Chapter 11 - Messages
The next day Arc and his family sit around the table eating breakfast. Derpy turns to Arc.
“What would you like to do today?”
Arc shrugs. “Not really sure. But we should probably go somewhere fun for the fillies.”
Dinky giggles. “Girls, dad.”
Arc smiles as he tousles her hair. “Right, sweetheart.”
Apple Bloom turns to him. “Do they have parks here, Arc?”
“They do, yes. I took Dinky and Scootaloo to one last time we were here.”
Sweetie Belle looks to Dinky. “Was it fun?!”
“Yeah! I really liked the merry-go-round!”
Derpy appears confused. “Which one was that again?”
“The one that goes around in a circle, mom.”
“Ah, yes! Now I remember.”
Apple Bloom grins. “We don’t have anything like that back home!”
Sweetie Belle puts a hand to her chin. “I wonder why not? After all, it sounds like a lot of fun.”
Arc chuckles. “I know why.”
Dinky wiggles her fingers. “Lack of hands?”
“Yup.”
Derpy shudders. “I think a pony would just fly off.”
Brightwing Blinks into the center of the table on top of the platter of pancakes.
“Good morning, friends!”
Apple Bloom frowns. “The food!”
Brightwing looks down and snakes her tongue over that which she is sitting on. “Mmmm! Tasty!”
Arc sighs. “Well, at least all of us already had some on our plates.”
Derpy smiles as she pats the little creature before her. “Then I guess this serving platter is yours.”
“Hooray!”
Brightwing lowers her head and begins munching away happily as Dinky turns to Arc.
“Can we bring Brightwing to the park with us, dad?”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea, sweetheart.”
Apple Bloom frowns. “Why not, Arc?”
Sweetie Belle pets Brightwing’s scales. “Yeah. I think she’d like it there.”
“True. But you have to remember that Brightwing is a creature that doesn’t exist on Earth. Someone would probably try to kidnap her.”
Derpy nods. “Then she’d never get home to Equestria.”
Aw! But Brightwing want to have fun with others!”
Arc shrugs. “Sorry, but as you are it’s too risky.”
“What if Brightwing was not Brightwing?!”
Dinky appears confused. “What?”
“Brightwing show you!”
Fluttering over to the window she looks outside for a few moments. Suddenly Blinking away, Brightwing returns a few minutes later in a flash of light. She is perched atop an elderly dog. Arc raises an eyebrow.
“What are you doing with the neighbor’s dog?”
“You’ll see, friend!”
Concentrating, Brightwing focuses her magic. In a flash of light she transforms into a much younger version of the dog below her. Tumbling off, she turns to the others happily.
“How Brightwing look now?!”
Dinky laughs. “Like a real dog!”
Apple Bloom nods. “Yeah! I’d certainly believe it!”
Sweetie Belle giggles. “Everyone will!”
Derpy smiles. “Well, what do you say now, Arc?”
Arc chuckles. “That she can go.”
“YAY!”
Scootaloo groans. “Probably shouldn’t talk though, right?”
Arc continues. “On the condition that you don’t speak.”
“Can Brightwing bark?!”
“I guess so.”
“Then that’s what Brightwing will do!”
Arc stands up. “You do that. I have to bring Lucky here back to his yard.”
Dinky groans. “I hope his owner won’t be too mad that we borrowed him.”
“Nah, he gets out sometimes. But fortunately never goes too far or does anything other than lie on other people’s lawns.”
Apple Bloom follows Arc to the door. “We’ll help you put him back.”
Sweetie Belle grins. “That we will!”
Dinky stands up with her mother. “I’ll get the sink filled up and the dishes going while you’re doing that, dad.”
“Okay. Be back in a few minutes.”
Arc picks up the old dog and heads for the door with Brightwing at his heels. Apple Bloom opens the door for him as Sweetie Belle opens the screen door. Scootaloo closes the doors behind them Derpy turns to Dinky.
“Is everything okay, sweetie?”
“Yeah. Why mom?”
“I was just wondering if there was something going on. After all, you’re usually the first to volunteer to go anywhere with your father.”
“Yes, well… Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle need to spend time with him too. Remember, he’s going to be their father too when dad marries their sisters.”
Scootaloo frowns. “And you’re okay with that?”
Dinky raises an eyebrow. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Jealousy.”
“Nah. After all, I’m willing to share my dad with you and the others. Just like my mom is with the other members of the herd.”
Derpy smiles. “Yes indeed. We all need to do our parts to keep things running smoothly.”
“But you can’t tell me that at least some part of you doesn’t want Big Brother all to yourselves.”
Dinky shrugs. “I suppose that’s true, yes. But I’m thinking about it from another point of view.”
“Oh?”
“If I share him with my friends, then I’ll gain Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom as sisters.”
“And I’ll gain a deeper connection with Arc and my friends too.”
Scootaloo groans. “But neither of those things are really connected to sharing him. I mean, Dinky will still be friends with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle regardless. And I don’t see how marriage is required to get closer to others.”
Dinky smiles. “While that’s certainly true, I still want to see it happen.”
