Danny was now eating breakfast with his whole family in the dining room, he was now enjoying some eggs and toast with all the royalties including the Alicorn known as princess Cadence. She was a kind Alicorn and goddess of love that, she was now taking a liking to Danny as they all ate together peacefully, except for the playful love hate that was now going on between Cadence and Blue Blood, but it was more cute and funny than anything else.

Suddenly Danny noticed that Blue Blood was giving Danny a sly look as he gestured to princess Cadence who was currently sipping orange juice from a cup. Danny saw the wheels turning in Blue Blood's head as a devious smile grew on the stallions, the boy then noticed that the stallion was slowly bringing up a small feather from under the table and looking to Cadence. Danny tried to hold back small chuckles as Blue Blood slowly brought the feather over to Cadences pink chin while she was preoccupied and began tickling her chin with the feather.

She immediately began to giggle uncontrollably proving that she was the ticklish type, but she was not done drinking her drink and it proved to be a problem for what happened next. Suddenly Cadence ceased laughing as orange juice suddenly blasted out through her nostrils; the sudden burst spooked the princesses and Shining Armor as well while Danny exploded into a fit of laughter.

"Blue Blood! You big jerk! I can't believe you just did that!” Cadence said as she grabbed a dish cloth to wipe her nose

"Not my fault you're so ticklish. And it looks like Danny's enjoying himself,” Blue Blood said with a chuckle while gesturing to the laughing child.

"Now come on you two, let's not go acting like children!” Celestia said while Danny was calming down from the prank.

"That was... Hilarious! Nice one Blue Blood!” Danny said while letting out one last chuckle.

Suddenly Cadence began to smile noticing Danny's type of humor, and just seeing him smiling and laughing was quite a sight for her, and this time she wanted to be the one to make him laugh. An idea then struck her head as she caste an ice blue magical aura around Blue Blood's plate of breakfast and began to chuckle a bit herself.

"So... You liked a little of that did you Danny,” Cadence said slyly as Blue Blood noticed his plate moving,” Well tell me if you enjoy... This!"

In that instant, Blue Blood's plate suddenly shot up from the table and slammed right into Blue Blood's face, Danny froze as the plate stuck to the stallion's face before slowly sliding down to reveal an incredible sight. Blue Blood now had two pieces of toast covering both of his eyes, and his mouth as well as his nose was now stuffed with scrambled eggs, and that's when Danny lost it again.

The boy once again burst into a round of laughter while Blue Blood was quick to wipe the toast and eggs off his face before turning his attention to Cadence, and that was when Luna personally stepped in to make sure they did not fight in front of Danny. She quickly got out of her seat and stood between the two keeping them apart while Shining Armor couldn't help and chuckle at the ordeal as well.

"You did that on purpose!” Blue Blood spat wiping egg residue off his cheeks.

"Well it's not my fault you're so clumsy and snobby!” Cadence mocked back while Blue Blood just let out a huff.

"Ha! The snobby Blue Blood you know is no more for your information princess Cadence,” Blue Blood said with dignity before looking to Danny as the boy calmed down from the second prank,” Little Danny here has been helping me cope and control my rotten ways, my bratty and snotty ways are all but diminished now, I only did that little prank just for fun and entertainment for my friend."

"Really? You actually got help from a little kid?"Cadence questioned.

"I did, Danny is actually a kind hearted child and has helped me come out of my shell of abusing snobbishness, you should take some lessons from the child some time,"Blue Blood mocked while Cadence turned to the child.

"Really...? So, how did you do it Danny,"Cadence said while Danny blushed a bit with flattery,"I never thought some pony could actually get Blue Blood to settle down and stop being a brat about things?"

"Well... It kind of helped a bit know that we had some similar issues,"Danny said nervously while scratching the back of his head,"Then all it took was a bit of hanging out and learning to understand ponies that weren't as fortunate as him."

"Wow... That's pretty impressive there, didn't think there was any pony out there that could help Blue Blood,"Cadence said before remembering the first thing he said,"And what did you mean by similar issues...?"

"I... It's just that me and he had some past issues... I just..."Danny stuttered out nervous to tell Cadence of his past.

"Now it won't do good to go asking him personal questions Cadence, he's sensitive to such questions, and you just met him,"Blue Blood chimed in with a bit of concern.

"Yes, perhaps we could not ask from questions for now Cadence, maybe we can talk about that another time,"Luna said while Danny just let out a sigh of relief,"Any who, Danny has actually found himself quite interested in the Crystal Empire Cadence."

