The Additional Alicorn Affair
Stock Attention and At Still stood in the waiting room before the throne room in Canterlot Castle. Outside the moon was beginning to rise. Stock liked the moonlight and would have liked to relax, but At was nervous. He watched Twilight and Pinkie Pie pace up and down while Spike sat panting on the long sofa that dominated the room.
"So Twilight, why did we run all the way to Canterlot?" Spike gasped.
"Because the train doesn't run on Tuesdays."
"Why couldn’t we fly?"
"I can't carry you and Pinkie Pie. Plus I think I left the seat belt under the Canterlot censuses pile."
"Oh, yeah, that pile. We should really organize that pile." Twilight winced and nodded agreement. "Why do we need to see Princess Celestia so urgently anyway?" Spike asked.
"We can't tell you!" interjected Pinkie Pie. "Who knows how you might react. You're an unknown quantifier."
"An unknown what?" asked Spike.
"The point is," said Twilight, "You might be involved but I'm not certain if I should tell you or not. I want to ask Princess Celestia first. Or Princess Luna."
"But it has to do with this book you marked a page in?" Spike pointed to a slim volume with a lavender flower sticking out.
"Yes." said Pinkie Pie.
Twilight shifted uncomfortably. "I think that lavender tea is catching up with me. Pinkie, can you wait with the book while I …?"
"Of course, Twilight!" Pinkie puffed out her chest and placed her hoof on the book.
At Still watched Twilight shuffle across the room and out the door towards the restroom. The moment Twilight left Pinkie Pie made a very concentrated face and walked slowly up to At Still.
"Hello!"
At Still remained still. Stock Attention looked away from the window and watched Pinkie Pie.
"I, er.., I actually need to go to!" Stock Attention snorted. Pinkie Pie made a big, goofy smile. "Can you make certain that dragon does not look inside this book?" She nudged the book toward At Still.
At Still nodded. Pinkie Pie jumped, "Thank you, be back in a jiffy!" She started to jump out of the room, then thought better of it and shuffled out the way Twilight had shuffled not one minute ago.
Spike, the dragon, got up from the bench and walked over to At Still.
"Hey, I'm Spike."
At Still remained still.
"I know their trying to keep this from me, but do you mind if I just, y'know, glance at it? I promise not to cause any trouble."
At Still remained still.
"Hellooo?" Spike waved his hand in front of At Still's face.
"Go ahead," said Stock Attention.
"Oh!" jumped Spike. "Why isn't he moving?"
"He's just nervous. We don't normally get visitors this late at night."
"Oh, of course. So you don't mind?"
"It's just a book. Go ahead." Stock Attention looked back out the window. Spike didn't notice, but At Still nodded.
Spike smiled a gleefully flipped open the book to the page marked by the lavender flower. At Still looked over his shoulder at the page. The top was smudged with lavender and probably smelled very nice. In the center of the page was a name, a date and two images. One was a very crude drawing, the other a detailed watercolor of an egg. At the bottom, in bold text, was written, “On the second Tuesday of the thirtieth year since his last visit, George Gerand shall return to claim his kin,” followed by a list of dates.
"Oh! Oooh." said Spike. "I don't get it."
Earlier that day, In Ponyville
"What do you think a Lav is?" mused Pinkie Pie. "Why do you it's so important to put ends on it?"
"Put ends on what?" Asked Twilight.
"The Lav, obviously. Ooh, or maybe it's a game that only ends when someone tosses a bouquet of flowers! Or jam! I love jam!"
"I don't think that's what Lavender is referring to, Pinkie. Jam or otherwise." Twilight lifted her lavender sandwich. Pinkie Pie took a bite of her lavender salad. Lavender season had just begun; everypony was enjoying some kind of lavender dish.
"Maybe we could make it a game," suggested Pinkie. "Pinkie's Purple Picker Race - the pony who picks the most flowers wins. But every pony is blindfolded!" Pinkie squealed in delight at the thought.
