(FR) Parent's Night Out - Part 4

prose: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/307551/parents-night-out
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>The cold air tears at your lungs as you sprint through the dark night towards the gently lit castle in the distance.
>Anger guides your steps and clouds your thoughts.
>How could your parents do this?
>They should love each other.
>Cadance has to have an answer to all of this madness.
>It felt like she was the only one that cared.
>Like she was the only one who listened.
>Your father's call for you has slowly faded into the rhythmic pattern of your footsteps.
>This part of your neighborhood is foreign to you, but if you just run toward the castle, you should get there.
>Right?
>You turn down another street once you hit a dead end.
>Slowly the houses begin to become more run down and the lawns more unkempt.
>Focusing on your breath, you push past the burning in your legs.
>Once you get into the main city, it should be a straight shot into the castle.
>You remember the way there from when your class whet there on a school trip to meet Princess Celestia.
>Hopping over a fence, you run through a back yard to find a street that doesn't cut you off your path.
>Once you get back to the street, you see the path into the city.
>You stop to catch your breath and place your hands on your knees.
>Is this really the best thing to do?
>Your parents will probably get really worried.
>Maybe that will teach them a lesson though.
>This might be what they need to learn to love each other again.
>Cadance would be proud.
>She would be so happy that you were trying to get your parents back together again.
>Plus, you probably would only need to stay with her a night or two.
>Then you could go back and everything would be back to normal.
>You hear the flapping of wings overhead.
>Crud!
>That might be the night guard.
>If you get found, they will take you back home.
>Quickly you jump into a nearby bush.
>The flapping slowly moves closer to you.
>You try to hold your breath.
>Something lands behind the bush.
>Stay perfectly still.
>Maybe the guard didn't see you.
>Silence fills the frigid air.
>A quick gallop and the flapping of wings signal the departure of the other pony.
>You let out a deep breath.
>That was too close.
>You have to get to Cadance before somepony else can find you.
>Nodding to yourself, you follow the path into the city.
>This will make everything better.
>Lost in thought, you hear the sound of hoofsteps behind you.
>You stop.
>Silence surrounds you.
>Must just be the wind or something.
>You continue down the dark path towards the castle.
>The quiet night is pierced by hoofsteps again.
>You turn around, only to be greeted by the night.
"Hello?"
>Maybe you should have brought a candle or something.
>Other than the castle, you can hardly see anything without the light from the houses.
>Continuing down the path, you keep your ears at attention.
>There it is again.
>Looking behind you, you see a tall stallion shrouded in darkness.
"Leave me alone Dad."
>The figure remains silent, but continues to follow you.
>Quickening your pace, you try to elude your unwelcome guest.
>He easily matches your speed.
"Leave me alone!"
>You break into an all out sprint as you see the city lights slowly approach in the distance.
>If you get into the city, someone could help you.
>The gallops behind you begin to come nearer and nearer.
>Buildings rush past you.
>Ducking and weaving in and out of alleyways, you see sanctuary become closer and closer.
>The stallion is hot on your tail as you try to lose him.
>Juking into an alley, you run into a dead end.
>You try to climb up the tall brick wall, but you can't find any hand holds.
>Putting your back against the wall, you watch as your stalker slowly approaches you.
>"Isn't it a little late for someone so young to be out this late at night?"
>Your heartbeat speeds to dangerous levels as you feel sweat run down your face.
>"It would a shame if something terrible happened, if you got found by the wrong pony."
"Cadance! Help!"
>You scream into the darkness.
>The stallion laughs.
>"You think the young Princess will save you? You must be delusional kid."
>Light illuminates from his horn and a red aura lifts you into the air.
>Turning your head, you refuse to look at your attacker.
>"Now be a good boy... and be quiet."
>You feel your pants being unbuttoned by his hoof and they fall to the ground, exposing you.
"No... don't."
>He pushes you into back into the wall, making your head collide with the hard brick.
>Stars fill your vision, and you feel the impact site get warm.
>A hoof slowly moves up your leg slowly.
>The stallion licks his lips.
>A pink aura fills the alleyway.
>"Let him go. Now."
>He looks over his shoulder.
>Cadance gracefully floats in the alleyway.
>She came for you.
>He lets go and you fall to the cold ground.
"Cadance!"
>The stallion is covered in a pink aura and lifted into the air.
>You scramble to put your pants back on.
>Looking up at the stallion that touched you, you see his eyes widening with horror.
"Cadance... what are you doing?"
>"Nothing Anon, just teaching him a lesson."
>Tears run down his face.
>"No more... please. I can't watch anymore."
>The light from Cadance's horn intensifies.
>"This is what you get for hurting my Anon."
"Cadance? Stop... I think you are hurting him."