Derpy nods as she looks to Scootaloo. “As do I. But what about you?”
“What about me?”
Arc opens the back door and enters with the two girls. Giving a thumbs up he smiles.
“Dog’s back where he belongs and no one was the wiser.”
Brightwing giggles. “He looked happy to be home too!”
Apple Bloom frowns as she looks at Brightwing. “You were the one who took him, remember?”
“Not took! Borrowed!”
Sweetie Belle rolls her eyes. “Right.”
Arc clears his throat to diffuse the situation. “In any case, why don’t we head to the park now?”
“But what about the dishes, dad?”
“We can do them when we get back. After all, it’s a nice day outside. And we don’t know just how many more of those we’ll have before things turn cold again.”
He leads them to the Jeep. Making the quick drive to the park Arc gets out with the others. Dinky grins as she gestures to the playground.
“This… is a human park!”
Apple Bloom gasps. “WOAH!”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes grow wide. “It looks really complicated!”
Derpy giggles. “I suppose it would, as we just have fields back home.”
Arc turns to his daughter. “Daisy, why don’t you show your friends how the swings work?”
“Okay. Come on you two! You’ll love this!”
The trio heads for the swings as Derpy giggles.
“I do enjoy watching them play.”
“Think you could help push the girls on the swings, Derpy? I want to talk to Scootaloo.”
“Sure. But remember, it’s Dawn.”
Arc chuckles. “You’re right, of course.”
Derpy giggles as she walks toward the three children at the swings. Arc motions to a picnic table nearby.
“Why don’t we have a seat?”
“Okay.”
Sitting down across from Scootaloo Arc looks her in the eye before speaking.
“What’s up with you lately?”
“Big Brother?”
“You get along well with me. But are rather short with others.”
“I don’t see how.”
Arc frowns. “I heard your conversation with Derpy and Dinky this morning.”
Scootaloo shrugs. “Just wanted to tell them my point of view.”
“Nothing wrong with that. But I feel like you were being dismissive of THEIR points of view.”
“So you disagree with my opinion then?”
“Not at all. If anything you’re right.”
Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “Then what’s the problem?”
“Your attitude.”
“Big Brother… can I level with you on something?”
“Always.”
“I’m not like them. Heck, I’m not like anyone really. Earth or Equestria... both seem like foreign places to me.”
“Because everyone used to just brush you off back in Knothole Village?”
“Yeah. But things didn’t really change when I left and followed you all over the country.”
Arc sighs. “That is true, yes.”
“No matter what town we came to I was viewed differently. Like I was an object and not a pony.”
“They looked up to you.”
Scootaloo shakes her head. “They looked up to the Scarlet Filly.”
She looks down at her hands before continuing.
“I’m just a little nobody as it stands.”
“Not to me.”
“Big Brother?”
“I for one am very proud of what you’ve been able to accomplish, Scootaloo. But that isn’t what’s bothering you, is it?”
Scootaloo sighs. “No sir.”
“Then why not just come out and say it?”
“Why? I mean… you already know what I’m thinking.”
“True. But I’d rather hear you say the words.”
Scootaloo bows her head as she speaks.
“I… I’m just… I don’t want to lose my Big Brother to somepony else.”
“Like Rarity and Applejack mostly though, right?”
“All of them really.”
“What makes you think you will?”
“When it was just the two of us we spent nearly every minute of every day together. But since you got your memories back most of the time you’re with somepony else. I mean someone else.”
“You just want to go back to the way things used to be for us, don’t you?”
Scootaloo nods. “I do. It was a simpler time. Well, other than when somep… someone was trying to get you.”
“Truth be told I too miss those times.”
“You do?!”
“Yes. No responsibilities other than to you. Living off the land and making camp whenever or wherever we could was a lot simpler.”
Scootaloo lowers her voice.” Then let’s go back to that.”
“What about the others?”
“They’ll find someone else to marry. After all, they’re pretty good looking and have decent personalities. Well… most of them.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Oh really?”
“Yeah.”
“Who do you think has a bad personality?”
Scootaloo looks away. “I’d… rather not say.”
“Come on. I won’t get mad.”
“Fine. It’s Derpy.”
“Oh? Why her?”
“Because she’s kinda… mentally slow. That and her mane and tail always look like she just woke up. I mean… doesn’t she even know what a brush is?”
Arc shrugs. “I kinda like her mane like that though.”
“You do?”
“Yes. It’s who she is. When we went out on our date a while back she had her mane styled. And while she did look pretty, seeing her mane like that just kinda felt a bit… off.”
“Not trying to be mean here, but I think you’d be much better off with Hammer or Ember, Big Brother.”
“Why them?”
“Because they’re just like you, Big Brother. Strong warriors… good in a fight.”
“There’s more to love than marital prowess though.”
“If you’re looking for beauty then Rarity would be the logical choice. I mean, I’ve hardly ever seen so much as a hair out of place on her whole body before! She’s smart, pretty, and could support you financially with her business.”
“But there’s still the others. After all, they each bring something to the table.”
“You do what you want, Big Brother. But I think you should leave Derpy out of this whole herd idea. She’s just not that good of a candidate for you.”
