Walking back home, I felt… different. My senses used to be much sharper, now they're all so dull. I actually used to live like this? Weird…

… I really have changed so much, haven't I?

"This…this feels really weird…" I muttered.

As I looked around, I tried not to think about it. Compared to before, my eyesight felt… duller, sense of hearing was so much less… smell… Can't smell anything.

Was I really like this before?

"I…I can't imagine being this…helpless…" I thought to myself, as so much of what I was used to just…not being there…

I got home and once I was inside, I saw Gallon sitting with Tulip on the couch. He was watching her read a book.

"Oh, hey Button." Gallon said as he noticed me. "What's with the bling?" He asked, motioning to the shackle item.

"These are suppression bands…and I am now as strong as I was all the way back when I first got here." I said.

"Really? Wow… why?"

"Cause I both learned that yes, when we use Final Thanks a part of our personality is also gained with our stats…and two…so I can maybe understand what it feels like to be 'prey' again…"

"Well that's… an odd way to phrase 'being normal again'." Gallon hummed. "How long do you plan on taking a vacation then?"

"No idea…but this whole thing is…so I don't lose my family…"

"Well… alright. Micheal's Final Thanks boosts wore off and as expected, he feels bad about earlier… and had a major panic attack at now being a father."

Wow… he was having one with the boosts and such from me… without that… yikes…

"Well…I suppose that's fair." I shrugged.

"Heh, yeah. We already got a new room for Tulip, an extra bathroom, clothes, toys, books. She already knows how to read and write, and pretty well. It's impressive for a four year old."

"Glad to hear that." I nodded. "Already super smart." I chuckled.

"Heh, yeah. It's gonna be different from now on for Micheal and I, that's for sure. Gonna get her into Pre-school and hopefully from there we can try and work something out schedule wise."

"Yeah, things should work out schedule wise, New Foundation cares a lot about schedules."

"Heh, trust us, we know." Gallon chuckled. "Oh yeah, I think Cream wanted to talk with you."

"Goodie…" I grumbled. "Alright, where is she?"

"I think she's in the laundry room."

… The fact I… didn't know we had a laundry room is… not good.

"And considering how big this room is…" I sighed. "Where is it?"

"Third door on the left out in the main hallway."

I nodded and walked there. Thankfully it was also labeled. Can't believe I didn't notice this…

I walked inside, the scent of soap and bleach tickled my nose. There was dozens of washing machines and just as many dryers.

I spotted Cream with… I haven't seen Dovahkin since he was a baby… I'd seen him around and talked with him a few times… not as much as I should have… He was helping Cream with a few things.

"Hey." I said carefully.

"Ah, there you are." Cream said. "How's the office coming along?" She asked as she and Dovah were folding clothes.

"The office is going well, you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yeah. Heard you finally went on a date with Barb and someone new. A man I hear?" She asked with a slightly curious tone in her voice.

"Yes, I dated Barb, and I'm also dating a Nokori named Ginger."

"Ah. Alright then, aside from that I wanted to give you this." She said, pulling out a booklet from her Assistant and quickly handing it to me.

I looked at it… a yearly planner? I opened it, seeing there were a lot of dates already filled in with various events.

"Oh boy this is…a lot of stuff planned." I said honestly.

"Well, lot of kids, each with their own thing." She said. "I know you're trying to be there more, but I know you still have other things you need to do… and things between us have been a bit… tense… So, I figured knowing what things are going on for who and when would help."

"Yes, it'll help a lot." I nodded. "Thanks Cream."

"I know odds are you can't be there for all of them, unless there was somehow two of you, but even then." She chuckled. "Just promise me you'll try to make it to some of these, alright?"

"I'll do my best." I nodded.

"That's all I ask." She said, giving me a smile as she went back to folding clothes with Dovah. I was about to leave… but paused… I went back, sitting next to her and began folding laundry. "Uh, what are you doing?" She asked with a half chuckle.

"Helping." I said honestly. "Ya know, the thing I keep trying to do."

"With… a chore?" She asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"... Alright, is Cheat in controle? Cause if not, then who are you and what did you do to my hubby?" Cream asked, putting a hoof under her chin and giving me a sly grin.

I chuckled.

"No no, it's me, well and truly." I said easily.

"Well, I'm not sure whether to check and see if hell froze over, or to see if you're feeling sick." She laughed. "But why the sudden help with a chore? You don't even wear clothes."

"Because I…need to relearn what it means to be normal…before something bad happens…"

"Well, to be fair, when you opened my pod I guess I only got a glimpse of that. You were somewhere between 'normal' and, well, how you are now. Might sound weird but I actually miss those days. Surviving was hard but it was simpler."

"Yes…I miss those days to." I sighed. "It was…so much simpler."

"Yeah, though admittedly, I'm glad we have this life here. Kids are better off for it."

"Yeah, this is much better for the kids." I agreed.

She smiled, giving me a quick kiss before we went back to folding the clothes.

It took a bit, but when that was done I headed back out… Time to do… something.

I looked through all the kids rooms and figured I'd check on Jada.

Surprisingly, her door was open a crack. Peeking in I was actually shocked to see she wasn't at her computer, the lights were on when I opened the door more I spotted her on her bed, sleeping under half her blanket and with her pillow under her arm rather than under her head.

I smiled softly, happy to see Jada so…peaceful for once. "Glad to see she's finally asleep."

I managed to use my magic to cover her properly, fix her pillow and all without disturbing her. Guess she's really out of it. Lack of sleep and such finally caught up with her…

I can barely remember when she was born. She and her siblings were all so small… much smaller than I expected given the size of their mother.

"Well…that's what ten fucking years will do…" I thought to myself bitterly.

