A Tail of Difference.

"Sweetie Belle, are you finished packing?" Rarity asked obnoxiously as the breaking point of her suitcase was almost met, sewing equipment organized but crammed into the only thing she could find. "Honestly, how does a filly your age pack so much stuff? It's as if you have a hoarding issue?"

Sweetie Belle entered her sister's work room with a bemused look on her face. She carried with her one suitcase, full of clothes, crayons, and paper, and stopped at the edge of the doorway for her own safety. Her big sister, being the too-prepared mare she is, quickly levitated her eight bag down the window to the air chariot that was prepared by the Queen's command. Her friends, Twilight, Pinkie, and Applejack sat comfortably in the oversized air chariot as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy helped their purple-scaled friend find a place for the final bag.

"You accuse me of hoarding?" Sweetie Belle looked around the room, confusedly, to see there was not a single needle or twine of thread to be found in the room. It was completely emptied by the Fashionista, unfortunately. "You cleaned out your entire room of your sewing stuff and cleaned up twice for some snobby prince."

Rarity managed to break the awkwardness with a loud gasp as the final bag was tied to the chariot. Thankfully, Rainbow Dash was going to fly with Fluttershy carrying Spike on her back, because the guards were already seeing the weight limit of their flying ability put to the maximum. They could carry both princesses and the queen across the country if need be, but they were much lighter than the many machines the Element of Generosity had at her disposal. Gulping with fear of the weight overbearing their short travel, the six Pegasus in gold armor mentally prayed to the heavens for the strength to reach their destination safely.

"This is no snobby at all, Sweetie Belle." Rarity stated dramatically, rushing the filly to emphasize her words with a frightening staredown. Sweetie Belle retreated as their eyes locked, but her rump backed into a corner. "In fact, the prince we are going to see somepony who is just about your age."

"My age?" the little filly tilted her head, receiving a nod from the purple-mane unicorn.

"Yes," Rarity nodded, before falling into the same warm, lovey-dovey sensation she felt when Leo hugged her the first time. Her eyes widened to dinner plates as her smile reached its breaking point. Sweetie Belle started to worry as she saw this.

"Oh you will absolutely adore the little prince. He's not a pony like us, but he is just the cutest thing you will ever see in your life. He's on par with Spikey-Wikey, actually; even Twilight agreed with me."

"Traitor!" Spike yelled at the sheepishly smiling alicorn, his eyes burning with a newfound dislike for the Kitsune he has yet to meet.

"Wait," Sweetie Belle drawled, her chin resting against her hoof. "If he isn't a pony, then what is he?"

"He is something the Queen called a Kitsune;" Rarity replied. "Now I'm not what that entirely is, but the most I understand of it is Kitsune are ancient fox spirits that have a mischievous nature for pranking."

"Like Rainbow Dash and Discord?" Sweetie Belle questioned. Rarity shook her head slowly and groaned at the idea of those two teaching the boy how to be a master of pranks. But only time could tell.

"For Faust's sake, let's hope neither of those two teach him how to prank." Rarity uttered, before grinning like a Cheshire cat. She looked away from her little sister and plotted somewhat deviously of the encounter to come. And let us hope the cutiepie is not suited to a noble or a royal. I may have lost my chance, but that doesn't mean my little sister is without the chance to a happily ever after.

"Rarity, we're going to leave without you and Sweetie Belle if you don't hurry up!" Rainbow Dash yelled from the window.

"Coming!" Rarity chirped.

After locking her door and double-checking that had everything needed, Rarity climbed aboard the air chariot with Sweetie Belle deeply nestled in her underside for comfort. Sweetie Belle was a filly of brave stunts, but never did she ride an air chariot to the castle. The most she knew about it is you get really high in the air; at least that's what Applebloom told her.

"Nervous?" the Fashionista nuzzled the scared filly, receiving quick nods before her tail was pulled over to shield her eyes.

"First time?" Twilight questioned with a smile.

"Yes."

