“Thank you so much Fluttershy, but are you sure your alright with this?” Twilight asked, pulling the other girl back to arm’s length.

Fluttershy nodded, meeting Twilight’s gaze with surprising determination from the usually quiet and reserved girl. “I am. I just know that I could help make this a memorable festival.”

Twilight smiled and pulled the other girl in for one last hug. “Alright, but if you ever want to quit or you change your mind just let me know, okay?”

Fluttershy smiled back, giving her friend a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”

The two ponies parted, with Fluttershy joining the rest of her friends by the door of the castle while Twilight stood off to the side, a giddy expression on her face. “Oh this is so exciting! I can't wait to spend the evening going over all the calculations to ensure the festival is perfect!”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “We better get out of here before she asks us to proofread her formulas again.”

“It was one time!” Twilight muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and huffing indignantly.

Applejack chuckled. “Try not to work too hard.”

“Yes, and make sure not to forget about your personal hygiene again! We know how you get when you get into your math mode.” Rarity added, much to Twilight’s increased shame.

“Alright, mooom.” Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes.

The five ponies all giggled as they turned to leave, with Rainbow Dash opening the door only to stop suddenly and look up. “Oh hey princess Celestia, what are you doing here?”

The five non alicorns all bowed slightly at the sight of the immortal standing on the stoop. She was clad in simple, flowing white robes, her less formal regalia of a sun necklace, golden heels and a small simple golden crown replacing her usual ensamble. Behind her they could see a two unicorn guards dressed in a similarly less formal fashion, with both wearing simple suits and not the usual ceremonial armor.

The princess nodded. “Good morning my little ponies. I merely wished to speak with my former student and thought it prudent to do so in person.”

Rainbow Dash smirked. “Looks like you’re busted Twilight.”

The purple alicorn gulped. “Am I in trouble?”

The solar princess tittered, while giving her head a slow shake. “Of course not. You are a princess, not a foal. I can't exactly ground you anymore.”

“Then why are you here, if you don't mind me asking that is.” Fluttershy asked,

“I merely want to check in and make sure Twilight is doing this for all the right reasons, but we can talk about that later if your busy with your friends.” The princess offered, looking around to the at the group of girls.

“It's fine, they were just leaving.” Twilight said rather pointedly, glaring at Rainbow Dash as she did.

The pegasus rolled her eyes. “Later egghead.” Rainbow Dash leaped off the landing and launched into the air, pumping her wings and sending her soaring into the mid morning sky.

Applejack nodded. “I’ll let ya know when I find Braeburn.”

“Thanks again Applejack.” Twilight responded.

The apple farmer tipped her hat before walking in the direction of sweet apple acres.

“Later Twi Twi and don't worry I’ll make sure to find loads of peanut butter in time for the festival!” Pinkie Pie shouted, before bouncing off into town.

Twilight just shook her head. “See you later Fluttershy. Tell Discord he's invited the next time we have brunch!”

The demure pegasus blushed a little. “I will, goodbye Twilight, princess Celestia.”

The princess nodded. “And to you as well, fair Fluttershy.”

The pegasus gulped, blushing harder before scurrying off in the direction of her cottage and leaving the two alicorns alone.

“May I come in?” Celestia asked, gesturing to the door.

“Oh, of course. Would you like some tea or pie? We have lots left over from brunch.” Twilight offered, closing the door behind her mentor.

“Some pie would be lovely.” She sniffed the air, a smile suddenly spreading across her lips. “Apple, correct?”

Twilight nodded. “One day you are going to have to teach me that trick.”

The ancient alicorn merely shrugged. “Only time, and practice can do that. And maybe a chef who likes sneaking vegetables into all your meals.”

Twilight giggled, guiding her mentor towards the map room. “I know what you mean. I can't count the amount of times I’ve had to pick gems out of my food.”

“Hey that was one time!” Spike yelled suddenly, emerging from behind one of the thrones carrying an arm load of dishes.

“It was at least three times, and that's not counting that time you got crushed rubies and ketchup mixed up.” Twilight pointed out.

Spike wilted slightly. “Sorry, Twilight.” He droned.

“It's alright Spike. Oh and don't worry about the leftovers, I’ll clean them up. If you wouldn't mind just grabbing a fresh plate for Tia, I’m sure she'd appreciate it.”

Spike beamed, instantly jumping to attention and snapping a salute. “Yes ma’am! One plate coming right up.”

