before shooting out of his grip and flying into the air. Cheerilee deftly caught it in her mouth and dropped it back on the desk.
“Use your mouth, dear,” she said.
“What? NO!” he said firmly, stomping his front hooves down on the desk. “I am not some... some kind of horse! I am a drow! A noble of the elf families! We use our hands, our thumbs! We do not... we do not write with our mouths!”
She sighed. A number of the children were now looking up and staring at them, but she waved a hoof and they quickly looked away. “Now, dear. Please. Just grip it like an earth pony. You hold the pencil firmly between your lips and teeth, then use your tongue and movements of your head to write. Like I do, remember?”
“I don't wanna,” he grumbled.
“It's the only way you can write it. Please?”
He sighed, gave another dark grumble, but slowly leaned down to pick up the pen in his mouth. He then leaned forward and started drawing on the paper as best he could. She let out a soft gasp as she watched him work. Now, his movements were slow and a bit clunky, but the letter he was drawing was like nothing she'd ever seen before. It looked more like some kind of art than a letter. The soft, gentle curves and the twirls. She didn't think she could ever forget it. After a few seconds he pulled back and revealed it to her fully.
It was an Equestrian F. She blinked a few more times, cocking her head to the side. “That's not... that's... That's not what you drew,” she said softly, staring at it.
“What? Yeah it is!” he pointed at it. “That's exactly what I drew!”
“Val, it--” The bell went off, making her cringe. She took a deep breath and waited for the class to run out for recess.
None of them moved, all watching her and Val. She motioned towards the door. “Everypony, please go enjoy your recess. I'll be out in a few minutes.” She then looked down at Val. “Hold on a second. We need to talk.”
Once the class left, she put a new piece of paper down in front of him. “Val, please. I want you to write that same letter a second time, okay?”
He looked between her and the paper, before rolling his eyes. “Really? I just did it, though! Why do I have to do it again?”
“Val, please? For me?”
He grumbled darkly a few more times, before leaning forward and writing. She followed his movements precisely, watching him work. This time there were no curves, no swirls. It was just an Equestrian F. Just like any other pony would write. She stared, her mouth open. “Are... are you sure that's how it's written in your home?”
“Yes! It's just like... this...”
“But didn't you say the letters in your language were... more curved and flowery? With twirls and precision?”
He nodded, staring at the blocky letter designed in a way so even earth ponies would have no problem writing it. She flipped the paper over and then took the pen in her mouth, drawing the same letter she'd seen him make. All the twirls and curves along with it. When she pulled back it wasn't a perfect example, but it was as close as she could get it. After all, she'd only seen the image once and only for a few seconds. “Look at that. Doesn't that look more like something from your home?”
Now he looked scared. “Y-yes,” he said softly. “It looks... I-I think. It looks just like the letters. But... but but...” He flipped it over and pointed at the Equestrian F. “But this is what I learned! This is what my tutors taught me! THIS THIS THIS! All the other letters are curved, but this one is all blocky! I remember I remember I--” She silenced him with a hug, gently holding him close.
“Shhhhh, shhhhh dear. It's okay. You're okay. It's magic, remember? Just magic. I'm going to get Princess Twilight to come down here and have a look at you, okay? Maybe she can find out what's going on. Okay? You're safe though. I promise. Completely safe. Completely and utterly safe, nothing is going to happen to you.”
“B-but... but it's just like... just like the words. I don't think that's my letter. That's not a drow letter, is it? It's a... it's a pony one, isn't it?”
“It's going to be okay, Val,” she said before letting him go and sliding down to look him in the eye. “It's all going to be okay. I promise. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. Do you believe me?”
He stared for a few moments before nodding. “Y-yes.”
“Good. Now, I want you to go outside and have some fun with the other children, okay? I'm going to go find one of the assistants and have them go get the princess. Okay?”
He nodded and slowly slid out of his seat. She noticed he was doing that better, too. She hadn't thought about it before, but he was smooth about it, now. As if he'd been getting in and out of chairs for years. With hooves and all. Even his walking was faster and he could open doors. But he couldn't grip things, at least not yet. Was he changing? How much was he changing? Before he left the room he gave one last frightened look towards the desk, before trotting outside.
She took a deep breath and looked at the papers. She scooped both up and trotted out of the room, in pursuit of the nearest assistant. She found one and set the pony off, just in time to hear a scream from outside. Her ears perked and she turned, galloping out the door.
Diamond was across the playground, running and screaming. The top of her mane and tiara had a tiny little flame on them. “Diamond!” the teacher yelled, galloping forward. “VAL!”
Cheerilee tried to take deep, calming breaths as she sat behind her desk, a hoof rubbing her forehead. Val was sitting in the back of the room, at least having the wisdom to look upset and sad about what he'd done. It probably helped that she had nearly lost her voice screaming at him. It was something she rarely tried to do, but her students also rarely tried to light each other on fire. Even less often succeeded. Though she suspected his sadness was all just a ploy to make her feel bad. Was it really so hard for him to just behave a little bit for once?
There was a knock on the door and she looked up and cringed. Twilight was standing in the doorway and, frankly, she looked horrible. The bags under her eyes had grown and her mane was frazzled. She suspected if there weren't so many ponies trying to take care of her, the princess would have been little more than skin and bones.
“Hello, princess,” Cheerilee said softly, before motioning towards Val. “There's your patient, he's currently in detention.”
“Oh. He didn't use that dark magic on anypony, did he?”
“He tried to light Diamond Tiara on fire,” Cheerilee mumbled, glancing towards the colt again.
“I-it was her fault, she started it!” Val defended quickly.
“I don't care who started it! Fire is NOT okay!” Cheerilee snapped. She then looked towards the princess. “So. We did a little test, he wrote some symbols down which were supposed to be his people's letter for F. However, once he finished writing it, the symbol changed to match the Equestrian F. After that, when he wrote it, he wrote it as the Equestrian F. He couldn't remember his people's symbol.”
Twilight's eyes lit up. “Really? That's fascinating!” She grabbed some paper and a pencil, putting it on the table in front of Val. “Can you do it? For me?”
He gulped and gave a little nod, before drawing the F.
“That's the... oh, no.” She pulled the paper away and put a new one up. “Draw a different letter.”
He stared for a moment before nodding. Cheerilee got to her hooves and walked over to watch. Sure enough, the curves and twirls were nothing like Equestrian script. However, once he finished it became a big Equestrian T. Twilight didn't waste any time, drawing the symbol he had originally drawn besides it and pulling it up. “Fascinating, truly. What purpose do all the twirls and curves serve?”
“I-I don't know,” he said fearfully, before trying to write it again. All he could write, though, was the Equestrian T. He looked ready to cry, now. Thought Twilight didn't seem to notice.
“Val, calm down. You're safe,” Cheerilee said quickly.
“Well, maybe,” Twilight said as she flipped over the papers. “This might be something simple like a memory alteration spell, or something far more severe. The possibilities are endless!”
Cheerilee grabbed the princess and hauled her to the front of the room, glaring into her eyes. “With all due respect, your highness. Do you mind NOT telling the colt that he might be in danger from something that is already messing severely with his mind?”
Twilight cocked her head to the side. “What? But he--” Then blinked, pausing. “Oh. Oops.” She coughed into her hoof. “S-sorry. Can I take him back to the castle? If I can do more research, I should be able to find out what exactly is going on.”
Cheerilee nodded. “Good. That'll be good.”
“Wonderful! And knowing their language might be enough to help me understand what's going on better.”
“Sure. I'll go talk with Val,” the teacher said before trotting back to Val. “Okay, Val honey? Princess Twilight is going to take you back to her castle to do some research. I want you to go with her and be a good colt, okay?”
He gave a little nod before looking up at her. “Are... you getting rid of me?”
She paused and looked down at him, before shaking her head. “Of course not. I need to tend to my class. After class is over, I'll come by and pick you up. Okay?”
He nodded. “I-I'm sorry I cast a spell on her. She just... she just made me so mad and... and I got really mad and I wanted to hurt her but I knew you didn't want me to... hurt her too bad.”
“I didn't want you to hurt her at all,” she snapped. The child recoiled and she sighed, putting a hoof out to pat his head. “You're in trouble, but that's all. Don't do that again.”
He nodded slowly, before looking up at her. “Do... you hate me now?” he asked in a soft whisper.
She stared at him, before shaking her head. “No. Of course I don't. All foals make mistake. Yours are just... bigger.”
He nodded and looked down. “Do... you think I'm a mistake?”
“W-what? No! Of course not! Why would I think that?”
“My mother did...” he said very softly.
“I-I'm sure she didn't.”
“She told me she did.”
That gave the teacher pause and she stared at him. On the one hoof, the stories she'd heard made that sound like a severe possibility. His family, mother especially, did not sound like the nicest people. But she found it hard to believe any mother could say that about their child. She was sure whatever his mother said, he just interpreted it that way. She stepped forward and put a hoof around him, hugging him. “It's okay. You are not a mistake and I am not sending you away. You're just going with Princess Twilight to try and find out what's going on, okay? Do what she says and please don't cause any problems. Okay?”
He gave a small little nod and then climbed out of the chair once she let him go. He gave her one last small look before gently trotting after the princess. Cheerilee watched them go before taking another deep breath and putting a hoof to her forehead. This was not part of her job description. That colt needed therapy, not a teacher. Maybe she could talk to the princess about paying for one. But first, she had to go watch the kid's playing.
She made it outside in time to see the princess disappear in a flash of teleportation magic, Val going with her. The children were playing still. Diamond was by the sandbox with the crusaders, Claw, Silverbelle and Silver Spoon. She started making her way over. The little filly seemed perfectly fine, just a few tiny singes on her crown and a little dark spot on her mane. The fire hadn't gone all the way through, it had just frightened the poor filly. But that didn't make it much better.
She couldn't imagine what could have possessed the colt to react in such a way. There was just no call for such behavior. What if she had been seriously hurt? Besides, she'd been watching Diamond for the last few weeks and the filly had showed remarkable improvement in behavior ever since she'd taken over as treasurer of the class. Not that they needed a treasurer. Their assets consisted of one little candy, a sleeping fly(she didn't know how long a fly could sleep, but apparently quite a while), three bits and a plastic lizard. But it had kept the little filly from causing trouble and had helped to alleviate many of her anti-social tendencies.
“Diamond? Dear? Are you okay? Any pain?” she asked softly as she moved over. She'd already checked up on the filly immediately after it had happened before sending her off to play, but it always worked well to double check.
The filly looked up and shook her head. “Not at all.”
“Good. Now, could you tell me exactly what happened?”
She rolled her eyes. “Ugh, I was just trying to help. I mean, after all that he seemed so upset, so I asked if he wanted me to help him learn to read. I mean like, he's new to classes so I figured he couldn't. He just blew up and tried to light me on fire! He should be locked up and the key thrown away! Err...” She trailed off when she saw all three of the crusaders shaking their heads. “I mean... err... he should be... grounded.” There were three nods then. “And spanked.” Two nods and one shake. “He should be grounded and spanked.”
“He is most definitely grounded for the foreseeable future. So all you asked was if he wanted help to read?” Normally she wouldn't have believed it was really something so simple, at least from Diamond. The filly had made up quite a few stories to try to get ponies she didn't like in trouble before. But the crusaders were nodding as well. She let out a soft sigh. “I'm sorry he did such an act, but it won't be happening again. Unfortunately, that just happened to be the worst thing to say at the worst possible moment.” She took a deep breath. “Now, go along and have fun with your friends. Recess is almost over.”
She turned and trotted back towards the school, looking back over the students. She couldn't begin to imagine how all this was affecting the poor colt, but she couldn't let him run wild and hurt ponies, either. She had a responsibility to keep them safe. If only he didn't have the magic. She could always put the horn inhibitor back on. But with the way his magic was different from normal ponies, there was no telling how negatively it could affect him. What if it caused him actual pain? Sure, he hadn't seemed to be in pain when she first used it, but there was no telling how else it could affect him. At that time, he had been in a big panic because his whole world had changed.
In the end, that was it, though. It had only been three days. His entire life had changed in the last three days and she knew very few adults who could have handled such a thing. She couldn't imagine a child being able to do such a thing. Was she being too strict? He'd nearly hurt a pony and he needed to learn that, but she kept thinking of him back in his desk. She'd thought his moping behavior was just an attempt to get pity and out of trouble, but what if it wasn't? Had that behavior ever worked back in his home world? What if it wasn't just an attempt to control her, what if he was just a scared colt and she'd yelled at him and made his whole traumatic experience all the worse?
She needed a professional. A real professional. Somepony who was used to dealing with children like this and could get him the help he needed. Hopefully before they sent him away to whatever home he'd end up in.
The bell went off, drawing her attention up. “Okay, children. Time to return to class,” she called out, before trotting back. At least Claw and Silverbelle were getting along great with their peers. Two out of three wasn't so bad.
------
Cheerilee sighed softly as she tried filling out the request form. The problem was she knew next to nothing about Val. Where he was born, who his parents were, heck she didn't even really know what species he was. Fortunately, on references she could put Princess Twilight and she was able to explain the whole from other dimension thing on the bottom. Still, the psychologist could do the poor colt a world of good. Maybe it could help him stop trying to hurt his classmates.
Finally, once it was all filled out, she stood up and stretched, taking it to the office to drop off. The halls of the school were empty, but that wasn't too surprising. She'd had to stay late to fill all this out, after all. She gave a soft yawn and started to trot home, before stopping.
Right, Val first. She hoped the stallion wasn't causing too much trouble. Fire, brimstone, none of that. The sun was slowly beginning to go down, but she had hours yet. She'd take the colt home, have a nice talk with him about not lighting his classmates on fire. No television, of course. Maybe see about setting up a cot or something in the spare bedroom for him. Or better yet, finish up putting all those things away. She couldn't leave her front lawn filled with junk forever. Ugh, she had to stop by the market, too. Could she take him with her? What if he destroyed things?
She smiled when she got to the castle, giving a little wave to the pegasus on guard. “Can I come in?”
He nodded quickly, holding the door open for her and giving her a small smile.
“Thank you,” she said before trotting in. “Val! I'm here!” she called out.
She heard a yipe from down the hall, followed by the clattering of hooves. All of a sudden Val appeared from one of the doors and he lunged, wrapping his hooves around him. He was covered in little wires. “You came! You actually came back! I-I didn't think you'd come back I thought you abandoned m-me to her I'm so sorry I'll never light anypony on fire again o-or attack anypony again please please don't send me away again I'll be good I'll be good I promise!”
She stared down at him in bafflement. Was he crying? She softly wrapped her hooves around him and patted his back. “There there, Val. It's okay. I already told you I wasn't leaving you,” she said softly. “I just had to finish school. Is Princess Twilight here?”
“Ow... yes,” the alicorn said as she came out, rubbing a hoof over her face that now held an imprint of a hoof. “I was in the midst of strapping him in for another test.”
Cheerilee scolded him. “Val, that was very mean. Apologize to the princess.”
“I'm sorry!” he said quickly, still not letting her go.
The teacher sighed and gave him another hug. “Okay, Val? Honey? You need to let me go. We need to go and talk with the princess. Come on.”
He nodded and slowly pulled back, his hooves pulling away grudgingly. Though he didn't pull away completely, still leaning against her side. She trotted forward. “So, princess? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, his hoof just came out of nowhere,” Twilight mumbled. “But I have good news!”
“Oh? What is it?” She could use some good news about now.
“I've managed to find out what the effects are, but not the cause. They aren't fatal and there's less than a point zero zero one percent chance that they'll lead to any true brain damage.”
“Err... so what is it?”
“Come along, I'll show you,” the princess said before trotting back towards the library. Inside it, long strings were hung up, most of which had dangling pieces of paper bearing Equestrian symbols and the same marks that Val had put up. Cheerilee couldn't deny it. For all the violence the drow seemed to have, their written language was beautiful, more like art than letters. “It turns out, their language has only twenty-four letters, as opposed to our twenty-six.”
Val sniffled a little and moved a little closer to Cheerilee, nearly knocking her over. He stared at the pieces of paper fearfully. She slowly put a leg around him and sat down. “What does that tell us?”
Twilight grinned. “Well, I measured his brain activity while he was writing these out. It turns out, it seems it's a lot like how he's able to speak our language.” She glanced to Val. “Tell me, in your own words, how does your language sound?”
He paused and cocked his head to the side. “Ummmm... like this?” he said, looking confused.
“Right. However, your name, Valkala Del Hsskrugnr, would you say it is an accurate representation of your language?” Cheerilee could barely believe it. How could the princess even PRONOUNCE that? Was her tongue double jointed?
“Yes, it...” Then he paused and shook his head. “N-no.”
“Exactly. When he first arrived, he likely spoke his own native tongue and heard his native tongue. But, as time went, the words were replaced with Equestrian words. The same with his letters.” She motioned towards the papers. “Once he wrote each one out, the change completed. I imagine there are probably still words he'll hear and speak as drow words, but after they'll change to Equestrian. The spell seems to grab onto things as he uses them.”
The little colt let out a whimper and Cheerilee gently stroked his back. “It's okay, it's okay,” she whispered, before looking up. “So what does this mean?”
“Basically, the longer he's here, the more pony he becomes. He's forgetting how to spell his words as they're being overwritten by pony words. He speaks Equestrian now and can likely no longer speak most drow. I'm sure as time goes on, other things will change.”
“Like he'll be able to grab things with his hooves?” she asked softly, remembering how he twisted the door knob earlier with his hoof.
“Yes. Eventually it'll be second nature, like any other pony.”
There was a soft whimper from the colt. “But... but I'm a drow...”
“This opens up so many other possibilities!” Twilight said, her voice flooded with excitement. “When I traveled to other dimensions, I figured they just happened to have the same verbal and written words we did. But what if they don't? I mean, ponies developed their written word to work with their hooves, it's likely that humans did too. What if it's the magic of the transfer that makes it?'
“Is he in danger?” Cheerilee asked, both hooves wrapping around the colt.
“No,” Twilight said with a shake of her head. “He shouldn't be in any danger, at all. As far as I can tell, it's completely harmless and not doing any damage to his mind. In fact, spells like that have been used in the past and studied thoroughly. I've used a few of them, even. Though I hear the effects can have emotional problems. In the end, he is becoming more and more pony. Whether he likes it or not.”
“I don't want to be more pony!” Val shrieked. “I'm a drow! A noble, vicious, powerful drow!”
Twilight nodded and glanced to him. “It's just affecting your words and letters. That's all,” she said quickly. “It shouldn't change anything else. Just stuff to make you more capable of living here.”
He nodded slowly. “Really?”
“Yes, exactly. Cheerilee, can I speak with you a moment? I need to ask you something about Claw. It's personal,” Twilight said before pointing down to Val and motioning him away.
“Val, please wait outside. I'll be out in a moment.” A look of fear flashed in his eyes. “I swear I'm not leaving you here for good. I have to go to the market, but you're coming home with me tonight, I swear. Okay?”
He blinked and then slowly nodded, before stepping out of the room. The teacher smiled to the princess. “So, what did you need to know?”
“Nothing about Claw, but I needed to tell you this. I kind of... lied. You see, well... it will affect him. A lot. Maybe. I don't really know,” Twilight muttered. “See, here's the thing. It's starting with his language processes and his movements. But I don't know when, or if, it will end. We're only three days in and he's already speaking our language fluently, knows all our letters. Have you seen his movements changing? He's walking easier, isn't he?”
Cheerilee nodded. “Y-yes, he is.”
“That's just it, then. It's only been three days. When I went to Canterlot High I learned how to walk and speak their language quickly, but I thought I was just adapting. The languages just happened to be the same. But maybe they weren't and I wasn't there for very long. Ohhhh, I wish I could discuss this with Sunset, she could tell me anything about that.” She paused and looked towards a nearby book. “Actually... maybe I can... no, later.” She shook her head. “Anyway. For all I know the magic will just allow him to move and talk better here. It might just replace those things. But... there's a chance.”
“A chance of what?”
“Within a few months he might not even know where he came from. He might believe he was born a pony, the drow were just a dream or something else. He could... very well lose everything that made him, well, the way he is. He'd believe he was just a pony.”
She gulped. “What then?”
“I don't know,” Twilight said with a shrug. “This is all just a possibility. For all I know, it will stop there, with the language. It's a very, very small possibility. I don't know the cause. It could be something from his world, or maybe it's something from ours. If it's from ours, well...” She sighed. “The good news is that I don't think he'll notice.”
“Not notice?”
“Yes, it's been very subtle. If you hadn't noticed it, I don't think anypony would have noticed. Let alone him. So... it probably won't hurt him. But... I'd try to find out what you can about his home and then try to compare it to what he tells you later. If it sounds very... pony like, then we might need to worry.”
“What'll happen if it doesn't stop, then?”
“Well... if it fully converts, he'd be like any other foal. Without a... history. More or less. Or maybe his mind will make one. Maybe he'll even believe you're his mother.” She chuckled, completely missing the look of horror on the mare's face. “But, I doubt that's true. I mean, Sunset lived in the other world for years and she never changed much. So I think it's fairly safe to assume it'll just adapt his speech and movements. In fact, his ability to walk better and grip things is likely just his natural adaptability. He is a colt, after all. Most foals learn pretty quickly.”
Cheerilee nodded. “So... errr... anything else I should look out for?”
“No, not particularly.”
The teacher nodded, before sighing. “Twilight? Would you be willing to do something for me?”
“What?”
“Can you watch him the next few days? While at school? He's kind of--”
“I'd love to, really!” Twilight interrupted. “But I really must keep studying and I want to compare notes with Sunset, I can't stop this now. Not until I know what's going to happen and how to stop it. I-I'm really sorry, Cheerilee, I just--”
“No, no no,” Cheerilee said with a shake of her head. “I understand. You're working really hard as it is. I'll find somepony else, okay?”
The alicorn nodded. “Okay. I ummm... I really am sorry.”
“I know, I know.” Cheerilee started to walk, but stopped. “Would you be willing to watch him for an hour, or so?”
“An hour?”
“Yes. I'm not sure I want to take him to the market. I'd have done it before, but I didn't want to make you wait too long and just... I don't know how well he'd do. It would just be for an hour and--”
“I don't know,” Twilight said, before perking up. “Oh! I know!” She stepped out and called down the hall. “Flash? Flash Sentry?”
There was a whoosh and Val let out a yipe as one of the pegasus guards landed besides him. The guard quickly saluted. “Flash Sentry reporting for duty!”
“Wonderful,” Twilight said with a small smile. “Could, errr, you watch Val for a little bit?”
The pegasus blinked, before looking down at the unicorn. “Errr... really?”
“Yes, please, you'll be doing me a biiiiig favor!” Twilight said quickly. “Pretty please?”
He nodded quickly, a determined look flashing on his face. “If the princess needs it, of course.”
Val stared up at the pegasus, looking over his armor before nodding. Well, at least he and the other guards had looked far cooler than the little purple princess. He then looked over towards Cheerilee when she popped out from the room. “You're... you're not leaving, are you?”
“Just for a little bit,” Cheerilee said quickly, before walking over and giving him a little hug. “I promise, I'll be back soon. I just need to get some shopping done. You'll be in safe hooves with the royal guards, okay?”
“But I don't wanna be with one of them! I want to go with you!”
The teacher nodded. “Maybe another time. But for now I can't risk you lighting another pony on fire.”
“Wait, what?” Flash asked, his eyes widening slightly.
“I won't, honest! I'll be good!” Val said, whining.
“No. It'll just be a little bit. Besides, I'm just buying some groceries, you'll just be bored.” She smiled down at him. “You will be good for me, won't you?”
He glared up, but slowly lowered his head. “Fine. But... you are coming back, right?”
“Of course I am. I wouldn't do that to the princess.”
“What was that about lighting a pony on fire?” Flash asked again.
“Okay... please hurry?” he asked softly.
“I will be as quick as I can. Then we'll go home, okay?”
“Okay,” he mumbled before getting one last hug. Cheerilee trotted off and the colt glanced towards the pegasus, glaring.
“Err... so... ummm, you like card games?” Flash asked with a nervous smile, looking back and forth between the retreating teacher and where Twilight had once stood, though she had already headed inside. He then turned towards the child and gulped, wondering just how flame resistant his armor was.
Cheerilee hummed as she walked through the market, looking around happily. There were dozens of little stands, though some had closed for the evening. She always found it so relaxing, coming here. She didn't know why. But she very much enjoyed the negotiations and arguing with ponies over price. Already she'd gotten a few cherries and a head of cabbage for half off.
Still, she found her mind wandering back towards Val. She had to think of something to do with him tomorrow. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't just leave him with the royal guards all day. She didn't want to skip on work on such short notice, but she supposed she'd have to. Still, it left a bad taste in her mouth. If only she could trust him around other children.
He needed to do something... energetic. Burn himself out a little bit, too. If he wasn't so hyper, maybe he'd be a bit easier to control. She knew after the day with the crusaders he'd been downright adorable. He--
She let out a yipe as she ran into a wall. She stumbled back and shook her head, looking ahead at the tall, red... oh. That wasn't a wall. It was a very concerned stallion.
“Big Mac?”
He nodded. “Sorry,” he said softly.
“What? Oh! No, it was totally my fault, I wasn't paying much attention!” she said before giving him a soft smile. “What are you doing here? Are the ponytones playing again?” She gave a soft shiver. She hoped so, she could listen to that deep, powerful singing voice of his all day.
“Nnnnnope,” he said, motioning to his basket.
“Oh... right. Sorry, I ummm... I'd best...” She stopped and looked into his eyes. They were filled with concern. Big Mac may not have been much for words, but all the time she'd known him, he'd always been quite the good listener. She smiled gently at him. “Would... you be able to talk, for a moment?”
He gave a little nod and she moved up besides him. “So, it all started on saturday...”
------
Val stared up at the pony before him, one eye cocked. “You're... an idiot.”
“Hey, these games are cool! We play them all the time!”
“There's a bunny on the cover. Do I LOOK like the kind of pony who would play a game with a bunny on the cover?”
Flash sighed. “Well... I guess if you want something a little more violent... here. How about we play with these.” He pulled out a small square box. On the cover was a robed unicorn controlling blades of ice, a pegasus dodging between some of the blades while wearing thin, black armor. Behind them an earth pony in a gray robe was bucking a tree down, that was falling down onto a dragon as it shot its flames out over the falling wood. In big, golden letters it said 'Armies of Equestria, Core Edition'.
Val stared, drooling slightly. It was, bar none, the most awesome, amazing, coolest thing he'd ever seen. He then paused. “Wait, are there bunnies in it?”
“Well, one but--”
“Next game!” Val snapped.
“But it--”
“I said next game!” Val stomped his hooves angrily.
Flash sighed and put the box down. He could hear the other soldiers, giggling at his miss fortune as he pulled out a small, griffon board game. “Here, no bunnies.”
------
Cheerilee sighed again. “I thought he was really doing better, I did! But then he lit Diamond Tiara on fire.”
“Ehwut?” Big Mac asked, glancing up from the oranges he was looking over.
“It's not as bad as it sounds! Well, okay. It is. But it was only minor bit of damage. Her mane was a little singed and her crown. I understand that he needs help right now, that he needs ponies to help him through everything. I for one couldn't begin to imagine what I would do if I was suddenly thrown into a strange body on two hooves, having to... well, walk on two hooves. Whatever else they'd do. But I can't bring him to school for a while. He needs adult supervision. I can take the time off, but I don't have many vacation days left and an extended leave could cause some problems for the school and get me in a lot of trouble.”
Big Mac nodded, finally picking out an orange. He didn't say anything for so long that Cheerilee suspected he was ignoring her, but finally he turned and looked to her. “We could watch 'im at the farm.”
That made her pause. “Wait. You could? You mean you and Applejack?”
He gave a little nod.
“Are... are you sure? He can be a bit of a hoofful.”
He gave another nod. “Eeyup. It maight do 'im some good. It won't be no vacation,” he said with a shake of his head. “Especially after he went an' lit some poor filly on fire. But maybeh a bit of good, hard labor'll help set 'im straight.”
She nodded. “Nothing... too hard, I hope? As I said, he's still learning to walk on all four hooves. He's getting better, mind you. But he still has a long way to go. He can't grab things with his hooves, either.”
He nodded again. “Ah'm sure. We won't work 'im to the ground. Jus' make him do some proper chores, tire 'im out a bit so he don't give yah such a rough time.”
Cheerilee lunged forward and hugged the massive stallion. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you! You're absolutely a life saver, Big Mac! I don't know... err...” She slowly pulled back and gave him a small, shy smile. “Sorry.”
He looked away, his cheeks red as he struggled to not think of her as anypony but his little sister's teacher. Yup, just a teacher. Nothing more, nothing less. Definitely not anything more. He coughed and tried speaking up again. “So, how's Diamond?”
“Diamond? Oh, she's doing fine. Ever since she took over as treasurer her anti-social behaviors have dropped considerably. Rather than trying to bully ponies around and force them to do what she wants, she's resorted to asking. She's quite the natural born leader, in fact. I've been thinking of allowing her more responsibilities in the class now that she's knocked off a lot of her 'I must win everything' attitude. She's been hanging out with your little sister quite a lot now, as well as the other crusaders. They've been a marvelous influence on her. Though I do worry they will end up covered in more sap.” She couldn't look him in the eye any more and she knew she was rambling, she just couldn't help it. “Oh, wait. You meant the fire? Oh, she's perfectly fine. She bounced right back, in fact and went straight to playing.”
Big Mac chuckled and gave a little nod. “Ah see. It's good tah here she's doin' better. Ah know she could always be a bit...” He trailed off and seemed thoughtful for a few moments. Before finally shrugging. “She could be a bully.”
Cheerilee nodded and gave a soft chuckle. “Yes, she could. I've seen plenty of ponies with that sort of behavior, though. It's quite common considering her upbringing. Fortunately, most ponies do grow out of it. Some don't, but most do.” She then looked back to him, gulping a little. “I'm... actually hopeful your sister and her friends can help Val as well. He's been quite... his behavior improved considerably after the short time they were together. They seemed to have taken a bit of a shine to him, though I imagine it's because he's a blank flank. But still, it vastly improved his behavior.” She then let out an exasperated sigh. “Granted, in this case ONLY lighting a pony on fire is considered vastly improved. I do hope that guard is okay.”
------
Flash sneezed and simultaneously felt a shiver go down his spine.
“You going to make your move, or not?” Val snapped.
“I'm going, I'm going.”
------
Cheerilee smiled as she put the last item, a big ripe tomato, into her saddle bag. She then gave Big Mac a small smile. “So, I can drop him by in the morning. Would that be okay?”
The stallion gave a small little nod. “Eeyup.” He then gave her a small smile, before turning to trot away. She watched him walk away for longer than she should have, before shaking her head and gently trotting back towards home. Hopefully Val hadn't turned Flash into a turtle or something.
When she trotted into the castle, she shivered. It was deafeningly quiet. A chill went down her spine and she prayed to the heavens that Val hadn't killed some pony and she wasn't arriving after they'd come to take him away. She nervously trotted forward. “Hello?” she called out in a soft whisper.
There was no answer. Oh no, oh no no no no! She started walking faster.
Then she heard it.
“Hah! Eat fire, winged pony!” Val's voice rang out.
She shrieked and galloped, shoving the doors open. “Val, don't... don't... don't?” she said, staring in confusion.
Val was laying on his stomach, a board game set in front of him. Little tiny ships were on the board and Flash took off a small piece before waving to her. “Hey Miss Cheerilee. You sunk my cloud skimmer. Okay, how about... D3?”
“Hah, miss!” the colt said proudly. “Ummmm... F6!”
“No, another hit!”
“HAH! DEVOUR MY FLAAAAAMES! I am the master general of the air wars!”
Flash chuckled softly and Cheerilee noticed him move one of his ships to F6, before putting a hit on it. She couldn't keep a small smile from her lips as she sat down and watched them. Soon enough the game ended(Val won) and she moved over to help them clean up. “Thank you very much for keeping him entertained while I was gone,” she said softly.
“Oh, it wasn't any problem. He's not so bad once you get past the death threats and... other things,” Flash said with a small, nervous smile. “Did... err... did he really light a pony on fire?”
“It was once. And he's very, very sorry for it,” Cheerilee said, glaring down at the colt. “Were you threatening the guard?”
“What? No!” Val said quickly, shaking his head. “I-I wasn't, honest! I promised I wouldn't and I kept my promise even when I got mad and he sunk my little air ship I didn't threaten him at all!”
Cheerilee stared down at him, before looking up at Flash. “When you sunk his air ship, what did he call you?” Out of the corner of her eye she saw the colt twitch.
“It's... really not something that bears repeating.”
The teacher sighed. “I'm sorry he's been such a hoofful. Fortunately, it'll only be this one time. I've found somewhere else to put him for the rest of the week.”
Flash let out an audible sigh of relief, before cringing. “Err, I mean, he's... really not so bad. Honest. If you need any more help, just ask.” He quickly saluted with a strained smile.
She nodded. “Thank you, but it shouldn't be necessary. Val, come along.” She turned and started trotting out the door. She heard the light clops of Val's hooves besides hers.
“Are you still mad at me?”
“I am furious with you,” she said without looking down. “You lit a filly on fire. You promised not to use your magic, and you lit her on fire.”
“But, but she made me so mad and--”
“That is no excuse for violence. There is NEVER an excuse for violence. What you did, Val, was WRONG. Do you even understand that? Do you comprehend what you've done? What if you'd really hurt her?”
“But she--”
“No. No buts. No 'but Cheerilee's. No 'I'm sorry's. What you did was wrong and dangerous. I understand you're scared and upset. But Val, you need to learn that you can't hurt ponies like that. If you get angry, use your words or put yourself in a time out. You don't hurt other ponies!”
“But... but back home we were--”
“You aren't back home and, frankly, if your mother and family was half as bad as the stories you tell, they should have been locked away forever! And banished! And locked away where they're banished!”
She could hear a soft sob from the boy. She looked down and tried not to feel bad, but she couldn't help it. He wasn't verbally bawling this time. This time it was soft and weak. Just a gentle little sob, silent tears starting to go down his face. She moved over and stopped, gently putting a hoof around him. “Val, I'm angry. I'm very, very angry with you. But that doesn't mean I don't still love you. It just means I'm very mad at you.”
He let out a soft little gasp. “You... you love me?” he asked weakly, staring up at her with wide eyes.
“Of course. You're one of my students, in a way. A gentle little child who needs care and knowledge.” She softly pat his head. “What you did was wrong and you need to be punished for it. But that doesn't mean I hate you. Understand?”
He nodded, before leaning up to give her a great big hug. “O-okay,” he said softly, leaving a wet mark on her chest as he buried his head in it. “I-I love you too mommy.”
She froze. Oh no. Oh no no no. Nope. Nope nope. No way. She did not just hear that. She could feel the color drain from her face. She had not just heard that. She had mis heard it, that was it. Mis heard. There was no way, just... no. She shivered and thought back to what Twilight had said.
Oh buck no.
“Errr, right. So, Val, we need to talk, though. I can't take you to school with me for a while. You are, effectively, suspended.”
He pulled back his head and cocked it to the side. “What?”
“That means no school for a while. Fortunately, a friend of mine is going to be watching you for the week. A good friend. I'll be dropping you off in the morning and picking you up in the evening after school.”
He scowled. “But I don't--”
“You lit a filly on fire. It doesn't matter what you want. Until I'm sure you can behave yourself, you're not going to school at all. Understand?”
He looked ready to speak again, but the look in her eyes made him waver and he gave a small nod. “S-sorry...” he whispered.
“Good. Now that that's settled, onto the next task at hoof. I've submitted an application, hopefully before the week is over, we can get you in to see a psychiatrist. They'll be able to talk with you and help you deal with your issues. Understand?”
He shook his head. “Not... really?”
“A psychiatrist is a pony that helps you deal with negative thoughts and... think of it as an adult you can talk to who will keep all of your secrets and not judge you or object to what you say.”
He blinked a few times before nodding. “Okay...”
“You'll understand after a session. Now, come along. There's dinner to be started. We need to finish cleaning up all that junk outside, too. After all that's done, we can do some arts and crafts before bed, if there's time.”
“Arts and whats? What about the box?”
“No television tonight. You're still in trouble.”
He grumbled darkly, but followed after her when she trotted off.
------
Rarity smiled as she sat at the foot of the bed, Claw's head laying gently in her lap. Sweetie and Silverbelle were now sound asleep at the head of the bed, covered up in the thick, soft blankets. Claw's eyes were drooping as he listened to her soft voice reading the small children's book held in her magic.
His eyes closed against and his head went limp, slightly drooling on her leg. To her amazement, she didn't really mind. Instead she closed the book and put it on Sweetie's bedside table. Then, gently, she lifted Claw in her magic, slid off the bed and laid him across her back. She then started trotting out of the room as quietly as she could. Besides Sweetie's room was Claw's and she moved inside, gently depositing him on the cot she'd brought out from storage.
Normally she'd have been annoyed, having to give up her storage room and stuff everything into her inspiration room, but now she didn't. Right now all she could think as she slid the little dragon pony into bed was that he was quite adorable when he slept. He definitely had the family's white coat and more gentle features. He'd be quite the cute little stallion when he grew up. Probably beating the mare's off with a stick.
Well, that or he'd have a hoard of jewels and live in a mountain. Who knew? This was hardly an exact science. Either way, though, she couldn't help feeling a little warmth as she looked down at her little baby boy, before leaning down to give him a kiss on the forehead and pull the covers up. She turned and trotted out, turning off the light and pausing. Well, her baby boy or Sweetie's. Ugh, why did time travel have to make everything so... difficult?
She made it downstairs and smiled. She could hear the gentle running water from the kitchen. Spike was cleaning up now. She couldn't deny that she quite enjoyed his help. Without him, she wasn't sure she'd have been able to take care of all the children. She couldn't imagine what led her aunt and uncle to just abandon Silverbelle in her lap. Whatever they were doing, she hoped it was important. Probably off in Canterlot, gallivanting around with the nobles. Not that she could blame them for wanting to do that, but it was still quite annoying.
She walked into the kitchen as he put the last dish away. He wiped off his claws and turned around, nearly toppling off the little foot stool he had to use to reach the sink. “H-hi Rarity,” he said softly.
She moved over and gave him a little nuzzle, drawing a deep red blush to his cheeks. “Thank you for helping with everything. I know you don't have to, but--”
“Of course I have to!” he said indignantly. “Claw is my kid too! I can't just leave it all on you!”
She smiled and then gave him a little kiss on the cheek. “You'd be amazed at just how many ponies aren't quite as noble as you are, at least with a child from the future. Probably,” she said before pulling back and trotting towards the front room.
He stared, watching her go with a little giggly grin on his face. “Hee... hee hee... I uhhh... hee hee... errrr... you... make it easy to want to be noble,” he said softly as he watched her go, a claw rubbing his cheek.
“With a silver tongue as well,” she said with a small snicker. “I'm going to do a little light reading. Would you care to join me?”
He nodded quickly and ran over, a wide grin on his face. She laid down on the couch and used her magic to pull him up besides her. She then pulled out a small blue book. “It's one of Daring Do's. Rainbow's constant begging finally convinced me to give it a small chance.”
He nodded as he nestled against her coat. “Ohhhh, this one is good.”
“Oh? You've read it?”
“Uh huh! She... well, I won't spoil it, but it's good. Really good.”
She nodded and slowly pulled it open to the first page. “Okay then. How about we read it together?”
He nodded and grinned before starting. “The clouds were dark and...”
Cheerilee sighed and pushed the boy along, grumbling darkly as he resisted her every step of the way. “Come. On.”
“I don't wannaaaaaa!” Val whined as he tried pushing back, not that it did him any good. She was bigger, stronger and had to get to class in thirty minutes. She was in no mood to deal with his little tantrums.
“Val! Move it! You're going to make me late!”
“But you'll never come pick me up!” he whined again, shaking his head.
“Of course I'm going to come pick you up! I wouldn't do that to the Apples!” she snapped angrily. “Stop fighting! It's just a farm, you'll be fine, I swear. You just need to move it!”
“But I don't wannaaaaa!” he whined again, shaking his head. “Can't I just stay home?”
Visions of her house burned down flooded to her mind and she shook her head. “No. Not a chance.” She'd only barely managed to get all the junk brought in the other day(whatever wasn't going to be trashed) and she did not want to come home to find all her windows shattered, amongst other damage. “Big Mac will take good care of you, I promise.”
“N-- EEP!”
She finally gave up on pushing him and with a flick, tossed him into the air and caught him on her back. She then trotted along. “If you don't knock it off, you're getting a spanking.”
He growled, but slowly went limp, putting on a passive, if useless, resistance. She sighed and shook her head. Sometimes she could just... bleep.
The farm soon came into sight and she let out a sigh of relief. Freedom. She swore the house had a radiant halo of light shining down on it. She looked around, but didn't see any sight of Applebloom. The filly must have already headed off, another reminder that she was going to be late. She trotted up to the door and knocked. “Hello?” she called out.
There was no response. “Well, they aren't here I guess you need to take me to school!” Val said quickly with a big grin on his face. He went quiet when she glared at him. She then knocked again. “Is anypony here?”
“Well, howdy,” a voice called out, making Cheerilee turn. She smiled at the orange earth pony trotting over, cowpony hat over her ears.
“Ah, Applejack. Is your brother around? I need to drop off Val.”
“He's out around back. But don't yah worry one lick, he already told meh all about your lil problem.”
“Your accent makes you sound like you have worms crawling through your brain!” Val said angrily, glaring at her.
The mare was taken aback, before snickering into her hoof. “Mai oh mai. Bit of a fire brand that one, eh? Ah heard about 'im a lil.” She trotted over and picked him up in one hoof. He had the oddest impression of being held by a dragon, though he had no idea why. “Well, don't yah worry one bit. Ah've heard 'em all, colt. A lil insult ain't gonna make yah any less welcome.”
He frowned and opened his mouth, but Cheerilee cut him off. “Val, you're already in a lot of trouble. Do you want to get in more?”
He grumbled, but shook his head.
“Good. So will you be watching him today, or will Big Mac?”
“He will,” Applejack said before putting the colt on the ground. “Now yah both follow meh. We got a whole day of fun an' excitement planned. Well, at least some good ol' work. What with summer festivities comin' an' all, we gotta lotta stuff tah set up. Hay maze is gonna be a right toughie this year an' ah think helpin' with that'll be jus' what the doctor ordered.”
“Err, hay bales? He's not very--”
“Ah, don't yah worry one lick. Apple Bloom does this kinda work every mornin',” the mare said before gazing down at him. “Ah mean, sure, he's a bit scrawny, but he'll toughen up.”
“Well, if you're sure,” Cheerilee mumbled. “We had breakfast, but I can try to swing by for lunch and--”
“Now don't yah fret about it. We're gonna put him tah proper work an' when yah work on a farm, yah eat on a farm,” Applejack said with a chuckle. There was a loud, thunderous thump. The closest thing Val could compare it to was the sound of a mountain being hit by a pillar. They walked around the house and he came in sight.
The tall, majestic red stallion, carved of stone. Val knew he wasn't THAT big. In fact, he'd seen dozens of monsters and spiders far, far bigger. But that didn't make him SEEM any smaller than a mountain. Then he kicked a tree. It rattled and he half expected it to collapse. He was amazed there weren't deep gouges in the wood. The pony might have brought down the whole underdark. A single sprig of wheat rested casually in his mouth, but it barely moved as he kicked, as if all the force was spread through the tree with none left to make its way to his face.
But, powerful or not, he was still just a pony. A big, giant, kind of intimidating pony, but a pony. Val glowered up at him.
“Okay, so I have something for you, too,” Cheerilee said as she moved over to Big Mac. She glanced to Val. “Stay with Applejack a moment.” She then walked to the stallion and leaned in, pulling out a small box from her saddle bag. “It's a magic inhibitor. The hospital gave it to me when I dropped him off. Only use it in emergencies, though. His magic... it's not like pony magic. It might end up hurting him. But if he gets too dangerous, I understand.”
Big Mac looked down at the box, before looking to the colt. “Went an' lit a filly on fire?”
Cheerilee nodded and he eyed the box for a few more seconds.
“Might hurt 'im?”
She nodded again.
He looked between the two, pondering for a few moments. Finally, he shook his head. “Eehhhh nope. Ah'll be fine.”
“But he can really--”
“A lil magic ain't gonna hurt meh. Ah ain't doin' nothin' gonna hurt some lil colt,” he said firmly.
She smiled and gave a nod, putting it away. “I can't tell you how happy I am to hear you say that. But I felt I should at least offer.” She took a deep breath and looked back to Val. “Now, honey? I want you to do whatever Big Mac says and DON'T give him trouble. Understand?”
He grumbled, but slowly nodded. “Fine. Whatever. Not like I care or anything.”
She sighed and nodded, before smiling to Big Mac. “Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much this means to me.”
He nodded. “Ain't no problem. Now, run along tah school now.”
She nodded and turned away, trotting off. His eyes lingered on her for a few moments before he slowly lowered his gaze. Big Mac and Val looked at each other, before the stallion turned towards the open fields on the right, filled with hay bales. “Usually it's Applebloom's job tah do this, but ah think it'll do yah some good. Come along.” He started lightly trotting off.
Val gave the other mare a glare, before trotting off the stallion. If that... behemoth thought he could boss the great and powerful Val around, he had another thing coming. He wasn't some rube like these silly earth ponies. Why, they couldn't even do magic. He then looked down at the ground, expecting to see great dents from the stallion's hoof prints. There weren't even the slightest marks. Earth ponies couldn't do magic, could they? He suddenly began feeling slightly less sure about all this.
He stopped on the edge and pointed out to little flags around the field. “Job is simple enough, yah need tah push or pull the bails across the field towards the flags. Which is nearest. From there, me an' Applejack'll come pick 'em up an' take 'em tah the big stacks. Here.” He held out a small rope with a thick, curved hook and bit. “Yah put the hook on the ropes an' hold the bit in your mouth, tuggin' it along. Yah got that?”
“You... you've got to be kidding me,” Val said softly. “You expect me to do work like THAT?”
The stallion gave a nod. “Eeyup. It'll do yah good.”
The little colt looked at the rope, the bales of hay and then finally the stallion. He grit his teeth before, finally, he snapped.
Big Mac looked down at the ranting little colt with a single eyebrow raised. The sprig of wheat in his mouth traveled from one side to the other a few times as he contemplated the words spewing from the arrogant little brat.
Finally, after the fourth or fifth threat against his family and lineage unto the ninth generation, he moved.
Val was cut off by a hoof roughly the size of the moon pressing down on his spine. It drove him to the floor and held him there, squeezing the air out of him momentarily. It didn't hit him very hard, but it was just unmoving and unrelenting, like gravity itself had decided to just take him down and the rest of his body had no intentions to fight back. No matter how he resisted, there was no fighting back against it, might as well have tried pushing back the moon.
Mac leaned down, slow and steady, and stared him in the eye. The red furred stallion stared until Val blinked and looked away, before saying in his low bass voice. "Eh...nope. None of that. Ya'lls gonna do your chores. Or no supper. "
“B-but--”
“No. Supper,” the behemoth said again, before slowly lifting up.
“W-well, fine! I don't need supper anyway!” Val said, glaring up at the stallion defiantly.
Big Mac just stared back and didn't say a word. Watching the colt. Val gulped nervously and, once again, had to look away. “Stupid... dumb... BLEEPing pony. Looks like a... like a giant red... ox... or... something.” He walked over grudgingly to the rope, picked up the bit in his mouth, and moved to the first bale. He latched the hook on and started pulling.
The stallion watched with cool indifference, though internally he was slightly worried. The colt was quite scrawny and tiny and the hay bales were quite large. Was it too much for the colt? But then, after a few tugs, the bale began to move and inch by inch he dragged it along towards the flag. He waited until it was all the way over before he gave a slight nod of approval.
“Eeyup. Good job.”
“Hmph.” Val was panting slightly, a thin layer of sweat over his body. It wasn't much, but then the boy was only just starting.
“Now, yah keep at it. Ah'll be keeping an eye on your progress.” He then turned to trot off.
Val growled once the stallion was out of sight. He should just toss the rope on the ground, chase after the stallion and start yelling again. But he could still feel that hoof on his spine and it made him shiver. Well, the stallion wasn't here. If he slacked, well, then that giant buffoon would never know.
Yet, he was sure he would. He swore he could almost feel that creature watching him. He looked around, but didn't see anything. He looked to the next hay bale and gulped. It didn't... matter, did it?
Grudgingly, he walked towards the next bale and latched on.
Big Mac smiled from his hiding spot behind one of their larger trees, before turning to walk off and get to work. The colt really wasn't so bad once you got him to actually shut up and work. Still, he pitied any pony who he called momma or dadda. Now that was a horror story for the ages.
------
Cheerilee cringed as the school came into sight. Standing outside of it was the last stallion she wanted to see. A brown stallion with a dark gray mane. Filthy Rich.
“Hello, Filthy,” she said with a sigh.
“Miss Cheerilee!” he said firmly. She had to resist rolling her eyes. Where did he get off calling her 'miss'? She wasn't that old! In fact, he was older than her! By a few years. She understood the kids calling her it, but why did all of her peers and even elder have to call her it? And the princess? Would Celestia be calling her it next? Her first name was NOT miss! “I need to talk with you about that little ruffian that came to school the other day. The one who assaulted my little girl!”
Cheerilee looked down at Diamond. To her surprise, the child looked more worried. Normally she looked smug during situations like this, when her daddy came to fight her battles. But this time she looked as if she didn't want him here at all. Maybe she really was improving. “Yes. He has been suspended for the week.”
“Suspension? That's not enough! He needs to be expelled! He--”
She closed her eyes and listened to him rant and rave. She was not in the mood for this. She needed to get started for class, not deal with an upset parent. She looked down and then motioned the ponies inside, sending the children off. “You too, Diamond. Your father and I are going to have a talk.”
Once they were gone, she turned to him and sighed. “Now, Filthy, I--”
“Rich.”
“Filthy, I know you're upset.” She took far more pleasure in the glare he was giving her than she should have, but she was in no mood. “What happened to Diamond was an accident. He's a young colt with problems. He's being punished, but suspension is where it starts and where it ends. There won't be a next time and expelling him is not happening.”
He frowned deeper. “He's a menace, he doesn't belong amongst normal ponies. I'll go to the school board! He should be locked away and--”
And she lost her temper. She was tired, grouchy, spent all night dealing with Val and stressing about all this. So she hoped she could be forgiven. “He is a child unlike anything ANY of us have experienced. He comes from another dimension where the monsters from places like the Everfree Forest are tame. Where being caught and eaten alive by giant spiders isn't just a danger, it's a common occurrence and a form of entertainment!” She advanced and the stallion had the good grace to back up, suddenly looking nervous. “He's probably seen more horrifying sights in his short few years than most of us adults will EVER see in our entire lives! Not only that, he has been sucked out of his home and deposited in a new world, with a new body and with brand new rules of how EVERYTHING works less than four whole days ago! So yes, there is going to be a bit of problems with him! But I'm not going to let you try to mess up the little bit of a new life he is struggling to make for himself because he made one mistake! A big mistake, yes, but a mistake! So the suspension is the first and LAST punishment. Do. I. Make. My. Self. Clear?” she said, punctuating each of the last words by getting less than an inch from his face.
Filthy gulped. “Y-you can't... expect m-me to believe such a--”
“Take it up with Princess Twilight if you don't believe me. She's currently in the midst of trying to study his dimension and find out what kind of threat it poses to us and to everypony else. If you want to take this to the school board, then go right ahead. We'll work it around her schedule.” She felt a little bad dropping the princess' name like that, but it was soooo worth it watching the color drain from his face.
“Well... ah... I suppose... my daughter wasn't hurt. And considering... the circumstances of his, errr, arrival, a few... missteps could be understood. Suspension should be fine.” He couldn't even look at her anymore.
She didn't answer. She just glared at him. He gulped and started trotting off, breaking into a brisk gallop once he was out of the school yard. She watched him leave, her eyes twitching slightly.
Then she let out a soft sigh as the first bell went off. Her heart was beating like a drum and she wanted to just go inside, curl up and whine. It was too early in the morning for this. She trotted inside and grumbled darkly. Diamond was waiting outside the room and Cheerilee prepared for the worst. She couldn't just yell at her. She'd have to listen to the child's tirade about expelling Val and banishing and imprisoning him where he is banished with calm, collected behavior. It was too early, but she readied herself for the worst.
“I'm sorry,” the filly said softly.
That, on the other hoof, gave the teacher pause. “I'm sorry?”
“I didn't want to tell daddy, I knew he'd get upset. But he saw the singe marks on my tiara and I couldn't lie about it,” she said softly.
Cheerilee paused and stared at the filly. She'd been trying to protect the boy? Even after what he'd done? She couldn't help but smile. Yes, the crusaders were really becoming a marvelous influence on her. She still had a while to go, but she had a feeling she'd be alright, in the end. She stepped forward and gentle patted her on the head. “It's okay. You shouldn't lie to your parents, anyway. I've dealt with Val.”
She nodded. Then paused. “He's... not going to attack me... again, is he?”
“He won't be coming back for a week and no, he will never attack you again. It was very kind of you to try to protect him after what he did.”
She sighed and scuffed a hoof. “It was Scootaloo's idea,” she mumbled softly. “Said it was an accident and stuff...”
She nodded. “In many ways, it was. It was still very sweet of you. Now, run along.”
She watched the filly trot inside and let out a soft, content sigh. That was just what she needed. One good, kind, sweet little filly who could actually show compassion, forgiveness and empathy to a pony, even when they hurt her. One who was maturing into a good, responsible adult. Her heart was still pounding, but at least now it felt warmth.
------
Val growled as he dragged one final hay stack into the pile and collapsed, panting on the ground. His entire body was covered in sweat and he didn't know how much more of this he could take. He was hot, everything ached and, worst of all, he'd only made a small dent in the hay bales. He'd been working at it for hours, too, but all the rests he had to take was making it take forever. He'd never get all this done, not in a hundred thousand years! Why didn't he have any move things fast spells? Ugh.
A heavy hoof step besides him made him look up. He groaned at the sight of the massive behemoth. “What do you want?”
“Time for supper,” Big Mac said, before reaching out, plucking the colt up as if he was light as a feather, before dropping him on the back that had to be made of dwarven steel.
“Not hungry...”
“Trust me, yah are,” he said before trotting back, heading towards the house. As they got closer, he could hear a light ringing.
“Yah all come an' get it now!” a pony called. He'd... never seen something so old. He swore a stiff wind would have knocked the ancient creature to bits. Her yellow coat was faded and her legs looked like they'd crumble to dust. Yet she was walking around without any problems. Well, okay, a few problems.
He was dropped in a chair and the three earth ponies sat by him. He glowered at all three of them as his meal was dished up. A sweet roll, some kind of thick stew and two big apples. Seriously, how much did they think he could eat? He was just a little colt. He couldn't help getting a little frustrated as he watched them... grip things and pick them up. It wasn't fair. HE wanted to grip things and pick them up, too! Ugh. He leaned forward and had to nibble with his mouth.
“What's amatter, lil feller? Your horn don't work? Don't see many of yah fancy horn ponies usin' their mouth like the rest of us,” the older pony said.
He turned and glared at her. “I'd use my hooves but the stupid things are flat. Your silly pony magic doesn't work on them to let me grip things.”
That just made her look confused. However, before she could object, Applejack piped up. “His horn don't work like that. Can't do none of that fancy telekinesis stuff. Ain't that right, Big Mac?”
“Eeyup,” the stallion said with a nod. “'sides, he's still learnin' how things work here. Ain't no problem how he eats, as long as he does.”
Val wanted to add some things, but he was too tired. He didn't even know how... he stared at his plate. Where had his food gone? The thing had been full just a second ago. Had he eaten it already? There was no way, he--
“Yah want seconds?” Applejack asked with a smile. “Ah know it's your first day, all this hard labor can work up quite the appetite.”
“Ummm... yes please,” he said, staring at his empty plate still. All that remained was two apple cores and even those were starting to look appetizing. Soon enough he was holding his very full stomach and leaning back a bit. He then looked to the giant red pony. Was he going to send him right back out?
“Yah can have a bit of a rest 'fore getting' back tah work,” the stallion said. “Let your food settle.”
He nodded slowly, too tired and full to object or complain. He closed her eyes and smiled. Some of this wasn't so bad, now that he thought about it. A little bit of it was actually kind of nice. The work sucked, but the food was good. He wasn't getting complained at, either, even though he knew he wasn't doing a good job. He was doing his best and--
His eyes widened. They knew he was doing his best! Those... those tricky ponies! That's why they were being nice! He knew they were watching him. He'd show them, he'd... he'd... he'd just take a short little nap in this very comfy chair.
------
Cheerilee hummed happily as she trotted towards the farm. Well, she didn't see any smoke or fire, so that was a good sign. In fact, that was a better sign than she'd hoped. She'd truly expected the place to be completely destroyed, wrecked, burned to ashes. Well, okay. She'd expected a singed tree and a pissed off Apple family. Instead, everything seemed calm and quiet. Off in the distance she could hear the steady thump of trees being bucked. Big Mac was near the house, tending to the trees nearby. His sweaty, glistening coat-- Ack, no, bad idea. Focus on other things. She let out a sigh of relief when he stopped and walked over, nodding to her.
She took a deep breath. Well, it was now or never. “So, Val. How uhhhh... how was he? Was he okay?” Please don't be too much property damage, please don't be too much property damage.
He stared at her for a few moments before giving a slow, steady nod. “Eeyup.” He then motioned her to follow him as he trotted off. She gulped nervously, but followed.
Val was in the living room, curled up on the couch on his side. He was a bit sticky from sweat, but nothing too bad. She smiled.
“He's kind of cute when he's sleeping, isn't he?”
For a few moments the stallion didn't say a word, but then he nodded.
“Shame he can't sleep all the time, huh?”
“Eeyup,” the stallion said without a moment's hesitation, drawing a smile from her.
She moved closed and reached out, before stopping. “Are you absolutely certain you'll be okay watching him all week? I mean... I know all this is kind of... it's a lot of responsibility. He can be kind of a pain, a trouble maker. And I know--”
He walked over and patted her on the back. “Eeyup.”
She smiled to him and nodded. Only he could calm a worried mare with just one well placed word. “Thank you. You're a true gentlecolt, Big Mac.” She then reached out and softly shook the colt. His eyes opened groggily and he looked up at her.
“Huh? Wha? Ow!” he whined, rolling over. “My legs hurt!”
“Hard work'll do that,” Big Mac said with a nod. “Yah'll get used tah it.”
Cheerilee looked down nervously. “Will he be okay?”
“Eeyup.”
Val whined softly, glaring at the stallion. “You... you did this to me!” He pointed a hoof accusingly.
Cheerilee smiled and then picked him up, gently putting him on her back. “Come on, Val. Let's get you home and cleaned up. You smell just awful.”
“Ughhhhh...” he whined as he was carried off. “I don't have to come back, do I?”
“Tomorrow you will, dear.”
There was another exasperated whine. However, as she made it to the door, Applejack was standing outside with a wagon, a wide grin on her face. “Hey, Miss Cheerilee.”
There it was again. Applejack wasn't nearly young enough to be calling her that. Did most ponies think her first name was miss?
“We got a few things tah help yah out while you're takin' care of him.”
Cheerilee paused and peered into the wagon. Her face lit up as she saw the old cabinet and a small cot. It wasn't much, but it would give Val a bed to sleep in. She smiled to the mare. “Why thank you. I think we have just the space for it.” She then paused. “How did you know?”