I sighed, giving Jada one more look. "I love you." I whispered. She's been through a lot… all my kids have in some way, shape or form.

I quietly left her room and carefully closed the door behind me.

I walked through the halls to find another of my kid's bedroom door open. The name on the door read Power Up.

"Our Daughter." Cheat said.

"And…now she'll never be able to see her mother again…" I thought weakly…as I looked inside the open door.

"Mother fucking cu-" I winced. She was at her own computer, screaming into a microphone playing what looked like Minecraft… I learned immediately after meeting her that Power Up has my colors, coat and mane/tail. Red eyes, both my and Cheat's temper… our rashness… and rapid use of violence… that and she swears like a sailor… and all the time…

According to Sweetie, her first word was genuinely… 'bitch'.

I worry about her…

"I mean…I understand Creeper's aren't pleasant but do you need to swear up a storm there Power?" I inquired.

"Oh, hey dad… mom… dad-mom… mom-dad… parent who both birthed and fucked me into existence…" She said, giving me a deadpan look as she did. "I'm playing online. One sec." She said, turning back to her screen and monitor. "Listen here you little shit I will find you, and when I do I will rip your spine out your ass, rearrange your vertebrae and then shove it back up and laugh as you walk around with the world's worst case of scoliosis!" She yelled then exited the game. Then turned back to me. "So, sup?"

"I'm actually really proud of that threat." Cheat said.

"...I need to get Power some therapy…" I mentally sighed. "So, hi there Power…how have you been?"

"Pretty good. Considering I'm typically surrounded by idiots, family, or idiot family members. I mean, I love them, but stupid is stupid and I don't tolerate stupid people."

I sighed. "And what do you define as 'stupid'?" I inquired.

"People who either annoy me intentionally, unintentionally, or have less common sense than a fly."

"And…yeah, there are a lot of people like that…" I sighed.

"So… do you want something?"

"Just to talk, hang out…do something." I admitted.

"Alright. So, what do you wanna do?"

"Well, let's just have some talks." I admitted.

"Alright. What should we talk about then?"

"Well…I suppose I can start with…why are you so swear happy." I admitted.

"Hmm." She hummed, tapping a hoof to her chin in thought. "Well, I guess it all started when I was four and learned I'm basically an incest baby since Mom had enough of a sister kink that when she made her own body she took enough of your DNA to make that body related to you… that was a day."

"Then when I was five moms took us all to the Cryo storage where most everyone else got to see their birth mom's. On ice but at least they saw them. There weren't even pictures of you or mom around so I basically just looked in the mirror and would pretend it was either of you. If I had two mirrors then you both were there."

"Around eight some punks tried to bully me but I did inherit a few of mom's symbiote abilities and… well, doctors regrew their limbs, and I was put in Juvy for a month. Kinda boring, felt like a boarding school. After I got out I was put in a special class for kids like me with dangerous powers and a temper. Made a few friends in there but basically everyone is an asshole."

"And then you finally came back, knocked up with I guess my baby sibling since your body is both yours and moms still, half sibling I guess or… wait does that count as a full sibling if… eh. Anywho then we got to spend some time together, had ice cream a few times, and aside from seeing you and breakfast or dinner, that's about it." She said with a shrug.

I sighed. "I'm sorry…" I said bitterly. "Damn it Cheat…I forgot you had that sister kink…" I thought. "I…didn't mean for a lot of this to happen…"

"I mean, trauma aside my life is alright." She shrugged. "I figured if you or mom were around, at least one of you, maybe I'd be less fucked up but… that's neither here nor there so all I can do now is hang put with you now that you are here and maybe someday mom can get her own body again. Though if she's gonna make it basically another sister kink, well… that's trauma for your future kids to process."

"I'm certain Cheat won't cause another sister kink to happen." I said carefully. "But I'm here now and I'm ready to help."

"...With?"

"Well, help you control that temper and be less of a drunken sailor when it comes to swearing." I admitted. "Or somehow get into a weird series of events where I'm helping you win a swearing contest…"

"Honestly I'd prefer the latter. My swears and my trauma basically make up my whole personality at this point and it's kind of my go-to nine times out of ten."

"Yeah, we're gonna need to work on you not having all of that be your personality." I admitted.

"I mean, being a cum doner is half your personality at home. Why can't swears and violence be mine?"

"Okay, first, I am not." I frowned. "My personality isn't horny, that would be Tina."

"I have three hundred plus siblings and the Den Mother mamas are all pregnant again, what else would you want me to call it? Baby batter blaster? Seament Mix Drop? Depositing love where it goes? Filling in the hole? Letting your swimmers take the plunge to win a prize? The Sack Attack? I can go on."

"Where are you getting such euphemisms?" I asked. "Also I'm sorry that those are…Breeders and I have to…"

"Most I'm making up on the spot." She shrugged.

I sighed. "Well…you are somehow doing good on those euphemisms and you shouldn't be…" I huffed.

"Trauma and Dark Humor go hand in hand with sass and snark and I am a god damn prodigy." She smirked.

"You aren't a sad sack person that believes they are a nobody, I want to help you be…more than just this." I said.


"Achoo!"

"You okay Ben?"

"Yeah…yeah I'm good…"


"Awh. That sounds like self improvement… can't we just get ice cream and throw rocks at park goers?" Power Up asked.

"We can get ice cream and work on self improvement and not being an asshole." I stated.

"Boo!"

"Well Halloween is just around the corner so you make a good pumpkin carving point." I said with a smile.

"Double boo! Worst dad joke ever."

"That's a good smelling argument you have there." I laughed, giving my child some headpats as they pouted cutely.

