Training a Princess

March 15th – Year 3, day… enh, does it matter anymore?

Hi journal! I don’t know why I’m still writing in this considering I have the link and it filled me in on a lot!

Anyway, I am back, if only a few months old physically. So I barely hatched three days ago, and Beacon ended up making me a foal again! Definitely the last thing I expected, and I’m being treated more like a little sister by my foals than a mother, but Zera and Stalwart are handling everything admirably.

Due to my age, I have less control over my body and magic, and it is taking a great deal of concentration to write. It’s too early to train, but if it’s a gradual growth to adulthood, we’ll get a great opportunity to build up during puberty… ugh… this’ll be the third puberty I’ll have dealt with…

Anyway, I’ll write when I can, or Stalwart and the others will. See you later future me!

April 12th, year 3

One year old physically today. We’re pretty sure the magical flare up is wearing off slowly rather than all at once, so we’re taking our time, enjoying it. My foals are being playful and they go on walks with Stalwart and Zera. My hatching is being kept a secret until I’m grown up again. Makes sense. Normally the Nymphs aren’t allowed out of the hive as it is.

Been going through tutoring to take care of some of my education. We’re holding off on magic until I’m old enough physically to control more than this quill. I feel like I’m ready, but I probably should avoid pushing my luck.

Oh! And apparently I only just now realized mom conquered a hive while I was in the cocoon. Kinda neat, though mom’s keeping the queen around to keep her on her hooves by occasional attempts to overthrow her. Kinda get it, kinda don’t. Still, took a liking to a drone of their hive and I’m trying to see about … about… I lost my train of thought. Getting hard to focus, must be nap time. Yater-

May 25th, year 3 – Day of the Fallen

Phew, what a day! So, grew up a lot in the last month, nearly looking and feeling four or five years old now. Still been keeping my changeling status a secret, beginning light exercise in the form of play like other foals, and still learning the other subjects ok. Magic is really hard all of a sudden. Some spells go ok, like my telekinesis, but some spells do something completely different.

After a talk with Chrysalis and Twilight, we decided it could be related to my age, but if it’s not, we may need to ~~forgoe~~ ~~forgeo~~ forego, dammit brain!... anyway, forego magic lessons. Something about rules being different still and not wanting me to have to unlearn what I learn here.

So, today was the Day of the Fallen, and oh boy did I hear a lot of stories today! Ended up going with one of mom’s drones and that drone I said I liked last time, her name is Shadow. Neat huh?

Dawn stretched, waking up and ignoring the minor itching her chitin gave her, knowing full well she probably was due for yet another molting with how quickly she was growing now that more of the foal magic was wearing off. She was recovering a lot of growth from her foal's regression magic. It got to where they estimated she was growing almost a year a week last few weeks, though it might slow down again at some point. She hoped that wasn’t the case.

Today, she needed to appear in the festivities of the Day of the Fallen, yet she still needed to keep her child-like state a surprise until she was no longer vulnerable.

'Hey mom? I know that we want to keep the whole 'I've been regressed by my foal's magic' bit secret, but I’m supposed to still attend right? Surely it won't be a bad thing to go out in disguise right?' Dawn relayed

'As long as it’s as a foal disguise. I can have a drone pose as a parent. As for the main event, it would be best to avoid it. The public is aware you woke from your "coma," so they will understand you not being seen.' Chrysalis said, already getting two drones to pose as parents. 'Would you rather Shadow accompany you?'

Dawn smiled at the thought of her queen’s newly conquered hive having a favorite drone of hers look after her. Dawn called the dark angular drone of the newly assimilated hive ‘Shadow’ for their inability to do anything but be her shadow, guarding her from any possible threat even within the hive. The poor thing didn’t have much of a will or personality of her own, but Dawn liked having them around and looking after them in her own way despite the age difference.

'Shadow wouldn’t have it any other way. Maybe one drone as one parent, Shadow as the other.' Dawn offered, debating her disguise. Her family had already been encouraged to go and attend as they liked.

