Welcome To My Life

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: The Breaking of News
Chapter 2: The Birth of A...
Chapter 3: Tea and Dust
Chapter 4: Snow Laughing Matter
Chapter 5: Night-Mare
Chapter 6: Failing Facades

Prologue

Welcome To My Life

Prologue

“Twilight, darling, are you even listening?”

Twilight Sparkle snapped her focus back to the white unicorn sitting on the other side of the small, round café table.

“As I was saying,” she continued, “have you heard the latest news from Pinkie Pie? Apparently with both her and Disc- Party Favour, the remainder of the dark forces didn’t even take a week to clean up, and their kingdom is well on its way to being restored! I do wish we could have gone with them when they returned, but they were rather adamant that we would have all gone quite mad from just being there!”

“And Princess Cadence! Have you heard? She is having her baby any day now! Rumour has it that the baby will be an alicorn colt! Can you imagine? An alicorn stallion in Canterlot! Won’t that be something? I’m sure he will get attention from all of the mares from here to Phillydalphia!”

Rarity took another sip of her designer latte. She savoured the delicate foaminess with poise and grace.

“My!” she exclaimed. “This is the best café in all Canterlot, is it not? ... and you’re ignoring me again.”

“Sorry, Rarity…” Twilight shrugged sheepishly. “It is lovely; and I really do like spending time with you here, but I’ve just have a lot of things on my mind since-“

“Since that dreadful Sauron incident. I know; I know.”

She continued, “You really must get beyond the whole thing, dear! It’s been what… two months since we’ve gotten back.” Twilight nodded. Rarity waved her free hoof in the early spring air. “granted, they have only now finished mopping and sweeping up all of that horrible black dust we brought back. Nasty stuff seemed to work its way into almost every surface in the throne room! But still, most of the ponies involved had moved past it a month ago! All, except for Fleur de Lis, the poor dear. I always knew she was a frail thing, but something awful must have happened to her to make her… end it… the way she had.”

They both gave a shudder. The tabloids and celebrity gossip magazines had gone into a gruesome hay-day over the news that the most well-known supermodel in Canterlot had been found hanging in her dressing room. Nopony knew exactly what had tipped her over the edge, but theories bounced around in abundance: money troubles, stress, or even lost love. While in the arena, she had missed out on an enormous photo shoot. Desperate for a model and short on time, they had selected a virtual unknown. She had been such a smash hit that Fleur had been forgotten seemingly overnight. By the time she had returned, her career was spiralling; a fall from which she never recovered.

Twilight sighed and took a sip from her tea.

“Bastion?” Rarity commented half-mindedly. Not even waiting for the standard half nod, she placed her cup gingerly back on the saucer and continued. “Twilight, really? I thought we’d gone over this last time. And the time before that, for that matter!”

“Rarity…” Twilight pleaded.

She wouldn’t hear it. “No. Darling, you really need to get out again. Have fun and maybe meet somepony! It’s almost Hearts and Hooves, and I refuse to see you mope by yourself with all of those dusty books again.” Not waiting for a response to her jab at her friend’s beloved library, she leaned in and continued. “My new colt-friend has a few good-looking single stallion friends, and I could see about hooking you up with one of them, if you’d be up for it.” She smiled and winked slyly, bringing her cup back to her lips for another heavenly shot of fluffy cream and caffeine; being careful not to break eye contact throughout the motion.

Growing sick of the conversation, Twilight shook her head. “You don’t understand… Something happened between us two months ago. I can’t-“

“Yes, he saved your life; a few times! But not nearly as many times as you have told us about it! You only knew him for a few days! I don’t understand why you are so enamoured with some stupid stallion that you probably will never see again! He’s most likely forgotten all about y-“

Twilight pushed her chair back as she stood up, clopping her hooves down hard on the table. “I’m pregnant!” She burst out. She remained there for a few seconds, staring at Rarity, panting slightly. Rarity had dropped her latte, and was still too shocked to her seat to notice.

She eased back and slumped into her chair. She hadn’t planned on saying that, but the mixed emotions mingled freely with her imbalanced hormones and accumulated stress. Part of her immediately regretted saying that, but most of her was glad that the secret had finally come out.

Rarity put a hoof to her mouth and gasped quietly. “Oh, my dear Twilight! I had no idea! Is Bastion the father?”

“I suppose you could say that…”

Rarity dashed around the table, embracing her friend. Twilight hugged her back, unsure as to how to proceed from this point in the conversation.

Rarity released her, still holding her shoulders with her hooves as she donned a mildly puzzled look. “But how is that possible? Mares aren’t normally in heat for another few weeks. Are you sure, because you would have had to be so out of season…”

Twilight took in a deep breath, formulating the words so as to not appear totally insane.

“Party couldn’t get him out of his scale because he didn’t know how to send him back to where he was from,” she explained. “And because he wouldn’t be able to give him a body, I decided that, being a mare biologically formatted to create bodies…” she trailed off.

“You impregnated yourself… with somepony! A full-grown pony, no less! Do you have any idea what that could do to somepony? Physically and mentally, I mean.”

“I- I don’t know,” Twilight stuttered. “He needed help, so I did what I had to do to make him safe…”

Rarity leaned back and sat on the table.

“It’s times like these that I am glad my special talent isn’t magic. That seems to get you into all sorts of trouble.”

Chapter 1: The Breaking of News

Welcome To My Life

Chapter 1: The Breaking of News

It was late. Most ponies in Ponyville were asleep. A warm July breeze worked its way down the deserted streets. Windows were shuttered and dark, and things were generally quiet, save the chirpings and creakings that are heard only on quiet nights.

One window, however, was wide open and spilling candlelight into the square.

Twilight Sparkle focussed on her chemistry textbook. This was the first time she was reading it not for personal enjoyment. It wasn’t for a class she was taking, but rather one she was preparing to give.

In the five months since the Sauron incident, she had thrown herself at a vast project. She had organized with Princess Celestia and the Mayor of Ponyville to open the second largest university in Equestria. Both had expressed their full support.

What was different about this university from the relatively nearby Canterlot University, was that there they only focussed on magic; spells, history, and magical theory. Twilight’s proposed education center would encompass a broad spectrum of fields and be readily accessible to all ponies with a will to learn; unicorns, pegasi, and regular ponies alike. Science, agriculture, art, medicine, law, history, politics, engineering; the whole works.

With the plans fast tracked by the Royal Seal, construction had begun last month. Professor requests had been sent out to fill the classes, and resumes had already started to come in. the screening process was still some months in the future along with student applications. Twilight wanted to be sure everything was built and ready before any employees or students were 100% committed.

Taking a sip of her tea, she continued studying. She personally planned to book her own schedule pretty tight and cover as many different classes as she could. She had not managed to get out to see her friends very much. In fact, she never seemed to leave the tree house at all. Spike did all of the errands and shopping, made easier simply because he was now big enough to carry all of their groceries by himself.

He was now about the size of Twilight herself, and his last shedding had revealed a small set of proto-wings, of which he had immediately become obsessively proud of. She had deterred him from leaping from the nearest cliff, unassisted at least; by buying him a season pass to Scoot’s Sky Tours. He took advantage of this pass so often he had his favourite glider perpetually on reserve.

Twilight had not seen him for several hours now even though he should have been back shortly after sundown, because that is when Scoot’s closed. She figured he had probably come back and gone to bed without her noticing as was apt to happen when she was deep in study. She got up slowly, due to both stiffness and her second trimester stomach, to check in on him, when the door swung open.

Spike the dragon fledgling entered the library and stood in the doorway. Twilight could hear somepony behind him. He guiltily looked down, linked his claws together, and ground his heel at the floor.

“Twilight?” he asked in his gradually deepening voice. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure Spike. What’s up?” she asked curiously.

