Vices and Virtues: Mechanical Beast

"We are gathered here today to thank a stallion named Dante Starfall Knight. He was a great son,nephew,and brother." Celestia said as she wiped her tears from her eyes.

Your funeral everyone in Equestria mourning your passing. Pinkie was taking it the worst she was the first pony you had a relationship with and you promised to give her what she wanted.

Twilight your first and best friend couldn't even think because of the time of your passing. You enjoyed the time with your friends and family.

Your father had an emotionless expression he had his hat tipped down as he looked towards the ground his arms crossed.

"Dante's young sister would like to say a few words." Celestia said as she walked off the stage as Haley walked towards the podium.

"Thank you aunt Celestia. Thank you all for coming my brother once told me that you can't take the fight out of a kid. He told me that when I felt depressed I was in a bad state and he did his best to keep me happy and introduced me to his friends and my friends. He did almost anything to help me or anyone in a simliar situation. I know that he was troubled from the start the things he did in the past that's just it the past." Haley started to shake as she looked down her tears ran down her cheeks she quietly exhaled.

Robert looked up to see his daughter too afraid to move. Robert was a man that was different he rarely showed emotions and almost never cried but this was too much his own sons fought to the death for superiority.

Robert sighed as he walked towards the stage and hugged her. She hugged back as she gripped her father's coat jacket she wiped her tears on her jacket as Robert brushed her aquamarine mane.

"D-daddy I can't...I can't do it, it's...it's too hard. Why did he have to die why?" She said to Robert.

"It's okay sweetheart." She continued to sob as her father brushed her mane.

A month later...

You opened your eyes to see the branches covered in snow. You slowly move your arm as you looked to your side the gauntlet was the only thing you had on you started to move your fingers as you regained feeling in your hand.

You slowly sat up to see Virgil your little brother's eyes closed as he huddled over a small fire. You slowly kneeled and stood up to see that someone had started a small camp around you and your brother.

You walked towards the fire and placed another branch on the fire making the heat heighten. You looked at your outfit to see that you still had the same outfit from before your suit was ripped but still covered you. The scabbards were intact with both knives and gauntlets now on your person.

"So you're finally awake." You heard a voice say to you.

You quickly grabbed both your knives and turned.

"Whoa easy there killer I'm not here to fight. Look my names Fragment what's yours?" He asked as he slowly approached you.

"Uh Dante." You say to him not lowering your guard.

"I see well Dante I've been checking yours and your friend's wounds so far I see no infection whatsoever. So you're free to walk but try to take it easy when running ya know don't want re-open those wounds." He said to you as he tossed you a mango.

You began to peel the fruit as you took a bit of the juicy fruit. You sat down on a log as he examined you.

"What?" You asked as you took another bite.

"You remind me of someone from my past." He said with a slight chuckle

"What do you mean?"

"Well you remind me of a girl I use to know she was smart,beautiful,and a little shy. Your cutiemark reminds me of her too."

"My cuitemark?" You looked towards the back of your hand as you spotted a paw print with a crescent moon in the background.

"You seem to be pretty calm in your current situation. Even in your comatose state you were in a calm like state."

"That was because I was training." You said looking at your hand.

"Really? What were you studying?" He asked leaning closer to the fire.

"I learned a few things like this move shadow phase. It's like I can phase through solid objects with ease and I feel as if I'm the alpha wolf of these wolves who follow me around."

"Seems you're good with dark magic very rare in a young man like yourself."

"Young man, what the hell are you talking about you're the same age as me." You informed him

"I'm more than ten thousand years old Dante. Trust me I've seen things you can only imagine." He said a small frown across his face.

"Okay so where are we exactly?"

"Trottingham more specifically the deep forest." You looked around and walked over to a tree you looked at a branch as you hoisted yourself up and began to long trek up the large tree.

"What are you doing!" Fragment shouted as he leaned on the very tree you were on. You didn't answe as you closed your eyes and used aura vision. Even though the snow was thick as you looked at the clouds being moved towards the city.

As you entered aura vision you spotted several ponies in the city. You jumped down and witnessed Fragment put more wood in the fire.

You wanted to ask Fragment about his past if he truly was ten thousand years old, he would've seen a lot and heard a lot.

You sat down on the log and huddled closer to the fire. You looked at Fragment who looked at your brother.

"So how old's your brother?" He asked

"Thirteen." He looked at you and nodded.

"Yeah, seems like the right age so what brings you to Trottingham?"

"I was fighting a family member he was trying to uh murder me." He looked at you and chuckled a small dragon flew out of his pocket a dragon you've never seen before not even one that looked like it belonged in Equestria. It had black colored scales,two brown horns with crimson colored eyes.

