Author's note: Even I have no idea where this story is going to go.

Chapter 16: Annoying Vultures

Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Why I in the wide wide world of Equestria that she call me that?

I know that I have been helping her since she appeared, and protected her from that dog, but why would she think me as that?

I tried to focus on something else, like one of my new history books, but just couldn't because my mind would just return to that.

I ended up not being able to read anything throughout the night.

When morning came, I made Nyx breakfast, and we left the house.

"Where are we going?" Nyx asked.

"Well, since you are going to be living here, you are going to need to go to school," I told her.

"Ok," she said, "What is school?"

… "School is a place where young fillies and colts go to learn new things, like math, science, reading, and some other subjects," I explained to her.

Her eyes lit up when I said she was going to learn.

"Sounds like fun," she said with a smile. She and Twilight would get along well with that attitude.

We continued our walk towards the local school, and we could see other young ones arriving.

We walked into the building, and looked for whoever was in charge of this place. I did eventually manage to find someone who I recognized as Cheerilee, the local teacher

"Hello Cheerilee," I said to her.

"Oh hello, sir, what brings you here?" Cheerilee asked.

"I am here to register little Nyx here for classes," I said, motioning to Nyx.

"Oh, no registering is needed, as long as the pony is here, they will be taught," Cheerilee said, happily.

"Well that makes things easy," I said then turning to Nyx "Ok, so are you ready for your first day of school?"

"Yep, it is going to be fun," Nyx said, smiling.

"Ok, I will be here to pick you up when school lets out," I told her.

"That will be at 3," Cheerilee added in.

"Thank you," I said, "Ok, so I will be back at 3, be good Nyx." I told her, as I turned to leave.

"I will, bye daddy," Nyx called out behind me.

This is going to be a long day.

After I dropped Nyx off, I then headed off to the library, or at least that is what I planned before someone called me out.

"Oh, hello Chrome! Over here," I heard somepony calling out to me. I turn to find that the voice was Rarity's. Wonder what she wants?

When Rarity got up to me, she started speaking again, "Hello Chrome, I need to ask a favor of you." A favor?

"Um, ok. What do you need?" I asked.

"Today I am having the Photo Finish coming to my shop to take some photos of my clothing, and I need a model," Rarity said.

"So you need me to model some of your clothing? You do realize that I am see through, correct?"

"Oh don't worry, the clothing you will wear is full body," she explained, "Since I made your outfit, I have been experimenting around with the idea of complete coverage."

"Ok, I'll go, but I have somewhere to be at 3," I told her.

"No problem, the shoot is at 10, and should be over quickly," she said, "Now come on, we need to get you into something new."

Rarity, then started walking down the street to her shop, and I followed.

When I entered the shop, I saw that Fluttershy in a dress and Twilight we here as well.

"Alright up on the platform Fluttershy," Rarity told her.

Fluttershy go up on the stage, and then all the lights dimmed, with one spot light on Fluttershy.

"Hm... She's going to want to see attitude and pizzazz," Rarity told Fluttershy

"A-a-attitude and, um... pizzazz," Fluttershy repeated, but meekly.

"More light! It has to catch the sequins just so or the whole outfit is just a disaster," Rarity told Twilight, as she magic up some more light.

"Oh, and the headdress need more feathers. Pinkie Pie! More feathers!" Rarity said, calling to Pinkie. Where did Pinkie come from? "And sequins! More sequins!" Hey there is Spike as well.

Fluttershy was whimpering from all this hassle.

"And more ribbon! Oh no! Less ribbon. No! More ribbon," Rarity told Spike, as he handled the ribbons.

"Oh, this hem is completely off. PINCUSHION!" Rarity called out, with Spike to come to her with needles in his back, "Thank you all for helping me. I'm sorry to be so short with you, but I'm... I'm just so nervous."

"Oh, doesn't that hurt?" Twilight asked, looking at Spike's back.

"Thick scales. Can't feel a thing. And even if I could, there is no pain that would keep me from assisting the most beautiful creature in the world. I'm gonna tell you three a secret. But you have to promise not to tell anyone," Spike said to us.

