Kalfu and Scotaloo sat on the back deck of their home. The father and daughter pair just relaxed the day away as they both sat there with fishing rods in their hands. Kalfu wore something more appropriate to fishing rather than his normal attire. A simple pair of below the knee shorts and a black tank top. It felt nice to wear something comfortable for once. While the fish really weren’t biting much, both he and Scootaloo were enjoying spending time together

She had always wanted a father/daughter bonding time like this. And now that Kalfu had officially adopted her, she could make that dream a reality. Who knew this adorable tomboy of a pony would turn out to be such a daddy’s girl. Then again, quite a few tomboys do turn out to be from where he is from. Not that he complained one single bit. Anytime he got to spend with this little filly was rather nice. And teaching her how to fish just like he did when he was younger was a nice way to pass the time.

Scootaloo scooted closer to him before she leaned her head on his shoulder. Kalfu smiled in return and draped an arm around her shoulder lovingly while running her upper arm “You okay, kiddo?” he asked while shifting his gaze toward her. The filly nodded before answering “I am, Dad. I am just so amazed that you were able to bring back Sweetie’s sister from death. I have the most amazing father in the whole world.” she said as she nuzzled into his chest, her short tail flopping from side to side a bit in happiness.

Kalfu chuckled softly at his daughter’s praise “Well, I couldn’t just not do anything about it. To lose a family member in such a way is always tragic. But uh…I don't think Rares will ever get over not seeing her reflection anymore. When she found this out, she seemed pretty upset about it. I had to give her lots of chocolates and let her nibble on my neck just to help her feel better. But, so long as she is alive that’s all that matters to me.”.

Scootaloo looks up at Kalfu with a worried gaze “Does…it hurt when she bites you..?” she asked as she clung to him. He shook his head with a smile “Actually, it feels rather nice. It is more like a love bite than anything. It doesn’t hurt one bit. I promise.” he said as he reached up and gently ruffled her hair She looked up at him again before asking “If…I ever came close to death like that, would you do the same for me..?” she asked as she hugged against him tightly. He nodded without even thinking about it “Well, I pray to my fellow voodoo gods that such a fate never befalls you. But yes, I would bring you back. No doubt about that.”.

Scootaloo sighed happily as she then rested her head in his lap, placing the finishing pole that was in her free hand securely into the slot on the deck before she wrapped her arms around his waist, the warm weather and the comfort of him being so close making the filly start to drift off to sleep, her eye’s slowly dropping closed before she starts to snore softly “I love you…daddy~.” she said in her sleep. “I love you too, kiddo.” he whispered back gently stroking her mane.

They stayed there like that for what seemed to be hours. It wasn’t until Kalfu heard the familiar sound of his barrier being entered that he sighed in slight annoyance as it had also woken up Scootaloo from her nap. The filly seemed just as annoyed as she knew that her time with her father was just cut short by whoever it was that had come to their home. They both pull the fishing rods from the water and lean them against the back of the house before making their way around to the front deck. Kalfu blinked a few times when he noticed that the visitor in question was none other than Celestia.

Kalfu placed a hand on top of Scootaloo’s head before stroking it again “Go inside for now, sweetheart. I think daddy has some business to take care of with the princess here.” he said as he then removed his hand from her head. The filly nodded hesitantly before hugging his waist again and heading into the house, making her way to the couch and peeking out the window blinds to watch the exchange.

Kalfu took a seat in front of the ever-burning fire pit as Celestia walked down the long deck before coming to stand in front of Kalfu with her arms crossed and a serious look on her face “What have you been filling my subjects' heads with..?” she asked as she then held out a copy of his book. Kalfu eyes the tome before shifting his gaze back to her “It is simply a guidebook is all. What they choose to do with that knowledge is entirely up to them.” he said as he knew that she knew. There was no point in denying anything at this point.

She then tosses the book into the fire pit “I demand that you cease this brainwashing of my subjects immediately. Thanks to this tome that you have created, the natural order has been thrown out of balance. Now anyone can cast spells and use magic that is not natural to this world. Do you even comprehend what you have started..?” she asked as she watched the book not take a single bit of damage from the fire. Even more shocked as she watched him reach in and pick the book out without even flinching at the burning flames.

“I believe I have given these subjects of yours a new choice in life. Something to actually believe in. And I feel like I should mention, it's not just here in Equestria. My tomes have been spread throughout the whole entire world. By now, I am sure you have finally pieced it together. That night a couple months ago? That little light show was indeed me.” he said as he placed the book on the small wooden table beside him before standing up. He dusts off his shorts before making his way up to the taller woman, his eyes gazing up into hers as they stare each down.

“So yes, I know what I have done. I have shared my knowledge of the voodoo religion. And the creatures of this world seem to have taken a liking to it. And with every new follower, my own power grows daily. That’s right, I am the Voodoo King they revere. I am their god. And at this point, not even you can stop me.My power has grown far beyond yours thanks to all of my new followers.” he said with a narrowed gaze and a toothy grin.

Celestia’s eyes narrowed as well, but she wasn’t really amused with his words “Is that a threat to me and my sister? You plan on dethroning us and taking over the world..?” she asked as her horn started to glow fiercely. Kalfu smiled wickedly before responding “Taking over the world…?” he said as his eyes started glowing brightly, green flames forming around his body as the whole area around them started to darken before he laughed “Oh heavens no! That is just too much responsibility for me!” he said as he dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand.

