Nightfall on Hearth's Warming Eve finds himself in a door way and he has been running from guilt until fate brings him to where he needs to be.
After a long flight at night Nightfall lands on the step when the door opens after he's been lying there for a bit he's kicked into some trash cans by a filly who is his long lost sister is there hope for them to be a family again
I would like to say I also have a co-author for this story Thundercloud93
It was heartwarming Eve and DeWalt and his family were at his house when Arctic Frost went to the door and heard some carolers coming to sing. "I'm going to see the ponies sing outside ok." So she went to the front door and opened it and seen a colt on the step trying to stay warm, she just went and kicked him off the steps and into the crash.
"What was that just now Arcti?" Dewalt asks her and she just points to the colt by the trash cans, so he walks up to him and sees he has not eaten in a while and picks him up, and took him inside. "Can you tell me why you were outside, and why you were by the trash cans just now?" The colt tried to stand up and he fell, that's when the rest of the family came in and saw him. Redheart came over to him and looked him over, Knuckles came over with some food and hot tea for him.
"Thank you and I was kicked by her into the trash cans." He said as he started to eat and drink some of the tea, but he winced when Redheart touched his front leg, she stopped and told Knuckles she was going to get her first aid kit. That's when Knuckles walked up to him and start to talk to him.
"So can you tell us your name and where your parents are?" Knuckles asked him that's when the front door opened up and in came Sketch and her daughter Morning Dawn, they walked in and saw Knuckles and the bat pony colt. That is when Redheart came back with the first aid kit, she went to work to fix him up.
"My name is Nightfall and my parents are dead, I lost them in a shipwreck," Nightfall said to them and that Arcti went red in the face with rage, Nightfall looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry I did not look for you harder sister," "Sorry! Do you realize I lived on the docks for years barely surviving until DeWalt and Sketch found me?" They yelled at each other for forty minutes and words were said that need not have been spoken.
"Arctic I'm sorry for giving up so easily, I failed you, mom and dad………..I can't make up for our lost time, but we're together now." Nightfall said as he toppled sideways and his eyes closed from out and started to sleep in front of the fire, Arctic's rage was burning hot, as the night wore on she found herself forgiving him. Soon her rage was replaced with the joy that she had her brother back.
Dewalt knew that Arcti was happy but was displeased with her brother who gave up looking for her for years. "Ok every pony let's give them some room and we can talk to them in the morning, Redheart is he ok," Sketch asked her to check on the two who were sleeping by the fire.
When morning's sun rose into the sky the snow glistened and Arctic Frost posed over her brother and held a pillow above her head, and beside sat Morning Dawn with an air horn. Nightfall yelped as he felt something hit his head and the horn went off in his face. Above him sat Arctic Frost and beside him sat a smirking Morning Dawn. The Trio lept from bed and ran through the hallways with their cousins to leap in the fresh snow, Arctic and Morning snuck off to buy Nightfall a holiday gift.
Nightfall, Snare and Almandine were outnumbered by the female cousins and the lads ran for cover as snowballs flew toward them in a shower. Nightfall looked up from behind a wall and saw Lily Shade sitting on it seductively and next thing he knew a massive snowball crashed down on top of him by the very sweet Hibiscus.
Arctic Frost and Morning Dawn snuck home and wrapped Nightfall's gift. The girls bolted outside afterward and just in time to see Nightfall getting tackled by Tethys. Nightfall tried to crawl away but snow was being shoved down his coat and under his scarf. He looked cold and miserable, not as miserable as the other male cousins who had cold water poured down their backs. Snickering Arctic dropped in front of her brother, "Bro! Give up, you ain't getting away from Tethys. Besides she's having so much fun with you…………why is Hibiscus' beanie in your head?"
"Mine got buried in the snow somewhere!" When the breakfast gong was struck a ton of hungry mouths ran for the house without warning Arctic Frost was dragging poor Nightfall by the scarf and plowing the snow with his face. Nightfall was dried off and warmed up, his wings were still stiff and cold and his ears felt like they froze into ice cubes. His teeth chattered and Sketch was giving the cousins a talking to about being too rough with him.
