Author's Note

Monday. Sometimes it can catch you off guard. But I'm not going to let that stop me from doing my usual double chapter upload today. It's time to brighten up your Mondays with the Hamtaro crew and the Main 6 once again~

One other thing: As you'll be able to tell, I am doing something different with Magic Duel for this universe.

Season 3: Episode 21 - Father-Daughter Talk

It was a normal day in Ponyville, though right now at Golden Oak's Library, there was a very upset looking Twilight.

"I can't believe you threatened a store clerk in Canterlot." Twilight said to Shadow Skull.

"Just because I can't sense Spat because of those Windigos, doesn't mean I can't sense dark magic." Shadow Skull said. "By the way, heard about the whole ordeal with King Sombra. Normally, I'd chastise you for not telling me about that, but...considering you gave him a life he never had before...I'm willing to overlook that."

Twilight was a bit confused. "What do you mean, you can sense dark magic?"

"I mean this." Shadow Skull then produced a strange looking pendent. Twilight began to approach it before Shadow Skull somehow pocketed it again. "Don't touch it, it's riddled with very potent dark magics; magics you aren't capable of handling without getting corrupted."

"I wonder if Zecora knows anything about it." Twilight said.

"Knowing that Zebra, she most likely does. However, I can tell you before she says anything that this is laced with powerful dark magics of the corrupting nature." Shadow Skull said.

"Then we need to see Zecora about this right away!" Twilight said.

Coming back from Zecora's place, Twilight and Shadow Skull were now back in Ponyville.

"Can't believe you managed to convince Zecora to let you just absorb the dark magic from the Alicorn Amulet." Twilight said.

"I've been using Dark Magic for longer than Celestia's been alive. Heck, I was using Dark Magic before even Faust was alive. Though, she was the second mortal I knew that caused me to reconnect with mortals." Shadow Skull said.

"You knew Queen Faust?!" Twilight was taken aback by this.

"Like I said, I've lived for centuries." Shadow Skull said. "Speaking of, Faust was a lot like you: Very studious and willing to learn more when needed."

"Wow..." Twilight was a little surprised to hear about that. "By the way, you said Queen Faust was the second mortal that caused your reconnection with mortals. Who was the first?" Twilight asked.

"Do you even need to ask?" Suddenly Harmony was in front of Twilight. "Obviously, that was my mother." Harmony said.

"As if there would've been anyone else besides her." Shadow Skull said before he approached his daughter. "At least now that Harmony knows the truth about why I left her mother; I've been able to be a proper father to her since there's no chance she'll be able to handle Dark Magic."

"You could've left a note or something." Harmony said.

"...I guess that's what they call tunnel vision..." Twilight said and then left.

"Was it really tunnel vision?" Harmony asked.

"Writing wasn't even a thing when your mother got pregnant with you." Shadow Skull said. "Hard to believe you grew up when writing was just being invented."

"Oh...I guess writing not invented by time you left mom is a good excuse to not leave a note." Harmony said. "How long have you even been around dad?"

"A very long time. A lot longer than you'd think. And I've kept myself alive with Dark Magic ever since I was about your age when you became an Angel Hamster." Shadow Skull said.

"That's...wow." Harmony said. "So, does this mean that Hamtaro is the third mortal to cause you to reconnect with mortals?"

"Heh...I guess you could say that. Except with him, there's something different. He's got this attitude that makes me feel like a kid again. And trust me, I haven't felt that way in centeries." Shadow Skull said.

"I know what you mean. It's why I wanted the help of him and Bijou for when Spat was causing massive breakups for hamsters. Not only to draw the two of them together more, but also because the amount of Trouble I could sense Spat being able to cause was too massive for me to handle alone." Harmony said. "Hamtaro and Bijou just felt like the perfect duo to sort out that whole mess."

"Spat takes after his mother alright. Evil runs in his blood." Shadow Skull said.

"Still can't believe Spat is my half-brother." Harmony said.

"In my opinion, he's not family. After all, his mother practically made me impregnate her against my will." Shadow Skull said.

"I'm pretty sure that's what mortals would call 'rape' these days." Harmony said.

"Doesn't matter what it's called when as far as I'm concerned, Spat is not my son. Besides, now that he's got those windigos by his side, he's not even the Spat you've become familiar with." Shadow Skull said.

"Tell me about it. I wonder if my ability to sense Spat came as a result of you by the way. Or if that was developed because even if you don't acknowledge him as such, he is my half-brother." Harmony said.

"If you ask me, you shouldn't sweat the details on why you got that ability. You should be thankful." Shadow Skull said. "And Spat isn't the only devil hamster out there. He's just been the one you've spent a lot of time with."

"So, there are others coming if Spat falls then, huh?" Harmony asked.

"I know I can never give you a gift to make up for the birthdays I missed; but I think it's time I gave you the ability to sense all devil hamsters." Shadow Skull said before he lightly tapped his daughter on the head with his staff. Harmony glowed for a bit and then it faded.

"...I don't feel that much different, honestly." Harmony said.

"You shouldn't. If you did, then there would be cause for alarm. All I did was expand your senses. It won't be much right now while Spat is the primary devil hamster on this planet; but should his soul somehow leave the mortal plane, another devil hamster should take his place, and your new expanded senses will help you in knowing when they will be nearby." Shadow Skull said.

"That's some gift you've given me." Harmony said. "Also, I don't really want any belated birthday gifts from you dad. All I really want from you is to be your daughter properly."

Shadow Skull couldn't help but give off a hearty laugh. "Is that all? Well, I've been hoping to become a proper father to you, so that works out perfectly."