[Start film with Paramount Mountain]

It was a beautiful sunny day in the city of Baltimare. The Sun was shining brightly through the city and ponies were as busy as ever walking through the streets. You would think that it was them shopping at the last minute on Christmas Eve to get gifts for their families the next day, but this was just every other day in the city. Of course, it was the late afternoon and ponies were on their way home, but not to have dinner with their families, but go with them somewhere bigger.

You see, Winterfest was going on in the city and Knuckles was the biggest sight there at the event with his band, Beamer. You may think that it seems similar to The Beamers in Austin, TX, but there was a difference between that and why Knuckles named his band that way. Knuckles always loved the design of the BMW i8 and since the car was made by BMW, it made sense to call his band Beamer because that was a nickname for BMW.

Regardless, he was able to get some of his old work buddies at the Pentagon to form this band because they used to be homies back in the day. It might seem strange to say this, but follow my lead on this. It was true that Knuckles did not have a lot of friends growing up and he really didn't consider these people actual friends, but after marrying Princess Twilight, he realized that he didn't treat his "friends" very well and he wanted to make things right again after being gone for almost ten years at this point.

His friends were confused to see him after all of these years, but after hearing the crazy story he went through, they agreed to move on and they started a new path together. The other question you might ask is how Knuckles was even able to contact his friends in the first place since he was stuck in Equestria for all that time, but there's more to the story than just that. The thing is that he discovered that he could travel back home to Earth, but he was extremely limited to very precise locations in the United States and other countries and continents on the planet. He could do so with his small golden rings that he was given by his grandparents when he was younger that has been in his tribe for thousands of years.

Anyways, when they began writing music, they found success relatively quickly. Their first hit single skyrocketed them on the charts and it got played everywhere. When I mean everywhere, I mean everywhere. Even though they were extremely limited where they could go on Earth, at least they could go to major cities and perform. In fact, their single is what got them on the map in the first place at least on Earth and it helped out their first studio album get to relevancy.

It's very similar to how MercyMe's hit single "I Can Only Imagine" brought their first studio album "Almost There" onto record labels and became the most played Christian Song of all time. It's the same concept here. When they released their single, it got played everywhere on the radio. Even Christian stations were playing it because of how powerful it was. To make it a long story short, it brought them to popularity and they were known everywhere which is why they are playing Winterfest later tonight.

You would think that it would take a lot of time away from his personal life, but not as much as others. He always made sure to spend as much time with his wife Twilight as much as possible and he did spend time with her friends as well. It made Twilight a little sad that she couldn't spend as much time with her husband as she would like to, but she wasn't going to ask him to stop doing what he loved. Besides, she was a princess and work was busier than ever and someone had to pay the bills every month to keep the lights on and the water running.

Fortunately, Knuckles made enough from his album sales to pay the bills every month and pay taxes while having a good abundance of extra money as well. Knuckles headed out the door and kissed Twilight goodbye. She would attend, but Knuckles had to be there early in order to set up everything. Knuckles closed the door and smelled the fresh air outside in the city of Baltimare. Even though it did have its flaws, this was considered home for him now and what's even greater is that the violent crime in the city started to go down because Knuckles was able to use his influence to call for change in the local government and the ponies in charge finally started making competent decisions, which definitely benefited everyone.

Knuckles headed over to the stage in downtown Baltimare and gave his band members the bro hug. Knuckles said "What's up, dudes? We good to go?"

His drummer, Tim, said "Yeah, man. We're almost done setting up. All of us couldn't be more excited to start this concert tonight."

Matt, the band's keys player, said "It's crazy to think that all of us are going to be playing in a mirrored city that is in a world where it would be a little girl's pipedream."

Knuckles said to him "Matt, relax. We will be fine. I understand this might sound a little strange to us, but we have been doing this for quite a bit now and plus, the ponies here love us. There is a reason why we're so popular in the first place. Besides, this is my home now. It is only fair we give them the very best just as much as mankind back home on Earth."

Matt sighed and said "I guess so."

Mark, the band's bass guitarist, said "Knuckles, don't you have a wife to take care of at the moment?" Twilight was currently pregnant at the moment and as a result, she had to be taken care of a little bit more than usual.

Knuckles shrugged it off and said "She will be fine. Twilight is a tough individual. Besides, she will be here to see us play tonight because she wants me to chase my dreams and she is the biggest supporter of that."

Mark shook his head and said "If you say so, man. Just don't be coming after me when your wife eventually goes into labor."

Knuckles rolled his eyes and said "I am sure. Now, we need to run through some practice tests and do sound checks to make sure we are good to go before we do our big show tonight. We cannot be having technical difficulties."

