Unfortunately, I don’t fall asleep and pass the time away. All I can do is listen as Twilight Velvet putters about the library throughout the day. It’s boring as shit, being unable to read, unable to talk, or even exercise. My magic reservoir is filling much slower than it did when we were in Canterlot... How much damage did I do to myself?

It’s hard to judge the passage of time, but it definitely feels like I’m hardly building up anything. I have a few theories as to why, and two of them aren’t very favorable. The first theory is that my aether furnace—the core of a pony’s aetheric system—is damaged or mostly inert. If it’s damaged, I could feasibly be severely handicapped for the rest of my life; but if it were damaged, I’d have been pulled back to the hospital as soon as Rainbow brought me here.

The second theory is that I have been absorbing massive amounts of residual magic during my time at the castle. This might explain the magic reserves being above average for a full grown adult, as well as why I’m just above burnout levels. This means that unless I can accelerate my mana production, I would pretty much have to live around more powerful mages like some kind of magic vampire, or live in a very magically active area.

That wouldn’t be any fun though! I wanna explore and learn more about myself and the world! When I think about it, there’s so much I’d like to do. Plus there’s the merc work I wanna get in on!

The last theory—the one I want to believe is true—suggests that the emergency conversion after doing all that enchantment I performed put a major strain on my body’s mana channels. Coupled with the burn-out and the surge... The limited magic intake during my coma, courtesy of the suppressor, likely would have hindered my body’s recovery beyond the mended strains. So the mana flows, but not as well. Aetheric atrophy.

Thankfully, Velvet checks in from time to time. She’s not loud, presumably on the off chance that I’ve nodded off, but that doesn’t stop from talking to me from time to time. Some of it’s just little things, like how the Ponyville atmosphere is so nice this time of year. Some of it’s not so little, like how she catches glimpses of Shining Armor in my appearance.

It honestly makes me wonder just how much his gene infusion is affecting my appearance. I already had vibrant blue eyes before the infusion, but I’ve been noticing they’re becoming lighter... Like Shining’s. If I had more streaks of blue in my mane, I’d almost go so far as to say I resemble Velvet... my would-be grandmother. I imagine there might be more to come, though.

That actually brings to question something I’d completely ignored for the past several months. Dr. Forceps and Twilight only mentioned using Shining Armor’s genetic material to stabilize me... but I would still have to have some sort of point of origin for what would count for my ‘mother’s’ share of genes.

That would mean that Soren’s mother’s genes were successfully converted, or somepony else’s genes were transmitted during my transformation. I swear to fuck that if Lyra’s my mom, I’ll scream when I can move my body again. I find it hard to believe that some random number generator just ran in the background to generate the rest of it... But then again... Fucking magic.

I really do wish I’d fall asleep, but for whatever reason, I just can’t do it. Even quieting my mind is impossible for me to achieve. That’s disappointing, because I really want to check up on Book. I mean... She didn’t want us to let Soren go... Could this have changed her?

Some time near dinner time—at least, that’s what I’m assuming by the soup smell—Twilight and a stallion whose voice I’ve never heard before enter the library. The voice reminds me of Shining, but is more soft-spoken. The sound of conversation between Velvet and the stallion I assume to be Nightlight fills the library, which hints to me that I’m upstairs.

Now, I can tell that Twilight’s here because rather than join her mother and father in conversation, she rushes upstairs to check in on me.

“Penny!” she cries out, pulling open one of my eyelids. Unsurprisingly she looks concerned as hell. “Are you alright?”

All I can do is move my open eye from side to side. It’s about all I can manage as far as muscle movement is concerned. No, Twi, I most definitely am not alright!

Luckily, being he clever pony she is, she recognizes that as a no. “Are you unable to move your body?” she asks. When I move my eyes down and up, she frowns. “I’m hesitant to do so given the unstable nature of your aetheric system, so I want your permission before I attempt a diagnostic spell. Do you consent?”

Again, I look up and down before locking my eye with hers. If you can fix this I will literally hug you!

She releases my eyelid and I’m plunged back into darkness. Almost immediately, I feel the warmth of her magic washing over me. It starts at the base of my horn and works its way down through my body. The touch of her magic is very thorough, but again, I notice how together her magic feels. Like she’s trying to keep me from leeching it away.

