Colts Can Be Mean. Stallions Can Be Kings

by MidouSan

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Zecora, Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Derpy Hooves
Length: 5205

The travels and tales of a single parent firepony and his filly daughter aria.

The travels and tales of a single parent firepony and his filly daughter Aria. His struggles in balancing work and time with his daughter. Her struggles of finding her place in the world and coming to terms with her mothers death.

Published 2012-03-06 18:23:25 UTC
Last updated 2012-02-20 15:40:27 UTC

Everfree Fire

The cries of a light blue filly shattered the otherwise beautiful day in the Ponyville public park. The clouds were providing just enough cover to block out direct sunlight, but were not so dense as to hamper the enjoyment of the other ponies playing on the grounds.

The brown colt chuckled menacingly, “Yeah, whatever Airheadia, you can’t play basketball with us and that’s final. Go play with your precious bow-flowers, while you still can, I doubt they will survive the summer heat. They’re weak like you. Now fly away, oh wait, you can’t. That’s only for cool pegasi like me.”

“But...but,” she attempted to interject, tears beginning to well up and her wailing increasing in decibels as she began crying. She turned around, the tears streaming down the sides of her snout as she ran away.

“Daddy! Daddy,” came her cries of sadness as she ran towards an older darker-blue stallion. The salty teardrops mingled with her green mane.

She buried herself right into her fathers’ side, eliciting a small wince of pain before he ran a comforting hoof down her spine.

“My sweetest Aria, what is wrong?” he said with a smile, “What could have my little red-bow princess so sad?”

“Daddy, it’s. . . just...” She sniffed before continuing, “the colts over there, they said I couldn’t play basketball with them, because I’m a filly and they said I should just go back to my bow-flowers at the edge of Everfree. They also said the flowers were weak like me and won’t survive the winter.”

“Hmmm,” he said with a smile as he wiped her tears away, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the colts playing hoofsketball in the court across the park. “I wouldn’t worry about those colts dear. You see that brown one, with the basketballs for his cutie mark?”

She nodded, “He’s Hoops! He’s the biggest meanie of them all.”

“Well, he might be mean, but his father is a pushover. Remember how mother used to play basketball?”

Aria nodded once again.

“Your mother once had a match against his father, Hoops Senior. He trash talked your mother, saying she would never be able to get around him because he was the best point gaurdspony. He said she would never get past him to score a point. Well, in that game, she only was unable to get around him once... and that was simply because he got fed up and tripped her, earning a foul and two free throws, which she sunk both shots. But not once did she trash talk him back.”

Aria giggled.

“So you see, unlike our strong-willed but kind mother, his father was all arrogant talk, and no backbone or empathy... I have a feeling his colt has inherited the same traits. You really shouldn’t worry about what he says. Besides, why do you want to play ball with a bunch of meanies anyways?” The father smiled as he looked down at Aria.

“Because, mommy was good at it, I want to be good at it too,” Aria glumly stated.

Aria’s dad sighed, “Just because she was good at it doesn’t mean you have to be good at it too. You should ignore those colts because I think you are going to have something they won’t in a moment.”

“A doll? that’s filly stuff, dad. I grew out of that a year ago.” Aria stuck her tongue out at her father.

“Nope. ice-cream!” he stated with a radiant smile.

“Ice-cream? What are yo...” Aria began to speak before gasping. “Oh my gosh, dad! Ice cream, you’re gonna take me out to ice-cream?!” She finished piecing together the implications of what her father said.

“Yep, like I said, something those mean colts don’t have. Come on Aria, let’s go,” her father said as he started trotting out of the park, little Aria following beside him, her eyes wide and mouth smiling.

“Dad...” she said, her smile suddenly turning into a slight frown, “I miss mom.”