"His names cuddles." The small dragon flew up to his shoulder as he petted his scaly friend.

You nodded as you looked at your brother you walked over to him and placed him closer to the fire letting him gain more heat. You worried for your sibling and need him to feel warm.

Canterlot...

"Haley? Are you awake?! We're going to be late."

"In a minute!" She shouts as Raiden hears shelves move.

He chuckles and waits by the door while turning to Haley's new personal guards.

"What about you girls? Are you ready?" He asked Mosaic and Flare since Dante's death they felt bad and almost quit the royal guard until Raiden ask them to stay and keep protecting Haley in Dante's name and as his last orders.

They both nodded and waited as Haley opened the door with her magic.

Once she's out Raiden approaches her to readjust her new royal tiara and hug her as good luck.

"You're becoming beautiful every day that passes cousin, very soon I'll going to ask the girls to give you classes on how to choose a stallion." Raiden chuckle a bit

"Ewwww no I don't want colts looking at me like that." She says with slight disgust

They all chuckle for a bit before Raiden takes her hand and grabs her bag.

"Ok before we board the train I think we should go and say goodbye to mom and aunt Luna, have you already decided what you want to do in the winter wrap up?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm ready for anything!" She says happily

They walk the hallway until they reach the gardens where they found Luna and Robert looking at the graves, and Celestia close to them

"Mom." Raiden said to Celestia to get their attention.

"Haley and I are leaving, we'll be back later."

"Oh of course goodbye son." Celestia said with a smile

Haley walked towards her parents to say say goodbye as well

"I still can't believe its only been a month since I failed, if only I weaken him a bit more they probably…"

"Do not blame yourself it was a misfortune that had happened."

"That's true but that fact that it happened…poor Haley, I think she got more of the pain that day, she lost both of her brothers."

"She's fairing better then a few weeks ago and her magic has increased tenfold." Celestia mentioned

"I know, we've been practicing for days, I just couldn't bare the though of her being like that, I'm so happy I at least helped her ease the pain."

"At least you're being a substitute brother to her."

"Well I don't think I'd go that far, but at least I could compete for the cousin of the year award, by the way, is there another cousin? cosign Mi Amore I think it was."

"You really have to get better with names Raiden." Celestia said face palming

"What, why? did I say it wrong?" In that Haley could approached and hug Raiden,

"Hey, princess, ready to go?" He said with a smile as he return the hug and look at Luna and Robert approaching

"Yes sir I'm ready!" She said happily.

He smile and lift her up on his shoulders before turning to princesses.

"We'll return at 9."

They both smiled and nodded as the pair walked away. As they reach the train station they discuss what they are going to do.

"Remember before we start we are going to see our niece and see how Da…the girls are holding, once we finish we going straight to Zecora's and continue to practice the spell before coming back, agree?"

"Yeah let's go!" She said with a weak smile as she quickly changed her expression.

"I miss him too Haley, and I'm proud of you, that hug just sold it." He chuckled a bit

"We are a great team don't you think?"

"Yeah but I think we shouldn't talk about Dante in Ponyville Pinkie gets weird when someone mentions him."

"Yeah since he left she's been getting clingy to you and Apple Night, all of a sudden, maybe Dante told her something that altered her, anyway, remember if she gets to friendly, just mention frosty cake, I discovered that always makes her space out." The train arrives at that moment and Haley return her act and grab Raiden hand

"Just to be clear, is this part of the act or do you really enjoy spent time with me? Don't worry you can be honest." Raiden says

"I really do enjoy being with you. You're like my bro.. I mean best friend."

He smiled and held her close to him as the train started.

"And I enjoy being with you Haley, from the start you were the first that let me in your heart the moment I was back, I never could thank you enough for that."

"You don't have to you're my best friend." She said with a smile.

Trottingham...

"Where am I?" Virgil asked as he looked at you and Fragment.

"Deep forest Virgil." You say to him as he walked over to you and hugged you

"Are the nightmares gone Dante?" He asked

"Don't worry Virgil they're gone." You say to him as you brushed his mane.

"I hate to break up this moment but we gotta get into town with the food I brought I didn't think you'd wake up so I only got a few crates."

"Alright let's go." He nodded as you held Virgil's hand walking down the trail.

Ponyville...

"Vinyl, Octavia!" Raiden call their attention

"Oh hey there Raiden." Octavia says with a smile

"I really hope you don't mind us helping out with Winter Wrap Up Haley and I just though we should pay another visit to our niece and…, see how the girls are holding up."

"Yeah it's no problem it's pretty good that you're visiting." Vinyl mentions

"Thanks uh we're on our way to the farm would you like to join us? We can catch up, what has happened since our last visit."