Twilight sighed. "I don't know Pinkie, sounds dangerous to me. Not to mention how hard it would be on the lavender fields."
"I don't think it would be that dangerous," said Pinkie, chewing on a mouthful of lavender. There was silence for a moment as both ponies enjoyed their meal.
Twilight swallowed. "If lots of ponies are running around with blindfolds somepony could get hurt. Think about how it would feel to run into someone you couldn't see.”
"Awww, phooie." Pinkie pouted. "You always dislike my game ideas."
Twilight put her sandwich down. "You know what? You're right Pinkie, I do tend to dislike your game ideas. But most of your ideas sound dangerous to me."
"Then why don't you help me come up with a better one?" Pinkie stopped eating her salad to look Twilight in the eye. Twilight was surprised to find Pinkie so serious.
"I - well," Twilight paused. She took a bite of her sandwich.
"Well, Twilight?" Pinkie leaned forward to stick her eye in Twilight’s face.
Twilight gently pushed Pinkie pie away while she chewed and swallowed. "What if ponies tried to balance lavender jam on their heads instead?"
Pinkie pie smiled. "That's a great idea! And they could do it while swimming in the pond - most laps is the winner!" Pinkie took another bite of salad, suddenly very happy.
Twilight sighed. She looked down at her plate to find she had already finished her sandwich.
"Let's buy some Lavender jam and try it,” Pinkie spoke around her last bite of salad. “If it's fun, we could include it in Roseluck's birthday party - she loves swimming in the pond!"
"I'm sorry Pinkie, but I have some research work to do first." Twilight tossed some coins on the table. Pinkie slid a few more under Twilight’s coins as both ponies turned to leave.
"Aww.” Pinkie groaned, “Whaddya need to research so bad?"
"More genealogy stuff. Fibius Tail published a book recently where he left-eared ponies tend to have left-eared children."
"Did you say left eared?" Pinkie Pie cocked her head, bringing her right ear up to Twilight's mouth.
"Err, yes." Twilight stepped back. She took a breath. "Everypony favors one ear over another. For example, you just demonstrated that you are a right-eared pony."
"How?" asked Pinkie.
"When you wanted to hear me better, you used your right ear."
"Ahaha, that's silly. What does my choice of ear have to do with my parents?"
"I don't know," said Twilight. "That's what makes it so exciting! Why would your ear preference depend on your parents?” Twilight threw her forelegs up in the air. “I don't know!" Twilight smiled at Pinkie.
"Well count me in!" cried Pinkie Pie. "I'll help you start on your research today, and then we can take a break to try the jam game!"
"I think I'd like that. Spike might want to join us too."
"Where is Spike?" asked Pinkie. "He's not all alone back at the library is he?"
"Oh no," said Twilight. "He and Owlowiscious went to go play frisbee golf this morning. They should be returning a little bit after us."
Twilight's Library
Ghastly Gorge is frightfully deep. If a pony were to fall in, the only escape would be to walk all the way to one of the ends of the gorge. At least, Pinkie hadn't ever heard of any pony trying to climb out. She had walked through the gorge once - on a dare, when the evening made shadows grow long. In the gorge it may as well have been night. She couldn't see anything and she had to twist her neck painfully to see the sunset high above, separated from her by an impassable wall of smooth stone. The experience was not unlike walking into Twilight's library.
"Over here, Pinkie." Twilight led Pinkie around in a spiral, then spiraled the other way, before turning right past a shorter stack of books to stumble upon her desk. "This is where we will start."
"What are we actually doing?" asked Pinkie.
"It's very simple. We have this handy chart," Twilight pulled out a massive scroll and unrolled the top. "We note the name of each pony, who their children were, and which ear they preferred."
"How do we know which ear they preferred?" asked Pinkie.
