It was still morning but the day was bright and warm as Danny Matheson was now sitting in the Canterlot park in front of a pond with his newest friend Hershey Sprinkle resting on his lap, and Danny could not be enjoying himself any more. Hershey rested peacefully in the boys lap and sounded as if she was having good dreams as she snuggled into his lap, it made Danny still feel a bit grossed out by the fact that a girl was snuggling him, but that was just his immaturity talking.

He just remained quiet as he brushed Hershey's mane with his fingers making her stir as it sparkled in the morning sun why she was so tired and appeared so comfortable the boy did not know. She made a small moan suddenly go off as Danny continued to brush her mane, but suddenly as he brushed a part of her blue mane over her ear, he then suddenly noticed something purple in color on the side of her neck.

He instantly narrowed his vision as he touched the colorful bump ever so slightly and suddenly noticed her flinch and whimper before he quickly took his hand away and widened his eyes in shock, this was all too familiar to him. He shook his head in disbelief and was about to wake her up, but his shocking moment was then interrupted by a gentle hoof being placed on Danny's shoulder.

"Danny...! I'm back, and I brought waffles for you and your lady friend,"Came the voice of Luna as Danny almost jumped before turning to see his mother."Are you alright Danny? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I... You just surprised me is all... I was just keeping her company..."Danny said while secretly hiding the bruise from Luna.

"Oh... Well she certainly didn't waste any time making herself comfortable, she's very adorable Danny,"Luna said while levitating three paper plates full of waffles."I brought us breakfast, do you want to wake her up so we can eat?"

"Uh... Sure mom, I guess we can do that... I guess..."Danny said as he turned to Hershey and began to gently shake her,"Hershey... My mom's back with breakfast, you can get up now..."

Danny waited and listened as he got a response from Hershey, she started off with a little stirring and a moan, then she finally yawned before fluttering her eyes open to see Danny smiling at her. She then smiled back as if she was happy to see him and slowly got up while still looking at Danny.

"Sorry... I hope you didn't mind when I fell asleep,"Hershey said before yawning again.

"Not at all Hershey, It's just that my mom came back with some breakfast for both of us,"Danny said with a little chuckle,"I hope you don't mind a few waffles."

"Not at all, that sounds delicious Danny,"Hershey said while looking around."So where is your mother, is she a lot like you?"

"I am right here dear Hershey Sprinkle, look behind Danny if you please,"Luna said from right behind Danny.

The filly followed the elegant voice and looked behind the boy, her eyes then widened as she let out a sharp gasp as she was now looking at none other than the princess of the night. She looked back to Danny who was chuckling nervously and turned back to look at the princess who was also chuckling at her while holding three plates of waffles in a levitational hold.

"T-That's... Your mother?"Hershey asked with disbelief."You're the son of princess Luna, the princess of the night?!"

"Hehe... Yeah kind of, sorry I didn't tell you before, I'm kind of adopted,"Danny said with another nervous chuckle.

"Yes... But I still love him, he's my little baby boy, and mommy loves him very much,"Luna playfully teased as she kissed him on the head while Hershey giggled at him.

"Mom...! Come on mom! Don't do that in front of my friends, It's embarrassing,"Danny said while blushing with embarrassment,"Sorry about that, my mom gets very lovable and such with me from time to time."

"*chuckle*... It's okay, It's actually kind of cute, I remember when I use to spend time with my mom,"Hershey said with a small chuckle.

"Yeah speaking of that, what happened to your mom's necklace? don't you usually wear it?"Danny asked as Luna passed around waffles for them all to enjoy.

"My dad... He...sold it, he said we needed the money more than a useless necklace,"Hershey said as she looked down solemnly at her waffles.

"What...?! Now why would your father ever say or do something like that?"Luna asked as they all began to eat breakfast.

"My dad does a lot of thinks I don't understand, I don't really understand what he does and how he thinks,"Hershey said while slowly eating waffles and keeping her head low.

