The metallic wheels of the train rode along the rails, the machine moving at a modest pace for its size. Plumes of smoke left from the front stack of the train engine, the engine chugging as the train moved along, pulling with it a few cabin cars.

The steam train whistled it's almost unique horn as it continued along the rail, still shuddering away. A body the size of the train engine knelt down beside it, her tail flickering as she inspected the locomotive.

“That's sooooo cool!” Scootaloo chimed as she watched the miniature train putt through the room. I scratched an itch above my eyebrow and nodded.

“Yeah... it really is something else, huh?” I asked as the train proceeded into a tunnel located on the far wall of the room.

Scootaloo's eyes were wide with fascination, like she had never before seen something so interesting. Surely she had rode on a steam train once or twice before... but perhaps it was the fact this one was miniature. She turned to me with an excited look. “Where does it go?!” she asked, vividly curious.

I rubbed the side of my head, tussling my mat of hair. “Uhh... I dunno. It came back covered in snow once,” I replied, Scootaloo gasping.

“Maybe it goes all the way to The Crystal Empire!” she exclaimed in an adventurous tone, her truly colorful imagination showing. I chuckled as I patted her on the shoulder.

“Maybe... I dunno. The time it came back with snow was during winter so it probably just goes outside,” I replied more practically, Scootaloo's expression of imaginative joy dying off.

Words seemed to flow out of my mouth without me thinking them, as though I was possessed by another. “But you never know. Maybe it does go to The Crystal Empire, maybe even further!” I exclaimed, almost cocking a brow at my own ridiculous explanation. 'Did I really just say that?'

Scootaloo's joyous expression returned as she nearly jumped with excitement. “WOAH... I didn't think there's anything past The Crystal Empire! Can we figure out where it goes? You know, like ride on it?! The seats look big enough for us to sit on, and the tunnel isn't too small!” she pointed out. I looked at the tunnel entrance, taking note that I probably could fit, even when sitting on the train seat but... it wouldn't be very comfortable.

“I dunno...” I replied, Scootaloo giving me a pouty face. “Actually...” I said, looking to my watch and seeing that it was nearing 8pm. “It's time for bed,” I informed, Scootaloo's shoulders dropping low.

“Awwwww... no way!” she retorted, myself pointing to my watch. “Aww come on, just one more hour?” she pleaded, myself shaking my head.

“Sorry kid, no can do. Bedtime is bedtime,” I told her in a mildly stern voice, Scootaloo sighing in defeat.

“Oh, alright,” Scootaloo muttered dejectedly as I led her to one of the multiple guest rooms.

“Well... I guess you can have this one. Bed's kinda big but uhh... well, you know,” I replied as Scootaloo trotted over and hopped up onto the bed before turning back and looking to me. “So uhh... uhm, yeah I guess I'll drive you to school tomorrow?” I asked and Scootaloo just looked to me with a rather blank expression.

Time seemed to stand still and for a moment I thought it really had stopped, until she spoke. “Can you read me a bedtime story?” she asked and I cocked a brow.

“Wull... uhh... like?...” I trailed off. I didn't really have a story on hand at the moment. “I don't really have one with me right now, you know?” I replied but she just smiled and came back with something else.

“Well can you make one up instead?” she asked hopefully. I rolled my eye with a deep sigh.

“Uhh... sure, okay,” I said as I leaned on the frame of the doorway. “So there was this... princess-” she immediately cut me short.

“What was her name?” Scootaloo asked, already intrigued by the story.

“I... it doesn't matter,” I told her, Scootaloo giving me a look. “Anyway, the princess met a prince and uhh... they fell in love... I guess,” I told her, figuring that to be the end.

“And then what happened?” Scootaloo asked, hoping for the story to continue.

“Uhh, no... no, that was the end. They lived happily ever after, you know?” I asked but her expression almost looked like she had been robbed of something. “Listen kid... it's time for bed okay?” I told her and she nodded solemnly, laying down and tucking herself in as I flicked off the lights.

“Wait!” Scootaloo called out and I turned back to her. “Can you leave the light on?” she asked.

“Well... but if the lights are on then how will you sleep?” I asked and she went quiet, my conscious speaking up.

'She's afraid of the dark. Don't we have a nightlight somewhere?' Evan's voice asked and I shook my head in response.

“Uhh... how about I leave the door open with the hallway light on?” I offered and I heard her respond with a humming 'Mhmm' and could see her shadowed figure nod. Leaving the bedroom door open and the hallway light on, I gave her one final wave goodnight before heading off down the hall.

'Goddess this foal-sitting thing is hard. I've hung out with her before sure, but she was with her friends then. Actually watching over just her is nearly impossible,' I thought to myself. It didn't help that Trixie was out doing... magician things, Chrysalis was out and about doing changeling things. Discord wouldn't be much help and I was thankful he was at home with Fluttershy. Nightmare Moon, who would most definitely be the greatest help of all was out doing... whatever it was she did when she absconded to do her thing.

As I walked down the hallways, I bumped into Lassie, whom was carrying a rather large package, presumably one she had just received via mail. “What's in the box?”

“Something for my box. This one is supposed to feel just like a real dragon coc-” I cut her short, putting my hand to her mouth.

“I DON'T NEED TO KNOW!” I told her as I tried to shake the image from my head, Lassie just laughing with a slight chuckle near the end.

“Well you asked... nah, I'm just kidding. It's a new set of magic trinkets Trixie ordered a while back from some catalog. Something to really make her show spectacular and dazzling and... there's a few things in here I could probably use,” she smirked and I rolled my eye as I continued walking.

“Just make sure to disinfect it after,” I mentioned, Lassie snickering before asking a more down to earth question.

“Hey, where's the kid?” she asked and I pointed down the hall.

“Bedtime,” I replied, Lassie in turn giving me a stupid look.

“Whaaaa? This early? You're no fun,” Lassie commented before continuing on her way, no doubt to molest Trixie's belongings.