>"He hurt you Anon. This is only fair."
>You reach back to touch where you hit your head.
>It hurts and when you pull your fingers away, blood is on them.
>She looks down and sees your fingers.
>Her eyes shine white.
>"PLEASE! STOP! I'LL BE GOOD, I PROMISE! TAKE IT AWAY!"
"Cadance. Stop. I think he learned his lesson."
>You tug on her hoof.
>She doesn't respond.
"Cadance!"
>Her eyes return to their normal state and she lowers the stallion down.
>He curls into a ball and begins to shake and sob.
>"Don't let me catch you again."
>Is this the power of a princess?
>It's terrifying.
>She covers you in her wing and offers a comforting smile.
>"How much does it hurt? Did he hurt you anywhere else?"
"I'm okay... but is he going to be okay?"
>You point at the stallion crying in the alley.
>She looks at him with disgust.
>"He'll be fine. Don't worry about him."
>Looking up at Cadance, you see a side of her that you haven't seen before.
>It made you feel like you should run away.
"Uhm. How did you find me?"
>"I had been watching over you since you left your house. I wanted to make sure you would be safe tonight, so I stayed close to your house and followed you from the air."
"Then... when I hid in the bush."
>She nods to you.
>"I thought you might have been hurt, so I came down to check. I lost you when you got into the city. If you didn't scream... I might never have found you. I'm sorry I couldn't get her sooner Nonny."
"I-it's okay."
>"Here. Climb on my back, I'll get us to the castle."
>Carefully, you lift yourself onto the alicorn's back and wrap your arms around her neck.
>She breaks into a gallop and takes off into the air.
>The cold air flies past your face as the ground slowly becomes farther and farther away.
>The buildings begin to slowly shrink as you come closer to the large full moon.
"Wow... this is so cool."
>Cadance smiles, coming closer to the castle.
>Holding yourself close to her keeps you warm against the freezing wind.
>She increases her speed and lowers her altitude over a pond outside the castle.
>The calm water speeds past you and reflects the image of you and Cadance.
>Reaching out your hand, you dip your fingers into the water, creating a wake that ripples through the pond.
>A smile crawls across your face.
>With a flap of her wings, she begins to ascend higher into the sky and towards one of the high towers of Canterlot Castle.
>As she nears a balcony, she slows down and softly lands.
>"Here we are Anon. Head inside, it's cold."
>Not needing to be told twice, you head inside.
>Cadance stops to look over the balcony at the quiet city of Canterlot.
>Heading inside of the warm room, you guess that it must belong to Cadance.
>It would be impossible to forget that she was a princess in here.
>Marble floors, golden trim, and one of the largest beds that you have ever seen in your life.
>The cold air has left you worn and tired.
>Without thought, you move to the bed and curl up over the covers.
>It's so soft and comfortable.
>The mattress magically adjusts itself to the shape of your body.
>Your eyelids droop and your body struggles to fight the strong wave of tiredness.
>The impact of all your running hits you and sleep overtakes you.

>Canterlot is quiet and calm this evening.
>Perfect.
>Less of a chance for witnesses.
>If Celestia found out you used that spell... there would be much more work to do than just a simple censor of the news.
>For now, you just needed to make sure nopony knew where Anon was.
>You have him, which means you are half way there.
>All you have to do is keep him.
>Turning inside your room, you find Anon quietly sleeping on your bed.
>The sight warms your heart.
>He deserves to sleep peacefully after everything that he was put through tonight.
>It was all your fault too.
>This wouldn't have happened if you didn't lose him in the city.
>You are the reason why he was almost raped.
>Then again, you were the one that saved him too.
>You are kinda like his guardian angel.
>Using magic, you tuck him in under the covers.
>You pull your curtains closed and slowly tuck yourself in bed next to your love.
>Wrapping your hooves around him, you hold him closely.
>Smiling to yourself, you mutter the words that you've been dying to say to Anon.
>"You're mine now."

>Shit.
>You lost him.
"ANON!"
>The least you could do was try and take care of Anon, but you lost him in the neighborhood.
>You are a terrible father.
"GUARDS! HELP! MY SON IS MISSING!"
>A pegasus clad in armor soars down from the sky.
>"Sir, I heard the commotion. What happened?"
"My son. He ran away from home. He's a human. A little under four feet tall and he is wearing a t-shirt and jeans."
>You stumble over your words in a panic as you describe Anon to the guard pony.
>"Okay, are there any other ponies that might know where he is?"
"Uh. I'm not sure... maybe my wife. We had Princess Cadance babysit tonight... maybe her? I really don't know."
>"Where is your wife sir?"
"I'm not sure. Things have been rocky for us lately."
>Looking at the ground, you realize how terrible this all looks.
