Diversity is magic: Lessons at Dusk

by Nagel Navari

Rating: everyone
Tags: Spike, Royal Guard, Prince Blueblood, Princess Celestia, Anthology, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 5300

The story of how Dusk Shine became Princess Celestia student and the lessons she taught him.

The Rose School of Magic is regarded as one of the most prestigious academies in all Equestria. If legends are to be believed, it was co-founded in the early years of Princess Celestia's reign by the daughter of Princess Platinum Rose and the son of Clover Blood, The Clever. Despite the passing of centuries, and the occasional changes to both it's policies and location, the role of Headmaster being filled by a member of the Bloodrose family. Most importantly, the use of an entrance exam to gauge the strength of prospective students has remained unchanged

Cover by Silfoe, used with permission

Published 2019-01-02 07:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-01-14 07:49:29 UTC

The Entrance Exam

“Mom, is it too late to go back and not take the test?” A colt inquiried, as he followed his parents along the streets of Canterlot.

“I’m sorry, we are already expected to show up.” Lady Velvet Sparkle replied. “Besides the only way for young colts like to access the Royal Archives is to gain admittance to the Rose School of Magic.”

“What if the other colts and fillies don’t like me, or if I don’t pass the entrance exam. What if I fail and have to go back to magic kindergarten?”

“Nonsense, my little Duskie, I’m sure you’ll get along with the other foals just fine. As for the exam, having taken it when I was a filly I know the only purpose it has is for the Instructors to get a measure of your magical talent. The only way to fail it is to not take it. And seeing that other families have already spotted us, I’d say it is too late turn around now.” The Stallion of the group, Baron Night Shine said, pointing towards the small gathering of ponies waiting outside of the school’s main hall.

“Oh look sweetie, there’s Sunburst, why don’t you go say hello.” Velvet added.

Dusk Shine, peeking around his mother's legs, saw Sunburst standing near the edge of the crowd with his mother. Surrounding the colt were three unicorns, the first was a blue pony with a silver mane, the second was a yellow filly with a blue mane, and the third was a green filly with a teal mane. Dusk started to slowly move his head into hiding again when he made the mistake of locking eyes with Sunburst’s mother, Spitting Fire, a flame pega-kirin, one of the few non-unicorn nobles, and, according to Twinkle Shine, was one of the scariest mares in the Royal Guard. Before Dusk could react, she had flown forward and was hovering in front of the Shine family.

“Greetings Lord Shine, Lady Sparkle, glad you could make it, Sunburst will be delighted that Dusk is trying as well, and Bluey is looking forward to just how he performs.” The kirin said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have best get back to Cloudsdale.”

Dusk, still uncertain about being around so many unfamiliar ponies, looked up to Velvet to see what her opinion was. In response, she nodded while smiling and nudged him forward with a hoof. “Do I have to, what if they start making fun of me?” He complained.

“Tell you what my little Duskie, how about we go meet the foals together. How does that sound?” Without waiting for a reply, Velvet and Night begin trotting towards the group.

“I guess, hey wait” Dusk exclaims, running after his parents.

As they got closer, the blue unicorn began expressing her dislike for the yellow filly. “So you think you will be a better mage than The Great and Powerful Trixie?”

“No, I never claimed to be better than you, Trixie, I just questioned what your specialty was.”

“Of course you did, as for your question, The Great and Powerful Trixie is a master of Illusion magic.” The blue filly exclaimed as she posed and cast an illusion of fireworks overhead, before pointing a hoof in Dusk’s direction. “See, The Great and Powerful Trixie’s spectacular performance has already attracted one fan.”

“Umm, that was a nice spell, looked pretty real to me. Anyway my name is Dusk Shine, it's nice to meet you, Trixie.”

“Why thank you Dusk, and it’s The Great and Powerful Trixie, not Trixie.”

“Pleasure to meet you Dusk Shine, I’m Lyrical Heartsong and this is my twin sister Lemon Heartsong.” The green filly spoke up, hugging her sister.