A shiver wracks my body as it probes deeper. My limbs begin to tingle—not quite paresthesia level, but I’m gonna faint level—as it caresses my mana channels. Muscles spasm, and then she goes right down to my core.

She gasps as she pulls her magic back. “How can this be?” Her question isn’t really directed at anybody, since it’s pretty clear I can only answer a yes or no question when she opens my eye. “Even with the suppressor on your horn, you should have been able to absorb all of the ambient magic you need through the rest of your body. Your reservoir and mana channels have grown substantially, but there’s no mana flow... Your aether furnace is like a candle warming a mansion, rather than a roaring flame like it should be.”

I... actually have a theory about what she just said. If you liken a magical surge to a fire being directed out of the horn, putting a suppressor over that horn would be like starving the fire of oxygen... smothering it. Somehow, the flame never went completely out, but it was left incredibly weak.

That would explain why, even though I have some reserves, there’s almost no magic going to my extremities, and why I’m barely recuperating anything. Just maintaining my grip on Discord and then slowing my fall burned through so much. To say nothing of keeping his magic from seeping into me.

Once again, she pulls my eyelid open. “Penny, if we don’t do something, you won’t have long to live” She looks stricken. I’ve experienced enough self-recrimination in front of the mirror to know what she’s thinking. She blames herself for this... but she couldn’t have known! “This is—”

I begin pumping mana into a spell. “This is not your fault!” The spell comes easier than it did earlier, and it’s a bit clearer, too. Is it the smartest thing to burn what little energy I have on thaumaturgy, especially at this volume? No. But I can’t let this stand. “I made a lot of poor choices and suffered... You had to make a snap decision. Let me tear myself apart... or act in my best interest at the time. YOU. ARE. NOT. AT. FAULT. The doctors at the hospital should’ve been keeping an eye on that sort of thing, especially with the suppressor staying on. I—”

The moment my channeling slips, I regret using the spell. You know that feeling when you’re dunked into ice cold water? The feeling that fills my my core is akin to that. Like someone just opened up my torso and poured a bucket full of ice into me.

My unopened eye snaps open and my jaw clenches. My entire body feels like it’s cramping. Twilight backs away as a tremor wracks my body. It’s like tiny daggers racing through me, with the stabbity stab stab! I suck in a deep breath, but surprisingly, I don’t scream out in pain. Oh shit. I fucked up big time.

Twilight acts without bothering to ask consent this time. The warmth of her magic surge down to my core. Even so, it hardly counters the sudden sense coldness.

Her eyes lock with mine. “Penny, I’m hesitant to do this because your aetheric system is still not fully recovered, but the flame in my candle metaphor has degraded to an ember. If that goes out completely, you will die.” Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. I give her a wide-eyed look. “I’m going to attempt to rekindle your aether furnace and give you a magic infusion. This might hurt, though.”

With a force of will that I never would have attempted were the stakes not so high, I force myself to speak out loud. “Please, Aunt Twilight,” I cry with a volume that belies how weak I feel. Tears stream down my face, and I realize that I’ve probably never sounded or looked so much like a child as I have right now. “I don’t wanna to die! Not like this!”

My voice must’ve carried to the lower levels of the library, because two ponies I recognize as Twilight’s parents rush up the stairs accompanied by Spike, who I hadn’t even known was here. They rush to join Twilight at my side amidst shouts asking what’s happening.

Spike looks terrified as he watches me seize, and in that moment it hits me how bad this must actually be. I’m not just dying... I’m dying painfully in front of others. I’m so scared and I can barely keep myself from biting my own tongue off.

Twilight is quick to explain and co-opt her parents help in doing whatever it is she’s going to do. “Channel with me, and I’ll guide the spell.” Looking to Spike, she adds, “You might want to hold her down, Spike.”

As the small drake throws himself across my torso, three horns begin to shimmer. The color of their magic shifts between pink, purple, and blue in sync, but Twilight’s is by far the brightest.

At first, I feel four points of intrusion in the channels passing through my limbs. The masses of magic just sit there, bringing warmth to the affected areas. That warmth becomes similar to sitting in too-hot water—a relief to my everything as it pours through my body. That’s not all you’re trying to do, though, is it?