He stepped out of the doorway into the house. Light glowed onto the front steps, illuminating the ponies behind him.

“It’s about your condition. And by we,” he clarified, “I meant all of us.”

Twilight watched as her best friends filed in, one by one. Rarity came in first, “I didn’t tell them,” she defended.

Fluttershy started to step in, but a rainbow blur whizzed past her. She hunched backwards as Rainbow Dash skidded to a stop in the center of the room.

“C’mon, Shy!” a female cowpony voice urged, “Ah ain’t got all night.”

Fluttershy walked in, followed closely by Applejack and Pinkie Pie. This was not the first visit Pinkie had made back to Ponyville since the liberation of her realm from the dark forces of Sauron, as she had had to get her affairs in order with the Cakes at Sugarcube Corner. By merely laying a hoof on an Element of Harmony, one could communicate telepathically with her, either just to catch up or to request her presence. Every time she did come back, she returned to her pony form. It was decided this was the best way to avoid any potential panic from sightings of a new draconequus on the loose.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were somewhat taken aback by the size of their friend. Twilight smiled sheepishly and blushed. She had never gotten around to telling any of them about the pregnancy, save Rarity. Party Favour had told Pinkie of the situation in private shortly after the fact.

“Oh… my!” Fluttershy said quietly. For Fluttershy it was normal, but for everypony else it was nearly a whisper.

“What in tarnation have you been up to?” Applejack said slyly.

“You got fat!” Rainbow pointed out bluntly.

Twilight sat down again on her well-worn reading cushion. “I suppose I do have some explaining to do…”

Spike had already placed cushions in a circle for each of them. He went to bed because he did not need to hear the story a second time.

* * * * *

Twilight sighed as she finished her tale. It was not the first time, and would probably not be the last. The others had listened intently as she had recounted her journey from start to end, leaving out nothing. It felt good to unload the unedited version to them. Even Spike had not been told all of the details, primarily the girly ones.

The circle had closed in over the course of the story until the group were practically shoulder to shoulder.

“You simply cannot continue stressing yourself over this university business,” Rarity said finally.

“But there’s just so much to do…” Twilight protested. “How will everything be ready for the school year if I don’t work as hard as I have been?”

Applejack responded, “Y’all don’t have ta have it done for this year, do yah?”

Twilight looked down. “I suppose not. That was an unrealistic goal, now that you mention it.”

Applejack continued, “Ah can see y’all are trying to do a big job all by yerself, an’ Ah don’t think that that’s gonna turn out well. If anypony knows anythin’ about bitin’ off more than she can chew, it’s me!” She tapped her chest and laughed.

“But it’s still so much work to oversee the construction, organize the application forms, and get ready for classes I’m going to be teaching,” Twilight pointed out, “and it still has to be done.”

“We can all lend you a hoof, dear,” Rarity offered. Twilight looked up. “I can help to make sure that the building is painted and decorated fabulously!”

“An’ Ah can make sure it’s built right an’ proper.”

“Macky and I can bring refreshments to the workers, and I can see if I can get the animals to help…”

“I can keep the skies clear of rainclouds, and help get mail sent off on time! I have to work on my endurance flying anyways.”

“And I’ll come back and throw a party when it’s done!”

Twilight’s eyes teared up at the kindness of her friends. “Thank you, thank you all! You really are the best friends a mare could have.”

Applejack placed her hoof around Twilight’s neck and gave her a hug, which the rest of them joined in on spontaneously. As the others returned to their cushions, Applejack left her hoof where she had placed it.

“Ah have something to tell all o’ y’all, too,” she confessed, looking around the tight circle. Being the Element of Honesty, this was hardly a surprise that she was confessing something.

“Ah think Ah’m gonna have a foal of mah own!”

An eruption of happy chatter and congratulations flowed from the mares. They had figured it was bound to happen one of these seasons. It was actually kind of odd that it had not happened last year considering how hard they had been trying.

Amidst the chaos, Fluttershy spoke gently, “I… um… Macky and I are having a foal, too…”

Attuned to picking up their friend’s soft voice, the group silenced immediately and looked at her. She smiled, the kind that is known to be accompanied by a heart stopping squee. After exactly two seconds of pure silence they burst out in congratulations once again.

Twilight was overjoyed that her friends had taken it so well, and that now she knew she was not alone. She had only been alone by her own doing. She remembered that when you have good friends, you don’t ever have to get through your problems alone. That was going to be a letter to Celestia for sure.

She still had not told her mentor about the pregnancy. She was not ready for that conversation. Also, part of her was worried that the Princess would try to send Stalwart Bastion back to his human world. At this point, she was certain that it was pretty well impossible, but her maternal instincts to protect her child against any threat, no matter how unlikely, had gripped her tightly.

As the group volume died down, Pinkie, too, spoke out, “Well girls, I can tell you for sure that I’m not! I don’t know about you two, though…” she trailed off with a wide smile and looked at Rarity and Rainbow Dash. The other three looked at them expectantly (no pun intended).

“Don’t look at me!” Rainbow Dash burst. “Lightning Storm and I have only gone out once or twice, and that was after Hearts and Hooves!” She directed the group attention to the white unicorn beside her. “Rarity and that Royal Guard, on the other hoof…”

Rarity mocked a look of shock. She turned up her nose and shut her eyes. “Oh, the nerve of you girls! Granted, Sir Comet Fire and I have been together for some time now, but a lady does not get pregnant before marriage!”

They held their gaze. Rarity peeked one eye open and lowered her head slightly. “But not necessarily practice abstinence.”

Laughter and assorted giggles bounced around the room.

* * * * *

Spike jammed his head deeper under his pillows. He had almost succeeded in getting to sleep, but was blasted awake with the outburst after Applejack’s revelation. Avoiding this behaviour was exactly the reason he had gone to bed earlier, and the topic seemed to be degrading quickly into areas he wished to stay oblivious to.

He cursed himself for going hang gliding before organizing the meeting. The thought of flying snapped his focus back to the dream he had begun having, and tried to will himself back to sleep to continue in his unconscious air-borne escapades. It did not work, but he kept trying until finally the noise in the next room quieted down.

Sighing, he began to drift off.

A rooster crowed.

Spike groaned.

Chapter 2: The Birth of A...

Welcome To My Life

Chapter 2: The Birth of A…

Screams rang out from the other room. Had there been anypony outside nearby, they may have bolted through the January snow to the small farmhouse to check where it came from. Three mares and one dragon sat in the living room. None of the group made any advances to the stairs anymore. Fluttershy would call for them if she needed them.

Rarity and an 8 month pregnant Applejack were seated on Applejack’s couch. Rainbow Dash once again took off from her cushion, circling the room to vent her feelings of anxiety and uselessness in this situation. Spike had curled himself up on the recliner in the corner.

He had grown somewhat in the last couple of months, but mostly in the ever expanding reach of his wings. Still unable to maintain unassisted flight, he remained a regular of Scoot’s Sky Tour business, but he prided himself in the fact that he was relying on the glider less and less. Another few months, and he could begin flight school in Cloudsdale. Although it was not a necessary step for a dragon to undertake, Spike insisted on participating like any other pony with flight capabilities would.

The group had generally remained silent for the past half hour or so. All except for Twilight, who had gone into labour two hours ago. Spike had received an urgent telepathic ‘nag’, as he had termed it, while he had been paragliding around the gorge with Scootaloo. Flapping hard, he had raised his altitude and flown straight for the library without so much as a word to Scoots.

Finding her panting near the front door, her water broken, he had scooped her up and began running to the hospital.

“No… Fluttershy’s…” she struggled, “not hospital.”

“But why not the hospital?” Spike asked confusedly, yet he still altered his course according to her request.

