The sun came up over Equestria with a soft light, a distant rooster making its wake-up call in the distance. The sun’s rays slowly brought light to the small town of Ponyville, and many of its citizens began their day. Most began walking to work, others began to take care of their families, and others still slept in. For Braveheart and his wife Rusty Ace, they were the last. They always slept in for at most an hour, for they had family to take care of, as well as themselves.
Braveheart slowly woke up, his right arm fallen over the side of the bed, and his left placed awkwardly to his middle. Rusty had snuggled up close to him, and she was snoring softly. With a smile, Braveheart softly kissed his wife’s forehead, then gently pried her arms from his chest so he could get up. He shuddered slightly as he stood up and stretched, his bare torso accentuated by his green shorts. The only reason he wore just his shorts was because Rusty preferred it that way, at her request. Besides, she kept his body warm when she snuggled up to him, so he couldn’t complain. Rusty’s wolf ear twitched slightly as Braveheart left the bedroom to use the connected bathroom. As he began to wash his face, he reminisced on the past years.
He and Rusty had been married for over 10 years. Many of their children were either in school or working adults, so more often than not, they had the house to themselves. Rusty’s many clones visited from time to time, though often no more than two or three at a time. Braveheart was always eager to see Rusty clone 24. 24 was a Xenomorph hybrid of Rusty, birthed from the chest of another clone. 24 had two children, Aqua and Bull. Aqua still lived at the house, and Braveheart would teach her how to speak. Bull had a job as a commander of the royal guard in Canterlot, so he wasn’t seen too often. A good friend named Foxy Moonbeats lived with them, as well as a reformed demon fox by the name of Kashluna. Foxy was once a princess of her own kingdom, far to the west of Ponyville. But the kingdom fell when she became possessed by Kashluna. After many years and meeting Braveheart and Rusty, Foxy was freed from Kashluna, and Kashluna wished to reform herself. And she did. She became accepted into the family, and worked every day to keep herself from going into a blood rage.
Braveheart finished washing his face as he shut off the faucet. A dull throb laced through his chest, and he uncomfortably rubbed the spot, recalling the memory of when Bull had been birthed via chestburster.
“I don’t regret a damn thing, but it hurts,” he mumbled to himself. He dried his face off with a towel and walked back into the bedroom. Rusty had woken up, sitting on the bed with her legs crossed. Her light blue nightshirt was hung loose over her shoulders, and she had a sultry look in her eye.
“Morning, sweetie,” she said in a lusty tone. Braveheart gave a soft chuckle as he came over to her. She grabbed him and pulled him onto the bed, rolling over so she was above him. She gave a low purr. “You didn’t honestly think I was finished last night, did you?”
“Later, Rusty,” Braveheart said. “I have things to do today.” Rusty’s ears flattened a bit, as she sat up. She crossed her arms and gave Braveheart a pouty face. Braveheart sat up and gently put his hand to Rusty’s shoulder.
“I didn’t say no, honey. After I finish what needs to be done, you’ll have me all to yourself. OK?” Rusty’s face lightened slightly as she gave Braveheart the puppy eyes.
“You promise?” she innocently asked. Braveheart nodded.
“I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise, Braveheart,” Rusty mockingly threatened. “If you’re late, I’m not going easy on you.” She pulled him in for a kiss, which he returned. He gently pulled away, then stood up and walked over to the dresser and opened up the drawer.
“I don’t have very many things to do,” he informed. “Just a couple sweeps of Ponyville and a recon mission for Princess Luna.”
“Recon?” Rusty asked, confused. “What for?”
“Apparently there’s been some disturbances with Xenomorph Prime,” Braveheart explained. “Since I have good wind with 24, she had me oversee things like this at Luna’s orders.”
“I assume you’ll be taking the suit?”
“Of course. I can’t get to space any other way.”