As the four points begin to... I guess I’d say swirl, there’s a sudden pressure deep in my core. She’s just pumping a raw mix of her parents magic into what she’d described as a mere ember. Like throwing petrol onto an open flame, igniting into a much steadier flame and jumping the heat feeling from uncomfortable to straight-up painful.

The air around us begins to churn as my body begins to pull in ambient magic from the outside. Loose parchment flies freely through the room as I feel power beginning to well inside me. My chest aches as a pyroclasm of energy washes through my aetheric system, pushing out the magics of Twilight and her parents entirely. Imagine chugging a boiling cup of coffee, and then having that coffee vaporize inside your belly; the scalding gas fills your belly, your lungs, and bleeding out to lick the very inside of your chest cavity... Multiply that by fifty.

I scream as the surge manifests. My horn feels like it’s on fire. There’s no way I should have this much power, but—despite the pain—I can feel the three magics coursing through my system, being converted and integrated, and it’s no small amount.

No, I can’t let this surge put me in an even worse situation. I need to get this under control, but how?

Books tear free from a shelf, and the realization that this is going to cause damage to them if unchecked gives me an idea. Enchantment requires a specific magic throughput, or else it fails—violently at times. It requires a stillness... Focus.

First, I cast prestidigitation, creating the image of a blue ring not unlike Twilight’s suppressor around the base of my horn. Drawing on my memory of the indestructibility enchantment, I begin layering the most complex matrix I’ve ever attempted.

If I fuck this up, I’m going to blow my fucking horn off... if not my entire face.

It’s a long process, but much to my surprise, nopony interferes. They’re standing a respectable distance back. I can’t blame them.

Eventually, as I divert the energy into the enchantment, I manage to complete the indestructibility enchantment and the surge loses its steam. Books begin to drop to the floor as the air currents in the room lessen. I breathe a sigh of relief, but there’s still enough mana leaking from my system that I should be able to layer another one onto the ring. But what?

The memory of the other fascinating enchantment on my hammer comes to mind. Open-ended enchantment that absorbs and stores a percentage of kinetic energy to be drawn upon later. Could I actually manage it? The glyph for kinetic energy is pretty clear in the enchantment matrix, and magic is one of the first glyphs you learn in the art.

I’ve never attempted to alter a preexisting matrix before. There’s no other choice though. Enchantment is the surest way I can keep this from spinning out of control again.

“I know you hate when I try new magic, Twilight... If this doesn’t work...” I rasp, looking to... to my what? Mentor? Family? Yeah... family sounds nice, if even for just one moment. “I’m sorry about the mess.”

I release the prestidigitation spell and begin layering the second enchantment on the now very real ring. The bright azure mana cone around my horn, still flickering pink, purple, and light blue grows brighter instead of dimmer. As a bright flash fills the room, I feel a strange sense of peace.

“I’m sorry...”

~ 12 ~

My eyes flutter open as the sun’s morning rays warm my face. With some effort, I sit up and look around in confusion. This is not a part of the library I remember, but it’s definitely the library. You don’t mistake the inside of a giant fucking tree. Would that make this the third floor, the actual sleeping area of the massive tree library?

The room’s broken up into two levels. There’s an upper level with a large telescope visible from where I am, and presumably has Twilight’s bed and Spike’s basket. Here on the lower level, there’s a neatly made king-size bed, and the small futon mattress I’m occupying. That’s in addition to an ungodly amount of books.

Nopony’s around... It’s deserted up here.

That isn’t to say the building’s deserted, though. There’s the distant sound of voices, Twilight included, and the smell of baked goods wafting up the open stairway. My stomach rumbles at the smell of treats.

At the foot of the futon lies my rucksack and my hammer. A smile comes easily as drag myself, not without much difficulty, from beneath the comforter over to the hammer. It takes a lot of effort to pull it onto the floor-based mattress with my hooves, but when I succeed, I wrap it in a hug.

I missed you... A sense of safety washes over me as I nuzzle the broad surface of its head, thankful that somepony had the decency to wash the changeling juices off of it. I really could’ve used you when Discord was bullying me. But if he ever comes near me again, we’ll show him, won’t we?

I giggle in a soft voice at the thought of smashing that smug bastard with my hammer. I doubt I could ever do any real damage to him, and he’d likely just try to fuck with my head by shattering like glass or pretending I exploded him. It’d make me feel better for sure, though.