"Easy, we-" Twilight stopped. "Well." She frowned and looked at her chart. She picked up a book from a nearby stack and flipped through it. Each page showed names, photos, dates, marriages, births, sometimes even addresses. Each photo smiled up at Twilight. She frowned at the book. "I don't actually know." Twilight rubbed her chin with her hoof.
"Where did you get all these books?" asked Pinkie, look around at the canyons they had just walked through.
"Some of them are from Ponyville.” Twilight motioned to a small pile next to her desk. “Mayor Mare was nice enough to lend a few genealogical books she had in the town hall. Princess Celestia was also kind enough to send most of the other books."
"Mhm." said Pinkie, looking around. She couldn’t see over the top of the meandering wall that had turned the library into a maze. Even Twilight’s bedroom overhead was blocked from view by a massive heap of books and scrolls messily piled up.
“What’s that pile?” asked Pinkie, pointing to the large heap.
“Census data from Canterlot. They keep very good records there. Princess Celestia sent me copies of every census since the new form was adopted two hundred years ago.” Twilight looked up at the heap and grimaced. “Spike and I haven’t started sorting through it yet.”
“Okey dokey lokey! What should I do?”
“Well, I would give you your own chart, but the other charts are behind that pile.” Twilight gestured to the census data. “So I guess we will just share this one. I thought we might start with these records,” Twilight levitated over a pile of slim, glossy books. “These are popular genealogies of famous Canterlot ponies. I’m hoping they might have enough information to identify their preferred ear.”
“Ooh, certainly. I wonder if they have Jasmine Harney’s family!” Pinkie Pie grabbed a book from the stack. “Did you hear she is launching a new lavender tea this year?”
“You sure do follow your tea news, Pinkie.” Twilight laughed. She picked out a book for herself.
Pinkie opened her book. It was not a list of tea celebrities. “A Concise Genealogy of the Bluebloods,” read the first page. Pinkie drummed her front hooves on the desk.
“What’s in your book?” asked Pinkie, leaning over to look at Twilight’s book.
“Alicorns, apparently.” Twilight looked at a surprisingly long table of contents listing alicorns, both alive and dead.
“Ooh, I didn’t know there were that many alicorns.”
“Me neither.” Twilight flipped to the first entry. “Vanerious Fetlock,” it said. A sneering beige pony looked up out of the page. She was standing in front of a hedge of rose bushes, her wings spread slightly. “Renowned Gardener,” said the caption. “No children.”
“What do you think the masculine form of alicorn is?” asked Pinkie Pie, moving her head so she could see Twilight’s book.
“What do you mean, masculine form?” asked Twilight, scooting further away.
“Allicorner? The sounds too much like a game,” Pinkie snorted, “or Alicornolf. -Olf always sounded kind of masculine to me. Olf, olf, olf, olf. Like those Germane detective novels.”
“There is no masculine for alicorn,” Twilight huffed, “it’s a genderless word!”
“Really?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Because you and Cadence and Luna and Celestia are all female, so I just kinda figured. What about Alicornose?”
“No,” said Twilight. “That sounds weird, like a body part.” Vanerious’s head was tilted to the left.
“I think she’s right-eared,” said Pinkie. “Her right ear is point at us.”
“Good enough for an initial pass, I guess,” said Twilight. She wrote it down in her chart. “No children, won’t really help with our test.” She flipped to the next page. Lavender Thyme, a purple pony with black hair. She looked haughty.
“Lavender tea!” Pinkie Pie pushed Twilight’s head aside to look closer at the photo. “I love lavender tea.”
“You know,” said Twilight, stepping away from the book. “I just got some from Roseluck today. We could have some.”
“Would you?” Pinkie looked at Twilight imploringly.
“Of course,” said Twilight. “How about you look through the book, I’ll go brew some tea. Don’t forget to record which ear they prefer.”
Twilight meandered through the walls of books and accidentally found herself in her bedroom. “Oops,” she muttered, “wrong way.” She meandered back through the maze and this time found the kitchen door. She opened it part way and squeezed through so as to avoid disturbing any books.
