Author's Notes:

Please read this {fate of the sequel}

So, here we are once again. I’ll get right to the point; the sequel to A Pony Displaced {A Pony Displaced: World at War} is on an indefinite hiatus. I’ve had a particularly nasty bout of inspiration abandonment and it’s become damn-near impossible for me to enjoy writing it to any degree; just thinking about it makes me reluctant to write anything at all. At the advice of my editors and co-writers who have heard me bitch and moan and struggle over it, I’m putting it on hold for an unknown period of time.

Now, this hiatus for the sequel posed a fairly difficult problem for me because I’ve got somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 words written on it already and all of my editors have put in copious amounts of time and effort into it. Due to this I faced the dilemma of whether or not to release what’s written so far. If you’ve followed my, blog you’re aware of this; some people would prefer to read what’s done so far while others would prefer it be left where it is until I know for certain what will happen with World at War. Obviously there’s no way to please both parties so I’m going to go with the sorta-not-quite middle ground. I am opening the gdocs link for the sequel open to anyone.

If you want to read what is written on the on-hiatus sequel to A Pony Displaced send me a message saying so and I will send you the gdocs link.

All I ask is that you keep the link out of any public areas. Share them amongst yourselves or your friends, just don’t post them anywhere public.

So…yeah. There it is. Sorry guys, I promise I tried.

Also of note is that I’m writing another story that is a different take on A Pony Displaced, apart from the sequel, in an attempt to reinvigorate my interest in it as a whole, so keep an eye for that.

“Wakeupwakeupwakeupwakeup!”

Barrier and Octavia groaned simultaneously as the enthusiastic blue-and-pink filly bounced up and down on the pair.

“Come on, it’s already seven o’clock!” The filly whined, tucking her legs in as she plopped onto the bed.

Barrier’s eyes drifted hazily towards the clock on his bedside table. Flash had six of these…friggin’ masochist… Sure enough the clock read seven o’clock on the dot, which considering the filly had been bouncing up and down for at least two minutes meant that she’d probably planned that last statement out.

“We’re up…” Octavia groaned out, rolling off of the bed and hitting the floor with a muted thud, followed by a contented groan at the feeling of the cool carpet.

Wind Whistler jumped up again, speaking as she went, “Come on Uncle Barrier, getu~” she squeaked cutely as Barrier’s horn lit up and she began to float lazily in the air, finding herself upside-down and eye to eye with her godfather.

“Happy birthday kiddo,” Barrier stated with a quick nuzzle and a yawn as he used his magic to toss her into the air before, with a giggle, she impacted the soft bed once more.

Barrier couldn’t help but groan in satisfaction as the warm water rolled over his withers, his magic doing the work of lathering his coat and mane up, eyes shut in contentment. Lost in his own world, the charcoal-coated stallion gave no thought when a mare’s voice spoke out to him,

“Hey, can you pass me the soap?”

“Mm,” Barrier hummed in response, magic levitating the the soap to the pony besides him without a second thought, the silence reviving itself for nearly thirty seconds before Barrier’s brain kicked into first-gear; Octavia had left with Melodic and Wind Whistler to the train-station at nearly ten o’clock to greet Twilight and her friends. He was home alone. Eyes half-open, Barrier craned his neck around, taking in the thoroughly soaked form of his nightmares.

“You’ve got a really nice shower and Rarity would loooooove this brand of soap.” Pinkie chirped cheerfully,

…don’t question it, you know better… Barrier turned back, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “When did you get here?” his voice was low and calm,

“I came last night. Had to make sure everything was ready for the birthday girl,” Pinkie replied surprisingly sedately. “Oh and Verdant’s about to ring the doorbell.”

No sooner than Pinkie had said that, the doorbell rang.

“The girls will be here a little later,”

Barrier didn’t respond, focusing his horn and opening the door for Verdant from within the bathroom.

“Hey, can you get my back? Sorta hard to reach,” Pinkie asked, shaking her hips slightly, not noticing how Barrier’s right eye twitched just slightly; nonetheless, Barrier’s horn lit up, firmly rubbing the shampoo along the younger mare’s back.

“You know,” Pinkie stated with a soft sigh of pleasure, her head carefully craning around to meet eyes with the stallion. “You look really good with a wet mane. You’re a total DILF.”

Barrier felt his eye twitch that time; a tic he’d developed since his time in modern Equestria. “I need to go check on Verdant. Knowing him, he’ll burn the house down.” As Barrier spoke, he stepped out of the shower, his body erupting into a warm steam as his magic eliminated the water in the coat and set to smoothing the sudden fluff. The sound of a crash in the kitchen found his eye twitching a final time before he disappeared with a pop of magic.

Barrier watched the green stallion shift awkwardly. The stallion had somehow gotten himself wedged between the sink and the cabinets directly above it. A simple plastic cup was resting idle on the ground, along with a number of pots and pans.