The solar princess nodded to the dragon as he scampered past her, slipping him a ruby in a quick, subtle movement. “Don't tell Twilight.” She whispered.

Spike licked his lips and tucked the ruby away. “Thanks Mom.” He whispered back before slipped out of the room and towards the kitchen.

Twilight just shook her head as she gathered the rest of the dishes. “You shouldn't spoil him you know.”

Celestia shrugged and sat down in one of the thrones emblazoned with Pinkie Pie’s cutie mark. “Oh a little snack never hurt anyone.”

“At least tone it down with the rubies, he gets gassy.”

“Noted.”

Within seconds Spike had returned, triumphantly holding a clean plate in his claw. “Here you are my lady.” He announced, bowing to the solar alicorn and extended the plate.

Celestia giggled at the dragon’s antics and took the plate with a polite nod. “Thank you sir Spike.” The alicorn levitated over the last two slices of apple pie and took a large forkful, chewing loudly.

Twilight just shook her head. “Your a terrible influence.”

The princess of the sun merely shrugged. “This is really good. You must ask Fluttershy to give me the recipe.”

“How did you…” Twilight shook her head. “I’ll ask her the next time I see her.”

Spike shuffled awkwardly near the door, looking down at his feet. “Is something wrong Spike?” Twilight asked, noticing the dragon’s sudden discomfort.

He gulped, awkwardly looking up at Celestia who eyed him curiously. “N-nothing. I’ll be in my room!” He announced rather loudly before running off in the direction of his room.

Twilight frowned, looking at the spot she had last seen her number one assistant. “I wonder what's wrong.”

Celestia put down her now empty plate, Twilight choosing not to remark on the alicorn’s amazing, lightning fast eating. “Have you talked to him about the festival?”

The purple alicorn sighed. “No, I haven't had the time what with all the preparation that needs to be done.”

The elder alicorn nodded knowingly. “Then all he knows is from rumours and guesses.”

Twilight frowned, her eyes lingering on the empty door. “Your right. I’ll talk to him tonight.”

“Good. You never know what a young mind may have convinced itself of. Like how one filly I knew was convinced that there was a monster in her closet.” Celestia chided.

Twilight blanched, her mind going back to the first year she had spent in the castle. “Hey, that closet was huge!”

Celestia chuckled, shaking head. “That's a good lesson though Twilight, we immortals easily forget our younger years and you must hold onto that and never forget where you came from.”

Twilight nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, Tia. Sometimes I forget what I was like at his age.”

“And you only have a matter of a decade between his age and now, wait a few hundred years and you might just forget what it's like to be a kid at all.”

The purple alicorn sighed. “Good point.” She shook her head. “But I’m sure that's not all you wanted to talk about.”

“No.” The alicorn said simply, steepling her fingers on the table. “I wanted to ask you why you signed up to stud at the festival.”

“Oh, whew.” Twilight laughed nervously. “For a second there I was worried princesses’ weren't allowed to have kids or something.”

Celestia shook her head. “You know that's not the case.”

The younger mare rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. “I know that logically, but sometimes the heart needs to be reminded.”

“Very true. I just want to know what made you want to be part of the festival. You’ve never really shown any interest, even after you had the right equipment for the job.” The princess remarked with a smirk.

Twilight coughed nervously. “Well, it’s kind of a silly story.”

“That is my favorite kind of story.”

The purple alicorn smiled, her worries slowly assuage by the gentle calm that radiated off her former mentor. “I was chatting with Cheerilee about one of her students when I asked her if she ever thought about being a parent.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “She's the school teacher here in Ponyville, correct?”

“Yeah, she's a great teacher. Even if the school library isn't as extensive as I’m used to.”

“True, you were rather privileged being able to use the royal library.”

Twilight chuckled. “Yeah. Anyway. One thing led to another, and Cheerilee admitted she has always wanted to be a parent but she wanted to know the stud, and she didn't have any male friends she felt comfortable with.”

Celestia smiled. “So you offered to be part of the festival in order to help her along.”

“Exactly, and then somehow, it got out that I was the one volunteering and…” She sighed.

“Ahh, I think I understand.”

“You do?”

“Of course, I was young once too you know.” Celestia remarked with a wink.

“I thought you were always a dinosaur.” Twilight said with a smirk.

