The war hero's shadow

Class carried on for the day and just as normal ended. Everyone went home but Cecil who was stuck in the classroom with a disappointed Cheerilee. She had assigned him extra work as for her punishment as they waited on Alex. They didn't have to wait long when the loud heavy sounds of boots echoed off the hardwood floors followed by the sounds of footsteps. Alex dressed in his dark blue jeans, black polo shirt, and stetson glared at the teacher with his stony hard look. Standing next to him was Buzzer with just an equal look on his face.

Cheerilee gasped when she saw the two and had to collect herself even though she was already scared. “Mr.Steel Im sure you are-” Alex didnt even let her speak as he marched over slamming his fist on the chalk board and getting in her face. She jumped covering her face with her hooves

“If you had done your job we wouldn't be here.”

He said in a near growl as his deep voice rumbled like an angry storm. The teacher was shaking at this point and Cecil was already cowering in his chair shaking like a leaf in a windstorm.

“Wh-What do you mean?”

She asked in a nervous voice only able to barely look at the angry man.

“Buzzer.” Was all Alex said in a authoritative tone. Buzzer stepped forward

“I watched your class today as a fly on the wall. The colt known as Yarn heart did slap Cecil and He insinuated the fight along with the colts Shovel Point and Fast Skies. I watched them throw Cecil from his desk and then proceed to hit him and buck him until Cecil stood up and fought back.”

Buzzer deepened his glare almost to a life threatening look

“Cecil fought in self defence.”

He said in a dark angry tone. The teacher didn't know what to say. She was shocked firstly by sheer appearance and then to know her class had been spied on all day only to find out Cecil was innocent from the start. She felt terrible.

“I-I need proof you were here.”

Alex spoke for Buzzer this time. “You didnt mention Yarn heart hitting my boy when you sent the letter.”

The teacher's face paled. She hadn't just accused an innocent boy but let his attackers go and even defended them. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She had no idea what to do next let alone make it up to Cecil.

“I-I-I-”

Cheerilee stuttered out but Alex slammed his hand on her desk causing her to jump and yelp in fear.

“If you ever do this again.” He put a finger in her chest “My lawyer will make a visit with yours and I will have you removed. Are. We. Clear?”

She nodded and whimpered out “Y-yes.”

Alex leaned back looking at Cecil “Cecil grab your things. We're going home now.”

Without question Cecil quickly packed his things up and was at his father's side in no time. The three of them left without a goodbye leaving the teacher to drown herself in her own tears.

When they were away from the School Alex looked down seeing how frightened Cecil was. He leaned down doing a 180 on his attitude. He picked Cecil up kissing his cheek and rubbing his head

“Im proud of you son. You didnt back down and you defended yourself.”

Cecil smiled a little as he hugged his father. “Thank you daddy, but...But I still feel bad…..I hurt them.”

Alex smirked “Did they hurt you?”

Cecil nodded

“Do you think they feel bad?”

Cecil thought about it and then he frowned in sadness “Nooo.”

Alex pulled Cecil into his arms like he would carry a baby and started tickling Cecil’s sides. Cecil giggled and laughed as Alex pulled the boy's shirt up and blew a raspberry on his stomach. Cecil tried to get him to stop as he kicked and laughed uncontrollably

“Da-Daddy Stooooop Tha-that tickles.”

Alex couldn't help but chuckle as he watched his boy's smile return. After the tickle attack, Alex set Cecil down and smacked him on the butt. Cecil curiously looked back at his father for direction. He was happy to see that he had done the right thing but more importantly that he wasn't in trouble. Alex Looked down at him with a warm smile.

“It's been a rough day for you son but I couldn't be prouder of you.”

Alex held his hand out and Cecil took it with his smile threatening to touch his ears. All the praise from his father and Buzzer standing up for him to put that teacher in her place. He was all to happy for a little child.

“Thank you daddy!” Alex smiled and squeezed his hand on Cecil like a gentle giant.

“Come on son, you earned a Icecream and a day off School.”

Alex said as Cecil celebrated with a skip and joyous shout. The two walked away into town as Buzzer stood back with a smile on his face. Alex, like his name, was hard as steel. Sometimes that big heart he really has would shine through and shower over Cecil like a broken showerhead. Until his wife came along Buzzer had only felt negative emotions come from Alex. He was a changed man once the wedding bands were placed. Maybe it was age catching up to him or maybe it was Cecil, either way Alex had calmed down. Buzzer walked back to the bar and spotted Camillia and Rockwell still rocking back and forth in their chairs. He smiled and watched as one of the barmaids came out with fresh mugs. He eyed the cute pink mare with cherry red hair up and down. Tempted to steal her for a night he pushed the thought aside. While he was a changeling, with age comes experience. Instead of going for someone half his age he decided to pester Rockwell and Camillia.

