The war hero's shadow

Twilight couldn't help but giggle, but the four left to the dining hall where vegetarian food was brought out along with some of the finest tea for them to drink. Alex came in shortly after leaning over to whisper something in Twilight's ear. She deadpanned and nodded. He took his seat where a waiter set the bottle of Harmony's song down and a carton of replicated White Ace cigarettes.

“What are those cigarettes?” Cecil asked pointing to them. Instead of telling him Alex slid a pack over to him. The pack was black with a white spade in the middle. He didn't smoke and really didn't want to start but this was Alex and anything his father received was generally something rare and extravagant. Cecil pulled one out and looked to his father as he slid the pack to Baron. Alex nodded and Barron pulled one out with his magic. He was generally a cigar enthusiast but considering he had never even heard of the brand he had to try it. Alex reached in his coat and slid a pack of matches over causing Baron to smirk

“A man of culture I see.”

“You don't smoke these with any other flame.”

Shrugging again, Cecil pulled a match out and lit it. Inhaling he nearly coughed to death. Not from the smoke filling his virgin lungs but the taste was like smoking already burnt ash. He didn't want to insult his father so he took another hit and his eyes widened in surprise “I-it tastes like a hamburger with cheese and ketchup.”

Barron quickly grabbed the matches and lit the cigarette coughing loudly like he was choking on the smoke, finally, he took another hit and his eyes looked ready to roll out of his eye sockets as he let the smoke slowly roll out between his lips.

“Mine tastes like the special chocolates you can only get around hearts warming.”

As much as Flurry detested the idea of smoking she had to see what they were all talking about and pulled one out with her magic and quickly lit it. Just like Cecil and Baron she coughed almost vomiting at the taste but with a weary second drag she smiled pleasantly.

“Mine tastes like a vanilla shake with a hint of cherry and banana.”

All three of them looked to Alex in wonder but he nodded to Twilight to explain. She sighed as she took one last sip of her tea.

“If you are wondering why they are not on the market it's because one the current tobacco companies outlawed them, two they are highly addictive and the amount of magic and skill to mass produce them could be potentially dangerous to unicorns, and three that's not the original recipe. According to Princess Celestia the original makers, eight hundred years ago, made the product with something the farmers called canibus. The plant supposedly gave a much stronger high and acted as a pain reliever.”

Alex lit his own cigarette and his hardened lungs barely made notice of the rancid first hit. He blew a thick smoke ring. “And before you hurt your brain searching for what that is Cecil, the plant went extinct with no records. The only surviving record is the original recipe and Twilight has that locked up tight.”

Cecil was a little sad but he understood that some knowledge was best kept locked away.

“Mr. Steel might I inquire a question.” Baron asked only for Alex to kick his legs up on the table and lean back in his chair pulling his hat over his eyes

“Sure.” Alex said with a uncaring tone in his voice as he blew a thick smoke ring across the table.

“What do the coats represent? Is it a fashion statement or do they have more meaning?”

Alex was quiet but Cecil was definitely more interested to know as well.

“These coats were made when I was part of the Savage Knights. Each member had their own, but we didn't wear them for a fashion statement. The dusters keep the wearer warm even in the negative or cool in scolding heat. They can withstand a number of spells including hellfire, lightning, explosion, and frozen heart. They made to withstand blows from swords and arrows. One user even survived a cannonball strike to the chest.”

Flurry and Baron both felt their jaws drop as they looked to Cecil's duster when Flurry voiced what they were both thinking.

“Then why have we not made more of these for all of the armies of Equestria and Crystal Empire?”

Alex was again the one to answer as he crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. His last motion was pulling his hat back like he was about to take a nap.

“The materials. The inner most layer is thick fleece, next is kevlar, a tightly woven cloth, Three quarter inch steel plating placed on the back, chest, leg areas, and outside of the arms, and finally the outer layer which is four layers of different dragon hides, sewn together after being hardened.”

Baron and Flurry paled when he told them what the coats were made of. That level of sheer armor was insane but when one was in the business like Alex having something like that would be a godsend. Their thoughts immediately went to spike at the mention of dragon hide. Alex once again showed that life was meaningless in his eyes so long as it benefited him. Regardless the mystery about the duster's insane weight was solved but that only brought more questions.