“You be careful, hun,” Rusty said. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Don’t worry, Rusty,” Braveheart assured. “I’ll be careful.” He slipped on a pair of slim fit blue jeans and a bright green shirt. Rusty stood up and began to make the bed. As Braveheart closed the drawers, he stepped on something. He looked down to see a set of white lace undergarments. He picked them up and came over to Rusty, holding them out.
“These are yours.” Rusty turned to look, and she gave Braveheart a small smile.
“Leave them in the hamper,” she said, as she turned back to making the bed. Braveheart’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
“Rusty, you have children here. Modesty.”
“Hun, it’s not like I won’t be wearing anything at all. Relax.”
“Well, if you say so.” Braveheart tossed Rusty’s undergarments into the laundry hamper.
“I better go, baby,” Braveheart said.
“No breakfast?” Rusty asked. She briefly sniffed the air. “I think Foxy’s making pancakes.”
“Well, I’ll take a couple to go, then.”
“Thanks. Be careful, Braveheart.”
“I will, Rusty.” Braveheart softly kissed her, then walked out of the room and downstairs. Sure enough, Foxy was making pancakes. Aqua was sitting in a high chair at the table, digging in rather messily. She was the youngest in the family. Bull chittered to her sternly in Xenomorph, telling her to mind her manners. Aqua’s ears flattened a bit with an apologetic chitter, and she ate more modestly. Braveheart stepped into the kitchen.
“Oh, hello Bull,” he greeted. “I didn’t realize you were home.”
“Hello, father,” Bull greeted back with a small nod. “I have the day off today, so I’m going to stay here to help take care of Aqua.”
“Well, thank you, Bull,” Braveheart said. “That’s much appreciated.” He walked over to Foxy, who was continuing to make pancakes.
“Morning, Braveheart,” she said.
“Morning, Foxy,” Braveheart replied. “I can’t stay, so I’ll have to eat on the go.”
“That’s fine. Before you go, I have a favor to ask.”
“Sure. What’s that?”
“I was going to go to the ruins of my old kingdom later, and I don’t want to go alone,” Foxy explained. “Would you come with me?”
“Of course, Foxy,” Braveheart agreed. “I’d be honored.”
“Thank you, Braveheart,” Foxy said. “Just meet me at the front of the house when you return, OK?”
“Alright. I will.” Braveheart took a few pancakes from the cooling rack and walked outside, pressing a switch on the side of the house as he shut the door behind him. A hidden hatch opened, and a small underground lift rose up, carrying with it a high tech suit of armor, colored gold and hot rod red. Braveheart pressed the glass viewport for the arc reactor, and the suit folded back on itself, allowing for Braveheart to climb inside. He did so, and the suit closed, encasing him in the armored suit.
“Welcome back, Braveheart,” the artificial intelligence system greeted.
“Good to see you too, ProtoAce,” Braveheart replied. “Fire up the heads up display and charge the repulsors.”
“Of course. How is Rusty?” ProtoAce asked, as she did so.
“She wasn’t satisfied last night. She’s expecting me home as soon as I’m finished so she can have some more fun with me, but I have a date with Foxy. And not the romantic kind of date. And Rusty said if I was home late, I’d be punished.” ProtoAce softly chuckled.
“Well then, let’s make your tasks be over with quickly, shall we?”
“Indeed.” Braveheart fired off the repulsors and took flight to make his rounds.
Braveheart returned to the house a couple hours later, sticking a superhero landing as he hit the ground.
“Nailed it,” he complimented himself.
“Well, your form was slightly off, and you had to take a step to correct yourself,” ProtoAce corrected. “That, and you have a bad sprain in your left ankle.” Braveheart winced as the adrenaline wore off, and the pain went through his ankle.
“Ow,” he groaned. “Noted.”
“Shall I fetch Rusty for you?” ProtoAce offered.
“No, I’ll be alright,” Braveheart declined.
“Very well,” ProtoAce said. “I’ll put the suit away for you and let you get out.” As the suit opened up for Braveheart to step out, he saw Foxy sarcastically slow clapping.