"Does he hurt you...?"Danny suddenly asked in a very low tone.

"Now Danny, we shouldn't be asking such questions like that, I'm certain that she would prefer that we don't ask questions like that,"Luna said before suddenly hearing a faint whimper.

"Danny... I... How did you know...?"Hershey whispered fearfully to the boy.

"I saw the bruise..."Danny whispered before a loud burly voice sounded off.

"Hershey! Where the hay are you?!"Came a burly male voice that felt all to familiar to Danny,"Oh...! Princess Luna, I didn't think you would grace this place with your presence."

They all suddenly turned towards a tree and saw a large unicorn stallion with a grey coat, a black and white striped mane and tail, as the stallion came into view, Danny could see the cutie mark of a bruised heart on his flank. Instantly Danny could feel a sudden and sharp feeling of hate as the stallion frowned at him, Hershey, and even the princess. Danny quickly stood up as the stallion slowly walked over to the group making Hershey hide behind Danny as he approached.

"Excuse me princess, but my name is Stone Heart and I'm looking for my daughter, have you seen her?"The stallion said before noticing that Danny was staring at him."What in the devil is that thing, and why is it staring at me?"

"That thing...! Is my son sir, and his name is Danny, do well to remember that, and as for your daughter sir Stone Heart, your daughter is-"Luna started before being cut off by Danny surprisingly enough.

"She's not here, look somewhere else..."Danny said in a low tone.

"Now Danny, we don't need to lie to others like that,"Luna said while Danny just maintained his stare.

"Yes... Lying can result in severe punishment little... Colt! If you had a father I'm hopeful that he taught you that...!"The stallion said with a low growl.

"I don't need a father, I have a mom now, and Hershey shouldn't need a father if that father treats her like trash,"Danny said while he felt Hershey shaking right behind him.

"Sir! You will take caution when approaching my child in such a matter, I certainly hope you do not speak this way with your daughter!"Luna said firmly as she stood between Danny and Stone.

"Of course not princess, but I certainly discipline if a child... Misbehaves,"The stallion said before noticing his daughter's tail from right behind Danny."Hershey...! Come out from behind that thing this instant!"

Danny looked to Hershey who was definitely afraid for her life, she held on to Danny's hand with a hoof before slowly standing up and slowly moving out from behind Danny, but she did not dare look upon the stallion. Danny could feel her trembling as she slowly walked over to the stallion who was now staring her down as she walked with Danny over to him only for the stallion to snort at her.

"Let's go Hershey! Unhoof that thing and come along!"The stallion demanded as Hershey turned to Danny.

She was fearful, it was written all over her face, Danny understood this fear and pain all too well, he knew the signs and he was now sickened inside knowing that she too was suffering and only gripped her hoof tighter in hopes of keeping her with him. It was then that Hershey was suddenly gripped by her father and was pulled away from Danny while Luna took up Danny's hand and felt him squeeze her hoof tightly.

"Bye Danny... I hope we can see each other again,"Hershey said while her father was dragging her off.

"We will see each other again Hershey! You just wait, we'll see each other again!"Danny said frantically as he and Luna watched the stallion take Hershey away.

Luna saw the anger in Danny's eyes and felt him squeezing her hoof tightly while she chose to make the waffles disappear, she knew Danny was now seriously bugged by the stallion, and even she could tell that the stallion did not look friendly. She felt Danny trembling with anger and rage, that's when she had to get down to his level and help him. When she did, she could see Danny clenching his teeth and shaking with anger as she then placed a hoof on his cheek to get his attention.

"Danny...? Danny...! It's alright son, just calm down, try to relax child,"Luna said before Danny rested his head against her chest.

"He's hurting her mom, he's doing to her exactly what my dad always did to me, I just know it!"Danny said loudly into her chest.

"Now Danny, we do not know that for sure, but it certainly appears that way,"Luna said quietly into Danny's ear trying to calm the boy's spirit.