“Fluttershy mentioned it. With Twilight mentioning he was just dumped on yah like that, figured we could lend yah some stuff until he's gone.”
The teacher blinked and then smiled. Of course. The pegasus was bound to notice something so important missing from the room. Though she was a little surprised the mare hadn't just assumed there was a second bed stored somewhere else. Twilight probably mentioned everything to Applejack, too. She grinned as she imagined the earth pony visiting the princess, probably to make sure she ate something. Likely by force, if the princess' current state was any indication.
“Thank you very much.” She put Val into the wagon. “I'll try to put it to good use and bring it back as soon as we're done.”
“Ain't no worries, don't got much use for it now until the big reunions, anyway. So use it as long as yah like.”
She nodded and trotted off. At least now he'd have a bed. Maybe it would make him slightly less annoying some days. She snickered softly. What if all along all he'd needed was a good night's sleep?
Cheerilee awoke with a happy groan, sitting up and stretching. The weekend was finally here! Even better, there was no spider on her face, yay! She crawled out of bed and did another stretch, this time full body. She felt great as she turned back towards the door and started trotting out.
The last three days had gone relatively smoothly. Val hadn't seemed to have any more break downs, the Apples seemed fine with him and the other children were getting along well. Val was normally so tired when they finally got home he'd fall asleep on the couch and barely even twitch when she hauled him off to bed. She was half tempted to drop him off with the Apples again, but she knew that wouldn't be fair. Besides, he could use a bit of rest. The exercise was good, helping to give him some muscle, but sometimes a pony needed some time to play. She hummed softly as she trotted downstairs.
She let out a soft snicker as she walked towards his room. She could hear him snoring in there, making her roll her eyes. Such a silly pony, weekends were supposed to be early wake up days for kids. Well, he'd been working hard, she could let him have a little nap. She trotted towards the kitchen and paused.
A big, purple envelope was laying on the counter. She slowly moved over and flipped it over. A royal seal. She gulped and opened it.
Please bring Val by once you're up and eaten. Thanks!
She sighed and closed it. The princess hadn't even signed the thing. She then looked to the bedroom. Should she skip breakfast and get him up? She shook her head and trotted into the kitchen and started cracking some eggs. It could wait until after breakfast, the princess would have probably just barged in and waited for them in person if it was anything too important. Besides, she wanted to let him sleep a little longer. He was always at his cutest when he was sleeping.
She wondered if maybe she should get him a real bed. Sure, it would be a bit expensive, but he couldn't sleep on the cot forever. In a few weeks it--
She shook her head and cringed. No no NO. He wouldn't be here in a few weeks. He was going somewhere else, they were going to find him some real parents. She couldn't forget that. Just, ugh. She shook her head and trotted towards the room. “Val! Dear, wake up. It's time for breakfast.”
“Grumble...” he grumbled, rolling away so his back was to her and hugging Nibbler to his chest.
“Vallll. Get up.”
“Nooooooo...” he whined. “I don't wanna!”
“There's going to be hay bacon.”
“I don't eat hay!”'
“You eat hay just fine.”
“I do not! It made me sick!”
She rolled her eyes. She'd slid some into his food a few days ago and he'd loved it. Then she'd made the mistake of telling him what it was and, magically, he was suddenly 'poisoned' and 'dying'. It had cured itself the moment the television came on.
“Get up or I'll splash you with a glass of water,” she snapped before walking out. After a few minutes she heard him slide out of bed. She cringed when she heard the inevitable trip and fall.
“I'm okay!”
She rolled her eyes but smiled none the less. It was just how their mornings tended to be. As much as she hated to admit it, she kind of liked it. It was... well... he was... it was all in all...
She shook her head and went back to cooking, ignoring those thoughts that threatened to infect her mind.
------
“Here it is!” Twilight said proudly as she gestured towards a great mirror standing in the middle of a protected, empty room.
“What... is it?” Cheerilee asked, cocking her head to the side.
“A portal to another dimension!”
“AHHHH!” Val shrieked, before jumping behind Cheerilee. “My mom? Is she coming? Is she going to come through that?”
“What? No! No no no no no!” Twilight said quickly and shook her head. “Not your dimension, a different one entirely. It's safe. Well, far safer than yours.” She grinned back, her right eye twitching. Cheerilee wondered if the mare had gotten any sleep this entire week. “But, it should give me a chance to find out more about you! If I'm correct, in that dimension you may take your normal form. And Sunset will be meeting us there.”
“Is it safe?” Cheerilee asked as she stared at it.
“Of course. I've gone through it dozens of times,” Twilight said proudly. “Spike, too.” She paused and looked at Cheerilee sheepishly. “Though... I think it would be best if just Val and I went. We wouldn't want you meeting your other self. Trust me, I met my other self and... it's very, very disconcerting. That and the two legs thing... just trust me.”
The teacher nodded and looked down at Val. “Well... if you're sure, princess. Val, make sure you're careful and do whatever the princess says?”
He nodded, watching the portal. “So it's like a dimensional portal? I once traveled through one to an elemental plane, they aren't so bad.” He paused. “Well... okay, that one was. But that was more because of... anyway. I'll be fine.” He stepped forward confidently and looked up at the princess. “So, me first?”
“No, I will.” She smiled to the guards standing by the doorway. “Just keep everything under control while we're gone, okay?”
They looked worried, but nodded. Then, slowly, the alicorn and unicorn turned and walked into the mirror. Cheerilee watched them, chewing on her lower lip. Ohhhh, she hoped he'd be okay. What if something there hurt him?”
“Do you want to play a game?” one of the guards asked.
“Huh? Oh... no. I think I just want to wait,” she mumbled softly. It couldn't take that long, could it?
------
That feeling of worry had slowly been shifting into a new feeling.
Boredom. The princess and Val had been gone for HOURS, without any sign of when they were coming back. Well, there was one sign. A small book that apparently linked the two dimensions. Twilight had sent a message saying they'd met up with her friend and everything was fine, but that was hours ago. So now they just had to wait. She'd finally caved and joined the guards in a small board game. She was losing, hoofedly.
“How often do you ponies play these games?” she mumbled as she rolled the dice.
“Well,” Flash said sheepishly. “Royal guard duty is, for the most part, kind of boring. There's very rarely any need for us to do things. So only a fraction of the populace of guards is actually working at any time. The rest are on call and have to be available at a moment's notice, so we have to remain at the castle or where ever we've been chosen to be. There's only so much training and practice you can do, so a lot of us bring games to pass the time when we're off.”
She nodded. “Oh.” Then sighed as the pegasus rolled the dice.
“Sorry, I win again,” he said sheepishly, smiling at her.
She hmphed. “I saw you let Val win.”
“Well, of course. He was just a little colt. It would be kind of insulting to just let you win.” He paused. “Did... you want me to? Sorry, I didn't want to be rude.”
She sighed. While it would be a little insulting, she still kind of wished he'd let her just once. He--
There was a squeak from behind and she turned in time to see a small wagon, filled with jars, come through. They were filled with.... fluids and things of assorted colors. Twilight stepped forward a moment later, covered in... the fluids as well. She looked furious.
Val came through after, looking worried and a tad smug.
“I CAN'T BELIEVE, YOU... JUST... YOU... GROUNDED!” Twilight finally roared with enough fury to send their game board across the room.
“W-what? But I--”
“I DON'T CARE! GROUNDED!”
“F-for a day?” he asked hopeful like.
“FOR ALL OF THE DAYS!” the princess screamed, rearing up.
Cheerilee stared at the frazzled, obviously exhausted and... slime covered princess. “What... happened?”
“HE STARTED A CULT!” Twilight screamed, her voice in full royal canterlot mode.
“I-it was a small cult...” Val objected.
“But he is a colt?” Flash said, looking confused.
“HE SUMMONED AN ELDRITCH ABOMINATION!” Twilight shrieked, stomping a hoof so hard the stone floor cracked.
“I-it was a small eldritch abomination...” Val said pitifully.
“W-what?” Cheerilee asked, her eyes widening.
“IT ATE SUNSET SHIMMER WHOLE!”
“S-she got better!”
“IT EXPLODED ALL OVER FLASH SENTRY AND NEARLY DROWNED HIM!”
“W-well, that can happen when you... hit a demon with... laser beams made of friendship. I guess. And giant pony thing.”
“W-wait, I nearly drowned?” Flash asked, looking even more confused.
Cheerilee's mouth fell open. “He... he made a colt?”
“YES! HE MADE A CULT!” Twilight screamed, a nearby window shattering. “AND SUMMONED A DEMON! HIS MAGIC WORKS THERE! IT--”
“Princess, inside voice!” Cheerilee finally screamed, the sheer volume of the voice and extended sentences having finally sent the royal guards toppling over, not to mention it left a ringing in their ears.
“OH.” Twilight's horn glowed for a moment. “Right, sorry. Didn't even notice I turned that on. His magic works there. HIS magic, as in where ever he's from. He made a cult! We were only there a few hours and he made a cult!”
“But it was awesome,” Val whined.
“What part of MAKING a cult is AWESOME?” Twilight asked, before lifting up the jars. “Fortunately, when the monster exploded, we managed to get a ton of samples.” She paused for a moment. “And I'm sure Flash and Sunset will be fine after some therapy. A lot of therapy.”
“W-what? Why do I need therapy?” Flash asked, the confusion now permanently etched in his face.
“Nothing! I'm just going to research all this and then find out what's going on and how I can stop whatever those things are and--”
Cheerilee held a hoof to the princess' mouth, staring into her eyes. “Princess, when is the last time you slept? As in, a full night's sleep?”
“A few days, but don't need it. You see, there's so many more questions that I need to ask. Like why does his magic work there, but not here? Is his magic not supposed to work there? Why was he able to summon a creature like that? Was it even really alive? What if there's more, does his world have more like it? Does it--”
She was silenced by another hoof. “Princess. With all due respect. Go clean yourself off and take a shower. Then, get some sleep.”
“But I--”
“Now. Shower, then bed,” she said in full teacher voice, glaring at the mare. Even Val had suddenly stood at attention.
Twilight gulped, before sheepishly nodding and lowering her head. “Okay...” She walked off with her tail between her legs.
The guards watched her go, before Flash finally spoke up. “How did you do that? We've been trying to get her to sleep for days.”
“Teacher voice. It works on any good student, no matter how old or... princessy they are.” She then looked to Val and scowled. “Now. How did you make a colt?”
“Oh, I found a couple of idiots and convinced them through my magic that I was a leader of some great faction and then I used them as focuses for some dark, arcane magics. She needs to relax, it wasn't really anything dangerous. We used to summon things like that all the time back home. They're like... servants.”
“And... you turned these ponies into colts?”
“What? No. I made them my followers and we made a cult.”
“So you used this creature to make a colt?”
“What? No, I used the cult to make the demon.”
“Then how did you make the colt?”
“I told you, I got my followers to obey me and we made a cult.”
“So you turned one of your followers into a colt?” Cheerilee asked, staring in confusion. He just wasn't making any sense.
“I... what? No? They became members of my cult!”
“If they joined with the colt, where did the first colt come from?”
“I made it!”
“How? You... don't have life creating magic, do you?”
“What? No, why would I... what?”
The two just stared at each other in confusion, before looking to Flash.
“Hey, I don't know,” the stallion said with a shrug. “I'm still wondering how I almost drowned and why I need therapy.” He was reminded of his first day of training. His teacher had warned him that being a guard was ninety-five percent boredom, five percent terror and almost a hundred percent being so confused you wrapped back around to know what was going on.
“Ughhh, you suck,” Val grumbled, before eeping as Cheerilee turned her gaze back on him.
“You, young man, are grounded for, as the princess put it, 'all of the days'. Come on.” She turned and trotted towards the door, shaking her head. “I don't know how a colt can summon another colt and a... whatever she called it. Edith thing. Ugh.” She looked to Flash and gave him a small smile. “When the princess finally awakens, do let her know we will be back tomorrow? I'm sure after a good night's sleep she'll have plenty of new ideas. Hopefully ones that don't end in... that.” She motioned to the jars.
He gave a swift nod. “Of course. I will let her know immediately. Just as soon as she awakens.” He gave a quick salute.
She sighed and trotted off, only glancing back to make sure Val was still following her. “Val, do you enjoy this?”
“What?”
“Nevermind.”
------
Rarity took a deep breath as she eyed the approaching train. It was only a little further away, making her squint slightly in order to see the small billowing trail of smoke coming from the top. She smiled wide and sat down. “They should be here any moment, Silverbelle,” she said with a smile.
“Y-yay,” the little filly said softly, her eyes still lowered. Sweetie was sitting next to her, looking as bored as could be but at least trying to keep still. Claw was... well...
He was chasing a bug that was trying in vane to escape the little dragon pony. She was just thankful he wasn't trying to break anything or cause any mass destruction. There were a few other ponies waiting for the train, but all in all it seemed quite calm and relaxed.
She cringed as the train started to come to a stop, the shriek of metal brakes grinding against the metal rails. After a few more moments the train stopped and the doors opened. She held her breath in anticipation. Any moment now. Ponies started making their ways off, but there was no sign of the two. Rarity started to feel her smile waver. Could they have actually not come? How incredibly rude! They could have at least warned them! They--
Then two ponies stepped into sight and Silverbelle gasped. She galloped forward and started speaking in rapid prench. The two ponies spoke back, looking down at the mare with delight as they stepped out. There was no doubt who they were.
The stallion had a golden coat with a silver mane and was wearing a dashing black tuxedo. Rare Find, her uncle by marriage. However, the mare with him was wearing a flowing green dress made of some metallic material that... there was no way. Could those be shaved mana gems? The mare's coat was white with a golden mane. Around her neck was a small blue amulet carved with all manner of different symbols. Her aunt, on her mother's side, Precious.
“Oh, Rarity!” Precious said before stepping forward and hugging the mare, a moment before giving her a kiss on either cheek. “I simply must apologize for this last week! We truly did mean to arrive sooner, but we just kept getting swept up in the most problematic of commitments. First there was Hoity Toity, then Fancy Pants. We simply must tell you all about it!”
“It was no problem at all, aunty,” Rarity said with a smile as she hugged the mare. “Silverbelle has been an absolute doll. Such a well behaved and pleasant child.”
The mare nodded. “That is marvelous, simply marvelous.” She then stepped back and smiled down at the children. “And you must be Sweetie Belle.” She gave a light giggle at the shocked look on the filly's face. “I'll be honest, I was a bit miffed that my dear sister got to the name before I did. But I have heard that Sweetie Belle just suits you marvelously. I'm sorry it's been so long since we last met, I doubt you even remember me.”
“Oh, there's one more you need to meet,” Rarity said before bracing herself. It was now or never. “This is Claw. Claw! Come here, this is your...” She paused. “Great... aunt... I suppose.”
That made the mare pause and Rare's mouth fall open. Precious coughed into her hoof. “Great... aunt? You're... you had a child? I would have thought... oh...” She stared down at the little dragon pony as he came closer. “Is he... is...”
“Sweetie, how about you run along home with Claw and Silverbelle? I think I'd best have a chat with our aunt and uncle.”
“Awwww, but it's just getting good!” the filly whined, but quickly relented after a glare from her sister. Once they were out of sight the unicorn smiled to them.
“I'm truly sorry. You see... well...” How to explain Claw? She couldn't really imagine any easy way. “He's possibly Sweetie's child sent from the future to stop a major disaster that could possibly claim my life and the life of many others. Well, he could actually be my child from the future but... time magic is... finicky, it seems. And quite headache inducing.”
The color drained from their faces and Precious took a step back, a hoof going to rub her necklace nervously. “T-time travel? Future child? Just... just what has been going on here? I thought...Silverbelle isn't caught up in any of this, is she? She's just a child!”
“Of course not!” Rarity said quickly and shook her head. “She is completely safe. In fact, the princess, who is the one who sent him back in the future, is currently working on fixing all of this. Finding out what happened in the future that could cause such a disaster and require her to send him back in the first place.”
The two slowly nodded, but shared worried looks. Finally, Precious nodded. “And you're quite sure it's all okay? And... the child, is he...”
“Part dragon? Yes. His father is currently staying with me as well. It's... complicated. Very, very complicated.”
“Are you quite sure you're okay with us visiting now? Oh, I wish I had known all this was happening to you, Rarity. I would have never sent Silverbelle on ahead. I do hope she hasn't been any bother.”
“No, no, of course not,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “It's... really all quite well and good, now. I mean, at first it was quite... difficult. But now? It has been getting a little easier every day. Silverbelle has been an absolute pleasure and while Claw is... sometimes a bit strange, he is a very sweet child. I think you'll like him quite a lot.”
Precious nodded before looking past her. “And... his father is... a dragon? Does that... I mean... how did...”
“The father is the assistant of Princess Twilight,” Rarity said with a nod. “Quite the gentlecolt and a fine pony. Even if... not quite a pony. You'll be meeting him as well and I assure you, you'll find him quite charming.”
The mare nodded, her cheeks quite red. “Are... err... are you and he... in a... relationship? Now?”
Rarity's cheeks turned just as red and she shook her head. “No, no no no no. No. Absolutely no,” she said firmly. “He has... always had quite a bit of a crush on me, but to be honest, he's always felt like more of a little brother. I couldn't imagine him... no.” She shook her head again and started walking away, towards the exit. “He is actually about Sweetie's age as well, so in a way it makes sense that they... well...”
“I-I see. That's quite... and from the future? How did he... well... I...”
“Twilight, the princess. Apparently there has been some great disaster in the future and it needs to be stopped.”
“I would actually love to meet her,” Precious said with a grin. “When I'd heard there was a fourth and new princess, I absolutely knew I needed to meet her one day. I can't deny gossip about you has been quite important up in Prance. Unveiling a new princess in Luna, defeating some great threat that even the princesses couldn't stop, creating a new princess. Why, you and your friends have been quite the talk of everywhere. Most ponies won't even believe you're a member of my family.”
Rarity's cheeks burned for a whole new reason. “O-oh, you flatter me. Are... they really talking about us that much?”
“Indeed. Not to mention your gowns and dresses. Why, the princess dress was an absolute smash, though I must admit I was a bit disappointed I failed to order one before they were discontinued. You have quite the business sense though, dear. Creating such a limited edition item.”
Rarity's cheeks burned again and she shook her head. “Ah... well, it was less that. I was merely... tired of the dress. Creating the same dress over and over again, it was... draining. I wasn't allowed much chance to innovate or express my creativity.” She then paused and looked back towards her. “Speaking of. That necklace, is it one of yours?”
“What? This old thing?” Precious asked before holding it up. “No. I actually picked it up in Zebraconia during our travels. You won't believe this, but it's rumored to have belonged to Starswirl the bearded.” She snickered softly. “Though, I imagine it's just a rumor made up to raise the price. Still, it was quite beautiful and quite the antique, I just had to add it to my collection. Ah, do hold a moment.” The three stopped by the luggage pick up before the mare's horn glowed. A large, black suitcase with wheels lifted up. “This should do. Most of our things are still in Canterlot, unfortunately. We'll be returning there for a week after our visit here.”
“Oh? That's simply marvelous,” Rarity said, eying the luggage. It then popped open.
“And, of course I didn't forget about my darling little niece,” Precious said before a small golden necklace with a blue, yellow, purple, white, orange and pink gemstone set on the face hovered up. “I felt absolutely inspired to make this after I heard about your defeat of Nightmare Moon. I knew I had to bring it in person, but I've just never had the time.” It hovered over and clasped around the unicorn's throat.
“Oh, it's simply divine,” Rarity said with a low giggle as she touched it with her hoof.
“Now, I wasn't sure what kind of thing to get Sweetie. I heard she doesn't quite have the family's love for jewelry. However, I have a wonderful diamond tiara or a small heart pendant with--”
“Give her the pendant,” Rarity said quickly.
“Are you sure? I thought a tiara would be something she'd adore.”
“Trust me. Get her the pendant,” Rarity said with a quick shake of her head. “Her and... she is not very fond of Tiara's. I dug out my old plastic one to give to her a few months back and just... no. No no no. No.” She turned and started walking again. “Noooo.”
“Very well, the pendant it is.” She closed the bag up and smiled. “Would you be willing to introduce us to the newest princess? I just have to meet her.”
The unicorn gave a little nod. “I don't see why not. Though, I should mention she can be a... bit eccentric at times. But she is quite wonderful once you get to know her. It's just that at the moment, it is a very stressful time for her.” She did hope Twilight managed to get a bit of rest. A whole week in full research mode, she couldn't imagine how much work Spike had to do to help her during these times.
“Yay,” the mare said with a happy little sqwee.
Rarity paused and glanced back to Rare. “Is everything okay?”
He gave a nod.
“Oh, don't mind him,” Precious said with a soft chuckle. “He's a stallion of... few words. I do believe the only words he said on our wedding day were 'I do'.”
“That must have made the vows interesting,” Rarity said with a light chuckle.
“Oh, it was. We had to record them over a few weeks time.”
The unicorn blinked, her eyes widening. There was no way that-- she giggled softly when she realized the mare was joking. How silly of her. “We can stop by the castle, first. I'm sure Twilight will have a little bit of time to speak with us. But she is quite busy, so we shouldn't stay long.”
“Of course. So... does she have any idea of... what problems could arise? I mean... err... the dangers of this... time magic?”
Rarity shook her head. “No. But I'm certain whatever it is, the future her knew the consequences and dealt with it accordingly. There it is,” she said before gesturing towards the great tree-like castle. The two ponies stopped and stared, their eyes wide.
“She lives in that? How did they make it?”
“When we defeated Tirek, it just popped into existence. It was... well, quite a spectacular sight, let me tell you. I believe Twilight had a long explanation for how it came to exist, truly, but I can't remember it for the life of me,” Rarity said with a soft chuckle. “It involved the magic of harmony and... well, it's quite difficult to understand unless you have a solid grasp of magic, to the extent she does.”
“I'd love to hear the theory on it,” Precious whispered. “I have been known to dabble in different magics as well, over the years. Though nothing of even close to that magnitude.”
“Ohhhh! Is that how you came about that dress?” Rarity asked, her eyes glimmering. “Those are shaved mana gems, aren't they? Isn't that dangerous?”
“Oh, of course not. They aren't live. The magic has long been drained from them before the process.” She shook the gown. “I didn't create it, though. It's actually from this fabulous designer up in Saddle Arabia. The original gown had full mana gems the size of an orange and it was positively dazzling. Sadly, it weighed far too much for any pony to want to wear often. This is the more casual version made of mana gem shavings. It came in all sorts of colors, even. I almost got the red one, but I finally settled on the green.”
“I for one think it is positively dazzling,” Rarity said with a soft sigh. “I am absolutely jealous. I didn't even know such things could be done with mana gems. I... don't suppose...”
“I can send her a message. She might be willing to give you the information on how she does it, but I make no promises,” Precious said with a soft chuckle. “Though, I don't think she does much business with ponies, so perhaps she would find it exciting to work with one.”
Rarity let out a little excited sqwee of glee. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you! I can only begin to imagine the things I could create with such pieces.” She sighed softly before stopping in front of the castle and smiling at the guard. “Hello. Is Twilight in? We'd like to speak with her.”
“I'm afraid the princess is not to be disturbed.”
Rarity sighed. “I'm sure an exception can be made, just let her know it's Rarity.”
The guard shook his head. “I'm afraid we cannot. For her own well being, we are to keep everypony out until she has finished sleeping.”
That gave the mare pause. “Sleeping? But... it's the middle of the day. Why is she sleeping so long?”
The guard shook his head before coughing a little. “Actually... as far as I know, this is the first time she's slept in the last three or four days.”
The unicorn stared for a few moments before sighing. “Of course. We'll come back later. Could you... let us know once she awakens?”
“Of course,” the guard said with a nod.
She turned and started trotting away. Precious watched the guard for a moment before turning to follow. “Did that pony say the princess hasn't slept in three days?”
“Yes. Twilight can get a bit... absorbed sometimes. She'll forget the little things. Like sleeping. And eating. And I do believe Spike once said she forgot to breath for a few minutes. But she's really quite smart, honest. She just... sometimes gets carried away. A lot. Outside of those situations she's simply marvelous. A true friend who would do anything for those she cares about.”
“I... see. And she's a princess with... her own kingdom. And everything,” Precious said, just a hint of worry in her tone.
“Really! It's quite alright, I swear.” Rarity took a deep breath and stopped. “I know she may seem a bit strange, or off, or even... well, weird. But trust me, there is no pony more deserving of being a princess than her. She would give everything she has for her friends, for those she cares about. In fact, she has. Even though she knew it would destroy her. She'd even do it for those she... didn't like very much, just because she knew they couldn't be saved without her. She will never give up and never surrender. She sometimes makes mistakes, but who doesn't? You've just happened to catch her in a bad time.”
Precious nodded. “I see. I do suppose... well, this talk of time travel and... future dangers, it must be all quite difficult for the princess. I suppose anypony would be rattled.”
“Exactly. Now, how about we head back to my place and wait for the princess to be available? You must be absolutely famished after your long trip.”
“Eeyup,” Rare said with a nod.
“Indeed,” Precious added.
------
“Then, if you add just a hint of fire ruby with some basil, it adds this amazing zing to the powder,” Spike said with a nod as he started gathering up the empty plates and bowls from the table. Precious couldn't take her eyes off the dragon, staring.
“I... must say, Mister Spike, you've been absolutely... charming. When I heard a dragon was staying here, well, I wasn't sure what to expect. But you have absolutely shattered my expectations.”
The dragon chuckled and waved a claw dismissively. “Oh, it's nothing. Besides, I'm a guest here, I have to make myself useful somehow.”
Precious chuckled and glanced towards Rarity, who was blushing slightly. “Well, dear dragon, if you ever feel like visiting my place in Prance, know you would be welcome. That was simply the most delightful lasagna I've had in years. I've never tried ground up gemstones before.”
“Oh, they're really not that bad,” Spike said with a shrug. “I've seen Pinkie eat a whole rock before, though she's from a rock farm. But I've found as long as they're ground up extra fine, nopony has any trouble and when you mix them with the sauce, they give a nice tingle. The magic in them adds a little pop, too.”
“Well, I think you're a credit to your species,” Precious said with a nod, before glancing over towards the front room where Sweetie, Silverbelle and Claw were playing with dolls. “In fact, I think I'm beginning to see where this Claw came to be. A gentlecolt like you is hard to come by, I can understand why Rarity fell for you.”
There was the sound of shattering glass as Spike dropped the plates. He yelped. “Sorry, sorry!” His cheeks were burning bright red.
Rarity barely even noticed. “I-it's quite alright, Spike darling, i-it happens,” she squeaked, before glaring at her aunt. “Aunt, you shouldn't say such things! That's just... embarrassing!”
“Oh dear,” the mare said with a shake of her head, a hoof rising up to her cheek. “Why ever for? I see nothing wrong with your romance. So long as he treats you well and loves you with all of his heart, why worry about the species?” She then glanced back towards Claw. “Especially since you two are... obviously compatible.”
Spike quickly escaped to get a broom, while Rarity glowered at her aunt. “Compatible or not, he is still just a baby dragon, he--”
“Won't be one forever,” Precious said smoothly. “And it wasn't that long ago that you were a baby as well, so the age difference isn't that severe.” She then glanced towards Rare. “In fact, the age difference between me and my husband might be even more.” She then smiled to her niece. “Or would you rather your sister end up grabbing him? Dragon or not, it's obvious he dotes on you and, judging by how red your face has gotten, you aren't... completely opposed to the idea.”
Rarity took a deep, slow breath to calm her nerves, before glaring at her aunt. “While I do appreciate your.... advice, dear aunt, he is still just a child. Perhaps in a few years when he has... matured, there could be something there. Perhaps! I'm not saying there will be!” she added quickly. “But there is always that chance. Now, if you would be so kind, please... stop trying to embarrass me and my guest. It is quite rude.”
Precious chuckled and gave a little nod. “Very well. But I will give one last little piece of advice. He's young now, but he won't be forever. Dragon or no, he is still connected to a princess, a gentlecolt and quite charming. He will find no shortage of prospective suitors once he is... on the menu, so to speak. You have no competition now, but don't expect that to always be the case.”
Rarity's cheeks burned and she got to her hooves, trotting out to check on the children. “I'd best ensure they're being safe.”
Precious chuckled and glanced to Rare. “I did warn you that my family could have interesting tastes. Imagine, a dragon. I would love to see mother's face when she finds out. Then again, my sister has always been a bit eccentric in her ways. Perhaps some of it has finally rubbed off on her daughter?”
The stallion merely gave a nod.
“Truly, you always know what to say, darling.” She reached up and rubbed her amulet. “I do hope we'll be able to meet the princess, though. I'd love to meet the caretaker of such a fine dragon.”
------
Rarity smiled as she sat at the foot of the bed, once again. She gently pet Claw's head, brushing his mane as he slowly began to drift off. Instead of her reading this time, Spike read the story. Sweetie and Silverbelle had already drifted off and, as usual, Claw was being the fussy one who was lingering awake. Precious and Rare were watching from the doorway with knowing grins that made Rarity want to grind her teeth, but she ignored it.
Finally, the little dragon pony drifted off and she began the slow process of scooping him up and taking him to his bed. Once she finished dropping him off, she stepped out of the room and closed the door with a smile. “And there.” She glared at her aunt. “Is there something you're dying to say, dear aunt?”
“Me? Oh no no no no. No,” she said with a wide grin. “Well... I must say that was quite adorable. I'm happy to know you've been taking such great care of my daughter while she was here.”
“Of course. She is my cousin, after all,” Rarity said before she started trotting towards her room. “Now, you two can sleep in here. The bed is made for one, but it should be fine.”
A look of concern spread across the mare's face. “Are you sure you're okay with this? If you like, we can sleep on the couch, it--”
“I won't hear of it,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “You are my guests and I will not have you sleeping on the couch, it's nowhere near big enough for two. I can sleep on the couch for a few weeks, it's fine.”
The mare sighed. “Well, if you're certain.”
“I am.” Rarity pushed open the door and motioned towards the bed. Things had gotten a bit more cramped than she'd expected. The addition of Claw had been a surprise, a pleasant one but one none the less. All of her rooms were taken which meant somepony had to sleep in the front room. Or worse, dismantle her work room! No, she would NOT hear of such a thing. They'd managed to grab Spike's bed during the last week and it was fortunately small enough she could just put it in the front room besides the couch. Which would leave the couch for her.
Things would probably settle down once all this was over. Sweetie could return to their parents home whenever they returned from... wherever they went these days. She suspected that her mother and aunt didn't quite get along too well. But then she could set up the guest room properly, or maybe take the second bed apart and use the room for storage again, while Claw had his own room. Maybe even give Spike a room and--
She quickly shook her head. Spike was not staying here, this was just temporary. No no no no. He was just a baby, she was not going down that path. Still, for now everything would be fine. Fortunately she used only the finest couch and it was as soft as could be, she would have no trouble sleeping on it for a few days.
“Now, slee--”
She was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Who would... oh!” Rarity gasped, before turning and trotting downstairs. She could hear more hoof steps behind her as her aunt and uncle followed. When she got downstairs, Spike was already at the door and holding it open, talking to one of the royal guards. He turned back with a grin.
“Twilight's finally up. And, well... errr...”
“She's already at it, isn't she?” Rarity asked flatly.
The dragon nodded sheepishly.
Rarity turned back and smiled. “Well, if you wish to see our glorious princess in action, now is your chance.”
“I'd absolutely adore the opportunity!” Precious said with a big grin and a little sqwee. Rare merely nodded.
Rarity then smiled down at Spike. “Spike, darling, would you be willing to watch the children while we're away? They're asleep, but we just can't leave them alone.”
The dragon quickly nodded, giving a salute. “Nothing will happen while you're away!”
“Of course not.” She then looked to the guard. “Are you our escort?”
“Indeed,” he said with a bow of his head. “Lady Rarity and family, please follow me.” He turned and started trotting away.
The mare let out a soft sigh, before following after. Her eyes lingered on Spike as she passed him. He was just a baby, right? Shouldn't she be trying to watch him, not leaving him to watch others? But then why did it feel so easy to trust him... like that?
Rarity shivered as she walked through the castle's halls. It was cold, though all the lights were on. Their hooves echoed through the empty halls, reminding them that they were the only ones up at this hour. The other three guards were waiting outside the library and slowly the door opened.
She let out a little involuntary squeak at the sight before her. Twilight stood in the middle of the room, surrounded on all sides by papers. They dangled from strings, hovered with magic, covered nearly every inch of the walls.
“-- but then what would be the purpose? But if not that, then why does his magic work fine, when mine doesn't? Is it because his form is naturally so similar? But if that's the case why doesn't his magic change any more? He's been here a week but his magic is still the same. How was he even able to summon that creature in that dimension?” She pulled over a small stack of papers, flipping through them. “If that was a minor, weak one, what if a powerful one was summoned? Or hundreds of them? Thousands? What kind of damage could they have wrought? If the magic doesn't exist here, why does it exist there? Is this what I'm supposed to stop? But if Claw exists, it must mean the damage was semi-minor. Geographically speaking. The entire world can't have been destroyed. But what if most of it was? But I survived and so did Spike and Sweetie. But if Rarity didn't, what happened? How does the thief play into all this?”
She then trotted over towards a small black dome, glaring at it. “Come onnnnn! I've got you focused, work fast! How many weeks? HOW MANY WEEKS?!!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, stomping her hooves.
Rarity gulped and slowly walked forward, looking around nervously before tapping Twilight on the back. The alicorn whipped around and glared at her.
“WHAT?” the princess roared, before pausing and looking bashful. “S-sorry, Rarity. I-I didn't mean to--”
“It's quite alright, darling. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, actually, I slept wonderfully. And I found a hint!” she said before pointing at the letter she'd sent back, still under the black dome of magic. The letters kept being written and removed over and over, different ones each time. Ahead of the shifting letters were the words 'weeks from now'.
“You mean...”
“Yes! When I can find out how many weeks it is, I can know when we're going to have to deal with this problem!” Twilight said with glee, rubbing her hooves together. “I can get help from the princesses. More importantly, I can prepare. If this threat is really so dangerous, there's no telling what we'll need. But I have an idea where it's coming from. I still need more information, but I can work with this.” She then moved closer and grinned at her friend. “I can do this! I can make sure you and Spike don't die! Nopony has to die! I-I can save you. I can--”
The words were cut off as Twilight found herself wrapped in a hug from her friend. “Oh you dear, dear princess. Twilight, you mustn't burn yourself so much over this. We know you're going to figure this out. We know it's going to be okay.” She leaned back. “You wouldn't have sent Claw back if you weren't sure you could handle this. And you can. You will. You're a brilliant pony who can solve any problem, this will be no different.”
“But... but I already failed once,” she whispered. “And that was...”
“You didn't know then what you know now. This time you know something is coming and you WILL defeat it. I know you will. But please, dear, you must take care of yourself.” She motioned towards the paper. “It says weeks, correct? That means, at the minimum, there is one more week to go. Correct? So you have time. You have plenty of time. You can and will solve this. You just need to calm down and be rational.” She then looked at the alicorn's stomach. “Also, you dreadfully need some sustenance, dear. Have you been eating?”
“What, of course I have! I have all my meals delivered.” She pointed towards a desk that was... littered with plates filled with food, mostly soggy. She gave a sheepish smile. “Or... err... I was. I mean... err...” She wavered slightly under the unicorn's glare. “I-I got some sleep...”
“That's good. But now you have to eat something and then work on this, okay? No more until you finish eating something. Anything.”
“But--”
“Eat first, plan after.”
“... Can I plan during?”
“As long as you're eating, fine.”
The alicorn sighed, before looking past Rarity. Her cheeks turned red. “O-oh. Hello. I ummm, don't believe we've met.” She looked around. “Pardon the mess.”
Precious stepped forward and bowed politely. “It's no problem, princess. I am Precious, this is Rare Find. We're Rarity's aunt and uncle. It is quite a pleasure to meet you and I am ever so thankful that you're working so hard to fix all of this. It must be quite difficult.”
“It is a little, but once you begin to stop thinking of things as going forward and more in... fifth dimensions, sometimes sixths, it's really not so hard. You see by--”
“EAT!” Rarity ordered.
“Right, right, eating,” Twilight mumbled as she trotted towards the door.
“A meal has already been prepared in the dining hall, Princess Twilight,” one of the guards said, bowing his head.
“Oh, can it be brought here? I--”
“IN THE DINING HALL!” Rarity roared.
The princess cringed and started trotting off, grumbling darkly. “You'd think she was my mother too the way she acts... grumble grumble rabble rabble...”
The unicorn smiled sheepishly. “I'd best go ensure she does eat. Would you two like to head home? It might be late before I return.”
“I would love to say no, but...” Precious gave a soft yawn. “We've been traveling most this morning. I think it would be best if we went and got some sleep. Thank you for allowing us to...” She looked around at all the papers, stopping to gaze at a few of them longer. “Peek into the mind of the princess. I must say it is quite fascinating, this research. Time magic, summoning, so many different types. I'd love to pick her mind sometime, when the fate of your life and others isn't on the line.”
Rarity nodded. “If you'd like, I'm sure that can be arranged. Though, I should mention that she's... a bit intense at times. So it might be a tad difficult to keep up. But her research is second to none.” She started trotting down the hall towards the dining hall. Once she arrived, she let out a sigh.
For all the things Twilight was, a clean eater was not one of them. Her face was covered in barbecue sauce and the remains of a few burgers littered the table. A nice stack of them still lay ahead and she showed no sign of slowing down as she devoured them whole, managing to get sauce on her cheeks and horn. The guards stood at attention, watching with stoic indifference. She walked over and whispered to them. “Does... she always eat like this?”
“This is nothing,” Flash whispered back. “You should see Princess Celestia eat. I've seen her devour a hay ham whole. Gravy and all.”
Rarity blanched slightly. “W-well... I suppose... err...” She quickly looked away, trying not to imagine the princesses at a hearth's warming eve dinner. She kept her gaze away from her friend, trying not to focus on the sound of her scarfing down the defenseless burgers, the loud smacks of her mouth opening and closing around them, sending the loud squishy sound of the sauce through the air.
It made her shiver slightly. But soon enough the sound stopped and the princess leaned back, her hooves wrapped around her stomach. “Ahhhh, that hit the spot. Thanks Rarity, I really needed that. I didn't realize just how hungry I was.”
The unicorn nodded before looking towards the disaster zone. She paled slightly at the sight of the sauce coating the fancy table. How did she manage to get sauce all the way on the OTHER end of the table? That was at least ten feet away! She certainly did not envy the guards who were moving in to clean the mess up.
She moved up besides her friend. “There. Now, sleep, food, how about--” She paused and sniffed the air. “Darling. When is the last time you had a bath?”
“Err... well... a bath I haven't... errr...”
“Or a shower?”
“Well...” The alicorn had the good grace to keep her gaze lowered. “I did take a quick one to get the slime off the other day, most of it. But I've been really busy and--”
“Darling, there is always time to take proper care of yourself,” the mare said with a shake of her head. “Up, up! It's time you got yourself cleaned up properly, then you can get back to work. Understand?”
The princess gave a soft sigh and nod, before getting up and trotting off. She grumbled darkly again, but Rarity paid it no heed. Instead she looked over the guards. “Which one of you is in charge?”
Instantly three white hooves pointed at the pegasus with the yellow coat. “Traitors,” he grumbled.
Rarity sighed. “Okay, I do appreciate what you're doing, but you truly must be more forceful with her. If she's not going to eat and shower, you need to take away her toys until she listens.”
He shuffled nervously, eyes lowered. “Well... err... she's the princess and all...”
The unicorn shook her head. She could hardly believe he was even a guard, he was acting more like an apologetic colt. “That's no excuse. Twilight is far too driven and forgets about everything in the world around her far too often. If you can't get her to do what she needs to do to take care of herself, come get one of her friends. Even Discord would work, he may annoy her but at least he would ensure she ate something.”
He nodded slowly. “Sorry...”
She sighed as she watched the fidgety stallion. “It's fine, everypony makes mistakes. Taking care of the princess is just a big responsibility. Maybe I should send Spike back and--”
“NO!” he said firmly, standing up straight and saluting. “I can do this, I will not fail again!”
She stared for a moment before nodding. “Very well. If you're sure.” She trotted out of the room then, leaving them to finish cleaning the mess while she made her way back to the library. She moved over the dome and sighed. So much of it was still illegible and she couldn't begin to imagine what the magic was Twilight was using to fix it. She couldn't imagine why it was so difficult for the princess, were Claw's stomach juices really that damaging? What would Spike's have done?
But it all seemed to have to do with Val, in some way. If they could find out how to stop whatever came with him, then--
She blinked a few times. There was no way. Twilight would have figured that out. The princess was brilliant. A true genius. But she was also super focused on finding out about Claw and Val, studying them specifically. Could she have really missed something so important? She did have a tendency too miss the forest for the trees, after all.
The door opened behind her and she glanced back, smiling at the considerably cleaner princess. “Twilight, darling? Do you mind if I ask you something?”
“I cleaned behind my ears!” the alicorn said defensively.
“That is... quite nice. But not what I meant.” She motioned towards the note. “You've been studying Val's magic and how it interacts with ours, correct?”
“Oh, yes, it's all quite fascinating. Even the monster from that other realm was quite an interesting find, though I've found it doesn't survive very well here. There's too much... well, good magic in the air, I suppose it could be said.”
“W-what?”
“The remains of the monster we defeated in the other dimension. Once it's exposed to the air here it begins to crumble and fall apart at an alarming rate. I believe it might be something to do with the castle or possibly the rest of Equestria. It's feasible that it's from the love sent by the crystal heart in the Crystal Empire, too.”
Rarity nodded, wishing she had some semblance of an idea of what her friend was talking about. Instead, she had confusion. “Well, I was curious. Have you gone to examine where Val had come from?”
There was a momentary pause, before Twilight slowly spoke up. “What?”
“Where he arrived in our dimension? Where ever the portal is.” She looked back at the princess. The alicorn's mouth was almost to the floor.
“Examine... where he... came...” She let out an ear piercing shriek. “OF COURSE! Why didn't I think of this? It's all so obvious!”
“Errr, d-dear?”
“Where he came from! It all makes such perfect sense now, I'm an idiot!” Twilight yelled as she galloped around, gathering pieces of paper. “We'll go right now. I'll bring Val to show me where it is, Claw can come as well, maybe it'll trigger some memories. Maybe he's been there. Oh oh! We'll bring the guards, of course. Maybe even--”
She was stopped by a hoof to the chest. “Twilight, dear. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but as you said before, it'll be weeks before we have anything to worry about. Well, at least a week. I think everything will be fine if you wait just a teeny, tiny bit until morning. Okay darling?”
Twilight blinked, before giving a nod. “R-right. I guess I can at least prepare. I should probably let Cheerilee know too,” she mumbled, her hoof rubbing her chin. “But this opens so many possibilities...”
“I'm sure it does,” Rarity said with a smile. “I'd best head home and get some sleep as well, if we have such a big day tomorrow. Tah tah.” She started walking off, though the alicorn didn't even seem to notice, already completely focused on the task at hoof.
------
“Err... of course. I'll bring him over first thing in the morning,” Cheerilee said with a nervous smile as she stared at the princess in her doorway. The alicorn gave a quick nod and was already off before she closed the door. She shook her head. Didn't the princess know anything about proper visiting hours? It was past midnight for Celestia's sake. The princess had actually wanted her to wake up Val!
She turned around and paused as the door to Val's room opened. So much for having him sleep. The little pony stood in the frame, Nipper on his head. “Cheerilee? What's going on? Who was that?”
The teacher let out an exasperated sigh. “It was just Twilight, she wants us to come by tomorrow. Go back to bed.”
“Oh, okay,” he said, but didn't make a move. “Come by for what?”
Cheerilee trotted over and gave him a pat on the head. “She wants us to go to the forest tomorrow so I can show her where I found you. That's all.”
And suddenly she was getting hugged. “No no no no! Please don't send me back, I'll be good, I'll be good I promise! No more fire! No more cults! No demons! Please please please!”
She stared down in shock, even Nipper was making big, round, sad eyes at her. The fact he looked quite horrifying didn't help, though. “Val, we are not sending you back. Ever.” She took a deep breath. “Val, with all the stories you've told me it's obvious you've come from a horrible, horrible home. Frankly, the ponies who... raised you, were they from this world they'd be in prison, for years. Likely forever if they couldn't be... fixed. I am not, and will not, send you back there. And they will NOT take you from us. I don't care if they have a hundred thousand... whatever those things are. You are not going anywhere. I promise.” She slowly wrapped a hoof around him and smiled. “None of us will let them take you.”
He nodded, rubbing his head against her chest and trying not to cry. “I-I don't wanna go back, mommy. I-it's not... it's not good there. I-I know some things here are the same, but not all the things. I-I don't wanna go back and fight and kill and get beaten a-and locked up and--”
Her mind was still reeling from the M-word she was sure she heard and what she quickly locked up in a little box, tossed into the ocean, before burying the key in another, combination locked box and built a tree on top of said box. Then the other words broke through and she cut him off. “Val, what was that? Start from the beginning? What don't you want to do again?”
“G-go back and fight and kill and get beaten and--”
“Kill? When have you killed? You've not...” She paused and took a deep breath. No, he was still just a child. There was no way he could have... just no.
He blinked and looked up. “We had many enemy houses.” No no no no. “When they were defeated, mother would make us all execute them.” Oh please no, anything but that, not... no. “All of her children. We'd take a family blade and--” He was cut off by her hug and she tried not to cry.
“You poor... poor... abused... child,” she whispered, hugging him even tighter. “I swear if I ever meet this mare I am going to buck her up side the head so hard it'll spin and I just... no,” she whispered again. “You'll never have to... you'll never kill again. You're never, ever going home.” She felt like her heart was going to explode. He was just a child. He shouldn't even know what killing WAS, let alone ever done it. She didn't want to believe it, she wanted to think it was just his imagination, that he didn't really know what killing was. She really, really wished she believed that.
He looked up, confusion on his features. “Ummm... am... am I in trouble?”
“No,” she whispered softly, still hugging him.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No,” she whispered again, her hooves tight around him.
“... Can I sleep in your room tonight?”
“... Yes,” she said grudgingly. To be honest, after hearing that from him, she would have let him have ice cream, cake and stayed up all night watching television. Him not wanting to be alone for the night was getting off light. She made a mental note to call the therapist tomorrow. She was getting him the help he needed immediately.
Cheerilee tried not to scream when she woke up. Why? Because she could feel something furry and... many legged on her face. Over her mouth. If she screamed, it might fall in. She knew what it was. Nipper. Oddly, that thought did not help. All it made her do was want to cry. Instead, she gave a pitiful whimper until, finally, the spider walked off. THEN she screamed and jumped off the bed, wiping her face frantically with her hooves.
“NO NO NO NO!” she shrieked, shaking her head before turning on Nipper and the wide eyed, staring Val. “Nipper, not, do no sleep on me! No no! Guhhhh!” Just the thought made her spine crawl as she gibbered unintelligibly.
“What? He was just being affectionate,” Val said defensively before hugging the giant spider to his chest. “See? He likes you, he just wanted to say hi.”
She took deep, calming breaths and tried to accept that. Just being friendly. Being nice. It wasn't a big, freaky spider latching onto her face. Just a... yeah, that wasn't working. “No, no no no. No. Nipper, if you want to sleep on my bed, you stay off me. Understand? Just... no.”
The spider had the sense to at least look sad at what it had done.
“I... am going to go make breakfast.” After she washed her face.
She heard Val as she walked out the door. “Don't worry, Nipper. She's probably just a bit of a neat freak about her face.
She gave a shudder and scrubbed at her face with the soap and towel. She could still feel it. Its little tiny legs crawling all over her face and just... no. So much no. There wasn't enough no in all the world to say no to that. Why was he even there? He should have been--
The previous night came back to her in a flash. What Twilight had said and what... Val had said. She shuddered and leaned against the counter, her breath quickening. Well... she supposed with such a situation she could forgive and...
Okay, no. Spider on the face when first waking off was not that easily forgiven. Or forgotten. She could still feel it and she gave a shudder, trotting down the stairs. Never. Ever. Ever again. If Val was okay with having that thing crawl all over him, that was his decision. But she was in so many ways NOT okay with it. Guhhhh. She gave another shiver.
She washed her face a second time when she got down to the kitchen. She swore no matter what she did, she just felt... unclean still. Still, she quickly got to work preparing breakfast, humming softly as she made up a delicious little fruit salad. It would give them a nice burst of energy in the morning, to help them through the day. She hoped the trip to the forest would be okay. Val was bound to--
She let out a scream as she turned around, jumping back and hitting the counter. “Princess! W-what? When did you get here?” Hadn't the mare ever heard of KNOCKING? Why was she in her living room? Knocking, it helped! Why was everypony so set on giving her a heart attack this morning?
“I did earlier but I guess you didn't hear me and so I just came inside and then you walked over to the fridge and started working so I thought I'd just watch and didn't want to bother you because you were so focused.” The princess was, for lack of a better word, excited. Almost to Pinkie Pie levels. Cheerilee was a little surprised she wasn't hopping up and-- okay, there she went. Kind of hopping in place.
“I... I see. Care to join us for breakfast?”
“No no not really hungry just super excited because we're finally going to figure all this out and afterwards all of my friends will be safe I can't believe it never occurred to me to just go to the forest where he came from, I mean really, Twilight what were you thinking? Princess of friendship, more like princess of being a scatterbrain. But now we'll go see the dimensional portal area and get everything settled and everypony is going to be happy and lucky and I can set up a ward and everything else and it will be wonderful!” She let out an excited little sqwee of delight, leaning forward.
Cheerilee nodded slowly. “I... see. Well... err... is it okay if Val and I eat?”
“Go right ahead I'll watch!”
The teacher stared at the mare. She struggled to remember that the mare was, in fact, a princess. And the many times savior of their world. So what if she was just a little... eccentric? Possibly crazy? Lots of ponies were.
Just not usually to that level. She glanced towards the stairs as more hoofsteps started trotting down it. Val stepped down and starred out, yawning softly. “What's going on?” he asked curiously.
“Goooood morning Val,” Twilight said with a big grin. “Are you ready to find the portal that brought you here and find out whatever we can to stop whatever is coming from it from getting here?”
“Oh BLEEP you're a morning person,” Val said with a groan.
“Nope, just never slept! Come on, eat up! It's going to be a glorious day!”
“... I wish very much to light you on fire,” Val grumbled as he walked to the counter. “I won't! But I want to,” he said quickly after the glare from Cheerilee.
“Val, she is helping so do try to be nice. I thought you said Rarity and the guards were coming as well?”
“Yes, and Claw!” Twilight said with a nod. “I already sent the guards to get her, they'll meet us on the edge of the forest.”
“Of... course,” Cheerilee mumbled before putting a plate of the fruit in front of Val. “A shame. Maybe you could have brought one or two.” Perhaps then she would have waited inside and not nearly given Cheerilee a heart attack. It was still pounding. She sat down and tried eating, though she found it hard with the princess sitting there. Just watching them. With her wings out. Like some kind of strange pony bird of prey. “Are you sure you don't want to join us?”
“No no, I've already eaten. Flash insisted,” Twilight said with just a hint of a blush. “They were very insistent and actually barred the doorway. I can't imagine why they were making such a big deal about it.”
“Uh... huh. And you didn't get any sleep last night?”
“Too excited! I have everything we'll need outside,” the princess said with a wide grin.
“Out... side?” Cheerilee felt a fresh influx of horror. “Just... how much are you bringing?”
“Oh, just a few odds and ends. I couldn't fit the wagons in so I just left them there,” the princess said with great enthusiasm.
The teacher gulped and then rubbed her hoof against her temple. It was going to be one of those days, she could feel it. “I... I see. Well... let's eat and then we can go.” She quickly walked to the kitchen and made herself a mug of coffee. A very, very big mug. It was the only way she'd survive this, she knew.
When breakfast was finally finished, she took a deep breath and steeled herself. She could do this. She would do this. As... wild as the princess was, there had to be limits to what she'd do. This was the Everfree Forest. Whatever the alicorn brought, had to be necessary. With that comforting thought, she pushed open the door.
She was not prepared. There were three wagons strapped to each other so they formed a sort of wagon train. Each one was filled so high that their supplies teetered into the air precariously and Cheerilee suspected that they were held aloft more through the use of magic than through any sort of balancing act. “Princess... you... gathered all this in one night?”
“It was a very productive night! Now, there's no telling what we'll need or what kind of things will be in this other dimension, so I gathered a bit of everything. We--”
“Wait, IN this dimension? We're not going into it!” Cheerilee said quickly, her eyes wide with horror.
“Oh, of course we're not, silly. I have magical drones for that. They'll go in, explore, meet the natives and--”
“That would be a bad, bad idea,” Val said quickly.
“What? But we--”
“You will bring war down on your people,” the colt said softly as he stared at the wagons. “If she realizes you've sent anything into her kingdom, she will do everything in her power to destroy you.”
“B-but the research and the--”
“Princess, please,” Cheerilee said with a sigh. “Listen to Val. There can be later times. Just... bring whatever you need to examine the portal itself, not to send things through it.”
The princess sighed and her horn glowed before she pulled out one smaller wagon from the wagons. Wait, why did she have smaller wagons in the wagons? Why did she even think she'd need extra wagons? Was this mare crazy?
Cheerilee glanced over to the princess before sighing. Well, maybe a little. The carts disappeared in a burst of magic a moment later.
Val stared. “Wait, what? If you could just... teleport them places, why did you bring them at all?”
“It's far easier to send them someplace than call them to me,” Twilight said matter of factually.
“Then why not just send them to where we're going?”
“Because...” Twilight blinked a few times. “Huh. I didn't really think about that.”
“Princess, perhaps after this you should get some more sleep,” Cheerilee mumbled before she started walking. She mentally reminded herself that even if the princess was a bit... wonky, she was still quite brilliant and their best hope of survival. Probably.
Why did that not comfort her in the slightest?
------
She let out a sigh of relief as the forest came into view and she saw six ponies waiting for them. Rarity, Claw and the four guards. At least with this many of them the princess probably wouldn't be able to do anything too crazy. She hoped. She looked back to let Val know they were almost there.
The colt was laying on his back in the wagon, Nipper resting on his stomach. Twilight didn't even seem to notice as she hauled the wagon behind herself. She measured the pros and cons for a few moments before shrugging. She could let him sleep, just a little longer. At least until they joined with the others.
Claw, on the other hoof, had a different idea. As they came closer, the little dragon pony galloped forward, leaped over Twilight and pounced on Val's stomach, narrowly missing Nipper. The force still sent the spider spinning through the air, flailing its legs around as Val's eyes widened and he shot up. But he couldn't defend himself as Claw went into full lick mode, making the little colt shriek.
“CLAW BLEEPING GET OFF ME!” he shrieked as he tried to defend his face with his hooves. “Stop, STOOOOOOOP! Gahhhhh! CHERRILEEEEEE!”
The teacher hummed for a moment, before shaking her head. She trotted off to join with the others. “Good morning, Rarity. Are you ready for this?”
“Not particularly, no,” the mare said with a shake of her head. “But we must do what we must do and I surely wouldn't want to be left home for this.” She looked towards the forest. “But are you certain you'll be able to find your way back to where you found the child?”
Cheerilee nodded. “Of course. It shouldn't be too hard. I didn't go too far in since... well... I try not to, when it comes to the Everfree Forest. Shall we?”
She glanced back and smiled. Val had finally managed to roll onto his stomach, though that did little to deter the dragon pony as he snuggled and licked the colt affectionately. Cheerilee chuckled softly and shook her head. “It's not far in, so it shouldn't take long. Come along.” She turned and started walking in.
It wasn't long before a frown graced her face. Something just felt... wrong. The forest seemed so... strange. Well, it was always strange. But somehow it seemed... stranger. The trees seemed darker, all the colors muted. The wind seemed extra loud and it was cold. Far colder than she remembered it.
“There aren't any animal sounds,” one of the guards whispered and she shivered. That was it. The Everfree Forest was a strange, magical place. The animals here were all kinds of different from the normal ones. The plants were weird too. But there was no doubt that they were all alive. Everything was alive here. But now it all seemed dead. Empty. Void of life.
She frowned as they came closer. Already she could hear the stream where she had once found him. But things were getting worse. There were strange, thin wisps of something white dangling from some of the trees and a few of the trees were dead, their bark having turned black and their branches drooping. She looked back and noticed that Claw was now huddled up against his mother's side and Val was sitting up, his hooves wrapped tightly around Nipper.
Something was so very wrong here. Unfortunately, one pony in their group didn't seem to notice. Twilight walked right behind her, a big grin on her face. “So how much further?”
“Not much. It's the stream up ahead, can you hear it?”
“Yep!” the alicorn said before running off ahead, taking Val and the wagon with her.
“Princess!” Flash yelled before flying off ahead after her.
Cheerilee shook her head and galloped after the princess, well, more Val. They broke through the tree line and she froze in place.
The stream had once been beautiful and serene, with grass and clear water. Now the water was black and murky, the trees around it were covered in the same thin, white wispy stuff. Webbing. It was webbing. Like none she'd ever seen. It criss crossed over them, partially blocking out the sky. Even worse, the air was chilled and every plant around the area was dead and decaying, the grass practically molding under their hooves.
“What happened here?” Cheerilee asked, only realizing a moment later she was whispering.
“I don't know,” Twilight whispered as she stepped forward.
“RUN!” Val screamed.
“What? Why?” the princess asked. A moment later the ground rumbled and she got her answer. The... creature burst from the ground. It was a spider, there was no doubt of that, but it was like none she'd ever seen. For one, it was bigger even than Celestia. It was completely white and covered in thick fur. Worst of all, it had fangs and a face the like of a horror story. The kind of face that would make a pony turn off the television at the first sight before running out of the room.
And it was wrapping its legs around Twilight.
The princess' horn flashed and she disappeared across the river, in time for a second to burst from the ground. Then a third and a fourth. The alicorn looked around, her eyes wide. “I-I should have brought Fluttershy.”
The spider that had tried to grab Twilight turned towards Cheerilee and the mare locked up. However, before it could move it reeled back as Flash slammed down, all four of his hooves kicking it in the face. “Run! Get the civilians out of here!”
Before she could react, a pair of hooves wrapped around her and she realized one of the guards had scooped her up, carrying her into the air. They nimbly flew through the air, avoiding the webbing blocking the sky.
A moment later a second guard joined them, holding Val. Below they could see the princess, teleporting around as the spiders moved at her. “Please, there's no need for us to fight,” the alicorn said.
“THEY'RE DEAD!” Val screamed.
“Val, there's no need for talk like that!” Twilight said, before yelping. Her horn glowed as a purple bubble formed around her, a moment before the spider could latch onto her.
“No! I mean they are actually dead! They're spider golems! They don't think, they just do what they're told!”
“W-what?”
Cheerilee shivered as she stared at the spiders. Now that she looked closely, she realized the creatures did seem a bit... odd. Some of them had eight legs, others had more or less. They weren't all the same size and their bodies seemed to... vary. Patches of the fur were missing on some and she was pretty sure she was going to be sick.
There was a shriek of pain from below as one of the spiders fell on Flash, the fangs digging into him.
“FLASH!” Twilight screamed. Her horn flashed with a brilliant light a moment before the shield expanded. It sent the spiders and all of the webbing flying back, clearing out a wide area in the center of the clearing. She galloped to Flash's side.