Without any real reasoning behind it, I begin to channel a levitation spell. Almost immediately I feel something tugging at the edge of the spell. Looking up, I can just see the crystalline blue ring around the base of my horn shimmering in response to my spell. So the enchantment succeeded... and my core feels fine now.

I start with the least amount of energy possible, focusing on my rucksack with a smile. I know the basics of spellcasting, but I definitely need to learn moderation. May as well start now. It doesn’t even stir at first. Gradually, I up my output until I can lift it reliably.

I make a mental note of the feeling of my output and mentally half it. This is about twice what I should normally need to levitate an object of this size. Again, I giggle.

Setting down the rucksack and terminating the spell, I feel the ring resonating with my magic. This gives me an idea, I think as I pull open the bag and scatter books across the bed. Let’s see if I can cast from the ring instead of my own reserves.

Spotting the aged copy of Daring Do and Quest for the Sapphire Stone, my smile falters. I planned on getting the picture inside framed and giving both to Twilight, but life has a tendency to get in the way. No chance of that now, so I guess I should just give it to her as-is.

It’s a bit tricky to draw on the ring’s stored power at first, because it’s really counterintuitive to pull magic in and immediately redirect it to the horn without it running through the entire conversion process. It’s not too difficult, but it definitely feels off as I slowly amp up the power in the levitation spell until the book feels manageable.

Actually standing is a lot more of a challenge. I don’t have the pins and needles sensation that usually accompanies my legs feeling like rubber, but nonetheless they are quite unsteady. Even more so since I’m levitating a very precious book.

In spite of the uneasy stance that threatens to topple me, I slowly make my way over to the stairs. I’m sure anypony who flies past the window might assume me to be completely drunk, but to my credit, I don’t fall flat on my face or arse.

Getting down the stairs takes a bit more effort, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I leaned on the wall the whole way down. In my defense, I need to switch back to casting the spell from my own reserves near the bottom of the stairs, and that switchover takes a few moments to set up.

This is a pretty nice casting setup though. It seems to absorb half the power channeled into a spell, so if I double up on the power input, I can basically get a ‘free’ cast of equivalent length or power. It’s not as efficient, but this method is going to do a good job of getting me in the habit of properly scaling my power and not wasting energy. Gonna have to get good at juggling though.

By the time I cross the second floor and reach the bottom of the stairs down to the first, I’ve switched several times, but even then I’m beginning to feel a bit tired. Then again, there’s almost a three week gap from when I last had a real meal and yesterday’s tuna sandwich. It’s no wonder my muscles are worn out already.

But hey, I’m in the main area on the first floor. I don’t think anypony would fault me for taking a breather. Just look how fucked up I was yesterday. Walking and using magic is a small miracle.

“Penny! You shouldn’t be up!” Twilight exclaims, as she finds me leaned up against the wall. “How are you up?”

She attempts to help me up, but I raise a hoof. It’s shaky, but I manage to put myself down on a cushion near the center table with the wooden statue. “You know me,” I say with a laugh. “I’m nothing if not tenacious.” Levitating the book over to her, I grin. Just call me Tenacious P. “I wanted to give this to you the day I got it, but... shit kinda went sideways.”

She accepts the book and looks at it. “Penny, I already have this book,” she says, looking down at its aged cover with an unsure smile.

My grin broadens as I catch sight of her parents and Spike entering from what I assume to be a kitchen. “C’mon, look on the inside cover, Aunt Twilight!” I say with an excited giggle, very conscious of the childish excitement that seems to overtake me. “You’ll be very surprised.”

When she does so, her eyes begin to water. She manages to not drop it, but she still passes the book to her parents, who show it to Spike. Spike reads the writing on the inside of the cover aloud for all to hear. “To my number one fan, Twilight Sparkle, signed A.K. Yearling.” He looks from the book to me in confusion. “I don’t get it.”

Twilight trots over to me and wraps me in a bone-crushing hug one might expect from an earth pony. “Shining Armor got me that copy for my fifth birthday,” she say, resting her chin on top of my head. “I thought I’d lost it in Magic Kindergarten.”

Nightlight steps forward and looks down at me. “How ever did you come across this?” he asks, smiling down at the sight. “This couldn’t have been easy to get ahold of.”