The band started doing their sound checks and practicing a little bit to make sure they were all good to go for tonight. There seemed to have been no issues and they were ready to proceed with the concert later on.

The night finally came around and the place was packed out. It was even more crowded than Times Square in New York City on New Year's Rocking Eve on ABC. Knuckles stepped up to the microphone and asked the crowd "What up, Baltimare?! Y'all ready to rock tonight?!" The crowd erupted with cheers and Knuckles smiled. He said "Well, this crowd is excited. Y'all sit back and enjoy the show. We are gonna rock this house tonight so loud that even Las Pegasus will hear us! Ya like the sound of that?!" The crowd cheered again and Knuckles could tell they were excited. He said "Alright now, y'all are hyped. Let's get this show STARTED! LIGHT IT UP!"

The band began playing through some of the most popular songs and the crowd was enjoying it a lot. True to his word, the crowd made a lot of noise and the night was filled with energy and passion. It made Knuckles smile even more and he continued to play his heart out on the electric guitar. It put a smile on Twilight's face and her friends cheered loudly as well. The night went on for several hours and after they finished up their final song for the night, the crowd erupted once again with cheers. Knuckles felt good about that one and he asked the crowd "Did y'all enjoy that tonight?!" The crowd cheered loudly once again and Knuckles felt satisfied with that answer.

He said "That definitely answered my question. Hope you all enjoyed the concert tonight. Good night Baltimare!" The crowd started to head home and the band put their equipment away. Knuckles hopped down to the Mane Six and Twilight gave him a very gripping hug. It didn't hurt Knuckles too much since he had loads of super strength, but it did kind of hurt a little bit. He cleared his throat and said "Twilight? You can let go of me now."

Twilight did so and said "Sorry about that. I sometimes forget my own strength."

Knuckles smiled and said "It is alright, Twilight. Mistakes happen. It doesn't mean I do not love you."

Rainbow gagged at that statement and Knuckles growled at her with an annoyed stare. He said "It is not that disgusting. It is fully within my right to express my love to my wife and I do not need your disapproval on that. Am I not allowed to show how much I love my wife? Because that is considered very sacred in my tribe."

Rainbow shook her head and said "No, it's just I'm not into all of that love stuff. That's all."

Knuckles rolled his eyes and said "Right. Yeah, tell me that next time you express how much you care about Scootaloo. Then we will talk."

Rainbow didn't like that insult and showed her frustration, but Twilight told her not to initiate because it would only make things worse.

Applejack said "Ah don't know if anypony else agrees, but ya showed some real talent out there, Knuckles."

Knuckles smiled a bit and said "Thanks, Applejack. The love is much appreciated."

Rarity said "I agree with Applejack. But I have a question: How did you get so good at singing?" All of them turned their heads towards him to answer that question and even Twilight was curious about it.

Knuckles said "Well, it has always been a natural ability I have had, Rarity. Most of my tribe members were more interested in computers and other technology, but I was always fascinated by the music industry and since my parents never allowed me to play football, music was the next best thing for me. It always gave me comfort throughout the tough times in my life and it was a great place to seek solace whenever things went to total s[BLEEP]."

Twilight reminded him about his use of language and Knuckles had to apologize for his French. Pinkie said "I know what this calls for: a party!"

Knuckles raised a brow and said "Is not that what we do every time?"

Pinkie nodded and Twilight said to him "Let her have this one, honey. You performed very well out there tonight and she just wants to celebrate."

Knuckles sighed and said "Oh, why not? I have nothing else better to do." They all cheered and they headed back to his house. They had a great time and it went well into the night. They did everything imaginable and they eventually chilled out in the living room.

Rainbow asked "Hey Knuckles, when are you going to tell us about that artifact thing you have?"

Knuckles said "Oh, you mean the Ultimate Power?" Rainbow nodded and he said "Maybe in due time, Rainbow. You all except for Twilight are not in the family and the rule in the tribe is you can only know if you are related through birth or marriage, but we all formed a new tribe, so I am not really sure how to move forward with that one. Someday, I could tell you, but for right now, it is best you do not know for the sake of your own safety because it is truly that powerful."

Rainbow was about to ask another question, but Twilight made painful noises which drew everyone's attention. Knuckles asked his wife "Twilight, are you alright?"

Twilight made more painful noises and said "My water broke. I think the baby's coming!"

Knuckles was shocked to hear that and said "What?! But it has only been nine months!" If this were Maddi, it would have been on time, but since Twilight was a pony, it would be two months early since pregnancies go for eleven months for ponies.

Twilight glared at him and said "Well, I didn't ask for the baby to come this soon!"

