What If: My Second Life

CHAPTER 16: The News

Twilight awoke from a long night. The sun was peaking in through her window and she could hear the birds waking up. Their chirping started to fill the air in a seemingly unorganized fashion. Twilight climbed out of her bed begrudgingly. She made her way downstairs only to see Coal with one of his shirts draped over him, and surprisingly Jace next to him, his head propped up on the bookcase, his arm draped over his chest with the other one hanging off to the side.

Coal had slid off the bookcase in his sleep and was now on his side. She could see a little bit of what looked like purple sticking out from under his chin. Her curiosity got the better of her. She levitated the shirt off of him slowly, and immediately lost concentration dropping it onto the floor. There snuggled up into him was the pony she recognized as Scootaloo. Her mind immediately shut down and she didn't know what to think, but thankfully Coal woke up after his secondary source for warmth was removed.

"Hmmm?" Coal slowly opened his eyes, but didn't get up. He could feel Scootaloo still clinging to him. He remember what had happened and let out a contented sigh. "Oh Scootaloo...you poor sweetheart. How hard has your life been?" Coal asked not realizing Twilight was standing there staring at him dumbfounded.

"Coal..." Coal's eyes snapped open and he turned his head a little so he could see Twilight. "Wh-why is Scootaloo sleeping with you?"

"Don't get any funny ideas Twilight...what am I saying? I'm not on Earth anymore...I need to remember ponies are a lot more innocent. Ok Twilight, here is the deal..."

Coal went over everything that had happened last night with Twilight listening intently. In the middle of the story Twilight figured out what must of happened even before Coal finished. Her fear and concern was replaced by sadness and some pride directed at Coal for taking care of the little filly.

At the end of his explanation, Jace let out a groan and his arm moved to the back of his neck, where he rubbed for a bit. “Ow...That does not feel pleasant..” He scooted away from the bookcase and cracked his neck a bit, before letting out a soft curse and a sigh. He looked back at Twilight and then at Coal, who just looked at him with confused looks. “What I miss?”

“As I was saying...After all that I fell asleep on the bookcase. *sigh* What can I do about Scootaloo though? This child doesn't have a home to return to anymore. I doubt she would honestly give up Sweetie Belle or Applebloom. Jace I wish you hadn't gotten hurt now. If you hadn't...I would have stopped worrying and may of saved up enough to get a down payment on a house. I could take care of Scootaloo. But...but I can't right now. Just thinking about her being alone in the cold; hungry and tired...it just makes me sick."

Jace looked down, feeling guilty. “I-If you want to work Coal.. Just do it. I'm doing better and I have Vinyl to take care of me...Wait...Hold on...” Jace sneezed and out came a black mist that formed back into Zeke. “Oh there you are!”

“Yeah, I can't stay for long.” Zeke looked over at Twilight and smiled. “Good morning Twilight! I was meaning to talk to you. But, that will have to wait till after I get back. I have to go for a bit, The lads are coming!~” He said it in a really gay voice and ran like a little schoolgirl out of the house. Jace was holding back suppressed laughs and had ended up with his side on the ground, holding onto his belly.

Coal rolled his eyes and looked back at the sleeping Scootaloo. He had been trying his hardest to keep his voice down, so that Scootaloo wouldn't wake up. She however had been awake as soon as Twilight took off the shirt. She was too comfortable and too scared to let go of Coal. It was difficult, but she managed to pull off the sleeping act very well.

"Coal...even if you did have a place of your own. I don't think it would be best for you to take care of Scootaloo. She needs a parent...not a friend. You're a wonderful friend Coal, but I don't think you are ready to be a parent yet."

Coal looked up at Twilight with a look of anger she had never seen him direct at any pony other than himself. She immediately regretted saying that and started to worry that she royally screwed up.

“If I may interrupt..” Both Twilight and Coal's attention were now on Jace. “I had Coal babysit my little sister one day while I was out with my girlfriend back on Earth. He did an excellent job with her! He said she didn't cry once, he fed her, changed her diaper. This man is way more than capable of handling his own child.”

“Well, Jace...Thank you but..*sigh* Twilight's probably right, but I would never accept that as an excuse." Twilight wasn't sure what to say in response. She just continued to look into Coal's eyes. "I may not be parent material right now, but that is only because there has never been a life that needed me. If it was for any pony...I would gladly make myself worthy of any title. That includes a father. Scootaloo...she...if it was for her...I would make myself into the best father Equestria had ever seen. This...poor, sweet, dear child...she deserves so much, but gets so little." Coal leaned forward and kissed the top of Scootaloo's head.