Through clattering ivories he mumbled out, "It's fine, I had fun tomorrow it's game on!"
Hibiscus and Arctic leaned in at the same time and Morning Dawn slid a hoof across her neck. "Bro…………..good luck beating all of us mares!"
"Challenge accepted!" he smirked back toward his new cousins. He had no idea that when Sweet Treat showed up with her folks and the rest of the family he'd be running for dear life when Sweet Treat packed her snow canon. DeWalt was laughing when the girls told him what happened, screw his luck be screamed like a filly when Demeter leapt from the bushes looking like a Bug Bear and Manticore hybrid from Tartarus itself.
Nightfall was enjoying hot chocolate when his great grandmother Firebrand sat beside him and began telling him stories about the family. He laughed when he heard how Knuckles ended up in his first date with Sweetie Belle and how he ended up with Redheart. The stories mad him be in awe of what kind of family Arctic Frost ended up in. He couldn't wait to to open the gift under the tree with his name on it, he recognized his sister's hoof writing anywhere! He soon realized that his skin got saved by Knuckles and DeWalt when they told him what they got for him to give to his sister Arctic.
Neither one knew that each had a single toy from their child home before their parents' death had been reacquired through an antique dealer. Arctic as Nightfall was reading a book a spit wad stuck to his muzzle, looking up he saw Arctic smirking and Morning Dawn spat another from his left. He felt grossed out when noticed that it was lined with glitter; the which was stuck to his face and he would be spending days getting it off.
Nightfall since he had done dance and drama with Red Velvet for a couple of weeks with his parents' permission to visit Red Velvet trotted happily and did some flying and when he arrived, her parents opened the door and glared. "Boy, our daughter isn't seeing any colts or stallions."
"Actually I'm here to practice a drama homework assignment with her. I'm Nightfall and she said I could drop by today."
"So be it, come in" Nightfall felt like the father hated his guts, the mother kept a wary eye on him. "So, I'm curious why Red found interest in you? Best I can tell you're like any other boy, just want to have my daughter's body!"
"Not all sir, yes she's cute, but my whole family would kill if I…………if I knocked a mare up before I married her; it's not the way our family does things."
The father didn't say anything but the mother spoke finally, "What are your intentions for my baby? She's got hurt by your type and I'll sure as hell am not gonna let it happen again!" Nightfall felt like he needed to leave because the conversation made him feel uneasy. The parents were being really rude and hateful with him, he began to wonder if Crimson Trace had anything to do with why the parents hated his guts.
At that moment a black and white blur flew at him in rapid canter and lept beside him on the couch. Looking down it was the filly he saw for a couple of solid weeks. From the front hallway he saw Red Velvet coming in with a couple of paper bags. "Hey Red Velvet! I just met your folks and I was about to leave."
Red Velvet dragged her folks into the kitchen, "I pray to Celestia that you weren't rude to him! He's a nice guy and compared to the others he's been absolutely respectful. He's got Crimson to lay off for now, before you kick him out………..as a test let's see if Cookies N Creme likes him enough to kibble, if she nibbles you have to accept as a prospect. "
"Deal" and as they left the kitchen Cookies N Creme began to talk.
"So Cookies, can I call you CiCi?"
"Well duh of course!"
"Cookies be polite to our guest!" Red scolded, and Nightfall gave Cookies N Creme a book and the latter blushed and Nightfall felt like he stepped beyond a line.
"I didn't know you had a younger sister."
"Well Nightfall" Red Velvet began, and leaned into her mother and her father became stern. "Before I begin, Cookies would you letting the adults talk?"
"Sure!" once alone Red Velvet continued her story, "Back a few years ago, I went to a frat party as a date with Crimson Trace…………..you see, I was young and stupid as heck. I got drunk and like every other pony, but so Crimson offered to take me home. I didn't realize he wasn't drunk enough to be tipsy like I was, next thing I know he was forcing himself on me and I didn't fight back. Then I learned I was pregnant and Crimson quit being friends with me and he started being verbally abusive…………...that's why I work after school a couple of days a week to help pay for my daughter, mom and dad have taken the brunt of my bills. Crimson wouldn't take responsibility or pay child support."