“Birth certificate… to princesses… keep secret,” she managed to say in between gasps.

Spike did not like all of the secrecy around this Bastion character. He had tried to convince Twilight to tell Celestia about the whole mess on several different occasions. He had even offered to go there in person.

Twilight would hear none of it. Not only was she convinced that this was her duty to a friend, but her hormone-charged mind and motherly instincts told her that they would take her child from her. Unsure of how the foal would turn out, she had decided to consider Stalwart Bastion the father, and name her child after him. The fact that his name had only really ever been Steve never crossed her mind.

That was almost two hours ago now. Sending messages to all of her friends through a magical puff of smoke, he had called them all here. Fluttershy had been here in the first place, as had Applejack. Both of them lived with their husbands in the same house on Sweet Apple Acres Farm. Because of all of their spare time during the winter, Big Mac, assisted by Fancypants, were in the process of building a separate house on the property to give their families the privacy they needed. Applebloom still lived there as well, but Granny Smith had passed away in her sleep five months back, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Fancypants, who had dabbled in medicine for a time, was in the delivery room with Twilight and Fluttershy, orchestrating their efforts while an 8 month pregnant Fluttershy tried to keep Twilight calm and focussed. I do not know if you have ever witnessed a birth before, but calm is not how anything goes.

Rainbow Dash had showed up shortly after receiving the message, her face smattered with snow and ice from her flight. She had been having a romantic lunch in Cloudsdale with Lightning Storm, a fellow Wonderbolt, when the letter had materialized on her salad. After a quick apology, she rocketed off before he had had a chance to respond. By the time he had, she was already halfway there.

Rarity had taken somewhat longer. She had been on the train coming from the Crystal Empire from a visit with Princess Cadence to once again format her mane in the traditional headdress. Receiving the letter just as the train pulled into Canterlot Station, she had leaned out of the window and waved hello and goodbye to her husband, Sir Comet Fire.

In an effort to quell his confused look, she had waved the letter around and called out as the train began to depart, “Twilight needs me, Dearest! I’ll be back tomorrow!”

A short train ride and a rushed taxi later, she had barged in the front door only an hour and a half into Twilight’s labour. After saying hello and getting a quick update on Twilight’s condition from a loud scream, her first order of business had been to grab the hairbrush from her luggage and attack Rainbow’s still dishevelled mane.

Rainbow did not even react to this kind of treatment from her friend anymore; it was far easier to just let it happen. Rarity had been astonished by the length of her mane. It was longer than her usual style, and took a natural mature curl at the end. Despite the group of them all getting slightly taller since they had met, Rainbow Dash had really begun to grow up lately. Being in the Wonderbolts for a few years had taught her many things about maturity and friendship, both of which she mailed to Celestia and Luna about often.

Rainbow was still impetuous, as evidenced by her circling. Sitting down on the cushion once more, she gave an exasperated sigh.

“Ugh! How long does that usually take!” she moaned.

“From what Ah hear, if she’s lucky, it’ll be over soon. But if she’s not lucky… it could take a lot longer than we’ve already been waitin’.”

They all cringed in unison, both at that thought, and because Twilight let out yet another scream; the growing hoarseness of her voice revealing that she, too, was ready to be done as well.

Big Mac came in from the kitchen with a plate of baked goods of different varieties, only half of them containing apples. Applebloom brought in a tea kettle and cups and saucers. Once both had been placed on the round table in the middle of the room, the two Apples left again. Spike left to see if they were doing something more interesting than nothing.

Using her magic, Rarity began pouring tea for her two friends, also shuttling a biscuit with careful precision. She noticed the expensive make of the china, which lead her eyes on a dancing spree around the room, spying some rather tasteful art and fine cabinetry.

“I do love what you have done with the place, Applejack!” Rarity commented, trying to lighten the mood. “Your taste in décor has definitely improved!”

Applejack smiled at the jab and accepted the refreshments with a nod. “Well, what can Ah say? Ah guess Ol’ Fancypants’ rubbin’ off on me!”

“An’ besides, Business has been real good lately, ‘specially since Fancy started makin’ that Apple Wine. Not only does it have a real nice taste, but he’s gone and got all his high-falutin’ friends hooked on the stuff! It’s a huge hit up there in Canterlot; we can’t make it fast enough!”

Rainbow stuck out her tongue. Ok, maybe she is not as grown up as she looks.

“What about cider? You’re still making apple cider, right?” she asked worriedly.

“Hoo boy, you betcha we are! Ah mean, Ah don’t mean ta sound happy about other ponies misfortunes, but since those Flim Flam Brothers went out of business, we’ve been run ragged for more cider! We’ve had to pull in six more hired hooves ta keep up!”

Rarity’s eyes went wide as she slapped a hoof up to her mouth, nearly spilling her tea. “My dear! You do know why they are out of business, don’t you?”

“Umm…no,” Applejack replied hesitantly. “Why?”

“I’m not sure how you haven’t heard! Honestly, it’s been the talk of Canterlot for weeks!”

“Are ya gonna tell us or what, Rarity?” Rainbow said impatiently.

“Do you recall their… odd cider making vehicle?”

They nodded.

“Well… there was an accident. Somehow, while they were inside the bladed intake barrel fixing something… it turned on.”

“It did what?!” Applejack cried.

“Somepony nearby saw it happen. One minute, they were singing away to that catchy tune of theirs, the next, nothing could be heard other than mechanical grindings and… snapping noises.” Rarity paused, nauseated by the thought, the other two were not fairing much better. “He said that in only a few minutes, they came out the other side, fully… processed and unrecognizable.”

A shadow began settling over the three, but was suddenly whisked away as Twilight gave out another long yell. It was not so much her yell that startled them, but the higher pitched cry that came afterwards. Applejack eased herself from her seat. Rarity hopped up and trotted quickly to the stairs meeting Spike, Applebloom, and Big Mac already on their way up. Rainbow was at the bedroom door, hovering anxiously.

* * * * *

The upstairs bedroom smelled like blood and sweat. Fancypants was mopping up the floor, so Big Mac had moved her to a fresh room. Fluttershy had followed, all the while mopping Twilight with a damp cloth. But now, in a clean bed, they all got a chance to see.

“Meet Stalwart Bastion.” Twilight introduced proudly.

“Awwwww!” they awed in unison.

Cradled in Twilight’s forelegs, and wrapped in a light yellow blanket, was a small light purple pegasus with a red mane. Only Twilight had noticed his different colouration from almost a year ago, but that only reinforced her belief that he was her son, as opposed to her former friend. He had her purple coat, and his father’s mane and eyes.

Knowing that her friends wanted to hold him she gingerly held him out to Rarity. Upon receiving him, she immediately began nuzzling his nose and speaking in a baby-pandering voice.

“Who’s the widdle cutiepie? You are!” she cooed. Much to her satisfaction, she elicited a short but adorable giggle from the little bundle of joy. The female portion of the room squee-d with delight; the males, including a newly present Fancypants with sleeves still rolled up and collar askew, could not help but smile.

Similar activities were enacted by the rest of the circle, each more enamoured by his squidgy little face and round eyes than the last. The last one in the path of the baby hot potato was Spike, who looked somewhat unsure and nervous.

“But what if I drop him?” he asked unsurely.

“Don’t worry, Spike, you won’t,” Twilight reassured him. “And even if you do, I’m ready to catch him with magic. It’s not like he’s going to bite you or anything!” she laughed.

Tentatively, he reached out and accepted the foal from Big Mac. Spike held Bastion close to his warm dragon chest and smiled at him. Bastion reached out with his miniscule hooves, straining to grasp Spike’s finger, which was hovering just too far away.

The crowd awed again.