“I miss her too honey...I miss her too,” he replied with a tear in his eye.

~~~~

“Corduroy Neighsmith! and if it isn’t little Aria. Come to get some delicious ice-cream, have we?” said the pony from behind the ice-cream cart.

“I’m not little anymore, Freezy!” Aria bounced around the portly pony, stretching her legs out with each hop.

“Well Freezy Treats, I think it’s been a while hasn’t it?” Corduroy said while smiling at his daughter jumping around, “I believe my little Aria would love some of your finest Equestrian ice-cream.”

“Do I. Do I ever!” Aria continued her bouncing around.

~~~~

“Yeah stomp those flowers, stomp them good,” Hoops said as he took a swig from the glass bottle of soda he had in his hooves.

“That’ll teach her to interrupt our game to try and play,” his grey colt friend said maliciously as he poured cola on the red flowers he was stomping.

“Cheers boys,” he said as he clinked their glasses together. lets add the final act, he said as he haphazardly threw the glass down, the midday suns rays glinting off it’s surface. The other two boys followed suit, littering the now stomped red bow-flowers and hoofbumping as they walked off.

~~~~

Aria sat and enjoyed her ice cream in silence, while her father read the latest magazine of “Firepony Equipment”. There was something that had been bothering the little filly’s mind. She crunched down on her waffle cone and swallowed, “Daddy, why did you become a firepony... it makes no sense... mommy died in a fire, why would you become a firepony and get closer to fires...” She trotted over to him and serenely spoke, “I don’t want to lose you, dad... not the same way I lost mommy.”

“You see Aria, with how much the pain and loss about losing your mother, a pain you know all too well, would you want another pony to go through that?”

“Mmm... no... not even that meanie Hoops deserves this... I miss mommy...” Aria sighed

“And that’s why I’m a firepony, I don’t want anypony to go through the pain you and I have to go through,” her father said as he hugged her, “I miss mom too, but we have each other.”

The hug between the two was quickly broken as fire sirens burst out loud throughout Ponyville. “Sweetest Aria, I think I might get called on this, if they’ve hit the city sirens it’s probably serious,” he glumly said as he headed into his room.

“No daddy, don’t go!” Aria said as she tugged on the firestallions gear he was putting on, “don’t go, let another firepony do it, please daddy.”

*Thump thump thump* came the sounds of hooves hitting the door.

“Yep, there it is, I knew it,” Neighsmith spoke as he finished dressing and headed towards the door.

“Daddy, no! Don’t go,” Aria pleaded with her father, futilely trying to slow his movements by tugging at his hooves.

Corduroy opened the door with Aria still dragging behind him and was met by a fellow firepony. “I know it’s your day off, but this is a bad fire! Everfree forest of all places! We need all the ponies we can spare, every firepony for this one. I’m sorr... Oh you are ready to go,” the firepony, a cream coloured pegasus, said in astonishment.

“Yeah, when the city sirens went off I figured it was bad. Lets go, but first,” he turned around to Aria and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be fine, honey. If it takes too long, I’ll send a friend over to take care of you.” He planted one final kiss on Aria, who had just unlatched from his leg, and with a gallop he burst out the door.

Aria ran out the door after him but her legs could not keep up with him. She shouted, “DADDY I DON’T WANT TO LOSE YOU TOO... DON’T GO,” before finally she slumped down on the pavement as the tears rolled down her cheeks for the second time that day.

~~~~

Corduroy arrived at the edge of the Everfree Forest and was shocked at the sight, a shock he vocalized to his chief, “Chief, why in Celestia’s name is the forest burning purple and black with orange...am I seeing this right?”

“You bet your flank you are, sonny! I have never seen anything like this in my years of service, boy. I think the flames are enhanced from the magic flowing in the Everfree Forest... It’s hotter than normal flames. We need two shield ponies per team in there because one can’t hold up against the magical fire!” The chief spoke with his usual urgency, turning to bark a command, “Derpy, I need your flyers in the air ASAP, ON THE DOUBLE! Oh Corduroy, as for you, partner up with Lucky and team Three. They are down a shielder.”

Corduroy immediately galloped over to team Three.

