"Come one, Mom! We're going to be late!" I urged loudly, my voice nearly drawing into a whining. I increased my pace as I walked next to Gentle Touch, her facial expression, a kind smile, unchanging.

Gentle raised an eyebrow and said. "Star, we should reach the Princess in less than ten minutes, but she expects us only in half an hour. We won't be late."

"Yes, but too late to be too early," I argued with a tilted head, my mouth's corners twitching upwards slightly with each word spoke.

Gentle shook her head, giggling slightly under breath. "I'm sure the Princess appreciates how enthusiastic you are about seeing her, but a colt your age really shouldn't have to worry about time so much." She agreed before tilting her head forward. The sight of the castle drew near from behind the many mansions and ponies in our path.

Since the day of my first completed dungeon, four years have passed, and I still cannot believe it. With my perfect memory, it felt like I was only yesterday doing deliveries, but then again, I have been spending most of my nights, after having reached the highest currently available level: 10, watching movies and reliving memories. I do not actually need to harm something to level my spells, just doing it is enough, even if it isn't as effective, well, except of course [Physical Damage Ressitance]. Damage is damage after all.

My eyes arched up, watching my stamina bar carefully, I was able to walk indefinitely, I am not even sure if I need sleep, but my speed was limited with Dexterity being my second lowest skill with 20. I could not learn new skills, and gaining points casually was tedious and barely reaped any rewards during this off period given my form and the peaceful environment. The worst part was that the game stated that it would be yet another two years before I could face the next dungeon, my only comfort was that my body still grew, meaning that I was improving someway, even if the sweet aftertaste of that beautiful rush of power still would sometimes linger on my tongue. Now mentioning that.

"Mom, will we have breakfast in the castle?"

Gentle's ears perked up before answering with a soft tune. "Do not worry, it won't be long, the Princess said that she let something really nice be prepared today." Her choice of words was vague as if there was a surprise she wished to hide, which was weird.

'My birthday was last week, so that can't be it.' I thought with a raised brow. I shook my head, children were supposed to like surprises, not attempt to drive their parents crazy with questions, that is the duty of a brat. I never was a fatass or glutton, but this world's food, I am not kidding you, is like a dozen times better than even the organic food my parents cooked was rotten in comparison. Could I even get fat or thin anymore?

Negative, if it ever were to get to that point, I would automatically force-feed you any edible item in your inventory and or vicinity. I would also not let you gain weight, enforcing this by taking away your sense of hunger, hightening your metabolism as high as I can, or, if necessary, make you sweat lard.

'I did not know that you know what, just thank you for saving from having a diet force upon me.' I thought with quivering lips, not wishing to press it any further. The Game was really the only friend I had, and now, I do not call the sacks of chubby flesh on four sticks friends, they always make comments about how boney I am. Ponies sure grow up fast, or we monkeys are just super slow in the game of life.

Your're welcome.

"Greetings, miss Gentle!" Cheered young voice, waving her white hoof at us frantically. A low clunk echoed from her, followed by a cry of pain. "Ouch! Why did you do that, P-Ouch!" The mare cried again.

"Greetings, guards. The Princess is awaiting us." Gentle said warmly, she has grown in comfort towards other ponies considerably and began socializing not long after having been forced to be near many maids, butlers, guards, and any other kind of pony having some sort of purpose at the castle.

"Hi, there!" I cheered with a broad smile, although the two unicorn Guard Mares looked identical down to the last blue hair of their mane and patch of a white coat, a strategy to hide the personality and identity of the guards for their safety, it was always the same guards who would pick us up. The younger one was Lemon Tart, the other was Puff Pastry, an older mare. I have never seen them without armor, thus never their actual color, but they could be differentiated. There were also a few guards who I never met, the ponies guardians who follow my every step I take outside the castle, never seen them, but the game is picking up their frightening, strong power.

"Well, hello there your majesty, how are you feeling on this fine day?" Lemon Tart answered cheerfully, knocking about the unofficial title.

I was in no way of royalty, even the lowest baron was several towers above me, but given my close relationship with the sun Princess and being treated like the freaking crown jewel itself, I might as well have just as be that much worth to the country as an asset. I was in no way delusional, I was raised to be the perfect little patriotic dog of the princess, I have dealt with enough businessmen and women to know when I was exploited. I would not be dying for this country, but no reason not to build my persona.

I rolled my eye at her comment, ignoring Pony humor, which was nearly as low as their literal names, and answered. "I'm fine, just a bit curious what the Princess has planned for today. How are you two?" I do not hide my, for my age, high intelligence, Of course, I was not going to invent modern math formulas, but I had no interest in the baby talk. The Princess at least is pleased about my adult behavior, I have, after all, literally never done something wrong at this point with the Game keeping both my body and mouth in check.

"The hip is not what it once was, but other than that, I feel fine."

"Like always, super energetic."

"Now, should we bring you to her highness?" Puff Pastry asked politely, I heard how insisted Celestia was on them not doing anything to upset me, she was very insistent, apparently not fearing the risk of raising a brat.

"That would be nice." Gentle replied, to which both guards nodded. Puff pressed an emerald on the side of her helmet, letting it blink once. Not long after, a new pair of guards opened the gate and replaced them before the eccentric duo led us through the castle.

I did not need their guidance, my minimap showed me the halls better than any guard, not only that, I could place waypoints and even let a red, glowing line appear in my vision which I could follow to my destination. Not only that, but I could also track ponies withing a certain radius based on their Aether. Speaking of Aether, I still was unable to use [Observe] on adult ponies and get anything useful, their level was still too hight, thus out of reach for me.

My eyes darted forward, my mental countdown reaching zero as we walked down the last corridor to the throne room. The clinking of the armor got annoying, so I usually would just space out, I value the usefulness of my meatshields greatly, but that did not mean that I wished to gain a tinnitus.

A grin spread across my face as the door was suddenly enveloped by both a green and a white aura, once the door opened ever so slightly, I took off, slipping through the crack and towards the other end of the room. I could feel dozens of eyes on me the moment I began to wild charge and now more than three times as many watched me, yet no hoof was moved. My hooves clicked across the ground, even with the scarlet carpet between my hooves and the marble floor. The wind flew through my coat and hair, letting my mane wave through the air before jumped, taking off, and diving right into the hooves of a very special pony.

