Symbiosis

by TessiFlameheart

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe, Romance, Crossover
Length: 18074

Twilight and Rainbow must raise a filly who is symbiotically bound to a spirit like alien and attempt to make sure the filly and her ethereal counterpart become a force for good in Equestria.

A mysterious gemstone like egg has been handed down from Equestria's finest mage of one age to the next. It has been passed between many worthy hooves, each chosen by Celestia to ensure the egg's survival as a part of a promise to one of Equestria's forgotten heroes. When the egg begins to show signs of life on the hundredth anniversary of Twilight's ascension Celestia gives it to Twilight. With the gleeful help of Rainbow Dash Twilight must provide a loving home for the creature which hatches from the egg, and the pony whom it chooses as a host as the two just might be Equestria's only hope for the future.

(This story was inspired by Mente Materia and is my own take on an "Equestrian X-Com". If you have not played X-Com don't worry knowledge of the games will not effect this story. In fact not knowing anything about X-Com will add to the mystery and might offer a better reading experience. All you need to know is that this story is Science Fantasy, and has psionic aliens.)

(X-Com/FiM Crossover)
(Gore tag for descriptive combat)
(Alternate Universe tag as this takes place in the same universe as all my fiction, which is a tad more realistic.)
(X-Com's aliens have had some adjustments done as they are the Equestrian universe's versions, not Earth's universe's versions.)
(Uses and expands on the "Acceded Ethereal" idea from the Bureau. If that ticked you off you probably wont like this.)
(Fans are encouraged to speculate, suggest ideas, and be active in the comments. You guys rock!)

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-09-30 08:21:59 UTC

Prologue

Equestria was shaking. The very earth itself shook and cracked as the earthquake rippled outwards from Equestria to the neighboring nations and then to the very ends of the earth. Celestia stood at the quake’s epicenter looking upwards along with the most elite knights Equestria had to offer. Their eyes were fixed on the unthinkably large metal fortress which until recently had stayed stationary in the sky above the badlands. Now the massive silver fortress shook, the massive curved shell like plates which formed it’s outer covering warped, buckled and cracked, some parts falling downwards to the earth, others flying skywards as the structure’s gravity fields tore it apart.

“Your highness, the Temple’s destruction is releasing far more power than we thought. If it keeps this up… well I honestly don’t know what will happen.”

Celestia nodded, turning to the fully armored mage beside her and taking the scrying mirror from his magic to see for herself. “How can they have controlled this much power?” Her eyes scanned the tablet the runes and equations indicating the impossible, “The fortress is creating more power than the sun.”

The mage nodded, “It would seem that the Outsiders are the type of people who ensure everyone loses if they do.”

A knight standing behind the mage nodded, “That is precisely who they are… My Lady, I has been an-”

Celestia’s vision suddenly shifted, her army and the badlands instantly replaced with a view of a room made entirely from steel arranged in a truly alien architecture. At the room’s center was a teardrop shaped podium, the tear’s point curved to cradle a glowing purple ball of energy. Laying at the base of the purple ball was a single knight, an earth pony, his armor blackened, melted, dented, cracked, and smouldering. Where his flesh could be seen through the damaged armor it was just as badly damaged, the fact that the knight had one eye open, and was able to look directly at Celestia was a miracle, a testament to the knight, and to the mages who had helped build his armor.

The knight coughed, blood spraying the deck, “M-m’lady, I apologize. We failed. We slew their leaders but-nnngh!”

A spasm wracked the knight’s body, Celestia recognized the specific movements, the way the eye dilated spasticly, the drool from the corner of his mouth. Outsider magic had some of the cruelest ways to kill she had ever seen. “No… Are you both injured?”

He nodded, “She is not as injured, but my wounds are mortal… I… Yes I was telling her… Their leader, he, she can't survive on her own anymore and she can't debond. Ryuome will die with me. But that’s not important! We-gh-ah… This place’s magic is… I don’t know how to describe it… Would you please… thank you.”

Celestia’s vision changed again, she saw the fortress rip itself apart, a monstrous wound in the world at its core, a point of magical energy so great in power and so small in size that everything she had ever known would be ripped to pieces and pulled into that single point. She could see it, each and every last detail of what would befall her kingdom, her world, her people. Then her vision returned to her dying knight, “M’lady, we had an idea. It will take time to create that doomsday spell. Our power is… well we’re dying. Neither of us has the strength. If you could throw it into the sun before it finishes we might be safe. I want you to know that it was an honor serving you.” He pulled one hoof up to salute Celestia, at least as much as the shredded mess of armor and body could be moved.

Celestia nodded, tears running down her face. The pony and the spirit bonded to him had become two of her most beloved friends, during the invasion they had also become heroes. She had hoped to see them live through their final mission. “I will. Equestria will remember your sacrifice as long as I live Cedar.”

He nodded, smiling slightly as the vision he had sent Celestia began to fade. Before it vanished completely his remaining eye widened, “What? Now? Off all the worst possible times for you to possibly… Celestia! She’s-”

The vision cut off, Celestia was once again seeing from her own eyes. Her mage gave her a hopeful look, “Did Sir Creek find a way to stop the-”

Celestia didn’t hear the rest of his speech, her vision was once again forced to another perspective. Unlike the previous message, this one hurt. She grit her teeth against the pain, it wasn’t Ryuome’s fault that simply speaking caused Celestia pain, their magics were simply incompatible. The previous two times the spirit had spoken to her he message had been garbled and hard to understand, but this time it was quite clear pure desperation pushing the words through to her mind.

More information followed, not words but raw knowledge. The proper name of Ryuome’s people, how long her child’s egg would lay dormant as it repaired the developing spiritual being within, what the pale blue gem-like crystal egg looked like, how to ensure it survived the centuries it would need to hatch. It was a plea from a mother to save her child. Celestia could not ignore such a request. You spent your existence doing nothing else but trying to make ponies lives better Ryuome. I will spend a part of mine ensuring your child lives.

Celestia turned to her mage, “Star Fire, I’m going to retrieve Sir Creek's body and attempt to hurl that infernal fortress into the sun. If I fail and our world survives you will lead our people.”

“Understood your highness. All fortune goes with you.” He saluted, every knight within earshot joined in the salute, echoing the knight order’s motto.

Celestia jumped, snapping her wings open and taking off in a single fluid bound. She flapped as hard as she could, pushing herself as fast as she had ever flown, eyes narrowed in concentration as she ascended the several miles to where the fortress floated. She could sense the enchantments on Sir Creek armor, the second she felt it close within range a flash of golden light and a pop teleported her to her dying knight’s side.

She picked him up in her magic, taking special care to not jostle the pale blue egg shaped crystal which lay at his side. Another flash lit the collapsing fortress as she teleported outside of it’s metal confines, taking her knight and the egg with her. Celestia closed her eyes as she probed the fortress with her magic, It’s magic neutralizing defenses are down. If only they could have been disrupted months ago.

From the ground Celestia shown like the sun as she unleashed the full power of her magic. The assembled knights who had been watching in hopes of their Princess’s safe return shielded their eyes or looked away from the blinding glare. Celestia’s light enveloped the fortress’s impossible bulk, the entire ground shook with a tremor many orders of magnitude greater than those which had come before. The very air seemed to crack and scream, then silence.

The fortress was gone. Celestia descended to the ground slowly, her magic nearly completely drained. As her hooves touched the ground several unicorns took the fallen knight’s body and held it aloft as respectfully as they could accomplish. “Star Fire, take this egg please… I fear I may drop it.”

The mage nodded, the green-grey glow of his magic carefully gripping the egg. The questions of where it had come from, what it was, and why his princess had chosen to take it from the fortress could all be asked later. “Your orders, M’lady?”

Celestia took a breath to compose herself, “Take Sir Creek’s body to Canterlot, he is to be given a burial befitting of the pony who saved every one of us. As for the order… the war is over, Equestria has no need of Knights such as yourselves. The Order is hereby disbanded, to be reformed immediately should the Outsiders ever return. Return all equipment to the keep for preservation, all mages who have learned Outsider spells are to work together to try and find a way to shield our world from their sight then forget the spells. No pony will breath a word of this war… There is no sense in causing future generations to panic.”

Star Fire frowned, “Is that wise your highness? It was our attempts to create a magical link between minds which drew them to our world. If we do not let ponies know what might happen if that is attempted again…”

“You make a good point… I will establish a small service of individuals to educate ponies on the dangers of such magic… But they should never be told the true reasons as to why. We may never see them again. I certainly hope we will not, and I do not want my ponies living in fear of another invasion from the stars which may never come.”

~~

Celestia’s orders were followed to the letter. Every Outsider corpse was burned, every ship dismantled and buried, every weapon stored away, the Order’s keep hidden under illusory magics, it’s members minds voluntarily wiped, or made to live out their days within the Order’s keep should the Outsiders attack again. Every record of the war was altered to make it seem as if the Gryphon Kingdoms had attacked, a cover up the Gryphon King agreed to participate in as he too understood that some things are best lost to time. Within three years no trace of the truth aside from the odd conspiracy theory remained. Except that is, for the egg.

Star Fire cared for it first, following instructions by Celestia on how to carefully harmonize pony magic with the egg’s own odd magic. When Star Fire died Celestia cared for the egg herself, until a new court mage was appointed at which time the egg was passed on. In time the egg became a symbol of office for Equestria’s Court Mage, a symbol showing that this pony was the foremost expert on magic. It was held by Starswirl the Bearded, by Glimmer the Wise, and Lady Spellweaver.

The Egg changed hooves with the title or position of the foremost magical expert countless times. When nopony worthy of the title could be found Celestia cared for it herself. After Lady Spellweaver passed on Celestia once more took possession of it once more and in her care it stayed. It stayed with her while she taught Sunset Shimmer, it was in her possession as she mentored Twilight, it remained Celestia’s even after Twilight ascended and was crowned a princess in her own right.

Centuries passed, Equestria thrived under the rule of it’s four princesses, safeguarded by the Immortal Elements, by the EUP, by Luna’s Crusaders, and by the efforts of many an adventurer. The kingdom entered into a golden age of peace and harmony so perfect that even the lands neighboring Equestria shared in the kingdom’s good fortunes. The hundredth anniversary of Twilight’s ascension arrived and Celestia noticed the egg had changed. The blue gemstone looked no different on the outside, it was still the same pale blue many faceted egg shaped stone. But beneath its surface tiny ribbons of pink and white energy whorled and zipped as if enraptured by their own existence.

Taking a quill in her magic Celestia began to write a letter, “Dear Twilight…”

2 A Century Old Crush

Twilight stepped off of the train and onto the Ponyville station platform. The town had changed a fair deal in the last century. It had grown large enough to be officially declared a city, and had acquired a rather nice defensive wall much like Canterlot’s only topped with crystal. Twilight’s castle had been the driving force behind Ponyville’s expansion. With the Princess of Friendship living within the city limits many ponies had decided to move into town and Luna insisted that as a Royal City that Ponyville have at least a token defense.