“Aye, about time we got our second shielder. Not much’n we can do with just one in this infernal magickey haggis of a blaze,” Lucky continued, staring at the rest of the ponies around him, “Team 3 ready?”

A chorus of readies could be heard and Corduroy’s horn lit up, creating a navy blue translucent dome around the fireponies. The dome took on a blue-purple marbled appearance as the second unicorn added her magic. The fireponies began walking towards the forest, spraying water as they went. They entered the forest and immediately flames licked all around the marbled transluncent dome. Magical sparks shot, arcing outwards. The shield would protect the ponies from heat and fire, but not any falling debris. It allowed the fireponies on the hose to pump from within the shield, all physical things passing through with ease.

“Duplicator holding up, Watermane?” Lucky called out.

“Yes sir, magic is duplicating the water to infinity with no issues, looks like we have one of the better non worn-out models,” stated the pony on the hose as he looked back on the large red box on wheels with hoses running out of it. The entire box was enveloped in a blue magical glow. The water inside the box seemingly reproducing on itself, refilling itself to full periodically.

“They don’t call me lucky for nothing,” Lucky chuckled, “Radios on, ponies!”

Everyone on the team used a free hoof to turn on the radios, Corduroy and the other unicorn switched on the radios for the four hose-ponies.

Suddenly the world under the bubble was filled with conversation crackling from the radios.

“Team One status.”

“Team One holding position, the flames are not abating, it’s more purple in our area, shields holding.”

“Roger that, recommending magical infusion into your duplicator team one, Air Team Twi status, we’re waiting for your eyes to direct us.”

“Were tryin’ were tryin’, I’m sorry but the flames aren’t following a pattern we are used to, ”

“Affirmative Air Team Two, try your best to direct when possible. Team Four status.”

“Aye, we are doin’ all right, near the edge of the forest, flames seem ta be dying. Could use some air conditioning but, beggars cant be choosers now can we?” Lucky stated.

“Affirmative, stick to the edge Team Four, amd make sure those fires don’t reach Ponyville. Air Team Three come in.”

“Air Team Three here, recommending Fire Team Three move their path north by northwest 50 degrees and keep going till they hit the large fire there.”

“Team Three, follow Air Team Three’s recommendations over.”

“Team Three here, following recommendations. Thanks, dispatch and Air Team Three”

“Dispatch to Sergant Neighsmith, you are needed for a rescue operation, Sgt. Hooves will be picking you up.”

“Sgt. Neighsmith here, I’m in the middle of the firezone being secondary shield for extinguishing team Four, last minuite switchout.”

“Affirmative, we are aware of your position, you will have a replacement coming, You’re the closest avaliable pony with the best experience and stronger shielding magic.”

“Aye bloody great, we get a lesser magical shield pony... Look alive lads! Me luck might be wearing out!” Lucky said with a distinct air of annoyance as he sprayed a thicker liquid over the parts where flames had been recently extinguished.

Corduroy continued applying his magical shield until suddenly in a blur of grey and yellow he found himself off his hooves. He was now looking down below at the firepony team he was just with. He instinctively shut off his own magic and saw the shield now marbled purple with bluish-white.

“Sgt. Derpy! A bit more warning next time,” he gasped, looking up at the grey pegasus mare now holding him.

“Situation is important, and besides, wasn’t that fun,” She giggled, “I’m not holding you awkward, am I?”

“Nope, perfect carry pickup, although I will never get used to pegasus airlifts...” Corduroy fidgeted with the safety line running to the flying firepony before asking, “What is the situation anyways, Hooves?”

“It’s Zecora the zebra, she sent up a distress flare, no clue why, she has no radio,” Derpy paused between each statement for a breath, a glistening of sweat visible through her firepony’s mask.

“There it is!” she exclaimed, beginning her descent into the clearing around Zecora’s hut, a green magical dome enveloping the hut grounds.

Derpy dropped Corduroy down. “Sir, I’ll be going airborne to scout, radio me when ready!”

“Do make sure not to go very far, Miss Hooves,” Corduroy called as the pegasus went higher into the air.