He was on the ground, his skin pale and shivering as the wound in his shoulder bled.
“The stones in their web sacks!” Val screamed. “Rune stones! If you destroy them, the spiders will stop!”
Another scream brought Cheerilee's gaze towards the way they'd come from.
Wait. There were three other guards. Two were holding Val and her. What about Rarity and Claw?
------
Rarity let out an ear piercing scream as suddenly the massive white spider was sent hurtling over their heads. The guard with them took position, blocking the spider from charging them as it rolled around and got to its feet.
Claw hugged her side, staring at the monster and shivering.
“It's going to be alright, dear. It's going to be alright,” Rarity whispered, hugging him. It was just one massive spider, they'd be fine. She was sure. The guard would--
There was the sound of crashing branches behind them and she turned to see the second spider making its way towards the new prey. “No no no,” she whispered softly, shaking her head. Such... horrifying, tacky creatures. What could they be? How could such monsters exist?
The one in front charged forward, but the royal guard was ready. He turned and bucked, both hooves narrowly avoiding the face to give a firm kick to its shoulders. Well, whatever it was that spiders had in place of shoulders. She'd have to remember to ask Fluttershy that if they managed to survive this. It sent the creature toppling back a few feet, but it didn't deter it. The guard might be able to hold it off, but the second one was their problem.
Rarity whimpered as she stared at the creature. It slowly moved forward, fangs dripping with thin white webbing. They were going to die, she knew it. She hugged her baby boy and--
She let out a yelp of pain as Claw suddenly began to burn up. She pulled back, startled. His eyes had gone wide, turning to narrow slits as his entire body went rigid. His spines were on end, steam rising up from them as he slowly stood up. His tail stood on end and his claws lengthened, digging into the ground.
“Claw, d-don't!” Rarity shrieked. “We need to run and--”
Her vision was filled with flame as Claw, for lack of a better word, exploded.
------
Twilight gently shook Flash, staring down in horror at the guard as he struggled to move. “P-princess... y-you need... t-to run,” he said with a groan.
“I'm not leaving anypony behind,” the alicorn said, shaking her head. “You're going to be okay. I promise. I'll get all of us out of this.”
Two of the spiders were already advancing on her, though. She didn't know where the other two were, either. She'd heard Rarity scream and hoped the other guards would be able to help, but if she left Flash now they'd be on him in seconds, he'd die. She couldn't just leave the wounded pony.
“Go! I--”
“Holy BUCK!” a startled voice rang out from the tree line and then, suddenly, the other two spiders came sailing through the air, landing in the clearing.
Followed by a tree that landed on top of them. A whole tree, roots and all. A moment later something wrapped in red flames landed on the tree, crushing the two spiders into the ground.
There was a loud crack followed by a fine black mist filling the air from under the tree, flowing up and evaporating. Twilight's eyes widened. Magic. Her eyes were then drawn up to what was on top of the trees.
Claw. But she'd never seen him like this. His horn was glowing and his body was wrapped in flames. His eyes were glimmering like rubies, but thin slits even compared to how thin they normally were. His claws were fully extended, digging into the wood and his mouth was open, revealing a row of thick, angry fangs. She never thought she'd call teeth angry, but they looked positively furious.
The eyes looked past her towards the other spiders and some how those eyes turned even narrower. He jumped from the tree and Twilight shrieked as he landed on the nearer spider, sending it crashing to the ground. The fire around him grew red hot as he tore into the creature. As his powerful hooves cut through the spider, there was a sound of something cracking and a big, black stone was sent crumbling across the ground, the same black mist rising from it. The spider dropped instantly.
Twilight's eyes turned towards the last one. She imagined there was something in what Val said after all, all they had to do was break the stones. The spider didn't hesitate, didn't show even an ounce of fear as it charged. She took a deep breath before her horn glowed.
Well, if it wasn't living, there wasn't any harm in this...
------
Twilight wiped the sweat from her brow as the ponies regathered. Claw was panting, the flames having finally died from around him as he wobbled slightly from side to side. Cheerilee stared at the destruction, there was no other word for it, that took place here. As she drifted towards the ground, she tried to avoid feeling exasperated as she knew what was coming next.
That had been a fight, there was no doubt about it. So Val was bound to be all riled up. It was not the time for it. Rarity broke through the tree line and, to her surprise, was supporting the other guard. He was turning pale as well.
“Flash? Come on, wake up,” Twilight whispered, shaking him. “It's just a shallow bite, wake up, come on!”
“It's poison,” Val said softly. “You need to... you need to draw it out.”
“Poison? But I thought you said they weren't... living?” Twilight asked before looking towards the remains.
“It's a mix of necromancy and golemology. The poison would be strong. Very, very strong,” Val whispered, moving over towards Cheerilee. “The only reason he's likely alive still is because some of its power has probably... probably faded with time. They... they've probably b-been here a-a while,” his voice cracked with the words. There was a thump as the guard Rarity had been helping collapsed.
“Errr, Twilight. I think he was nicked by it, too. We need to get them both to doctors,” Rarity said quickly.
The princess nodded, before putting her horn to Flash. There was a flicker and the stallion lost much of his color. She then picked him up in her magic before looking to the other guard. “Can one of you carry him?” she asked the other guards. She received a nod. Finally she turned to the last guard. “Please get everypony back out of here. Okay?” She cringed as she heard another thump and looked over to Claw who had collapsed. Her horn glowed as she picked him up as well, cringing as his added weight struggled in her grasp. She'd have preferred to have one pony carrying each, but she didn't feel comfortable leaving her friend's without at least one guard. It would slow them down a bit, but it was a risk they had to take. “I'll get them to the hospital and then meet back up with you.”
Rarity nodded. “Go! Hurry before they... just hurry.” She gulped and watched them fly off, before nervously glancing towards the last guard. To his credit, he didn't even look scared, he looked firm and stoic. Which was comforting, because she wanted to run home screaming before locking her door and crawling under her bed. In the most undignified manner. They gave one last glance towards the spiders, before they started walking, quickly, back the way they came.
Cheerilee stayed at the back, Val at her side. His silence was starting to worry her. She expected him to be raving about the fight, but he wasn't saying a word. Instead he just kept walking besides her, pushed against her side as closely as he could get. She stumbled under the extra weight and glanced down to tell him to move away a bit, but paused when she saw the tears in his eyes, flowing down his cheeks. Slowly she looked back up towards the path.
She supposed it would be okay until they were out of the woods for him to walk close besides her. It wasn't hurting anything.
The ponies broke out of the trees with great relief. The sun felt so warm and, more importantly, safe around them. They'd made it. They were out of whatever was... in there. Cheerilee sighed. All their plans had shown them was that, apparently some things were getting through. She looked down and raised a hoof to gently pat Val's head.
“It's okay. We're safe now,” she said comfortingly.
“No we're not!” he screamed, a fresh sob wrenching its way out of his throat. “You stupid, stupid ponies!”
“Val,” Cheerilee said soothingly as Rarity and the guard turned to look at them.
“No, don't you see? D-don't any of you see?” he asked, looking up with tear filled eyes. “T-those... those were scouts. S-she was... she was investigating. L-looking. She's looking for me. S-she's coming. N-nothing we can do c-can... can stop her. She knows where I am and she's going to find me. She's going to... she's going to kill a-all of you and... and to me she's going to...”
Cheerilee couldn't make out the rest of the words he said, staring down as he sobbed and wailed, his head pushed to her chest. They came out as a pathetic, sobbing mass of noise. Her hooves wrapped around him and she struggled to comfort him, but what could she possibly say? If those... things came from his home, then that made all the other things he'd said seem all the more real. And if things like that existed, if everything he said was true, what could she possibly say? What could she possibly do? They'd gone in with a simple plan to just look and three of them were almost killed. What would happen now?
She thought of nothing she could do or say, so instead she just went with her instincts. Slowly her hooves wrapped around the sobbing child and held her close. “It's okay, Val. It's going to be okay. Mommy's here.” The words made her freeze and her eyes widen. Wait, why did she say that? She wasn't, no no no no NO! She wasn't his--
She mentally scolded herself. Here he was, terrified of a monster coming after him worse than anything she'd ever imagined and she was getting upset because he might think of her as his mom? The buck was wrong with her? If anypony ever needed a mommy, HE did. “It's okay. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere and neither are you. I don't care if she comes and brings Tartarus with her, you're staying here where it's safe. For good.”
He sobbed softly still, huddled against her. Slowly, though, he began to relax and the sobs began to turn to soft, weak little whimpers. Her hooves never left him.
“W-what's going to happen? She... she's coming,” Val said softly. “S-she's going to find me. She's going to... she's going to t-take me... take me b-back. Y-your princess can't... can't stop her.”
“Maybe I can't,” Twilight said, making all of them jump. Cheerilee looked up in shock, when had the alicorn arrived? “But I'm not going to.” Her face was set with grim determination. “Those are... things are different. I thought I had more time, that I could study more. I may have weeks, but that doesn't matter now. Those... things pose a real and dangerous threat to Equestria. To all of Equestria. I thought I could handle it, but I was wrong. I'm going to the princess and requesting their full aid along with full military might.” She paused. “I may even need to call in my brother.”
“You saw those things,” Twilight said firmly. “If we can't stop them, there's no telling what damage they'll do. Val, Cheerilee, until further notice I want the two of you to stay at the castle. I'm going to request more guards to come and keep an eye on things while I discuss with the princesses. And to examine the Everfree Forest.”
Cheerilee sighed. It would cause problems with her job, but oddly after nearly dying the prospect didn't seem quite so scary. Besides, she really didn't want to leave Val alone right now.
Twilight took a deep breath. “Rarity... Claw should be fine. I don't know why he fainted, but the nurse didn't see any bite marks on him. I couldn't stick around long enough to find out the cause, but I think it might have been simple exhaustion. If we had time I'd love to spend a few weeks studying that change of his.” She looked towards the forest, her eyes set in determination. “But we don't have time.”
Rarity nodded. “How about... the others?”
Twilight shook her head. “It's... too soon to tell. They're working on it.” She took another deep breath and turned her back to them. “I'm returning to the castle for a little bit, then going to the princess. If you want to go see Claw, I'll make sure to let Spike know where you are before I go.”
“Thank you,” Rarity said before quickly trotting off.
Cheerilee stared at the princess. There was something different about her. Before she'd seemed so... well, a bit crazy and curious, but inquisitive. Now she seemed completely determined. There was no more curiousness in her tone or movements. Now she had set her mind to what needed to be done and was going to do it. A part of her was comforted by this thought, but another part made her wish there was no need for any of this. Why couldn't everything just be safe?
“Val, Cheerilee, please follow me. Anything you need can be retrieved by guards later.” She started trotting away.
This was the princess, a guardian of her ponies. Yet all Cheerilee could feel was sadness that they'd been driven to this point. How could such things even exist? She followed behind the mare, occasionally glancing down at Val who never left her side. For the first time in many years she wished she had been born a pegasus. Having a wing to wrap around his side would have done him a world of good. Instead, all she could do was walk close to him and give her warmth to his poor, frightened body.
Why did any of this have to happen?
------
Rarity sat on the side of the hospital bed, her hoof gently petting Claw's mane back. The doctor had told her he was just exhausted, there was no real damage. He hadn't been bit, he was just tired and would probably wake up soon, in the morning at the latest. Yet she couldn't help feeling nervous as she watched her baby boy laying in a hospital bed. She knew it was silly, but she couldn't stop worrying that they had missed something, that he was far more hurt than they thought.
Ugh, was this what it was like to be a mother? Spending all her time worrying about things she could not control? She did not like it one bit, nuh uh.
“How is he?” a familiar voice asked from the door. She looked back and smiled at Spike.
“He'll be fine,” she said softly.
“Okay.” Spike stared at him. “Can I come in?”
“What? Oh! Of course, darling,” she said with a soft giggle. “He is your son, after all.”
He nodded and moved to sit besides her. For a few moments there was silence, then he spoke up. “Twilight has gone to get help. The princesses and... military. Said she's going to have them comb the forest for some kind of... spiders?”
“It was quite the experience,” Rarity said gently before resting a hoof on Claw's cheek. “He saved my life. I don't know what that was, though.”
He nodded. “Twilight kind of... rushed telling me everything, so do you think you could fill me in? And uhhh... your aunt, cousin and sister are all here too. They're out in the waiting room.”
Rarity nodded. “I'll come out and... explain everything in a minute. For now, I just want to sit with him, okay?” She softly stroked his cheek, smiling. Her strong, courageous little baby boy. She looked back to Spike and... slowly reached out a hoof to pull him close. He didn't resist. His eyes were latched onto the boy as well, scrunched up in worry. He really was a good father. Or at least he would be.
She leaned down slightly and pushed her lips to his.
------
“Then Spike got here and we sat with Claw for a few minutes and absolutely nothing else happened,” Rarity said firmly, her cheeks tinted red as she made sure that she absolutely, positively did not meet her aunt's gaze. Spike was at her side, his eyes never leaving the ground as he blushed far darker.
“Truly? Nothing else happened?” Precious asked with a cocked eye.
“Nothing at all,” Rarity said firmly, stomping a hoof. “Claw should wake up soon. I'll be staying here until they release him. That is all.”
“Uh huh. Well, I suppose I should take the children home,” Precious said firmly, before pausing. A soft sound had come from Silverbelle. She glanced back to her daughter. “Yes?”
“W-well... I ummm... I just...” She lightly shuffled her hooves. “Was... Val okay?”
Rarity blinked before giving a nod. “Oh, yes. He was quite alright. He seems... under a bit of duress, mind you. But I believe after a day or two of rest he'll be better. He's staying in the castle until everything is sorted out.”
Silverbelle nodded, her hoof scuffing the ground a bit as her mother stared at her with a cocked eye. “I'd best take the children home. Help them calm down after all this excitement.”
“Spike, would you go with them and help?” Rarity asked sweetly.
“W-what? But--”
“Please,” she said with a bit more firmness than she'd wanted to. He stared for a moment, before nodding.
“Okay...”
She watched them leave and let out a soft sigh. She trotted back towards the room with a heavy heart. She shouldn't have done that. She really, really shouldn't have done that. Her aunt's words played in her mind again, though. He wouldn't be a baby forever. In fact, he'd probably be far more mature and grown up before she knew it. He'd grown up considerably in the time they'd known each other. Even saved her at least once. And they were... physically compatible, at least. Claw was proof of that. Was she stealing him from her sister?
No, no no no no. Not thinking about it like that. Besides, if she was going to think of that, SHE had him first. It's not like her sister had expressed any romantic interest in him and he had multiple times expressed interest in her and if she hadn't died then maybe they would and maybe they kind of did because Claw might still be hers after all he had her coat but he had Sweetie'scoatandhehadherluxuriousandandandand--
She yelped and shook her head, steam rising from her ears. Her cheeks were practically burning.
He was a baby. Just a little baby dragon. But one day he wouldn't be. A few years. She sat down by Claw and reached out, gently stroking his mane.
He was a baby. He wouldn't be forever. And she could wait. He was worth waiting for. Besides, if Claw could come from something like that, then it couldn't be bad.
------
“We could go help them plan out the hay maze, or tree climbing, or maybe I could teach you how to run backwards,” Sweetie said happily as she hopped around her cousin, her aunt leading them through the town.
“I ummm... I... liked the... flower arranging,” Silverbelle said softly. “But... I ummmm... I'd like to...” She mumbled the last few words too softly to hear.
“Oh? Flower arranging? Dear, that reminds me,” Precious said as she glanced back. “Have you been keeping up on your painting?”
The little filly let out an eep and shook her head.
Her mother let out a sigh. “Now, darling, you're never going to get into Ms. Richerford's if you don't practice every day. Only the most talented are allowed in.”
“Sorry...” the filly said gently.
“Painting?” Sweetie asked, looking between the two.
“Why, yes. My darling little Silverbelle is the most talented painter you've ever seen. At least, for her age. I did make sure to bring some of your supplies, so how about we head home and you can do some work? Sweetie, would you care to join us?”
“Oh, sure!”
“Wonderful. Also, I would positively adore hearing about how you got your cutie mark. I must say it is quite unique. A cutie mark about getting cutie marks? I'd never heard of such a thing.”
Sweetie's grin grew even wider. “Well, it's one of my favorite stories to tell! You see, it all started when I met Applebloom at Diamond's...”
------
Cheerilee sat besides Val, softly stroking the colt's back as he lay in one of the many beds of the castle. Most of the color had drained from both of their faces as he whimpered and sobbed into the bed. Story after story had come from his mouth, telling her the horrors of what his mother and family had done to those who had upset them.
None of it was pleasant.
“I can still hear the screams of the Irkrashgra clan in my dreams,” he whispered weakly. “One of them is still alive, you know. Trapped, unmoving. Mother won't let her die. I think she was the clan head. She just sits in a chair in the main foyer, a decoration to show the might of my family. I had to walk by it every day.”
She nodded, softly massaging his back. No colt should have to... nopony should have had to witness these things, let alone a child. Her mother deserved to... to... she deserved to die. Cheerilee never thought she'd say that about a pony, but she did. Nopony that was filled with such cruelty and evil deserved to live.
“S-she's going t-to come a-and take me back. I-I couldn't get back on my own, what'll she do to me? I'm too weak, too... m-my magic isn't enough. I-I don't want t-to be a... I don't want to...”
“You're not going anywhere,” she whispered softly, reaching down to pull him into a hug. “You're safe and sound. Nopony is going to hurt you ever again. I promise. Never, ever, ever.”
He whimpered softly, hugging her back. “S-she's coming... I can feel it.”
“The princesses are coming as well. They'll be here soon, then everything will be okay. Your mother will never find you again. I promise.”
He let out a soft whimper, nuzzling her. “I-I don't wanna go... I never wanna go. I-I wanna stay here with you and the ponies and Sweetie Belle a-and even the annoying clawed one.”
She nodded. “And you will. I promise.”
There was a knock on the door and she glanced back. “Come in.”
It opened and a guard stepped inside. “Lady Cheerilee, news from the princess. One of her spells has finished and she's identified when the attack will happen. Two weeks from now.”
She shivered.
“During that time you and Val will be evacuated to a safe location and the princesses should arrive in order to help keep everypony safe. We'll be expecting more guards to arrive by tonight. The school has already been informed of your temporary absence.”
She nodded. “Thank you very much.”
“Of course. Lady Cheerilee, dinner will be ready soon. Would you like us to bring it to you?”
She looked back at Val for a moment before nodding. She couldn't imagine making him walk anywhere in his current state. “Yes. And can you have a second bed or a cot brought in here? I don't think Val will be okay alone tonight.”
“Of course.” He turned and stopped in the doorway. “Nothing will intrude while you are here. The royal guards will keep you safe, no matter what.” He then stepped out and closed the door.
“See, Val? Everypony is working to keep you safe. Your mother has no chance of finding you here.”
He nodded softly, though he still shook. “Those... those spiders are just the beginning,” he mumbled. “I... I hope you ponies are ready.”
------
“No, no no no,” Precious said with a shake of her head before her horn glowed and she gripped the brush held in Silverbelle's magic, moving it from side to side. “You really must try harder, dear. Otherwise the texture of the tail just will not appear right.”
“Sorry,” Silverbelle said meekly as she tried again, glancing out towards Sweetie, who was sitting on a chair, her front hooves folded over her lap and trying to maintain a dignified air.
“Am I doing okay?” she asked softly.
“Of course, darling,” Precious said before tut tutting. “Silverbelle, darling. You really have gone out of practice. You're never going to succeed if you don't keep trying.”
“Sorry,” the filly mumbled as she went back to painting the other filly.
“Why didn't you tell us you liked to paint?” Sweetie asked.
“Oh, my little Silverbelle absolutely hates to brag,” Precious said with a shake of her head. “But she is really quite talented. Why, I just absolutely know she'll get her cutie mark in her spectacular art one day. Creating does run in the family, after all.”
Silverbelle gave a soft shudder, but kept painting, the brush dipping into the paints as she wrote the lines of her cousin. The other filly was at least making this easy by not moving much.
“We could probably get Applebloom to model, too,” Sweetie offered with a grin. “Scootaloo would probably be too jumpy. Ohhhh, I bet Diamond and Silver Spoon would love it, too. Snips and Snails love the attention so they'd be all for it. Button would be easy, just give him his joy boy and he won't move for hours. Maybe you could paint Pipsqueak in something regal, as class president.”
Silverbelle whimpered, the brush shaking in her magic as she listened to all those names. “I-I'd rather... n-not. S-so many...”
“Oh, nonsense,” Precious said with a shake of her head. “A fresh artist like yourself must always expand her horizons and paint new models where ever she can find them. Why, this could be a new means of practice for you. It might even be how you get your cutie mark.”
The filly gave a soft sigh, but nodded. “Okay...”
Sweetie frowned as she watched the two, rubbing her chin. Then her eyes lit up. “Ohhhh, and I bet we could do Claw and Val, too!”
Silverbelle yelped and dropped the brush, her mother only barely catching it in time.
“Dear, you really must work on your grip. You can't be dropping your precious instruments like that,” her mother said with a sigh. “Now, keep working.”
Sweetie stared for a moment, her eyes widening. Wait, that was a weird reaction. Her magic had completely flickered out. It could mean only one thing.
Silverbelle had a crush on Claw! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Just wait until Applebloom and Scootaloo find out!
But, wait. Weren't they like... aunt and nephew? Or removed aunt and nephew? Whatever the term was? She'd need to ask her big sister when she got back. Either way... ewwwww.
But either way, they could fix her, she was sure of it! Cutie mark crusaders crush breakers go!
Silverbelle shuddered again. Why did she suddenly feel so uneasy?
Cheerilee groaned as her eyes opened. A nice, pleasant morning. She had to get ready for work and--
Oh. Right. Wasn't going to work. She looked over across the room at Val. He was sleeping on his side, Nipper held to his stomach.
She slowly got up and walked towards the door, pulling it open. She yelped at the sight of the four guards. Three pegasi and a unicorn. “E-err... h-hello?” she said softly.
“Good morning, Miss Cheerilee,” the unicorn said, bowing his head. “We are here to escort you to anywhere you need to go.”
“I ummm, just wanted to get breakfast for Val and I.”
“We will have it brought immediately,” the unicorn said, before turning.
“Err... how many ponies are here now?” How did they all get here so fast?
“There are twenty five members of the solar guard and thirty members of the lunar guard currently lodged here,” the pony said before glancing back. “We are under orders to guard you, Val and Flash Sentry.”
That made her pause again as she tried to remember who that was. Then her eyes widened. “The guard? He's okay? I mean... err... he...”
“He is recovering a few rooms down. The poison was removed and he mostly just needs rest, so he was transferred here so our pony power did not need to be spread out. Do you have any more questions?”
She shook her head and slowly closed the door. Well, a veritable army of guards. That's something interesting. At least she didn't need to worry about a sneak attack. She then looked towards the sleeping colt.
Well, she could wake him after breakfast came. She hoped he was feeling a little better.
------
Rarity groaned as something warm and wet rubbed her face. Her back hurt, too. She pulled back and slowly opened her eyes, looking at Claw who just grinned at her. “Hi mommy!” he said happily, before giving her another face lick.
“H-hi dear,” she said weakly before standing with a cringe. She had been sitting on one of the chairs and fallen forward when she laid down. The position had been very bad on her back and she couldn't help but want to whimper a little bit. “Are you feeling better?” She stretched it a little bit and cringed again.
“Mmmm hmm! Are we going to go home? It'll be night soon, right?”
Rarity paused and looked out the window. Morning already? She looked at the time and cringed again. School would be starting soon. Could she get him home in time to... no. It wouldn't hurt him to miss one day of school. “No, dear. It's morning. School will be starting soon.” She reached out and pet his head. “I'm going to go talk to the doctor, okay? See if they'll let you come home now.”
“Okay mommy,” he said before giving her another nuzzle.
She turned and started to walk off, before stopping. “Claw, darling. The spiders. Do you remember what you did?”
He slowly nodded. “Uh huh. They wanted to bite mommy...” he said gently.
She nodded and smiled, giving him another gentle pat on the head. “Did you... errr... did you... remember how to do that? Do you know how you did it? Or what it was?”
He nodded. “Oh yes! I get really mad and then I picked them up and threw them!”
“Right. I mean HOW you did it, though. They were... bigger than you. As was that tree you... do you understand what you did?”
He nodded. “Uh huh. I beat up the bad things.”
She smiled at his simplicity. Well, it was true at least. “Yes you did and you did an amazing job of it.” She walked to the door and called over one of the nurses. Within a few minutes she had the release forms and trotted back to grab her little colt. “Come along, dear. Let's head home. I'm sure Spike is absolutely besides himself with worry.”
“Okay mommy!” he said before climbing out of bed. He nearly fell over and she was forced to quickly catch himself, but after a few seconds of walking he was moving fine again. She held him close, smiling.
“If you need more rest, it's fine.”
“No, I wanna go see daddy. Am I going to school?”
She shook her head. “Not today. You can go back tomorrow. Today... I just want you to get some rest. Come along.” She said before gently guiding him out of the room.
------
Sweetie looked nervously back at her cousin, before then turning to her two friends. She motioned Silverbelle inside and then, once she was inside the school, let out a little eep. “Silverbelle has a crush on Claw!”
“What?” Scootaloo asked.
“Wait, are yah sure? Ain't yah like... cousins an' all? Ain't Claw supposed tah be Rarity's?” Applebloom asked with a cocked eye.
“I know! He's like... if they...” Sweetie shivered and shook her head. “We need to break them up. Or, well, make sure they never try to do anything. I think this calls for drastic measures.”
The three shared a look, before nodding. “Yah both know what this means, don't yah?” Applebloom asked with a frown.
“Eeyup,” Scootaloo said firmly. “But we gotta do what we gotta do.”
“Then we're all agreed?” Sweetie asked with a smile.
“Mmmm hmmm,” Applebloom said with a nod. “Yah bring her down to the tree house after class. Scoots an' ah'll have everything set up.”
The unicorn nodded with a grin. “Thank you. So much.” She looked towards the house. It was for her own good. She felt bad about it... but it was for the best
------
Val groaned and kind of pushed his body around the ground, just using his back hooves while his front ones lay limp at his sides. “I am sooooo borrrrrrred,” he whined. “There's nothing to do!”
Cheerilee rolled her eyes and looked back to her book. “If you want, you can join me in reading. But I'm afraid there's not much more to do here.” There was no actual television on the premises, but thousands of books. The perfect place to teach Val to read, if he'd let her. To her relief, and later annoyance, Val was recovering quickly. In fact, all of the fear from before had...
No, it wasn't quite gone. It was still partially there, she could tell. He froze whenever the door opened and she noticed he was staying away from the windows. But he was moving around and not crying anymore, or talking about the horrible fate that awaited him, so she knew he was making some progress.
But it also meant he didn't want to just sit back, snuggle and read a book. He wanted action, drama, suspense. She wondered if they could find a joy boy or something. Maybe invite the other children over to play after school ended.
“So you're bored, huh?” a voice boomed through the room, making them both look up.
“Who's that?” Val asked, wide eyed.
“The destroyer of boredom, the defeater of apathy, the crusher of... ummm... unconcern!” The door swung open and Flash Sentry stood in the doorway, in full armor and... wearing a mask. A paper mask with a fake, round horn. Little sparklers were being lit behind the stallion and two other guards waved them around with apathetic looks on their faces. Cheerilee face hoofed.
“Oh brother...” she muttered. She then looked to Val. His eyes were wide and his mouth had fallen to the ground as he stared at the pegasus, surrounded by smoke and sparklers.
Flash stepped into the room and she noticed he walked with a slight limp. She could see white bandages wrapped tightly around his shoulder where the spider had bit him. He swung out a wing and the Armies of Equestria box fell to the ground. “For boredom, there is but one way to defeat it! Games!”
Val blinked and looked at the game in excitement, then his face fell. “I don't play games with bunnies!”
“But this isn't just any bunny!” Flash said before lifting up the box lid and pulling out one of the many cards, holding it out to the colt. “This is a bunny that can drop a dragon with one kick.” Val, despite his reservations, looked at the card. And his eyes widened. It was a little white bunny that was... eerily familiar. But it was wearing chainmail, had red war paint on its face and held a single mallet in its hands. At its feet were five dragons, crumbled in defeat. “The dreaded guardian bunny of Sanctuary, said to once protect a safe haven run by a beautiful mare who welcomed all. A bunny unmatched in combat, even by the greatest of pegasi warriors. A creature of myth and legend. In fact, some say his descendent's still roam this land. Guarding and protecting the ponies who wield that mare's powers."
------
Angel Bunny sneezed before looking around. He had the sudden urge to hurt a pegasus, he wondered why. Not Fluttershy, of course.
------
Val just stared at the card. Then Flash tilted it slightly and revealed... it was shiny. The colt gasped. “And... and that's the only bunny?”
“It is the only bunny worthy of being in such a game!” Flash said dramatically. Some more sparklers went off behind him and Cheerilee cringed as the curtains lit on fire and the poor guards had to run around, trying to put it out. Fortunately, they succeeded.
Val gulped and looked at the cards. Cheerilee rolled her eyes. He was completely taken in, she knew it. Now she just had to see if Flash could close the deal. She wondered where on earth he'd ever gotten such a silly idea. Did he make that mask out of scrap paper?
“In this game you are a general, a commander of your platoons, directing them across the field to capture your opponents, crushing their magical barriers and defeating them in the most glorious of manners. You can lead the earth ponies, the pegasi, the unicorns or even... the dragons.”
Val's eyes practically glowed. “I... I can lead an army of DRAGONS?”
“A whole army. Countering your enemy forces, defeating them in the most glorious of manners. All you need to do is create your army and then fight it against others.” He picked up a small deck of the cards, all of which were inside little blue plastic sleeves, and held them out to the colt. “Will you lead your soldiers?”
Val sqweed and nodded, taking the cards. Cheerilee walked over and grabbed Flash by the shoulders. “I'm not sure I like the idea of him playing such a... violent game,” she whispered.
“It's really not,” Flash whispered back. “It's just a game of diplomacy. But I figured he'd be more interested if I added a little flair.”
She looked down at Val, before giving a small nod. “I... suppose it's okay.”
The little colt frowned. “Hey, what do all these little words say?”
“They explain what abilities each creature have. Here, let me explain the rules...”
Cheerilee watched them for a moment before looking towards the door. The other guards had walked off, leaving behind nothing but a slightly burnt and damp curtain. She then looked to Flash and smiled. Of course. He was laid up too, he was probably just as bored as Val. At least maybe the two could keep each other entertained.
Though, seriously. Where in Equestria did he get that mask? It looked like it was... words couldn't even explain it. So much scrap paper. And was that horn made from a toilet paper roll?
------
Silverbelle couldn't help feeling a little nervous as she was led through the trees of the Apple family orchard. They were going back to the club house they'd been quite a few times, but this time it was different. This time... something was off. Her cousin was barely speaking to her. She was being very vague about what was happening, too.
Oh, she did hope she was just misunderstanding things again. These Equestrian ponies were just so... strange. Their rituals and other things just made so little sense to her. The words and everything, just ugh. How she wished she was smart like her mother and understood both. She was learning how to read a little bit and was getting better at speaking it, but so often ponies just spoke too fast for her to keep up. It was horrible.
“We're here!” Sweetie said happily before galloping up towards the tree house. Silverbelle let out a soft sigh as she followed after her cousin, a feeling of dread. She wished she knew where that feeling was coming from.
The two walked into the tree house and she was surprised to see four ponies waiting for them. She recognized the other two, Diamond and Silver Spoon. They'd met quite often, but only at school. This was the first time she was seeing them outside of that safe environment and already she felt the anxiety rising. It didn't help that everypony was staring at her and there was a big banner up above with her name on it.
In... tear... vent...on? What was an in-tear-vent-on? Were they tearing up vents? Why? Was there a cutie mark for that?
The door closed behind her and she yelped, looking back to Sweetie. “I'm sorry tah do this to yah, Silverbelle, but it's for your own good.”
She whimpered and backed away in fear. What were they going to do to her? What-- eep! She was grabbed by Applebloom and Scootaloo and dragged towards one of the nearby chairs and plopped down. A cup of apple cider was forced into her hooves.
“Silverbelle, we're doing this for your own good,” Scootaloo said as she moved in front of her.
“We're your friends and we care about you, that's why this needs to stop,” Applebloom said as she joined her. “Ah know yah like 'im, but it just ain't gonna work out.”
“We're here for support and because we didn't want to be left out,” Diamond said with a small smile. “And I didn't have any treasury things to do.”
“What she said,” Silver Spoon said with a nod.
Sweetie moved to join them. “This is your intervention, Silverbelle. We know about your crush and... it needs to stop.”
The little unicorn's cheeks turned bright red. “I-I don't... I don't h-have a crush...” The cup timidly trembled in her hooves. “N-not at all.”
“Mmmm hmmm, looks like yah were right, Sweetie,” Applebloom said with a shake of her head. “Jus' look at the way her hooves are shakin'.”
“As much as I hate to agree, you're right,” Diamond said with a sigh. “Listen, Silverbelle. I understand. Many a pony has submitted to the... dangerous. The exciting. The strange. It's in plenty of those romance novels my mother reads. But this is... a little too far.”
“B-but... I-I don't...” Silverbelle whimpered and accidentally spilled some of her juice, but in the intense moment nopony noticed.
“Please, Silverbelle,” Sweetie said before reaching out and putting a hoof over hers. “I'm your cousin. I know this can be hard, but you need to believe me. It won't work out. You can't... make it work. The differences are bad enough, but the similarities are just too much. It's not healthy.”
“H-he's not... that d-different...”'
“That's the problem!” Scootaloo said with a roll of her eyes. “If you two didn't come from the same family, it would be fine. But really, Claw? I get it, he's kind of... weird and a bit cute. But he's like... your nephew or cousin or... whatever he is.”
Silverbelle just stared then, her mind rolling. That couldn't be... she was just confused. That had to be it. Everything was just so confusing. She was sure if she had a proper grasp on Equestrian speech this would all make sense and could be fixed calmly and rationally. Instead, all she could do was look at them. “I... sorry?”
“Listen, there are plenty of other unicorn's in the sea,” Diamond said with a nod. “How about Snails? He's kind of dopy, too. Weird and--”
The door opened and chaos marched through it. A chill went down the pink earth pony's spine and she turned in time to see the blur of white jump on top of her. She let out a shriek and was brought down by the colt, Claw standing on top of her and proceeding to lick her face.
“Ack! What? No, stop, get it off!”
“See? This is what you're crushing on!” Applebloom said, shaking her head. “An' he's your nephew! It jus' ain't right!”
Silverbelle just looked confused as she looked between them. Were none of them going to help the poor shrieking pony? Oh, there. Silver Spoon went to stop him and... was soon pinned as well, being licked.
“Ummm...” Silverbelle said softly. “Should you... not help them?” she asked softly.
“Oh, they're fine,” Applebloom said with a shrug. “He's harmless. But anyway. Yah gotta promise yah won't try tah date Claw or do any of that whole... crushin' thing with him. Okay? Yah gotta let him go.”
Silverbelle slowly nodded. “Err... o...kay?” she said softly, watching them as she struggled in vain to understand what was going on.
Sweetie smiled. “You promise?”
“I... promise?”
The unicorn grinned. There, they'd done it. Saved her cousin from a fate of... well, whatever Claw was. She then turned towards the others and sighed. “Claw, get off Diamond!” He'd switched licking partners again. “Now!”
He whined, but did so, his tail wagging slightly. The two fillies looked traumatized. Applebloom let out a shriek as she was tackled and licked next. “Consarn it!”
“W-why?” Diamond asked softly. “T-the horror... the horror...”
“I thought you only did that to Val,” Scootaloo asked with a cocked eye. “Why all of a sudden?”
“Not allowed to lick ponies at school,” Claw said dejectedly. “Also, she tastes like diamonds. They're good!” He pointed at Diamond, who shuddered.
“... Wait, really? She does?” Every eye turned to the filly.
She eeked. “What? No! No pony licks me! Back, back I say!”
“Oh relax,” Applebloom said with a shake of her head, finally shoving Claw off. “Ain't nopony gonna lick yah, Diamond. Except maybe Claw. He's affectionate. It means he likes yah!”
The filly glowered.
“So, what do we do now?” Sweetie asked with a big grin. They'd saved her little cousin from a horrible relationship of... well... just ewwwww.
“We... could ummmm... go check on Val...” Silverbelle said softly, shuffling her hooves. “Make sure he's okay...”
Diamond's eyes widened. “W-what? That evil little-- eek!” She was taken down by another pounce by Claw, who proceeded to nibble on her tiara. “Get offffff!”
“See? It just means he likes you,” Scootaloo said with a chuckle. “You're making friends so quickly now, Diamond. And yeah, that could be fun. Maybe we can see Miss Cheerilee. I hope she's okay...”
“So we're agreed?” Applebloom asked. Most of the ponies nodded. Except Diamond and Claw who were in the midst of their licky struggle. And Silver Spoon, who was struggling to pull him off the poor dragon-saliva covered filly.
“Gahhhh! Claw, knock that offffff!” the filly whined.
She got a nuzzle and slight purr in response. “I like you Diamond tasting filly.”
The filly rolled her eyes and grumbled darkly. Why did this being nice stuff have to be so hard? She wanted to throw a shake on his head or at least punch him in his big stupid face!
Sweetie, Silverbelle, Claw, Scootaloo, Applebloom, Diamond and Silver Spoon gulped as they came to the castle, looking up at the small battalion of soldiers standing guard outside the door. As they came closer the ponies looked down at them. “State your business.” One of the unicorns said.
“We're here to see Miss Cheerilee and Val,” Scootaloo said nervously as she stared into the stony eyes of the guard. He gazed down at her for a few moments before... smiling and moving aside, pulling the door open.
“Well, you kids have fun. They're on the second floor, third door on the right.”
“Oh, ummm, thank yah kindly,” Applebloom said and the ponies started walking, giving each other curious glances before shrugging. They soon came to the door and paused as it opened.
Cheerilee was sitting on one end of the bed with Val in her lap, gently pointing over his shoulder towards the cards held in his hooves. “Okay. You can place this one since you have three of them and use it as a resource. Then bring out this guy. Remember his effect?”
“Yeah! He has three power, I know.” Val nodded quickly and put his cards down, before grinning. “Okay, Mask, now you're going to lose, again!”
“Oh ho ho ho ho!” Flash said. At least, it looked like Flash. He was wearing the... strangest mask any of them had ever seen. “None can defeat... the Mask! But summon another soldier if you think you can!”
“I will beat you!” Val yelped, his voice getting high pitched. He then pointed forward. “I attack with my pegasus cloud maker!”
“Ugh! A powerful strike!” the Mask said, recoiling back slightly. “I take the hit and draw an armor card.”
“Good, I end my turn!” Val said proudly, smirking. He was winning, crushing this silly pony. Did he really think he could defeat the great and powerful Val?
… Well, defeat him again. But the first time was just a fluke! And the time before that. He'd won before that, of course. Cheerilee was helping him with the big words on the cards, too. He could do this. He would do this. He was the greatest commander of all time.
“I draw!” the Mask said, drawing a card dramatically.
Cheerilee rolled her eyes. She wished that Flash would knock it off, but on the other hoof Val seemed to be having a lot of fun as he tried playing with the cards. It would help with his reading and math skills too, probably. Most importantly, he was using his hooves to hold the cards and not even noticing. As long as Flash kept him distracted, he might never notice. She hoped.
“Wow...” Sweetie said softly as she stared in wonderment. “Who is that masked pony?”
“I think it's just one of the guards,” Scootaloo said with a roll of her eyes. “Hey, Val!”
The unicorn glanced up and frowned. “Ugh, y--” The words locked in his throat when he saw Sweetie. A little red went into his cheeks and he jumped to the ground, sending the cards scattering.
“Eek, my cards!” the Mask cried out.
“Hey, what are you all doing here?” Val asked before puffing out his chest. “Come to watch me demonstrate my skill as a general? I must warn you, I am pretty amazing at it. But then, what else could you expect from a true warlock of the--?”
“What's yah playin'?” Applebloom asked as she trotted up, peering over the bed at the cards. “Ohhh, they look fancy! Is that a dragon on that one?”
“Mmmm hmm,” the Mask said. “Have you too come to challenge the great Mask as well? Beware, for-- hey!” Flash let out a shriek as his mask was gripped in magic and pulled back, revealing him for what he truly was.
Sweetie gasped and let the mask fall away from her grip as Val turned and stared. “Y-you're... you're... you're that stupid pony!” he said, pointing a hoof accusingly. “H-how? When? When did this happen? What are you...” His eyes went even wider. “Y-you're a... master of disguise...”
Flash blinked and then stared for a moment. He then looked to Cheerilee with one eye cocked. She merely shrugged. “Errr... yes?”
“W-wow,” Val said softly, his voice in awe. “That's... kind of awesome.”
Flash nodded and smirked, posing dramatically. “Well, I am pretty awe--” He tried to spread out his wings to punctuate the last word, but instead let out a his of pain when he tried. “Ow, bad idea.”
“Aaaand you lost it.”
“So, what is this?” Applebloom asked as she nudged the fancy cards around.
“Armies of Equestria. It's a card game,” Flash said with a grin. “I play it with my little brother all the time, so I figured Val might like it.”
“B-but you said the fate of the world was at stake if I didn't beat you!” Val whined.
“... I may have exaggerated a teensy, tiny bit.”
Val glared. “I was totally kicking your flank, too.”
Flash chuckled. “Well, kids, if the rest of you want to play, I can teach you the rules too.” He paused and looked between them... “Eight of you... huh. I'll need both core sets for that then. I'll be right back.” He trotted out from the room, humming softly.
Val glared as he left, before his eyes fell on Diamond. She looked at him for a moment before turning away. “I think I'd best go home,” she said softly.
“What? Noooo! Diamond pony stays!” Claw said with a whine, before giving her another lick.
She cringed. “Stop that!”
Val let out a yipe as Cheerilee moved up behind him and gently pushed him towards the filly. “Val, I think you need to say something to Diamond.”
“Hey! What? Like what?” he asked, looking in confusion. The filly eeped and tried to move back, but Claw blocked her way. All the other fillies just glared at Val. What did he need to say to her? He didn't even know who she was! She was just a little pink pony with a tiara and... oh. Oh. Ohhhhhh! “Errrr... sorry for lighting you on fire?” He glanced back and got a nod from Cheerilee. Well, he was on the right track at least. He looked back to the filly. “Also, sorry you have to wear that stupid tiara everywhere. And you're pink.” Hey, saying sorry was easy! Why did everypony simultaneously face hoof?
Diamond blinked, her mouth falling open. She then glared. “Hey, listen here, blank flank. My tiara is awesome! And my coat is the best pink of all!”
“... What's a blank flank? Is that like calling somepony a stupid head? Well, you're a stupid head too!” he said defensively.
“W-what? No! A blank flank is somepony who doesn't have a cutie mark yet!” Diamond snapped, slightly taken aback. “S-so, you!”
“... Oh. Okay. Is that supposed to be an insult?” So many face hoofs. “If it is, well... you're one too! A double one!” So many, many face hoofs.
“No, I... it... I...” Diamond just stared at him before looking towards the crusaders. “I don't... even... fine!” she snapped, shaking her head in frustration. “Apology accepted! Geez!”
“Good, we're all friends now,” Cheerilee said with an exasperated sigh. She couldn't believe she wasn't even getting paid for this. Or maybe she was, the princess hadn't been very clear on what this protection thing would be like. Was she getting a government stipend? Oh well. The two weren't trying to kill each other anymore, so that was at least a step in the right direction. “Now, how about we play some games.”
“Yayyy, games!” Claw said, before pouncing on Val and licking his face.
“Gahhhh! Get off me you scaled... scaled blank flank!”
Cheerilee sighed and face hoofed. She just had to teach him that word, didn't she?
“Okay everypony, I've got the games!” Flash said as he stepped inside, holding two boxes. “Now, how about I explain the rules and we can get to making your decks.”
------
Flash nodded. “Okay, so Val and Scootaloo are going dragon, Claw and Applebloom are going earth pony, Silverbelle and Silver Spoon are going unicorn and...” Flash gave a shudder. “Diamond and Sweetie are going pegasus. Girls, are you sure you want to? I mean, there are plenty of the... other... cards...”
Sweetie looked up at him. “Is something wrong with the pegasi cards?”
“No... nothing is... wrong with them,” he muttered, before grumbling under his breath. “Bunch of cheap tempo breaking... grumble grumble... darn you Deckflipper...”
“What was that?” Diamond asked, staring up at him.
“Nothing, nothing at all,” Flash said with a fake grin. “Enjoy your... pegasus... decks. Here, just choose your cards. Remember, just need forty of them. Max of three of each.”
------
“Err... Val, honey, are you sure you want to use that card? I mean, you already have a... lot of powerful cards,” Cheerilee said softly as she read through his selection.
“Of course,” he said with a smirk. “I'm going to have all the toughest, strongest, bestest cards in the game!”
“But didn't Flash say you should make your deck with cheap and strong monsters?” Cheerilee asked with a sigh.
“Bah, who cares what he thinks? No pony likes him anyway. He just doesn't understand the... ummm... cool things. Like dragons.”
Cheerilee sighed and shook her head. He'd understand eventually. One day. Maybe.
“Miss Cheerilee, what does this card say?” Silverbelle asked softly, holding up one of the cards.
“Hmmm? Oh, swarm. It gives it more power for each creature you have,” Cheerilee said softly.
“Ummm, Mister Flash?” Sweetie asked as she looked up.
“Yes?” the pegasus asked.
“Do you have any cards that let you draw more cards?”
The pegasus shuddered. “And you're using a pegasus deck... the horror... hold on. The drawing cards are mercenary faction. Just make sure not to use too many of them, you can't use them as resources,” he said before pulling out another stack of cards. He then yelped. “Claw, don't chew on the cards!”
“But the sleeves taste like sapphires!” he whined.
“That's because they're sapphire omega sleeves,” Flash said proudly. “Very expensive.”
Diamond cocked an eye. “You play this game way too much, don't you?”
He cringed. “N-not at all. I just... errr... used to play in tournaments when I was a kid. All the time. Eh... heh heh heh...”
“Oh? Really?” Cheerilee asked, smiling at him. “I had no idea they had tournaments for this kind of thing.”
“Yeah. I used to be pretty good, won a few,” he said proudly. “I stopped after they released the spirit and changeling boxes, though. Discord and Chrysalis cards were just sooooo over powered. Completely broke the balance of the game.”
There was a light snicker from Diamond. “I thought you said you played when you were a kid?”
“I... errr... I did,” Flash said nervously, shuffling a little in place.
“But didn't Discord appear just a few years ago? Were you a kid then?”
Every eye fell on Flash and his cheeks turned bright red. “W-w-w-well, errr, I mean, I-I errr... m-my little brother would... errrr... look, do you want to play with my fancy cards or not?” he asked with a little squeak.
The ponies all snickered, but didn't say another word. Cheerilee reached out and gently gave him a pat on the back.
------
“And I attack you with all three of my creatures, wiping out the rest of your armor,” Scootaloo said with a smirk.
Val stared. “Impossible! How do you keep beating me? How? Howwwwww? It's not fairrrrr! I have all the strongest dragons in the world in my deck! How come I keep losing?” He threw down his cards.
Flash sighed and slowly scooped them up. “Here, let me take a look at your deck and...” He face hoofed. “Val, you have nothing but high cost cards in here.”
“Yeah!” Val said with a nod. “I put all the most powerful cards in there! With all the counters and things! So much power!”
The pegasus shook his head. “That's why you keep losing. You're not even able to get anything out for four or five turns...”
“But they're so strooooooooong,” Val whined.
“Yeah, but you need some weak monsters too,” he said with a sigh. “Want me to help you build your deck?”
“No! My army is perfect, these cards are just... just defective!” He then glowered at Scootaloo. “I challenge you again! And this time you won't get so lucky!”
She chuckled and gave a nod. “Well... if you want.”
------
“And then I spend this to get this out, and then this, and then this, and now my berserker pony is super duper strong and I attack again with it,” Claw said happily as he nibbled on the edges of one of his cards.
Applebloom just stared in bewilderment. How. The buck. Was. She. Losing? Claw was a... well... he was kinda... he had a few lights off in the attic. At least, she thought he did. He kept getting distracted by shiny things. Yet he only took about two seconds for each of his moves and just... it wasn't... howwwww?
“Ah... ah block with... both mah monsters. No armor damage.”
“Okay, I end my turn,” Claw said, before looking back and a paw batting at his tail. As she watched, he started chasing it.
Okay. It was all just a fluke. Ain't no way he was beatin' her again. Nuh uh. Three for zero jus'... no.
------
“Ummm, and I, ummmm... I-I bring out another impenetrable shielding unicorn...” Silverbelle whispered as she played her card.
“I... do too,” Silver Spoon said. They'd been playing for ages and the two had barely even started. Could these matches even GET any slower?
“Okay, and I ummmm... play my blacksmith spell, I get another card in my armor deck.”
Silver Spoon let out a sigh. Yes, this was going to go on for a loooooooong time.
------
“And I draw three and we both discard one,” Sweetie said before placing another card down. “Your turn.”
“O-okay,” Diamond said softly as she drew another card. Her now only card. How had it come to this? She had one creature and two resources. Sweetie had three creatures, the full six resources and four cards in her hand. She sighed and played her card down as a resource. “I-I end my turn.” And only three cards in her armor deck. Not that they'd do any good, with the way the other filly was making her discard over. And over. And over. She thought these pegasus cards were supposed to be about dodging things and going around them, why hadn't she chosen some of those 'discard everything' cards too?
------
Flash nodded as he watched the eight. “Okay, I think thats enough mirror matches. How about we all have a nice little-- Claw stop chewing on the sleeves!”
“Sorry...”
“Now, how about we mix it up a bit.”
“Ummm, we're not done yet,” Silver Spoon said softly. “I still have seventeen cards in my armor deck and Silverbelle has nineteen.”
The stallion paused. “Errrr... I forgot to mention that rule. If a player gets up to fifteen cards in their armor deck, they win.” He cringed as both fillies just turned and glared at him, their eyes filled with fury. “S-sorry...” he said with a squeak. “Now, let's have a little tournament.”
Val smirked. Fine, he may have lost to Scootaloo every time, but she was just lucky. Now that he got to play against somepony else, surely he'd win every game!
------
Val glowered darkly, a cloud over his head. How had he lost to EVERYPONY? He just had to be super duper unlucky! Sure, he understood losing to Sweetie, she was smart and awesome and pretty and brilliant. But how did he lose to CLAW?
The other ponies watched with breathless anticipation as, surprisingly, Claw and Sweetie were the last ones standing. Claw had only one card in his hand, but there was no chance of him actually playing it. It was shiny and he was having too much fun twirling it around on the ground to put it into play. That, and his field was filled with cards already, all three creature slots filled and a spell card in its slot.
Sweetie frowned as she looked at her full hand. She had two creatures, but nothing strong enough to defeat Claw's. She frowned when she drew her card. She really might have to concede against--
And suddenly his shiny card flicked over her head and Claw darted after it. She barely had time to get out of the way as he tore through the field, scattering the cards everywhere.
“My babies!” Flash cried out in anguish.
“Gahhh!” Val cried out as Claw landed on him, the card in his mouth. “Get off me!”
“Sowwy,” Claw said sheepishly before turning back towards the board and cringing. “Oops.”
“I... I think we can just call that one a tie,” Sweetie said nervously before looking to Flash, who was in the midst of trying desperately to pick up all the cards.
“That was... quite interesting,” Cheerilee said with a smile. “Claw, Sweetie, how ever did you come up with decks like those?”
“Math is fun!” Claw said happily, before tossing the card. He then looked down at the pinned Val and grinned.
“Don't you da-- GAHHHH! Stop licking me!”
“O-oh, well, I ummm...” Sweetie smiled nervously. “I-I just realized the pegasus cards had a lot of...cards that made both of us discard cards. I thought if I had a bunch of draw cards, I could take away the other player's cards and then have a bunch of extra ones so I'd have more options than they did.”
Flash let out another shudder. “She truly is a... pegasus player... ughhh...”
Cheerilee stared at Claw and Sweetie. Okay, Sweetie was... err... Claw was... well... she'd never have imagined either of them were... She had been sure they were both very smart in their own way. Claw always paid attention in class and seemed to follow really well. But he was also distracted by shiny things so easily. Sweetie, on the other hoof... Sweetie was very sweet. Had passable grades and such. But... err...
She then looked to the other children. Had she really out smarted all of them? Well, it was just one game, she supposed. But... but Sweetie. She then looked to Flash, who was trying to unsleeve some of the cards. “Are any of them damaged?”
“No, thank goodness,” he said with a relaxed sigh. Then replaced the cards in new sleeves. How many of them did he have? She'd have never pegged him for such a... well...
He flicked one of the damaged sleeves into the air and Claw jumped, catching it in mid air... before crashing into Diamond. She let out a shriek as he proceeded to hug her, still chewing on the sleeve.
“Ughhhhhh. Get offfff!”
“Diamond pony is best Diamond pony,” Claw said happily, before licking her and gasping. “Diamonds AND sapphires.”
“Offfff!”
Cheerilee couldn't help it, she burst into a fit of giggles to join the children's. It was nice seeing Val so happy and relaxed, playing with the other children. Not so scared.
Cheerilee gently pet Val's back as she watched him. He was so cute right now, relaxing on the bed and grumbling occasionally.
“So, did you have fun with everypony today?” she asked with a small smile.
“Mmmm hmm,” he nodded. “Though Claw shouldn't come anymore. He's annoying.”
“He's just affectionate,” Cheerilee said with a chuckle. “I'm happy you're getting along so well with the other kids. It's nice that you're making friends.”
He nodded. “Uh huh. Some of them are actually... cool.” A grin formed on his lips. “Especially Sweetie...” he said dreamily.
Cheerilee stared for a moment, before shaking her head. Nope, she wasn't touching that one with a ten foot pole. “How about we get a little light reading done before bed, okay?” She pulled out her book and then scooped him up into her lap, making him yipe.
“What? Hey! I don't wanna read!” he said with a whine.
“Too bad. You still need to get some practice in.”
He groaned before giving a nod. “Fine. Whatever,” he muttered as he looked at the words. He then paused. “Can... they come over again tomorrow?”
“Of course they can, dear.”
“Cool... hey, can we play that game then?”
“Which one? The cards?”
“No, the one we found at your house. Where we get to like... go on adventures and stuff? With dragons?”
She smiled. “I'll think about it. Maybe tomorrow.” She then pointed towards the book. “But first, reading. Try spelling out the words.”
“Okay...” he mumbled softly. Slowly he looked over the first page. “The g... g... go... at... go at.”
“Goat. Remember, two vowels together make you say the first vowel's name.”
“Oh, right. The goat... rode...”
------
Rarity smiled as she tucked Claw into bed, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. He and the others were really tuckered out tonight, she hoped they weren't too much trouble for Cheerilee. She knew Claw could be a bit of a hoofful at times. Even if he was super cute and adorable at others. She trotted out of the room and then smiled to her aunt. “Anything you want to say?”
“I think you make a fabulous mother,” Precious said with a smile. “I do hope your business hasn't been suffering much for it.”
“Oh, not at all. I... suppose I may have to get an assistant, though. The Canterlot Boutique is still being ran while I'm here. I can still do my creating while they're at school as well. It's really not been any trouble. At least, not so much trouble that...” She glanced towards the room and sighed.
“Being a mother agrees with you, niece,” Precious said with a smile. “Though I must say, the circumstances are it are quite... extreme. Do you think he understands what's going on?”
Rarity sighed and shook her head. “Fully? No. I think in his mind everypony just got younger and some new... friends appeared. I'll have to explain everything to him when he's older. So, tell me, did you enjoy your day in the town?”
“Oh, quite. You were absolutely correct. The spa was absolutely delightful.”
Rarity nodded and trotted down the stairs.
“Rarity, dear? What can you tell me about this Val? Are you sure it's okay for him to be hanging around the children? Silverbelle seemed quite... interesting in him.”
Rarity frowned and stopped. Val was... “He's... difficult. A bit of a brat. But I imagine it is to be expected.” She thought back to those massive spiders. How could such things even exist? What kind of world was he from, where monsters such as that were... she shivered. “But he's young. I imagine after he's been here a few years and adapts, he'll be like any other pony.”
“You don't think he's going to be a bad influence on Silverbelle, do you?”
Rarity shook her head. “No, not really.” To be honest, she was a little more worried about her sister being a bad influence to their cousin. Sweetie was a wonderful sweet child. But she didn't think her aunt would appreciate some of the hijinks the filly was known for doing. “I'm sure that, deep down he is a wonderful child and he will learn quickly.” She paused. “Though, tomorrow I suppose we could go with them and watch them play.”
Precious' eyes lit up. “At the castle? That sounds absolutely marvelous! I'd love to have a better chance to look it over.”
Rarity nodded. “Then we can go over tomorrow to see them, then. I'm sure Cheerilee would absolutely adore having some extra company and adults there to help watch the children.” She frowned and thought about what she'd heard them doing all day, playing with Flash. “Some mature adults.”
Her aunt softly chuckled before looking towards the front room. She promptly turned. “Well, I'd best be off to bed, good night niece.”
Rarity paused and then turned around. Spike was sitting on the couch, his hands clasped over his knees and his head down. She sighed and slowly trotted over. She supposed they had to get this over with. She sat by him and tried to think of what to say.
“Did... you trip?” Spike finally asked.
“W-what?”
“I mean... errr... w-when you kissed me. I ummm, I-I've been thinking about it all day. Well, that and Claw, but... he's okay now and I just...”
She smiled. “No, I did not trip and you didn't just happen to catch me with your mouth,” she said with a light chuckle.
“Okay,” he said softly, poking his claws together. “You didn't... err... I mean... you weren't just... taken in by the moment... were you?”
She paused and then reached out, putting a hoof around him, pulling him to her side. “Yes, I was.” She felt him tense up. “But I didn't regret it. I still don't. Spike... I think... well... I don't think I've been fair to you. I've known for a very, very long time you've had a crush on me.”
“W-what?” he asked softly. “B-but I've t-tried my hardest to keep it secret!”
She struggled and, barely, managed to keep from laughing. “Darling, to one such as I, it was clear as day.” She couldn't imagine there was a pony in Ponyville who didn't know, but she ignored that. “But, I haven't been fair. I knew, but I tried to ignore it. Pretended it would just go away, that your fancy would evaporate. I... admit on more than a few occasions I took advantage of it for my own desires and that was selfish of me. But... I've always just ignored it. That wasn't fair to you.” Her hoof tightened over him slightly. “You're still just a baby dragon, Spike.”
“But--”
“Hush, let me finish,” she said firmly. “You're just a baby dragon now, but you won't be forever. Claw... is proof of that. And, for all my complaints... well... you aren't really that much younger than I. There have certainly been larger age gaps in relationships. Even in my own family. In the end, you're a dragon with the ability to make your own decisions and it was wrong of me to just assume it was a phase you were going through.” She smiled down at him. “For all of your... youthfulness, on more than a few occasions you have demonstrated great maturity. Stars know that Twilight would be absolutely hopeless without you there to take care of her. So... I believe I have been unfair in just ignoring your desires, rather than facing them.”
He nodded nervously. “S-so... err... y-you know... everything...”