Fortunately the city itself hadn’t changed too drastically. More ponies lived within the walls and in the area outside and more farms spread out around the edge of town, but the quaint feeling of the rustic town Twilight had come to love still thrived. There was simply more if it to go around.

Twilight’s castle loomed on the town’s skyline, as visible from the train station as it was from any other point in town. Unlike Ponyville Twilight’s castle had changed a great deal. The gaudy crystal structure had been a novelty at first, but it lacked the architectural styling which made the Crystal Empire look good and quickly had become an eyesore.

Fortunately Twilight had found construction ponies willing to give the castle a facelift. The castle now had a much more pleasing look to it, one which matched Ponyville waddle and daub construction themes. Plaster, lumber, and masonry all went into masking the castle’s crystal walls save for nice accents on roofs, windowsills, and the occasional statue.

Twilight’s friends piled out of the train after her Rarity taking ht lead as usual. “That was simply the most fabulous party in years! It’s such a shame you missed it Twilight. You know my feelings on… less formal celebrations, but the unicorns who ran the place did the most marvelous trick with magical lights. The entire club looked splendid.”

Applejack nodded, “Yep. They had a whole band play’n not just some record’n. The magic made the entire room change color, an lights made shapes in the air all in time to the music. It was some of the most clever decorations ah’ve ever seen!”

Pinkie bounced from the train car out in front of Twilight, “Oh-oh-oh! I should totally do that for the Founder’s Day party next month! Do you think Celestia could give me a horn just for the party?”

Twilight laughed, shaking her head at Pinkie’s idea. “Pinkie Celestia would give you one if she felt you earned it and needed it. I’m sure you can find somepony to set up the spell for you. It does sound like I missed a great time though. I’m sorry girls.”

Rainbow shrugged and hopped up into the air, hovering along just above everypony. “Eh, It was pretty great. But you have your Royal Duties and stuff. Speaking of which… Anything we should know about?”

Twilight shook her head again, “No. Celestia just wanted to discuss… a domestic affair. I can’t tell you anymore then that girls. I promised.”

Her friends nodded. They were all Equestrian Heroes, Knights, and held somewhat lofty titles in the nobility, but they had all accepted that Twilight had to keep some things to herself for the Kingdom’s sake.

Fluttershy sighed in relief, “Thank goodness. Usually when Celestia talks to you I have so much to do for my poor little animals when we get back from the mission.”

Applejack tipped her hat back with her left hoof, “Speaking of animals, before ah left for the party I was trying to track down a mighty big critter which has been spooking the cows. Little Mac said he’d keep an eye out while we were all in Canterlot but ah still promised to ask you for a little help Fluttershy.”

“Oh my! I hope it isn't another Cockatrice,” Fluttershy fell back to walk behind Applejack, silently agreeing to help, “How big is it?”

“Well, judging by the hole it made in the fence… Spike big.”

Spike had certainly grown up. Twilight’s number one assistant had finally become a young adult several decades ago. His five pony high powerful body and large wings made him perfect for helping out the Ponyville guard on patrols and dealing with some of the Everfree’s monsters. “As big as Spike? Do you think you might need some more help than just the two of you?” Twilight asked.

“Ah don’t reckon there is any critter or monster Flutters and ah can't deal with.” Applejack said with a proud grin as she trotted away, “We’ll run over if we need help, but ah doubt we will.”

Fluttershy waved a wing, “I’m sure it’s just a poor frightened cragadile. I’ll see everypony later, we are still having tea tomorrow right?”

Pinkie nodded rapidly, “Of course! That new tea from Amanezonia came in yesterday. I’ve been wanting to try it since last week so everypony had better be there! Including you Twilight!” Pinkie declared pointing a hoof at the alicorn's nose.

“Pinkie we have tea in my lounge. My study is right next to it. How could I miss tea?”

Rainbow gave Twilight a teasing look “Remember when you teleported to Manehatten to avoid-”

“That was completely different! Thousands of ponies wanted my autograph!” Twilight protested.

Rainbow laughed, wiping a tear from her eye, “And you teleported right into a group of fans in Manhattan having a similar ‘Princess Appreciation Day Celebration’.”

Twilight’s ears drooped in embarrassment, “Yeah well…”

“And then you wound up running outside into your own parade!” Pinkie added grinning before gasping, “Oh my gosh! We should totally do a parade for the harvest this year!”

“We always do a parade for the harvest.” Rainbow asked confused.

“Which is why we should totally do one this year. Readishion! I mean tradition!” Pinkie beamed before zipping off towards city hall, “I’m going to go make arrangements for the parade!”

Twilight sighed, “Does she really need five months to plan a parade?”

“No but I’m pretty sure it takes Ponyville five months to save  up enough money for it.” Rainbow chuckled. Turning to Twilight Rainbow put on a more serious expression, “So what’s up? You were lost in thought for the entire train ride.”

Twilight frowned, Rainbow had always been great at understanding when Twilight was working her way through a problem. How much of the truth can I tell her? She will know if I am lying… Well… I do need somepony else to help me care for the foal. Twilight bit her lip as she mulled a few ideas over, “Well… I’ve decided that I want to adopt a foal.”

Rainbow dropped out of the sky, landing on her chest with a thump, “What? When?”

“Last night. Celestia was talking about her life as a younger pony and the topic of foals came up… I just think it would be best to have that experience. Did you know that Celestia has never had a foal of her own? If I ever have to mentor somepony like Celestia has I think that if I knew how to be a parent I could do a better job.” Twilight informed.

Rainbow got to her hooves, “Ok but why adopt? I have always seen you as the ‘family’ type. Why not find some stallion and have one of your own? I remember when you were trying to date Flash. Too bad he wasn't interested in you, but I bet you could find somepony similar to him.”

Twilight sighed, talking about her past attempts at dating was not something see enjoyed. “Well Flash was a special case. I actually don’t find myself attracted to many stallions. Besides… You know what it’s like living forever. If I married somepony they would age and die while I didn’t. Unless Celestia saw fit to grant my lover immortality like she did for Shining Armor. But we both know she only gives that out as a reward to Equestria’s heroes. Watching a lover die would be a very hard thing for me to go through.”

“Ok, fair points. But won’t you see the same thing happen to anypony you adopt?”

“I think it would be easier to steer a foal in the direction of earning immortality then a grown pony. I’m going to think of that as a test of sorts. Can I guide somepony on the path to becoming a paragon of… some virtue or another.” Twilight smiled at Rainbow, that honestly did seem like a fun test of her abilities.

Rainbow nodded, “Right, ok. But do you actually want to be a parent? You shouldn’t adopt or have a foal of your own unless you want to be a parent first. It’s not fair to the little filly or colt if you want them for some other reason.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Since when do you know what it takes to be a parent?”

“Since I unofficially adopted Scoots 80 years ago.” Rainbow proudly proclaimed.

“That’s right. I forgot you were basically her mother all during her teens.”

“That’s right!” Rainbow hummed, “Which reminds me… I couldn't legally adopt her because nopony would share financial responsibility with me. Unless the law’s changed in like 30 years you are going to have to find somepony anyways Twilight.”

“Hold on the last thirty years?” Twilight asked in confusion.

Rainbow blushed and looked off into the sky for a moment, “Oh well you see there is this mare…”

Twilight had never been one to ignore a friend, but she had never once heard Dash mention anything about any relationships, or even crushed. “Hold on, you have never once told me you liked anypony. You know that all of us think that you simply aren’t interested in a romantic relationship? If you haven’t said anything because-”

Rainbow’s face scrunched up with worry for a moment, “What? Oh nono! I kinda sorta have ever only felt anything for two ponies. One was Soarin, and the other is a mare who is well, almost as awesome as me! I just haven't mentioned anything about it because it’s nopony’s business. I mean if I actually was in a relationship then I would have to tell my friends, but why would I talk about a crush or love? That just isn't me Twilight.”

Twilight nodded, this was true.

“Anyways I keep up on marriage and adoption laws in case I ever get the courage to ask her out.” Rainbow informed.

“That’s really sweet of you.” Twilight wanted to giggle, but simply smiled not wanting to upset Rainbow. Her ears fell a little however as she informed, “You are right though. I do need another pony’s help to adopt… I was going to ask you if you wanted to raise a foal with me but if you-”

“YES!” Rainbow exclaimed ecstatically interrupting, her wings snapping open in delight.

Twilight stared at Rainbow incredulously.

Rainbow cleared her throat, “Ahem… I mean, sure I would love to help you.” She beamed happily, wings twitching slightly.

“Umm… Are you ok?” Twilight asked concerned until suddenly it clicked, “Oh… You have… Since when?”

Rainbow kicked the ground in front of her with one hoof, “Since you got wings. Seriously, you have the most awesomely beautiful wings.”

“Is that the only-”

“No! You are also really smart, and awesome, and my best friend. You just kinda became really hot one day… Look I had an entire month of trying to deal with developing a crush on you. I know that this has to be really awkward for you… It’s kinda awkward for me and I’ve been thinking about how to admit it for well you know… If you need time I can just go.” Rainbow frowned, a hurt look in her eyes as she added, “Just… lets stay friends if you don't want to be more ok? Oh Celestia I don’t even know if you like mares… Let’s just forget this happened.” Her wings folded back to her sides as Rainbow turned to walk away.

Twilight shuffled her hooves “I actually don’t have a preference.”

Rainbow’s wings flipped open again, “What?”

“I said I don’t have a preference. Gender doesn't really matter to me. Sure I liked Flash because he was cute and his counterpart helped me out… But that was when i was really young Rainbow. Since then well… the only thing I want in a lover is somepony who would enjoy that sort of bond with me. Gender, race, species, all of those simply don't matter to me anymore.”

Rainbow turned around, a smile splitting her face from ear to ear. “Sooo you do like mares?”

“Well yes, but it’s more accurate to say I like the pony, not the body.” Twilight shrugged.

“Soooo you wouldn’t have a problem being my marefriend?”

“Well... “ Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, “In theory I don’t think there would be any problems.”

Rainbow jumped into the air, entering a full on squee mode Twilight hadn't seen since Rainbow had met Daring Do. “Oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh! This is the best day ever! I’ll get the Wonderbolts to perform for our wedding, and my parents are still alive so we can have our honeymoon at their cloud mansion in Pegaopolice, and Pinkie will plan the most awesome perfect reception ever, and-”

“Dash!” Twilight exclaimed in a firm tone.

“Huh?” she blinked at the interruption.

“I didn’t say I would date you.”

Rainbow slowly drifted back to the ground, “Oh…”

“But… I do really need to raise a foal, and I know you have experience raising one. Also well… apparently you have somehow kept a crush on me hidden for decades and are one of very few ponies I won't out live.”

Rainbow blushed, “It’s pretty easy when you study all the time and I can just zip off if I realized I was acting all weird. Also I got everypony to Pinkie Promised they wouldn't tell you anything.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “They all knew? Since when?”

“Heh heh… Since that night you and Luna attempted to see if you could replicate her dream walking ability. We decided to play truth or dare after some hard cider. Everypony Pinkie Promised we wouldn't ever mention anything anypony said that night.”