" Who's your daughter?"
" You've seen her already and seen her around already………..it's Cookies N Creme. Crimson you've heard in person the crap he says to my face, every stallion I dated once they learned I have a daughter to leave me with the bill."
In Nightfall's mind he decided that he'd pay the child support and be the father figure. As they talked, Nightfall bolted from the couch and dove through the kitchen doorway and caught Cookies N Creme before she hit the floor. "Easy there CiCi! You could've been hurt, no more climbing cabinets."
During dinner, he felt slight nibbles and he didn't know why CiCi was nibbling on him. Dinner was wrapped up and as Red Velvet and her parents chatted with Nightfall a definite nibble was felt and looking around and lifting up a wing he saw that Cookies N Creme was nibbling his wing. The little eyes opened up and a slight mumble was heard.
"If you like I won't mind if you datey mom, out of all her ex-boyfriends…………you're by far the best colt-friend she has had in a while." then Red Velvet was pulled closer together and Nightfall felt worried being that close with Red Velvet but the parents covered the Trio up in a heavy quilt.
When Morning came, Nightfall felt like his ribs were gonna be shattered as he saw a hundred pound filly jumping on his body. He made his farewell after breakfast and he returned home.
"Where the heck have you been!" DeWalt scolded.
" Red Velvet's place I spent the night there."
"You slept with a mare you're not married to!" Knuckles and the others made an appearance to see why DeWalt was telling.
"It wasn't that bad, there was a filly between us."
"So You're filly-fooler?"
"Ewwww !!!! No!" Nightfall explained the whole story and DeWalt felt better now having heard the full story. Nightfall decided that he would keep an eye on Crimson Trace. He even told his parents his plan to pay the child support and Cookie N Creme's medical bills. The parents approved of his plan and set up an account and gave him about five million bits to make the necessary payments. Cookies N Creme for being about eight years old was doing her best to make her mother and Nightfall spend time together.
Red Velvet's parents still kept a wary eye on him, and as agreed he came over for Visits when either one of them were present but that eventually boiled down to he could visit whenever he wanted once some news was told to them.
Bullied
Red Velvet and Cookies N Creme were walking the school halls when they were intercepted by Crimson and his friends. Crimson was rather verbal and said some really crass things, things you shouldn't say in front of a little filly. Then things got violent and Red Velvet started getting shoved around. Then got beat up, Cookies N Creme being obedient tried to run like she was ordered it was tackled, Cookies screamed after the first hit. Out of nowhere came a blur of motion and through a swollen eye Red saw Nightfall beating the crap out of Crimson while Almandine and Snare protecting Cookies N Creme. Morning Dawn and Arctic Frost Blitz onto the scene and joined the fray. The bullies and Crimson Trace leaned on the walls from the pain they were dealt and the principle had called the cops. DeWalt and Knuckles had been called and so had Red Velvet's parents.
After that incident Nightfall was free to visit whenever he felt like it. Red Velvet's parents met up with DeWalt and Sketch and talked about Nightfall's name being on the birth certificate of Cookies N Creme and both parties thought that it was a good idea to remove Crimson Trace from the picture.
Red Velvet knocked on her daughter's door to wake her but she did not answer, when she opened the door Cookies and Cream; the poor thing was busy throwing up. "Mom dad come quick Cookies N Cream is sick, and we have to go to the castle today." Red Velvet said with worry on her face, and her parents felt the house getting hotter.
Her mother Strawberry Muffin pulled her phone out and called Nightfall, she told the family he was coming over to watch Cookie and cream. "Nightfall will be over in an hour, so let's get ready to go to the castle. Strawberry muffin said as she went to get ready, Red Velvet did the same thing as her father sayed with Cookie and cream.