"Greetings, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, my Star." Princess Celestia said kindly as she levitated me in the air with her golden aura, well, no longer really in her hooves. I grinned sheepishly, showing off my pearly white teeth. I always greeted her like that since the day I could walk and jump. Celestia smiled as she leaned forward, dragging me closer, before rubbing her nose against mine, ponies loved body contact more than anything.

"Do I need a reason to visit mommy?" I said with playful confusion.

"I hope not that you one day have a reason not to visit me." Princess Celestia replied with faked horror, luring a little giggling from me, before setting me down.

Yes, I called the immortal goddess mommy, and no, that was no trick of mine to get more affection. She, deliberately, asked me to call her mommy even before I was able to talk, guess what was my first word, and to who I said it? Yep, well, Gentle had not long to wait before her official nickname was 'Mom.' The game won the bet, she wanted me to be her foal, assumedly because she feared to have a mortal foal turn to ashes in her hooves. While on the topic of body,
I am always on a strict diet, have three doctor appointments a week, am home tutored since the second week on this world by the princess personally, and have daily playdates with the maids' foals. As a matter of fact, I sit on the lap of the Princess even during court, she took great liberty to make me spend more time with her than Gentle, which was worrisome.

"Star, do you really have to do this every time? One day you might startle the guards, and something bad happens." Gentle urged as she closed in on us, shaking her head, yet not being able to hide the little smile. I could not help it; this was my little, devilish, and forbidden pleasure in this forsaken life: attempting to headbutt the most powerful creature in this world.

"It's fine, it really is Gentle Touch," Celestia said, waving away any concern that Gentle displayed. The Princess was warm towards Gentle, acknowledging her as the other legal guardian and friend, but it was clear that her word was final, even if she was damn good at hiding it. While mentioning hiding, I am pretty sure the guards in her throne room are not real ponies, they don't even twitch or move a muscle, they're like the Queen's Guard in England on a whole new level.

"Well, if you say so, your highness." Gentle sulked a little, rubbing her forehoof with another sheepishly. Another thing I found creepy about ponies was that they did not make any motion while talking, other than the occasional gesture. This might not sound weird, but it really is as if those people at markets that painted themselves silver and act as statues, suddenly started to talk, but not move. It's creepy.

"Gentle." Celestia started, quietly, before enveloping Mom's chin in her magic, lifting it until her eyes met those of the princess, and said. "It is just Celestia, you do not have to mention my title when we are supposed to be on one level, given that we are reading the same foal. Are we not?" The Princess said with both eyebrows raised, her hoof rested lightly on my head.

'I am, to this day, surprised that her friends and close personal are allowed to just call her by her name, not even mentioning title or rank.' I thought, this display still surprised me to this day, despite the Princess already having had this conversation on multiple occasions.

"I know, it's just, you are The, Princess Celestia," Gentle said, albeit a tad louder than she wished to, making Mommy's smile sink slightly. "Do not take me wrong, I'm honored, it's-just-just weird for a pony of your standing to see me as your equal."

'She never said that you were equal to her, just that she wished for their views and opinions to be on one level.' I thought dryly. I read enough contracts...

Agreed...

"But, you already said it." Princess Celestia said she stood up from her throne and her comfortable cushion. "I am pony, that should be enough for me to be on your eye height, should it not." She asked, only for her gaze to slowly dip downwards to meet Gentle's eyes. "Metaphorically speaking, of course."

Gentle was about to open her mouth but was cut off by my stomachs grumbling, loudly I might remark, and it was another moment where I counted that karma and coincidence were a thing on this world.

"Oh, I nearly forgot. I apologize for letting you hunger Star, Gentle, and I were just carried away." Celestia said her hooves did not move, but her neck was seemingly made out of rubber as she looked down and back at me. "Now, I believe it is time to show Star the little surprise."

'I do not like that tone...'

'I correct myself, I fucking love that sound!' I thought joyfully as my eyes darted forward onto a red, square, porcelain coking form from which an intoxicating delightful smell radiated.

"Princess, when you said that a surprise would wait for Star, I did not think that it would stink that much." Gentle complained quietly as she held a hoof in front of her nose, attempting to shield her from the fragrance.

"Rest assured that although a mortal pony might think of such aroma as nothing more than stench, Alicorns and I believe Star too, might bear a different opinion, given that it is part of our diet." Celestia proclaimed with a high tone, her clear voice ringing through the long dining hall despite speaking typically.

I sat alone at a long table, able to host at least a hundred ponies, a plate, and silverware was given to me while it took much restrain no to just grasp the food as tear into it. I knew this smell.

"Princess, with all due respect, how are you able to eat something that reeks like an animal that was burned alive." Gentle complained her eyes watering slightly as she opened the window closest to her, much to my dismay as I was enjoying this fragrance.

"You are not entirely wrong." Princess Celestia said shortly as she walked towards me, sitting next to me on the ground, but even then, with me sitting on a chair with several cushions, towered over me.

"Huh?" Gentle blurted out, before taking one deep breath and walking to my side, taking place on the ground opposite from the princess.

Princess Celestia put on of her hooves on my shoulder, leaning forward slightly and asking. "Star, what do you think of the smell in this room?" Her voice was really smooth, and I can guess why she asked so carefully. My rips were showing, even after having been stuffed with a lot of fried food. This spiel of finding something that could put some meat on my bones went on to the point the chefs were getting desperate.

"It smells delicious," I answered joyfully, I could hear my mother's jaw falling and closing just as quickly as the delicious smells entered her mouth. "Is it food, can I eat it? I'm so hungry." I was always hungry. I might add as I did not gain weight, and my flaws were responsible for me being unable to even obtain or support more weight.

Mommy nodded gleefully, her magic gripping the corners of the pot and lifting it, before gently letting it down in front of me, pushing the plate aside as if it was just in case I needed a little taste first. With each centimeter, the container of goodness came closer my heart began to beat faster with enjoyment until my eyes met with a sight that could've drawn tears in my eyes if it was not for the game.

In the pot was a roasted fish, several cracks and holes showed that it was already deboned. Under the fish was a red, thick, and deep sauce in which potatoes, onions, garlic, and various other vegetables rested or swam. The smell of fish, any meat for that mater after nearly fifteen years, was a sight to behold. The aroma of the dish as a whole, but especially that sauce that might as well could've been soup given its subtle smell with various sharp stings. Citrus, tomato, garlic, onion paprika, and many other scents assaulted me, not even the game stopped me from salivating.