With the air chariots fast on their way to Canterlot, the girls relaxed on their ride. But little did they know who was making his way into the castle while a few of his brethren waited on the streets.

"Almost ready for the attack." a cloaked male whispered, strafing from his path as guards walked passed him, his hoof firmly tucking away a steel dagger as its black crystal hummed with terrible incantations. He chuckled to himself. "Soon, very soon, the queen and princesses will become my breeders, Equestria will be mine, and every mare will belong to the Caribou."

***

"Why are all these ponies here, Miss Celestia?" Leo looked over the alicorn's wings holding him close to her chest as the nobles split into two groups, their firmly locked onto the Kitsune. Celestia eyed every jealous mare in the room with triumph and enjoyment, her giggles echoing throughout the throne room as the rest stared at him in disgust.

"A princess must listen to the voices of her subjects; and they are here to talk with me about anything." She craned her neck and nuzzled the boy but kept her eyes on the envious nobles, who happened to be love-struck with motherly love for him. "It is not the best part of my position, but it will be just fine with you here to keep me company."

"How long will it take?" he asked cutely with a tilt of his head. The mares cooed at his adorable response to the Sun Deity, but none of them dared to approach for a single touch.

"A couple of hours, maybe three or four if there is much to discuss."

"But that will take forever," Leo whined whilst struggling to escape her grasp. Unfortunately, Celestia had a strong hold on his midsection, and she was not going to be merciful. "And I want to go play right now."

A smirk of satisfaction crept across Celestia's muzzle as she reveled with the blackmail given to her an hour ago. She spun the boy in her wings and lifted him to her eye level. Their eyes met, and she pressed her nose against his for a nose kiss.

"You're such a cutie when you want to be," she cooed, but Leo was not falling for it. He could feel a disturbance with the mare as the pink in her eyes glimmered with devious intentions. "But you promised me lots of cuddles and snuggling whenever I want them. Otherwise, I'll just have to tell Blueblood chopped off his mane."

Leo narrowed his gaze at the smirking princess, his eyes speaking a blatant challenge to her bluff as the noble waited impatiently. "You would not dare." he whispered.

"Try me," she whispered in return, smiling triumphantly. Leo simply glared at her and clenched a tight fist with care of the claws coming loose. "And don't make me use mother to make you behave, because I will."

"You're a big meanie. . ." Leo said in a deadpanned tone, Celestia giggled quietly and ran her muzzle across his cheek without a single care of the nobles seeing it happen. She herself was much more content with being who she is rather than what others want to be. The judgmental stares did not bother her, as she thought about her first moment of intimacy with the boy being a deep cuddle when he comes of age for dating.

"Yes, but you know I love and adore you." the Solar Princess said in an angelic tone; that which made the Kitsune groan in annoyance. "Oh, behave yourself for a few hours. If you do, I'll take you to Luna for video games."

"Where is Miss Luna?" Leo asked in a curious tone, his gaze gained an arch of the right eyebrow as he looked to his sides for any sign of the blue alicorn. "Doesn't she wake up at the same time you do?" Celestia laughed lightly and resumed holding him.

"No, Luna sleeps differently than you and I." the alicorn replied. "She has to stay up late and finish where I left off in court, but she should awaken in a couple of hours."

Leo rested his chin on her wing and gazed flatly at the crowd, accepting his inevitable defeat. He muttered so quietly Celestia could not make out what he was saying as the first bell echoed outside. Once it did, most of the nobles straightened their posture and gained full composure. Unlike the wives though, they were too distracted by the boy's adorable struggle from the Solar Princess' quick pecks to his head. He pressed his hands again muzzle, but it was not enough to keep her at bay. He began to blush.

"Aaaawwww!" the mares cooed.

"Miss Celestia, please stop that." Leo demanded as another peck to the cheek happened. He went to pinch the alicorn's cheeks to get her attention, just like Mr. Mole did when he was learning magic, but his ears perked to the silent glide of metal. He stopped fighting and immediately acted on instinct, his demonic orbs dilating to the unsheathed metal.

