TARDIS Academy for Gifted Tots

Series:
My Little Galaxy

Saga 1:
TARDIS Academy for Gifted Tots

Origins:
Smart Mouth

• Canterlot,
1 week After Twilight's Coronation, as Queen of Equestria:

Canterlot might be widely known as the City of Unicorns... but when the sun went down... that's when the Thestrals took over.

The bat ponies, or Lunar Ponies as they are also known, ran their own businesses, paid their bills, complained about the nobles that ran night court, and essentially, lived their lives.

They had co-existed, peacefully, with the unicorns, since before the days of Luna's banishment. Though this was the only city they inhabited, in large numbers, and they made up a mere 10% of the population.

Despite living in the same city, due to their conflicting sleep schedules, there were unicorns that spent their entire lives, never meeting their Thestral neighbors.

The primary Lunar Pony Neighborhood, was built within hollowed out caverns, inside the mountain. Though this looked far from a ghetto.

Like most of Canterlot, the caves looked wealthy. Nicely carved designs, and street signs, in huge caverns that ran throughout the mountain. Similar to what Dwarves did, in fantasy novels. Dim blue lights were used as street lamps... and mostly for the convenience of Unicorns, that chose to visit the Lunar shopping district.

Fog covered the cobblestone floor. As a side effect of the clouds that held the family Estates, high above the shopping district. The hundreds of stone compounds, floating near the ceiling of the Caverns. With Bat ponies flying to and from. It was fairly common, for Lunar Ponies, to make houses that were a mixture of stone and cloud.

Bat ponies might not be able to control the weather, but they could walk on clouds, and handle them as if solid. Even pack them in, so densely, other creatures and objects, could stand on their surface. Much as Pegasus did... just with more stone.

It helped, that bat pony magics were more dominant then other ponies. With a pony, of any of the three tribes, being more likely to conceive a Thestral. This meant, there was little reason for Lunar Ponies to obsess with "Blood Purity" despite their small numbers. And would frequently court the Unicorns of Canterlot.

However, this constant exposure had caused the Lunar Ponies magic to mutate. Occasionally resulting in Thestrals with large curved horns. Usually 2 horns, but they could have as many as 6.

Thestrals, with horns, came to be heralded... but originally, it was looked down on as a deformity.

One, particular foal, was hoping something similar, would happen with him.

Deep in the Suburbs of Smart Manor, as the sun began to rise. The various unicorns began to reclaim their territory. As the nocturnal creatures got ready for sleep.

There was one particular colt, looking out the window as the sun came up. Longing for the sun. The bright light of the morning, should be stinging his slitted eyes... but seeing as the window wasn't actually real, and just enchanted to give a view of what surrounded Canterlot. Well, it really didn't make a difference to him.

If he was any other child, he would be waking up with the world, not being put to "bed". Although his version of "bed" didn't involve a real bed, So much as a dark, closet like, room to shut himself in. Where he would hang from the ceiling, and sleep... only problem was... Mouthy was scared to sleep upside down... So instead of resting, in the natural way all Bat Ponies do. He curled up on the floor, in a Basket.

Even by these Thestral standards, he was an oddity.

Mouthy was of the Smart Colony. A respectable family of nocturnal business ponies. Respected for both the inventions they brought to the world... and the sheer level of money those luxuries allowed them.

Smart Mouth, hardly had anything to do with that. He was only 7. Never having even seen beyond the Thestral District... with good reason. One of those being, when he said he was "7" he didn't mean years, so much as centuries.

Now Thestrals may live a long time, but they still matured as quickly as ponies... Smart Mouth... did not. For every hundred years, by their beloved Luna's calendar, Mouthy aged 1. Even by Hanyou standards, that was impressive.

That's right, Mouthy was not only a Thestral, a largely misunderstood creature of the night... but the spawn of a true demon.

Smart Mouth turned from the window and looked at his front paws. They were definitely paws, not hooves like his Daddy had. The little colt had hooves on his back legs, but his front legs had paws and weird looking digits called thumbs. Real ponies could just hold things because of a type of magical static cling, but he had to use the short digits and thumbs.

He was, mostly, a dark orange, but with a streak of blue going down his back, and partially his tail. Enhanced by blue stripes, on his withers, and the sides of his tail.

He had a dark gray underbelly, with an orange tinge, and similarly colored hooved legs, and forearms. Complemented by the keratin of his hooves, and the pads of his paws, being the same shade of blue as his back... and the spiky boyish style on his head.

A fluffy fox tail, and head. Though a good deal more cartoony and cute, then a real world fox.

His wings were leathery, and bat like. A dark grey, with blue bones showing through.

Where his yellow eyes, with The red tinge, had slit pupils.

At least he was allowed to style his mane how he liked. It was blue, cut in a short spiky boyish style that was popular with modern colts. His mane kinda naturally stood on end, so the adults didn't have to do anything to it. Just give it a quick brushing in the morning. Honestly, he kept his mane this way more out of laziness then style.

He looked weird. He had the classic pretty colt features, but with odd fox bits added on. It was obvious he wasn't a normal pony. Even so, he was not an abomination, just not the norm. That didn’t stop other ponies from staring at him, though.

His father refused to let him leave the family estate, without his big brother. With anywhere past the Thestral District, being completely forbidden... and Mouthy, being a good colt, listened to his father's boundries. It helped, that his big brother always made sure to steer the little boy to the various fun things, the Thestrals had.

What didn't help, were the funny looks, all the other Thestrals gave him... even the ones in his own family estate.

Thestrals may be small in number, but their Colonies tended to be Wealthy. Due to Luna funding them, in their early years.

Mouthy would want for nothing... except maybe friends....