Succumbing to his wishes, Spike let him grasp on and pull his claw in to himself. He immediately began to suck on the purple appendage contentedly. Smiling profusely, Spike looked up at Twilight.

“Heh, you said he wouldn’t bi-YEOW!”

He wrenched his arm backwards, extricating his claw from the young pony’s mouth. But that was not the mouth of a pony.

It was that of a dragon, teeth and all.

Spike, startled and hurt, accidentally tossed the newborn into the air, to be caught by an angry Twilight just as the blanket fell away. Everyone gasped.

Levitating in a purple magical field was a tiny dragon, purple with red crest scales and spines. Visible from his back were a pair of bright purple wings with red membranes. Himself startled, Bastion immediately began to cry with indignation at his treatment.

Before anypony could say a word, and as Twilight began bringing him back to herself, Bastion had returned to the form of the pegasus he had been just moments before. On his flank, which may or may not have been there earlier, was a depiction of an orange sword with fiery dragon wings.

Twilight rewrapped him in a blanket and cooed him into peace. Giving a short yawn, he snuggled against her soft, warm coat and fell to sleep.

Nopony awed this time, although they would have had he not just been a different species.

Twilight looked up at the group of shocked spectators. Her eyes betrayed both worry and fear.

“Tell nopony.”

Chapter 3: Tea and Dust

Welcome To My Life

Chapter 3: Tea and Dust

A pleasant breeze wound its way through Ponyville. Not the uncomfortably wilting hot breezes that had been the norm for the last week, but a cool, gentle caressing wind just strong enough to refresh anypony out in the hot June sun. The weather on this particular day is what had prompted Rarity to venture from her air conditioned salon in Canterlot to revisit Carousel Boutique. She wore a wide-brimmed and flower-adorned wicker woven hat of her own creation, mostly as protection from the sun, but also to hide her slightly disheveled mane. It had been a rough week.

Just as she readied the golden key at the lock, a familiar voice with a distinct accent rang out from behind, startling her into dropping it.

“Howdy there, Rarity! Ah didn’t know you were back in town!” Applejack said happily.

“Hello, Rarity! What brings you back to Ponyville?” Fluttershy added.

“Oh, hello Applejack; Fluttershy. “ Not bothering to pick up her fallen key, Rarity turned around with a tired smile. It was quickly replaced by a beaming grin as she saw who else was there.

Both mares were pushing baby carriages; Applejack’s being slightly larger than Fluttershy’s. Rarity jumped between the carriages with lightning speed, losing her hat in the process. She ducked her head into Fluttershy’s first, and was greeted by a giggling two month old foal. It was a boy, and an earth pony like his father. He had a light green coat and a rugged grey mane with a darker grey stripe down the middle. His dark green eyes glinted with delight as the white unicorn spoke half nonsense to him in the universal baby voice. The foal reached out his short hooves to grasp the tantalizingly close bobbing lock of purple hair.

Fluttershy closed her eyes, tilted her head slightly, and smiled warmly with happiness and pride.

“Looks like Bismarck remembers you, Rarity!”

Rarity raised her head from the pram. “Why of course he does! Who could ever forget meeting a glamorous pony such as myself?” she said with a hint of exaggeration.

Her head already up, she used it as an excuse to duck it into the carriage on her other side. Applejack’s carriage was larger, and for good reason. Nestled inside were two young fillies, asleep in each other’s grasp. The one on the right had a coat of burnt orange and sported a small mane of vibrant red colour. The one on the left, slightly smaller than her twin sister, was the colour of shimmering gold; a deep, pure hue that glistened like the sun. If her coat was ever compared to the sun, her mane would be a dead ringer for the sky on a gorgeous summer’s day.

“A’m sure you remember the twins-“

“Apple Brandy and Honeycrisp, correct?” she replied as she looked up, being ever careful not to awaken the adorable pair. “How could I forget that red mane? Or Honeycrisp’s immaculate coat!”

She looked back at the filly. “I’m sure she’ll be quite the heart-throb when she grows up, you mark my words.”

“Aww, shucks, Rares, you’re too kind.” Applejack said appreciatively. “Consider ‘em marked.”

It was only then that Fluttershy took notice of her usually well-groomed friend’s comparatively shabby appearance and hastily coiffed mane. Following her friend’s eyes, Rarity gasped as she felt for her hat, diving for it to cover her shame.

Too late.

“Oh, Rarity! Your mane!” Fluttershy gasped. “What happened?!”

Sensing some deeper problems than just a bad hair day, Applejack bypassed the opportunity to make a snide remark, and instead expressed her concern similarly to Fluttershy.

Rarity retrieved her key and successfully unlocked her store. She took her hat back off and held it against her chest. “Come inside, girls. I’ll make us some tea.”

* * * * *

It was a little dusty in the boutique, but not very much so. Rarity had hired a local cleaning mare to come in once every week or two to keep the place spruced up, but they had obviously not made their way here in at least a month. Luckily, tea in a tin does not get dusty, and even the chairs had gotten a wipe before their current use.

Not always a patient one, Applejack resented Rarity’s insistence on them getting their tea before she would even attempt at her explanation. A few years ago, she may have voiced her displeasure at her friend’s adherence to etiquette, but she had been become tempered since then, greatly so since her twins had been born. One must be patient with foals of any age, but especially the very young. The world adheres to their schedule, and if they do not want to sleep, nopony gets to. Speaking of, Applejack was rather surprised that they were still sleeping. Fluttershy had just managed to lull Bismarck into his own nap.

They looked at each other and gave a knowing sigh in unison. Although Fluttershy and Big Mac had moved into their new home as soon as the temperatures had risen, they still lived on the same property. Before the marriage, they had been just friends; now they were closer than sisters, experiencing fledgling motherhood together constantly.

Fluttershy’s body still showed evidence of her pregnancy. Nopony really noticed, and because it had been only two months since Bismarck’s birth, nopony would have expected anything more. Despite having twins, however, Applejack was essentially back to her normal body size and weight. She had regained her physique rather quickly, for despite Fancypant’s advice, she had resumed physical labour as soon as she was able. Lying in bed was never her style when work needed to be done.

Rarity came in bearing tea and everything one would expect to come with it: cups, saucers, sugar, and cream. The last item caused four eyes to widen.

Sensing the panic before it could manifest in words, Rarity spoke quickly. “I ran out the back and borrowed some from Trixie’s magic shop next door.”

Sighing in unison once more, the mares received their tea and readied it to their individual likings; cream and sugar for Rarity, two of each for Fluttershy, and, as per usual, Applejack took her tea as is.

To calm her etiquette bound frazzled friend, Applejack employed some of her own. She began with some pleasant small talk, as it was considered improper for a lady to speak about her personal issues first. Fancypants had told her it “warms the conversational waters, as jumping into unheated water leaves everypony in shock.”

She decided to pick up on Rarity’s comment. “So, how is Trixie lately? Ah don’t really get much time off the farm, what with chores and the twins.”

Fluttershy sipped her lukewarm tea, savouring the flavour. Rarity always did make the best tea. Rarity’s remained prepared yet untouched on the coffee table in their midst.

“Oh, she’s doing very well, from what I can gather,” Rarity responded, impressed by Applejack’s knowledge of upper class procedures. “Apparently, she and her husband Card Trick have made rather a good living off of her fireworks and various joke toys. Rainbow Dash keeps me updated when she visits me from Cloudsdale. As you can imagine, Rainbow frequents the store for the latest prank gadget nearly every week!” Rarity shook her head, recalling the many pranks she had encountered over the months which always heralded a visit from the chromatic pegasus. She had grown to expect a prank, but she never knew from whence some rubber something or other would spring into action.

Fluttershy sipped her tea again, essentially saying ‘pass’ and handing the conch back to Applejack.

