Author's Note

This chapter in my mind is alittle rough but I wanted to get more into when he is older and is now dealing with the ponies before he.....is forced to rebel. also I rushed through the growing up through the years and changed it to growing up so chapter 3 will be him at 18 years with flashbacks explaining tidbits here and there.

Chapter 2- Growing up - part 2

Tidus POV

7 hours later

I left the school building with my two siblings and best friend, Jorihl. Though I was scared about my first day at school I managed to make quite a few friends and loved the teachings. In-fact my teachers were surprised by how much I knew already. But when the day was over we all made our way back home. along the way Jorihl told me about the growing problems between the hunters and ponies. As to the ponies we humans should feel honored to eat almost the same food as them and to eat meat was barbaric.

Funny, seeing as a griffon book that my father smuggled in. Explains the pony anatomy and how they too, can eat meat but don't really need much of it. Though it made me frown at how much these ponies try and push us.

From my lessons already, the teachers explained to us all about the great pact formed by the queen and my great-great grandfather. Who was one of the last humans families. That survived the empires collapse. The pact stated that both human and pony would be equals. To stand side by side and help one another in time of need, with both sides free to govern their own people. Thus humans would make up the vast work force that the ponies lacked, while the ponies would aid us in survival and rebuilding are lost culture.

Instead they broke the pact one by destroying or outright burying all of our history and culture leaving only oral tales and an old prophecy they couldn't really squash. Next was the standing as equals and governing. We were treated as nothing more than second class citizen or outright slaves. Fit only for labor and breeding. We were also denied real governance's the only reason that they somewhat allow us to rule ourselves is because they are afraid of us rising up and massacring their declining population.

To think that little foals and fillies, get little pampering and being told that then can do whatever they want in life. They us children are beaten by those ponies and already told by the adults and our lessons of how harsh our world is.

I shook my growing thought and anger away as I continued to listen to my friend explaining his fathers problem. as I listened I surely thought that I could ask my dad for some answers and maybe, some more ice for my bruised cheek.

30 Minutes later.

My siblings and I arrive back home to our large house. even though outside it looks like a worn two story house it was still a warming sight to see. As we opened the door and entered the house we were greeted by the worried figure of my mother looking at both me and my brother.

"Ohhh! My dear boys!" My mother rushed forward and brought me and my brother into a deep hug. she then pulled away and started to look us over.

"Are you okay? How badly does it hurt? Ohhh..When I get my hands on those monsters..."

"Mom! we're fine just alittle bruised." My brother cut her off before she could continue her tirade. She pouted and backed away from us.

“Alright as long as your all okay..” She seemed to look conflicted as she looked at my two siblings then me.

“Tidus...” I stood up straight and looked at my mother.

“Y-your father needs t-to talk with you.” I grew worried at how she stuttered and shakes while speaking to me. It grew worse as my siblings looked at me sympathetically. I soon walked towards dad's study and braced myself for whatever would happen.

Third Person Pov

As Tidus walked down the hall to his fathers study his brother and sister quickly moved to their mother.

"Mom, why does dad want to see Tidus?" Alexander quietly asked his mother who watched Tidus disappear behind a side wall.

"Yea! Is something wrong or did he do anything?" Selene demanded in a whispered tone.

Their mother sighed then looked at the two. She looked conflicted about whether to tell them something or not. But after a few seconds she shook her head and starred at her two elder children.

"Y-your father heard about the attack in the square...." Both children grew worried and were about to protest that it wasn't Tidus is fault. But before they could their mother raised her hand.

"He knows it wasn't his fault. In-fact your father was proud of your little brother for standing up to those cretins." She pursed her lips. "The reason your father wants to talk to Tidus.....Is because he wishes for Tidus to take up the mantle of head councilman."

Both children were shocked they knew their father was having trouble choosing an heir. They both lacked what he was looking for and couldn't really read or understand the complex books he had in his study. But as they let the information settle that it soon dawned on them. While they refused to read or learn, policies, leadership and other political, logical and military teachings. Their little brother snuck off to read nearly all their father's books and listen to him and the elders whenever they visited. He also proved it when in the square instead of remaining hidden behind his sibling's. He choose to face the mares, even in fear, to protect his brother from their advances.

The both looked at their mother and saw her nod her head. For once Tidus was told of this decision. He would not only go to school for his basic education, but to be tutored and eased into his fathers place. Such as dealing with harvests, production, accounting, politics and most of all. To keep humanity from taking up torch and sword against the ponies.

All looked towards where the young child disappeared and prayed. That no matter what, he will uphold his fathers legacy.

Tidus POV

I walked slowly up to the studies door. My hand trembling in nerves. I couldn't think of why my father would be angry with me or disappointed. It couldn't be because of what I did in the square against those mares. I swallowed a lump that formed in my throat . I gripped the doors handle and turned it. As the door moved away to reveal the room inside I saw my father and another man, who I remember being Jorihl's father looked at me expectantly. I shakily entered the room and closed the door.

"Son..." My father calmly said gaining my attention and gestured toward a chair in-front of his desk.

"Have a seat, I would like to discuss something with you." I did as he asked and sat myself in the chair. I could tell they knew I was nervous as I was shaking slightly. I looked at my father in sad resignation and prepared to accept a tirade of being gravely hurt, or bringing down the Queens wrath. But instead he sadi five words that stunned me and left me speechless.

"..I'm so proud of you.."

Darien POV

1 Hour before Tidus returns home.

I looked at Rakhan as he began to explain what transpired in the city square.