There may be other kids here, his cousins, but they tended to stay away from him... they were frightened of him. He wasn't exactly bullied, but that was because of the Thestrals fear of him... they didn't yet realize, they had nothing to be scared of.

Smart Mouth was a special colt, with a destiny that stretched across time itself... One day, he would touch the stars... one day... he would be the salvation to a great many worlds... one day, entire Galaxies would sing of him... but that impending fate was far away. For now he was a little colt... that only knew he didn't belong.

The "Smart" Colony was wealthy, even by Thestral standards. A reputable family, of invention and business. Well known by the night ponies, but few others were aware of them. Mostly the upper class nobles, of various races, which traded with them.

The Smart Family had created the Global Wi-Fi, and specialized in improving the technologies of the great Prince Clockwork. Mostly, his early computers.

This Colony's greatest achievement, was when they took the chips and Circuits, found in medical equipment, and adapted those into a hoof-held device. Which were magically connected with each other, and their "servers". This allowed the "Smart Phones" to browse the various "Apps" they created.

Though, this particular house, belonged to a portion of the family, the rest of the Colony would rather pretend didn't exist.

The young colt kit let out a sigh, staring at the filtered Sun... longingly....

"Mouthy?"

The colt kit turned his eyes, to spy his older brother.

"What are you doing up?" asked Book Smarts.

Mouthy blushed, "Couldn't sleep." Admitted the little boy.

"You might find that a lot easier, if you went to your room and closed your eyes," Book shook his head.

Mouthy frowned... not wanting to admit he was scared of the dark. What kind of Batpony didn't like the dark?

"You aren't even wearing your special underpants," The older Colt Kit noted.

Mouthy had a bladder infection... back before they had medicines for that. Cure disease potions, might work with most things, but not infections or injuries.

Mouthy lived through it, which had been a miracle in those days... but not without leaving scars. The boy now had a very weak bladder, and while he had learned to control it, while awake... he nearly always wet himself, at night.

"Did you brush your teeth?" The teenagers asked.

Mouthy gave another sigh, continuing to stare out the "window" of their playroom. Then the little boy gave a groan, as his brother gently picked him up, by the scarf of his neck, and began carrying him out the room. Most likely towards the bathroom.

Book Smarts had always been awfully bossy, and way too overprotective... probably because dad relied a lot on him. Book had to help take care of the younger ones... he had a lot of responsibility forced on him... though not as much as most seven hundred and thirteen year olds.

Mouthy... was part of a litter of 3. However his siblings were all maturing at different ages. Hanyou, AKA Half Demons, were all very different from one another. The magic that allows them to reproduce, with any species, also uniquely mutates, within the offspring... or at least... that's how Koto Sensei explained it.

It just meant Hanyou look different, aged different, and reacted to potions differently, regardless if they had the same exact parents.

For Example: Book Smart had a pony head, though he kept the fox ears and sharp teeth. Although he still had a fox's coloring, but not the same colors as Mouthy. He was a bright red, with a white underbelly, and black four legs and hair. He even inherited the twin horns, of high born Thestrals. Which gave him near unicorn reality bending...

Mouthy wished he had those cool horns...

Unlike Mouthy, Book was in his early teens. As Book aged 1 year, for every 50.

Due to Mum, being out of the picture, Daddy hired Koto Sensei to teach them Kitsune magic. Though Only book smart had started on spell casting and racial powers. Mouthy was mostly learning the theory, and magical crafts. As his magical cores still hadn't stabilized. That can take a while, due to a Hanyou's conflicting soul. But Koto Sensei was teaching his pupils all kinds of things.

Daddy was a bit overprotective, himself. So he had his foals learning from a tutor, instead of going to school... as it be awkward for centuries old children, to attend a traditional primary school... not to mention, most schools wouldn't accept the foals.

Koto Sensei was teaching them how to read and write, math, interdimensional physics, advanced calculus. All the basic stuff, in a Yokai's education... which usually lasted a couple thousand years.

A modern Yokai child, spent nearly the same amount of time, studying out of self grading text books, as Time Pony foals.

Mouthy wasn't even aware of what Ponies taught their children.

Where as Book Smart was learning much cooler things. His magical core had stabilized, some hundreds of years ago. So he was studying Kitsune and Thestral magics. Shadow bending, solid illusions and transformations, elemental bending (but just with the affinities he was born with), and all kinds of spell like abilities.

Of course Kitsune magic was far more limited, then Unicorns. Most of it being focused on themselves, with a limited range of 30 feet for their offensive magics.

Thestrals where nearly as limited. While they could move through, and manipulate shadows. Their own shadow had to be touching the shadows they hoped to manipulate.

Hanyou were more limited then both parent species. Although they had access to most (if not all) of the powers. They couldn't use them to the same extreme as their parents... Usually.

Koto Sensei was teaching them how to get around this handicap, by teaching them magical crafts. Things like making Runes, Seals, Potions, and Enchantments.

Smart Mouth loved the crafting lessons the most, and liked to play with his potions set. He only had simple recipes like minor tummy ache soothers, but they were a lot of fun to make.

Koto wouldn't let him work on anything else, as he believed Mouthy to be too immature. Not just in his emotional range, but rather the boy's magic was too wild, and not ready for the higher awareness required of more complicated magical crafts.

Koto Sensei was also teaching the colt kits to be sneaky. As Kitsune were naturally very light footed, and Thestrals were literal masters of shadows. Stealth was an important skill to both species.

Mouthy's mind stopped wandering, once they reached the bathroom.

Book deposited his "younger" brother on a stool, in front of the sink. Before fetching a vial out of the medicine cabinet.

Handing it to the smaller colt kit, the teenager ordered, "Gurgle this, but don't swallow."

The little boy rolled his eyes, knowing perfectly well not to drink mouth wash potions.