“No, I am simply here to guide those under my religion, is all.. You see, I don’t want to control how the world flows. But I do wish to play a part in it as its catalyst. And as I said before, it is too late for you, or even Faust to truly do anything about it. Speaking of Faust. I met your mother a few months back. She wasn’t exactly happy about my plan either. But, I showed her that she had to share this world with me now. And before you get all upset, no I didn’t hurt her. She is still alive and well, doing her thing…whatever it is that she does.” he said as he continued to watch the alicorn fume with anger now.

It was at this point Celestia wanted to absolutely throttle the man before her. But what could she do? He really hadn’t done anything wrong, but her authority as one of the rulers of Equestria could possibly be slowly slipping if this kept going the way it was going. He then smiled again before speaking “And I may as well tell you now, since there is nothing you can do about it at this point. My followers are the ones who took matters into their own hands when it came to those two nobles that night. That symbol is indeed my mark. As for who they are. Well, I am afraid I cannot reveal that to you. What kind of god would I be if I betrayed them?”.

Celestia’s anger continued to grow as he seemed to be taunting her. It was upsetting her more and more the fact that he had caused all this without even getting his hands dirty in the slightest. He was literally getting away with murder! She suddenly grabbed at his shirt and lifted him to eye level with her, her eyes glaring daggers into his own. Kalfu smiled again as he narrowed his eyes once more “What are you going to do, princess? Kill me? Right in front of my daughter? Can you imagine the repercussions that you will face..? Not that you can ever hope to kill me anyway.” he asked with a smirk, knowing full well that she couldn’t do anything.

“You have nothing. Nothing to threaten me with. Nothing to do with all your strength.” he said as he pulled her hand off him before drifting backward in flight, his feet silently landing on the ground before he took a seat in his favorite chair “Now then, if we are done, you can leave now. You interrupted my time with my daughter and I don’t appreciate that.” he said as he shooed her away. Celestia huffed in defeat as she stomped away. “Oh, and you owe me for bringing one of your element bearers back to life, princess. Without me, you’d be short one precious protector. Remember that.”.

With that, Celestia angrily stormed off through the barrier before she disappeared. Kalfu chuckled to himself before getting up and headed inside the house. Once he was inside, Scootaloo ran up to him and hugged him tightly before looking up at him “Are you okay, Dad..? I was watching the whole time. I was worried that she was going to hurt you…” she said as worry fell upon her face. Kalfu placed his hands upon her shoulders, gently rubbing them to comfort her “It's alright, my dear. She won’t be causing any more issues for us in the future…for now at least. Sorry you had to witness my devious side there a bit. The thing about playing in the middle, you gotta take on both sides sometimes.” he said as he leaned down and kissed her cheek while hugging her “Don’t worry, I am not going anywhere. I won't abandon you like your biological parents did. I promise.” he said as he then pressed his forehead against hers while gently cupping her cheeks.

Scootaloo took hold of Kalfu’s wrists and squeezed them firmly as he continued to reassure her that he wasn’t going anywhere. They stood like that for a few minutes before a familiar voice suddenly rang out in his mind “Masterrrr~, I have some good news! I got invited to join a fashion show in Manehattan! All the big names are going to be there to scout out potential businesses to support and sponsor and I get to compete!” squeals Rarity as she excitedly speaks in Kalfu’s mind.

”And there is no way you’d want me to come with you, riiiiight?” he teased. She sputtered in return from his tease before responding ”O-Of course I want you to go with me! I was actually hoping that you’d come with me as the girls are coming to. But if..you can't...I understand…’ she spoke in a defeated tone. All was silent for a few minutes before she spoke again ”M-Master..?” she whimpered. Kalfu chuckled in response ”I wouldn’t miss the chance, Rares. You got my full support and I am happy to go.”

There was another happy squeal at the end before her voice went quiet. Kalfu was assuming that the excited vampire mare was running all around her home getting things ready and bragging to her little sister no doubt. Kalfu was glad that this news reached the fashionista, as she had been through a lot the past couple of weeks and some good news like this would lift her heart quite a bit.

Despite her new appearance and lifestyle, her friends loved her no less and didn’t see her as anything less than what she was when she was a regular unicorn. In fact, they were more than grateful to Kalfu for bringing their dearly beloved friend back from death. Applejack especially since she seemed to be the closest to Rarity out of the bunch.

“Dad, you okay??” asked Scootaloo as she noticed he had gone quiet for quite some time. Kalfu nodded before bringing his full attention to the filly “I am good, sweetie. Just got a message from Rarity is all. How would you like to go on a trip with me? She said we are headed to a place called Manehattan.”. Scootaloo’s face lit up with excitement as she nodded repeatedly “I have always wanted to go there! Thank you for taking me, daddy!” she said as she bounced on her hooves.

Kalfu nodded and ruffled her mane once more “Go and get started on packing then, sweetie. She said we will be gone for at least a few days. So grab what you need, okay?” he said before he watched her run off to her room, seeing that little tail of her sway with excitement and happiness warm his heart to no end. He still couldn’t believe that he was now a father. She may not be his blood, but she may as well be with how well they get along and how strong their bond is.

Kalfu was in his own room, packing the essentials that he needed for himself as well. He looked over at a rather expensive bottle of red wine that he had been saving for an occasion. He shrugs his shoulders lightly before grabbing the bottle and placing it in his bag. He’d have to steal the mare of honor away for at least one of those nights to congratulate her properly…

Unfortunately, things will not go as they planned. And the wrath of a god will be felt upon the city.

Time for something big to happen again within the next few chapters!

May the darkness grant you peace.