"I'd prefer to be an asshole like I usually am every Halloween. Stealing candy from other people and traumatizing children much younger than I."

"And sounds like you need to be taken out Trick or Treating instead of being a butt." I said readily.

"... did you seriously just say 'butt'?"

"Because sometimes when you say the lesser insult it just feels more visceral ya know?" I asked.

"... No I don't fucking know. That's fucking dumb and sounds fucking wrong." She said with a smirk.

Saw that coming…

"Than clearly you don't know the art of insults." I said simply.

"I mean, neither do you. All you do is go outside and kill zombies all day. No one to really banter and trade quips with. Anyone can make a better insult to respond to a 'Gruuu' or 'ahhhgh' or whatever the fuck noises those undead make."

"Then clearly, you don't own an air fryer." I said.

"...The fuck does that mean!?"

"You don't own an air fryer so you wouldn't understand." I said with a cheeky grin.

"... You're fucking with me. Well I see the incest kink isn't just moms. If mama Cream is anything to go by."

I heard Cheat chuckle a bit as I blushed.

"I mean, I guess you would have some serious mommy issues though, but really?"

"Nice argument there, but unfortunately," I put a hand on her shoulder. "I am your mother."

"...Did you just try to make both a Star Wars and a Meme reference?" She asked slowly.

"I could have just created a shitty picture of you as a soyjack but that would have taken too long." I admitted. "God I hate internet humor sometimes but it's…it just fits sometimes…"

"Right. Well while I was made from both sets you got equipped I don't recall suckling your tits when I was a baby. Or being sung to sleep… or being hugged when I got scared of the dark…" She sighed.

"And I regret not being able to do that every waking moment of my life." I stated. "I know you probably hate me and…many others still hate me…but I'm trying…"

"I don't hate you dad… or mom… I know she's in there too and this whole… thing," she motioned to all of me. "Means I can't see her, at least not for a while… I just… don't really know how to be around you. Either of you… there were so many of us and just mama Maud, Philomena, Cream and Sweetie Bot that… most of us got a lot less attention than others… and since both my birth parents were MIA… I felt like an outcast in my own family."

"...And that's how I feel everytime I walk around this house…" I sighed. "Ten years…ten years I missed and I hated every second I missed time with all of you…I didn't want to lose that time but I sadly had to…and now I'm practically shackling myself so that I can be with you." I said, motioning to the bracelets on my wrists.

"Oh so that's not just leftover from what I assume you and moms did last night?"

"No, it is not." I answered. "Power suppression bracelets…cause apparently me in my growing power I'm…losing it…"

"I mean, you were a bit of a paranoid mess. So, it suppresses all your powers?"

"Yeah, I think so- on of a bitch!" I yelped at Power Up bit me. Her teeth suddenly like a bunch of needles digging into my arm. She let go and I gripped my arm… I didn't feel heat or fire or… anything… just pain and my blood leaking out.

"Wow. Even your regeneration is suppressed…" She said. "Also your blood tastes like walnuts."

"Strange that my blood tastes like walnuts and…even stranger that a biological thing is suppressed…" I frowned.

I quickly drank a healing potion and that helped me. I then looked at the shackle. Wow… this thing is… pretty strong.

"So, how's it feel being, well, normal I guess?"

"Weird as hell, slightly boring…everything looks duller and…it's weird."

"Wow, way to shit on all the normies in the house."

"It's not that it's just…it feels strange…and then the 'boring' bit was because I wasn't sure what to do…"

"... I mean, you have thirteen breeders, four baby Mama's, a girlfriend and boyfriend apparently so you have options."

"My personality is not the world's greatest Turkey Baster, can you please not talk so casually about your mom and dad plowing the fields?"

"I mean, you have a lot and they're clearly fertile." She said, grinning as I groaned and covered my face. "The only ones in the house you haven't pumped into the world's stickiest water balloons are Lovely, Micheal and Gallon and that's because they are not into you and don't want to do anything like that with you, which they will forever have my respect for."

I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, less talking bout my sex life, and let's actually get back to me helping you reign in your temper…and also get ice cream."

"Ice cream is mandatory, my temper is optional." She chuckled.

"Your temper is not optional as it's really important to sort out before it gets worse."

"Awh, but I was planning on venting my anger and being a whore in five more years."

Say what?!

"Ex-fucking-cuse you!?"

"Why so surprised? Weren't you like fifteen when I was born?"

Uh…

"And barely sixteen when all my other siblings were born before you went to get the milk for ten years?"

"Ya know, like father like daughter…/like mother like daughter… really gotta find a name that works since you're my mom and dad at the moment…"

"You are not going to be a whore when you grow up and that's final." I frowned.

"Oh well you're no fun."

"And I'm going to try and help my kids be better than me, and not do the same mistakes…" I sighed. "And you being a whore is not something I want my daughter to become."

Power Up blew a raspberry at me. "So, we eating ice cream from the house or are we going out?"

"We can go out if ya want." I shrugged.

"Yay I'm being spoiled!" She said, rapidly bolting out the door.

I grumbled. "Oh dear…how am I going to handle this ball of energy?" I wondered.

"I don't know. She is the culmination of our youthful horny… we may have met our match." Cheat said

"...I'm scared what'll happen when she get's to talking with Tina…" I replied worriedly. "Tina is a master of horny and…oh boy…"

I quickly followed Power Up and we went to a nearby ice cream shop and once we had our sweets, sat down to eat.

"So, how long are you gonna let yourself be normal?" Power Up asked.

"Not sure…" I shrugged. "Just…a lot of things to do and for me to understand things…"

"Alright. So I guess in terms of work you'll be sticking to the office then?"