"Sure thing!" Vinyl says as she walks forward with Raiden,Haley,and Octavia.

Raiden grabbed a small bag he had by his side and held it close to him. Haley smiled as she held Raiden's hand. They walked towards the farm as they step up the trail they spot Apple Night happily throwing seeds in the holes of new crops being put in place.

"Howdy there Raiden!" AJ says happily as Raiden shakes her hand.

"Hey AJ I gotta give Apple Night her gift then I'll be ready to get rid of some snow."

"Alright you'll be on west side with Big Mac." She walked off as Apple Night ran towards her uncle and aunt.

"Aunt Haley!" She said happily as she gave her a big hug.

"What no love for your uncle?" Raiden asked mocked hurt

"I missed you too silly head." She said giggling as she was carried into Raiden arms.

"Oh me and your aunt have a present for you sweetheart." Raiden put down Apple Night and reached into the bag.

"Close your eyes okay sweetheart." She nodded and closed her eyes holding her hands together.

Raiden pulled out a dark brown hat like AJ and a emerald necklace. He placed the hat atop her head and wrapped the necklace around her neck.

"Open your eyes sweetheart." Apple Night slowly opened her eyes and screamed with happiness as she jumped into her uncle's arms.

"Thank you,thank you,thank you uncle Raiden and aunt Haley!" She said happily

"Your welcome sweetheart. I have to go now okay be a good girl." She nodded as she walked back into her home. Raiden walked off into the fields getting ready for work.

Haley smiled as she walked with Vinyl and Octavia towards the forests to help Fluttershy with the animals from the hibernation period.

Trottingham...

As you walked down the trail of Trottingham you looked towards the train tracks to see the tracks iced over by either the snow or a sheet of ice.

"Damn." You mumbled as you walked towards the center of the city.

"I'm going to get supplies go get your brother and yourself some clothes." You nodded as you walked towards local boutique as you entered the warmth of the store engulfed you.

"Ah welcomes here sit what can I get ya?" A southern sounding girl asked

"Uh me and my brother here want some new clothes we'd like to get a fitting." She nodded as she took your brother to another room and order a stallion to take to another.

"Mmh what do we have here?" He said with a chuckle

"Uh hey so you're going to measure me?" You asked

"Of course sweetie don't worry we'll get this done super fast." He said with a giggle.

You looked at his attire and saw he wore a flamboyant. His vest had small sparkles in them and his hat had glitter in it. His pant were pretty normal aside from the chaps he was wearing.

He began by your leg as he used measuring tape and measured your legs. He also measured your waist and took your measurement.

He seemed pretty happy about the situation you weren't uncomfortable with situation since you've met with gay couples before you didn't care if someone liked the same gender you were okay with that since from your conversation with him he seems like a pretty good guy.

"So you gotta special mare in your life?" He asked

"Mares actually I have a medium sized herd ya know mares who I've attracted by my charms." You said smugly

"Ya mean your dick?" He asked

"Well yeah I'm trying to be subtle here."

"Right sorry so tell me about the mares what do they like about you?" He asked

"Pinkie Pie a beautiful mare with prettiest pair eyes they're like a clear sky in the morning. Then Fluttershy there's." You listed off your marefriends as he awed in even shedded a few tears because of the wonderful things you said about them.

"You seem like a pretty good guy, you would make a great soulmate." He said with a chuckle as he finished up the measuring processes.

You exited the dressing room and placed the torn jacket back on.

Virgil quickly ran to you and held on to your hand.

"You have a sweet brother sir." The mare said with a smile

"Thanks I try to raise him correctly." You said with a chuckle. As you were going to leave she stopped you as you turned around.

"Oh before you go may we have your name?"

"Daniels." You said to her as you exited the shop and re-entered the snow covered area.

As you walked out of the store you saw that the snow began to fall heavily. You also noticed many ponies run into their homes getting into their warm fireplaces.

"Let's get back to the forest alright I'll try to cook up something when Fragment brings the food." Virgil nodded as he got closer to you.

You walked through the snow has snow began to get heavier and streets began to pour with snow off the sidewalk.

You looked forward to see a mare with blue curly mane and a creme colored coat. She seemed to have trouble walking through the streets.

"Virgil go to the forest and tell Fragment I'll be there in a minute alright." He looked at you and the forest before nodding reluctantly.

You walked forward to see carrying many bags. You walked forward and helped her by grabbing her bags.

She looked at you with curiosity you smiled as she thanked you for your help.

"Thank you sir this weather has been dreadful." She said with a smile

"You're welcome miss." You said with a smile as you continued on to her home.