I flopped down on the living room couch, flicking on the television and watching the evening news. Evan's mind chuckled to me as we watched the broadcast, mostly covering tomorrow's forecast, which was usually a fore sure certainty since pegasus controlled the weather in Equestria.

It also covered other things, like upcoming events and such. I paid it no mind really as Evan brought up old memories. “Remember back when we were young, we used to call the news 'Old people cartoons'?" Evan asked allowed, myself chuckling as I too recalled ever wondering why people would ever watch something seemingly so... boring.

Then again, back when we were young, on our home world, we only ever bothered listening to the beginning of each broadcast, which usually began on stating what they would cover that evening...

Only later in life did we start listening and watching. Most of the time all the evening news would talk about was some vicious robbery that turned into a bloodbath, killers on the loose, drunk driving accidents... it was all so comedic to me then.

I didn't find the stories themselves entertaining solely on the subject material, but on the fact that the news broadcasts only ever seemed to primarily focus on the dark matters as opposed to joyous ones. However, here in Equestria the news seemed to be the opposite, always fun and lovey, talking about wonderful things like upcoming local picnics and rainbows and...

I stifled a laugh. “Gayyyyyy,” I mocked the news cast, Evan furrowing a brow.

“Come on Derreck, that's not nice,” he said in a lecturing tone, myself just rolling my eye as I flipped through a few channels. As the night went on, I eventually found myself watching late night TV with Evan's spiritual embodiment sitting beside me.

There were a couple talk shows and a few stand up comedians which were a hoot to watch, especially the ventriloquist. As the night turned into early morning, my head started to bob up and down as I struggled to stay awake. I struggled to keep my eyes open, my body drained and nearly screaming out in exhaustion. I wondered to myself at that moment why I was even fighting to stay awake. I kinda needed a nap to begin with...

Brief visions blurred through my mind, blinding me painfully. Ones of failure... of defeat... rejection, quickly flashing before my eyes but leaving as quickly as they came.

In Baltimare, when we were briefly betrayed by Discord in our first battle against Freeze... and the loss of my eye as a result... both Evan and myself lost our eye that day...

Tristan... how he cruelly enslaved Ponyville and even raped his own sister. How Evan actually hesitated to shoot him, even if the fact was he had no previous knowledge of Tristan's sinister acts towards his sister... how I even tried to force Evan to squeeze the trigger but he fought against the urges I put on him... how when he finally did squeeze, the shell had a hang-fire and nearly killed us both...

How his mother... his real one... no matter how hard either of us pushed, how we were never good enough for her. Always rejected. Strength, endurance, masculine prowess, fates against all odds, marksmanship... even miraculous academics... nothing satisfied her, not even earning acknowledgment of his existance. Never the less, nothing drove him... us, harder than the prospect of winning her love and acceptance... all for nothing in the end...

I grunted in pain... blood dripping down my face. My feet ached in pain, walking along the burning coals of damnation. Fires burned all around me, molten lava spewing up in geysers, the admittance of heat, though so far away, was excruciating.

Time seemed to slow as a hellish figure stood before me. My stomach twisted as my heart sank. I couldn't understand why I felt this way but for some unknown reason I felt so betrayed...

Everything faded out as a gentle and soothing voice spoke to me. “What troubles your dreams?” Moon asked, the goddess of eternal darkness fluttering down beside me. I tried to retrace my memories but couldn't muster the ability to do so.

“I... I'm not sure really...” I replied as I tried to search my thoughts. Nightmare held me tight and took me into a loving embrace.

“Perhaps think of better things. The filly. How are you finding foal-sitting?” she asked, myself sighing.

It had only been an afternoon so far, and already it was turning out disastrous. I had hung out with her and her group of friends before, but never solely watched over her alone. “Not well... I never thought it would be so hard to... she has problems with the dark, wants me to read bedtime stories... hell, I'm wondering if she can wipe her own ass,” I remarked, Moon giving me a look... 'that' look.

“Perhaps you should embrace it. Learn to do things the way she likes while also teaching her different avenues but not forcing them upon her,” she offered me intellectual insight, something I... wouldn't have expected to come from her.

“That sounds... I dunno, I never expected to hear you say something like that,” I replied, Nightmare giggling.

“I'm going to be a mother soon, yourself a father. There is much for both of us to learn if we want to become successful parents.”

Parents... a mother... I just hope we could give this kid a better childhood than what I got... what Evan and I had... I hoped Nightmare nurtured the foal well.

Parents... a father... hopefully one that would actually be in her or his life... not like Evan and my father...

Parents...

Parents... that one word seemed to be echoing throughout my mind...

I awoke to a slight poking at my stomach, one that startled me slightly. I nearly jolted as I shook my head in daze, Alfred standing before me, his nice little mustache neatly trimmed above his lips and his suit finely tailored. A look of... something between slight disappointment and wonder, expressed across his face.

“Sir, I don't mean to pester but it is Monday... should Ms. Scootaloo not be at school?” he asked, very inquisitively in that English accent of his. Funny, for a mob butler, I'd figure him to have an Italian accent but I guess not...

In my daze, I didn't even notice the little filly curled up against me on the couch, snoozing peacefully. 'The hell is she doing out here?' I thought for a moment before looking to my watch. “Shit!” I hissed to myself, realizing it was rather late in the morning.

I stood up, which stirred Scootaloo and led to her waking up as well, with a long yawn and a stretch. Rubbing her eyes, she looked to me with a sleepy bedhead expression. “Uhm... come on, we gotta go. Crap, we're gonna be late,” I swore quietly to myself.

Scootaloo was a little confused at first but quickly clued in that we had both slept in. Not giving anything a thought, I hurried out the door and to Juggernaut, whom I quickly fired up. I looked to Scootaloo who I gave a wink. “Don't worry, we'll get there lickety-split,” I assured her. Truthfully I would've liked to have taken the Torino but it was still in repair.

Dropping the battle truck into gear, we took off at a rather speedy pace. Scootaloo's stomach grumbled first, followed by mine and I realized something rather disastrous. I hadn't made her neither breakfast nor a lunch.

