Contest In Equestria

The morning of Whipwind's sentencing in Canterlot dawned cool and overcast. It was the first such day I remember that had started like this since my arrival in Equestria so many months ago. Heavy, grey clouds were drifting in from the north like a blanket that filtered the morning sunlight into a stone colored glow that lit up the yard of the farmhouse at Sweet Apple Acres. A stiff breeze tugged at my long black hair that was tied in a braid, hanging below the center of my back where my dusty colored wings sprouted out of the holes in the brown shirt I wore, flexing in anticipation for the flight ahead of us. My legs, naked from the knee down, were protected from the cool breeze by a pony like covering of soft fur that matched the color of my wings.

My left arm where Whipwind had bit me, causing this transformation to something between human and pegasus to happen in the first place, was aching now that the weather was cooling off. It had long since healed, but was choosing to reminded me of it's presence with a dull throb that was just enough to irritate me as I worked to secure the harness Rarity had made Scootaloo and I for flight. The wings, furry legs, an enhanced member tucked inside the shorts I wore... all were all "gifts" that the bite had bestowed on me through some mixing of Whipwind's blood and my own. I also suspected it was responsible for my hair growing to mid-back length in just a few months as well as my ability to get Scootaloo pregnant. All things considered though, having her bearing my child was worth every bit of it.

She gave me a tender, sleepy lick on the cheek before nuzzling me as I worked the straps around her chest. Stopping my efforts, I pulled her into a tight hug, breathing in her earthy smell that was so unlike anything I'd ever experienced in the human world. Two days had passed since Twilight and I had returned from Dodge City with Ashley in tow to help Spike and yesterday, after waking up with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in bed with me in a sweaty warm pile of fur, manes and tails, Twilight and Spike had come to Sweet Apple Acres with a note from Celestia. Whipwind had requested Scootaloo be at his final sentencing hearing for his crimes of assault and abuse. While she wasn't required to go, she said that she would anyways.

I didn't think it was a good idea, but Scootaloo wanted to see him one last time now that she was free of his control. Twilight was going with us as she was required to be a part of the hearing in a royal capacity and now we were getting ready to take off for the long flight to Canterlot. My wings felt strong and ready for the journey today and I actually looked forward to the trip, having never seen the royal castle before. The harness Rarity had made us so that I could fly Scootaloo was finally secured and we were ready to go.

"You'll love it Mason!" Twilight said as she checked her straps on the flank packs she wore, "The castle is so much better than my own!"

"I thought Spike was coming?" I said, standing next to Scootaloo and putting my hand gently on her purple mane.

"No, he wanted to help Ashley get settled in. I still think Sugarcube Corner was an odd place for her to choose..." she said, shaking her purple head slightly with a bemused look, "But Ashley really wanted to learn how to make gem cakes and glitter muffins. Spike told me she'd never had a gem until a couple of days ago, and now she's hooked! The Cakes will treat her good, and I'm sure they're glad to have another set of hooves around to help. I just hope Pinkie doesn't drive her crazy living together!"

"She was really nice yesterday, too." Scootaloo added, "I kinda wanted to hang out with her."

"Yes, well apparently Wilson was able to clear up her misgivings much better than I..." said Twilight, her hoof awkwardly rubbing her neck. "So much for the magic of friendship..."

"Oh stop it, Twilight." I chided her, "Everything's alright now, quit beating yourself up over it."

She gave me a sheepish look that faded quickly when she looked at the sun's hidden progress. "We better get going, you two. We don't want to be late." Twilight spread her wings and lifted off the ground, hovering a few feet above us as I hooked the umbilical from my chest piece to Scootaloo's harness on her back.

"You ready, Puffball?" I smiled at her and her cheeks flushed a bit before she nodded. My nickname for her always made her blush. It came from the first night we made love together and the horrible state of her mane and tail afterwards.

The harness held Scootaloo just below me, balanced perfectly with just enough room between us for her to buzz her little wings and help push us along. Once we both had learned to work together in the harness, we found we could fly amazingly fast. Not quite fast enough to beat Rainbow Dash in a race, but we gave her a damn good run for the money once, even with our added weight.