“But that was fifty three years ago!” Twilight exclaimed in shock.

“Yeah. Remember when AJ broke a Pinkie Promise?”

Twilight nodded. “Point taken.” She smiled at Rainbow, “Well… It would be mean to not give you a chance. How about we have a date and see how it goes?”

Rainbow shook her head. “Nope!”

Twilight blinked, surprised washing over her face. “What? But you-”

“Twilight we have known each other for literally a century. We both know exactly how the other will act in any given situation. You go on a date to get to know somepony better, and well we can’t really do that.”

“Well… that is true…” Twilight was forced to admit.

“You want my help raising a foal, you are going to have to be my marefriend.” Rainbow informed.

“But I-”

“Twilight… Going through the dating game would drive me nuts. I’ve been thinking about this for longer than most ponies are together. I know you are well… you. You don’t like running head first into anything and that’s fine. I wont force you to sleep with me, and jump into every couple thing right away I’ll give you all the time you need. I just need you to at least call me your special somepony. If… if it doesn't work out I’ll still help you raise a foal like you want. That would almost be like being a family so It’s a good second prize.”

“I… um… well…” Twilight awkwardly stammered.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake just kiss her already!” Rarity exclaimed.

Rainbow and Twilight looked over in shock and alarm, only to see Rarity unloading her mountain of luggage from the train close enough to have heard the entire conversation. “Seriously Twilight, Rainbow would be a good match for you. Also she came to my shop drunk last month and made me make dresses for your future wedding. I will not let good fashion go to waste without at least an attempt at a romance.”

Twilight blushed a deep red, Rainbow following suit. “So that’s what happened to those bits I had saved up.” Rainbow muttered.

Twilight cleared her throat, “Rainbow… I would be happy to be your marefriend.”

Rainbow grinned and moved to tackle Twilight in a hug only to be quickly immobilized by Rarity’s blue aura, “Now now, this is a public train station. Don’t make a scene.” Rarity scolded before letting Rainbow down.

“Sorry… heh heh.” Rainbow trotted over to Twilight and wrapped her front legs around her shoulders in a hug.

Twilight squirmed for a moment, then hugged back tightly, “This actually feels really nice.”

Rainbow let go after a few moments, beaming happily. “So… when do we adopt this foal you are so interested in raising?”

“Oh! Right!” Twilight giggled, she had completely forgotten Celestia’s mission. “Today. As soon as possible. I actually got a magic gemstone which will help us pick the best one.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, “You really do have a spell for everything don't you?”

“Not yet, check back tomorrow.” Twilight teased.

“Well let’s go!” Rainbow jumped into the air, flapping to stay aloft just above Twilight’s ears, “After you my adorable egghead!”

Twilight winced, “Let’s save pet names for later.”

Rainbow laughed “Sure.”

Twilight joined Rainbow in the air and with a few heavy flaps of her wings began to fly over Ponyville towards the old orphanage.

3 Adventure Ho!

Ponyville’s orphanage did not have the depressed tone other such places possessed. With much of Ponyville’s official duties run by princess Twilight the late Mayor Mare had turned her attention to urban development and renewal. The Safe Stall Orphanage had been given a full renovation and a well developed city funded escrow account had provided a sizable and stable amount of money to keep the orphanage running. While many ponies felt the building should not exist, it was always home to a few foals of any given age, Celestia’s family unit laws often removed foals from ‘Unqualified Parents.’

The building itself was a large, L shaped, three floor building with a large playground attached to the building. A series of pillars formed a decorative entryway and supported part of the upper structure on the short side of the L and plenty of nicely grown plants surrounded the building or grew along its walls. As they walked up to the entrance Rainbow whistled, “They really fixed this place up since Scoots lived here.”

“They really did. I think she had something to do with it.” Twilight commented as she opened the door with her magic, gesturing for her pegasus friend to enter, “Lady’s first.”

Rainbow smiled happily and trotted inside, Twilight following along and moving to the office, knocking three times on the door. A fairly old unicorn stallion opened the door, green mane in a tangled mess, “I’m sorry miss but I am busy with- Oh! Princess Twilight, thank goodness!”

Twilight frowned his tone suggested something was wrong, and the large amount of paint splashed across his blue coat made it clear what. “Problem foal?”

“Oh you have no idea! But that isn’t the problem I need official help with I… Haven’t sent for help yet. I’m sorry! My name is Emerald Gleam, I assume that you have come for your own reasons but I had a filly run away this morning to try and find her older sister…”

Twilight held up a hoof, “The minute I get back to the castle I will put some guards right on it. Please write a description of her and her sister, along with any known residence and I will have copies made.”

Emerald sighed in relief, using his magic to wipe some of his tangled mane from his eyes, “Thank you very much your highness. I have already written that down. I was going to send it to the Equestria Daily to get a missing foal ad put through.” His eyes widened in surprise as he noticed Rainbow Dash standing just behind Twilight, “Oh! Lady Dash, I’m sorry i didn’t see you I was just so worried.”

Dash shook her head, “It’s no big deal. A filly’s safety is more important than me.”

“Thank you,” Emerald pushed his door all the way opened and took a seat behind his small paperwork covered desk, “I hope you two didn’t find a poor abandoned foal on a quest. We are far from full at the moment but it always breaks my heart to see newcomers.”

Twilight and Rainbow trotted up and took seats in the two chairs facing his desk. Twilight smiled, “Well then you will be happy to know we have come to take one off your hooves!”

Emerald frowned slightly, “Really? Are you sure you can raise a foal safely? Your occupations are quite perilous.”

Rainbow nodded, “Yeah we have our share of danger, but anypony we adopted would be living in a castle filled with guards and servants.”

Twilight nodded in agreement, “Also there would be three to four very angry alicorns ready to… correct anything which hurt him or her.”

Emerald nodded, his frown vanishing. “I suppose that is true. How long have the two of you  been a couple? Did I miss Pinkie’s party for the two of you? That would be a shame.”

Rainbow beamed happily, “She’s been my marefirend for about um ten minutes now.”

Emerald raised an eyebrow, “And the two of you want to adopt?”

Twilight cleared her throat, “Actually I want to adopt. I was talking with Celestia and I believe I will miss out on an important experience if I don’t have a foal while I am still relatively young. Dash volunteered to help me raise one since the law requires a couple for financial reasons and we have agreed to date and form a stable family for the foal if at all possible… And the more I think about it well… I think we will be a solid couple.”

“We have been best friends for like 97 years you know.” Dash added.

Emerald folded angled his hooves together, resting his elbows on his desk. “True… I believe I can make an exception in your case. Normally anypony wishing to adopt must provide proof of a stable home or relationship, but well, Princess of Friendship, Knight of the Realm and Element of Loyalty.” He smiled and sat back in his chair waving a hoof in a go on gesture, “Looking for anypony in particular?”

Rainbow opened her mouth to speak but closed it and looked at Twilight, “You mentioned something about a gem?”

“I have an enchanted gem I intend to use to help me find a pony with the qualities I think would be best in a foal. I am hoping to adopt as young as possible… and I am dead set on adopting an earth pony.” Twilight informed.

“Huh? Why?” Rainbow asked, looking quite stunned.

“Because of earth pony longevity.” Twilight answered quickly.

“But we won't get to teach the little guy or girl to fly! Or do magic.” Rainbow protested.

“Scootaloo couldn't fly and you loved her.” Twilight stated.

“I… yeah… but…” Rainbow sighed, “You’re right. I just had a fantasy of teaching our foals to fly one day.” Rainbow tapped her hooves together.

Twilight’s heart went out to Rainbow, “Dash… Tell you what. If our relationship works out, we will have one of our own. I am sure I can find a spell for that. We can teach that one.”

Rainbow perked up at the idea and was about to speak when Emerald cleared his throat, “So you are looking for a younger earth pony. We have three… well two at the moment…”

Twilight stood up, frowning deeply. What if the one which ran away is the only one compatible? “You didn’t tell me that the runaway was an earth pony. How old is she?”

“She will be three years old next Wednesday… The poor little thing can’t remember her parents but is aware that she had a sister. I say had because she is buried in the town cemetery. Unfortunately when I told her that her sister had died well…” Emerald sighed, “I always tell little ones the same story, that their parents, siblings, or what have you had to go away to a far away land which needed heroes. Copper thought this meant her sister left her behind to go on an adventure and ran off.”

“How long has she been missing?” Twilight asked.

“Since this morning. She left a note… you can't read it, she can’t write yet.” He smiled faintly.

Rainbow got to her hooves, “Twilight, I like the sound of her.” She grinned and stretched her wings, “I’ll go and find the little adventurer, you look at the other two. I won’t be long. What’s she look like?”

“Copper has an orange coat, purple eyes, a light blue messy mane with a pink stripe, and a dark blue diamond pattern on her forehead which her mane mostly covers. She’s pretty quick for a filly, she could have gotten quite far by now.”

Dash flexed her wings with a  grin.

Emerald grinned feebly, “Right, sorry look who I’m talking too.”

Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, “I know it can't be read, but maybe the note she left has a clue about where she went.”

Emerald’s eyes lit up as he sorted through the papers on his desk, “That’s brilliant! It did have a few drawings, oh why didn’t I think of that?” After a few minutes he pulled a crudely crayon scribbled page from the stacks of papers atop his desk, “Ah here it is!”

Twilight hummed and took the note in her magic, holding it up to ‘read’. It was covered in squiggles which looked like words, and even a few real misspelled words. However the drawing of a forest and a ruined castle got her attention instantly. “Emerald, do you tell the foals stories about the Everfree Forest?”

“Yes I do, their favorite one is actually about how you and the Elements battled Nightmare moon at-”

Twilight turned to rainbow, “She’s gone to the castle of the two sisters. See this drawing?”

Rainbow nodded, “Yep. That looks nothing like it… but well she’s never seen it. I’ll check the path to the castle.”

Emerald hummed, “Her full name is Copper Autumn, she’s been missing since about eight this morning so she shouldn’t be at the castle yet. I wouldn't be surprised if she was halfway there yet.”

Rainbow galloped out of the room. Twilight smiled, “I’m sure she will be back safely soon. In the meantime may I see the other two?”

“Of course! Just… don’t mention you are looking to adopt. It breaks their hearts when they are not picked.” Emerald informed as he stood up and moved to the door, “The younger foals have the ground floor. If you will follow me.”

~~

Rainbow Dash leaped into the air snapping to her full speed with a loud crack, her rainbow trail blazing behind her as she made a direct line for the path to the old castle. The castle of the two sisters had been declared a historical preserve many years ago and as such had been maintained but not rebuilt. This meant a path through the dangerous forest was also maintained, but it was still quite dangerous and tourists were to travel it without a guide at their own risk.

It took Rainbow seconds to reach the path’s beginning, the many miles covered in the blink of an eye by Equestria’s fastest flyer. Of course when looking for somepony on the ground there was such a thing as being too fast. As she reached the path’s beginning Rainbow slowed down to a pace just a bit faster than a gallop and descended to the path flying just under the tree tops along the packed earth trail.