"Really? Well that's interesting,"Cadence said before teleporting from her seat right next to Danny,"Is that true Danny, have you taken interest in the empire."

"Well... Yeah, I mean... Is it all really made out of Crystal in the empire?"Danny said finishing up his eggs.

"Yes it most certainly is, like they said before, me and Shining Armor both rule the Crystal empire and spread love throughout all of Equestria,"Cadence said as Shining Armor walked over and stood by her side,"The very heart of our city is made of crystal, even the citizens themselves are made of crystal."

"So... They're basically crystal ponies?"Danny asked out of interest.

"That's actually correct Danny, they are known as crystal ponies, their very coats are made of crystal and it reflects the love that we bring once we are united under the crystal heart,"Cadence explained as a small heart appeared from her horn.

"You talk an awful lot about love, is it really that important to the world?"Danny asked as the heart floated down and burst into glittered magic against his nose.

"Of course love is important Danny, its strong enough to lift the darkest of hearts and bring forth the greatest power within one's self,"Shining Armor explained looking at Cadence with a smile,"Heck, if you learn to accept love into your heart, who knows what you could be capable of."

"Wow... I've never known that kind of love, I mean... I love mom, but I never thought there could be another type of love,"Danny said looking down at his plate.

"Well of course a family will always love you, but the love we speak of is one that you will see and feel when you meet a special some pony,"Cadence said while Danny immediately began to think about Hershey.

Her smile was innocent and friendly, she appeared to like him very much so and he was always nervous to say anything, but inside he felt he was seeing some pony like him every time he saw her, they did have a lot more in common than he first thought.

"So you have met a special some pony didn't you?"Cadence chimed in snapping Danny out of his thought.

"Well... Yeah, I guess so,"Danny replied before Luna appeared between them.

"Okay then, that was all nice and sweet of you Cadence, but it appears Danny is done with his breakfast,"Luna interrupted looking to her son with a new thought on her mind,"Danny? I almost forgot about what tomorrow night is."

"Okay then, what's tomorrow then mom?"Danny asked with curiosity while Cadence decided to return to her seat.

"Tomorrow night is Nightmare Night Danny, so tomorrow we can go to Ponyville so we can explore before we celebrate the big night,"Luna said while she could see Danny's excitement rising,"And if you want, I can schedule a visit to the Crystal Empire for next weekend, how does that sound?"

"Wow! That sounds like a whole lot of fun mom!"Danny exclaimed while Celestia just chuckled with Luna being a mother again.

"Indeed, and we'll need to get there early so your good friend Rarity can make a good costume for you to wear for Nightmare Night,"Luna said while Danny was only getting more excited.

"Yes mom, can I get to my room so I can start planning on what to wear?"Danny asked while on the edge of his seat.

"Of course you can son, me and your aunt here have something we would like to discuss with each other in privacy any way,"Luna said before turning towards her sister just as Danny got out of his seat,"Would you please meet with me outside the dining room sister? I have a little request for you."

"Of course Luna, all of you please continue on with your breakfast while, this shouldn't take long,"Celestia said to the other three royalties as she got out of her seat.

"I'll make sure these two don't kill each other princess, you can count on me,"Shining Armor chimed in as the royal sisters and Danny came together in a group.

Celestia nodded to the trustworthy captain before they all went to leave the door, the minute Celestia opened the doors for them, Danny quickly took off towards his room to prepare. Celestia and Luna on the other hoof walked around the corner and waited till they were alone before Luna changed her expression to serious, for she had a hope of her son to fulfill.

"So what is it that troubles you Luna?"Celestia asked feeling a bit concern for her sister.

"It's not just something that concerns me, it is also something that concerns Danny as well,"Luna said as she looked around to make sure they were alone,"Today during our trip to the park, we met with his friend Hershey Sprinkle's father, and... I fear he may be a foal abuser..."

Celestia suddenly widened her eyes at the very mention of foal abuse, it was horrible enough for someone like Danny to be abused, but for a little filly to be suffering like he was, and for that fact that he now saw possible abuse in their world was making her cold inside.

"Oh my goodness... Are you certain of that, we have to make certain before doing anything, you know how complicating such cases can be,"Celestia warned while Luna let out a sigh.

"I couldn't be certain, but Danny was able to make certain, the father appears to be quite the violent type,"Luna said as she remembered the stallion's beastly attitude towards Danny,"He... Acted a lot like Danny's father would possibly work in public, and Danny did say he saw a bruise on her neck."