Oh goddess, not even a day and I was failing dismally at this. Then it dawned on me. “Wanna stop at Tim's?” I asked and Scootaloo looked at me with a curious stare.

“Who's Tim?” she asked and I chuckled briefly.

“I meant the doughnut shop. Tim Horseton's,” I replied and her wings sprang out.

“Can we please? I'm really hungry!” she chimed and I nodded. Maybe I wasn't so bad at this foal-sitter thing after all...

Juggernaut pulled up in front of the establishment and I hurried Scootaloo inside. We were already running late as it was. Stepping up to the cashier, I smiled to Mary, whom waved back to me with a similar smile.

“Mornin',” we both greeted each other, Mary already typing away at the register machine.

“What'll you have today?” she asked and I bit my lip, looking to Scootaloo and motioning for her to order.

“Welllll... I dunno, what are you gonna have?” she asked, putting me on the spot. I just rubbed my eye with a groan. Running late and the kid was dilly-daddling. Just what I needed.

“Mmm... can I have an espresso with a jelly doughnut...” I trailed off and let the kid order next.

“Me too!” she exclaimed, both Mary and myself raising a brow to her order. “Whaaaat? I've drank espresso before! Remember? On Hearth's Warming Eve!” she exclaimed, reminding me that I pretended to make her an espresso but gave her hot chocolate instead.

About to interject, I remembered that I wouldn't have to deal with her today... her teacher would. A sly grin coming across my lips, I nodded to Mary. “Well, she's right... order up,” I informed her. Mary, still as ditsy as ever, ended up mucking the order which came out wrong and over priced but I paid anyway out of... my own stupidity I guess.

As Mary grabbed our things, Scootaloo gasped in realization. As Mary handed us our order, which included hash browns, three extra breakfast sandwiches and a tea, Scootaloo expressed her excitement.

“YOU'RE A BLANK FLANK!” she exclaimed, Mary gulping as her tail wisped to her flank, covering it shyly as she was obviously self-conscious about it.

“Scoots,” I nearly hissed but she looked to me in utter excitement.

“This is so great. You can come crusading with me and my friends! We're trying to find ours too, see?!” she exclaimed, showing off her blank flank to the cashier mare whom seemed to settle a little. “We're always looking for new members and it would be so great to have an olde-” I cut her off by picking her up into my arms, along with our order.

“Okayyyyy... come on kiddo, we're running late.” I looked to Mary with a forced smile. “Sorry about the... you know,” I said, rolling my eye as I proceeded out the door.

“Awwww come on! She doesn't even know where the clubhouse is! How can she be a Cutie Mark Crusader if she doesn't know where the clubhouse is?...” Scootaloo continued to complain until we got to the truck and was placed in the passenger seat.

Scootaloo looked at our order with a perked brow. “We didn't order all this stuff...” she said as she looked at the hash browns, her jelly doughnut in hoof and already having a bite in it.

“Mhmm, I know. Mary is a good shi... gal. Cut her some slack. Besides, mow down on one of those sandwiches since you didn't get breakfast this morning. The other two can be for your friends and uhh... I'll give the tea to Ms. Cheerilee for... you being late,” I said, drawing out the plan.

Puttering around at a slow speed, we eventually pulled up to the schoolhouse, a good twenty minutes late. Opening my door, I grabbed my espresso and the tea while Scootaloo hopped out with the rest.

Stepping up to the schoolhouse doors, I opened without even knocking, Cheerilee going quiet and having obviously been right in the middle of something, the entire classroom going silent.

Looking to Cheerilee, whom gave me a rather dissatisfied look, I took a few steps over and handed her the cup of tea. “For you, ma'am. Sorry we're late,” I said with a half assed smile.

Cheerilee's expression changed a little as she got caught up in her words. “I... well that is to say... oh my is this?...” she trailed off with a sniff. “Mmm... I do so love tea,” she whispered to herself.

I looked back to Scootaloo whom was already sharing out her food. I raised my coffee cup to her. “I'll pick you up after school, okay kid?” to which she nodded happily. Giving one final tip of my hat before I left, I took off, contemplating what I'd do for the next few hours.

As I thought, all the surroundings came to my mind... I could feel... everything. From the grass to the trees... hills to the mountains... even ponies... I could feel all the happiness, irritation, joy, sadness...

I nearly jumped in my seat as I felt a sharp pain on a part of me that didn't exist. Like my wing had been broken. I groaned a long note of discomfort as it felt like I was trapped... stuck in a bed with nowhere to go and no one to keep me company... bad food...

Something in my mind snapped, like a light bulb had just been turned on and I headed back to Tim Horseton's. Pulling the truck up and leaving it running, I rushed back inside. Running up to Mary, whom was shocked to see me back, I placed a very specific order, telling her how important it was for this order to be correct.

Luckily enough she got it mostly right, save for an extra carton of chocolate milk. Giving her the payment, and an extra generous tip, I headed off to the hospital. I pondered to myself how I knew, how I could possibly be able to feel it. Rather than continue to struggle with figuring out an answer, I pawned it off as another mysterious power I had uncovered in this world.

Pulling up to the hospital, I slipped the truck into park and shut her down, figuring I'd be here for most of the day. Grabbing my takeout bag, I headed into the hospital but nearly gulped as I was presented with a seemingly impassible obstacle. I slipped back around the corner, pressing my back to the wall before slowly peeking back around for a better look...

That damned gray doctor whose wrist I broke. He also looked to still have a bit of a limp. 'Son of a bi...' my thoughts trailed off, a smile coming to my face as I thought of a brilliant plan of action.

Evan's voice came to my head. 'Oh Derreck... please tell me it isn't what I think it is...'

The doctor scribbled down a few more notes before handing the clipboard back to the nurse at the check-in counter. “So like I was saying. The stallion-” he was cut off as another nurse came to a stop with her trolly cart of condiments.

“Doctor. Care for some jello?” she asked, the gray doctor turning around.

