The war hero's shadow

5 years after Cecil was born

It was a sunny day in Ponyville and Cecil was playing with his toys outside. He had a wooden airplane that his father had made him and was zooming it around like he was in a wild dog fight. Outside on the wooden porch was a griffin. She was older and had an eye patch covering her left eye. In one talon she had the daily newspaper and in her other a nice crisp cold beer. She rocked back and forth keeping an eye on Cecil like a mother hen would. After looking at him for the hundredth time she went back to reading her few sentences when she felt something pull at her leg. Looking down she saw the little child smiling up at her with those big innocent green eyes of his. Those eyes with his smile could melt anyone’s heart. “Aunt Camilla, can we play? Can we can we.” He asked with excitement.

Camilla felt her beak upturn into a warm smile as she reached down picking the little child up and setting him on her lap. “Of course we can play.” She tickled his stomach “What would you like to play Cecil?” He giggled trying to slap her talon away. “I wanna play arropwane.” Camilla rubbed her hand on her beak pretending to be in deep thought “Hmmm that sounds awful hard to do with just that little toy of yours.” Cecil held it up smiling proudly “That's why I use my imagination!” Camilla couldn't help but giggle at his enthusiasm. “Why don't we try something else instead.” Cecil tilted his head to the side in confusion “Like what?”

“Hop down and I will show you.” Cecil did and the two walked out to where he was playing. She leaned down and carefully put him on her back. “Would you like to actually fly?” Cecil’s eyes lit up like stars and he started bouncing up and down on her back with excitement “Yesyesyesyes.” He said over and over. She patted his head trying to calm him down “Then there are a few rules you must follow. One always hang on and never let go. Two have fun.” Cecil nodded taking a handful of her feathers in his tiny hands. She spread her mighty wings and flapped rising above the ground. This was going to be a mistake her wings would regret for the next few years but it would be worth every moment seeing Cecil's face light up with happiness. She flew around the bar for hours and hours as Cecil's joy never seemed to end as he laughed.

Camilla finally landed as her wings were ready to give up. The bouncing Cecil on her back though was still excited as he asked repeatedly for her to go again. She giggled patting his tiny head “Im sorry Cecil but thats all these old wings have but maybe tomorrow.” He was a little sad but he nodded with enthusiasm. “Okay Aunt Camilla.” He hoped down and she smiled “Now go along and play.” He nodded and went right back to running around the front of the yard with his toy. Patrens had started coming in. The professional drinkers while few and far between did come. Camilla walked back to her rocking chair and sitting next to hers was a minotaur named Rockwell. Rockwell still held most of his muscle mass even with his snow white beard and wrinkled face.

Camilla smirked at him as she took her seat and a sip of her drink. He sipped his coffee as he leaned over kissing the side of her face. “Nice to see you still have all your moves dear.” Camilla giggled lightly as she flipped the pages. “Flattery will get you nowhere?” She eyed him with a smile “Dear.” Rockwell gave out a hearty chuckle and held her talon. She leaned her head back on the rocker as she admired him with loving eyes. “I don't know. My flattery seemed to attract you all those many years ago.” She giggled lightly slapping his arm “Hush you old bull. If you want to know the truth it was those beautiful blue eyes and charming act.” She leaned up and meet his lips with her beak in a soft kiss. A third walked out of the bar. A changeling who still donned the old look.