“Uh, hello Dusk. So you have also been selected for the entrance exam?” Sunburst asked quietly.

“Yes I have, I just hope it isn’t too hard.”

“Say Dusk, what school of magic do you specialize in? Mine is Conjuration, Lemon’s is Transmutation, and in case you didn’t know, Trixie’s is Illusion and Sunburst’s is Evocation.”

“I..uh don’t-” Dusk tried to say as another mare shouted “LOOKOUT” before slammed into him, causing both to topple onto the ground.

“OhIamterriblysorryaboutthat,IthoughtIwasgonnatobelatesoIusedahastespellonmyself,butforgothowtostopit.BythewaymynameisColgate,whatisyours?” The new filly uttered as she got off of the ground and pulled Dusk up just as fast as she spoke. “Hereletmehelpyouup.”

Once the new pony had stopped rapidly moving for the most part, did Dusk learn that she was a blue unicorn filly with a duo-color dark blue and grey mane. “I have no idea what you are saying, but thank you for helping me stand up. I’m Dusk Shine, the other colt is my friend Sunburst, the Blue and silver unicorn is Trixie, the yellow and green fillies are Lemon and Lyrical.”

“Wowthankyou,misterDuskShine.Though I don’t know why you couldn’t have understand me.”

“Ok I can understand you now, you were moving and speaking really fast before.” Dusk responded.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie demands to know what kind of magic you used.”

“Wait, the haste spell has worn off, all of you can hear me clearly?”

“Yes. Yep. Of course. Was there ever any doubt that The Great and Powerful Trixie could hear what you were saying.”

“Well then, Dusk Shine, I, Colgate, hereby apologize for clashing into you. I didn’t want to be late for the exam, so I used time magic to make myself faster, but I didn’t know that it would wear off and tried to cancel it on my own.”

No sooner than the last words leave Colgate’s mouth did the doors to the main hall of Rose School of Magic swing open, reveal the headmaster himself, Blue Bloodrose.

“Welcome Fillies and Gentlecolts. Before we get under way, I would like to congratulate you all being selected to take the entrance exam. The first portion is a test on your knowledge on the theory of all schools of magic as well as magic in general. In the second part, you will tested individually on your magical aptitude and strength. On the walls behind are two lists, one is those who will be taking the written portion first, the other is those who will be undergoing the physical portion first. Afterwards each group will taken to separate cafeterias for lunch and then they will take the other half of the exam. It starts in five minutes, good luck.” As soon as he finished, the Headmaster turned around and disappeared into the building.

As the other foals trotted into the hall and to their designated testing rooms, Dusk Shine moved to join them, but was held back by his father. “Son, before go in there, I know how you can get worked up over any kind of test, and just wanted to tell you that the purpose of the entrance exam is not to determine in a pony should be admitted or not, but to determine the strengths and weaknesses of their magical knowledge and abilities. So there is no reason to worry, you will not fail it, just go in and do the best you can, my little Duskie.”

“Thanks dad, I’ll try to.” Dusk said, making his way inside. Upon entering, he saw Sunburst beckoning him over to the poster containing ‘Written exam’ followed the names Colgate Minnute, Dusk Shine, Lemon Heartsong, Lyrical Heartsong, Ocean Light, Silver Song, Sunburst Shimmer, Trixie Lulamoon.

“Looks like the six of us have all been assigned to take the written part first. Isn’t that great.” Lemon exclaimed, corralling the group into the testing room.

“Welcome fillies and gentlecolts, I’m Moon Dancer, Journeymare Mage and administer of the written exam. The rules for it are simple, you have one hour to finish as much of the exam as you can, if you finish early, you are to stay in your seat until everypony has finished or the time is up; the use of magic, with the exception of levitation, is forbidden; all possessions that you have on you are to be confiscated for the length of the exam, and that does mean clothing Miss Lulamoon. Any questions?” The beige mare firmly stated, using her magic to levitate Trixie’s cloak and hat onto her desk, and then to give each testee the exam packet, a quill, and inkwell. “No questions, very well you all have may begin, the clock starts now.”