“Why yes actually. Oooh, lemon lime, my favorite. You must have read my mind,” he said with faked smile, graciously taking one of the bowls and a spoon. With a nod the nurse continued on her way with the trolly while the doctor turned back to the receptionist nurse.

Just before he could start his story, she stood up. “Just one moment. I have to file this and then I'll be right back,” she informed him, zooming over to her filing cabinet. Looking down to his bowl of jello with a disgusted look, he scooped it out into a trash bin, thinking to himself how distasteful the hospital food was.

Leaning back on the counter just as the mare came back, he licked his spoon, making it seem like he had just finished. “Wow... that was fast. I don't know anypony who likes that stuff as much as you,” she commented, the stallion nodding with a sly smile.

“Mhmm, my hat is off to the...” His eyes had been wandering and caught sight of something that made his heart stop, nearly making him choke.

A cardboard box!

“Doctor? Is something... wrong?” the nurse asked, the doctor's face nearly pale white. He began to slowly trot over, only knowing of one pony... one man...

“Doctor, are you feeling alright?” the nurse asked as she watched the pale-faced doctor slowly walk over to the cardboard box which was labeled 'Fragile'. He slowly looked to his wrist, remembering how the man had broken it.

With an angered quiver of his lip, he slammed his front hoof down with all his might. There was a glass shattering sound that echoed in the receptionist area as the stallion crushed the box...

Glass cups smashed under the stallion's slamming power, several ponies turning to see what the commotion was about. The nurse nearly yelped in shock. “DOCTOR! What in Equestria do you think you're doing?!” she nearly cried, the stallion turning to her with a bleak expression.

“I... I... it...” he turned to the box and then back to her. “It's a cardboard box!” he announced, the nurse nodding.

“Yes indeed. One that was labeled 'Fragile'. What did you think was going to happen if you smashed it?” she asked, nearly frantically. The doctor simply sputtered as he tried to piece together his explanation...

Upstairs, the nurse pushed along the trolly cart of food and entered one of the many patient rooms. Pulling the cart up, the pegasus nearby sniffed her nose, smelling something most delightful and sitting up to see what it was.

“Care for some jello?” the nurse asked, the pegasus in turn shaking her head, thinking it to have been something else from the most intriguing smell which still lingered in the air. The nurse merely nodded, taking a tray of jello and offering it to some of the other patients.

“Psst... Derpy,” came a voice, shocking the gray pegasus whom in turn looked around. The cloth that shrouded the trolly shifted aside as Derreck crawled out from the underneath part of the cart and slipped under her bed. “Don't say anything...” he whispered, Derpy's facial expression one of complete and utter shock...

I watched from underneath my friend's bed as the nurse finished her route and proceeded to leave with the trolly, after which I slipped up beside Derpy's bed, pulling myself up a chair.

“Evan?” she asked in disbelief, myself wanting to tell her the truth but figuring it to not be worth the time.

“Yeah... here, I brought you something,” I told her, handing over the bag of freshly baked muffins, which were still warm. Her face brightened up as she let out a joyful squeal, tossing a whole muffin into her mouth. “Mphm... mmm... thanks,” she said, mouth full. I gave her a nod just as Evan's voice perked in my mind.

'That's very nice of you Derreck...' he said, myself nodding, both to him and Derpy. 'How did you know she was here?' he asked, not even a moment later Derpy asking a similar question.

“How did you know I broke my wing?” she asked, making myself wonder how I knew it was her. Weird enough that I was able to feel her pain and know her surroundings, it was stranger yet that I could identify her.

“Uhh... I just sorta... had a feeling,” I told her, just before she brought me into a hug.

“Thanks so much... the food here tastes horrible,” she thanked me, myself chuckling from her remark about hospital food.

“I know.” I leaned back in my seat as we chatted about a few things before she pulled out a game board.

“Wanna play some chess?” she asked, myself chuckling meekly as I sighed.

“Maybe something else? I'd like to at least have a chance,” I laughed and Derpy pulled out Scrabble box instead, her expression asking me if I would play. “Alright sure...”

Time passed as we played a few games of Scrabble, Depry winning an undisclosed amount of times... goddess, she was so good she made me look like a preschooler.

As I finished another word, Derpy spiked a specific conversation. “So, what have you been up to?” she asked curiously. I let out a sigh.

“Foal-sitting...” I nearly groaned, Derpy perking a brow.

“What's wrong with that?” she asked, hearing the tone in my voice.

“Ugh... I don't know...” I replied as she finished another word. “It's just so hard. I remember last summer, you, the kids... me... we all went out to the fair and it was so easy... but actually watching over a kid... it's been barely twenty-four hours and I'm having trouble keeping her entertained. Last summer I made them a kite with my T-shirt and it kept them going for the afternoon but now I only have one kid so...” I dipped my head into my palms.

“Taking care of a filly isn't just about having fun with them. You have to teach them stuff to,” she responded and I groaned. Maybe this elaborate plan of Dash's wasn't so elaborate after all. Spelling out a word, I sighed before speaking.

“Yeah, well I never thought it would be this difficult,” I replied, Derpy giggling in return.

“Well, you have to learn about kids sometime, right?” she asked, making me nod. She was right in a number of ways. I would have to learn, and not just because it's good to know, but because I was going to be an actual father soon...

“Yeah... I know. How about you. You know about kids?” I asked and she nodded quickly as she examined the board.

“Of course! I love foals,” she exclaimed, rubbing her chin as she thought about something. Before anything else could be said, she began laying down letters and I watched her spell the winning word of the match. 'Intercourse'. I dipped my head. She was so innocent about it, not implying anything by writing it, but irregardless...

I lifted my head to smile to her but saw something else that made me jump up. “Shit! Dammit I'm gonna be late!” I swore, Derpy's ear perking as I looked to the clock. “Sorry to go so soon, but I gotta split,” I informed her, giving her a quick hug and going for the door.

Just as I exited into the hallway, I caught wind of the gray doctor's voice, myself slipping back into the overnight patient room. Quietly closing the door behind me I moved over to the window, Derpy looking to me curiously. “Just thought you could use some fresh air,” I quipped, sliding open the window. “Adios.”