Scootaloo couldn't help herself, and found that she pulled into Coal more. She loved his words and she loved his warmth. He was so kind to her and she loved him for it. "But...I guess it doesn't matter what I WOULD do...the simple and honest truth is that I can't. If I thought it would help I would talk with that...THING that has been posing as Scootaloo's mother and try to sort things out, but I doubt that IT would care." Twilight was relieved that his anger wasn't directed at her, but the venom seeping from his words was still more than enough for her to doubt herself.

"C-coal...y-you shouldn't talk like that." Coal gave her a look of righteous fury. Twilight gulped as she continued. "I...I know that the pony taking care of Scootaloo isn't her real mother. Every pony knows that...Ponyville isn't that big after all. We all care bout Scootaloo, but her surrogate mother was the only one willing to take her in when Scootaloo found her way here. She was never willing to talk about what happened before, but after making friends with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom...I for one didn't think it mattered. Scootaloo seemed happy and I was happy for her, but Coal...if you knew how much trouble and damage Scootaloo and her friends have caused....I don't think you would be so quick to pass judgment on her mother."

Scootaloo almost let out a whimper as she feared the direction this conversation was going. She couldn't say anything because if she did; they would know she had been listening in this entire time. She didn't want Coal to stop liking her...she needed him. Needed him more than anything else right now.

"Honestly Twilight...I don't give a flying fuck about how much damage they have done." Twilight jumped back at the end of that sentence. Coal was drilling daggers through her that sent chills down her spine. He had never sworn like that in-front of another pony and she was absolutely terrified. Scootaloo on the other hand couldn't see the face Coal was wearing, but she was a little frightened by his choice of words and the anger she was picking up from his tone.

Jace was speechless as well, slightly gaping at his friend. He rarely heard Coal swear in this world, but when he did, it was when he was angry. “Well, I think I should go now..I really think this conversation isn't for me. I-I just don't belong.” Jace got up and brushed himself off. “Give Scootaloo a kiss for me Coal. I'm really looking forward to being like an uncle to her.”

Coal nodded and hugged his friend the best he could. Jace walked out the door, saying goodbye to Twilight as he closed the door behind him and disappeared.

Coal then picked up from where he last left off. "Last night I saw the emotional break down of an innocent child who only wants to be loved, but deserves a hundred times more than that. You are a very smart girl Twilight and I appreciate your input in this, but you need to understand that it doesn't matter worth shit how much these girls have done. I would gladly bet my life and soul on that none of it was intentional damage. They are children who are left to run around on their own to do what they please. Of course a small child is going to get in trouble without supervision, but no pony is capable of watching after them. Applejack and Big Mac have the farm to worry about, so they can't watch after Applebloom. Rarity has her own business to run and can't look after Sweetie Belle twenty-four seven. Scootaloo's...mother...I don't know what she does, but if she could give up Scootaloo so easily...I doubt she has spent much time with her. If she had; she wouldn't be so quick to treat Scootaloo this way. Scootaloo is such a sweet filly. I don't care if I just met her last night, I don't care if I'm human and she isn't. I don't care if she causes problems, or breaks things. I do care, but I don't care in a way that would ever make me hate her. I...I love Scootaloo like a father already. I would die for any pony, but I would live and suffer for Scootaloo!"

Twilight was trembling. Coal's words were filled with so much power; so much emotion; she was trembling at how weak it made her feel. Scootaloo wasn't fairing much better. She was forcing her eyes closed to try and prevent tears. Being caught now made her think Coal would change his mind about her. Listening in the way she had felt wrong, but she couldn't help it.

Twilight finally calmed down enough to try and talk some more. "C-c-c-coal...I-I-I...I don't know what to say. I understand what you're saying, but..."

Coal interrupted her: "But nothing!" Twilight jumped. "There is no changing my mind on this matter Twilight. I'm going down to Sweet Apple Acres today. I'm going to work until five and then I'm going to go look for a second job. I don't care if the Apples will house me now. I'll be out of your mane today. I'll sleep under the stars if I have to. I'm going to work my ass off and save up money for a house. I am going to buy said house and if Scootaloo still doesn't have anywhere to live at that point; I'll invite her to stay with me."

Scootaloo couldn't take it anymore. She started sobbing. She didn't dare look up at Coal who now realized that she must of been awake for God knows how much of this talk. She sobbed and wheezed and sniffled into Coal. She was so scared; she was so happy; she had never felt so loved before. No pony had ever gone so far her. Even if Coal hadn't done it yet; the fact that he even considered doing all that...was more than enough. The tears were coming out harder and faster than ever before. She held Coal as tightly as her little hooves would allow her. She almost yelped when Coal put his hands on her and slowly lifted himself (and her with him) off the floor. When they were sitting upright Coal began kissing Scootaloo comfortingly again. He rubbed the back of her head and her back gently. He nuzzled her with his cheek. She didn't want this moment to end. She felt so safe and loved.