“Okay, I get the pots and pans,” Barrier started, mentally facehoofing, “but how in the name of everliving Tartarus did you get wedged in my sink?”

Verdant grumbled out in response, his muzzle buried between the wall and cabinet.

“Know what, nevermind. I just took a shower with Pinkie Pie, I don’t even care.” Gripping Verdant by the tail, Barrier tugged sharply, causing the stallion to fall from the counter with a louder-than-necessary crash as he scattered the pots and pans even further.

“The glass was really high up! I had to stand on the counter to reach it…” Verdant trailed off and followed Barrier’s gaze to the lower shelf and the neatly organized rows of glasses, “…and I now see that there are glasses on the lower shelf…shit…”

Barrier only shook his head in a mixture of exasperation and amusement as his magic set about replacing the fallen dishes to their respective spots.

“So, you said something about a shower with Pinkie Pie? Isn’t she over a decade younger than you? I didn’t know you and Octavia were into younger mares.”

Barrier’s eye twitched again, causing the stallion to take a long, drawn out breath and slow exhaling.

Verdant, unlike most ponies, noticed the tic and chuckled nervously, “So uh…plastic cups, huh?” He gestured to his hard-earned reward, “Not sure if I’ll ever get used to that stuff.”

“You’re early. Thought you were coming in on the train?” Barrier asked, eyes following the cotton-candy pony that proceeded to bounce out of his bathroom as he made his way towards the couch.

“I did, but the train ended up ahead of schedule so I got here early.” Verdant trailed off for a moment before asking, “So…is Twilight Sparkle going to be here today?”

This day went from great to a pain in the flank all in the span of ten minutes, “You damn earth ponies are going to drive me insane.” Barrier sighed, plopping down lazily onto the couch.

“So, what’s got you so bothered?” Verdant asked as he sat down in a chair across from the unicorn.

“Pinkie in my shower.” Barrier deadpanned, eyes checking over the back of the couch, nervous about the apparent lack of party-pony.

“Ah,” Verdant replied with a chuckle, “So…” he started slowly, “Twilight?”

“She’ll be here, along with her friends and their little sisters.” Barrier felt a chill work it’s way down his spine.

“Ah, I remember having sisters…” Verdant smiled sadly, “I miss them daily, all six of them…”

“I know the feelin’, Verd.” Barrier sighed out, thoughts drifting back to the ponies he often thought about on a daily basis.

“The girls are here~!” Pinkie sing-squealed, suddenly popping up behind the couch and bouncing towards the door with an envious amount of energy.

“Well,” Verdant stated with a sudden shift of tone, “Let’s give this little filly the best birthday ever!” Verdant jumped up with an equally envious amount of energy.

“Mm, that’s the least I can do,” Barrier stated sedately, thoughts drifting back to Flash Sentry with a sad smile as he rolled lazily from the couch and turned towards the door, silently wishing he’d been able to finish his shower.

"Cutie-Mark Crusader Party Goers!"

Barrier felt a familiar chill run down his spine as his fight-or-flight instincts attempted to rear their head. “Faust and Zacherle, let us survive this day…”

“Aqua Shine talked me out of getting her a can-opener, so I got her a copy of the book that I used to learn how to read modern Equestrian,” Verdant motioned to the book that was neatly stacked with the other opened gifts,

“Shoobee-Doo and the Witch Trio’s Ghosts...” Barrier read the title out loud. “I’ve a feeling your copy of this book is fated to a gruesome end.”

“I figure she’ll love it,” Verdant paid Barrier’s latter comment no mind. “It’s about a seapony in a fishbowl that travels around on a skateboard and solves mysteries.”

“…that sounds incredibly asinine.”

“Well, it’s popular enough that it’s getting a film adaptation next year,” Verdant stated with a grin, “Can’t wait.”

Barrier didn’t bother responding, eyes instead drifting over the various other gifts Wind Whistler had received and was still opening. She’d made one hell of a haul this year. Everything from a small keg of virgin apple cider to a Wonderbolts uniform that, courtesy of the material they used, would effectively grow with her, to a finely-crafted tin whistle courtesy of Rarity and Fluttershy.

“Everything okay, Captain?”

Barrier jumped slightly as a feathery appendage poked him in the back of the head and jerked around, meeting a pair of strong, orange eyes.

“Look like you’re depressed over here.” The golden mare took up position next to him, “thinking about Windy?”

“Just in awe of her,” Barrier shrugged, “she bounced back from everything so well. Sure, there are still problems here and there but…I dunno, guess I’m just worried about whether or not I’m not screwing up with it all. Keep asking myself what her dad would do or say about stuff.”

“Well, you just answered your own question.” Spitfire shook her head with a chuckle, “my dad always said the best parents are the ones that question themselves.”

Barrier didn’t reply, instead standing in silence next to the mare.