With that I dropped out of the window, coming down hard on the ground below but landing gracefully and running over to my truck. Hopping in, I looked to my watch. Class ended ten minutes ago. I huffed as I put the truck into gear and stomped on it like a madman.

In minutes I was at the school, only a few students left whom were just leaving, Scootaloo sitting by her lonesome on the schoolhouse steps. Pulling up in the truck, Scootaloo's head perked up as I wheeled around near the front of the school.

I stepped out and walked over to her. “Sorry I'm late kid. I-” I was cut off as Cheerilee stepped out of the doorway.

“Mr. Burdick. A moment please?” she asked, disappointment running deep in her voice. I nodded and gave Scootaloo a pat on the shoulder, telling her to just give me a minute. Cheerilee and myself stepped into the classroom, the mare closing the door behind us.

“I understand you're looking after Scootaloo for the next few days?” she asked and I nodded. “I know that... do you have any idea how difficult it is to teach a filly who's wired on espresso?” she asked, a chuckle escaping my lips. “You think it's funny?” she asked, not in the joking mood.

“No, I just...” another snicker escaped, partially through my nose.

“And her lunch?” she asked, making me realize I hadn't packed her one. Cheerilee must have seen my expression. “You're lucky Apple Bloom always has extra.” I scratched the side of my head with a sigh.

“I just... we were up late last night and slept in,” I lied partially. I was up, but she wasn't. Cheerilee let out a disapproving sigh.

“Evan I-” I cut her short.

“Derreck... please,” I replied, Cheerilee giving me a strange look.

“But I thought your name was Evan?”

“Burdy,” I replied, trying to find even ground.

“Okay...” she started, a little curious towards why I didn't want to be called Evan. “Burdy... I know that sometimes it can be a hassle and it can creep up and surprise you sometimes... but if it's too much for you to handle, please just tell me. I can watch her until Dash gets back. I just don't want anything bad to come of this,” she told me.

I nearly let out a sigh of relief. As much as I loved Scootaloo, it was already seemingly too much for me. Just before I could say yes however, my tongue seemed to get all twisted. I tried to speak, spit out the words... but I couldn't. Something was holding me back...

As I thought about it more and more, I slowly changed my mind. “Actually... I... we're good. It was just a fluke, I promise,” I told her. She gave me a serious once over then nodded.

“Well... if you change your mind,” Cheerilee offered, but I just shook my head.

“Nah. We're good... but thanks though... and I'm sorry. For the... espresso,” I apologized, Cheerilee just nodding as I headed for the door. Stepping out, I gave Scootaloo another pat. “Come on kid... we'll head home and I'll have Alfred cook you up something for dinner...”

I worked under the lights inside the garage, outside being pitched in darkness. Feeling an itch on my forehead, I wiped my palm across it, streaking smut and grit all over my face. As I continued working on my project, I heard the door open.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Scootaloo. “Hey kiddo, how was dinner?” I asked, going back to work.

“It was good... Alfred was kinda upset because Lassie made a mess again,” she giggled, myself chuckling as I only imagined the scene. “I had Alfred put some aside for you,” she told me, a warm smile coming over my face as she said that.

“Alright, thanks...” I trailed off, trying to fit a bolt into place.

“And uhh... I uhhh...” she stammered nervously, her hoof doing circles on the floor. “Can you help me with my homework?” she asked. I lifted my head up, but didn't turn to look at her.

'Homework? Really?' I asked myself but before I could answer myself, words slipped out of my lips. “Yeah sure,” the words came out. 'What?! I wasn't going to say that!' I thought. I stayed knelt by my machine for a moment before deciding there was no going back on it now. Besides, how hard could it be?

I stood up and followed her back into the mansion, back to a table where she had some papers laid out. Sitting down, she began writing away but then stopped. I waited for a minute and she looked to me. “I forget how to do these ones,” she told me, sliding over the paper. “These are the ones I'm having trouble with.”

I looked at the homework papers, which had side notes written all over it. The question was mathematical, and read out '3+5x6'.

“That's easy. It's 48,” I answered, Scootaloo staring at me curiously and with a quizzical look on her face.

“It is?” she asked, almost baffled and shocked beyond belief but before I could answer, Evan took over.

“No, no... it's 33,” he answered, myself having a strange look on my face, Scootaloo more puzzled than before. “You see, it's called BEDMAS,” he began, Scootaloo picking up.

“Yeah-yeah! That's what Ms. Cheerilee was saying earlier, but I forget how to do it,” she stated, myself lost. 'What the hell is bed mass? What did the weight of a mattress have to do with addition?'

Evan slowly began to explain things in detail and I was further lost but at the same time glad that somepony here knew what they were doing...

That night Scootaloo crawled into her bed and snuggled up with herself. “Alright kid... I'll make sure not to sleep in tomorrow and uhh... yeah...” I trailed off, not knowing what to say. Remembering to leave the door open, I went to leave.

“Evan!... or, Derreck, or... whatever you like to be called... can you read me a story tonight?” she asked, myself biting my lip. I stood with my back to her for a long moment before walking to her bedside and kneeling down.

“Listen kid... I uhh... I'm not very good at this whole... foal-sitter thing okay.” I let out a big sigh before looking right into her eyes. “But I tell you what... I'm gonna start trying harder and uhh... it'll be like a learning experience for both of us. You can teach me what it's like to watch over a kid and... wait a minute...” I trailed off in thought as I remembered something, Scootaloo looking to me with a cocked brow.

“Actually... hold on, I think I can get a nightlight for you!” I said, coming to realization of something. Rushing out of the room, I hurried downstairs and to Lassie's room, entering without knocking.

Lassie nearly jumped up as she tossed away her magazine and threw her vibrating dildo across the room with a startled scream. The rubber toy bounced off the wall and continued to vibrate on the floor while the magazine landed in front of my feet, opened to a page with...