I lifted us off the ground slowly, making sure the harness was secure and balanced before climbing up into the sky with Twilight beside me. We turned north-east and set off towards the distant mountain that was hidden in the low clouds. Slowly we rose above the trees of the apple orchard and watched as Ponyville shrank in size to our left. It always made me laugh at how scared of heights I used to be before I had my wings. A ladder was enough to cause me to break out in a cold sweat before I came here and now I could soar through the clouds without a second thought. We flew easily, not pushing the speed, leaving energy and breath to talk. Scootaloo donned her "flying grin" as I called it, zoning out completely and buzzing her wings as hard as she could while her orange legs kicked out in front of her like Superman.

"So you and Spike are really alright, eh?" I asked Twilight once we'd leveled off and hit a comfortable cruising speed.

"I think so, Mason. I just have to remember that he wants to do his own things now and give him his space. He's growing up so quickly..." she gave me a nervous look, "But never mind that... I have to focus on today's royal duties. I've never done this before and every wing beat that brings us closer makes my stomach twist in knots!"

"I'm sure you'll do fine, Twilight." I smiled at her and then turned my head down to where Scootaloo hung below me. "Right, Scoots?" I said to my orange lover, scuffing her purple mane with my fingers.

She turned her head up and grinned, lost in the sensation of flying like she always was no matter how long or how far we flew together. Since the midsummer festival when Rarity had made us the sling, we'd spent more days out of the week than not flying for a few hours every morning. Scootaloo's enthusiasm for it never wavered or waned and she usually was the one nipping at my legs to hurry up and get the harness out. I'd had the forethought to ask rarity to design it so her belly wasn't constricted by the straps, allowing her to use it even though she was pregnant and starting to show. According to pony biology, our foal will be born in the spring, just on the other side of the fall and winter we were beginning to slip into now.

The mountain in the distance with Canterlot Castle perched invisibly in the clouds on it's side was already drawing closer. From my trips around the area either on foot or by air, I could see the place in the far distance and always marveled at how the massive structure clung precariously to the side of the rock. There was more than just a small part of me excited to be finally going to see it and check it out up close.

As we flew on, conversation dropped off and my thoughts drifted to my life since I'd arrived here. According to Scootaloo it had been late spring when I awoke in their clubhouse and even though it had only been four or five moon cycles, either time here moved more slowly or just the sheer number of events that had happened made it feel much longer.

But I was much better for it, I thought. My new body was growing muscled and lean with the constant chore work happening at the farm and eating healthy every day with fresh grown fruits and vegetables as the main diet had dropped the amount of fat on me down remarkably. I'd had to take a liking to nuts and seeds for protein because I'd yet to see anything resembling meat here and was not quite ready to ask why. I really only missed bacon. Dear lord, did I miss bacon. Sometimes the thought of it alone was enough to make my mouth water these days.

The greatest personal discovery for me had been a new found sense of courage and willingness to fight for my new friends here when threatened. Of all the things that had kept me up at night thinking, it had been those times when I'd actually willingly put myself in harms way for Scootaloo and the rest of the ponies. It wasn't something I'd ever had to do before and I'd found a part of me seemed to adapt to it rather quickly. Three times now I'd been in a fight and after the last time with the guards at Sugarcube corner, I found later that a part of me thrilled in the experience. Something about how it had felt to be filled with adrenaline and feeling the power in my body as time seemed to slow to a crawl and let me move with superhuman speed had been intoxicating.

I wasn't exactly proud. But it was an interesting new side of me none the less. Regardless, I'd come to accept that I was not the Mason who stumbled into whatever magical hole Twilight created months ago. I doubt my mother or the few friends I had back then would even recognize me anymore at this point and recently I'd come to the conclusion that I didn't care, either. I had been reborn. I had a girl who loved me and was pregnant with my child, a strong group of friends who cared about me and we all lived in a place that was beautiful and magical to my eyes. This was my life now and I wasn't entirely human anymore.