“I also assume magic helps with the weight?” Flurry asked arching an eyebrow.

Alex pulled his coat back to show her the inside. There over his breast pocket was the original logo for the Savage Knights, Two skulls with a wing protuding out the back of each skull, a sword seperating the two skulls and a banner torn in three places with the words 'Dominito Seni Temora' on the banner peices. Instead of three blue diamonds for Rarities signature, they were red like blood. Cecil opened his own coat up making sure his were still blue. His father let his coat fall back into place while Twilight starred daggers at him.

“When Rarity commissioned this duster she was appalled at the idea of working with skin. I managed to convince her but she made sure she left the distaste in the three red diamonds or blood diamonds.”

Flurry shivered a little just thinking about the poor mare and what that must have been like. Flurry couldn imagine Alex walking in and laying out several dragon pelts then telling her he wanted her to sew them together. She had never heard of Kevlar and would be interested to know more about it, but for the moment she had more questions.

"How did Amber react to you taking pelts though. I am possitive news of her ken being made into coats-sorry, dusters did not sit to well."

Twilight was the one to answer this since it was her who had to be a part of those negotiations.

"She was not in the slightest and it nearly started a war with the dragons. Alex however challanged her strongest worrior to a fight. She accepted and it was her father..."

Twilight rested her chin in her hooves as she narrowed her gaze at Flurry. "Alex without magic brought the elder dragon to his knees. After he did that he and the Savage Knights were allowed to take pelts but only if they could kill said dragons. this is why when the Savage Knights were at their peak under Alex's control they were the most saught after group to defend MVPs and political figars in forgien nations or contracted to fight in battles."

The table was silent as all youthful eyes stared at Alex in fear and amazment. Flurry was part of a small group that was able to gaze at him and his enormous size. The idea of Alex bringing him to his knees scared Flurry to her core as she tried to imagine how dangerous Alex really was. He wasn't just at the top of the potential terrioust list he should be considered a natural disater and on the top of all the lists. The rest of that Mercanary group needed to be there too if all their members who wore a duster had to go through a challange like that just to wear it as both a badge of honor and have the single best armor in the entire world.

Still scared sensless she decided to ask another question but this one was back to Cecils duster.

“W-what is different about Cecil's duster and your own?”

“For starters it barely has a scratch and the duster is still rigid. Secondly, mine is the result of trial and error from my old world, while Cecil's is the final product with clean lines. Each Duster is always different from the last based on what the wearer wants. Cecils is a combination of every good decision a Mercenary has added to the duster put into one. You could call it Rarities final masterpiece.”

Cecil touched the duster with a warm smile knowing Rarity put her heart and soul into this duster to make it the very best. All the designs and previous ones she made all combined into this one duster that protected him. Cecil had known this duster was made to protect him but he never understood the honor of wearing it. All those years working and training with his dad, learning to survive in the everfree forest or become a marksman with a bow or a gun. Without realizing Cecil had been put through a school for mercenaries and this coat was his graduation gift.

Flurry looked on at the duster with a neutral look. Sucking her lip in as she studied it with her new information. At first, the duster had only been a coat in her eyes, nothing special but now it was something different a symbol that put Cecil on a tightrope. He was a great human but if war did break out. He would have the training and the armor to be exactly like his father. She didn't have to guess if he would leave to fight he already told her stories about him trying to join plus his room had several distinguished military pieces including a flag flown over a battlefield. He would leave without a second thought. Finally as Flurry looked to Twilight the two had a understanding in their eyes. Flurry knew exactly why all the alicorns were scared to death of Cecil ever joining the military or being bullied too much. He was still his father's son and just because he was a gentlecolt did not mean he wasn't capable of delivering mass amounts of violence. He already had several encounters at school and that was him restraining himself if what she saw Alex do was anything to go off of.

Flurry smoked her cigarette to the very limit before putting it out as she tried to run scenarios through her head but that was interrupted by Cecil placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay you look like something very bad just happened?”

“I-im fine, thinking about how your father got all the battle damage on his duster made me a little sick.”

