The two found themselves so busy that the passage of time seemed to blur. A month went by of working at parks, fields, and gardens with little break... even Cloudfire felt the fatigue after a while. They finally found themselves looking forward to a few quiet days by themselves at the end of the week...

The first day Derpy naturally slept in. Cloudfire surprised her with not only breakfast in bed but also a story for him to read as she ate. She was the Derpy he knew and loved by that late afternoon, so they played with Dinky in the yard until the sun went down. Derpy laughed and Cloudfire smiled hearing it. They went to bed early, snuggling and musing about what to do the next day...

It was morning already? The ivory Earth Pony couldn't even remember getting up. It was as if he were thrown into the day, brought out of a daydream or nap. He still set out with intention:

He had it all planned: Take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Ponyville with Derpy like they used to. Her good friends, the Mane 6, had the power to put a smile on her face, and they were bound to run into them. Perhaps they'd end their outing with a visit AJ's farm and have a nice picnic by edge Sweet Apple Acres, where Derpy always enjoyed the wide open space of the rich country side. He imagined them retiring, early afternoon to a book and early dinner at the Corner. Derpy giggled at all the ideas just the night before, and Cloudfire was definitely looking forward to a beautiful day.

Since their Engagement there'd been excitment around Ponyville, but neither had seen it. Cloudfire felt a knot in his gut as it made sense to him that all the mean ponies would be starting up again, but... he saw no evidence. The times they went out, though brief, were peaceful. Most ponies crossing their paths noticed the rings, yet not one made a single sneer or comment. Cloudfire expected to hear something in the distance, though it never came to be. Ponies either congratulated them or left them in peace, glancing briefly at their new prize. The town had moved on, so it was time for him to as well.

The fresh air of the walk would do them good. Though Cloudfire couldn't even remember getting up, he chalked that up to being tired. With Celestia pulling the sun just into the morning sky, it was time for yet another new day.

It was bright and hazy. They started their stroll by cantering up to the fountain in the center of town. There Derpy stared into the crystal water, making faces and giggling. Cloudfire half-expected Pinkie Pie to show up and join her. It was nice to see the Pegasus having fun at least. He leaned against the stone structure, looking out into Ponyville:

He wasn't one for pony watching, but today... it just seemed right. Occasionally it's nice to watch others pass. He saw Big Mac pulling a cart... The Cutie Mark Crusaders zoomed by in their capes, he deduded, on their journey to find out who they are. He'd have said hi, but they were much too quick. Vinyl Scratch passed wheeling a few cabinets, perhaps on her way to a party. Rarity came by in an elaborate dress, complete with parasol. Spike and Twilight slowly cantered behind the diva, casually chatting with her. He waved and they all waved back:

"Come join us for tea at 2:00 in the Library!" Twilight shouted.

"Everypony will be there!" Added Rarity.

He nodded as Derpy giggled. She waved beside him before going back to the fountain.

This place, these ponies were starting to feel familiar... not in a bad way, though. Kind of like home. He'd never felt comfortable anywhere like he did here... with her.

He continued to look out into the ponies as the group vanished... He noticed an aging brown stallion who didn't fit with the rest of Ponyville. He recognized him, even from a distance, taking him back to a place long before and he couldn't help but stare. Cloudfire knew he didn't belong and it didn't help that he just stood there sticking out like a sore hoof. The older Earth Pony stared back at him with glazed over eyes, blinking slowly and unevenly. Sluggishly, the old creature made his approach. Stiff and arthritic, he moved slowly... but with purpose. Cloudfire began to sweat.

"It can't be..." He whispered to himself, his eyes dropping to the ground. He glanced up a few times... the older pony came closer, and closer.

They were now close enough that Cloudfire couldn't doubt what he was seeing anymore... especially since this pony stopped feet from them and they smiled at each other. For Cloudfire it was a reflexive, awkward grimace -- the type of fake smile that one uses to conceal his real feelings. From the other pony, it looked sincere... but a little overbearing all the same.

"Hello Cloudfire," said the older stallion, coughing. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, it has..." he bobbed his head in agreement, looking off to the side.

"Who's this?" Asked Derpy, turning towards the two from the fountain.

"My dad."