The day went on and eventually Alex and Cecil returned. Cecil was smiling ear to ear with vanilla ice cream smoothed all over his face skipping along without a care in the world, just like a child his age should be. Alex shared a few words with the three of them before trading Cecil off who told them all about the trip to the ice cream store and his fight. While Rockwell and Camillia acted more like grandparents to Cecil, listening to his tale, Buzzer felt the anger dwelling up inside them. Cecil didn't know it but if those colts had been anything but colts his bullies wouldn't be problems anymore. Buzzer was brought out of his thoughts when something slapped him on the rump. He turned with a sly smile and half lidded eyes to a older mare. She winked at him and tried to be cute by hiding behind her mane.

“Helllloooo trouble.” He said eyeing her up and down causing her to giggle.

“Buy me a drink soldier and i’ll show you how much trouble i can be.”

Buzzer didn't need to be told twice as he laid an arm over her back and walked with her inside. This was the normal routine for the bar. Cecil would play outside or be in his room doing homework. The adults that watched over him didn't really worry about him seeing anything he shouldn't since it was already hard enough keeping a adventurous and curious boy inside the ‘yard’ where they could keep an eye on him. Times like these were simple, slow, and easy. A lazy summer breeze while one relaxed by the lake would be a good reference to these times. In the later years everyone would be looking back while standing in the middle of a hurricane.

That day Cecil was broken out of his playtime when the sound of glass breaking and shouting was heard from inside the bar. He sat there with his airplane wondering what was causing the commotion. His question was answered as Alex stormed out of the doors with two stallions in each hand. He tossed them out and Cecil got a good look at them. One had a black eye on his face while the other had a cut across his cheek. They groaned and moaned as they pushed on their hooves to get up while Alex stood atop the stairs with crossed arms and unyielding scowl. Once they were standing they took a fighting stance only to be answered by Alex lowering his head slightly and letting his shoulders relax. In Cecil's eyes there stood a ‘Man’. Someone who wasn't afraid or weak. Someone you could always depend on and trust to solve problems. Cecil's father was someone who he strived to be like good or bad he wanted to be just like his father. Tough, strong, and unyielding.

Before things got out of hand Camilla swooped down from her rocker and stood in front of Cecil like a protective mother. She might be older but her skills and her talons were still just as sharp. One stallion looked over at her and she narrowed her eye. He glanced back at Alex and nudged his friend on the shoulder. The two stallions glanced between the two before walking away. Alex sighed and let his hands drop. He looked to Camillia and nodded before heading back in. This was a common occurrence. Outsiders or young stallions would come from different cities to try their hoof at fighting Alex or pushing his buttons. It was so common that Sheriff Slapjack didn't even bother coming to the disturbance anymore, not after Alex showed him he was holding back when he had to fight.

Cecil had decided that was enough play time around the bar and decided to head inside. He didn't have any friends to play with since all the fillys and colts thought he was weird. Oddly enough since he was a quiet child he could sit in the bar and color in his book or try to beat Rockwell win checkers. Today though he didn't want to do that and decided to walk into town while he still had daylight left.

Cecil was kicking a pebble down the road to the old library tree. He saw the magnificent castle of friendship reflecting the sun's rays like a shiny mirror. He always thought it was beautiful, unlike his father who thought it was an eyesore. Cecil walked past it and noticed a bunch of other species walking around. He figured the magic School Princess Twilight founded was letting out. He always liked seeing the new students interacting with Ponyville. He had begged his father to go to the school but Alex had told him no. He didn't know why and he wasn't going to ask. His father's words were law in Cecil's mind or else he risk a spanking.

Cecil was lost in deep thought about attending a school like that where everyone was nice that he didn't see the path ahead and accidentally bumped into something soft and warm.

Landing on his rump wasn't anything new to Cecil. He had been falling off bar stools since he learned how to climb on them or jumping from the stairs. Life lessons to not jump when wet. Focusing he looked across and saw a unicorn, no a pegasus with a horn. He racked his brain and remembered Princess Twilight was called an Alicorn. She had a light purple hue at her mane roots that got darker at the end of the hair. The mane had streaks of blue that seemed to be random. Her tail was the same and her coat was cotton candy pink. The eyes though, Cecil had never seen such beautiful sky blue eyes. He stood up and offered a hand to her. She smiled and took his hand in her hoof. After standing up Cecil rubbed the back of his head with a smile.

“Sorry about that. Daddy says I zone out a lot.”

The mare giggled and waved him off “Mommy and daddy say the same thing about me. What's your name?”

Seeing a chance to make a new friend Cecil put on his best smile “My name is Cecil Steel. What's yours?”

The mare slightly bowed and raised up “My name is Princess Flurry Heart.”