Son of a Shield

~{ Chapter V }~

A cold sweat began to flow freely down my neck. What she just said MAY be true, and it MAY be false. Only one way to find out. To asked her to read the book, well, more specific, a verse in the book that is only know to my family.

“O-okay, prove it, read me the first verse of the third paragraph on the twenty seventh page.”

“If she says: ‘To fight without honor, is to disobey the very foundation of our Family’. It’ll only prove that she’s right, and that I have a grand daughter.”

“Oh!, okay! I don’t even need to look in the book.” She cleared her throat, stood up, and then continued. “”To Fight Without Honor is to Disobey the very Foundation of our Family“” She replied with perfect clarity, no shuddering, no backing down, just a pure replied of the truth.

“.....”

“Y-you know it.... How?” I asked as I looked up as her, still standing tall and proud.

“My mother told me about it every night, and how we must honour family. Please, I know you to be my grand father. You’re all I have left.”

“A-all you have left? What happened?”

“They. They just disappeared a year ago, they only left a single note.”

“What was the note.”

“I-I don’t remember.”

“Sorry Fluttershy, we wish you the best of luck, you’ll find answers soon. Signed, Crimson Shield, the last of the Shield bloodline, or so it seems.” Boomed the voice from the Void. Fluttershy shrunk and hit in her mare, clearly scared beyond belief. Me on the other hand.

“WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THEM?!?!?” I yelled at the voice as if to intimidate it.

“Nothing I didn’t tell them about. Sorry, they’re away off in some paradise. You’ll join them, one day.” With that both Fluttershy and myself, sat silently in the small kitchen. Either thinking or just starring into nothingness, I wasn’y too sure.

I was the first to break the silence. After what seemed like hours.

“So, grand daughter? Ha, not even out of my late 20s. And sitting in front of me is a filly who’s going to be calling me Gramps. So, why not tell me about yourself. After all, without Family, what would we be?”

“Nothing. We would be mere animals.”

“Good girl at least you were brought up rig-. Your wings. Is it me or are they REALLY big?”

“No, I’ve always had bigger wings than most other Pegasi.”

"You’re not a Pegasi, you’re a Pegasus. An Imperial Pegasus. Didn’t you find it odd that your whole family other than I were Pegasi?”

“No, I just thought that.” She averted her gaze to meet the floor.

“Don’t worry. Not matter what you thought it doesn’t really matter anymore.” I sighed as I looked over my options.

“T-thank you grand father.”

“Ha, Grand Father, going to need to get used to that. As I was saying, tell me about yourself.” I said as I looked at her.

“O-okay. My full name is Fluttershy Feather-Heart. My Father was a Pegasi, my Mother was a Pegasus. My grand mother was a Crystal Pony, a Crystal Pegasus.”

“And you Grand Father was an Imperial Stallion of the Rank: Captain.”

“My mother never told me how she survived over a thousand years before meting my father.”

“I can answer that. Spirit Booms. Modded ones, they froze time, or just moved the city. Either way you Mother and Grand Mother were just outside of the blast zone, sending them into the future. At least I hope that’s what happened.”

“How w-well did you know Grand Mother?” She asked, trying to move the subject away from something so, dark.

“You’re here aren’t you?” I asked as I took a sip of tea which I made as soon as she and I began talking.

“I. Well. I didn’t. Sorry.”

“No, I am. The mental image of your Grand Father and Grand Mother rutting like animals isn’t very appealing. To most.” I looked off into oblivion as I said this.

“Oh sweet Celestia. No, I’m going to have nightmares for weeks now. Ouch.” Said Fluttershy as she put her hooves over her ears.

“Okay, wrong move on my part, remember Iron, remember what Father always said: Mares are mine-fields, Fillies are mine-fields, and you son and daughters are also mine-fields. One wrong move and it all blows up in your face.”

“Ha, sorry. But can you blame me? I’m barely an full adult.”

“What do you mean? I’m only 12 and most call me a full grown mare.” This new information made my inner fire blaze to life.

“What?! You’re only 12?! And your parents are gone?"

“Y-yes. I’m staying with my best friend, Rainbow Dash.”

“Please tell me you still go to school.”

“I don’t, I work, I’ve found my talent. Taking care of animals.” The made my boiling blood cool down, if only slightly.

“Have any stallions been taking notice?” I asked, a mix of concern and venom filling my voice.

“N-no. Most stallions are busy working. But.”

“BUT?!?”

“By Sythis. Calm down! You have only been her Grand Father for less than five minutes and you’re yelling at her for like a stallion, or mare. Could be either.”

“I’m sorry. But what do you mean by ‘but’?”

“Well, I ran into this farm pony when I was exploring and looking for other animal friends. He wore a really big piece of wood, and his coat was bright red, and he was really quiet. I don’t know how do feel, and at the same time, I don’t know what I feel.”

“By Sythis. I’ve been your Grand Father for five minutes and I already want to keep you safe from any and all threats.”

“I know, but you don’t need to worry. I can handle myself.”

“Maybe so, but as long as I’m still kicking, you’ll never need a new home, I’ll get another bed from the mayor. I want you here with me. Plus, I need lessons on how to be an Equestrian Pony.” Fluttershy’s face nearly split in half as I nearly finished talking. It was clear before I even finished that she was going to say yes.