Rainbow hadn’t flown for long before she noticed a few small hoof prints in the dirt. Dropping down to the ground she inspected the prints. “Not to old… the edges haven't crumbled yet.”

The filly had to be close, no more than five minutes away. Rainbow galloped down the path every few moments calling, “Copper?”

After the fourth call Rainbow heard a muffled young sounding vice call something back. Galloping around the bend in the path Rainbow came face to face with a tiny filly. She matched the description, orange fur, blue and pink mane and tail, her hair a sort of spiky mess. The amusing thing was the filly had a poorly made wooden sword held in her mouth, and a copper bottomed saucepan for a helmet plopped on her head at a rakish angle.

Copper gave Rainbow a little wave hello and turned around, continuing to walk up the path looking quite adorably determined.

Rainbow fell into step along side the little pony, “Hey there. Going on an adventure? You know you have the guy at the orphanage awfully worried.”

The filly mumbled something Dash couldn’t make out around her toy sword.

“Didn’t quite catch that.”

Copper took the sword out of her mouth and held it in a hoof, doing her best to walk on three legs as she spoke, “I’m gonna beat up Nightmare Moon and save my sister.”

Rainbow resisted the urge to d’aww at the filly’s determined and overly dramatic expression. “Nightmare Moon huh? What makes you think she has your sister?”

“Cuz Mr. Gleam said she went on an adventure, and she’s been gone forever!”

“And you think that Nightmare Moon is responsible?”

Copper nodded. “Cuz she isn’t in the moon no more.”

Rainbow smiled, “Copper… I don’t want to break your heart, but Nightmare Moon doesn't have your sister. She’s been defeated.”

“I know stupid! That's why I’m going to save her.” Copper said with a glare.

“No, I meant that Nightmare Moon was defeated, along time ago. By me.”

The filly stopped walking and looked at Rainbow for a few moments, “Realy?”

“Yeah! Don’t you recognize me?”

“No.”

Rainbow blinked in surprise, “Come on! Rainbow mane, pegasus, fought Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Tirek.”

Copper pursed her lips for a moment clearly thinking quite hard before smiling, “You’re Rainbow Dash! You can help me save my sister!” Copper excitedly hopped from hoof to hoof before starting to gallop down the trail, “It can't be much further, come on!”

Rainbow smiled wider then frowned deeply. She would have to explain to the adventurous little thing what really happened to her sister. Sighing sadly Rainbow took off, easily flying alongside the young earth pony. “Hey Copper… I can't help you save her.”

“Yes you can! You’re Rainbow Dash!” Copper beamed.

Dash swore her heart punched itself, “Copper do you know what death is?”

She nodded, “Yes… I saw a bird hit the window once. It didn't move and Mr. Gleam said it was dead.”

Dash bit her lip, took a deep breath, “Mr. Gleam didn’t want you to be sad so he told you your sister had left to become a hero… But… well… she died.”

Copper stopped running, “She’s dead?” Her eyes slowly began to fill up with tears. “Like mommie?”

Damn it Twilight we are taking her home! Rainbow silently vowed as she landed and pulled the filly into a hug, “I’m sorry Copper…”

Copper cried for a few long minutes before asking angrily amid sobs, “What killed her? I’ll hit it with my sword!”

Rainbow held her close, “I don’t know. He didn’t tell me. But I’ll tell you what kid, if you come back to the orphanage with me I’ll find out and then we can get Princess Twilight and if it’s something you can hit with a sword we’ll go give it a good smack ok?”

“R-really?” Copper asked looking up at Rainbow.

“Really. If you still want to.”

“Ok.” Copper sniffled.

Rainbow held the filly tightly in her forelegs and jumped, flapping to take off, “Let’s fly back. If you hold out your front legs you can pretend you are flying on your own.” Dash said attempting to cheer the filly up as she flew her to what Dash was determined would be a stop before taking Copper home.

4 First Night as a Family

Twilight gave the two foals she had been shown a wave as she walked back into the building. The two pink and red foals were twins, a tad mischievous for Twilight’s taste, and the egg had no reaction to their presence. On top of it all Twilight just couldn't separate twins and she only intended to adopt one foal today.

“I don’t suppose the Raspberry twins are what you had in mind?” Emerald asked as the trotted back to his office.

“No… But I don’t want to just leave them here either.” Twilight sighed as she came to a conclusion, “I’ll see about encouraging more ponies to adopt first thing this afternoon.”

“That would be wonderful! The-”

Emerald was suddenly interrupted by the thump of hooves on wood as Rainbow landed in the hallway, Copper clutched in her arms. The filly was obviously still upset, a mixture of anger and sadness flooding her eyes with tears. “One filly safe… but not sound. We should get her ice cream or something.” Rainbow admitted scratching the back of her head with a wing, not wanting to let go of a young pony in distress.

“I have some in the kitchen,” Emerald informed as he trotted over to Copper and knelt down to get on her eye level, “Copper, why did you run away? It’s my job to care for you and it's very dangerous out there.”

Copper sniffled. “You said she was adventuring!” She accused.

Emerald’s ears drooped, “I’m sorry… I… I didn’t want to make you sad.”

Rainbow sighed, “I can see why. You know I found her half way to the castle like you said, only she was carrying a toy sword and intending to go rescue her sister from Nightmare Moon. Did you have a plan for that?” Rainbow asked turning to Copper and smiling in an attempt to distract her from her tears.

She nodded twice. Emerald stood up and trotted off, “I’ll get her some ice cream.”

Twilight stepped forwards, “Hey little one… So you were going to rescue your sister from Nightmare Moon. I would love to hear how you thought you could do it.”

Copper’s ears drooped, “W-well… I can’t read yet so I got Almond to read me all three books about Nightmare Moon in the library. Nopony had just tried hitting her with a sword.”

Rainbow barely held back a giggle, the sound instead coming out at a snort.

Copper gave Rainbow an indignant look, “Nothin said it wouldn't work!”

Rainbow grinned and gave Twilight her best puppydog eyes, “Can we keep her? Pleeeease?”

“Well…” Twilight began only to take a step back as Rainbow shot her a glare of death.

“I made her cry! And she’s awesome! She was going to hit an evil spirit with a wooden sword.” Rainbow held Copper up to Twilight’s face, “And she’s adorable!”

“I’m not a puppy!” Copper said squirming in Rainbows hooves until the pegasus set her down. “And it was only wooden cuz the stallion at the old stuff store wouldn't sell me the metal one.” She huffed.

Twilight smiled, levitating the egg from her bag, it’s gem-like shell sparkling in the light. “She seems like a hooffull, but nopony else has seemed right so far. Copper, would you please touch this for me?”

Copper looked at the blue faceted egg, the lights swirling around under it’s surface reflecting in her eyes, “I don’t know… It’s glowing, shiny, and there are lil lights moving in it.” She took a nervous step back.

“It’s perfectly safe.” Twilight informed.

“Well that’s boring.” Copper pouted adding.

“See? We need to adopt her, stupid magic test or not!” Rainbow held up a hoof for Copper to high five only to frown and lower it when the filly didn’t return the gesture but instead gave the egg a poke with her nose.

The egg instantly flared brightly at the filly’s touch. Copper’s eyes widened, her tears stopping somewhat, “Cool!” She tapped the egg with a hoof, watching it flash again.

Twilight’s ears perked up at the flash, then grinned as the second flash blazed confirming the first hadn't been coincidence. “Good! I’ll just take that back for now…” she picked the egg up in her magic and carefully placed it back into her saddlebag.

“Hey! I was scientisting that!” Copper protested stamping a hoof.

Twilight giggled and looked up at Rainbow, “You were right, she is adorable.”

Emerald trotted back into the room, a small bowl of icecream held in his blue magical aura which he quickly placed in front of the filly, “There you are. I know it won't undo the lie, but you know I only said it to spare your feelings right?”

Copper nodded and began to quietly eat the ice cream giving Twilight the occasional annoyed look.

Twilight opened her mouth to inform Emerald of her decision only to be interrupted by Copper, “How come you get wings and a horn? That’s not fair.”

“Er- Because I’m a princess.” Twilight answered raising an eyebrow astonished that somepony didn’t know her on sight. It had been far too long since then.

“You’re a princess?” Copper asked, eating the ice cream as she spoke.

“Yes. I’m Princess Twilight, don’t you go to school?”

“Oh, you’re Book princess.” Copper said simply before returning to the bowl of ice cream.

“Book princess?” Twilight exclaimed in a confused and upset tone.

Emerald laughed, “Sorry your highness. It’s how she remembers you. Book princess, Sun princess, Moon princess, and the other princess. She can't pronounce Celestia yet so she just made up nicknames.”

Rainbow smirked, “Book princess! That so beats egghead!”

“Don’t make me regret agreeing to date you!” Twilight huffed before composing herself and asking Copper, “Copper, Rainbow and I are thinking of adopting a filly. Would you like to be our daughter?”

Copper blinked and looked up spoon still in her mouth, “What?”

Rainbow sat down in front of her, “She means that we want to be your new moms.”

Copper tilted her head confused, “You can get a new mommie?”

Emerald nodded, “Yes you can. When a pony’s old family isn’t there to take care of them that pony comes to live here.”

Copper nodded, “I know.”

“But you only live here until somepony wants you as a part of their family. Then you get a new family. In this case you would have two mommies to care for you.” Emerald finished giving Copper a grin.

Copper looked a little confused and looked at everypony else for some help. Rainbow tapped her hoof to her chin, “Ummm Twilight and I want you to be a part of our family, so you have one again.”

“I know!” Copper insisted, her ears drooping in embarrassment as she confessed, “But I don’t know what I would do with two mommies.”

Twilight tilted her head a bit, “What do you mean?”

“If I call for mommie who comes to get me? What if it’s the wrong one?” Copper asked scratching her head with a hoof in an expression of pure thought. Suddenly she grinned, “Oh! I know! I could call you mommy, and you mom!” She pointed first to Twilight then to Rainbow.

Emerald stood up as he asked, “So you want to go and live with the princess and her lover?”

Copper nodded. Then asked, “But what about my friends?”

Twilight trotted towards the office door prepared to go through all manner of paperwork, “You can visit them anytime you like. Nopony should be kept away from their friends.”

Emerald leaned over to Twilight and whispered, “Her friends are a little wooden pegasus carving and a stuffed changeling doll.”

“Oh.” Twilight mentally backpedaled, “i mean you can bring them with you! Sorry I’ve just had a really busy morning.”

Copper bounced from hoof to hoof, “Yay! I’ll go get them!”

She zipped up the stairs, Rainbow quickly following along, “I’ll help her pack her stuff.”

Twilight nodded and followed Emerald into the office. “So who gave her a plush changeling? Who even makes those?”

“I bought it for her.” Emerald sighed, “We were on a field trip downtown and somepony was selling them from a wagon… A lot of the younger ponies like the confounded things. Apparently emotional vampires are considered ‘hot’ these days.”