"Is... Is Danny alright? I would hate for my nephew to be harmed in such a similar way,"Celestia said with concerns for Danny.

"He's fine, he's just a little upset to see his friend suffering as he had, and he really wants Hershey to be in better hooves than that father of hers,"Luna explained while not noticing that Cadence was listening in on their conversation,"You see... What I'm asking for is to order an investigation to look into Stone Heart's property and see if we can find any evidence of foal abuse, Danny knows what will happen if we do not do something about this, and he does not want anything terrible to happen to Hershey."

"That's all I needed to know, If any pony could point out an abuser I am certain Danny could due to personal experience,"Celestia said solemnly before smiling,"I will order an investigation starting tomorrow, and we will see what kind of stallion this Stone Heart really is."

"Thank you sister, it would mean so much to him if we were to handle this stallion before something terrible happens to Hershey, she really is a sweet little filly..."Luna said with an ecstatic sigh.

"It was no trouble at all Luna, now then, I will need your help with some paper work in the throne room, do you think Danny can handle entertaining himself for an hour?"Celestia asked out of curiosity.

"Of course sister, and besides, Cadence is going to stay with us until tomorrow night, I'm certain she can hang out with him in my absence,"Luna replied looking to a column where Cadence hid,"You can come out of hiding now Cadence, now that you have learned a little about your little cousin!"

Cadence slowly then appeared from behind the column and stood before the royal sisters a little guilty of her eavesdrop, but now she at least knew a little bit more about Danny and understood his nervousness around new ponies.

"Sorry about that aunts, I just really wished to know a little more about him since he is my cousin now, he's just a very interesting child is all..."Cadence confided while brushing her hoof against the floor.

"That's alright Cadence, in fact he is now back in his room if you would like to join him and spend a little time with him, but remember what you have heard here,"Celestia said before Luna chimed in.

"He is a child who has endured foal abuse, and I have just helped him get out of his shell, so please try to be careful with him,"Luna added before Celestia gave Luna the signal to follow her to the throne room.

"I promise, I will be the best cousin Danny has ever known, you two just watch,"Cadence said as she watched her aunts leave before departing herself to find the boy.

Meanwhile Danny was back in his bedroom and was currently sitting on his bed as he was now drawing to make an outfit for Rarity to make for him for Nightmare Night. So far he had a few ideas, but they all appeared to be stupid and ended with him throwing them right in the trash can from his bed. One outfit did look good, but it had too much color, while the outfit next to it appeared to not have enough color, and once again they went into the trash can.

This whole thing was becoming a bit frustrating, and on top of it all he was now starting to think about what happened earlier with him and Hershey's father, he had looked into that stallion's eyes and he could have sworn he was looking into his father's eyes. It made him angry as he looked to his paper only to hear his father's voice and imagine Hershey herself dealing with that now

Danny finally felt like he was going to lose his temper as he growled and threw his packet of line paper against the door only for him to get a small scare as the door suddenly sounded out with knocking noises. He quickly gasped as he quickly hid the quill pen that he was using before sitting quietly on his bed just in time for the door to open. The visitor turned out to be none other than princess Cadence herself as she poked her head through the door and looked around to see Danny sitting quietly on his bed, but she knew better than to assume he was doing nothing but sitting in his bed.

"Hey there Danny, what are you up to?"Cadence asked while entering his room.

"Oh... Nothing, I'm just trying to come up with a costume to wear for Nightmare Night..."Danny said looking at his packet lying against the door,"It's just a little difficult to figure something out at the moment."

"I see... So you really like this Nightmare Night holiday don't you?"Cadence said as she picked up the paper in her levitation spell.

"Yeah, it's exactly like a holiday back in my world called Halloween, I never really got to celebrate it, but I always wanted to..."Danny said as Cadence gave him back his papers and sat with him on the bed.

"What do you mean you could never really celebrate it Danny, why wouldn't you be able to celebrate the holidays?"Cadence asked before remembering what she learned from her aunt’s conversation.

"My dad... He was... Less than a friendly person, and he always tried to make me a man; he said men don't celebrate childish holidays..."Danny said while he brought out his quill pen.

"I did hear a little about that from aunt Celestia and Luna,"Cadence said in a more quiet tone noticing Danny's solemn look,"So... You were abused by your dad?"

