Game of Shadows

Chapter 4

“A day off.”

Sugar Cube woke the next morning in his bed as he looked up at his ceiling Butterscotch had her hoof around him she snuggled up close and then he held her.

He then said “ What happened last night?”

Butter Scotch laughed, “I don’t know.”

Sugar cube starred at her, “For three years we’ve been together and this is you know our first night.”

Butterscotch replied “No you’ve just been busy. We never really had time to spend together.”

Sugar Cube asked, “Okay now were finally alone what do you think? can we make this work?”

Butter Scotch replied, “Remember when we first met. Why did you ask me to help?”

Sugar Cube sighed, “I saw you were lonely. I mean being behind a desk for hours with no pony to talk too. I was lonely to, and I knew I was going to need help caring for three fillies.”

She smiled, “Now we have five.”

Sugar cube chuckled,“Well their not ours.”

Butter Scotch replied, “So after you get Death and you don’t have to worry about protecting every pony what will you do next?”

Sugar Cube then said, “When Sun Dancer’s older and going to school I want to start a filly care center.”

She looked up and said, “What start from scratch?

” Sugar Cube replied, “Look I see the problem with the whole nanny service sure the fillies get watched and cared for but they have little interaction with other fillies their own age. I think it’s healthier if they learned to make friends early.”

Butter Scotch replied“That sounds like a great idea. “

Sugar Cube then said “Alright my turn. When you said you were ready last night? do you mean it? Do you really want to be my special some pony?”

She then said “Yes I do.”

She asked, “How did you get your cutie mark?”

He sighed, “You’re not going to believe this but I went to the future.”

She looked up and said “Really? You’re joking?”

He shakes his head and said, “At the time I was confused on what I needed to do. The thing is I wanted a normal life, then I looked for guidance I went to the buffalos and they lead me to the pool of reflection. It sent me to the future and I met the most cheerful earth pony iv’e ever met. The pool reduced my age I believe I was ten. She gave me my first birthday party.”

He sighed, “I realized that day I can have a normal life but I had to first secure the safety of that future first to make sure the innocent aren’t harmed by our mistakes.”

Butter Scotch then said “Did you? “

He nods and said, “In my cloak I keep this picture with her and her friends I look at it at least once a day to remind myself of the promise I made to her.”

Butter Scotch stroked his mane and said, “You ever thought of taking a break from being a hero?”

He laughed “Every day since I started. It does suck though fighting and working trying to find some middle ground.”

Butterscotch then said, “You want to know how I ended up behind that desk?”

Sugar Cube replied, “I told you my story let me listen to yours.”

She sighed and said, “I got my cutie mark when I was eight. I was with my mom and I was another pony’s birthday party you see there was these two toddlers and they were fighting. Well I came over broke up the fight and taught them that it’s better to play then fight. I played with them that whole day. I sacrificed my time with my friends to give those toddlers attention. That was the day I realized that’s what I wanted to do every day. Not just raise fillies but, actually teach them to grow and to learn. I believe that’s what it means to be a good parent or guardian but the only place hiring at the time was Diamond Heart’s nanny service. I cared for fillies you know the only reason she put me behind the desk because I did it differently from the rest. Thank you for sticking up for me not many colts would have done that.”

Sugar cube stroked her mane and said, “I would do it again if you asked.”

She looked at him then said, “I want you to know I never told any pony that ever.”

He looked at her and said “other than my old friends no pony knows about my past either. You and me we both go against the flow. Maybe that’s just destiny.”

She smiled then said, “Alright.”

Then they kiss again.

Sugar Cube said, “I should meet your parents.”

She then said “Yeah you should, even though well my dad is strict.”

Sugar Cube gulped, “Is he like Lance strict.”

She laughed and said “About, but maybe we should visit them.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Okay what about today I would love to do this.”

She nods then said, “Okay then afterwards let’s take them out for dinner.”

He smiled and said “or we could just stay in bed for a bit longer.”

She then said, “Your horn’s getting big again.”

He smiled and then she kissed him.

She then said “Alright a few more minutes.”

They then got back under the covers.