“Huh… Well I suppose there is no harm in that. It’s not like changelings eat ponies they mimic well… not usually… I suppose I should make sure everypony is ok on that front.” Twilight sighed, yet another royal duty to do. With any luck it wouldn't be Chrysalis’s Swarm ponies were getting involved with. At least then it would probably be peaceful contact.

“A wise precaution your highness.” Emerald nodded approvingly as he levitated the adoption forms to the top of his desk, “Now then let’s get these all filled out. This won’t be official until these are notarized but in light of well, you being who you are, I will let you take custody of Copper the moment you sign. Just remember, legally she won't be yours until this document is notarized. It should take two to three days at most… Humm I may have to send these to Canterlot. Typically someone in your staff would be the notary.”

“It’s no trouble. It would hardly be fair if I could simply notarize my own documents. However you can send it to the mayor’s office. the Mayor can perform the necessary legal steps in my stead.”

Emerald nodded, “Good idea. I didn’t know that the Ponyville town government was separate from your authority.”

“It is, technically only the castle grounds are really mine. I handle most of Ponyville’s legal concerns as a favor.”

“Fascinating. Now then this section here explains what you have to provide to be considered a proper home for foal rearing.” Emerald began to explain the adoption process and outline the responsibilities Twilight and Dash would have. The period of time where social service agents would be checking up on Copper to make sure she was adjusting well was also explained. Many other minor bits of information like how Copper would be expected to receive a full education at home or in a public or private institution, and how many doctors appointments for standard check ups per year were legally required and how many were recommended over the required amount.

Twilight was very glad that Rainbow was helping Copper pack. It would be so much less difficult for her to explain their parental duties then for Rainbow to have to attempt to understand the slue of legal jargon Emerald was throwing her way.

~~

The adoption paperwork was a simple thing. The only thing needed was a 80 bit legal fee and a signature and initial apiece from Rainbow and Twilight. As far as the orphanage was concerned the three of them were a family. However none of the three felt like they were, something special had to be done to commemorate the moment.

Their dilemma was solved when Rainbow proposed they all go out to dinner, Twilight pointed out that it was in fact lunchtime, and then Copper suggested they go to a pizza place because “Pizza is an always food.”

The Pizzeria they chose was a smaller place named ‘Little Luna’s’ which claimed to be the only pizza place in Equestria princess Luna herself visited on a regular occasion because ‘nopony would expect to see her in this dive, but our pizza is fit for a princess.’ The second the large pie was set on the table and everypony had tried a slice the sign was proven completely correct. The pizza was in a phrase, beyond fantastic.

Midway through their lunch Twilight decided they should get to know one another. “So Copper… or do you prefer Autumn?”

“I hate autumn. It gets call cold then. And then it stays cold forever!” Copper answered.

Rainbow laughed, “She meant which part of your name you like to be called by silly!”

“Oh. Copper.”

Twilight grinned, “So then Copper, what do you like to do besides go off to battle Nightmare?”

Copper sighed and stared at her plate a moment. Twilight friend and was about to apologize when Copper perked up again, “I like o read… well I like ponies to read to me.”

Twilight smiled happily, “Well then I think you will like having the ‘Book princess’ for a mommie. What do you like to read? I don't have many foals story books but I can get my hooves on a few as soon as-”

“I like books which tell you things. Like stuff that happened along time ago. Oh! And lost things. And magic… cuz it would be cool to have magic.” Copper informed.

Twilight’s jaw dropped, “You like history? At your age?”

Copper nodded, “Uh huh. Where else am I gonna learn where the cool places to fight monsters are?”

Rainbow laughed almost falling out of their booth, “Oh man Copper, you are awesome! When you get older I am totally going to have to take you out camping. Hey Twilight, think we should read her Daring Do as a bedtime story?”

Twilight hummed for a moment, “Well those are written for more mature readers… Maybe some of the less violent ones.”

Copper smiled happily, “You have Daring Do books? My sister was gonna read me one! Could you read it to me please? Or you could show me how to read then I could do it all by my self!”

Twilight nodded and turned to Rainbow with a grin, “We picked the right one.”

“Yep!” Rainbow smiled back before gently picking Copper up and setting her on the seat between her and Twilight, “sit here with mom and mommie. You earned a um… sitting with... “ Rainbow hummed and did her best to think about how parents were supposed to reward their foals.

Their lunch time conversation tight Rainbow and Twilight a lot about their little filly. Copper was certainly an adventurous pony, though a tad reckless as she didn’t seem to be afraid of anything. As far as they could tell Copper simply couldn’t become afraid of something unless it was actually there in the real world with her. Her imagination simply had Copper beat up the monster, earthquake, or badponies and then trot away as a hero.

She had run off from the orphanage five separate times on such adventures, but had always come back on her own or been swiftly brought back. Copper reminded Rainbow a lot of the Cutiemark Crusaders and she was definitely glad that Copper hadn't been around when those three were fillies, the shenanigans would have been far, far worse. Fearing that Copper would get into far more trouble than Rainbow and Twilight liked the two mares managed to negotiate a deal, they would read her all of Daring Do, a chapter a night as a bedtime story and Copper would stick to exploring the castle and grounds.

Twilight was delighted to learn that Copper truly did value learning. She had apparently gotten older ponies in the orphanage to read her pretty much anything they had in the orphanages meager library. Copper especially seemed to love ancient Equestrian history. Unfortunately her age was her biggest hurdle to truly learning, most of what she was told simply when over her head or she forgot quickly. Still enough knowledge stuck to her to make Twilight proud.

Interestingly enough the topic she knew the most about was changelings. She was able to name three of the five known hives, knew a good deal of the life cycle, and even though she didn’t know what it meant she knew that changelings had a hive mind. Rainbow asked her why she was so into the bug-ponies and both her and Twilight were astonished and amused to hear Copper’s answer of “They’re cute! And cool. And can change how they look, that’s just cool.”

Further questioning revealed that Copper had a deep rooted desire to explore and investigate strange things. Her fascination with changelings came from there, as did her enjoyment of history. Copper wanted to do little else but found out all of Equestria’s cool things. Something Rainbow and Twilight simply approved of.

They left the pizzeria and continued their first family outing by visiting a park, then a bookstore, and lastly an ice cream parlor to finish off their first day together before taking Copper to her new home. This did however lead to a brief discussion between Twilight and Rainbow.

“But she has to live in the castle, Copper can't reach your house it’s in the clouds.”

“I could carry her up.”

“But she can’t walk on clouds, she will fall off and get hurt.”

“Oh… Right.” Rainbow scratched the back of her head before giving a sly grin, “I know you aren't the type of pony who would make a filly live without her mom in the same house. So I guess I’ll just have to move in with you.”

Twilight paused for a moment then nodded, “Well… we are supposed to give her as normal of a home as possible.”

“And we are officially a couple Twi.” Rainbow reminded, “So how’s your mattress? I got a nice cumulus I smooshed into a bed size and shape. It’s super soft and so thick that even Copper could stand on it.”

“Just one minute! You said you would give me all the time I needed to get used to the idea of well.. you know.” Twilight blushed and cleared her throat in an attempt to hide it.

Rainbow giggled, “You are so cute when you blush. I didn’t mean that Book princess, I meant for snuggles. Besides that is a really expensive mattress and I’m not leaving it behind… Also I think I should be allowed to sleep with my marefriend.”

Copper felt the need to add to their argument, “Yeah! Spring would let me sleep with her when it was all stormy and stuff.”

Twilight giggled and gave Copper a gentle pat with her wing, “This is just a bit different sweetie.”

Rainbow blushed, “Actually it’s not… I seriously literally meant that as in sleep. You know snoozing.”

“Oh… Well I suppose that’s ok.” Twilight sighed, having a special somepony was going to be more different than she had first thought.

When they arrived at Twilight’s castle Twilight led Rainbow and copper to her personal chambers and showed them a spare room in them just a short way from Twilight’s bedroom which would be Coppers room. It used to be spikes before her grew too big to easily fit into the room, and was still set up as a bedroom. One promise that they would go tomorrow and get the room redecorated to Copper’s liking and Twilight headed off to the Captain of her Guard to inform him of the new additions to the household.

Rainbow helped Copper unpack her saddlebags in her new room. The filly didn’t have much to unpack. Her poorly made toy sword, a large fluffy quilt, a simple silver earcuff, her changeling plush, a tiny carving of a pegasus which had at one point been painted but was old enough to be so chipped and flaked that scarcely any paint remained.

As they put Copper’s things away Rainbow noticed that she filly still had the saucepan she had been using for a helmet. When Rainbow had tried to take it away to give back to the orphanage Copper threw a fit which entered a full on tantrum. It took her a full ten minutes to calm Copper back down, during which Twilight came back and did her best to help. Between the two mares efforts they learned that the pot in fact did not belong to the orphanage, but had in fact been Copper’s sister’s.

One sincere apology later Rainbow left to collect some of her things to stay the night. Twilight remained with Copper to get her tucked in for the night. She levitated her filly’s quilt over the large poster bed, and made sure to tuck her in gently. “Sooo… Are you ok? I mean you don't feel uncomfortable here?”

“The bed’s hard.” Copper wined.

“Oh! Sorry, I’ll have that fixed tomorrow ok? My friend Spike use to sleep here. Dragons tend to like a nice firm mattress.”

“Is that why they like treasure?”

“It’s one reason.” Twilight took the egg from her saddlebag. She was unsure how it was meant to hatch, but keeping it close to the pony it had chosen seemed like a logical step. “Here, you can have this. I know you liked playing with it earlier so I’ll just put it on the nightstand.”

Twilight lowered the egg into place gently and then took a copy of Daring Do and the Swamp of Traps from her personal library, sitting beside Copper’s bed. She kept reading until she noticed the filly had dropped off midway through the first chapter. As Twilight levitated a bookmark into place Rainbow whispered from the doorway, “Is she asleep.”

Twilight nodded and quietly left the room. “She fell asleep midway through the first chapter of The Swamp of Traps.”

Rainbow shook her head, “Well duh. That part is so boring! It’s just the archaeology lecture Daring always gives her students.”

Twilight and Rainbow began to walk towards Twilight’s bedroom as Twilight replied, “But that’s an important part of the story! It sets up the entire culture of the Imperium's bat-ponies. Without it we wouldn’t know that there would be an escape tunnel from the temple’s vault, and then well how else could we assume Calderon survived being locked inside?”

“Easy! He had some of those exploding jars on him. He could have blown the lock up.” Rainbow rebutted.

“But he didn't have a match or a lighter.” Twilight said smugly.

“He had a lit lantern.”

Twilight blinked, “He did?”

“Yeah. Remember how Daring mentioned he was carrying the lantern to light the ritual chamber? Well it’s never said he put it down, and since the temple was dark he would have carried it into the vault when Daring tricked him inside. So the lecture scene is pointless… except for setting up the culture I guess.”

Twilight hummed, “Well it was her first book. Everypony makes mistakes.”

