The war hero's shadow

Nine years passed since Cecil and Flurry Heart meet that faithful day. A lot had changed in the Crystal Empire but in the homely town of Ponyville, things seemed to stay the same. Cecil and Flurry Heart after that day never really talked again. Cecil was busy with his life and Flurry had her own duties to do. He was working for his father on the side or for the apple family while keeping up with his high school years and Flurry was being groomed by her parents to be the next princess. Cecil had grown out of the cute child clothes and now donned a black stetson like his father but other then that nothing much had changed. He wore a plain blue tee shirt and blue jeans with square toe cowboy boots. Rarity had wanted to use him for more clothes but he insisted that simple was best much to her disappointment. He had grown to a staggering six feet and gained some muscle tone but otherwise he still had skinny arms, broad shoulders, small waist, and long legs. His strength was something else though. His rickety and scrawny body was a ruse, the teen could work all day in the fields with the Apple family or win arm wrestles all night in his fathers bar. More than once were ponies impressed at his hidden strength. His strength wasn't the only thing he gained over the years. Alex had made it a point to teach him what he knew as far as self defence much to the teen's discomfort he was appreciative considering his training had helped resolve bar fights.

Cecil had worked hard in the environment starting at nine to clean up tables or sweep up. Now he was a charismatic bartender throwing bottles over his shoulder and making drinks left and right. Alex was a little sad that Cecil had grown up faster then he would have liked but he was growing into a man. He wanted things, like any teen he also wanted to experiment. Alex had been grateful that he hadn't caught Cecil leaving with a mare yet but he was waiting for that day. For the most part Cecil focused on his learning, balancing a social life, and exploring his own meaning. Typical teenage lifestyle.

The years went on like this. Cecil was a carefree teenager who bounced around the parties and worked hard on the side. There were mountains to overcome like the truth about who his father really was. The death of buzzer, self discovery, and trying to adapt to the world from a child to a man.

Early on in life, Cecil had been fascinated in plants and that fascination turned into a passion. Once he was old enough to travel into the everfree forest by himself he listened to Zecora. She was like a second teacher to him with her extensive knowledge on botany. He learned a lot from her and as a second teacher, he learned from flutter shy though she wasn't as knowledgeable as Zecora. His passion eventually lead him to studying even harder in his classes and earned him scholarships for colleges. When he graduated at eighteen Cecil walked into the bar to find Alex sitting on the other side with his reading glasses on. His once raven black hair now had streaks of grey in it. His chiseled features now had carved canyons on his cheeks and beside his eyes. Alex was older but his signature scowl never seemed to falter.

Taking a breath Cecil walked up to his father and took a seat laying the application down. Alex glanced at it and then picked it up to read. It didn't take him long before he set the paper down and took off his glasses. He looked at Cecil in the eyes with those judging brown eyes of his that seemed to look into your very soul and make you feel two inches tall.

“This...this is the one you picked. You picked the one a thousand miles away in the goddamn Crystal Empire.” His voice was level but his tone made it clear he wasn't happy with the decision. Cecil had been afraid of this but it was his life to live not his fathers.

“Yes.” Was all Cecil could say. His bravery quickly leaving him as his fathers eyes bored holes in his skull.

“Son i love you but this is fucking stupid. You have scholarships to colleges and universities in Manehatten, Trottingham, hell fucking Canterlot and you pick the one, the only one at the end of the goddamn earth.”

He sighed and rubbed his eyes giving Cecil the chance to ball his fists in anger as he was free from the judgmental gaze of his father. When Alex looked back his vigilant eyes caught the fists causing his frown to deepen and his eyes to narrow.

“If you have something to say then man up and tell me.”

Cecil had a flash of anger surge through him. He would have given anything to knock his father right out of his chair with a uppercut but fear and respect kept him seated. It didn't stop his mouth though.

“The college has the best botany teachers in the world there. I can really learn something and apply myself afterwords. I could be the one to achieve and discover plants that can grow in the ice.”

For a second Cecil smiled at his idea until he met his fathers gaze. Alex took a long second to look into Cecils eyes and for once Cecil didn't back down. He stared right back and much to his surprise his father sighed and pushed the paper back to him.

“Alright. You are your own man. I don't like the idea and still think its stupid but...I cant live your life for you. I’ll support you but that doesn't change my opinion of it.” He reached over placing a hand on Cecil's back pulling him into a hug.

“You're still my son Cecil, i’ll always love you even if you make dumbass decisions.” Cecil couldn't help but lean into the hug and chuckle at his fathers joke though it was hard to tell if he was serious about his decision or not. Either way he wasn't going to ruin the moment.

“I love you to dad. Maybe one day you’ll be reading about me in the paper. Hero scientist discovers the secret to grow crops in the Crystal Empire.”

He half joked. It caused a chuckle from Alex and the two separated. Alex was smiling as he stood up cracking his neck and getting a single loud pop that made even Cecil cringe in pain but for Alex he felt like he could breath again.

“When do you leave?” Alex asked as he began to mentally prepare for Cecil's depature in the coming days.