The old Changeling smiled warmly at the two as he rested on the porch railing “I see the spark hasn't died yet.” Rockwell laughed a little as he looked to the Changeling “No buzzer it hasn't.” Camilla smiled as she held Rockwell’s hand saying “It's never to late to find you own love you know.” Buzzer laughed lightly “I find my own at the retirement home anymore. The old mares and stallions always love when I come around.” Camilla rolled her eyes “To think we would have found something like that disgusting when we were young.” The three of them shared a light laugh when the school bell started ringing. Cecil tried to hide but Buzzer was still quick with his magic and held the boy down with a smirk. “Now where do you think you're going, Cecil?” He asked with a knowing tone. Cecil still tried to get away desperately but finally, he gave up. “I don't wanna go to school.” He said pouting. Buzzer arched a playful eyebrow with his smile “Oh well if you dont want to go to school maybe we should tell your father.” Cecil went a little pale as he fearfully looked at Buzzer “Plleeeaaasssse uncle Buzzer. Don't tell daddy. I don't want a spanking.” Buzzer smiled letting the boy out of his magic and walking down with him. “Then how about we keep it as our little secret if you go without a fuss?” Cecil thought about it and nodded. “Okay.” Cecil then walked up to Buzzer shyly “C-Can you walk with me to school...I don't like to go alone.” Buzzer rubbed Cecil’s head with his hoof “Of course now go get your stuff.” Cecil brightened up and quickly ran inside to get his backpack. He hugged his father and quickly he was out the door.

The two of them started walking as Cecil held onto Buzzer's wing. The pony’s of Ponyville gave the old changeling walking room. Some still didn't trust him even after all these years. He didn't care of course. He had been through worse. Cecil was his only concern at this point as they approached the school. Fillys and Colt’s pranced around the front playing a little before Miss Cherylee called them in. When the ponies of all ages saw Cecil and Buzzer they walked away from them and went to their own groups. “Maybe this is why Cecil wanted me to walk with him?” He wondered in his mind. “Alright, Cecil we're here now and classes will be starting soon.” He nudged Cecil away from him “Time for you to let go and join your classmates.” Cecil still held tight to his wing “B-but I don't wanna.” Something was off in his voice and Buzzer took a closer look at his emotions. He was feeling dread and fear.

Buzzer sat down with a sigh “Then I will wait with you until classes do start but you must go. Promise me.” Cecil hugged him tightly “I promise and thank you uncle Buzzer.” Buzzer smiled as he felt the pure love from Cecil flow into him. He hugged Cecil back nuzzling his head with Cecil’s as a show of affection “Your welcome Cecil. Anything for you.” Buzzer didn't have to wait long until the teacher called them in and Cecil with sad eyes let go, leaving to his classes. When the doors shut as the last students went in Buzzer shifted to be a fly. Something that took a lot of energy and training to do to hold for any length of time. He needed to find something out for himself though.

Buzzer landed in a spot where he could hide and watch Cecil. A colt with orange fur and a turquoise main sat behind Cecil and would repeatedly smack him in the back of the head. It went on two or three times before Cecil raised his hand and the teacher called on him “Yes Cecil?” Cecil pointed back as he rubbed his head “Yarn heart keeps hitting me in the head.” The colt known as Yarn Heart muttered the words “Tattletale.” Under his breath before the teacher called on him “Is that true?” Yarn Heart gave her innocent eyes and shook his head “No ma’am.” The teacher gave him a suspicious look before going back to her work. Cecil looked a little defeated and the colt kicked him in the rear. “OW!” Cecil shouted and the teacher whipped her head around “Cecil! What is wrong now?” Before he could say something Yarn heart had tears in his eyes. “Cecil leaned back and hit me so I accidentally kicked him trying to get him to stop.” The teacher looked at Cecil with aggravated eyes. “Did anyone else see what happened?” She said asking the class who all shook their heads. “Very well Cecil you have lost your recess privileges.” Cecil’s face could only be described as shock. Then as sadness, as he lowered his head on the desk and drew little doddles. Buzzer wanted to do something about this but he would wait until Recess to see if something happened.

When Recess came everyone was allowed to leave but Cecil. Since the teacher was the only one working she left to go outside to watch the others in case something happened leaving Cecil unprotected. The Colt came in with his two friends. A Earth pony colt with Brown fur and purple mane named Shovel point grinned with mischievous intent. Standing next to him with almost the same look was a pegasus Colt. The second colt known as fast skies had teal fur with a sky blue main. Cecil tried to make himself small as he looked at the three of them.

