Shattered Immortalby Vatore GreymoonChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 1"I am sorry to inform you of this Mr. Voigt, but you have maybe a week left to live. The cancer has spread too far." I just nodded. I had been expecting that diagnosis, so I didn't come as a shock. "It's alright Doc. I've lived long enough." "Do you have any family that we can contact for you?" I grimaced slightly when he said family. "No, I dont. They live far away from here and more than likely wouldn't care." "Well as I said. I'm sorry that we can't do anymore for you" he replied as he walked out. With nothing else to be said, I got dressed and walked out to my truck to begin the one hour trip home. It's hard to remember things sometimes, especially when your over three thousand years old. Yes, that is correct. I said three thousand, but that's a story for another time, if I'm still alive in a week. Sitting down in my favorite chair, I started to reflect on my life. I didn't try to stop the tears coursing down my weathered face. Why should I? There was no one else here. No one to care about me. So I let them fall. I thought of my true home. My two wives and my daughters. I would love to see them one last time, but there isn't a way....or is there? Gingerly getting up, I walked out into the back of my home. It was a open area and would work. I hope this works I thought to myself. "Faust. I only hope you can hear me, but I would ask a favor of you. Grant a dying old man his final wish. Take me home so that at least I could die where I belong." I stood there hoping that my plea was heard, but my money is on the fact that her daughters made sure I would never be heard from again. Sighing, I turned to go head back in, when a bright flash occurred behind me. "You are immortal, Jeremy. You can not die." She heard me! I couldn't believe it, but hearing her words was like a stab to my heart. Turning around, I asked one question. "Are you sure of that Faust?" The look of absolute shock on her muzzle made my day. "H...how is this possible? Discord's curse could never be removed." Her shock had turned to sadness by then. "Who did this to you?" "Celestia." The goddesses ears flattened to her head and she started crying. As long as I've know her, she has never cried. "But why? It's not possible. I know she stripped you of your magic and powers, but your immortality was a curse from Discord." "I don't know either Faust, but it happened and I have maybe a week left to live. I want to go home and see them all one last time and die where I was born." Faust walked up to me and wrapped her wings around my body. "I will take you back, but know this Jeremy. It's been over a thousand years since your banishment and things have changed. I will not tell you, but you may be surprised when you get there" she said nuzzling my cheek. "I still considered you my son in law and I still love you as one." "Thank you, Mom." I got a giggle for that remark. "Ready?" "Yes." "Good. Now, you will appear outside the throne room. Getting in shouldn't be a problem since the cloak I will give you has a enchantment to hide your features. Court is in session, just so you know. Oh, I should mention this. All four of your girls are there." I nodded in understanding. "Ok, here we go." When I reappeared right in front of the guards, they was startled for a moment. "Court is in session correct" I asked one of them. Getting a confirming nod I motioned for the door and the guard on the right opened it. Walking in I could see it was crowded. Must be a open court I mused. I always preferred dealing with the common pony. Nobles just rubbed me the wrong way. Finished with my nostalgia trip I shuffled along the red carpet until I was in front of the thrones. Celestia and Luna sat in the middle, while Cadence sat to Tia's right and Twilight sat to Luna's left. Tia and Luna was as beautiful now as they was the last time I had seen them. As tall as my six foot three inch frame and statuesque too, but alicorns are always the pinnacle of beauty. Of course my daughters had grown into beautiful mares as well. I gazed upon the four mares that was my life for so long. Celestia broke me out of my revelry with a question. "Can we help you, my little pony?" "That depends on whether your willing to help me Tia. All I want is to go home and I'm not a pony. You know that." I had their undivided attention when I called her Tia. Luna was leaning forward like she was trying to place my voice. "Who are you?" Turning my hidden gaze to Cadence, I couldn't help but marvel at the mare she had grown into. "That depends Cady. The last time I got to see you was a month after yours and Twilight's fifteenth birthday party." At those words the two older mares stiffened and the two younger mares grew pensive. "SHOW YOURSELF!!" Celestia shouted. "As you wish" I said taking off the cloak I knew what they would see. A frail old man, hardly able to stand on his own two feet. Shock, regret, sadness, I could see all of those emotions cross their muzzles, but for some reason rage was in Tia and Luna's eyes. "What is it you want" Luna bit out. "A chariot to take me home. Back to the land I was born and raised on." I could hear the crowd murmuring and wondering who was this thing that so boldly used the Princesses names. "For what reason could you have there" Celestia asked through gritted teeth. "So I can die in peace." That stunned the throne room into silence. "You can not die Jeremy. Discord's curse..." "Is no longer upon me. You saw to that Celestia when you stripped me of my magic and powers. I am a old man now and if I'm lucky a old man with a week to live" I interrupted her by saying. A despondent look crossed her muzzle when I said that. "Don't give me that hurt look Tia. You knew exactly what you was doing. You wanted me to suffer for SOMETHING I AM INNOCENT OF" I roared at her. I shouldn't have done that because I started coughing when I finished. "Damn cancer" I muttered to myself. I looked at my hand and could see flecks of blood. "What do you mean cancer?" I should have know that Twilight would have caught that when she finally spoke up. "That is what's killing me Little One." Though they was born on the same day, Twilight was the youngest by a few hours. That's why I called her little one. I was growing tired and wanted to end this farce. "Are you going to grant my request? I don't want to be here any longer and I'm sure you four no longer want to see me anymore, since I'm a failure as a husband and a father in your eyes." "We shall not grant what you ask" Luna replied. "Execution then. Going to live up to your final words to me are you, Luna?" Her stoic expression never changed. "Executions were banned five hundred years ago, though for you I believe we could make an exception. Alas, we will not." "I have one question for you." I looked Celestia's way when she spoke. "How did you return?" "Faust still loves me as her son in law, so your mother is the one that brought me back" I knew pretty much how this would end and sighed. "Since I'm not going to be executed and you're not going to help me, I will find my own way home. May the land always give you what you seek." I turned and started my slow walk out of their presence, but half way I started coughing again. When I stopped I felt faint and my hand was covered in blood. "That's not good" I said aloud and that's when the darkness closed upon me. Chapter 2I can't tell if I'm alive and dreaming or dead and remembering. I was nervous as hell. There is simply no other way to put it. This day is probably the most important one in my life and here I stand almost sweating buckets. "Calm down or I will have to hit you with a spell J." I smirked at the speaker when he said that. "Sure. Just as long as I'm awake when you tell those two why I was sounding like a sawmill at full run on their wedding day you old goat." Damn did his grin disappear. Tia when mad is bad enought, but Luna is on a whole other level. One time during court, I had been holding Luna's hoof while I was talking to her. When I was on my way out, I passed a noble who was next up. The next thing I know the very same noble goes flying through the window to the garden with a pissed off Luna behind him. The explanation I got from a laughing Tia was, because I had held Luna's hoof, he thought he could too. His problem was that he didn't know we was engaged. Anyways, me and Tia follow the flying noble and Luna to the garden and I see what has to be the funniest thing I've ever seen. I had showed Lulu a pinball machine once in a dream and it must have stuck in her mind. I could only watch as my mad fiance used this poor stallion as a pinball in the gardens using the statues as bumpers. Sound effects and all. Coming out of my reflection I looked at Star Swirl. The smirk on my face made him groan. "Let me guess. Pinball?" "Pinball" I confirmed. Everything changed at that moment as I turned and beheld the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Luna and Celestia standing at the end of the aisle in their wedding dresses. I had stopped breathing while I watched them make their way down the aisle. Both was giggling as they stood around me, before Luna spoke. "You need to breath love." I'll wait for you there like a stone. "CLEAR THE WAY" I shouted in my head long rush through the castle. Staff and guards alike moved out of my way. The need for my haste was simple, Celestia had gone into labor two hours ago. I had been in the Everfree doing a sweep for a supposed timberwolf pack when I got the message. Making it to our bed chambers I heard Tia ask a question, but it was the way she asked it that was surprising. "WHERE THE BUCK IS OUR HUSBAND? IM GOING TO GELD HIS ASS WHEN HE GETS HERE!" Walking in I answered her in a calm manner. "Not if you want a son in the future your not." Luna was standing next to her and she looked like she could drop the foal she was carrying any day. "Where were you? Tia has been asking for you since her water broke." "I was out looking for that timberwolf pack. You know we can't leave them to roam freely, but that doesn't matter. I'm here now." Taking my place next to Tia and she immediately latched on to my arm. "I'm sorry for yelling like that J." I smiled at her and started rubbing her belly. "It's ok Tia. This isn't my first time remember. Just try to relax and don't forget to breath" I reminded her planting a kiss on her forehead at the base of her horn. Tia smiled at me momentarily before she grimaced in pain. "She needs to make up her little mind. Before you got here she was in a hurry. Now she is acting like she doesn't want to come out now" Tia grumbled. "Sometimes it's quick, sometimes it's drawn out angel. It just depends." Tia grumbled some more while Luna started snickering. She stopped when she got a look from Tia that could melt steel. "I can't wait till your in my place, then you'll find out what it's like to try and push out something the size of a watermelon through a hole the size of a apple." Luna's beautiful blue muzzle turned white. I heard what sounded like spilled water and she looked behind her. When she turned back around and looked at me, she announced in the calmest voice she could manage and told me her water had broke. I said the only thing I could at that point. "Oh shit." Life it seems to fade away. Drifting further everyday. I had awakened with a start. What the hell woke me up I wondered. Looking around, neither of my wife's was in bed with me. Looking at the clock I noted it was about eight in the morning. Thinking nothing of it, I climbed out of bed and went the the bathroom. As I made my way out I felt something impact the back of my head and everything went black. Regaining consciousness I found myself in the throne room in chains? "What is the meaning of this" I asked aloud. "We can not allow you to carry out your plans" came a reply. "What the hell are you talking about? What plans?" Finally spotting the speaker I wanted to remove his tongue. It was Whispered Word. One of Tia's so called advisors and a pony I hated. "What plans are you spouting off at the mouth about." The slimy bastard smiled. "The plans I discovered to kill the Princesses and surrender to King Sombre of the Crystal Empire." "You conniving little shit. There is no way in hell that I would do that or ever think of it." "It matters not" he said still smiling. "I finally found a way to remove you and have all of the Princesses and the kingdom to myself" he said gloating. "I get out of this your dead." "I doubt you do my Prince" he sneered. Before I could say anything else Tia and Lulu walked in. For some reason everything started to fade. "Jeremy. Please come back to us." What was that? Who is that? Please my love. We need you here with us. Tia? Lulu? Daddy. Twilight. No, I never meant to make you cry. Father. Please come home. Oh my sweet Cady. What do I need to do to stop your tears? That is simple my son. Return to your family. They all need you. Mom? I finally started to remember who I am. Was I dead I wondered. If I had died, how am I still alive? I decided I had enough of this and struggled to wake from this nightmare or whatever it was. Opening my eyes everything was blurry and indistinct except for four colored blurs. Finally my vision cleared and I could make out my wives and daughters sitting at the end of my bed. "Welcome back my love." Chapter 3Author's Note Not my best effort I know. Mama Greymoon was messing with me while I was trying to write Chapter 3 I wish upon the moon to take me from this life of strife. To know true peace for once in my life. I think I had woken up, but I'm not certain. I'm not certain of anything really. Waking up something felt....off. N..no. Not this again. Please, anything but this. I've gone through this nightmare enough. This time, instead of ending when Tia and Luna walk in, I have to deal with the whole damn thing. They was staring daggers at me. "What is this about? What have I done Tia?" "SILENCE TRAITOR. YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY RIGHTS HERE." "I still have the right to know what I'm charged with." I looked Luna's way then. Silently pleading with her. "Luna? What is this about?" "Hold your tongue or I shall remove it." I couldn't believe it. I haven't done a thing wrong and both of my wives have abandoned me. I was trying to figure out what I had done when Tia interrupted my thoughts. "The traitor will look at me when I am speaking during his sentencing. With the evidence that Whispered Word has provided, you have been found guilty of treason to the crown. Because of who you are, this has become a private matter and thus is not subject to a trial." Luna picked up from there. "Your sentence is to be stripped of all titles, magic and powers. Normally in situations as this, death is the final decision, but in this case your fortunate. Our daughters have begged us to banish you instead and we have acquiesced to them. We have found a alternate dimension to send you to." That last statement almost killed me. "I'd rather die then be sent somewhere else. Please don't do this" I begged. Tears falling down my face. "As my sister said. Our daughters begged us to spare your life and we shall. Before your sentence is carried out, there is one other issue to take care of." I watched as both of them remove their wedding rings from their horns and throw the rings to the floor in front of me. The final blow was Tia hitting the rings with a spell and melting them. "You are no husband of ours. If you somehow find your way back to Equestria, I will personally send you into my Sun. Goodbye you worthless piece of trash." I just want to wake up. Please, someone wake me up. I want to die so badly. I want this to end. "We can not allow that husband." As I watched, the nightmare faded and I watched as Luna and Celestia walked towards me. I wasn't thinking and started running from them. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE" I screamed at them. I was stumbling and shaking in fear. "Haven't the two of you done enough to me. I just want to die in peace. WHY CAN'T YOU LET ME DO THAT." I had fallen by then and curled myself into a ball. At that point, I didn't care what they did to me. "We can not do that Jeremy." Luna had caught up to me. "Please wake up. All will be explained to you then." Still shaking I looked up at her. The sadness was evident in her eyes. "Nopony will harm you my love. We have waited a thousand years, hoping you would return to us. Just...let go and wake up." Her nuzzling had started to calm me down by then and I watched the area surrounding me start to fade. As conscious returned to me, I felt two bodies on either side of me. I started to tense up, but I felt someone start to nuzzle my ear and speaking softly. "J, calm down my heart. I would just as soon cut my horn and wings off than harm you in anyway." This was the Tia I knew. This was the Tia that helped me with my depression so long ago. "H..how am I still alive" I croaked out. "Everything will be explained my love. Just have patience" Luna answered. "Sister will start with why we was so cold to you the other day." "I thought you still hated me." "After you was banished that was true. Until we found out the truth of the matter, but let me explain about your reception first." "Ok" "When we discovered what Whispered Word had done, we couldn't set the record straight fast enough. After you was exonerated, we have had to deal with various imposters over the years claiming that they was you and had returned. Of course after so many of them over the years, we became jaded." I watched a beautiful smile cross her muzzle. "It was your blessing that confirmed who you are" she said still nuzzling my ear. "Nopony else has ever used your blessing." "When we heard it, joy filled my heart" Now I had Luna nuzzling a ear. "That's when we knew you was home." "That and we could still sense grandmother's magic still on you." I should have known Twilight would have noticed that. "That explains the reception, but what about Whispered Word." "The reality of what happened didn't hit till six months later. A guard stepped forward with information on where you was going all the time." "You found the house didn't you." "Yes, we did. What is it for" Luna asked. "It was to be our retirement home." "What?" "Did you think we would rule for eternity. I was hoping that after maybe four or five hundred years, the girls would have taken over for us." Tia looked at Luna and smiled. "We will get back to that. Anyway, the next piece of information that came up was the fact that we noticed Whispered Words trips started to increase, especially to the north." "We decided to have him followed and it was discovered he had been going to the Crystal Empire. Our suspicion of him grew more because of that. We knew he had no family in the Empire. As the months passed his visits grew more frequent and finally Tia decided to ask him about it. We had cast a truth spell before he entered the room and as we questioned him, his responses became more false. It wasn't long before he broke and admitted that his evidence against you was false and he was in league with Sombra." "At first we was ecstatic that you was innocent, but then it dawned on us. W...we had abandoned you, judged you, and treated you with anger and disdain." Tia's tears torn at my soul. The remorse in her words and eyes said it all. Luna's hurt me worse. She should never cry. My Moon Goddess looked at me with a teary smile. "We decided that if you ever returned, you would be more important than anything to us." I smiled at them and pulled both closer. "I never stopped loving either of you or our daughters, but I want something explained to me." Everyone looked at me expectantly. "Why am I a alicorn?" Chapter 4"To save you daddy. With your curse broken, it was the only way." My teary eyed baby girl answered. "There was no other way. No magic we had would have saved you and your life was fading by the hour. Momma finally made the decision to perform the ritual to turn you. It was our hope that the inherent healing abilities of a alicorn would save you." "And has it" I asked still feeling weak. "You are in no danger anymore my love" Luna answered nuzzling my ear. "Myself and Tia now can spend eternity apologizing to you for the pain and suffering caused by our indiscretions." "I never hated either of you for what happened. I couldn't bring myself to do so. I would like to know what happened with Whispered Word and his collusion with Sombra though?" I got a reluctant smile from Tia and a satisfied grin from Luna. "After his confession and trial he was executed." "And what happened to Sombra?" "A year after Word was executed, Sombra declared war on Equestria. In six months his army was non existent. When we went to the Crystal Empire to confront him, he destroyed everything, killing everypony in the Empire" Celestia told me. "What the hell? Why did he do that" I asked. "He did not want anypony else to have the Empire. If he could not rule it, nopony could" Luna said. I sat there in disbelief. The psychotic bastard destroyed his home to keep anyone from taking it from him. Discord was bad, but Sombra was a whole new level of evil. "Did anyone make it out?" "Not one soul. The ground has been barren since then" Celestia answered. "Can we talk about something else please" I asked. I couldn't stomach anymore about that particular subject. I know I was absolutely ruthless in war, but the complete annihilation of a race, even I couldn't do that. Though there was that one..... "Do not dwell on it J" I could always count on Luna to control my rampant thoughts on certain things. "I know how you think when it comes to battle. Sombra is the one to blame, he is the one that cast the spell. You could never do something like that. I know it in my heart." "Are you sure Luna? I came within a hairs breadth of committing genocide once. Who's to say I wouldn't come close or follow through to doing it again?" "We would stop you love" Celestia added nuzzling my ear. "I may not be as proficient in battle as you or Luna, but I do know how to keep you from making that mistake. I've done it before." I wasn't going to argue with her on that point. "Father? What is mom talking about?" Sighing I looked at my oldest and answered her. "Around two hundred years before both of you was born, the Caribou king at the time made a dumb ass demand. He basically said if your mother's didn't surrender themselves to him, he would conquer Equestria and enslave all of the female population." "Why would he make such a demand daddy?" "He wanted them as his personal sex slaves Little one." The shock that crossed my daughters muzzles is something that I would remember forever. "W....what happened to make him change his mind?" I grimaced and answered my youngest. "My spear going through his skull" I deadpanned. "By the time these two had caught up to me....I had killed all the males above the age of fifteen. Tia talked me down from killing everything in my path." Looking at my daughters, broke my heart. I could see the pain in their eyes and the fear. They had just realized that their father was a monster. Knowing I had lost them, I turned and hid my face under Luna's wing. "Cadence and Twilight, you must understand something. Your father is very protective of us. All of us and he would sacrifice himself to protect the four of us. We are his world, his life and to lose any of us would shatter his world." When Tia finished I felt her move closer to me. "Do not judge your father because of what you both just heard. He is not a monster. What he has done, he did because he wanted a safer world for everypony. More importantly, he wanted a safer world for our foals." I felt Luna nuzzle the top of my head before she continued. "His wish was for a world that was safe for his family and he fought for that dream." I didn't hear anything for a few minutes until I heard a couple of sniffles. I felt the bed shift and two more bodies joined the pile. Feeling a hoof on mine, I looked up and into the lavender eyes of my youngest. They were red from crying and I didn't like it one bit, because I was the reason for the tears. "I understand that you both fear me now. I don't blame neither of you." "We are not afraid of you daddy. It was just..." "A very jarring bit of news father" my oldest finished for her sister. "I know it is. Having to acknowledge that someone you love is willing to go that far to protect the ones he love is both comforting and terrible at the same time." I looked around for a moment. "So, how long will I be in this bed?" "At the longest, tomorrow morning my love" answered Luna. "Good, I'll start getting stir crazy before long. And after I get out of here?" "We start on being a family again" Celestia replied Chapter 5Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 6"BOTH OF YOU LITTLE SHITHEADS SHUT THE HELL UP RIGHT NOW! IVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR IDIOCY." I had to calm down or I would kill the two colts currently cowering on the floor. Both of them was arguing over who deserved the right to date my youngest. "First off, neither of you are worthy of even being in the same room as Twilight. Secondly, WHAT THE FUCK MAKES YOU THINK I WOULD LET YOU DATE HER!" "We are of noble families. It is our right to.." "WRONG AGAIN! THE NOBILITY SERVE EQUESTRIA! NOT THEMSELVES! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS TO A GODS BE DAMNED THING JUST BECAUSE YOUR OF NOBLE BIRTH!" I pointed to the one on my right. "How old are you?" "Eighteen" he said with a sneer. I pointed to the other one then. "Twenty" he answered with some arrogance. I started smiling. "Good. You two will be the first." Looks of confusion crossed their muzzles. "Royal Proclamation time." I cleared my throat to begin, but before I could, my family came rushing in. Good I thought smiling, I won't need to tell them about it. "From this point on, all mares and stallions born into ALL noble families between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two will serve mandatory four year terms in the Royal Guard. This will be followed by four more years in the reserves." I started to hear shouting and threats towards me. "ANY FAMILY THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WILL BE STRIPPED OF THEIR TITLES AND BANISHED FROM EQUESTRIA." That got them to shut up. "Its time you lot remember who serves who in this country. Nobles are just like the Royal family. We all serve Equestria, not the other way around. Those of age WILL report in one week to the guard training center. You will not be given preferential treatment. You will be trained just like the regular recruits." I glared down at the two nobles cowering. "This session of day court is over." I stepped down from the dias and walked past my family. When I made the hall I turned and waited for them to catch up to me. No one said anything until we made it to Tia's sitting room. "That is what you meant when you had a idea isn't it father?" "Yes Cady it is." I held a hood up before Tia or Luna could say anything. "Just because they provide seventy-five percent of the jobs in Equestria means nothing. As I said in the throne room. It is time for them to learn that they serve the common pony, just like we do. I am sorry to say this my wives, but you have allowed these idiots to run roughshod for to long." Both of them hung their heads knowing I was right in someway. Walking up to them, I gently pulled their heads up with my wings. "I am not criticizing either of you" I said smiling softly. "Both of you had to deal with my supposed treachery, raising the girls and ruling the kingdom. Not to mention a short war." Pulling my wives closer, I kissed both in turn and sighed in contentment. "It the weekend and I believe it's time to figure out what parts we need to play." "Like it used to be" Luna asked looking up at me. "Yes my angel. Like it used to be" I answered nuzzling my wife. "Wait. Didn't you use to just work with the military daddy?" "Yes, Twilight" Tia answered. "Your father was over the military. I was over foreign diplomacy and your mother handled domestic affairs. I worked well too. Any big decisions that needed to be made was done by all three of us." "Though this time, we will need to find something for you and your sister to do. We have given you small responsibilities before, but you both will also be learning much more than that, since your father wants the two of you to take over for us one day" Luna finished. "If I had never been banished, the both of you probably would be ruling right now with us in a advisory role. That was my plan all those years ago. Once the two of you was of age, we would have stepped aside, maybe gave you two a couple of little brothers or sisters." I said smiling while wiggling my eyebrows. My wives blushed and my daughters giggled at my antics. "My father, the ham" Cady spit out giggling behind her front hooves. "Ham? More like a lewd old stallion" Tia retorted. "You just had to go there didn't you J?" "Neither of you would have me any other way. I'z be special that way" I finished laughing. "Oh yes. You are special my love. So special, I think you need a special jacket and a special room. We shall make sure it is padded very well" Luna added. "Hardy har har. Regular comedians this crew is. Anyways, thoughts on what I've proclaimed?" "There will be some push back" Tia started with a look of concern. "But with your threat of stripping their titles, I don't think the nobles will do much." "They value their standing too much Sister. You must remember that we are the one's that enobled them in the first place. There are only three of the original noble families from Equestria's founding." "Really" asked Twilight perking up. "Who are they?" "The Light-Armor family, the Pants family and the oldest is the Apple family. All three of them earned their nobility by their