The next day passed and Sugar Cube was now with Butter Scotch at the front door. Then Butterscotch turned to Sugar cube he wore a black suit with a white blouse. His spikey mane was still spikey and his fluffy white tail had more of a curl. His blue eyes gleamed. Butterscotch with green eyes, a light brown coat and a dark brown and white mane was combed that curled around her head and her tail was more curled as well.

She wore a simple black and red dress she then said “Sugar Cube don’t look so nervous.”

Sugar Cube looked at her then sighed and then she knocks on the door then as it opened the father poked his head out. He’s an older unicorn with a dark brown coat and a white mane and a long white tail and he had a gold watch for his cutie mark. He held himself up and he wore a nice black suit even nicer then Sugar Cube’s.

He then smiled “Butter Scotch.”

She smiled and said “Hey dad.”

They hugged she then said, “This is the colt I told you about his name’s Sugar Cube.”

He looked up then Sugar Cube bowed and said, “It’s good to see you Dark Chocolate.”

He looked at him with a strong eye then he said, “I heard you’re good at solving mysteries?”

Sugar Cube then said, “Well I only solved one technically.”

Dark chocolate then said, “Come in both of you.”

They come in then they see a mare unicorn crying she has a white coat with a crop of brown mane that swirled around her head and her tail flowed gracefully she wore a beautiful satin dress.

she looked up and said “Butter Scotch! My beautiful daughter!”

Butterscotch hugged her then her mom looked up and smiled and said, “You must be her handsome colt sugar Cube.”

He bowed then said, “It’s a pleasure to see you Butter Cream.”

she said, “we all heard how you found out who poisoned Shadow Mane.”

He nods then she said, “Well we have a little mystery of our own to solve.”

She then came around a corner and there was a broken grandfather clock. The clock was smashed and the pieces scattered the back was torn and on the wall was written, “Time’s up” in a brown smear.

Butterscotch gasped then the mom said, “It was like that when we came back this morning. You see we just strode around town then we returned this is how we found the clock.”

Sugar Cube looked at the brown smear then he picked some up and smelt it.

He then said, “This is mud.”

Dark chocolate sighed, “Well at least it’s not.”

Sugar Cube then said “No it’s not what you’re thinking. Why mud? Also there is one key component were missing is how the pony got in? Was any door broken into?”

Dark Chocolate shakes his head then said, “The doors were all sealed and so were the windows.”

Sugar Cube then said “I have a question when you got the message we were coming how long did it take to notice this.”

Dark chocolate then said, “Not long, Why?”

Sugar Cube then said “You only have one pair of keys  and the window and doors weren’t forced open and everything was locked before you two left?”

the mom nods then Sugar cube starred at the message then he said “But.. Butterscotch you delivered the message to Dark chocolate with your horn correct?”

she nods then said “Yeah so what?”

Dark chocolate then said, “So your saying maybe a unicorn took my message read it waited until we took our stroll broke in destroyed my clock just for you?”

Sugar Cube looked at him then said, “It’s not common knowledge but Shadow mane’s poisoning I believe is a part of a conspiracy  this isn’t a message, it’s a threat. “

He looked at the clock he then said, “I bet with my life Death did this. He is the only one who knew I would come if he somehow intercepted the letter Butterscotch and he watched the house and waited you two left and then slipped in, he did this.”

Dark Chocolate then said “so what? Does this ruin our dinner plans?”

Sugar Cube smiled and said, “That’s up to you. I know a unicorn that might be able to restore your clock but she’ll need help.”

Dark chocolate then said “Who?”

Sugar Cube replied, “Nebula, she can restore your cloak but you have to help her figure out the components.”

Dark chocolate nods then said “That’s fine but what about this conspiracy what does it mean?”

Sugar Cube replied, “One thing that death knows me and your family he knows who I am. I’m sorry but this is a direct attack on me.” Butter Cream then said, “It doesn’t matter. You saved two ponies from death and you’re going to stop this pony were still going to go to dinner and show that bastard we don’t scare easily."

Sugar Cube replied, “Alright let’s go to dinner then I’ll go by the palace and find Nebula and see if she can help you two out.”