“WHAT?!” I gasped in disbelief, picking up the magazine as I looked at a picture with myself on it. I was standing in a stunning pose, shirtless and flexing... it was a photo from when I was younger and... when Evan was in control...

Lassie snatched the magazine from my hands. “Ahem... it may be your place, but I'd like a bit of privacy...” she trailed off and looked to the photo. “Mr. Likes to cuddle softly and please his mares to no end,” she snickered, starting to read a story about me.

“I... I don't wanna know...” I trailed off, not wanting to know why there was a picture of myself in an erotic magazine without my consent. It was, however, the first time I had seen a Playfilly magazine in the house, which was a change as I had only seen Lassie previously reading porn magazines geared towards males.

Lassie, as if reading my mind, nodded before trying to tease me. “Yeah, I picked this one up when I saw you were in it... goddess, it has me so wet... just thinking about you're huge, dominating body pinning mine to the bed... your muscular body over mine, big fat cock inside of my-” she cut herself short as I grabbed her big neon sign without paying her any mind.

“HEY! That's mine! I had to steal that thing from the Playcolt Mansion!” she wailed and I nodded.

“I'll give it back later,” I retorted, Lassie just scoffing.

“Whatever Mr. ...” She trailed off and looked back to the magazine. “Likes to pound his mares raw.” I just rolled my eye with another shudder as I left her room and headed back up to Scootaloo's.

Stepping into the room, I plugged in the sign, which glowed a neon blue. The writing read 'PLAYCOLT' with a mare lying on her back across the top of the words, wearing bunny ears and one of her hindlegs lifting and lowering in perfect intervals.

“There, how's that?” I asked, Scootaloo nodding. I hoped she was too young to know what Playcolt was, but irregardless. I once again knelt beside her and sighed. “Like I said kid... I don't know much but I'm gonna try my hardest, promise... and I'll teach you some cool stuff along the way, alright?” I promised...

The next morning went smoothly. I had gotten up early and started making breakfast; grilled cheese with ketchup, while Scootaloo made her lunch for the day.

Pulling up to the schoolhouse in Juggernaut, I left the truck running. Stepping out with Scootaloo's bag in hand, I escorted her to the entrance doorway, handing over her bag and looking to Cheerilee who rose a brow.

Scootaloo walked up to the teacher's desk and placed a big red shiny apple on it before looking back to me with a smile. I gave her a thumbs up and with that she proceeded back to her desk.

Cheerilee looked to me with a risen brow and I gave her an 'A-OK' hand gesture, Cheerilee just rolling her eyes but smiling genuinely nonetheless. I stepped outside, quietly closing the door behind me. As I headed back to Juggernaut, I spotted Applejack looking to me with a distasteful squinty eyed look...

We stood out in the field, Scootaloo holding the bat in her mouth. “Okay, now I'm gonna pitch it nice and slow, okay?” I told her, Scootaloo nodding quickly. “Alright, here it comes,” I said, pitching it slow.

Even with the speed, she still missed. I rubbed my chin with a bit of a sigh. Walking over, I guided her bat with the proper motion. “Just like this okay... and right...” I stopped the bat mid-stride. “Right here. I'm gonna pitch it right here, okay?” I asked, Scootaloo nodding.

Walking back over to my pitcher's spot I gave her a nod. “Okay... here it comes... try to time it. It'll be coming right where I said it would, okay?” Scootaloo nodding with the baseball bat still in her mouth.

Pitching it slow, she absolutely drilled it with all her might. My eye went wide as the ball zipped towards me. Zooming over my head, it clipped my baseball hat and took it clean off. Lassie called out from further back. “I GOT IT! I GOT IT!” She cheered, chasing after the ball. Scootaloo jumped up and down in excitement.

“Yeah, that's it kid! Now go on, run the bases!” I cheered her on, Scootaloo galloping at full speed...

I started to feel a little weird... almost all over my body. A weird fuzzy feeling churning in my stomach. I shrugged it off as I helped Scootaloo with her reading homework, Evan piping up every so often to properly pronounce a word I 'apparently' messed up.

As we finished the chapters she was supposed to read, she began to write up her followup of said chapters. Mostly stuff like things she liked and didn't like about the parts she just read, along with what she predicted to happen next.

I pulled out my own sheet of paper and began scribbling things down. Scootaloo looked to me with wonder. “What are you doing?” she asked, looking curiously to what I was doing.

“The same... I'll do my own little thing so that when we're done, we can both look back on it,” I said, Scootaloo smiling.

“That's a cool idea. Then we can both see what we thought, rather than just my answers!” she stated, Lassie snickering as she walked by us.

“You should read The Fifty Shades book,” Lassie joked, Scootaloo looking to her and then back to me.

“What's that?” she asked, myself just waving my hand.

“I... uhh, I'll read it to you when you're older... err... actually, not even then,” I stated, hearing Lassie laugh and while mentioning something about how chains and whips excite her...

Pulling up to the schoolhouse in Juggernaut, I went to get Scootaloo's bag but she herself grabbed it, looking to me with a smile to which I returned. “Ah-ha... alright,” I said with a smirk, escorting her to the steps.

Walking up the steps with her, I wished her a good day, giving a tip of my hat to Ms. Cheerilee whom looked back to me with an impressed smile. I watched as Scootaloo placed a big red apple on her desk before heading to her own. Turning to leave, I spotted Twilight across the street, looking to me with a slight expression of disbelief. I gave her a wave and she looked away, taking off in a hurry. Applejack had been standing beside her and she gave me a hussy look, like what I was doing was just to get under their skin and mask whom I really was.

Maybe it was... or maybe...

Scootaloo, Lassie and I sat on our stools in the pizzeria, all enjoying our slices of pizza for supper. Scootaloo struggled a little with her slices, which were still clung together. “Nah, nah, nah... here, let me show you,” I offered, folding them in the middle for her and showing her how to hold it.

Taking it like I showed her, she began to devour the pizza, myself smiling as I felt... different...