Peering between Twilight’s shoulder and head, I frown. “The day I... protected a member of the royal family, I’d been out exploring Canterlot—getting supplies for a journey of self-discovery.” My eyes drift over to Velvet and Spike. “I accidentally found the shop when I got us—Eve and Strong, the guards escorting me that day—lost. Found all sorts of books that would be helpful on my trip, but I was drawn to the book, as if by fate.”

Silently, I chuckle at the inside joke that was the fact that I once went by a name involving fate. “I asked to look at it since the seller said it was a signed first edition...” I grin again. “I saw that and the photo tucked in the back of the book, and I had to.”

Twilight releases her grip on me and lowers herself so that we’re on the same level. “Penny, this is easily one of the most thoughtful things, anypony has ever done for me,” she says, wiping a tear from her eye and sniffling. “How can I ever repay you?”

My smile falters at this. Repay? Me? She’s got this bass ackward. Shaking my head, I lean in and nuzzle her on the cheek. “You already have,” I reply. “You took me in, despite your reservations or the fact that you were instructed to. You taught me about Equestria and the world. You trained me in magic. You saved my life twice. This is my thank-you for all of that and more.”

~ 12 ~

Some time later, I’m in the kitchen with Velvet and Nightlight. There’s a breakfast nook where I’m seated with a cup of mocha, but it’s small; it’s clear this library was never meant to house more than two live-in caretakers.

Twilight and Spike left not too long ago, so I’m just sitting awkwardly with her parents. I’ll give them credit, they’re being nice, but I can’t help but feel like they’re... judging me. I mean, I can’t blame them. They know that I tried to kill their daughter and now magic bullshit resulted in me being related to their son. Shit’s hella crazy, with me in the middle.

“So, Penny,” Nightlight asks, sitting across from me. “Why is it you keep calling Twilight your aunt? You aren’t actually related to her; Shining Armor’s blood was simply used to stabilize your genetics, but you’ve never officially been adopted into the family.”

I can’t help but blush and look away as Twilight Velvet places a bowl of oatmeal in front of me. She seems curious for my answer as well, although she doesn’t seem nearly as aggressive about it as Nightlight. Given how she was worried earlier, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Looking between the two, I take a long pull of the chocolatey beverage before steeling myself. “Ever since I earned my cutie mark and they had to stabilize me with an infusion of D—Shining Armor’s genes, I’ve been... changing.” I spare a glance at the broken shield on my flank so I don’t have to see their eyes narrow at my near slip-up. “My behaviour has been... almost childlike at times, and subconsciously I’ve been drawn to Shining and Twilight.”

Sucking in a deep breath, I shut my eyes. “Princess Cadance thinks it’s because my body is effectively that of an adolescent filly now, and that I’m starved for affection.” In spite of myself, a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. “In a way, I think she’s right. This pony body has instincts that I never did, and one of those instincts seems to be recognizing ‘family’.”

“But that doesn’t explain why you’ve been calling Twilight your aunt.” It’s Velvet’s statement of incredulity this time. “Not really.”

I dip my mouth into the bowl of oatmeal to buy time to think. It’s at least a reasonable excuse, given that I need to get my strength back. Still...

Am I really going to have to out the fact that I’ve started to think of Shining as my father and that putting Soren to rest has only made that worse?

With a silent nod to myself, I decide that I can trust them. “In some of our talks... Shining Armor never explicitly made any such offer of adoption, he seemed to think I might benefit from—” How do I word this? “—not having to worry about all of the things I’ve been through. He even went so far as to say, and I quote, ‘Even if it’s not on a daughterly basis, I’m sure Cadance would love to have you around.’

“I initially turned it down for my own personal reasons, but instinct is weird, you know? That offer really helped my ever-changing mind latch onto your son as a father figure.” They share a look that I can’t help but question the meaning of. “At first, I was disturbed by my newfound habit of calling him Dad. After all, I’d just lost one family, only to start calling a stallion I’d only met a few times my father and wanting to make him proud? That’s weird, right?”

I don’t actually pause to let them answer. Instead, I continue, “When I killed that changeling in Canterlot, the part of me that was still Soren couldn’t cope. He was holding so much emotional baggage that I was beginning to break down with this new trauma,” I say, my eyes brimming with tears. “I had to... to let that part of my identity die and make Soren just another memory... I didn’t just decide to not let him influence me anymore, though. I literally let that part of my personality die. All while Princess Luna watched.”