“A day or two after this is approved.”

Alex nodded and pulled out a pipe and a bottle of whiskey from behind the counter. “Go drop that off and when you get back we’ll celebrate just the two of us.”

Cecil couldn't have been more eager and after a hug, he took off to the mail post. When he returned Alex was in a rocking chair puffing on his pipe. The table next to him had two glasses full of nice whiskey and a inviting rocking chair waiting on Cecil. He sat down and the two relaxed in silence for a while before Alex started asking questions about the school. Not to his surprise but Cecil had done his research into the collage from how he talked about it. The school was prestigious and from the famous ponies he listed off they had all gone to the college. The two reminisced into the night about old times and some stories Cecil had forgotten or stories about Buzzer. The men mostly were happy to be in each others company.

After the small private celebration and two drunk idiots stumbling to bed, it took about a week for Cecils approval letter to come in. The following day after his approval, he used every second of daylight to pack his things and get all his paperwork in order when he was finished Alex knocked on his door. Cecil opened it and Alex stepped forward into the room to sit on the bed with a package in his hands. His eyes had lost that angry glow they normally had and replaced with a sorrowful or painful look. Past the look in his eyes everything seemed normal as he took in the room and Cecil.

After getting his fill he looked at Cecil and held out the package. Quizzically he took it and nearly dropped it because of the weight. He opened it and a brown duster unfolded before his eyes. The duster wasn't like the ones worn in Appaloosa, it had molly mesh wrapping around the waist and on the upper shoulders. The tail dragged on the floor but had heavy duty zippers and snap buttons to make it stop at his heels or mid thigh level. The style lapels had a distinctive military look. The duster felt rugged and strong but odd almost like he was touching sandpaper.

“Uhh….thanks dad? I didn't really need this but..”

Alex held his hand up cutting him off. “Son, that duster is like insurance. You hope you never have to use it but better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Its a combat duster the Sky raiders wear, a design I personally made.”

He stood up and helped Cecil put it on and the weight nearly dragged him down. “Its made to be a sleeping bag in a pinch, adaptable to carry pouches, watertight, magical temperature control keeping you at your comfort level either at negative fifty or 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The key component is dragon skin capable of stopping bullets and really anything that gets thrown at you.”

stepping back after adjusting it on Cecil, he had to admit it was big on him but his son would grow into it and look amazing. Once again Rarity had outdone herself on this order.

Cecil looked it over and opened the inside and the inside held even more pockets placed in odd spots. The common inside pocket had the iconic Savage Knights logo, two skulls facing each other with a wing coming out the back and a sword resting in the middle. resting under the skulls and over the sword was a broken up banner in three pieces with the words 'Dominto Seni Temora'. The picture was the same tattoo Alex had that wrapped around his back right shoulder blade, arm, and peck muscle and translated it means without fear there is domination. A tell tell sign of Rarity’s stitch work was in the details. The two eye sockets had a blue diamond and the hilt on the sword held the third. The duster weighed a ton with many details that Cecil couldn't explore at the moment because Alex had more gifts. He stood up and walked around the corner pulling out two more gifts one was small while the other was long and thin. Cecil opened the wrapping and opened the small box. His eyes went wide as he gazed down on a revolver.

Guns had only been seen with the mercenary group Savage Knights that rebranded its name to Sky Riders after Alex retired and he signed over the company to his previous second in command and successor. Alex had made sure when Cecil was old enough he could safely use firearms and to no surprise, like father like son Cecil was a crack shot with them. The revolver was like a work of art. Ivory grips contrasted with a pitch black frame. The simple six inch octagon barrel was covered in thin gold pinstriping with the symbol the old Savage knights used. On the other side of the barrel engraved were the words ‘I would prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery’. The surprises didn't stop as Cecil opened the chambers he saw all six cylinders had glowing blue gems inside them. It was a drastic change from the black powder he was used to seeing.

Unboxing the long box revealed a thirty inch black octagon barrel, with gold pinstriping lever action. The wood was black with a silver lever and receiver. The trigger was golden giving the gun a overall mean and evil look. Opening the receiver revealed two blue crystals on a rotating cylinder.

“What is this?” Cecil asked in curious wonder. Alex was leaning against the wall with a smirk.

“Those are energy weapons. Ten times more powerful than black powder.” He walked over taking the revolver in hand. He flicked his wrist making the cylinder open with a click and closed it with the same click. “Thats how you reload. The repeater works almost the same. You get twelve shots and then they pop up. After the crystals pop up they will be glowing red hot. in a few seconds they will be blue and you can push them back down. Be careful when you use this either of these. The revolver has the same power as my 500 smith and the repeater delivers the same energy as a .50 bmg. ”

Cecil was dumbstruck by this. By the weapons and Duster. He felt like he was being sent off to war instead of a place for minds to expand. “D-dad what the fuck!? I dont even know what to say...this is a bit overkill don't you think?”