The golden spires of the castle came into view through the clouds, giving me my first look at the place up close as my wings beat a steady, comfortable pulse that kept Scootaloo and I on a gentle climb beside Twilight. The white walls of the sprawling complex gave the place less of a castle look and more of a jumbled together, large compound appearance. We flew towards the nearest landing outcrop that jutted off the side of the cliff about half way along the castle's length, rimmed by a tall, golden railing.

Two pegasi guards in exquisite golden armor flew up to meet us and escorted our way down to the large, white balcony where a small gathering of ponies were waiting. As soon as we landed, however... I learned just how important this gathering was. I recognized two of the three large alicorns right away but one I had not yet met. She was pink in color, taller and thinner than Twilight but not as tall as Celestia or the dark and brooding Luna who stood beside her. Her mane and tail were of several shades of pink and purple and her eyes were a large, luminous light purple that seemed bigger than her face should need.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said with a dignified air, "You are well met on this day of royal duty. Please announce your subjects who will attend today's proceedings."

"I... errum..." Twilight struggled for a moment, looking sheepish and clearly having an awkward time thinking of myself and Scootaloo as her 'subjects'. She pulled in a breath and gathered herself up into a dignified posture, pitching her voice firmly. "I have brought with me Scootaloo, who was requested by the one being sentenced and Mason, the human... and our friend."

"Very good. Let them be welcome to the proceedings and have a place of honor beside us." Celestia bowed. Her head came up with a wry smile after a moment and the time for formalities had passed. Much to everypony's relief.

"Twilight!" the alicorn I wasn't familiar with cried out with joy and ran forward, embracing the purple alicorn tightly with a smile. "It's so good to see you!"

"Cadence!" Twilight said, "It's been too long. How's my brother?"

Cadence's face dropped slightly. "Ehh.. well he's been busy, you know? Twilight, did Celestia not tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"I have not told Twilight everything yet, Cadence. She only knows of The Flock's return." Celestia said, her own face flirting with concern.

"Is... is something wrong?" Twilight asked, worried.

"We'll talk about it later." Celestia smiled and turned her eyes towards Scootaloo and I where we stood behind Twilight, me holding the unhooked umbilical of our harness in my hand.

"Welcome to Canterlot Castle, both of you. Scootaloo, I remind you that you're not required by the royal proceedings to be here."

"I know, Princess. But I kinda want to see him one more time. Now that I'm... you know..." she looked up at me with a small smile, "Free."

"That is very brave. And very mature of you, Scootaloo. You will make a great mother."

"Y... you know?" Scootaloo said with surprise, her face turning a bit red. I felt my own cheeks burning as well.

"Of course, little one. Your relationship with Mason is well known to my sister and I. We have wanted to congratulate you face to face for a while. Should you two need anything, please... do not hesitate to ask."

"Th.. thank you Celestia!" Scoots bowed her head.

"Mason? I assume you're here for her support?"

"Yes, Princess." I said, putting my hand on her neck.

"So you're the human, huh?" the alicorn named Cadence said, taking a welcoming step towards me, "Shining Armor mentioned something about a human his sister had conjured up."

"I... I guess that's me!" I tried to sound dignified, but failed. "Who's Shining Armor?"

"Mason, Shining Armor is my brother... and also Cadence's husband." Twilight said, giving Cadence a friendly nuzzle that was returned eagerly.

"So... you two are sisters-in-law then?"

"And much more!" Cadence nodded with a smile, "I also was Twilight's foal sitter and best friend. Catch us on a better day and we'll do our sunshine and ladybug cheer for you!"

My thoughts ran back to a very peculiar rhyme Twilight had muttered when she was drunk in Dodge City that had sunshine and ladybugs in it. I wondered if it was the same.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Cadence." I said, giving her a polite bow that felt stiff and awkward. She returned the gesture before Celestia spoke.

"Very well. Please, follow us into the castle where we shall leave you and Scootaloo alone for a time. The four of us have much to discuss before the proceedings take place. Oh, and Twilight?" Celestia said, turning her face towards the lavender alicorn, "On the way, could you please be so kind as to inform me why you never brought Spike's Feracity to my attention? My poor sister Luna had the most frightful time with his dreams over the last few weeks...."

Twilight suddenly looked ill and I shared a small smile with Scootaloo, knowing the source of her discomfort all to well.