She nodded again, before sighing. “Claw is here, there is no doubt about that. But it does not mean that there is a guarantee to be another one. If he's mine or Sweetie's, either way we were different ponies and you were a different dragon then. And... in the end, for now, you are still young. But...” She took a deep, slow breath. “I... would not be directly opposed to perhaps... trying such a relationship with the two of us, once all of this is settled.”
His eyes lit up like emeralds. “R-really?”
“Yes, dear. It will be slow, very slow. But... given time, maturity, even...” She blushed. “Romance... who knows what the future holds?”
He tried not to squeal as his claws poked together.
“We will, however, need to discuss all this with Twilight. As your caretaker, she does have a right to know. And I'm sure she's going to have... quite a few views on the matter.”
Spike sighed. “More than a few...”
“Knowing her, she'll have books to say on the subject.” She smiled down at him. “But... that's fine. She cares about you. Loves you. You are her little baby Spike and always will be. And I know you love her just as much and would never want to hurt her.”
He gave a small, timid nod.
“And that's why we need to do this right. But to do that, we need to wait until after this disaster has passed. Okay?”
He nodded and smiled up at her. “So... then... errr... you don't mind that I'm a dragon?”
She shrugged and shook her head. “Dragon or no, you've always been a true gentlecolt. Besides, I'd always imagined myself ending up with a prince. Considering your attachments with Twilight, I imagine you more or less qualify, no?” she said with just a hint of teasing.
He blushed and gave a little nod. “O-okay. I-I'd love being your prince.”
She nodded. “But, for now, let's get some sleep. It will likely be another busy morning tomorrow. Aunt Precious and I will likely be going to visit Cheerilee at the castle after school tomorrow. Would you like to come?”
He blushed and gave a little nod. “O-okay.”
“Wonderful,” she said before gently picking him up and depositing him on his bed. He gave her a pair of pouty eyes, but she shook her head. “No. Patience, dear Spike. The best things in life are worth waiting for.”
“Then you must be worth waiting forever for.”
She paused and blinked, before sighing. “Very well, you silver tongued devil.” She scooped him up and pulled him into her hooves, snuggling him close under the covers. “Just this once. And only this once. Understand?”
He eed a little and nodded. “O-of course!”
She closed her eyes and smiled, snuggling him close. Oh, he did smell pretty good. Reminded her of gemstones. She wondered if it was all the ones he ate?
Cheerilee sighed as she pushed open the door of her room. To her amazement, there was only one pony standing guard. She looked around in confusion. “Where is everypony?”
The pegasus gave a sheepish grin. “Still on patrol. A few of the guards went missing last night and they're combing the Everfree forest.” He gave another soft sigh. “We warned them to try and stay above the trees whenever able, but I'm guessing they ignored it. They're probably halfway to Dodge City by now. Those trees are a maze.” He then smiled. “Worry not, though. There have been no more signs of those spiders.”
She chuckled and gave a nod. She'd heard of that happening on more than one occasion. The Everfree Forest was not the kind of place you wanted to go in without a guide. At least not far. They'd probably turn up in a week, dirty and tired.
“A package arrived for you, from the princess.” The pegasus motioned towards a nearby mini table holding a vase and an envelope.
The teacher grinned and trotted over, pulling it open and then letting out a gasp. “Finally! About time!” She giggled happily.
“Err, ma'am?” the guard asked softly.
“What? Oh! It's the therapist I requested. Apparently a specialist in these kinds of situations. Twilight was able to expedite it. Val will finally get the help he needs!”
The guard nodded. “Oh! That's wonderful!” He then glanced towards the door. “Should we waken him?”
“What? No. Let him sleep a bit longer. The therapist won't be here until noon, anyway.” She then glanced towards the door and smiled. Well... it would just be for a little bit. “Can you keep an eye on him for about half an hour? I doubt he'll wake up, but just in case?”
“Ma'am, you shouldn't be leaving,” he said firmly, stomping a hoof down.
“I just need to grab some books from home, I'll be fine. If Val wakes up and you can't handle him... well... get Flash. He seems... mildly talented at keeping Val from destroying things.” Quite the good talent, all things considered. He hadn't been lit on fire, yet. “I'll be back before you know it. If he's hungry, feel free to feed him whatever's available. Thank you.”
The guard watched the mare leave, frowning. He didn't like this one bit. What if something happened while she was gone?
Like the child awakening? He'd heard the stories of fire and brimstone! He liked having feathers, but they weren't fire proof!
------
“Ooohhhhhhh!” a voice said, startling Rarity awake.
She looked up in bleary eyed confusion at the wide, grinning faces of her sister, cousin, aunt, uncle and... whatever Claw was. Son/nephew/possibly? Why in Equestria were they all grinning like Opal after she found where the cat treats were stored?
Then she felt something warm and hard held tightly in her hooves. She looked down at the sleeping form of Spike and her cheeks turned almost solid red. “I-it's not what it looks like!” she shrieked, flailing so hard she managed to send both of them toppling off the couch, tangled in their blankets.
“What? Huh? What's goin' on?” Spike asked drearily as he looked around, trying to fight back against the entangling mess. All their struggles did was make their audience laugh harder.
Finally Rarity gave up and stopped. Her horn glowed and, slowly, the blanket untangled and lifted into the air, dropping them both out of it. She then jumped to her hooves and stared, her cheeks bright red. There had to be some way to shake this off. No. No there was not. Oh, the shame, the embarrassment, the--
“I had a nightmare,” Spike said valiantly. “Rarity was just trying to help me sleep.”
Rarity paused, the grogginess in her stiff mind grasping onto that notion. Yes, a nightmare. She was merely comforting him and trying to keep the poor dear from... what? She looked down at him. And realized far too often she had looked down ON him. Her horn glowed and she pulled him close, a hoof going over his side. “No, he didn't. Last night we slept soundly together, cuddled in each other's hooves. And, well, claws. I've decided to pursue a relationship, a very slow, gently paced relationship until he ages a bit more, with Spike.”
“I knew it!” Sweetie said excitedly. “I knew he had a crush on you!”
Rarity chuckled. Poor Spike, his desires hadn't even been hidden from her younger sister, one of the more naive ponies she knew. Her aunt just grinned knowingly, before trotting towards the kitchen. “Well, I suppose I'd best get started on breakfast then. Rare, please come help me.” Her husband obeyed obediently.
Rarity sighed, her cheeks still burning. Fine, he was going to be her special somepony. Yet it didn't make them being found all... snuggly together, any less embarrassing. She let out a shriek as Claw lunged.
“Mommy! Daddy!”
The sheer force of the lunge brought both of them down on their backs, against the couch. None the less, she couldn't help but giggle as she hugged their child. Soon enough the other's joined in as well and laughter filled the house.
------
Cheerilee hummed softly as she trotted back towards the castle, her saddlebag filled with her books, papers, some pens and a whole bag of dice. She had more than enough to run a little game. There were eight kids over yesterday, so she could make eight characters and just give them out to the kids. Maybe a few backups, too. With so many of them, she knew they wouldn't get far, but at least they'd probably have fun in a little make believe. She could just dust off one of her old game stories and play them through it. Trying to tame a cockatrice was always an amusing way to start a game.
The castle came into view and she let out a sigh of relief. No smoke, no screams, just the single guard outside giving her a wave. He pulled the door open and she trotted inside.
“See, the big problem with your deck is that you don't have anything to do during the early game. It doesn't matter how good your late game is, if you don't have anything at the beginning,” she heard Flash's voice coming down the hall from the dining hall. She frowned and slowly inched forward.
“But I want all the big dragons!” Val whined, making her roll her eyes.
“Of course. But think of it like a real battle. As powerful as the big units are, they can take time to ready. You need protection for them, too. Otherwise they get hurt or something bad happens to them, then what?”
She peeped into the room and Flash was at the table, the cards spread out all over it.
“Well... I guess I did get overwhelmed a lot...” Val muttered.
“Exactly. Now, I'm not saying big creatures are bad, creatures are awesome. But you need to have the little ones to back them up and support. Without them, you lose too quickly. They're a lot easier to play, too. For the price of just one of your big creatures, you can play three of the little ones.”
“Yeah, but one of the big ones is stronger than all three of the little ones.”
“But all three of the little ones can attack at once. And when they are defeated, they can make your others stronger.”
Cheerilee smiled as she watched them. Val looked so focused, watching the cards and rubbing his chin, trying to understand everything being told to him. He seemed focused and determined. As if... she then rolled her eyes. He probably just wanted to crush all of his friends and hear their laments. Such a competitive child. She wondered if it was like that back home, did he always fight with his siblings? Did he even have siblings?
No, wait. She remembered him mentioning a few, sisters. He didn't talk about them much. He mostly just talked about his mother, the horrible, evil woman. She could barely believe in any dimension somepony like that could exist. She'd... heard stories of ponies who didn't love their children, who even disliked them, but that had always struck her as odd. She completely understood not being able to take care of one's child, but that was why there were orphanages, as sad as it was to say. And she definitely understood ponies who didn't want to have children at all. She'd never been one, though. She'd hoped to have children one day, though she hadn't expected it to happen in a situation like this. Even temporarily.
But for a pony to so adamantly despise their child, to treat them the way he said she treated him? To torture and abuse ones own child? How could somepony be so cruel? A world like that... how many other children like Val were in similar situations?
“And then, you go, 'The greatest conjurer to ever live, I summon Starswirl the bearded to vanquish my foes!” Flash yelled before slamming the card down. “Let the magic of eons flow!”
She rolled her eyes. Val just stared. “Wow. You're like... so lame. You're like mega lame. Like... if lame had a marriage with awkward and they had a kid, that would be you.”
The pegasus' cheeks turned bright red. “I-I didn't... they never... i-it was really cool when they did it on the show!” Flash objected, looking down.
“Wow, really? I find that very hard to believe. Did they do anything else on this... show?”
He nudged the table slightly. “Card games on chariots...”
“Wait, what?”
“In the show, they fought the cards while riding chariots.”
Val's eyes lit up. “Oh my gosh that sounds awesome! I wanna see this!”
Flash blinked and then puffed up. “Well, I do have the entire first season. Not the chariots one, but the other ones.”
“Wow...”
Cheerilee sighed and shook her head. At least Flash was... a slightly good influence on him. Val was more interested in winning pretend wars than winning ACTUAL wars. That was progress. In a way. And at least it seemed mostly harmless.
“Okay, so... Destroyer of worlds and eater of ponys! I summon Ragnarok, king of the dragons!” Val threw the card down.
Mostly harmless.
“Good, you've got it down! You can do it for the other monsters, too. Develop attack names. Like I like to go 'Laser beam scepter attack!'”
Maybe not so much mostly harmless. She pushed open the door and stepped inside. “Hello Flash, Val. Teaching him about the cards I see.”
The stallion eeped, looking to the side. “How... much of that did you see?”
“Enough.”
Flash gave a meek smile and poked his hooves together. “D-don't tell anypony?”
She watched him for a few moments, letting him quiver in worry, before smiling. “Of course not. Val, I have some news.”
“Ohhhh, what is it?” Val asked, before eying the bags. “Did you get the game?”
“Yes, I did. But that's not all. Your therapist is going to be here tonight to meet you.”
He blinked a few times, before staring up at her. “Wait, what?”
She gave a small sigh and sat by him, reaching out to pat his back. “A social worker. Her name is Sunflower and she--”
“Wait, you want me to take a pony named Sunflower seriously? Next you're going to tell me there's a pony named Rainbow.”
“Rainbow Dash actually. And I think you'd like her,” Cheerilee said with a sigh. “And yes, I do. She's a professional and she should be here around noon. Please show her respect and... you'll be able to talk with her about anything. Trust me.”
Val blinked a few times, before glaring. “I don't like it...”
She sighed(she wondered if eventually she'd run out of them?) and resorted to her number one tactic when it came to Val. Bribery. She dumped her bags on the table and she saw his face light up at the pictures of griffons and such on the covers. “If you're good and behaved, we can play this game today. Okay?”
He stared for a moment, looked contemplative and then nodded. “Fine. But I doubt she'll be any good. Any pony named Sunpansy can't be that useful.”
“Sunflower. And we'll see,” Cheerilee said before sitting down and spreading out the books. She then glanced up. “Flash? Is something wrong?”
“Is that the first edition set?” Flash asked with wide eyes. “I didn't even know they made those anymore. I haven't seen one since I was a colt.”
She nodded. “Yes, I used to be quite the little player of these games when I was in school. A fan?”
He nodded. “A little. Though I honestly preferred fourth edition the most.”
She blinked and stared, before rolling her eyes. “Flash... Fourth was... nevermind.” She rolled her eyes and opened the books. No wonder nopony seemed to like him.
------
Cheerilee gulped nervously as she paced just inside the castle. The mare would be here any moment and then Val would finally get the help he needed. Ohhhh, she could hardly wait. She hoped Sunflower was able to help him. What if she wasn't? What if he was beyond help? What if they decided he was to be sent back?
Wait, what? That was nonsense. She was just a therapist, she had no power to send the child back. Even if she did, she couldn't see anypony being so cruel. The mare was here to help, not destroy the poor child's future. She took a slow, deep breath and shook her head.
“Why are you so nervous? I'm the one meeting with some kind of psycho,” Val grumbled.
“I told you, therapist. It's just somepony you talk your problems out with,” Cheerilee said with a smile. “You'll like it if you give her a chance. I promise.”
He sighed and nudged the ground a few times. Both looked up expectantly as the main door opened. The guard moved aside and a pale earth pony mare stood in the doorway, smiling at them. She had a small saddlebag, though it was practically bursting with papers. “Ah, you must be Miss Cheerilee and Val.”
The teacher sighed. Was her name now officially Miss Cheerilee? Had Twilight told her to call her that? Either way, she quickly smiled. “Yes. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Sunflower. Val, this is the therapist I mentioned.”
Val glared up at her. “Your name is stupid.”
Sunflower merely chuckled as she walked forward. “Now, I'm afraid I'm not quite a therapist. I'm actually a member of the FPS, or foal protective services.” This made Cheerilee's mane stand on end. “Considering the stories the princess told, I was determined to have the most experience with situations of this kind of abuse. I do fall under the category of therapist, but only very broadly. I consider myself more of a Psychologist.”
Cheerilee nodded. “I... see.” She was afraid to say it, but she wasn't quite sure what the difference was. She was a little wary of the pony being from the FPS. Was she under investigation?
The mare merely smiled comfortingly. “I'm sorry if my form of employment worries you, but I assure you that you are not under investigation. With your report and the princess', it was tagged as a clear sign of abuse and I was merely chosen as the mare with the most experience in such cases.”
Cheerilee nodded. “I... wasn't aware that there were... those kinds of problems in Ponyville.”
She nodded. “In most cases, there aren't. Mostly just false alarms. But we can never be too careful, now can we?” She gave a small smile, but something about it just didn't seem right to Cheerilee. It seemed like... a very sad smile. “Well, anyway. Could you fill out some paperwork for me? Once that's done, I'd like to begin.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a few forms, before handing them to the teacher.
Cheerilee nodded and trotted off, sitting at a nearby table as she filled them out as best she could, occasionally having to ask Val questions. Apparently he was allergic to poison. As helpful as that was.
------
Cheerilee paced back and forth outside the room, occasionally looking up at it. They'd been in there for well over two hours, almost three now. How much longer could they possibly be? She knew he needed help, but this was only the first appointment.
The door opened and Sunflower appeared in it, stepping out and lightly closing the door behind herself. To Cheerilee's joy, the mare wasn't glaring. She also wasn't smoking, singed, or showing any other signs of attempted incineration. A record after spending two hours with Val. She didn't even have steam coming out of her ears. Though she did appear somewhat paler, though the teacher figured it was probably her imagination.
Sunflower trotted over and offered a hoof, smiling kindly. She didn't say anything as they shook hooves, which concerned her.
"So...uh. How did it...go?" Cheerilee finally asked, breaking the silence.
The pale yellow mare seemed to consider the question for a moment.
"I'm afraid that I will not be able to continue sessions such as this with your child, ma'am," she said, and Cheerilee slumped slightly. Partly because he had been called her child, but mostly because of the negative response. "I'm afraid he's simply too...." She trailed off thoughtfully. "Alien for me to establish any proper boundaries or points of reference with. Frankly, and I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think you'll find any foal specialist psychologists, or more general foal protective services members such as myself, who will be able to. Even willing to. I will try, but I make no promises."
Cheerilee felt a cold stab of dread through her. “So there's... nopony who can help him? But... he needs it.”
Sunflower shook her head. "Ma'am, I'm not saying its impossible to help him. You're just going to have to think... outside of the box to find the proper person to provide the necessary assistance. Somepony with experience in such... things. His case is just... so severe and... I wouldn't know where to begin. With his psychology I could even end up doing more damage than good. His mind is just far too alien to anything I've experienced.”
Cherilee nodded and then watched helplessly as the mare turned to leave. Who could help, then? If not a professional? The princesses? Perhaps somepony from another dimension?
Perhaps her?
------
Sunflower stepped outside and paused as the door clicked shut behind her. She looked round for a moment, enjoying the crisp, cool air, before she shuddered. "Nope. Nope. No. No no, nope. Freaking... creepy demon child. Not qualified for it. Nope." She gave another shudder before walking off. And here she'd thought she'd seen it all.
------
“That was kind of fun,” Val said with a grin as he sat apart from Cheerilee. “You should have seen the color drain from her face.” He paused and looked up. “Though... I think I sang at one point about the slaughtering of some of the clans. I don't know what that was about. I don't sing.”
“That would be another spell cast by the princesses,” Cheerilee said softly as she watched him.
“Wait, what? How does that work?”
“I'm not sure on the specifications, but it's a very ancient spell that apparently the princesses cast many millennia ago. It makes it so ponies can sing and work in harmony. It is also set so only the ponies in the song can hear it, or those they want to hear it can. So no accidentally hearing it.” She smiled none the less. She wondered how many colts and fillies would be caught cheating on tests in unison, if not for that last attachment. “I'm not sure why it works like that.”
------
Luna hummed softly as she gently trotted through the miles and miles of the song chamber, a long chamber hidden away deep under Canterlot housing millions, possibly billions of song orbs of every single song ever sung in Equestria. So many songs in just the few millennia they'd had the spell up. Songs of sadness, of happiness. Sorrow and bliss. Some even raunchy enough to make her and her sister's horns blush.
A small hint of sadness filled her as she thought of why they had originally created this spell. In some ways, it had been a weapon. Ponies worked together better during these songs, could solve all kinds of problems. If war were to ever come, the extra ability and unity it would create would be extremely useful. But more than anything, it was a testament. That each and every one of these ponies had lived. Each song a moment in their lives that they had, at least on a subconscious level, wanted to capture. She and her sister never, ever watched any of them while a pony was still alive. But when a pony was gone and the songs of their lives were played over again, they could often catch a dazzling picture of what kind of pony they were. A song was a perfect glimpse into their souls in many cases.
She stopped outside one of the first songs and shuddered. She remembered that one all too well. A pony had broke into song about their intended... conquest of the princesses. In front of them. She still remembered the look of horror on the poor pony's face as the song had overtaken him. They'd barely, just barely been able to mute him in time to avoid a full court humiliation, but after that they'd made sure to add a silence enchantment to it, so only ponies they wanted to hear it could hear it.
Stars knew she'd broken out into enough songs in her time that she'd rather ponies around her didn't know. She snickered softly as she thought of the time a few weeks back when she and her sister had broke into a dazzling duet about the annoying nobles and their attempts to curry favor at the expense of their peers. Especially her solo where she displayed a desire to buck one of the more annoying ones off the tower and into a lake.
Perhaps one of the greatest uses of these song orbs, however, was their historical value. She gripped one by Starswirl the bearded in her magic, hovering it up. She stared at it a few moments before trotting upstairs. Perhaps this would be what they needed in order to better understand the crisis before them.
------
“Probably just some after effect of the spell, I suppose,” Cheerilee said with a shrug.
“Just how many enchantments do your princesses have set up throughout their country?” Val asked, sounding just a tad awed.
“Oh, I know of at least a dozen. Most are minor, but I think the song one is one of the more powerful. I hear its due to how much magic the land has naturally, it makes placing enchantments over everything in the land far easier.”
He nodded slowly. “So... when am I meeting her again?”
Cheerilee sighed. Now came the hard part. “She... won't be meeting you again.” Now came the disappointment.
“Wait, really? Sweet!”
“... You're not upset?”
“Why would I be upset? I just met her. Why would I want to talk with her about this stuff?”
Cheerilee nodded. “I... see. Do you want to talk with me about these things?”
There was a few moments of silence before, slowly, he nodded. “I'd rather talk with you about them, than anypony else.”
She nodded and smiled. In the end, she imagined she'd need some therapy of her own.
But, for him, she thought it would be worth it. She shuddered slightly. She really was starting to feel like his mother.
------
The color had almost completely drained from her face by the time she heard the knock on the door. “Lady Cheerilee? The child's friends have arrived,” the guard called.
“O-okay. W-we'll... we'll m-meet them in the... in the library,” she squeaked out. She stared at Val, more horrors racing through her mind. How was he able to do that? Just say all those... those horrifying things with a smile on his face? Had he really done those things? Watched those things? What kind of... no. He knew exactly what kind of world he came from. A horrifying world filled with monsters, demons and who knew what else. She gave a light shudder and got to her hooves. “Come along, let's go see your friends.”
“Okay!” Val said, trotting up besides her. He then stopped and looked up. “Are you... mad at me?”
She shook her head. “No. Why would I be mad at you?”
“For telling you those things...”
She grinned. “No, I told you to tell me. I wouldn't have asked you to if I hadn't wanted you too.” She gently pat him on the head. “And it's not your world, not anymore. You're free from it. So I'm not going to blame you, or judge you, for something you had no control over.”
He nodded and leaned against her. “Okay. I... ummm...” He nudged the ground with his hoof and she stopped. He looked up at her. “I don't... I don't want to make you mad at me.”
She smiled gently and reached out to pet his head. “Those things in your past... I know about them now. But they were in your past. Remember, Val, only you can change who you become in the future. What you are in the future. And I think you'll become a wonderful, delightful child who deeply cares for the safety and well being of those around him. You'll prove me right, won't you?”
He nodded slowly before trotting out the door, running off ahead. She followed suit, a smile on her lips. He wasn't perfect, not in the slightest. But she couldn't really see him as being bad. At least not now.
She froze when they came to the library. All of the children from before were here now, as well as Spike, Rarity and a mare she couldn't identify.
“Hello, my name is Precious,” the mare said with a small smile. “Silverbelle's mother.”
“Oh... oh!” Cheerilee said with a smile. “I'm Cheerilee, a pleasure to meet you.”
“Quite. It is nice to meet you, Cheerilee.”
The teacher preened. She liked this mare already. However, the mare was already walking off, looking through all of the papers Twilight had left around the room. She seemed quite interested in them. Granted, she couldn't blame the mare. Twilight was, if nothing else, something interesting to study.
The teacher moved to sit at the table. “Err... hello everypony. Rarity, Spike, will you two be joining us today?”
“No, we're just watching,” the mare said with a smile. “Do carry on.”
Cheerilee nodded before smiling to the children. “Well, today I thought we could try something special. I dug up my old Oubliettes and Ogres game book and I figured I could run you children through a small campaign. Are any of you familiar with it?”
She was greeted with a lot of shook heads. Of course.
“Well, it's a role playing game. Basically you just use your imagination and the things I tell you to see how everything goes. Imagine it like a book, except one you get to react to and change the outcome.”
Val cringed. “Wait, am I going to have to read?”
Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “Just your character sheets. Here.” She pushed out a stack of papers. “I've made ten different characters, it's up to you to decide what you want to be. I'd suggest at least two support classes and three melee, front line classes. Other than that, have fun.” She backed up and smiled. Yay, that alone would keep them distracted for an hour. She'd picked out a few classes she thought the kids would like, she hoped she came close.
“Dibs on the farmer!” Applebloom said with a big grin.
“Weather herder!” Scootaloo called out quickly, snapping up the paper.
Silverbelle gulped and picked one. “I'll... ummm... I-I'll take the enchanter. I-if that's okay...”
“That's fine. That's one of the support classes, right?” Sweetie asked, looking up. Cheerilee gave her a nod. “Okay. Ah'll take... ohhhh, the garber. That's like a dress maker, right?”
“Close,” Cheerilee said with a small giggle. “It's a pony who makes enchanted armors and the like.”
“Ohhhhh. I'll be that!”
Claw jumped in, grabbed one, and leaped off the table with a grin. “Dra-gon,” he said happily. Cheerilee rolled her eyes. She knew he'd be taking that one. Well, that was five down, three to go. She couldn't believe how smoothly this was going. She'd figured they'd choose those classes, but she figured it would take at least twenty minutes to get to that point.
“I'll take whatever class blows things up with extreme precision and destruction,” Val said with a wide grin.
“There's nothing like that,” Cheerilee said with a sigh. She wasn't sure how she really... felt about him playing something violent.
“I'll play the gem mage,” Diamond said quickly. Six down. Two to go. Silver Spoon and Val looked over the papers.
“Val, maybe you should try the nurse,” Cheerilee said with a smile. “The group should have another support class and they're very good at keeping the party going with their healing magic.”
“Ugh, why would I want to play a nurse? Healing magic sucks! I want to have fire magic and things like that!”
Scootaloo grinned. “Hey, Val, if you have the healing magic, in essence you get to decide who lives and who dies.”
Val's eyes widened as he contemplated that. Then he instantly grabbed the paper. “Playing the nurse!”
Cheerilee chuckled. At least one of the girls knew how to push his buttons right. That just left Silver Spoon.
“I'll ummmm... I'll take the guard pony,” the filly said finally, scooping one up.
“Okay, now, a bit of context and how each class is played,” Cheerilee said with a smile. “Diamond, Claw, Scootaloo, your classes operate best from a distance, so I'd stay near the back. Val, Silverbelle, your classes operate by powering up and healing your allies, so you want to stay near the middle. Silver Spoon, Sweetie, Applebloom, your classes work best in the front line, protecting the group. Other than that... well, I'll explain things as we go.” She could barely believe it. She'd have expected the deciding of who played what to end up in a screaming match or even a hoof fight. She'd have stopped it quickly, of course, but it had all worked really well. She guessed she had chosen the right classes after all. “Now, the story starts with your group arriving at a small town just outside Griffonstone...”
------
“Yes, beg for my healing! Mwa ha ha ha ha!” Val said as he laughed maniacally, pointing a hoof at Claw. “Beggggg! Perhaps if you swear never to lick me again, I will save your character. Or maybe I won't. For I hold the power of life and death in my hooves! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha!”
Cheerilee face hoofed. Of course. He just couldn't play well with others. She heard the inevitable tumbling of chairs, followed by Val's shrieks as Claw pounced and proceeded to lick him. She could have told him that was going to happen.
“Off! Get off, offffff! I'll heal you, just stooooooop!”
Claw grinned and pounced off, a big grin on his face as he slid into his chair. Spike snickered softly as he watched. “That's my boy.”
Cheerilee chuckled softly. “Well, with a few uses of Val's signature spell, the gash on Claw's side heals fully. You've now managed to scare off the rock eels and get into their lair. Unfortunately, a quick look reveals... they don't have the eggs.”
“Oh, come on!” Sweetie objected.
“Ugh, ew ew ew ewwww. So much slobber. Whyyyyy?” Val whined.
Silverbelle moved up besides him and slowly reached out with a towel. “U-uh... h-here,” she said softly, before gently dabbing at his face and wiping away... most of the slobber.
“Ugh, thanks. Okay! This calls for drastic measures! If the eggs aren't here, the rock eels probably ate them!” Val said with a grin.
“Ain't no way,” Applebloom said with a shake of her head. “The eggs wouldn't be movin' on their own an' rock eels wouldn't go eatin' them anyway. They only eat rocks. Probably only snapped at us cause we were out an' movin' about near their home. Ain't that right, Miss Cheerilee?”
“Roll your animal knowledge skill,” the teacher said. She watched the die roll, before smiling. “Yes. As far as you can tell, there's no reason they'd have eaten the eggs.”
“Huh, that probably means someone else beat us to them, then,” Diamond said, tapping her chin. “Scootaloo, can you do some scouting from above?”
“Hey! I'm the leader!” Val objected. “I heal, remember? That makes me the leader!”
The earth pony filly rolled her eyes. “Sure. I'm just... helping direct the units while you focus on solving the problem, oh leader.” Ugh, she could hardly believe this colt. Was she ever this obnoxious? No wonder nopony wanted to vote for her.
Cheerilee smiled and watched as the ponies played and plotted out amongst themselves. The game had been going for hours, with plenty of little breaks. They'd had to stop for dinner, as well. Spike and Rarity seemed interested in the game, though they'd declined any offers to join in. Precious was off behind one of the book cases, looking through some of Twilight's notes. She couldn't imagine why, if the princess couldn't solve all these issues, she doubted anypony could. The kids seemed to be having a lot of fun, though they barely focused on the game. More time seemed to be spent making jokes or laughing as Claw tackled and snuggled Val than on the game. But then again, that's what these kinds of games were for. Being with friends. Why, they made the time just slip away. Her eyes then fell on the window and she cringed. It was dark outside. What time was it?
“I think it might be about time to wrap all this up,” she said with a sigh before shaking her head. “We can try another session next week if you all feel up to it.”
“Awwwwww,” eight simultaneous voices said at once.
“Can we play just a little longer?” Val asked and then they unleashed it.
Eight pairs of filly/colt adorable sad eyes looked at her. The sheer cuteness made her recoil back, falling out of her chair. “Ack! No, stop! A few more minutes! But that's all! Eesh!” She held a hoof over her chest. Such weaponized adorableness, it could have killed her! When did VAL master it? That wasn't fair!
She picked herself up and stretched, putting her chair back up. She heard the door behind her open and she paused, smiling back at the unicorn who stood in the frame. “We're almost--” She stopped mid sentence. It wasn't a guard at all, instead a black unicorn with a white mane. Around her throat was a black gemstone necklace. “Oh, I'm sorry. The princess isn't here right now. She should be back in a few days.” She looked back towards the group, but stopped.
The kids were still playing amongst themselves, except for Val. He was staring at the doorway with his eyes wide. The color had drained from his face as a look of pure terror formed across his features.
Why would he--
Cheerilee let out a scream as pain assaulted her before she was sent flying across the room, toppling over one of the book cases. Her entire world ached and throbbed as she heard two more screams. One from Rarity and one from Spike. She had only a few moments to focus before the world went completely dark and she lost consciousness.
“Hello, Valkala,” the mare said as she trotted forward, a smirk on her face.
Val couldn't take his eyes off the mare as his friends all went silent. “H-hello... m-mother...”
Every eye in the room locked on the dark mare as she looked between them, one eye cocked. “Such an interesting world you've arrived in, Valkala. Ponies were not something I'd have expected. Especially not ones so colorful.”
He didn't say anything, he just watched her. She could snap at any moment, he could feel it. He suspected the others could, too. They were all just watching her, tense. Even Claw hadn't moved and he'd half expected him to run in at any moment to try and lick his mother. He could hear light groans from Spike, but they were weak. He could even see a few ponies laying on the ground outside, the guards. They'd probably never stood a chance.
It wasn't surprising. She came in and instantly assessed the threats(the adults and dragon), wiping them out in a moment. The groans from Spike made him hope that she used non lethal force. Not that she wouldn't be trying to kill them, she just wouldn't have used her truly powerful magic on such creatures. He'd learned that the ponies here were actually quite durable, so they'd probably be fine.
Wait, no, his mother was staring down at him. They would not be fine. There would be no 'fine' after this. They were all going to die. Every single one of them. Except him. He'd only wish he was dead.
“What's a matter, son? Aren't you happy to see your mother?” She took a step forward, her eyes wandering about. “After all the work I came through to get you?”
Val slowly looked around. He needed a plan, an idea. She was going to kill all of them if he didn't do something. Why couldn't he think? This was the kind of thing she'd trained him for! Inevitable destruction unless he thought fast! This whole world would be... of course!
He smiled as confidently as he could... which was still more of a meek sad face, but still. “H-hello m-mother. Y-you've come at just the right time.” What was that word his sister had used? Those people she'd had? What was it? An entire army of servants! He knew his mother had one too, what was it?!
Ah hah! “What do you think of my harem?” Nailed it.
To his amazement, his mother actually stopped, that smile on her face wavering, just slightly. “Your... harem?”
Yes yes yes! It was working! “Y-yes. All of them are. My loyal subjects who I will use to conquer this land!” He was all too aware that most of them were slowly moving back from the mare, moving behind him. He didn't blame them. Though if they thought his mother would have any qualms about going through him to get to them, they were sorely mistaken. “Y-you see, the two ponies you knocked out w-were relatives of the royal family a-and counselors. The dragon was the direct servant of the prin-- queen of this castle. A-all of them are... are my subjects, s-submitting to my w-will while I slowly take over this land. G-giving me valuable information d-during my conquests.”
His mother moved around the table, slowly. His friends quickly backed away. He looked up at his mother. Did she buy it? Did she believe him?
Her hoof lashed out, slamming down on his hoof with enough force he felt the bone snap. He let out a scream before the second blow hit him across the face, knocking him skidding across the ground. “You should know better than to lie to your mother,” she said, her voice devoid of mercy.
Val laid on the ground, clutching his broken hoof as he quivered with pain. Why why why?
“RAWR!” Claw screamed before lunging at his mother. She frowned and looked to him, her horn glowing. Black orbs of darkness shot out and smashed against the dragon.
They glanced off his scales, making her eyes widen slightly. His claws caught her against the chest, barely glazing and drawing a hint of blood. She took a step back. “Damn dragons,” she muttered. Her horn glowed and suddenly the ground reached up, wrapping around the dragon-pony and sucking him underground, so just his head remained above. He wiggled and struggled, but she just gazed down in contempt. She then looked to her sobbing child. “These pathetic creatures have stopped you from returning? I knew you were weak, Valkala, but I never suspected you'd be such a failure.”
The colt sobbed, hugging his hoof as he stared up at her. Even Claw had been crushed in seconds. The guards were gone. The princess wasn't here. There was no surviving this. There was no--
His mom got hit in the face with a book, stumbling back. “What in the--” Then three more books to the side of the head. “You little ba-- YIPE!” A fourth book, hard cover, slammed right between her legs. She faltered slightly, her eyes scanning the room for her attacker.
A white unicorn stared at her from across the room, from behind one of the book cases. “You... stupid... fool.” She moved to the right, avoiding the next book as her horn glowed. A beam of red magic shot out and the mare barely blocked it with a book, which disintegrated to ash.
Precious jumped to the right, barely evading as a second spell sent the book case toppling down where she had stood. She then jumped to the left, narrowly avoiding another disintegration beam. She tossed a few more books, but they were easily avoided.
Val's mother chuckled softly as she moved to the right, her horn flaring red. “I will grant you that your abilities of avoidance are impressive, but your attacks are pathetic.” She sent out a small ball of red at the mare. She frowned as Precious seemed to have reacted instantly to gallop and leap away.
No, not instantly. As the fireball erupted, taking out part of the book shelves, she swore the mare had already been moving before she'd cast the spell. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Interesting,” the dark mare said with a grin. “It seems you have Lakshima's talent. Quite useful...”
Precious got up, cringing as her flank was slightly singed from the blast.
“But without skill in actual combat use, it is but a minor distra--”
One of the windows behind her shattered and she turned in time to see the yellow blur streak at her. Her horn glowed, but it was too slow and she was unable to stop the blur from slamming into her. The pony moved in a whirlwind of hooves, sending her toppling back as its hooves connected three times with her face. Her horn glowed and she teleported across the room, panting lightly.
A little yellow pegasus and a white unicorn. She then frowned as she noticed the little purple dragon had gotten up as well. Why was he writing a note? Ugh, no matter. She drew her attention towards the other two. Her horn glowed.
“Flash, go up!” Precious yelled before she dove to the right. The pegasus flew up, moments before a cage of black wrapped around where the two had been.
The dark mare growled as she looked between them. Very well. There were ways to deal with such... things. Her horn glowed and she grinned. She watched with delight as the look of fear showed on Precious' face. The realization that there would be no avoiding this. The two magic missiles shot out, wrapped in fel magic, and hit both. She grinned as a second and then a third batch of the dark orbs lanced out, striking the ponies. Both collapsed to the ground in heaps. She then cast one more, directing it at the little dragon who was slowly getting to his feet. He dropped like a lump, though two of the orbs fizzled off his scales.
She panted softly, eying the two. Such pathetic, useless creatures. Taking her by surprise like that had been quite the feat, but he had been too small and weak to do anything about it. The other had next to no experience with actual fighting, her... advantage would have made her quite the adversary otherwise. She then realized the little dragon pony was yelling something at her, baring his fangs and his eyes narrow slits. Her horn glowed and the ground moved up, covering his mouth and gagging him.
She looked to the children and rolled her eyes. “Val, cease your whimpering or I'll break something else,” she said firmly, stomping a hoof down. The child sobbed a little, cradling his hurt hoof. Her horn glowed and wrapped it in her magic, before lifting him up by it. Fresh screams tore from his mouth before he was dropped onto the table. “I told you to cease your whimpering.”
He sobbed softly, tears in his eyes as he held his hoof. “H-hate you...” he whispered softly.
“Of course. Now, Valkala, it's time we go home.” Her eyes turned towards the foals. “After the harvest, however. Pegasi wings and unicorn horns are just... so useful as reagents.”
“I HATE YOU!” Val screamed, his horn glowing as black orbs formed on his horn. “LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!” They shot out and glanced off her body, dissipating off her shield spell.
She frowned and her horn glowed again. A black beam of darkness shot out, enveloping the child. Fresh screams filled the air before he collapsed on the table, panting hard. His mother just stared down with indifference. “Pathetic child. You have grown... stupid in our absence. Forgotten to fear me. I will have to... reteach you when we return home.”
He quivered, barely able to move. He looked up at her with anger, none the less. “D-don't... don't hurt them. They... they...” He closed his eyes and fell back. “I-I'll... I'll kill you. I swear I'll kill you. I-I don't care if it takes a-a dozen years, or a hundred, o-or a millennia. O-one day I'll... I'll find a way. I'll catch you vulnerable... and I'll strike.”
She went deathly still. “Truly... Valkala? You would do that to your own mother?”
“I will...”
“Very well.” A grin formed along her face and his heart chilled. “Such a threat cannot go unanswered, even from one's child. I suppose I'll just have to kill you myself.” Her horn glowed and a beam shot out again, engulfing him. As the children watched, he spasmed a few times before, slowly, a white, misty version of him slowly seemed to rise from his body. Then this ghostly version let out a scream before being sucked into the necklace around her throat. “Even if your magic is weak, the souls of ones family are... often quite powerful as sacrifices. A shame tradition dictates we can so rarely use them. Now, how to deal with the rest of you.” Her eyes wandered over the cowering children.
“So many unicorns...” she said with a sigh. “The magic in this land must be great. If only I had the time to properly... harvest all of you. But, I suppose this land seems to have quite a few. It will be an interesting task, draining it of all its resources.”
“You... did you... kill Val?” Silverbelle asked softly.
“Valkala? Oh... indeed,” the mare said with a chuckle. “A child who doesn't obey their parents doesn't deserve to live. His body is alive now, but it will pass on before long.” Her eyes widened with amusement. “Why, children? Do you wish to fight me for the return of his soul?” She moved closer, smiling at the looks of fear on their faces. “If you defeat me, all you have to do is break the gem around my throat and he'll be saved. Why don't you give it a try?”
Silverbelle opened her mouth, but the look in the mare's eyes made her freeze. There was no kindness or mercy in them. There was just a murderous desire to hurt and kill. To destroy. The thrill of crushing them into the ground. Just the sight of it made her entire body quiver with fear. Her horn flickered lightly, but it merely sparkled a few times before going out. She was too terrified to oppose the mare. They all were.
“No? Come on, children. It'll be fun,” she said before giving a soft, cold laugh. “Tearing you apart would be quite relaxing. But if you are really so weak as to... not even stand against me...” Her horn glowed. “I suppose I shall just kill you. This will be more than sufficient.” Black orbs of darkness shot out, arcing at the fillies.
They smashed against a purple barrier, fizzling out. The barrier disappeared a moment later and the ponies looked back to see Twilight, standing behind them with her wings out and panting lightly. Her eyes were narrowed on the mare. “Who are you?” Her eyes wandered over the fallen ponies. She couldn't tell if any of them had died, but by the heavens she hoped they hadn't.
“Oh? This is new. Some kind of... pegasus unicorn hybrid? I wonder what magic I will make from your remains?” the mare asked before flipping her head back and readying her spell.
Twilight was instantly in front of her, teleporting as her horn glowed. The mare's eyes widened and she tried to step back, but she was too slow. The alicorn's magic gripped and tossed her back, flinging her through the wall of the library.
The mare gasped in pain, her eyes wide as she landed on her back, surrounded by debris. H-how had that... thing moved so fast? Two spells in such rapid succession? She thought--
Then Twilight was in front of her again. The unicorn's horn glowed and she sent out a beam of dark magic, trying to get her before she was struck again. The alicorn's horn glowed and a purple bubble surrounded her, catching the spell. “Your draining magic won't work on me. I've had plenty of time to study it,” she said firmly. “I take it you must be Val's mother.”
The unicorn growled. The mare was powerful, but there was no murderous edge to her voice. She didn't want to kill, she didn't have the fighter's spirit. Well, then unfortunately for her, there would be no way to win this battle. Her horn glowed and she sent a plume of flame at the mare, but again the shield formed, blocking and dispersing it. There were screams from around them as other ponies fled, but it was no matter to either of them.
The unicorn took a step back. Her raw magical might wasn't enough. That shield was just... too strong against her magic. The mare must have been studying for quite a while on how to counter her and Val's magic. A shame the little sorcerer took after her so well, even if he was weak. She grinned as her horn glowed once more. But the shield was probably only designed against her magic. Her body started to grow, her head slowly rising up into the air as more and more things began to shrink on the ground.
Twilight stared in horror as the unicorn's body got larger, slowly growing to the size of a house, yet it didn't stop there. Her hooves turned to massive paws and her black body turned a clear purple. And yet she kept on growing. Bigger and bigger. Higher and higher. Towering over them all. Soon the mare stood above even the castle. An ursa major, its massive claws brandishing their sharp nails at her. Twilight gulped nervously. This... was not something she'd expected.
The unicorn struggled to regain herself. She had intended to take the form of a great, powerful demon. Instead she'd taken the form of... whatever this was. She could still feel great power within it, not to mention great size. But that was it. She had little idea how it worked. She'd taken the form of a bear before, of course. But this was different. It was bigger, for one. She just needed a few seconds to adjust, that was all. Then she could--
Hey, there's a princess.
A blast of magic sent the bear toppling over backwards, its massive size crashing into the ground and cracking the street where it landed. For a few moments it was dazed but, slowly, it shook its head. A second blow struck it in the torso and, to its surprise, it barely hurt.
Internally, she grinned. This... winged and horned pony was powerful. But against this form, she was useless. She only seemed to have a few offensive spells at her disposal. Beams and throwing. Already the way to use this form was filling her mind and she reached out, trying to snap the pony from the air. She teleported out of reach, but the bear rolled over and quickly jumped onto all fours.
Twilight stared at the bear and gulped nervously. There had to be some way to beat it. But she couldn't just beat it down, she didn't have the power for that. She needed to trap it. Contain it. Some way to stop the mare from turning into it again if she got her out of it. She needed... internally she grinned before her horn glowed and she sent another beam of magic at the creature. She knew exactly what she needed to do. It let out a roar and then charged after her.
Plan or not, that was still a monolithic sized bear running at her and she couldn't shake the fear as she turned tail and ran, shrieking in the most undignified manner. “AHHHHHHH!” It bumped the castle as it went, tearing off a few of the rooms, but its focus was still on her. It chased her out of the town. How did the mare even DO that? She'd seen transformation magic before, but nothing to that extent! Turning into... it wasn't scientifically plausible! Where did the mass come from? Would Val learn a spell like that? Was it similar to Spike's growth spurts? Maybe the pony absorbed the magic from the air to supplement the form? Perhaps she could study Val's spells of such once--
Okay, no no. Now was NOT the time to be focusing on study, now was the time to run for her life. A shadow fell over her and she barely teleported in time to avoid being crushed. The bear growled and kept running, making the ground shake with every step. It was a lot faster than her, she was quickly finding. She was forced to teleport ever few steps to stay ahead of it now, and even then she was only barely avoiding being stepped on as the thing raced after her, full pelt. Worst of all, it was getting faster. Fortunately, her destination wasn't far. She smiled as the reservoir came within sight. She didn't have to outrun it forever. She had a plan.
In retrospect, it wasn't a very good plan. But then, in retrospect she hadn't been expecting to have to fight an ursa major today. In fact, she could have gone her whole LIFE without fighting an ursa major. It--
A hoof crushed down on her and she barely teleported away, the paw nearly crushing her as she went. She raced up the hill, the dam within sight. The terrain leading up to it was rocky and shifting, forcing the bear to slow down and giving her a little breathing room. The dam was huge, bigger even than the bear. She spread her wings and took off full pelt, using a burst of magic to send her racing up it. The bear roared and snapped, but she managed to avoid its teeth and fly up. It stopped, staring up at her as she made her way up the dam.
Then she heard a loud roar, before the ground shook again. She looked down and saw it dig its massive claws into the dirt and rock, climbing up the cliff towards the dam. Okay, all going according to plan and hopefully it would stay that way. She teleported to the top of the dam and grinned. Huh, she thought it would be louder when it climbed, but no matter.
Yeah, she could do this, she--
Her lines of thought were cut short by a massive paw coming down and slamming her into the ground. Her head spun as the paw lifted up a second time. How had it gotten up so fast? It was massive, it couldn't--
HOLY BUCK WHY WAS IT FLYING?
Twilight teleported away, barely avoiding another crushing blow and stared up at the now flying massive bear. That wasn't fair. Ursa majors couldn't fly! Well, at least not normally they couldn't. But this was-- ack! She turned and raced again, barely avoiding another claw, this time the razor edges coming so close she could hear them cutting the air.
Buck buck buck. It didn't matter though, it might even make it better. Maybe. Hopefully. Ohhhh she hoped so. The dam held millions of gallons of water, enough to submerge the bear a dozen times over. But she didn't need to do that. She just needed enough for the pony. She flew over it and behind her, she could hear the bear flying along as well. What kind of magic even allowed that? Did it have great, invisible wings? How did it cast magic when in such a form?
“Hey, drow pony!” she called back, grinning. “I've heard a lot about you drow! Living under ground and all. Tell me, did you ever learn to swim?” She turned around in mid air and then flew at the bear. It skidded along on the air for a moment, trying to swing its claws at her, but she dove under its stomach. A smile spread across her lips as her horn glowed. Last time it hadn't had any real effect, but she had been a lot weaker then and it had been against Discord's magic. How would it affect this drows?
A wave of magical energy flew out through the air, enveloping everything in its purple glow. For a moment, the bear just stood there, staring in confusion.
Then it fell from the air, its body shrinking down. Twilight grinned as her wings flapped and she watched the magical spells the mare had cast disappearing. “Yes! My fail-safe spell didn't fail!” Ha, she KNEW having that spell would come in handy one day. Resetting the mare's magic like that was just perfect.
The mare splashed down before she finished transforming back and Twilight watched, nervously. Would she come out even bigger? Or something worse? Would the princess have to save her? That was a lot of water. Maybe she should have tried the lake? But it might not have been deep enough if the bear had fallen in first.
To her delight, the pony came up a few moments later, flailing about wildly as she struggled to keep above. Her horn flickered occasionally, but she was too busy focusing on swimming to cast any magic. Twilight watched for a few moments before smiling, enveloping the mare in a bubble, along with quite a bit of water.
“One chance, drow,” Twilight said firmly, glaring down at her. “Surrender, or you can see how long you can swim.”
The unicorn growled, but slowly her head lowered. “You... have bested me, pony. I surrender.”
Twilight grinned and let out a sigh of relief. She'd done it. They won. She picked up the pony in her magic and glided towards the shore, hauling the mare behind her. She landed on it, before depositing the mare as well. They'd won, finally. “Good. Now, the princesses will be--”
The alicorn let out a pained gasp as the unicorn turned and impaled her with her horn. It only caught her in the withers, but the black horn dug deep. Then glowed as black magic flowed through it, tearing through Twilight's body. She could feel the magic cutting into her, tearing through her very essence. It felt as if it was cutting through her very soul.
But why? She'd won! The mare had surrendered. Given up! This wasn't... fair. A second spell went through her and she could barely focus enough to teleport away. The wound wasn't deep, but whatever magic the unicorn had cast still hurt. She could feel it through every fiber of her being. She felt weaker. Slower. Even her magic didn't feel as strong. The unicorn thrust her head forward once again and Twilight tried to bring up her barrier spell again. Except it didn't form. The black spell struck her again, and again, driving her back and tearing through her. She gasped and wheezed, her body feeling... weak. So very weak. It was as if that spell was draining her very life, her very knowledge from her body. Her magic.
“So pathetic,” the mare said with a grin. “Your magic is strong, I will acknowledge. That mass dispell spell? Quite... unexpected. To imagine it was strong enough to affect me. Were you a drow, you would easily have the power to rule a clan.” She stepped closer. “But you're not a drow. You're not even a fighter. You should have finished me when you had the chance. Instead you assume a surrender is enough to keep you safe?” She shot out another black ray of light. Twilight tried to teleport away, but her horn merely flickered. What was this magic? It was like Val's spell except... so much worse.
“To think I would come across this world's greatest defender so quickly. And to think her such a fool.” She stood over the trembling alicorn, gazing down with contempt. “You should always finish your enemies when you can. Giving them a chance to fight back is just--”
A wall of fire erupted between them, forcing the mare to back up. Who? What? Where was--
Two winged unicorns descended from above, one black and one white. Their manes flowed with magic, the white's like a rainbow and the black's like the night sky. Flames enveloped the horn of the white one and the two landed between her and the purple winged pony.
The unicorn readied herself to say something, anything, but found herself stopping. She took a slow step back as she looked between the two. Both were large, far larger than the ponies she'd seen before. Yet still far smaller than many creatures she'd seen and slain before.
But they didn't feel smaller.
They were just horses. Winged, magical horses. Like the one she'd already almost slain.
Yet she found herself shaking. Her horn glowed, a simple spell. There was no way she could--
She let out a startled cry and took another step back, then a few more. Even as the lake water sloshed at her hooves, she didn't care. She detected their magic and it... was over whelming. It was the power of a god. Or if not that, as near as anything she had ever felt to one. The purple pony had likely been strong as well, but this was... this was different. So very, very different. Her hooves shook. She tried to stop them, to ignore them, but she couldn't. She tried to raise her horn and cast a spell, but she couldn't.
She was scared. No, not scared. Terrified. It felt like she was gazing upon the sun and the moon themselves. She could feel it, their great magic was still restrained. There were limits on it, but they--
Her eyes widened and she fell to her knees. She knew what they were. Avatars. The gods given flesh. But... but how? Why? In this land? It couldn't... be. She had to fight them. To destroy them. But... how?
“Twilight?” Celestia asked, turning back to face the mare. She slowly reached down to put a hoof on her shoulder. “What happened?”
“Her... magic,” the mare whispered. “It's... different. So different from what we're used to,” she said with a smile. “I... I think I know how it works, though. I'll be fine. D-don't turn your back on her. I don't think she'll...”
“Worry not,” Luna said before getting to her hooves and slowly walked to the mare. Her horn glowed as she came closer, the unicorn's eyes getting bigger and bigger.
Then instantly they closed and the mare collapsed. The princess of the night smiled as she gently lifted the mare into the air. “I do believe you were right in asking for our assistance,” the princess said. Slowly a small, metal disk flew out from behind her wing and attached to the unicorn's horn.
Twilight nodded before slowly getting to her hooves, nearly stumbling as well. “We... need to get back to the others. T-they're... hurt. All of them. Need to... help them,” she said softly, though she struggled to breath.
Celestia stared down at the purple mare before her horn glowed and, gently, she lifted the mare up and deposited her on her back. “I will carry you. I am sorry for our late arrival. However, when you teleport off at such great speeds it is quite difficult to keep up with you, student.”
Twilight chuckled. “Sorry. I knew you'd catch up, though. Happy you were able to find me.”
“It is quite difficult to miss an ursa major rampaging. Especially a flying one,” Luna said dryly.
“We thought you had it handled,” Celestia said with a sigh. “We should have stepped in sooner.”
“I-it was my fault. She said she surrendered and... I-I thought she meant it,” Twilight said with a cringe. “I... underestimated her. We need to hurry, though. The others are waiting.”
Slowly, the princesses nodded and spread their wings, taking to the sky.
The ponies watched in breathless anticipation as Luna smashed the gemstone across the table. Cheerilee held Val tightly in her hooves, shaking slightly. She'd promised he'd be okay. She'd promised his mother wouldn't find him. Yet she'd come and she'd killed him. Or... at least come close. What if this didn't work? What if he was gone for good? What if they'd failed? She'd sworn to keep him safe, wanted so bad to protect him. And then she'd been helpless and unconscious while he had to face his mother alone and died for it. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
“Please... Val... c-come back to us,” she whispered softly, holding him closer. She looked down at his broken hoof and felt a few tears falling down her face to dribble onto his chest.
“Owwwwwww,” the little colt whined, letting out a soft whimper as his eyes opened. It took every ounce of control she had to not hug him tighter and squeeze him forever. If his hoof wasn't broken she'd have never, ever let him go.
“Oh thank Celestia,” Cheerilee said, smiling down at him.
“Your welcome,” the princess said with a smile. “Though, my sister is the one more able to identify the spell than I.”
Luna chuckled. “I think that was an expression dear sister.”
“Owwwwwwww,” Val whined again, looking up. “Is... is she... ummmm...” He snuggled in a little closer as he looked towards the princesses. Luna still had the mare resting on her back. His eyes turned to Luna and Celestia. “Are... you two goddesses?” he finally asked.
“No,” Celestia said with a gentle smile. “We are but very old and very powerful. But we are far from omnipotent or omniscient. If we were, none of this would have happened.” She looked down at the other children and smiled. “I... do believe this has been a difficult day for all of you. Perhaps a trip to the hospital is in order? To make sure there was no lasting damage.”
“I believe that would be a fine idea,” Rarity said softly before she slowly got to her hooves, shakily. “Just... what was that magic she used on us?”
“An evil sort,” Twilight said with a shudder. “A stronger version of Val's magic. But, I believe it will fade with time. I'd suggest everypony just get close. I'll teleport us.” Her horn glimmered and... nothing happened.
“I believe you're still drained from your encounter, Twilight,” Celestia said with a gentle smile. “Perhaps walking would be best.”
“Princesses,” a guard said as the door was pushed open. “All lost guards found and accounted for.” There was a moment of silence, followed by a sharp intake of breath. “There... were no casualties. But many of them won't be... able to return to duty for a few weeks.”
Celestia nodded. “That's quite alright. After an encounter like this, I believe most have earned their rest. Now, come along.”
------
Cheerilee tried not to smile too awkwardly as she looked around at the three princesses. The kids were being tended to, as were many of the adults. Twilight had a few bandages over her body. Now came the important part, discussing what to do next.
“The magic she's used has been gone from our world for millennia,” Celestia said with a sigh. “Many millennia. We thought it gone for good.”
“W-wait, you mean magic like that exists here?” Twilight asked, her eyes wide.
“Long ago, it did,” Luna said with a shake of her head. “Draining one's essence, severing one's soul from the body. Such spells were of the darkest essence and only the darkest, most foul of creatures could use such things. But no pony has been able to use such magics and the creatures that could have long been destroyed. Such things could likely no longer even survive in this world, thanks to the harmony that now courses through it.”
Twilight nodded. Well, that explained what was happening to the remains of those monsters.
“Which, unfortunately brings us to the child,” Celestia said with a sigh. “He is... a threat. If he can use magic such as that, even as weak as his magic is, there's no telling what destruction he could cause. This... disaster from the future could very well be caused by him.”
Cheerilee blinked and stared. He created such a... no way. Val was many things, but he wouldn't destroy the world and kill all his friends. He was... deep down, a good boy. Deep, deep down.
“Our options are... limited,” Luna said with a sigh. “We could force a permanent inhibitor on him, destroying his bond to his magic.” She shook her head. “But the damage that could cause is... severe. Sending him back with his mother would--”
“Not a chance!” Cheerilee said, stomping a hoof down so hard pain shot through it, but she didn't care. “Val may be many things, but he is NOT a monster! He's just a child! And in the time I've known him he's done plenty of good. I'll be the first to admit he is a bit... extreme at times, but he's not bad. And he does not deserve to be sent back with that monster. She's a... he's... I'm not letting you send him anywhere, he's staying with me no matter what!” Cheerilee said firmly, glaring up defiantly towards the alicorns.
Luna coughed. “As I was saying. Sending him back with his mother would be extremely cruel, and is therefore not an option.”
“O-oh,” Cheerilee said sheepishly. “Oops.”
“It's quite alright,” Luna said with a nod.
“He will have to be monitored, closely,” Celestia said with a nod. “Every use of his magic, how it develops. Perhaps even his dreams. We cannot allow him to pose a threat to anypony. However, if creatures such as Discord can be rehabilitated to our world, then I see no reason why this drow cannot. Especially when he is so young.” She then glanced down to Cheerilee. “Judging by your outburst, can I take it to mean you wish to adopt the young colt?”
“E-err... w-what?” the teacher asked, paling slightly.
“There is no need for you to,” Luna said with a smile. “We can have him stay in the castle where we can monitor him at all times. He would be safer there.”
Cheerilee gulped. Yes, giving him to the princesses would be better. Safer. It wasn't like he...
“I... I'd like... to adopt him,” she said softly. “I'm sure you could keep him safe and protected but... I think he needs more than that. So much more. He needs a mother. A real mother, one who doesn't hurt him or hate him. I... I can be that for him. Besides, he has friends here. Ponies who care about him. He needs that.”
The two celestial princesses smiled down at him, while Twilight just looked shocked. “Very well,” Luna said. “We will see that it's done. One of us will need to speak with him, at least once a week. To monitor him.”
Cheerilee nodded. Well, she supposed that made sense. She couldn't imagine anypony more qualified to be a therapist for him than the princesses. “Thank you,” she said, bowing her head. “What about his... mother?”
“She will be sent back where she came from and not bother us again,” Luna said firmly.
“What? But she might--”
“She will not bother us again,” Luna said firmly. “I have taken care of it.”
------
Val's mother shuddered in her sleep, a cold sweat breaking out across her body as she trembled.
------
Cheerilee gulped and nodded. “Okay.”
“What should we do about Claw?” Twilight asked softly.
“You sent him back here,” Celestia said with a smile. “I trust your judgment. I see no reason why he cannot stay.”
“But... but he's from the future!” Twilight said with a gulp. “He might... well...”
“The past has already been altered,” Luna said with a shrug. “Perhaps for the better. Whatever damage has been done has likely been done for a reason. Perhaps once you've finished repairing your letter, more light will be shed on this, but until then we believe he will be safe in the care of you and your friends. I believe you have all proven yourself more than capable of dealing with such situations. It's not as if we can undo what has already been done.”
Twilight gave a small nod. “Thank you.”
Cheerilee gulped. “I uhhh... am I free to go?” She glanced towards the hospital room that held Val.