Cecil laughed as he finished his own cigarette “Yeah your a tough one arnt you dad?”

“I've slowed down in my older age.” Alex nonchalantly said

The three ponies in the room highly doubted that but regardless Twilight decided a subject change was needed.

“Cecil if I may how has your time been in the Crystal Empire, I hope to hear my brother hasn't been to hard on you.”

Cecil smiled brightly as he gave a loving look to Flurry before smiling at the Princess. “Well it's been a real kick in the teeth at some points. In the end it all worked out in the best way possiable. Flurry has been the joy of my life and the only mare to steal my heart while that pompous bastard just down the line has been one of my best friends.”

Baron smirked at Cecil giving him a small wink. “Tally ho old chap.”

Cecil smiled back at him before focusing on Twilight again continuing his story.

“Let's see, it's been an interesting semester Princess. Your brother has pulled me out of trouble more then once and I can't be any more grateful that he has. I'm sure things would have eventually worked out but his presence really made things smoother.”

Twilight nodded as she sipped on some tea “That's wonderful to hear, im glad he took a liking to you. What about your studies, I assume classes haven't been to hard?”

“Not at all, nothing but straight A’s though i have to say I fought for all those grades, keeping up with homework, a job, and trying to have a social life and find small time to fill my needs for the apartment. It's been tough.”

Flurry decided it was time to interupt and clearify. “When I first went over to his apartment he had been at school maybe three or so weeks and was sleeping on a mattress, had a lawn chair and a fold out table, and lastly just a minimal amount of dishes. He was the definition of a minimalist. After I got through with him he had a bed some furniture and some other things around the apartment though sadly when my father moved him into the castle it felt like a waste but it was a situation I was glad to see him out of.”

Twilight arched an eyebrow as Alex tuned the conversation in a little more, waiting for one of the others to speak and explain that living situation a little more. Cecil was the soul to chose that role.

“It's not like that, I chose to live in the barracks instead of the main castle itself. I mostly do chores like laundry, wash dishes, and small stuff around the barracks. The instructors gave me one of their rooms and I actually like it there.”

Alex was frowning more under his hat brim while Twilight was mulling over how she was going to chew her brother a new one with this decision. He knew better then to let Cecil anywhere near the barracks to keep those thoughts of being part of the military out of his head.

“Get your self out of there Cecil.” Alex said as he put his boots on the table tipping the bottle of booze back.

“Dad they aren't like that. Nopony is like you say they are.” Cecil tried to defend but Alex narrowed his eyes at his son.

“You went out drinking with them right?”

“Yeah?”

“Take off your shirt and let me see your back.”

Cecil froze a little and this caused Flurry to cast her own gaze at him.

“Show me your back.” Alex now demanded in his calm collected voice.

Slowly Cecil stood up and set his duster on the table then slowly pulled his shirt up. no pony saw anything wrong but Alex huffed.

“I would have punched that stallion if he put one that close to my spine.”

“What in Equestria are you seeing that we don't Mr. Steel.” Baron asked as he was looking hard for whatever Alex could see.

“See those six marks near the middle of his back?” Alex said as he pointed with a finger.

All the ponies nodded as they finally spotted the near invisible marks.

“Those are from darts. It's a drinking game the young and rowdy play to prove how tough they are.”

“D-darts like you would throw at a board?” Baron asked nervously.

Alex only nodded as Flurry had fire in her eyes. She stood out of her chair so fast it hit the floor. She stared at Cecil with anger filling her eyes and before he could say anything she snorted.

“Was this the same night you got drunk and ended up in Manehatten?”

Cecil tried to hold eye contact with Flurry but in just a few brief seconds his head lowered in shame causing Flurry to furrow her brows and frown even more. She was more angry that he didn't tell her then she was at the fact it had happened and without Alex bringing it up she would have likely never known. If this is what staying in the barracks would do to him then he was going to be moved out of there as soon as possible. She didn't say anything and went to pick her chair up with her magic. Sitting back down she looked at Alex focusing all her attention to him.

“Tell me more. What exactly goes on in barracks?”