Though Cloudfire wasn't looking, he knew that Derpy was now examining his father very closely.

"Hi, hi! Pleased to meet ya!" Derpy giggled. "I've never met any of Cloudfire's family before!"

"Well," said Mr. Fire. "Who's this?"

"I'm Derpy Hooves! Um..." She reached over to Cloudfire and grabbed the ring around his neck, holding up her own as well. "I'm his fiancée! See?"

Cloudfire and his father made eye-contact.

"Huh, is that so?" He laughed. "Figured you'd end up with a Pegasus... actually, I'm surprised it wasn't a stallion. Well, kudos to you. Now, let me see... not too smart, a bit awkward... but she can fly, right? She can fly? I see wings on her."

"That's... not... very nice things to say." Derpy said, as Cloudfire felt her face and body drooping. "Why would he say something like that, Cloudfire?"

The ivory Earth Pony sighed, looking up at the two ponies. This was turning into a nightmare:

"Because my Dad's mean..."

"What's that, boy?"

"Because my Dad's mean!" He took a stand by his Pegasus partner's side. "What do you want, Dad?"

"Hey, hey! It's okay... I just tracked you down since you never visit me or write... it was a long trip and just want to see how you're doing."

"I'm happy."

"Are you?" Mr. Fire smiled. "You're with a Pegasus... but I'll wager the only reason you're with her is because she flies."

"I don't fly all that well," said Derpy, looking down at her hooves. Cloudfire put his arm around her. "I hardly fly at all."

"Yeah, and neither do you... right, Cloudfire?"

"Please, Dad... be happy for me. What we have here is special."

"I don't think you're happy, son."

"I am!"

"I don't think so... I don't. You'll never fly and being with this.... child isn't good consolation. You're only hurting her and diluting yourself. Why're you doing it?"

"I love her! You can't see that?"

Again, Mr. Fire turned his attention towards Derpy:

"Okay, little girl... let's see what I think of you on closer examination: My assessment: I'd say you're easy to fool, easily dominated, uncreative, unoriginal... probably live with your parents and can't keep a job. You don't seem retarded on close examination, but first glance you did. I'd say you barely graduated high school, and guessing you read on about a 9th grade level. Maybe... 83 IQ. All signs of a real winner. Any of this ring true to you, little lady?"

Cloudfire looked to his fiancée... she was already in tears. This was something he wanted her to never have to deal with. His dad really truly was this mean, even to him, and he never had any friends because of it.

"Please... stop it!" Derpy cried.

"I will. First let me tell you one more thing about my son: I know why he's with you. Do you?"

"Because he loves me," sniffed the Grey Pegasus. "And I love him."

"Sweet enough for me to need my insulin... do you know why it really is, child?"

Derpy didn't answer.

"It's because you're all those things I said. You're a Pegasus so you've got that going for you, but you'll never, ever challenge him. It's because you're more weak and broken than he is that he 'loves you'. He puts you in a little box so he can always feel good about himself because no matter what, he'll be the one that challenges you. He'll always win, too. That's because he'll know your limits, I'm afraid, and this will only grow with your so-called 'relationship'."

Mr. Fire turned to his son now:

"Just go away, Dad."

The mean stallion sighed:

"Alright, Cloudfire... I will. Just answer me my one last question.. where did I go wrong? When you were a colt I worked hard to be honest and lead by example, yet I've churned out such a weak pony. I'm disappointed in you as I know you'll eventually tire of her and discard her. I look at those rings and I just see a price for contrition. I understand feeling bad about what you're doing, as you're not just wasting your life... you're wasting hers. That's the only sign of hope I see in you."

Cloudfire couldn't help himself. He changed at his father in a rage, raising a hoof to strike him. He'd only struck his father one time before, and that was when he was a colt. Daddy had no business coming back into his life, just to poison the good things he had. True or not, he was happy now and that's all that mattered. Daddy Fire didn't flinch at the approaching threat:

"Look at her... she's so young."

Everything seemed to slow before the ivory Earth Pony's hoof connected with his father's brow. The fountain, Derpy, his father, the ponies... all became distant and wavy, then black. Cloudfire smelled a familiar smell as he felt his body suddenly jerk forward as though he were kicked.