“Beautiful landing,” she joked. “Couldn’t have done it better.”
“Oh, shut it, Foxy,” Braveheart muttered. He took a step with his left foot, nearly collapsing. Foxy caught him before he could fall.
“Usually it’s the shining knight catching the princess,” she remarked. Braveheart gave her a deadpan look, but with a slight embarrassed blush. Foxy helped him stand.
“Thanks,” Braveheart said.
“You’re welcome, my dear,” Foxy replied. “Come on. Let’s get going.” She and Braveheart began walking.
“How far is it to your kingdom, may I ask?” Braveheart wondered.
“It’s only just South of Canterlot,” Foxy explained. “The kingdom fell a couple years before the train system was installed. So there could be a chance the rails pass through the kingdom.”
“I see. If you don’t mind me asking, how long did your kingdom last?”
“500 years, until BrokenStar locked Kashluna and myself away inside Rusty.” Braveheart nodded in understanding. The two walked for a couple hours, before arriving at an entrance carved into a thick stone wall.
“This was the main gate,” Foxy said. “As you can see, the gate burned down long ago.” She and Braveheart walked into the kingdom. Braveheart put a hand to his mouth in shock. The buildings were black and charred; destroyed, and collapsing.
“Oh dear,” he gasped. Foxy’s face fell.
“I know,” she sighed. “Tragic, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t know it was this bad.”
“It’s not your fault, hun. There was nothing anyone could have done.” Foxy walked over to what appeared to be a ruined castle and sat on a fallen pillar. Braveheart sat next to her.
“I’m so sorry, Foxy,” Braveheart quietly said. He could hear Foxy give a small sniffle.
“It’s OK, Braveheart,” she replied. “You couldn’t have done anything, even if you were alive at the time.” She looked up at the remains of the castle. Braveheart followed her gaze.
“Was it beautiful?” he asked. Foxy sniffled.
“Yes,” she answered. “It was. Everyone was happy, and I ruled with compassion.” Her voice started to stutter, choked with sorrow. “I was loved, for I loved back.” Braveheart gently wrapped an arm around Foxy to comfort her. She gently clasped his hand with her own.
“You would have loved it,” she managed. “I would have showed you the secret garden behind the throne. You’re the only one that cared enough about me to give me a chance.” She gently laid her head on Braveheart’s shoulder.
“You’re a very good friend, Foxy,” Braveheart said. “You mean just as much to me as Rusty.” Foxy wiped her eyes.
“Do you think, when the time comes, you’d help me rebuild?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.”
“Thank you so much for being here for me, Braveheart,” Foxy said with a smile. She gently kissed Braveheart’s cheek, then held out her hand. “Aren’t you going to help your princess up?” Braveheart gave a soft chuckle, then stood up. He gently took Foxy’s hand and helped her up. They began to walk back home.
“I hope you can come when I need a favor, Braveheart,” Foxy said.
“I will, my lady,” Braveheart agreed. “Anything for you.” Foxy chuckled.
“We better get you home to Rusty.”
“Oh. Right. She’s going to kill me.”
“No. But her torture might kill you.” Foxy winked, rather suggestively. Braveheart blushed a bit.
As Braveheart and Foxy reached home, Braveheart opened the door for her.
“Thank you, my dear,” Foxy said with a nod. Braveheart smiled, then walked inside after her. As he shut the door, Firebird, Rusty’s future self, came up to him.
“Rusty’s waiting for you,” she warned. “She’s been moody.”
“Thanks for telling me, Firebird,” Braveheart replied. He walked upstairs and opened the bedroom door. Rusty was leaning against the wall, twirling a pair of handcuffs on her index finger and wearing a rather revealing cop outfit.
“You’re late,” she bluntly said, an evil smile on her face.
“Is it too late to apologize?” Braveheart asked, though he already knew the answer.
“Much too late, convict,” Rusty amusingly hissed. She came over and shut the door behind Braveheart, before grabbing his collar and pulling him inside.