'Mother or father?'

'Hm. Shadow, be my mother.' Dawn thought, instinctively shifting into a foal version of cherry dancer, her friend from her Equestria. Her hair had the same green stripe in it, and she made sure she had no cutie mark in her disguise.

Without a word, Shadow became a red unicorn with a light bronze mane.

'Does this form please you, young queen?'

'It works. What's your name mom?' Dawn asked, smiling mildly as she waited for her 'father' to come along.

'Dancing Blossom.' she said.

Soon a blue furred earth pony with a black mane entered.

Dawn smiled eagerly, flicking her tail innocently as she looked up at her 'dad.' "We ready to go now dad?"

"Yes, Legate." He said as Blossom moved her daughter onto her back and headed for where the young queen wanted to go.

"Dad… can't call me that out loud!" Dawn whined, feigning a blush as she tried to work herself into the role she was taking up. She had little infiltration experience beyond trying to email Scorched Wing, and that sadly ended far too soon… she briefly wondered what to do with the situation again, but realized there was nothing to do about it until she was old enough again.

"I can when in your room." He said as they walked out of the room.

"I mean… you're talking that sense stuff again…" Dawn feigned complaint.

He smirked as they walked the halls.

Dawn smiled, happily seated on her mom's back as they got ready to meet the city as the name ‘Cherry Dancer.’ She knew her family was doing well, and was glad the hive was looking after her very excitable foals in her stead with Stalwart and Nymph.

Soon they were out into town. Streamers and banners decorated the place, giving the feel of a huge party going on. Due to Twilight’s hosting of the event as a major center, there were many, many ponies and an easy excuse to blend in.

Dawn smiled and looked around the other ponies, acting like the foal she seemed to be, just excited to get a day off from school-tutoring, get free food, and hear stories.

There were a lot of ponies from isolated homesteads in town. Many ponies came from larger cities, just to have a chance to tell their stories and hope a princess would come by and hear. Others still hoped that Dawn’s coma recovery was complete and she’d make her debut today, though there was no evidence for them to believe that.

Dawn simply rode on before she saw an artifact she didn’t expect to see, a sword. She tapped at her mom's neck. "Hey mom, look! That guy's gotta sword!"

The sword looked old, very old. It was sitting on a small stand. The sword itself was not decorated in any extravagant way, but it showed only a few flecks of rust and was in very good condition for its age as a stallion in a suit stood proudly beside the table, holding it lightly.

"Mom, Dad, can we go see it? Please?" Dawn asked, half begging.

"Sure Sweet Pea." Her "dad" said as they started to make their way towards it as the stallion was trying to gather others around.

Dawn internally winced at the nickname, never having been a fan of it, but outwardly showed happiness as she reached forward on her mom's back, trying to see over their head or around them. After all, there were many other foals gathering around to look at the sword just like her.

'That isn’t a nickname. That’s your cover name.' Her mother informed her.

'But I already came up with one. My cover name is Cherry Dancer, like my friend.' Dawn reminded them, outwardly just as eager to hear their story as the other foals.

'You never gave that name, so I told them what name to use.' The queen said. 'As I said, that wasn’t a nickname.'

Dawn blushed inwardly, mildly embarrassed and very frustrated as she realized an oversight. She kept it bottled up though and focused on her infiltration.

Chrysalis patted her head. 'Do not worry you are young.'

'Yup, growing a year each week or two!' Dawn relayed happily.

Chrysalis chuckled. Dawn waited for the pony to tell his story, trying to be patient yet feigning impatience.

The pony began his story. "This sword here is a precious family heirloom from all the way back at the Discordian era!"

There were oo’s from the gathered crowd, Dawn making the noise along with, curious about what story it had, assuming it was true.

"This sword was given to my Ancestor General Cherrybomb." He said. "It was given to him after the siege of Castle Canter, when my ancestor, by Captain Bright Side after the fall of Canter, The General allowed the remaining forces to pass peacefully to the east. As thanks the captain gave him his sword."