"Come on, give it a try." Princess Celestia proposed as she lifted a fork in front of me, letting the handle free of her power, allowing me to take it with [Levitation] the strain so little I could hold it indefinitely. I stared at the tool, before looking at Gentle, who nodded frantically while continuing to save herself from the scent.

I poked the fish once, the fork sinking into the white flesh as if it was butter, I think it was bass, but I honestly didn't care. The lightest touch caused juices to spill. I broke a sizeable piece off and put in my mouth before chewing ever so slowly, letting the taste spread. This might seem insane for a horse or human, but I have not eaten any meat in nearly one and a half decades. I swallowed the paste and let out a hum, the nourishment vanished instantly due to my ridiculous metabolism.

"This..." I said slowly with a quiet tone.

"Yes?" Celestia asked carefully as she watched me with anticipation.

"Is the best thing I have ever eaten!" I proclaimed loudly as I took another forkful, I did not wave my sight from the beautiful dish away, if the creature I was currently devouring had eyes then it would probably stare in either horror or let a single, sad tear roll down its dead body.

"Incredible..." Celestia marked, managing to draw me away from my feast. I turned to her, Celestia's gaze fixated with onto my body while a grin graced her face, Gentle on the other hoof watched only with amazement. Did it suddenly get warmer?

No. However, it seems like consuming flesh had a better impact on your form that I originally believed.

'What's that supposed to mean?' I wondered for a moment.

I believed the consumption of flesh would render your body sick and weak, poisoning you for the very least. I did not put into consideration that in a cooked form, you would be able to bear the digestion given that the line between Aether creature and pony is still blurry in some corners. The fish allowed you to gain some weight, whereas the vegetables were burned away instantly.

'What is that supposed to mean? I chowed down fried okra, hay and potatoes like a maniac, not to mention that all that stuff was battered, how did that no put fat on me?' I asked with confusion as I felt the stared draw onto me again, to which I simply stared at my rips. They were less visible thanks to my frightening metabolism.

The deep-fried food you consumed was not prepared in the same way you humans prepare this meal. Now that was incredibly worrisome...

"Go one, it's all for you." Princess Celestia encouraged me, her hoof slipping from my shoulder to the middle of my back. I ignored the last comment of the game and ate everything in front of me, bite for bite.

I felt a little warmer with each action of swallowing, or perhaps it was just the joy radiating from both parents, seeing as I for once did not look like a mummy. Talking about the food, it did make me a little bit hazy once I was done. I let out a yawn as I put the fork down, a small puddle of the sauce remained, but I was too tired to consume any more despite having the stomach of a wildfire.

"How do you feel, Star?" Mommy asked soothingly, her voice drawing me only nearer the realm of slumber while her comfortable hoof moved every so slightly upwards to the back of my head.

"I... I-*Yawn*, feel so tired, Mommy... I think I could just... fall... asleep." I had to force out each word as I felt a warmth spread through my entire body. As a matter of fact, I think my eyes were affected as well; everywhere were Mommy wasn't felt so cold. Yes... Mommy is safe and warm.

You have slept for about one hour.

My eyes opened wide, feeling all tendrils of fatigue ripped away from me as my eyes took in all that was around me. The room was a piece of art in its own right, at the bottom, I could see a large, fluffy cushion easily able to fit at least three ponies, under it was a large carpet made out of various kinds of silk, stitched into a template of the sun. The room, unlike most others I have seen, was circular with each piece of furniture handmade for fitting into this place. Several large drawers, a chaise lounge, an office desk with various document drawers behind. Everything in this room was simple, yet graceful, not what those bumptious rich people believed to be chic.

My eyes opened wide, my fur stood up, and my heart stopped for a moment as an electric sensation traveled up and down my spine as I felt something wet, warm and dexterous wipe across my back and to the top of my head. My nostrils flared open, whatever this alien creature's scent was, in enveloped my whole form.

The slimy creature suddenly retracted itself, and a soft, elegant voice spoke. "Have you slumbered well, my Star?" It turned my head towards the origin of the voice, testing just how flexible a horse's neck was before my eyes met with massive, magenta orbs. "You seem surprised, but I do not judge you, this is the first time you've fallen asleep on the spot, or is just my chambers decor that seems to have caught your interest?" Celestia rested on her bed, a large horse bed with all her regalia taken off, revealing her pristine white fur, even a patch of fluffiness there where otherwise her chest piece was.

I blinked audibly, I think my ears picked up the sound of a xylophone playing in tune with the motion of my eyelids. "Wow, what was in the food, I didn't think I'd feel so weird," I answered, rubbing my eyes as a cat would. Of course, I would never just accuse someone of such high power and status.

She drugged you.

'Oh now you're speaking normal!?'

"Oh, really?" Celestia asked with as she leaned forward, her legs were tucked in under her form, and stretched out her forehooves and letting them this way with me between them. "I will have to inform the cooks that they should be more careful next time, we would not want you to get sick, would we?" Her voice so smooth I nearly wished for her tone to crack, to find one imperfection in her speech lulling me deeper into comfort and marveling of her radiance.

"No," I said, stretching out the tone as I slowly stood up, a hard act keeping balance on a vast, soft surface, but I managed to slowly walk my way to Celestia, I really did not know what was drawing me to her, before merely collapsing in front of her chest and letting my head rest in her chest fluff. "But it was really warm and comfortable when I looked at you," I answered truthfully, Whatever she did, I wished not for her to find out that it did not work as much as she intended.

Celestia let out a low chuckle when she heard my response as she lifted one of her hooves and stroked my mane. "I think you just believed me to be a most adequate pony to sleep next to." She puffed her chest, enveloping my head within her fur, and if it was not for the lack of oxygen or a princess not willing to accidentally suffocate her adopted child, I would've remained in this position of pure joy. "Would you like to do some magic practice?"