“Ah thought Ah’d seen her zipping in an’ outta there, but she goes so darn fast, anypony could miss she had ever been there! Ah suppose that’s why she’s one o’ them Wonderbolt Training Camp judges this year. Hoo boy can she show ‘em how flyin’s done!”

“Oh, that is so true!” she replied with a grin. “I believe that she must be the fastest flier in Equestria, just as she has always insisted on informing us. I would be willing to wager that the only pony with a chance of catching her is that husband of hers, Lightning Storm!”

Fluttershy broke her silence, and said rather unexpectedly, “Do you suppose that’s the reason she married him?”

Both sets of eyes turned to her for a moment, before they all shared a giggle together.

Rarity finally began to drink her now somewhat cool tea, subliminally signalling to the other mares that she was comfortable enough to receive questions about herself. Applejack decided to put it off just a bit longer, just to be safe.

“Have y’all had a chance to visit Twilight?” she asked, taking a swig of her own tea before remembering she was supposed to sip.

“I just came from there, actually. She’s doing well, what with that Ponyville University business all set for next semester. I swear that mare is already photocopying assignments for her first class!” Snickering ensued. “But on a serious note, she really is fine. But I wonder about Bastion.”

“He’s not still changing into a dragon whenever Spike touches him, is he?” Fluttershy asked, concernedly.

Applejack sipped to pass, but realized she had drained her cup in that last swig. Not wanting to derail the hostess and make her refill her teacup, she proceeded to sip air.

“Oh, no, Fluttershy, that’s not a problem anymore. Twilight, as resourceful as she is magical, has found a spell in one of her books to keep Spike’s ...Dracomagic to activate Bastion’s...” she paused again, scrunching her face, searching for the unfamiliar terms just introduced to her today. “Bastion’s... dracomorphology? Yes! Dracomorph is the term she used.” She beamed, pleased with herself.

“But why did Spike’s touch make him change in the first place?” Fluttershy asked.

Rarity shook her head. “Twilight isn’t quite sure. The best she can figure is that because Spike is a magically hatched dragon with extra-draconic magical powers, he must have triggered the transformation by accident. But as to why Bastion had this ability in the first place, she can only guess. She thinks it might be due to an error in the extraction process from Party Favour’s scale.”

“Yeah, Ah reckon she’s plum fortunate he turned out as well as he did, given the circumstances.” Applejack agreed.

Fluttershy looked at Rarity expectantly, visually asking her if she had anything further to say on the matter, as she herself was anxious to move on to Rarity’s issue.

Rarity did have something further to add, as it turned out. “But that isn’t even what worries me. It’s just... him. I know he’s just five months old, but sometimes he just quietly stares at you, almost as if he’s understanding far more than you expect. I find it... odd and unnerving, to say the least.”

The others nodded, understanding where she was coming from. Unconsciously, they both darted glances at their own children; running their eyes over their fully ponyform bodies. They were not judging Bastion on his specialties, but secretly they were glad he was not their son. Not that they would ever tell anypony.

Applejack changed the subject immediately, returning to the focus at hand.

“So, how are things with you, Rarity?” she asked carefully.

Rarity, fully aware that the question would come up again sooner or later, gently lowered her half-empty tea cup to the table. Taking in a cleansing deep breath, she let out a sigh.

“I hate to trouble you girls with my problems, but Comet Fire and I are having some... rough times.” Her voice wavered lightly, despite her best efforts to mask the tumultuous emotions roiling within.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that!” Fluttershy empathised, flapping off of her seat to her friend’s side. Applejack followed suit. She did not bother with her empty sipping charade. Social foibles had died in the dusty room, leaving only three mares who had become fast friends so many years ago through the oddest of circumstances, and ending up as family to one another. Literally, in some cases.

Tears began to moisten the unicorn’s eyes as she spoke. “We’ve hit a bit of a financial pothole on the highway to happily ever after, I suppose. It started about a month ago, when Sapphire Shores... Was stabbed by that... horrible ‘fan’ of hers after a concert!”

Applejack whipped out a box of tissues from a hidden compartment in her baby carriage. She knew how useful an ample stash of them could be when one has a foal, let alone two. She offered them to her friend, who gratefully accepted them.

“”Ah’m so sorry, Rares. Ah know how good o’ friends you were.” She and Fluttershy put their hooves on her, giving her a physical reminder of their emotional support.

“But it’s not only that,” she continued. “Sapphire also represented a large source of income, and without her business... not to mention her bringing in her friends...” she trailed off for a second, using another few tissues. “But even then, I’m sure we could have weathered this, that is, if Comet hadn’t snapped while on guard duty.”

Her friends looked shocked. “Yes, he broke protocol, to put it nicely. Apparently, some kid was pestering him while he stood on guard outside the castle, and he... he hit him! Full-blown hoof to the ribcage of a seven year old colt! Some stallion in shining armor he turned out to be!”

“Needless to say, he was fired on the spot, and with all of the suing for damages and the legal fees... I don’t think we can support ourselves... It’s gotten to the point where Sweetie Belle has been sending money from her tour in Baltimare!”

“That’s why I came back here today,” she confessed. “I came to grab any supplies I can for my boutique in Canterlot. And it’s so dusty in here because I had to cancel the cleaning services...”

Both ponies moved in, enveloping the sobbing unicorn in tight embraces.

Applejack broke the relative silence while maintaining the hug. “Ah could always help y’all out, seein’ as the apple wine and cider businesses have kept on boomin’. We’ve nearly got more income as we know what ta do with!”

“Oh, Applejack! I don’t know if I would be able to pay you back anytime soon, and you know I could never accept charity. Besides, I’m supposed to be the generous one!” She gave a small laugh through her tears.

“Y’all can just call it a gift, from the whole Apple family.”

The three sat there, comforting and being comforted. When they finally did break the hug, it was only because Apple Brandy had begun squawking impatiently over something or other.

It was then that they noticed that the electricity had been shut off. When, exactly, none of them could guess.

Author's Note

Yeah, I don't get many views. And sure, I have more dislikes than likes.
I write this story, not only for those few of you who may actually enjoy my work,
but I write it for myself, or else I'll never be able to get all of these ideas out of my head.
I will tell you one thing, dear reader; I am merely setting the stage. It will pick up, and it will get more interesting.
The board must be set, the rules explained, and the die cast, before the first turn of the game can be taken.

Chapter 4: Snow Laughing Matter

Welcome To My Life

Chapter 4: Snow Laughing Matter

4 years later…

It was a cold winter’s day in Ponyville. A fair blanket of snow had slowly amassed over the past week, dousing the world in a soft, white down as if to wipe the world clean to start anew. Small flakes still trickled from grey clouds, adding incrementally to the fresh canvas. The air was still and cold, with few sounds to be heard over the muffling effect of the snow. Even those ponies that decided to brave the chill and enjoy the serene purity, whether solo or in pairs, remained in an almost revered hush, careful to avoid shattering the surreal wonderland around them.

Despite their best efforts, the atmosphere was viciously rent by the harsh clanging of the elementary school bell, followed almost instantly by the growing roar of about two dozen fillies and colts streaming through the front doors to glorious freedom. It was the start of the Hearth’s Warming Eve holidays, and the energy amongst the foals could not have been higher. Within moments, the flat, fresh, and featureless fields surrounding the schoolhouse had become excavated and mounded seemingly at random, each unique feature shaped by energetic hooves and vivid imaginations.

One young pony, the last to leave the building, poked his head from the doors cautiously. He was a quiet young pegasus, preferring to read by himself than to gallivant through cold, wet expanses off of the main path that always led home. Shifting his saddlebags with his shoulders and letting out a deep sigh, Stalwart Bastion embarked on his dangerous mission. Shy, almost introverted, ponies such as himself had a great deal to fear from snow. All it would take was one shouted command from one of the cool colts, and…

“FIRE VOLLEY!”