Guards were at all four corners and beside the throne, but none of them possessed a weapon of any sort. They were clad in their armor, but possessed no such weapon that is metallically forged; and that is what made Leo worry. He started using what his friend taught him whenever danger is on the prowl. He began to focus his sight and hearing on the crowd, ignoring the world around him. Everything seemed to turn black as he observed the crowd; even Celestia holding him no longer registered in his mind. The entire world was more clear than a blank sheet of paper.

During this time of silence, Celestia, the guards, and the nobles eyed the boy with curiosity and concern. They could see the amber in his eyes brighten as his tails were slowly engulfed in bright yellow. Every hair on his body became this color, even his hair, but no one had any idea why he was suddenly changing hair color. It worried every single pony that the little prince was experiencing some sort of illness or transformation.

"Leo, what's wrong?" Celestia looked down to see his claws were out, and the pain of them pinching her delicate wings registered. She dropped the lowly growling boy and watched him rise to the top step, ignoring the small drip of blood from the wing joints. She starting to feel afraid and decided to use her magic to call for help.

Mother, are you there? she asked in the back of her mind. Unfortunately her connection did not just go to Faust but Luna and Discord as well. Mother, I need you.

Celestia, I am busy. Faust sighed. What do you need?

Something is wrong with Leo. He's suddenly become silent, and his fur has changed color.

Changed color? Discord butted in, which made the princess frown. What kind of color did he change into?

His fur became bright yellow, but it is strange. His eyes are glowing similar.

Similar, Faust gasped, causing her daughter to worry a little more. And does he happen to have his claws out?

Yes,

"Is the prince alright?" a Pegasus guard whispered as the source of the problem made it past the front of the crowd.

The cloaked male looked up and immediately flinched when his eyes met Leo's in a locked match of territory control. His body froze at the intensity of Leo's stare, unable to control himself as suspicion from every pony redirected itself to him. He tried to look away, but something inside the boy glued kept his gaze in place. His body started to shiver, as did every breath in his body.

What is going on with me? Why am I afraid of that thing? He was trembling now.

Celestia too became weary when her little fox began to prowl on all fours and growl threateningly. Leo was not at all the angel he's been since day one, not in the slightest. It scared her—No, it terrified her in some way. This was not the affectionate prankster she knew him to be. This was something else, something dangerous, something. . . animalistic.

"Your majesty?" one of the nobles called out, snapping the cloaked male out of his fear as a spark of red light opened and closed in an instant, revealing a very troubled Faust and Discord at the bottom of the steps.

"What's going on?" she asked the crowd, but it was too late for her to realize what was happening. The male beneath the shadow's eyes widened in anticipation, his next breath a gasp, and he drew his blade with swift motion.

The nobles saw this and began to scream, before scrambling in terror.

"An attack!" one of the guard's screamed, kicking off the ground at a high rate of speed as the alicorn saw the black crystal extend purple bolt to every unicorn in the room.

"No magic for you!" the male cackled, and then threw off his cloak, revealing himself to be a very old reindeer.

Faust and Celestia went to react in self-defense, but the first flicker of magic was quickly negated by the bolts launched at them. Their horns redirected the magic to every nerve in their bodies, creating the most painful spasm in their muscles. The same happened with every unicorn and Pegasus in the room, and they screamed in agony while falling to their sides.

"The queen and princesses are now in my possession, Lord Gazellor!"

Chaos spread throughout the room, ponies struggling to escape or stand as the reindeer wasted no time enacting his plan. He approached the teary-eyed queen with ill intention and laughed. He loved seeing her so weak and helpless, the satisfaction almost intoxicating. It was by far the most historical moment in all of Equus, and he was the first to make it happen. To bring down the very maker of this world.

"Leo, run!" Faust panted through her pain.

"So that's his name," Gazellor mused, touching the mare's plot as the sound of his small armada attacking the outside reached his ears. "Well I must say he is quite unique for an odd creature. Maybe I'll keep him as a pet, so he can see me breed that succulent marehood of yours."