service. I'm surprised I haven't seen a Apple yet. Good ole Knotted" I said with a smile. "He was the best commander I've ever had, plus his family provided a lot of the military's food supplies back in the day." "What did the other two families do to earn their positions" Cady asked. "The Light-Armor family was military family through and through. Most of our most capable leaders came from that family" Tia answered her daughter. "And the Pants family provided most of the armor that the soldiers used in battle" Luna finished. "I've noticed a young Armor in the Day Guard and he seems to be doing well. Hopefully he'll be just as good as his ancestors. Okay! Whose ready for dinner?" Chapter 7Author's Note Almost 60 likes and a thousand views. I thank you all. Chapter 7 It was the night before the nobles reported and for some reason I was excited. Don't know why, but couldn't sleep so I went for a walk through Canterlot. Of course the guards tried to follow along. I shut that down pretty quick. I was halfway through a park when I heard a foals crying. What the hell is a foal doing out this late I wondered. It's almost two in the morning. Looking for the foal I followed the crying to some bushes to my right. When I parted the foliage, I laid my eyes on a snow white thestral. I couldn't believe it. I've only seen one in my long life and yet here was another. I eased myself around to a clear spot and settled down. A few minutes later I guess the little one felt my presence. When they looked up I smiled. "What are you doing out here little one?" "Trying to sleep, sir." A colt I realized. "Why out here? Don't you have a home?" "No, sir. I don't have a home. I never had one." "An orphan then?" "Yes, sir." "What's your name little one and how old are you?" "I don't really have a name. They just called me Snow and I'm four, sir." I frowned at that. No real name and he's four? "How long have you been there?" "Since I was born." Okay that rips it. He's coming back to the castle with me. "Do you know who I am?" He nodded. "Alright then. I'm not leaving you out here. Would you like to come with me?" He nodded again. I had to smile. He was too cute. "Okay then little one." I stood up and picking the little guy up, settled him on my back. He got comfortable and was sleeping in a just a moment. I had just made it out of the park when a patrol started to pass. Flagging them down, I asked the pegasus of the group to fly ahead to the castle and wake my wives. Walking into the castle about thirty minutes later I watched two upset mares trot up to me. I held up a hood to forestall any questions and turned slightly so they could see my passenger. Luna's reaction was immediate. She sat down and held her hooves up to her mouth. "Oh! He is adorable. Where did you find him?" "In the park, trying to sleep under a bush" I answered softly. "Abandoned" Tia asked. "Orphan." "How old?" "Four. In his own words." Tia looked at the colt and shaking her head and answered the question for the three of us. "He will be Equestria's new Prince." "He has no name. They just called him Snow." "He looks like Night Heart does he not?" Luna said looking at us. Reminding me of a old friend. The colt woke up at that moment and yawning looked around. When he spotted Tia and Luna he froze. Both got closer and started fawning over him. "After that nap, do you feel better little one?" Tia cooed nuzzling his ear. He nodded while Luna was nuzzling his other ear. "Are you hungry?" she asked him. "Yes, ma'am." Both of them smiled and started towards the kitchens. "Come along dear. The little one is hungry" Tia ordered. I had to smile. This little guy will be doted on by four mares or more. Oh well, there goes my sleep tonight. After Tia brought about the dawn, I watched her and her sister put the sleeping colt between them on our bed. We had taken in abandoned or orphan foals before and given them a chance at a good life. This little colt will be only the second time we adopted a foal though. The last time it didn't work out too good for us. About a century before Cady and Twilight was born, we had found a two year old earth pony filly crying over her dead parents because of a manticore attack. We took her in then adopted her a month later when no relatives came forwards. We only had three years with little Hope Wind. She was taken from us by a illness. She left a indelible mark on our lives and our family still visit her resting place. Shaking myself from my thoughts, I smiled at my mates and prepared to leave to deal with the nobles. "I'm sure the newest member of the family will be formally adopted by the time I return, yes?" "Yes, your new son will be official by dinner time" Tia agreed. "Should we name him or let him keep using Snow" Luna asked. "Get his input. I would rather he have a true name so he knows without a doubt that he is a member of this family." "Of course my love" Luna replied before I kissed both of them and walked out. Even though I was tired, I still had a bounce in my step knowing I would get to torture...ahem train a bunch of whiney nobles. Standing in front of the new intake, I couldn't help but wish one of my old friends was here. Claymore would already have these idiots crying. Smiling at the memory, I decided to get this party started. "ALRIGHT YOU SORRY EXCUSES FOR PONIES. TODAY MARKS THE START OF THE WORST THREE MONTHS OF YOUR PATHETIC LIVES. YOU WILL BE THE FIRST RECRUITS TO GO THROUGH THE UPDATED TRAINING REGIMENT. YOU WILL NOT BE CODDLED, YOU WILL NOT GET SPECIAL TREATMENT AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO QUIT. WHEN THE ORDER IS GIVEN, YOU WILL REGISTER AND BE ISSUED YOUR GEAR. HAVE A NICE DAY!" I just had to add that last little part didn't I. He he he. I'm evil. When all was said and done, we had fourty noble sons and daughters in training. Which was expected. I was currently watching them go through pt and I wasn't impressed. "Boss? Are you sure of this?" I looked at the training sergeant who asked me that and smiled. "Drill, this is the only way that I know of to get these lazy ass nobles to straighten out. I'm tired of them feeling they are entitled to what ever they want. You have royal authorization to beat these idiots into fine upstanding citizens of this country." He smiled at me and saluted. "By your leave then my Prince." And with that he trotted off and started yelling at a recruit that was slacking off which was music to my ears. Chapter 8Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 9The next morning after breakfast, I looked at Tia and Luna with a unspoken question in my eyes. "Cady? Why don't you and Twilight take your brother out and see how well he can fly and if he wants to, he can learn from his sisters if he can't. Is that okay Winter?" The little colt was nodding his head so hard, I thought it was going to fly off. "Please?" When he asked that, he also pulled out the puppy dog eyes and of course they instantly agreed. After they trotted out with Winter on Twilight's back, I started laughing. "That little scamp is gonna end up running this damn castle when he pulls those eyes out." Both of my wives simply nodded. "Alright. Did you find anything out about his past?" They looked at each other before looking back at me and nodded. "Out of curiosity we tested a strand of his mane against five strands we had here in storage. His genetics matched to two of those strands. Night Heart's and" Tia paused for a moment. She then looked at her sister again. "Claymore's." My breath caught and my heart almost stopped. My adopted sons parents gave up a heir to that lineage. Those two was family to us back in the day. Claymore, I considered a brother. Third in command and the only other warrior that could keep up with me and Luna and Night Heart was a accomplished healer and Clay's wife. The Lord General and the Lady of Life was their titles. "Who are his parents? Any ideas?" "No idea husband. He was dropped off at the orphanage within thirty minutes of his birth." Luna answered. "One of them is a descendant of two very powerful and important ponies. We should have records following the family line. Don't we?" "Those particular files was lost somehow when we moved from the Everfree Castle. Luna and I honestly believe they was stolen." "Why would someone do that? It doesn't make sense. What good would they get from having their family lineage files?" "You have to remember J. Both of them was as powerful and as important as the three of us at the time. We will never know why they was stolen." When Tia finished her ears had folded back to her head. Lost in memories of long gone close friends. "Other than our daughters, they was the only two that all three of us trusted with our lives." I snorted. "I still remember the last words I spoke to both of them. We had sent them off to run Manehattan when it was just getting started and I said to them 'if your gut tells you to do something a certain way, DO IT THAT WAY.' Gods be damned, I miss then both. When was the last time either of you had contact with them" I asked. "About twenty years after your banishment my love. They wanted to retire and finally start a family. We both agreed, they came by the castle afterwards for a month. They settled in a small village in the northwest and didn't hear from them again until we got a letter announcing the birth of a son. His name was Lynns Shadow in honor of his uncle. That was the last time we ever heard from them" Luna said sadly. I couldn't believe it. They had named their first born after me? "It's a sad day when descendants from a pair of heros leave a foal with the potential that he has on a orphanage door step. I am so glad that I found him, he now has a chance to reach his true destiny." Ponies amaze me with how similar they act to humans sometimes. Stupid shit like abandoning a new born foal. That pisses me off more than anything. Winters parents better hope I never find them.Anyway, I decided I better go 'ahem' train some noblings and let off some steam. After five hours of listening to a bunch of whining and crying little bitches, I had enough. Walking back into the castle, I started to realize just how much I missed Claymore. He would just smile and tell me to go on. To leave the training to him. Entering the throne room, Luna noticed my weary gait and patted the throne next to her. She pulled my larger frame to her chest when I sat down. "Tired my love?" "I swear that nobles are worse than our daughters was at age two, but at least they didn't whine continuously." She giggled softly whilst nuzzling my right ear. "They both was precocious at that age and powerful in magic." "True. They never asked for anything and never really wanted anything either." I looked around and noticed the lack of ponies. "Where is everyone?" "Tia is with our foals and it is the weekend dear." "Ah. I nearby declare that tomorrow will be a lazy day for us. The only reason either you or Tia should get out of bed is to set the moon and raise the sun, then again you can do that still in bed." Luna started giggling about my declaration. "If that is your will then it shall be done husband, but what about eating and such?" "We have the castles staff. They can bring our munchies to us" I said waving a hoof. "I'm tired and we could use a break from the bullshit of ruling for a day." Luna giggled again before a butler walked in announcing that supper was done. "Good, I've done got hungry and could use something hearty." Chapter 10Author's Note Had to change the rating. Don't know why, but this is the direction my mind is going. Chapter 10 Canterlot was burning and there wasn't a fucking thing I could do. Everywhere my gaze fell bodies, debris and other detritus of battle lay. Bodies that looked like they was fed through a woodchipper. Blood running down the sides of buildings. Some of the bodies looked like they had been eaten. My eyes eventually locked on to the familiar form of Luna laying on the ground. Rushing over to her...I realized she was dead. The armor she always used was dented and missing in places. The sword I had forged for her birthday over a millennia ago sticking out of her chest. Someone had removed her horn and wings. Falling to my knees I had to wonder how? How had this happened? Why had this happened? Movement caught my eye and ten feet past Luna, I found Tia. "TIA?" I called to her running up. Falling to my knees again at her side, I was appalled at her condition. She was burned badly and her stomach had been ripped open. "Tia! Baby, please talk to me" I begged nuzzling her cheek. Opening her eyes she finally focused on me enough to know who was holding her. "J?" "I'm here my love. I've got you." Laying like she was, I just noticed a small white body under what was left of my wife's right wing. It was little Winter and something had ripped out his throat. "Who did this Tia? Who killed Luna and Winter? Where are our daughters? Why is this happening?" I couldn't understand why this was going on. I thought we was safe. "Sombre. It was Sombra." WHAT? How could it be. He disappeared with the Crystal Empire. "J?" I looked down to my sunshine and watched as she drew her last breath. I could do nothing to save her. All I could do was clutch Tia closer to me and wail in pain. I had lost both of my wives and my adopted son. My daughters, I didn't know where they was and that bastard Sombra is responsible for it all. SOMBRA!! WHERE ARE YOU!? "I'm right here" he said with a low chuckle from behind me. Kissing Tia, I gently laid her down and stood. When I turned to face him, my mind stopped. My daughter's stood to either side of him. "What is the meaning of this" was the only thing I could say. I could see the same black miasma flowing out of their eyes as Sombra had. "Isn't it obvious father. Our King has shown us the true way to rule" Cadence answered. "The way you and our mothers rules was not very efficient. Our husbands way is better." Twilight added. "Cady, Little One?" I was in shock. First my wives and son are dead. Now this fucker has the gall to corrupt my daughters. The demented bastard started laughing again. "Just give up Prince. Your family is broken, so is your kingdom. You can not win." I looked around at the carnage. Turning, I walked back to the bodies of my family. Levitating Luna's body to where I was standing next to Tia, I placed them next to each other with Winter in the middle. I stood over them and flared my wings. My horn lit up as I started to channel magic. "My family is dead and my kingdom has fallen. That is true, but what makes you think you're going to leave here alive" I answered him in perfectly calm voice. He stared at me for a minute before his eyes grew in alarm. "YOU WOULDN'T!" "I have nothing to live for. So, I'm going to take you with me." In desperation he lit his own horn, but nothing happened. I smiled at him knowing in the end he would die. "You aren't strong enough, even with two alicorns helping you to teleport away. Even a shield