Chapter 12

Dave said his farewells to Shining Armour and Princess Cadence as he carried Nox inside, the grey alicorn’s head slumped over Dave’s shoulder. The human gently carried the baby upstairs and into the spare bedroom

“Good night” Dave whispered as he laid Nox down and tucked him into bed. Dave kissed the top of his son’s head before switching the light off and creeping into his bedroom. Celestia was already in bed and was reading some sheets of paper

“How was your chat with Shining Armour?” Celestia continued to read her documents as Dave made his way over to the bed, removing his trench coat before climbing in beside the white alicorn

“Forgot to pick up my clothes from Rarity” Dave mumbled before responding to the princess “It was alright” Dave laid on his side to stare up at Celestia “how was your talk with Cadence?” Dave rose an eyebrow as Celestia blushed

“It was very… informative” She smiled at Dave before her attention was fully torn from the sheets of paper before her “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Dave shrugged “Like what?” his eyes continued to stare into hers, his gaze never seeming to look away

“You seem really… happy” Celestia placed her sheets aside as she shuffled down into the bed and rested her head onto the pillow “Not that I’m complaining”

The human let out a small sigh as he continued to stare at Celestia. Finally, a small smile crossed his face as Celestia yawned, “So why are you here anyway?”

Celestia rubbed her eyes before allowing them to close “Am I not allowed to be with the one I love?” She smiled as she cracked open an eye to see Dave’s grin grow

“Of course you are but I thought you would have stayed in Canterlot” Dave gave Celestia a quick kiss before climbing out of bed “I’m just going to fetch myself some water, do you want anything?”

“No I’m fine thank you” Celestia shuffled into a more comfortable position before attempting to go to sleep. Dave walked silently downstairs and into the kitchen, grabbing a cup from the side and filling it with cold water

As Dave took a sip of the refreshing water, his small thirst was quickly diminished. He walked out of the kitchen but stopped halfway through the living room, his eyes slowly moved over to the large earth pony relaxing on the sofa

“Sup?” Battering Ram gave a small wave as he took a bite out of an avocado. His eyes lazily looked at the small fruit in his hoof

Dave placed his cup down and glared at the earth pony “What the hell are you doing here?” He kept his voice quiet so he did not attract Celestia’s attention

The large earth pony sighed, “I’m fine don’t worry” He pulled the hard seed out of the fruit he was eating as he continued to eat the soft flesh “But I am here to ask you for a favour”

“A favour?” Dave chuckled “You broke quite a few of my bones and threatened to harm my dad” the angry human clenched his fists as the pony rolled his eyes “Why would I want to help you?”

Battering Ram placed the tough seed in his mouth and easily chewed through it “Because Strong Shield was a very good friend, I would prefer to avoid killing him” Ram sighed, “he won’t listen to me, he can’t look at Flux but he will listen to you”

Dave nervously looked at the stairs before sitting down in his armchair “I will listen to what you have to say but I want answers” He waited until Ram nodded before relaxing in his chair

“Strong Shield has a key for a vault, I need that key” Battering Ram held out his hooves “That’s it, simple but he will take the location of the key to his grave”

“If I get the key will you leave my family alone?” Dave sighed as Battering Ram nodded “what the hell is inside this vault? Some kind of weapon?”

Battering Ram shrugged “Strong Shield knows what is inside but the vault has been moved a few times, only Flux and I know where it is” He sat up as he saw Dave tense “I understand that you don’t trust me but if I wanted to harm you then I already would have”

Dave reluctantly relaxed into his chair “All I want is for my family to be safe, if I get this key then I could be putting them at risk” Dave scratched his head as possibilities swirled in his mind “I won’t do it, I trust Strong Shield will do the right thing”

“Don’t say that I didn’t give you a chance” Battering Ram got to his feet as he took a deep breath. Dave stood as well but was knocked down as a hoof slammed him in the throat, Ram quickly held him down “I will drain your blood and drown your son in it if you don’t get Strong Shield to hand over the key”

Dave’s hands uselessly fought against the muscular hoof that held his windpipe shut, the pony’s strength easily surpassed his. Dave happily gasped for air as Battering Ram released him “Get fucked!” Was all Dave could growl before Battering Ram used a hoof to pick him up and pin him against a wall