Part of me still thinks that I shouldn’t be dumping all of this on them. Even if he’s not an active part of my mind now, he’s still left his marks. One of those was a refusal to open up about his feelings. That’s why I should tell them. If I can make them understand that my mind is a plaything for my body, they might...

“When I was in my coma, I had a dream.” I tell them, looking Velvet and Night in the eyes. Not at the same time, mind you. I only have one set of eyes and it would be really fucking creepy if I looked them both in the eyes at the same time. “I lived as a filly in an apartment in Canterlot Castle with Dad and Cadance. They’d adopted me when the pony that might’ve been my birth mother passed away. I... really began to accept them both, I think. I began to accept the idea that I deserved a bit of happiness instead of all these countless near-death experiences. Twilight and Shining never treated me like a burden, so I guess that’s why... when I see him next, I might ask if I can stay with them for a bit.”

For a long while, the three of us just sit there in silence. My awkward mental bullshit’s all on the metaphorical table. The pair occasionally shares a look as I finish my mocha and oatmeal, but neither says anything more. It’s just quiet and awkward.

Color me surprised that, once the food and drink are finished, I find myself being encircled in the warmth of a telekinesis spell. My mind doesn’t even have time to process that I’ve been picked up before I’m pulled over to Velvet wrapped in a hug.

She’s... hugging me. It’s kinda unreal to think about, but despite all the weird, self-centered bullshit I just spouted, I’m being hugged. It’s so warm...

“Penny, even if you don’t join the family,” she says, rubbing her cheek against the top of my head. “I’m happy that you recognize you deserve to be happy too.”

Nightlight doesn’t seem as convinced as Velvet, but he nonetheless joins her in the hug. This... is the thing I didn’t even know I was missing. This is the happiness and warmth I needed.

Crying tears of joy, I return the hug. Everything is going to be alright.

~ 12 ~

“Happy birthday, Silver Penny!”

The announcement startles me out of an enjoyable nap. Shaking my head, I look around. I’d have sworn that I was upstairs when I dozed off, but I’m back in the library proper. Clock says four. Have I been asleep for three hours? It’s strange, because I don’t remember coming back downstairs. Because fuck stairs!

Around me are several ponies. More than I would expect. Twilight, her parents, Pinkie, Rarity, Bon-Bon, and... Lyra are all gathered around me, smiling down at me as I try to blink away the sleep.

Part of me wants to chew out Twilight for there being a birthday celebration when I very clearly had wanted to be alone on my birthday. That part, however, is quickly overshadowed by the surprise of it all. Fucking hell! I could’ve been having a zappy dream! Don’t wake me during a zappy dream!

Instead, what I say is, “What.”

Pinkie Pie, bless her daft little heart, bounds over and pulls me upright, holding my body against hers. “It’s your birthday, silly-filly!” she exclaims. Defying all logic, she pulls a perfectly intact cupcake from her mane and sits it on the end of my muzzle. “I was going through my birthday rolodex last night, and I realized I didn’t have your birthday. So I went snooping through your things and found your ID—adorable photo, by the way—and found out your birthday was today!”

Again, “What?” This is quickly followed by me pawing at my face with one hoof.

There are so many things wrong with what she just said, not the least of which being her snooping through my stuff. At the same time, though, she remembered that I’m not big on parties and reduced the attendance to a smaller crowd. I guess I can waive the snooping in light of it.

Much to my surprise, most of them seem to be bearing some sort of gift-bag or present. Even Lyra and Bon-Bon have gifts, despite honestly never expecting to see them again. There even seems to be a few presents and a letter on the table behind the others... ones that don’t seem to have a pony associated with them.

“But why?” I can’t help but ask in confusion. “I’m happy that you all cared enough to show up, but why go through all this for me?”

I look from Pinkie to Rarity, and then Bon-Bon and Lyra. Why are they all giving me the same sad smile.

Much to my surprise, Lyra’s the one to speak up this time, rather than Pinkie. She steps forward, and I can see the swell of her belly. That’s right. She’s pregnant from that night. “Soren—no, Penny, Rainbow Dash told us about what you said to her yesterday,” she says, levitating her present across to me: a gift bag nearly as large as me. “It’s clear you’ve been through so much, even before I... before I ruined your life. I can’t even begin to make amends. I’m sure you must hate me, but I still want you to have this.”