Scootaloo sat between Lassie and myself, the three of us near the back of the theater as we watched a cheesy late night horror movie. Lassie had picked it out and I made sure it wasn't anything pornographic, sensitive or otherwise something that one shouldn't show a filly.

Scootaloo watched in fascination, reaching over to me and scooping out some of the popcorn from my bag, having eaten all of hers already. As she crunched it down, Lassie looked to her. “Hey... psst, can I have some?” she asked, Scootaloo pointing to me. Lassie nearly crawled over top of Scootaloo and grabbed a generous amount for herself, a fair portion of her pile dropping to the floor as she sat back down.

The movie dragged on... and on... and on. At some points it got really interesting but being kid-friendly, there wasn't an overly great scare to the movie. Starting to doze off and not pay attention to the movie, I reached into my bag of popcorn which was almost empty thanks to Lassie's constant pilfering...

“BWALCH!” A scream echoed in the theater, making me jump and toss my popcorn into the air.

“GAH... Jesus...” I gasped, Lassie and Scootaloo both howling in laughter.

“Did that scare you?” Scootaloo giggled. I huffed and calmed my breathing. It really snuck up on me, mostly due to the fact I hadn't been paying attention.

“Y-yeah... yeah kinda,” I mentioned, then joined in their laughter about the foalishness of it...

As I tightened a lug nut on the machine, I heard Scootaloo's voice pick up from the door. “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked. I had been sitting alone for most of the night working on it and truth be told... it was kind of a 'Me time' thing that I wanted to do alone.

I went to tell her 'No' but my voice acted on its own. “Yeah sure... k'mere kid. I'll teach you something you'll never learn in school,” I said, shocked by my own words but never the less not going back on them.

Scootaloo came over and watched me as I began to work on my project again...

The truck pulled up in front of the school and Scootaloo jumped off my lap in excitement. “I did it! I did it! Did you see that?! Did you see it?! Did you, did you?!” she exclaimed, myself nodding as I opened the door. Due to her size, she couldn't reach the pedals but I had let her handle the steering wheel and she drove all the way to the school from the estate.

As I stepped out of the truck, she zoomed up to the front door, even before I could close the truck door. I watched from the truck as she walked inside with a proud trot, setting the apple on Cheerilee's desk before turning and giving me a wave.

I just chuckled to myself as I waved back, going to sit back in my truck but not before I caught site of Applejack whom was staring at me with a rather irritated look. I gave her a friendly wave, one that was borderline cocky and arrogant. With that, she stormed off...

Lassie stood on her hindlegs at the backside of the couch as I guided Scootaloo. “Okay... now just wrap your front legs around her neck and under her arm kinda like... like uhh...” Her fore legs could barely reach each other and wouldn't really be able to perform the technique.

“Here, I'll show you... like this,” I said as I took Lassie into a choke hold. “Under one arm and around her neck and then... squeeze,” I said, applying pressure and Lassie gagging in result. “Then slowly... slowly start to bring them down,” I told her, lowering Lassie's body to the floor as she struggled in my arms. “And they usually won't be able to do anything... I mean, unless they're a unicorn,” I told her, Lassie's body going limp as I laid her on the floor and stood back up.

“See?...” I trailed off, Scootaloo giggling as she poked Lassie whom didn't respond. “Lassie?” I asked, the dog not responding but obviously alive due to her chest rising and falling. “Lass?” I asked, a little curious to if she was faking it or not.

Patting her face I came to realize I had knocked her out cold. “Yeah...”

I tried tightening up a certain bolt but my hand slipped and clipped off a sharp piece of metal. “Gahh... fffff.... shhhhh...” I held back my curses, Scootaloo sitting right beside me. She gasped quietly and quickly scurried off as my hand began to bleed rather profusely.

Holding my hand tight, I brought the gash to my lips, sucking on the wound and awaiting my healing factor to kick in. Just before I could start cursing, I felt a hoof tapping on my shoulder. Looking back, I saw Scootaloo holding a first-aid kit in her mouth.

I chuckled heartily then nodded. “Alright kid... alright,” I said with a smile, letting the filly patch up my wound with some medical wrap, regardless of the fact it was going to heal in a few seconds anyway...

Laying in bed with Scootaloo, we read through a bedtime story book I had Trixie pick me up while she was in town. I myself however, didn't read the entire thing, as I had Scootaloo read parts of it too, Evan helping us with the more difficult words.

As we finished up the story, I closed the book and stepped out of bed. “There we go kid. Have a good sleep, alright?” I said but before I left, I snapped. “Oh wait... actually... here, I picked this up in town today,” I said, pulling a little box out of my pocket.

Scootaloo looked at it curiously as I unboxed it. “Figured it might help you sleep better than... that thing,” I said, looking to Lassie's stolen Playcolt sign. Taking out the traditional plug-in nightlight, I showed it to her, Scootaloo smiling from cheek to cheek. I handed it over and she plugged it into the wall by her bed.

I stood up to leave but she called me back. “Wait... Eva... Derreck?” she asked, my brow perking as I turned back to her. “Can... can you... kiss me goodnight?” she asked, myself taken aback by the request.

“L-like... kiss you?” I asked, slightly hesitant, and she bit her lip.

“I... actually, never mind. Forget I asked,” she replied hastily, quickly trying to cover it up. My heart seemed to flicker, a little hurt by the fact that I even hesitated.

“Well, I guess... I mean, if you want, sure,” I said, Scootaloo looking back to me as I knelt down beside her. “Okay kiddo...” Planting a kiss on her forehead, I followed by taking her into a hug and stroking her mane. “Sleep tight... and don't let the bed bugs bite..." I trailed off and broke away from the hug, giving her a hearty smile. "And if they do, I'll beat the hay outta them,” I said foalishly with an equally goofy smile, Scootaloo smiling brightly as she giggled.

I kissed her forehead once more. “Goodnight kiddo. I looooo see you in the morning,” I stuttered on my words, starting to feel all mushy and weird. Tucking her in tight, I proceeded to the door, closing it gently behind me and heading down the hallway, contemplating what all these weird feelings were that were coming over me.