Corduroy approached the hut, perplexed at the green magic providing protection from the flames, his perplexity doubling as Zecora exited her hut. “Miss Zecora, you are, as I remember, not a unicorn, Where is this magical shield coming from!?”

“The spirits of my ancestors flow, they prevent my hut from taking a fatal blow. They are growing weak from this wicked flame, soon they shall falter and my hut the fire shall maim,” Zecora said, continuing, “Your rescue is most welcome, my treasures and supplies also must come,” She finished,, motioning to a large bag behind her.

Corduroy narrowed his eyes. “Miss Zecora, I’m sorry, but our rescue pegasus simply cannot carry such a load of trinkets. Your life is more important than sentimentality...”

Zecora stomped her foot down, “These are not simple knicknacks you are seeing, these items are my very existence and being.”

“All right, all right,” Corduroy conceded, “let me help you get this harness on, I can levitate your stuff and carry it with my magic, but I won’t be able to hold you due to focusing on it. You will have to dangle from the rescue line while we fly, if that is all right your stuff can come.”

“If this is how I must fly to save my stuff, then this mode of transportation I shall tough,” she said, as she began to put the rescue harness on.

Corduroy nodded to Zecora, beginning to levitate her bag with his magic “Sgt. Neighsmith to Sgt. Derpy, requesting airlift.”

“Roger that. Airlift inbound”

A loud crack was heard, and Corduroy just had enough time to react, enveloping a large tree in magic mid-fall as it slipped through the green barrier.

“Oh my, oh my!” Zecora stammered as she nestled beside the firepony, checking her rescue line.

“Bucking Hell!” Corduroy stated, the overflowing of magic in his horn from trying to hold two heavy objects turning to searing pain. come on derpy where are you, my horn feels like its gonna split in two...huh? The pain subsided slightly and he felt foreign magic mixing with his. He looked over and saw Zecora aglow in green, smiling. “A good deed you are doing. My ancestors’ repayment you are seeing”

The all familiar jerk of his pegasus compatriot hit him, followed by Zecora’s line going taut, and finally the tree crashing behind.

“Close call, eh, sir? Sorry for the delay. Also, since when are you Santa Claus, magicking a large bag around in the air? I’m glad that doesn’t add any weight, thank Celestia for unicorn magic,” Derpy said.

“This method of travelling is most queer, definitely not for those who have any height fear,” stated a wide eyed Zecora, as she dangled from the rescue line below.

~~~~

Aria paced around her room. “Why does daddy do this? I love him. Why does he have to leave. Why does he put himself in danger?” she said, quickening her pace.

“Ugh! Daddy, I love you! Why does it feel like you want me to lose you sometimes,” the filly said, flopping onto the bed and grabbing her teddy human. Hugging the plush doll, she looked out through the window at the thick smoke billowing up from the Everfree Forest. She saw the flames dancing around in a purple orange and black chromatic display. “Why does something that looks so pretty have to be so deadly, Why can’t it be nice and happy like Twilight’s fireworks” she sighed, hugging the teddy human tighter.

A single tear escaped from her eyelid.

“Please be all right Daddy, I feel so alone...”

~~~~

Derpy, hovered down to the ground, allowing Corduroy and Zecora to unharness themselves. She went to land herself but skidded to a halt on the ground, tripping over her feet as she landed. “Ow” she expressed, “That really hurts.”

Corduroy rushed over “Sgt Derpy! are you okay?”

“Mmm fine, I’m a klutz sometimes after all,” she said, smiling.

Corduroy turned next to Zecora, “And you are fine as well?”

“Although the flying has ruffled my cloak, it is apparent that no bone has broke”

“Dispatch to Sgt. Derpy Hooves, dispatch to Sgt. Derpy Hooves,” the cackle from the radio could be heard.

“Derpy here, dispatch, go ahead.”