My head jerked away from the chest of the Princess as my ears perked up. Up to this point, all I was shown was a basic understanding of the world, a little bit of math and basic magic control like, for example, levitation, but never did she offer this before. "Can we?" I asked excitedly, I was actually excited for something I did not master on the beginning, because, you know, a thirty-year-old human who went to college for nothing apparently and since my persona was the perfect son who never disobeyed and was always eager to improve I had to go through all that shit again. Yes, a square does not fit into a hole.

"Of course it is a bit early, most ponies only start magic practice with the age of six except for magic control and levitation, but I believe you are well above that already," Celestia said, praising my efforts and achievements as she ignited her horn and retrieved a most strange object, well, it was hidden behind a white cover. Still, the silhouette of the object beneath was a square, nothing you often see.

"This is a-" Princess Celestia started, only to be cut off by a loud knocking at the door.

A stallion behind the large double door of the solar princess asked loudly, yet politely. "I am sorry to disturb you despite your wishes to be left at peace, but Princess Mi Amore Cadenza wishes to enter."

"It's just Cadence" hushed a quiet, stern, and clearly annoyed voice behind the door, followed by a soft sorry, from the pony who wrongfully announced her.

"Let her enter, Guards." Princess Celestia announced the smile she always wore grew a bit once hearing the door click before the being in question entered.

"Aunt, do you know when-" The creature spoke softly, but her voice snapped off like a frozen branch of a dead tree when her eyes, those portals to unspeakable horrors, fell onto me.

'To all good and evil this world bears what creature have you dragged, birthed and created from the depths of the nightmare realm for such an abomination of this kind to exist.' I thought with absolute dread as my eyes were staring deep into its. The creature slowly opened its maw, a void rested within while an ever-growing screech bellowed out of her, she suddenly rushed forward, my paralyzed body was not able to act fast enough, and she picked me up, pressing my form against her while her powerful limbs threatened to crush my spine.

"Cadence, I think you are making Star a bit uncomfortable." Princess Celestia said calmly.

'I think my eyeballs are about to pop out!'

"But Aunt, I've wanted to meet my cousin for such a long time, and he is so incredibly soft and cute and adorable." Cadence pouted loudly, easing her grip around my nearly-burst-internal-organs.

'Now that I think about it, is Celestia technically by law my parent give that the contract gave her the power over all decision regarding me, thus making this weird alicorn, which I still don't know how they are made, my cousin?' I thought amidst my excruciating discomfort and embarrassment. 'Also, kill me.'

No.

Ultimately the pink demon let me down, yet not sparing a moment to rub her muzzle against mine the second I was on the cushion yet again. "I hope I have to chance to babysit you soon, just think all the fun we'll have." This statement nearly made my eyes water, but not from joy.

Now that I was no longer in immediate danger of having my life ended early, I took the time to take a better look at her. Despite bearing the title of princess, how that worked I had no idea, she wore no regular, but I do not think she needed anything to polish her look any further, although my personal opinion was that she needed a lot more cloth to hide all that pink! Her long legs were thin, but in no danger of malnourishment, those limbs lead to her slim frame was almost admirable, if it was not for her flanks, on which a crystal heart with golden pieces sat, equaled those of Celestia in terms of size. The two wings on her back began with pink at the base, but the further they traveled, they took on a magenta tone. Her face was the definition of petite as if she was bred for it, and her long three colored mane, bearing the colors of vanilla, magenta, and light purple, through which a long horn poked, finished off her look. I had no idea how to differentiate the ugliness from beautifying when it came to horse, but I believe she is one of the better-looking ones, not that I really cared about that.

"Wow, you have a horn and wings like Mommy! How did you get them?" I proclaimed with awe, waving my hooves in a slow, wide arc, before asking with great interest. I was on the path of power, if necessary, I would go through hell and back to gain enough strength to rip open the fabric of worlds, Amber will not perish before I do.

"Aren't you having high goals, Star?" Celestia spoke behind me, not questioning whether or not I was delusional, but rather seeing my aims as amusing. "I will tell you the story once you are older, you must understand that some ponies are born with some special gifts, other ponies with different while most don't receive any." She consoled, bursting the Buble for me. "Oh, don't be sad, you are just as special and even rarer than an alicorn." I mean, she was right, there were two alicorns and only me having that many 'blessings.'

It is possible for us to, at a later point, evolve, assimilate and acquire higher tiers in terms of evolution, even changing race if this is your desire, but I cannot tell if it is possible to become an alicorn from other sources than birth. If you desire to fly, then gaining ethereal wings is possible if your level in Spiritualist is reached, and specific requirements are fulfilled. The Game advised and counseled, letting my hopes of gaining power blaze with life yet again.

"Cadence, I will get to you, but first, let me explain how this here works." Princess Celestia declared as her magic grabbed the tip of the tissue, lifting the piece of concealment and revealed a... was that a Rubik Cube? "This here is a magic matching cube, it was build modified to allow for different kinds of arcane resistance. The goal is for all sides to bear the same color; this is done by twisting the sides, see?" She said as the toy suddenly turned and changed with incredible speed, leaving behind a rested and chaotic puzzle. "The time limit is one hour, though most foals of the age of six manage to do it in fifty, let's see how you perform." She said as she let the cube fall, allowing me to grasp it myself and feeling the weight, it wasn't heavy per see, but the resistance made it feel like three whole kilograms.

Celestia nodded her head with a smile, before turning to Cadence yet again, yet before she spoke, she grasped a bell with her magic from her table, ringing it once. "Now, Cadence, what did you wish to discuss with me?" She pried her hoofs off me and pulled herself into a more comfortable sitting position.

"Ah, yes, I got a bit distracted. I wanted to discuss with you when my regalia would be done with polishing? I've been wearing it for so long it, I feel a bit naked without." Cadence replied sheepishly, utterly oblivious that nearly her entire race is always nude!

"It should arrive today, if it does not come into your possession by the end of the day I will have to ask with Polished-" Princess Celestia was cut off by my sudden voice.

"Done!" I proclaimed as I showed them my work. Both Princesses stared down with confusion, then surprise as I rotated the cube, showing off the completed puzzle. Of course, I was only able to do so with the help of the game, who calculated the fastest way to victory.

"How!?" Cadenze blurted out as she waved her hoof forward. "It takes me more than a quarter-hour even after three hundred years!" She retorted, clearly appalled that a four year old beat her to something that-

"You're three hundred years old?" I shouted, no politeness or usual shyness, just utter shock, and the first time I broke the mold. "Sorry, I did not mean it like that!" I tried to take back, but it seemed like they were less taken aback by my comment than I initially believed.