The child's paw wrapped around the vial, that thumb really helping hold it. Downing the potion. The Colt Kit swished it around, and occasionally gurgling it. It took an entire 10 seconds, for the potion to clean away the plaque, repair any damage done to the teeth, whiten them, and even sharpen them.

The Zebra made these potions, special for the Thestrals. After all, Subponies had to stick together.

Spitting out the potion. The little boy proceeded to rinse the residue out of his mouth. Not because it tasted bad, it actually tasted gently of mint, but it was best to get as much of the potion out, as possible. Didn't want to accidentally swallow any.

Zebra had a special talent for brewing. They knew just what to do, in order to create a good taste, while not compromising the potion's effects.

Next... the prepubescent ColtKit blushed, as the teenager laid him down, on the counter... and started getting him into his "big boy pants", AKA, pullups... at least they weren't diapers anymore.

These were made of a mix of cloth, and plastic. They magically absorbed everything, and only took an hour to clean themselves. They were also designed to prevent leaks, even well sleeping upside down. They even grew with him.

These were rich foal pamps. As they could be re-used, forever. Constantly cleaning themselves.

Although Daddy wasn't particularly happy Smart Mouth wanted pink padding. Though the boy picked them out, more for the little Daleks, printed all over them... The Half demon loved the Doctor Who stories, the Yokai made. The books, audio dramas, videogames, comic books. They were just so cool!

Though Mouthy was supposed to take good care of them. Koto Sensei was adamant about that. This was stuff about the Doctor's real life. Based on Journals the Doctor's companions made. The Doctor was, after all, their god.

Mouthy had these books, before the rest of Equus was even AWARE of the Doctor. And, at first, he wasn't allowed to show them to non Yokai. Just in case the Doctor accidentally became aware of a "Spoiler" in his life.

"What you thinking about?" Book asked, as he finished adjusting the padding.

"Doctor Who," Mouthy spoke honestly.

Book shook his head, "Of course." Before picking him back up, and putting him on the floor. "Now let's get you back to bed."

On their way back through the hall, they heard the sound of angry voices. They were coming from the living room.

"What do you mean you're not coming with us!" The first voice was too outraged to be really asking.

The second voice, belonged to daddy, and was just as angry. "Queen Sparkle is transfering me to Ponyville."

The first voice scoffed. "Luna has invited ALL Thestrals, to join her. She needs to return to her moon, for at least a few years. To keep her company. It's our DUTY to go with her!"

"I made a commitment to the guard!"

"Luna's Guard!"

"Someone has to stay behind, not like you actually WANT me," Daddy snapped at the first voice... who was obviously turning out to be the Colony Elder. The one directly born of Luna... and so kinda just assigned themselves the role of 'Colony Leader'. "You lot have been pawning me off as 'somepony else's problem' since I was born. You don't have the right to demand ANYTHING from me!!!"

Book quickly steered his little brother away. Not wanting the colt kit to hear grownups yelling at each other... a hard thing to do, given how curious the little boy was to hear more. He did love a healthy dose of drama. That is, so long as it was other ponies'.

• Later that Day:

Mouthy... couldn't sleep. Daddy had come in, to plant a kiss on the colt kit's forehead, and wish him a good day... but that was hours ago.

Mouthy was in a dragon basket, on the floor... Koto Sensei had bought it, when he learned Mouthy didn't like sleeping upside down... Daddy really didn't approve, but he let the boy have his large fluffy Basket. The comfy round mattress, and multitude of cozy comforters, with plushies as his pillows. It all just spoke to the Hanyou.

The closet like room, was really cluttered. There were drawers and cabinets, on every inch, of both the left and right wall. Where the back wall was made up entirely of shelves. The front wall, had a sliding door, made of a glass mirror. Only the corners, of the front wall, didn't have any clutter... So obviously, Mouthy covered them in glowing stickers, and posters.

The very top shelf, of his back wall, held his collection of glowing crystals. Which light was reflected by the mirror doors, giving the tiny room a pleasant glow, of dim blue light.

Looking around his room... Mouthy really wasn't sleepy... Koto Sensei explained that his magic was closer to Kitsune demons, in one particular way, that his siblings didn't inherit.

He only needed 3 hours of sleep. Where most Bat Ponies sleep 20 hours, during the day, and only really wander around for the 10 hours of night.

This meant Mouthy spent a good 17 hours... with nothing to do... He usually spent that time reading, in the dim light. His family really didn't understand, that he just didn't need as much sleep as they did.

He had a lot of trouble, with going to sleep, and staying asleep. But he tried to be a good colt, and stay in his room... unfortunately... Mouthy really wanted a drink.

Regardless if he was supposed to stay in bed or not, he tended to get hungry, or in this case thirsty, in the middle of the day... a downside to his demon blood, was he needed to eat and drink WAY more then ponies...

He also needed to munch on meat, which freaked them out to no end. Sure, Pegasus occasionally ate fish, but those were so stupid they weren't even sentient, much less Sapient. Ponies would often feed fish, and most insects, to the animals they cared for. Or at least, to the predators... But Mouthy needed more then that...

He ate like a mix between a Thestral... and a Kitsune. Fox demons eat things like rabbits and chickens. They were a healthy part of their diet. Where as bat ponies ate fruits, grains, pastries, and needed lots of sugar. Like most ponies species.

Although, unlike ponies... Mouthy was highly allergic to vegetables. He would break out into hives, and swell up. Especially lettuce, and even ponies favorite snack of flowers....

Rregardless of what food he ate, and really the little colt kit needed to learn to keep his mind on track, he was really thirsty.

He finally got fed up with the thirst, and cracked open the door to his "bedroom". Just outside was the foals' playroom. Lots of knickknacks, and the odds and ends of children growing up.