"I promise," Twilight said.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Pinkie said, doing some odd hand movements.

"If I could keep Twilight in the dark about the Flower of Life, I can keep this," I said, and earning a pout from Twilight. She still hasn't gotten past the circle.

"I have a crush on Rarity!"

"We won't say a word!" Pinkie gasped.

"Give me a break. Everypony already knows how you..." Twilight started.

"Twilight! You promised Spike you wouldn't say anything. He trusts you. And losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend forever!" Pinkie stopped her.

"But..."

"FOREVER!"

"My lips are sealed. Though I'm pretty sure Rarity is gonna pick up on your feelings," Twilight said, pointing at Spike's newly acquired shirt. The think has a freaking image of Rarity in a heart.

"Chrome, can you please go get in your outfit, Photo Finish will be here any moment," Rarity said, pointing at an outfit on a hanger.

So, I just phase out of my current suit, and move over to fill the new one Rarity made. And in all honestly, this new outfit makes me feel like Batman with the how it looks: Black cape, black mast, black boots and a dark colored chest.

Right as soon as I get into my suit, the doorbell rings. I turn to see three very oddly dressed ponies. I mean, mean they look like they took a dive in Michal Jackson's closet odd.

"I, Photo Finish... have arrived," said Photo

"Let me just say, what an honor!" Rarity said, as she approached Photo. But Photo just walked right by Rarity, ignoring her.

"We begin... NOW!" Photo said, as one of the other ponies pulled out a tripod camera.

"Attitude and pizzazz!" Rarity said to Fluttershy.

"Yes! Show Photo Finish something," she said, as Fluttershy stuck a pose, "No!" then Fluttershy went meek, "Yeees. No! Yeees. No! Yeees."

This pony is really annoying.

"And now you, stallion, get on the stage," Photo said to me, as me and Fluttershy swapped places.

"No, show me emotions," Photo told me. She was already getting on my nerves, "Yes, show me emotions."

She continued to flash a few more photos, "ENOUGH!" she called out, and packed up her gear.

The others looked nervous due to the sudden stop. I was just glad that the annoying pony was done.

"She hardly took any pictures," Twilight commented.

"I'm so sorry. I tried my best," Fluttershy said, thinking she messed up

"Well, the headdress is too big for you and cape had too much sparkle. I can't believe I ever thought I could impress her," Rarity said to Fluttershy, she needed words of encouragement.

"It seems that I, Photo Finish, have found the next fashion stars here in Ponyville," Photo suddenly said.

"Really?" Rarity said, happy that the shoot did go well after all.

"Yes. Really. And I, Photo Finish, am going to help her to shine all over Eqvestria. Tomorrow a photo shoot in ze park…I go!" Photo said, before leaving.

"Did you hear that? I am going to "shine all over Equestria"" Rarity said. Did Rarity miss how Photo said stars, as in plural?

"Well, I'm glad that went well," I stated.

"Oh, Rarity. I was so worried I'd ruined everything," Fluttershy told her.

"Oh, never. I knew you'd both be perfect," Rarity giggled, and at the same time, stepping on Spike's tail, again, and again ,and again. Twilight ended up moving Spike out of the way.

That boy needs some help one day.

After that little episode, I went back to the school, it should almost be time for me to pick Nyx up.

Right as soon as I got there, the school's bell rang, dismissing the students.

The first ones out I saw were Apple Bloom and her friends, but they stopped when they saw me.

"Who is the creepy pony?" I heard the orange pegasus ask Apple Bloom.

"I don't know, I've never seen 'im before," she replied.

"He is a mystery pony then."

"I guess he is," added Sweetie Belle,"I wonder if we could get a cutie mark for that?"

"For what?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah, Cutie Mark Mystery Solvers," said the orange pegasus, excitedly.

And with that, those three ran off towards Applejack's.

Did those girls know that I can hear them? Guess I am going to have some stalkers now.

After I saw the rest of the ponies leave, I didn't see any sign of Nyx. Where is she?

Before I could enter, I saw Nyx finally leave, but she was staring at the ground as she slowly walked to me.

"Hi daddy," she said, depressed.

