Children of the Guardian

Chap 12

The chariot ride back to Celestial Brush's house was quiet almost the entire way as David stared out into the dark sky, his thoughts wandering and straining for a solution to his problem. Even if it had been an accident about Midnight missing his classes, accidents still had consequences sometimes. (I warned him to be back in time for his classes.) David thought as a small raindrop hit his muzzle.

His green horn glowed a soft gold and the chariot was soon covered in a gold shield just as the rain began pouring out of the dark clouds above them.

"Thanks…" Celestial Brush mumbled trying to be friendly. David turned and merely nodded at her. (You and I aren't friends Celestial Brush. Not by a long shot.) He thought as the chariot touched down next to a house near Lake Ponyville. The house was quiet and medium sized. It was a bright white and consisted of beautiful mahogany doors at the entrance from which two lanterns in the shape of the sun were hung over it. The lanterns emitted a soft glow as if to say; "Come in. You'll always be welcome" which made David feel happy.

He smiled as he stepped off the chariot looking at the area for the front door. "I'm guessing your mom had something to do with the front door designs?" He said chuckling. Celestial Brush smiled and nodded. "Yep. My Dad wanted something casual, but mom still hadn't let go of her royal blood so we went with fancy. So dad went out and bought the prettiest doors he could find, and got those lanterns crafted especially for my mom." She said happily.

(Well… I know where the money I gave him for the war went.) David said facehoofing. "Tell your dad to be careful or Celestia might become a princess in his own house! Then he'll be waiting on her like a servant."

"Who says he doesn't already?" Celestial Brush countered with a smile. David broke into laughter at these words. She was right though, when it came to treatment Primary Colors spared no expense. As images of Primary kissing Celestia's hooves ran through his mind David realized he had to focus on what was needed now.

"Well… thank you for taking me home Mr. David. I guess I better go tell my parents where I was all night." Celestial Brush said as she made her way to the front door. She had just about opened it when David spoke up.

"Oh no you don't. We're not done here." He said pointing at hoof at the ground, indicating she should stand in front of him. She cautiously approached and stood there looking up at his cold silver eyes. "Celestial Brush…" He started calmly. "Many things are important in life, and to Midnight one of those things is his studies. I mean after all… he WILL rule Equestria someday. However… it has appeared to me that he has forgotten how important those studies are.

Therefore…" He gulped, trying to get the words out. The pain he was about to cause his son making it difficult. "…I forbid you to see him for the time being." He said quietly. He then watched as Celestial Brush's eyes flashed open and for just a split second, he thought he saw a spark of fire.

"You can't…You have no right!" She said staring back at him.

"I'm his father. I have all the right I need, and I know what's best for my son." He said as he turned and walked back to the chariot.

"DO YOU???" She barked. David stopped in his tracks. Had she really just questioned him about knowing his own son? A small fire suddenly sprang up in his heart as he turned around to face her.

"Yes."

"No you don't!"

"And how would you know!? You're just a little girl!" David said gritting his teeth. His fire was roaring inside him now ready to explode out at this mare who was beginning to irritate him. He watched as Celestial Brush paced back in forth in front of him.

"You don't understand anything! You may be the Guardian but you're blind to the problems your own son faces! How often do you even talk to him?" She said stopping and glaring into his eyes. David's mind snapped to attention. He never did spend much time with Midnight. They talked occasionally at dinner or maybe sometimes afterwards, but otherwise they never talked. (I was always too busy…) He thought to himself.

"Well I…"

"EXACTLY!! NONE AT ALL!" She snapped at him her voice screaming. "He tells me all the time that if you would just listen to him and let him make his own decisions then he could make you proud, but all you do is dictate what he does and how! You've crushed his individuality!"

"That's a lie!!" David barked stomping his hoof. He knew that it was the Royal Advisors who directed Midnight's schedule, but he was not about to bring that up.

"Oh really?" She said pacing in front of him. "Has ever told you what he wants to do with his life once? Or what his dreams are?" Brushie knew that Midnight wanted to be Prince one day, but she wanted to hear what David said.

"He's going to be ruler." He responded.

"Yes… but do you know what he told me? He wants to be just… like…you, and I find that disgusting." She said harshly. David's fire roared to new levels as he stomped both his front hooves causing cracks to appear in the ground.

"HOW DARE YOU!!! YOU WILL MIND YOU TONE IN FRONT OF ME YOU INSIGNIFICANT KNAVE!!!" His Royal Canterlot voice shook everything around causing leaves to fall from the trees and the shutters on the house to slam back and forth.

"So now I'm a knave? What happened to the Guardian who didn't care about his position? What happened to the Guardian who didn't want to be a ruler, but a friend and saw himself equal to all of us normal ponies?" Brushie said angrily. For just a split second their eyes met in a cold stare, but as they did David felt his inner fire suddenly go out. She was right… he had been acting like such a fool, he thought he had been caring for Midnight when in the end he was just coddling him trying to keep him safe from the corruption that power always left on creatures who had it.

(How ironic… that I'm being corrupted by the very thing that I want to protect my son from.) He thought as he stared down at the cracked ground. (I'm becoming the very thing that I had slain those 17 years ago.) He shook his head and spoke, his voice choking from the tears that were forming.

"You're right Celestial Brush. I'm not the father I need to be, I'm just concerned for Midnight. Growing up as a prince is a big job and I don't want him to get overwhelmed and make the wrong decisions. I WANT to be there with him, but this damn Guardian title keeps me tied up. I just… UGH!!" He growled as he bucked his back hooves against a tree causing to be lifted out of its roots with a mighty roar and crash onto the ground.

"Hey… don't beat yourself up too much. I mean… it is wrong that you don't spend a lot of time with him." Brushie said trying to comfort him.

"Thanks that really helps." He responded sarcastically.

"But you're REALLY busy and I can understand that. I'm sorry for thinking you cared more about work than about Midnight. I should have known the Guardian's heart would never do that." She said as a small smile crossed her face. David nodded as she turned and walked toward her house.

"Tell Middy I said I'm sorry." Brushie said turning back to him.

"Tell him yourself." David said as he stepped back onto the chariot. "He's coming to get you at 5:00 tomorrow for a date."

Brushie's face went from pure shock to utter joy as she ran full speed and tackled him to the ground. "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!" She shouted as she hugged him so tight he could feel his bones straining.

"No problem… just promise me you'll keep him in line, and out of trouble." He said straining against the mare's death grip. She then released him and saluted with a goofy grin on her face. "Yes sir!" She snapped as she turned and walked back to her house and went inside. David slowly got back on his feet, brushed himself off, and boarded the chariot. With a quick nod it was quickly airborne and flying back to the castle at full speed.

As they flew however two things buzzed in his mind. How do stop the Royal Advisors from running Midnight and Sunlight's lives, and to remember to make fun of Midnight's pet name. "Middy… I'm definitely gonna get some mileage out of this one." Next Chapter: Chapter 13 Estimated time remaining: 44 Minutes