Smart Mouth used his super special awesome sneaking skills, to slink past the two other, closet-like, bedrooms. He needed to, if he didn't want to wake his extra light sleeper of a sister.

Curious Cat... Well... Mouthy called her his baby sister. In truth, she was just as old as Mouthy... though physically... slightly more mature. More the equivalent of a pony 9 year old. But Mouthy had been born first!

Mouthy, sometimes wondered, what it be like... if his mother had lived. Thestrals had longevity. Though not immortality. Although the Hanyou had that to, due to being part demon, and all.

Dad had been around since the days of Starswirl. He, like many Thestrals, was a descendant of Luna... although many other descendants of Orphans, Luna had taken in, and blessed with her magics.

Unlike Celestia, who had an "issue with playing god", Luna blessed her children with dark magicks... to extend their lives as long as possible. Creating an entire race of ponies with longevity. Old age would never claim any of them... but they could still die of other things, like sickness or starvation... or even injury.

This meant, although it was inconvenient for dear old dad to be raising children for hundreds of years, dad would always be there...

Unfortunately, Mom, a proud fox demon... had died during childbirth.

Mouthy might be hundreds of years old, but he still had the emotional range of a typical 7 year old... but he wasn't exactly sad over his Mother's death. Yes he missed her, but more the idea of her... learning the real thing had kinda disillusioned him...

A few hundred years ago, he heard some of the elders talking... about how they suspected mum to be guilty of Stallion abuse, and how it was a good thing she died without the children ever having to know her.

Mouthy had been thinking about how the Kitsune had been beating her husband... his daddy... and became just as grateful she was dead before he met her... for some reason that hurt his chest to think about... little foals should not think such things about anyone... but the mare, errr whatever you call a female fox, had hurt the colt's dad.

Mouthy tried talking with his daddy about it... and dad just ended up getting mad at the Colony Elders. Mouthy tried to explain, that his ears were good enough to hear all over the compound... but Daddy was mad, embarrassed, and a good deal ashamed.

He ended up making excuses for mum, saying she was overly stressed. That she was complicated. That she was a Yokai, and they were naturally more strict with their submissive partners.

So naturally, Mouthy asked if she was still around, if daddy would have let her hurt him, like she did daddy. That got Daddy to go really quiet, before he gave a strangely serious promise that he wouldn't let any creature hurt his children, not even their mother... to which Mouthy asked if that meant he won't get spankings anymore. Daddy just rolled his slitted eyes, ruffled the boy's hair, and told him as soon as he stops being a brat, he won't need spankings.

Shaking his head, and getting his mind back on track, Mouthy continued his journey. His brain tended to wander way too much. It just jumped from topic to topic.

The colt kit got back to Sneakily sneaking passed his sister's room, hoping to be spared her wrath from an interrupted beauty sleep. Through the playroom, and into the hall.

There was light talking, far more calm... and with a new pony. The first voice had obviously left, and someone else had replaced him.

Mouthy looked around the bright hallway. The windows lighting it well... a bit too well. Even with the magical filters, the afternoon sky stung the Colt kit's eyes.

Taking the turn, Mouthy got to the living room, and was a little shocked to see daddy awake and drinking Cider, with a very special guest.

Not only did the colt kit expect the voices to be coming from the projector, but he was under the impression he would find daddy sleeping to a show.

"Auntie Computer Wiz!" Smart Mouth grinned spotting his favorite Aunt on the couch. He excitedly ran over to her, but frowned when he saw she was all misty eyed.

"Hi honey," The mare reached out and ruffled his mane, as she forced her eyes to dry and showed a clearly fake smile.

Mouthy studied her horns a moment. Auntie Computer Wiz was what is known as a "High Born" Thestral. She had goat like horns, which let her cast spells nearly as well as a Unicorn. It was a rare gene, that occasionally popped up in specific families... which was part of the reason the Colony was so disappointed Daddy married a Yokai.

Daddy might not be a "High Born" himself, but he did have the recessive gene... even if it was Dormant.

Regardless, it looked like Auntie was still upset about losing her husband. Smarty Pants Senior died in a wagon accident, some months back. Soon after, their son's egg hatched... as Thestrals lay eggs, as opposed to live births.

The foal was a healthy colt, which she named "Smarty Pants Junior". No relation to the "Smartie Pants" the doll.

Auntie had been visiting a lot more often, ever since, getting help from Daddy in taking care of her newborn.

Uncle Smarty Pants had been a nice stallion, but honestly Smart Mouth didn't know him very well. Before he died Smart Mouth rarely got to see Auntie, so the foal didn't know him very well.

Of course, they were newly weds. So can't expect them to spend all their time with family.

"Buddy," Daddy got his attention, looking strangely serious. "It's well past your bedtime."

"But I'm thirsty," Smart Mouth whined. He will admit, this time, it was definitely a whine. He just wanted to stay with Auntie.

Daddy sighed. He walked over to the kitchen which was directly connected to the living room and separated only by a long counter. He pulled out a cup from the cupboard, and poured some water into it from the faucet. He quickly screwed on a lid, and brought it back to the colt kit.

"I'M TOO OLD FOR A SIPPY!!!" This time, Mouthy made a very sound argument.

Daddy rolled his eyes, "It's not a sippy, it's a sports bottle. I'm not having you bring a cub, without a lid, to your room."

Mouthy pouted, as his Daddy handed him the bottle. "Sports Bottles" were a relatively new form of cup. Only having been around these last 200 years. Mouthy was still hesitant to trust them, as not a ploy to get him back on sippies. Daddy was sneaky like that. It was in his name, after all.

Regardless, Mouthy took the bottle, and allowed himself to be sent away. But the Stallion really was practically begging to be eavesdropped on. So Smart Mouth, being a good little colt, sat in the hallway, drinking from his sippy. Too suspicious to put up much of a fuss, about the baby bottle.