“But Rarity couldn’t help me start a family.”
“Then take Hammer as a second wife or concubine. With her hips I’m sure she could push out a number of foals for you. Just be careful they don’t fight over who’s more useful in the marriage.”
“I really do love all of them though.”
Scootaloo shakes her head. “Guess I can’t really talk you out of this, can I?”
“Nope.”
“Fine. I just ask one thing of you then.”
“What is it, Scootaloo?”
“Think long and hard about proposing to Derpy, as she doesn’t bring anything to the mix that I can tell.”
“I’m going to think very hard about everyone. Her included.”
“Great. That’s all I ask for.”
“As long as we’re on the subject then, I’d like something from you too.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to watch and learn.”
Scootaloo raises an eyebrow, confused. “Learn what exactly?”
“About all of us. How we work separately and together.”
“Mostly Derpy though, right?”
“Everyone.”
“I’m a little confused on what exactly I’m supposed to be looking for.”
“Observe how a family works.”
“But I’m past that point. Emancipated, and all that.”
“Legally, yes. However you’re still a filly.”
Scootaloo sighs. “I really would rather just try to get on with my life, Big Brother.”
“And I think you need to have a proper childhood. Well, fillyhood I guess. So as your… um… Vampiric Lord, or whatever, I’m ordering you to do what I say.”
“You mean as my master, Big Brother. You’re not a vampire.”
“Kinda am. That and I really don’t like the sound of you calling me ‘master’.”
“Yes sir. I’ll do my best to carry out your orders.”
“Thank you. And please try to do so with an open mind.”
“No promises there.”
A couple hours later Arc and company return home to make lunch. They spend the rest of the day straightening up the house before turning to board games until supper. As the sun sets Arc and Derpy put the girls to bed together before returning to the Living Room. Arc turns to her.
“Well, I guess it’s time.”
Derpy appears worried. “Do you think Hammer’s had long enough?”
Arc shrugs. “It doesn’t really matter. After all I need to meet Mio at the pond now.”
“You said Hammer was sure she’d have it done though.”
“And I have faith in her.”
“Then you probably shouldn’t keep either of them waiting.”
“Right. I’ll be back as soon as I can though.”
Derpy smiles sleepily. “Yes, well… I think I’ll turn in too. We had a busy day today.”
“Yeah. And tomorrow will be equally eventful I’m sure.”
“Don’t stay out too late.”
Arc chuckles as he calls forth his armor and opens a portal. “I’ll try not to.”
Arriving on his sigil in the grove Arc looks around. Spotting a campfire beyond the tree line he heads for it. Pushing through a bush he sees Mio sitting on the ground in front of the fire. She looks up nervously as he approaches.
“Th-thank you for coming.”
“When I say I’m going to do something, I do it.”
Mio smiles. “Even when you have no reason to keep your word, you do.”
Nodding as she looks at her satchel lying on the ground next to her, Mio reaches inside and pulls out a single piece of paper. Looking at it for a time she eventually folds it up and hands it to Arc.
“Here you are. One letter.”
Arc chuckles as he accepts it. “Don’t worry. I won’t read it.”
“I couldn’t really stop you in that regard. But I do believe you.”
“Yes well… I’ll see to it that this gets to Hammer.”
“How will you do it?”
“Walk up to her and hand it over.”
“Personally?”
“Right. Um… something bothering you about this?”
“I just… don’t want anyone else getting their hands on it. At the moment I’m on thin ice.”
“With Hammer?”
Mio groans. “Everyone really. Hammer, Stingray, and even The Organization.”
“Does this have anything to do with me escaping you and your sisters?”
“That’s one piece of it, yes. But you can think of such a thing like the tip of the proverbial iceberg.”
“Sorry if it caused you trouble. However…”
Mio interrupts him. “…you had your mission, Hero. As did we. The only difference was that you succeeded while my sisters and I failed.”
“It wasn’t my intention to… my mission was… um…”
“You don’t need to tell me about it. I’m sure it’s classified, or whatnot.”
“I suppose so.”
“Does Hammer know?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe one day I will too.”
“We’ll see.”
Mio nods sadly as she gestures to the letter in Arc’s gauntlet.
“In any case, you should probably bring that to Hammer. And if you’d like to read it with her, well… I won’t mind.”
“Hammer will be the one deciding that. But I’ll see to it she gets it.”
“How… how long until…?”
Arc interrupts her. “It’s about a five minute walk for me.”
“That… close?”
“Yes. She’s not far from my sigil. Is there anything else you’d like me to say when I see her though?”
Mio shakes her head. “Everything is in my letter already.”
“Okay. Um… I do hope this works out for you two.”
Mio says nothing, but stares into her campfire. Arc turns, opens a portal, and steps through. As it closes Mio looks over to it.
“I hope so too.”
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Maybe he should remind she will be an adult with all the fun that comes with soon enough and try to give childhood a chance before it is over.
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Not really. Remember, Diva is capable of traversing the transdimensional barrier seemingly at will. If The Organization wanted to study such a thing they would only need her as a test subject.