There was a sort of… tick in the Link… a sense of wrongness. A wrongness that wanted to be corrected.

Dawn listened while instinctively thinking about what happened and reaching for the link to correct it. The stallion was talking about his ancestor and the battle he fought, but as he talked, Dawn started feeling something heavy on her. There was something that bounced near her. It felt like the impact of hooves. She could hear a tinkling noise of equipment jostling, her nose filling with the smell of smoke.

A pony in chainmail ran before Ermia. Yells and the clash of steel echoed around him.

"Go, go! Get to the river!” Someone shouted.

A moment later, an arrow seemed to just materialize in the back of the pony ahead of Ermia. They dropped and he barely jumped to the side as another arrow appeared in the ground where he was about to be. Looking up, he saw pegasi archers on low clouds, wearing leather armor as they fired down on the soldiers of Castle Canter.

Behind them, the castle was being engulfed by a fire, one that was slowly spreading to consume the once mighty fortress.

Dawn was half amazed at what she was realizing... she was both having the memory click and replay in her mind, yet she was also interacting with the others without anyone knowing that she was getting a history lesson at the same time. She was able to let her amazement show while still bottling up her negative feelings from watching the fighting.

==========

'This is madness!' The other infiltrator, Walin, said through the link.

The two drones had been sent to infiltrate the castle and gather intel on the ponies there.

They knew somewhat of what was going on, some form of pony war for supremacy agaisnt their fellow ponies but the matters of ponies mattered little the queen, outside of the soldier being everywhere and moving seemingly at random in a nation wide civil war between….honestly they had no idea how many factions there were as it seemed to change by the hour.

All they knew was this was war and it endangered the hive and thus they were sent to gather intel.

They hadnt meant to get caught in the castle when it came under siege.

Theu ould jave become pegasi and flown away same as nlw but the archers of the attackers were skilled and it was safer to remain in the castle, the walla hadnt been breeched depaite numerous attempts.

That was, util the gate house threw open the gates and allowed the enemy to pour in, the result of those changing Allegiances.

Then it had been a fight as those inside and those outside were outnumbered 15 to 1.

It quickly became clear that the enemy had no intention of leaving any alive and Ermia and Walin had no choice but to fight alongside them if they wished to avoid passing into memory.

Then the Captain had ordered a push, push the enemy back and to run. The castle was lost all that was left was to reach safety and service

And thus Ermia ran with the others as they fought their way through the enemy line. Dozens falling to the number of enemy but somehow they broke through and now they ran as the attacker attacked them from the rear.

The river was their only chance. If they could cross it it would slow the enemy ground forces and they could deal with the pegasi.

A ball of fire came from the sky and exploded sending bodies flying.

"THEY HAVE SIEGE ENGINES!" Someone screamed as another ball of fire explodes sending bodies flying and engulfing others.

The screams of those whose fur caught alight were like nothing Ermia had ever experienced percially and he ignored them as he just focused on the ground ahead of him and trying to avoid the airs and fireballs from the sky.

Then his hooves splashed into the river as the dawn's light continued to grow.

Now here was the issue, the same thing that would save them across the river also endangered them.

That being actually making it across the shoulder deep water as it slow then down.

And as expected the slaughter became worse as arrows rain down and soldier now attacked them.

Ermia winced as a spear pierces Walin's chest and his hive mate passed into memory, thankfully falling into the water before he reverted to his true form so their cover remained intact.

Ermia's hoof hit a loose set of rocks under the water and he fell face first into the water and struggled when something wrapped around his chest and pulled him back up.

"On your hooves soldier! Move!" The Captain's right hoof pony yelled, her armor scorched and furnsinfed from proximity to one of the fireballs.

She was always with the captain and if she was here and the captain wasn't.

Before he could finish his train of thoughtn she shoved him and he was running again as more ponies fell around him.

Then his hooves hit the dirt on the other side and he scrambled up the bank and ran with those who remained.

