That night, I had a dream about my past life as an English Blacksmith, how I learned from my father how to turn ingots into a useful form. I remember working on small items from nails, horseshoes, hooks, and small blades. Working on several swords for the local duke. Yet, most requests were for small items that the local folk needed to build or were simple repair tasks. The dream felt so real, I could feel the heat of the forge, the hammer hitting the iron, and the vibrations running up through my arm. I remember in the dream I was working on my third sword for the duke, and as I went to quench the sword in oil, I saw my reflection. I was not human, rather, I saw my current face.

I woke up after that, with the dream still fresh in my mind, I tried to remember what I looked like in that life long ago. Yet, I could not remember what I looked like as a human before that, rather, all I could remember was the clothing I wore during that time. I kept trying to remember how I looked, but no matter how hard I tried, in every memory, I could only see myself. Everyone else was still human, my past kids, past wives, past friends, everything and everyone. Except for myself.

I sat in my bed, trying anything I could think of to try and remember how I use to look in those past lives. But nothing worked, even details like photographs showed me as Moonshadow. The idea that old memories were being changed terrified me. If I couldn't remember my past lives as clearly as I use to, was it something that recently happened to me that is resulting in this change? Or could it be that the entity finally realized I can remember past lives and is trying to fix it?

Hoping that it is just something from a recent event I tried to think of what could have changed between now and then. And the list was quite short, I grew older, I was blasted by a rainbow, was in a coma for a while, and realized that I love Sunset. Of those, that beam of harmony magic, the coma, or growing older and seeing this face in the mirror for years seems the most likely. Unfortunately, I am not an expert on neuroscience nor memories so I can't test the coma theory safely. I might be able to test that using my quarterstaff since it seems to have enchanted that after being hit. I'd also have to do some research on how the mind develops as it ages just incase that theory of growing older has any merit.

Either way, I will start researching that soon. As of right now, I need to do my daily routine before going to get some food and start writing that letter to Luna. I spent the next 30 minutes tending to my daily hygiene and getting dressed before heading out to the kitchen. There I see Sunset cooking eggs, bacon, hay bacon, and toast. I will say, I am quite glad that my body can still process meats since the difference of taste between normal bacon and hay bacon is vast.

"Good morning Sunset. What's on the schedule for today?" I ask as I sit down in the table in the nook.

"Good morning to you too." She said with a smile. "Four letters arrived a bit earlier from the University. Maybe stuffy old coots finally realized how revolutionary Atomic Theory is to many fields of magic."

"Did the letters say from which department it came from?"

"They did, they came from the heads of the departments of Transmutation, Evocation, Enchantment, Abjuration, and Conjuration."

"I can understand Transmutation and Evocation, since most spells I have designed works on the basic theory of those two schools. Conjuration I could see how it could apply since most of the spells bring the materials to me from the surrounding area. Abjuration makes sense since we can use Atomic theory to greatly enhance shield spells and would be needed for anything dealing with radiation. But Enchantment? You and I both know I don't deal heavily in enchantments. While I easily could, it is just so time-consuming, even for something like unbreaking glasses takes a week and components to enchant."

"No idea. Didn't open them, just recognized the department logos. I left them on your office desk in the media room. There were also two letters from the crown, one for you and one for me. In mine was a ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala, and I assume yours contains the same thing."

I pinch the bridge of my nose when she says that, "Not that again... I have received a ticket to that every year but always blow it off. It is literally just noble circle-jerk." I think back to all those gatherings I went to back when I was a Venetian Merchant, sure they were great for their time, at the hight of the Republic of Venice. But having the experience from all my other lives, the thought of going there to shmooze with other high-class individuals just did not interest me.

"I mean... you are not wrong. The two times I went, at least 10 different families tried to get me to marry their son. Likely since I was the protege of Princess Celestia. But if we got this time, we will both be taken. And we can laugh at those stuffy nobles trying to get into the good graces of Princess Celestia."

Honestly, that might be really fun to watch. "Ya know what, sure. Let's attend this year, and if it is interesting, we will see about next year." I say as Sunset walks over with breakfast. "Thank you for making breakfast."

"You are welcome."

