"Were is dad?" Midnight asks, walking into the kitchen as Dox starts the oven fire. He closes the hatch before turning to face Midnight.
"Probably still at the lab finishing up an important experiment," Dox replies with a small smile. Midnight smiles back before nodding. She turns around, but before she can walk off, Dox yells at her. "At least grab the plates to set up the dinning table!" Midnight turns around and heads for the plate cupboard. She hops up the step stoll before jumping up onto the counter and grabbing four plates out of the cupboard. She places them down on the counter before jumping back down and grabbing the plates. She finally walks out of the kitchen as Dox looks up at the clock on the wall. "Were are you dad," Dox wispears. He can't explain it, but something feels wrong. He turns and grabs some cups before heading after Midnight.
The two set up the dinning room table. Right before they finish, a nock rings out from the door. Dox and Midnight look at eachother a little confused before heading to the door. Dox opens it with his magic before his eyes widean a bit. Standing at the door is Princess Twilight Sparkel.
"Princess!?" Dox asks in surprise.
"Princess!" Midnight yells in enthysasum. Dox goes to bow, but Twilight stops him.
"No need for that," Twilight says before turning to Midnight. "You've really grown sense that last time I've seen you,"
"You've seen me before?" Midnight asks with a wide smile on her face.
"It's been about five years," Dox replies. "She's almost as tall as I was as a kid," Dox says, smiling down at Midnight barley a head shorter then him.
"I'm ten!" Midnight proudly smiles. Twilight chuckles before sighing as her smile fades. Dox looks over at her with worry.
"Your not here just to say hello," Dox says. Twilight nods. "What's happened?"
"I have bad news and worse news," Twilight says, ignoring the question for the moment.
"Ok, what's the bad news?" Dox asks hesitantly.
"Your mother, Blood Moon, has died from a stab to the stomach," Twilight explains.
"What…" Dox wispears as his brain buffers. Midnight looks at the ground as she tries to understand. "What happened?" Dox asks, looking up at Twilight as tears from in his eyes. Midnight still not fully understanding looks up at Dox in worry.
"She was killed protecting me from, what we thought was just a powerful unicorn, but turned out it was an alicorn,"
"I don't knew wether to be angery or impressed that mom handled and alicorn at all," Dox thinks out loud. "Wait, an alicorn?!" Dox asks, looking up at Twilight.
"Your mother did fare much better then the other guards, and yes an alicorn. We have no idea were she came from, but all we know is she wants my magic,"
"If that's the bad knews," Dox thinks for a second before looking back at Twilight with worry and confusion plastered on his face. "What's the worse news?" Twilight sighs before turning around.
"It's easier to explain if I show you," Twilight says, walking away into the dark street with only the lamp posts lighting the road. Midnight quickly follows her with Dox shutting the door before running after them.
(Time Skip)
"No," Dox whispers as the group walks into a room with a one-way mirror. Sitting in the corner right next to the mirror is Acid Flask muzzled and straight-jacketed. His orange eyes burn with hate, and yet somehow they feel sad, lost almost. Even with all the fire in his eyes, the color was gone from them.
"He's attempted to break the mirror," a mare says to Twilight. The mare is dressed in a hospital outfit. She holds a clipboard close to her chest. "I think he knows," The mare says before looking back at Acid staring at the other wall like it killed Blood Moon.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Twilight responds sadly as she turns to look at Acid.
"Dad," Midnight says, placing a hoof against the glass near Acid. Acid's face seems to soften a bit like he can feel Midnight near him. "He just needs a hug," Midnight says, hugging the glass, trying to push her body through to him. "Please, all he needs is a good hug. He always said they helped him," She says, tears forming in her eyes as the weight of the situation crashed down onto her like a building being demolished.
"What happened?" Dox asks as Acid slides against the glass and right in front of Midnight still trying to get through.
"Interesting," The mare says, scribbling something down on the paper on the clipboard.