A little while later Nightfall was on his way with his sisters, and he just smiled they he was with family. "When we get there I'll go check on Cici, you talk to Red Velvet and her parents." Nightall said to his sister's as he was carrying his saddlebags with a story book, Arctic frost smiled and remembered all the time he read to her when they were younger.
"Wow bro you really care for the two of them, don't you, and I also say she found a really good stallion too." Arctic Frost said, making her brother blush a bit, Nightfall just nodded as they got to the door of Red Velvet place. When the door open they were greeted by her parents, Nightfall was lead to Cookie and Creams room by the mare he loved. But on the way he heard something come from the back of the house, he heard Crimson trace playing with the thermostat having it at 100°f.
"Stuipd mare and filly should be thankful that I'm doing this, that and I want the filly dead." Crimson Trace said as he was laughing, just picturing the filly dead. That is when he was shoved out a window by a very pissed off Nightfall, Crimson just ran off before he could get his hooves on him.
Everypony else came into the room as the window opened, Red Velvet told them why the temp was so high. "I will go get ice for Cookies and Cream, Nightfall you stay here to help get her temp down the best you can." Morning Dawn said as she was going out the front door, Arctic asked if there is anything she can do to help.
"Well Red Velvet you found a great stallion here, and Nightfall I would like to say welcome to the family." Sweet Tooth said to the two of them, they shared a kiss and went to see a sick filly. It was some time later when they got back and Nightfall's sisters were sleeping in the living room, Red Velvet stood by her daughter's room door and waved her parents over.
They all saw a cute site of Cookie and Cream snuggled up to Nightfall, Sweet tooth pulled his phone out and took a picture before waking him up. so they could be on their way home. "I love you daddy" Cookies and Cream said before turning in her sleep, and that woke Nightfall and he carefully got out of the bed.
On the way home Arctic and Morning saw Nightfall smiling, when they got home their parents opened the door for them and they walked in. Dewalt heard from his daughters what happened and was happy everything went well, Nightfall fell asleep on the couch his mother covered him up with a blanket. "Well he did do the smart thing by picking the fillies health over him, let him sleep on the couch for the night." Dewalt told his family and went to his own room , his family left him alone and all went to sleep.
It was a few weeks later when Cookies & Cream was better, but wanted to ask Nightfall a question about something that was happening at school. "Mommy can I ask Nightfall about the dance at school, and can we go over to his place so I can ask." She asked her mother with big puppy eyes, Red Velvet told her yes and her parents took them. When they got there Cookies N Cream saw Arctic and ran over to her, that's when Nightfall saw the little filly that he cared for.
"There is my special little filly, and I'm glad you are feeling better," Nightfall said and he was tackled by the little filly, Cookie and Cream got off him and asked him about the dance. He told her yes and she hugged him, then he picked a flower for the garden and placed it in her mane.
It was the Friday of the dance and Cookies and cream were dressed in her dress, there was a knock at the Red Velvet family home door. It was Nightfall in a tux with flowers for RedVelvett, Cook, ie and Cream. The family was happy when they sawed him there for her when they got to the dance at the school all t The ponies looked there away but Nightfall did not care. When it was the last dance of the night both families showed up to watch them, and cookie and creatures happy cause this dance was the best night of her life.
Trial
"Crimson Trace, it has come to our attention that you tried to kill Cookies N Creme by inducing a fatal fever and you're not being the father law require you do. As of right now your looking a serving time attempted murder and Rape. Will your legal team present a statement?"
Nightfall looked over at his young attorney and smirked she was a nervous wreck. Her name was Lone Star was a blue unicorn with a wavy mane that was the color of sea foam and her Magenta eyes were visible through her gold rimmed vintage styled glasses. She was nervous because Crimson had hired her whole firm to defend him. After eight hours it boiled down to CiCi to choose between Crimson Trace and Nightfall and who she wanted to be her father.