"No, its fine, most ponies are surprised given that without the horn I would look no different than any other pegasus, I was just really shocked and embarased for someone your young age to break my record on the first try," Cadence replied as she rubbed her horn, but then sulked in the middle of her sentence, tasting defeat.

"Star, how old do you think ponies can become?" Celestia asked with a risen eyebrow, probably not wishing to explain the concept to death to a foal.

"Ehm, like a hundred years?" I asked with curiosity, my hoof touched my cheek as I awaited an answer. Most humans actually lived that long and would drop dead before they reached a state where they could no longer work, smart move government.

"Star, most ponies are lucky enough if they reach fifty years, most only become forty before-that is not important right now." Forty to fifty?! Just how old is my mother if she already looks like thirty-three?! "It is also why we, those who do not grow old, have to watch out for a fellow ponies."

My hoof dropped as did my jaw, I think I now knew why she tried to make my life heaven on earth, she did not only wish companionship, she hoped for another asset for her kingdom. A powerful stallion who would never die, protecting her land to death and to ensure I would not wander off and die, or even switch sides, she attempts to turn this bond between mother and son into a chain! Devious mare.

"Wow." that was all I could let out before the door opened, and a mare walked in, wearing a maiden's outfit, though showing little underneath. In tow of was a trolley, dragged behind her by her magic. She transported a large kettle of hot water, teacups, and cockies.

"Ah, the tea has arrived, thank you for that Dust, you may leave." Celestia thanked the maid, who, in turn, bowed before leaving. "Now, enough of talking, would you mind enjoying a cup of tea with me, Cadence? You may join if you wish, Star." She offered.

"With pleasure, Aunt."

"Teatime!"

'I hate being a child so much, can't I just go back being a human and hating literally every other aspect of life?' I thought with a frown, my face pointing away from the ponies watching me. I let out a sigh as I released the crayon and piece of paper from my grip and looking up.

I was sitting in the famous Canterlot Gardens in a wide-open, grassy area far away from the public space where sometimes tours were taken to view achievements on the florists. I turned back, a half-ring of guards watched from far away, a few pegasi watched from above, and I was pretty sure that somewhere there was a unicorn cloaked with an invisibility spell. You might think I was some kind of high-profile villain forced to pick up trash given how much security was at this very place, but no, this was the unofficial playground for the maidens' foals.

Of course, the idea of a maiden playground/daycare is genius. The Castle doesn't need to hire as much stuff as much and often when the maiden's get foals, meaning a lesser chance for thieves or traitors and those who are loyal have less reason to leave, but there ain't no chance that I believe that they need a whole squadron watching a bunch of foals.

'Maybe playing around with some of my abilities will cheer me up. Observe.' I thought bitterly, I was still seething from the fact that my caretaker tried to drug me. I mean, sure, I could regenerate from practically everything, but come on, this is excessive. I ain't gonna travel to Griffonstone, steal the Idol of Boreas, and proclaim myself the king of the dumpster-fire that is the race of these hybrids. Is there even one civilization that is not complete shit other than Equestria?

Name: Sugar Drop
Level: 6
Class: None
Race: Changeling
HP: 50
MP: 70
SP: 120
STR: 7
END: 7
DEX: 8
INT: 9
WIS: 8
CHA: 12
LCK: 15

Thoughts about you: She thinks you're cute.

'Changeling?' I thought with a raised eyebrow, staring at certain Filly. I have met her a few times before, can't say we are friends even with my role as the perfect little boy, but I never thought anything special of her. Her coat, so bright that you can barely recognize that her fur's color is a light cream tone, shone in the sun. Her long, light brown and somewhat unkempt mane waved through the wind as she jumped over the skipping rope.

'Game, let's keep an eye on this one, she might be useful or dangerous.' I thought as I ripped my gaze away from the pony, I had no interest with the adults saying I had gotten my first crush. God this sounds so weird, I'm four, but in horse years I'm like seven or eight.

Affirmative. The Game spoke, but just as I was about to finish my painting, the Game spoke yet again. 'I am sensing a Aether leak.'

'Aether leak? Let me guess wrong here, somewhere is Aether stored and is speaking out.' I thought with a roll of my eyes, was there even a pint in trying to answer the question the ultimate supercomputer.

By making a correct assumption, you gain one point in both Intelligence and Luck.

'Wait really, not transdimensional, chemical reaction where the plates between reality shift, causing some kind of wormhole?' I thought with a risen eyebrow.

Don't be ridiculous. The Game said, muting my suffocated growling, before continuing. I would advise for us to see the origin of this leak to prevent catastrophic to happen or miss the chance to grow in power.

My heart began to race when I heard the sweet words of growing my power. I pecked over my shoulder, eyeing the goods, and waiting for my moment to come. My ears suddenly perked up when I heard a familiar voice, followed by a nasty crack. I turned my eyes to the source, seeing Sugar winced on the ground, holding the fetlock on one of her hind legs, tears build-up, and finally, she let out a cry.

"Ahhh, mommy!" Sugar Drop let out a scream, before breaking into a wailing, alarming all guards who immediately left their posts, they did not know how I screamed or cried because I never did so before, so they always jumped in, assuming something happened to, that or these guards would be the worst defense against thieves.

I broke into a gallop as the horde of maids, guards and foals surrounded Sugar, keeping their eyes away from. One thing I learned was that these ponies were soft, incredibly so, and their nativity could not be put into words. The plants rushed past me as my hooves practically flew over the grass, my stamina depleting like rocket fuel before I made a sharp turn into a nearby bush with a large hedge in between me and the foal playground. I expected to hide and wait for another chance to run, but instead, I fell through the plants without taking damage, something which, by all means, should've not been possible.

My eyes were stuck on my stamina bar in the corner of my vision, flashing once, then twice, and final third time, before regenerating once again, it was close, and I had no interest to see if I could gain a debuff by overextending. I took a deep breath, cursing my weak form silently before looking forward. Four large hedges encased a tall moss pole through which's few cracks stone peeked through.

'Oh great, the first person visiting me in centuries is a little, feebles foal. Couldn't have Celestia put me in an amusement park instead of this cage.' A formless voice spoke, arrogant, annoying, and quite the opposite of serious in nature.