"Maybe, or when all of us get together I can take these thing's off and get back to doing what I do best." I admitted.

"Causing fire damage and raging at your own life choices?"

"Exactly." I said readily.

"Eh. Sounds boring."

"And what do you think is fun?" I asked.

"Tormenting the innocent and causing chaos." She grinned.

I lightly bonked her on the head. "No."

"Chaos can not be denied, it only festers~" She said with a cackle.

"And Chaos doesn't always entail tormenting random innocent people and being seen as nothing but an asshole." I frowned.

"But it's fun being an asshole! You should know you've fucked enough of them!" She said.

Several other customers in the store gave us a look. Some dropped their ice cream. The clerk was debating on whether to laugh or ask us to leave, and I was as red as my feathers.

"Don't mind her! She's a troublemaker that just lost her ice cream privileges for a week." I said to everyone carefully.

"Mine!" She said, taking her bowl of ice cream and dumping all of it into her mouth. She then swallowed it and coughed. "Shit how do you do that with Tina's loads?!"

The clerk lost it and several other customers were muttering to themselves now.

"Now it's two months of no ice cream and you being grounded with daily visits to Lovely and an Anger Management doctor." I said, as I also motioned a threat of taking off my surpresser's if she dared run or argue.

"What did I do?! Nothing I said was a lie!"


"Wow… that is… wow…" Sweetie said.

"Power Up has had a… streak…" Cream sighed.

"So I'm assuming you will never be returning to that ice cream shop again?" Yuri asked.

I was face down in a pillow feeling unbelievably mad and embarrassed because of Power Up.

"And that's why she's grounded for four months…" I grumbled.

"How does a ten year old even… know half of those words?" Gallon asked as he was putting small bows on Tulip's head.

"I don't know…and I hate it…" I groaned. "She has mine and Cheat's temper…I don't know where she learned to swear like a sailor…"

"Well, at least you spent some time with her… even if it did end in disaster." Cream said, patting my back. "And you didn't have to take off the shackles to bring her home."

True. I ended up grabbing and tossing her on my back and quickly bolted out the place. She didn't seem to make a fuss, thankfully.

"I'm pretty sure she just did that to fuck with me and after that she was done…" I grumbled.

"Maybe. Or maybe she just… doesn't filter her words?" Yuri offered. "I'm not gonna defend that mess, but I feel like acting out like that is her calling out for something."

"Attention is something she needs considering…" I sighed. "She also said that she actually enjoys tormenting people and causing Chaos…both of which I fucking doubt."

"... Back when I was a kid, living with my parents, I used to bully other kids." Gallon said. "Nothing I did was right or nothing I did really got my parents attention, so I looked for it elsewhere. Even if they looked at me with fear… it felt like someone knew I was there… glad one of them ended up befriending me and put an end to that. Point is, maybe she's hurting others to get noticed and feel known if she doesn't feel that way at home?"

"..." I sighed. "She feels like an outcast…"

"How come?" Yuri asked.

"Some people got more attention than others…some people actually got to be with their parents or even see them…both birth parents being MIA for ten fucking years…" I growled, grabbing the pillow and ripping it in half with my talons.

"It's not just your burden Button." Cream said. "We're at fault too."

"I'm the one that is both her parents…I should have helped…"

"At the very least… maybe I should have stayed…" Cheat sighed. "Helped the others… raised Power Up…"

"Hmm… Hey Button, you said Power Up is in a special class because her temper and powers make her stronger than the other kids right?" Gallon asked.

"Yes and yes…" I said. "What up?"

"I… have an idea, but I'll need to check something first." He said, getting up and quickly taking Tulip to their area of the apartment. Probably to have Micheal look after her. He rushed back for a second. "BRB, gonna confirm a hunch." He said before heading out the door.

"Well…hopefully his hunch isn't as bad as I think it is…"

"What are you thinking it is?" Maud asked.

"That she is truthful about her wanting to be an asshole to everyone, spread Chaos and then she somehow got this thought into her head about being a whore in five years…"

"... I mean, let's be honest she could do worse…" Yuri said.

"Not helping." Cream said.

"It's really not…" I grumbled.

Gallon returned after about half an hour and he had me follow, carrying Power Up with me as he led me to…

"Uh, Gallon?" I asked him.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" I asked, seeing the facility and the sign above. New Foundation Junior Boot Camp.

"Trust me, Power Up is gonna love this." He said, giving me a confidant smirk as he headed into the main office.

"Boot Camp? Isn't that the place they send failures parents don't wanna deal with?" Power Up asked.

"That's the stereotype, yes…but are you sure this is a good idea when Power Up needs actual parental care and attention?" I frowned.

"She can get that in spades from you and some work on her temper here." Gallon said as I followed him inside.

We signed Power Up for some basic weekend classes and she was brought into Orientation now.

We followed her with who was to be her instructor. He was… I think he was a dragon, but he was short and had feathers rather than scales but also had various dragon-like features.

Before he began he had me sign a waiver. Reluctantly, I did.

After that he got to working with Power Up… harshly… she'd sass, then do another round of exercise. Sass, exercise, rinse repeat.

I did notice though, that when she finished the exercises, the instructor addressed her directly with eye contact and rather loud, vocal authority. Even louder when she sassed.

When all that was done he had her begin a combat trial… she lost… every opponent, even against kids younger than her. She even lost when she lost her temper and let loose, showing just how much of Cheat Symbiote's powers she inherited.

She looked… so upset…

I was going to comfort her, but Gallon held me back. He motioned for me to wait and after a bit the other kids she fought walked up to her, they started talking and after a bit, she did start to smile a little. That little smile then turned to some laughter at whatever she and the other kids were talking about.