One hour later, a buzzer sounded off as Moon Dancer stopped pacing the room and teleported all of the exams elsewhere. “Alright, the written half of the entrance exam is over. Now gather around me to go to the cafeteria for lunch.” The eight foals, eager for free food, quickly surrounded the unicorn mare, who proceeded to teleport the group to another part of the school. “Welcome to the upper cafeteria, go enjoy your lunch.” She announced before helping herself to the buffet.

The lunch break passed quickly in silence as the ponies prioritized eating
over talking.

“Onward colt, The Great and Powerful Trixie commands it” Trixie declared, upon regaining consciousness after falling asleep due to a food coma and finding herself being carried by Dusk Shine, as the group made their way back to the main hall.

“Oh good, now that your awake, you can walk the rest of the way on your own.” Moon Dancer said, levitating Trixie off of Dusk’s back and onto her hooves.

Blue Bloodrose and their parents were already there when the group entered what appeared to be a waiting room. “Hello again, I hope you had a good lunch. For this next test, you are use your magic to hatch a dragon egg. Also. unlike the previous test, your parents are allowed to observe. Now Trixie Lulamoon, if you would kindly follow me so that we may begin.”

Dusk waited, watching as, one by one, the other foals were summoned into the second room and come back looking dejected, causing his own fears to return. ‘Oh Faust, the others couldn’t hatch it, is the test really that hard? What if I fail and they send me back to magic kindergarden, or if Princess Celestia sees me and sends me to the moon as punishment? What if-’

The colt’s downward spiral was interrupted by the door opening once more and the Headmaster leading Sunburst out of the testing chamber. “Dusk Shine, you’re the last one left, come along so that we may begin” The stallion asked, gesturing into the room.

Gulping in an attempt to overcome his nervousness, Dusk Shine slowly marched through the door and up to where the egg rested. Bloodrose and his parents entered behind him, Blue sat down on the first row of terraced seats next to Moon Dancer and a couple of unicorns, his mother and father settled themselves down on the next row.

“Start whenever you are ready.”

‘Alright Dusk, relax, it is a dragon’s egg, I just need cover it with a hot enough fire for long enough and it will hatch. Here goes nothing.’ The young colt thought while beginning to channel his magic into basic candle flame spell. Dull red flames engulfed the egg and slowly but steadily became brighter until they started to turn orange. ‘Ok, the flames should be hot enough, why isn’t it hatching? Buck, I’m burning through my reserves to fast.’ Dusk, realizing that covering it in fire did nothing, cancelled the spell and began to pace in circles around the pedestal. ‘It is just a dragon’s egg, he said it was, it should have hatched; unless it isn’t and that they lied? If so then what is it then?’ Suspecting the object to not be a dragons egg, dusk channeled his remaining magic into scanning spell, hoping to figure what just what the object actually was. Once the spell concluded, Dusk ceased his pacing and switched to poking the object while trying to mentally unravel confusing results. ‘Hmm, it is comprised of living matter, so it can’t be a rock or an expired egg, it would have shown up as inert if either of those were the case. It is definitely an egg, but of an species that is a complete unknown or one that is too dangerous to study up close; and what is tha-’ Dusk barely had a chance to turn and look out the window as the rainbow shockwave swept through the room. “AAAAAHHHH” Dusk screamed as the wave of light overloaded his magic. Panicking, he began rapid firing off random spells around the room. “HHHEEEELLLPPPPP MMMMEEEEEE! MAAAKKEE IIITT SSSSTTOOOPP, WWHHEEEENNNN WWIIIIILLLLLL IIITT EEEEENNNDDD!!”

Several minutes earlier.