Celestia blinked, taken aback by her student’s joke for a second, only to burst into a fit of laughter. “Let me guess, Rainbow Dash?”

Twilight chuckled. “She uses that one on everyone older than her.”

The white alicorn stood suddenly and moved to hug her former student, an act Twilight eagerly reciprocated. “I’m glad your doing this for the right reasons.”

“Thanks for looking out for me.” Twilight squeezed her mentor.

“Wow, keep working out like that and you might be able to give Applejack a run for her money.”

Twilight winced. “Sorry Princess Celestia.”

Celestia merely rolled her eyes. “One of these days were going to break that habit of yours.”

The younger alicorn winced. “Sorry Pri- Tia.”

“Pritia, that's a new one.” The alicorn remarked.

Twilight crossed her arms over her chest and shot her elder a weak glare. “Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?”

“I think I’ve teased you enough, for now.” Celestia said, throwing her former student a wink.

Twilight rolled her eyes before breaking into another fit of giggles. “It was good to see you.”

“To you as well, my friend.” The solar princess gave a slight bow to her younger. “I shouldn't occupy anymore of your time though. Enjoy the festival.”

“I will, thank you!”

Celestia turned to leave only to stop at the door, casting a curious glance over her shoulder. It was a strange look, one of both barely contained mirth, mixed with the alicorn’s usual impish expression she had right before she played a prank. Twilight glanced down her throne, expecting a whoopie cushion only to find it curiously empty. When she looked back up, the elder alicorn was gone, leaving behind a flurry of questions in the younger girl’s mind.

Twilight shrugged. “Better watch out for buckets over doorways.” She muttered, making her way to Spike’s room.

The alicorn was surprised to reach her surrogate son’s room without feeling the familiar sensation of a bucket of water crashing onto her head. Instead she found Spike, laying on his bed with his arms and legs splayed in all directions.

“Hey, big guy. How's it going?” Twilight asked, trying not to wince at her poor opening line.

Spike sighed. “It's okay.”

“I thought you were going to read comics.” Twilight offered, plunking down at the edge of the dragon’s bed.

“I didn't feel like reading.” He muttered.

Twilight sighed, placing a weary hand on the dragon’s small shoulder. “What's wrong Spike? And don't say nothing.”

The dragon stood up suddenly, gaining just enough height so he could look the alicorn in the eye without having to tilt his head. “Am I getting a new brother or sister?”

Twilight blinked, then blinked again. “Uh, kinda?”

Spike folded his arms over his chest. “Yes or no?”

“Look, Spike. It's just not that simple.” She sighed, noticing the dragon wasn't exactly convinced. “It's like… Oh I know!”

Her horn flared and she grabbed one of the flyers for a bunch of games that a new arcade was advertising from the small pile of random papers in Spike’s room. “It's like one of your coop games at the arcade.”

“That's not a coop game.” Spike pointed out.

The alicorn rolled her eyes. “Well pretend it is. Now, it's like one of your games when you play on a team, they are your friends right?”

“Sorta?”

“But you don't necessarily play with them after that right?”

“No.”

“That's kind of what the festival of life is.” Twilight explained, grinning at her own clever metaphor, only to see Spike still scratching his head.

“But how are you having a bunch of foals like playing with someone new at the arcade?”

The alicorn sighed. “I am just giving them the necessary genetic material to create new life, not committing to be a part of their life after the act.”

Spike snapped his claws, his eyes widening in realization. “Oh! So you aren't in a relationship with all these ponies, so although those foals will be yours, they won't be my brother or sister?”

“Exactly!”

Spike cocked his head slightly. “I don't know why you bother with these metaphors, you've been homeschooling me since forever.”

Twilight chuckled. “I should have known my smart little guy would be able to figure it out.”

The dragon puffed out his chest. “Heck yeah you should!”

“Well I think my smart little guy deserves a new comic book, what does he think?”

“I think he does as well. Can I get a piggyback to the store?” He asked, eyes shining with childlike wonder.

Twilight gulped, remembering all the years she had carried him around on her shoulders when he was much, much smaller. On the other hand, she was much stronger after only a few weeks of exercise, maybe this was the perfect excuse to add some more muscle. “Sure! But no pulling my hair.”

Spike groaned. “I only did that when I was three!”

Twilight giggled at her adoptive son’s distress. “Some things you just never forget.”

Author's Note

There might be a few errors left so if you see em pm me or leave a comment.
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