Her voice was calm with aggravation hidden in the words. The way she stared at Alex was like a mother holding back a wave of anger. She was going to fix this problem when they returned and either her father would move Cecil or he would face Flurry and her mother's wrath. A combination Shining had learned to never go against.

“Bad life decisions, usually the majority are stallions that have nowhere to go. It's a constant power struggle to see who is stronger, tougher, or meaner. Games like that are common or if they don't like you they beat you. I could go on but you understand. The barracks can be a warzone on its own.”

Flurry nodded excusing herself from the table. Cecil was about to follow her but a quick snap from Alex and like a dog Cecil sat back down. Flurry had some letters to write between her and her father. Cecil was afraid of this and instead put his shirt and duster back on.

“Dad was that really… necessary to bring up?”

Surprisingly Baron was the one to answer the question before Alex as he sipped on his cup of tea.

“Yes, Cecil we are your friends and while the phrase colts will be colts isn't outside the realm of this context, you are OUR friend. Hearing about this is concerning at the very least. In fact it's downright infuriating to hear that you put yourself in that much danger needlessly. The drunken adventure to Manehatten can be excused as just that. To much alcohol, but this…this is barbaric and makes you look rather stupid.”

Baron said all of that with a slight sideways glare towards Cecil as he finished his tea. The words were all direct and cut deep into Cecil as they were intended to only adding to Cecil's guilt that he caused his closest friend and marefriend this much worry. Like a child that had been caught, he fell into a small depression and slumped into his chair some more wishing that he could just disappear or go back in time and fix this. He would have stayed like that but then he felt the angry glare of his father's eyes staring at him. Timidly Cecil looked up and there they were two balls of held back fury staring right at him with a matching scowl.

“Man the fuck up Cecil. You fucked up time to move on damn it.”

Cecil inhaled sharply and stood up from the table silently excusing himself. After Cecil left the dining hall had a tension between the three remaning occupents . Baron was about to leave himself but Twilight looked over at him and the young stallion sat back down. Alex took another swig of his special whiskey. Finishing his drink he set the bottle down on the table with a loud clank.

“You're staying in the crystal empire and going to that college.”

The harsh cold tone of Alex’s voice was enough to send a chill down Baron's back. Alex had spoken to his parents and Cecil was the first one to come to mind but then his gaze shifted to Twilight who kept a stern serious look. Alex snapped his fingers to get Barons attention. The elite stallion slowly turned his head with slightly narrowed eyes.

“I am not a dog sir if-”

“Shut up mother fucker. I fixed your parental situation this time. Next time let those nuts you like to rail mares with drop and tell your folks to kiss your ass.”

Baron would love to punch Alex right now but like Cecil he kept quiet knowing better then to lash back at Alex.

“Yes sir.”

He huffed getting up to leave the dining hall. Before he made it to the door he stopped turning to Twilight.

“Thank you for the lovely dinner Princess, it is a tragedy that we could not enjoy it longer but I must retire to my room.”

Twilight looked at him giving him a weak smile and nod. Baron walked out of the hall leaving just Alex and Twilight. Twilight finally alone with Alex just stared at the table regretting the invitation she extended out to him. Finally she sighed and addressed him.

“Do you always need to cause destruction where ever you go?”

Alex grabbed his bottle putting a cigarrette in his mouth giving it a light with a match. He stood up and started walking to the door.

“You know who I am. You didn't have to put my name on the guest list.”

Twilight sighed as she used her magic to steal the cigarette out of his mouth and put it between her own lips. She took a long drag off it. Slowly exhaling the smoke cloud on the table before using her magic to levitate it back to Alex’s lips before telling him in a depressed voice:

“ Flurry asked me to teach her the transformation spell.”

Alex took a sip from his whiskey and then walked over to Twilight tossing the tea in her glass out the window and replacing it with Harmony’s Song. Without hesitation, Twilight used her magic to lift the tea cup and drink the horrible whiskey. She swallowed and quickly took another sip to wash the taste out.

“For all the smarts you pride yourself on Princess, your still a fucking dumbass.”

Twilight's ears pinned flat against her head as she stared hard at the whiskey. Alex’s words cutting her down like one of his punches. She knew he was right but she was trusting Flurry to make the right call.