"Don't. . . you touch him!" Celestia coughed, only to hear herself talking. Gazellor was paying no attention to her; at least not yet. He was more focused on the growling boy prowling towards him.

"Leave my mommy alone!" the little kitsune spat, drawing out the magic he was taught. The tips of his tails were now consumed in blue fire as the situation burst through the doors as six mares and a filly.

"Princess, the castle is—" Twilight Sparkle broke off at the sight of everyone but Leo and Gazellor lying on the ground. She gasped and started to panic when the oversized reindeer turned to them with a deep, lustful stare. Her friends were just as shocked of the attack already reaching the throne room, expect for Rainbow Dash. Yes, she was more stunned of what took place just as the boypt from the top step with all his might.

"You ruffian, how dare you!?" Rarity yelled angrily.

"Yer gonna get what's comin' to ya, ya varmin!" followed by Applejack.

"Oh very nice," Gazellor hummed, unaware of the boy launching at him with his index and middle fingers aflame and pointed. "More mares for breeding, and one of them being Princess Twilight Sparkle. You'll make excellent bait to draw out the Crystal Princess and her Prince."

"Leo!" Rainbow Dash panicked, taking flight to catch the boy. Thankfully the crystal had a short radial blast, but to Gazellor it was more than enough to take down two of the monarchs to gain the upper hoof.

Or so he thought. . .

"I'll have real fun with you, Sparkle. But first I'm going to—"

"I don't think so!" a lightly masculine voice barked, startling everyone, including Leo. Said voice became a blur that flew from behind Leo's ear and grew into a divine woman. "Do it now, Amy!"

Suddenly the boy was whisked away in a blur and reappeared next to the mystery person, his powers instantly locked away by a ring now on his middle finger. The dagger Gazellor possessed was in the hand of their savior, and she crushed it with a simple squeeze, destroying the effects of the crystal.

"Taken down by a reindeer. I'm very disappointed in you, big sister." the woman giggled, holding a large brush with both hands. She smiled brightly in the sunlight as her faithful guide hopped from her shoulder to tip of Leo's nose.

"What did I tell you about losing control of your instincts, young man!?" the tiny, masculine voice screamed at a decibel only Leo and the woman could hear. Leo smiled gleefully as Faust, Celestia, and Discord recovered quickly, which terrified the enraged reindeer.

"Mr. Mole!" the little fox laughed at his infuriated teacher jumping on his nose.

"IT'S HIRASHI JYOGA MOLE, YOU INSUFFERABLE PRINCE!"

"Just who the heck are you!?" Gazellor yelled, drawing all attention to himself. He withdrew another knife from under his cloak and pointed at the woman, his eyes burning with hatred. "Tell me and I will not cut out those eyes in your disgusting face."

"Impossible," Faust and Discord gasped, disbelieving the goddess before them to be here. "AMY!"

"Not just Amy," the woman said in a tone more angelic than even Celestia's. She wore a perfect smile and giggled at the reindeer as he grind his teeth in denial of losing.

"I am the Celestial Goddess of Earth's Sun and Moon, the index finger of the Lord's left hand. I am Amaterasu, Divine Goddess of the Celestial Brush."

"What!?" Celestia screamed.

"Are you kidding me right now!? Discord exclaimed angrily, throwing his arms in the air dramatically. "It was bad enough having the furball in my life, but now I have the divine bitch and the parasite as well."

"I'm over ten thousand years old, you bastard." Hirashi yelled. "Show some damn respect to your elder!"

"Enough talk," Amaterasu said sternly. "I believe this unholy filth needs to be taught a lesson, and I think five thousand spankings from me will do the trick."

"Oh dear," Gazellor muttered, before praying to the heavens that his comrades would come save him. He began to sweat profusely during his short search for his allies, but they were nowhere to be around. The only thing he could see were monarchs around him, Sweetie Belle and the element wielders gawking in confusion of this new goddess.