"After Blood Moon died, he tried to save her," Twilight explains as tears roll down Midnight's face and onto the glass. "But she was already gone. I saw the light slowly drain out of his eyes," Twilight explains as Acid shifts and closes his eyes before rubbing his head gently against the glass by Midnight. "He picked up her sword and, don't mind my words but, tried to send the mare to Tartares,"
"Intrusting," The mare says, watching as Acid tries to interact with Midnight on the other side.
"What's interesting?" Dox replies, a bit of anger slipping in. He is taken a back by his own anger.
"Acid seems to know you two are here," The mare says, turning to Dox. "He's been unresponsive sense he woke up. That is, until you two showed up," The mare explains. "Sciente's have been speculating that parents can feel when there kids are near, even when they are in danger," Dox and the mare turn to look at Acid now with tears rolling down his cheeks while still rubbing his cheek against the glass. "This just proves it more,"
"I've always had a wired emotional connection with dad," Dox replies, remembering all the times Acid's emotions spilled into him. "I think it might be because changelings are connected by emotions. So being the closest thing to a parent for me, me and him are connected," Dox explains. "To what extent I don't know,"
"Can you feel his emotions right now?" The mare asks turning to look at Dox as Acid slowly slides down the glass and onto the ground now in the fetal position.
"Dad," Midnight says, squatting down to keep as close as she can to him.
"It's mostly happened at random, but I can try," Dox says, closing his eyes. He shivers as a flood of emotions washes over him like a wave. Tears form and run down his cheeks as anger threatens to overwhelm him. He clenches his teeth as Twilight and the mare look worryingly at him.
"AAHHH!" Dox yells, gasping for air as his body shivers. His eyes snap open as tears freely run down his cheeks. "Anger, a lot of anger," Dox says, his voice cracking and stuttering. "But mostly sad," Dox says, looking down at Acid now crying in the fetal position on the ground.
Midnight stands up and looks between Acid and Dox with worry written across her face.
"You all right?" Twilight asks, placing a hoove gently onto his shoulder. Dox takes in a very stuttery breath in while straightening up a bit.
"I will be," Dox nods while sighing.
"I think you two should go and get some rest," Twilight says, ushering them to follow her.
"Why?" Dox asks, following Twilight back out into the hallway of the hospital. Midnight quickly follows them but quickly glances sadly back at Acid laying on the ground before heading out into the hallway.
"Well a few things," Twilight says as the group walk down the hallway. "With Moon dead and Acid psychologically unfit to parent," Twilight says before looking down at Dox. "You are temporarily Midnight's guardian,"
"But I'm technically," Dox doesn't get to finish before Twilight starts talking.
"I know you are only 17, but because of how our laws work and your date of birth you are 34 in the eyes of the law,"
"Making me next in line," Dox mumbles before turning to look down at Midnight walking along with them and looking around the hallway with a neutral expression.
"You are also the owner of the house, and any finances that may be needed for you to rase Midnight and keep the house in standard conditions, but only to do those things," Twilight emphisies to Dox, who looks back up at Twilight. "Moon does have a last will but it sends almost all the assets to Acid who is still currently alive, so you don't exactly get acces to them yet,"
"I understand," Dox replies with a small nod.
"Good," Twilight responds before taking in a deep breath. "One last thing," twilight says, looking down at Dox. "Moon's funeral will be in the after noon,"
"During the day?" Dox asks, already knowing the pain it's going to be to get back a normal sleep schedule.
"It's the only time I could get everyone collected," Twilight responds back.
"Looks like you are going to be missing a day of school tomorrow," Dox says, looking down at Midnight.
"Really?!" She asks, looking up at him with a big smile.
"You sure are," Dox reponds, her smile spreading to him.
(Time Skip)
Dox stands with Midnight to his rights in a very small crowd of ponies in the cemetery. He was a bit surprised at how many ponies who weren't guards showed up at Blood Moon's burial. Including her dad, Night, standing a few feet away and Twilight, Celestia, and Luna standing near the casket Moon is being held in.