"I know he is mom... I saw a bruise on her neck, she was hiding it under her mane, I know he's hurting her!"He suddenly yelled before looking up at Luna,"We need to help her mom... I don't want some pony else to go through what I went through."

"I know sweet heart, I will order an investigation on Stone Heart when we get back to the castle,"Luna reassured as she knelt down for the boy."Speaking of such, we should actually be getting back Danny, I'm certain that princess Cadence is waiting at the castle, and she is dying to meet you."

"Well... Okay mom,"Danny replied with a sigh.

He slowly grabbed a hold of Luna and hoisted himself up onto her back, he made sure that he was safely fastened on Luna's back and was holding on tight before giving Luna the signal that he was ready. The princess then nodded to him and sprouted her wings forgetting everything that had just happened here and replacing her worried face with a smile of hope as she began to flap her wings.

After three good flaps of her wings, Luna then shot up into the sky and began to fly while Danny held onto her during the ascension, but he could not feel fear for he was too busy feeling something else. Luna worried for him in the back of her head as she finally reach the height of her leap and immediately began flying through the skies of Canterlot, she made sure he was holding on tight before starting to fly faster in the direction of the castle.

The wind blew through their hair and mane as Luna made her way casually back to the castle, she made sure to take it slow so Danny could relax and enjoy the view, but Hershey continued to remain on his mind. Even a few flying tricks did not seem to lift his spirits as they passed over the city and were now circling around the whole castle looking for a spot to land.

"Hey mom?"Danny suddenly spoke,"What would you do if you knew a friend was being hurt?"

"I do not know Danny,"Luna replied as she began to think."Well... I would perhaps take them away from who brings them harm, but that is because I'm a princess, why do you ask son?"

"I just... Nothing, I was just thinking about Hershey still, I don't like her father..."Danny said as he felt the clouds grazing his head ever so slightly.

"I know son... You have felt and known abuse your whole life before, that is why I believe you when you believe that he is abusing her,"Luna said looking back at a solemn look on Danny's face."I promise we will deal with this appropriately, and we will expose this stallion for what he does, but for now we must keep her distance."

"You don't understand mom..."Danny suddenly said making Luna stop right in the air.

"What ever do you mean Danny?"Luna asked surprised at the boy's response."Of course I understand the severity of abuse, and it is to be handled carefully and thoroughly."

"But then It's too late! You don't think that people have investigated my dad when others would see me bruised and batter?!"Danny questioned in sudden anger at the memories of his father."Guys like him no how to handle such things, they threaten you with violence if you say anything, they appear innocent enough and then sue the person who almost ratted them out! In the end you just pay for it even more!"

Suddenly Danny felt himself in a magical grasp and suddenly teleported right from Luna's back, he then reappeared in Luna's arms and was promptly hugged by the princess as she took a deep and saddening breath.

"I know son... I know... Your heart is strong and you care for your friend with no end, but please just let us handle this, I don't want you thinking of doing something because you feel it is hopeless,"Luna said as she felt that Danny was thinking of doing something crazy.

"*sigh*... Okay mom..."Danny said in defeat.

Luna then placed Danny back on her back and looked to the castle as the warmth of the sun was hitting their backs as it was getting higher in the sky, noon was soon upon them and they needed to get inside. It was then that Luna and Danny both found a spot to land right on a balcony that was conveniently near the royal dining hall which was going to be their destination any way.

Luna quickly swooped down from the sky like a hawk while Danny held her neck tightly and braced for the landing, but Luna was able to cushion their landing by flapping her wings and coming to a gentle stop right on the balcony. Danny waited till all the sky wind from their descent was gone before gradually lifting up his head and releasing Luna from his grasp. He let out a sigh as he swung his legs to the side of his mother and used her wing as a slide as he slid right off onto the floor.

"Come now Danny, I'm certain aunt Celestia and your cousin princess Cadence is waiting to meet you,"Luna said while Danny took up her hoof and began to walk with her.