spell won't work. Nothingness, that's what awaits you." I smiled again in thought. "I pity you Sombra. You will die alone, unloved. I won't." And in a brilliant flare of light, I knew no more. My eyes snapped open with one name on my mind. "SOMBRA!" At the same time I had cast the strongest area effect spell I knew without realizing it. I was told later, after I had calmed down, that they had felt the detonation of it in Ponyville. I hovered in midair breathing hard, my mind still recovering from whatever that was. A nightmare? Premonition maybe? I don't know, but it scared the living hell out of me. Finally I calmed down to the point of being observant and oh by the gods I thought. Please tell me no one was in the tower with me. Looking around, I had destroyed half of the northern tower. Landing amongst the wreckage, I started digging in a panic. "J! J stop. Calm down my love." Feeling hooves around me, I looked and found Tia and Luna holding me with concern in their eyes. "Did I hurt anyone?" "No, my love. No pony was in the tower with you and any flying debris was vaporized by the pulse" Luna answered. "What happened J" Tia asked with fear in her voice. "I fear a nightmare is coming. One I can't defeat." "Who my love?" "SOMBRA." Chapter 11Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 12I'm really starting to regret asking for this I thought to myself. It's been ten minutes since I started the match and I was almost out on my hooves. Of course I didn't show it, but in the occasional glances I had at Luna, I could see worry start to creep into her eyes. By this time, about a quarter of the trainees was knocked out or injured, me on the other hand, hoof, however the fuck it's said, I'm sporting a gash on my right side a stab wound to my right shoulder and a few broken ribs from some idiot who though a warhammer was a good idea. I'm still trying to figure out how the hell she swung the damn thing. "You must stop this J. It's clear that your body isn't ready for combat at this point." Leave it to Luna to state the obvious, plus my concentration was broke and I took another hit from that hammer. My roar of pain and the sound of my body hitting the ground made everyone come to a stop. I could feel that my left rear leg was shattered and on top of it all was the fact that I couldn't get up. "LYNN" "FATHER!" "Stay down J. You can not continue like this. Get him to the castle infirmary at once!" "NO" I practically roared. "I refuse to end this exercise!" Finally struggling to my hooves, I cast the one healing spell I know. All it really is, is a spell to mend bones temporarily. Gritting my teeth, I slammed my leg down to numb it so I can finish this fight. I've got ten minutes to end this I thought to myself. Looking over the remaining trainees, I took note that the last ones are the best of the best and my first target will be the mare with the damn hammer. "Lets finish this. The one who can knock me down and out, I will name you as the Captain of my personal guard." I smiled at the shocked looks on those still standing. "I can see that some of you knows the history of the Sky Guard, but that also means I expect you to be the best" pausing I took my stance again facing them. "So come, show me you deserve that honor." As I had expected, the mare with the warhammer charged. From what I could tell she was a earth pony with blue fur and silver mane and tail. She had the hammer on her back in a carry position, but as soon as she was in range, she grabbed the handle in her hooves and in a impressive display of strength and speed started attacking. In seconds I was being pressed by the mare. The attacks was coming so quickly I couldn't do anything but defend. When a minute or two passed, I found my opening. I slammed Twilight's Fall into her side knocking her over and destroying her armor. In a second she was back on her hooves and in her own stance again, but I noticed something. The colors she originally sported was changing. I watched as blue and silver faded into orange and blond. She had three red apples for a cutie mark and I knew who she was then. "Apple Jack Apple. You have no reason to be here. Your family has done more for Equestria than any other. This kingdom wouldn't exist if it wasn't for your ancestor" I said looking at her. "With that said, why are you here?" "Cuz, I want to do my part for my home. A Apple has always been in the guard and I'm not about to break that tradition." "You remind me of Knotted so much." Apple Jack just nodded and smiled. "The stories are passed down in the family." I dont know what she said after that because everything went black. "Ya know sumthin. Ya 'ave got ta be the most 'ard headed sumbitch ah ever had the displeasure to meet." "Oh, kiss my ass you old fucker. I've had to put up with your shit for fifty years now" I said smiling at the old stallion propped up in his bed. Before me laid one Knotted Apple. Lord General of the Equestrian Army, Defender of the Everfree and the only pony I trusted with my life other than my wives at that time. He was the first to be named Lord General and the last, until Claymore came along six hundred years later. "Dyin sucks J. Ah always figured ah would die in battle, not of old age in ma bed." "That happens when your a warhorse of your caliber Knot. Individually we was formidable, but when we was together, no one could beat us. It is because of you that we have a safe kingdom now. Discord fell because of you." "Ah didn't do anything special. Ah did what come natural ta me." "You commanded the army and allowed me the time I needed to kill Discord. Equestria will always be in debt to you and your family." I watched the old stallion scratch his muzzle before looking me in the eyes. "Ah just want you ta promise me one thing J." "What's that Knot?" He nodded towards his warhammer propped up in the corner of his room. "If ah Apple ever shows up carryin that old thing, ya treat em like you do me." "Done." Chapter 13Pain is a wonderful thing isn't it? It lets us know that we are alive and keeps us humble, but right now pain can go take a fucking hike for all I care. With my eyes closed I could tell who was with me. Vanilla on my left and Jasmine on my right. One is my heart and the other my soul and I know without a doubt that they are worried about me. "I might as well have a larger hospital bed commissioned since I've been in one almost the whole damn time I've been back." Two pair of eyes looked at me when I opened mine. One pair was rose colored and filled with worry and the other pair was blue and was showing mirth. "Why must you do this to yourself? Your service to Equestria ended long ago J." "As long as I'm alive and Equestria exists, my service to this land will never end Tia. You know that." I kissed my worried mate and looked at my other wife. "Well?" "You are stronger than you was as a human and faster." "I can hear a but in there" I added. "Its as you said. You will need time to get used to the body you now have. Your combat style needs to change and we need to work on your magic skills." Luna placed her hoof on my mouth before I could speak. "Tia can help you with your magic and I will help you with the physical side of things. Will that suffice my love" she asked nuzzling me. "It'll have to work I guess. Where is that Apple at? I want to know what the fuck she was thinking." "I'll have a guard bring her. She has been staying here in the castle so she is close." I looked at Tia with a raised eyebrow. "Two days love. That's how long you was out this time." I could hear Luna giggling behind me and looked over my shoulder at her. "Think that's funny do ya?" She went from giggles to full blown laughing at me. When she could breath she finally told me what's so funny. "I am sorry, my love. The guards have started a bit pool on when you would get injured and for how long since you are....shall we say injury prone" she finished snorting. "I wouldn't say injury prone sister" Tia began. "I would say he has the propensity to charge his opponents, now how did that saying go that you like" she stopped taking a thoughtful pose. "Ah! Yes. Now I remember. Like a bull in a China shop." Both of them was laughing now. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up chuckle heads. Just get Applejack in here" I grumbled out. When the Apple clan member entered the room, I stared her down. It wasn't a moment before she dropped her gaze to the floor. "What was you thinking about on that field and don't try that hick act on me either. I know for a fact that you are well educated. Knot used it to his advantage on so many occasions."She looked at me with a knowing grin. "Ponies would think I'm just some type of yokle and assume I'm stupid, but when it came down to business....they would find out otherwise." "Exactly." I responded. "Knot was a brilliant battlefield commander and on the tactical side of things, I was the only one that could match him" I paused as I remembered my old friend. Looking at the hammer on her back made me remember when I forged it. "I can recall the day I forged this thing for him" I said encasing the weapon in my magic and bringing it to me. "I had asked what type of weapon he wanted and from the stories I had told him he decided he wanted a warhammer." Luna perked up and looked at the hammer herself. "He never did answer me why he wanted something so heavy to use. Why did he want a hammer J?" "Fear. Pure and simple fear. Swords, spears and magic can be blocked or misdirected, but if you have the strength and skill to wield a warhammer, you would be a terror on a battlefield. Between the weight of the hammer and the strength of its welder, a warhammer is hard to beat, but as I said, it takes considerable skill to use one correctly. " I paused as I ran a hoof over the intricate scroll work on the double sided head. (Think of Volendrung, but more elaborate.) "No one had ever seen one here and he figured it would be a psychological advantage too. Breaking armor, weapons and bones is what it does best." Glancing back at Applejack, I could see doubt in her eyes and I think Luna did as well. "Your ancestor was one of the main reasons the kingdom exists today. You have his physical and emotional strength. If anything, Knotted would be proud that another Apple has taken Skycracker up once again and is willing to protect his home and family." "Why did you try to keep my family out of the guard then?" "I wanted to keep my friends family safe" I said. "To keep a family that I have considered my family safe." I looked at my wives and sighed. "Very well, Applejack. As of now, you are the Captain of the Sky Guard. Their primary purpose is the protection of the Royal family, but since that really isn't necessary, their main focus is the defence of Canterlot and the castle. The Solar and Lunar can go back to their respective missions once again. You have six months to find thirty qualified individuals to become members." "Only thirty?" "Yes, Applejack. Only thirty. The Sky Guard was a elite unit once and it will be again. Who do you think was its first commander?" She blanched at the implications and I started grinning. "That's right. You have some big horseshoes to fill, but you are of his bloodline and I know you can do this. Dismissed." Chapter 14Applejack's pov Three months after I was commissioned as Captain of the Prince's Sky Guard, I was prepared to present my selections to him and was searching for him when he practically ran me over. Getting back to my hooves, I looked to see who the foal was that ran me down and was shocked at what I laid my eyes upon. He was wild eyed and shaking in fear. "Your Highness? What's wrong?" He frantically looked around before it registered that I was standing in front of him. "Applejack! What ever you do. DO NOT TELL MY WIVES THAT YOU HAVE SEEN ME. PLEASE!" His request puzzled me for a minute until I heard a faint voice calling for him. "Oh husband. Where did you go?" I instantly recognized the voice as belonging to Princess Celestia and watched as all color drained from J's muzzle. "Fuck me with a lightning bolt and call me Sparky. They found me!" This confused me even more. "J? What's going on?" "Tia and Luna are in heat and it's bad. A thousand years without me lead them to suppressing it the entire time and since I'm back, their first one is.....HOLY SHIT! HERE THEY COME!" And with that said, he took off like a...well, like a lightning bolt. About two minutes later, the Princesses arrived and the scent of their combined heat was overwhelming. "Captain" Celestia said in greeting. "Princess. To what do I owe the honor?" "Come now Applejack. After the last three months, you can use our names while we are in private" Luna said. "As you wish...Luna. What can I help you with this evening?" They looked at each other before looking back at me. "Can you tell us where our husband went? Please?" If it had been any other time and anypony else I would have gave them wrong directions, but I'm not going to get between a pair of horny mares and their stallion let alone a pair of in season alicorns. So, I stepped to the side and pointed in the direction the Prince ran. "He went that way." I got a pair of big smiles for the information. "Thank you Captain." As they trotted by, I walked in the opposite direction with a smile on my own muzzle thinking about what was going to happen to J when they finally caught him. Two weeks later I'M FREE. That was the first thought i had after escaping our bedroom, then reality slapped the fuck outta me. For two weeks my wives kept me locked up to sate their heat and I was paying for it now. No food, nothing to drink and I smelled like hell. It's so bad I'm not going to try and describe it. It wasn't long before a pair of guards on patrol found me. "Uh, sir? Are you ok my Prince?" "No, I'm not ok. Two alicorns just had their way with me for two weeks. I'm tired, starving and need a bath, so if the pair of you would be so kind as to alert the bathhouse and kitchens that I will be there shortly. The bath first." "At once my lord." Both turned to carry out my orders and as I struggled to my hooves I have to hope it won't be this bad next time. I mean damn, when I was human it never was this bad. Finally getting up I headed towards the baths with my wings dragging and my head held low. The only reason I'm still alive is because I'm a alicorn now I reasoned. It has to be. If I was still human there is no way in hell i could have survived, well I would have hoped that Tia and Luna would have come to their senses and realized what was happening, but I'll be right as the rain in a day or two. I hope always. Finally walking into the bathhouse, I see the three mares that run it and the looks of horror on their faces is a bit disconcerting. "I know I'm a mess Peach. That's why I'm here to subject myself to your practiced hooves." The mare in question just smiled and shook her head. "You look horrible and" she paused wrinkling her muzzle "smell horrible too, my Prince." "That's why I'm here. I don't have the energy to do anything about it and.... I needed to get out of that room. I love my wives, but after what I've been through the last two weeks" I trailed off trying to forget the whole thing. "Don't worry about it J. Me and the girls will take care of you" Peach said smiling. "Thank you" I said as they guided me towards the bath. For a hour and a half they scrubbed and preened my tired ass and when I walked out I felt normal. Time for some chow I thought and my stomach growled its agreement. Making my way towards the kitchens I came across my eldest. "Cadey." "Father!" And was tackled. As I laid there with my oldest daughter trying to squeeze the life out of me, I had one thought. Why are all the mares in my family trying to kill me? "Can't breath Cadey" I finally wheezed out. "Sorry, daddy." "It's ok baby." I told her getting back up. "What have the two of you been doing for the last couple of weeks?" "Dealing with nobles mainly." "Any problems?" I had made my mind up that if one was being a real pest, they would get a free ride. My catapult still sits in the throne room. At the ready. "No, not really. I did have one get to be a smartass about three days after mother locked the three of you in, but I took care of him." The smirk she was wearing told me everything. "You gave him a free ride didn't you?" Her hiding her laughter behind a hoof was all the answer I needed. "And they say you don't take after me in anyways." She just smiled and blushed a little. "I'm headed to the dining room. Join me?" "Of course, Father." Chapter 15Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter 1"I am sorry to inform you of this Mr. Voigt, but you have maybe a week left to live. The cancer has spread too far." I just nodded. I had been expecting that diagnosis, so I didn't come as a shock. "It's alright Doc. I've lived long enough." "Do you have any family that we can contact for you?" I grimaced slightly when he said family. "No, I dont. They live far away from here and more than likely wouldn't care." "Well as I said. I'm sorry that we can't do anymore for you" he replied as he walked out. With nothing else to be said, I got dressed and walked out to my truck to begin the one hour trip home. It's hard to remember things sometimes, especially when your over three thousand years old. Yes, that is correct. I said three thousand, but that's a story for another time, if I'm still alive in a week. Sitting down in my favorite chair, I started to reflect on my life. I didn't try to stop the tears coursing down my weathered face. Why should I? There was no one else here. No one to care about me. So I let them fall. I thought of my true home. My two wives and my daughters. I would love to see them one last time, but there isn't a way....or is there? Gingerly getting up, I walked out into the back of my home. It was a open area and would work. I hope this works I thought to myself. "Faust. I only hope you can hear me, but I would ask a favor of you. Grant a dying old man his final wish. Take me home so that at least I could die where I belong." I stood there hoping that my plea was heard, but my money is on the fact that her daughters made sure I would never be heard from again. Sighing, I turned to go head back in, when a bright flash occurred behind me. "You are immortal, Jeremy. You can not die." She heard me! I couldn't believe it, but hearing her words was like a stab to my heart. Turning around, I asked one question. "Are you sure of that Faust?" The look of absolute shock on her muzzle made my day. "H...how is this possible? Discord's curse could never be removed." Her shock had turned to sadness by then. "Who did this to you?" "Celestia." The goddesses ears flattened to her head and she started crying. As long as I've know her, she has never cried. "But why? It's not possible. I know she stripped you of your magic and powers, but your immortality was a curse from Discord." "I don't know either Faust, but it happened and I have maybe a week left to live. I want to go home and see them all one last time and die where I was born." Faust walked up to me and wrapped her wings around my body. "I will take you back, but know this Jeremy. It's been over a thousand years since your banishment and things have changed. I will not tell you, but you may be surprised when you get there" she said nuzzling my cheek. "I still considered you my son in law and I still love you as one." "Thank you, Mom." I got a giggle for that remark. "Ready?" "Yes." "Good. Now, you will appear outside the throne room. Getting in shouldn't be a problem since the cloak I will give you has a enchantment to hide your features. Court is in session, just so you know. Oh, I should mention this. All four of your girls are there." I nodded in understanding. "Ok, here we go." When I reappeared right in front of the guards, they was startled for a moment. "Court is in session correct" I asked one of them. Getting a confirming nod I motioned for the door and the guard on the right opened it. Walking in I could see it was crowded. Must be a open court I mused. I always preferred dealing with the common pony. Nobles just rubbed me the wrong way. Finished with my nostalgia trip I shuffled along the red carpet until I was in front of the thrones. Celestia and Luna sat in the middle, while Cadence sat to Tia's right and Twilight sat to Luna's left. Tia and Luna was as beautiful now as they was the last time I had seen them. As tall as my six foot three inch frame and statuesque too, but alicorns are always the pinnacle of beauty. Of course my daughters had grown into beautiful mares as well. I gazed upon the four mares that was my life for so long. Celestia broke me out of my revelry with a question. "Can we help you, my little pony?" "That depends on whether your willing to help me Tia. All I want is to go home and I'm not a pony. You know that." I had their undivided attention when I called her Tia. Luna was leaning forward like she was trying to place my voice. "Who are you?" Turning my hidden gaze to Cadence, I couldn't help but marvel at the mare she had grown into. "That depends Cady. The last time I got to see you was a month after yours and Twilight's fifteenth birthday party." At those words the two older mares stiffened and the two younger mares grew pensive. "SHOW YOURSELF!!" Celestia shouted. "As you wish" I said taking off the cloak I knew what they would see. A frail old man, hardly able to stand on his own two feet. Shock, regret, sadness, I could see all of those emotions cross their muzzles, but for some reason rage was in Tia and Luna's eyes. "What is it you want" Luna bit out. "A chariot to take me home. Back to the land I was born and raised on." I could hear the crowd murmuring and wondering who was this thing that so boldly used the Princesses names. "For what reason could you have there" Celestia asked through gritted teeth. "So I can die in peace." That stunned the throne room into silence. "You can not die Jeremy. Discord's curse..." "Is no longer upon me. You saw to that Celestia when you stripped me of my magic and powers. I am a old man now and if I'm lucky a old man with a week to live" I interrupted her by saying. A despondent look crossed her muzzle when I said that. "Don't give me that hurt look Tia. You knew exactly what you was doing. You wanted me to suffer for SOMETHING I AM INNOCENT OF" I roared at her. I shouldn't have done that because I started coughing when I finished. "Damn cancer" I muttered to myself. I looked at my hand and could see flecks of blood. "What do you mean cancer?" I should have know that Twilight would have caught that when she finally spoke up. "That is what's killing me Little One." Though they was born on the same day, Twilight was the youngest by a few hours. That's why I called her little one. I was growing tired and wanted to end this farce. "Are you going to grant my request? I don't want to be here any longer and I'm sure you four no longer want to see me anymore, since I'm a failure as a husband and a father in your eyes." "We shall not grant what you ask" Luna replied. "Execution then. Going to live up to your final words to me are you, Luna?" Her stoic expression never changed. "Executions were banned five hundred years ago, though for you I believe we could make an exception. Alas, we will not." "I have one question for you." I looked Celestia's way when she spoke. "How did you return?" "Faust still loves me as her son in law, so your mother is the one that brought me back" I knew pretty much how this would end and sighed. "Since I'm not going to be executed and you're not going to help me, I will find my own way home. May the land always give you what you seek." I turned and started my slow walk out of their presence, but half way I started coughing again. When I stopped I felt faint and my hand was covered in blood. "That's not good" I said aloud and that's when the darkness closed upon me.
Chapter 2I can't tell if I'm alive and dreaming or dead and remembering. I was nervous as hell. There is simply no other way to put it. This day is probably the most important one in my life and here I stand almost sweating buckets. "Calm down or I will have to hit you with a spell J." I smirked at the speaker when he said that. "Sure. Just as long as I'm awake when you tell those two why I was sounding like a sawmill at full run on their wedding day you old goat." Damn did his grin disappear. Tia when mad is bad enought, but Luna is on a whole other level. One time during court, I had been holding Luna's hoof while I was talking to her. When I was on my way out, I passed a noble who was next up. The next thing I know the very same noble goes flying through the window to the garden with a pissed off Luna behind him. The explanation I got from a laughing Tia was, because I had held Luna's hoof, he thought he could too. His problem was that he didn't know we was engaged. Anyways, me and Tia follow the flying noble and Luna to the garden and I see what has to be the funniest thing I've ever seen. I had showed Lulu a pinball machine once in a dream and it must have stuck in her mind. I could only watch as my mad fiance used this poor stallion as a pinball in the gardens using the statues as bumpers. Sound effects and all. Coming out of my reflection I looked at Star Swirl. The smirk on my face made him groan. "Let me guess. Pinball?" "Pinball" I confirmed. Everything changed at that moment as I turned and beheld the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Luna and Celestia standing at the end of the aisle in their wedding dresses. I had stopped breathing while I watched them make their way down the aisle. Both was giggling as they stood around me, before Luna spoke. "You need to breath love." I'll wait for you there like a stone. "CLEAR THE WAY" I shouted in my head long rush through the castle. Staff and guards alike moved out of my way. The need for my haste was simple, Celestia had gone into labor two hours ago. I had been in the Everfree doing a sweep for a supposed timberwolf pack when I got the message. Making it to our bed chambers I heard Tia ask a question, but it was the way she asked it that was surprising. "WHERE THE BUCK IS OUR HUSBAND? IM GOING TO GELD HIS ASS WHEN HE GETS HERE!" Walking in I answered her in a calm manner. "Not if you want a son in the future your not." Luna was standing next to her and she looked like she could drop the foal she was carrying any day. "Where were you? Tia has been asking for you since her water broke." "I was out looking for that timberwolf pack. You know we can't leave them to roam freely, but that doesn't matter. I'm here now." Taking my place next to Tia and she immediately latched on to my arm. "I'm sorry for yelling like that J." I smiled at her and started rubbing her belly. "It's ok Tia. This isn't my first time remember. Just try to relax and don't forget to breath" I reminded her planting a kiss on her forehead at the base of her horn. Tia smiled at me momentarily before she grimaced in pain. "She needs to make up her little mind. Before you got here she was in a hurry. Now she is acting like she doesn't want to come out now" Tia grumbled. "Sometimes it's quick, sometimes it's drawn out angel. It just depends." Tia grumbled some more while Luna started snickering. She stopped when she got a look from Tia that could melt steel. "I can't wait till your in my place, then you'll find out what it's like to try and push out something the size of a watermelon through a hole the size of a apple." Luna's beautiful blue muzzle turned white. I heard what sounded like spilled water and she looked behind her. When she turned back around and looked at me, she announced in the calmest voice she could manage and told me her water had broke. I said the only thing I could at that point. "Oh shit." Life it seems to fade away. Drifting further everyday. I had awakened with a start. What the hell woke me up I wondered. Looking around, neither of my wife's was in bed with me. Looking at the clock I noted it was about eight in the morning. Thinking nothing of it, I climbed out of bed and went the the bathroom. As I made my way out I felt something impact the back of my head and everything went black. Regaining consciousness I found myself in the throne room in chains? "What is the meaning of this" I asked aloud. "We can not allow you to carry out your plans" came a reply. "What the hell are you talking about? What plans?" Finally spotting the speaker I wanted to remove his tongue. It was Whispered Word. One of Tia's so called advisors and a pony I hated. "What plans are you spouting off at the mouth about." The slimy bastard smiled. "The plans I discovered to kill the Princesses and surrender to King Sombre of the Crystal Empire." "You conniving little shit. There is no way in hell that I would do that or ever think of it." "It matters not" he said still smiling. "I finally found a way to remove you and have all of the Princesses and the kingdom to myself" he said gloating. "I get out of this your dead." "I doubt you do my Prince" he sneered. Before I could say anything else Tia and Lulu walked in. For some reason everything started to fade. "Jeremy. Please come back to us." What was that? Who is that? Please my love. We need you here with us. Tia? Lulu? Daddy. Twilight. No, I never meant to make you cry. Father. Please come home. Oh my sweet Cady. What do I need to do to stop your tears? That is simple my son. Return to your family. They all need you. Mom? I finally started to remember who I am. Was I dead I wondered. If I had died, how am I still alive? I decided I had enough of this and struggled to wake from this nightmare or whatever it was. Opening my eyes everything was blurry and indistinct except for four colored blurs. Finally my vision cleared and I could make out my wives and daughters sitting at the end of my bed. "Welcome back my love."