I sat down, surprised she looked so happy… I haven't seen her smile so… genuinely before.

I looked back to Gallon, who just had small smile himself as he watched the scene unfolding.

"And…of course she's smiling when someone else does a thing…" I thought to myself bitterly.

"It's not about who did it Button, it's about Power Up. So long as she gets better, isn't that worth more?" Cheat asked.

"It is, and I'm glad she's getting better…but again, it's the fact that someone else was the one to solve this, not me…as I'm just standing here not doing much while everyone else solver my problems…"

"News flash Button, that's part of being an inexperienced parent. Not everything is gonna be solved by you. Accepting help is alright as long as the kids are better for it, and you learn from it so, if there is a next time, you can try to solve it."

"...fine…"

"Button… are you so upset that you didn't get to solve the problem that you can't be happy that Power Up is happy?"

I looked over at Power Up, talking with those other kids and looking happy… then down to my shackles…

Am I… that far gone that I can't just be happy my own kid is happy?

How far into the predator mindset have I fallen into?

"I missed ten years of my family…I missed so much, my family were hurt because I wasn't here to help…so much is my fault because I thought I knew better…than when I'm trying to help…I can't, I can't help the people I care about the most…I am happy, I truly am…but its my inability to help that I'm I'm upset by."

"I guess that is fair, but that's Parenthood. Putting the kids first before anything, including your pride. I know you feel bad now, but in the end, as long as they're happy, none of that matters."

"I know…but…damn it…" I mentally sighed.

"Parenthood is all about sacrifices Button-"

"I sacrificed ten years! Ten years I abandoned them! Ten years they needed me when I wasn't there, ten years of me feeling like a stranger in my own house! To my lovers! To my own fucking children! What more do I have to sacrifice Cheat!?" I mentally ranted, feeling on the verge of tears here.

"The fact you can't make up those lost ten years… you can't undo just not being there, but you can be there for the rest of their lives. To help them find their place in this world, help them deal with when their relationships go south or end or, become something more. Be there when they need you now and learn who they are now. You've already done that for Lynn, Jada, though she still has bad habits she's happier now, and Cirro. Those three you helped fine and not always are you going to be able to help them specifically, but you're still there for them."

"...I just want to help…" I said weakly, feeling I have to do so much and then even more but….I can't…

"I know you want to help, Button, but sometimes you can't even if you want to. Asking for and accepting help isn't bad, it's brave. You have your family to help you."

"Damn it…." I thought sadly.

I looked back over at Gallon, who noticed my look and seemed concerned. "You alright?" He asked me.

"No…but I'll get over it." I said simply. "At least Power Up is happy…"

I felt Gallon pat me on the shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"...I don't know…" I sighed.

"Let's take Power Up home, then we are gonna get a drink." Gallon said.

I sighed, but nodded as we took Power Up home. She was still grounded, but didn't seem to mind as she was gonna be here each weekend for some hours.

Once she was home, Gallon seemed to wander around without aim until he walked us into a restaurant with a bar. Once we were seated and given Menus he looked over at me. "So, what's eating at you Button?" He asked.

"A lot." I said vaguely, as I'm not sure how to say this all here. "Just…a lot…"

"Well, start with one." He said calmly. "What's bothering you today?"

"Well, first is just being…normal, it feels really weird."

"You're already used to all the new powers and strengths and all that huh?" Gallon asked.

"Been used to it for a long time, but everything just feels and looks…duller…"

"Duller? Ah, Heh, I think I can relate. Being part wolf, my sense of smell and sight got sharper than when I was human. You're used to the heightened senses your powers gave you huh?"

"I was used to those senses way before I became…this." I admitted. "But…it all just feels…weird…"

"I guess it would feel weird suddenly having such heightened senses dulled. Still, if you're gonna be wearing that thing for a while, you'll get used to it." Gallon said. "Now, what's the next thing that's been bothering you today?"

"I'm…kinda bored? Like, before it felt like I had something to do or something but now it feels…like there's not much to do."

"Well, what did you do before the powers? Before coming to this reality?" Gallon asked.

Well I… I… What did I do…

"Uh…not sure…it's been so long that I don't really remember…well, I suppose that's what happens when you have so much shit to do…"

"What you need my friend, is a hobby, something to do other than your lovers." He said with a small chuckle as he looked at the menu. "Cream said you used to game, so, why not try and get back into it. Jada can definitely help you find something to play and it's a bonding experience for you and your kids."

"Yeah, I used to game and…honestly I'm a bit concerned I'll just get back into a lot of bad habits with that…"

"Maybe, but if you have your kids with you, then you aren't doing it to escape, you're doing it to bond with your kids." He said, making me look up at him…

"Well…maybe you have a point." I admitted.

"I get it scary, you have a lot of worries and now that you're gonna be… powerless, at least around the house, you feel helpless, but like you told me earlier, you're doing it so you can remember how to relate to your family. Change is scary but if nothing changes then nothing good can happen either."

"It's…not that…" I shook my head bitterly, looking at the menu and trying to decide on what to get.

"Well, then what are you afraid of?"

"It's nothing…" I said, trying to ignore this and decide what the hell I want to eat.

Gallon sighed. "I can't force you to talk about your issues, but I also can't help you if you don't, Button. In my experience, the bravest thing someone can do is to ask for help."

I struggled not to get upset, to be mad cause Gallon was just trying to help…they all are…"It's…hard to explain…"

Gallon gave me a quick look. "If you can, try. Even if it's a few words."

I tried to think of the best way to say this…"It's dumb…" I sighed. "But you made Power Up happy…"

"... I see. I'm sorry if I overstepped a boundary."