After breakfast, I walked over to the media room where I have my office. On my desk made from wenge sat various books, notebooks, binders, loose paper, pens, drawings, and rough notes for new inventions. Sitting on top of a stack of papers is six letters. Thumbing through them, the first one is from the crow, with the seal of the crown on the top right of the letter. Beneath that one where the five letters from the University. Each emblazoned with a white eight-pointed star the symbol for universal magic, and each department having a different point of the star colored in representing their field of magic. Abjuration had the north point colored in yellow, Transmutation had the northwest point colored in orange, Evocation had the west point colored in red, Divination had the southwest point colored in pink, Necromancy had the south point colored in purple, Enchantment had the southeast point colored in blue, Conjuration had the east point colored in green, and Illusion had the northeast point colored in teal.

Before opening the letters from the university, I sit down and open up the one from the crown. Pulling out the letter, it reads:

Dear Dr. Moonshadow Flash,
On behalf of the crown, we extend this ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala. We hope that you will attend this year. Princess Celestia has informed me that it should be quite interesting this year, and one that should not be missed. Should you decline, please return the enclosed ticket.

Raven Inkwell, Royal Aide to Princess Celestia.

Behind the letter was a golden ticket emblazoned with the words The Grand Galloping Gala at Canterlot Castle. Admit one. I let out a sigh, I will have to go get an appropriate outfit before that stupid event. Setting it aside, I started to go through the letters from the University. The first one on the pile was from the department of enchantment. Inside the letter read,

To Dr. Moonshadow Flash,

It has come to my attention by one of my aides your 'Atomic Theory'. I have read through your published works on the subject and I believe that with your cooperation, I would be able to drastically increase the number of enchantments available on an object, and decrease enchanting time. I urge you to reply to this letter at your earliest convenience to set up a time that we can meet to discuss the finer details.

Archmage Magic Tinker, Head of the department of Enchantment at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

Oh, that arrogant mare Magic Tinker actually became the head of the department of Enchantment? And when the fuck did she become an Archmage? With that self-centered attitude of her's I would bet bits on it that she would never have reached the rank of Archmage. I let out a sigh, "Hey Sunset! Did you know that Magic Tinker was promoted to Archmage and became the head of the department of Enchantment?" I yelled out into the living room.

"You mean that mare that couldn't come up with an original enchantment to save her life?" She yelled back

"The same!"

There was a momentary pause, "How the fuck did she become an archmage before you!?"

"No idea! Gonna write to Celestia later about this."

Going back to the stack, I grab the next letter. Looking at the front, it is from the Department of Abjuration.

To Dr. Moonshadow Flash

I have heard word of you coming up with a new variation of the shield spell that is significantly stronger. I would be quite interested in getting a copy of it from you. In addition, I would love to meet with you sometime to see if we can come up with any more enhanced spells.

Warm Regards,
Archmage Steel Mustang, Head of the Department of Abjuration at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

Oh, I remember hearing about Steel Mustang. I heard his special talent was dealing with banishing spells, particularly whenever there was a class from the department of Conjuration that dealt with the summoning any kind of creature. Though I wonder if the rumors of him punching the more rowdy summons back to where they came from are true.

Moving onto the next letter, I see the marking for the department of Conjuration on the front.

To Dr. Moonshadow Flash

We should meet sometime to discuss how you are able to bring materials to you for your transmutation magic from the surrounding area. It could save quite a bit of time for the student.

Archmage Ivy Charm, Head of the Department of Conjuration at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns

Thinking back, I don't ever recall meeting Ivy Charm, though I do remember that one time where I got a letter from her when one of my failed experiments interrupted her summoning of sentient Devil's Claw. I remember it only read, 'Please aim your explosions towards Steel Mustang. Thanks, Archmage Ivy Charm.' I did hear though, that she had a good sense of humor.

The next letter was from the Department of Evocation,

To Dr. Moonshadow Flash,

After reading your Atomic Theory, and your published book. I have come to the conclusion that this could be a revolution in the field of Evocation. As such, I am currently writing a letter to the crown to nominate you for the title of Archmage in Evocation. While I am acutely aware your specialty is more in Transmutation, your Atomic theory could easily be a bridge between the two schools.