Princess Celestia gracefully walked down the streets of Canterlot, heading to her nephews school with the intention of congratulating the new students. A tingle of magic that she had not felt in centuries caused her to stop in her tracks. Instantly, the solar Princess teleported up to the top of Mount Canter
so she could have an unobstructed view of the source of the Harmony magic. “Well now, witnessing a sonic rainboom certainly is not something I thought would happen today.” Celestia continued to stand in place, watching the rainbow wave spread across Equestria. As it passed her, she froze upon feeling a burst of chaos magic come from somewhere in Canterlot. “No, it can’t, he’ll ruin everything.” She uttered. Her fears of HIM breaking free, caused Celestia to be trapped in her own mind, unable to do anything but watch as the first stallion she ever loved and gave birth to their daughter, reveal himself to be the same monster that destroyed her home and killed her parents. “Never again will I let you harm my subjects, foul beast.” Princess Celestia declared coldly, channeling magic into her wings, and flew down to her city like a meteor.

Blue Bloodrose intently observed the last of the new students fall for the common misconception that dragon eggs can be hatched if you put them in a fire. A believe, that while slightly correct, doesn’t account for them to be bathed in dragonfire or the fact that that particular method only works on flame dragons. Even if the colt tried to replicate the hatching methods of the other dragon types, it would be unsuccessful since the egg was of changeling origin not dragon, and thus needed love to hatch. ‘He stopped his flame spell, has he begin to catch on? Hmm, poking it and scanning it, he has figured out that he has been deceived.’ “Clever colt, he knows it isn’t actually a dragons egg.” The headmaster said just loud enough for the other Proctors to hear. “Question is what will he use his new-found knowle-”

Blue stopped speaking as a wave of rainbows swept across the testing chamber, causing the young Dusk Shine to experienced a magic surge, and a very powerful one at that. “SHIELD NOW!” He yelled, quickly casting barrier, only for the journeymare mage to beat him to the punch, enclosing all of the proctors with a bubble shield in a second. Without breaking stride other staff members added their own magic, strengthening the barrier.

While they had managed to protect themselves, they were powerless to do anything but watch as Dusk continued to launch spells at random. His parents became cats who cowered on the opposite side of the shield, the pedestal, a pile of gemstones. Lastly, the egg turned into a purple and green dragon approximately 15 years old, who briefly observed the other inhabitants, before deciding to attack his tail and ignore the pile of gems nearby.

After over five minutes, a huge fireball burst through a wall, impacted the colt and exploded; destroying the shield, the immediate room, and a portion of the surrounding rooms.

Author's Note

Hello my fellow pones. Idea behind this series came to two and a half years, when I had a strange thought. Instead just one of the mane six being another race, what if all of them were different races? And it quickly went from being an idea for a single story into an entire universe. Anyways I will try to release one chapter of at least 1k words every week. Even then it will take up to two years to complete. Happy New Year fillies, gentlecolts, toms, hens, and other creatures of all ages.

Picking up the pieces

Author's Note

Hello again, I was unsatisfied with the original chapter; so I cut in two, made a few changes/additions to the first half, and expanded what happened after the rainboom in the second half. For those curious as to what changed, the original can be found here.

Picking up the pieces

As the smoke and dust settle, it dawned on the Solar Princess that what she thought was HIM, was but a little colt whose magic had surged as a result of the sonic rainboom. She immediately sent her armor away and noticed that the colt was staring wide-eyed at her. “Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry my little pony, I let my fears get the better of me and mistook you for someone else.”

“Prin.PrincessCel.PrincessCelestia.I’msorrypleasedon’tsendmetothemoon. ImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorry.”

“And why would I do that, my little pony, if anypony is to apologize it is me. If hadn’t reacted the way did, then the destruction would be considerably smaller.”

“But you’re Princess Celestia, the Princess Celestia, there no way you could be-mphh”

“Ah ah, I may be an alicorn, but I am still a pony and may be mistakes every now and then. Now I seem at a loss as to what your name is, my little pony?” Celestia interrupting the colt.

