I found them one day, right at my doorstep. Six ponies, ones I had adored when I was younger, ones I never thought were real. All six of them, so young, just infants, really. No sign of who, or what, left them there.
I couldn’t abandon them. I might not have been in the best of straits myself, but at least I had food, shelter, a place to call home. They didn’t even have a blanket to protect them from the pouring rain. Cold, soaked, miserable, alone, helpless: they wouldn’t have lasted a week on their own.
Of course I took them in. I still remembered the ideals they had once stood for. How could I ever live with myself if I didn’t do my best to take care of them? Sure, I might have done some, less than respectful things, but I only did it because I wanted the best for them. Can you blame a father for looking out for his daughters? I admit, I had trouble sleeping some nights, but every time I saw the smiles on their faces, felt them cuddle up to me for warmth or comfort, heard them laugh, call me daddy, said they missed me, that they loved me, I knew I was doing the right thing. What is one old man, aged ahead of his time, compared to six young girls, so pure and innocent, thrust into a world that was not meant for them?
I’ll gladly pay whatever price you want. I’ll march forward towards my end, head held high. I’ll face my death at your hands, if thats is what it takes. Just, please, take care of them, I beg you. Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, take care of them. They’re still so young, just out of their teenage years, they can barely take of themselves. Please, grant this tired, weary soul just one last request. I’ll do anything you want, just make sure they’re cared for. Whatever you may do to me, nothing could be worse than knowing that my little girls are out there, alone.
Please.
Author's Note
Oh lord, the feels I had writing this. Please don't hate me.
We miss you, Daddy.
I still remember when we first heard about the deal you made. Fluttershy just kept crying, not stopping until exhaustion took hold of her. Pinkie Pie wouldn't speak for days, barely even acknowledged that the rest of us existed, except to mumble some comforting words whenever she came to eat with the rest of us. Applejack just stood there for the longest time before she ran away crying. For days, she kept insisting you weren't dead, you were just gone on another one of your trips, that you'd be back any second. Rarity was so mad at her at first, but then we learned that she had been planning to give you a special present when you got back. She'd made it out of the old clothes none of us fit in anymore. She'd been working for weeks, getting every little detail just right, scrapping it and starting over more times than she could count. It was going to be your birthday present, a sweater with an image of all of us on it, sitting around a fire as you told us another one of your stories. When she found out that it had all been for nothing, that... that you...
Out of all of us, though, Rainbow Dash took it the worse. She'd get upset over every little thing, snap at us for every perceived slight. More than once, she'd send one of us running away crying, only to beat herself up over it and beg for forgiveness. It was a month before we learned what was troubling her so much. She thought she had a chance to help you, when things started going bad. She thought she could have lead those bad guys away from you, away from us. She said she should have done something, anything, to help out, but she was too scared when the moment came. She blamed herself for everything that had happened that day. Fluttershy finally broke through to her when she reminded Rainbow why you always left us behind in the first place, why you always gave such specific instructions on what and what not to do whenever you were away on your trips. Rainbow was silent, motionless, for what seemed like an eternity, before she just broke down in tears. I don't think any of us had actually seen her cry before that moment. Oh, sure, we saw signs that she did cry every now and then, probably in some secluded spot only she knew about, but she always put on such a brave face, doubly so when any of us were feeling down. She had always been strong for us, and seeing her like that was... humbling, that's the word. But just like she was always there for us, we made sure she knew we were there for her. That's a lesson we all took to heart: no matter what happens, we should always be there for each other.
I remember you would always leave me in charge whenever you went on your trips. The first few times, I was so scared I'd do something wrong, but you told me I was doing great every time. When you told me that, if anything happened to you, I would be in charge of taking care of all of us... I never thought it would actually happen, I was just so happy that you had so much faith in me. The first few days after you... it was like that all over again, except I knew you wouldn't be there to help me. But whenever I was about to give up, I remembered what you told me back then: Save the worrying for later; focus on taking care of them first and foremost. Just like you always did. It's gotten easier, but I don't think I'll ever be used to it. You seemed like you would be there for us forever. Maybe you still are. But don't worry, I'll take good care of them.
That man that took you away, he told us what happened, about what you asked him. He's been taking care of us, just like you wanted. I don't think any of us will ever be able to forgive him, even though you taught us that everyone deserved a chance at forgiveness. He doesn't seem to mind, he just makes sure we have everything we need, asks if there's anything any of us wanted, and leaves us alone whenever we want. He reminds me a lot of you, actually. Always doing what he could to make us comfortable, never asking for so much as a "thank you" in return. Maybe it's just me, looking anywhere for some sign of you, some hint that you're still watching over us.
You told us that, whenever people die, they get judged for everything they've done in life, and get rewarded or punished based on how much good or evil they did. I'm certain that you're in a much better place, even now watching out for us. Hopefully, we can come and join you, when our time comes. Rarity can finally give you that sweater, and we can listen to your stories again. Until then, we will remember everything you've taught us.
We miss you, Daddy.
Twilight Sparkle.
Author's Note
Ye gods, even more feels crashed down as I wrote this. Hopefully this will touch you as it did me.