“I know…I wish I was half the pony Celestia was.”

From there the two just sat in the dining hall in silence as the three young adults sought out places to calm down. Flurry was in Twilight's room covered up under layers of covers with all the pillows she could find snuggled close to her. Barron was back in his room drinking away his depression while Cecil was in the garden looking up at the statue of his father surrounded by six stallions. The statue had been erected after the Changeling attack and it was always a reminder that Cecil was always going to have that shadow following him where ever he went. He just stood looking at it wanting nothing more then to cuss and defile it. All his father had to do was show up and act nice but no his father had to try and relive his glory days and test the guards making scene after scene and more baggage for Cecil to carry.

He didn't know how long he sat on that park bench staring at the war memorial but when he finally noticed his surroundings the sun was nearly at high noon. Taking in a long breath he was about to get up when he felt soft gentle forelegs wrap around his neck and a warm kiss on his cheek before the ball of pink fur rested her head on his shoulder nuzzling against his neck. Cecil put a hand to her hoof leaning his head against her own. A small smile tugging at his lips.

“I love you so much Cecil and that love is why it hurt so much more to hear that story. It wasn't the events but the fact you hide it from me and I found out through your father. I know you don't see it as a big deal and your good nature probably wanted to keep the guards out of trouble, but from now on please for the love of Celestia please don't hide things like that from me.”

Cecil stayed quiet as he held her close thinking about what she said. She was right and he knew it. He slowly stood up and turned to give her a sad smile with eyes full of love for her.

“Never again Flurry. I’ll make sure if I do anything stupid again you’ll be the first to know about it.”

She sighed with a long eye roll but the smile on her lips was still genuine. What was she going to do with her human and his crazy antics? The poor boy has nearly been to jail several times, gotten into many fights, and has a knack for finding trouble at every turn but she loved him and for the life of her she couldn't stay mad at him for long

“The point Cecil is that you don't do anything crazy in the first place.” She said with a giggle.

Making her way around the bench Cecil ruffled her hair a little before she stood on her hind legs and let her forehooves rest on his shoulders. Cecil let his hands rest on her hips as he pressed his head against her own forehead.

“You know me Flurry. I'm a magnet for trouble even when I try to keep my nose clean.”

She kissed his lips in a long passionate moment for the two of them before her head gently fell on his shoulder while they stood there.

“I know dear, it's frustrating at times but you always seem to know a way out or your luck dramatically turns at the last moment.”

She dropped down after a few more minutes of this and bumped her hips with her own. She gave him a mischievous smile and sly eyes.

“Now come on trouble maker we have a prince who needs to be brought out of the dumbs and your troublesome character is just what the doctor ordered.”

Cecil adjusted his hat and gave her a big smile “you got it princess. I’ll make him come running out of that room like it was on fire.”

The two laughed and played along as they made their way to the blueblood wing. Baron was drowning himself in whiskey bottles wishing everything here would just go away. He wanted to be back in the Crystal Empire where he was on his own again. The freedom he had made this place feel like he was suffocating. A knock came to his door but he just rolled over in his bed pulling a pillow over his head.

“Go away. Im to inebriated.”

Cecil opened the door stepping in with a smile and crossed arms as he pulled a chair up sitting in it backwards.

“If you wanted to drown in whiskey I could have called up a few buddies and we would have gone to a bonfire and had a real party.”

Baron huffed as he tossed the pillow at Cecil.

“You are insufferable sometimes. All I wanted to do was simply lay in my nice comfortable bed and wallow in my depression. Is it too much to simply ask for a moment to have a pity party?”

Cecil chuckled softly as he looked back and Flurry walked in. The smell of her perfume filled the room causing Baron to sit up as Flurry swished her hair back and forth. She gave him a sweet smile as she walked next to Cecil giving him a small nuzzle.

“I think a party like that sounds wonderful if you can arrange it dear.”

Baron wasn't sold on the idea but reluctantly he sighed and gave the two a weak smile.

“Fine you two can have your little boondock party and I will reluctantly be there.”

Cecil stood up with a big smile on his lips. He fist bumped the air in sheer excitement.