“Why would want to know who I am, I’m just a colt who can’t even complete a simple task such as hatching a dragon.”

“On the contrary, I’d say you did an excellent job. Not only did you, a little unicorn colt, hatch a dragon, but you also aged him a good fifteen years. I can’t remember anypony ever accomplishing such a feat, and I have lived for countless centuries. In fact, you impressed me so much, that I’m considering personally teaching you myself.”

“But.But how will you have the time to teach me, between ruling Equestria and taking care of the sun and moon, you must be super bus-eep”

“Ah ah ah. That is for me to worry about, not you.” The Princess answered, booping him in the process.

“Ahem. As much as I don’t want interrupt your bonding, but I am afraid there are more matters at hoof, such as the damage you did to my school, Auntie Tia. And you, young Dusk Shine, there is the task of finding and restoring your parents to ponies.”

“Princess Celestia, I have brought news of the rainboom as well as two individuals who play a part in it.” Spitting Fire announced, has she approached the group. The first, a griffon hen, a classical lion-eagle mix, wore an ornate set of scale armor and had a glaive strapped to her back. As for the other one, all that could be observed was that he was a tall purple unicorn stallion.

“Why is ther- mmph” the hen started to say, pointing at Dusk Shine, as the other newcomer slammed her beak shut with violet magic, which rapidly enveloped her entire body.

“I suggest not attacking an more ponies then you already have.” The stallion told the griffon.

“Oh, I see.” Celestia said with a frown, taking note of their actions. Glancing at the strange unicorn, she quickly discerned his identity, and moved onto the myrmidon. The Solar Princess recognized her, but failed to remember who the griffon was or when they met. “Captain Fire, thank you for bringing these two to my attention, I’ll take them from here. Dismissed.”

“Of course, Princess” The kirin stated before flying out of the hole in the wall.

“Dear Nephew, I hope you don’t object having to taking care of young Dusk Shine and the other foals, while I hear what these two have to say about this incident of theirs.”

“Of course, Princess, I’m sure whatever the stallion has to tell you must be very important. Blue Bloodrose said.

Celestia grabbed the two strangers and teleported them all to her royal chambers. She then cast a sound dampening spell on the room quickly followed a dispel magic spell on the stallion, forcibly removing his disguise. “Now then, we are able to talk without anyone overhearing us. So tell me why an alicorn and a high ranking Myrmidon have to do with the occurrence of a sonic rainboom in the skies above Cloudsdale?” She demanded, focusing her glare to the griffon. “And what is this talk of you, one of the emperor's guards in my country, attacking my subjects?”

“Moon Dancer go bring the others back here.“ Blue Bloodrose ordered. Looking down at the two cats calmly sitting next to each other, he knelt down and carefully moving his horn between them, and cast a disjunction spell on the pair, returning them to their original pony forms.

“Ahhh it feels good to be a unicorn again.” Velvet purred. “Thank you, Headmaster Bloodrose.”

“No, the pleasure is mine, Lady Velvet. Now onto a more important topic. I am pleased to say that your son, Dusk Shine, passed the entrance exam. Judging by that surge of his, he could have very well matched my late daughter in power.”

“Dusk, looks like you got your cutie.” Night Shine announced, changing the subject. Sure enough, on what used to be barren fur, now had a white star underneath a magenta star surrounded by five small white stars on it.

“What, I got a cutie mark.” The colt exclaim, quickly confirming it, then started bouncing around in circles.
“Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark.Igotacutiemark….”

“So he did, good for him.” Stated the white stallion, winking next to the dragon. “Drake, can you understand me, if so then stop and look at me.”

Upon hearing noises, the dragon stopped clawing at its tail, looked up at the unicorn for a couple seconds, before resuming it’s previous task.

“Dusk Shine since you managed to hatch this dragon, I, Headmaster Blue Bloodrose, assign the responsibility of taking care of it to you. Good luck and congratulations on gaining admittance to the Rose School of Magic. As such, Lady Sparkle and Lord Shine, if you would excuse me, I have quite a fair bit of paperwork to go through.” The stallion declared, then promptly trotting after Moon Dancer.