'Great, I'm getting insulted by a statue.' I thought with a roll of my eyes, at least, I believed that it was the stone column given that it blinked in its center every time the voice let out a word.

'Wait! You can hear me!?' Shouted the statue with sudden urgency. "Hey buddy, pal, I didn't mean anything I said all that time ago, come, peace?" The voice said, attempting to take away words it said not a moment ago.

I suggest that we first remove the moss, inspect the being, before continuing our investigation. The Game spoke professionally.

I stared at the statue with an iron gaze, only hearing an occasional 'eh' as if he was still clinging to the hope that I would take him, I belives it was a 'he' given the voice, before realizing that he could not hear my partner. 'Sure.' I said coldly as I began to rip away the moss covering his form.

'Ahhh! Sweet, sweet depth perception, how much did I miss you, now I'm gonna win dart night with the boys!' shouted the voice from the statue. His form was weird in every shape and form. It looked like dozens of creatures were stitched together, mule, pony, dragon, eagle, and far too many more I was not interested in counting, frozen in a most unusual pose, as if he was singing to the sky.

'I have never seen a gargoyle as chaotic as you, for a matter of fact I have never seen a gargoyle or anything that could even be as weird as you.' I thought with a risen eyebrow, making me wonder if in front of me was a sentient nightmare, but then again, even if the goblins were sentient, I would've done it anyway.

'Gargoyle?' The voice sounded appalled, insulted and sickening, before taking on a bored, dry tone. 'Yeah, I can see where you might get this... picture of me, but you are quite correct when it comes to chaos.' The voice suddenly boomed with life again, and a chorus of snaps echoed through my mind, only to be silenced not long after. 'Right, I'm stoned. Anyways, I am Discord, the spirit of chaos, master of confusion, ruler of all that is weird, etcetera, etcetera, alias, and more alias-e.'

It seems like our guest is a sprit. Really, I didn't know! 'It is advisable to equip the class [Spiritualst] and use [Spirit Sense]' The Game advised, to which I complied without argument if I didn't forget this skill after having it leveled it to level ten, I would've done so even without his guidance.

I am unsure if I am happy for using that skill or not because a large chunk of my health and stamina was just suddenly cut off when I unequipped the [Warrior] class, I felt not damage as percentage-wise I was still at maximum, but I felt definitively weaker. I am, however, thankful for what I was seeing. Discord's statue gleamed with Aether, it appeared as if an old television was having a seizure and every color it could project was projected at once, but under the stone, I could feel immense power, so much so that Celestia appeared like a lit candle, while Discord was a wildfire.

'Well look at that, I thought all Spirtulist who know at least a lick of their salt were dead. You might not be able to get me out, but perhaps we could help each other out.' Discord mused, his voice taking on a tone I definitively liked and yet despised at the same time. It was business talk and not the backstabbing kind. 'How about this, you keep my entertained once in a while and in return I owe you a favor.'

'Why are you imprisoned, Discord?' I stopped the charade as I asked firmly, he may perceive me as a simple foal, but I was not that stupid. 'Mommy wouldn't put you here without reason.' I jammed my jaw shut, I was already too used to calling the Princess Mommy that I did not even realize it before it was too late.

'Mommy? I never said anything about this 'Mommy,' only that Cele-.' His voice was abruptly cut how as he made a long, high pitched gasp. 'You're Celestia's foal? No, that old mare can't pregnant, I would know about that, meaning you're adopted!' My facial expression dropped to his sudden, and genius conclusion, but in sadness, more like a deadpan.

'Yes-s-s-s... So, you're trapped here why again?' I asked with boredom, it would only be a matter of time before my cover would be blown.

'Right, the apple really doesn't fall far from the log. Well, I am just going to cut this long and tedious tale short and sum it up. Ponies. Boring. Too much order. Stagnation. Balance tips too much. I came in and saved the day by bringing a bit of chaos, sure a few people screamed, a few tears were shed, but no one was killed or seriously hurt.' His monotone voice suddenly shifted into an energetic one where he retold the story of how he saved the day, before sulking once again. ' And then the two alicorn sisters used those blasted elements from that forsake tree of 'harmony' to turn me into stone. Now we're here.'

I raised an eyebrow, he didn't sound like he had the brain capacity to make up this long story, though there was one striking detail that falsified his story. 'There are only two alicorns, Mommy and Princess Cadenze.' I said with narrowed eyes.

'You think that giant horse face on the moon was there from the dawn of time to portray that ponykind has landed on the moon?' His voice was on the verge of laughing. 'That up there is Celly's sister, Luna, She banished her after she no longer fit into her vision.' His voice then broke out into shrill laughter, probably enjoying the fact that at least half of his imprisoners are locked up as well.

I nodded slowly, taking every word with a grain of salt, before making the conclusion that he was not evil, just completely nuts. 'So you aren't evil?'

'Of course I am, but I can make it worthwhile if you don't wish to be punished if you step over Tia's little line.' It was unfortunate given that this creature was more trustworthy than Celestia, she made it quite clear that I either stay her asset or stay her asset anyways.

' But Chaos isn't evil.' I remade, thinking back about my old room, which had several piles of clothes, all sorted, yet chaotic for most people.

'Of course it isn't! Is it?' Discords voice was barely audible as he questioned his own answer.

'No, it isn't.' I confirmed again, not even mentioning the fact that real villains don't call themselves evil. ' Here is the deal. I will keep you entertained until the day you are free, and show you how to be chaotic, without being Evil.' I had to choke out, feeling as if I was talking to a child in a cartoon. 'In return, I want your help and assistance if I ever get in serious trouble, not time out trouble, life-threatening trouble.'

'Hah, accepted!' Discord shouted loudly, making me wonder if he either not thought of the deal or I got scammed. 'We needed to make a bond anyways to keep me entertained, you didn't think I had any interest in you coming here and doing magic tricks once a week, did you?' Discord asked mockingly as his dragon foot suddenly began to glow, great quantities of Aether were gathered there all of a sudden.

I would advise accepting the deal. Spirits don't betray their followers, they only give them trades for power. This deal seems to be profitable. I will warn you should a deal be too dangerous. How do you accept the agreement... Touch his foot...