Archmage Crystal Swirl, Head of the Department of Evocation at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns

Ok... was not expecting that today. I will deal with that in a bit. Grabbing the last letter from the Department of Transmutation,

To Dr. Moonshadow Flash,

I want to congratulate you on your Atomic Theory on becoming an advanced course to be taught in the Transmutation Department. As a result, I am nominating you for the title of Archmage in Transmutation. I wish you the best of luck and hope you receive the title you so rightly deserve for your work.

Archmage Platinum Twister, Head of the Department of Transmutation at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

Excuse me? Two nominations? That is... unusual, though not unheard of. Setting the letter aside, I take a deep breath and calm my self down. I can go and freak out later. Right now, I am going to write that letter to Princess Luna. I grab a crisp piece of paper from a nearby pile with my magic, as well as a pen. I take a moment to think exactly what to say since I don't exactly know much about Luna other than she controls the moon and stars.

Dear Princess Luna,

I do not know you personally, and all I really have to go off are the stories about you. But I heard from a reliable source that you seemed to be punishing yourself over what happened back at the Castle of the Two Sisters. Most likely due to hearing how badly burnt I was from the resulting injury. I want you to know that I am fully healed due to a spell of my own creation and there is no lasting physical damage. Should you wish to see for yourself I live in Ponyville, but please, send a letter a day or two in advance. As it would be... unfortunate for you to show up in the middle of a delicate experiment.

Best wishes,
Dr. Moonshadow Flash

Looking over the letter, I am satisfied with how it turned out. Folding it up neatly, I put it in an envelope and walk it to the mailbox outside of the front door. Walking back inside, I grab the letters from Crystal Swirl and Platimum Twister.

"Hey Sunset, take a look at these." I say as I walk over to her.

I swear... I keep forgetting that Sunset has a powerful set of lungs on her. My ears were still ringing two hours after her squealing in delight after reading those two letters. But then again, that might be more of my sensitive hearing I inherited from my mother. After my ears stopped ringing, I noticed that we were running low on vegetables and steel. So I decided to make a quick run into town. As I entered the town, I noticed that Pinkie was giving away free muffins again. But they looked weird. I guess she is trying a new recipe? I walked past the stand as a crowd of ponies gathered up all the free muffins and devoured them. But, the Sugar Cube Corner was not my goal today, rather, I was heading to the market place.

An hour later, I had the vegetables I needed, and I placed an order for steel to be delivered to my compound. As I walked back through the streets, I saw Twilight in a mad dash towards the hospital. Curious, but none of my business right now. Ony my way back, I decided to stop at Cafe Hay from some lunch. As I was eating, I felt the ground start to rumble, followed by the sound of Rainbow Dash yelling, "Stamped!" Followed by everyone in the vicinity heading inside for cover.

Looking down the street, I saw the 'Stamped' a literal hoard of bunnies heading down the main road. I let out a long sigh and teleported myself, what was still left of my lunch, and my groceries to the roof of Cafe Hay. I sat on the roof my hooves hanging off the main support beam. Finishing my lunch, I saw Rainbow Dash heading this way.

"Hey Rainbow!" I yelled out towards her.

"What?" She said as she flew towards me

"What exactly is going on? I noticed Twilight head towards the hospital earlier and how a bunny stamped?"

"It's Applejack! She made a bet that she could buck all the trees in the orchard by herself and it is affecting everypony! First, she launched me halfway to Canterlot, then she made a bunch of Baked Bads, then she caused that bunny stamped!"

"Let me guess... she is working herself to a point of delirium?"

"How did ya know?"

I let out a sigh, "Look, if she doesn't stop this, just come get me and I can knock her out for a bit with a minor tranquilizer."

"Honestly, I might consider that if Twilight can't get through to her."

"Well, I wish you the best of luck," I say as I look down and see the bunnies have dispursed. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to get back home." I say as I teleport back down and start walking home. I swear she one of the most stubborn people I have ever met in all of my lives.

Author's Note

I apologize for the long wait. But I hope to start updating this story regularly again.

Also: I apologize if you got that notification about the new chapter being published early. I misclicked