“Thank you for your cooperation Prince Weaver, I fully understand your reluctance towards answering my questions. I look forward to when we meet again. ” Princess Celestia said, watching the notes of their chat burn, while she wanted to keep a copy incase she forgot something, the stallion was right, they were simply too dangerous. He had already gone back to where ever or whenever he came from by the time the papers finished burning; while the griffon had long since been sent away.

Once alone, Celestia remained in her quarters, thinking of what she just learned. ‘Did he have to be so vague, could he have made it all up. No he made it clear how much he knows of my family. So that plan of his is what is meant to be.’

Sighing to herself, the Solar alicorn disappeared from her tower, reappearing outside of her Nephew’s school, and journeyed inside to find where her new student was. “Hello again, Lord and Lady Shine, Dusk Shine.” Celestia said, re-entering the room.

“Um. Princess Celestia, have you ever had to take care of a dragon before?” The colt asked.

“Yes, on several occasions, but-” Celestia paused long enough to scan the creature with her magic. “- this is a very rare type called the dracoling, and unfortunately was aged physically but not mentally. Given time, I believe the issue will correct, but if you like, I have an acquaintances who will be able to help him through it may take up to a week. How does that sound? Also did you pick a him?”

“A name for him, how about Amethyst Scale or Emerald Spike, and what will your friend do to my dragon?”

“Well I’m sure Amethyst Scale would be a fine name, I personally think that that Emerald Spike or just Spike will suit him better. As for how my friends will help your charge, I cannot answer that. They are very a secretive race and guards their knowledge fiercely. All I know is that they have dealt similar creatures before.”

“A new species, can I go with Spike, just think of the knowledge I could learn. Which reminds me, earlier during the exam, scanned Spike’s egg and discovered that it wasn’t of dragon origin at all, and since you said that you friends have dealt with Spike’s kind before, I should accompany him so I can learn how to take care of him better.”

“I will pass your request to them, but I doubt they will accept it. If they think you can be trusted, then they may reveal themselves. Until such a time comes, I suggest you focus on other things. Is something else you wanted to talk with me about?”

“Uh, I have two questions if you don’t mind, your highness.” Velvet Sparkle inquired.

“Go on, my little pony.”

“Thank you. First, how will being your student affect Duskie’s schedule as well as your own? And second, how do you expect Dusk be able take care of Spike if he doesn’t have any knowledge of what Spike is?”

“For the question regarding how our schedules will work. Your son will attend general classes during the morning and afternoon, travel to castle for my lesson, and then will return to campus for the rest of the night. As for the second question, I offer to take him off you hooves until my acquaintances arrive to heal him. How does that sound, Dusk Shine, Lord Shine, Lady Shine?”

“That sounds wonderful, your highness.” “I believe that is all, Princess.” “I guess so.” They said in quick succession.

“Very well. Dusk, I look forward to seeing you next week for our lessons. Farewell my little ponies.” Princess Celestia said, picking up the hybrid in her magic, and teleporting away.

In a place beyond time and space, an alicorn floated in a purple void. “Dear Celestia, I hope you don’t get too attached to your precious little student. For one day, I’ll return, and I will take what is mine. As for you, I have quite a few plans in store for you, my little Duskie.”

Elsewhere, two mares sat themselves down amongst the rock strewn ground, staring up at the distant capitol.

“Well that settles it then; you, me, the unicorn, the hippogriff, and two others against the world.” The orange mare spoke up, breaking the silence. “Are you looking forward to seeing your kin again, Amaranth?”

“Mostly, while I do regret leaving mom to fend for herself, I would be happy if I never saw my father.” The pink mare stated flatly.

“Hey, don’t be like that. I know he has done some awful stuff, but he is still part of your family. Speaking of which, I hear that one of your children moved to Ponyville. You could move in with them.”