“So, where’s Melodic?” Spitfire asked, paying no attention to the green stallion on the other side of Barrier.

“She stayed at the babysitter’s last night. Octavia and I thought it best to dedicate this day to Windy as best we could. First birthday since she got back from the Empire after all.”

“Sir? Who is this mare?” Verdant finally asked, eyes going over Spitfire carefully, “She just came out of the sky.”

Barrier opened his mouth to reply but Spitfire beat him to it,

“Branch-Captain Spitfire of the Equestrian Air-Force and Barrier’s…” Spitfire met eyes with Barrier, her gaze going half-lidded, “close friend.”

Barrier only groaned in response and pressed a hoof to his face.

“And who are you?” Spitfire asked, loosing a brief chuckle at Barrier’s response,

Verdant threw a hoof up quickly, “Ma’am, former private Verdant Range of squad 982 of the Equestrian Royal Guard, ma’am,”

Spitfire chuckled, “At ease Verdant, it’s a party. No need to be so formal.”

“Ohmigosh!”

Barrier chuckled as a pair of pegasus ponies finally took notice of the brilliant, golden mare that had joined the party.

“Well Spitfire, looks like you’ve got something to take care of,” Barrier patted the mare on the withers with a chuckle, “Come on Verdant, let’s go see how Twilight and ‘Tavi are doing while Spitfire talks to her fans.”

Spitfire inwardly grimaced and outwardly grinned as an excited prismatic mare gave her an almost-creepy grin and an equally excited pink-maned filly gave her a far cuter grin. “I’ll get you back for this, Captain” Spitfire all but whispered, “just wait until everypony leaves for the night.” Spitfire turned back to greet the pair before Barrier could respond.

“I didn’t realize you and Octavia had such an open relationship,” Verdant grinned slyly.

“We don’t.” Barrier stated flatly, “but that aside, we need to talk, Verdant.” Barrier’s tone shifted towards the end, more akin to something similar to ‘Captain Barrier’ as Verdant had come to dub the shift.

“Uh, sir?” Verdant straightened up and began to trail just slightly behind the charcoal unicorn.

“I can tell you’re interested in my granddaughter.” Barrier began as he pressed through the backdoor and back into the house.

Verdant opened his mouth, only for a grey hoof to silence him,

“I’m not going to interfere, you’re both adults,” Verdant seemed to loosen up slightly at the statement, “but I think it goes without saying that if you hurt her in any way…well, you saw first-hand what kind of punishments I’ve doled out.”

“Yessir,” Verdant half-chuckled, “I remember when you arranged latrine duty for Hatty and Gem when they got caught rutting in the showers. You arranged for the mess to serve spicy food for the rest of the week.”

“Yup, and that was mild. Do you remember what happened when someone tried to hurt my family?” Barrier’s tone stayed flat and professional as Verdant paled; all of his squad had seen his interrogation of the griffin that had tried to strike at his wife and daughter, as well as how he had effectively bisected the griffin with raw magic, fueled by anger.

“It probably won’t be that extreme…” Barrier smiled slightly, “I like you too much for that, and I won’t give you shit if she’s equally at fault, but wrong her unjustly and I will break you. Are we clear?”

“Crystal, sir. I upset her or hurt her in anyway without a good cause and you’ll make me wish I was staring down Grimhilde LeGrande.” Verdant nodded with a resolve that honestly impressed the unicorn.

“Good.” Barrier stated levelly, “Now, do you know what a condom is?”

“A condom sir?” Verdant’s muzzle scrunched up slightly in concentration as he thought the question over, “I think there’s a griffin in my cooking class that lives in one.”

Barrier actually snorted in amusement. “Not a condo, a condom. It’s arguably a better invention than the can-opener.”

“Blasphemy!”

“No, trust me, you’re going to love this.” Barrier reassured, putting a hoof on the stallion’s withers as he started his explanation.

“Goodnight Barrier!” Twilight called out as she and Verdant walked away side-by-side. “I hope Wind Whistler liked her birthday party!”

“They both seem to get along rather well,” Octavia commented, “Do you think they’ll become a couple?” She turned to her husband.

“I can only hope so. I know Verdant will look after her.” At least he’d better… “So,” Barrier glanced up at the night sky, “what a day.”

Twilight and Verdant had been the last guests to leave, having decided to stay the night in the city for reasons Barrier could only guess at. The party had wound down nearly an hour ago, the children having all returned home and Wind Whistler being sound-asleep, the day having worn her out.

Finally, time to rest… Barrier’s mind cheered out, the day having worn him out as well.

“So,” a scratchy voice reached his ears and images of a burnt-orange mane and a particularly interesting night flashed in the stallion’s mind. “I talked to ‘Tavi and she decided that I could take revenge for you throwing me to Rainbow Dash earlier. Even said she’d help me. Your flank?” Spitfire grinned, “It belongs to me for the night.”

Or not.