To the moon and back

When he began his walk back home, the sun had set and the moon began to rise but when he saw it, pain filled his heart. He looked back at the road walked on and tried to think of ways to solve what was most important: keeping his daughter with him. Aurora never had an interest in Autta and her upbringing but she did have him against the wall with her argument against him, she was correct in saying he was too busy and she had more time to be with her. He hated that she was right but hoped it wasn't enough for her to win custody, as he reached his home, he saw the lights on. He smiled, "At least I still have her...for now. I'll do what I can to keep her, she would be better with me," he thought as he reached his front door.

He opened the door and stood frozen at the scene before him: Aurora was in his home, Autta had a suitcase in her hands, and there was a smile on both their faces. "Aurora, what is the meaning of this!?"

She glared at him and sighed, "I am taking MY daughter home with me so we can spend some much needed mommy/daughter time, isn't that right sweetie?"

Autta nodded and smiled, "Yes! Daddy, mommy said she is going to spend time with me from now on! She said she doesn't hate me and loves me just like daddy!"

Shadow just couldn't believe his ears, "No...no, I won't allow it! You cannot just come in here and start demanding things Aurora! You lost all rights long ago, just because you are filling papers for custody doesn't mean you have any power yet!" He grabbed Autta's suitcase and set it down, "Don't listen to her Autta, she is lying. She is trying to take you away from me, she doesn't care about you, she only wants to use you to hurt me."

Autta became shocked and turned to Aurora, "I-Is that true? You don't care...about me?"

Aurora scowled at Shadow before turning to Autta, "I do care about you sweetie, that's why I'm taking you away from him. He just lost his job and he hasn't spent a lot of time with you like the special filly you are deserves. But I on the other hand will spend a lot of time with you and you will have a new daddy, you can have a new and better family sweetie."

Autta was at a loss for words and ran off to her room, Shadow was about to follow after her when Aurora yanked him by his collar. "You lying sack of shit! You really are a heartless bitch, I did nothing bad to you and you come to my home and try to practically fillynap my daughter."

She smirked and shrugged, "So, you act as if I care about laws or rules. You should have learned by now that I don't give a damn about anypony or anything. I hate you because that brat loves you and you love her, I'm gonna do all in my power to yank her away from you and break her spirit. You brought this upon yourself Shadow and I'm gonna enjoy this very much." She stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind her, Shadow really wanted to beat her face in but...alas, he was raised better than that and just as the idea came to his head, it left.

He went to Autta's room and heard her crying, he tapped on her door, "May I come in sweetie?"

Autta tried to stop crying but it didn't work for a while till she gave a semi-audible "Yes". He entered her room and saw her on her bed with her foal blanket in hand, "Why daddy? Why is mommy like that?"

Shadow sighed and sat beside her, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close, "Daddy didn't love mommy like she wanted and she started hating me. When she saw how you loved me more than her, she didn't want to stay with us anymore. She is jealous of what I have."

She looked at him a bit puzzled, "What do you have daddy?"

He smiled and kissed her forehead, "I have the greatest love I could ever hope for, all from you." She smiled back and hugged him.

"You won't let her take me away, right daddy?" she asked as she hugged him.

His expression changed and he held her tightly, "I'll do everything in my power to keep you with me, I love you sweetie and I'm not gonna let anypony keep you from me."

She teared up a bit and smiled, "I love you daddy." She laid back down and Shadow kissed her head before getting up. She closed her eyes and began to sleep as Shadow left the room.

"What am I gonna do now...I need to go back and demand my job...and help." He put on a jacket and went to his liquor cabinet, he took out a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass. "Nothing like a little liquid courage," he said before downing it quickly, he felt the burn of the whiskey and shook it off. He opened the door and saw Mr. and Mrs. Lollipop about to knock on the door. "The Lollipops? What brings you here?"

"Well...we heard yer ex-wife jabbering at ya and ta the little one and we wanted to come over and help you two," said Mr. Lollipop. Mrs. Lollipop held his arm and warmly smiled at Shadow, "I figured you were going to go and ask your bosses for help, we'll foalsit her while you are away sweetie, you go and protect her from that bad woman." Shadow hugged them and cried a bit.

"Thank you...both of you..." they hugged him back and he took off to the castle, he was determined to keep his daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Lollipop sat in his living room and frowned, "Do you think it was right of us to not tell him he is too late?" asked Mrs. Lollipop.

"He can still plead before Luna and have her convince Her sister to overturn her decision. I just hope it will work...tha gal needs her father and he needs her."

Shadow made it inside and began to head to the throne room, he was sure he'd be kicked out but the guards said his title as night guard was still in effect. He entered the throne room and saw Luna and Celestia in a heated discussion.

"Sister, he does not spend enough time with her and he can't keep her happy. Your dream scaping proved that, I'm afraid my decision is final. He lost custody," Celestia said to Luna as she frowned.

Luna became furious," He got his job back and he is the source of her happiness! Please overturn your decision for his sake!"

Celestia shook her head, "My decision is final, I'm sorry." As she finished, she turned away from Luna and saw Shadow. "Oh no...How much did you hear?"

Shadow's eyes brimmed with tears as his body shook in anger and sadness, "All of it...I heard all of it..." He gritted his teeth and tried hard not to yell.

Luna walked to him, "Shadow...I'm sorry about my earlier outburst...I was not myself. I got your job back with even more pay and-"

"What good will that do me with out my daughter! You took away all I cared for! You ruined my family!" He screamed and cursed, even Celestia felt frightened by his rage.

Celestia arose and pointed at him, "Don't you dare speak that way with my sister! Maybe some time in the dungeon will do you some good." Guards entered the room and grabbed Shadow.

He growled at the princesses, "Of course...throw away all your problems. If only I had such luxuries," he Said as he was escorted out.

Luna turned to Celestia, "Was that necessary?! To effectively ruin his life?!" Celestia frowned and shook her head before smiling.

"Oh Luna...you really are foolish. He's here now, he has nowhere to run and the mare who loves him is also here, who just so happens to enter dreams. I'm sure she can do a thing or two to save his family and happiness." Celestia winked at Luna and Luna realized what her sister did.

Luna giggled, "You are very sneaky when you wish to be sister." Luna went to her bedroom and Celestia got up from her throne.

"Alright Shadow, it's time for you to expose your darkest secrets to save your daughter...I just hope what lies in store doesn't affect Luna."