Knuckles started to get nervous and said "Quick! We have to take her to the hospital! We obviously cannot rely on her teleportation since she's currently in labor, so I will have to use mine. Stand in a circle around me." He was able to snap his fingers to teleport them all to the hospital and he said to the doctors "She is going to have a baby! I need medical attention NOW!"

The doctors couldn't believe it and the main one said "What? It's only been nine months!"

Knuckles growled at him and said "I do not care! Now get her in there BEFORE I RIP YOU LIMB FOR LIMB JUST STANDING THERE! I AM NOT LETTING MY WIFE DIE ON MY WATCH! SO GET MOVING!" The doctors did so and they got her in the maternity ward. So, it turns out that their DNA actually meshed together, in fact so well, that it did so after two years of marriage.

Let's just say it involved a very interesting session that had Twilight say to Knuckles "Put a baby in my stomach!" and that's what ended up happening after two years. However, Twilight wasn't clearly thinking then and now, the pain has definitely kicked in.

Knuckles stood right by his wife's side and Twilight was basically holding his hand very tightly. Knuckles let her do so and didn't initiate his grip at all, because even the smallest amount could break her forehoof and he didn't want her to be in anymore pain than she already was. Of course, Twilight was yelling at Knuckles about how he could do this to her and this was all his fault, but he knew that was just female hormones talking and that's a result of being in extreme pain.

Twilight finally gave birth and they could all relax. They gave Twilight her child after a few minutes and she held it in her hooves. Knuckles tried to see what it was and it turned out that Twilight had given birth to a healthy alicorn filly. Yeah, you heard me. She inherited that from her mother. The rest of the Mane Six were eventually allowed in and they thought the new child was so adorable.

They came up with all sorts of different ideas, but Knuckles told them to put the brakes on that and it will come in time. Rarity asked "So what are you going to name the little darling?"

Twilight and Knuckles looked at each other and the former said "We were thinking of naming it Madilynn. In honor of Knuckles' girlfriend from years ago. It will serve as a memory."

Applejack said "Well, Ah think that's a lovely idea." The rest expressed the same thing and after a few days, Twilight was allowed to go home and was released from the hospital. They spent the next few weeks taking care of their new child and it definitely presented a lot of challenges since this child inherited both of their supernatural abilities.

Eventually, something would change though. One day, Knuckles was out getting the mail and he set down on the table. He went into the kitchen and Twilight checked out some of the mail. She noticed a letter sitting there and she read through it. She said "Hey Caleb, can you come out here? There's something you need to know."

Knuckles came right out and asked "What is it, dear?"

Twilight said "I've just received a letter from my friends saying that Sunburst made an incredible discovery and he wants us all to come to Canterlot to present it to the Princesses."

Knuckles raised a brow and asked "What is this discovery that he made?"

Twilight gave him a nervous look and said "I don't know if I want to say it because I know you have bad memories of it."

Knuckles said "I want to know."

Twilight sighed and said "Starswirl's journal." When Knuckles heard those words, it flew over his head for a second, but then his brain registered what she was saying and that confusion soon turned to anger. He absolutely despised Starswirl and wanted nothing to do with him or the rest of the Pillars because of what they did to his tribe.

Twilight said "I know you're angry, but this is an important discovery and I really want to know what's in there."

Knuckles sighed and said with bitterness "Fine. But I want nothing to do with it. You can read it all you want, but I am not taking one peek in there because I know how this movie ends and it is not a pretty one."

Twilight said "I understand. I'll send Sunburst a letter right now saying that we'll be on our way." Twilight left the room to go write the letter and Knuckles just sighed in frustration. What Starswirl did to him and his tribe was unforgivable in his eyes and he'll always hate them for what they did to his grandparents, but he had to keep quiet on the matter for now. He knew that Twilight absolutely adored Starswirl and that made him angry. However, they both agreed never to talk about it because of how much of a sore subject it was for him and their disagreements about the wizard. One thing's for sure, if something does come out of this, it was going to be a very bumpy road. He knew that for sure.

Author's Note

AN: I'm back, men! Happy New Year to y'all. It's going to be a very interesting 2023 and I look forward to seeing what this year has to offer me. It seems like the first chapter almost jumps right into the middle of things, but this is only the beginning. It's going to be difficult for Knuckles to put his past behind him in order to work with Starswirl to defeat the Pony of Shadows. One last thing before you go is that I have a new job now and it will take up a lot of time, but I'll try to post on Sunday's whenever I can since that is my day off. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Next Chapter: The discovery! When Sunburst discovers Starswirl's journal in a blind buy barrel he bought in Ponyville, he brings everyone he knows to Canterlot to show this to Celestia and Luna. Knuckles doesn't like this one bit and somewhat shows his frustration about it. Will his friends convince him that it's not that bad, or will he double down that nothing good will come out of this?

Until then, my fellow readers