“Yes. You may go and be with your child,” Luna said with a smile. The teacher gave a small nod and galloped off.
Once she was gone, Celestia looked to Twilight. “Tomorrow, once your power has returned, we will take this mare back and return her to her realm. We have contacted Discord as well. All four of us shall seal this realm away from ours. They will never bother us again.”
The purple princess nodded. “Thank you. I... I'm sorry I didn't come to you sooner. I thought... I mean, with the thief and everything, I thought I could handle this on my own, I didn't want to bother you.”
Celestia nodded and moved forward, putting a wing over her. “I understand, my dear student. But remember, you may always call on us when you are in need. After all, a teacher never abandons their student. Now... tell me...” She leaned in close, a mischievous grin on her face. “Do you have anything else to report? Perhaps about a certain... royal guard?”
Twilight blinked a few times. Royal... guard? Oh! Flash! Her cheeks turned bright red as she looked at her teacher. “P-princess!”
“Oh, come now. Everypony loves a bit of gossip,” the princess of the sun said. “Do tell.”
“Lunaaaaaa!” Twilight whined, looking towards the other princess.
“I do not know what you expect me to do,” Luna said with a smile. “After all, the night is for lovers.”
“Gahhhh! Fine! I didn't... well, do anything. I just didn't have the time. I've been too busy trying to solve this problem.” Her cheeks turned redder. “N-not that I intended to do anything. I mean, maybe talk a bit, b-but that's all!”
Both princesses looked so disappointed. “See, I told you you shouldn't have told her about the theft,” Luna said with a roll of her eyes. “You never were good with playing match maker.”
“I had to come up with some excuse to send him,” Celestia said with a sigh.
Twilight blinked. Blinked a great many times, before her eyes narrowed. “You... mean to tell me... there WAS no theft?”
“Oh, there was,” Celestia said with a soft chuckle. “But nothing of true value was stolen. Just an old tome that had been reprinted a thousand times. Honestly, I can't imagine why the pony would even have stolen that. But it was the perfect excuse to send him, no?”
Twilight's eyes twitched slightly. She couldn't yell at the princess. She was the princess. That was a crime, right.
------
Cheerilee slid into the bed besides Val, gently smiling down at him. He gave a nervous smile back. “So... I ummmm... I'm sorry,” she said, before reaching out and hugging him for a second before pulling back. Huh? Why was Twilight screaming all of a sudden? She shrugged and tried to ignore it, focusing on Val.
He smiled back for a few moments, before breaking down into a crying fit. He lunged forward and gave her a hug, both his good leg and leg wrapped in a cast hugging her. “I-I was so scared I thought she was going to t-take me away I-I didn't want to g-go I-I thought she was going to kill me a-and destroy m-my soul,” he sobbed, trembling against her.
“I'm so, so sorry,” she whispered, holding him. “I... I didn't think... I didn't know. She... did she...”
He nodded. “I-I saw everything. T-trapped in her... in her necklace, I-I saw it all...” he gave another soft sob. “I didn't know you had... you had actual g-goddesses w-watching over you.”
“They aren't goddesses,” she whispered softly. “They're just the princesses,” she sad gently. “Our protectors.”
He nodded, sniffling a bit. “How... how many were... killed?”
“None,” Cheerilee said with a smile.
“N-nopony was?” he asked, staring with shock. “But... my mother... she didn't... what?”
“Many were knocked out, but none were killed.”
Val stared for a moment. How had none of them been killed? His mother wouldn't have not TRIED to kill them. She'd probably just blast them and forget. How then--
A new thought occurred to him. If those weren't goddesses and were instead just their rulers, how powerful were these ponies? He'd assumed they were weak and delicate. But what if they weren't? What if they were far more durable than he was led to believe? What if the drow couldn't actually kill them? What if... He closed his eyes and whimpered, laying his head close against her chest. He didn't care. Bleep it. He just wanted his mommy. His new mommy who loved him and cared about him and didn't let anypony hurt him. “I love you mommy,” he mumbled softly.
“I love you too, Val.” She held her hooves tightly around him, cradling him to her chest. “Val... do you want to stay here with us, forever? With all the kids and... in my home? As my... son?”
“Uh huh...”
“Okay,” she whispered softly, before leaning down to give him a soft kiss on the forehead. “Then you can...”
He nodded, his eyes closed. “Ummm... mommy...?”
“Yes?”
“What's a harem?”
Cheerilee face hoofed. Three seconds and she was already regretting the decision. Was it too late to just take him back? Maybe the princesses would watch him after all. “I-I'll... explain it when you're... older. And what a herd is.” Maybe she could bribe one of the other's parents into giving him the talk when they told their kids. She bet Big Mac gave a great 'the talk'.
------
Rarity smiled as she held Claw to he chest, nuzzling him affectionately. The poor colt was doing far better now that they'd managed to free him from the ground, but she still didn't want to let him go. To imagine, they'd all almost died. To think that... monster had come and nearly ended all of their lives. Just the thought made her shiver and want to curl up in bed. Instead, she shivered and held Claw close to her chest, not even minding when he occasionally licked her face.
Spike was sitting besides her, his claws nervously poking together. “Sorry...” he said for what had to at least be the eighteenth time.
“Spike, nopony could have expected you to stand against that mare's magic,” Rarity said with a small smile. “Come on.” She grabbed him in her magic and pulled him into the hug. Such a silly dragon. Her eyes wandered over to Silverbelle.
The little filly was laying in her bed, curled up. Precious and Rare were sitting over her, occasionally reaching out to pat or pet her. Occasionally they'd mumble things to each other, but there wasn't much to say. It had been a traumatic experience to all of them. Finally Precious got to her hooves and looked to Rarity. “Niece? Could we speak for a moment?”
“Hm? Of course,” Rarity said before slowly pulling away from the hug. “I'll be back soon, don't worry,” she said before trotting out with her niece. Once they were outside of the room, the elder mare turned back to face her.
“Rarity, I need to make a request.”
“Oh? What is it?”
Precious reached up and gently rubbed the amulet around her neck. “We... have decided to extend our stay. After everything that's happened, we think it would be best if Silverbelle doesn't have to move around much for a while. She's been attending classes here and making plenty of friends, so we think it might be good for her to relax and enjoy herself for a while longer. Just for a few more months, for now. Do you know of any places for sale around here that would make for a good vacation home?”
Rarity blinked a few times. “W-wait, moving here? But I thought--”
“A summer home, dear. Well, I suppose not summer, but you know what I mean. It's not permanent, of course. But somewhere we can stay when we visit the town. Besides, we have plenty of friends back home who will positively adore the idea of coming to this little town once we return and tell them about it. A place like that would pay for itself in no time.”
Rarity nodded. “I... I see. I would suggest talking with Mayor Mare. She'll be able to tell you if there are any available... locales.”
“Good, thank you,” Precious said, before looking towards the room. “It's... not always so dangerous here, is it?”
“Oh, of course not! This kind of danger was... quite unexpected. I'm sure nothing quite like this will happen again,” Rarity said with a dismissive wave of her hooves. “Besides, the princesses are personally dealing with it. I'm sure before long, all of this will just be a bad memory.”
------
Luna took a deep breath as she looked down at the now untied, but still magically restrained unicorn. Val's mother. To think such a little thing could have done so much damage and almost destroyed so many lives.
She, Celestia, Twilight and Discord had all come to the location of her arrival. The air positively flickered from the magical energies filling it. “Shall I awaken her?” the princess of the night asked.
“Oh, do,” Discord said with a chuckle. “I'm positively besides myself with excitement to know what new words she'll use.” The other two nodded, though they didn't add their opinion on the matter.
Luna rolled her eyes before leaning forward and putting her head to the unicorn's. Her eyes opened and she recoiled.
“Y-you. G-get away from me, you... you... n-nightmare... monster,” the mare said.
Luna merely gazed down at her. “You are the one of nightmares,” she said with a shake of her head. “Creatures of your sort are not welcome here.”
“But, we are not without our mercy,” Celestia said with a smile. “You will return to your realm, never to return here.”
The mare stared at them, but slowly her eyes narrowed. “You... cowards. You are weak! You think showing me mercy will stop me? I will-- ack!”
Luna stared into her eyes. “No. You are the one who is weak. We do not show you mercy because we are afraid to kill. We have killed before. It would be far, far easier to just kill you. But we are strong enough that we don't have to kill you. You are a despicable monster that corrupts all that you touch. But you are not of our world and we know not what effect killing you would have on your own world. So we will show you mercy and allow you to live.” She moved in closer, her face nearly touching the mare's. “Perhaps when you are older and wiser, you will understand. The truly strong do not need to kill.” Her horn glowed and the unicorn disappeared.
A small, shimmering wall of light was left in her wake. The three alicorns and spirit looked at it, before their magics enveloped it. The light disappeared after a few moments, with a soft popping.
“And the world is saved, all is well, peace and harmony return. Are we done here?” Discord asked. Three pairs of angry eyes turned on him. “What?”
“Discord...” Twilight said softly.
“Yes?” he asked, an arrogant grin forming on his lips.
“Just how responsible are you for all of this?” Luna asked, glowering at him.
“What? I? Responsible?” He put a paw to his chest and had the decency to look wounded. “I am hurt by your baseless accusations! Why, I did nothing of the sort! I didn't bring that most... interesting of ponies here,” he said with a big grin.
“Uh huh,” Twilight said, staring at him flatly. “And you can honestly say you had absolutely, positively, not a single thing to do with Val getting here?”
“Welllllll,” the spirit said with a grin. “I couldn't go that far.”
“What did you do, Discord?” Celestia asked, glowering at him. “We won't get mad.”
“Speak for yourself,” Twilight said quickly.
The being of chaos chuckled. “Now now, I didn't take him from his home. That was all due to something from his world. You'd be amazed what mixing all kinds of different magics during a war can do,” he said with with a light chuckle. “I just merely noticed the poor, innocent, delightful, adorable, chaotic child flowing through the vast, empty abyss between the dimensions. I could have just let him go along, land at any number of different worlds. Why, in one he even meets Nosflutteratu.”
“Who?” Twilight asked, cocking an eye.
“Nopony you need to worry about,” he said with a chuckle. “I just thought it would be interesting to direct his path here. And my oh my, it has been quite interesting. Three such interesting young foals have arrived. I do so look forward to seeing what chaos they'll bring.”
“Is anything else coming we need to worry about?” Celestia asked, glaring.
“I do not know, perhaps?” he said with a shrug. “That is the joy of chaos, dear princess. You just never know how things will turn out.”
Twilight sighed. “Discord, you do realize it's because of things like this that nopony trusts you?”
He frowned then and crossed his arms, a third one going up to hold his cheek as his eyes went wide. “Why, princess, I am shocked and appalled. Are you saying I should have left the little colt out and alone? Let him go to some other dimension where he could have been killed? Tut tut. And here I thought you cared about all children.”
Twilight's cheeks burned. “You should have told us!”
“Now where would the fun in that be? What's the point of a good story if you just skip ahead to the end?” he asked with a chuckle. “Besides, you've saved the world now, haven't you? Sending that pony back in time... why, that is something even I could never have predicted you'd do. It makes me look forward all the more to seeing what kind of pony you'll grow up to be, princess.”
Twilight's cheeks turned scarlet and she turned around, shaking her head. “Ugh! I'm going home! I've got a letter to finish deciphering! Hopefully there's mention of turning you back into stone!” she yelled back angrily.
“So testy,” Discord said before snapping his fingers and disappearing. He reappeared a moment later in his home in the chaos realm. He hummed softly as he looked at his desk where a few cards were laying, face up.
One of Val, Claw and Silverbelle. He moved over to the desk and flipped over Val's card. “Oh such a naive little princess. This story is only just beginning.” He drew another card from the deck, revealing another black unicorn with a white mane, a young mare. His eyes then wandered to a small letter laying above the cards, written on titanium impregnated parchment. “Let's make sure it has a happy ending this time, shall we?” He said before snapping his fingers and making the deck disappear.
Cherilee groaned and slowly opened her eyes, before looking around nervously.
No spiders. No colts. No demons. No psychotic unicorns. No summons from the princess. The day was already looking up! She slowly crawled out of bed and looked out the window, a grin forming on her lips. It was a bright, sunny day. The birds were chirping their gentle melody. The princesses had absolutely assured her that there would be no more problems, not even little ones, coming after Val. They'd made sure of that.
After that ordeal with his mother, she knew she could use the relief. Things were finally, hopefully, going to wind down now. This weekend princess Luna would be meeting with the boy to give him his first mental evaluation. Twilight had almost finished with the note and would have all that settled, though she claimed what she had already found was most likely all they needed. So it was now time for them to get on with their lives. Tomorrow Val would return to class and begin being around colts his own age.
But before that, she needed to make sure everything was okay. After what his mother did, the princesses had assured her there would likely be no lasting damage. She still didn't want to risk it, though. He was a child, anyway. It was time he got vaccinated and had a full, proper evaluation.
So today they were going to the doctors. It would be routine, easy enough. But it would give a nice baseline in case there were any other troubles. She took a deep breath and started towards the door.
She slowly crept down the stairs and smiled at the sight. Val had finally figured out how to turn on the 'magical box', but sadly changing the channels was still beyond his capabilities. Still, even when the news was on he could sit and stare with such wide eyed wonder, Nipper resting on his head. It made her heart a little warmer watching him, so calm and sweet. It... gradually made up for when he wasn't so nice.
“Are you ready for today?” Cheerilee asked, making the colt jump a little.
“Huh? Yeah! I'm all ready!” he said proudly, giving his little chest a pound.
She nodded and moved over, giving him a gentle hug while being careful to ensure Nipper didn't touch her. “Okay. We'll eat a nice breakfast first, but I need you to do something for me, okay? Promise me. Please promise me. Don't cause any trouble today, okay? These ponies are just trying to help you. I know sometimes it might hurt, but there's a lot we need to get done today. Some of your vaccines, some tests, things like that. Luckily a lot of it was done when you were in the hospital last time, but there's still a lot to do.”
He made a little pouty face, but slowly nodded. “Fiiiiine. I'll be good, I promise.” He then lunged up and gave her a big hug. She cringed as Nipper was practically shoved in her face and she quickly pulled back, making a quick trot towards the kitchen.
“Good, thank you,” she said, shaking her head. She really wished she could have got him to get anything else as a pet. Something more cuddly. Like a cat. Though, she couldn't really see him with a cat. She then shuddered as she imagined him coming home with a baby hydra.
Perhaps the spider wasn't so bad.
She hummed happily as she worked, cooking up a few eggs, waffles and hay bacon. She glanced over to him. “Val, dear? Can you try to set the table?”
He cringed. “I... ummm... I'm not sure...”
“Just try, okay? Use the plastic plates. If you drop one or two, it'll be fine.”
He nodded slowly, before climbing off the couch and moving over to the cupboard. She watched him out of the corner of her eye and smiled. He reached out his hoof and used it to pull open the door, gripping the plates in his hooves and slowly putting them on his back. She tried to suppress her smile as she watched him work. He didn't even seem to notice he was grabbing things like a pony now. Once he had the plates and forks on his back he slowly started making his way towards it, precariously balancing it on his back.
He was becoming a little more pony every day. She hoped in the end it would turn out that was what he needed. After escaping his mother, she couldn't bare to think of him becoming something like her. He wasn't always the nicest child, but he meant well. He had a sweetness to him.
She barely managed to contain a giggle as he made it to the table, only to reach up and use his hooves to put the plates on it. Just a little longer and she bet he could set the table just using his hooves.
Soon the food was done and she put it all on one big plate, slowly carrying it over and putting it down on the table. “Now, remember what I said about today?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes. If I'm good we can go and get something from Sugarcube Corner. Don't use any magic. Don't light anything on fire. No bleeping.”
She nodded. “And the shots?”
“They'll hurt, but they're for my own good,” he said with a shrug. “I'll be fine! I've taken lots of pain before!” he said proudly.
She opened her mouth to object, then slowly shook her head. “You're right. I'm sure you'll be fine. You're my big, strong little colt,” she said with a smile, before slowly dishing out his plate. She just hoped there wouldn't be any surprises.
------
“He's here!” a pony yelled out the moment the two of them stepped into the building.
Cheerilee rolled her eyes as she saw two of the aides readying fire extinguishers. “He'll be fine today,” she said calmly, with just a hint of annoyance. “He's promised to be on his best behavior.”
“Of course,” Redheart said before looking down at her clipboard. She gave a soft, gentle sigh. “If you'd please just follow me?”
Cheerilee nodded, slowly following the mare to the back room. Seemed they were desperate to get him in and out as quickly as possible. She glanced down at Val. “Remember, best behavior.”
He gave another nod. “Of course! I'll be on my absolute best!” The two of them were led into one of the small rooms. He was directed to a small plastic bed and she took a seat in one of the chairs.
“Okay, let's start with your blood pressure,” the nurse said as she grabbed the small strap and put it on his leg.
Cheerilee watched and, to her amazement, Val was completely still once the mare began. He didn't fight, or object or even threaten as the mare worked on him. He cringed a lot at first, but that was normal she supposed. The nurse took notes, though paused when she checked his heart beat. “My, it's going a mile a minute. Are you okay?”
Val merely gave a small, trembly nod.
“Okay then. Please take a few deep, calming breaths,” Redheart said, before looking down at his hooves. “Dear, you're shaking. Are you feeling okay?”
“Y-yes,” the child said softly, his eyes lowered.
The nurse gave a small frown, before nodding. “If you're sure...”
Cheerilee couldn't help but smile. She'd never seen Val on such good behavior. He was barely even objecting, giving his hoof when told. Though now that the nurse mentioned it, she couldn't help but notice his hooves were shaking a lot. He was keeping his gaze lowered, too. Whenever he was told to give his hoof, he'd offer it rather meekly. It wasn't anything like him, it was--
Alarms went off in her head and she got to her hooves. “Um, Nurse Redheart?”
The mare glanced up. “Yes?”
“Can Val and I have a moment alone, please?”
The earth pony gave her a flat look, before sighing. “Fine. I have to go get the needles ready anyway, and prepare to draw a bit of blood.”
“Of course,” Cheerilee said. The moment the door closed, she sat besides Val. “Honey? Are you okay?”
“Y-yes, I'm f-fine,” he managed to get out gently.
His hooves were shaking and she could see the way he just stared at the ground. His lower legs were interlocked tightly, so tight she was sure they probably hurt. His other hooves were digging into the cushion. Slowly she reached over and put a hoof over his shoulders. “Honey... have you ever been to the doctors before?”
“N-no.”
“Have you ever been examined before?”
He slowly gave a weak nod.
“Honey... was it... scary?”
He didn't move for a while, but then slowly nodded his head.
“You know that she's not like the drow, right? She's not like your mother. She won't... hurt you like they did.” She couldn't even begin to imagine what tortures they'd probably put this child through. Here she'd thought the shots would be the worse. She gently pulled him close. “Do... you want somepony else to finish this?”
“C-can you?” he asked softly.
She shook her head. “I'm not trained.”
He nodded. “O-okay.” He was quiet for a few moments, then gently looked up. “Can... can a ummm... a stallion do it? Somepony who isn't like... that?”
She slowly gave a nod. “I'll go talk with her, okay?” Cheerilee said, before slowly letting him go and climbing off the bed, before walking out of the room. Mentally she cursed a long tirade of her own little bleeps. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought about this, what kind of mother was she? He'd just been actually KILLED by his mother less than a few days ago, a pony version of her. Then just dragged him along to get poked and prodded by some other mare. She had to be the worst mother ever. How could she possibly hope to raise this child without causing irreparable harm?
She stood outside the door and fumed, grumbling darkly to herself and hating herself as she waited. Finally, Redheart came walking down the hall, pushing a cart ahead of herself. She cocked her head to the side. “Miss Cheerilee? Is something wrong?”
The teacher gave a small nod. “I'm sorry to ask this, and I know it probably sounds weird, but by any chance are there any male nurses or doctors who can take care of this?”
Redheart looked stunned, offended then angry. “Miss Cheerilee, this is a hospital, not a bar. If you wish to--”
“No, no no no, no!” Cheerilee said quickly, shaking her head and waving a hoof back and forth. “It isn't ANYTHING like that. I swear. No.” She then gave a sigh and glanced back to the door, before looking back to the nurse. “You know... part of his story. About the other dimension. Well, the mares in his world aren't exactly...” She frowned as she tried to think of the word. “Evil. Pure, unadulterated evil. He's not handling having a mare examining him very well.” She then glanced to the needles. “I... don't think he'll handle that very well, either.”
Redheart blinked a few times before nodding. “Oh. I... see. Yes. Abuse can make certain things... difficult. I'll see if Dr. Horse can administer the shots. Okay? But we don't have very many male staff, you understand. This could make future appointments difficult.”
She nodded. “I know. I'll... work something out,” she muttered. “Val needs it.”
------
Dr. Horse hummed softly as he grabbed a bandaid and slowly put it on Val's leg. “Very good. That was the last shot. You were very, very brave,” he said with a smile.
“Mmm hmm,” Val mumbled, little tears formed in his eyes. There had been five shots in all and there would be more in the future. But to Cheerilee's surprise, he had managed not to cry. He'd come very close and even had to grab her hoof on the third one, but he hadn't cried. He was still a bit tense and nervous, but nowhere near as bad as he had been with Redheart.
“Well, that should do for now. Let us know if there's any complications, okay?” the doctor said before looking at Val's file. “Would you like to schedule a follow-up?”
“Not right now. Just call me when all the blood work is ready and I'll schedule then,” Cheerilee said with a small smile. She then climbed off the bed and helped Val down, giving him a little kiss on the forehead. “You were very brave.”
“I-I get ice cream now, right?” he asked softly.
She nodded. “Yes dear. Come on, we can go there right now.” She gave him one last hug before giving the doctor a small wave and trotting out the door, Val following along besides her. She glanced down to the colt and gave him a comforting smile. “Val, when you're scared or upset like that, just let me know. I'll do whatever I can to make you feel safe.”
He nodded. “I-I know. I'm not weak though!” he said proudly, giving a big wide grin. “I'm not scared, really! I'm just... I ummmm... I just don't like it.”
She smiled and gave a little nod. “Of course. But being comfortable is for the best.” She watched him for a few more moments. “There's nothing wrong with being scared, Val. You've been through a lot. Nopony would blame you for--”
“I-I'm not scared,” he said again, shaking his head, his fluster quickly returning. “If I'd wanted, I could have blown her up in a second! Fire and ash everywhere!” His voice leaked with pride.
“I suppose. But then you would have been grounded. Just about forever,” she said with a shake of her head.
“R-right. I'm also a, ummm... good. Pony. Right?” he said sounding a bit awkward.
“Yes. You've been a very good pony lately,” she said with a nod. “And I am very proud of you. Now, let's go get some ice cream.”
------
Val darted into the shop and jumped up against the counter, going right past the line.
“Val, get back here,” Cheerilee ordered, scolding him. “You have to wait in line.”
“But... but I got shoooooots. I earned this!” he whined.
“Yes, you did. But you have to be patient. Now come back.”
He hung his head and sulked, but none the less made his way back towards her. “Have you decided what you want?” she asked with a soothing smile.
“The mega explosion double fudge ripple banana split.”
She rolled her eyes. “That's not happening. It's bigger than you are.”
“But mooooooooom.”
“Not. Happening. Do you want a normal banana split?” She hummed and decided to give. Just a little. “With extra whipped cream and another cherry?”
His eyes lit up and he gave her a hug. “Yes yes yes you're the best ever!”
She nodded and patted him on the head. “I try. But you have to be patient and wait your turn, okay?”
“Hey Val!” a voice called out, making them both turn towards one of the tables. Sweetie was sitting down with a shake in front of her, sitting next to a small brown colt. “I was just talking about you.”
Val's cheeks turned red and he stared at her for a moment. “You... were?”
Cheerilee gave a soft, exasperated sigh. Of course he wasn't afraid of her. At least, not yet. “Hello, Sweetie Belle. Hello, Button Mash.”
“Hi Miss Cheerilee,” the two said in unison.
The teacher glanced down. “Val, how about you go talk with your friends and I'll get the ice cream?”
He nodded and ran off, jumping into the chair besides Sweetie and smiling. “Sooo, who's the filly?” he asked, pointing at Button.
Both the ponies stared at him for a moment. “I... I'm a colt...” Button said softly.
“Wait, really? But you're like so...” Val said with a wave of his hoof.
“Anyway,” Sweetie said before looking between them. “I thought you'd want to meet each other! Button likes those games you like.”
Val blinked, then a grin formed on his lips. “Oh hoh?” A hoof moved up to his mouth as he eyed the earth pony. “You imagine yourself a great commander as well?”
Button stared for a moment, before cocking his head to the side. “I... guess? I mostly like video games, though,” he said with a shrug. “But I've got a lot of the really fun card games. Battles of Equestria, Awesome!, Embers rise of the Dragonborn and Cyborg Leylinerunner.” He paused and gave a sheepish smile. “Though my mom is the one who plays the last one the most. It's... kind of confusing and I can't really figure out everything in it.”
Val blinked a few times, before shaking his head. “Very well then! If you wish to challenge me, then so be it!” He lifted a hoof dramatically into the air. “I shall crush you and all shall know of my unparalleled might! Then once I have destroyed you--”
“Val!” Cheerilee called from the line.
He blinked, then sighed. “Fine. Once I crush you I'll totally like... make fun of your weak deck and stuff. Yeah.” He grumbled and nudged the table a little bit.
Sweetie sighed and rested her head in her hoof. “This was a bad idea...”
Val grinned as he looked across at his opponent. The little pony, Button. He would crush him like all the others. Well, okay, he rarely actually crushed anypony. Or won, for that matter. But he completely ignored that minor fact. This time Sweetie was watching, that meant he had to win! For reasons! Also, Flash was there and watching over the game(namely because Val had yet to get his own cards and Flash had caught him each time he tried to steal the deck.)
He blinked a few times and cocked his head to the side as the other colt nudged over a long white box filled with dozens of little decks of sleeved cards. “Okay, ummm... which of the games did you want to play?”
“How many of those card games do you have?” Val asked, staring at them.
“Oh, well this one is Awesome!” the colt said before pulling out a big stack of cards. “To play this we just randomly deal out a deck to each other. This one is Cyborg.” He pulled out two decks. “I could play the runner or the company, mom made both these decks. I have the six starter decks for Embers,” he said before pulling out another six decks. Finally, he pulled out one last deck wrapped in red sleeves. “And this is my Armies of Equestria deck.” He put it down and then tapped it. The cards proceeded to shuffle themselves.
Val stared. “How are you... doing... that?” he asked in awe.
“Self-shuffling sleeves. Guaranteed randomization every time,” the colt said proudly, before grinning. “So, did you want to play this first?”
“Ha, sure!” Val said with a grin before glancing to Sweetie and giving her a confident grin. He'd crush this small child and then be honored and revered by her. She'd see him as her champion! Already he could see the praise as he vanquished this supposedly good general. He'd soon understand the futility in going against the greatest pony general to ever live.
“Are you using any custom cards?”
The colt blinked. “Custom cards?”
“Yeah, you know. The blanks? The ones you build using the rules in the book?”
Val cocked his head to the side. “Err, what?”
Flash sighed and shook his head. “He hasn't tried building any of his own cards yet. Val, I wouldn't worry about it, it's a bit... difficult to grasp and the pre-built cards tend to be just as good unless you want a specific theme.”
“Wait, so I could make MORE giant monsters?” Val asked, his eyes widening.
Flash groaned and face hoofed.
“Ohhhh, yeah, it's really cool!” Button said before turning his deck over.
Val's eyes lit up. Most of the cards were shiny and had special images on them. One even had a picture of Button on it. “H-how did you... wow...”
“You can buy the blanks in packs, some of shiny and non-shiny. You can order special custom cards too, if you have an image,” Button said with a big grin. “Mom got me a bunch of shiny cards custom made for my birthday!”
“For your what?” Val asked, before staring at them and frowning. “W-well, anyway. I'll beat you even if your cards are all shiny and sparkly!” he said confidently, before shuffling his deck.
Cheerilee barely managed to keep her sqwee of delight silent as she watched Val shuffle the deck with ease, holding the cards firmly. He was getting so much better at using his hooves.
Val grinned and drew his cards before nodding. “Prepare to get thrashed!”
------
Val let out a whine as Button's last attack hit him, without any shields it meant he lost. “N-no fairrrr! That's... that's cheap!”
Button stared and cocked his head to the side. “Well, they are cheap monsters. That's why I use them, to overwhelm.”
“But... but but...”
Cheerilee sighed and looked up from her book. “Val, maybe you two should try one of the other games?” He'd already lost eight games in a row. Then again, Button didn't seem to be holding back at all, unlike Flash.
“FINE!” Val snapped angrily, pointing a hoof at Button. “I WILL CRUSH YOU!”
------
“HOW?!” Val shrieked as he stared down at his deck of Awesome! cards. “I played a bunch of really strong monsters!”
“Well, this game is about--”
“THE NEXT ONE!” Val roared.
“Um, honey, maybe you should take a break,” Cheerilee said nervously.
“No. I will win,” Val said with a growl. “Let's play... the Ember one.”
Button nodded. “Cool! I haven't really been able to play this one before.”
Val nodded. “Really? Well, I'll try not to beat you too bad.”
------
“And that's game,” Button said with a nod. “Your Dragonborn falls.”
“W-what? Noooo! Impossible! I did... I... I...” The colt stared at his cards, his hooves shaking.
Cheerilee cringed and watched him. Any moment the explosion was going to happen. She hoped those cards weren't that expensive, she'd have to replace all of them when Val burned them.
“Let's play the next one. The... leyline one.”
“Cyborg? Okay,” Button said, before putting the cards away.
Cheerilee blinked and stared. Val seemed so calm. She was so certain he was going to explode in a raging fit, or start shooting fireballs. Instead he was just sitting there, his hooves were quivering a bit but he seemed fine. She smiled. It seemed he really was maturing.
------
Val groaned and buried his head into his hooves. “Let's... let's just play the other one. Battles. I know that one.”
Button nodded. “Well... okay,” he said, sounding a little dejected before putting them up. “You did pretty good! For your first times and--”
“Don't talk down to me,” Val snapped as he shuffled his deck. “I'm going to beat you. I'm going to crush you. I'm going to—”
“Val!” Cheerilee said with a sigh. “It's a game, calm down. You're just supposed to be having fun. Remember?”
He blinked, and then slowly nodded.
“VAL!” a voice said and Val tried to flee, but it was too late. Claw was already on him. He let out a yelp as the other colt glomped and licked his face.
“Off! Off off off off! I will light you on fire!” Val shrieked.
“Okay!” the part-dragon pony said.
“P-please don't light up my cards,” Flash said nervously, his hooves coming up to his face in fright.
“Claw, we're playing—” Val's eyes went wide as Claw licked him again. He hacked and coughed. “Gahhhh! My mouth was open and everything!”
“Your mouth tastes funny,” Claw said happily with another nuzzle.
“Get off meeeeee!” Val whined, finally managing to shove the colt off. “Can't you see I'm in the middle of an epic game to defeat my rival?” he asked, glowering at the other colt.
“Rival?” Button asked with a grin.
“Ohhhh, what's that?” Claw asked, still grinning but, for the moment, not pouncing.
“I'm going to crush him with these cards and show him I'm the best general in front of Sweetie and... and...” He paused and looked around, before cocking his head to the side. “Where's Sweetie?”
“I think she walked off about an hour ago,” Cheerilee said with a sigh. “I think she got tired of watching you two play.”
Button cringed. “Maybe we should go get--”
“NO! Not until I beat you!” Val snapped, glowering at the colt. Button gulped and gave a nod
------
“Why doesn't he just let Val win already?” Scootaloo grumbled as she chewed on a bit of her popcorn. She and the rest of the CMC had arrived midway through yet another round and, unfortunately, Val had yet to have made any real progress in defeating Button. Out of the six hits needed to win, his best game had been three. Button truly seemed un-defeatable.
“Ah don't know,” Applebloom said with a shrug. “A pride thing, ah guess? Ah'm just curious how long it'll take 'fore he notices Claw's been nibblin' his tail again.”
“It's not so bad, he's getting better,” Silverbelle said softly. “He almost got four hits in last time.”
“Yeah, almost,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “Button plays these kinds of games all the time, Val needs to just give it up, he's not going to win.”
“I will win!” Val yelled, stomping his hoof down. “Just wait and-- Claw, stop eating my tail!”
“But it tastes like licorice...”
“My tail does not taste like licorice!” Val snapped, before looking down at it. “Wait, does it?” He then shook his head. “No, game, focus. I... play a griffon scout!”
“He is doing a lot better now,” Flash said with a nod. “He's been practically remaking his deck after every game and he has been doing a much better job at balancing out his low and high cost cards. I wouldn't say victory is impossible. Albeit, difficult.”
“Why are you still here? I thought you were supposed to go home now that his mom was dealt with and stuff?” Scootaloo asked.
The stallion looked down. “What? No. I'm here because of the thief, not because of his mother. We're still guarding the place.”
“Ohhhhh,” the filly said, before looking to Val again. “Is anyone else finding this really boring?”
“Eeyup,” Sweetie said with a nod.
“Mmmm hmm,” Applebloom added.
“I-I don't mind,” Silverbelle said gently.
“Om nom nom nom,” Claw said happily.
“STOP EATING MY TAIL! Ack!” Val shrieked. “That doesn't mean nibble my ears! Giddoff! Giddoff! Stooooop! Moooooom!”
Cheerilee looked up from her book. “Hmm? Oh, that's very nice dear. You're doing wonderfully.” At least he was having fun and not threatening to murder anypony, at this point that was the best she hoped for.
“Make Claw stooooop!”
She sighed. “Claw, please leave Val alone.” She then looked down to the girls. “You don't have to keep watching if you don't want to. You can go play. Why did you all come here, anyway?”
“I was here with my mom,” Silverbelle said softly. “She's helping the princess with her...” The child struggled for a moment as she tried to think of the proper Equestrian term. “Stuff?” Close enough. “This is much funner.”
Cheerilee nodded and glanced to the other girls. “And you?”
“Sweetie said Button and Val were fighting. I wanted to see,” Scootaloo said with a grin. “She left out the part they were fighting with cards. I would have bet on Button either way though. Val looks like he'd bruise easily.”
“ARGGGGGH!” Val yelled as once again he was defeated. “No no no no! Stupid cards! Why do you keep failing me? I am your general! I decide which of you live and--” He stopped and took a slow, deep breath, putting the deck down calmly as he slowly breathed in and out. “One minute. I'm going to go make some more changes.”
“Mmmmm hmm,” Button said as he took out his gamecolt and started playing on it. “Take your time.”
“You wanna try the deck I made?” Sweetie offered.
“No! I will crus-- I will beat him with my own deck,” Val said firmly, digging a hoof into the ground. “I can figure this out.”
Cheerilee sighed as she went back to her book. He was keeping his competitiveness in check at least. To a small extent. No threats or the like. She glanced up as the other girls quickly left, all except for Silverbelle. Not that she could blame the child. As boring as watching them play the same card game over and over was, it still probably beat listening to Twilight talk about... time things. She wondered how the mare managed to fit all those thoughts into one little head.
------
Cheerilee sighed as she looked out the window to her room. It had been many hours since they'd left the castle and finally come home. She couldn't believe Val hadn't figured this out by now. She could see the light flickering out from his window below hers, so she knew he was up. He was supposed to be in bed hours ago. She'd been so proud of him, too. He hadn't tried to cause any wars or pick any fights all day. He was getting a bit obsessed with beating Button, but it wasn't too bad, yet. Flash had let him borrow his cards and Val had spent most the night going through them, but she supposed that was fine. He wasn't getting violent about it.
But she was tired and had work in the morning. He had school. There was absolutely no reason he needed to be up this late.
Slowly she snuck out of her bed and started gingerly trotting out of her room and down the stairs. She could see the light coming from under his door, so she guessed he didn't hear her. She inched closer and leaned against it, listening in. She couldn't hear anything. Probably reading a comic or something. She shoved the door open.
Val was sitting on the floor, his little deck of cards spread out before him, looking at every card over and over. Her mouth fell open. Why in Equestria would he be playing with those at this hour? Worse, she'd shoved the door open and he hadn't even noticed. He was just too absorbed. "VAL!" she snapped, making him jump.
He yelped and looked back, before looking to the cards, then back to her. "I-I was just, I couldn't sleep, I just--"
"Val, what in Equestria are you doing? You were supposed to be in bed hours ago." She walked forward and looked at the cards, shaking her head.
"I-I know, b-but Button just keeps--"
"Yes, beating you, I know. But you need to let it go. You were doing so well, too. I thought you were finally getting it right." She glared down at him. "It's time for bed. Put these cards away."
"B-but I just--"
"Now!" she snapped, feeling quite a bit miffed. "You need to let this go. This isn't normal. You're not acting like a pony at all. It's just a game, you can't focus on it so much."
He went deathly still and began to shake. She started to worry. Was she too rough? She hadn't meant to be too hard on him, she was just tired. He chewed on his lip for a moment before seeming to calm down. Then finally, he hurtled his deck across the room, smacking the cards against the wall. "I KNOW!" he screamed, before letting out a little sob. She recoiled in shock. "I-I know. I-I've been trying. I-I really have. I-I want to j-just enjoy the game, but... but I can't. I-I have to win, I-I just have to. I-I know it's not very... very pony to care, a-and I've tried not to b-but I just... I just can't..." Tears started going down his face. "I-I'm not... I'm just not a pony... I'm just... I'm just a stupid, useless, weak, idiotic d-drow. A-a male, j-just a useless male like my father. I just... I-I want to enjoy it... I want to, so bad. I-I want to be like the other ponies... I just... I just can't... I just... I just need... I need to win... I-I tried to enjoy it. I tried. I just wanted to... I kept playing and... and I thought I'd... I thought if I kept doing it, if I kept trying it, I'd be like other ponies. I could be like... I could..."
Cheerilee blinked and then slowly moved in closer, wrapping her hooves around him. "It's... it's okay. Val, it's okay. You're not any of those things. You're a smart kid. You're not useless. You're not idiotic."
"T-then why can't I win? H-he's a pony, he's just.... he's just a child..."
"So are you. he's had a lot more time to learn these games. To practice them. You'll get there, dear. You'll learn." She then paused. "You... didn't play many games growing up, did you?"
He shook his head.
She smiled. "Come on, then. Let's go play a little go fish, okay honey? It's...something you'll like."
“I... I don't wanna go swimming...”
“It's not swimming. It's just a simple game, dear. Once I think you'll like.” She sighed and slowly brought him with her. She knew it was a school night, she knew he should get some sleep. But... right now he needed this. He needed her. Besides, missing one day of class wouldn't be so bad.
Ugh, and she used to have such perfect attendance before she had him.
Still, she couldn't help feeling it was worth it. She made a mental note to send a letter to Luna, he needed therapy as soon as possible. She smiled back to him. “I'm sorry today has been a tough day for you, dear. But trust me. You're a very good pony and you're only getting better.”
Val yiped as he sat up, his bed flying through the air. “W-what?” he said softly before reaching out to grab the bedpost. He looked over the side and saw Equestria far, far below. He quickly pulled back and wrapped his blankets tightly around himself. He was flying, that was good. But he might fall at any time from his magic bed, that was bad. That was very bad. Bad bed. He grabbed the post again with his hands, peering over the side once more.
It wasn't Equestria anymore, now he was looking down at mountains and rocks, great fields of them and all white. He looked out and it was now night, the stars glimmering in the sky. He peered over the edge again and now he was just a few feet flying above the ground. He let out a scream and latched on, waiting for the bed to crash. Instead, it just kept flying for a few more feet before, finally, began to slow down and come to a stop, landing on the ground gently. He whimpered and huddled up, shaking his head. He looked at his hands and then yelped, jumping back and toppling off the bed with a shriek. “Ah!”
“Are you okay?”
Val looked up and let out a scream, recoiling away as his mother towered over him. He moved back to the bed, shaking his head. “No no no no go away go away, please go away.”
“Val, child. It is us, Princess Luna,” the woman said again.
Val shook, covering his head. However, after a few minutes he slowly worked up the courage to look up and realized it wasn't his mother at all. In fact, she wasn't a drow at all, though the features matched. Her skin was a dark blue and her ma-- hair glimmered like the star's themselves. “We apologize. We believed that taking the form of your own kin would help to comfort you.”
Val whimpered, shaking his head. “N-no. I-I'd prefer pony, please,” he said softly.
She nodded and then, almost instantly, they were both ponies again. He couldn't even tell how it happened, it had been so gradual, and yet so quick at the same time. He couldn't have said when the shift began or ended. But he gulped none the less as he watched her.
“You seem... tense. Does our appearance bother you?” she asked as she eyed him.
“You... I...” He shook his head. “N-no.”
She watched him for a few moments before she moved forward and sat across from him, staring down at him. “Child, there is no need to lie to us. We can see the fear in your eyes, but we swear we mean you no harm. We are here to help, here to heal. Now tell us, what is it of us that frightens you so? If it is Nightmare Moon, we assure you. That is long behind us.”
Val gulped and lowered his gaze. “You... look... like my mother. A little...”
“Miss Cheerilee? We thought--”
“My other... mother. My real... mother.”
The princess was still for a moment. “Ah. We see. Very well.”
Val looked up again and blinked. He then burst into giggles, his hooves covering his mouth. The princess was now the same colors of a swirling lollipop. The colors actually swirled around her. He could only suppress his giggles and laughter for a short time before he fell over, roaring.
Luna sighed. “We are sorry, but this form does often work on the young. Very well. We suppose... this shall work.” Once again she shifted and her form changed. She took the colors of Cheerilee and eyed him. “Is this better?”
He slowly nodded, though he had tears in his eyes. “T-thank you. T-that's... much better.”
She nodded before she moved over, sitting by him and putting her wings over him. “Now, we believe we have much to discuss, young one. We... must admit, it has been long since we have dealt with one such as yourself. But we will do our best to do as we can.”
He nodded and instinctively nestled into the wing. “I ummm... so... what do I say?”
“We are here for you, whatever is on your mind, speak of it and we will listen.”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
“There is no wrong thing. We are here to guide and protect you. Nothing more, nothing less. We will do you know harm.”
He nodded and leaned against her. “What... if I can't be a pony?”
“You have been one for merely a few weeks. We believe you shall adapt.”
“But I just... I don't... I don't know if I can. I mean I was...” He dug his hooves into the bed. “I was... I was playing a game. A card game. With... with some... friends.”
“That is a very pony thing to do.”
“I kept losing and I was going to summon some kind of monster in order to have Button eaten alive when I finally beat him.”
She blinked a few times, but didn't speak.
“I had it all planned out, too. I was going to make the best deck ever, I was going to challenge him and then, when I won, the monster would be summoned and just gobble him up! He'd be gone, I'd stand alone as the victor!”
She nodded slowly. “We... see. And... did you try this?”
He shook his head. “No. I just... I...” He chewed on his lower lip. “I wanted to. I so badly wanted to. I was thinking... I just... I wanted to make him hurt. To make him suffer. To make him... to make him feel as bad as I did.”
“We see...”
“But then... but then I didn't want him to. I just wanted to win. I didn't... I didn't want to make him hurt from it. I just wanted to win. I was going too far. I wasn't... I wasn't being pony enough. I... I'm scared,” he said softly, nestling up deeper into the wings. He felt so small, resting against this giant winged pony.
The princess watched him for a moment before she reached down and placed a hoof on his head. “Child, you come from a horrible, monstrous place. We... wish we could say that this world would be easy for you to adapt to, but we know that isn't true. But you will adapt to it. However, the scars across your heart and soul will take many years to heal. But there is no shame in that. You have survived a place that would give the stoutest pony many nightmares. A place that... no child should ever have to go through. There is no shame in these scars.” She gently stroked his mane. “You are learning, you are being a wondrous pony. You have empathy for those around you and you have a great desire to be one of us.” She then smiled down at him, her hoof guiding his chin to look up at her. “Most importantly, you have friends. Young Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo. The... interesting Claw.” She then paused. “As well as Silverbelle. They will guide you, help you to be the pony you want. Most importantly, they will support you. Help carry you through life's challenges.”
“C-carry me? I-I don't need any help!”
“We all need help, dear. For sometimes the darkness is... too much for us to bear alone. As long as you have your friends close and try, they will not forsake you. And day by day, you'll feel those pains a little less. They'll likely never go away completely, but they will become gentle in comparison. Small aches and throbs. You also have a mother who cares deeply for you and two princesses who will aid you in every way they can. You are not alone and you shall never be alone again.”
He nodded, the warmth of the wing and her side making him nestle up a bit more. “What... if I... can't do it? What if I mess it up? What if I mess everything up?”
“We all mess up. All the time. Our own crimes stretch from one end of the kingdom to the other. But that doesn't matter. As long as you try, you will always have a home and family. Friends. Those who care for you and will aid you. Now tell me, young Val. What do you want to be? What kind of pony do you want to become?”
He gulped and chewed on his lip. “I... I want... I want to be strong.”
“And what else? What do you want to do with this strength?”
He closed his eyes as he tried to think about it. If he was back in his other home, he knew what he'd do with that strength. He'd hide. Protect himself. Stop others from hurting him. But they couldn't get him here. He was safe. He was protected. He was--
“I want... I want to be like... mom. And you. And... and I guess even that dopey pegasus I almost lit on fire.”
“Oh?”
“I want to protect ponies.”
She nodded and then gave him a pat on the head. “That is good. You're still young, however, so it will be long before you can protect anypony. But think of that. Decide what you want to be, who you want to be. Then never let that go. Cling to it even in the darkest, hardest times. If you do that... then you will not lose it. And you will be happy with the type of pony you become.”
He nodded, closing his eyes, before blinking. “If... I fall asleep, what happens?”
“You dream.”
“Oh.” He paused. “Aren't I dreaming now?”
“Yes. It would be... another dream, I suppose.”
“Okay... that's weird.”
“Dreams often are, child.”
“Will I remember this?”
“Indeed you will.” She paused. “And, in case you are wondering, yes this did truly happen. There is no 'or did it' here. I am the princess of the night and I look over and guide the dreams of the sleeping. It is one of my many tasks. If you doubt this, you may ask your mother.” There was just a hint of annoyance to her tone and he giggled softly as she dropped the 'we' for a moment.
He shrugged. “Oh, it's no problem. I don't see why it wouldn't work, it would hardly be the strangest thing I've seen since coming here.”
She nodded and smiled down at him. “Now then, child. Tell us of anything you wish. Or do you have some questions?”
He blinked and then glanced up. “I ummm... I'm kind of curious about my magic. I'm not... getting any stronger any more. Or at least, I don't feel I am. I haven't learned any new spells and I really think I should have by now.”
“This is a much less vicious realm than you are used to. Your development may slow. As well as the way your magic has shifted. We would not worry. We are sure you will continue to grow as you need.” She then rubbed her chin. “In fact, Twilight has told us fascinating things of your magic. Your abilities for a child are quite impressive.” He preened at the compliment. “It is a shame that a child so young has had to learn them to survive.” That deflated him as well. “They are... dark arts that you know.” A bit of worry crept into him. “But that does not make you, or them, evil. Such dark magic can corrupt, but it can be used for good as well. You just must be careful and remember the pony you want to be.”
He nodded. “Do you know any magic like mine?”
“We have learned much in the dark arts, as has our sister. But it is a magic that we wish to use only in the most dire of circumstances. Though some mistake shadow magic for being...” She paused and shook her head. “In any sense, we have learned some magics like yours. More than we'd like. It does not make you a bad pony, but you must use it very, very carefully.”
He nodded. “That means no using it on other ponies, right? Mom has made me promise. Also, she threatened to take away all ice cream privileges for like a whole year if I do it again. Ice cream! No ice cream! For a year! Can you imagine?”
A look of horror spread across the princess's face and she gave a shudder. “Truly your mother is a most powerful and frightening creature when her wrath has been unleashed. We shudder to think of what other punishments she could bestow.”
He nodded, before smiling. “She's a lot nicer about them than... my other mom was.” He looked up. “What was your mom like?”
Luna paused for a moment, a distant look on her face. She then gave a small smile. “Young Val, how about we discuss your magic a little more? Tell us, how did you first learn your spells?”
“They... just kind of happened. One day I didn't know them and then, boom, one day I suddenly know how to do them. It was just like... well, it was magic,” he said with a little giggle. “It was all natural.”
“Fascinating. Perhaps it will still happen, then. You'll learn another spell before you know it, We're sure. What kind of spell would you like to learn?”
He opened his mouth, but then slowly closed it. “I... don't know. I hadn't really thought about it.” He looked down at his hooves. “I used to want to be like my mom, I wanted to know all the dark magic she had. To... make her proud. But... now it kind of seems like a... waste. Like I...” He chewed on his lower lip and laid his head to her side. “I... don't know any more.”
“We're sure when you discover your new spell, you'll realize it was just what you needed. Something you wanted.” She gave him a little nuzzle. “Do... you feel better, child?”
“Mmmm hmm. Will this happen again?”
“Whenever you truly need us, we will be there for you. However, for now we will likely come to meet you at least once a week if there is no immediate need. Perhaps less once we feel you are doing sufficiently better.” She then glanced back down. “Are you having any troubles in your real life?”
He blinked and then sighed. “Had... some... a little... trouble with the doctors. Just a little. Wasn't... scared or anything...”
“Oh? Tell us about it.”
“Well... just...” He buried his head between them and mumbled into her side.
She gave a soft smile. “We can't hear you when you do that, child.”
“I wasn't... I just...” He looked up. “I-I was fine before! I wasn't scared of them! I mean, I was a little bit and I...” He lowered his head. “Ever since... since I saw... mom... as a pony... it just...” He nudged the ground a bit more. “Other ponies seem... scarier. Somehow. I just... I don't even... Mom said I couldn't... fight them and it just... made it worse... scarier and...”
She blinked, before she reached down and patted him gently on the head again. “It is fine, child. You are...” She paused for a moment, before nodding. “Seeing your mother as a pony has... likely made us seem a bit more real to you. Did ponies exist in your world?”
“Oh, yeah. But there were nothing like this. Unicorns were all like... super up tight. They'd only go around pure beings, supposedly. And virgins. Oh, what's a virgin?” He was greeted by silence for a few moments before continuing. “Well, all super rare and pure. Kind of like mom. I think pegasi were the same way. Never saw any. But ponies were just pack beasts. The normal ones. None of them could talk though, I think. They were all just kind of... there. They lived there. Were there. But they didn't... talk with us. Didn't do this magic. They were just animals. Work animals. Beasts of burden.” He looked to her. “And they weren't colorful, either. This... entire world. It just has this...” He frowned and shook his head.
“What?”
“It... glows. Everything glows. Like... like if everything was...” He frowned deeper and held his head. “When I was growing up, we had these really pretty glowing mushrooms. They were around this pond and they were so pretty. Pink and red and yellow and blue and orange. It's... like that. It's like the whole world is glowing with them. Lit by them. Even at night, it's as if there's still a bright light everywhere. Only when I close my eyes I don't see it and...” He choked a little bit, digging into her side hard enough it hurt. “S-sometimes I think it's all a dream and I-I'm going to wake up and it's going to be over and I'm going to be back home.”
Luna nodded and laid her head against him. “This is no dream. You have felt too much for it to be a dream. You know this. You are safe now. You are free. Those ponies can no longer hurt you and they never will. We have made sure of that.”
He nodded, closing his eyes and relaxing a little bit. If this weren't a dream, she was sure her side would be bruised slightly after that. Still, he was hardly her most difficult dream child. At least he didn't try to run her over with a party cannon. She smiled down at him. “We know things are different now, child. But you will adapt. You will develop and fit your new life.” She slowly got to her hooves and lifted her wing over him, gently guiding him to his feet. “You have... matured much in your short time alive, we imagine your original family had much to do with that. But you have shown great strength in surviving. We've heard you're adapting quite well. Becoming a strong, good colt. One your mother is proud of.”
His face lit up at that. “R-really?”
“Indeed. She dreams of you often. Happy dreams.”
Val squirmed and gave a little giggle. “Yes! I'm the best colt ever!”
She gave a soft giggle into her own hoof. “It is time we take our leave, it has been interesting talking with you, young Val. But before we go, is there anything else you'd like to ask us?”
He blinked and a little red flooded into his cheeks. “Well... errrrrr... there... is one thing...”
“Oh? Speak, child. We will listen.”
“You uhhh... you promise not to tell anypony?”
“Of course.”
“No matter what?”
“Indeed.”
“Cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye?”
Luna stared, her mouth falling open. “Such a... violent turn of phrase. Why ever would somepony do that? Would you really make somepony stick a needle in their eye?”
“Oh yeah, they used to do it back home all the time whenever they caught elves. They'd also use metal boots to--”
“Enough!” Luna said quickly, holding her hoof up. “We... cross our heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in our eye.”
He blinked. “But... you... have wings. You can already...” He made flapping gestures with his hooves.
“As it were, a princess' word cannot be broken. We will tell nopony of this. You are completely safe and secure,” she said with a knowing nod. “So tell us, what troubles you?”
“Well... I just... ummmm...” His cheeks turned even redder. “There's... this pony. Ummmm... a little white pony. Err... o-okay it's Sweetie!”
“Oh yes. The young daughter of the Element of Generosity.”
“Who?”
“Miss Rarity.”
Val blinked. “I thought they were sisters?”
Luna blinked a few more times. A list popped into existence besides her and she looked through it. “Oh. Oh dear. That... oh, that poor dear. I thought... I'll have to fix that later... I doubt she remembers. It was a minor dream. But do go on, child.”
Val blinked and then squirmed a little. “How uhhhh... how do you get... errr... how do you ummm... make a pony join you and be your servant?”
Luna stared for a moment. A very long, long moment. In the world of dreams, where time can flow backwards and forwards, sideways and to the wayside, it was as if centuries past. But finally, the elder mare coughed. “Ex... excuse me?”
“Well... errr... if wanted to...” He struggled to think of the words. “If I wanted to create my own harem and have her and a few of the other ponies added to it.” He looked so pleased with himself. “Yeah, that's the words!”
Luna just stared. “I... you... I don't... I...” She struggled to comprehend. “A... a harem?” She wished she could go back to the first question now. It was just getting worse. The ethics of love potions was looking like quite a nice chat right about now.
“Uh huh! I'm going to have a big one! Mom had like, five of them! I heard her talking about them all the time!” He paused for a moment. “What exactly is a harem, anyway?”
The princess couldn't move. Finally, she gave a little squeak. “I... I think this is a matter...” She coughed. “W-we mean, we think this is a matter thou should speaketh with their mother about. A long, long speaketh. We'd best depart. H-have well dreams, young Val.” She said before fleeing, pursued by a strange candy cane bear.
Val cocked his head to the side, confusion etched on his face. “What'd I say?”
------
Val groaned as he rolled over onto his side, his blankets wrapped tightly around himself. He... felt pretty good. Amazingly good, actually. He had the most amazing dream. He slowly climbed out of bed and looked at himself in the mirror, a grin forming on his lips. “Today's the day! Today I form my harem!”
Downstairs, Cheerilee suddenly felt a shudder go through her spine. What the hay caused that?
“Hey, mom?”
“Yes dear?”
“What exactly is a harem?”
She dropped a plate and stared at him, her mouth falling open. Ah, so that's what the shudder was. “I... err... I...” She was a teacher, she wasn't prepared for this! She didn't know how to answer questions like this! What in the world had Luna TALKED with him about? “Errr... you... should... ask... errr.... Big Mac?”
Big Mac groaned as he lifted the last hay bale into the wagon. It was hard, difficult work. But it was almost done. He wiped some sweat from his brow, his coat glimmering in the sunlight. He was looking forward to heading back to the farm house and having some nice, delicious iced tea. Maybe enjoy a bit of relaxation. He idly moved the little stalk of wheat from one side of his mouth to the other. Maybe--
A chill ran down his spine. He looked around for a moment, before he saw it.
Val. The little demon child. He gave an annoyed sigh, but watched the colt walk up none the less. His mother wasn't anywhere near, so he figured the colt would soon be demanding the subjugation of all earth pony kinds. Probably wanted to get pulled around in a fancy cart, too. Well, he'd deal with that awfully quick.
“Hey Big Mac!” Val said as he walked up, grinning up at him.
“Mmmm hmm,” the stallion said as he prepared for the worst. Whatever foul mouthed thing the little colt said, he was ready.
“What's a harem?”
He wasn't ready. His mouth fell open and the little piece of wheat fell from his lips. “Buh?”
“Mom said I should ask you,” he said far too happily.
Big Mac just stared. What could he have possibly done to anger Cheerilee in such a way? Or maybe it was his little sister. Maybe Applebloom had lit the school on fire or something. Buck, even if she did, this was so far above and beyond a rightful punishment.
“Well?” Val asked, still staring up at him.
Big Mac groaned and then did the next best thing. “Go ask Applejack,” he said gruffly.
Val blinked, before sighing. “Fine.” He turned and walked off, grumbling darkly. “It's not that rare a word here, is it? You'd think ponies would know what it is. Mom had like eight of them. They have to be common.”
The stallion watched the lad go, before turning back to the wagon. Maybe he could get his ice tea later. For now, the east fence looked like it needed a bit of mending. And if it didn't, well, he could make it need some.
He then paused and his cheeks managed to get redder. Why in the hay did Cheerilee think he knew ANYTHING about harems? She didn't think he had one, did she? Just what kind of rumors were flying around in town?
------
Applejack hummed softly as she gave a tree a nice hard buck, sending the apples falling down into their buckets. She'd worked up an awfully big sweat of her own, grabbing her hat and fanning herself off. When she put it back on her head, Val was standing in front of her. About five feet in front of her and she couldn't deny he looked ready to dart at any moment. “Hm? Well, howdy there lil partner. Yah here tah see Applebloom?”
“Nope! You,” he said softly. He shuffled a bit. “Big Mac sent me to talk to you.”
“Oh no,” she said with a sigh before sitting down. “What'd yah do?”
“I asked him a question, he said he didn't know.”
“Hm? Well, what was it?”
“What's a harem?”
Applejack's smile stayed straight, but her hat wilted. “Ex... excuse me?”
“What's a harem? I asked mom and then Big Mac, but neither of them knew. He told me to come talk to you.”
“Ah see.” Oh, she would get him back for this. Somehow. Someway. Maybe toss one of the pigs into his room next time he was sleeping. “Well, ah uhhhh... ah ain't...” She blinked and then a crafty grin formed on her lips. “Ah ain't rightly the kind of person to talk to about this. But yah know who would be? Rarity.”
“What? Why Rarity?”
“She knows all about these kinda things, ah assure yah. Why, ah bet she'd know enough tah fill a book.” Applejack imagined she'd probably read a few dozen of books involving that particular context.
“Are you sure? I came all the way out here and everything,” he whined.
“Ah'm sure. Jus' go on, lil buddy. It'll be fine.”
He sighed and turned, walking off.
Applejack wiped the sweat off her brow and let out a low whistle. “An here ah thought Applebloom was a hoofful.”
------
Rarity hummed softly as she circled around the beautiful blue gown she'd been working on. Truly spectacular. Marvelous. A bit more narrow than she liked, free flowing, but it had a bit of lightning on it as well.