"Sorry about that," Daddy said to Auntie. Once Mouthy was gone from sight.

"It's okay," assured Auntie. "You've got a house filled with foals, it's bound to happen..." She grew quiet, and an awkward silence filled the room.

"Stealth..." Auntie finally spoke, though she was still hesitant. "Do... do you think we're cursed?"

Daddy didn't answer.

"Your mother, my sister, your wife... My husband... So many ponies lost..."

"It really does feel like it sometimes..." Daddy admitted taking a sip of his own drink, "It's the reason I refuse to let what happened to my wife affect my children. When my own mother died giving birth to me... Father couldn't even stand the sight of me. I spent my foalhood bouncing from house to house as he pawned me off on other family members.

"I always told myself I'd be a good father if something like that happened to me... I just... Never thought it would.” Daddy sighed unhappily and took a sip of his cider. “Still... I love my children, and will raise them with all the love they could ever hope to have..."

Auntie stared up at the ceiling for a moment, as Daddy continued, “You know, I think we are cursed but. But that's why we need to spit in the face of whatever asshole deity keeps bucking with us! Why we need to cling to what we have…” Auntie stared off into the distance as Daddy spoke his wisdom.

"Are you really not joining us..." Auntie asked. "I know you have always felt like the black sheep of the family... but we do love you."

"No Wiz," Daddy shook his head. "You love me. The rest of the family couldn't care less... maybe, instead of trying to convince me to come with you, you should be coming with me."

Auntie blinked, so Stealth took that as an invitation, and continued. “You know I'm not very good at the whole comforting thing... but I worry about you. With our new Queen, transferring me over to our new capital of Ponyville, you won't have the support of the disgraced corner of the Colony, anymore."

Mouthy could hear the light smile in his Auntie's voice. "Ah, yes, how will I cope with only the support of the rest of the family estate."

Dad got quiet.

So Auntie sighed, realizing Daddy was mostly speaking for himself. "I have a good job out here, working for the family business... And it was hard getting Junior in the Celestial Daycare. Ever since my sister passed I've been having to look after my niece too. She's so distraught she actually dropped out of her apprenticeship."

"I know.” Daddy hummed thoughtfully. “Bring her too,"

Auntie sighed, "I can't just drop everything, and I couldn't burden you like that."

Daddy thought for a moment. "We might be distant cousins, but we were raised together, a good portion of the time. There's a reason my children call you 'Auntie'. I consider you a sister."

"Please, stay with me instead. I might not be much help, but I know a thing or two about losing a spouse... I could help you. Besides, they will need someone to continue working planet side, for the family business. Regardless what the Elder thinks, we need ponies to stay behind. We can't just cut all ties with the other pony tribes. We got along for a thousand years, without Luna. She can't honestly expect us to drop our old lives, and return with her, to the moon.

"From what I remember of her, mind you I was a foal and she my daunting grandmother, she wanted us to make our own way.

"Plus, since I'm working as an Archer for the Princess of Friendship's Royal Guard, I can probably get Princess Twilight to enroll your foals in her school and daycare, free of charge, as a member of my household."

"Really living up to your name eh, 'Stealthy Intellect'," Auntie chuckled, "Trying to bribe me?"

"You know it’s a good idea. Besides Street Smart, is getting to be a real hoof full–And like you said Smart Alec needs help. In her state of mind she's willing to destroy her future, and neither of us want that. They could both do with some time under the guidance of the Council of Friendship... please Wiz, stay with me. You can still work here, at the family business. It isn't even that long of a commute from Ponyville. I need you just as much as you need me right now."

Auntie needed some time to think that over. To be honest, both ponies were sad and frightened, even though each one didn’t want to show it.

Daddy was nervous, being transferred to a new city. It didn't help most of the family was moving to the moon.

However, Auntie had a lot of things going on in Canterlot. If she did decide to stay planet side. It would be in her best interest, to stay in Canterlot.

Deep down, they both knew they needed each other. If they were together they’d stay strong through the pain. Maybe that was worth it. Auntie finished thinking and sighed, "Alright..."

"Woo-hoo!" Smart Mouth cheered.

"Smart Mouth!" Daddy scolded, "Go. To. Bed!"

"Sorry Daddy!" The colt grinned before running off to give his brother the good news.

• As the Years Pass in Ponyville:

Stealthy Intellect, and Auntie Computer Wiz, had taken their own houses, and moved them to the mountains to the west of Ponyville. Keeping them on the same cloud, although it was much smaller now.

A surprisingly large number of Thestral guards, from various colonies, agreed it was their duty to move to Ponyville... at least three thousand guards stayed planet side.

Twilight, gave them one of the mountains, to the West... that hadn't already been assigned to the dragons.

The Night Guard, along with their immediate families and the friends that chose to stay with them, were given a month off. This allowed them to use pony construction techniques, to hollow out the mountain. Filling it with the comforts of home, such as carved buildings with cloud floors.

It may be a smaller mountain, but it could easily hold the small town of Thestrals.

The colony clouds were now a lot smaller. As most of the houses were imported to the moon. The colonies that stayed on Equus... scattered to the winds across all of Equestria. The Night Guards might have moved to Ponyville, but they weren't the only ones to stay.

Most of the Technomancers, of the Smart Colony, had decided to stay in Canterlot. In order to continue to run the family business... which was why the Elder was so mad. A good 10th of his clan, was staying behind.

Other lines, with businesses rooted in their magics, decided to stay behind as well. Although most of them moved out to some other city. In order to expand their businesses, in another way colonies wouldn't allow... due to wanting to stay in Canterlot.