They nod then as they left dark Chocolate went over to sugar cube.

He then said, “I know that you’re doing everything for my daughter and every pony in canterlot. But I need to ask is my daughter in danger with you?”

Sugar Cube then said, “Dark Chocolate I’m not going to lie he may come after her but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Do you trust me?”

Dark Chocolate smiled, “For some reason I do.” Then sugar Cube then said, “Let’s go and you know what I’ll pay.”

They were at the restaurant the place was grand with tons of tables with many guests most ponies were rich and wore dresses and nice suits.  The four sat at a round white table with a nice velvet carpet underneath they all had glasses of wine and plates pastas. Sugar Cube was slowly chewing his food.

Dark Chocolate was the fist to speak, “So Sugar Cube did my daughter tell you how strict I am?”

Sugar Cube swallowed then said, “Only just recently I was hoping she was exaggerating.”

Butter Cream then said, “So you’re into filly care just like our daughter?”

He looked Butter Scotch she smiled he then looked at her parents then said, “She must of told you how we met. The thing is yeah I’m the nanny to princess Celestia’s son and prince blue blood and Lance’s daughter.”

Butterscotch then said, “I worked at the nanny service and the palace for a while then just a week ago I quitted the nanny service and started to work full time at the palace and it’s all thanks to Sugar Cube. Without him, ‘I’ll still be behind a desk.”

She smiled at sugar cube he smiled back.

Butter Cream sighed and said, “You two are so adorable. Tell me sugar Cube where’s your parents?”

Butterscotch looked at Sugar Cube with a stern expression then Sugar cube looked at Butterscotch.

He turned to her parents then said, “I’m not going to lie. I love your daughter and would do anything for her. However, I believe its best if I answered your question truthfully I don’t want to hide. My parents are dead.”

Butter cream then said, “I’m so sorry.”

He looked up then said, “That’s not all my parents were killed by an organization known as the brother hood of daggers they filly napped me. I was trained under them at a young age but then I left the order and I fought and killed for princess Celestia and Princess Luna I killed many assassins and destroyed the organization so there’s no fear of retaliation.”

Dark Chocolate nods then said “Thank you for being honest.”

The mother had tears in her eyes then she said, “Sugar Cube just wow.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Thank you.”

He drank some more wine as did Dark Chocolate.

Dark Chocolate looked at Sugar Cube then said, “So you protected princess Celestia and princess Luna and princess Celestia’s filly you are something. Well you have my blessing.”

He takes up his glass with his magic then said, “You were honest with me told me what you were and even told me how willing you are to defend my daughter I don’t think she could of chosen a better stallion."

Butterscotch’s mother did the same. Then they all drank together.

Butter scotch starred at Sugar Cube with tears in her eyes then said, “You know this was his idea. He didn’t know if he was ready but I think I was more nervous.”

Sugar Cube then said “No Butterscotch you’re the reason for me being here. I was going to lie to you put it off try to hide my past but I realize that just causes more pain and does not solve anything. I am not going to pronounce it to the world what I am but I’m not going to lie to my family or your family. That’s my promise to each of you.”

They all drank their wine and talked the rest of the night away.

That night sugar Cube being a bit drunk after he undressed fell on his bed.

Butterscotch came in undressed as well and she smiled and said, “You know something my father is never impressed with the stallions I choose. But, he’s been right so far, the rest I dated were jerks they lied to my face one cheated behind my back. But you’re the first he ever gave his blessing.”

Sugar Cube looked at her then said, “You know I’m not perfect.”

She replied “You’re a hero and don’t tell yourself that you’re not.”

Tears formed in her eyes as she said, “You did well tonight helping my father supporting my mother. No colt does what you do.”

He then said “Don’t sell yourself out short, I don’t think I would of ever found happiness true happiness without you. You help me understand there’s more to life then sacrifice and pain there’s still joy. You prove it every time you’re with me, and when I’m around you and I want to do the same for you.”

She smiled and then she climbed in his bed and stroked his mane then said, “We still have a full day tomorrow.”