"No, you don't 'see' what I'm upset about…" I frowned, but shook my head. "Whatever…"

"Then what are you upset about?"

"Ten years…" I frowned. "Ten…fucking years…and while I've been trying for month's to be with all my children and help them…here you are, meeting one kid for the first time and immediately making Power Up happy…" I shook my head. "Never mind, this is dumb, it doesn't matter."

Gallon put their menu down, but gave me a gentle look. "Button, I only knew how to help or what to try for Power Up because I'd seen kids like her before. Back home, literal hundreds of kids who were 'adopted' from orphanages or off the street were taken and turned into Nokori. Lot just made trouble, some had strong magic that made them dangerous. In the end, they were just kids who felt like even after the world ended they had nowhere to belong. Some friends and I managed to help them, and they ended up some of the Guard's best. I know you want to help your kids and make them happy, but I spent pretty much all my time back in Leto after we were released helping people, be it with large scale problems or even small things. If you want advice I'll be happy to give it."

"Yeah…you immediately knew what to do while I didn't know what the hell to do after only seeing her once, I see her countless times after I abandoned my own fucking children for ten years and lo and behold, someone else just waltzes up and solves the issue right then and fucking there…"

"I knew what to try because I have experience, Button. If you want, since you seem to have an issue with it, I'll let you try it yourself, but my offer still stands. If you ever need advice or help, you're free to ask." Gallon said.

I sighed… I'm mad and I know I shouldn't be…

"It's not that…" I shook my head. "Again…I'm there father…but I abandoned them for ten years…I've spent months trying to help them all…sure one or two, go me…you just waltz on in and bam, Power Up is the happiest I've seen her ever…want to know how that makes me feel?"

"Like nothing you'll try and do for them will mean anything and the ten years you were gone were wasted?"

"Not only wasted, but that someone else that just met them, can just take one look at my kids and immediately solve all their problems while their actual father that wants to help them, be with them, and not be given looks or a feeling of me being a god damn stranger…as it all means nothing…"

Gallon sighed. "You can't pack ten years worth of time into some months. In the end, you can be there for them, try and help, but it's also up to your kids to try and bond with you as well. Power Up was unconsciously fighting you on that, as you're basically her dad and mom given… the whole Cheat body thing. She needed an outlet for her frustrations and that is all I did for her. Only you can give her the love she needs as she begins to open up to you."

"Well, she seemed more happy to do what you wanted than being with me, even if she was unconsciously fighting me and Cheat." I shook my head.

"That's because now she has a place that she can be herself, but it is only on the weekends and I have a sneaking suspicion she's gonna try out those workouts and combat things at home. That is where you come in."

"And what would I do when she's clearly happy not thinking about me or anyone else…"

"Challenge her."

"...Really?" I asked carefully.

"She's your and Cheat's daughter, you think she's gonna turn down a fight, let alone from you… you two? Eh. In any case, that's when your power restricting shackles come off and as long as you remember to hold back, you'll still win but also it bonds you two as she is like you, a fighter."

"Or it could easily put a wedge between us as Power Up wouldn't take too kindly to me punting her through a stone wall on accident." I openly admitted.

"Let's be real, if someone did that to you in a fight that's for fun, would you be mad, or excited?"

"Let's be real, we'd be happy for the challenge… the zombies have largely all gotten so boring…" Cheat huffed.

"I mean…maybe…" I thought bitterly.

We ordered our food when the waiter came by and Gallon gave me a smile. "Your kids, from what I've seen, all take after you in some way. A few outliers here and there but all in all, there's a bit of you in each of them. I know you'll be able to connect with them, it just takes time to figure out that connection. Sometimes things need to be done to make it. I heard about what happened with Jada and her… bully… Amazed you didn't kill him personally."

I mean… I kinda… did…

"I mean…sure…let's put it that way." I said carefully.

"In any case, all I'm really trying to say is that you are a good parent. Heck, I know Micheal is having a panic attack about Tulip, but I'm worried to. It's scary, even though Micheal's parents were good, they still kicked him out, meanwhile mine were monsters. Heck, I'm asking Cream and the others for advice on… anything and everything."

"Being a parent is…a pain but it's all worth it." I admitted.

"Something I'll be learning soon." Gallon chuckled. "So, do you feel any less upset?"

"Eh…kind of." I admitted.

"It will get better, just takes time."


"Nooo… One more round!" Power Up demanded.

"You are imbedded into the ground Power Up! Stop!" Jada and the crowd yelled from the viewing area.

"It was a lucky shot…" Power Up grumbled.

"Are you sure Power Up?' I inquired, stretching my legs as I'm about to punt the child out of the ground.

"One day I'll bury you alive my parental spawner." She said.

I actually chuckled. Parental Spawner. That works.

"Well, you're not wrong." I said, raising my arms up as I took a deep breath. "Ready to lose the next round?"

"... Fine. I yield… for now… can you pull me out now?"

"Okay, but first," I said, kneeling down. "I want you to apologize to that ice cream shop owner for saying all those things you said in his shop, they might have found it hilarious but still…then I'll get you a cone, alright?" I asked her.

"... Fine, but only because they have good ice cream."

"Good girl." I said, lightly patting her head, before grabbing her by her waste and pulling her out of the ground with ease and slinging her over my shoulder.

We quickly went down to the shop. She apologized and the owner didn't mind the show.

We walked back with ice cream in hand when I noticed all the decorations around for Christmas. Weird how similar it is to Hearths Warming, but it was closing in.

"So, you gonna head outside the walls for some quick monster slaughter before the holiday officially starts?" Power Up asked me.