I gulped silently, telling myself that this was no different than what I was doing the whole time with Celestia, crawling in the good graces of a powerful being. My steps were swallowed by the steep grass, having not been cut in a long time, while I stared at Discord's petrified form, his repeating 'yes' became louder and more frequent as I came closer. I halted in front of his foot, lifting my hoof and slowly and hesitantly bringing my limb towards his while one last, stretched, and ever louder growing 'yes' beloved out of his surprisingly powerful vocal cords. My hoof made a loud clicking noise upon touch, and I felt a tingling sensation journey through my body, unlike electricity, sleep, or Aether alike, but more like an ever-changing sensation reach for my core, before implanting itself in me.

You have gained the title [Chaos Disciple]. When Title is equipped, you gain buffs on doing or being near chaotic events, activities, and or creatures. While being near any source of chaos, you gain faith. Using faith and Mana, you are able to use basic chaos magic like conjugation of items a manipulation of properties.

Congratulation, you have earned you first title. Title, like class, can allow you to gain buffs and use specific abilities, the big difference is that Titles usually are best when complementing already existing classes as their bonuses are generally very limited in variety, but mighty in those few aspects. Titles are displayed in your status or on your flank.

'Oh, I can almost feel the outside world through your senses... did the world get warmer or is that just my imagination?' Discord as he let out various sounds, I cannot classify or deny as 'child friendly' before making a comment that made my blood freeze. 'Eh, you might wanna cover-up that cutie mark of yours, even if its looks rather dashing, or you might (definitely) get into one Tartarus of trouble.'

'Cutie mark?' I thought as my head turned towards my flank, my eyes shrunk to pinpoints as I saw the image. It was a circle of black arrows, all pointing outwards with their backs connected in the middle of the mark, the symbol of entropy. 'Oh no, no, no, no this is bad, really bad!' I thought frantically as I tipped basically step danced on the ground as I bit back all profanities. 'Get of me, come one, unequip!'

Title and cutie mark have been removed. The Game announced.

'Wow, I can see what you meant that chaos didn't have to be evil, I amused myself deliciously with no one crying that their pet is breathing fire!' Discord cheered loudly, a quiet crack echoed from his voice, no, his tone did not waver, but I could've sworn I heard something burst. 'but buddy, just because you can just take off you little mark like a hat does not mean our deal is no longer on the table.' His voice suddenly darted in a severe tone, his voice blinking red once.

My mouth opened, closed, and opened again as I actually felt the sudden release of Aether knock out the air in my lungs. 'Mark or not, our deal still stands. Well, I try to amuse you pretty soon when no eyes are on me, goodbye my friend.' I thought as I turned around and ran straight through the hedge, knowing that I had not to worry about twigs whipping me.

'Friend?' Did I hear something?

I shook my head, the sweat being brushed off by the crisp leaves from the soft bushes before coming to a halt. My eyes peeked through the plant, but to my surprise, the crowd did not disperse yet, but then again, I only spend like three minutes back there, thinking was much faster than talking after all. A sudden idea caused my ears to twitch, and a smile grew from ear to ear, the perfect coverup.

I pushed my form through the bush and walked towards the gathering of ponies, through the legs I could see magic being used on the fetlock, the familiar sensation and aura it gave of made me point at a cooling spell, a good idea but not a practical solution. I pushed myself through the crowd, ignoring the bickering of the guards that they can't leave me unwatched while the maids could not leave the foals.

I enveloped Sugar in my Aura, the moment the onslaught of ice magic was stopped and levitated her towards me. The crows immediately took notice, backing slightly and turned their eyes to me. "What, she got to see a doctor, no?" I asked innocently as I put her on my back and feeling a strain less than what I initially expected, but given my stats, I was nearly as strong as a teenager, I just lacked size.

'Equip the Warrior class, she is fucking heavy!' I cursed silently, feeling that my stamina was drained by mere holding her on my back. My joints bucked lightly as I felt the strength I had known for the past four years.

"Are you sure-" The Guard started, his conscience hitting him given that he was suggesting to leave the poor filly to suffer, but it was perhaps better for him that being eaten alive by dogs for abandoning Celestia's son. His sentence was drowned by the quiet whining for Sugar as she laid with her back facing down on me. I wanted to just let her hang, but she was taller than me, which would've resulted in her limbs scraping the ground.

"If you don't want to come, that's fine. I know the way." I said, ignoring the fact that they could, for a matter of fact, not leave me alone, but even less so just grab me and pull me away unless I was in life-threatening danger.

"Wait for me, your highness, I shall accompany you." Said the Guard after a sharp poke from another Guard who wore a fancier armor, with having a light blue cloak stitched under it instead of the strap on armor.

'If you need to catch up on my rotten arse you are in terrible shape.' I thought with a roll of my eyes.

"You know, you are almost like Prince Blueblood, at least when it comes to pulling their will through." He said, walking precisely two steps to the right and one in front, keeping this formation as if his life depended on it.

I staggered a bit and turned my face at him, tilting my head and cocked my brow. "Are you calling me stubborn, or are you praising me my ability to actualize my beliefs?" That was probably the most stick-up-the-arse thing I had ever said, and it made me scared about advancing my inteligence stat if it would make me talk like this permanently.

"oh no, no, I was praising you. I would never say anything negative to you in any way, of course, not-." The Guard's voice was frantic as he went over any words in his head that meant 'no.'

"You don't have to be scared around me, I'm not going to bite you," I said calmly, shifting my weight and hoping for the stallions pleading to stop.

"Of course, I know that your highness."

"Then please act like that," I said, shutting him up ultimately. I didn't even want to sound mean, my persona was far too important to tell someone to fuck off, I just repeated what Celestia once told one of her petitioners in court. It was something about a noble complaining about pegasi polluting the sky or something.

"Thanks for the help, your highness." Sugar groaned, thankfully tilting her head upwards and avoiding causing momentary ear damage.

"No problem, and you can call me Star," I said, warmly, hoping for the chance of one more person to stop calling me by an unofficial title. I'm a courier, not the toilet seat king.

"Oh, thanks Star." Sugar said quietly, her head leaning back as I felt her body head up slightly. I hope she won't puke from the pain, or she will learn real quick how to run again.