Just after the pot began to boil, she heard Pinkie Pie yell.
“Twilight!” Pikie called. “Can dragons be alicorns?”
“What?” replied Twilight.
“Sorry, can dragons be alicornolfs?”
“What?” said Twilight again, still unsure she had heard correctly.
“Can drag-”
“Hang on, I’ll be there in a moment,” Twilight yelled. She poured two cups of lavender tea and slowly found her way back to the desk. “I’m here,” she said to Pinkie, who was concentrated on the book of Alicorns.
“Can dragons be alicornolfs?” asked Pinkie again.
“First of all, there is no such thing as an alicornolf,” replied Twilight, passing Pinkie on of the cups. “Second, dragons cannot be alicorns, they are a completely different species.”
“Look at this,” Pinkie pointed to a page. This page had two images, one of an egg and one of a dragon with a unicorn horn on his head.
“What?” Twilight looked closer at the image. “What is that?”
“An alicornolf, I think,” replied Pinkie. “It’s the first male alicorn I’ve seen.”
“Not his gender,” said Twilight. “Since when could dragons have horns?”
Pinkie shrugged. “I dunno. There's two pictures on this page. I wonder what the egg is for...” Pinkied eyed the image of an egg.
Twilight looked closer at the image of the egg. “That looks like Spike’s egg!” She exclaimed. “His had splotches like that too. Really like that, actually.” Twilight looked at the caption. Underneath the image it read, “For identification purposes. See Dragon Ovumology, page 331.”
“I have that book,” said Twilight. She put down her cup of tea. “Just a moment.” She hoped it wasn’t behind the census heap.
“Okey-dokey,” said Pinkie. “He’s left-eared, by the way,” she called after Twilight. “First left-eared alicorn too!”
“Just add it to the chart, Pinkie,” sighed Twilight. She could see the Dragon Ovumology book peaking out from behind the census heap. She might be able to squeeze past and pull it out. Steading the pile with her magic she wriggled in and grabbed the book in her mouth. Just as carefully she wriggled back out, levitating the book as she did so.
“Okay, I got it,” Twilight said as she returned to Pinkie Pie. She flipped the book open to page 331. “Dragons may go through drastic changes in facial structure, scale color, and size as they age. For census purposes most dragons are identified by their shell patterns, because those are inherited from one’s parents. Pinkie, I think this dragon might be an ancestor of Spike’s!”
“What’s this mean,” Pinkie pointed to an abbreviation on the page. “Imm. Imm. Alicornimm? That doesn’t sound that masculine.”
“Immortal, Pinkie. Like Celestia. That means he’s probably still alive! Where does he live? Does it say?”
“Hmm…,” Pinkie examined the page. “Used to live in Canterlot. Oh! Theres a prophecy at the bottom. On the second Tuesday of the thirtieth year since his last visit, George Gerand shall return to reclaim his kin.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“I dunno. Do you think it’s like the Muzzled Avenger? Out to murder those that betrayed him?”
“I don’t think most ponies, I mean dragons, would kill their family members.” Twilight replied. “Most likely he’s just coming back to take his family to stay with him.”
“Taking his family!” Pinkie Pie looked shocked. “Didn’t you say Spike was related to him?”
“Why is taking ponies away worse than killing them? And when did I say Spike was his relative?”
“You said that his egg looks like George Gerand’s egg!”
Twilight looked shocked. “I did, didn’t I. You don’t think George Gerand would take Spike, do you? When does it say he will return?”
Pinkie looked at the book. “There’s a list of dates. And one of them is today!”
“What!” Twilight pulled the book over to her. “I can’t believe Princess Celestia never mentioned this. Why wouldn’t she tell me Spike is leaving. What if Spike never comes back from frisbee golf. What if I never see him again! What if-”
The front door opened. “I can’t believe you beat me again, Owlowiscious. How do you throw frisbees like that? You don’t even have arms!”