“Flux and I have killed for justice and purpose” His angry eyes turned sad as his head drooped “Strong Shield killed because of revenge, he killed because he was obsessed” Battering Ram released Dave and head butted him to the floor “Why he tried to defend you… I have no idea”

Dave’s hand rubbed against the floor as he dragged it towards his face. His groan was painful as he discovered his face was heavily indented, his nose no longer pointed. His eye managed to open in time to see Battering Ram walk out the door and disappear into the night

After a few pain filled minutes of slow healing, Dave managed to push himself to his feet and stagger to the stairs. He stopped at the top to check Nox was still asleep before creeping into his bedroom, Celestia’s gentle breathing indicated that she was asleep

Dave crawled into bed and shuffled close to the white alicorn, her unconscious body moved to grab him in return. Dave closed his eyes and struggled to finally fall asleep

In the morning…

Dave groaned as a small voice made its way into his ears, disturbing his already restless sleep. His eyes reluctantly slid open to reveal Celestia was still asleep next to her, the dim moonlight cast a gentle glow over her already perfect features

Dave assumed Celestia was talking in her sleep so he took a deep breath before attempting to get to sleep again. His eyes opened again when the voice called again, it definitely was not Celestia. Instead, the voice seemed too harsh but just as gentle, like an annoyed child

“Dad?”

Dave rolled onto his back and a grey colt flew onto his chest, Nox’s face seemed puzzled rather than the vague look of interest that it usually had. Dave quickly scanned the room for the source of the voice, his head stopped as he realized the last word said

“When are we having breakfast?” Nox smiled as Dave’s head attempted to push through the pillow and into the bed itself. Dave poked Celestia, when she failed to do more than moan he rapidly poked her until she angrily awoke

“Dave, stop” She sighed as she looked out the windows “I will raise the sun when I need to” She dropped her head back into the pillow

Nox walked over to Celestia’s head, leaving Dave to stare wide-eyed and his head as far back as his neck would allow

“Mommy, when are we having breakfast?” Nox nuzzled Celestia until she hugged him, obviously her mind was still asleep

“In a bit sweetie” Celestia sighed before her eyes shot open and her surprised face matched Dave’s. Her hooves released Nox as she nervously cleared her throat “D-did you just say something?” she smiled to go along with her nervous voice

Nox nodded “I’m hungry” He sat down as his stomach growled, “When are we having breakfast?” His pleading eyes made Dave and Celestia remove their confused faces

Dave nervously glanced at Celestia before picking Nox up “I’ll make you something now, mommy has just got to… panic” He stood up, the colt in his arms was definitely heavier than yesterday and his body was slightly larger

Dave grabbed his trench coat before heading downstairs and taking Nox into the kitchen. He placed Nox down in a seat before dressing himself and inspecting the cupboards. It appeared Pinkie was kind enough to restock his house as he had plenty of baking ingredients

The sunlight rolled through the windows and replaced the dull glow from the moon. Celestia entered the kitchen to see Dave making pancakes and Nox sitting happily at the table. She smiled to Dave before sitting at the table next to Nox, her face struggled to remove her confused stare

“Mommy… are you ok?” Nox tilted his head as he noticed Celestia’s worried eyes. His confusion only grew as Celestia moved neared and hugged him “Um… has something happened?”

Dave walked over with three plates of pancakes each were covered in syrup. He placed the plates down before kneeling next to Nox “Listen, there is no easy way of saying this but… you seemed to have aged a lot since yesterday”

“I don’t understand” Nox hid behind his wings nervously “Have I done something wrong?” His voice trembled as his eyes began to water

“No of course not” Celestia nuzzled her son until he revealed himself again “Normal ponies take years to do what you have done in only a few days” her eyes glanced at Dave before moving back “It is probably because you are an alicorn”

Dave sat in his chair opposite the ponies before slowly eating his sweet breakfast “It was just a shock to wake up to you speaking” He reassured Nox before he chuckled “Being my son, I’m not surprised strange stuff happens to you”