Sugar Cube replied “then let’s do whatever you want tomorrow. I’ll take you out just you and me, wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, I’ll be your servant tomorrow.”

She smiled and said “Okay but that means you have to do what I say.”

  They kissed and they kissed harder.

she smiled and said, “Your horn’s back.”

He laughed and said, “That joke’s gotten old.”

They then laid back into the bed.

The next day came by and Sugar Cube was with Butterscotch in a plaza underneath an umbrella placed above the plaza was full of ponies talking and laughing. The sun gleamed on the stone streets and they sat near a beautiful white building. The two sat across each other they were surrounded by other ponies. Sugar Cube was in his black suit and his white blouse. Butterscotch was wearing her black and red dress that fell over her. She was smiling as they were sitting down eating pancakes covered in syrup and cream. As Sugar Cube took a fork and was chewing down Butterscotch tore them apart dipped them in the cream and ate slowly. She had a glass of orange juice on her left side. While Sugar cube had a mug of coffee, on his, the table was made of wood and the chairs were as well.

Sugar Cube then drank his coffee then swallowed and said, “So do you really want to help me make a filly care center? “

Butterscotch then said, “Of course, I thought of just being a nanny again and do freelancing. But your idea sounds better.”

Sugar Cube asked, “Okay so what about the ages through?”

Butterscotch replied, “Well newborns no. They need their mothers. We should take one to four before.”

Sugar Cube, chuckled, “Were going to need more than us two to run it.”

She smiled, “I have some friends who know some ponies.”

Sugar Cube replied, “Okay then what ages do you prefer to take care of.”

Butterscotch drank some of her orange juice and said, “Well if you don’t mind can I take toddlers? My whole life is that I want to teach them."

Sugar Cube replied, “Alright you can take the toddlers I’ll take care of the infants.”

She smiled, “just like that no fight? “

Sugar Cube then said, “I can raise fillies sure? But, you actually teach them you go even a step ahead of me."

Butter scotch then said, “Well your more kind then me. I can get too strict at times.”

Sugar Cube sighed and said, “Look I don’t want you to think you’re the bad pony."

She then said, “You’re not. I am just saying that a filly does need a steady hoof. But they also need a pony who is understanding like you. We can do both.”

Sugar Cube replied, “Okay well then were going to need a building.”

Butterscotch then said, “Well my house we can use that.”

Sugar Cube asked,“Is that okay with you?”

She smiled, “Can you imagine us with twenty or so fillies running around?  This is going to be great we use my living room as the play area. My bathroom we can fix up and make the counter to a diaper changing station then we place the training commodes in there as well. We could even expand the bathroom get some work ponies to do that. We will need to buy more high chairs, we will take out my dining room table, and we can buy a smaller one just for the toddlers. My backyard can be used to play in as well. Everything can work out just as we plan.”

Sugar Cube nods and said, “You figured everything out fast.

” She then said, “I wonder you think we can do this? I mean it’s going to be a lot tougher with more fillies?”

Sugar Cube replied, “We can keep them safe we get an extra lock for your front and back door so they can’t go outside without us knowing. We block off the stairs and the upper part of the house. Only your first floor should be used as our filly care center. Eventually we can improve on the house with more customers and maybe afford an actual building then we can start expanding from there.”

She replied, “Yeah we totally can. Okay but that won’t happen for a while.”

Sugar cube then said “So I guess if we do this …”

She smiled,“What?”

Sugar Cube looked up then said “Nothing. Okay enough about work after breakfast what do you want to do? “

She then said, “Alright let’s go to the palace gardens and just stroll around. "

He nods then he chowed down some more of his pancakes.

Then Butterscotch said, “Okay I’m going to ask you some questions and you’ll answer them honestly."

Sugar Cube looked up and said, “Well you know everything about me?”

She then said “Not everything”

He then said “How many.”

She took more bites form her pancakes then said, “Does it matter?”

Sugar Cube shakes his head drinks more coffee and said, “Ask away.”

She then said, “Okay this is kind of embarrassing. When we mated did you feel something?”

Sugar Cube then said “I did I felt this energy from you. You made me feel whole, I feel you complete me."