"Attantion!" A very decorated mare night guard standing almost directly across from the Princess yells out. The six bat guards standing next to the casket straten at the command. The croud quits down as the mare shouts out, "Lift the solder!" The guards do as they are told and lift the casket up onto there shoulders before standing ready for another order. Luna and Celestia step to ether side of the back of the casket with Twilight behind them in the center.
"Forward march!" The mare yells out before the guards move forward. Tears running down some of the guard's faces, but one stallion had a flood of tears falling down his cheeks. The Princess's fallow behind them as a trumpet plays in the back ground.
Tears run down Night's face as he tries to stay composed. Midnight can't help but cry into Dox's chest. Dox wraps an arm around her neck trying to comfort her, but really he needed comfort himself. Tears run down his cheeks and onto Midnight's head as he watches the guards march to her already dug out grave. Midnight looks up at him in worry before turning back to watch again.
"Halt!" The mare yells, stopping the trumpet song and the guards at the same time. "Lower the solder for honering!" The mare yells. The guards slowly lower the casket down onto the ground before turning to it and saluting. Celestia first walks up to the casket with a pin shaped like her cutie mark with wings behind it.
With out a word, Celestia places the pin onto the casket before pushing it into the fabric with her hoof. Tears forming in her eyes. She quickly wips them away before turning around and side stepping so Luna could walk up to it. She also has a pin with her cutie mark and wings behind it. She gently places it onto the casket next to her sister pin as tears roll down her cheeks. She pushes it in with her hoof before turning around and side stepping to the other side.
Right then the stallion form earlier broke away crying and ran away. The guard next to him runs after him as two more quickly take there place. Twilight turns to the small group of ponies that had gathered for the funaral.
"Good afternoon my ponies," Twilight says, looking around at the group. "Today we honor the sacrifice and dedication that Blood Moon showed during her time as the Captain of the Nightguard. She was not always the Captain. She started out as a humble teacher who was way over qualified to be," Twilight smiles. "When the recruiter asked why she wanted to be a teacher instead of a guard's pony, Moon responded with a question. Would you rather have one super trained pony, or an army of well trained ponies. That won her over and she was signed on as a teacher for the Bat pony royl guards who would soon become the Night guards on Luna's return," Twilight explains. "She kept teaching even after becoming Luna's right hoof mare. She was also a wife to Acid Flask, a brave young stallion who has faced his own hardships. She was also a mother to an adoupted Changeling named Dox and a little bat pony named Midnight Flask," Twilight says looking over at the pair. The pair smile at eachother before Twilight turns away.
"For everything Blood Moon has done for us and others, I have created a new pin," Twilight levitates a pin of her cutie mark with her friends cutie marks replacing the five stars around the edge. "I call is the Frienship Pin. Like The Wings of The Sun or The Wings of The Night, it is given to a pony after they have served in the guard. But unlike there's wich is just dedication to the throne, mine honors her loyalty, kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, and the spark that brought her closer with her friends. This pin is given to those who show the elements of harmony in what they do in and out of guard duity. I am honered to give her the first ever Wings of Frienship," Twilight says, tears forming in her eyes as a smile forms on her face.
She turns around and gently places the pin by the other two before pressing it in with her hoof. She takes a step back as Luna and Celestia turn around to look at the casket.
"Lay the solder to rest!" The mare commands. Luna, Celestia, and Twilight all salute as the guards lift the casket up and lower it slowly down into the grave. "May you rest in peace solder, as your job is done," The mare says, her voice cracking a bit. "You were a real good solder, real good, maybe even the best," She says as the casket hits the bottom.
The princesses stop saluting before turning around as the guards line up behind Celestia and Luna respectively. Twilight starts walking with Celestia and Luna behind her. The guards fallow behind them as they walk back to where they started. The croud relaxes as a few guards start to bury Blood Moon.