"I might as well…actually having a lot of power again is great." I said honestly.

"Show off." She laughed.

It hasn't been all that long that I've been wearing the shackles when I'm at home… not gonna lie, makes some things harder but it also… helps me in other ways. Thanks to it I've gotten back into gaming when I'm at home and now I have my own place on the family Minecraft Server.

I might suck at house building but I'm great at exploring and fighting. Guess I can't escape the fact since coming to this reality I've changed, a lot… thinking about how I was back before on Equestria I… I wasn't really living. I just went through the motions and hoped I'd settle somewhere decent…

Either way, I'm happy here, even if I still have things to learn about being a father to my kids.

One thing I miss though is snow. Outside or inside this New Foundation fortress we call home, it's not snowing.

Too far to travel to snowy areas in the Planet Room so… a non-snowy christmas it is.

"Wish there was some snow…" I frowned.

"Maybe Gallon can learn some weather magic… or Micheal can make his weird storm magic make snow?" Power Up offered.

Hm, that is a thought, and honestly those two are probably gonna be the main magic users of our group since Tina and I are more Heavy Hitters.

"Yeah…that is a fair point." I admitted.

I dropped Power Up back at home and after I finished my cone I headed out. I flew across the sky for a while and looking at all the undead below. Yeesh… The fact most of them are in holiday hats and sweaters/shirts is funny and all but also kinda depressing…

As I was flying over the sky-

THUNK!

Ouch!

I winced as I hit… something… I then realized I was standing on nothing… I quickly felt around me and found I was inside an invisible square, maybe ten feet by ten feet even. What the hell?!

"Uh…what the fuck?" I asked quickly. "What Force Cage bullshit is this!?"

I tried to punch my way out. Kick. Fire just went through it… what the…

Thump.

I looked up and blinked. I was looking up at the full body cloaked form of an Equine Time Walker, but their cloak was a dull gray and their hood was covered over their face.

"Uh...hello?"

They laid down on the… invisible floor above me. Their cloak must have some weird enchantment to it cause all I see under it is darkness. "Hey Button."

Tiara?!

"T-Tiara!? What are you doing here, why did you shove me in this box…and what happened to you?"

"I am a rogue Time Walker so the cloak reflects that… among other things." She said with a shrug.

"Okay so that answers one of my three questions, now about the other two?" I asked bluntly.

"I wanted to see you, and I've been busy with stuff." She replied.

"...I miss you Tiara…" I said sadly. "I still care so much about you…" I said. "What have you been doing?"

"Nothing I can talk about. You either might want to help me, or stop me."

"I just want to bring you home and…just be together again." I said carefully.

"That can't happen."

"Wh-why not? I can help fight against the Time Walkers, and I can talk to O5-1 to at least turn down the charges."

"... You can't fight against the Time Walkers. Not even their weakest… as for O5-1… He is one of many on that council. While he is kindly, he is still a leader and my crimes would take a majority vote that he will not get. What I have done so far and will continue to do will only add to my crimes… and when it's over there's no forgiveness for me."

"I'll forgive you." I told her. "I don't care if you can see every time line, you can be forgiven even after…whatever bullshit you need to do."

"... No. There is no forgiveness… Just like when I die, there will be no memories of me."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." I stated. "I already told Dark Gray to go fuck himself, I'm going to give you the forgiveness you need and always remember you."

"You amused him, nothing you say or do can be perceived by him as a threat… and, I guess you wouldn't remember her… shame."

"I'll show him what is and isn't a threat." I huffed. "And…we're talking about the past Time Walker right? The one that gave me that Respawn Anchor?"

"The one who's name you can't remember, face… ass too, considering you did sleep with her."

I… wait… I did? Fuck… I… I know a Time Walker gave me the Respawn Anchor… but…

"I…I should remember plowing a sexy person…it…it was a lady right? I'm pretty sure it was…" I frowned, scratching my head as I tried to remember.

"I have been saying she, and it's before you started taking dick so, yes." Tiara said with a chuckle. "Shame, you were the last person she got to be physical with before passing."

"Huh…well, hopefully I did good for her." I said honestly. "Also…why am I in this cage?"

"Can't have you try and get too close to me, but I wanted to see you again, so, cage." She said.

"What? Can't handle my new physique or something?" I teased and gave a little flutter of my wings in some playful flirt to the pegasus.

"... I don't want you to know how much I've changed." She said. "I want you to remember how I was before."

"I'll remember you before, I'll remember you now, and what you look like shouldn't matter cause I want you." I huffed. "What? Are you only the cloak now or something?" I asked sarcastically.

"No… like you, I've changed."

I looked at her. "What did that bastard do to you?" I asked carefully.

"I chose this." She said, the air seemed to vibrate when she said 'chose'. "Like you, it was necessary… Not just for my goals… for my survival."

"...Tiara, you can't do this by yourself…"

"I will do what I must to ensure this ends."

"We can end this all together, please…I don't want…I can't lose you…"

She sighed. "I'm already lost Button… Which is why I can't go back… Hey Cheat… Sorry for the whole fusion thing… Consider this my Christmas present to you both." Tiara said, standing up and in a flash of gray and black, appeared a weapon that looked to be a single blade that, based on the design, seemed capable of splitting into two. She then fell through the invisible ceiling and landed in front of me.

"Uh…thanks?" I questioned as I grabbed the blade. "And no…you're not lost. Not yet."

"This blade isn't for you." She said, taking it back in a glow of blue magic, and impaling me with it. "It's to help you." She said. I heard a click and then, the sword began to divide from the grip up the blade. She then separated the two, I felt my whole body… shift then I was flung to the right.