"Yeah... I'm glad I'm not with him anymore, I'm happy to be with mom now,"Danny said while he began to lazily draw at some paper,"You, aunt Celestia, mom, Blue Blood, and even Shining Armor are my family now, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Cadence smiled at the boy’s confidence in them as she then giggled before suddenly pulling the boy in for a hug, she nuzzled his cheek as she then felt an idea coming in that could help Danny with his costumes.

"You are right to trust in us, we would never let anything happen to you Danny, I can feel the love that bonds you to aunt Celestia, Blue Blood, and especially Aunt Luna,"Cadence said as an ice blue aura suddenly appeared before them,"And you know something... I think I have just the thing to help you with your dilemma."

Suddenly in a flash of blue light, a purple and shiny crystal appeared before the two of them and slowly floated over until it rested neatly into Danny's hands, it was then that an idea struck Danny's thoughts as he then began to start drawing something down.

"Quick! What is some famous crystal stuff around your kingdom?!"Danny exclaimed in a question.

"I do have something in mind that will make you look scary and cool, there is a certain character I know of who was known as one of the most fearsome enemies in Equestria!"Cadence exclaimed with excitement as her and Danny got to brainstorming.

________________________________________

Meanwhile in the eastern parts of Canter lot city, there laid a small house surrounded by many others just like it, it was a bit rundown and in desperate need of repair, but that was the last thing the house needed at the moment. The sun was now high in the sky as Hershey Sprinkle herself was finally returning to her house with her dad right on her tail and watching her like a hawk while she kept her head low in fear and shame.

As they finally reached the door to their house, Stone Heart opened the door slowly with his green magic and head butted Hershey in the flank forcing her inside as he then entered and closed the door behind him. Once the ghost was clear, he saw Hershey trying to sneak her way back into a small bedroom across a small kitchen and immediately got angry as he went after and suddenly struck her in the back of her head making her slam against the table.

She let out a small scream before it was silenced by her being picked up by a magical force and being struck across the mouth by the giant stallion. She was then thrown against the door that lead to a small bedroom and was immediately pinned against the door by one big hoof as the stallion stared angrily into her eyes.

"You almost got me in trouble with the princess herself! You do know what happens if you try to tell others about me right?!"Stone yelled as he pressed his hoof against her chest.

"I didn't do anything, I swear, I was just hanging out with Danny is all...!"Hershey whimpered out before the hoof released her and then smacked her across the mouth.

"Don't you talk back to me! I know what I saw, you hiding from me, your own father, picking that thing over me...? You ungrateful BRAT!"Stone roared before opening the door with his magic and shoving her to her flank in the small bedroom.

Hershey held her face as she stood up on legs that were wobbly while her face throbbed in pain, she felt tears stinging her eyes but did well to hide them as she turned away from her father who just snorted at her.

"You're just like your mother, can't take a hit, and ungrateful as ever,"The stallion growled before slamming the door and locking it,"If you want be in your room so bad, then you can stay there for the rest of the night!"

"Fine..."Hershey mumbled looking away from the door.

She listened to the sound of heavy hoof steps as they echoed before fading away and being replaced by silence, she then began to sob quietly and felt tears leave her eyes as she slowly walked through the dark room. Thankfully she was able to maneuver through the dark room and crawl up onto a small bed that was worn and slightly torn, but it was better than nothing all she needed was something to cry into.

She immediately buried her head into her pillows and began to sob silently as she then heard a few loud bangs and a few dishes breaking from outside her room before a sudden crash sounded against her door.

"And you better not be crying in there! You worthless pathetic foal! Why did I bother making you if this was what I got?!"Stone Heart ranted from behind the door before his voice faded away along with his loud hoof steps.

Hershey quivered and shuttered like a leaf while crying into her pillow soaking it in her tears, but this was far from the pillows first time taking tears from the little filly. Finally she managed to lift up her head and wipe tears from her eyes as well as a bit of blue mane from her face before looking over to a small broken window. She then turned around and lay back on her bed and sniffled as there was only one thing that was worth all this abuse to her, the one thing she actually felt happy about.

"Danny..."Hershey said solemnly while her eyes fluttered till they closed.

She then began to calm down as her face finally dried up from the tears and a bruise began to for on the back of her head while a red mark was now visible across her entire face, but it all didn't matter to her now as Hershey slowly went to sleep in hopes for a better day to come.

Next Chapter: Ch: 22 Estimated time remaining: 42 Minutes