"Nyx, what is wrong?" I asked, for some reason it hurt me to see her like this.

"The ponies here are mean."

What? What did they do to you?"

"They made fun of me for being a 'blank flank'" A what?

"Nyx, what is a blank flank?" I asked.

"It means that I don't have a cutie mark, just like the rest of the other kids do," Nyx said, pawing at the ground.

"Nyx, look at me," I told her.

When she looked up, I could see that she was close to tears over this.

"Nyx, let me tell you, from what I have seen from my time here in Ponyville, cutie marks don't matter."

"What? But everyone says it is important, that without it you are a nopony," she said, confused by my statement.

"Cutie marks are just a way to label ponies, they have no special hold on you. You yourself define who you are, not some colorful mark."

"I-I don't need a cutie mark?"

"Nyx, look at me. In the time I have lived here, I have helped stop a dragon, rescued Twilight's life, stopped a race of aliens, aid my friends however I can, and took you in. And I did all of that without a cutie mark," I told her.

"So not having a cutie mark is good?" Nyx asked, no longer looking depressed.

"I am not saying that cutie marks are either good or bad. What I am saying is to be who you want to be, and don't let anything tell you otherwise."

"Ok," Nyx said, starting to look happy again, "Thanks daddy."

Sigh, it looks like I am starting to fit that role now.

"I am happy to help you, little Nyx," I said.

We started down the road, towards Applejack's farm.

"So did you manage to make any friends?" I asked her.

"No, no one wanted me because of the 'blank flank' thing," she admitted, starting to look down again.

"Well, by the sounds of it, you just looked in the wrong places."

"What do you mean?"

"I know for the fact, that there are some ponies who would love to be your friend."

At that, she brightened up, "Really? Someponies would like to be my friend?"

We continued walking in the general direction of Applejack's farm. Now where is that place, I know it is here somewhere. I saw it when I floated towards Applejack's last time.

"Yep," I replied.

Nyx then looked around, "Daddy, where are we going?"

Ah ha, there it is.

"To that place over there," I said, pointing to a tree house.

"A tree house?" Nyx asked.

"Some of your classmates made this," I explained.

"And why are we here?"

"Well if you want to make some friends, sometimes you have to make the first move," I said, motioning towards the tree house.

At this, Nyx started getting nervous.

"But what if they won't want me because of my flank?" she asked.

"Don't worry, they won't mind, trust me," I told her.

With that she, took in a breath, and walked towards the door, and knocked on it.

I stood back at a distance watching what will happen.

The one to open the door was Apple Bloom. Nyx started talking to her, and it seems like she said the right words, because Apple Bloom pulled her into the tree house.

"Girls we got a new member for the CMC!" I heard Apple Bloom yelling.

Well that worked out quite well.

Nyx ended up coming home around evening time, and she was smiling brightly.

"So how did it go?" I asked with a smile.

"It was great daddy, I now got 3 new friends," she said, happily.

"That is good to hear," I said, happy for her, "Do you have anything planned for tomorrow?"

"Yep, me and the girls are going to try to find out some mysterious pony in Ponyville." Hmmm, I wonder how she will react when she finds out it is me.

"Sounds like fun, just stay safe when you do it," I told her.

"I will daddy," she said, "So what is for dinner?"

Well, today is the day of the photo shoot, and god how I hate this.

"No, no, no, yes! That is definitely the one. Photo Finish is going to love it. Everypony is going to love it!" Rarity said, getting me and Fluttershy to put on different outfits.

"Oh, I am so excited for you. Just don't forget us little ponies when you become the most famous designer in all of Equestria," Fluttershy said.

"Never," Rarity said.

Oh great here comes Photo Finish…. And she is being carried by two pegasus on a platform. What is wrong with this pony?

"Put me down here," she told her pegasus, then went over to us, "Oh, nonononononono. The model should be in something simple! Something inspired by... the nature!"

"That's just what I was thinking. Um... give me a moment and I'll, uh, put a little something together," Rarity said, nervous that she might of just screwed up.

"Yes... that will not be necessary," Photo told her.