“Who?” asked the owl.
“You!” cried Spike.
“Who?” asked the owl.
“Spike!” cried Twilight. She hugged Pinkie in relief.
“Where are you?” shouted Spike.
“By the desk,” replied Twilight. She heard Spike start to shuffle over towards the desk. Owlowiscious flew up above the census heap and dove smoothly down to his perch by the window.
“You can’t tell Spike,” Twilight whispered to Pinkie Pie. “Not until we check with Princess Celestia.”
“When are we doin’ that?” asked Pinkie.
“We?” replied Twilight. “I’ll do it. Today.”
“Just you! That’s no fun. I told you I’d help today, so I’m gonna help,” Pinkie hugged Twilight.
“Help with what?” asked Spike, turning past a wall of books to find Twilight and Pinkie.
“Spike!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
“What is it?” asked Spike.
“Ah hurmus gurfus sasparilla,” Pinkie Pie mumbled.
“What?” asked Spike, taking a step towards Pinkie.
“Ah lotus floatiebot suspertang,” she mumbled.
“What?” asked Spike again, turning his right ear towards Pinkie Pie.
“Aha!” Pinkie yelled. Spike quickly stepped back. “You are right-eared! So there is nothing to worry about. See Twilight, no big deal.”
“I wouldn’t jump to conclusions, Pinkie,” said Twilight. She grabbed the book, careful to hold it where Spike couldn’t see it, and moved past Spike to walk back through the maze towards the door. “I mean, Fibius Tail’s theory isn’t exactly proven yet.” Pinkie Pie and Spike followed Twilight through the maze.
“What theory? What isn’t there to worry about? Who is Fibius Tail?” Spike looked from Pinkie to Twilight in confusion.
“I’ll explain later, Spike. For now, Pinkie and I need to get to Canterlot.” Twilight marked George the Dragon with a lavender flower and closed the book.
“Can I come?” asked Spike.
“That would be fun!” said Pinkie. “Then it would be a group trip! The three of us, together, on our way to see the Princess. Oh, we’re off to see the-”
“Just a moment Pinkie. Are you sure, Spike? You might not enjoy this trip.” Twilight looked carefully at Spike.
“Yeah, I wanna help,” said Spike.
Twilight examined Spike for a moment before relenting. “Alright, but don’t look at this book.” Twilight motioned to the list of Alicorn genealogies.
“Right.” Spike nodded, though his eyes lingered quizzically on the volume.
The three set off from the library, cantering towards Canterlot.
Throne Room, Canterlot Castle
Maybe Stock Attention had a point. The moon was even more beautiful shining through the stained glass windows in the Canterlot Castle throne room than it had been in the waiting room. At Still watched Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike approach the throne down the long, carpeted corridor.
“Twilight, I am delighted to see you!” said Luna.
“Actually,” said Twilight, “we were hoping to see Celestia.”
“Oh,” Luna deflated. “We are sorry to say she’s not here. Her Majesty Princess Celestia,” Princess Luna sat up, “had to meet with a foreign dignitary tonight.” Luna pawed at the carpet. “Are you certain I cannot help you?”
Twilight flushed. “Maybe - you don’t happen to know of George Gerand, do you?”
“George? Of course, he used to go stargazing with us - me.” Luna smiled. “He was a stuffy old creature, but he could be fun when he wished it. I haven’t seen him since my return.”
“We think he might be returning today.”
“Truly?” Luna smiled. “That would be delightful.”
“I’m not so certain, Princess. We have a prophecy,” Twilight looked at Spike. “It isn’t good.”
“What is it?” Luna asked.
“I’d rather… not say,” said Twilight. Spike fidgeted. He looked at the stained glass windows, silvery in the moonlight. “Do you know if he is due to visit today?” asked Twilight.
“We - I do not believe so.” Luna stated.
Pinkie Pie started jumping. “Or, or, is Fibius Tail here?”