Then there were the various Misfits, that wanted to stay planet side. They went out, alone, to find a place for themselves.

For the past few years, Auntie took the public train for her nightly commute to Canterlot. Working with the other Smart Thestrals, that stayed behind.

Due to the limited numbers, and Auntie's sheer work ethic, she was easily spotted, and made Vice President of her department. Which was I.T.

While she was at it, Stealthy was spending his nights at the Castle of Friendship, or patrolling the Everfree. He usually took the early Sunset shift. That way he would be home in time to tuck in his children, at Sunrise. Thankfully, he had weekends off.

Both the older kids were doing much better, thanks to frequent exposure to the Bearers of Harmony. The teenagers were apprenticing at Twilight's school of friendship. Although it was technically a school to train world leaders, diplomats, and politicians the school taught a little bit of everything. The teens had eagerly soaked up all that they could. Now they were in their Senior year and eager to move beyond it, to study under a legitimate master of their desired trades.

Koto Sensei would come by, to babysit and tutor the children. While The older teens went to study night classes, at the School of Friendship.

The old kitsune came by, from his own private pocket dimension. He would rip open a portal, with the ease of scratching the air, and just casually walk through it.

Mouthy couldn't wait until he learned that spell. Dimensional manipulation was one of the Yokai's signature fields of magic.

Koto Sensei would allow the foals a few hours, to wander the town. Independence was, after all, an important part of both Pony and Yokai culture. Usually practiced from an early age... Koto thought these foals were a bit stunted, due to an over protective family unit.

Though Koto made sure to stay near the children, just where they couldn't smell him. Yokai, much like Draconequus, just gave children the illusion of independence.

While Curious Cat did her own thing, making friends as easily as breathing. Book Smart dragged his little brother to the castle of Friendship.

Unfortunately, their time at the castle was rather boring. His siblings loved it, but Mouthy tended to stay away from the other kids that played there. He just had trouble understanding them and they kept claiming he was weird... until one day... Mouthy made a friend.

A friend no one else could see. Then another appeared, and another. Once they were aware of Mouthy, the Invisible creatures flocked to him. Dad claimed they were imaginary... but Mouthy had his doubts about that...

• 14 Years into the Space Age:

One day, during Daddy's day off. The door bell rang. On the other side was Doctor Whooves. He was Queen Twilight's Head Wizard, and the Time Lord god himself... He was just standing there.

Daddy was amazed that someone so powerful, so important, would just be there. Though not particularly puzzled by the Earth pony's ability to get up to the Thestrals clouds. Even in the cavern. It must have something to do with Guard business.

"How urgent is it?" Stealthy asked.

The Doctor blinked, "Urgent? No, no, not urgent at all. Though I wouldn't say it's not important. Perhaps we could discuss it over a pot of tea?" The Doctor smiled.

Stealthy blinked, even more puzzled. Twilight wouldn't have sent the Doctor here for idle chit chat... and a god doesn't just step on your door for the same... well... not unless you're Fluttershy.

Stealthy hesitantly looked at the Doctor, then back at his children. “Please come in?” The Doctor nodded at the young god, and guided him deeper into the stone manor.

As Stealth made his way to the formal sitting room, he shooed the children away. “Foals, go play. The adults need some privacy.”

The children slowly left, and made their way to their playroom, as Stealthy directed the Doctor to his sitting room.

The Doctor spoke up, just as the youngest was about to disappear. “Smart Mouth? Could you please stay here with us?” Mouthy would rather be playing.

Daddy looked slightly worried about this. Koto Sensei would lecture Mouthy about what an honor it was, that the Doctor wanted to speak with him, but there were lots of gods hanging around Ponyville these days. Discord was here at least once a week. Besides, although he knew and loved the cartoons and Audio Dramas, the Doctor himself was kinda scary.

Daddy pinned his ears back, in a slightly frightened manner. “What would you want with Smart Mouth, sir?”

“Relax.” The doctor smiled. "I merely picked up, the boy's magical core has stabilized."

"Yes..." Stealth eyed suspiciously, while wondering why that should concern the god. "Mister Koto informed me, and started training the boy on more complicated magicks."

Whooves nodded, "While I'm sure, Mister Koto, no idea who that is, but I'm sure he does a good job, I would be interested in enrolling the boy in my school."

Stealth's eyes slowly blinked, looking down at his youngest, though technically the middle child. "My Colony test all our children, he showed no talent for Technomancy."

"True, these things tend to run in families, but it's not always the same type of manifestation." The Doctor explained. "My school would be able to help him develop his gifts, that your Colony, or even whoever this 'Mister Koto' is, I assume he's a magic tutor? Probably a Kitsune, given the unfortunate-ness that happened with your wife. Real shame that, deepest condolences, and what not.

"Anyway, no one in your family, or whom you employ, would be able to teach the boy how to harness his more unique gift. My School can help with that." talking with this god was like talking with a chattering monkey. Incoherent thoughts expressed as randomly as possible.

Smart Mouth was, somehow, keeping up... probably because he thought just as abstractly.

The Colt Kit was busy playing with his Smart Phone, trying to pretend he wasn't listening to the conversation... but looked up at the word 'School', a little nervous as well as excited by the concept.

Children technically didn't begin secondary school until they were 11. That's when they started learning how to control their racial magics, but Mouthy already had Koto Sensei for that.

Mouthy wasn't physically old enough to start... and even when he was... secondary school was all about teaching the more detailed culture and history of the child's species. As well as their racial powers... Hybrids were too complicated, and unique, to be taught in such a setting.

Although there were some Secondary schools that taught various races a specific style of magic. Like with wands or staffs or something... However, those were very selective schools, and getting the equipment for them was expensive. Not that that was a problem for trust fund babies, like the Smart Colony.