Instantly, 5 colts emerged from their holes in the snow. Snowballs littered the basins of their foxholes, expertly fashioned for maximum flight distance and speed.

Accustomed with these rituals by repeated trial and error, Bastion knew hat trying to run would only light the fire of the hunt in their hearts. They would then give chase and, seeing as he was slower than them and still flightless; he would receive face washes of icy snow from two of them while the others held him down and laughed.

Fleeing back to the schoolhouse also never worked, as one or two were positioned closer to the door than he was, ready to bar his path to freedom and toss him back to the rest of the gang. This left him only one real option.

Ducking to the icy path, he hunkered down; shutting his eyes and covering his head with both hooves for protection just as the first projectiles shattered against his sides. As long as he remained a stationary target, the group would soon lose interest, assuming that none of them suggested-

“Keep firing until he’s buried!” shouted Bismarck, a colt with a light green coat and grey mane.

The rest of the group paused to cheer briefly, allowing Bastion just enough time to sigh in preparation for the long haul. Just as the volley was beginning to pick up once more, it stopped again suddenly. Bastion heard the distinctive tinkling of magic, and could feel the presence of somepony else beside him. Lifting his leg off of his head cautiously, he cracked open one eye.

Standing at his side was a pale red unicorn filly sporting a light blue mane and tail with a white stripe running through each. Both were cropped short, yet were curled and coiffed cutely. She wore a deep red scarf with a large pompom at each end, and her large round pair of dark blue thin-rimmed glasses. Her small horn was glowing fiercely to keep a pink bubble shield up. The incoming snowballs splattered uselessly against it, fizzling lightly as they slid slowly to the ground.

Bastion recognized her immediately. She was Arcana Dura, daughter of Trixie Lulamoon and Card Trick, grade A student and star pupil of the school. He had seen her at the front of the classroom all year so far, as he himself always sat in the back corner. Part of him disliked her, but only because when she answered questions, her upraised hoof partially blocked his view of his favourite poster on the wall. She often gave presentations for the class, more often than was required, and while doing so, he had always liked how her mouth smiled on the right when she started getting excited by her topic. Learning and teaching made her eyes light up with joy every time, as if they, too, were trying to smile.

Her eyes were not smiling now, but were reciprocating her mouth’s snarl.

“Why don’t you jerks leave him alone?!” she growled both from anger and exertion, sweat beading on her brow to maintain her small force shield. The projectiles petered out, and Bismarck was about to urge his comrades to keep firing, when a second voice cut him off.

“That is quite enough!” a mint green unicorn mare called out.

“It’s Miss Lyra! Scatter!” Bismarck yelled. He and all of the other colts dove into the snow in separate directions, sending white powder spraying from in front of them and leaving shallow valleys in their wakes.

Arcana cut her spell, causing small droplets of water and snow to drop shimmering to the ground all around the two. She hung her head and let out a burst of air from the release. She panted lightly to regain her breath as Lyra walked over. Bastion picked himself up and shook his head to clear his mane of snow.

“Hello Miss Lyra,” both foals recited in unison, one out of breath, and the other mildly embarrassed.

Lyra Heartstrings, or Miss Lyra as her students called her, brushed the last fragments of snow and water droplets from Bastion’s coat. “Oh, Bastion,” she muttered concernedly, “I thought I had told you that you should fight back. Bullies don’t like picking on a colt who isn’t afraid of them.”

He looked at his hooves and ground a snowball into the path. “I… I can’t…” he muttered.

“And why is that?” she asked gently. Lyra placed a hoof over his shoulders. Arcana, who had mostly recovered by this point, looked at him curiously.

“Mom told me not to.”

Lyra sighed to herself. As a teacher, she was not allowed to undermine a parent’s authority, especially that of her boss. Professor/Principal Sparkle, the founder of the school, had hired her to replace Cheerilee, who had moved into the university as a professor, and to cross Twilight was never a good plan. She did, however, plan to ask about this rule to her at a later date. Today would not work, as the university was closed for the holidays already.

“Well, ok then,” she conceded unsurely, “run along then.”

As he walked away, Lyra turned to Arcana. “Thank you for helping him out, Arcana. It was a brave thing you did, standing up for him like that.”

“Thank you, Miss Lyra!” she beamed up at her teacher.

“Impressive spell, by the way,” she noted. “I have to say it’s been some time since I’ve seen a shield like that one, years in fact.” Arcana basked in the praise.

“Try not to overdo it, though. Over-casting spells like that can be very dangerous.”

“I promise.”

“Good. And can I ask a favour?’

“Anything, Miss Lyra.”

“Do you suppose you could walk with Bastion home? He gets it pretty rough from those guys.”

“Sure thing, Miss Lyra!” she agreed with a salute. “You can count on me!”

Arcana spun on the spot, and rushed off to catch up with Bastion. Lyra watched them until they rounded a corner and left her sight. Expertly sliding her side satchel around, she fished out a note from her current male admirer, double checking for her own sake where he was taking her for dinner to celebrate the holidays. Discarding her identity as a schoolteacher for the time being, she ruffled her mane up playfully, giggling in anticipation.

Chapter 5: Night-Mare

Welcome To My Life

Chapter 5: Night-Mare

Stalwart Bastion trudged through the snow on his favourite path between the schoolhouse and his treehome library. The fact that it was the shortest route played heavily into his evaluation. In fact, not many other factors were ever considered. His travels were dominated by thought, deep, silent, and solitary. Since departing from Ground Zero just a minute before, he had already been contemplating a rather important and weighty matter.

Most nights for about the last 3 months, he had had the same recurring dream. Depending on the individual and the dream, this could prove to be a very desirable circumstance. But for Bastion, it was far from it.

This dream ran deep into the territory of nightmares, mixing terror with loneliness, seasoned with helpless voids and topped with insanity. The world around him consisted of a miasm of twisting fogs and shadows of varying dark colours including purples, blues, blacks, and brown. The occasional flash of brighter reds and yellows would normally appear to be a comforting change, but something about them glowed of fear and anger. Although the expanse seemed endless, it also crushed in on him eliciting panic in and of itself.

But he was never alone. At his side was his mother, Twilight. She was worn and dirty, and yet younger. Her form was arched, poised for confrontation and horn glaring ferociously. What confused him the most was that he was the same height as she. She never noticed him; rather her attention was focused directly in front of them.

This is when the fear gripped him in earnest. A dark, winged shadow towered over them. It looked far away, and yet felt as if it was all around them, threatening to smother the life from them with so much as a thought. But the shadow was not all dark, for in the center of a horned head was a pair of burning red eyes. Bastion collapsed under its gaze as it searched his soul, stripping his grasp of reality and his sense of clarity from his very being as a predator tears raw meat from the bones of its prey.

Unable to stand, he would raise his head toward Twilight and cry for help. But at this point, she was much smaller than he and facing him, her vicious expression unchanged. He then would realize that he, too, had become a form of shade, sporting horns, bat-like wings, and radiating dark light; a dragon of darkness. His very twisted form oozed with evil and dripped with death. He would raise a clawed hand to block the increasing light from his mother’s burning horn just as she fired a massive ray of searing power. If the eyes' gaze felt like the rending of skin from bone, this was more alikened to the removal of bones from the body by the use of surgically implanted electric barbed wire.

Under normal circumstances, this is usually when he would awaken drenched in sweat, mouth wrenched open in a voiceless scream. Some nights he would have to run to the bathroom to vomit once he had recovered his bearings. But last week something had changed.