"Scootaloo..." at the sound of Coal's voice she cringed. "Look at me Scootaloo." she let out a few more sobs before pulling herself back. Coal was looking at her with such a kind expression. She wiped the tears out of her eyes with her hooves still hiccupping from her crying. "What do you think about all this Scootaloo? I was just talking about what I want, but what do you want Scootaloo? Do you want to go back to...your mother? I couldn't be the one to take care of you properly for a long while still. I was serious when I said I would do anything for you though Scootaloo. I just want you to have the happiness and security you deserve. I...I love you Scootaloo. You make me want to be a better man. I want to be that better man for you. Is that what you want?"

Scootaloo was about to start crying all over again, but managed to calm herself. She bit her lip and let out small whines. "I...I don't want to go back to that pony. She isn't my mom...she only took care of me because the Mayor said it would count as community service. That pony has done a lot of bad things...she has a lot to make up for. She never once told me that she loved me..." Coal sat there intently staring at Scootaloo. She couldn't look back at him though...she feared that it would make her cry some more.

Twilight had been completely forgotten about. She was no longer needed or wanted in this situation. She snuck away deciding breakfast would probably be requested soon.

"C-coal...I...I love you too!" Scootaloo buried her face back into Coal's chest again. She had to tilt her head so that her words wouldn't be muffled. "No pony has ever said such nice things to me before! No pony has ever been willing to do so much for me! I love you Coal! I know you can't take care of me, but...please don't leave me! I don't have any pony else that I can rely on. I have Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, but they don't make me feel safe like you do! Please...please don't leave me..."

* * * *

Is this all really happening? After about what? Almost a month in Equestria Coal already has a daughter?! Don't get me wrong, he is more than capable of taking care of Scoots but, dammit Coal! You need to stop playing the big hero in these situations. It's going to be more than you can chew if you do! * sigh* Just leave it alone Jace, you need to just focus on that concert that your going to do with Vi..That's the number one thing.

Approaching the house I've been living in for the past couple of weeks doesn't seem so awkward anymore. I've stopped knocking and just let myself in the past couple of times coming home. It felt really nice to say that too... 'Home.' I have a home to live in in this world.

As I opened the door I yelled out, “Honey I'm hooooome~~,” and snickered to myself. I've ALWAYS wanted to say that.

I stood in the doorway, shutting the door behind me and heard the clopping of hooves on stairs. I braced myself for anything. I saw Vinyl poke her head around the corner and she start crying when she saw me. She ran to me and jumped into my arms. I fell flat on my ass and received a barrage of kisses from Vinyl.

“Honey! Honey what's wrong?!” I was getting really scared. What happened when I was gone?!

“Jace! There is some dude upstairs saying that he's Death and he's your teacher! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!”

Jace had a face of complete and utter non ammusedness. “ZEKE!” He yelled, just sitting there and waiting.

A minute later, two red eyes poked from behind a corner. “Yeeesss~?” Vinyl was freaking out and crying harder, burying her face into my chest and bawling her eyes out. “Oh... Sorry...”

“Zeke... What did you tell her?” Zeke slowly floated in front of them and pulled his hood off, his face showing.

“I told her that I was Death and you were my proud student...I didn't think I did anything wrong.” Vinyl was shuddering.

“BULLSHIT!” I went wide eyed at Vinyl's response. “YOUR HERE TO TAKE ME TO HELL AREN'T YOU?! I CAN SEE THROUGH YOUR LIES!”

“Easy love!” I held Vinyl close. “He's not lying!” I fished out the Calling Card and showed it to her. She locked eyes with it and then looked back up to Zeke, then to me.

“Oh Jace...You worried me sick! I thought that Death had taken you to hell with him to be his accomplice!” I raised a brow at this.

“Say what...”

“When he appeared I thought he was giving me the news that you died and wanted to take me there to be with you..”

“Honey...”

“Y-Yes Jace?”

“Don't ever say anything like that again..” I pulled her close and gave her the biggest kiss I've ever given her. She went wide eyed at first but slowly melted into the kiss. Zeke snuck away and went back upstairs to give us the alone time.

I had my arms wrapped around her body, pulling her close to my body as we kissed. It got more deep as she started to stick her tongue into my mouth. I let her and we were at the point of making out. It was glorious. My tongue slid against her's and danced as we kissed. I was at this point that I started to feel warmth in my groin and I pulled away, looking away from Vinyl.

“T-Thank you...” She laid her head on my chest and scooted up so the top of her head was up against my chin. I stroked her blue mane and had my eyes closed, my head resting on the door. I let out a long sigh of comfort as we laid like that for about ten minutes.

I got us both up and brushed both of us off. As we walked to the den she was leaning on me the entire way. I really liked being close to her.

“Hey Vi..”

“Hmmm?”

“I have an idea for the show.. Can we try it?” She looked up at me with a smile and nodded.

“Let's go for it big guy~”