They entered the castle at their own pace and felt the shade of the indoor area shield them from the heat of the sun, it was refreshing and a good feeling for both as Danny finally managed to smile a bit. They then turned to their right and began down a hall way as they could hear some casual conversations a little down the hall and to the right again, all were familiar except for one female voice that Danny knew had to be this other cousin.

Excited for Danny to meet this new cousin, Luna smiled and they began to pick up the pace before making it down the hall way and turning off towards the door that lead to the dining room. They could hear all kinds of activity going off behind the doors to the dining room, what was going on in that room was a mystery to both of them, but they were about to find out as Luna gradually opened the door with her magic and lead the way for Danny.

As the mother and son entered they saw Celestia sitting at the table chuckling as Blue Blood was fighting with an Alicorn mare with a pink coat, a mane and tail with colors of pink, purple, and yellow, a cutie mark of a heart made of crystal, and was wearing royal gold attire that was much like Celestia. They appeared to be fighting over what to get of trays that appeared to have breakfast on them, and Blue Blood appeared to be losing the silly argument with the Alicorn as she then began to get her breakfast first while Shining Armor was sitting off to the side with his breakfast laughing at Blue Blood.

"Ahem...! Is everything alright in here every pony?!"Luna announced as they all looked to her and Danny.

"Everything is alright here sister, just these two fighting over who has the right of getting breakfast first,"Celestia joked while Blue Blood just waited in line in a huff.

"Wow Blue Blood, she really beat you didn't she?"Danny joked while Blue Blood just chuckled it off.

"Oh my dear friend Danny, I was just letting her win this time around, you know... Because she's a girl,"Blue Blood joked as Luna and Danny arrived into the dining room.

"Very funny Blue Blood, but you forget who the real girl is in all this... You,"The Alicorn joked as she then noticed the boy with Luna.

"Ah! Princess Cadence, I was just talking about you, there is someone I would like you to meet,"Luna said as she brought Danny into view for Cadence,"Cadence, this is my son and your new little cousin Danny, Danny...? This is princess Cadence, the ruler of the Crystal empire and Shining Armor's wife."

"Hello princess Cadence, I'm Danny... It's very nice to meet you,"Danny said waving to her while Cadence suddenly lit up with an adoring smile.

"Oh my gosh...! This is the child you rescued aunt Luna?! He's so adorable!"Cadence said before hugging Danny."It's an honor to meet you too little fellow, I'm your new cousin Cadence, how old are you?"

"I'm ten princess Cadence, so... What do you control?"Danny asked knowing that her being an Alicorn must mean she has a special purpose like Luna, Celestia, and Twilight,"I know that mom and aunt Celestia control the night and day, and princess Twilight controls friendship, so what do you control?"

"Well... It's not so much of a control, but I spread love itself to all in the world of Equestria,"Cadence said with a smile while still hugging him,"And I can feel that you have much love resting in your heart Danny, do you have a special some pony?"

"A special some pony...?"Danny said in confusion.

"Yes, a special some pony, some pony that you care for and you wish only the best for them,"Cadence explained while Danny did have some pony on his mind."It's also some pony who you come to have feelings for as you get to know them, and connect with them, does that make sense?"

"Well... There is some pony I... Do care for,"Danny said as he began to think about Hershey.

"Alright that's enough greeting, me and Danny were unable to have a proper breakfast do to some issues at the park,"Luna said as she suddenly teleported to Celestia's side,"You and I need to speak on a matter of great importance sister, after breakfast."

"Of course Luna, I'm eager to hear what now troubles you..."Celestia whispered to Luna as her little sister nodded.

"Good! Any way, Danny why don't you gets some breakfast here and we can enjoy getting more acquainted with each other,"Luna suggested while Danny and Cadence looked to each other.

"Sure mom, I guess we could use some more breakfast,"Danny said while Cadence kindly gave him a plate in an ice blue levitation spell.

"And I would be more than happy to know more about my new cousin,"Cadence chimed in as they began to enjoy breakfast. Next Chapter: Ch: 21 Estimated time remaining: 59 Minutes