Chapter 3Author's Note Not my best effort I know. Mama Greymoon was messing with me while I was trying to write Chapter 3 I wish upon the moon to take me from this life of strife. To know true peace for once in my life. I think I had woken up, but I'm not certain. I'm not certain of anything really. Waking up something felt....off. N..no. Not this again. Please, anything but this. I've gone through this nightmare enough. This time, instead of ending when Tia and Luna walk in, I have to deal with the whole damn thing. They was staring daggers at me. "What is this about? What have I done Tia?" "SILENCE TRAITOR. YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY RIGHTS HERE." "I still have the right to know what I'm charged with." I looked Luna's way then. Silently pleading with her. "Luna? What is this about?" "Hold your tongue or I shall remove it." I couldn't believe it. I haven't done a thing wrong and both of my wives have abandoned me. I was trying to figure out what I had done when Tia interrupted my thoughts. "The traitor will look at me when I am speaking during his sentencing. With the evidence that Whispered Word has provided, you have been found guilty of treason to the crown. Because of who you are, this has become a private matter and thus is not subject to a trial." Luna picked up from there. "Your sentence is to be stripped of all titles, magic and powers. Normally in situations as this, death is the final decision, but in this case your fortunate. Our daughters have begged us to banish you instead and we have acquiesced to them. We have found a alternate dimension to send you to." That last statement almost killed me. "I'd rather die then be sent somewhere else. Please don't do this" I begged. Tears falling down my face. "As my sister said. Our daughters begged us to spare your life and we shall. Before your sentence is carried out, there is one other issue to take care of." I watched as both of them remove their wedding rings from their horns and throw the rings to the floor in front of me. The final blow was Tia hitting the rings with a spell and melting them. "You are no husband of ours. If you somehow find your way back to Equestria, I will personally send you into my Sun. Goodbye you worthless piece of trash." I just want to wake up. Please, someone wake me up. I want to die so badly. I want this to end. "We can not allow that husband." As I watched, the nightmare faded and I watched as Luna and Celestia walked towards me. I wasn't thinking and started running from them. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE" I screamed at them. I was stumbling and shaking in fear. "Haven't the two of you done enough to me. I just want to die in peace. WHY CAN'T YOU LET ME DO THAT." I had fallen by then and curled myself into a ball. At that point, I didn't care what they did to me. "We can not do that Jeremy." Luna had caught up to me. "Please wake up. All will be explained to you then." Still shaking I looked up at her. The sadness was evident in her eyes. "Nopony will harm you my love. We have waited a thousand years, hoping you would return to us. Just...let go and wake up." Her nuzzling had started to calm me down by then and I watched the area surrounding me start to fade. As conscious returned to me, I felt two bodies on either side of me. I started to tense up, but I felt someone start to nuzzle my ear and speaking softly. "J, calm down my heart. I would just as soon cut my horn and wings off than harm you in anyway." This was the Tia I knew. This was the Tia that helped me with my depression so long ago. "H..how am I still alive" I croaked out. "Everything will be explained my love. Just have patience" Luna answered. "Sister will start with why we was so cold to you the other day." "I thought you still hated me." "After you was banished that was true. Until we found out the truth of the matter, but let me explain about your reception first." "Ok" "When we discovered what Whispered Word had done, we couldn't set the record straight fast enough. After you was exonerated, we have had to deal with various imposters over the years claiming that they was you and had returned. Of course after so many of them over the years, we became jaded." I watched a beautiful smile cross her muzzle. "It was your blessing that confirmed who you are" she said still nuzzling my ear. "Nopony else has ever used your blessing." "When we heard it, joy filled my heart" Now I had Luna nuzzling a ear. "That's when we knew you was home." "That and we could still sense grandmother's magic still on you." I should have known Twilight would have noticed that. "That explains the reception, but what about Whispered Word." "The reality of what happened didn't hit till six months later. A guard stepped forward with information on where you was going all the time." "You found the house didn't you." "Yes, we did. What is it for" Luna asked. "It was to be our retirement home." "What?" "Did you think we would rule for eternity. I was hoping that after maybe four or five hundred years, the girls would have taken over for us." Tia looked at Luna and smiled. "We will get back to that. Anyway, the next piece of information that came up was the fact that we noticed Whispered Words trips started to increase, especially to the north." "We decided to have him followed and it was discovered he had been going to the Crystal Empire. Our suspicion of him grew more because of that. We knew he had no family in the Empire. As the months passed his visits grew more frequent and finally Tia decided to ask him about it. We had cast a truth spell before he entered the room and as we questioned him, his responses became more false. It wasn't long before he broke and admitted that his evidence against you was false and he was in league with Sombra." "At first we was ecstatic that you was innocent, but then it dawned on us. W...we had abandoned you, judged you, and treated you with anger and disdain." Tia's tears torn at my soul. The remorse in her words and eyes said it all. Luna's hurt me worse. She should never cry. My Moon Goddess looked at me with a teary smile. "We decided that if you ever returned, you would be more important than anything to us." I smiled at them and pulled both closer. "I never stopped loving either of you or our daughters, but I want something explained to me." Everyone looked at me expectantly. "Why am I a alicorn?"
Chapter 4"To save you daddy. With your curse broken, it was the only way." My teary eyed baby girl answered. "There was no other way. No magic we had would have saved you and your life was fading by the hour. Momma finally made the decision to perform the ritual to turn you. It was our hope that the inherent healing abilities of a alicorn would save you." "And has it" I asked still feeling weak. "You are in no danger anymore my love" Luna answered nuzzling my ear. "Myself and Tia now can spend eternity apologizing to you for the pain and suffering caused by our indiscretions." "I never hated either of you for what happened. I couldn't bring myself to do so. I would like to know what happened with Whispered Word and his collusion with Sombra though?" I got a reluctant smile from Tia and a satisfied grin from Luna. "After his confession and trial he was executed." "And what happened to Sombra?" "A year after Word was executed, Sombra declared war on Equestria. In six months his army was non existent. When we went to the Crystal Empire to confront him, he destroyed everything, killing everypony in the Empire" Celestia told me. "What the hell? Why did he do that" I asked. "He did not want anypony else to have the Empire. If he could not rule it, nopony could" Luna said. I sat there in disbelief. The psychotic bastard destroyed his home to keep anyone from taking it from him. Discord was bad, but Sombra was a whole new level of evil. "Did anyone make it out?" "Not one soul. The ground has been barren since then" Celestia answered. "Can we talk about something else please" I asked. I couldn't stomach anymore about that particular subject. I know I was absolutely ruthless in war, but the complete annihilation of a race, even I couldn't do that. Though there was that one..... "Do not dwell on it J" I could always count on Luna to control my rampant thoughts on certain things. "I know how you think when it comes to battle. Sombra is the one to blame, he is the one that cast the spell. You could never do something like that. I know it in my heart." "Are you sure Luna? I came within a hairs breadth of committing genocide once. Who's to say I wouldn't come close or follow through to doing it again?" "We would stop you love" Celestia added nuzzling my ear. "I may not be as proficient in battle as you or Luna, but I do know how to keep you from making that mistake. I've done it before." I wasn't going to argue with her on that point. "Father? What is mom talking about?" Sighing I looked at my oldest and answered her. "Around two hundred years before both of you was born, the Caribou king at the time made a dumb ass demand. He basically said if your mother's didn't surrender themselves to him, he would conquer Equestria and enslave all of the female population." "Why would he make such a demand daddy?" "He wanted them as his personal sex slaves Little one." The shock that crossed my daughters muzzles is something that I would remember forever. "W....what happened to make him change his mind?" I grimaced and answered my youngest. "My spear going through his skull" I deadpanned. "By the time these two had caught up to me....I had killed all the males above the age of fifteen. Tia talked me down from killing everything in my path." Looking at my daughters, broke my heart. I could see the pain in their eyes and the fear. They had just realized that their father was a monster. Knowing I had lost them, I turned and hid my face under Luna's wing. "Cadence and Twilight, you must understand something. Your father is very protective of us. All of us and he would sacrifice himself to protect the four of us. We are his world, his life and to lose any of us would shatter his world." When Tia finished I felt her move closer to me. "Do not judge your father because of what you both just heard. He is not a monster. What he has done, he did because he wanted a safer world for everypony. More importantly, he wanted a safer world for our foals." I felt Luna nuzzle the top of my head before she continued. "His wish was for a world that was safe for his family and he fought for that dream." I didn't hear anything for a few minutes until I heard a couple of sniffles. I felt the bed shift and two more bodies joined the pile. Feeling a hoof on mine, I looked up and into the lavender eyes of my youngest. They were red from crying and I didn't like it one bit, because I was the reason for the tears. "I understand that you both fear me now. I don't blame neither of you." "We are not afraid of you daddy. It was just..." "A very jarring bit of news father" my oldest finished for her sister. "I know it is. Having to acknowledge that someone you love is willing to go that far to protect the ones he love is both comforting and terrible at the same time." I looked around for a moment. "So, how long will I be in this bed?" "At the longest, tomorrow morning my love" answered Luna. "Good, I'll start getting stir crazy before long. And after I get out of here?" "We start on being a family again" Celestia replied
Chapter 6"BOTH OF YOU LITTLE SHITHEADS SHUT THE HELL UP RIGHT NOW! IVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR IDIOCY." I had to calm down or I would kill the two colts currently cowering on the floor. Both of them was arguing over who deserved the right to date my youngest. "First off, neither of you are worthy of even being in the same room as Twilight. Secondly, WHAT THE FUCK MAKES YOU THINK I WOULD LET YOU DATE HER!" "We are of noble families. It is our right to.." "WRONG AGAIN! THE NOBILITY SERVE EQUESTRIA! NOT THEMSELVES! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS TO A GODS BE DAMNED THING JUST BECAUSE YOUR OF NOBLE BIRTH!" I pointed to the one on my right. "How old are you?" "Eighteen" he said with a sneer. I pointed to the other one then. "Twenty" he answered with some arrogance. I started smiling. "Good. You two will be the first." Looks of confusion crossed their muzzles. "Royal Proclamation time." I cleared my throat to begin, but before I could, my family came rushing in. Good I thought smiling, I won't need to tell them about it. "From this point on, all mares and stallions born into ALL noble families between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two will serve mandatory four year terms in the Royal Guard. This will be followed by four more years in the reserves." I started to hear shouting and threats towards me. "ANY FAMILY THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WILL BE STRIPPED OF THEIR TITLES AND BANISHED FROM EQUESTRIA." That got them to shut up. "Its time you lot remember who serves who in this country. Nobles are just like the Royal family. We all serve Equestria, not the other way around. Those of age WILL report in one week to the guard training center. You will not be given preferential treatment. You will be trained just like the regular recruits." I glared down at the two nobles cowering. "This session of day court is over." I stepped down from the dias and walked past my family. When I made the hall I turned and waited for them to catch up to me. No one said anything until we made it to Tia's sitting room. "That is what you meant when you had a idea isn't it father?" "Yes Cady it is." I held a hood up before Tia or Luna could say anything. "Just because they provide seventy-five percent of the jobs in Equestria means nothing. As I said in the throne room. It is time for them to learn that they serve the common pony, just like we do. I am sorry to say this my wives, but you have allowed these idiots to run roughshod for to long." Both of them hung their heads knowing I was right in someway. Walking up to them, I gently pulled their heads up with my wings. "I am not criticizing either of you" I said smiling softly. "Both of you had to deal with my supposed treachery, raising the girls and ruling the kingdom. Not to mention a short war." Pulling my wives closer, I kissed both in turn and sighed in contentment. "It the weekend and I believe it's time to figure out what parts we need to play." "Like it used to be" Luna asked looking up at me. "Yes my angel. Like it used to be" I answered nuzzling my wife. "Wait. Didn't you use to just work with the military daddy?" "Yes, Twilight" Tia answered. "Your father was over the military. I was over foreign diplomacy and your mother handled domestic affairs. I worked well too. Any big decisions that needed to be made was done by all three of us." "Though this time, we will need to find something for you and your sister to do. We have given you small responsibilities before, but you both will also be learning much more than that, since your father wants the two of you to take over for us one day" Luna finished. "If I had never been banished, the both of you probably would be ruling right now with us in a advisory role. That was my plan all those years ago. Once the two of you was of age, we would have stepped aside, maybe gave you two a couple of little brothers or sisters." I said smiling while wiggling my eyebrows. My wives blushed and my daughters giggled at my antics. "My father, the ham" Cady spit out giggling behind her front hooves. "Ham? More like a lewd old stallion" Tia retorted. "You just had to go there didn't you J?" "Neither of you would have me any other way. I'z be special that way" I finished laughing. "Oh yes. You are special my love. So special, I think you need a special jacket and a special room. We shall make sure it is padded very well" Luna added. "Hardy har har. Regular comedians this crew is. Anyways, thoughts on what I've proclaimed?" "There will be some push back" Tia started with a look of concern. "But with your threat of stripping their titles, I don't think the nobles will do much." "They value their standing too much Sister. You must remember that we are the one's that enobled them in the first place. There are only three of the original noble families from Equestria's founding." "Really" asked Twilight perking up. "Who are they?" "The Light-Armor family, the Pants family and the oldest is the Apple family. All three of them earned their nobility by their service. I'm surprised I haven't seen a Apple yet. Good ole Knotted" I said with a smile. "He was the best commander I've ever had, plus his family provided a lot of the military's food supplies back in the day." "What did the other two families do to earn their positions" Cady asked. "The Light-Armor family was military family through and through. Most of our most capable leaders came from that family" Tia answered her daughter. "And the Pants family provided most of the armor that the soldiers used in battle" Luna finished. "I've noticed a young Armor in the Day Guard and he seems to be doing well. Hopefully he'll be just as good as his ancestors. Okay! Whose ready for dinner?"