Slowly, I pull the ribbon holding the gift bag shut and begin levitating out many things. The first gift is the digital camera I’d brought in my messenger bag when I came to Equestria. I remember wanting to take all sorts of photos, thinking that I’d be able to return home with an amazing album of memories.

The next item is a small red fleece blanket. Again, it’s another of my belongings; this one I’d worn as a little cloak while occupying Lyra’s body. Unlike when I brought it, however, it looks like brand-new. No cat hair or affiliated lint covers it. Similarly, the next item is a larger, brown fleece blanket in similar condition.

The final item is a saddlebag styled after the aforementioned messenger bag. Navy and grey, with gold shield buckles to keep the covers shut. Inside one of the pouches, there’s a card.

We tried to get your belongings refurbished, but some of it didn’t quite make it. We hope the saddlebag makes up for it. Signed Lyra and Bon-Bon.

By belongings, I assume she means my hat and my messenger bag. I’m not really too concerned about the notebook anymore, and likewise, anything else in the bag I might have forgotten can hardly be counted as important.

I shakily rise to my hooves and stagger over to Lyra. In an admittedly cat-like manner, I rub the side of my face against her foreleg. “I don’t hate you, Lyra,” I say as she gets the hint and rubs my head with a gentle hoof. A smile creases my face. “I don’t think Soren hated you, either. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry enough for the both of us.” Returning to my cushion, I add, “Thank you for the present, Lyra, Bon-Bon. I love it.”

It’s not a lie, either. Saddlebags will be much more effective for out-and-about work when I’m not on the road. Theoretically, I can even wear them in addition to the rucksack, so it’s win-win.

The next present to come forward is a small gift box meticulously wrapped in extravagant wrapping paper and a beautiful bow-ribbon. Rarity’s present, no doubt. There’s no card, but even if it is, this would have her signature all over it.

Respectful of the care put into the wrapping, I am very delicate in my touch as I peel away the ribbon and the paper. Opening the box, I can’t help but smirk. I levitate out the knit olive beanie and examine it. On one side, presumably the front, I see the familiar black-outlined gold chevron pattern that had been above the bill of my cap.

“Many weeks ago, Bon-Bon brought me that hat you’d brought with you to Equestria, asking it be refurbished,” Rarity explains when I look over to her. “Try as I may, I couldn’t patch the tears in the material or remove that awful stench of sweat. Not that the hat would fit you properly in your present form; this, on the other hoof, should.”

Levitating onto my head and pulling it down, I gasp in surprise. It comes down past the base of my horn, but when I look up, I can’t even see the material straining against the protrusion. It’s like I don’t even have a horn! A fascinating enchantment... but did Rarity do that?

This time, I don’t repeat the act I’d done with Lyra. Instead, I do a little pony curtsey and beam at her. “This is amazing, Rarity!” I exclaim, rubbing the spot where the chevrons rest over my horn. “Now I’ll have the element of surprise and my head will be warm in the winter months!”

An uneasy chuckle from everypony present reminds me that, by all appearances, I look like a foal. Talking like some kind of ambush predator probably weirds them all out. It wouldn’t be wrong, either. If I wear the hat around, nopony will judge me for the ring around my horn, and they’ll underestimate me if they try to rob me.

From Pinkie, I half expect to get some strange non-sequitur gift. I can’t explain why, but something about a muffin tin and a cucumber flashes through my mind. Instead, I get a scarf and boots that match the hat. Now I’m practically all set for winter! Maybe her Pinkie sense told her I’d need them? Beh, let’s not overthink it.

Twilight Velvet and Nightlight present me with a box of chocolates that I imagine came from Bon-Bon’s shop. It takes a lot to not start stuffing my face. Only the smell of a nearby cake can sustain me. Still, I do manage to find one peanut-butter ball that’s totally worth having a bite.

From Twilight Sparkle and Spike? A framed photo of the three of us at the picnic I ruined by jumping off of Canterlot. I don’t know whether I’m impressed more by the fact that one of the guard shadows brought a camera and thought to take a picture, or just how happy I look eating that tuna sandwich. That was a pretty good day, all things considered.