“Hell yeah man. Just be back in Ponyville at dads bar by let's say nine-ish or so and I’ll give you the best throwdown ever.”

Baron chuckled lightly as he pulled the covers back over him.

“I have no doubt old chap but for now let me sleep this whiskey off. Don't want to show up to drunk now do we?”

Cecil just shook his head as he left for the door with Flurry at his heels. She was a little excited about this party since the last one she brought Cecil to was a complete disaster so getting to see what kind of parties Cecil liked to go to would definitely help her when they decided to go to another party. The two decided to make one trip to the dining hall and see if they could finish their food but when they got to the door Cecil stopped putting a finger over his lips. Flurry arched an eyebrow before putting her ear to the door.

Twilight was yelling in a slightly dunken tone of voice and Alex was snapping right back but his voice just sounded aggravated.

“You could have had it all Alex. You could have been great at my side but you wanted to be a bartender and thug!”

“You know damn well im not interested in you. You know there was only one who I had a heart for and she's dead!” Alex shot back immeditly after her yell.

The sound of a hoof stomping on the ground and twilight's angry voice filled the air as she argued back.

“I'm not asking you to marry me! Im asking you to come back to the capital and lead the armies. Something is brewing. I don't know what it is but there is something coming and I need a general.”

“You made it clear in the barracks, after that night of drinking, what you thought of me. You’ve been trying for years to get in my pants and change me. You can't change what I am and what I've become. That world….That world forged me into the monster I am and it would eat this one.”

“You say that every single time we have this conversation. Why cant you let it go Alex. Me Celestia, Starswirl, luna, Cadence, and Starlight have all tried to think of ways to send you home but none of us can even come close to the spell that sent you here. All Celestia and Luna could give me was a story about a portal appearing over a thousand years ago.”

There were two flashes of purple light and a scoff from Alex

“Change back to your pony form. You don't look right.” Alex said in a defeated voice.

A small giggle escaped Twilights lips but the soft pitter patter of bare feet on the marble floor could be heard.

“You know I'm not against being human. Your species has advantages like no other I have ever seen.”

Alex sighed and a chair was heard moving with the heavy boot steps walking to the door.

“ Your not in that form because you like it. Im off to find the kids, we’ve overstayed our welcome.”

“I saw your eyes flash!” Twilight sputtered out not ready for him to leave just yet and that caused Alex to stop in his very path. His head slowly turned to her with narrowed eyes.

“You are possitive?” He asked with all the seriousness in the world.

Twilight walked over dressed in a white silk bathrobe putting a hand to his chest as her eyes looked deep into his own held back fury ones.

“I did.” She said gently “Are you ever going to tell me the full story.”

Alex just kept staring at her and then slammed on the door in which Flurry let out a loud eep. Twilight changed back to her normal self and quickly with her magic flung the doors open catching Cecil and Flurry with timid looks on their faces.

“H-hey guys we were just waiting on you to finish up so we could grab some food.”

Alex walked past the both of them ordering them to leave in his bitter gravely voice while Twilight looked down at them with narrowed eyes not happy in the slightest that the two young adults had been listening in on that sensitive conversation. For once she was happy for Alex’s hyper sensitive senses.

“Dad is there another war coming?”

Cecil dared to ask but Alex just stopped and looked down at his son. In his eyes Alex still saw Cecil as the small little boy who only wanted to play with a wooden airplane and run around playing. He softened his facial features as he looked out a window.

“I don't know son. Things like war don't just start from thin air. It takes a lot of build up for something like a war to break out especially now that Twilight keeps spies posted in the world to help keep her up to date. I doubt it will.”

Flurry glanced between the two trying to grasp what was going on as her worry about being caught was vanishing faster then ice cream on a summer day. Was Cecil asking if there was going to be a war so he could join or was he asking out of genuine concern? The questions buzzed in her head but now wasn't the time to ask about it. As for Cecil he stayed quiet with a stoic expression on his face. Flurry racked her brain for anything her father or his generals might have mentioned regarding a possible war but nothing was coming up so why did Twilight say that. Did she just want Alex to be at her side so bad she was willing to lie? No Twilight was not a liar and something as serious as a war wouldn't have left her lips without having genuine concern and research backing it up.