He spared a glance behind him to see a river that now ran red, he couldn't even begin to tell how many bodies choked the river like some sick stepping stones. Somewhere in the piles was Walin, he wouldn't be able to recover his body and would have to leave it.

On the far side the archer forced on them and he saw a pony in a fancy suit of armor bend down to body and rank something from it and look it over before yelling something and the archer stopped.

And behind the enemy army was the inferno that had once been Castle Cantel, the impenetrable fortress has fallen, her defenders slaughtered nearly to the last pony and those who still drew breath only did so because of luck as they fought their way to freedom.

==========

Dawn listened while feeling that memory, fascinated. It was sad to be sure, but the story this man said of how they gave the sword as a peace offering wasn’t even close to true. She felt the mote of sadness pressing on her like a bitter pill, but one she could keep further in until she was ready to tackle it later. She joined in the cheering when he told his story to the end, keeping that pill shelved.

The stallion smiled with pride at the conclusion of his story about his great ancestor and how proud he was of them.

Dawn continued to play along as she assimilated this knowledge. 'Interesting... hey mom? I heard the story, but then lived through the memory showing he was lying at the same time, and I don’t feel immediately bad anymore!'

'What about it?' She asked. 'And I doubt he is lying. Lying implies intentionally not telling the truth. He is telling the truth as he knows it most likely.'

'True... and he is definitely misinformed though.' Dawn had to agree, 'But still, I’ve never done this before. I couldn't both use the link and deal with my body at the same time.'

'You were using a solely pony brain before, it couldn’t handle the task of both. Now, you are more changeling.'

'Fascinating… I am seeing no real downsides to my having been 'ling-ified.' Dawn grinned to her mom in the link, feeling like the excited foal she was. 'Makes me wonder if I can make stalwart a ling... No, that’d be bad. It'd change him, that much I'm sure, even if we could add him to the hive."

'I don’t think we could. If that was possible, then it would have happened by now to others.'

'Or I'm just weird.' Dawn replied cheerily. 'That one human turned pony turned alicorn turned partial ling turned young ling queen…'

'You are not weird. You are exactly as you’re supposed to be.'

'Yup. It is awesome.' Dawn relayed happily.

Her mother chuckled. 'So tell me daughter, what are you going to do with the information you now have?'

'Not share it yet. They take pride in it and more importantly, have turned it into a more positive memory for them. It does no one harm to let them continue.' Dawn answered before getting more of a taste for the nearby emotions and answering, 'and improves our feeding grounds at these times.'

'That it does, and you learn the difference between truth and fact.'

'I mean, that too.' Dawn admitted to her mom with an inner grin as her parents looked around for any other stories she might like.

'It is rather interesting. I have seen how others so often confuse Truth with Fact and think the concepts are interchangeable when they are distinctively different.' Chrysalis idly commented as she watched her daughter move through the festivities. 'It is most fascinating how quick the colorful ones are to accept a lie as truth, at least the majority. There are those who of course remain skeptical and are harder to convince of things. But they are rare, and they are dangerous to us.'

'Because they can uncover us or reveal things we don’t want known, like Scorched Wing.' Dawn relayed.

'And the Council among others. Those who live within secrets and seek them out, they can often see through us, see the cracks in the masquerade. If we are not careful with them, they could bring it all crashing down. We may walk openly among them, but we survive within that secrecy, remaining apart. I do not believe the sister, the council, nor Twilight would betray us. If they were going to, they would have by now. But others? There is a reason we keep things like the facts of the stallion’s ancestor secret. There is danger in knowing secrets, and many won’t like what they find if revealed.'

'Worst case scenario they doubt most of history and then riot against the leaders for reasons unrelated to what the leaders could control.' Dawn agreed

'Exactly. Normally we wouldn’t care, but the Sisters, the Council, and those in charge have been good to us. We do not wish harm to come to them. Our survival is at its best with them remaining in power, and that is why they have our loyalty.'

'Makes sense to me.' Dawn said, going into thought as she kept up pretenses.