"Your Highness, I choose Nightfall. Nightfall has been more of a father to me than Crimson. Before all of this I heard he was paying the child support and helping my mother in small but meaningful ways. He's the best stallion in my mom's life. Crimson Trace didn't care about my birthday but Nightfall came to visit me and almost gave me a heart attack with the screaming happy birthday and using an air horn; I think my scream of terror and shock evened out the playing field when he hit floor trying to recover. Point is, he genuinely cares, he took care of me when I was sick. So………. I choose Nightfall to be my father." with that CiCi walked over and sat beside Nightfall and hugged him," I love you my crazy father." Crimson didn't do his ass any favors during the hearing because he tried to make Red Velvet look like she had seduced him and also tried to make her appear verbally abusive and physically as well. He even tried to make it look like she didn't let him see CiCi. Nut Lone Star was able to convince the jury that Crimson Trace was never gonna step up.
With the trial behind them they could move forward freely. CiCi stood atop of Nightfall's back trying to look like a conquering warrior but fell his back onro the soft grass beside the sidewalk and as Nightfall smirked CiCi retaliated by sticking her tongue out at him and crossing her eyes. That didn't help because Nightfall broke down and kept laughing as CiCi was in his heels trying to tackle him.
Cookies N Creme sat by Nightfall's bed, he was laid up with a broken leg because of his being lazy and using a broken ladder after being warned about it.
The school Heart's & Hooves Day father+daughter dance was occurring during the school's normal dance. Earlier that day CiCi had been harassed by her bullies about not having a father figure who wanted her and even tried to kill her off. Unable to at the moment couldn't bring up the fact that her mother's special somepony was filling in the father role quite nicely. For being only twelve, she could tell when a stallion who had been dating her mother was just there for the ride and only wanted her mother for her slim figure. Nightfall was different, he when he first met her had casually swiped a hay fry from her. Snickering at the memory she noticed him stirring, "Heya old pony, mother warned you not to use that ladder!"
"Show some respect for the old injured pony now."
"Sheesh!" she replied before whipping up an air horn and set off in his face. He flipped over the railing of the bed and at the feet of the now entering Red Velvet followed by his family. "Now we're even now old pony."
"Even for what?" Nightfall asked, feigning confusion.
"My birthday wake up call two weeks ago, silly." Nightfall soon got his lecture of "I told you so" from Red Velvet. Nightfall during the short speech was making funny faces and CiCi snickering slid a pillow to her mother who in turn smacked Nightfall. The nurse on shift followed by Redheart rolled their eyes as Nightfall was being pummeled by fluffy clubs.
Week Before the Dance
Red Velvet had been asked to chaperone the dance along with a few other parents. CiCi sat in the living room doing her homework. She felt down when no pony asked her to the dance. Arctic Frost & Morning Dawn were over for a visit and suggested that she should go with that son of Lenova and Flytrap. The lad was the same age and he got named Dell like the computer brand.
A couple of days past and Dell showed up and nervously asked CiCi to be his date. Dell wasn't popular at school, but at least he was known to be a gentle colt like his family had taught him to be. News came that Nightfall was released and was swearing that he'd take CiCi to be at the dance in the place that Crimson should've been in. Based on private conversations CiCi learned that Nightfall had something special planned out………..cast and all. CiCi walked the halls of her school, Dell followed her and at first he only asked because he was told to do so; however, he actually developed a crush on Cookies N Creme. During the lunch period Dell asked a painful question and regretted it.
"So………..CiCi, I'm kinda……….um curious why I hadn't met your dad yet?"
"I'll tell ya, if you end up wanting another date I don't blame you. My father, Crimson Trace had invited a young and naive Red Velvet to a frat party and mom got a bit drunk and a bit stoned with some drug that pervs use and a few months later she learns that she's pregnant and her foggy memory recalls that Crimson had abused her. Crimson backs out of all responsibility and now my mother works and studies and tries her best to raise my stubborn and crazy personality. Funny thing is, at her school she met a great stallion and he's a bat pony. His name is Nightfall and he's been coming to my Buckball games, my Scooter competitions, and he's also doing everything that Crimson should be doing………..I mean this dude is paying child support for a bastard daughter of his own antagonist and he's treating me like his own! Fory birthday, he decided to scare me awake with an air horn! It was kinda cute but I got even when he was in the hospital with a broken leg………..I beat the guy with a pillow while mom lectures him about obeying instructions. The loony guy just made funny faces for five minutes straight."