“Why?” asked Twilight.
“We could ask him, you know, about the unknown quantity.” Pinkie Pie pointed at Spike.
“I can hear you, you know,” said Spike.
“Sssssh,” Pinkie put a hoof over Spike’s lips. “You’re not supposed to know.”
“I believe he is currently staying underneath the Star Swirl the Bearded wing,” said Luna. “We could take you to him. Must you see him tonight?”
“Actually, that would be very helpful, Princess Luna. The prophecy predicts George’s return tonight, so we would like to see him now if possible.” Twilight bowed.
“At Still, can you show these ponies to Fibius Tail’s chambers?” Luna motioned to the guard.
Still at attention, At Still stood straighter. “At once, Your Majesty.” At Still turned sharply and marched out of the throne room. Twilight, Spike, Pinkie, and Luna followed.
“Are you leaving as well, Your Majesty?” asked Stock Attention.
Lune blushed. “We didn’t know the way. Can you watch the throne room?”
“Of course. I love this room at night. The moon is so pretty.”
Luna smiled, “Thank you.” She paused at the door. “Enjoy the night.”
“I always do,” said Stock.
The Place Fibius Tail Lives Or Something I Don’t Know
At Still was uncertain. Princess Celestia supported many researchers in Canterlot Castle, and they tended to come and go regularly. He wasn’t certain which room Fibius Tail was staying in. 330? Or was it 331? Probably 331. At Still stood before the door. He paused. He took a deep breath. Pinkie Pie knocked on the door.
“Hello?” said a bright pink stallion with deep blue hair.
“Piiink!” cried Pinkie Pie.
The stallion recoiled. At Still slowly backed away.
“You’re pink! I’m pink! We can be coat buddies.” Pinkie Pie wiggled her rump.
The stallion pouted. “May I help you?”
Twilight pushed past Pinkie Pie. “Are you Fibius Tail?”
“Who’s asking?” the stallion responded, looking Twilight up and down.
Luna stepped forward. “We need your help tracking down George Gerand,” she said.
“Princess!” exclaimed the stallion, opening the door to his chambers. “I would be honored to help. Please come in, please come in. I am Fibius Tail.”
The ponies filed into the room, except for At Still. At Still stood in the hall, watching the door. Luna paused and motioned to At Still to enter.
“If you don’t mind Princess, I would rather wait here,” replied At Still.
“As you wish,” said Luna and passed Fibius Tail to enter his chambers.
“Who is George Gerand?” asked Fibius Tail.
“He’s an alicorner-” began Pinkie Pie before Twilight stopped her.
“What’s an alicorner? Some kind of game?”
Twilight glanced at Spike. “I’m not sure we should take about this while Spike’s in the room.”
“Why?” said Spike. “I looked at the book Twilight. What can’t you tell me.”
Twilight stepped back. She glared at Pinkie. “I thought you were guarding it.”
Pinkie grinned. “I had to go too,” she explained, pantomiming crossing her legs.
“Don’t blame Pinkie,” said Spike. “You keep saying this might involve me, but I don’t see how. I want to help Twilight - please tell me what’s going on.”
Twilight looked at Fibius Tail, then Luna. “Spike, I don’t know if it’s good or not. I honestly don’t know how you’ll react.”
“Then why don’t you just tell me?” said Spike.
“Fibius,” said Twilight. She levitated the book over to him, opened to the page with the flower bookmark. “Can you tell if these two are related?” She motioned to Spike and the book.
“What?” said Spike. “You’re worried I’m his relative? Because of that prophecy? Twilight, I don’t look anything like him. He’s orange!”
“Spike,” said Fibius Tail, looking down at the book. “Could you answer a question for me?”
“Sure,” said Spike.
“Ah holfus tritus spackend dolt.”
“What?” said Spike. “Wait, wait, don’t tell me.”
“I said-”
“I’m right-eared,” said Spike. “Pinkie Pie tested me already.”