There were many stories around town. Some were old, some more recent. Some were close to facts, some were just slightly muddied by times, and some the validity of the stories were unknown to the link. Some were humorous, some sad, some just interesting.

Dawn was intrigued by most, making observations until the time had come for the official event's proceedings.

Many gathered in the town square where a projector was set up to show the broadcasts from Canterlot. Dawn and her parents did similarly, Dawn resting on Shadow's back as she listened and watched.

Soon it began projecting and the event played out similarly to the one she took part in last year, only Celestia read a different passage to the journal from last year.

Dawn nodded as she listened, watching the event continue. Soon the singing began and even here, the crowd joined in. Dawn joined as well to blend in, mildly surprised at her not being mentioned yet.

And soon the events were over

'Well, that’s that I suppose.'

'Yes. Enjoy the festivities daughter.' Chrysalis said, smiling before leaving Dawn to have fun.

=====

June 23rd, Monday, year

Hey journal, Dawn here again. Finally reached eight years old physically. Been making good progress on my lessons on history and math and stuff, and been playing a lot more outdoors. As much as I thought I’d be playing my video games, I haven’t really done that much. Weird right? Maybe it’s because none of it is new and I just haven’t connected with the games they make here very well. Who knows though?

Anyway, family’s been good. Foals are getting kinda annoying but I love ‘em anyway. Stalwart’s been telling me he wants us to have our third foal once I’m old enough again. Surprised me by saying he would be willing to carry them to term. I completely forgot I told him it’d be his turn next. Definitely a good guy if he’s willing to do that for me, though I think we’d probably want to give him some time before we try that out. Don’t want him freaking out over being a mare like some people did in the human world when they were disoriented… dis… dis-something. Brain’s fuzzy still somehow. Whatever! Point is, love my ~~da~~ husband to death!

Geeze brain. You’d think I could still keep things straight… focusing is still really hard too.

Oh! Summer Sun celebration was fun while I was out and about. Did a lot of things, ate a bunch of things, visited ~~au~~ Princess Celestia and Luna for the evening. Accidentally fell asleep while with them and woke up today at home. That was embarrassing!

August 12th, year 3

Well… I’m really embarrassed… and sad… disappointed…

I nearly goofed up really hard today. Never thought puberty would hit so hard… I know that shouldn’t be an ‘excuse’ but it really was the reason I couldn’t think straight… now I’m stuck in my room, practically quarantined for almost making an attempt at ‘abuse of power.’

I don’t wanna think about it… but mom says this is part of my punishment.

So, here’s what happened.

Dawn was happy today, thinking about how things had gone through her regrowth. It was a new but refreshing feeling to her to have a foalhood that was so thoroughly supported. A week ago, she had hit puberty and all seemed to be well, until she started to feel an insatiable need to mate. She often reached to her husband, but he said as much as he loved her, she was too young to do so just yet, and it could hurt her from size difference alone, let alone other concerns.

Dawn tried to bear with her needs, still desperately needy until today, when she felt bloated and her belly was mildly distended.

'Perhaps you should see a doctor Dawn. They have meds for having such issues, though I’ve never heard of one quite as severe as yours.' Chrysalis offered after a whole day of dealing with Dawn’s high libido and keeping her drones in check.

'True, but is it really so bad?' she asked, not liking the idea of seeing a doctor.

'You are practically raising your tail at everything with a fifth leg.'

'Come on mom… I'm not that bad…' Dawn protested.

'Legate,’ Jeron commented, trying to be neutral and polite, ‘I know we have enjoyed our joking about it before, but you even tried to get me to ‘alleviate it’, and I'm more seen as a friend and companion rather than a potential mate before this episode.'

Other drones showed Dawn hitting on random guards and servants, flicking her tail at them and adapting a very heavy hip-sway when walking by stallions.

Dawn blushed, then sighed, 'Fine, you're all right, and I didn't even realize it. I'll go see a doctor…'

She resigned herself to her fate and began to head to the nearest medical facility, Ponyville General Hospital, knowing her Shadow was staying nearby as always.