Butterscotch then said, “Do you feel happy right now. At this moment?”

Sugar Cube then ate some more pancake as did Butterscotch then he said, “I do. I feel like I could save the world again.”

She smiled and said, “I want you to know I never felt like this. Not just happy but full as if I have been missing something."

Sugar Cube then said, “I felt that way my whole life until now.”

She replied, “Did you plan this? I mean visiting my parents and this date?”

Sugar Cube asked, “Before I answer the question. Can I ask you a question?”

She nods and he said, “You were going to leave me weren’t you? If I didn’t tell you about my past.”

She then said, “I would of. I told you I was lied to too many times I can’t trust a colt who was going to keep secrets from me.”

Sugar Cube asked, “The thing is I was going to tell you my past. But I couldn’t because I was scarred if I did you would leave me? Now I know that all it did was keep us a part for three years.”

She replied“Look that’s not why. I mean for the first two years you had little Sun Dancer. You stayed up all night with him when he could not sleep, you cleaned him, changed him, fed him. I tried to be there but I was only there for a few hours at a time with Diamond Heart pilling paper work on me and giving me jobs to do. I don’t blame you for taking this long for us to truly start actually having a true relationship.”

Sugar Cube looked at her and said “Then I’m going to answer your question. Yes I was planned this for a few weeks and saved every bit I earned. I told you I was paying for everything.”

She smiled, “So you ready for a stroll?”

he smiled back and said “Hell yes.”

They then left their empty plates and Sugar cube reached into his coat with his teeth and pulled out a small bag of bits placed them on the table and the two left.

The two strolled through the gardens.

Butterscotch then said, “So how do you like my parents?”

He replied “Their great. I just hope I left a good impression."

She smiled “You did more than that.”

He then said,” Come on all I did was be honest for once in my life.”

She looked at him and said, “If you did kill another pony would you tell me?”

He looked at her then said, “Yes, if I have no other choice and I had to fight another pony and to save an innocent pony’s life I would if I have no other choice I would kill that pony.”

She then said, “See your honest now.”

Sugar Cube replied, “Do you trust me with your life though? Knowing my enemies may attack you. Would you still be with me?”

She replied “I would, you know that.”

Sugar Cube replied, “Do you know that I would if it came to it. I would die for you?”

She then said, “I know.”

He then said, “If I had to if I had to sacrifice my life to save any innocent pony. I’m talking about any pony. Would you still be with me? knowing I would do this? “

She then said, “I know and I would.”

He then kneels before her then he lifts a small box from his coat then said “Butterscotch. Knowing that I’m an assassin and knowing my past and my faults. Would you still marry me?”

He lifts the box. She picked up the box then lifted the lid then she saw a ring with a white diamond she starred back in tears she said “yes!”

Sugar cube smiled and then he helped place the ring on her horn then they kiss they kiss long and hard. Then after a few minutes, they separated.

She then said, “I kind of guessed this was coming.”

Sugar cube then said, “I tried to wait until after dinner.”

She smiled,“You plan things too well sometimes you know that?”

Sugar Cube sighed and said, “Another flaw of mine?”

She got up close then said, “I wouldn’t say a flaw?”

Sugar Cube asked, “So want to plan the wedding now?”

She smiled then said “After you catch Death .let’s do it then you said it yourself once death is captured your days of being an assassin are over. So let’s get married when we bury it together as a couple. As one.”

Sugar Cube bows his head and said, “Butterscotch I promise the day Death is captured we get married then I only worry about our filly care center.”

She went up to him then said, “So what’s next on this beautiful day.”

Sugar cube then said, “I know how much you love the opera. Because I saved Shadow mane’s wife she got me two tickets to see her first performance and its tonight.”

Butterscotch then said sarcastically, “So you’re using free tickets? How thoughtful.”

Sugar Cube replied, “She could only get us back row tickets I sold them and bought us front row tickets.”

Her smile grew wider then said “Sugar Cube did I ever tell you that I love you?"

Sugar Cube laughed and said “Butterscotch, did I ever tell you how much I love you?”

They kissed again and they left the garden laughing and talking about their wedding.