“Speaking of mistakes… Am I allowed to ask your guards to do things? Because I had them carry my mattress in here.” Rainbow asked a bit sheepishly.

“Dash… I… Actually you know what you can.” Twilight conceded as she opened the door to her bedroom for her marefriend. “I told the staff we were together so I assume that means you can ask them for things. We aren't legally anything though so you should avoid making any proclamations.”

“Oh yeah because I just want to sit around making laws all day.” Rainbow pulled the blankets on the bed back showing off the soft fluffy cloud mattress beneath and gestured with one hoof towards the bed, “Try awesome softness m’lady.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow’s attempt to be swav as she stepped onto the mattress. Instantly her eyes widened, “Why didn’t you tell me these were this comfortable?” She squirmed under the blankets, blushing as Rainbow lovingly tucked her in before jumping up to glide over her and land on the mattress next to Twilight.

“Because I never thought I would get to mention you and my mattress in the same sentence.”

“But…” Twilight sighed and wiggled nervously, unsure of how sleeping with somepony else would be. What if I’m terrible at snuggling? Is there any techniques I should know? I haven't read anything on the subject! Twilight’s face scrunched up as she attempted to prevent a mini panic attack only to sit up, “I-need-to-read-up-on-snuggling-I’ll-be-right-back!”

Rainbow quickly grabbed Twilight around the shoulders with a hoof, “Oh for the love of Celestia…” Rainbow began to gently push Twilight into position as she directed her in how to snuggle. “Snuggling one-oh-one: Spooning. You will be the little spoon. Lay on your side, tuck your wings in close, let me slip my leg under your neck and between the pillow. Now I slip my other leg over your barrel and shoulder like this, and then take my top wing and cover us with it it like this. Now we do nothing and just enjoy it.”

Twilight blushed, “Oh… Are there advanced-”

“Shh! Snuggles.” Rainbow gently hushed adding, “tomorrow you will learn how to be the big spoon. Then we have hot cocoa.”

Twilight giggled, “Do you have a schedule for our relationship?”

“Yes. I figured it would help you be more comfortable if there was a solid plan… I’ve spent years on it.”

The two snuggled quietly until they drifted off to sleep. The bed was comfortable, the other mare was nice and warm, the blankets were cozy, and the night was wonderful.

05 We are One

Twilight’s castle was a much different place under Luna’s moon. The halls were silent and devoid of all but the odd guards pony silently standing vigil. The doors were locked, the pegasus landing pad secured, and the teleportation cancellation ward prevented mages from entering magically. Gone was the hustle and bustle of the day, the servants lay abed, Twilight and Rainbow also fast asleep. Their new child peacefully dreaming of doing battle with Tirek using a piece of bedframe being used as a lance while riding on Celestia’s back.

She rolled over mumbling in her sleep, “Nnn… take that meanie head… Look out… He’s got a carrot…”

The moon reached it’s zenith, a brilliant shaft of moonlight lighting up her bedroom like a lantern. The ray of light slowly crept across her floor as the night progressed. Inch by inch, foot by foot the light moved across the floor, then the bed, up the nightstand, until finally the ray of moonlight struck the gem-like egg seated upon the nightstand.

The room dimmed as the egg drank in the light. The whirling ribbons of energy beneath it’s faceted shell grew brighter, longer, their colors became more vivid and robust. Slowly the energy ribbons joined together forming intricate patterns. Perhaps an especially gifted pony with a medical degree would have recognized the pattern the ribbons wove themselves into.

The ribbons wove themselves together into coiled strands, joining to one another with countless tiny tendrils of energy. The strands too writhed and wriggled into a long helixing strand of energy which folded, split, and joined until the helix shape was joined to three other such long strands forming four intricately interlinked strands wrapping about each other in an extremely precise pattern.

The entire structure slowly coiled around itself like an impossibly tight spring, shrinking in size until it formed but a small dot of light within the center of the egg. The dot slowly grew larger. Once it reached twice it’s original size the light split into two different points. The two points grew, split, and became four. The four become eight, the eight became sixteen, and their number simply continued to double as the points of light moved, configuring themselves into a complex three dimensional pattern as they replicated.

At the end of the hour, when the moonlight no longer illuminated the egg directly the blue gem blazed with a pinkish blue light. The shape at it’s center was impossibly to make out as it’s light radiated outwards like an impossibly well performing candle. The light continued to shine for a few long moments after which it’s brilliance died down leaving behind a single small portion of light within the egg no bigger than a candle’s flame.

The remaining light moved. It slowly turned within the egg, taking shape as it moved. The light was too small for the features it possessed to truly be made out. One could be forgiven for believing it to be merely a ball of pink light with many small tendrils attached to one side which seemed to flow and move of their own accord.

Several of the light's tendrils stretched towards where Copper lay sleeping in her bed, passing through the surface of the egg as if it were not there. The light had no thought’s of it’s own, it’s young consciousness had only instinct to guide it. It could feel the safety of a corporeal creature nearby, it could sense the creature was happy, but also alone, and just a little frightened. The light understood these emotions, it was happy to be alive, was also alone, and quite frightened of what might happen to it if it could not find a safe place to exist.

The light floated slowly closer to the filly, it’s movement carrying it right to the side of her head. The light stopped, hovering in place for a few moments now close enough to listen in on Copper’s thoughts. The light slowly came to understand some of the world in which it found itself. There were many corporeal life forms here, many kind and many cruel. Some were very dangerous and preyed upon the type of creature it floated by now.

The more it listened, the more it developed. The filly’s wishes did seem like a lot of fun, adventuring, protecting others, discovering new things, learning of the universe's wonders.It wanted to do these things too. It became female, these creatures seemed to see females as being more suited to the many things the pony before her desired to do. Besides, this creature was female, she did not want to confuse her by bonding and having a completely different mentality.

She had found her host. This filly wanted to explore, to see wonders, and apparently to fight massive monsters and save the world. The light wanted to do these things as well and could help her accomplish them given time to mature and develop her powers. Besides, they were both alone, who wouldn't want a friend? All the pony would have to give up was a little space in her head to shelter her from the dangers of the physical world. That wasn’t too much to ask was it?

The light moved her tendrils outwards, the thin lines of energy elongating until they spread outwards and touched a dozen different places on Copper’s skin, phased through her body and stopped in the middle of her major nerve clusters. The tendrils gently attached themselves, a slight pinching sensation causing Copper to roll over with another sleepy mumbling, “Ow… I’m hit… bring me a lettuce quick…”

The light winced, she hadn’t meant to hurt or disturb her host. Obviously bonding was more invasive than she had anticipated. Unfortunately she couldn't stop now, removing herself would definitely cause her pain. She continued as gently as she could manage, physically and psionically joining her tendrils to the filly’s nervous system until at last she slipped herself entirely inside her host and as gently as she could managed bonded completely, setting herself up inside the filly’s mind.

She was surprised as she stepped from the physical world directly into the filly’s dream, it felt more real than the real world. it was so vivid, so robust, so-

Copper spun to face the newly appeared monster, raising the elegant rapier held in her tail to attack, “Another monster! I’ll beat you up too.”

The light drifted back, holding up all four of her hands to ward off any possible attacks. her telepathic voice sounding insulted and afraid.

Copper blinked and frowned, “Then why do you look like one?”

The light informed, reshaping itself to into a ghostly purple filly shape.

Copper nodded, the dreamscape around the two simply freezing in time as Copper’s imagination turned to focus on this new thing. Her rapier morphed into a cup of hot-coco which she promptly took a sip of before the beverage morphed back into a sword. “Uhhuh. Sooo who are you?”

The light answered truthfully, shrugging her shoulders.

Copper was quite astonished, “You don't know?”

“Do you have a name?”

“Well you need a name.” Copper informed looking about her dreamscape for anything which might be a suitable name. Her eyes fixed on a winged tin lunch box frozen in mid air, “Your name is Tin um…” a nearby spring sticking out of a ruined armchair caught her attention next, “Spring! Yeah you can be Tin Spring.”

Tin replied with a little grin. She asked not wanting to remain bonded to an unwilling host.

“Will you help me beat up Tirek? He stole my lollipop and is a big meanie head.” Copper informed in a tone one would have expected to accompany much harsher words spoken by a military officer in regards to a hated enemy.

Tin nodded,

Copper grinned and did a little dance, “Yay!” The dreamscape resumed, rubble fell with a crash, the lunchbox flew away like a frightened bird, “Once more into the um… beech! Charge!”

The two played in Copper’s dream, fighting side by side in a battle of such epic proportions that it could only exist within a foal’s dream. Mountains exploded into custard, to be hurtled at the enemy via giant catapults made entirely from sporks and rubber bands. Armies of stick ponies were summoned via chalk drawings to assist in the battle. The sky itself had ropes nailed to it so Copper and Tin could swing from the deck of their pirate ship and attack Tirek with a boarding action along with their crew of snowpony pirates. At some point a square circle was involved.

The battle ended when Copper at least snatched back her lollipop from the rampaging centaur daemon, bopped him on the nose with her sword, screamed “Victory!” and then promptly awoke in her bed the dream world vanishing instantly as she rolled out of bed to go bother mom or mommy for some breakfast.

Tin asked.

“No.” Copper answered as she trotted down the hall only to stop dead in her tracks, “Tin? You’re still here?”

To a grown mare this would have been the most terrifying thing imaginable. A voice in their head when they most certainly not dreaming. To a filly like Copper however, “Awesome! Let’s go ask mommy for some breakfast! What do you like to eat? I want pancakes. Do you like pancakes?”

~~

The doors to Twilight’s bedroom exploded open with enough force to tilt pictures hung on the walls as Pinkie Pie flung the double doors open calling, “Wakie wakie Twili! It’s exactly ten-forty-five in the morning which mean’s it’s time for brunch and that at means we can have tea!”

Twilight and Rainbow sat up slowly, far too used to Pinkie Pie’s methods of waking her friend’s up to be surprised anymore.

Pinkie on the other hoof gasped as she saw the two together. She reared up, one hoof covering her mouth before she zipped over to Twilight’s bed, “Oh my gosh you two are dating?”

Twilight nodded weakly. Rainbow bobbed her head as well.

Pinkie made a pouting expression, stomping her hoof on the floor. “Why didn’t you tell me? I had a whole party planned and paid for. Now everything will have to be redone from a ‘They finally got together’ party to ‘My best friends are a couple’ party. That means I’ll have to change all of the decorations.”

Rainbow sighed, “Pinkie, we have only been together since yesterday.”

“Really?” Pinkie asked looking over at Twilight.

She nodded, “Yes. Honestly Pinkie, I was going to let you know at tea today. I remember all too well what happens when we exclude you from something.” Twilight shook her head, they ditched Pinkie just once and clearly Pinkie’s brand of playful crazy couldn’t handle being left out of the loop. “I’ve always kept you up to date on my life. Name one big change to my life I haven't told you about.”

Pinkie hummed and sat down, stroking her chin thoughtfully as she searched her memory for anything. Midway through her thinking Pinkie blinked as a small orange filly trotted into the room, walked around her, hopped up onto Twilight’s bed and asked, “Morning mommy! Can we have pancakes?”