Yarn heart smacked Cecil’s desk causing Cecil to jump “Heh look at you. Still such a scaredy cat. You almost got me in trouble today.” Cecil rubbed his hands together as he lowered his head “I-Im sorry..It’s just it hurt when you hit me.” Yarn Heart smirked as he walked around wrapping Cecil in a headlock. Cecil tried to fight but he couldn't escape the grip of the bigger colt. Fast Skies pushed Cecil out of his desk and Shovel point leaned down picking Cecil up by his pant leg. The two poines tossed Cecil onto the floor. He rolled across the floor stopping at the bookshelf. The three ponies walked to him as Cecil had fear in his eyes. He stood up balling his fists like he had seen Alex do. By no means did he look like a fighter and the three could sense it. “Oh oh look. He’s gonna fight.” Shovel point said as he pointed his hoof at the scared Cecil. The other two laughed and got closer. Yarn heart was the first to hit Cecil. The hoof hit Cecil’s shoulder but no yelp came out of Cecil who reared back and threw a punch. The punch hit Yarn heart in the nose causing him to rear back in pain. Cecil was almost as shocked as Yarn heart but he felt horrible for doing it and immediately dropped his hands going to see the damage. Fast Skies growled and sent a hoof into Cecil’s stomach where he let out a gasp of air. Then Shovel point reared back and bucked Cecil from the side. Cecil was just about to get up when Yarn heart stood over him with an angry look “That hurt Cecil.” Cecil cowered in fear as Yarn heart pulled his hoof back and rammed it into Cecil’s eye. Cecil held in his cry of pain that desperately wanted to get out. He held his eye as it throbbed in pain already showing tell tell signs of a black eye. The three colts walked over and Cecil rawed at them throwing a wild punch and connecting with Fast Skies mouth.

When that punch had been thrown Shovel point rushed in tackling Cecil but Cecil fought letting the adrenaline rush guide him in his angry state. Cecil wormed his way out of Shovel points grip and got on top throwing fist after fist in his face. Unknown to Cecil Yarn Heart told Fast Skies to get the teacher. He nodded and rushed to get out but was stopped by Buzzer who was changed to look like a cute filly. Buzzer or now known as the earth Filly shining gem, Tripped Fast Skies on his way out. “Oopsie.” She said in a charming giggle. Fast Skies growled “Shining I dont have time for this. Cecil has lost it and is fighting Shovel and Yarn.” He said in a rushed voice. Shining looked scared “Oh No! Here let me get the teacher while you try to keep Cecil from hurting you.” She kissed his cheek “Please be my hero?” She asked in a flirty voice and watched as Fast Skies melted “Of c-course..Annnnnything for you.” Shining giggled as she hurried off. Of course Buzzer wasn't going to get the teacher. He was going to let Cecil put them in their place but unfortunately his plan was ruined by the teacher walking around the corner. No doubt heading back to grade papers after seeing everything was going to be okay. He ducked into a bush to hide from her. The sight she was going to enter would be the worst for any teacher. Shovel point was laying on the ground holding his broken nose while Yarn heart was on his back. Cecil had his fist drawn back ready to punch the colt in the face. The battle had been tough but with Fast skies gone and Cecil getting lucky with three punches on Shovel point. All he had to worry about was Yarn heart. The two had been in a short wrestling match before Cecil got dominance.

When The teacher saw the carnage she yelled for them to stop and like that Cecil froze as Yarn Heart rushed to the teacher's side telling her a lie about how they had just come to check up on Cecil and make sure he was okay when he started fighting them. Cecil didnt even get a chance to explain himself as Fast Skies came in and confirmed the story. “Cecil! You are staying after class and I am calling your father. Fighting will not be tolerated in my classroom.” Buzzer heard that last part and flew as fast as he could in his changeling form back to the bar to inform Alex what had really happened. Meanwhile Cecil had the fear of foust on his face as tears welled up in his eyes.