Stealthy eyed the Doctor, "I heard about your magic school, but Mouthy's... a bit too different from a normal Thestral. He needs a more specialized education."

Mouthy didn't deflate at the word "Normal". His dad had taught him that being normal was actually a bad thing, cuz they were all boring.

"Oh You have no idea." The Doctor smiled as well. "My school teaches academics alongside magic, but it's probably a different kind of magic then you're expecting.” The doctor waved a hoof majestically.

“Magic is in all of us. Even in Earth ponies and Griffins. However, sometimes it comes out in strange ways. What causes this is unknown but I have found a noticeable pattern! Certain powers tend to appear in specific groupings. I call these 'Classifications of Atypical Magical Manifestations', or rather 'Classes'. I want to teach these gifted children how to control these rare powers.”

Daddy nodded, understanding this but not understanding how this related to his son. “Are you saying my son is... gifted?”

“Yes,” the Doctor nodded. "And Queen Twilight has been fascinated by Classes, ever since she learned her friend Pinkie Pie had one. When she learned they were real and not just a myth, well, she's been funding my research into them ever since! So when I told her I wanted to open up a school to actually help these people, she was all for it,"

"People?" Mouthy blinked.

The Doctor explained, "That's what you call any creature aware of mind and magic. Not everyone is a pony after all. As I'm sure you know,"

The little Colt kit nodded, knowing all too well.

Daddy eyed, "I know what your school is... But I haven't seen Mouthy show any signs of... a Class."

"That's because it's subtle," explained the Doctor, "You know all those 'imaginary friends' of his?”

Daddy nodded. “He has a very active imagination.”

The doctor shook his hoof. “Well they aren't imaginary. They're ghosts!"

Daddy paused. If it had been anyone else he would think they were high on salt, but this was the Doctor. He was literally a god. He also had a wealth of technology and information that would have led him here. “I had no idea.” he didn't know what else to say.

"Your son has great potential. The speed and dexterity of a Thestral, not to mention those nifty shadow bending powers. Combined with the natural stealth and magic of a Kitsune. Then there is the affinity for Restoration magics, and the divine powers, of a Cleric. And to top it all off, there is the variety of powers from his Necromancy Archetype. He has the potential to become a very powerful master of the craft!"

"Necromancy!?" Daddy gaped. "Are you telling me my son is a Corpse Humper!?" The little colt kit shrank at that. Whatever a 'Corpse Humper’ was, it did not sound good.

The Doctor sighed, "I thought you would be more sensitive to the misconceptions that come with classes."

Daddy blushed and hugged his son, as if to protect him from his own corpse humping ways. "How can you be sure?"

"Well, firstly, the way he moves and the stiffness of his joints. That all indicates a higher bone density. A clear sign of Necromancers, as a result of their ability to manipulate their own bones. Although the more obvious sign is his friends. They are phantoms. I might not be able to hear them but as a trained wizard, I have the means to detect them.”

The doctor continued. "My school will be able to help him control these gifts and use them for the betterment of Equestria.

"It doesn't just teach how Classes work though. My students receive the best education, both magical and academic. There, children will learn at their own pace from computers, with breaks for class participation activities, such as labs and story time. I'll also take them on weekly Field Trips to expand their worldview. I'll make sure they eat and have their naps. All expenses and board is included.”

Stealthy nibbled his bottom lip. "I'm familiar with classes."

"You would be." The Doctor nodded. "The Smart Colony has become one of the more famous families, of technomancers. Even though your lucky if a 10th of your children are born with the gift."

"Doctor..." The Thestral Guard expressed his worry. "Ponies, with classes... don't exactly have the best reputations. No matter how useful they can be."

The Doctor interjected, "And Necromancers have an even worse rep, as you yourself demonstrated." Daddy looked ashamed at that, but the Doctor continued. "Most, however, are as honorable as people can get. They are rather obsessed with helping the dead rest, and are more benevolent than what films might have you believe..."

The Doctor then admitted, "Sadly I can't protect your son from such prejudice, but I can give him a place to belong. A place with other kids like him. They'll grow up together and learn to master their powers in a safe environment.” The Doctor pointed at daddy. “Isn't that something you would have liked when you were a foal?"

Daddy thought hard. "What's the catch?"

"Hummm?" The Doctor blinked.

"You're telling me, a government sponsored school, for children with... Classes, of all things! Isn't hoping to get something out of this?"

The Doctor sighed, "I was getting to that. You see, and this is purely voluntary after graduation, The students have an automatic acceptance into a special program.

"They will be given a lot of freedom to live... But will receive the occasional missions. They could, if they choose, become government agents. A mix between Celestia's monster hunters, and the Equestria Interplanetary Fleet. Charged with exploration and defense throughout the Star Cluster."

The Doctor walked towards the picture window, and looked out at the sky. "We are hoping to have the Mass Effect drive done, by the first graduating class.

"See my universe teaches all the way through college. Primary to college, depending on when the Magical Core stabilizes. Different for every species, that is. So have to be flexible with admittance.

"Anyway, our first students will be graduating college, in a few more years, and the joint sciencist of the Planetary Fleet, should have the Mass Effect Drive ready to install in a ship by then.

"You lot will be able to start exploring your Star Cluster with that, and who knows, maybe even find a Mass Relay soon after. You are pretty close to the end of the Star Cluster, after all. Mass Relays like the Edge of things...what was I talking about?" The Doctor tapped his chin, with a hoof. "So many thoughts, hard to keep them straight. It's just annoying when you get that kind of face?"

Stealthy hesitantly nodded, despite not understanding what the Time Lord was talking about.

Strangely Mouthy answered, "You were saying, since the Mass Effect Engine, is almost finished, your first class of graduating students will be able to get their own ship." was that what he was saying? Stealthy wondered.