"Hmm I've never seen you around town are you new here?" She asked

"Yeah my names uh Daniels." You lied

"Milky Way." She faced you as you looked into her emerald colored eyes.

"Well miss Milky I'm glad that I can help." You said to her with a smile

You and Milky didn't have much to talk about you two just walked forward and trudged through the snow.

As you approached her home and gave her the bags and opened the door. She smiled as she put the bags on the counter.

"I should get going goodbye miss Milky." You say to her as you began to walk away from her door.

"It's Milky no need to put the miss in." You nodded and began to run through the streets of Trottingham and into the forest.

As you entered the campsite the snow stopped falling you looked above to see a shield that trapped in the heat and covered you from the snow.

You looked forward to see Fragment glare at you. He seemed pissed that you told Virgil to go home by himself.

"You're being reckless Dante." He said walking towards the crate of food and started cooking up some tomato soup in a sauce pan.

"What do you mean?" You asked walking towards the food and biting into an apple.

"You sent your thirteen yer old brother to the campsite alone. That's fucking stupid he's your damn brother." He said glaring at you.

"Alright sorry I was only walking a mare home that's all." You inform him taking another bite.

"Don't let it happen again Dante he's your only brother alright." You nodded as you looked down

"Look kid I'm just trying to look out for you and your brother until you get back home try to keep it in your pants next time." He said patting your back.

"It wasn't like that I was just trying to help her I may have gained a friend." He nodded and went back to cooking.

Ponyville...

"That was a tiring winter wrap up." AJ said happily as she laid back into her seat in Sugarcube Corner.

"Yup what a stressful day I'm so glad that its done." Raiden said with a chuckle

Apple Night looked down and saw that Raiden was looking at her.

"What's wrong sweetie?" He asked

"Can we talk over milkshakes?" She asked

A few minutes later...

"There you go, a milkshake just the way you like it with extra cinnamon." Raiden says with a smile

"Can I ask you a question uncle?" Apple Night asked as she stirred her milkshake.

"Sure honey, you can ask me whatever you want." He said smiling as he sipped his coffee.

"Have you ever seen someone die before? For some reason I see things that frighten me I wanna tell my mom but she'll think they're only Nightmares and she'd think it was dad's fault." Apple Night soda looking down to her hoofs.

"Oh honey I…I'm so sorry why didn't you tell aunt Luna or Celestia? What you've been seeing must have been related to your alicorn blood. You, as half Alicorn, were born with this…vision in which she or he must have to learn to live with and, with time to control it. Your aunt Haley for example, when I first met her she told me of this power of where she was allowed to interact with fillies and colts, fillies and colts that claim are her future nieces and nephews, after some time we discover it doesn't stop there, she can talk with ponies of the future but only in her dreams. Dante…Dante being the first born has a closer power with Luna and can get into something he call the shadow realm in the beginning he was going in and out with little control until he tried to put it into practice. I…I got this, weird clarity all around the planet when the day shine its like the sun rays fall they became my eyes, its was difficult but after some time I manage to gain control over them. And these nightmares you're seeing…it looks like you've awakened yours sweetie, a very…sad one, or perhaps a very happy one IF you're willing to study and control it." He offers his hand to her.

"I can teach you how if you like?" He asked with a smile

"But how can I control something that I can't even see or use. It happens randomly and when I don't want them to happen."

"Its normal sweetie that's EXACTLY what happened to all of us, I use to get dizzy seeing a thousands images per second while walking at complete and random times, Haley thought that some kids were playing hide and seek with her for weeks, and then got scare when she pass through one of them, she though they were ghosts, Dante, he was going and coming from that realm." He chuckled a bit

"One time it happened when he tried to use the bathroom, he fell to the second floor and then hit the door when he pass through it half way through. The first times? Yeah we don't have any control whatsoever, but you sweetie, you don't have to go through what we did, we can help you, tell you what's happening and finally help you get rid of them until you want them to happen."

"So you can help me get through these weird dreams and stop the killing? I just hate seeing ponies hurt each other." She asked

"Yes and no, you see your powers are more focused on the night realm that's Grandma Luna's and Grandpa Robert's forte, mine is in the day realm, if you want to completely get rid of them they would know exactly what to do, but I can stop them from happening randomly or at the very least to stop the times they happen. I can give you control and help you face your fears as best as I can, but after that, I'm afraid I don't know if I can, but you have my word sweetie, if you need me, I will be there right at your side." He said with a smile

"Thank you for your help."

"Anything for my favorite niece, now come on, what about a little hug." Raiden extended his arms for her

She reaches over and hugs him feeling safe around her uncle.