“Rejoin your airteam asap, they are down another pony”

Corduroy grabbed his radio, “Sergant Neighsmith here. Derpy is in no condition to fly, both she and I got banged and scraped up during that rescue mission. Requesting giving her 5 min recovery.”

“Request denied. Sorry Neighsmith, but we need all the ponies we can, dispatch over.”

“Thanks for trying, Neighsmith, you always do look out for us, don’t you,” Derpy said, unfurling her wings and taking off into the air.

“I just don’t want to see anypony hurt... ” Neighsmith mumbled to himself, watching as the grey mare flew out of sight.

The large red fire chief ambled up to Corduroy and Zecora. “Glad to see my ponies got you out, Zecora, and your stuff too. Neighsmith you always are bending the rules to help a pony out aren’t you, sonny?”

“Yes sir, I can’t help it, sorry... ” Neighsmith responded.

“You have my ever eternal thanks, your team did certainly bust their flanks,” Zecora interjected.

The chief shook Zecora’s hoof. “Glad to be of service missus. Neighsmith you think you have another run in you? Team Five is itching to be sent in but they don’t have a second shielder.”

“It’s getting late sir, I can do it but I need a dispatch sent out to a pony to take care of my daughter. She’s home alone and she has a fear of the dark, especially when she’s alone,” Corduroy said.

“Any ponies in mind, Sergeant?”

“Cherilee sir, she’s her school teacher.”

“Cherilee is helping Nurse Redheart... sorry.”

“Fluttershy?”

“Assisting Air Team Six”

“Darnn. Hmm...”

“An unattended young pony folk that the darkness may scare. This is not a thing of joke, something I do deeply care. I think I shall go and be her protection. Unless you have any objection?” Zecora said.

“Uh, Well, why not. And you will need a place to store your stuff for the night anyways, Miss Zecora. Chief, unless you have any dissensions?”

“None here, sonny.”

“Then it has been decided, to your home I’ll be guided.” Zecora smiled.

“Right, you take a turn down 5th filly street then,” Corduroy rattled off instructions to Zecora, who in turn saddled her bags and galloped off. Corduroy joined team Five and a marbled navy-blue and orange shield was formed. The group of fireponies headed into the still burning forest.

I hope Aria will be all right, and I hope she will be okay with Miss Zecora, she is an odd one, Corduroy thought to himself, as he felt the flames lick the fire barrier shield.

~~~~

Aria cuddled up into the corner of her bed. Surrounded by her blankets and still clutching the furry plush. “I hate darkness, scary things come out in the darkness, scary monsters.”

Knock Knock Knock. The sound filled the house, causing Aria’s ears to shoot right up. “Oh no. Oh no. It’s a monster. EEEEK.”

“What was that very loud sound, perhaps the wrong house I have found?” came the voice from outside.

“Ohhh! It’s a pony,” Aria raced downstairs and opened the door, but did not find a pony she had ever seen. She had the strangest jewellery on, and stripes on her fur. Her mane was in the strangest style. Aria took a deep breath, “EVIL MONSTER PONY, ENCHANTRESS, WITCH, NIGHTMARE MOON!” she screamed, recoiling into a corner and shaking.

“I am no evil enchantress monster fair filly, I am Zecora the zebra so there is no need to be silly. Your father has sent me to your home, to protect you from monster and gnome.” Zecora softly said.

“So... you aren’t going to eat me, put me into stew or turn me into a frog?” Aria timidly spoke, uncurling from the corner.

“I would never think of such a thing, I would much rather sing.”

Aria slowly inched towards Zecora, “One more thing, to prove you are not a monster sent from somewhere else. What is my dad’s name?”

“Your father’s name is Corduroy Neighsmith, from the edge of Everfree he told me to come here forthwith.”

Aria jumped and hug-tackled Zecora, causing her to fall over. “Yay! A fillysitter. Although you sure speak funny! You know that?!”

Zecora smiled and returned the embrace before speaking. “Yes I am very aware of my very peculiar manner of speaking child, it’s how we speak where I’m from, in the Zebrican wild.”

“Ohhhh cool, I love stories, tell me one from this Zebrican wild!”

“A wonderful tale, one from a dale. A tale from my long ago past, where the lands are fully grassed.”

“Yes, yes. Please Miss Zecora.”

“My tale begins in Marelonga where I was born, an area most different and not ruled by any alicorn,” Zecora began while a wide eyed Aria listened.