"Oh! That's right," The Doctor smacked his hoof, into his other one. Then continued. "Very good timing that. Though me, I'm good with time." He winked at Mouthy... perhaps acting like a goof for the child's benefit. "Queen Sparkle, set up a special division in the Interplanetary Fleet. So any Secondary School graduate, from my fine establishment, can enroll.

"Students, with good enough grades, can continue on at my university level. And THEN enroll in this special Division of the Interplanetary Fleet. Where they can immediately be listed as officers, of the ground parties."

"This Division will be more independent. Free Range, if you will. Accountable only to the United Council. They would not be above the spirit of the law, but they would have permission to act outside it. Though they would have to explain the need to do so."

"So you want my son to be some kind of Secret Agent?" Daddy eyed.

"Not so secret, he would be asked to directly represent the Equus System to other planets. A champion of Equus!” The Doctor turned back to Daddy hopefully. “Think of this as going to military school. He will receive the training, but it is up to him if he actually joins when he graduates."

Regarding of the Doctor's speech, Daddy wasn't convinced. "Well all that sounds well and good. Mouthy ages differently then ponies. Would you actually be willing to keep him at your school, long enough to receive a proper education?"

"Time runs different at my school. Mouthy will be able to spend over a decade learning, and accumulate the knowledge of several centuries. All without aging more then the outside world."

"That's actually a problem." Daddy sighed. "Mouthy will be a kid, for a few hundred more years, past a millennium... by the time he graduates your school, he still won't be accepted into the working world."

The Doctor frowned, "Yokai have... different degrees of adulthood then ponies. While they still believe in awarding privileges, at milestones, as opposed to just throwing the kids into adulthood. When they start rewarding those privileges is different. Due to how long Yokai live, and their ability to build themselves knew bodies when they die."

Daddy paled, "They can WHAT!?"

The Doctor blinked, remembering this Stallion had a Yokai Wife... a dead Yokai wife... one he likely wouldn't want to see again. "It's a skill, meaning it needs to be learned and practiced. Most Yokai can't do it." And due to this Stallion's treatment... that particular kit's soul was used to feed the devil's the Yokai traded with. A practice the Doctor didn't approve of, but he tried to stay out of the Yokai's legal system... and politics in general.

"More importantly!" The Doctor hopped in his seat. "Yokai tend to let their children experiment with Independence as young as 5... given that is actually five hundred. Then they are expected to start their apprenticeship, as soon as their magical core stabilizes... which for Yokai is seven hundred. I'm actually surprised a Hanyou is matching Yokai maturity so completely. They tend to be a bit off the mark, when it comes to that."

Daddy rolled his eyes. The god most certainly didn't have to explain the obvious, to a father of three Hanyou. It would be a miracle if he hadn't noticed that.

The Doctor went back to frowning, "Yokai are... weird. Their cognitive functions develop rather quickly. Lots of synapses firing from an early age. However, their emotional range, never matures further then a young child. Even their reasoning skills develop... differently then most sapient creatures. They are more animal like, by their very nature. Extremely intelligent animals, but still just animals.

"As a result Hanyou tend to think differently. They are emotionally stunted, and have difficulty grasping social norms, of either species. Need all the help they can get, and rarely get it."

Stealthy looked up at the god, glaring. "I know all that."

The Doctor nodded, "My school is probably the only place, in this entire realm of existence, that can teach the boy what he needs. Your other kids are fine, learning from a Yokai tutor, but due to this boy's additional gift... and the nature of those gifts... he is going to have a harder time of it."

The Doctor sat straight, giving a disarming smile. Instead of his default goofy grin. "And don't worry. As I said, it isn't mandatory for my students to join the Fleet. It is only encouraged. And IF the boy actually WANTS to, he still needs your legal approval."

"And what," Stealthy eyed. "Exactly, would happen if I gave my approval?"

The Doctor's frown returned.

Stealthy held up a hoof. "I just want to know what all his options are." and, in all honesty, it wasn't likely that Mouthy would be accepted in any other group, that would acknowledge the boy's limitations. Might be the only place, in all of the multiverse, that would respect his Yokai blood... without subjecting the boy to their harsh laws.

The Doctor thought on it. "As I said, Yokai have a different definition of adulthood." The god gave a shrug. "but rest assured, Queen Sparkle was able to create a system more acceptable by pony ethics. Due to his physical maturity, and the treaty with Yokai, he would stay in a purely Apprentice level capacity, for hundreds of more years.

"That's mostly doing D Rank assignments, which amount to chores on board his vessel. Occasionally C Rank, which is the away Missions, though never unsupervised. He won't be getting any B Rank missions. Much less higher threat levels. Not until he's at least hit puberty."

Stealthy nodded, "So he'd be more like a cabin colt?" That didn't sound so bad. Then the thought immediately came to him. "It's a boarding school, isn't it?"

The Doctor sighed, "I'm afraid so. Like any form of magic, Classes can be unstable during learning. They need constant supervision as they practice their art. It would be dangerous otherwise. However you can come visit him on family day, every weekend, and he will return home for the holidays."

Daddy looked down at Smart Mouth, who had just been staring at the Doctor, listening intently. Neither was entirely certain, but they both intrinsically knew the gravity of what they were hearing.

Daddy sighed and looked into the distance. He could hear the jeers of Smart Mouth’s classmates in a regular school. Necromancy was massively understood! Daddy knew that Smart Mouth would have an even tougher time understanding himself. That is, if he didn’t have a proper teacher.

Sure, Koto Sensei was a smart kitsune, but this was out of his league. Maybe, the Doctor turning his son into a champion of Equus, wasn’t such a bad idea, given the circumstances. "Alright... I'll let him go to your school."