After all, if Rainbow was going to wear it, then it absolutely had to be 'awesome'. And stylish. She--
Felt a shudder. One of cold dread. She frowned and looked to the door a moment before it opened. Ah. The young strange child. At least his mother wasn't here this time. His real mother. Cheerilee, on the other hoof, was a doll. “Hello, Val. I'm afraid Sweetie isn't here right now, she's with the girls at their little tree fort.”
“Oh, I'm not looking for her. Well, yet. I wanted to talk to you.”
Rarity nodded. “Of course. And what can I help you with today?”
“What's a harem?”
The mare paused. Stared for a few moments. She then looked towards the dress. After a few moments a knowing smile formed on her lips. “Ah. Of course. Val, dear, would you mind helping me with something?”
“What?”
“Could you wear this dress while I adjust it? I--” She didn't even have to finish the sentence before she heard the door slam shut. She let out a sigh of relief before glancing towards the door. “Good heavens, what would possess that boy to even learn such a word?” She gave another shudder. Maybe it was time she talked with Sweetie about avoiding the child. A murderous mother was one thing, but this? Such a corrupting influence.
------
Val frowned as he shuffled through the town, glaring at the ground. Ugh, why wouldn't anyone tell him? Was it that big a secret? What if it really was a drow thing only? What if they didn't exist here? Sure, it made sense that his mom might not know, she was a teacher. If it wasn't in a book, she probably didn't know anything about it. Rarity... might have known. But while he didn't mind the dress, the thought of being alone with any mare while she dressed him up just sent chills down his spine. Not that he was scared or anything. Not at all. Just cautious. And Big Mac, well, he was an idiot. At least, he looked like one. And if there was one thing he'd learned over the years, it was you could judge solely based on appearances.
Oh, wait, or was it you couldn't? He'd need to ask mom about that later.
Suddenly there was a pink blur ahead of him and he let out a yipe, stepping back, but he was too slow. The taste of a chocolate cupcake filled his mouth as it was stuffed inside and suddenly there was a pink pony besides him. “Hey Valley Walley bo Natty. What's with the long face?”
He blinked. “Just... ugh. Can't get an answer from anypony today,” he grumbled.
“Ohhhh, you need an answer? You should go to Twilight!”
“What? Why Twilight?”
“She's super duper smart and knows EVERYTHING! I'm sure she'll know exactly what you're looking for! What are you looking for, anyway?”
“I wanna know what a harem is!” he shouted. Odd, almost all the ponies in the street were staring at him with looks of horror now.
“Ohhhhh. Did you try Rarity?” Pinkie asked.
“She tried to put me in a dress.”
“Ah. How about Big Mac? I'm sure he has one.”
“He had no idea.”
“Rainbow Dash? I'm sure she'll end up in one eventually. Probably to some exotic...” She paused. “Aaaaaanyway. Try Twilight! If anypony can tell you, she can!” And then, with a poof, she was gone. And she'd left another cupcake on his head.
“... I don't know if I love her, hate her, or am terrified of her,” he mumbled as he grabbed the cupcake and started walking towards the giant tree, nibbling his treat.
------
Twilight frowned as she looked at the letter. Well, it was almost completely fixed now, even with Claw's unique digestive system. There were only a few letters missing and they were so few that it was quite easy to read around them. But she wanted to make absolutely positively certain that nothing was left to chance, so she made sure to keep the spell going.
Still, it seemed that there was nothing to worry about. Val's mother was gone and she seemed to be the great threat the letter mentioned. It also mentioned the Smooze, so she'd need to talk with Discord about keeping it in check and monitoring it. But all in all, it all seemed quite wonderfully wrapped up and done with. Precious had even been helping her, the mare seemed almost as fascinated with time magic as she was. Everything was going perfectly to plan.
A shudder went through her spine and she turned around, horn glowing and ready to defend herself. Val stared back at her. “Ummm... is... something wrong?” he asked a little nervously.
“Huh? Oh, no, I just got a sense of... nothing,” she said, standing back up straight and waving her hoof dismissively. “What brings you here, Val?”
“I want to ask you a question,” he said, a frown on his face. “Nopony can answer it though and they keep telling me to ask others.”
Twilight nodded as she moved forward, a grin forming on her face as she hovered over a few dozen books. “Ohhhh, what is it about? Advanced magical theory? Ultra advanced magical theory? 'Don't try because you might destroy the fabric of reality' magical theory? Basic engineering?”
“What's a harem?”
The books dropped from her magical grip and she heard Precious let out a yelp as she fell over, dropping half the contents of her desk on top of her.
Twilight gulped. “Errr, w-well, I'm really busy and... errr... oh!” She pointed towards the door as Flash walked by. “Flash! I have a task for you!”
The stallion eeped and stood up straight, saluting. “Yes, your highness?”
“I need you to... ummm... answer some questions for Val.” She scooped the colt up in her magic and quickly slid him towards the stallion. “Kay thanks bye!” she said before slamming the door shut.
Val blinked a few times, before looking to the stallion. He looked him up and down and... “Yeah, you won't know.”
Flash just blinked a few times as he looked down at the colt. “What?” He then straightened himself. “I will do my best to answer whatever questions you have, young Val. For a royal guard never forsakes their duties to the princess.”
Val giggled. “You said doody.”
Flash paused and sighed, face hoofing. “Dang it, I did, didn't I? Their oath, then. So, what can I do for you, lil buddy?”
“What's a harem?”
The guard froze, before looking towards the door. If he fled now, he could probably make it to the train before the next departure. He'd have to be fast, though. Using the few bits he had on him, he might be able to make it near enough to Appleoosa to fly the rest of the way. From there he could get a cloak or something, hide his wings. He'd be an earth pony. Maybe go by the name Chad. Yeah, Chad sounded like a cool earth pony name. Chad or Hoofbeater. He could flip a coin.
“Well?” Val asked.
“Huh? Oh, err, just... thinking,” he mumbled with a sigh. He then straightened up again and puffed out his chest. The princess had given him a job and he would do it, even if it killed him. “Okay then. Let's go to the library and we can talk this out.”
“We were just kicked out of the library. And I think she locked it.”
Flash paused, before nodding. “Right. Let's go to the ummm... cafeteria. And talk this out.”
“Okay!” Val said, walking off ahead... even though he had no idea where the cafeteria was. He was finally going to get an answer, he couldn't believe it.
------
Flash sighed as they finally made it to the cafeteria. They had found fourteen bathrooms, three observatories, a dungeon, a spa and sixty-five closets on the way. Val had an amazing knack for going through all the wrong doors. Yet Flash didn't mind. In fact, he wished it would have taken Val another hour or week to find their destination. None the less, the time of his doom was at hoof and he'd take it with the true finesse and stiff upper lip of a royal guard.
And he would not cry or try to hide behind the princess. He missed the days when the most dangerous thing he had to do was fight some changelings. He took a seat and looked down at Val. “Okay, there's some things we need to discuss first. Val, you're young, impressionable. I can imagine how you've heard of these, but listen when I tell you. You have a bright, healthy future ahead of you. If you want to be one of the princess' harem ponies, that's an achievable dream but I would think long and hard if that's really what you want. Too in love with the sun and all that. Don't rush into things, especially if you don't really understand them.”
Val blinked. “What?”
“It's a comfortable life, I'm sure. I've even met a few of them. They're nice ponies, but it requires peak physical...” He paused. “You... weren't asking about... because of them, were you?”
“No...” Val said softly, staring at the pegasus.
Said pegasus wished lightning would come and strike him to the ground. “Ah. How... about you tell me about what you know?”
The colt perked up. “Oh! My mom has a harem and a bunch of my older sisters have them and they're the only time they seem to say good things about males and they're a sign of power and strength and you have to have males and females in them and--”
“Okay, okay, okay!” Flash said quickly, holding his hooves up. He wasn't paid enough for this. Why did he have to get transferred out here, why? He didn't deserve this. Nopony deserved this. “Okay. First. That's... well... errr... harems exist, but I don't think that's something you'd want. It tends to only be with heavily political ponies who aren't allowed to marry for... well, one reason or another. What you're probably thinking more of, is herds. That's far more likely for... somepony of your...” He coughed nervously.
“Herds?”
“Yes! When one pony forms a... relationship with multiple... ponies...” Flash stared at the child. Why were they dumping this on him? It wasn't fair! He coughed into his hoof again. “When they... sometimes... have multiple mares or stallions they want to be with... forever... then... it's a herd.”
He nodded. “Ohhhh. So what's that like?”
Flash coughed. “Well... it's like... a big party I guess. A big, permanent party. You... errr... you kind of agree to...” He choked a little, his mouth dry. “You agree to be loyal to each other and only each other and that's kind of what a herd is, it's a long lasting relationship and, errr... everypony in the herd is the mommy and daddy to the kids and... and stuff.” Oh he wished he could die right now.
Val nodded. “Huh. That seems simple enough. Why didn't any of the other ponies know?”
Flash groaned. “And... you're a bit young, Val. Don't worry about stuff like this. Have... fun with your youth. Enjoy it. Harems, herds, marriage, all that stuff is things you need to worry about when you're older. And not quite such a... colt.” He was not trained for this. There was no training for this. He put a hoof to his face. “Just... don't worry about it for now. Just stick to being friends.”
Val nodded. “Okay... I'm going to go tell the girls they're part of my herd now!” he yelled before running off.
Flash blinked. “I... I just said... but it doesn't... gahhhh.” He face hoofed again. “Whyyyyy does this stuff fall on me?” He shook his head. “Eh. At least I wasn't lit on fire this time.” He made a mental note from now on to send one of the other guards walking by the library when the princess was in it. Next time he'd dig under it if he had to. Buck these extra 'assignments'.Then he heard it.
------
Val made it a few halls down before Twilight stepped out from one of the rooms. “Ah!” the princess said, smiling at him nervously. “Err… Val, I wanted to speak with you. It's uhhh...” She looked around. “I felt awfully bad about pawning you off on Flash like that. If you need your questions answered still, I'll do it.”
The colt shook his head. “Oh, he told me everything.”
“Err… e-everything?” she asked nervously.
“Uh huh! Hey, you're a princess, right?”
“Why… yes? I suppose I am now. Princess of friendship.”
“Oh. Then why didn't you know what a harem is? Flash said you had one.”
The princess froze in place. Then her mouth fell open. “He said WHAT?!”
“Yeah! You should know what they are if you have one, silly pony,” he said before running off. “I'm going to go form a herd!”
The princess stared at the colt, unable to move as she just watched him run off. Then a crash from the cafeteria freed her from her shock. She raced to the room and shoved open the door.
Flash was gone, all that was left in his place was a single spinning bit and the shards of broken window he'd burst through.
------
Ticketmaster glanced up from behind his desk as the strange earth pony walked towards him. The pony was wearing a large, black cloak, a massive sombrero and the most glorious moostache the pony had ever seen. “C-can… can I help you?”
The stallion stared him in the eyes. His eyes were filled with a fire, but more than that, fear. And confusion. So much confusion. “One ticket to Appleoosa, señor,” he said gruffly before dumping the bits on the desk.
Ticketmaster nodded before counting the coins. “There aren't enough here.”
“Then as near as you can get me.”
He nodded. “To Dodge Junction it is,” he said before putting the coins in their box and pulling out a ticket. “Name?”
The stallion took one last, slow breath. He looked the clerk straight in the eyes.
Val grinned wide as he trotted towards the tree house off in the distance. He couldn't wait to tell the others, they'd be so super excited!
Sure, he wasn't quite certain what all of it really meant, but he figured he had the general gist of it. Probably. Close enough. Flash was an adult, he probably understood all those things.
He pushed open the door, opened his mouth, widened his eyes and shrieked before the white blur hit him, knocking him on his back and proceeded to start licking his face. “BLEEP IT CLAW! GET OFF ME!”
“Hiyas!” the dragon pony said happily, before nibbling his nose. “Guess what, guess what!”
“GET OFF ME!”
Claw hopped off with a little giggle. Val jumped to his hooves and wiped the slobber off, grumbling darkly. The tree house was quite crowded today. Silverbelle, Silver Spoon, Diamond, Sweetie, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Button were all in there. A large television had been set up and they were playing those games again. He honestly thought the games were kinda cool, but not nearly as awesome as the television's ability to scry from all over the world. “So, what am I supposed to be guessing?”
“Mom said I could have a big slumber party with all of my friends!”
“Oh,” he said as he walked over. “... What's a slumber party?”
Everypony froze and stared at him, their eyes widening. “Yah can't be serious... can yah?” Applebloom asked, staring at him.
“Err...” he said, shuffling nervously. “Of... of course... I know. I was just... playing around. It's... a... ummmmm...” He struggled to think of the right words. “Special... party to... errr... have... friends... over and... slay... things?” he asked nervously. He wished he knew what slumber meant, but he was sure it had something to do with slaying. He let out a yelp when Claw jumped him again, hugging him and licking his face. “OFF OFF OFF!”
“Going to be the bestest slumber party ever!” the pony said happily.
“It's a sleep over,” Diamond said with a roll of her eyes. “Basically everypony comes over. Though, I think it should be moved to my place. The Carousel isn't nearly big enough for all of us.”
“We could probably do it at the castle,” Applebloom said with a shrug. “It's a friendship thing, right? Ah'm sure Twilight'd be more than happy tah share. But the Carousel will probably be fine. The main area's got tons of space.”
“Claw, a little backup!” Button yelled as he wildly tapped the controls. The dragon pony yelped and jumped off Val, diving back to his controller and clicking away at the buttons.
Val wiped his face off and grumbled. “Ugh. Why would I want to go to something like that?”
“Because if you don't, Claw will probably hop on you and lick your face until you agree to,” Scootaloo said with a chuckle.
“It's how he got Diamond tah agree,” Applebloom said before motioning to the pink filly. Her mane did look a tad ruffled.
Val stared for a moment, before sighing. “Fine. Whatever. I'll come,” he grumbled.
------
Rarity felt another shiver go down her spine. Was there a draft? She'd need to talk to somepony about checking out the insulation.
------
“But that's besides the point,” Val said with a smirk, before pointing at the five fillies. “I have good news for all of you!” He puffed out his chest. “You're all part of my harem now!”
For a few moments there was silence. Silverbelle shrieked and darted out of the treehouse, her face bright red. The others just stared at him. “What the hay is a harem?” Applebloom asked, before looking to the door. “An' why it go an' spook Silverbelle like that?”
He shrugged. “I don't know. And a harem is awesome! It's like... a royalty thing,” Val said with a frown. “And like... ummmm... the princesses have one.”
“In that case, wouldn't Claw be the one most likely to have a harem?” Diamond asked as she continued trying to fix her mane. “I mean, he's... almost royalty? His dad's... kinda... like a son to the princess?”
“W-what? No! I'm the one with a harem and-- eep!” He managed to cover his face in time as Claw tackled him again, nuzzling.
“Yes! You can all be my harem!” Claw said with a nod, resting his head on Val's.
“No! I'm the one having a harem!” Val shrieked. “Not you, me! And you can't be a part of it! Only the girls!”
“Well, that's not very nice,” Sweetie said, scolding him. “You can't just exclude Button and Claw like that out of your little club.”
“B-but--”
“No buts,” Sweetie said firmly, stomping a hoof down. “If you want any of us to join, it's only fair if we all join. Besides, Claw really likes you, it'll be mean to ignore him.”
“Fine! FINE!” Val shrieked. “You can all be part of my harem! Just get him off me!”
“Claw, I need some covering fire! The parasprites are eating all the cupcakes!” Button yelled.
“Eep, sorry!” Claw yelped before jumping back, grabbing the controller and going back to it.
Val groaned, slowly getting to his hooves.
“So, what exactly is a harem?” Scootaloo asked again. “Some kind of... princess... club thing?”
“Well, the weird pegasus guard said it's like a herd here.”
Every eye turned to him aside from the two playing games. They stared at him, speechless, before Applebloom yelped. “Yah want us tah be in a HERD with yah?!”
Val blinked. His instincts told him to flee. But his pride told him to stay. He gave a swift nod. “Indeed. I will have the greatest harem, filled with all the best! When I rule this country...” He paused. Actually, now that he thought about it, the princesses seemed really nice. He didn't want to just take their country from them. Not that he couldn't if he wanted to. He was totally sure he could. “When I rule this town, I will need the greatest harem of all time.”
Applebloom shook her head, her cheeks bright red. “Ah don't even... ah can't even... ah don't even... ah jus'...” She kept shaking her head as she walked out from the tree house.
Diamond just gaped. She took a deep breath. “There... are no words, Val. None.” She got to her hooves and walked to Claw, whispering into his ear.
“Okay!” Claw said before turning and jumping onto Val. He yelped when the colt leaned down and kissed him flat on the lips. The fillies stared, mouth agape, before turning to Diamond.
“What? I said there were no words. There were plenty of actions,” Diamond said with an innocent smile.
“MFFFFFFFFFFF!” Val raged as he flailed his hooves around wildly.
------
Chad groaned as the train began to skid to a stop. He blearily opened his eyes. Were they there already? He must have slept longer than he thought. He started to stand up and look out the window.
There was only desert there. Sand as far as the eye could see. No towns or anything. Why in the hay had they stopped?
“Listen up, little ponies!” a voice rang out from down at the end of the car. Two diamond dogs in black hats and wearing little red half masks, stood there. In their hands they clasped big clubs. “This is a stick up! Give us all your jewels and nopony gets hurt!”
Chad stared for a few moments, before lowering his sombrero over his eyes. He took a deep breath. It wasn't long before he felt a tap on the sombrero.
“Little pony turn over jewels!” the dog growled.
Chad looked up, and flashed his mustache at the dog. He then reached out, grabbed the dog's hand and flipped him over his shoulder. “No, señor. I'm afraid I cannot.” His back hoof stomped down on the dog's chest before he turned to the other dog. The dog charged him, but he easily stepped back out of the club's reach, before charging in and under it, head butting and flipping the dog over his back.
------
“Ew ew ew ew ewwwww,” Val whined as he washed his mouth out as best he could, splashing the water from the bucket over his face.
“You kind of had it coming,” Diamond said with a shake of her head.
“You can't just... ask ponies that!” Scootaloo said, her face bright red.
Val groaned as he looked back up to them. He cocked his head to the side. “Why not?”
The pegasus blushed even darker. “Just... just because!”
“But I want a harem!” he whined, kicking the ground a little. “Not fair! I want one I want one I want one!”
Diamond groaned. “Val, don't--”
“Pleeeeease?” he asked, giving them the wide colt eyes. They responded with many face hooves.
“I'll join!” Claw said.
“See? He'll be in it! Why won't the rest of you?”
Scootaloo opened her mouth to object, before closing it. She then opened it again, closed it. She face hoofed one more time, before looking to Diamond and giving her a pleading look.
The filly sighed. “Val... do... you know what a herd is?”
“Yeah, it's a bunch of ponies led by the most awesomest pony of all!” he said proudly, puffing his chest out. “And a big party, too!”
The filly gave another sigh. “Fine, whatever, we'll join.”
“WHAT?!” Sweetie, Silver Spoon and Scootaloo said in unison.
Diamond gave them a wink. “However, there are conditions,” she said quickly.
“Conditions?” Val asked suspiciously. “That's not fair. I'm letting you be part of my harem! You should be thankful!”
“Well, if you're going to be like that...” Diamond said dismissively and started to turn away.
“Wait! Wait wait! What are the conditions?” Val asked.
The filly smiled wickedly. “Wellllll. We should probably start simple. Can you go get your harem ponies some fresh apple juice from the house? Pleeeeeease?”
He blinked. “I... guess? I'll be right back!” He ran off, leaving them behind.
“Diamond, you can't just have us be... we aren't going... a herd!” Sweetie shrieked, her face bright red.
“Oh, relax. He has no idea what a herd even is,” Diamond said with a roll of her eyes.
“I do!” Claw said happily.
“Aaaaanyway, we'll just mess with him a bit, make a bunch of demands. He'll get bored of it soon enough and not want to play this game anymore. Easy peesy,” she said with a shrug. “And then we won't have to explain to him what a herd IS. Unless you're volunteering to tell him?”
“No! But... that doesn't sound very nice,” Sweetie grumbled.
“It's that or listen to him whine and complain and mope,” Diamond said flatly.
“... Harem it is,” Scootaloo said with a sigh and another face hoof.
“Now, who's going to tell Applebloom and Silverbelle?” Sweetie asked. “Not it!”
“Not it!” Silver Spoon and Diamond said quickly, Scootaloo a moment later.
“Not it!” Claw added.
Every eye fell on Button, who was busy playing his game, tapping away happily on the controls.
------
Cheerilee hummed softly as she sipped her tea, the television on and the news playing softly. Val had finally gotten tucked in to bed and was now sleeping soundly. All in all, today had been a good day.
Well, as good as could be expected after that initial morning. But still, everything seemed to be going quite nicely now. She couldn't imagine--
A frantic pounding on the door made her glance up. Who in the hay would be coming here this late? She gave a soft sigh and got to her hooves, trotting to the door as the pounding continued. “I'm coming, I'm coming,” she said with annoyance. She pulled open the door.
Rarity, Spike, Big Mac, Applejack... the list of ponies outside the door just seemed to go on and on. There was only one reason so many ponies would make their way to her home of all places at such an hour. And, unfortunately, he was sleeping in the other room. “What'd Val do?”
“Harem!” the crowd recited back at her.
She lightly thumped her head on the door. “Right, of course. Come on in, let's... have a chat. I just made some tea.” She turned and trotted back inside.
Somedays she wondered if she had been crazy. She'd accepted him into her life. Chosen to adopt Val. Why, why had she done this to herself? Was her life really not hectic enough as it was? It was like adopting the first born of Discord!
Val grinned as her jumped out of bed, racing out of the room, up the stairs, shoved open the door and leaped into his mom's bed.
“MOM! MOM!”
Cheerilee shrieked and flailed her hooves around wildly, wiggling about before falling out of her bed with a crash. She hit the ground and let out a groan. “What... is it Val?”
“Today's the sleep over! Today today today!”
She sighed. “Yes, today is. Not now, dear.”
“Eeee! It's going to be so awesome! Can we go now?”
She took a slow, deep breath and slowly got to her hooves. “No. We still have a while to go, Val. It's not until tonight, that means you have to wait until... at least this afternoon.”
“But I wanna go nowwwww!”
“Val, honey. You're just going to be out all night with your friends. There's no need to get so excited. You do it most days as it is.”
“Yeah, but this is different! I'm with them all day! This time it'll be at night!”
“And... that's different how?”
He gave her a look of pure confusion. “Mom... how... can you not know? It's NIGHT!”
“But, it's...” She shook her head. “Never mind. Let's just go get some breakfast.”
Soon enough she had a small bowl of fruit in front of both of them and listened to Val ramble on and on about the exciting night he had planned. “So I'm going to bring a bunch of games and going to slaughter Button in them finally, I've been practicing. Oh, and I'm thinking I should make a patch or something, like the cutie mark crusaders have!”
“Oh? Are you joining them now?”
“Oh, no, for all the members of my harem!” Val said quickly.
Cheerilee choked on an apple slice, forcing herself to pound on her chest as she tried to clear it out. After a few moments she managed to breath again and stared at him. “V-val, dear. We talked about this.”
He sighed. “But I don't wanna wait until I'm older to get my harem!”
“And I don't want to have the whole town pounding on my door at midnight. Guess which one of us is getting their way?”
He made a pouty face.
“No harems.” She shook her head.
“What if I clean my room?”
“No. Besides, you actually keep your room pretty clean as it is. Dirtying it up and then cleaning it won't change my mind!” she yelled quickly as he made a dash to the stairs. He sighed and came back.
“How about a little harem?”
“No.”
“Just Sweetie and... ummmm...” He rubbed his chin. “Diamond? Yeah, she looks like she has political power I could use when I take over this town. Also, she is a good distraction for Claw.”
Cheerilee sighed. “You're this close to getting no whipped cream OR jam on your waffles.”
He froze, his eyes going wide as saucers. “N-none?”
“Not one. Tiny. Dollop.”
“N-no harems.”
She nodded. “Good. Now, let's go get your dinner,” she said before trotting to the kitchen and beginning to prepare breakfast.
She doubted anypony was going to have quite an annoying day as she was. She was so not prepared for this. What could have possibly possessed Rarity to let VAL come for a sleep over?
------
Chad was many things. An expert with a glue gun. A great hoof boxer. A passable wearer of sombreros. A fine dancer. According to that mare who had swiped his bit purse, a pretty good kisser. And just a tiny bit of a coward.
But what he was now, most of all, was bucked. He shrieked and flailed his back hooves wildly as he was lowered into the pit, the manticores below snapping precariously at the edge of his cloak. The rope around him kept his front hooves from moving and the sombrero only managed to force him to lean his head forward.
“You are quite a brave fool, Chad,” the diamond dog said with a chuckle as she kept lowering the rope. “To come into the den of the great Rowdy Ruff pack! But it will be your final mistake!”
“Please! I only wanted a carton of milk, senorita,” Chad said, yiping and pulling his hooves up as one of the manticores jumped and snapped, taking a bit of tail with them.
“A likely story!”
“No, it's true! You see, the train I was on was stopped by your boys, then-- EEP!” He rolled to the right, barely avoiding the teeth and spinning himself a little. “When we got to town, the mayor was offering tickets to anypony who could get the flock of sheep to move and stop blocking the tracks! They refused to move, not until they got their sheep herder. Now, I went to the sheep herder, but he said he couldn't go because his sheep herding stick was broken. So I took the stick and brought it to the town, but the only stick fixer was YIPE!” He jumped up on the rope, shrieking. “Stick fixer didn't have the right wood! Now, there was a pony on board the train who had some of the needed wood in her luggage, but she refused to give just give it, however, she said if I could get her something that reminded her of her dear old beloved, like his old cigars, she'd let me have it! The conductor had some cigars, but said he needed them, the only thing that toned down his cravings was a nice jug of ice cold milk, so I went to the town and they had ice, but it turned out you guys had been swiping all their milk so I came to get some and that's all!”
“Ha, a likely story! Also, great 'Chad',” she said mockingly. “You keep forgetting your accent.”
“Ah! Si, senorita! EEP! No! Bad manticore! Bad! Malo! Malo malo!”
The dog laughed. “Now, Chad. You die.” She pulled the lever and the rope went loose, sending Chad into the pit as he shrieked.
------
Cheerilee took a slow, deep breath before reaching out to knock on the door. After a few moments it opened and Rarity appeared. She smiled at first. Then her eyes lowered to Val and she gave a soft little sigh. “Ah. Right. We've been... expecting you,” she muttered.
“Ha! I do hope you have created a great feast for this party of slaying!”
“Slumbering.”
“That too!” he said before trotting inside.
Cheerilee gave a sigh. “Rarity, you don't need to do this. He really can be a bit of a hoofful and--”
“ACK! NO! BAD CLAW! BAD! GET OFF! STOOOOOOOP! UGH NOPONY HAS EVER BEEN AS UNCOMFORTABLE AS I AM RIGHT NOW!”
Rarity snickered and both mares shared a knowing grin. “No, it's fine. There will be a lot of... well, my sister and her friends are really quite mature for their age. Especially now that they have their cutie marks and aren't causing as much havoc. Besides, Claw is quite fond of him.” She then frowned. “I am a little concerned about Silverbelle, though. She has been quite quiet about all this, ever since this... harem talk. He... has given up on it, hasn't he?”
“Yes!” Cheerilee said quickly, giving a weak, fake grin. “We talked it out. He's got it all out of his system and there will be no more talks of harems or herds, I assure you. If there is... just tell me and I'll take care of it.”
Rarity nodded and gave a sigh. “It is a bit concerning. I can't imagine what pony would tell him about such things. I planned to ask Twilight but... well, she has so much on her plate as it is, I can't imagine she'd have any idea where he learned it, anyway.”
“Oh, has there been any news about that missing guard?”
“No. Dear heavens, I do hope this wasn't some kind of stallion napping. Could you imagine somepony kidnapping grown guards?”
Cheerilee chuckled and shook her head. “Oh, I'm sure he's just taking care of some work and lost track of time. I mean, anything that could be a threat to a guard would be kind of hard to miss. Now, are you sure you're okay with Val being here?”
“Of course. I can hardly exclude him from everything when Claw is so fond of him. Besides, maybe the other ponies will rub off on him. I... have noticed his behavior has improved dramatically from the first time we met.”
Cheerilee nodded and gave a soft sigh. “Yeah. Now if we can avoid any more incidents with killer ponies, everything will be great.”
Rarity chuckled and shook her head. “Now, the princesses AND Discord have worked to fix that issue. I can't imagine it happening ever again.”
Cheerilee nodded. “Well... I guess I'll head home. Remember, if you need anything, just send me a letter or something. Or I'll follow the smoke.”
“Of course. But I wouldn't fret. I'll be here, as will my aunt and uncle. If we can't handle them, nopony can. Just enjoy yourself, take a long bath, read a nice book. Take that vacation I imagine you rightfully deserve by now.”
Cheerilee nodded. “Thanks, Rarity. I... can't deny, a night off would be delightful.”
“Good, then go and enjoy yourself. Val will be fine.” Rarity gave a little nod and then turned around, trotting into the room.
She then face hoofed. Val was yelling at Claw, who had taken to laying on his face and hugging him into his chest. At least it was keeping him quiet. She considered just leaving him like that, before sighing. “Sweetie! Silverbelle! Val's here!”
“Oh, we know,” Sweetie said from the couch, making Rarity jump.
“What? Don't you want to help him?”
“... Not particularly,” Sweetie said with a shrug.
Silverbelle just had her face buried in her hooves, cheeks bright red.
Rarity sighed and shook her head. “Claw, get off him.”
“But mooooooom. We're wrestling!” He paused. “And hugging!”
“Dear, you've already won.”
“Fiiiiine,” he whined before jumping off.
Val glowered from the ground, wiping fur off his face. “.... RAWR!” he snapped, shaking his head. “You... you... you peasant!” he shrieked loudly.
“What's wrong with being a peasant? We're all peasants!” Sweetie called back to him.
“Well... it... peasants and... gahhhh! He jumped on me!”
“We saw, it was funny! Besides, I thought a pony was supposed to like being jumped by their harem?” Sweetie offered. Silverbelle squeaked in distress, covering more of her face.
“Sweetie! We do NOT use the H-word around here,” Rarity said, her face bright red.
“What? But Val--”
“Is not going to be using it either or he's getting in trouble.”
Sweetie sighed, but grudgingly nodded. “Okay...”
“Now, kids, why don't you all go enjoy a movie and wait for the others to get here, okay?” Her horn glowed and she hovered over one of the Daring Do movies and popped it in. Val quickly galloped to the couch and jumped up. He tried to squeeze in between Sweetie and Silverbelle, but Sweetie refused to move, instead making him sit on her opposite side. Claw sat on his opposite side and nuzzled up.
“Ughhhh. Why can't I sit between you two?” Val asked with a whine.
“You're still in trouble for what you said.”
“It was a compliment!”
“Silverbelle is still really shaken up by it,” Sweetie said with a shake of her head. “Even though we told her she doesn't have to if the rest of us do it.”
“What? No! She has to be a part of it, too! You will all be mine! I will be the greatest ruler in all of Equestria, ruler of the city of Ponyville and--”
“Town.”
“What?”
“Ponyville is a town. We're too small to be a city.”
“... I will MAKE it a city even if I have to summon a bunch of ponies to fill it up and--” He blinked. “I wonder if that spell would actually do anything. Can I summon other horses like you ponies? Could I eventually summon the princesses? I really wish I knew that spell now. Ugh, almost enough to make me wish I was one of those nerds with their scrolls and wands and robes and 'get out of my library or I will turn your skin inside out and light you on fire, while keeping you alive through it all' and snobby attitudes.”
Sweetie blinked a few times. Then looked to the television. “Shush, it's starting.”
------
Rarity sighed as she heard the door being knocked on. It was the third time and none of the ponies in the living room seemed the least bit interested in getting it. She swore they really were all turning into Val. “I'll be right back to help in a moment, okay Spike?”
“Okay,” he said, happily dicing up the onions.
Rarity trotted into the room and froze. She put a hoof to her heart and stepped back, gaping slightly.
It was too much. The cute. The adorable. So much. Overloading.
The fillies and colts had created a kind of domino effect while watching the movie, before apparently conking out. Silverbelle was against the hoofrest, Sweetie was laying against her side, Val against Sweetie's side and Claw was nestled against Val. While normally she would have wanted to throttle Val... it was oddly quite cute and the fact Claw was drooling a little bit she imagined would be vengeance enough. She lightly tip hoofed towards the door, opening it a crack.
“Sorry I'm late,” Button said with a nervous grin. “I uhhh... kinda...”
“Darling, what is that on your back?”
The poor colt's back was weighted down with at least five suit cases and the poor colt was quivering under their weight. She lifted them up in her magic with ease and he let out a sigh of relief.
“He was giving me a hoof,” Diamond said with a nod, Silver standing besides her. “I couldn't very well carry them all the way here myself, could I? Besides, one of those ARE his.”
“What are all these?” Rarity asked, staring at the cases in shock. She opened one up and stared at the dozens of containers of make up.
“It is a slumber party, is it not? We're doing make overs!”
Rarity frowned. “I'm... not sure that's such a good idea.”
“We're giving Val a make over too!”
The elder unicorn stared at the vials, then closed it up and gave a nod. “Very well, I suppose it couldn't hurt.”
Diamond grinned and trotted inside. She blinked and stared at the sleeping ponies, then the movie. “How do they sleep through Daring Do?” She moved up and leaned against the couch.
“I imagine they were all so excited they didn't sleep well last night,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “I know Claw, Sweetie and Silverbelle were up almost all night, gossiping. They really must be more--”
“GAH NO BRANDING!” Val shrieked, waving his hooves around before falling off the couch with a shriek. The other three shot up, looking around with confused, drowsy looks.
“Val. Would you kindly get off?” Diamond asked from under him.
“I... errrr... I meant to do that!” he said quickly.
“Oh, good. Giddof!”
------
Val sniffed at the strange food before him. “Are you sure it's not a type of worm?”
Rarity sighed and shook her head, hoof against her forehead. “It's not, Val.”
“And this... red stuff, isn't the blood of your enemies?”
“I don't have any real enemies, and it's not.”
“But it has such a strange name. Spagger ready.”
“Spaghetti,” Rarity corrected. “And it's just noodles and tomato sauce.”
“But why try to hide the noodles under the red stuff? You could fit all kinds of poisons in here. Or bugs. What's this? Ah hah! A--”
“It's a slice of onion.”
“Oh,” Val said.
“Jus' eat it, yah doof!” Applebloom snapped, her face red. She nibbled on her own. “Thank yah kindly for dinner.”
“Oh, it's no trouble. Spike did most of the work,” Rarity said before glancing over towards Spike. “Really, all I did was help fetch him things and set up the colt table.”
“Colt table?” Val asked. His ears twitched. “Wait, is sitting at the smaller table some kind of dishonor? Is this--”
“Val, I will sick Claw on you,” Diamond warned.
Val squeaked, and went back to nibbling his dinner.
Rarity sighed and nibbled her own meal. This whole ordeal was only just beginning. What could have possibly possessed her to allow NINE children to spend the night here? It was just supposed to be a small, tiny little thing.
But then there had been the eyes. The adorable little filly eyes of doom. Weaponized. She sighed and nibbled a small little veggie ball. At least, if nothing else, nopony else was going through a night like this. She couldn't imagine anypony having a night as frantic as hers would be.
------
Chad screamed as the mine cart raced down the tracks, the four members of the Rowdy Ruff Pack in the cart behind him, still tied up and swirly eyed. He didn't dare look back as he heard the cavern caving in behind him, just barely out pacing the destruction.
He gulped and gripped his sombrero in both hooves. He'd only have one chance at this. He leaned forward and struck out ahead, holding his breath.
------
“Okay!” Diamond said with a grin, pulling over her biggest suitcase. “The very first thing we must do, are make overs!”
“Ugh, no,” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head.
“Ewwww, nooooo!” Button said with a whine.
“Ehhhh, what's the worst that could happen?” Applebloom said with a shrug.
“I-I think it could be fun!” Sweetie objected.
“We have a bunch of eye liner,” Silver said.
“S-squeak,” Silverbelle squeaked in Val's general direction.
“Yayyyy!” Claw added.
“A make over is like roughing up, right? So who are we beating up, Button? He looks beat up able,” Val said with a nod.
“What? No!” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “A make over is putting on make up and stuff.” She opened the suitcase, revealing the vials.
“Ohhhhh! Make up? I'm good with that!” Val said quickly, before trotting over towards the suitcase. “I used to do it all the time back home!”
Silence reigned in the room and everypony stared at him. He didn't seem to notice as he went through the vials, pulling out some black and blues.
Rarity finally coughed and then slowly spoke up. “Val, you're... familiar with these things?”
“Oh yeah. We had to wear this kind of stuff all the time. Whenever we went to battle or had some kind of ceremony. I was actually kind of good at doing it. No, I was BLEEPing awesome! I--” He then blinked and looked down at his hooves. “But I had hands then. I... I don't think hooves will work for it... though...” A little twinge of sadness filled his voice. “But I'd always do my younger sister's, too. At least until she became old enough to do her own.”
“I wanna see!” Claw said excitedly.
“You know... I... kinda wanna see, too,” Scootaloo muttered. “How exactly you ponies wore make up back home.”
Val hmphed, before nodding. “It's easy enough. Here, I'll show you.” He looked between them before finally grinning to Diamond. “Actually, you should be first.”
The filly squeaked. “I-I don't think I want to--”
“This was YOUR idea,” Scootaloo said with a smirk.
The earth pony blinked, before sighing. “Very well. It's all water solvable, so it should be fine. Do your worst.”
Val grinned and got to work.
------
Chad gasped and wheezed, his chest rising and lowering with every weak breath. Behind him, dust filled the air as the mine shaft collapsed. The members of the Rowdy Ruff Pack groaned from the cart, but they were all alive. He couldn't believe he'd done it.
“Well well well,” a voice said, making Chad blink and look over.
“Ah, Sheriff Straight Arrow! The Rowdy Ruff, they've been caught!” Chad said proudly as he slowly got up and crawled out from the cart. He shrieked when he toppled over the side. He laid there a moment, before getting up and freezing when he saw the pie being aimed at himself.
“Ah never thought yah'd really succeed, Chad,” the sheriff said with a shake of his head. “But I suppose I always knew those Rowdy Ruff boys and girls jus' weren't up to being in the big leagues. Ah knew ah had tah get rid of them eventually.”
Chad gasped. “It... it was you! You were the reason they were getting through the patrols so well.”
“Mmmm hmm.”
“But why? What reason could you have to stop milk from getting to the town?”
“Treats, my dear lad. Crispy gold. It starts with the milk, you see. All the ponies here need it. Can't make a good pastry without it. But what happens when there's no more milk? No ice cream. No cakes. No cup cakes. No pies.”
“W-what about the one you have?”
“Mud pie. Not a drop of milk in it. Ain't for eating though, is it?”
“W-why would you want to stop ponies from having pastries and desserts?”
“Easy! Ponies can't get their sweets, ponies ain't gonna be happy. You know what happens to ponies who ain't happy? They decide that maybe it ain't worth living on this stupid, barren wasteland. They decide to move off. Land sells for reallllll cheap. Then I and a few of my lads can move in, take it all. Easy as well... pie.”
“You... want the land? Why? What could possibly--”
“There's a whole reserve of magical crystals hidden under there. Me and my boys found it a few months back. It's going to make me plum rich.”
Chad dug his hooves into the ground and narrowed his eyes. Slowly he raised his head, peering out under the sombrero. “I see.”
“You should have kept on goin' through, Chad. This was no concern of yours.”
“I'm afraid now it is, sheriff. Ponies like you... give us all a bad name.”
The sheriff laughed. “Oh? And what do you think you can do about it, Chad?”
Chad reached up and adjusted his sombrero. “I'm going to take care of you, senior.”
He lunged forward at the same time the sheriff tossed the pie.
------
“There, all finished!” Val said happily. “It's not my best work, stupid hooves and all. But it's still pretty close.”
Diamond sighed. “Anypony got a mirror?” Best to get it over with, she supposed. She wondered what horrifying atrocity he put on her face. Perhaps a dagger or some bloody heart. Rarity was watching, so she figured it must not be too bad. Or, at least, the elder mare was too shocked to say.
Sweetie brought down a mirror and Diamond stared into it. She then gaped, staring at herself. “That's... it... what? That's... it's beautiful. You used to do things like this?”
“Mmm hmm! For all our rituals and celebrations and everything,” Val said proudly.
Diamond looked from side to side. The makeup he'd chosen was black and blue. He'd drawn all kinds of tiny little symbols across her face and shaded her eyes. The designs, however, were incredibly intricate, in fact the one that spread from her mouth to her forehead on the right side seemed to be some kind of strange, exotic spoon that ended in a flower.
It looked more like some kind of tattoo, than anything else. Even she had to admit it wasn't tacky, though. Instead, it looked more... ritualistic. Ceremonial. Almost something that could be worn to the gala by a foreign representative. Perhaps the zebras. She glanced up to Rarity, who was taking notes.
“Really, Val?” Rarity asked softly. “And... your culture does this kind of thing often?”
“Yup! We all have our own kind of symbols and stuff. Hers was a spoon, so I figured I'd do something like that.”
“You seem to be quite talented at it. They're beautiful,” Rarity said softly. “How ever did you learn to do them so beautifully?”
“Well, you learn quick. Mom used to have me beaten whenever I messed up on my make up,” he said with a shrug.
Rarity blinked a few times before sighing. “Of course. I suppose even things of beauty would be tainted by... those creatures, would they not?”
“Do me next! Do me do me do me!” Claw said excitedly.
Val grinned and lifted up his hoof, before dipping it into the black eye liner. “Ha! Of course. For you, Claw, I know exactly what to do. Mwa ha ha ha ha!”
------
“And done,” Val said with a proud nod as he looked at himself in the mirror.
He looked sooooo cool, he knew. He wore the traditional face paint of his clan, the webbing across his cheek and the spider over his forehead. He glanced over to the others who, even for ponies, he had to admit looked kind of cool. Even Spike had gotten in on it and was currently admiring the make up on Rarity's face.
“So, I look pretty awesome, don't I?” Val asked with a smirk.
Scootaloo blinked a few times and opened her mouth. She then quickly closed it. Finally, she coughed. “Val, errr, that kind of make up... yah wore it back home?”
“What? No! These symbols are the symbols of our leaders and chieftans, why?”
Sweetie cringed. “And they were all women, right?”
“Yeah? What of it?”
“Well... it's just... for all of us, you did more the symbols. For you...”
Val blinked and then blushed, shuffling his hooves a little. “I-I wanted t-to go a little extra. D-does it look bad on me?”
“No! It looks really... pretty,” Diamond said with a nervous cough.
Button stared for a moment. “I think my mom wears her make up like that. Are those eye lash extenders?”
“Yeah, what of it?” Val asked angrily, his hooves starting to shake.
“I think he looks really good,” Sweetie said quickly. “Very tough and strong.”
Val perked up, a grin forming on his lips. “Really?”
“Uh huh! Isn't that right?” she asked, nudging her friends. She then blinked. “Wait, where's Silverbelle?”
“She's been hiding behind the couch ever since I finished,” Val said with a shrug. “Wish her face wouldn't get so red, it makes it really hard to get the proper toning. So, what's next?”
“Well... I brought some movies we could watch,” Button offered.
Rarity nodded. “I think that sounds delightful, a nice, calm movie and--”
“Then we can do truth or dare!” Scootaloo interrupted.
“Ohhhh, that's the torture game, right? We have burning pokers, right?” Val asked, grinning wide.
Game Master held on tightly to her chariot, before drawing her next card. “We're almost there! Just a little longer!” she called to the puller, Bestfriend Kun.
“Don't worry, Game! I've got this!”
Suddenly, from the right, Nemesis McBad rammed their cart, her mechanized pony slamming into Bestfriend and sending the pony toppling to the ground and drawing their chariot to a stop. Game barely managed to hold on, but she stared down at her friend. She jumped from the chariot, abandoning her cards, and raced to her friend's side. “No! Bestfriend Kun!”
“Ugh...” the earth pony said weakly, shaking his head.
“Bwa ha ha ha ha!” Nemesis said before her robo pony came to a stop. She pointed from the back of her chariot. “I'm sorry, it seems I lost control for a second there. But it seems you've lost your puller. I guess that means you have no choice but to... forfeit. The princess guard cards are mine!”
“You!” Game said, glowering at her rival. She started to stand, but a hoof stopped her.
“N-no, Game. We... can still win this,” Bestfriend said before slowly getting to his hooves. He cringed in pain.
“No, you're hurt!”
“It doesn't... matter,” he said with a grin. “We never give up, remember? Ever since we met in those slums and were told card games were illegal for us, we knew one day we'd rise up and... and be here. Now go. Get in the chariot. I'll run on stumps if I have to.”
“But... but Bestfriend--”
“Go, Game!” he yelled.
“Impossible!” Nemesis said as she stared in awe at their unrelenting friendship. “H-how can you... give up! Just give up!”
“Never!” Game yelled before she jumped into the chariot. “We'll never give up and never surrender! You may have your money and robots, but it'll never compare to the power of our friendship!” She picked up her card and smiled when the chariot began to move. “And now, we end this. Go, I play the magical armor of the lunar guard!”
“Noooo! Not that card, any card but that!”
------
“YEAHHHH! BESTFRIEND KUUUUUN!” Val and Button yelled as they hopped up and hoof bumped. “Go Game! You can do it!”
Scootaloo blinked a few times and stared at the screen, before looking to the other girls. “Okay, I'm not the only one who thinks this is kind of... stupid, am I?”
“Eeyup,” Applebloom said with a nod.
“I-I don't think it's bad,” Silverbelle said softly. “S-Sweetie, what do--” She blinked and stared at the other filly besides her.
Sweetie sobbed into a tissue. “B-Bestfriend K-Kun is s-so brave and strong. H-he just cares so much for Game a-and it's j-just so beautiful!”
“Oh, it's obviously just a big marketing ploy,” Diamond said with a roll of her eyes. “I mean, really? The power of love and friendship does not outdo a steam powered horse. It's just silly!”
“I-I think it's pretty sweet,” Silver Spoon said softly, her eyes lowered.
Claw just chewed on the popcorn, occasionally leaning over to nibble on Diamond. Who shrieked and shoved him away.
“Stop that!” she shrieked.
“But you taste like diamondssss!” he whined.
“So? Maybe Applebloom tastes like apples, chew on her for a while!”
“But I like diamonds more... they're chewy.”
Diamond face hoofed and shook her head. “I swear, dragons are crazy.”
When the credits rolled, Val and Button squealed and pushed their hooves together. “Oh my gosh that was so awesome!” Val yelled.
“I know! Can you believe she drew THAT card then?” Button yelled back.
“I know! And the way she comboed those three cards together to defeat the mecha bore and destroy it once and for all!”
“And then when Nemesis drew out the omni-disk, I thought it was over!”
“But then Bestfriend Kun was all 'NO! I believe in you, you can do this!' and she kept going and just eeeeee!” Val hopped in place, flailing his hooves around. “That was so AWESOME!”
“Can you believe that look on Nemesis' face when she had to give over the trophy? I thought she was going to grab it and run off!”
“That would have been hilarious, but then she would have been mocked so badly. Eeeeee! I wanna play now! Did you bring your deck?”
“Of course, I--”
“NO!” Diamond yelled, flailing her hooves. “It's time for truth or dare!” she shrieked. “No more cards, no more!”
“Awwwww,” the two colts said in unison.
“You're all familiar, aren't you?” Diamond asked, cutting off their whining.
“I think so. It sounds like a game we have back home. But where are the torture devices? You at least need a rack,” Val said, cocking his head to the side.
Diamond sighed and face hoofed. “It works on the honor system, Val. Who ever's turn it is asks someone truth or dare. If they choose dare, you dare them to do something and they have to do it. Truth, then they have to answer a question you ask them, honestly.” She paused. “But it has to be something within reason.”
Val cocked his head to the side. “Why can't a pony just lie?”
“If they do, they lose,” Diamond said. She then looked to Claw. “Claw, since it's your party, you should go first.”
Claw nodded and rubbed his chin. He looked between all the ponies, before finally his eyes narrowed on Diamond. “Truth or dare!”
The filly smirked. “Oh ho ho ho. I of course choose...” She was silent for a moment. “Truth.”
“Why do you taste like diamonds?” Claw asked.
Diamond blinked, then gave a little smile. She fluffed her mane with her hoof. “Oh? Isn't it obvious? I use Pettycoat's Diamond Encrusted Shampoo, guaranteed to keep your coat and mane glimmering in all kinds of weather.”
“Yah know doin' somethin' like that is practically beggin' Claw tah jump yah, right?” Applebloom asked deadpan.
Diamond blinked and scowled. “I was using that shampoo long before he showed his way to town and that is no excuse for him to keep nibbling on me!”
“Yeah, but that'd be like one of us dressing up like a big spider and then not expecting Val to fall in love with us,” Scootaloo said with a snicker.
“Wait, what?” Val asked, glaring at them. “I-I wouldn't do that! Nipper is the only spider for me!” He hugged the spider to his chest. “Isn't that right?”
Applebloom and Scootaloo snickered and rolled their eyes.
“Anyway,” Diamond said coldly, glowering at the two. “Val, truth or dare?”
Val grinned and stood up proudly. “Ha! I am a proud, noble drow pony!” he said firmly. “I choose dare, do your worst, harem pony!”
“VAL!” Rarity snapped, glaring at him. “Do you want to go home?”
He squeaked and shook his head. “N-no.”
“Then no more harem talk, understand?”
“Yes ma'am...” he said softly.
“Dare, huh? You're brave, I'll give you that,” Diamond said with a smirk before rubbing her chin. Slowly a grin formed on her lip. “I dare you to give Claw a kiss.”
The color drained from his face and he squeaked. “W-what?”
“Ahem?” Rarity asked, glaring over her nose at the filly.
Diamond squeaked. “I-it was a joke!” she said quickly, waving a hoof dismissively. “I, errrr...” She blinked, before perking up. “I dare you to put on one of Rarity's dresses!”
Val blinked and then gave a shrug. “Oh, okay. That's easy enough.”
Button gasped with horror, a hoof over his mouth. “S-so cruel, so evil!”
The other fillies just stared at Diamond, who blushed. “I-I panicked,” she said with a squeak. “I-I was expecting truth!”
“You! Clothes mare and mother of the abomi...” He paused at the glare Rarity was giving him. “Mother of Claw, bring me your most awesome dress so I may win this challenge.”
Rarity sighed and got to her hooves. “Fine. Val, but I swear, you're on thin ice,” she muttered before trotting off.
“You're actually going to do it?” Button asked, staring at Val with wide eyed horror.
“Yes. Why wouldn't I?”
“It's a dress!”
“... So?”
“It's a dress!!”
“... And... that's a problem... why?”
“It's a dress!!!”
He sighed and shook his head, before looking to Diamond. “Explain.”
“Colts don't usually wear dresses here,” she said with a shrug. “Well, some do, but they tend to be... Applebloom's big brother.”
“HEY!” the little apple filly objected. “That was a one time thing an' he was doin' it for all the right reasons! Even if it was a bit painful tah watch.”
“It's a dress,” Val said, deadpan. “It's a garment worn by... ponies, in this case. I'm hardly going to be intimidated by something so silly.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Besides, I've worn dresses plenty of times.”
“WHAT?” the ponies shrieked.
Followed by Diamond's shriek. “CLAW STOP EATING MY MANE!”
Val cocked an eye. “You ponies are just weird. We all wore dresses.”
“I think it's a cultural thing,” Diamond said suddenly. “Here, the males don't wear dresses. I guess in your world, it's not uncommon.”
“Not particularly, no. Especially for children,” he said with a shake of his head. “I didn't see the adult males wear them often.”
“Well, there you go,” Diamond said with a nod.
“Then again, most of the adult males I saw were either slaves or sacrifices, so they usually didn't wear much.”
“Aaaaaand we're moving on,” the filly said quickly. “Your turn, choose somepony.”
“Okay!” the colt said, looking between the gathered ponies. A wicked grin formed on his lips and he pointed at Silverbelle. “You. Jumpy pony.”
The filly's mane nearly stood on end and she squeaked.
“H-hey, that ain't fair, Val. No pickin' on Sweetie's cousin,” Applebloom said with a frown.
“Nonsense. It is my right to choose whoever I desire, and I desire her,” he said with the wickedest of grin, completely missing the red flare to the filly's cheeks. “Now, I will defeat her and win this game! Filly, truth or dare?”
Silverbelle squeaked and shook her head. Finally, after a few moments, she spoke up. “D-dare.”
“AH HAH! I DARE THEE TO GET ME A TORCH FROM THE CENTER OF THE SUN! MWA HA HA HA HA! And now my victory is assured!”
There was a long, long, long pause. Followed by the sound of many hooves connecting with many faces.
“I think we better go over the rules again,” Diamond said with a sigh. Then squeaked. “Claw, stop trying to eat my tail.”
------
Val nodded, rubbing his chin. Rarity had returned to supervise, bringing a small black dress with her. While the colt had gotten dressed, the others had explained the rules to him. “I... see,” he said finally. “So the... goal is not to create a dare or truth so horrible they cannot perform it? Then how does one win?”
“Nopony wins truth or dare,” Sweetie said with a shake of her head. “It's just for fun, ya dope.”
Val sighed and gave a nod. “Very well, then. You, nervous pony!” he said, pointing a hoof at Silverbelle and making her squeak. “I challenge you to a duel! You and I shall fight and--”
“Val,” Rarity said, her eyes narrowed on him.
He squeaked and nodded. “Ummm... I... errr... I dare you... to ummmm...” He poked his hooves together. “Hop... on one hoof?” he tried. There was a collective sigh of relief.
Silverbelle did as she was dared, hoping and then falling face first onto the ground. “Ow...” She slowly got back up and looked around, before looking to Sweetie. “Ummmm... cousin. Errrr... truth or... dare?” she tried softly.
“Dare!” Sweetie said proudly.
“Errr... ummmm... You... uhhhh...” The filly rubbed her chin. “I dare you to... eat... spaghetti with toothpaste?” the filly said meekly.
“Ohhhhhh!” Applebloom and Scootaloo said in unison.
“I didn't know she had it in her!” Diamond said with a grin.
“That may be the first dare that's an actual dare,” Silver Spoon said with a chuckle. She then glanced to Val. “Are you going to take that dress off? It's a little weird.”
“What? No. I look fabulous,” he said with a snort. “Besides, it matches my make up.”
Sweetie nodded and then galloped off. She soon returned with some tooth paste and a small bowl of spaghetti noodles. A few seconds later she was hacking and coughing on the ground, shaking her head. “Ugh. Ewwwwww.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Ah, to be young again.”
“Seems silly to me,” Spike muttered.
“It is silly, that's half the fun.”
“Scootaloo, truth or dare!” Sweetie said with a wide grin.
“Ha, dare!”
“I dare you to wear a dress and sing one of big sister's operas!”
The color drained from Scootaloo's face and she squeaked. “T-truth?” she tried, shaking.
“Nooo, you said dare.”
“Two truths?”
“Nope.”
“THREE truths?”
Sweetie rubbed her chin, before nodding. “Okay! Three truths it is! First question... hmmmm...” She looked around, before her eyes honed on Val. “What do you really think of Val and Claw?”
Scootaloo shrugged. “Ehhhhh. Claw is cool, I guess. Val is kinda weird sometimes and a bit lame.”
“W-what?” Val asked, staring at the pegasus. “Y-you think I'm lame?”
The filly cringed. “Not... that lame, really. Just... you know...” She gave a dismissive wave. “You're just kind of... like... you talk a lot but don't say much, I guess. It's a little boring sometimes.”
“Y-you think I'm BORING?” Val asked, now looking on the verge of tears.
“What? No, it's not that, just, you know... you're no Rainbow Dash.”
“What do bright colors have to do with anything?” Val asked, harrumphing and crossing his hooves. “I'm awesome and I'm TOTALLY not boring.”
“I didn't mean it like that,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “You're fine, really. I just think sometimes... you get all over intense and it's kinda annoying.”
“I do NOT get over intense. I am just the right amount of intense,” Val muttered darkly.
“Can we just move onto the next question?” Scootaloo asked, shaking her head.
“R-right,” Sweetie said firmly, before coughing into her hoof. She then leaned in. “Can... you cook?”
Scootaloo's shrugged. “I can make popsickles? That's... it, really.”
“Okay, final question! Do, uhhhh...” She rubbed her chin, then grinned. “Is there any dress you ever WANTED to wear?”
Scootaloo's face lit up and she covered her face. “One.”
“Ohhhh, which one?”
“That wasn't the question! So, uhhh, Button, truth or dare!”
“Awwww, come on,” Sweetie whined.
“Nope, not the question, my turn. Button, truth or dare.”
“Oh, uhhh... truth.”
A wide grin formed on her face. “Of all of us here, which one is your favorite?”
His face turned bright red. “W-what?” he asked softly.
“Which is your favorite of all of us here?” Scootaloo repeated, grinning wider.
“M-my favorite?” He covered his face with his hoof. “It's... it's... m-my favorite? It's... it's... Sw...”
“That's quite enough of that!” Rarity said firmly, making the ponies jump.
“What?” Scootaloo asked. “Awwww, but we were getting to the good part!”
“This game is on the verge of getting out of hoof, so we're stopping it now,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “Perhaps we should move onto something else? You have watched a video... a few too many videos. Make overs, truth or dare. Now, what else is there?”
“Ghost stories!” Diamond said with a grin.
Rarity sighed, before nodding. Her horn glowed and she flicked the lights down, leaving only one lamp on. “Very well, but after that, it is time for bed, children.” She got up and trotted from the room. “I'll get the sleeping bags for everypony.” She wondered if smores would be okay, but shook her head. Adding sugar to this particular mix was not a good idea.
“What are ghost stories?” Val asked.
“It's where we tell stories tah try tah scare everypony,” Applejack said with a grin. “Somethin' truly frightenin', like the story of slendermare or the headless horse.”
Val nodded. “Oh, in that case, I know a story about--”
“I vote that Val not be allowed to tell a story,” Silver Spoon said quickly.
Val blinked, then glared. “What?! That's not fair! You can't just... stop me from playing!”
Silver Spoon shook her head. “Think about it. Any story he tells will be about the place he's from, that... horrifying place. Not only that, it's likely to be a REAL story. Something that's actually happening in that dimension. Do we REALLY want to hear that kind of story?”
The other fillies and colts looked thoughtful for a moment, before quickly nodding.
“Agreed,” Applebloom said with a nod.
“Sorry Val, have to agree,” Scootaloo said with a nod. “I wanna get some sleep tonight.”
“Yup. We don't need those kinds of stories,” Silverbelle said with a smile. “But it'll still be fun, Val! Really! You'll be able to listen and hear all of ours.”
“But I want to tell one of my scary ones,” he whined.
“And I want to get some sleep tonight,” Diamond said. Then blinked. “How about this. We'll let you tell your story IF! And this is the if. If you agree to sleep next to Claw.”
Val blinked, looked to the dragon pony who was subtly trying to nibble on Diamond's tail. He sighed and shook his head. “I'll just not tell any stories.”
“Okay! So, who's going to go first?” Scootaloo asked.
“Ah'll go first,” Applebloom said with a grin. “It's the story... of the rotten field,” she said softly, grinning from ear to ear. “So, it all started long ago. It was jus' two hours before dark an' Applesquirt an' Big Munch decided tah go off an' get all the apples from their southernmost fields. Now, these fields had always been a bit... weird. Their granny always told 'em not tah go there, but those big, ripe, juicy apples jus' called tah 'em.”