“Huh?” Nox looked between his parents before his stomach rumbled again and his gaze fixed onto the pancakes that sat a few inches from his head. His hunger became apparent as he finished his breakfast in less than a minute

Celestia and Dave shrugged before they ate their breakfast, Nox helped himself to the pancakes that Celestia could not finish. As the family finished their meal, Dave retrieved some money from upstairs before meeting Celestia and Nox outside

“So what is the plan?” Dave asked as he walked beside Celestia, Nox seemed perfectly happy walking on his own as he looked around the landscape

Celestia sighed “I suppose we could see if Twilight Sparkle has any books that contain any… oh who are we kidding” The white alicorn rolled her eyes “If I don’t know something then it certainly isn’t in any book”

Dave wrapped an arm around Celestia as he stroked her mane “I’m sure everything will be ok, a little rushed but it will turn out fine” He smiled as Celestia laughed to herself

“So long as we are together, everything will be fine” Celestia kissed Dave’s cheek as she rested her head on his shoulder “Sometimes I wish that I could have normal things like everypony else”

Dave hugged her reassuringly but something suddenly split his mind, his feelings suddenly being pulled in various directions. Happy that he was back with Celestia and his son was with them, but also disheartened that he couldn’t give Celestia something normal without something strange happening

Dave shook his head as the entered Ponyville and stopped outside carousel boutique. Dave knocked politely and waited for Rarity to open the door. Her mane was already combed to perfection and she already had some makeup on

“P-princess Celestia, Dave, Nox?” She flapped her mouth before regaining her composure and bowed deeply “I apologise that I am not suitably prepared for your arrival”

Princess Celestia bowed her head “we aren’t here for royal reasons, Dave forgot his clothes” She smiled as Dave smiled with guilt. Rarity allowed the trio in as she allowed Dave to get dressed in her changing room

Celestia sat on the sofa as she looked through Rarity’s dresses, the white unicorn was more than happy to show some of the outfits as the pair delved into simple conversations.

Nox meanwhile rolled his eyes as both the mares began to talk about dresses for a gala. The grey colt’s boredom was smashed as a familiar filly walked into the room

“Rarity can I have some money for some food on the way to… oh” She stopped as she noticed Princess Celestia and Nox were also in the boutique, she bowed deeply to Celestia before being told to rise

Celestia smiled “I am only here as a friend, not a royal” Her eyes shifted over to Nox who nervously played with his tail “Have you met my son Nox?”

“Yes, yesterday when Dave came over” Sweetie Belle smiled “He is really good at drawing” she did not notice Nox’s face burn red as he blushed. It didn't last long though as he took a deep breath

Nox swallowed his fear as he left his corner of the room “Thanks, I liked your drawing too” his newfound smile vanished as Sweetie Belle and Rarity gawped

“H-how? When did he learn?” Rarity’s brain struggled to comprehend the change that occurred to the colt she had only met yesterday

Dave chuckled as he stepped out of the changing room, checking his new attire out in a mirror. Blue jeans hung comfortably down to his heels whilst his collarbone was visible above a loose, white shirt. He moved his feet around his spacious shoes that gave plenty of grip. Finally, Dave could allow his green, dragonscale trench coat to sway around his shins rather than wear it like a dressing gown on a cold night

“Yesterday” The happy human responded “Thanks for these, I’ll try to take care of these better than the last set” He shook his body before sitting down beside Celestia “You like?” He joked

“Very much so” Celestia smiled as she leaned over and gave Dave another kiss. Rarity smiled at the romance whilst Sweetie Belle and Nox both made fake gagging noises

Rarity glared at her younger sister before calming “So what were you going to ask Sweetie Belle?”

The filly tapped her chin before bouncing over to her big sister with a grin on her face “Can I have some money to get some food on the way to school?”

“Yes I should have some in my…” Rarity was cut of as Dave gasped and fist pumped the air “What’s the matter dear?”

“Idea that can't go wrong!” Dave cheered, “Nox should go to school!”

Celestia’s smile grew until it suddenly failed “There are hundreds of things that can go wrong but I get the feeling we are going to go with it anyway”