Alex huffed and sat down on the bed. “Son im not asking you to use them but you're going to be twenty four hours away from me. I just want you to take these three items as insurance in case things were to go bad. The crystal empire was under Sombras rule three times. Canterlot was attacked by changelings and god knows what Ponyville has been through. Please just for me take them.”

Cecil had a deeper understanding now. It didn't feel right but he understood why Alex wanted him to travel with these. He was right in his logic and while Cecil wasn't addicted to weapons like his father the weight of the duster did feel comforting in a odd way.

“Alright dad, for you i’ll take them with me. Now answer me this? This coat can't be that effective if it weighs this much.”

Alex chuckled and pulled his pocket knife out. “You have to make a pack with the seal. Its a savage way but its like a oath to the coat.”

Cecil was skeptical but he drew blood from his thumb and placed it on the Logo. The blood to his horror and fascination soaked in and started to glow. The glow went away and suddenly the Duster became lighter and softer. It almost felt like waking up in covers. You can feel them but your brain hasnt registered that they are there. The feeling was good and like Alex said the duster adjusted the temperature to a cozy warm. Cecil would definitely be wearing this a lot more now that it was like this.

“So other then the worry of an invasion, why are you giving me all this gear?”

Alex sighed and rested on the bed. He took his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. “I don't want you to be out there and get fucked like I was. When the invasion came it was like getting sucker punched. I dont know what you will face. I dont know what troubles you might have to overcome, what I do know is you’ll have the gear and the training to survive.”

He poked Cecil in the head and smiled warmly at him “This is the greatest weapon of all. Use your head and I promise you’ll get out of any situation you find yourself in. I know its overkill but better to be safe then sorry.”

Cecil nodded and leaned down to hug his father. For a moment of alliance, the two embraced each other before pulling apart. Alex stood up and held his hand out. Cecil a little confused took his hand and was shocked by the firm grip his father gave.

“Congratulations Cecil, you're a man now. You’ll always be my son but from here on out im your friend.”

The meaning was random and Cecil had to stare into space for a second before the meaning finally came to him. Alex wasn't going to see Cecil as a child anymore. His time teaching and guiding Cecil as a parent was over. Cecil was his own man now and thus there was no need for Alex to continue being a father figure. Cecil tightened his grip and nodded simply replying:

“Thanks dad. That means a lot.”

Alex nodded and took his hand back before heading to the door. “Sleep well and try not to stress about packing to much and remember you’ll always have a home here.”

Cecil gave a two finger salute and nodded “Got it dad now i need to get packing and thanks again for the gifts.”

Alex nodded leaving Cecil to his thoughts again. He packed a little more and once his duffle bag and suite case were done he examined the guns again. They were beautiful weapons on their own and the fact that nothing else like this existed made them special in their own. The thought came to mind of how would he carry them with no scabbard or holster. He could stuff the revolver in his pants or coat pocket but the rifle was a whole new challenge. He looked at the rifle box and moved the paper around a little. His search paid off when he found a paracord sling for it. The revolver was next and searching the coat he smiled at his father ingenuity. The duster had a hidden pocket for the gun that would make it virtually invisible and easily accessible. Cecil could only shake his head at his fathers forward thinking. Shortly after he decided to get some sleep tomorrow was going to either be hectic or smooth.

The next day was normal and smooth. Cecil had double triple and quadrupled checked his bags making sure everything was packed that he planned on taking. It was a sight to see the commonly laid back and easygoing Cecil wound tighter then a cuckoo cloak. He finally settled down near the afternoon when disaster met his eyes. He had been so worried about getting his things ready that he nearly missed the headlines on the paper. Singer sweetie bell was missing near the Crystal Empire. He felt sad but Alex told him not to worry about it. He needed to focus on getting ready.

Cecil kept the headline on his mind the rest of the day. That was not something good to hear when tomorrow he was leaving early on the train. His fathers weapons might be more appreciated then he cared to admit if things kept going like this. Cecil went about his day in anticipation talking with old friends like Rockwell and Camillia. He had several others and while he tried to see them all he wanted to spend what time he could with the ones he cared most for. As night fell and Cecil went to bed he glanced at the duster hanging on his door. A masterpiece of rugged engineering and consideration of fashion. As Rarity said 'something must be functional before it can be fashionable'.

When morning came Cecil rolled out of his bed, got his shower, dressed well, and carried his bags downstairs where his father was already serving breakfast for the two of them. The two stayed quiet as they ate. It wasn't because they had anything to say but more of they didn't need to speak to enjoy each other's company. Once the food was eaten Alex walked with Cecil to the train station. The older man gave his son one last look over with pride filling his eyes. He straightened a lapel on the duster before pulling Cecil in for a hug. The two stayed like that for a long moment trying to soak in as much of the moment as they could. Cecil was going to be out of Alex’s life and Cecil was going to be on his own. For the first time one had to trust the other completely and one had to trust what they had been taught. After parting ways Alex gave one last I love you and watched as his son boarded the train. He stayed there until the train was completely out of sight before he pulled a round gold locket out of his pocket.

“She would have been proud, son.” Alex let a single tear fall and walked back to his home.