Val rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, they had worms?” he asked with a snort.
“Let meh finish the story!” Applebloom snapped. “Now, the two had been workin' for hours when they realized it was startin' tah get dark. Then... they started noticin' a buncha... strange, weird scare crows all over the fields. The kind they'd never seen before. With scythes sharper an' any knife.”
------
“Applesquirt ran inta the tree house an' locked the door! Soon, there was a knock on the door an' she shook her head, terrified. She asked who it was. Big Munch answered. Told her tah let 'im in. She said no. He kept poundin', demandin' he let her in. She didn't believe it was 'im. She backed away. Then, the door burst open an' the scarecrow stood in the door and lunged! She screamed!” Applebloom grinned wide. “An' that's mah story!”
“Ha! Not scary at all,” Scootaloo said, before reaching down and trying to steady her shaking hoof.
“Where ever did you hear such a frightful story?” Rarity asked, shaking her head. “I mean, it is truly ghastly!”
“Granny Smith,” Applebloom said proudly.
“C-can't... breathe...” Button said weakly. All the eyes turned to see him, Val on top of him with hooves wrapped tightly around his neck. The unicorn squeaked and quickly pulled away.
“W-wasn't scared I've heard a lot scarier it was just a silly scarecrow s-shut up!” he said shrilly, his face burning.
“Nopony said anything,” Diamond said as she laid down in her sleeping bag. “Shall I go next? Mine... is the story of the cursed coin.”
The ponies slowly nestled up in their beds, huddled up on the ground in their sleeping bags as they told story after story, until finally the soft sound of snoring filled the room. Rarity sighed as she laid down, before glancing to Spike and smiling at him. “Are you sure you're okay, darling?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine,” he said with a chuckle. “A bunch of ghost stories won't scare me,” he said, pretending his claws weren't shaking.
Rarity nodded, then lifted him in her magic and pulled him into her hooves, hugging him to her. “Well, I for one am absolutely terrified after those frightful stories. But you'd protect me, wouldn't you?”
“Y-yeah. O-of course. Always, Rarity.”
“I thought as much,” she said with a smile, hugging the dragon to her chest. “I must say, aside from a few bumps... this wasn't at all bad. I wouldn't want to do it again but... I think their little slumber party actually worked out.”
“Yeah, it did a little bit,” he mumbled softly. “They're going home first thing in the morning, right?”
“As soon as they eat pancakes. Every last one of them,” Rarity said, deadpan.
------
Cuttalon stared, his beak falling open. His eyes wandered slowly over the downed griffons surrounding the strange, sombrero wearing pony. "Im... impossible. How... how can you do this? Who are you?"
The pony walked forward, lifting the sombrero up slightly. "Chad, senior. And I am here to put an end to your tyranny. Your plan was... interesting, to say the least. The Rowdy Ruff dogs, the sheriff. But you should always plan for... the lone wanderer fleeing from demons."
The griffon growled, digging his talons into the ground. He charged, but in a single move the pony had him laid out on the sand. He groaned and looked up at the mustached pony. Chad reached into his cloak and the griffon closed his eyes. So this was how it was going to end. He'd always hoped it would have been more... glorious.
He felt something land on his chest. He opened his eyes and stared at the paper. "What... what's this?"
"Citizenship papers, senior. If you and your flock really need a new home, go to Canterlot. Citizen transfers are done in building 431, they meet monday through thursday, from nine am to three pm. Ask for Inkeye, she's dealt with more griffons than anypony I know."
The griffon stared, his beak falling even more open, before looking to the pony. "But... but why?"
Chad adjusted his sombrero. "Because, senior..." The light of the sun seemed to surround him as he spoke. "All ponies deserve a safe, happy home where they may raise their family. Even when they aren't ponies. Now you and your flock get out of here, Canterlot isn't more than a few days travel and you should have everything sorted before you know it. A lot easier than laying out fake gems or setting up land grab schemes."
The griffon stared, before slowly nodding. "Thank you... senior." He gathered up his beaten comrades and, together, they flew off into the distance.
Chad watched them for a few moments and, once they were out of sight... he reached back and started scratching his flank. "Ow ow ow ow ow oh my gosh that itch has been driving me crazy gahhhhh!"
Cheerilee hummed as she made up some hay sausage and a nice little salad. Today was going to be a great day, it was--
“MWA HA HA HA HA HA!” a laugh echoed from Val's room.
Cheerilee face hoofed. She swore, every time. What in the world was he trying to-- Her eyes widened and dread flooded her. That wasn't Val's voice. She quickly ran down the room, shoving open his door. “VAL! Don't you--” She then blinked and paused. She stared down at Val. Or rather... a female Val. Her heart slowly began to slow its rapid pounding and she just stared. “What... did you do?”
“I learned a new spell!” Val said proudly, puffing out her chest. “A shapeshifting spell, cool, huh?”
She opened her mouth to object, then blinked. “Wait. Where's your horn? Why do you have wings? ARE YOU A PEGASUS?!”
“Yeah. Awesome, right? I decided to test it out!” Val said before turning to the mirror. “Don't I look awesome? I could totally fly and be all like... stuff.” She spread her wings and leaped, before face planting into the ground. “Owwwwwww.”
Cheerilee sighed and face hoofed. “It's... not permanent, is it?”
“Nahhh... it wears off after a while,” she grumbled before getting up. “But now...” She looked in the mirror and grinned. A grin that dreadfully reminded Cheerilee of his original mother. “Now is my time to strike.”
“Strike?”
“Yes. Now that I can adequately disguise myself as a filly, all of the secrets of female kind will be mine.”
Cheerilee stared at him, dead pan. “Secrets of female kind.”
“Yes! I see the way you all plot and scheme together. With your... alicorns and... secret hoofshakes. Mwa ha ha ha! Now I will find out how to rule this world!”
The earth pony opened her mouth, then closed it, applied her hoof to her forehead and shook her head. “Just... I don't even... I can't... just no. So much no. Breakfast is almost ready, Val.” She then blinked. “Also, talk to the princess later. Magic like that isn't very... common here. How long will it last?”
“Oh, a few hours,” she said dismissively.
“Huh. That's actually a lot like a pony spell. I think Princess Twilight has one like that. Partially. I don't even know anymore.”
“Wait, she does? So she'll be expecting me? Confound it!” she snapped, stomping her hoof.
“... I wouldn't worry. I don't think anypony could be expecting you, Val,” she said with a sigh. “Come on, let's go get breakfast.”
Val nodded and trotted after her.
------
“They say he once wrestled a hydra with a broken hoof.”
“They say he flees from a demon that requires his heart to be free, so it can destroy the world.”
“They say he once kissed Princess Celestia.”
“They say he sometimes plays tic tac toe with orphans on the weekend.”
Caballeron cocked an eye as he stared at the strange, cloaked pony. The sombrero seemed tacky, but he could understand the need for a hat. There was something about that stallion, though. The way he sat. If he didn't know better, he'd suspect he was a soldier of some kind. Maybe a royal guard, even. He snorted derisively at that. There'd be no reason for a royal guard to be out in these lands, so far from the capital.
No, whoever this pony was, he was obviously a quiet, reserved type. Silent. Deadly. A stallion out to make a bit of coin, probably by any means necessary. He didn't seem the type to be swayed by female wiles, either. He saw the way that mare had been practically throwing herself at him earlier. He'd have to be blind to have missed such obvious come ons.
Chad sipped his drink, staring out the window. This seemed like a really nice place, he wondered if he could stay here for a while. Everypony was so friendly and that mare had even bought him a few drinks. Ponies out here were just the nicest. She'd seemed kind of frustrated though and he suspected she had a little constipation, judging by how she kept moving her eyes towards the bathroom. The poor thing.
If he wanted to stay, though, he needed to find work. There wasn't any pension out here. Not that he'd probably get one, now. He gave a soft sigh.
“Ah, hello,” a void said, making him look up. A scruffy, gray earth pony was standing in front of him. “You are the one they call Chad, are you not?”
“Si, senor. Can I help you?”
The earth pony just grinned. “Oh, of course. My name is Dr. Caballeron and I think I have just the job for one with your talents.”
“Oh? Well, I am looking for work.”
The earth pony chuckled softly, before it slowly turned into a slightly evil laugh.
Chad just watched with a smile. He couldn't believe how friendly and nice everypony here was.
------
Val grinned, the smile practically splitting her face in half. She couldn't believe she'd never thought to do this. Ha, she was brilliant! There was just one perfect target she had to find.
It didn't take her long, either. She saw her target all by herself, sitting outside the boutique, drawing in one of her books. Now came the most important part. Introductions. She trotted up. “Hi!”
Silverbelle glanced up and froze, her eyes going wide with fright. She squeaked and slammed her book shut before hiding it behind herself. “H-h-hi Val,” she said softly. Then she blinked. “Wait... why do you have wings?”
“What? No! I am not Val! I am a pony you've never met before and a fellow fema-- filly. I am a fellow filly. Yes.” She said with a nod.
Silverbelle blinked a few times before looking her up and down. At first she seemed scared. Then the fear slowly turned to confusion. Finally, it focused on annoyance. “Uh... huh,” she said flatly. “Hello... fellow filly. I am Silverbelle. What's your name?”
“Val!” Val said quickly, then paled. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't thought of a name. Stupid! “Errrr... eeee.... uhhhhh... I mean....”
“Valeria?” Silverbelle asked with a cocked eye.
“Yes! It is a very pony name. Like yours. Silverbelle. Definitely NOT a drow name.”
Silverbelle blinked a few times before face hoofing. “Uh huh. So... Valeria. You're a pegasus?”
“What? No, I'm a uni-- errr, yes. I am a pegasus. I very much have wings. See?” She spread them out. “Awesome, yes? They even have feathers, as you can see.”
Silverbelle yiped when she suddenly thrust her wings into her face. They seemed real enough, she wondered how Val had gotten them. “So... Valeria. Nice to meet you. What brings you to town?”
“Me? Nothing much. I am just wandering the lands, being... things. But I am a fellow filly, like you and I am very much aware of all the secret filly things that only fillies are aware of so feel free to discuss them with me.”
Silverbelle blinked a few more times, before face hoofing a second time. “My gosh, Val... eria.”
“What? Oh! Yes, we must make haste to meet with the others. I'm sure Sweetie and Diamond would like to meet me.”
Silverbelle groaned a groan of anguish. “My gosh, Val.”
“I think you mean Valeria.”
“I know what I meant,” she said flatly. She muttered darkly under her breath in prench. She rubbed her chin and then her eyes lit up. “Actually, yes. I think you are much right,” she said happily. “Come!” She trotted towards the boutique, pushing open the door.
Val trotted behind her, a big grin on her face. Step one of her infiltration was a success. She KNEW Silverbelle was the perfect subject. She was just so gullible. She mentally laughed maniacally. Soon all of the secrets of the female pony kind would be his. Like the alicorn thing. She was sure it was some special mare skill, after all, why else would all the alicorns be females?
She supposed it was possible it was just coincidence, but she was certain that THAT couldn't be right.
“Hey, Claw, Sweetie, meet Valeria.”
Val smirked, then the smile vanished. Claw? She barely braced herself in time before the white blur slammed into her and proceeded to lick her face. “GAHHHH! CLAW! GET OFF!” she shrieked.
Sweetie and Rarity stared at the pinned Val, eyes cocked. “That's... Val, right?” Sweetie asked.
“Yes,” Silverbelle said with a nod.
“He... is aware that he is the only pony in all of town with that particular coloration, right? And how rare that tone is?” Rarity asked. “… I suppose he could pass as… a stranger… version of his younger mother. But… it's so obviously Val.”
“I do not believe it has occurred to him.”
“... How did he hide his horn? Why does he have wings?” Sweetie asked.
“No idea,” Silverbelle said with a shrug. “Drow magic?”
Rarity gave a soft, exasperated sigh. “Such... peculiar behavior. Why is he doing it?”
“Because he's Val.”
Sweetie sighed before looking up. “Are we done? I really think the others are going to want to see this,” she muttered flatly.
Rarity shook her head. “Almost, Sweetie,” the mare said as she continued to adjust the dress, sewing a few stitches and ignoring Val as she was glomped by Claw.
“... Does he not realize how we can see through it?” Sweetie asked.
Silverbelle sighed and rubbed her chin. “I... don't know.” She chewed on her lip for a bit, before glancing over. “Humor?”
“Humor him?” Rarity asked, before sighing. “Well... I suppose if nopony gets hurt, it couldn't be harmful,” she said with a shrug. “But it might be best to avoid another... Big Mac incident.”
“I don't think Val is going to try to enter any sisterhooves socials,” Sweetie said with a shake of her head. “I don't think he could even run one if he had to. I've seen him get winded trying to run from Claw.” Her eyes perked up. “Ohhhh, maybe next year I could enter with Claw!”
Rarity chuckled and gave a nod. “Well, as long as nopony gets hurt, I see no problem with it. Just don't let him get out of hoof. There, finished,” she said before slowly taking off the dress. “You can run along now, dear.”
“Woo hoo!” Sweetie yelled before trotting over to Val and Claw, the former of which was holding back the latter's head with both her hooves. “Claw, down.”
“Awwww,” Claw said, before hopping off.
“Why does he listen to you?” Val muttered, before wiping saliva off her face. “Ewwwwww.”
“You just lack the right tone. I use the one Rarity uses on us all the time,” Sweetie said before grinning. “So, Valeria was it?”
“Yes! I am Valeria. It is a very pony name,” she said with a nod.
“Uh... huh. So then, Valeria, how about we go meet the rest of our friends? I just know the girls are going to love meeting you.”
Val nodded, rubbing her hooves together. “Excellent,” she said before giving a low, maniacal laugh.
Sweetie blinked and leaned in to whisper to Silverbelle. “He... knows we're still here, right?”
“Yes...” Silverbelle said with a mild sigh.
------
“You're sure all this is legal?” Chad asked as he landed on one of the totems. It wobbled precariously on its chains, but didn't give way. Which was good, the boiling pit of lava under him would really have sucked.
“Yes, yes, quite legal,” Caballeron said with a nod from the opposite side of the lava lake. “Now keep going and hit the lever so we can come across!”
Chad nodded and hopped to the next one. He was quite certain these little platforms weren't up to code, but Caballeron had absolutely assured him that they were one hundred percent safe. “I mean, it just seems like a lot to go through if it's legal. Like someone really wants to keep all these safe.”
“Yes, completely legal. I bribed all the right officials to make it so,” the doctor muttered under his breath.
“What was that?” Chad called back.
“Nothing, keep going!”
Chad shrugged and hoped onto the platform and then pulled the lever. Slowly the bridge began to extend and he sat down. Something still seemed off about all this, though. Caballeron seemed like a fine lad, but the other people he hired... well... he hated to say it, but they seemed almost thuggish. Caballeron had assured him that they were all top contenders in their field. One of them even seemed to be a plastic surgeon, he heard the pony talking about re-arranging another pony's face. But he still couldn't understand why so many of them were needed to salvage some old relics.
But then, he supposed the lives of archaeologists were something he'd never fully understand. In the end, all of this seemed to be for the betterment of pony kind, so the least he could do was help. Once the bridge formed, Caballeron chuckled and walked across it, looking around as he walked. “Excellent. Chad, the next part will be a bit more difficult. According to the ancient map I swiped, well... I'm sure you can handle it.”
Chad nodded and started trotting into the caverns. He still had the oddest feeling that something was off, he just couldn't put it. Not only that, now that he kept thinking about it he was certain he'd heard the name Caballeron before. He just couldn't remember where.
------
“So... Valeria, huh?” Scootaloo said flatly as she eyes Val. “Been a pegasus long?”
“Yes! Over a few hours now!” Val said quickly, a grin on her face. They were all falling for it, she knew it.
Scootaloo coughed and then went into a huddle with Applebloom, Sweetie and Silverbelle. “That's Val, right?”
“Has tah be,” Applebloom said with a nod.
“Mmmm hm,” Sweetie said with a sigh. “I... don't even know why. It's just Val being... Val. I guess.”
“So... do we tell him or...?” Scootaloo asked.
Silverbelle shook her head. “No! He probably went to a lot of work to do that... whatever that is. It'd break his heart if we found out. Also, he probably won't believe us.”
“What is he even hoping for?” Applebloom asked.
“I have no idea,” Sweetie said with a shrug.
“Hey, what are you all discussing?” Val asked, her eyes going wide. Finally, the great pay off. “Are you discussing the great secret filly things? You can invite me, as you can plainly see I am a filly, same as you four.”
Silverbelle sighed and then glanced back towards him. “I... think he thinks there's some kind of secret filly only club or something.”
“Why would he think that?” Scootaloo asked.
“Maybe they had somethin' like that back home?” Applebloom asked, then chuckled. “Maybe he's jus' tryin' tah make up for bein' excluded back then an'...” She paused and glanced to Val. “Hey, Valeria? Where you from?”
Val blinked, and paled. “Errr... little...pony... opolis?”
Scootaloo blinked. “Wait, really? That place is awesome! You fans of the Fighting Bricks?”
She was stared at, deadpan, by the other three.
“What? The Fighting Bricks are awesome! Best hoofball team ever. Well, okay, third best.”
“Oh, yes. I know all about the Fighting Bricks!” Val said quickly.
“Heya, squirts,” a voice said suddenly before there was a blue blur landing besides them. Rainbow skidded along the ground a few feet, an award winning smile on her lips. “Guess who just got back to town?”
“Rainbow!” Scootaloo yelled, before racing in front of her, hoofball stricken from her mind.
Val stared at the pony. She just stared. There was nothing else she could do. It was just too majestic, too amazing, too awesome. It was as if her entire life had been leading to this point. She'd seen some amazing things, been a part of so much wonder and excitement since she'd come to this land. But this, above all else, was the greatest thing she'd ever seen.
She laughed so hard she actually fell on her side, clutching her stomach as she roared with laughter. “Y-you have g-got to be kidding me!” she shrieked between fits of laughter.
Rainbow blinked, glancing to the little pegasus. “Hm? Who's your friend?”
“Oh, that's Val,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “A lot happened since you left town,” she muttered, then perked up. “Oh! How went the Wonderbolt Retreat?”
“Excellent. Totally beat Soarin's flank in a game of pong,” she said, before looking down at the filly. “How long is she going to keep that up?”
“I have no idea. Valeria!” Scootaloo yelled. “What's so funny?”
Val finally managed to get a hold of herself, before pointing a hoof at Rainbow. “Y-you're kidding, right? I mean... you've got to be the most ridiculous pony I've ever seen! You have a RAINBOW ON YOUR BUTT!” she said again, before bursting into laughter again. “A-and you're all blue! Like, seriously? Are you supposed to b-be that white alicorn's daughter or something?”
Rainbow blinked a few times and narrowed her eyes. “You don't really know who I am, do you?”
The color began to drain from the other filly's faces. “R-Rainbow, wait. Val's... special,” Scootaloo said quickly. “She just doesn't realize how awesome you are. She's not from around here.”
Rainbow sighed and gave a nod, before smiling. “Well, Val, nice to meet you. I'm Rainbow Dash, newest member of the Wonderbolts. What do you think about that?”
Val snickered. “Oh my gosh. Y-you're something called a W-Wonderbolt? W-what do they do, paint rainbows on stuff?”
Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “No, we do this.” She darted forward and in a single movement, she had Val up in her hooves and was soaring up into the sky, spinning, doing cartwheels and blasting through a cloud. Within a few seconds she was up high, overlooking the town and then dropped Val on one of the clouds. “THAT'S what Wonderbolts do.” She gazed down at Val and smirked, expecting to see the look of awe and excitement on her face.
What she hadn't expected was to see the look of fear and terror etched on her features. The water forming in the filly's eyes. The trembling hooves. Every hint of mirth and humor evaporated.
“Wait, kid, don't cry,” Rainbow said quickly, holding her hooves out towards the kid.
“D-don't touch me!” Val shrieked, stumbling back. She fell off the cloud , flailing her hooves wildly as she fell out of the sky. She was quickly caught by the rainbow-maned pony. Her breathing started getting faster and the panic rose in her when she realized the mare was all that stood between her and a plummeting death.
“Easy, calm down, I'm not going to drop you. Calm down, it's okay,” Rainbow said quickly as she slowly lowered her to the ground. Once they were on the ground, she let her go. “There, all good?”
“Val, are you alright?” Scootaloo asked as she ran up.
Val recoiled from Rainbow, tears welling in her eyes and shaking her head. “D-don't touch me. I'm fine. I'm fine.”
“Listen, I'm sorry, kid. I didn't mean to scare you,” Rainbow said quickly and held out her hoof. “Usually you kids love it when I do that. Well, the pegasi, at least. I didn't--”
“I'M NOT SCARED!” Val screamed, shaking her head. She then turned tail and fled.
Rainbow stared for a moment and then sighed, face hoofing. “Stupid, stupid.” She then looked down to Scootaloo. “So... uhhh... your new friend? Bit sensitive?” she asked with a little chuckle.
“Yeah, a bit,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “She'll be fine. She's just... oh, and she's a unicorn. And a colt. We think the whole having wings now might be a spell and there's this whole... thing with him. Oh, and he's probably from another dimension.” She blinked. “His mom attacked us, almost killed Twilight, too.”
Rainbow blinked. “Huh. I really should have spent more time reading those letters. I... should probably go talk with Twilight. Wait, almost killed Twilight? What?” She then paused and blinked. “So, uhhhhh. One other thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Has Twilight been doing... any weird experiments?”
“Well, there was the whole time travel thing,” Sweetie offered. “Oh! And this is my cousin, Silverbelle. And Claw is...” She blinked. “Wait, where is Claw?”
“Is... that Claw?” Rainbow asked before she pointed off to a nearby tree, which Claw was trying to climb.
“Oh, yeah! That's Spike and Rarity's kid. From the future,” Sweetie said.
Rainbow blinked a few times as everything slowly processed. Then, quick as a flash, took off. “TWILIGHT!”
------
Cheerilee sighed when she heard the door open. “Hi, Val, did you have fu--” The words locked in her throat when she saw Val walk inside, his head hanging and tears dripping from his eyes. Almost instantly she had him swept up in her hooves and brought him to the couch. He wasn't bleeding, so her first fear evaporated. “Val, what happened?”
“N-nothing. I-I'm fine,” he said between little sniffles, his entire body shaking.
“No, you're not. Val, what happened? Tell me.”
“I-I'm fine!” Val shrieked, trying to pull free from her grasp, but she was a lot stronger than him and she'd be bucked if she let him wallow alone in his misery.
“Val.”
“S-stupid rainbow p-pony.”
“Rainbow pony?” Cheerilee asked, before blinking. “Wait, Rainbow Dash is back in town?” A smile spread across her lips. “Ohhhh, I see what happened. Now, Val, it's okay. I'm sure whatever she said doesn't mean she doesn't like you. She's just a bit rough around the edges sometimes. There's no need to be upset.”
“I HATE HER!” Val screamed, sobbing softly into her withers.
Cheerilee blinked a few times. “So... this... isn't about her fan club?”
“Stupid... s-scary pony and... and I'm not s-scared of her or... or anything a-and I hate her a-and I want her to die a-and she's horrible a-and a monster,” Val wailed.
Cheerilee just stared down, her mouth gaping. A filly or colt who DIDN'T admire Rainbow Dash? The, most likely, coolest and most 'rad' pony in Ponyville? It just didn't make any sense. Then, she supposed, what about Val did? “Val, dear, why don't you tell me exactly what happened?”
“I-I was... I was t-talking w-with the others a-and being awesome a-and she came a-and hit me a-and threw me a-around a-and threatened t-to drop me out of the sky,” Val whined, sobbing into Cheerilee's chest.
“Oh Val,” the teacher said softly, gently patting his back. “I'm... sure whatever happened, Rainbow didn't mean to do that. She loves kids like you. She just tends to be a bit... rash. Doesn't always think things through.”
“I-I want her to die!”
“No you don't, Val,” Cheerilee said softly, patting his back. “You're a good pony. Come on, how about we go talk with Rainbow, okay?”
“NO!” Val shrieked, shaking even more and holding onto her.
“Val?”
“P-please d-don't make me,” he said softly, trembling. “D-don't make me... f-face her.”
Cheerilee looked down and then softly sighed, nodding and patting his back. “Okay. We... won't, for now. Later, okay?”
“Okay...” He said softly, closing his eyes.
She smiled down at him, before gently sighing. That was one good thing about his little fits. At least after he threw them, he always tended to get tired. Once he finally passed out, she gently laid him on the couch and covered him with a small blanket, before getting to her hooves. She'd just wake him after dinner. She doubted he'd rest long anyway.
She hummed and trotted to the kitchen, beginning to prep. To her surprise, a few minutes later she heard a light thumping on her door. “Now who in the world could that be?” she asked before trotting to the door. When she opened it, she couldn't help but be a little bit surprised at the sheepish blue pegasus standing there.
“H-hey... Miss Cheerilee,” Rainbow said nervously. “Can uhhh... we talk?”
Cheerilee took a slow, deep breath. Did EVERYPONY have to call her miss? It wasn't actually part of her name.
Cheerilee stared at the shuffling mare before stepping outside. “Yeah. Val is inside, resting. So, Rainbow, what happened?”
“I'm really, really, really sorry!” Rainbow said quickly, shaking her head. “I didn't mean to freak her out!”
The teacher smiled and nodded. “I know. Val is just... can you tell me exactly what happened?”
“Sure. So, I just got back from the retreat and I thought I'd come and check on my number one fan and-- oh, did you know about Claw? That's just... wow.”
“I am aware. You've missed quite a lot.”
“Well, anyway, I decided to come and check on her. Then I met Val and Silverbelle. Well, okay, actually just Val at first. Really, the other one is kinda... quiet. But then all of a sudden the little kid was laughing her tail off, couldn't figure out why.” She then snorted. “She was laughing at ME of all ponies. Because of my coat and mane. Can you believe that?”
Cheerilee looked her up and down. “Was it messy?”
“No, because of the colors!”
The teacher sighed. “Really? He was laughing about such a silly thing? Well... he is from another realm. But still, it's a little unique, but it's not that rare.”
“I know, right? Then he thought the Wonderbolts were painters.” She puffed out her chest. “So, I thought it would be a good idea to show her EXACTLY what we could do. I grabbed her and took her for a quick fly and dropped her on a cloud. And then she just freaked out!”
Cheerilee blinked and then gave a small nod. “Ohhhhh. I see.” She'd seen those little rides Rainbow had given. The fillies and colts usually ADORED them, she couldn't blame them. More than a few times she wished she had been smaller and could have gone on one. Rainbow had flying down to an art form. She was a little surprised Val hadn't been thrilled. But then, he wasn't quite like other colts. “I think I see the problem.”
“Scared of heights? But she's a pegasus!”
“No, he's a unicorn. That was a spell and...” Cheerilee sighed. “Also... he's... a bit intimidated by mares.”
Rainbow snorted. “Well, I am kind of awesome, it's hard not to be intimidated by me.”
“No, I mean his mother was an evil, psychotic nut job who would kill and torture anypony who got in her way. In many ways, she did it to him. I know she's killed him and I'm pretty sure she's tortured him. He now has trouble dealing with most mares. At least, the grown up ones.” She waved a hoof to the side. “I even had to change his doctor to deal with it.”
Rainbow blinked a few times. “Wait... really? But... err... he was with Scootaloo and the others...”
“He seems to be fine around the other fillies,” Cheerilee said with a small sigh before glancing back towards the house. “But... I'm sure eventually you'll win him over. Maybe once he sees some of your shows. But right now? He was really freaked out by you. He thinks you were going to hurt him.” She groaned, then glancing back towards Rainbow. She could see the guilt etched on the other mare's face. “Listen, I know you never meant to scare him. You're great with kids, they usually love you. Val's just... different.”
Rainbow nodded. “Can I... uhhh... talk to her? Let her know I'm sorry?”
“Yeah. But it's he.”
“So... the whole... being a pegasus mare thing?”
Cheerilee shook her head. “I have no idea. Frankly, his magic is all over the place and I'm just happy he's not turning ponies into frogs.” She turned and walked inside, though she heard Rainbow chuckling behind her. She walked over to Val and nudged him with a hoof. “Val? Honey?”
“Hmmm?” he asked softly, opening his eyes. He then shrieked and lunged behind her, hiding from Rainbow.
“That's... not usually the reaction I get,” Rainbow said with a cough, before putting on her grin. “So, Val. Nice to see you're a... unicorn now. I guess.”
“D-don't touch me!” Val shrieked, trembling.
“Hey, easy, I'm not going to. See?” Rainbow said, lifting a hoof and waving. “I just want to talk, okay? I'm not going to come any closer, I promise.”
Val gulped and nodded, though he kept Cheerilee between the two of them.
“Sooooo. I kinda... freaked you out like that, I'm sorry. I thought you'd be impressed and all 'That was awesome!' when I showed you some of my moves. Heck, most ponies are. But, well, I guess I kind of got carried away when you laughed at me. Sorry.”
Val nodded. “You suck, rainbow butt.”
Rainbow blinked and then face hoofed. “At least it's better than crash...” She then smiled. “So, how about we start over. My name is Rainbow. I'm one of the greatest fliers you'll ever meet. A member of the Wonderbolts, the greatest fliers in Equestria. Got it?”
Val nodded.
“Cool. Now, you wanna see some of the things I can do?”
“No...”
“Come on, it'll be fun,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “I can even give you some flying les... oh. No wings. Right.”
Val shook his head, but Cheerilee put a hoof over his back. “Come on, Val. How about we just see a little, okay?”
Val grumbled a little, but slowly nodded. “Okay...” He didn't come out from behind her though.
Rainbow smirked. “Cool, come on.” She dashed out the door and the two followed behind her. She stretched out a bit, her wings going to full extent. “Okay, how about this. I bet you I can clear the sky in... ohhhh... eight seconds now.”
Val blinked and looked up at the cloud filled sky. There were at least a dozen of them. He rolled his eyes. “That's impossible.”
“Not for me,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “So, what do you say?”
He snorted. “You're a liar and a--” Suddenly, the blue pony took to the sky and his mouth fell open. He stared with wide eyed wonder as she streaked across it like a lightning bolt. Even more impressive was how quick she turned. After eight seconds, she landed on the ground, stretching again.
“There. Eight seconds, easy. Still think I'm a liar?”
Val just stared. Then shrieked. “How? How did you do that? Is it magic? Do you have special time stopping magic?”
Rainbow smirked and shook her head. “Nah. I'm just that awesome. Pure, distilled awesome,” she said with a cocky grin before holding out her hoof. Val cringed back from it. “What? Hey, I thought we were cool now!”
“I still don't like you,” Val muttered.
Cheerilee sighed. “Come on, Val. She didn't mean to scare you.”
“I'm not scared of her!” Val lied. “I just don't like her. She sucks.”
Rainbow sighed and shook her head. “Sorry, kid. I didn't mean to upset you like that. Really. I'm really sorry I did it. Hope sometime later we can be friends.”
“Wouldn't count on it...”
Rainbow sighed and gave Cheerilee a weak smile. The other mare just nodded. “Don't worry, he'll warm up to you, eventually. Just... a little space for now, okay?”
The pegasus nodded. “Fine, okay. See you around, Val. Welcome to Ponyville and all that.” She said before taking off.
Cheerilee sighed and glanced back to Val. “So, dear. Did you find out the great secrets of filly kind?”
Val blinked, then face hoofed. “Dang it! She ruined everything! Do you think the girls will still believe Valeria is a different pony?”
“... Valeria? Really? THAT'S the name you went with?”
“I panicked!”
The teacher sighed and face hoofed. “Maybe. I find it hard to believe they believed you from the get go, though.”
“Nonsense! I'll find them and then find out all their secrets! I bet they're at the tree house!” He galloped off.
Cheerilee blinked and then face hoofed. “I think even Sweetie could see through your little disguise... Oh Val.”
------
Chad yiped as he ran for his life, tears in his eyes. He ducked under poisoned darts and then leaped over a pit of fire before swinging across vines that turned out to be snakes, before finally flipping the switch that disabled the traps.
He then promptly fell over and panted from exhaustion, shaking his head. How in the buck did he get involved in any of this? He wanted to go hoooooooome.
He then thought about what waited him back home and paled. Perhaps this wasn't SO bad.
“Very good, Chad,” Caballeron said as he trotted forward, giving a low chuckle. “You've got quite the talent.” He then walked forward and took out a small metal mask. “Now, for the final part.” He walked up to the wall in front of him and slowly put the mask into a crevice. He grinned when it began to recede, revealing a large headdress made of golden feathers. He let out a sigh. “Finally. The Headdress of the Golden Pheonix.” He gave a soft chuckle. “One of a kind, you know. Worth a fortune.” He turned to Chad. His other men began to surround the panting pony. “But then... you already knew that, didn't you Daring Do?”
“H-huh?” Chad asked. He then let out a yelp when the other ponies jumped him.
“You thought you were so smart, taking on this moniker of Chad, didn't you? The sombrero, the cloak. All so you could get the key to the headdress. But I was a little too smart for you this time.” He laughed once the sombrero was tossed off.
The laugh died in his throat when he saw the mustached pony beneath. “You're... not Daring Do.”
“Who is Daring Do?” Brad asked as he struggled to fight off the three henchponies, but was too tired from the trials and was soon pinned.
Caballeron frowned before he slowly lifted up the headdress. “Nopony important.” He gave a sigh. “But, I suppose I don't need you anymore. The headdress is mine. Tie him up and drop him into the fire pit. The headdress is mine.”
Caballeron let out a pained yelp when a pony landed on his back, sending the headdress into the air. The gray pegasus caught it in her mouth before flinging it onto her back.
“Now, Caballeron, aren't you a little old to be playing dress up?” Daring asked with a chuckle before jumping back. “Besides, gold feathers are just so tacky.”
Caballeron groaned and slowly got to his hooves. “Ignore him! Get her!” he yelled.
Chad blinked a few times as the three ponies pinning him leaped off and raced at the pegasus, who stood there with a smirk on her face. He frowned and grabbed the tail of the third henchpony and, with a mighty heave, slammed him into the wall. He then reached out and grabbed his sombrero.
Caballeron's mouth fell open as he stared at the downed henchpony, his two remaining henchponies, then Daring and Chad. The former smirking and energetic, the latter tired, but annoyed. “... Oops.”
------
Val grinned wide as she made her way up the steps of the tree house. She could hear the girls inside. Perfect. “Hey!” she called before she opened the door, then instantly slammed it until she heard the thunk of Claw running into it, before opening it once again. “Hello again,” she said with a grin.
“Ah, Valeria. Feeling better?” Scootaloo asked. “Err... Claw, you okay?”
“N-never... better,” Claw said softly from the ground, his eyes little swirls.
“Diamond and Silver Spoon were busy, so they won't be joining us today,” Sweetie said before glancing to her cousin. She then sighed as the filly nodded. “Buuuuut... we talked about it and decided... even though you're new, we'll let you into our super secret filly club.”
Val's eyes lit up. “Really? You will?”
“Yeah,” Applebloom said with a nod. “After all, yah are one of us now. Might as well.”
“What about him?” Val asked, pointing towards Claw. “Is he allowed to know?” she whispered.
“... We'll make Claw an honorary member,” Sweetie said with a sigh.
“Yeah! Wooo!” Claw said in a daze.
Val sighed, before nodding and rubbing her hooves together. “Excellent! So, what's first?”
“Uhhhh...” Scootaloo said before looking to Silverbelle.
“The... filly oath?” she offered. The four fillies shared looks then gave nods.
“So, uhhh... Sweetie, how about you start us off?” Applebloom said.
“What? Me? No no, I think Scootaloo should,” Sweetie said quickly.
“No no no. This was Silverbelle's idea, she should do it,” Scootaloo added.
Silverbelle gave a sigh. “Okay, errr, step one. We put our hooves over our chests and repeat the oath.” She cleared her throat. “I solemnly agree that I am a filly.”
The others repeated after her.
“I... errrr... agree to be a good filly and try my best not to cause problems.”
They slowly repeated it, mumbling as they went.
“And, ummmm, I'll be nice and eventually grow up into a good mare who helps ponies.”
Once again they repeated it, the crusaders sharing confused looks.
“And that's it. So, Valeria, you're now one of us.”
“Eeeeee! So what do we do now?” she asked, a wide grin on her face.
“Errrrr...” Silverbelle said, giving the others pleading looks.
“We... plot?” Sweetie offered. “On... how to get the three of you your cutie marks!”
Val blinked. “What? But that's so boring! Shouldn't you scheme on like... how to rule the world?”
“What? Why?” Scootaloo asked. “The princesses already rule our country, they seem to be doing a pretty good job of it.”
“Well, yeah, but--” Val gasped. “Of course! The mares already rule the world, so they've entered a state of relaxation. This is perfect, if I strike now, I could take over by dinner time. I'd better be quick, though, otherwise mom'll get mad. But I need to refresh my spells before that, so I have to wait until tomorrow. But I have school tomorrow and mom will definitely get mad if I miss that. Maybe after school?”
“... Val... does know we can hear him, right?” Scootaloo asked softly.
“Ah, let 'im have his fun. He had a rough day with the whole... Rainbow thing. Yah seen 'er since?” Applebloom asked.
“No, but I really hope I can get one of those rides while she's in town!” Scootaloo said excitedly. “She's just sooooo awesome! I don't know why Val freaked out so bad.”
Applebloom nodded. “Well, Val is a unicorn. Soooo... yah think he realized he's jus' a girl unicorn now, he forgot tah be a pegasus?”
The four shared looks, before shaking their heads and giving soft sighs.
------
“So, don't expect me to say thank you,” Daring said as she trotted out of the ruins, the headdress over her back. “I saw you working for Caballeron, you only got what you deserved.” She then snickered. “But, really? You thought Caballeron was going to give it to a museum?”
“Si, senorita. What else would he do with such a thing?”
“Sell it, obviously. It's worth a fortune.”
Chad frowned. “But it is history, this lands history. It belongs to the ponies, not one. What do you intend to do with it?”
She grinned. “Isn't it obvious? Send it back to Canterlot, make sure it doesn't have any bad voodoo on it, then have it brought back here to be put in a museum. Then write a book about it.”
Chad chuckled. “A book? Sounds interesting, maybe I'll read it sometime. What'd it be called?”
“Daring Do and the... Golden Phoenix Headdress. You uhhh... don't read very much, do you?”
“Not recently. Lots of work, just became a--” He paused. Then shook his head. “No, senorita.”
She cocked an eye. “You running from something?”
“Aye. The demon that walks on four tiny hooves.”
------
Cheerilee sighed when she heard the door open. She glanced back and smiled. “Hello, 'Valeria'. Did you have fun?”
“Yes! I have successfully infiltrated the filly cult! Look!” She held up a hoof to reveal a little butterfly sticker. “I even got a very special marking to signify my acceptance. Gaze upon it!”
“Awww, that's cute. Now, go wash up for dinner.”
“Okay!” Val said before she trotted off to the bathroom. Cheerlee watched her for a second, before shaking her head.
“Sometimes I wonder if I let him get away with just a little too much,” she muttered. After a few moments she heard the water going. Followed by a shriek of despair.
“No no no!”
Cheerilee galloped down the hall, shoving the door open. “Val? What's wrong?”
Val held up her hooves and sniffled. “I-I washed m-my token down the sink! Now I can't be a member of the club anymore!”
Cheerilee stared for a few moments, before sighing again. She then trotted over and pat her on the head. “Fine. I'll get you another one later, okay? Just... promise tomorrow you'll be Val. Not Valeria?”
Val's eyes lit up. “Okay! And don't worry, I don't wanna keep using this form anyway. Being a filly is weird.”
“Okay.”
“I think tomorrow I wanna try being a timber wolf!”
Cheerilee paled. “On the other hoof, how about you keep going as Valeria. I think we all like Valeria. Just keep to shifting to that, okay?”
Val blinked. “Really?”
“Yes. Pony forms, dear. Pony forms. No timber wolves.”
“Awwwww...”
Cheerilee sighed and trotted back towards the kitchen. She made a mental note to talk to Twilight later about these extra 'spells' Val seemed to be developing. Who know what weird magic he'd develop next?
Sweetie giggled softly into her hoof while she set up the chair, before nodding to the others. “Okay, it's all good. Signal Scootaloo.”
Applebloom gave a nod before racing to the window and waving her hoof. She, Sweetie, Silverbelle, Silver Spoon and Button all quickly took their seats, giggling and chuckling amongst themselves as they did it. All except for Diamond, who just rolled her eyes as she sat. “Don't you all think this is a bit silly? It's not even a good set up.”
“Aw, come on. He'll love it!” Applebloom said with a big grin. “He probably neva got a chance tah try this back home!”
“Yeah,” Sweetie said with a little giggle. “It'll be hilarious, trust me.”
Diamond shook her head, but finally gave a grudging nod. “Fine. I still think it's silly. We could have been far more clever about all this.”
“Too clever an' we'll probably make him all upset again. Yah all know how sensitive he can--” The door swung open and Applebloom quickly went silent.
Scootaloo walked in, followed by a confused looking Val. “I still don't get what you were talking about. That tree looked absolutely NOTHING like Big Mac.”
“Ughhhh, how could you not see it? It looked just like him! It was huge and everything! He totally would have seen the resemblance.”
Val gave a shrug. “I guess? I just don't see it.” He then perked up. “Wait, is Claw not here? YES! Has he finally been kicked out?”
“... No,” Scootaloo said flatly before taking her seat. “He's just busy helping Rarity gather some more jewels. So, go on, sit down and we can start.”
“Awwww. We should totally kick him out, though,” Val said with a quick nod.
“If we did that, we'd have to kick out you and Button,” Diamond said quickly.
“What? Why me? Nooo!” Button whined.
“Go on Val, sit!” Sweetie said with a light snicker, making the other girls facehoof.
Val blinked, then shrugged. “So, what are we--” When he sat down a loud tooting sound filled the air as the cleverly hidden woopie cushion under the cushion erupted from the added weight. He sat there in horror, his eyes wide. A moment later, the ponies burst into laughter.
“Okay, I hate to admit it but that was a little funny,” Diamond said with a light snicker.
Val just sat there for a few moments, before jumping to his hooves, little tears in his eyes. “I-it wasn't me! It wasn't! I'm innocent! I-it was a spell or-or some kind of trap or a monster or--”
“It was a woopie cushion, Val,” Scootaloo said with a snicker before walking over and lifting up the cushion with a snicker, revealing the plastic toy. “You know, a prank.”
“A... a prank?” he asked softly, staring at it.
“Yeah, yah know. A joke. Come on, laugh, it's funny,” Applebloom said with a light snicker.
Val stared at it for a few moments, intently eying the cushion before a low chuckle escaped his lips. “I... see. I think I understand.”
Diamond nodded. “Good, so--”
“It's a little... toy designed to humiliate a pony.”
“Err... well, no, it's just meant to be a prank. Yah know, a harmless prank.”
He stared at it, slowly picking it up in a hoof. He then nodded. “I see.”
“Good, so let's--”
“VERY WELL!” Val yelled, lifting it up, before slamming it to the ground. “If... you think I'll just stand by while you all HUMILIATE me, you don't know me at all!”
“Err, Val?” Sweetie said softly. “It was just a--”
“No! This slight will not go unavenged!”
“Val, calm down,” Scootaloo said nervously.
“I will not calm down! If you all want pranks... then very well. I will create the greatest, bestest, most powerful prank of all time!” With those words, the colt raced from the tree house, slamming the door shut behind himself. “You better watch your backs!”
“Did... did we all go a lil too far?” Applebloom asked nervously.
“It... was woopie cushion,” Silver Spoon said softly. “I mean... well, a woopie cushion.”
“But... this is Val we're talking about,” Scootaloo said softly.
“Who gets this upset over a woopie cushion?” Sweetie asked.
“Should we all be worried?” Applebloom asked.
“Nah. It's just Val, he... oh,” Sweetie said weakly.
“Has absolutely no self restraint,” Diamond said softly.
“Oh dear,” Scootaloo added.
“I'm sure it'll be fine,” Silver Spoon said quickly. “I mean, he'll probably just drop a water balloon on us or something and then, boom, done.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah,” Sweetie said with a shrug. “It's not like he'd do anything actually dangerous.” She and the others laughed, though there was just a hint of nervousness to them.
------
Chad shrieked as he ran for his life, tears in his eyes as the hydra raced after him. Why, why did he want that double bean chili and brussel sprout carrot surprise so badly?
------
Applebloom groaned softly before she fell into bed, nuzzling her pillow affectionately, the lights off. However, she froze when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She looked over and saw something shadowy inside her closet.
A low smirk formed on her mouth and she slowly crawled out of bed, internally chuckling. She couldn't believe Val was so... silly. Jumping out and scaring her at home? How simple could yah get? Well, she'd turn it right around on him and get all of this prank business over and done with. She slowly crawled forward before leaping.
There was a loud thump followed by her shriek as she wrestled with the varmint. A few moments later the light came on and Applejack stood in the door, looking worried. She stared down at her little sister, who was in the middle of wrestling with a basket of laundry. “Applebloom, what in tarnation? Ah jus' washed those!”
Applebloom blinked and looked down, before looking up sheepishly. “I... errr... I thought...” Her cheeks burned. “Yeah, ah ain't really got anythin'...”
Her sister rolled her eyes before closing the door. “And yah get tah bed! Yah got school in the morning!”
“R-right,” Applebloom said sheepishly as she untangled herself from the laundry. She trotted over to her light and switched it off, before walking back over to bed. She couldn't believe she'd done that. How big a dope could she be?
------
Chad screamed as he ran from the two manticores. He couldn't believe it. How did he manage to run into their nest? All he wanted were some blueberries!
------
Scootaloo took a deep breath before she looked down the cliff, her scooter at her side. A big grin formed on her face. “This is going to be so, so awesome,” she said with a happy squeak.
“Is it safe?” Val asked.
“WHAT?” Scootaloo jumped, looking back to the colt. “When did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago. I saw you up on the hill and I was bored so I came to visit. Are you going to go down it?”
“Maybe,” Scootaloo said nervously as she eyed him suspiciously. She then looked down at her scooter, then the hill. Was it possible he'd done something? He wouldn't actually do anything that might kill her, would he? He'd only just got here. What could he have done?
“Cool! I wanna see!” Val said quickly.
“You... do?” she asked nervously.
“Yeah! I really have nothing better to do. Mom told me to get out of her hair for a little bit because I kept asking her about why donkeys were able to talk but goats weren't and she just kind of got annoyed. Then I asked about manticores and she told me to go away or she'd take away my sugar cubes with dinner and those are kinda awesome.”
Scootaloo looked down at her scooter, chewing on her lower lip. “Y-yeah. Just... err... just a moment.” She looked down at the hill, then her scooter. A grin flashed on her face. “Yeah. Watch this!” She jumped on the scooter and started racing down the hill, dodging around the rocks. However, after a few moments she began to feel panic.
Whatever he'd done wasn't going off yet why wasn't it going off was it going to wait until she went superfastohmygoshhewasgoingtokillher! Panic rose in her and she let out a shriek, before veering off hard to the right.
She slammed face first into a tree, flying forward and bouncing off it, before landing on the ground. She now had little swirls for eyes. “Owwww...”
“Scootaloo! Scootaloo, are you okay?” Val asked as he ran up. “That was awesome!”
The pegasus groaned. “Hate... so much...”
------
Chad ran for his life, the three griffon's chasing him with spears out. This time he was sure it wasn't his fault, he hadn't even done anything but sunbathe! How was he supposed to know it was some ancient burial site? It looked like a nice lake!
------
Sweetie and Silverbelle painted slowly, Precious looking over them. “Very good, Sweetie. You're getting much better at doing it within the lines. Silverbelle, you're doing marvelous as always, but you must try to be spectacular. Ms. Richerford's only accepts the greatest.”
“I know, mother,” Silverbelle said softly.
“Oh Sweetie! Silverbelle! Claw! Your little friend is here,” Rarity called out from the other room. “Val,” she added in a flat tone. “Hey!”
A moment later Val was in the room, darting past Precious. “Guess what!” he said excitedly, making the two fillies take steps back.
“Err... what?” Silverbelle asked, eying him worriedly.
“Mom said because I was really good and didn't try to destroy anyone in school today or threaten or promise unholy vengeance I could get a treat for me and my friends!” He then reached back and pulled out a few chocolate cupcakes. “Here! Take one!”
Sweetie reached for one, then froze. The color drained from her face before she looked to him, then the cupcakes. “You... know what? I'm really not hungry. How about, errr, you can have mine.”
Silverbelle looked confused, then realization dawned on her face. “Oh! Yes, right. Errr, you can have mine, too.”
Val blinked, then let out a yelp as Claw jumped him from behind and engaged snuggle mode. “GAHHHH! Claw! Get off!”
“Nope! Snuggle times!”
“You can have a cupcake if you get off!” he shrieked.
Claw jumped off and smiled, looking expectantly at the cupcakes.
Val rolled his eyes before looking to the two. “Are you sure you don't want one?”
“Sure! We're sure!” Sweetie said quickly, shaking her head. “Claw, errr, I don't think Claw needs one either.”
Val shrugged. “He'll whine if I don't give him one.” He then tossed one to the dragon pony, before plucking one out and taking a bite, happily chewing. “So, you girls wanna--”
“They're busy right now,” Precious finally interrupted, shaking her head. “We're in the middle of painting practice.”
“Ohhhhh,” Val said with a nod, before glancing to their stuff. “Looks weird.”
“It's an abstract!” Precious snapped, before grabbing him by the tail in her magic, making him freeze in place. “I think it's time you took your leave.” She scooted him out the door with a yelp and closed it behind him. “I don't know why you girls hang out with that boy.”
Claw belched. “That was good...”
------
Chad raced for his life, tears in his eyes as four wyverns chased after him. He didn't even know Equestria HAD wyverns. But at least this time he knew it was his fault. If he'd just ignored that coconut and hadn't tried to use that feather in the cave none of this would have happened.
------
“Hey!” Val yelled as he galloped up besides Diamond and Silver Spoon. The two froze in place, turning to him.
“Yes?” Diamond asked, forcing a nervous smile on her face as she looked him up and down. It had been almost a week now, was this it? Was this when he got them back? She'd been certain he would have done something by now, but she couldn't believe how patient he was being. Maybe he was a lot more cunning and tricky than she'd ever given him credit for.
“Wanted to know if you two wanted to do something,” Val mumbled, looking around. “I can't find the other girls anywhere. I think they might be avoiding me.” He paused. “Did... I do something?”
“What? No, I'm sure they're not avoiding you,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “We're really busy, though, so, err--”
“Oh? Busy with what? Can I help?”
“Errrr, no! It's fine, really, we just... err... have to... help my dad with some chores,” Diamond said quickly. “We promised him we'd help wash all the windows in his store today. That's where we're headed! Right now, his store!”
Val blinked a few times, eying them suspiciously. “His store... huh?”
“Yeah! Right now!”
“Wow... I can't believe this,” the stallion said. “Your dad has a store! I wanna see!”
“... Really?”
“Yeah! Is it a cool store?”
“It's... a general store,” Diamond said softly, looking around nervously. “I... errr... guess you can see... but then you really, really need to go.”
“Sure!” he said before trotting after them. The two fillies shared looks and then sighed.
------
Chad could barely run anymore, sweat glistening from his body as he ran from five basilisks. He really had no excuse. He didn't know what he expected when he went through Basilisk Pass.
------
Button tapped away happily on his gamecolt, a wide grin on his face. He almost had a new high score.
“Hey Button!” Val said. “Wanna play a game of--”
“AHHH DON'T HURT MY GAMECOLT!” the colt screamed before galloping off, leaving his smoothie behind.
Val just stared with confusion, before shrugging and taking the drink. “Mmm, orange.”
------
Chad dangled upside down from a rope trap, staring at the six zebras. He gave a nervous smile. “Err... Hola, senorita.”
“I'm a guy,” the one in front said.
Chad would have face hoofed if he could.
------
Val frowned and nudged a small bouncy ball around between his hooves. He just couldn't figure it out, all of his friends were acting so strange. All week they'd been avoiding him, even in class they kept giving him strange looks. He scoured his mind, trying to find out what could have caused this.
But it didn't make sense. He was awesome, borderline perfect. Who WOULDN'T wanna hang out with him? Yet they were all avoiding him and didn't want to eat snacks with him or anything. What did he do?
The door to the club house opened and he looked up excitedly. All six fillies, Claw and Button came walking in. They looked around nervously for a few moments, before finally Scootaloo stepped forward.
“YOU WIN!” Scootaloo shrieked, kneeling before him.
“W-what?” he asked, confused.
“We give, you win! Just, just do your prank and get it over with!”
“What? What in the--”
“We can't take it anymore!” Applebloom shrieked. “Ah haven't slept a full night all week! Ah keep jumpin' at shadows! Ah broke two wagons and a cart! Yah got any idea how mad Applejack is at me?”
“I can't even go around on my scooter anymore!” Scootaloo shrieked. “I've had to walk EVERYWHERE! Walk! Do you have any idea how LAME walking is? WALKING!”
“I can't even eat any food without making sure it hasn't been tampered with!” Sweetie screamed. “I have to keep using Claw as a food taster!” Every eye fell on her. “What? He's part dragon. It's not like anything could actually hurt his stomach.” That seemed to satisfy the group. Silverbelle nodded along with her.
“I... I thought this was going to be easy. Some water balloons or something,” Diamond said with a shudder. “I had to spend my whole afternoon cleaning shop windows thanks to you. Both me and Silver! Do you have any idea how horrible that was?”
“I lost out on my high score!” Button said. “And I lost a smoothie!”
Val just stared in confusion as the ponies knelt before him, half of them on the verge of tears.
“You win! You beat us, just, just get it over with!” Scootaloo cried, shaking her head.
The little colt's mouth fell open and he cocked his head to the side. Finally he shook his head. “What are you all talking about?”
“The prank! Your prank! You said you were going to get us back!” Diamond wailed.
“Oh, yeah. That. Huh, I guess I forgot.”
Silence reigned in the treehouse for a few moments before Applebloom slowly sat back up, her left eye twitching. “You... you forgot?”
“Oh, yeah. I mean, the... farting thing was kind of weird, but I guess it wasn't really so bad. I was kinda mad at the time, but after I calmed down I figured it didn't really matter.” He gave a shrug. “Besides, mom always gets mad at me and says I take things too far so I just decided to let it go this time.”
The little ponies stared at him, then looked at each other, then back to him. Diamond took a deep breath. “Get him.”
------
Cheerilee sighed contently as she sipped her tea and started buttering her biscuit. It was such a nice morning and she had missed taking calm, relaxing mornings like this. It was the weekend, she deserved to treat herself. Before long the waiter would bring over her salad, she could hardly wait. Just some time to lay back, relax and--
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” Val raced by, pursued by all of his little friends.
The teacher stared for a little bit, before shrugging and sipping her tea. “He'll be fine.” At least long enough for her to eat her breakfast, she was sure.
------
Cheerilee took a slow, deep breath before resting a hoof on her forehead. She swore she could feel a vein of annoyance starting to form. “So. You mean to tell me. You chased Val into the Everfree Forest where we had to spend NINE HOURS trying to find him... because he DIDN'T prank you?”
“He... he didn't prank us for a whole week!” Applebloom said defensively.
“I fail to see the distinction,” she said flatly.
“I had to eat purple berries and they tasted awful!” Val said from the nearby table, wrapped in a blanket and sipping cocoa. Twilight was sitting across from him, her horn glowing as she made sure he was okay. “I got exposed!”
“Exposure,” Twilight corrected with a shake of her head.
“That too!”
“And you were in the shade for most of the time, you didn't get exposure.”
“Well, I got chased by a timber wolf.”
“That... on the other hoof... is true. And actually worse. Why didn't you lead with that?” Twilight asked.
“I have a flair for the dramatic.”
“That's not... that's the wrong thing to...” Twilight face hoofed and shook her head.
“Well?” Cheerilee asked, looking down at the children.
“I just wanted to play tag...” Claw said softly.
“We're... we're really sorry. We just got a little carried away,” Scootaloo said, hanging her head. The other fillies managed to look sufficiently dejected as well. Cheerilee gave a sigh and put a hoof to her forehead.
“Fine. Mistakes happen. However, I can't just let this slide.” She took a slow, deep breath. “Grounded, one week. All of you.”
“What?” they said in unison.
“That's not fair, you're not our mothers you can't ground us!” Diamond said. She yiped at the look their teacher turned on her.
“Do you want to make it two?”
“O-one week is fine,” the filly squeaked.
“Good. Now, you may all go,” Cheerilee said before looking to Val. “Val, honey? Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah. I end up in that forest a lot, though.”
She gave a nod and a sigh. “Maybe it's time you meet Zecora... the girls would probably love to introduce you...”
“Who?”
Cheerilee shook her head. “Nothing. It can wait until later. For now, let's just make sure you're okay.”
“All things considered, he's doing better than like... he usually does,” Twilight said with a shrug. “I wouldn't worry.”
The teacher sighed. “Good. I just wanted a nice, warm biscuit and some tea...”
“You'll LOVE Zecora!” Sweetie said with a nod, a wide grin on her face.
“I... don't know,” Val said softly, a frown on his lips. “This is bringing us really close to where I came out. Where the portal was...”
“Ahhh, don't worry. Twilight an' the others took care of it, remember?” Applebloom said with a big grin. “It'll be fine.”
Val sighed and gave a nod, occasionally glancing back towards Nipper, who was resting on his back. “Are you sure this is okay?”
“Silverbelle's mom wanted only the finest inks and stuff, right?” Sweetie asked with a shrug. “I couldn't imagine anypony would be able to get better stuff than Zecora. Besides, Miss Cheerilee said she wanted you to meet her eventually anyway, right? And we've been up here a dozen times or so.”
“Yeah, and she knows all kinds of cool things. Like how to make special potions and stuff,” Sweetie said with a grin. “Maybe she knows something about your weird magic, too!”
“I doubt it,” Val muttered.
“She knows all kinds of weird things,” Applebloom said with a shrug. “She even knows about dragons.”
“But does she know about spiders?” Val asked with a snort.
“Probably,” Scootaloo said with a shrug.
“Well, fine. But does she understand... THAT?” he asked, before pointing a hoof at Claw, who was in the midst of trying to eat a rose bush.
“... Ah don't think anypony understands that,” Applebloom said flatly.
“Exactly, so how smart could she be?” Val said with a smirk.
“I-I don't know. I... I'm sure she's... really smart,” Silverbelle said softly. “If... if she gets us what we need, mommy will be happy, too.”
“Exactly,” Sweetie said with a nod. “Besides, as long as we stay on the path, nothing bad will happen. We walk up here to Zecora's hut all the time.”
Val nodded and frowned. “I guess.”
“Ah, relax. It'll be fine,” Applebloom said. “Besides. We're... here!” she said before turning a corner and the ponies froze.
Zecora's hut stood in the distance, but the sight of it made them unable to keep going.
“Oh my gosh, that's so awesome!” Val yelled before galloping forward. “Why didn't you tell me?”
It was covered almost completely in thick, white strands of spider webs. “Zecora!” Applebloom shrieked, before galloping forward. She pounded on the door. She was greeted by nothing but silence. “Zecora?”