They just felt so... ughhhh...

Scootaloo, Lassie and I walked along the streets of Ponyville. Friday at last... goddess I remember the feeling when I was in school. Last day before the weekend... damn it felt good.

We continued along the sidewalk. Instead of driving, the three of us woke up extra early just to walk all the way to school. It was funny in a way... somehow, despite everything, the Everfree Forest didn't seem all that... scary, today. Instead it was quite nice, like an early nature walk before school.

Going to cross the street, Scootaloo stopped in her tracks and I looked back to her. She looked to me and rose her hoof. I blinked for a moment and Lassie nudged me. “Hold her hoof and walk her across the street, nitwit,” she commented.

“Alright, alright,” I said, taking her hoof and escorting her across the street, Lassie following like the faithful companion she was. Walking her up to the front doors of school I gave her a pat on the head and a hug. We were early today, but not by much.

“Okay kiddo... have a good day at school,” I said, Scootaloo hugging back before heading off, handing Cheerliee an apple as she walked through the door. Cheerilee herself nodded as she stood in the doorway, looking to me with an impressed expression.

“I have to say Burdy... I'm really... very impressed. I truly thought you weren't going to be able to handle it alone,” she expressed her previous thoughts and I nodded as I stood up.

“Well... you know what they say... never assume... and you were kinda right... I did need help,” I informed her, Cheerilee raising a brow but instead of telling her, I simply gave Lassie a pat on the head.

Cheerilee giggled before giving me a smile. “You're right... and believe me when I say, you've done a fantastic job,” she complimented before heading inside. I stood there and watched as Cheerilee closed the door.

Lassie spoke up from behind me, catching my attention. “Good goddess... Celestia have mercy on my soul! That look is gonna give me nightmares... oh wait, never mind, she's looking at you,” Lassie mentioned, myself turning my full attention to her. “Look,” Lassie mentioned, nodding off to something in particular. It didn't take me long to spot Applejack glaring at us... me in particular, with a most nasty, snarly, twisted expression... one that just oozed with loathing...

Scootaloo sat in the tub as I washed her down, the filly helping out. “Alright... we'll just get behind your ears and do your mane once more and then we'll try 'er out, okay?” I asked, Scootaloo nodding excitedly.

Washing behind her ears and soaping up her mane with sudsy shampoo, I finished washing her off. Unplugging the drain of the tub, I let all the water drain out, however just as I did, Scootaloo stood up and shook like a dog.

I clenched my eye shut as she splashed me. Finishing her shake, she looked to me with a timid giggle. “Ooops, sorry,” she apologized but I just waved it off.

“Nah-nah, it's alright,” I assured her as I stood up and handed her a towel. She began to dry herself off as I walked over to the vanity and grabbed a hoof towel, drying off my face. As I did so, I caught glance of myself in the mirror and took a closer, more shocked, look at myself.

My jaw hung slack as I blinked rather slowly, partially in disbelief. I patted my face to make sure but... but couldn't believe what I was seeing. I pulled off my eye patch and was put in further disbelief.

My deep scars had faded away... my damaged eye no longer had its hellish red tint and...

I looked different... not just the missing scars and damaged eye but... my facial features had changed. I looked like-

“Evan,” Scootaloo began, breaking my thoughts and catching my attention. “Is something wrong?” she asked as I further dried myself off. I was wearing a fine set of leather pants and a black T-shirt. My hair was styled nicely, flat topped just how I liked it. Turning to her I shook my head in response to her question.

“Nah, nothing's wrong. Come on, let's go try her out,” I offered, Scootaloo nearly squealing in excitement, nearly more enthusiastic about it than I was... and I had been working on it for months, not a mere few days like her. We walked into the garage and looked upon the project we had finally finished, having put on the finishing touches earlier before getting cleaned up to try it out.

Grabbing my leather jacket of the nearby work table, I slipped into it with ease and adjusted the collar to give myself a styling look. Scootaloo cocked her head and looked to me with a funny expression as she fitted her helmet atop her head. “You look weird,” she said, myself nearly gasping.

“Whaaaaat?!” I asked, baffled but quickly shrugged it off. She wouldn't understand. Hitting a switch on the wall, the garage door slowly rose open. Scootaloo and I rolled our project out onto the paved lane way turnabout in front of the mansion.

“Alright... pray to Celestia this thing works...” I said, Scootaloo jumping up and down excitedly. Holding the machine upright it dawned on me why Scootaloo took such interest in the thing. In some ways it kinda looked like a scooter... and she did like her scooter... or maybe the reason was something else entirely...

I took a seat then patted the area just in front of me. “Here, sit in front of me,” I motioned her, Scootaloo quickly slipping between my arms, sitting just behind the gas tank but still on the cushiony leather seat.

Sunlight gleamed off the glossy black paint of the machine, shining on the chrome parts of the engine and twin exhaust. Scootaloo's front hooves gripped the handlebars, my hands taking their respectful places close to hers.

Having ticked off Flim and Flam, they wouldn't build the machine for me, stating they were too busy... but they did at least form the metal for me and make the parts...

I thumbed the ignition and the machine rumbled to life, chugging a most iconic rumble that couldn't be duplicated by anything except a true genuine make and model...

I revved the engine, my heart fluttering from the sound. The look... the feel... the rumble... everything. I had make it to be just like Arnie's from the second Terminator film. “Does it work?” Scootaloo asked curiously, wondering why we weren't moving.

“Oh yeah... she works,” I said as I looked to the setting sun. The maiden cruise, on a fine Friday afternoon... something Scootaloo and I had worked on together... it just... everything felt so...

I reached into my chest pocket and pulled out a pair of shades, slowly placing them over my eyes before kicking the motorcycle into gear and riding off into the sunset. Perfect...

Author's Notes:

Well, there she is... finally getting to live out my dreams of being like Arnie. Ahem, anyway, cheers to everyone, hope all your guys and gals new year is going well.

I had this done on the weekend, edited and all, figures I forget to hit the submit button...