"We have arrived, your Highness." The Guard said as he knocked thrice on the door, the thin, wooden barrier between the castle infirmary. Of course, the guards had their own little hospital, this was just for the small incidents. The door opened slowly, a quiet screening echoed through the hall, causing the pony's ears to twitch.

"Yes, did something happen?" Asked Gentle Touch as she opened the door, her garb was that of a nurse. A white uniform, a little mask, and a hat with Celestia's cutie mark on it.

"Hi, Mom!" I chirped, causing her eyes to fall onto me in an instant, though her most happy expression melted away quickly and turned into worry as she noted the filly on my back. "Sugar had a little accident."

"Oh goodness, what happened to her?" Gentle said dramatically but answering her own question, not a second later. "It doesn't matter, come inside." She ordered.

I did not waste a second with a nod or anything alike and simply entered. The Guard lifted his hoof as if he wanted to say something but was silenced when the door was shut in front of his face.

"Put her on the table, I can see from here where the horseshoe presses," Gentle said, hopefully unconsciously stating not only a pun but also telling a rather mean diagnosis. She pulled a firm and thick band-aid out of the closet along with a pair of scissors.

I obeyed the order and levitated Sugar onto the table, her legs dangling from over the side before I climbed a little staircase for foals and sat next to her. What, the marble floor was cold, and my legs felt a tiny bit uncomfortable after all the running. Sugar fiddled with her hooves while looking at Gentle as she pulled the hoof forward.

"This might twinge a little, so say so when it hurts. Also, you might want to hold onto something, we don't want you to fall." Gentle said as she started to unroll a bit of the brown band.

'On what is she supposed to hold onto, the table, the air, on-oh fucking me!' I thought as my eyes opened wide with dread, feeling a pair of eyes dig into the side of my head while a quiet squealing announced the unwilling movement of the filly next to me.

I turned my head to the right, seeing Sugar uncomfortably starring at me while trying her best not to fall.

This is a perfect opportunity to gain charisma. I am sure this event will be both memorable and impactful. The Game announced proudly a golden chance that, in my eyes, was more like a chocolate Santa, looks good on paper, but is hollow.

"Fine." I pouted as I held my hoof forward, but I expected not for two strong hooves to suddenly wrap themselves around me tightly while pressing her body against me. Sugar's cheek pressed against mine. Perhaps I would've vomited if she were to have gotten any closer to my face. I turned away sheepishly, this was the most contact I ever had with a female my (physical) age, even more than the time when Amber and I simultaneously fell down a few stairs. Embarasment I could live with, the grinning and snickering of my Mom was stinging, but what was alarming in every way was that the filly was draining my mana! Well, I was still regenerating more than she could suck away, still, thief!

Your mana embodies nearly the entirety of your various kinds of energy, basically, a watered-down form of Aether you can quickly replenish indefinitely. It seems like this Changeling is feeding off you and you sheer endless reservoir of emotions, for a matter of fact, it looks as if your 'mana' is even more potent than this race's primary food source, love.

'I don't give a shit as long as I don't end up like a husk!' I screamed inwardly as I felt her drool trickle down my neck as if she was feasting and now was stuck in a food coma. Her saliva wasn't even like water, but slimy and gooey.

You won't, completely ignoring the fact that this mosquito was using me like a freaking juice package!

"All done." Gentle Touch proclaimed. Get this leech off me! "And I must say you two look so incredibly adorable!" Pry the succubus from my untainted body! "Sugar, I think you're making Star a bit uncomfortable, would you mind letting him go?" Gentle said after waiting for several moments, waiting for any kind of reaction.

"But he's is so cuddly!" Sugar whines while continuing to put all Dementors to shame, both numbing my form and spirits alike.

"Sugar." Gentle Touch said sternly while narrowing her eyes at the filly.

"Okay..." Sugar sighed as she released the grip off me, having already stolen over a hundred mana points. "Sorry, but you were just so-" Delicious? Savory? Sweet? "-Warm. I got a bit lost."

"Sure, forgiven and forgotten," I said, albeit a tad forceful as I most certainly did not forget being used as a triple a battery. My eyes flickered over her form for a moment longer, feeling something that had changed about her.

Name: Sugar Drop
Level: 7
Class: None
Race: Changeling
HP: 120
MP: 80
SP: 150
STR: 14
END: 9
DEX: 11
INT: 10
WIS: 9
CHA: 20
LCK: 18

Thoughts about you: Embarrassed about losing control.

'Dear fucking god, she can't touch me, or she's gonna become more powerful than Discord!' I thought with rapid panic, only realizing far too late that Sugar was smiling at me while my mind was absent. I quickly turned my head away, but she did not turn away. 'I'm scared, she must think I'm tasty.'

Entity Sugar cannot reach a higher level than you, but it is a notable risk. She must've absorbed your pure energy to enhance her body unwillingly. It is suggestible to ensure she does not become a threat.

Quest added:
Changeling beside or behind.
*Kill Sugar Drop
or
*Win Sugar drop as your follower.
Rewards: A random ring, three distributable points, ???

I was about to start a great debate about it was stupid that I had to fulfill quest when we were on the same side, on the same team, in the same, fucking Body, and he was unwilling to give me unique items but was cut off by Gentle Touch.

"You should probably take it easy for a while and rest. Now go out and amuse yourselves outside. I'm sure Star won't mind giving you company." Gentle spoke, the grin Sugar made I did not like, her aura waved for just a moment, and I swore I could see fangs. Sugar dropped down, not even bothering to be careful with her, apparently now healed fetlock, before leaving the room slowly.

"Mom, why are you grinning like that?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. I was very much so concerned why my mother was pushing me into the belly of the beast, literally!

"Oh, don't act like I want anything bad, I'm just happy you found a friend," Gentle said.

"Ok," I said dryly, before jumping down and leaving the room, seeing Sugar already waiting for me. "Goodbye, Mom," I said, before making the best smile I could muster, not too much of psychopath, but enough to not appear as bothered. 'Wish me luck and let's hope I won't get eaten alive.'

Author's Note

The reason why John made a deal with Discord was that he does not trust Celestia, of course, he cannot just leave her or just straight up call her up, she is just oo powerful and currently too useful for that. Although John, even with an increased intelligence stat, is not the smartest person, he does have a lot of experience in making deals, and this one can be easily be fulfilled.