Dawn made her walk to the hospital, undisguised, but looking around attentively. In her eyes, she was behaving, but every time they passed a stallion, she had to be reminded how her hip sway was changing or she'd 'accidentally' make her tail hit a passerpony on the way. It was shameful but she couldn't help it. She didn’t even realize it was happening until it was being pointed out.

'You’re practically in heat.' Chrysalis chuckled.

'You're... not wrong. Probably several.' Dawn frowned as the doors of the hospital loomed. It was still a small two story wooden structure that started out as a small clinic that gradually expanded to hospital status.

‘Don’t be a drama Queen dear.’ Chrysalis replied, amused.

The waiting room was nice and homey with books for reading, magazines that were up to date, and a tv in a corner, muted with subtitles on some sitcom.

Dawn went up to the counter, trying not to fidget as she tried to figure out what she should say and how to say it.

The mare behind the counter looked up at her. "Ah, needing something to relax to?"

"More like I need to be checked on… I've been acting like I'm in heat, yet I'm not and it only started a week ago..." Dawn said with a blush, having a strong suspicion that Chrysalis would make Shadow say it, or Shadow herself would be more blunt.

"That’s what I said." the nurse said, sighing as she’d been trying to be polite. "Please take a seat and a doctor will be with you shortly."

"Sorry…" Dawn blushed, missing that detail and blaming puberty again for being socially awkward once more. She walked over to a chair and sat in it, trying to meditate and failing.

After a bit, a nurse came out and took her to an exam room to wait.

Dawn let herself go to the examination room, getting her weight in as slightly above average for her physical age, and blood pressure as excellent, slightly lower in a good way. She then tried to wait for a doctor to become available.

After a bit, a mare in a white coat entered. "Good morning. I'm Dr. Goodvibes and I understand your having an issue with your cycle?"

"You... you could say that." Dawn nodded with a blush, unsure why she was embarrassed about the subject again, revealing her form so she could be properly evaluated.

"Now do you mind telling me exactly what the issue is?" She asked as she ignored the transformation

"So… dealing with foal magic first off.” Dawn tried to clarify. “I got zapped by my foals right after I hatched from the cocoon that healed me from the IED a year ago. Lately I’ve have been growing back about a year of my physical age a week, give or take. Well, ever since last week, I kinda have been very… needy."

"Needy?" The doctor asked with a raised brow.

“I don't know why I'm being so embarrassed about it. I’ve had two foals…” Dawn said, starting to speak before getting faster as she went. “I'm practically wanting sex all the time, toys don't sate it at all, and mom says I should get looked at so here I am!”

"Ah, hmm… if I recall you were in that messy business a year ago and were in a coma after that right?"

"Yes..." Dawn agreed, swearing she had just said that a minute ago, "It's how I gained my chitin in more of my body."

"I see… it sounds like the trauma threw off your cycle, nothing too major."

Dawn blinked, saying in a deadpan voice, "Seriously?"

"Yes, things that cause undue stress on the body is known to throw off cycles." She said.

“Huh…” Dawn tried to say, doubtful the answer was at all right. “There’s got to be a way to fix this…”

“I’m going to write you a prescription for the heat, it should help you manage it and have a clearer head.” Dr Goodvibes instructed.

Suddenly, Dawn got an idea. The whole reason the law requiring a certain age was because of the issue of informed consent. Normally, many people under a certain age aren’t old enough to think the situation through and actually comprehend the consequences for their actions. She was old enough, having lived a good thirty some years, and knew the outcome. Hell, she already had two foals!

‘Daughter, I would strongly encourage you not to mention this idea.’ Chrysalis intervened, sensing her Legate was about to be particularly short-sighted.

‘What? Why not!’ Dawn protested as Dr Goodvibes left the office and Dawn was left waiting for processing.

‘Well, let’s have you play this out in the Link and I’ll show you how it’d go.’ Chrysalis said.

Dawn’s inner vision shifted, bringing Dr Goodvibes back into the room as far as the Link was concerned.