As he had lifted his claws, the light from behind it had died out and was replaced by a light bluish glow. Lowering his appendage, which had returned to the likeness of a hoof, he looked at the source; a tall pony of darkest blue stood over him, sporting large wings, a pointed horn, and a cosmically studded mane and tail which undulated as if caressed by a gentle, intangible wind.

He recognized her as the Mare of the Night, Princess Luna. Around her, the blue radiance subsided, and Bastion noticed that his surroundings had become that of Ponyville at night, silent and comfortable.

Relieved that he had not completed the cycle of the dream and still unable to get up, Bastion lay in the road and sobbed. Princess Luna then knelt down at his side, placing a comforting wing over him.

“Oh, you poor little colt,” Luna cooed softly as she rubbed her muzzle on his neck. “There is no need for your tears; you are safe now. I am here to protect you.”

Bastion sniffled wetly and viewed her with overflowing eyes. “You… you have no idea what you just saved me from… it hurts…it hurts me so much!”

“I saw this very dream yesterday as I scanned the kingdom for bad dreams. I came to you tonight as soon as I could. Did you know most ponies have dozens of dreams every night?”

Bastion sniffed again, shaking his head as he shifted his small frame to lean on her warm side, snuggling closer to his savior and basking in the safety.

Luna tucked her wing in tighter around him. “Well it’s true. Except for you; you only had one dream that whole night. It must be the scariest dream I have seen in a long time.”

No longer needing to sniff, and his eyes well on their way to being dry, he laid his head on her foreleg, closing his eyes in exhaustion although he knew he was still in a dream.

“Over the years,” she began, “I have taken up the art of dream interpretation. Would you like me to try to interpret your dream, little one?”

“Yes please, Princess Luna.”

“Recurring dreams of this clarity have often, in the past, been very important in the discovery of great things, either of something, or of oneself. But I shall start at the beginning. First off, you are frightened of something or someone of great power or importance of your life. This same one, through his watchful gaze, will help you gain great power or influence of your own and unlock your hidden potential, which in itself scares you. But the one beside you, Twilight Sparkle, is also someone you hold to, and she neither approves of the one in front of you, or of what you become because of him. She’s the principal at your school, isn’t she?”

Bastion absorbed the information and totally did not even hear the question, wondering to himself who this powerful being was that frightened him. And why would his mother disprove of whatever it was that he became?

His eyes opened wide. His mother was using a spell to hide his other form! She did not approve of it, and therefore the powerful stranger must be the one who will teach him to control it! As of yet, it only arose when wholly unbidden during conflict and flared tempers, wedging its way through the cracks in a seemingly seamless spell woven by his mother. Her controlling of his power was metaphorically tearing him apart!

Luna noticed the sudden jerk and sharp inhalation of realization in the young colt. She smiled. “What is it? Did you solve the mystery?”

Bastion looked up at her with a happy and determined grin. He nodded his head confidently. “I think I did! Er, part of it at least. Thank you, Princess Luna!”

“Please,” she said as she got up gracefully, “call me Luna, at least in the confines of your dream, that is. And you are?”

“Bastion, Stalwart Bastion. But everypony calls me Bastion.”

“Well Bastion,” Luna said as she took off into the dreamy night air, “I am glad to have met you. And do not fear, I shall watch your dreams more carefully in the future.”

She turned back to him, hovering about two dozen feet in the air. “My advice: seek your hidden potential, and do not be afraid of it. But be wary; ever be the master of yourself, lest it consume you.”

And that’s where the dream had whited out. During the last week, he had had dreams that began the same way, but he had gained control of both his fears and his mobility, and run to the side of the darkened being, who seemed to grow lighter, smaller, and overall less scary that it ever had been. Once or twice, he had caught a glimpse of a star-studded mane in the distance, deep in the surrounding fogs, but never more. It made him smile.

Before bed each night, he would try to focus, attempting to conjure up the stowed power within him. Twice he had caught a fleeting tail of the draconic energies. The first time it had scared him when his hoof flashed into a clawed hand, and he had let go almost instantly. That had been enough for one night. The second time had been last night. His claw had not changed, but rather his wings. They had grown somewhat, and he had flown for the first time there in his downstairs room. He had bumped a table over and dented the floor, but because his room had been the den of a certain growing dragon before he had moved away, dents and scratches were not uncommon throughout the room.

The thought of Spike came into his mind. He had always liked Spike, but now he was gone; moved away one day, travelling to be with other dragons beyond the Everfree Forest. Or in the forest, Spike had never been clear, just saying that some sort of dragonsense had a hold of him, and he had to follow.

“Bastion! Wait up!”

Instinctively, Bastion dove for the alley behind the old Carousel Boutique. There was nothing in the alley other than snow, as the store had not seen use since Rarity’s divorce a few years ago.

The snow in the alley was piled high. So high, in fact, that when he had leapt in, he had gotten stuck in the drift, his red tail and purple posterior hanging in the street.

Unsure of who was coming, he waggled his legs and flicked his tail in a pitiful defense. As if to prove its uselessness, a set of teeth grasped the end of his tail and yanked him free of the cold, dark prison. Tumbling out into the light, he became tangled with the small form of his pursuer turned rescuer.

Opening his eyes, he recognized Arcana’s red coat and light blue and white mane immediately. But something was different about her. They extricated themselves from each other with some small difficulty. Dusting himself off, he noticed she was looking at him and giggling. She pointed at his mane. Looking up, Bastion caught a glimpse of blue sticking out.

“Mind if I have my glasses back?”

Chapter 6: Failing Facades

Welcome To My Life

Chapter 6: Failing Facades

Soft, muffling snow continued to drift gently down, ever adding to the thick blanket enveloping Ponyville. The sounds of the playground faded in the ears of the two young ponies as they traversed town, headed in the direction of the library. Arcana walked happily, enjoying the sight of their world dressed in white. She loved the way small strands of snow looked lining the tops of thin branches or the crosspieces of lampposts.

Bastion, on the other hand, kept shooting glances over at his current companion. He wondered if she had ever seen snow before, even though he knew he had. Often, he would have memories arise, memories of sledding and snowball fights, but he did not think he had ever done either of them. It was almost as if he was remembering parts of a movie that he never remembered watching.

He was broken from his reverie when he noticed he was looking straight into Arcana’s magenta eyes. He stopped in his tracks almost immediately.

“Well?” Arcana asked.

“Well what?” he replied unsurely.

Arcana smiled. “I asked why you were staring at me.”

“I was not!” humphed Bastion, who resumed walking at a faster pace than before. “I was just thinking about stuff.”

Arcana giggled and trotted up beside him. “Alright then, what were you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

“Sure,” she replied sarcastically.

“It’s true!” he defended.

“Ok then.”

They walked in silence for only a few steps, when Arcana posed another question.

“What’s your cutie mark mean?”

“Whaddaya mean?”

“What do you mean, ‘what do you mean’? it’s a perfectly reasonable question.”

He paused for a second, debating whether or not to comment on the orange sword equipped with flaming dragon wings emblazoned on his posterior. He himself could only guess at its true meaning, but he knew part of it was his ability to dracomorph.

“I.. I don’t know,” he stammered unconvincingly. And as such, she was not convinced.

“You don’t have to lie about it,” she replied, “I’m just curious.”

“It’s a secret,” he clarified.

“Ooohhh, so you DO know…”

“Sort of.”

“Why don’t you just tell me?”

“Because it’s a secret!” he replied, growing annoyed.

“Well, why is it a secret? And how did you get it before anypony else in class if you don’t even know what it means?”

The incessant questioning was making his blood rise. He stopped in his tracks and collapsed to the ground, trying to stem the draconic forces swirling about in him. He curled himself up in the shallow snow, trying desperately to calm his temper.