“Yuppers, what about you? Will your mother even let you leave, since your sister is still out there somewhere.”

“She might, she knows that I’m a bearer, so it is in everypony’s best interest that I go. As for my sister, if she was smart, she would turn herself in. Especially since the Princess of Food took over.”

“Yupperoni, never mess with the pink ones.”

Meanwhile in the corridors of Canterlot Castle, two other mares were having a discussion of a different kind.

“Princess, I take it you had an interesting day due to the combination of the rainbow shockwave sweeping across Equestria, you suddenly teleporting out of the castle, and lastly a giant fireball was seen launching itself from farther up the mountain and striking your Nephew’s school. Also there is a adolescent dragon trying to eat your tail.” Said an albino hippogriff, immediately ambushing the alicorn as soon as she appeared.

“Observant as always, Raven, now can you go inform Lieutenant Stout to meet me in my office. Also have Cadance come as well.”

“Thank you, I’ll see that it is done.” Raven Inkwing answered, and flew away.

Once her secretary disappeared from her sight, Celestia continued on her way through the labyrinth of passageways. Shortly after the brief encounter with Raven, the Princess turned a corner at the same time a maid trotted around from the other side, only for the servant to walk, muzzle first, into the alicorn’s peytal.

“Eep.” She exclaimed, falling backwards onto her flank.

“Are you okay, my little pony?” Celestia inquired of the smaller mare.

“Of course your highness, I sincerely apologize for not paying attention to where I was going. Please forgive me.” The maid stammered, hastily getting back on her hooves and walking down the hall. ”If you’ll excuse me, I best resume my duties”

The Solar Princess began to traverse the castle, only to stop yet again when the maid screamed. Upon spinning around, Celestia saw that Spike had latched onto her servant.

“Pa.pa.pao.po” the dragon babbled joyfully, poking the mare. “Ou po”

His captive, on the other hoof looked much less pleasant, as she wriggled free and moved backwards before fleeing into another hallway.

Noticing that the pony was no longer in his grasp, the dragon’s attention became attracted to the larger pony. “Ouu poei. Bea poei. Gam foud” The juvenile dragon muttered, clumsily crawling forward until he was right in front of the alicorn. He then moved his head even closer, bit into the jewel encrusted gold neck piece, and began gnawing at it.

Sighing to herself, Celestia channeled magic into her horn, first casting a sleep spell on the young drake, followed by using levitation to separate him from her peytal and move him onto her back. “Sorry, young Spike, but my necklace is not food.”

Both her guard and her niece were already waiting by the time Celestia finally arrived.

“Auntie Tia, you wanted to see me?” The pink mare asked.

“Yes, please come in, I’d prefer that this discussion remain between us for the time being.” The alabaster alicorn stated, opening the door, and leading the duo inside before closing the door behind them. “As I’m sure you both have heard by now, one of the applicants to Blue’s school suffered a magic surge brought on by a sonic rainboom that originated from Cloudsdale. According to witnesses, the being responsible for accomplishing the feat was Cobalt Swiftwing, half-brother to Princess Gilda Stormtalon.”

“So that’s what that shockwave was.” Said Cadance, interrupting her aunt’s explanation.

“The situation became troublesome when a unicorn mare appeared from a rift and tried to attack Cobalt. She was unsuccessful due to the actions of an alicorn stallion, who followed her through the rift, and Princess Gilda. The problem is that their fight occured in plain sight of quite a few pegasi. While it might be possible to say that both of them were changelings, doing so would force me to publicly acknowledge the existence and abilities of changelings, which will very likely cause mass paranoia. Not to mention that I also would have to explain why I learned of them yet kept it a secret.” Celestia continued explaining. “The other problem is that during his surge, Dusk Shine transmogrified a changeling egg into the dragon currently sleeping on my back. However, while his body is that of a fifteen year old drake, his mind is that of a two year old. So Cadance, how much would you like to visit your friends?”