Chapter 7Author's Note Almost 60 likes and a thousand views. I thank you all. Chapter 7 It was the night before the nobles reported and for some reason I was excited. Don't know why, but couldn't sleep so I went for a walk through Canterlot. Of course the guards tried to follow along. I shut that down pretty quick. I was halfway through a park when I heard a foals crying. What the hell is a foal doing out this late I wondered. It's almost two in the morning. Looking for the foal I followed the crying to some bushes to my right. When I parted the foliage, I laid my eyes on a snow white thestral. I couldn't believe it. I've only seen one in my long life and yet here was another. I eased myself around to a clear spot and settled down. A few minutes later I guess the little one felt my presence. When they looked up I smiled. "What are you doing out here little one?" "Trying to sleep, sir." A colt I realized. "Why out here? Don't you have a home?" "No, sir. I don't have a home. I never had one." "An orphan then?" "Yes, sir." "What's your name little one and how old are you?" "I don't really have a name. They just called me Snow and I'm four, sir." I frowned at that. No real name and he's four? "How long have you been there?" "Since I was born." Okay that rips it. He's coming back to the castle with me. "Do you know who I am?" He nodded. "Alright then. I'm not leaving you out here. Would you like to come with me?" He nodded again. I had to smile. He was too cute. "Okay then little one." I stood up and picking the little guy up, settled him on my back. He got comfortable and was sleeping in a just a moment. I had just made it out of the park when a patrol started to pass. Flagging them down, I asked the pegasus of the group to fly ahead to the castle and wake my wives. Walking into the castle about thirty minutes later I watched two upset mares trot up to me. I held up a hood to forestall any questions and turned slightly so they could see my passenger. Luna's reaction was immediate. She sat down and held her hooves up to her mouth. "Oh! He is adorable. Where did you find him?" "In the park, trying to sleep under a bush" I answered softly. "Abandoned" Tia asked. "Orphan." "How old?" "Four. In his own words." Tia looked at the colt and shaking her head and answered the question for the three of us. "He will be Equestria's new Prince." "He has no name. They just called him Snow." "He looks like Night Heart does he not?" Luna said looking at us. Reminding me of a old friend. The colt woke up at that moment and yawning looked around. When he spotted Tia and Luna he froze. Both got closer and started fawning over him. "After that nap, do you feel better little one?" Tia cooed nuzzling his ear. He nodded while Luna was nuzzling his other ear. "Are you hungry?" she asked him. "Yes, ma'am." Both of them smiled and started towards the kitchens. "Come along dear. The little one is hungry" Tia ordered. I had to smile. This little guy will be doted on by four mares or more. Oh well, there goes my sleep tonight. After Tia brought about the dawn, I watched her and her sister put the sleeping colt between them on our bed. We had taken in abandoned or orphan foals before and given them a chance at a good life. This little colt will be only the second time we adopted a foal though. The last time it didn't work out too good for us. About a century before Cady and Twilight was born, we had found a two year old earth pony filly crying over her dead parents because of a manticore attack. We took her in then adopted her a month later when no relatives came forwards. We only had three years with little Hope Wind. She was taken from us by a illness. She left a indelible mark on our lives and our family still visit her resting place. Shaking myself from my thoughts, I smiled at my mates and prepared to leave to deal with the nobles. "I'm sure the newest member of the family will be formally adopted by the time I return, yes?" "Yes, your new son will be official by dinner time" Tia agreed. "Should we name him or let him keep using Snow" Luna asked. "Get his input. I would rather he have a true name so he knows without a doubt that he is a member of this family." "Of course my love" Luna replied before I kissed both of them and walked out. Even though I was tired, I still had a bounce in my step knowing I would get to torture...ahem train a bunch of whiney nobles. Standing in front of the new intake, I couldn't help but wish one of my old friends was here. Claymore would already have these idiots crying. Smiling at the memory, I decided to get this party started. "ALRIGHT YOU SORRY EXCUSES FOR PONIES. TODAY MARKS THE START OF THE WORST THREE MONTHS OF YOUR PATHETIC LIVES. YOU WILL BE THE FIRST RECRUITS TO GO THROUGH THE UPDATED TRAINING REGIMENT. YOU WILL NOT BE CODDLED, YOU WILL NOT GET SPECIAL TREATMENT AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO QUIT. WHEN THE ORDER IS GIVEN, YOU WILL REGISTER AND BE ISSUED YOUR GEAR. HAVE A NICE DAY!" I just had to add that last little part didn't I. He he he. I'm evil. When all was said and done, we had fourty noble sons and daughters in training. Which was expected. I was currently watching them go through pt and I wasn't impressed. "Boss? Are you sure of this?" I looked at the training sergeant who asked me that and smiled. "Drill, this is the only way that I know of to get these lazy ass nobles to straighten out. I'm tired of them feeling they are entitled to what ever they want. You have royal authorization to beat these idiots into fine upstanding citizens of this country." He smiled at me and saluted. "By your leave then my Prince." And with that he trotted off and started yelling at a recruit that was slacking off which was music to my ears.
Chapter 9The next morning after breakfast, I looked at Tia and Luna with a unspoken question in my eyes. "Cady? Why don't you and Twilight take your brother out and see how well he can fly and if he wants to, he can learn from his sisters if he can't. Is that okay Winter?" The little colt was nodding his head so hard, I thought it was going to fly off. "Please?" When he asked that, he also pulled out the puppy dog eyes and of course they instantly agreed. After they trotted out with Winter on Twilight's back, I started laughing. "That little scamp is gonna end up running this damn castle when he pulls those eyes out." Both of my wives simply nodded. "Alright. Did you find anything out about his past?" They looked at each other before looking back at me and nodded. "Out of curiosity we tested a strand of his mane against five strands we had here in storage. His genetics matched to two of those strands. Night Heart's and" Tia paused for a moment. She then looked at her sister again. "Claymore's." My breath caught and my heart almost stopped. My adopted sons parents gave up a heir to that lineage. Those two was family to us back in the day. Claymore, I considered a brother. Third in command and the only other warrior that could keep up with me and Luna and Night Heart was a accomplished healer and Clay's wife. The Lord General and the Lady of Life was their titles. "Who are his parents? Any ideas?" "No idea husband. He was dropped off at the orphanage within thirty minutes of his birth." Luna answered. "One of them is a descendant of two very powerful and important ponies. We should have records following the family line. Don't we?" "Those particular files was lost somehow when we moved from the Everfree Castle. Luna and I honestly believe they was stolen." "Why would someone do that? It doesn't make sense. What good would they get from having their family lineage files?" "You have to remember J. Both of them was as powerful and as important as the three of us at the time. We will never know why they was stolen." When Tia finished her ears had folded back to her head. Lost in memories of long gone close friends. "Other than our daughters, they was the only two that all three of us trusted with our lives." I snorted. "I still remember the last words I spoke to both of them. We had sent them off to run Manehattan when it was just getting started and I said to them 'if your gut tells you to do something a certain way, DO IT THAT WAY.' Gods be damned, I miss then both. When was the last time either of you had contact with them" I asked. "About twenty years after your banishment my love. They wanted to retire and finally start a family. We both agreed, they came by the castle afterwards for a month. They settled in a small village in the northwest and didn't hear from them again until we got a letter announcing the birth of a son. His name was Lynns Shadow in honor of his uncle. That was the last time we ever heard from them" Luna said sadly. I couldn't believe it. They had named their first born after me? "It's a sad day when descendants from a pair of heros leave a foal with the potential that he has on a orphanage door step. I am so glad that I found him, he now has a chance to reach his true destiny." Ponies amaze me with how similar they act to humans sometimes. Stupid shit like abandoning a new born foal. That pisses me off more than anything. Winters parents better hope I never find them.Anyway, I decided I better go 'ahem' train some noblings and let off some steam. After five hours of listening to a bunch of whining and crying little bitches, I had enough. Walking back into the castle, I started to realize just how much I missed Claymore. He would just smile and tell me to go on. To leave the training to him. Entering the throne room, Luna noticed my weary gait and patted the throne next to her. She pulled my larger frame to her chest when I sat down. "Tired my love?" "I swear that nobles are worse than our daughters was at age two, but at least they didn't whine continuously." She giggled softly whilst nuzzling my right ear. "They both was precocious at that age and powerful in magic." "True. They never asked for anything and never really wanted anything either." I looked around and noticed the lack of ponies. "Where is everyone?" "Tia is with our foals and it is the weekend dear." "Ah. I nearby declare that tomorrow will be a lazy day for us. The only reason either you or Tia should get out of bed is to set the moon and raise the sun, then again you can do that still in bed." Luna started giggling about my declaration. "If that is your will then it shall be done husband, but what about eating and such?" "We have the castles staff. They can bring our munchies to us" I said waving a hoof. "I'm tired and we could use a break from the bullshit of ruling for a day." Luna giggled again before a butler walked in announcing that supper was done. "Good, I've done got hungry and could use something hearty."
Chapter 10Author's Note Had to change the rating. Don't know why, but this is the direction my mind is going. Chapter 10 Canterlot was burning and there wasn't a fucking thing I could do. Everywhere my gaze fell bodies, debris and other detritus of battle lay. Bodies that looked like they was fed through a woodchipper. Blood running down the sides of buildings. Some of the bodies looked like they had been eaten. My eyes eventually locked on to the familiar form of Luna laying on the ground. Rushing over to her...I realized she was dead. The armor she always used was dented and missing in places. The sword I had forged for her birthday over a millennia ago sticking out of her chest. Someone had removed her horn and wings. Falling to my knees I had to wonder how? How had this happened? Why had this happened? Movement caught my eye and ten feet past Luna, I found Tia. "TIA?" I called to her running up. Falling to my knees again at her side, I was appalled at her condition. She was burned badly and her stomach had been ripped open. "Tia! Baby, please talk to me" I begged nuzzling her cheek. Opening her eyes she finally focused on me enough to know who was holding her. "J?" "I'm here my love. I've got you." Laying like she was, I just noticed a small white body under what was left of my wife's right wing. It was little Winter and something had ripped out his throat. "Who did this Tia? Who killed Luna and Winter? Where are our daughters? Why is this happening?" I couldn't understand why this was going on. I thought we was safe. "Sombre. It was Sombra." WHAT? How could it be. He disappeared with the Crystal Empire. "J?" I looked down to my sunshine and watched as she drew her last breath. I could do nothing to save her. All I could do was clutch Tia closer to me and wail in pain. I had lost both of my wives and my adopted son. My daughters, I didn't know where they was and that bastard Sombra is responsible for it all. SOMBRA!! WHERE ARE YOU!? "I'm right here" he said with a low chuckle from behind me. Kissing Tia, I gently laid her down and stood. When I turned to face him, my mind stopped. My daughter's stood to either side of him. "What is the meaning of this" was the only thing I could say. I could see the same black miasma flowing out of their eyes as Sombra had. "Isn't it obvious father. Our King has shown us the true way to rule" Cadence answered. "The way you and our mothers rules was not very efficient. Our husbands way is better." Twilight added. "Cady, Little One?" I was in shock. First my wives and son are dead. Now this fucker has the gall to corrupt my daughters. The demented bastard started laughing again. "Just give up Prince. Your family is broken, so is your kingdom. You can not win." I looked around at the carnage. Turning, I walked back to the bodies of my family. Levitating Luna's body to where I was standing next to Tia, I placed them next to each other with Winter in the middle. I stood over them and flared my wings. My horn lit up as I started to channel magic. "My family is dead and my kingdom has fallen. That is true, but what makes you think you're going to leave here alive" I answered him in perfectly calm voice. He stared at me for a minute before his eyes grew in alarm. "YOU WOULDN'T!" "I have nothing to live for. So, I'm going to take you with me." In desperation he lit his own horn, but nothing happened. I smiled at him knowing in the end he would die. "You aren't strong enough, even with two alicorns helping you to teleport away. Even a shield spell won't work. Nothingness, that's what awaits you." I smiled again in thought. "I pity you Sombra. You will die alone, unloved. I won't." And in a brilliant flare of light, I knew no more. My eyes snapped open with one name on my mind. "SOMBRA!" At the same time I had cast the strongest area effect spell I knew without realizing it. I was told later, after I had calmed down, that they had felt the detonation of it in Ponyville. I hovered in midair breathing hard, my mind still recovering from whatever that was. A nightmare? Premonition maybe? I don't know, but it scared the living hell out of me. Finally I calmed down to the point of being observant and oh by the gods I thought. Please tell me no one was in the tower with me. Looking around, I had destroyed half of the northern tower. Landing amongst the wreckage, I started digging in a panic. "J! J stop. Calm down my love." Feeling hooves around me, I looked and found Tia and Luna holding me with concern in their eyes. "Did I hurt anyone?" "No, my love. No pony was in the tower with you and any flying debris was vaporized by the pulse" Luna answered. "What happened J" Tia asked with fear in her voice. "I fear a nightmare is coming. One I can't defeat." "Who my love?" "SOMBRA."