Arcana, fully in the dark about what was happening, opened her mouth and was about to yell for help, when a purple claw pushed against her lips. Looking down, she saw something that was in a fluctuating state between a dragon and a pony, while maintaining the overall look and colour scheme of Bastion. Shocked into silence, she continued to look into his pained red eyes, full of fear brought on by his current predicament and his fear of discovery.

Focusing on Luna’s words about being the master of himself, replaying them over and over in his mind for over a minute. A gentle poke on his shoulder, accompanied by a quiet “Bastion” from Arcana prompted him to open his eyes.

He was a pony again, and all just pony. He got up slowly, lifting himself out of the puddle where it had recently been snow. His hot blood dried him out quickly. He looked at Arcana, who was still in shock.

“A… Arcana? Are you ok?” he asked nervously.

Snapping out of her state, she shook her head lightly, as if clearing her head from a trance.

“Yeah, yeah I’m ok, I guess.”

“Please… please don’t tell anypony.”

Arcana was not sure exactly whether or not she could keep this a secret. This was something really big. A pony, a PEGASUS pony, which could turn itself into a dragon! It was revolutionary and new, different from any story real or fiction she had ever heard of before. It was then that she saw the look of utter helplessness and fear in his eyes. She now knew why he never fought back, never placed himself in stressful situations; never answering questions in class or playing with other foals. If news of this ever got out he would be literally ruined! Only travelling circuses and science labs would be in his future. So she gave a small smile and replied with the only thing she knew would ease his worry.

“Sure, what are friends for?”

Now it was Bastion’s turn to be taken aback.

“Friend?” he asked cautiously.

“Sure, why not?” she responded, growing more confident and jovial. “Everyone’s gotta have friends, right?”

“I guess-”

“It’s settled then, friend! Hoofbump?” she offered her hoof to him.

He quickly raised his hoof and clopped it against hers. “Hoofbump,” he agreed.

“Now that THAT’s over with, let’s see about getting you home, you know, before something else weird happens!”

The two laughed as they resumed the trek to the library, where Bastion lived.

* * * * *

It was not long before the two of them arrived at the tall treehouse in the middle of Ponyville.

“See ya later, Bastion,” Arcana said as she turned to leave.

But Bastion, not wanting his new friend to leave so soon after meeting her, replied, “Wanna come over and play for a bit first? It’s not like you have any homework to do or anything…”

“Well, when you put it that way, sure!” she responded with a small jump. “I’d love to come over!”

Pushing the door open, he remained outside, waving his hoof while bowing, “After you.”

She giggled, “You’re so silly, Bastion!”

She trotted in, knocking the snow from her hooves and gave her scarf and mane a shake. Bastion trotted after her, doing the same while thinking to himself that the day had gotten much brighter for him lately.

But what, or more accurately, who, he saw around the table made him freeze.

It was not Twilight, his mother, or Trixie, Arcana’s mom, as the two frequently visited each other. It was the three princesses of Equestria, Luna, Celestia, and Cadance, alongside Prince Shining Armor. He had learned about them in school, and from his mother, but he had never met them in person. There were two other ponies there, too. They were older looking than the other mortal ponies in the room, the mare with white and light purple streaked mane and tail, and a white coat with a hint of grey, and the stallion was blue with a darker blue mane.

He noticed that Arcana had already stooped to a bow, and he quickly did the same.

“Good afternoon, your Majesties,” they chimed in unison.

Celestia laughed demurely. Luna smiled in recognition. Twilight gaped in horror.

Celestia responded, “And a good afternoon to the two of you, too!”

Luna called out, “Good to see you in person, Bastion! Have you been well?”

Bastion and Arcana both stood up, and he ran over to Luna to give her a hug. Arcana migrated to her mother’s side.

“Yes, Lu- I mean, Princess Luna!”

She scooped him up onto her lap and gave him a hug. He really liked her, she was soft and smelled nice.

“Come to the library to find a good book for the holidays?” Luna inquired.

“No, I just invited my new friend over to play for a while.” He looked directly at Twilight, “Is that ok, Mom?”

All 4 royalty, along with the two elder ponies froze, and the room went silent as their gaze followed over to Twilight, who was in the process of backing into the kitchen.

“Ummm… er- hehe,” she stammered supremely awkwardly. Her feigned smile dropped, along with her head. “I guess I have some explaining to do. But it’s a long story.”

* * * * *

“So your mom never told the princesses, her brother, or even her parents that you were born?”

The two young ponies had been requested to go to Bastion’s room while the adults had a ‘chat’ with Twilight. Trixie had left, but had said that Arcana could stay and play if she wanted.

That had been three hours ago.

Bastion lay on the floor, back legs sprawled behind, one hoof supporting his chin, and the other wheeling a toy train back and forth with bored disinterest. Arcana was reclined on his bed, flipping through comics featuring superheroes she had never paid attention to, in the middle of situations she had no context for.

“I guess not,” he said with a sigh. He gave the train a push, which sent it far beyond his current reach. He dropped his head and sighed. “Don’t leave until the coast is clear. Being bored by myself sucks worse than this.”

“I wasn’t gonna leave,” she protested, dropping the comic to one side and rolling off the bed to the floor with a thump. She was now on her back, facing the wall opposite of Bastion.

“So you never knew your uncle and aunt are royalty?”

“Nope.”

“Or even who your grandparents are?” she continued incredulously.

“Nope,” he said in the same semi-conscious monotone.

“That must have sucked for birthdays.”

“That had crossed my mind.”

“Is it because they didn’t like your dad?” she asked.

“Shoot, I don’t even know who my dad IS!”

“I don’t think I like him.”

“Me neither.”

She rolled over and stood up, turned and faced him. “At least there is a bright side to all this!”

He flopped his head to regard her, “And what’s that?”

She raised a hoof in the air triumphantly, “At least this Hearth’s Warming Eve will be the best one ever for presents!”

He thought for a moment. “That’s probably true, but there’s still one problem.”

She lowered her hoof, and asked, “Which is?

“I’m still bored.”

Letting herself go limp, she flopped onto her side. “Me too.”

* * * * *

“So you absorbed the essence of a human that looked like a pony you had a crush on from Discord’s scale… and then you had a baby that looks like him, but is him? Do I have this straight?” Shining Armor summarized.

Twilight nodded, “Pretty much, yeah.”

The crowd of adult ponies still sat in there places around the table, all of whom had felt immediate betrayal that she had never before mentioned him to any of them. Her mother had cried, but that was hours ago. Cadance had gotten up to tend to her young foal, Prince Vita, her handsome alicorn child who was a vibrant green colour with a mane and tail of dark blue. Being an alicorn, he aged only a fraction as much as any other pony. He therefore looked only about 1-2 years old, despite being 6.

“And there isn’t anything wrong with him because of this?” he continued.

“No,” she lied expertly.

Her mother, Velvet, asked the next question. “And how long did you plan on keeping our second grandson a secret?”

Twilight perked up. “You mean… you aren’t angry with me? You don’t hate him?” she asked hopefully.

“Of course we don’t!” Velvet exclaimed, as the group got up. They all went over to Twilight, who was crying with happiness and relief, and gave her a huge group hug.

Her father, Night Light, broke up the embrace. “Now where is that grandson of mine! We have some catching up to do!”

He trotted over to Bastion’s room door, and gave it a knock before opening it. He then gestured to the other ponies to come over and opened the door fully.

Inside, were the two young ponies, sleeping side by side on the floor, both with comic books draped over their faces. The group smiled as they regarded the pair, and Luna grabbed the blanket off of Bastion’s bed with her magic and placed it over them. Twilight shut the lights off and magically removed the comic books.

“We can meet him tomorrow,” Velvet said. “After all, what’s another day, right?”