Even as I thank everypony—and dragon—for their presents, my eyes remain fixed on the two presents and the letter. Rather than look completely greedy, I go for the letter first. After all, it’s polite to open a card before a present if it comes attached.

The letter, obviously addressed to me, has a return address listing the Equestrian Bounty Hunter’s Guild. That’s right; I’d almost forgotten about applying for guild membership! With careful use of telekinesis, I’m able to slit open the side of the envelope to slide out the letter and the curious membership card inside.
Dear Silver Penny,

We at the Equestrian Bounty Hunter’s Guild are honored to welcome you into our ranks. By being a member of the guild, you are permitted to take on missions that would otherwise be issued to the Royal Guard.

To find and accept a mission, take your membership card to any bounty board, found in all townships and cities in town halls, and press your card against the gem associated with the bounty or mission you wish to take on. The enchantment on the card will record the mission requirements and actively track them as they are covered. Upon completion of the mission, take your card to any bounty kiosk or town hall and present it to redeem your reward.

The enchantment in the card will also receive information on emergency missions in an area. Should an emergency arise, you may throw your lot in by holding your card to the sky and saying, ‘I accept.’

We thank you for joining our guild, and hope to hear of your future exploits.

Jade Quill
Clerk, Canterlot Branch
Bounty Hunter’s Guild

Holy crap this is real. It’s my own personal little quest log! I levitate the card in front of me and smile. It shows a picture of me, my name, and a rank. There is even a little slot that says ‘title’, although this section is blank; probably because I’m just a lowly recruit. The opposite side of the card is blank, but for the emerald embedded in it. That’s probably where my quests will show up.

“Well, at least the area will get a little bit safer while I’m around,” I state with a sidelong glance to Twilight. “This close to the Everfree, I’m sure there are all sorts of bounties that pop up.”

Velvet, Spike, and the rest of the party guest s look shocked upon hearing me mentioning bounties. Not Twilight though. She just looks at me with a mix of disappointment and ‘Why am I not surprised?’

The first of the two gifts on the table is from... Evening Script. There’s a small note written on the label that says, “Penance, I still think this’ll suit ya better than Daring Do.” I smile. Even before I tear open the wrapping paper, I know what it is: Harry Trotter and the Mage’s Induction.

I’m caught off guard, when I find a second book in the package. My face flushes red as I read the title. You’re In Heat (And That’s Okay)! There’s a little note attached to the front of this booklet that says, “The way I figure it, ye’ve the body of an adolescent, so ye’ll be needin’ this sooner rather than later.”

“Oh screw you too, Eve!” I can’t help but blurt out as I gently levitate the books into one of the saddlebags before anyone can read the cover of the second book. Mindful of the company, I mutter, “Effing troll.”

That leaves just one present left. It’s an ornate, long gift-box that, rather than being held shut with ribbon, has hinges and a latch. There’s a small inscription on the bottom that says, To Silver Penny, from Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza.

Shaking, I open the case and levitate out two scrolls. The first one is a letter, while the second has an official looking seal. Opting to read the letter first, I nearly choke back a sob. This... this can’t be real. I look teary-eyed from the letter to Twilight Sparkle and her parents. “Is this...?” I shakily ask. “Is this real?”

When the three of them nod, I levitate the letter to Lyra and Bon-Bon. Pinkie and Rarity join them in reading the letter. Almost immediately, the pink party pony gets that party plotting look about her, while the other three can’t do much more than gasp.

I hardly pay it any mind. Levitating before me is the sealed scroll. This is Cadance’s official seal; I’m sure of it. Popping it open with such care as to preserve the wax, I unfurl the parchment and look at the top.

Tears begin to stream down my face as I read the heading aloud. “Letter of Adoption...”

Author's Note

End Act 2

Thanks go out to Shachza and the other sans for their work picking apart all the little problems in this chapter.

This marks a turning point for Penny. She's accepting who she's becoming, and is learning to accept the fact that she too is allowed to be happy.

An interlude [interlewd maybe?] is being written to account for the time skipped between this chapter and the already finished chapter 13. That said, chapter 13 is a doozy and I am so happy to have written it.

Also, dinner can refer to lunch or supper. In this case, it's the former.