‘You, my daughter, were so plain to read a high school colt could see through you.’ Chrysalis warned, clacking her hoof on the tile as the scene played out, Dawn began seeing herself on the medical bed and Goodvibes listening to Dawn on her rolling stool.

"I... see...” Link-Dawn said, “And purely from an ethics point of view, I know that underaged sex has a lot to do with how someone normally isn't mentally ready or responsible enough for it, nor able to give informed, enthusiastic consent. That wouldn't count for me however, considering my being informed, as long as it doesn't lead to foals before my body is ready, right?"

"Are you asking me to give you the go ahead to trick someone into raping you?" The Link-Dr. asked flatly.

"Not at all." Link-Dawn countered just as flatly, "I'm making sure what ethical issues there'd be in resuming sexual activities with my husband. Usually the issue behind the child statutory rape has to do with informed consent, which is an issue I don't have and I’m still married."

"And then little miss Filly sees an exception was made for mental ‘maturity,’ and goes and sleeps with a stallion without telling them her physical age and now we have an innocent stallion branded a rapist by those around him and his life is ruined. Then another mare thinks she’s mentally old enough to do it and another stallion’s life is ruined and another and another and another and then this hospital gets sued, I lose my license because some mare wants to argue the law and thinks it shouldn’t apply to her." Link-Goodvibes said, getting up writing something down and handing it to her. "This is a prescription for some meds that will help, now please get out of my sight and if I hear you ask this of anyone else I'll call the guard."

The pair froze in front of Chrysalis and Dawn in the Link.

Dawn paused, blinking as she realized that would have been how it would have played out. ‘Wait… … oh… I would have missed the point completely…’

‘Correct.’ Chrysalis warned. ‘She would have tried to point out you were setting a bad example for other foals.’

‘I… Damn, I was so wrapped up in my situation, I just… I lost sight of everything else.’

‘That is why we wanted to send you to a Doctor.’ Chrysalis instructed, looking at her sternly. ‘While the laws of these ponies get in the way of changelings, they take them very seriously and since they are nice to us, we respect their rules as best we can.’

‘I… I would have been in serious trouble too.’

‘Still are.’ Chrysalis warned. ‘If it hadn’t been for my intervention, you would have attempted to abuse your station, and possibly tried to break the law and set that bad example she would have warned you about.’

‘Oh…’ Dawn frowned at her mother, ears drooping, ‘I’ll ground myself to my room until this goes away…’

‘See that you do. I’m sure Twilight will have some stern words for you as well.’ Chrysalis said.

‘Mom, please no…’ Dawn whimpered. ‘In the end I didn’t. I listened…’

‘Then make sure this does not happen again.’ Chrysalis warned.

‘Yes mom.’ Dawn relayed, ‘I’ll be confining myself to home till this is over.’

‘See that you do.’ Chrysalis said in the link.

The door opened and Dr. Goodvibes walked in, pausing as she noticed Dawn’s lowered posture. “Mrs Dawn? Is everything all right?”

“Just… realized I nearly would have done something I would regret for a long time.” Dawn said.

“Oh?”

“I… was trying to think of a way around the rules to get what I wanted until I realized I wasn’t thinking straight.” Dawn confessed. “Trying to get myself under control and will be confining myself until I can behave appropriately again.”

“Ah.” Dr. Goodvibes said, frowning mildly, “at least you came to your senses.”

“Yeah… just never had this come up so strong before.”

“Well, here is your prescription. It’s alicorn strength.” She said, “You’ll get through this, just like every mare has.”

“Yeah… thank you for understanding.” Dawn said, taking the prescription and summoning a drone to deliver it, then deliver the medicine to her.

In the end, I forced myself to be put in a separate room on a separate floor because of how difficult it was to keep away from Stalwart… Chrysalis still told Twilight and… many tears were shed. I don’t want to think about it… I let her down bad. Not sure how much of a solace it is that mom is trying to keep me from being very, very dark right now, but I’ll worry about that after this is over. Till next time journal...