~~~~

“Dispatch to Fireteams One through 5 return to base.”

“About time they called them back. The fire’s mostly contained,” Derpy said to nopony in particular from the medical cot she was lying in. From the open-sided tent she sat up and scanned the groups of fireponies coming out. Seeing the distinct colour of navy blue translucence in one of the domes shining through the night darkness she rested her head down. “Good, nice Mr Neighsmith made it out okay,” she thought as she laid down, flinching in pain.

The shields were brought down as groups came out of the forest. The battered and bruised fireponies began to mill about their chief, awaiting any further orders. They winced at the brightness of the stadium lights, but were glad to be out of the fire’s glow.

“Alright ponies! Fireteams One through 5 you are off active duty in this theatre, the fire is now under control. Fireteams Six through Ten will clean up the rest of the mess. Those of you who were pulled from off duty status return to your homes, you have forty-eight hours to finish your reports. Anyone else, either head to medical, or back to station and reports done before you are off duty. Clear?!”

“Yes SIR!” Came a cacophony of voices from both mare and stallion alike on the fireteams.

“You ponies made me damn proud today, it’s not often we encounter the unknown in some alicorn-forsaken magical fire, the fact that Ponyville remains untouched by these flames means you did you jobs damn well today. I want you all to be proud!” The chief said while bumping a hoof to his chest repeatedly.

A variety of “Thanks” and “Hoo RA!s” came from the fireponies as they departed in their separate directions. The chief hurriedly trotted off himself. Corduroy sighed and began to trot slowly back to Ponyville.

A dark brown pony trotted up beside him. “Corduroy, sorry to say, but you can’t leave just yet. I’m with the arson investigations team. I need you to come with me for a second. Apparently this whole thing started from your filly’s favourite flower field. We may have caught the kids that did it and we are looking for motive.”

Oh no... Not her bow flowers. “Following you then, investigator... Did any of the flowers... survive?” he hesitantly asked.

“Im afraid not Seargent,” The investigator replied grimly.

~~~~

The Firechief stared at the colts who where being flanked by two guardsponies. “You boys, do you boys have ANY idea how much trouble you are in!?” His anger rising with each word “Honestly, starting a fire, what were you ponies thinking, On the edge of the Everfree forest, do you realize how much damage you could have done to Ponyville?”

“We...didn’t start a fire sir,” Hoops cautiously said.

“Horseapples!” The investigator said forcefully, arriving with Corduroy in tow, “You were seen leaving the edge of the Everfree forest by Roseluck, and all of 20 minutes later she noticed smoke rising from the same area you left from! You set a fire and you have been caught red-hooved. Why? Was it a fear of the Everfree forest? Was it some prank gone wrong?!”

“I think I can answer that chief,” Corduroy sternly said. “The fire started from the red bow flower patch, correct?”

“Correct, firepony”

“Well, those red bow flowers are rare and grow mostly in the Everfree forest, this was the first patch in many years that sprouted outside the Everfree. My daughter Aria is quite fond of them, And there was an... altercation between these boys and her earlier in the day.”

“YOU SODDING KIDS ALMOST BURNED THIS CITY AND ITS FOREST OVER A CHILDISH FIGHT, I OUGHT TO HAVE PRINCESS CELESTIA BANISH YOU TO THE MOON RIGHT NOW,” the Firechief’s patience had snapped, manifesting itself in a shouting tirade.

“Sir! We swear we didn’t do nada!”

“We didn’t set a fire! Honest!”

The investigator had heard enough, “If they continue to lie, I have no choice. Guardsponies take them away!”

Hoops began to openly weep. “Sir...sir...we swear... we didn’t a set fire... all we did is stomp the flowers and pour cola on them... we swear... We just... Wanted Aria to leave us alone.”

“A likely lie.”

“Guards HALT!” Corduroy Neighsmith exclaimed. “You said you poured cola onto it, What did you do with the bottles?”

The fire cheif arched his left eyebrow, having come to the same conclusion his Sgt. had.

“We... we... threw them down...” Hoops replied, tears streaming down.

Chief Flames sighed, “Guards, undo the restraints on the boys... They didn’t start the fire.”

“Huh?!” said one of the guards.

The investigator spoke next, “Chief, you gone loco? There’s a witness. We have to arrest them.”

“No, the bottles they threw down, the sun’s light probably reflected through the glass like a magnifying glass,” He began to explain, “And the focal point of the beam got hot, grass caught on fire and spread to the Everfree Forest. At most you can charge the boys for littering and damage to public property.”

Corduroy nodded “The chief’s conclusion is the same I came to. As much as I’d love to see these boys punished for their torment of my daughter and her flowers, there’s not much to go on.”