Chapter 12I'm really starting to regret asking for this I thought to myself. It's been ten minutes since I started the match and I was almost out on my hooves. Of course I didn't show it, but in the occasional glances I had at Luna, I could see worry start to creep into her eyes. By this time, about a quarter of the trainees was knocked out or injured, me on the other hand, hoof, however the fuck it's said, I'm sporting a gash on my right side a stab wound to my right shoulder and a few broken ribs from some idiot who though a warhammer was a good idea. I'm still trying to figure out how the hell she swung the damn thing. "You must stop this J. It's clear that your body isn't ready for combat at this point." Leave it to Luna to state the obvious, plus my concentration was broke and I took another hit from that hammer. My roar of pain and the sound of my body hitting the ground made everyone come to a stop. I could feel that my left rear leg was shattered and on top of it all was the fact that I couldn't get up. "LYNN" "FATHER!" "Stay down J. You can not continue like this. Get him to the castle infirmary at once!" "NO" I practically roared. "I refuse to end this exercise!" Finally struggling to my hooves, I cast the one healing spell I know. All it really is, is a spell to mend bones temporarily. Gritting my teeth, I slammed my leg down to numb it so I can finish this fight. I've got ten minutes to end this I thought to myself. Looking over the remaining trainees, I took note that the last ones are the best of the best and my first target will be the mare with the damn hammer. "Lets finish this. The one who can knock me down and out, I will name you as the Captain of my personal guard." I smiled at the shocked looks on those still standing. "I can see that some of you knows the history of the Sky Guard, but that also means I expect you to be the best" pausing I took my stance again facing them. "So come, show me you deserve that honor." As I had expected, the mare with the warhammer charged. From what I could tell she was a earth pony with blue fur and silver mane and tail. She had the hammer on her back in a carry position, but as soon as she was in range, she grabbed the handle in her hooves and in a impressive display of strength and speed started attacking. In seconds I was being pressed by the mare. The attacks was coming so quickly I couldn't do anything but defend. When a minute or two passed, I found my opening. I slammed Twilight's Fall into her side knocking her over and destroying her armor. In a second she was back on her hooves and in her own stance again, but I noticed something. The colors she originally sported was changing. I watched as blue and silver faded into orange and blond. She had three red apples for a cutie mark and I knew who she was then. "Apple Jack Apple. You have no reason to be here. Your family has done more for Equestria than any other. This kingdom wouldn't exist if it wasn't for your ancestor" I said looking at her. "With that said, why are you here?" "Cuz, I want to do my part for my home. A Apple has always been in the guard and I'm not about to break that tradition." "You remind me of Knotted so much." Apple Jack just nodded and smiled. "The stories are passed down in the family." I dont know what she said after that because everything went black. "Ya know sumthin. Ya 'ave got ta be the most 'ard headed sumbitch ah ever had the displeasure to meet." "Oh, kiss my ass you old fucker. I've had to put up with your shit for fifty years now" I said smiling at the old stallion propped up in his bed. Before me laid one Knotted Apple. Lord General of the Equestrian Army, Defender of the Everfree and the only pony I trusted with my life other than my wives at that time. He was the first to be named Lord General and the last, until Claymore came along six hundred years later. "Dyin sucks J. Ah always figured ah would die in battle, not of old age in ma bed." "That happens when your a warhorse of your caliber Knot. Individually we was formidable, but when we was together, no one could beat us. It is because of you that we have a safe kingdom now. Discord fell because of you." "Ah didn't do anything special. Ah did what come natural ta me." "You commanded the army and allowed me the time I needed to kill Discord. Equestria will always be in debt to you and your family." I watched the old stallion scratch his muzzle before looking me in the eyes. "Ah just want you ta promise me one thing J." "What's that Knot?" He nodded towards his warhammer propped up in the corner of his room. "If ah Apple ever shows up carryin that old thing, ya treat em like you do me." "Done."
Chapter 13Pain is a wonderful thing isn't it? It lets us know that we are alive and keeps us humble, but right now pain can go take a fucking hike for all I care. With my eyes closed I could tell who was with me. Vanilla on my left and Jasmine on my right. One is my heart and the other my soul and I know without a doubt that they are worried about me. "I might as well have a larger hospital bed commissioned since I've been in one almost the whole damn time I've been back." Two pair of eyes looked at me when I opened mine. One pair was rose colored and filled with worry and the other pair was blue and was showing mirth. "Why must you do this to yourself? Your service to Equestria ended long ago J." "As long as I'm alive and Equestria exists, my service to this land will never end Tia. You know that." I kissed my worried mate and looked at my other wife. "Well?" "You are stronger than you was as a human and faster." "I can hear a but in there" I added. "Its as you said. You will need time to get used to the body you now have. Your combat style needs to change and we need to work on your magic skills." Luna placed her hoof on my mouth before I could speak. "Tia can help you with your magic and I will help you with the physical side of things. Will that suffice my love" she asked nuzzling me. "It'll have to work I guess. Where is that Apple at? I want to know what the fuck she was thinking." "I'll have a guard bring her. She has been staying here in the castle so she is close." I looked at Tia with a raised eyebrow. "Two days love. That's how long you was out this time." I could hear Luna giggling behind me and looked over my shoulder at her. "Think that's funny do ya?" She went from giggles to full blown laughing at me. When she could breath she finally told me what's so funny. "I am sorry, my love. The guards have started a bit pool on when you would get injured and for how long since you are....shall we say injury prone" she finished snorting. "I wouldn't say injury prone sister" Tia began. "I would say he has the propensity to charge his opponents, now how did that saying go that you like" she stopped taking a thoughtful pose. "Ah! Yes. Now I remember. Like a bull in a China shop." Both of them was laughing now. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up chuckle heads. Just get Applejack in here" I grumbled out. When the Apple clan member entered the room, I stared her down. It wasn't a moment before she dropped her gaze to the floor. "What was you thinking about on that field and don't try that hick act on me either. I know for a fact that you are well educated. Knot used it to his advantage on so many occasions."She looked at me with a knowing grin. "Ponies would think I'm just some type of yokle and assume I'm stupid, but when it came down to business....they would find out otherwise." "Exactly." I responded. "Knot was a brilliant battlefield commander and on the tactical side of things, I was the only one that could match him" I paused as I remembered my old friend. Looking at the hammer on her back made me remember when I forged it. "I can recall the day I forged this thing for him" I said encasing the weapon in my magic and bringing it to me. "I had asked what type of weapon he wanted and from the stories I had told him he decided he wanted a warhammer." Luna perked up and looked at the hammer herself. "He never did answer me why he wanted something so heavy to use. Why did he want a hammer J?" "Fear. Pure and simple fear. Swords, spears and magic can be blocked or misdirected, but if you have the strength and skill to wield a warhammer, you would be a terror on a battlefield. Between the weight of the hammer and the strength of its welder, a warhammer is hard to beat, but as I said, it takes considerable skill to use one correctly. " I paused as I ran a hoof over the intricate scroll work on the double sided head. (Think of Volendrung, but more elaborate.) "No one had ever seen one here and he figured it would be a psychological advantage too. Breaking armor, weapons and bones is what it does best." Glancing back at Applejack, I could see doubt in her eyes and I think Luna did as well. "Your ancestor was one of the main reasons the kingdom exists today. You have his physical and emotional strength. If anything, Knotted would be proud that another Apple has taken Skycracker up once again and is willing to protect his home and family." "Why did you try to keep my family out of the guard then?" "I wanted to keep my friends family safe" I said. "To keep a family that I have considered my family safe." I looked at my wives and sighed. "Very well, Applejack. As of now, you are the Captain of the Sky Guard. Their primary purpose is the protection of the Royal family, but since that really isn't necessary, their main focus is the defence of Canterlot and the castle. The Solar and Lunar can go back to their respective missions once again. You have six months to find thirty qualified individuals to become members." "Only thirty?" "Yes, Applejack. Only thirty. The Sky Guard was a elite unit once and it will be again. Who do you think was its first commander?" She blanched at the implications and I started grinning. "That's right. You have some big horseshoes to fill, but you are of his bloodline and I know you can do this. Dismissed."
Chapter 14Applejack's pov Three months after I was commissioned as Captain of the Prince's Sky Guard, I was prepared to present my selections to him and was searching for him when he practically ran me over. Getting back to my hooves, I looked to see who the foal was that ran me down and was shocked at what I laid my eyes upon. He was wild eyed and shaking in fear. "Your Highness? What's wrong?" He frantically looked around before it registered that I was standing in front of him. "Applejack! What ever you do. DO NOT TELL MY WIVES THAT YOU HAVE SEEN ME. PLEASE!" His request puzzled me for a minute until I heard a faint voice calling for him. "Oh husband. Where did you go?" I instantly recognized the voice as belonging to Princess Celestia and watched as all color drained from J's muzzle. "Fuck me with a lightning bolt and call me Sparky. They found me!" This confused me even more. "J? What's going on?" "Tia and Luna are in heat and it's bad. A thousand years without me lead them to suppressing it the entire time and since I'm back, their first one is.....HOLY SHIT! HERE THEY COME!" And with that said, he took off like a...well, like a lightning bolt. About two minutes later, the Princesses arrived and the scent of their combined heat was overwhelming. "Captain" Celestia said in greeting. "Princess. To what do I owe the honor?" "Come now Applejack. After the last three months, you can use our names while we are in private" Luna said. "As you wish...Luna. What can I help you with this evening?" They looked at each other before looking back at me. "Can you tell us where our husband went? Please?" If it had been any other time and anypony else I would have gave them wrong directions, but I'm not going to get between a pair of horny mares and their stallion let alone a pair of in season alicorns. So, I stepped to the side and pointed in the direction the Prince ran. "He went that way." I got a pair of big smiles for the information. "Thank you Captain." As they trotted by, I walked in the opposite direction with a smile on my own muzzle thinking about what was going to happen to J when they finally caught him. Two weeks later I'M FREE. That was the first thought i had after escaping our bedroom, then reality slapped the fuck outta me. For two weeks my wives kept me locked up to sate their heat and I was paying for it now. No food, nothing to drink and I smelled like hell. It's so bad I'm not going to try and describe it. It wasn't long before a pair of guards on patrol found me. "Uh, sir? Are you ok my Prince?" "No, I'm not ok. Two alicorns just had their way with me for two weeks. I'm tired, starving and need a bath, so if the pair of you would be so kind as to alert the bathhouse and kitchens that I will be there shortly. The bath first." "At once my lord." Both turned to carry out my orders and as I struggled to my hooves I have to hope it won't be this bad next time. I mean damn, when I was human it never was this bad. Finally getting up I headed towards the baths with my wings dragging and my head held low. The only reason I'm still alive is because I'm a alicorn now I reasoned. It has to be. If I was still human there is no way in hell i could have survived, well I would have hoped that Tia and Luna would have come to their senses and realized what was happening, but I'll be right as the rain in a day or two. I hope always. Finally walking into the bathhouse, I see the three mares that run it and the looks of horror on their faces is a bit disconcerting. "I know I'm a mess Peach. That's why I'm here to subject myself to your practiced hooves." The mare in question just smiled and shook her head. "You look horrible and" she paused wrinkling her muzzle "smell horrible too, my Prince." "That's why I'm here. I don't have the energy to do anything about it and.... I needed to get out of that room. I love my wives, but after what I've been through the last two weeks" I trailed off trying to forget the whole thing. "Don't worry about it J. Me and the girls will take care of you" Peach said smiling. "Thank you" I said as they guided me towards the bath. For a hour and a half they scrubbed and preened my tired ass and when I walked out I felt normal. Time for some chow I thought and my stomach growled its agreement. Making my way towards the kitchens I came across my eldest. "Cadey." "Father!" And was tackled. As I laid there with my oldest daughter trying to squeeze the life out of me, I had one thought. Why are all the mares in my family trying to kill me? "Can't breath Cadey" I finally wheezed out. "Sorry, daddy." "It's ok baby." I told her getting back up. "What have the two of you been doing for the last couple of weeks?" "Dealing with nobles mainly." "Any problems?" I had made my mind up that if one was being a real pest, they would get a free ride. My catapult still sits in the throne room. At the ready. "No, not really. I did have one get to be a smartass about three days after mother locked the three of you in, but I took care of him." The smirk she was wearing told me everything. "You gave him a free ride didn't you?" Her hiding her laughter behind a hoof was all the answer I needed. "And they say you don't take after me in anyways." She just smiled and blushed a little. "I'm headed to the dining room. Join me?" "Of course, Father."