"Cool dude, he's related to Knuckles who is the older brother of my mom Lenova and his friend Flytrap. Bat ponies age and mature faster than normal poneis. I know we aren't supposed to gamble etc, but let's bet five bits that next week that Nightfall asks your mom to marry him! "
" Make it ten!"
The Dance
Red Velvet was chaperoning and at the same time had to work the kitchen and she was a sweaty mess! Glancing through the kitchen window she saw Dell and her daughter dancing and sneak in a small little kiss on the cheek. Turning her head she saw Nightfall coming in and grinning, and followed by his whole family (even a grumbling Nurse Redheart - the latter saying that Nightfall needed more rest for his leg). Nightfall snuck in behind CiCi and could be heard asking if he could cut in. The families joined up and watched the fathers and daughters have a massive dance off.
"At least Velv" Red hand Red Velvet's dad said at the same time, "at least he can use his wings". Nightfall had inherited a bat pony gene so it gave him an advantage.
SHOWDOWN
Crimson showed up at the interlude and CiCi was being hassled by a couple of bullies and Dell had trotted off to get his date some punch.
"Hey punk! Why the hell did you even show up? Your dad ain't here, we heard he hated your ass."
Meanwhile
"Crimson Trace! You know I got a restraining order against you after you tried to kill CiCi a few months ago! I'm surprised you had the balls to show here, you've done nothing for the daughter you shot into my body!"
"You knew what you were doing, so don't blame me!"
"You drugged my drinks and got me drunk and violated me! Nightfall has been more of a father to our daughter than you!
"Crimson get out of here!"
"Make me Nightfall! You're in no shape to fight."
"You're right, I'm not but they are." Nightfall motioned to the opening door as i9a well known pegasus walked in, followed by her two sisters. Spitfire and Morning Blaze bristled the third sister Hurricane Blitz circled like hawks then Crimson was staring into the eyes of an ancient bat pony general of legends, Knuckles grandfather Almandine.
"Shining Armor, Big Mac drag this piece of dung out of here……….for all I care the girls (Almandine was referring to Snowflake Obsidian, Firebrand and Star Shadow) can beat him up and then you boys throw him into the river." Crimson was dragged out screaming and swearing.
<A few minutes after the fiasco and all eyes turned to the center of the room>
"As I told you Lead-Weight, Crimson may be my dad by blood, but I claim Nightfall as my dad by his actions. I'm sure you heard how Crimson tried to kill me? If any pony asks to meet my dad" Cookies N Creme paused as she looked at Nightfall, "He's right there with my mother, that crazy pony next to my mom. Even though our first few meetings were rough, he still stuck around. Most stallions who dated my mom just wanted something to insert themselves into. If they met me they were gone. Nightfall sticking around has proven that he can't cook, but can still have fun. So dad……….go on ask." CiCi looked expectantly when she saw Redheart and a few others nudge Nightfall.
Proposal
"Red Velvet, I know this time of year is cliché, and also you have bad memories on this holiday as well. I'd like to help you make new memories. Will you marry me?" Nightfall presented an exquisite ring. Red Velvet screamed and tackled him, forgetting about his broken leg until he yelped from pain. Looking toward CiCi who ran up and hugged the both of them, Dell looked at a pony who handed him 20 bits. Nightfall then hoofed CiCi an official looking Manila envelope used for legal documents. Cici screamed and a few small glass punch glasses shattered. In her hooves was a document, a certificate of adoption signed and sealed by Celestia and Luna and officially stamped by Twilight Sparkle.
Nightfall smirked as he leaned into hug his fiancé and adopted daughter, "Remember CiCi……………I expect you to clean up your room occasionally."
CiCi recoiled and stuck out her tongue, Dell was laughing; Red Velvet and Cookies N Creme had no idea that they were becoming members of an insane family.