Val, meanwhile, moved around the tree with a great big grin on his face. He reached out and touched the webbing. A moment later the grin disappeared. “You've GOT to be kidding me!”
“What? What's wrong? Is it from your home?” Scootaloo asked.
“NO! This is like, so bad. This is NOTHING like our spiders.” He held up a little bit of the webbing. “This has got to be the lamest webbing I've ever seen! It's barely even sticky, and kind of weak. Also, look! It SPARKLES! What kind of web sparkles? That'd be like... a sparkling ghast or a sparkling slime monster or a sparkling vampire! It'd just be... silly! What kind of lame spiders do you have here?” He paused. “Not counting you, Nipper. You're awesome.”
His spider gave a little nod.
“Zecora?” Applebloom said again before looking around. Her eyes then stopped on the ground. She reached out and picked up a small note, picking it up. “Oh. Huh. I guess we just... wait.”
“What? Let me see that,” Val said before walking forward and reading the note. “... Is this written in rhymes?”
“It's a Zecora thing,” Scootaloo said with a shrug.
“'If of me you require some boon, worry not I should be back by noon. To the princess of friendship I now head, come back later if you wish instead,'” Val read before rolling his eyes. “So... we just wait? This is boring, though.”
“It'll be fine,” Applebloom said with a shrug. She then glanced to the door and gave it a light twist of the knob. It opened with ease. “Huh. Guess she left it open for guests? Jus' don't touch anythin', okay? It--”
Her words were cut off when four massive creatures could be seen in the shadows. The moment the door opened, they rushed forward. The children only had a moment to realize they were massive, colorful spiders before Applebloom slammed the door shut. “Run!” she screamed.
The six turned tail and ran, moments before the door opened and the creatures bolted out after them. They barely made it ten feet before Applebloom glanced back. They were all wearing cute little berets that would have been adorable. If they weren't swarming after them and quickly gaining. She looked around nervously, before gulping. “SCATTER!” she finally screamed. She ran to the left, Scootaloo and Sweetie following behind her as they ran off the path. Val ran off to the right, Claw and Silverbelle following after him.
Two of the spiders raced after them, their massive frames stumbling awkwardly through the foliage. The crusaders raced through the bushes and under threes, but the massive spiders struggled to keep up, their legs getting tangled in the branches and forcing them to go even slower.
Applebloom veered off slightly towards the right, moments before she heard a long stream of words from one of the spiders. A stream of words she knew her big sister would not want her to hear. She glanced back and saw one of the spiders completely entangled in the branches of a tree, the other trying to get it free. She grinned and kept running, leaving the spiders far behind.
Soon, the three of them broke out from the tree cover and Ponyville was back in sight. A loud laugh broke from her lips. “We did it! We're out! We did--” The words froze when she looked back and saw who was following her. “Hey... girls? Where are Val, Claw and Silverbelle?”
The other two glanced back and slowly the color drained from their faces. After a few moments, Sweetie said what they were all thinking. “Do... any of them... know how to get out of the forest?”
“Let's go get Twilight,” Scootaloo said quickly. The three shared a nod and galloped off.
“I-I'm sure it'll be fine!” Applebloom said nervously. “I mean, Val was in there almost nine hours a week ago! What's the worst that could happen?”
------
“Ha! I'm awesome! Who's the best at leading? Val is! Oh yeah!” Val said before doing a little dance. The three had come to a small clearing, having left the spiders in their dust.
“Wow...” Claw said happily, before tackle glomping the unicorn. “You saved us!”
“Ack! No, stop, Claw, not the face! NOT THE FACE! STOP!” Val shrieked as he tried to cover his face from the flurry of licks. After a few minutes he finally managed to shove the colt off and growled. “Ugh! Why, why is it always with the slobber with you?”
“Where now?” Silverbelle asked, looking around nervously.
“Huh? Well, obviously we go... ummm...” Val looked around. He suddenly realized he had no idea where they were. They couldn't go back the way they came, either, or the spiders would get them. “Err... this way! Obviously,” he said before turning in a random direction and started walking.
“Are you sure?” Silverbelle asked.
“Of course I'm sure. Trust me,” he said with a shrug. “Do YOU want to lead? I mean, if you think you can do a better job than me, you're welcome to try.”
“W-what? No! I-I'll follow,” she said quickly before shaking her head.
“Exactly. Now come on.”
------
Chad took a slow, deep breath before reaching down with a hoof, marking an X on the ground. “There.”
The zebra colt across from him reached out and made a O. “I win again! Eeeee!”
Chad gave a nod. “Si, senior,” he said with a nod before glancing up as an elder zebra walked into the hut.
“Ahhh, enjoying games with the orphans I see. Little one, please run along. I have much to speak with this stallion about.”
“Awwwww. Okay! Bye Senior Chad!”
“Goodbye, little one.” The sombrero wearing pony glanced up, a smile on his face. “Yes?”
“So, Chad... it... has come to my attention that you wish to face the trials of the nine monkeys. I understand why, but please, don't risk yourself. My daughter understood what she was doing when she offered herself as sacrifice. While your heart may be filled with love, you will not survive. If you--”
“No, senior,” Chad said with a shake of his head. “It is not for love I do these things.”
“I'm... I'm sorry?”
“I will face these trials. Nopony should have to face such a beast. Let alone be sacrificed to it.” He ground his hoof into the ground. “No zebra, either. I will get this... statue that you so desperately need. And then you will be free of this curse.”
“Senior Chad, please. You have done so much for us already, what with the hydra and the dam and the three legged goat. There is no need for--”
“There is always a need.” Chad adjusted his sombrero and stepped forward. “Besides. After your tribe saved me, how could I ignore you now? Err, senior?” He walked out from the hut.
“Please. Reconsider.”
“... Never,” Chad said before walking away. The zebras of the village stopped and watched, whispering amongst themselves.
------
Val had no bucking clue where he was. He could have been in the Underdark for all he knew. If the Underdark had trees. Every branch seemed to snag on his coat, every weed tried to trip him up. His frustration just got worse and worse as he walked, grinding his hooves into the ground.
But worst of all, was the fact as they walked they were coming across more of the webbing. The stupid, sparkly webbing. He'd almost turned around, too, but he swore he saw one of the spiders behind them, hiding in the shadows. If the others noticed, they didn't say anything. All they could do now was push on.
He struggled to mentally calm himself. After all, he was in Equestria. Land of the silly talking horses, how dangerous could their spiders even be? He'd squash them if they tried anything. Squash them like the bugs they were. He just had to keep going and avoid panicking.
His heart nearly stopped when he pushed through a bush and got a face full of webbing. It took all his self control to merely wipe it off and keep walking, a low shiver going down his spine. But then relief flooded through him as the webbings seemed to disappear. In fact he was able to walk into yet another clearing without a single sign of the webs. The ground was quite rocky, though, but that didn't bother him. “See? We're almost out. Told you I knew the way.”
The ground rumbled slightly under him when he walked on it. “Huh?” He looked down just before the dirt fell apart under him, sending the three shrieking down a long, dark tunnel.
Val yelled as he tumbled through the darkness, bouncing off walls and jamming into rough stones. Then, when he didn't think it could get worse, it did. The tunnel disappeared under him and he was suddenly falling through open air. The three of them shrieked as they plummeted towards the ground below, the darkness making it impossible to see.
Then he hit something soft and sticky, falling through it. When he plummeted through it, he fell through a few more of whatever those things were, slowing his fall.
It didn't slow it enough, though, and finally he fell through one last one and slammed into the ground. Nothing felt broken, but he hurt all over. He heard a loud thump from behind. “Owwwww...” Silverbelle moaned.
Val rolled over and tried to get whatever was covering him off. It felt like--
He froze in place and whimpered. Slowly his horn lit up and he sent a ball of light into the air. Revealing Silverbelle on the ground behind him, Claw up above still tangled up... and the yards of webbing they'd just fallen through.
Oh, and the massive spiders the size of carts wearing berets and top hats. Including the massive red one that had a giant black and yellow shirt on and he swore was the size of a house.
“Oh,” Val said softly. He leaped to his hooves and looked around nervously. Two of the spiders were already making their way down towards Claw. Silverbelle was only beginning to realize what was going on and she started backing away, babbling in broken prench. Val joined her, backing up only a few feet before he hit a wall. He glanced back and then looked around. They were in some kind of cave and the only way out he could see was a small tunnel across the room. Behind the great spider.
One of the spiders tried to grab Claw and got its leg bit for its trouble. It hissed and yanked back, before both of them charged him. Claw roared and thrashed about, fire erupting from his mouth and sending the spiders scattering. The webbing around him burned away a moment later and he plummeted to the ground, landing with a loud thump before rolling up, growling and bearing his teeth.
The large spider began to move forward, walking across the webbing with ease. He towered over them and Claw sent out a burst of flame into the creature's face. When the fire faded it merely looked annoyed, before reaching out suddenly and punching him hard enough to send him flying across the cave, hitting the wall with a loud thump. A moment later the spiders descended on the stunned dragon pony, binding him up as his head rolled back and forth in a daze.
Val gulped and looked around as the spiders started talking amongst themselves. “So, boss, they ain't the zebra, but you think they'll do?”
The big one shrugged. “Maybe. If they don't, there's other uses for a couple of ponies,” he said with a light chuckle.
Silver let out a whimper, crouching low to the ground and shaking, closing her eyes and muttering softly in prench. Val gulped and reached out, tapping her on the shoulders. “It... it'll be okay. It'll be okay,” he said nervously before looking up at the spiders. They were barely even looking at the two of them, two just focused on keeping Claw stuck now that he'd come to. But Silverbelle and he were just minor prey. His mind traveled back to home and what the spiders like that were back.
But these spiders weren't like them. They weren't like anything he had back home. They just laughed and talked and were probably going to kill the three of them for whatever reason it was they had. He felt a light trembling on his flank and glanced back towards Nipper, who was shaking against him.
He then glanced back up to Claw, then Silverbelle one last time. He took a deep breath before reaching out and tapping the filly on the withers. She looked up and he gave her the most confident smile he could muster. “It's going to be okay, I promise.”
“V-Val?” she asked softly.
He turned and started walking towards the big spider.
------
The great spider laughed as he looked down at the three little ponies. The fire breathing one was a little troubling, but the other two weren't anything. Just two little frightened unicorns. He'd like to see the zebra deny their demands now.
He then cocked an eye as the tiny black one started to step forward and walk towards them. He made a gesture and two of his boys started walking towards the little pony. Three black orbs formed above his horn and then shot out. Two of them shot out at his boys and they got hit in the chests. They froze and then raced back, yiping and whimpering.
He snorted and lifted a hand to swipe at the orb. These silly unicorns, did they really think their pitiful magic could hurt--
The orb glided around his arm and slammed into his chest. He let out a soft gasp when the orb connected and the magic flowed into him. It felt unlike anything he'd ever suffered before, as if a part of his very being had been torn away. He stopped laughing and his boys quickly followed suit. They looked between the little pony and their leader, before nervously backing up.
"Do I have your attention?" the boy asked asked, his voice shaky as he moved closer. "You're not spiders," he said softly, though in the chamber it seemed to echo out. "I've seen spiders. I've lived my entire life with spiders. I've seen spiders that spit acid. I've watched as my kin dragged other members of my kin off, forced rings of protection against acid, then made them endure days or even a week of torture, the spider's poison slowly eating them from the inside out. Those are spiders. You? You are giant, pony like spiders. Frail. Delicate. Squashable. Your webbing sparkles for pony's sake." The pony tore a bit off himself.
The great spider looked annoyed now, glaring down at the pitiful pony that dared to talk to him in such a way. But there was something about that spell. Something else about this pony. He'd been hit by magic before, but nothing like that. Judging by his two boys who were cowering behind him, neither had they.
"I've seen horrors you can't begin to imagine. I've seen experiments. I've seen horrendous tortures. I've... endured a few. From those who were my family. From those I now realize were supposed to keep me safe." He was up to the spider's web now and he stopped, staring up at him defiantly. It would have been easy to squash him, the pony was almost smaller than the great spider's fist. But he didn't. Instead he just watched.
"I have a new family now. A family that.... a family that saved me. A family that cares about me. A family that... that loves me. Even when I don't think I deserve it. When I know I don't. Even when I don't feel anything could. They do." He grit his teeth. "And I will be damned if you think for even one second I'll just let you take even the smallest part of them from me. Even the parts I find annoying."
The little pony stood up as tall as he could, as meager as it was. Fire burned in his eyes and he yelled out. "I swear this now. You'd best let us go. Because if you don't, I swear you will regret it. You can kill us now, fine. But I will come for you. I will crawl my way out of Lolth's very web if I have to, but I will find you. I will destroy you and everything you care about. In a hundred years from now, the things I will wreak upon your clan and web will be the things that ponies only say in the quietest corners and the brightest light." His eyes narrowed. "Then, when there is nothing left of your web, no kin, no family, nothing. I'll come for you." He leaned up closer to the spider's face. "And I swear. I swear with every fiber of my being. I will find you. And I will drag you down to the very pits I end up, even if I have to spend a thousand years doing it." He exhaled slowly. "You think we're just ponies? That I'm just a pony? You're wrong. I am no pony. I am drow. And you have no idea what wrath I can bring down upon you. The monsters I have endured and treatments I have suffered. And I will not let you harm me or those I care about."
The spider stared down at the little pony. It was a colt, nothing more. There was no way he should worry.
Yet he felt a chill down to his core. It burned like ice. There was a solidness to the boy's words, even with his mild shaking and the beginning of tears around his eyes. He was terrified, not that it could be blamed. Who wouldn't? Grown ponies would be. But there was something else to his words.
A subtle thing. He couldn't say for certain if the pony meant what he said he'd do. But something instinctively told the spider, whatever this little pony was, truly wasn't pony. At least, not one like he'd ever met. Worst of all, it was telling him that these threats weren't just idle. That they were possible. His eyes then glanced to the little pony's flank. He then burst into laughter. “You talk well, for a little pony.” He waved a hand into the air.
His boys just stared in stunned silence, before one spoke up. "What? But boss--"
"Do it," the spider snapped. Slowly the spiders holding Claw grumbled, but tore open the webbing before skittering up the wall.
"For this amusement, I will give you this one time, pony. Never return to our caves." He then slowly moved aside, allowing them to pass. “But if you fall into our traps again, I won't be so amused.”
Val nodded, before turning to Silver. "Come on." He then started walking back out the exit, Claw following close behind, trying to scratch off the lingering webbing.
------
Silver couldn't believe it when they walked out of the tunnel and back into the outside world. Val had been so awesome! He'd just, wow. He was the most awesome pony she'd ever seen. The way he'd stood up to that spider, he wasn't even scared. Even now, he just kept--
She froze when he stopped in place the moment they were no longer in sight of the cave. "Val?" she asked softly and walked around to see him.
She stopped when she saw he was crying. Tears flowed down his face and he lifted his hooves to cover his eyes. "I... I want my m-mommy... I want... I want m-mommy..." He said weakly, giving a little whimper.
Silver lunged forward, hugging him around the neck. A moment later Claw joined them, holding the colt as he sobbed in their little group hug.
Soon enough, the tears stopped and he sniffled, nodding. "T-thanks... g-guys. Don't uhhh... don't tell the o-others about that, okay? I... I didn't cry."
"Nope, no tears," Claw said with a nod, before licking his face.
"GAHHHH! CLAW! BAD!"
------
Chad shrieked and dodged around pits of fire, ducked under flurries of arrows and read a small story book to some sleepy cobras, before finally leaping across the spiked pit.
He then blinked and stared across the room before he realized every trap was triggered by walking over them.
He face hoofed. “MOTHER BU--”
------
Val yiped when the bushes ahead of them nearly exploded as Rarity, Precious and Cheerilee came barreling out of the woods, nearly tackling the three of them, responding to their yells. The three were scooped up and hugged, Val letting out a whimper. “M-mom, too... too tight,” he wheezed.
“Oh my little precious girl I am so so sorry I didn't, I never should have let you out of my sight!” Precious said while she hugged Silverbelle so tight she squeaked.
Twilight galloped up, before letting out a sigh of relief. “Oh thank the stars, you're all okay. After Zecora talked to us and... well...”
“M-mom!” Val squeaked, trying to escape the grip. Claw just hugged his mom back.
“R-right,” Cheerilee said before slowly loosening her grip. “Val, you never should have come out here, when we--” Her eyes widened. “Y-you're covered in webbings! Did they hurt you? Did they find you, did they--” Then she froze in place.
“VAL!” Sweetie shrieked as she and the other two crusaders finally caught up.
“Huh?”
“You got your cutie mark!” Scootaloo yelled.
Val blinked and then looked back at his flank. True to their words, across his flank was a big web and in the very center was a big, black spider surrounded by other, smaller spiders. His mouth fell open before he looked up at his mom. “Err... is that good?”
“I want to know EVERYTHING that happened,” Cheerilee said firmly, before glancing to the girls. “And you three are still in big trouble.”
The crusaders sighed.
Val nodded before being slowly pulled along with his mother. He didn't even mind that she held him really close as they walked, or that she occasionally hugged him. “We uhhh... just... fell into a pit of spiders and they let us go. They were just... big.”
Silverbelle's eyes widened. “T-that's not all! They tied up Claw and then--” She started talking rapidly in Prench, her words spilling out so quickly each word bled into the next. After a few minutes Precious gasped and looked to Val.
“Is... is that true?”
“I don't know. She talked in weird gibberish,” Val said flatly.
“Oh, right. She said you... stood up to the spider and convinced it to let you go?”
Val blinked and then looked down. “Yeah... I... I guess I did that,” he said softly, inching a little closer to Cheerilee.
“Girls, I wish you had come to talk to me before doing any of this,” Twilight said before looking to the crusaders. “If you had, I could have warned you that Zecora was staying at the castle for the moment. Those spiders have been causing all kinds of trouble. Who knows what could have happened?”
“You took on one of those spiders by yourself?” Sweetie asked, her eyes wide.
“A little bit,” Val muttered.
“It was as big as a house!” Claw said helpfully.
“W-wow,” Scootaloo said, her mouth hanging open. “Even bigger than the one that chased us?”
“Loads bigger!” Silverbelle said excitedly.
“Really? Val? Ah mean, yah did it all on your lonesome?” Applebloom asked.
“Can... can we talk about something else? Please?” Val asked.
Silence reigned for a few moments and Cheerilee looked down at Val. She then coughed. “Well... you... I guess you have your cutie mark now. You know what that means? It's time to celebrate your cutie cen--”
“I don't want to celebrate it!” Val screamed, before freezing in place, tears starting to form in his eyes.
Everypony stopped, all of them staring at her. Cheerilee stared down at him before looking around. “Let's... just get to Ponyville. We can talk when we're all safe, okay?”
There were solemn nods from the group, though every eye occasionally found its way wandering back to the young colt.
------
Chad collapsed in front of the small monkey statue, his flank still slightly on fire. He licked his hoof and then put it out, creating a light sizzling sound. He heard the door grind closed behind him.
He then glanced up at the statue, before licking his lips. He could do this. Slowly, shakily, he got to his hooves and trotted forward. He looked up at the small hole above, simple and easy to escape out of. He smirked and then leaned forward, grabbing the statue in his mouth.
Instantly the place began to shake, but he started to rise up... before the window above collapsed.
“Oh! COME ON!” he yelled, dropping the statue and cringing. He plucked it back up and ran, narrowly avoiding a falling rock.
------
Cheerilee slowly put a mug of hot cocoa in front of Val, who gingerly reached out to take a sip, spilling a little on himself. She couldn't help but notice his hooves were shaking. “Val? What's wrong?”
“Nothings wrong...”
“Something obviously is. You got your cutie mark and aren't bragging about it. You don't want a party for it. You managed to take down a giant spider all by yourself and yet you let the others talk about it?”
Val sipped his cocoa, just nodding.
“Why? Val, what's wrong? Really?”
The colt stared at his drink before, slowly, looking up. “Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“Am... am I a bad pony?”
She blinked a few more times, her mouth falling open. “W-what?”
“Am I a bad pony?”
She stepped forward and put a hoof around him. “Oh. Oh Val. You make mistakes and you're sometimes naughty, but you're not bad. Is that what's upsetting you? It's okay, the girls didn't know Zecora wasn't home...”
He stared at his cocoa. “I'm... a bad drow.”
“What?”
“I'm a drow. I... I got this cutie mark for being a drow. For acting like a drow. For... for... being... me...” he said weakly, tears starting to form in his eyes. “But... but I'm a bad drow. I'm a very bad drow. If... if I was home, I'd be sacrificed to Lolth.”
Cheerilee blinked a few more times. “I... I see. But you're not home, you're--”
“And do you know what happens to bad drows?” he asked softly.
She blinked. “I... don't?”
“They suffer. They die and then they suffer.” He closed his eyes and shook. “Mom... mom told me all the time. Bad drow... unimportant drow. They... they die. They end up in Lolth's web. Then... then they suffer forever. They get eaten by her. They get hurt by her.”
“Die and then they su--” Her eyes went wide with alarm. He was talking about an after life? Just what the buck had his mom been telling him? “Val. I don't know what your mom told you but... I'm sure this... think she said isn't real. You aren't going anywhere like that.”
“It is real, though,” he said softly. “We can go there. Stronger wizards can... can shift there. My sister saw it, too. She talked to Lolth. They can go there. They can... see those who suffer. And... and now I'm going to end up there and I and I don't want to go there I don't want to be there I-I don't want to be a bad drow I want to be a good pony a-and go where ever ponies go but I am a drow and I got this mark now and it says I'm a drow and I--” He was silenced by her hug. She held him as close as she could, gently leaning down and kissing his forehead.
“Val, darling. You will never, ever go anywhere like that.”
“B-but... but I'm a drow and--”
“You're a pony now. This... Lolth can't hurt you. She won't hurt you.” She took a slow, deep breath. “I don't know how things work where you're from, and I can't tell you where ponies go. There are a lot of theories. But I can tell you that you're going there too,” she said softly, hugging him. “That cutie mark doesn't mean you're a drow.”
“It's a spider, though...”
“How did you get it?”
“I threatened a big spider. I... I was a drow.”
“No, you weren't. Tell me, why did you threaten it?”
“Why? Why does that matter?”
“Tell me. Why did you threaten it?”
“Because... because it was going to hurt us. It was going to... it was going to hurt all of us. I...” He chewed on his lower lip. “I didn't want it to hurt anypony.”
Cheerilee nodded softly, hugging him tighter. “You got it by standing up to something bigger and stronger than you. You got it for protecting your friends. You got it for stopping things from hurting those you care about. Those who couldn't protect themselves. You were a pony. That is what a pony does.”
“But... but I...”
“That's what your cutie mark means,” she said softly, gazing down at him. “It means you are a special pony. You may have been a drow once, but you aren't now. Now you're a little pony who keeps other ponies safe. Who makes sure that others can't hurt them, even if they're bigger than you. Or scary.” She paused and smiled down at him. “Does that sound like a drow to you?”
“Well... no, not really,” he said with a small smile. “So... I... I'm a pony?”
“Yes, you are. A very brave, very strong, very good pony.”
He closed his eyes and nuzzled her chest. “Promise?”
“I swear. You're going where ever we go when you die, I promise.” She leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Now... how about you tell me what happened? I want to know all about how awesome you were, taking on that big, bad spider.”
He blinked and slowly smiled. “Welllll... I guess I was a liiiiiiittle awesome. So, there we were, fell into the cave through this pit fall. I think it was made by a big trap spider. Oh, if you know what those are they...”
------
Chad collapsed into the dirt, holding the statue out. “H-here,” he squeaked softly, panting with exertion and covered in burns.
The zebras stared with wide eyes and the sphinx gasped. “Can... can it be? That statue was... I never thought...”
“I... I have found it,” Chad said before slowly getting to his hooves. “Now... as... as per the agreement...” He slid it over. “Will you uphold your end of the bargain?”
The sphinx leaned down and sniffed it, finally he nodded and looked away, blushing. “I... I see. O-of course... I... I had no idea you cared so.”
“Si, senior.”
“Then it is decided. You shall be my bride and the mare will be released.”
“Si, se-- errr, what?”
“Prepare the wedding!” the sphinx roared, lifting a paw into the air.
Chad wilted, even his sombrero went limp as he stared. “I... I thought the sacrifice was... I thought you were going to eat the sacrifice!”
The sphinx looked affronted. “You'd think I'd eat a pony? Ew! Now, prepare to be measured for the dress!”
Brad looked down at the statue, the zebras, then the sphinx. He then turned and ran for his life. After a few moments he heard the sphinx racing after him.
“Wait! My bride! Come back! We have so much to talk about!”
Maybe the demon that walked on four tiny legs wasn't so bad after all.
Claw stared at the pictures, cocking his head to the side. Finally, he pointed to the sparkly pony in one of the boxes. “Ummm. Why am I so sparkly?”
Sweetie glanced down and pointed. “I think it’s supposed to be, ummm… what’s the term… bishounen!”
“Ohhhhh. What’s that mean?”
“It means you look like a girl, dork,” Val said, rolling his eyes.
“Ohhhh!” Claw stared at it, then looked to Val. “Am I a pretty girl?”
Val opened his mouth to snap back. He then looked to the three fillies and Button. Finally he sighed and shook his head. “Sure, fine. You’re beautiful. DON’T HUG ME! OR LICK ME!”
Claw stopped mid lunge. “Okayyyy.”
“So, Silverbelle drew these?” Scootaloo asked.
“Yup! I think. She just left them on the desk when she left today! I didn’t know she could draw like this,” Sweetie said happily.
Val snorted. “They aren’t that good. I’m not even in any of them!”
“Ohhhhh. Jealous?” Applebloom asked him. “Maybe there are a buncha other ones. We should ask her.”
Suddenly the door to the treehouse slammed open. Silverbelle stood in the door frame, her eyes wide with horror. Before they could say anything, her horn glowed and she tore the pages covered in little comic art from their grip and started screaming in Prench.
The ponies stared in shock, until a few moments later Applebloom finally spoke up. “Err… come again? In Equestrian?”
“Why did you take these? There are private! These are!” There was a long pause whle the pony shuffled them around, her cheeks burning red. “Did… did you like them?”
“They were awesome!” Scootaloo said, raising her hoof into the air. “I liked the little four team splash at the beginning! Was that supposed to be all of us? My outfit looked awesome! Just the right amount of lightning bolts.”
Sweetie nodded. “Oh, it was marvelous. I’d love to read more about Magical Mare Silver.”
“The lil monster poppin’ up at the end was pretty cool, too. Lotsa metal,” Applebloom said with a nod. “But yah never finished it. Who was the shadowy figure givin’ it instructions?” Silverbelle eeped and her eyes moved to Val for a moment before she refocused on the others.
“I’m really pretty in it!” Claw said happily.
Val harrumphed. “I for one didn’t like it at all. I mean, I wasn’t even in it! How can you have Claw, but not me?”
Silverbelle blushed and shuffled her hooves. “Y-you’re… in it...” she mumbled softly, her cheeks burning red. She then shook her head. “I-it’s private. P-please don’t tell mother.”
“What? Why? They’re great!” Sweetie said, a big grin on her face. “Maybe they’re what you’re supposed to get your cutie mark in!”
“No! NO!” Silverbelle said with a shake of her head. “T-they’re just… just for fun. T-that’s all. Fun.”
“What? But I thought your mom wanted yah to get into that fancy schmancy school for arty ponies?” Applebloom asked.
Silverbelle blinked and quickly tucked the papers into her saddlebag. “She does. But… this isn’t art. It’s just… comics and ummm… silly ones. Mom doesn’t want me wasting time on things like that...”
Sweetie sighed. “Come oooon. I wanna see more of them! Pleaaaase? They were so good!”
“They weren’t that good at all,” Silverbelle said with a shake of her head. “I completely got the proportions wrong on page three, I messed up the thigh, I should have drawn all of them, even if they were behind a boat at the time, not to mention I messed up the eyes on page six and--” She began going on a long, long rant about every single mistake she’d made as the ponies shared concerned looks. Once she finished, she took a seat and looked around nervously.
“So, errr, now that that’s over. It’s time tah prepare! Diamond’s birthday is comin’ up in a few weeks an’ ah know it’s early, but it’s the first time she’s had a birthday since she stopped bein’ jus’ a sharp pain in everyone’s flanks, I think it’s best we make it a good one! That’s why ah called yah all here! Any questions?” Applebloom asked, then gave a sigh when both Val and Scootaloo raised their hooves. “Yes, Scootaloo?”
“Doesn’t her dad have like… all the bits? Why they need us to throw her a party?”
“Bits are all well and good, but they can’t buy everythin’! Now, ah talked tah Princess Twilight an’ she even said that she’ll give Diamond a flying back ride!”
Claw perked up. “Oh, oh, didn’t she actually say ‘I’ll do whatever you want just keep running before it explodes!’?”
Applebloom coughed into her hoof. “Err, yes, technically. But that was another issue. Anyway, this is gonna be a very special birthday and we need tah ensure she has a great one this year! Now, we don’t have bits like her dad, but we can still make some excellent hoof made gifts and...” She gave an exasperated sigh before face hoofing. “Yes, Val? Yah have a suggestion?”
“Ummm… what’s a birthday?”
Applebloom opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again. She finally looked to the others who just stared at him.
“What I say?” Val asked.
------
Chad hummed before he lifted up his ticket. One way to Griffonstone. It would be a nice vacation. Nothing dangerous or exciting ever happened in Griffonstone.
“Chad?” a voice asked from behind him.
He paused and glanced back. “Errr, si?”
“Chad, walker amongst the petals? Slayer of the hydra of Archipelo? Sleeper of the ten thousand tunes? Tamer of the Rowdy Ruff Pack? Champion of the breezies? Painted one to the starkaterri? Gloried shiny to the buffalo? Cat nip to the nose of the nekonians? Gladiator amongst the minotaurs? Hairdresser to the donkeys? Wife to the sphinx?”
Chad gave a groan, his cheeks turning red. “Si, seniorita. But little of those mean anything. I mean, the breezies all I did was move a spider web. I was at the right place at the right time. How was I supposed to know she was a breezie queen? And I didn’t slay that hydra. He is actually really a nice guy once you get to know him, he was just cranky since they kept waking him up at all hours of the night with their rock music. Once I got him some ear covers, he was fine. And about the sphinx, I never agreed to anything!”
“But that is you, correct?”
“Si, but they’re all just a series of misunderstandings and--”
“Can I have your autograph?” the mare said before shoving a small book in his face.
He blinked a few times, before nodding. “Oh. Errr. Si, seniorita.” He reached out and took her pen, drawing on it. A moment later a loud whistle went off and he looked up. “Oh! I need to go. Err, nice meeting you!”
She nodded. “You too, Chad.” The mare watched him go before a wide smile formed on her lips. She turned away and then tapped her necklace. “The hen is in the hen house, train 3. Repeat, the hen is in the hen house. Get Rooster.”
“… What?” came from the necklace.
She rolled her eyes. “Chad. He’s on train 3. Just… just send the information along. Sometimes I wonder why we even have code names.”
“… Who in Equestria would tap this line? Ninety percent of what goes on here are flank jokes. The other ten percent is you complaining about your exes. Besides, wouldn't he be the rooster?”
“Just spread the information along!” she snapped, before blushing when ponies stared at her. “Eh… heh heh.” She quickly darted off.
Chad trotted onto the train, humming softly. He couldn’t believe he had fans! And he couldn’t believe how many titles he’d gotten, she hadn’t even listed half of them. Still, it wasn’t as if he’d done anything for most of them. He’d just always been in the right place at the right time.
He wondered if he should be nervous she was able to track him down. He then shrugged. She’d seemed fine. Besides, with his attuned senses, he was sure he’d pick up if anything strange was going on. He took a seat.
He failed to notice the six unicorns walking onto the train, clad in large trench coats and sitting a few seats behind him.
------
“What I say?” Val asked as he was dragged off by the girls.
“Val, not now,” Scootaloo said. “We’re talking to your mom.”
“What? Why? I’m sorry I know what a birthday is don’t tell mom I’m sorry!” he squeaked.
“Yah ain’t in trouble!” Applebloom said, shaking her head. “Now jus’, be quiet or ah’ll Claw yah in the face.”
“What? You don’t even have claws! How can you--” Val was cut off by Applebloom tossing Claw in his face. He fell down with a shriek as the dragon pony licked his face and hugged him.
“Yayyyy! Friendship times!”
“So, this means he needs a birthday, a cute-ceanera,” Scootaloo said with a nod. “Anything else?”
“Yah think he’s ever had a happy hearth’s warming?” Sweetie asked. “What about hearts and hooves day?”
“Ah’m gonna go ahead an’ say he hasn’t,” Applebloom said with a nod. “We all met his mom. Even if they had them kinda things where he’s from, there’s no tellin’ what parts of ‘em he experienced.”
“You think this means he's never had a winter wrap-up, either?” Scootaloo asked.
The ponies stopped in place and looked up, their minds collectively imagining the stallion during winter wrap-up. After a few moments Sweetie looked over to the others. “He... he couldn't actually magic a whole herd of snow ponies to do his bidding, could he?”
“No!” Scootaloo, Sweetie and Silverbelle said in unison, their faces pale. Far off behind them they heard Val's cries of ultimate suffering.
“Girls?” Cheerilee asked, cocking her head to the side as the four trotted towards her. “What brings you here?”
“Val!” Sweetie said.
The mare gave a sigh. “What'd he do? How much property damage?”
“None! This time,” Applebloom said happily. “We were talking and...” She paused. “Where'd he go? Wait, where's Button Mash?”
------
Button glanced up from his game colt. “Huh? Where'd everypony go?”
------
“Claw probably has him,” Scootaloo said with a shrug before looking to Cheerilee. “So! We were preparing for Diamond's birthday that's coming up.”
“No fireworks,” Cheerilee said quickly.
“We weren't gonna this time!” Applebloom said defensively.
“I mean it. A class room is no place for fireworks.”
“That ain't the point!” Applebloom said, shaking her head. “We were talkin' about it an' Val asked what a birthday was!”
Cheerilee blinked a few times, staring at them. Finally, she shook her head. “I'm sure he was just messing with you. He has to... know what a...” She frowned and rubbed her chin. Finally she gave a sigh. “Buck.”
“Yah never asked him?”
“It's not exactly something that comes up often. Besides, most ponies end up born around the same time due to...” She paused and eyed them. “Biology. So its been a while since we've had one.”
“Help meeeeeeee,” Val cried out. They turned and saw Val crawling towards them. Claw hugging him around the waist. “Nothing I do stops him. He's just so. Gosh. Darn. Snuggly. And his grip is worse than a thousand webs!”
“Best friend!” Claw said happily.
“I'm not your friend!” Val whined.
“Yup! You're my best friend!”
“Gahhhhh!”
“Val, dear?” Cheerilee said before trotting up to him. “Tell me. Do you know what a birthday is?”
Val gulped nervously and looked between them. “Errr... yes. It is a... errrr... there's a... party. And it requires... bits. And ummm... Diamond's is soon.”
Cheerilee walked over and gave him a hug, making him yipe. “I am so, so sorry.”
“W-what? What I do? Why is everyone hugging me?!”
“Because I'm a bad mom,” she muttered softly. “I should have asked this ages ago.”
“WHAT? You're an awesome mom! You're an amazing mom! You're the best mom ever please don't say you're bad I'm sorry!” Val shrieked, staring up at her.
Cheerilee blinked and stared down at him. She then smiled before nodding. “Well, there's nothing that can be done about it. You'll need a birthday party.” She coughed into her hoof. “Girls?”
“Yes?” Sweetie asked.
“For a situation like this, there is only one thing that can be done. One name that can be invoked.” She gave a soft, gentle sigh. “Pinkie Pie.”
There was a low hush that fell over the group. “Are... are you sure?” Scootaloo asked.
“Yes. If he has never experienced a birthday party, he'll need a big one. One only Pinkie can provide. One even bigger than--” Cheerilee looked back and shrieked. Pinkie was already standing behind her.
“Sooo, he's never ever EVER had a birthday party?” Pinkie asked with a giant grin. “Well, don't you worry! I'm prepared for just such an occasion!” She gave a quick nod before disappearing, leaving a stream of confetti in her wake.
Cheerilee stared with horror at the dust cloud in the shape of the pink mare. “I didn't even... tell her what I had in mind.”
“You may have doomed us all,” Sweetie said softly.
“What? No! Of course not. I--” Cheerilee looked around, her mouth falling open. The town was covered in banners, confetti, streamers. Flyers were up as well. There was even a chiseled Val ice sculpture by the fountain. “How... when... did she... do... what?”
------
Chad let out a yipe when suddenly the whole train stopped. He glanced out the window in confusion. It just stopped. Nopony was hurt, in fact everypony was wrapped in magic to avoid getting any damage. He and the other passengers looked around in confusion.
The train seemed to be wrapped in a purple magical aura. There was suddenly a loud crack and, looking up, he saw the roof proceed to be ripped open like a tin can. A goddess gazed down on him, her eyes narrowed to slits.
“Oh buck,” he whispered.
He let out a frightened yelp when magical energies grabbed him, tore the moustache off and tossed the sombrero to a young colt staring with wide eyed adoration.
“We're going to have a long talk when we get back,” the goddess grouched at him, giving him a look that turned his skin to ash and bound his soul to the blackened skeletal husk that was left behind.
Or maybe it just felt like that.
“Sorry about the delay, everypony!” Twilight yelled before waving a hoof and flying up, the roof sealing back behind her without a single crack. He didn't even have a chance to ask about luggage before they disappeared, reappearing in the friendship palace a moment later. She turned to him and blinked. “Why are you crying? I'm not going to throw you in the dungeons or anything.”
Flash whimpered and held his upper lip. “That... that moustache was glued on...”
The princess gave a sigh and face hoofed.
------
Val looked around nervously as decorations just seemed to pop into existence randomly around the town. If he didn't know better, he'd say it was probably magic. He knew well enough to know it was completely magic. “Mom? What's a birthday? Why is it so important?”
Cheerilee smiled down at the little colt who had, after much difficulty, pried himself out of both hugs. “Val, a birthday is a special day we use to celebrate the day somepony was born. We celebrate it every year and it's kind of a way to say... we love you and we're thankful you're a part of our lives.”
Val blinked a few times and lowered his eyes. “O-oh. So... you're...”
She reached out and put a hoof on his head. “I'm very thankful. Every day I have you with me is another day I am so thankful you fell into my life. And I'm sure the others feel that way too.”
“I'm happy we're best friends!” Claw said helpfully.
“See?” she said with a smile, petting his head. “And I know back home you probably didn't have something like that.”
He shuffled his hooves. “I... don't know if we did? I was kind of the... disappointment. Being male and all,” he mumbled softly. “Sorry.”
“Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for.” She paused and then leaned in, kissing his forehead just above the horn. “Okay, you have a lot of things to be sorry for, but not that.”
“So like... what happens? Just a bunch of games and decorations?”
“Oh, you get presents, too,” she said with a nod. “Oh, just wait until hearths warming eve. I think that's going to be a favorite for you as well.” She grinned. He'd look absolutely adorable in little booties and a scarf. “And it's your first birthday, too!”
“Soooo... what does all that mean? It kind of seems a bit... silly.”
“It means today is going to be all about you. Or...” She looked around. “I was planning to do it this weekend, but it seems Pinkie has other plans. I'm not sure I could stop her if I tried. Or even if I really want to.”
“Does this mean I can rule the town for the day?” he asked, his eyes glowing.
She stared down at him and sighed. “We'll see. But probably not.”
“Awwwwww.”
------
“So, Chad,” Twilight said before glancing over her desk at him. It was covered in papers.
Flash just gulped nervously as he watched the princess. Suddenly the demon child was only the second scariest thing around.
“According to the reports, you are now married to... thirteen females, of varying species, sixteen males, of varying species, and...” She paused and looked down at one. “One... unidentifiable ancient spirit.”
“We aren't technically married. We're life bonded. I think it's more like being brothers and, really, he just needed somepony to play tennis with once in a while. It gets lonely locked up in a tree for eternity. He only uses it on tuesday nights so as long as I go to bed early I don't have any problems.”
She gave a soft sigh. “So... how many of them are true? I mean, technically as a pony of Equestria we allow herds, but not all of these countries--”
“N-none of them!” he squeaked, his cheeks turning red. “P-princess, I assure you, I have no harem of which to speak! I-I merely, err, there were a lot of mistakes. And incidents. And just... things really got blown out of proportion.”
She nodded and then snorted. “Also, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both want to have supper with you.”
“Oh?”
“Why, yes. According to some of the rumors you impregnated them both and it led to the creation of new spirits, why, some even believe you created Discord. Quite the feat considering how much older he is than you. They merely want to meet the stallion behind the legend.”
He groaned and face desked. “I don't even know where that one came from. Princess, I assure you I--”
“I know, I know,” she said with a light snicker, enjoying this far more than she knew she should have.
“I'm married to my job! I would never, ever try anything so... uncouth with any mare while I'm still serving my term as a royal guard.”
That wiped the smile off her face. “Oh. I see. There is the matter of you going AWOL, of course.”
He irked, before taking a deep breath. “I understand. If… I am required to face a prison sentence, I will face it with the dignity of a royal guard.”
“Oh, no,” she said with a shake of her head. “Actually, considering the things you’ve done… well… you have managed to deal with a number of... issues that Equestria has longed to deal with for ages. Unfortunately, we couldn’t as we were a country and it would have been considered an invasion of sorts to try. However, this ‘Chad’ of yours managed to deal with them with the promptness and skill we’d expect from a royal guard of such standing.”
His cheeks burned bright red and he shuffled in place. “Y-you flatter me, princess.”
“Indeed,” she said with a smile. “As such, we have decided that your punishment will be far less severe. In fact, we’re hopeful you’ll rub off on somepony else.”
“Oh? Who?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
She just grinned.
Slowly the smile drained from his face, the color following soon after. “You… you don’t mean… the demon on four tiny legs?”
She nodded. “Indeed. Princess Luna has expressed a desire to find him a proper role model. Somepony he can look up to who can lead him on the proper way of life. One without destructive tendencies or… well… just destruction in general. I can’t imagine anypony more qualified than a royal guard, not to mention one with such a resume.” She motioned to the paperwork before her.
“NO!” he shrieked, falling to his knees. “Please, princess! Have mercy! I-I’ll go to jail! I’ll be flogged! Whipped! Hung by my hooves! Anything but that! Anything but that!”
She rolled her eyes. “Really, Flash? Do you have to be so melodramatic?”
He sighed and face desked. “But… But it’s VAL. Truly he is a demon! I should know, I ran into like, five on this trip!”
She nodded. “He is. But… he’s really getting to be quite sweet. Listen, we don’t want you to raise him or anything like that. Just… be there for him. He needs a positive role model. And it was you or Big Mac and, frankly, he has enough on his plate without Val. This will go into line with your other duties, so it’ll be fine.”
He groaned softly, before sighing and then looking up. “The princesses wish for this?”
“We do, you don’t--”
“Then... there's nothing else that can be done. I’ll do it!” he said firmly, standing up strong, though the color had yet to return to his face. “As a royal guard, it is my duty to attend to any needs of the princesses with the fervor and strength of all of my might!” He lifted a hoof into the air. “For this is the land I--”
“Hey Twilight, can I borrow your crown? It turns out it’s Val’s birthday and he’s NEVER had one before! Well, it’s not his birthday, but we’re making it his birthday because we can’t carbon date him. Well, we probably could but that wouldn’t really be nice so is it okay if he has your crown today?”
Twilight stared in shock at the pink pony that had materialized in her office. Finally, she sighed and then glanced to the shelf. “Hold on. Ummmm… here.” She hovered over a cheap, plastic crown. “It was a toy I had as a kid. He can have this.”
“Yay! Wait, why do you have this in your office?”
Twilight’s cheeks turned red. “L-listen I have plenty of things in my office don’t you have a party to plan? I’m not on trial here!”
“Okay! Hey Flash, happy to see you’re back! I got a letter from my parents about Chad, thanks for helping them with that big rock!” Pinkie called back before running back.
Flash stood there, frozen in horror.
Twilight sighed. “You’ll be given an allowance to buy him a gift with, don’t worry. You’ll end up earning it,” she muttered before pulling out some papers. “Flash? Are you okay?”
“You… you know I never said you had a harem, right?” he finally squeaked out.
She paused and then stared at him. She then gave a little fit of giggles. “Oh, THAT? I realized that a few minutes after Val left. I can’t imagine where he gets half of his silly ideas.” She shook her head. “Though, it has given me a few ideas of getting a harem of my own.” She paused, then batted her eyes at him. “Would you like to join in it?”
She stared for a few moments. Then reached a hoof out and waved it in front of his face. “Flash? Flash? Oh. Uh oh. Ummm, are you okay?”
He fell over, eyes wide.
“Oh dear. Was that too much?”
------
Val stared at city hall, his eyes wide with wonder. There was a fountain of chocolate, a giant cake he could climb and dozens of gifts. “How?” he finally asked. “And you do this EVERY year? For multiple ponies? Why? It seems so...”
“Awesome?” Sweetie asked.
“Stupid,” he finally said.
Silence reigned for a few moments as the ponies stared at him. “What?” Applebloom finally asked.
“If the whole point of this is to let me know you ponies care about me, well, I already know that,” he said with a shrug. “I mean, you’re nice to me, Cheerilee takes care of me. Claw is annoying as buck, but I definitely know he likes me. You’re all members of my harem, so I know you adore me. Why do I need a special day or presents to let me know that?” He then looked off to the side. “Besides. I… like all you guys, too. Most of you. I don’t need some stupid day to tell me that...”
Scootaloo blinked and stared at him. She then sighed. “That was… actually a little sweet, especially from you, Val. But it’s not like that. It’s like… something special. Unique. A once a day year where we get to...” She rubbed her chin. “Celebrate how awesome you are.”
“How awesome I am?” His eyes lit up.
“Exactly! And you get to like, get away with anythin’!” Applebloom added.
“So… it’s like a day of--” And then a little plastic crown appeared on his head. His eyes bulged.
“Happy Birthday!” Pinkie yelled before disappearing again.
“I… I get to be princess for the day?” he asked, his eyes wide with delight.
The girls shared looks, before collectively face hoofing. “No dooming anypony to executions or anythin’ like that. Okay, Val?”
“Huh? Oh, right, yeah, sure. Listen well, my subjects!” he yelled out, posing dramatically and thrusting out his chest. “You have all chosen to honor me on this day and I will remember this, when my time as ruler comes! Just you wait!”
Scootaloo sighed and shook her head. “Come on, Princess Val. Party isn’t starting yet. Listen, we’ll explain a few things. Like, when the cake comes, they put candles on it and you blow them out, after making a wish. You can’t tell anypony the wish, though, or it won’t come true. And then there’s--” She let out a yipe and suddenly the girls were inside a bouncy house, as was Val and many of their other classmates. They shared concerned looks. “Pinkie?”
“Pinkie,” they said in unison.
------
Flash sighed and looked around his room. Well, it seemed that he’d be here a while now. He started walking around, dusting off a few things before tearing off his covers. Covered in dust. He’d have to spend all night cleaning.
He paused when he noticed a few suitcases by the door. At least his luggage had made it here okay. He smiled and walked over, pulling it open and beginning to pull things out.
Pictures of all the friends he’d made, little souvenirs he’d picked up. An ancient relic that supposedly housed an ancient fire spirit but he found was the best for buffing his hooves. He couldn’t believe how scott free he was getting.
Then remembered he had to be Val’s… role model. He gave a shudder, then. Maybe he’d gone too far if THAT was the punishment he was receiving. He’d never thought the princess could be so cruel. He walked to his desk and picked up the files that had been dropped off, skimming over them. Apparently Val had a sleep over.
However, one thing caught his attention and made him frown. He lifted it up and stared. “There’s… no way.” He flipped through it.
A report from Princess Luna about his development. The colt had actually gotten his cutie mark, which he couldn’t deny feeling a little swelling of pride for.
Then he saw the note on how he got it. Protecting other ponies, scaring off giant spiders. He felt a bit more pride surge inside. Maybe the little colt wasn’t so bad after all. However, the note at the end still drew his attention back and filled him with worry.
Considerations to have Val join the lunar guard academy when he grew up. Just the thought of that colt in a position of military… anything filled the stallion with dread. He wondered if this was why they wanted him to be a role model. Were they hoping some of his respect and dedication to the crown would wear off on the colt? He couldn’t see that happening.
He gave a soft sigh before putting it back down. It was just a consideration, after all. Not fact. At least, not yet. If the colt had gotten his cutie mark in such a way… well, maybe there was hope for him yet.
------
Val’s heart hammered and he tried to stay as calm as possible, but it was quite difficult. He knew he was safe, but he definitely didn’t feel safe. He was blindfolded and now the party games had come in full swing. Pin the wings on the parasprite, such a stupid game and why did they have to blindfold him for it? He felt dread rise in him before he took another slow step closer.
He could hear them, calling, giving him directions. But they were all watching him. It was easy for them, they weren’t the ones blindfolded. Helpless. If it had been anypony else but Cheerilee who’d done it, he’d have had a panic attack. He slowly reached out and felt the wall, pinning it to it. He quickly stepped back and took off the blind fold. He wasn’t even close.
Still, the crowd cheered and they hollered and the next pony stepped in line. He took a step back, moving as best out of the crowd as he could.
Why did so many ponies have to come here? He didn’t even know most of them. In fact, he didn’t think he knew any of them. Yet they kept coming up to congratulate him and say how wonderful and great it was to be here. How he was just such a wonderful colt. He knew that wasn’t true, they knew it wasn’t. It was all just filled with lies. He didn’t even think most of these ponies liked him. Most were probably indifferent. Was this what a birthday was? He'd expected something more grand. With ponies he actually knew well.
And then there was the others. They kept getting swept up in doing things. Silverbelle kept eying him, too, but it didn't last long. He wanted to spend time with them. Instead he was being ferried around from game to game, having ‘fun’.
He sighed as he was gently guided towards the 'bobs for apples'. Another waste of time. He didn't even LIKE apples, and now he had to treat them like some kind of treasure while he dove his head into water? A complete waste of his time and everyone else's.
But all the ponies seemed to be having fun, so he endeavored to have fun as well. It would make his mom happy, at least. He was pretty sure.
He sighed as he came to the bucket and looked out over the sea of happy ponies, most of them watching him. He felt that nervousness rising in him again. At least he wasn't blindfolded this time. He gave a small little smile before closing his eyes and dunking his head under the water, splashing about a few moments before coming up. He gave a sheepish smile, not even trying to get an apple.
He couldn't believe how much energy ponies had. They did this for fun? All of them? Multiple times a year? It made him shudder just to think about.
“Hey Val!” A pair of clawed hooves wrapped around him. Val was almost happy to have Claw assault him for once. Almost.
He gave an exasperated sigh, for appearance's sake. “Hey, Claw. What now?”
“Come with me!”
Val let out a yipe when he was suddenly hauled off. The adults just laughed and he let out a frustrated growl. “Claw, not now. I'm--” However, a few moments later he was out of the room and into another, smaller room. Filled with bookshelves and a big fancy desk.
There weren't any crowds or anything. In fact, the only one here was Silverbelle. He stared at her in confusion. “Mission accomplished!” Claw said proudly, puffing out his chest.
“Thanks, Claw,” Silverbelle said, nervously looking to Val. “I ummm... sorry... you just didn't look like you were having fun...”
He sighed and shook his head. “Oh, no, I was having loads of fun. Who doesn't love being herded around like an animal, thrust at a bunch of weird games they don't understand and then having their face dunked in water? Water boarding, not just a form of torture, but a party game,” he said, his voice filled with bitterness. “How do you ponies do this?”
Silverbelle nodded. “If... it bothers you that much, could tell Cheerilee and umm--”
“No!” Val said quickly, shaking his head and his eyes going wide. “No no. No. This is a pony thing. It... makes her happy so ummm... I'm fine. I'll just--”
The filly nodded before looking to Claw. “Can you go get the others?”
“Aye aye!” Claw said, before darting off.
Silverbelle then took a small step forward moving in front of him. She pulled out a large envelope from her saddlebag and held it out. “I ummm... I... I wanted you to have this. It's not really... errr... I just ummm...”
He sighed. “Okay, that's another thing. This whole... gift thing. It's stupid.”
“W-what?”
“Why wait for a special day to give somepony a gift? If you want to give them a gift, just give them a stupid gift. You shouldn't have to wait for a certain day to give somepony something.”
She nodded slowly. “I... I guess. H-here.”
He looked down at it before shaking his head. “If you're just giving it to me because you're supposed to, don't,” he said with a sigh. “I know you like me, you're part of my harem, right? You don't need to prove it with some stupid party or gift.”
“I'm not! I want you to have it because I really like you a-and I think you're kind of cool and you saved my life a-and just take it you--” And then the filly started ranting in prench and he stared. Finally he nodded and took it. It took him a few moments and a bit of clumsy moving with his hooves but, finally, he opened it and spilled the contents across the ground. “I-it's not much b-but I--”
“Oh my gosh I look AWESOME!” Val yelled, staring at the picture.
It was an image of Silverbelle laying on the ground, Val standing over her. Val was tall, strong, covered in muscles and his horn glowed with arcane magic. Giant spiders surrounded them, held back by his magic light. Not only that, he sparkled.
“So... you don't mind being, errrr...”
“What?” he asked, staring at the picture. “I look amazing! So tough!”
“The... errr... sparkles?”
“Eh, so what? This is almost exactly how I remember it, too! It's awesome! I am soooo cooooool!”
Silverbelle blushed and fidgeted in place. “O-okay. I... I'm happy you like it. I uhhh... thank you.”
He nodded, grinning down at the picture. He looked soooooo cool. “Hey, Val, what are you doing in here?” Scootaloo asked, making him jump.
“Huh?” he asked, glancing back. Claw had Sweetie, Scootaloo, Applebloom, Diamond, Silver Spoon and Button herded around him. “Oh, uhh, just catching a small br--”
“He's not enjoying the party,” Silverbelle said.
He cringed. “It's... it's not that. Really. It's not. It's a lot of fun just... I don't like all the...”
“Yah'd prefer somethin' a lil less bustlin'?” Applebloom asked.
“Really? Val?” Scootaloo asked, cocking an eye. “I figured you'd want a parade in your honor or something.”
“I do!” he said quickly with a nod. “And I intend to get one, some day. But this all just seems kind of... ehhhhh.” He wiggled his hoof. “It doesn't matter, though. I'll endure it. Besides, it makes mom happy if I'm having fun so--”
“Ah, don't be like that,” Applebloom said with a grin, moving up and giving him a little bump with her rump. “If yah ain't havin' fun, yah ain't havin' fun. No reason yah gotta force yahself tah go out an' have a wild hoot'n annie if yah ain't gonna like it. It's your birthday. So come on, what's yah wanna do?”
He sheepishly nudged the ground. “I... kinda just wanna hang out here, with my friends? Maybe play a few of the smaller games, without the crowds?”
“Well, then that's what we'll do,” Applebloom said with a nod before punching him in the leg, making him cringe.
“O-ow,” he squeaked.
“Ah didn't hurt yah, did ah?”
“W-what? No! No no. Not at all.” He couldn't feel his leg. “Don't tell mom, okay?”
Cheerilee smiled as she pulled open the door, revealing Flash. “I haven't seen you in a while. Where have you been?”
“Oh... around,” the stallion said with a sheepish smile. He held out his gift in his wing. “It's not much, just what I could find so fast. Hope it's okay?”
“Hm? Oh, you didn't need to do anything like that. Pinkie has all of that under control. She's like a rocket, that one,” she said before moving aside.
He stepped inside. “So, where's the birthday boy? He having fun?”
“I think so,” Cheerilee said with a sigh before looking at all the games Pinkie had set up. “Honestly, I lost track of him a while ago. We'll be hitting the pinata soon and I want him to get a few good wallops in.”
He snickered and gave a nod. “Ah, the time honored tradition of beating up paper mache. Want me to help you find him?”
She nodded. “If you could. See if he wandered off somewhere, okay? I'll keep looking amongst the kids.”
He nodded and trotted off, humming softly. He peeped into a few doors, but didn't see them. However, when he passed Mayor Mare's office he heard a loud laugh from inside. He frowned and opened the door a crack, peeping inside.
Val and the others were sitting around a circle, playing one of the boardgames that'd been brought for the party. He paused before slowly closing the door and sneaking away, not that he had to hide himself considering how loud the party was. “Found them,” he said once he found Cheerilee.
“Huh? Them?”
“Yeah. He snuck off with a bunch of the other kids into Mayor Mare's office. They're playing some board games.”
Cheerilee blinked before trotting towards the door. She inched it open, just a bit, before closing it again. She then gave a little shrug. “Well... I guess it's fine. As long as he's having fun, right?”
Flash nodded. “Right. I think Pinkie is planning to set up a dance soon.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
“She's got the disco ball out. That or it's the pinata. Either way, I'm going to go get a drink. Have fun!”
Cheerilee blinked and then sighed, shaking her head. However, once the ball was in the air she felt a light tap on her withers. She glanced over and saw Big Mac smiling at her. “Big Mac! You came! I didn't think you'd have time.”
He gave a shrug.
“I do hope it wasn't too much trouble.”
“Nnnnnope,” he said with a shake of his head. He then nudged towards the floor.
She glanced over before her cheeks turned a little red. “W-what? Me? Dance? I have four right hooves!”
He shrugged. “Eeyup.”
She sighed and gave a little nod. “Well, I guess. Val's keeping himself entertained and I might as well have a little fun here, right?”
------
Flash sipped some fruit punch, giving a light smile. Maybe being back wouldn't be so bad, maybe--
He turned and came face to face with Princess Twilight. The shock made him expel the liquid from his mouth before he quickly went into a salute, followed by diving for napkins.
The princess sighed and grabbed them before he could, dabbing the mess off her face with them. “It's fine, Flash. I didn't mean to surprise you like that.”
“I-I am so sorry princess, I didn't expect you to--”
“It's fine,” she said again, before smiling to him. “Pinkie is going to start up the dance in a moment. I was curious if you'd care to join me?”
He paused and cocked his head to the side. “Me?”
“Yes, you. Or would you rather have a fake moustache and sombrero first?”
His cheeks burned red. “L-listen, about that--”
“I told you it's fine, for now. But I have heard legends of the great 'Chad' and his skill with the dance. I want to see how much of it is true.”
He sighed. “I should warn you, that, like almost everything else, has likely been greatly exaggerated.”
“So you didn't perform a rain dance that ended a drought?”
“Well, that is technically true, but actually the whole drought was a simple cause of--” His explanation was cut off by his hoof being grabbed and him being dragged off to the dance floor, making him yipe.
------
Cheerilee smiled and gently tucked Val into bed, giving him a little kiss on the forehead. She then smiled down at him. “Did you have fun?”
He nodded, giving Nipper a little hug. “Uh huh. I had a really awesome day.”
She nodded and thought back to where he had spent most the evening. “How about next year, we have something smaller, okay?”
His eyes glowed. “Really?”
“Of course, honey.” She turned and started to walk away, before stopping. “Val?”
“Yeah?”
“You know I'm happy you're here, right? That it's... not like it was, with your other mom?”
He was silent for a moment before glancing towards her. “Mom... of course I know,” he said softly. “You're the best mom ever! You're always happy to see me and let me know how much you love me. I don't need some silly birthday to tell me that.”
She nodded before smiling. “Good. I just... never want you to forget.”
“I know, mom,” he said before nestling up into bed. “I love you, mom.”