"Agh… That sucked…" I paused, pushing myself up and seeing… another me across the cage on the other side, their voice admittedly softer and… higher pitched?

"Uh…what?" I questioned.

"Merry Christmas." Tiara said.

Suddenly, the cage was gone and gravity returned.

I managed to catch myself in the air but my copy was plummeting. I looked no, not seeing Tiara there and dived down to catch this copy.

I grabbed them and landed with them on top of a building. "Button?" The copy asked, looking me over.

"...Cheat?"

"Holy crap!" She cheered, then began looking herself over. "I, I have a body! Holy crap I have my own body!"

"Yes, you have your own body and you look exactly like me."

"Seriously?" She asked. "Woah… good news, my sister kink is now a Twin Sister kink… hold up." She said, checking between her legs. "Yes! I got both too!" She said, then pounced on me.

"Whoa there you horny ass bird!" I squawked

"Oh it's so good to hug you!" She said, hugging me tight. "Oh I have so many things to make up for since I didn't have my own body… oh this is awesome! Yes!" She said, then her wings flared out and shot off a huge blast of lava. "Woah! Did… I also get all your powers? Cool!"

"Yeah…that is…surprising…" I said, deciding to use Scan on Cheat to see what that sword really did.

Wow… my abilities, even base stats, Cheat has them all… This is… amazing!

"Yeah…you have everything from me…all abilities, all stats…seriously, what was that blade?"

"No idea, now bend over I'm gonna test this new tool out."

"Oh no you don't, I'm bending you over first ya horny ass bird, I want to test drive that new ass." I said, giving her new feathery butt a firm smack.

"Fine but it's your ass~"

… Well this is a whole new uh… uh… what is my life right now?

"...Yeah…I can see where this is going." I said, picking up my 'other half', slinging them over my shoulder and flying off to a good spot.

"Where are we going?" Cheat asked.

"Somewhere safe so that when we literally fuck a volcano into existance it doesn't accidentally burn the town…"

"Fair. So, Power Up gonna be a big sister out of the both of us?"

"And she's going to be more confused about this current mom/dad situation and she'll make fun of us both because you have an incest kink." I admitted.

"So do you." Cheat countered.

"That's not the point." I stated quickly.

"I knew you were into some kinky shit." She chuckled.


"... So, did you have to take the saying 'go fuck yourself' so litterally?" Cream asked me as… everyone laughed.

While they were all happy Cheat had her own body again, complete with all my powers and stats too, but they were surprised that not ten seconds after, we fucked. To be fair this is kinda similar to when she first got her body…

"... So I take it you two are gonna be on maternity leave for a while?" Micheal asked.

"Uh…most likely yes." I said carefully.

"So…mind if I take Cheat for a spin?" Tina asked.

"Oh my god Tina…" I groaned.

"I'm looking to take all of you for a spin." Cheat smirked. "Everyone Button has fucked, I'm fucking! Save the Breeders, they seem to know I'm not him… weirdly. Still." She chuckled.

"Well… this got interesting." Gallon chuckled. "And Tiara just did this using… a sword?"

"Yeah, it was a weird sword, looked like it should have split in two but…then she stabbed us and me and Cheat were split." I admitted.

"Weird. But, nice to officially meet you Cheat."

"Nice to personally meet you Gallon." Cheat said as she and Gallon shook.

"So… are you gonna dye your mane or something since you and Button are exactly alike?" Micheal asked.

"I'll grow mine out more." Cheat nodded.

"That's fair." I shrugged. "So, might as well ask, Cheat, are you going to be joining our group here?"

"Hell yes! After the pregnancy." She said. "I'm hoping for triplets, turns out magma makes… exciting lube~"

That got another couple laughs out of the others, and a slightly terrified look from Micheal.

"Oh I'm going to have fun with you~." Tina said seductively.

"Okay before more lewd things happen…we have things to do." I said.

"I am said things." Cheat stated readily.

"So basically two Tina's… sounds about right…" Micheal said.

"Yes…my hips will never be the same." I chuckled.

"Well, she said this was her Christmas Present for you two so… merry Christmas." Micheal said, giving a smirk.

"Guess the EggNog is gonna be non-alcoholic." Gallon chuckled.

"Yeah, sadly but eh." I shrugged.

"Well this will be fun regardless. Remember our first Christmas in Leto after the Event?" Gallon asked Micheal.

"Everyone spent it at the Lab, lots of baking, cooking, gifts, most all looted from here and there, and more booze than could be drunk by everyone." Micheal chuckled.

"Yeah that sounds fair." I shrugged.

"Well, there will be some booze but that's for the adults on Christmas Eve." Cream chuckled.

"Sounds like a plan. You gonna invite Barb and Ginger?" Gallon asked me.

Oh… huh… should I?

"I might as well." I admitted.

"Be nice to meet Ginger then." Sweetie said.

"He's nice, really knows how to make Button enjoy being part female." Cheat said.

"Ginger is really nice." I answered readily. "Fluffy and cute as well."

"He also knows his way around dicking down a lady." Cheat giggles.

"Does he make Button scream?" Gallon asked.

"Loud and for more~" Cheat smirked.

"And back to lewd we go…" I sighed.

"That's enough out of you." Micheal said, wrapping an arm around Gallon.

"Quick Gallon, have you made Micheal scream?" Cheat asked quickly.

"Scream, moan and beg." Gallon said with a smirk.

"And like that it's time to go." Micheal said, grabbing Gallon's tail and yanking it as he walked.

"Hey! Ouch! Easy, easy!" Gallon yelped as his husband dragged them back to their attached room.

"And as you can see with your own two eyes, we have fun here." I said readily.