Celestia sat you down in the tub. The hot water eased your drained muscles and her golden magic kept you upright and even began to slowly wash you as she settled beside the tub and looked you over for a quiet moment.

"You are a very curious human. I've been handling you like... the others, but it seems clear you are not one of them."

What were the others like?

She was quiet again before she let out a sigh. "There are other things to discuss before we arrive there, but we will." She reached out and rested a hoof on your shoulder. "Let us begin with a falsehood. Applejack, when did she say things began?"

She wasn't super specific, but what, a year, maybe two?

Celestia let out a little snort. "Would that were the case. She is the among the last of her generation to be born between two loving pony parents. It was recent that... it became impossible to hold that secret. Those last born were becoming adults, ready to create their own children. And they couldn't... Applejack knows of our announcement, but the crisis began before then. Do not be angry at her. She spoke the truth, as she knew it."

You were glad Applejack hadn't told another lie, still...

Celestia leaned down, her face brought down to beside yours. "This is a delicate situation in the kindest of terms. We work tirelessly to resolve this mistake of mine, but I understand that it was my mistake." She raised a hoof to her chest. "Moping about that won't fix it, however. There will be time to allow my little ponies to have their anger and fury at me, but only after their future is secured. I will let them do as they please after that. Before then... telling them too much would just result in more pain, panic, and hurt our chances of finding a cure."

She pointed the same hoof down into the water, at your altered genitals. "You represent one prong of that hopeful cure." A little smirk spread over her face. "With your literal prong. Did it bother you? Luna usually selects dreamers that have a fondness for... breeding."

You weren't a horn dog and protested the implication. You did like ponies though, and it was... good. Very good. Why did she have to chase Applejack off so quickly?

Celestia's smirk faded away. "That was not done idly. We, ponies that is, have several failsafes that help keep us harmonious and happy. They don't always work, but they do help most of the time. When a mare is seeded by a stallion she likes, an immense flood of contentment and happiness swells in her and him both. The more time they spend around one another, especially right after that critical moment, the more wonderful they feel about one another. It creates strong families with love on both sides. She was already falling into it. If I had not come, she would have demanded your hoof in marriage and happily guarded you to the end of her days as your wife and you, her husband."

The thought of Applejack falling for you wasn't entirely bad, still...

"I see you have some understanding. I do apologize. Should you decide to join us, as a pony, there will be more chances. You've left a mark on her. You're her first, and she won't lightly forget that." She rose to her hooves. "Are you feeling better?"

The warm water had really helped. You could move, if slowly. You stood up, water sluicing free of your naked form.

Celestia smiled at you and lifted you free with her magic to stand beside her. "The first time is always the worst, or best, according to some. Your body will produce a little less and drain less savagely each time until it crashes, then you are expended." She tilted her head. "Do you wish to see the list again? Whichever mare you select, you need not see them immediately. It wouldn't be healthy regardless."

About that... Why not just let a stud rest until fully recovered? You could keep a stud going a lot longer that way, right?

Celestia raised a brow. "Were you a doctor in your world? You speak with a curious certainty."

Well, not exactly. Still, isn't it common sense? If someone runs a marathon, you don't run another marathon immediately thereafter or you really could get hurt.

She nudged you with a hoof. "Well argued. You are also... emotional. Two mares now you've taken the time to comfort and know as ponies, not simply as a chance to rut. I will tell you this freely, the other studs before you were less... harmonious. Luna found dreamers whose minds were focused on the desire to rut. They were good for it, but very little else. Some were truly savages, practically attacking any mare they were allowed to. They... accomplished their goal, but we... Let me simply say that I much prefer you, gentle stud, and hope that you continue to treat my ponies with dignity."

Were they really so bad?

Celestia sighed softly. "They were varied. Some were polite enough. Those were the ones that joined us. Some were... little more than animals. They were obsessed with breeding, so much so that the news that they could never breed again was too much and they became violent." She leaned forward. "Tell me, are your people normally violent?"

Well, no? Sorta? Your people had the capacity for it, and have been throughout history, but plenty of them were peaceful and happy being so.

She tensed a little. "That does align with what we've seen. The polite ones were happy being left alone, by and large. The attackers... They did so in ways that would sicken a pony." She raised a hoof towards her face. "One would go directly for the eyes of any pony that crossed him. We had to... let's not get distracted. You have made some rather... large claims. I would have proof of them, if you will entertain me. Tell me something that no other pony would know of."

Visions of the episodes flashed through your mind. There were so many! But it had to be something private. Something special. Of course... You sang, not very well, the start of Twilight's ascendance song.

Celestia paled even as you started, her eyes wide and locked on you. "Enough! Enough... She would never share that..." Celestia looked away a moment before snapping back to you. "You know much about us, dreadfully so."

She walked slowly away, head seemingly full of thought. "You have made some things quite clear. I know of Luna's oath to you. In respect to it, I will now allow you some questions. Ask and be answered." Her horn glowed, grabbing a towel and started to dry you off diligently. "And let's not have you catching a cold in the process."

Author's Note

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-L2YJB7BN/

You are quite certain on your path, the way forward like crystal. You will listen to Celestia's words, but you have some questions of your own. Complaining is tempting, but just that, a temptation.

Hey, let's try something new. Instead of numbers, you get to ask questions. Feel free to agree with other people's questions to make them more likely to be the one that gets asked.

Let the interrogation begin!