"..So as that disgusting mare, was getting ready to mark your eldest son for being her personal breeding tool. Your youngest son got in-front of the mare and demanded she leave him alone. I was surprised by this because I remember your wee lad being scared of nearly everything. Yet here he was standing up against the bitch and her cronies." As he regaled his tale I couldn't help but swell with pride as his story cemented what me, and the council already decided upon.

That my baby son Tidus would become my heir and lead our people. I smiled as I knew that a leader, even in the face of fear or overwhelming odds. Shall stand strong and determined no matter the outcome. But my pride fell as Rakhans face darkened.

"That was then the bitch assaulted your boy...." I saw him shake with rage I have never seen before. "Just by seeing your little boy, who did what we couldn't, and stood against that creature. I, no everyone in that square was inspired by him. I felt it from even my lad who went to help your boy." He looked at me straight in the eyes and I saw the fires or rage.....and something else....Determination.

"We all burned with rage, in protective passion. The likes of with I have only heard in the old legends. Your eldest proved that when the mare was busy pounding your youngest, Alexander leapt at her in wild abandon. He pounded and tore right into her. After that he tossed her to those two cowering minions of hers and ran off." He sighed. "My son and your daughter then helped your two boys. While we adults shadowed behind them ensuring that the pony guards wouldn't come get them."

As he seemed finished with his tale. I was surprised to see a man that the whole city and the other human settlements. Known for his calm quiet nature, openly state his burning rage and anger. I was also surprised that his young son became my sons first friend. He looked at me and it seemed as if he wanted to ask a question, that alittle while ago I would be unable to answer.

"I-is your young lad.....Your successor?" I looked at him and slumped into my chair a light smirk spreading across my face.

"Yes he is." I stated and looked at the man in questioning glance. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I wish to help train the boy to become stronger!" I was surprised by this. "He has proven to me he has the heart of a leader, and if rumors are true. extremely intelligent, especially, for one his age."

I looked at him and saw that he meant every-word.

"So you want to make my son strong physically and tactically wise?" The man smiled and nodded. "A great huntsman must pass on his teachings, not only to his kin, but to others who caught his eye."

I nodded and gestured for the man to come over. "Alright then I already have scheduled lessons. with some of the other elders and councilmen during the weeks after his schooling." Rakhan nodded in understanding while looking at the schedule. "So if you can train and teach him during the weekends. That would be greatly appreciated." Rakhan smiled and patted my back.

"That works for me my old friend. Besides my son Jorihl's twin sister seems to have taken a fancy to the boy." I smirked at this, not only did my son already have a new friend but a secret admirer.

"Hopefully, that won't impede your teaching's."

"Ha, of course not, in-fact I happy about this. For if my daughter and your son get closer. Then when they are old enough, I will have no qualms with our families coming together." We both laughed heartily, then began hashing out the details of my sons teachings. While sharing in some light humor.

But in both our my minds we knew one thing. This boy has a greater destiny.

Tidus POV

Present time.

I sat there stunned by my fathers remark. Seeing my confusion he slowly stood up out of his chair and walked around his desk towards me. as he reached me, he wrapped both his arms around me and pulled me into a warm embrace. I slowly returned out of my shock and hugged him back. After alittle while of holding each other he pulled away from me and smiled warmly at me with soft tears coming from his eyes.

"I-i'm so sorry son.." He pulled me in tighter and quietly weeped into my shoulder. "I should have been there to help protect you..B-but I was to busy looking for an heir..." I looked down as I knew I caused my father undo stress.

"Da....I'm sor..."

"I want you to be the next heir." He cut me of with that statement as I tried to apologize. I was taken aback by his open statement that I had trouble forming words.

"M-m-me? W-what about big b-brother?" My father looked at me solemnly.

"He and your sister can't. Their both wonderful people, but a leader needs to make hard choices and push feelings aside sometimes." He explained to me. I nodded in understanding so far. "Sadly both your siblings are unable to push down those feelings and thus cannot and will not accept this mantle." I looked down. "But you..." I looked up at my father again he smiled proudly. "Have proven it, by showing advanced interest in philosophical, military, scientific and logical books and teachings. Some which I had hoped your siblings would read but were unable too." He stared me straight in the eyes and smiled warmly.

"But what finally sealed it for me son, is when even in fear you stood up for your brother. even when you knew you might be harmed you chose to do it anyway." He stood up and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"What do you say son...Will you become heir to house Silvorin?" I looked down in thought as my father asked the question. I didn't know how to feel at this information. Both my siblings have always in my eyes deserved to succeed father. But now here is my father asking me to become his heir. I wanted to say no or refuse, but he was right I did what a leader would do for his people. Both my siblings and Jorihl and some of the other new friends I made said that I did a courageous thing. Then a thought hit me, if I do become heir then I can strive to become better and stronger not just for me. But for my father, mother, sister, brother, my friends and all my people.

With my mind made up, I looked at my father determined.

"I-I will do it da!" Both my father and Jorihls father smiled warmly and my father nodded.

"Good! Good, then come over here son and I show you. Your future lesson plans and Rakhans training regimen." I followed my father over to his desk to see a list of lessons planned out for me. With a rigorous training and hunting plans.

But as I listened to them explain their plans to me. I looked at the schedules and future lessons with hard determination. I internally vowed that I would become just as great a man as my father. I swear it! as my vow ringed in my head I soon flung myself into questions and requests already set to start on my future destiny.