Pinkie grinned and raised her hoof, “Oh! Does that count! Hold on you have a foal?” Pinkie asked entirely confused standing up to get a better look at Copper.

Rainbow chuckled, “We adopted her yesterday. Twilight was determined to adopt somepony, asked me to help and well… I kinda sorta told her I would only help if she gave me a shot at being her special somepony.”

“Can we please have pancakes?” Copper asked, starting to wonder if the grownup talk was a conspiracy to delay breakfast.

Twilight gave Pinkie a small grin, “Sorry…”

“Sorry?” Pinkie asked in a completely confused tone before quickly snatching Copper off of the bed and setting her on her back.

“Eep!” Copper meeped in surprise.

“Come on little pony auntie Pinkie’s gonna make you pancakes!” Pinkie announced starting to trot off towards the castle kitchen carrying the filly on her back.

“Hold on, you don't have a “My best friends adopted a foal party?” Rainbow asked a little confused.

“Nope-piddy-nope-nope!” Pinkie sang adding, “You really should do your best to wake up before a filly you know. Trust me, always have breakfast ready before she gets up. So what’s your name?”

Rainbow and Twilight slipped out of bed following along behind Pinkie, “I thought you knew everypony’s name.” Twilight teased.

“I’m Copper.” Copper informed.

“Nice to meet you Copper! How do you take your pancakes?” Pinkie asked cheerfully.

“Umm… Cooked?”

Pinkie laughed happily and led the group into the castle’s kitchen. The serving staff looked up as they entered and cleared a range for the princess’s friend’s use. It wasn't the first time somepony had decided to cook their own meal. Pinkie quickly took a frying pan in hoof and pointed the other three to the small private dining room adjacent to the kitchen as she informed them that pancakes would be ready soon.

Within ten minutes the pink pony set a plate with a  full stack of pancakes in front of everypony. After a happy proclamation of, “Dig in!” Twilight and Rainbow filled Pinkie in on what had happened yesterday.

“Ok so Twilight wanted to know what it was like to be a parent in case she has to mentor somepony in the future because you think that parental experience will help. But Rainbow wouldn't help unless you gave her a shot at being your marefriend. So you are moving in together to help raise Copper. ” Pinkie summarized.

“That is pretty much it.” Twilight said with a nod.

“Well good you two are so cute together!” Pinkie giggled quickly finishing off her pancakes.

Rainbow opened her mouth to speak but paused when she noticed Copper quietly talking to herself.

“So that was pancakes. Did you like them? Yay! I’m glad, they taste totally awesome.” The filly said seemingly to herself.

Rainbow blinked at looked over to Twilight, “Is she talking to herself?

Pinkiepie shook her head, “Nope! She’s talking to a friend who lives in her head named Tin.”

Copper yelped in surprise, “How’d you know that?”

“I have friends in my head too! You kinda learn to recognize how a pony looks talking to one.” Pinkie answered sipping at a glass of orange juice everypony swore hadn’t been there a second ago.

Twilight smiled at Rainbow, “Lot’s of fillies have imaginary friends. So how are Supprise and Pinkamena today?”

“Pretty good! We’re looking forward to tasting that new tea. Ooop!” Pinkie grinned and stood up, “Everypony else should be in your study by now. Let’s go!”

Pinkie sproinged up from the table and eagerly raced off to Twilight’s study for tea. The others followed at a more sensible pace, arriving in the study to find Pinkie almost finished explaining everything Rainbow and Twilight had told her earlier. As the three entered Applejack spotted Copper and smiled gently, trotting over to her and introducing herself, “Hey there Copper right? ah’m Applejack. Are you talking yet?”

“Yep!” Copper answered cheerfully, “You have my color fur.”

Applejack nodded, “It’s a good color for an earth pony.” She gave Copper a hoof bump.

Rarity trotted over to gently shake hands with the filly, “I’m Rarity, pleased to meet you Ms. Copper.”

“I’m not Ms. Copper. I’m just Copper.” The filly informed sounding a little confused as she returned the hoof shake.

Rarity blinked, “I know darling, it’s just a title for any-”

“I know. I don’t like it. It’s too girly.”

“Oh…” Rarity said a little deflated.

AJ grinned and gave Rainbow a hoofbump, “I see she takes after you.”

Rainbow held her head up proudly, “Yep!”

Fluttershy politely waited for her two friends to step aside before introducing herself, “Hello. I’m-”

“Fluttershy!” Copper gently hugged the yellow pegasus before backing off a little, “Mr. Gleam took us all to your cottage once! You had all these lil baby chicks and they were all fluffy and yellow, and your weird snakey friend made us all sandwiches!”

Fluttershy smiled, “Oh yes, I think I remember you now. You kept asking me about timberwolves right?”

Copper nodded, “Uh-huh!”

“Well if you are still curious you should ask Twilight, i am sure she has a book or three on them you could read.”

“I can’t read yet.” Copper said in a frustrated tone.

Twilight gently patted Copper’s head, “Don’t worry Copper, I’ll teach you how to read as soon as I can. Why don’t you go play in you room for a little bit while we have some tea? I’ll see how much I can show you to read before I have to hold court this afternoon ok?”

“Ok!” Copper excitedly darted off to her room, leaving the six mares alone.

Rarity gave a sincere smile, “Charming daughter you two have.”

AJ nodded, “Yep. Cute as any filly ah’ve ever seen. Good thing Applebloom isn’t her age still, we would have had four crusaders running around.”

“Oh you have no idea.” Fluttershy commented as she moved to pour everypony a cup of tea, “During the field trip she mentioned Copper kept asking me all day about how you should go about fighting off a timberwolf.”

Rainbow frowned, “Huh… maybe I should keep a closer eye on her then I thought.”

Twilight smiled, “Probably. But at least she listened to me just now. I was afraid I would have to say things a million times.”

Applejack smiled knowingly, “Oh that will come later. Wait till she’s hungry, or tired, or cranky then decide if she’s well behaved or not… Sooo ah have to ask, how’s it working out between you an Rainbow?”

Rainbow grinned happily, “Awesome!”

Twilight blushed sheepishly, “W-well snuggling was nice.”

Rarity smiled, “Good! Every time we got together for a drink and you couldn’t come along Rainbow would wind up lamenting the fact the two of you weren’t-”

Rainbow cut her off with a  sheepish grin and laugh, “Umm hey! No need to mention that.”

The six gathered around a table for their tea, happily talking about the new couple. Outside the room however Copper lay with one ear pressed to the door. “Yep they are gonna be there for a long time.”

Tin asked.

“Yep! I think I can remember where the kitchen was…” Copper mused standing up and trotting off down the hall.

Copper nodded in a most determined manner. Operation ‘Cookie Break’ was go.

A Living Heirloom

Twilight sat at Celestia’s left side at the table reserved for Equestria’s princesses and other top-tier nobleponies. The anniversary feats was going excellently and it was nice to have it in Canterlot again, the old castle had a charm Twilight’s own crystal castle couldn’t match. The feast was wrapping up, her opening speech had been met with the usual appreciation, the games were as entertaining as always, her friend’s did their usual storytelling, this time Pinkie had done a comedy roast of her which had everypony laughing, and the food was especially excellent.

However this time Twilight had an odd feeling of dread. It had started that morning when Spike had handed her a letter from Celestia. She could still remember it’s exact wording which sounded quite ominous to her mind:

Dear Twilight,

After the feast this evening come and see my in my chambers. I have an important message for you which may not be heard by anypony other than the two of us. Do not mention our meeting to anypony until after we have talked.

-Celestia

Twilight  cast a scrutinous look over Celestia out of the corner of her eye. After a hundred years she had grown wise to Celestia’s unconventional teaching method of forcing her to react to danger. There was a certain look in Celestia’s eyes whenever she concealed information in that manner, it was hard for her to put into words. A sort of squint of glee and curiosity.

The ‘Lesson Look’ wasn’t present in her old mentor’s eyes this time. This look was one of hope, curiosity, and concern which made Twilight far more fearful. The ‘Lesson Look’ had been in Celestia’s eyes when she had sent her to the Crystal Empire all those years ago. It had been in her eyes when Discord was let loose. It had been in her eyes the time the Great and Powerful Trixie had accidentally summoned ten-million vampiric jackalopes. All of these had been an ordeal in and of themselves which required the Elements’ full power to defeat. What in Equestria actually causes you to worry?

The feast wrapped up, everypony slowly leaving as the evening wore on until Luna announced it was time for her to raise the moon for the night and the last few ponies left to continue the festivities elsewhere. Pinkie immediately came bounding up to Twilight, a smile stretching from ear to ear, “Twilight! There is going to be a totally awesome ginormous after party at the Salt Lick Club! They are gonna have a cake shaped like Equestria, and balloons, and Vinyl's daughter is gonna be doing the music, and-”

Twilight smiled softly holding up a hoof to hush her exuberant friend, “Pinkie, the other princesses and I have a little bit of business to take care of. I’ll do my best to make it to the afterparty but I have to take care of this tonight ok?”

Pinkie’s ears drooped instantly, “Oh… But we haven't gone to a party- like a non formal party- together in…” Pinkie giggled to herself cheering back up, “...three days days. Sorry Twilight.”

Twilight returned her smile. After all these years Pinkie had finally started understanding that Twilight had a limit to how many parties she could do in one week. “I promise I will try and make it, but if I don't show up I’ll see you all for breakfast ok?”

“Ok!” Pinkie sproinged away, going to invite Twilight’s friends one at a time to the afterparty.

Twilight quietly slipped out of the great hall and headed up the stairs to the east wing and Celestia’s quarters. The climb to the top of the east tower was very familiar to Twilight, she had walked it countless times as a young adult alone each and every single step was familiar to her as her own mane. Which is why she immediately teleported to the top of the spiral staircase, there was no way she was walking up all 678 steps tonight.

Celestia came trotting up the steps a few moments after Twilight arrived at the top in a flash of magic. She shook her head at Twilight’s antics, “I remember when you didn’t mind the steps so much.”

“That as before I could teleport without line of sight.” Twilight reminded.

Celestia chuckled and opened the door to her chambers with her magic. The first room’s familiar three couches around a coffee table was comforting enough to get rid of the uneasy feeling Twilight’s guesses had foisted upon her. She took a seat on her favorite red silk cushioned couch as Celestia opened the door to her inner chamber, “Not this room.” Celestia informed walking deeper into her personal chambers.

The uneasy feeling came back. Twilight got to her hooves and followed along to the next room, then the next, and at last a side room. Twilight had never been in this particular part of Celestia’s chambers before, the small side room was a trophy room of sorts. The room’s walls were lined with shelves which held up all manner of things from books, to weapons, to gems, to a preserved butterfly. Below the shelves more items sat atop marble podiums under glass cases, each with a label explaining what the object within was and what it’s story had been.