Fibius Tail looked at Pinkie Pie with newfound admiration. “Perhaps we are coat buddies after all,” he said, smiling.
“Coat buddies forever,” said Pinkie, throwing her foreleg around Fibius Tail. “I can’t wait to introduce you to all my friends in ponyville!”
Fibius Tail turned to Twilight. “The dragons are not related. This George Gerand is clearly left eared. You’ve heard of my left-ear theory, correct?”
“Whu- You- That isn’t proven yet!” Gasped Twilight. “And how can you be so certain George was left eared?”
“Just look at the picture,” said Fibius, holding up the book. “You can clearly see him looking to the right, displaying his left ear.”
“But that could mean anything!” said Twilight. “Besides, look at the egg.”
Fibius looked down at the image of the egg.
“Now look at this image,” Twilight handed him a photograph.
“They are the same egg,” said Fibius.
“Look pretty similar to me!” agreed Pinkie Pie.
“The photograph is Spike’s egg.”
“Twilight!” said Spike, fidgeting. “Don’t go around showing baby pictures like that.”
“Spike,” said Twilight, pulling him close. “Don’t you want to know if you’re a descendent of the only dragon alicorn?”
“Since when could dragons be alicorns anyway?” wondered Spike. “I thought that was a pony thing.”
“Anyone can be an alicorn,” said Luna. “You simply need wings and a magical horn.”
“Since when did dragons have pony horns?”
“I do not know,” admitted Luna. “George is the only dragon I have met with such an appendage.”
“Will I grow a horn, if I’m related to him?” asked Spike.
“I would like a horn,” exclaimed Pinkie, hopping over to Spike.
“Why do we need to establish the relationship between these dragons?” asked Fibius Tail, still perplexed.
“Read the prophecy at the bottom,” said Twilight. She hugged Spike. “I didn’t want you to know because I don’t want you to be taken away.”
“He’s my ancestor,” said Spike, frowning. “I can protect myself from him!”
Fibius Tail read the prophecy. “Mhm, Mhm, Oooh.”
“With us here, you won’t need to,” said Twilight.
“We would never let a meanie-dragon take you away!” agreed Pinkie Pie, “horn or no horn!”
Fibius shifted back and forth in place. “Wow.”
“George is not a meanie dragon,” said Luna, “I’m certain this must be some kind of mis-undersanding.”
“ Hmm,” continued Fibius.
“What is it?” asked Twilight.
“You know what I can do?” said Fibius Tail. “Celestia has given me the visitation records - not simply for today, but for every day in the last hundred years.” He grinned, “Many of the guards kept track of the ear, nostril, eye, foreleg, and hindleg every pony preferred.”
“How would that help?” asked Twilight.
“So we could check if that dragon visited thirty years ago! My coat buddy is a genius!” said PInkie.
Fibius Tail and pulled out a much, much thicker book from a closet. “The second Tuesday of the year, thirty years ago…” he mused. “There is no George Gerand here either.”
“What!” said Luna. “Why wouldn’t he visit? He used to come to Canterlot all the time!”
“Well, I can check the index. These guards truly did keep excellent notes…” Fibius Tail mumbled as he flipped through to the back of the book. “Aha, here we are. George Gerand - it has his name - ‘No Appearances.’ So, it looks like there is nothing to worry about.”
“Nothing to worry about!” Luna flared her wings. “What happened to George? Why would he avoid the city entirely? Where is he now?”
Twilight looked confused. “I’m not certain we want to see George. That prophecy is mighty scary.”
“Don’t want to see George!” said Luna, still angry. “He was a delightful dragon!”
Twilight furrowed her brow, “I’m not sure Celestia would see it that way. Luna, you don’t think Celestia might have-”
“Do I ever!” shouted Luna. “She’s always sending ponies to magic kindergarten or some other celestial body! I must put a stop to it. Where is my sister?” Luna turned, ready to fume out of Fibius’s room.