Dox watches as the dirt slowly fills up the hole as ponies start to leave. Midnight snuggles up to his chest as he wraps his arm around her neck.
"Mom is really gone?" Midnight asks more then says.
"Yes," Dox replies, tears still in his eyes.
"You must be Dox," a gruff voice says. Dox turns to see a dark gray bat pony with spiky red hair and blood-red eyes starring down at him with a kind smile. Scratches litter his body, but the most noticeable is the scratch across his eye.
"Your Mom's dad," Dox says, looking up at him. "We met at the wedding right?"
"Yep," Night says with a smile. Midnight pocks her head around Dox and cranes her neck to look up at him.
"Wow!" She says in shock. "You're tall!" Dox and Night chukel at her response.
"You must be the little one?" Night asks, looking at Dox.
"Midnight, meet our Grandfather Sparkling Night of the Moon," Dox says, gustering to Night.
"Impressive you remember my full name," Night smiles down at Dox. Dox shugs with a cheeky smile. "You can call me Night," Night says, nodding down and Midnight. He smiles the moment his eyes lock with little Midnight. "You look a lot like your mother," Night says with a smile and a half laugh half sad tone.
"Thanks mister ahuu…" Midnight says, stalling out on his name.
"Night,"
"Night!" Midnight finishes with a smile up at him. Night chuckles as he looks around.
"Were is your dad Acid at?" Night asks, squting around in the bright light. Midnight and Dox's smiles instantly fade at the mention of there dad. "I would think he of all ponies would be here to honor his wife's death," Night says before looking back down at Dox. His face turns to worry seeing Dox and Midnight looking at the ground.
"He's in the mental hosbital," Dox says, looking up at him with sadness clearly behind his eyes.
"What happened?" Nigh asks.
"Dad watched the mare kill Mom. Apparently he tried to save her but it was to late, so he picked up her sword and went psycho on the mare. He nearly had her too before she ran away. Twilight put him under a sleep spell before transporting him to the hospital and getting us," Dox explains, his voice chocking up at almost every word.
"He looks so angry," Midnight chims in with a sad tone.
"He's mostly sad," Dox adds.
"I'm so sorry," Night responds with clear worry in his voice.
"Don't say that!" Midnight yells with anger.
"What my sister is saying is don't say sorry for something you had no part in," Dox explains.
"Acid teach you that?" Night asks. Dox knods. Night smiles. "He was too wise for his own good," Night says as Twilight walks over to the group.
"How are you two doing?" Twilight asks, looking down at the pair.
"A bit better," Dox replies.
"Hello Night," Twilight smiles at Night.
"Princess," Night says, bowing a bit before straightening.
Twilight chuckles at his actions before saying, "No need to do that, you haven't been in the royal guard for over ten years now,"
"Habit," Night responds.
"Is everyone doing alright?" Twilight asks, looking between the three.
"I think we'll manage," Dox replies.
"I just want Dad back," Midnight says, leaning against Dox's side as tears start to roll down her cheeks. Dox wraps an arm around her back before pulling her closer.
"I still can not believe what happened," Luna says, walking over to the group.
"Mistress," Night says, fully bowing before standing up again.
"Oh," Luna says, blushing a bit. "No need to be so formal Night of The Moon,"
"I told him the same thing," Twilight responds. Night chuckles at the two as Luna turns to look at Twilight.
"Has there been any word of Acid's recovery?"
"Not yet," Twilight responds. "There's a little hope but the mare told me not to get too exited," Dox sighs as he looks down at the ground. Twilight looks down at the little bug before moving around Luna and wrapping placing a hoof on Dox's shoulder. Dox looks up at Twilight before she says, "He'll be ok. He's the strongest stallion I've ever met,"
"If I would bet on anyone mentally getting better, I would bet on him," Luna says, looking down at Dox with a small smile. "Just try and stay hopeful,"
"I'll try," Dox sighs.