After Twilight passed through the door Celestia closed it with a gentle nudge of her magic, “This is my room of memories. It is one of the safest places in all the world. Nopony will be able to overhear our discussion, which is important as I need to bring you in on one of Equestria’s greatest national secrets.”

Twilight looked up at Celestia with a relieved sigh, “Oh thank goodness! I thought that all of spacetime was going to unravel unless we found a long lost magical relic and tossed it into an oddly specific volcano or something.”

Celestia couldn't help but grin for a moment, “I do often send you on obscure missions don’t I? With even a bit of luck there will be no danger in what I will ask of you tonight.”

“So… what is it?” Twilight asked, sitting on the floor to listen as intently as she could.

“Are you familiar with the Gryphon War of the Second Era?”

Twilight nodded, “Of course! It’s a very important part of history. You even had me write a report on it.”

“That war never happened.” Celestia said in as  serious of a tone as she could manage.

Twilight’s jaw dropped, “Yes it did. That war is what led to our current alliance with the Gryphon Kingdom. There are extensive relics from the battlefields dug up by-”

“The Gryphon King of that age was in on the conspiracy. Every artifact from the war in a museum is a fake.”

Twilight simply could not even begin to accept that history as written might not be correct. “Celestia! Of all the ponies who would believe some conspiracy nonsense-”

“Twilight, I led the army in that war. Do you think even for a moment I could forget anything which happened?”

“...No…” Twilight had to concede, “But if history is wrong why haven’t-”

“Because the actual war which happened was far worse and I have no idea if the invaders will ever comeback. I did not want my ponies to live in fear of a possible war which might or might not come at anytime.” Celestia sighed and walked to one of the glass cases and opened it with her magic, removing an odd silver and green device.

“What is that?”

“Evidence of the truth. This is one of the weapons we fought against. It’s magics are long dead, but this device sent a bolt of magical fire flying at a target. It would melt stone, turn wood to ash, melt most metals, and burn flesh so badly many ponies would die from the pain instead of the wounds.” Celestia set the weapon back in it’s case with a look of triumph and despair.

“Who would use such a cruel weapon?” Twilight asked ears drooping at the description.

“We never learned their proper names. We called them Outsiders. They were a mix of races not from our world banded together for reasons unknown. It sounds like science fiction, but the Outsiders came from the stars, abducted ponies, performed experiments, and once they had learned enough about us they attacked in force.” Celestia’s horn lit up as she projected a magical image to allow Twilight to see her memories as she told her the truth of the long past war.

The Outsiders simply arrive one day and began leveling buildings, killing ponies and causing general terror. The foot soldiers they had were grey frail looking skinned bipedal creatures which most ponies could easily defeat but they had thousands of them, and their more elite soldiers possessed powerful magics, some even had armor which nullified magical effects around it.

“The war lasted for two years. In the first three months most of Equestria’s major cities were in ruins… by the time it was over there were so few ponies who knew the truth that covering everything up was easy. There was no longer a messenger service so the villages were cut off from one another, and most ponies who survived lived in those villages and had not been touched by the war. Most of the others were a part of The Order, the Knights I led in our defense. We won by learning about the Outsiders, their magics, their abilities, their tools. We made their strengths our strengths and attacked any weakness we could find. One day we finally did enough damage to their invasion for them to get serious.”

The image changed to show far more powerful looking creatures, great hulking brutes which looked like hairless diamond dogs, massive robotic enemies clearly designed only to kill, and tall thin creatures in robes who clearly had command over potent dark magics. Finally a massive fortress of metal appeared in the sky over the badlands.

“This was their base of operations. Every single soldier, every single ship, every single captive came from or went to that place. Nothing we had could hope to destroy it, the entire structure was somehow made immune to our magics. Fortunately one of our nations greatest heroes made a key discovery. Sir Cedar Creek-”

Twilight’s ears perked up, “It’s good to hear he was not made up! Sir Creek has to be one of my personal favorite unicorn knights.”

“Actually, he was an Earth Pony.”

“What? But he cast spells! He was a wizard and a knight.” Twilight objected.

“Yes he was. But he wasn't casting pony magic, his magic came from a powerful creature he discovered being held captive in an Outsider base whom he freed and befriended. Her name was Ryuome, and she was an Ethereal-you can put your hoof down Twilight I was about to explain.”

Twilight sheepishly put her hoof down, “Sorry…”

“Ethereals come in two varieties, the sort which led the Outsiders, and the type Ryuome was. She told me of her kind’s history, long ago her people had physical bodies but believed if they shed them and became creatures of thought and magic alone they could become an enlightened people. A ritual was attempted but only a few Ethereals ascended to the form of life they desired… The rest were driven mad and now seek to find any way to join their kin who succeeded. Ryuome was an Ascended Ethereal, and her Fallen kin were using her as a power source for their magics.”

“That’s horrible! But… If she could serve as the power supply for an entire army’s magic just how powerful was she?”

“In truth she only provided a fifth of their strength. On her own she was quite weak, a single arrow hitting the energy which composed her body could potentially kill her. Because of this they rarely manifest a physical form. Ascended Ethereals are not creatures like you or I Twilight, they instead bond to another in a sort of spiritual symbiosis and exist within that creature’s mind. Together the two individuals become far stronger than they would be apart. The Ethereal gains a durable body, the host gains access to the Ethereal’s magic, and they both gain companionship.” Celestia explained.

“So they are a symbiote?”

“Exactly. It was because of his partnership with Ryuome that Sir Creek could use magic… I had him portrayed as a unicorn so his feats would be believed by history without mentioning her. Together, Sir Creek and Ryuome managed to bring down the Outsider’s fortress’s defenses but were mortally wounded in the process. Outsider magic has many cruel ways to harm, and many amazing ways to help.”

Celestia closed her eyes, blinking back tears at the memories, “They were two of my dearest friends. I could never talk to Ryuome directly but Sir Creek was more than happy to relay her messages to me. All she wanted was to help ponies like us. She had lived on our world for millennia, hopping from pony to pony and giving them the ability to do great things to help all ponykind. Apparently they wish for little more than company and to make others happy. Which is why when she died I promised to look after her child.”

“I’m sorry but, why would an all powerful spirit-like creature need a host? It doesn't quite make sense to me.” Twilight mused for a few moments, “Discord doesn't need a host.”

“They are far from all powerful, Discord would be more than a match for all but the oldest Ethereal. From what I understand, they gave up their physical selves. While an Ascended Ethereal has a physical shape and can manifest it in a way we can interact with that is their very life force, completely unprotected by a body.”

“Oh… I think I understand now. You said you promised to look after her child. What happened then?”

“Nothing yet. The final battle the two undertook left them mortally wounded, as I said before. The specific way Ryuome was injured caused her to create an egg. It was damaged, but she told me that I would slowly repair itself as the egg soaked up ambient magic and one day it would hatch. That day has yet to come, but when it dose hatch the child will need to immediately have a host.”

Twilight nodded, she could see where this was heading. “And you think that I am the right pony for the job. I… guess I could share my head with an alien spirit for a while.”

“No Twilight, you can no host it.”

“Why not?”

“Pony magic is… not compatible with Outsider magic. Your natural magical field would make him or her very sick very quickly. We discovered that of all Pony kinds only Earth Ponies are suitable hosts. Also as this is a child it would be best for the host to be the child’s own age.”

“Oh. Well… what do you want me to do then?” Twilight asked curiously.

“I do not believe you would have time to have a foal of your own and it is very unlikely you could have an Earthy Pony with your level of magic. So I would like you to adopt a foal and raise him or her with the young Ethereal hosted within. I sadly have too many royal duties to be a proper mother, Luna is not mature enough for the task, and Cadence has her own colt to raise…”

“You want me to become a mother?” Twilight asked incredulously.

“Yes. If we can raise the Ethereal as a friend, as family, and raise it as well as can be we can create a powerful champion to protect our would should the Outsider’s come again and our strength not be enough… Also I promised Ryuome I would care for the child, and I believe I would do so best by giving it to you. Please Twilight, nopony else can be trusted with the truth.” Celestia admitted.

Twilight stood up. She wanted to object but Celestia’s logic was quite sound. There was only one thing left to do. With a sigh Twilight asked, “How do I find a suitable host?”

“Remember the ‘Mage’s Gem’?”

Twilight nodded.

“That is actually the egg. I entrusted it to the most powerful spellcasters to protect whenever I felt a pony could do it better than myself. With the egg now active it should react in some way to the touch of a suitable host.” Celestia pointed with one hoof to the end of the room. A single podium sat at the very end, cradled in a plush red silk pillow sat the egg, energy whirling about just under it’s surface.

“So,” Twilight asked as Celestia gently took the egg from its case, “I should take that to an orphanage and touch all the Earth Pony foals with it and see if anything happens?”

Celestia handed the egg to Twilight who took it gently, “Yes. I can’t think of a better way to do it. Let’s get the egg into a box. You should get started right away, the magic waves within it appeared only this morning. I think it may be hatching soon.”

Twilight gulped. This was a whole new type of responsibility for her. Yes she had raised Spike, and yes she had brought up a few animals in her long life, but she had never before been entrusted with the care of a child who could hold the key to ensuring Equestria remained a free land. “How… How certain are you that the Outsiders will come back?”

“Not at all. We did not destroy them all, but they may not simply want to attack a place which defeated them a second time. We do not know anything about their culture.”

“So… this Ethereal and the foal it bonds to could be the key to our safety, or just the life of two people?”

“Yes. But in either case, they deserve a happy childhood and a reason to want to keep the world a wonderful place to live in.”

Twilight bit her lip for a moment then nodded. I can’t argue against this. I don’t want the responsibility of motherhood yet, but nopony else is suited for the job… Oh dear!

“Er Celestia, we have one problem. If we want this to be a normal life we cannot make an exception to the laws of the land correct?”

“Well yes… Even I follow all of Equestria's laws.”

“Then by Equestrian Adoption law, to become the legal guardian of a foal I must be a part of a stable relationship either a marriage or a domestic partnership… and I honestly do not have anypony in mind for such a relationship. But even if that was not the case a foal deserves two parents.”

Celestia mused for a moment, recalling what she could of the laws she herself had written, “We can place a child under your care as a royal decree… But that can only last until suitable guardians are found and after 90 days the child legally must be returned to government care.”

“I guess… I’ll have to find somepony willing to help me raise a foal.” Twilight’s eyes started to take on a maddened gleam as that particular realization set her on a feedback loop of terror. “I can’t find a special somepony in 90 days!”

Celestia gently set a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, “Twilight… The letter of the law and it’s intent are so that the foal has at least one pony’s income to support him or her should one parent lose their income. This is why I included domestic partnerships in the law, so friends could support a friend's child should a pony’s marriage fall though. You only need to find somepony willing to legally back you. There doesn't have to be a sexual relationship involved.”

Twilight let out a sigh of relief, “That’s right… thank you. Ok, that makes it easier. I think I could do that.”

“Good. I knew you were the right pony for the job.”

Twilight smiled slightly. “Thanks Celestia. I won't disappoint you!”

“You never have.”