"But... but... how are you going to help me "shine across Equestria" if I don't design something new for these pictures?" Rarity asked confused.

"I am not going to help you shine across Equestria. I am going to help them shine. They are my stars," Photo said to me and Fluttershy, then turned to Rarity, "You! Go!"

Then Photo's little cronies pushed me and Fluttershy to follow Photo.

Rarity was stunned by this. Ok, this Photo pony is crossing the line.

So I just phase out of my outfit, leaving one of the cronies to end up tripping over it.

"Vhat is the hold up, bring me my stars," Photo said, causing the one pony to panic, and begins to look for me, as the other continued to push Fluttershy to a changing area.

I stayed next to Rarity, waiting for Fluttershy to return. And Rarity was completely depressed by what Photo did.

Ok, here comes Fluttershy, now we can talk.

"I can't, Rarity," Fluttershy told Rarity.

"Oh, but you must, Fluttershy. Photo Finish wants to make you and Chrome a star. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I know we were both hoping it would be my lifetime, but nonetheless you can't throw away this chance. You must do this for me. You must. You must! YOU MUST!" Rarity told Fluttershy.

"Well I am not doing it," I said to the two.

"Chrome, what are you doing here, you should be getting ready," Rarity told me.

"No, I have no reason to pose for that little poacher over there," I said, inferring to Photo.

"Chrome, Photo Finish is not a poacher, she is—"Rarity started.

"Rarity, all that Photo has done since she has arrived is criticized the models, provided no help what so ever, and is now trying to steal you models. I am not working for her, period." I told her.

"Floottershy! It is time to make... the magics! Oh, wunderbar! You are like a delicate flower. So much more alluring without all those sparkles und feathers," Photo called out for Fluttershy, and she left to go to the shoot.

I ended back in my old outfit, and followed Rarity back to her shop.

She was making some black cloak for herself, when Twilight, Spike, and Pinkie dropped by.

"How'd it go? How'd it go?" Pinkie asked bouncing around.

"It didn't," Rarity said, putting the cloak on, "Photo Finish wanted to work with Fluttershy and Chrome, not me."

"Oh, Rarity. I'm so sorry. Is there anything we can do?" Twilight offered.

"I just vant to be alone right now," Rarity said, putting on the hood.

"You heard her. She vants to be... alone," Spike said, pushing us all out of the room, but tried to go back himself, "What? I didn't think she meant alone alone." Twilight had to drag him out of the room.

We all then went down into Rarity's main room.

"So Chrome what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Photo Finish is a poacher, simple as that," I told them.

"A what?" Spike asked.

"A poacher is somepony who will go around and take whatever they find of value from another pony. In this case, Photo tried to take both me and Fluttershy. I refused to go," I explained.

"Wait, what about Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

"Rarity pressured Fluttershy into doing this, mostly because she refused to see Photo for what she truly is," I explained.

"So Photo is just a meanie pants," Pinkie concluded.

"Yes she is, but don't worry, from what I have seen of this town, this problem will only be shortly lived."

"What do you mean?" Pinkie asked.

"Just wait and let nature take its course."

And with that I left Rarity's and headed out towards the library.

Well, looks like my prediction has come true. Fluttershy ended up quitting the being Photo's model after Rarity had admitted that she was jealous of her popularity.

Twilight ended up telling Spike's 'secret', even though we all already know what it was.

But with all this going on, I finally had time to read those history books I found, since everyone was busy doing something that would resolve itself anyway.

These three history books focused on 3 different areas, and time periods. The first one was a history book, of Equestria from before The Sisters' Birth, the next focused on some Empire in the north made of Crystals, and the last one was a rather odd one. It was a history book written by somepony named Discord, and well, it focused on a time period that was blacked out in all the other books.

For some reason, whatever happened right before Celestia, and Luna rule had been removed from all the books. But this book told of some rather odd events.

It told of how nature no longer moved on its own, why the Everfree is so wild, and even the battle between The Sisters and some being known as the Spirit of Chaos. I need to do some more research on this Spirit, because from what I have read, this 'Spirit of Chaos' isn't evil, in fact he has been rather neutral.

Time for research.