The front door opened, and Celestia walked in. “Did I hear someone yelling my name?”
“Celestia!” said Luna, now more shocked than angry. “We did not hear you get back. Where were you?”
“I could ask the same of you, my sister. Why was Stock Attention all alone in the throne room?”
“He said he liked my moon,” said Luna, rubbing her foreleg. “But that isn’t the point!”
“Yeah!” said Pinkie, “What have you done with George!”
Celestia chuckled. “So that’s what all you ponies are so worked up about?”
“This isn’t a laughing matter!” said Twilight. “I think Spike might be his relative-” she smiled at Spike, who smiled back at her - “and we don’t want him taken away!”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Your egg did look similar to George’s, didn’t it?” Celestia smiled at Spike, who blushed. “Maybe that’s where you came from.”
Twilight gripped Spike harder. “I don’t care who his parents are,” she said, “I won’t let any… dragon take Spike away!”
“Why would George take anypony - or dragon - away? He is a most delightful dragon - both of them are.” Celestia smiled at Spike.
“Then where is he, sister?” asked Luna.
“Calm down, Luna,” said Celestia. “He was the foreign dignitary I visited today.” Celestia took a step toward Luna and whispered, “He has had a bad back these last few centuries and he can’t fly like he used to. He doesn’t like to admit it, though.”
“I’m really confused,” said Pinkie. “What about the prophecy, then?”
“Are you referring to George’s prophecy?” asked Celestia. “That’s more of a promise than a prophecy. George was raised up by Mane Mountain. For the past millenium he has sponsored dragons who wanted to get a higher education, like he did. He is a very highly educated dragon, you know.”
“Does - does that mean,” said Spike. “Does that mean I can meet him? That he won’t take me away?” Spike looked down at his fingers.
“If you wish,” said Celestia. “I’m afraid he has left for today. I will help arrange a meeting for you, another time.”
“Do you mind?” Spike asked Twilight, hugging her back.
“I guess not,” said Twilight. “As long as he doesn’t take you away. Do you mind if I come along?”
“Why?” asked Spike.
“Well, I’ve never met a dragoncorn, err, aligon? Alicorn dragon alicorn?”
Spike smiled. “Sure you can come. It’ll be a family trip.”
“If this problem is all cleared up,” said Fibius Tail, “do you mind if I get back to sleep?”
Everypony grinned sheepishly and filed out of Fibius Tail’s chambers.
Back In The Throne Room, I Guess
At Still and Stock Attention stood by the door. With both princesses around, they stood very still and quite straight. Stock Attention didn’t even look out the window.
“We should really be getting back to Ponyville,” said Twilight.
“But I already asked a guest room to be made up,” said Celestia. “Please do stay the night.” Luna nodded agreement.
“Oh no!” said Pinkie Pie. “We must get back! I have to plan Roseluck’s party tomorrow - and we haven’t even tested the Jam Swim-off Game!”
Pinkie grabbed Twilight, “You promised you would help me!”
Twilight sighed. “Yes, I will help you. I’m sorry princesses, but we really must get back. Spike can stay, thought.”
“No, I want to find out what this Jam Swim-off game is too!” said Spike. “You’ll carry me, right Twilight?”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Fine, but we get to trade places halfway there,” she joked. The two ponies and the dragon left the throne room.
“Do you want to know too, sister?” asked Princess Celestia.
Luna smiled, “We think it might be fun.”
“Then we should visit this Roseluck’s birthday tomorrow, what do you think?”
“I would like that greatly,” agreed Luna.
Author's Note
Fun fact: My spell checker doesn't recognize the word "dates" - as in, the plural of a date. It helpfully suggested "deaths" instead.
Fun fun fact: hurmus and holfus were considered fine, though.
Sorry if the ending seems a little rushed, I am trying to meet the Writer's Training Grounds submission deadline. If I have time later I may go back and edit.