~~~

Corduroy creaked open the door and immediately felt the feeling of a small pony’s hooves around his neck in embrace.

“Daddy, I’m so glad you are back home safe, I don’t know how I’d live without both mommy and you gone, I wouldn’t have anyone to cheer me up after those mean colts and their meanness,” Aria said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Honey, I don’t think those colts will be bothering you for a long time,” he said. “They’ve had a run in with the Ponyville guard tonight, and they are in a lot of trouble for their ways... part of the reason they are in trouble is for stomping the bow-flower patch of yours”

Aria gasped, “No! Daddy, did any of them survive? Please tell me. My pretty flowers!”

“Aria honey, I’m sorry. but they were caught up in the fire, None of them survived. But they do grow deeper in the Everfree forest so its not like you won’t ever see them again,” he said, resting a hoof on his daughter’s head.

“No, not my pretty flowers..... all gone,” Aria began to cry.

“Zecora, thanks for watching Aria. I hope she was no trouble,” Corduroy said.

“She was no trouble at all, I told her many stories tall. There is something I can give you, sure to make Aria no longer blue,” Zecora said as she reached into her sack, pulling out a bag of seeds and handing them to Aria. “These are bow flower seeds as a token of my thanks, would it be possible for me to sleep tonight on your pillow banks?” She finished speaking, motioning to the pillow on the couch.

Aria stared at the seeds, and instantly her tears ceased, a smile crossing her face. “Thanks Miss Zecora!”

Corduroy nodded, “Of course you can sleep here Zecora, its the least I can do given you may not have a home to go to tonight.” Upon hearing the reply Zecora curled up on the couch smiling and immediately slight snores could be heard.

“Poor mare must’ve been tired from the day’s drama,” Corduroy said to himself, before his daughter caught his attention.

“Daddy, you should have heard her stories, she’s from faraway plains, and they do all this awesome earth pony magic. I didn’t even realize earth ponies could do magic, but theirs comes from the earth so I guess it’s different. I dunno, she can do all these potions and remedies and where she’s from there aren’t many trees just rolling grass as far as you can see and and...” Aria rattled off.

“Wow Aria, so you learned a lot today from her,” Corduroy said as he looked down at his filly and smiled.

“Yep I sure did! Is she our new mommy?” Aria asked.

“Oh Aria! if only you knew what came out of your mouth sometimes...” Corduroy stifled a chuckle “Now it’s off to bed with you, young filly, it’s very late, much later then you should be up.”

The pair headed upstairs and aria was tucked into bed.

“Goodnight, Aria.”

“Daddy, I want to say, although those colts are mean, I’d put you up with the kingiest of kings. Good night Daddy,” Aria said.

Corduroy Neighsmith smiled as he closed the door. “A unicorn and a zebra? Eh, could work I suppose, although that speech pattern would take a while to get used to. Oh Aria’s imagination sometimes.”