>"I see. I think I got everything I need. Go home sir, I'll call in a search. He couldn't have gotten far on foot. I'll come to your home when I have more news."
"Thank you sir."
>"Don't worry, we always find run-aways."
>You head home with your head hung low.
>This was a great mess you were in now, Cypress.
>All because you couldn't keep your eyes off the fillies.
>After this, you doubt that any judge would let you keep Anon.
>You head into your home and sit on the couch.
>What were you going to do?
>What COULD you do?
>Things were beyond repair with Willow.
>What was surprising though was that Anon got so upset so quickly.
>You and Willow had been trying to do your best to hide all of your fights from Anon.
>A knock at the door breaks your train of thought.
"It's open," you say without looking.
>The door opens and closes.
>"I won't be here long. I'm taking Anon and going to my mother's."
>It's Willow.
"You might want to sit down."
>"Why? I don't want to even look at you."
"He ran away Willow."
>She freezes.
>"And you just let him go?"
"I chased him, but I lost him in the neighborhood."
>"Why aren't you still looking for him?!?"
>Her tone becomes murderous and you can hear her hyperventilating.
"The night guards began a search for him. They said they would come back here when they have an update."
>She sits down in a separate chair and buries her face in her hooves.
>"Did they give any time?"
"I'm afraid not."
>Silence fills the room, adding tension to an already delicate situation.
>Willow begins to quietly sob.
>You look up at her, at a loss of what to say.
>What was there for you to say?
>You messed everything up.
>"What happened to us Cypress? How did this all happen?"
>The words are stuck in your throat.
>You've already broken your second chance.
>All because you thought you could get away with one last fling.
>"Was it because I can't have foals for you? Was it because I was too ugly or too old?"
>You don't have an answer for her questions.
>Even if you did, you couldn't tell her.
>She's a smart and beautiful mare and deserves better.
"No."
>"Then what? What did I do wrong?"
>Her voice breaks and she loses her composure.
>Getting off the couch, you move towards your wife and put a hoof around her.
>There is only one more thing you can try.
"Willow."
>She looks up at you.
"I want to go to couple's therapy. I never should have done what I did."
>She nods to you.
>"After Anon gets back, we will plan on it."
>You remember your wedding day.
>The way her face lit up when you said your vows.
>Her perfect smile.
>Maybe there still is a chance to fix this.
>If not for the two of you, for Anon.

>A knock on your bedroom door jolts you awake.
>Anon still rests peacefully beside you.
>You pull the covers over him quickly.
"Who is it?"
>"Royal guard. I have a few questions to ask you Princess Cadance."
>Oh no.
>They couldn't have found out.
>Not yet.
>The room is nearly pitch black though and Anon is under the covers.
>You should be fine.
>For now.
>You open your door and step outside.
>He politely bows to you.
"How can I help you?"
>"I'm afraid that the human that you babysit, Anon, has gone missing. I just wanted to ask you a few questions to see if it could help us in our search."
"Of course. Ask me anything."
>You watch your breathing and keep eye contact.
>Communication training was standard for an alicorn princess.
>Sometimes you just had to know how to tell a good white lie.
>"When was the last time you saw Anon?"
"Well, this evening. I tucked Anon into bed, then his parents stormed in. They were yelling at each other... and well, I made the argument worse. Afterward I left and came back here."
>He scribbles some things down on a pad of paper.
>"Alright. Do you know of any places that Anon would hide if he were upset or angry?"
>You think to yourself.
"Not really. He didn't really hide much. He was always very well behaved when I was over there."
>"Alright."
>He takes some more notes before returning his attention to you.
>"Last question. Do you know of anypony who would want to hurt Anon? Or anypony that he would go to if he needed help?"
"Not really. He said he didn't have any friends at school, but he never mentioned bullies. Why? Do you think he is hurt?"
>The stallion sighs and stores the paper in his bag.
>"To be honest, we don't have anything to go off of Princess. No trail, nothing. Normally we can at least follow hoofsteps or ask some of his friends, but he has literally disappeared. We aren't sure what to tell his parents."
>Perfect.
>All according to plan.
>Hide your emotions Cadance.
"That's horrible. Could you please keep me informed of the search as well? I'll see what I can do to help find Anon."
>"Thank you for the offer Princess, but your studies come first. We've been able to find plenty of children before and we will find this one too. It's just a matter of time. We will keep you informed of our progress though."
"Thank you sir."
>"Sorry for disturbing your slumber. Have a pleasant evening."
"You too."
>The guard descends the stairs and leaves you alone to your thoughts.
>It's only going to be a matter of time until they start to put the pieces together.
>Tomorrow you will have to begin to ensure Anon doesn't want to go back outside.
>Ensure he will be yours forever.