The Game: Aether and Mind

I closed my mouth with a loud click as I gave up on the search after the forgotten and turned my view, alongside a short attention span, forward onto the mysterious building. Celestia led the path, no word was spoken, only the winds sang, and the Game left me with an eery sensation. This tranquility broke when I felt something run across my skin, sink into my flesh ever so slightly, patting and pulling me in ever so profoundly before snapping off like a closed window as I heard a painfully loud voice in my skull.

Detecting powerful, unknown entity. Origin: Inside the structure in front of us. Creature's level, based on the Aether density, is above 100. Caution Advised. Emergency portal to the mirror world ready, expected damage to be taken: 70% A flurry of messages burned itself into my brain as the text scrolled down my vision, the background flashing in a crimson tinge.

"Oh, I did not think that you would be able to sense this quickly... or that he'd be this careless," Celestia said with surprise, before, after short look into the heavens, spoke annoyingly with half-closed eyelids. "Do not be afraid, my foal, he won't hurt you, though he can be a bit... ecstatic when seeing things alien to him."I hid my gritting teeth as I smiled, slowly to mimic hints of fear. 'my foal,' it sounded so wrong when she spoke it, but I could bite through that, no, this sweetly tingling sensation in my chest that made me want to vomit feathers every time those muscular horse lips uttered a word was what irritated me.

The door opened with a loud click, blowing away both my facade and inner turmoil as the wave, this invigorating scent loaded the world around me, only the tight tug on my heart kept me from running in like a zealot and lick the source of this irresistible, pure Aether.

It is not pure, and we cannot achieve it anyway, I doubt that a fully charged mana bolt will be able to achieve anything. The Game murdered my hopes.

'Well, aren't you optimistic.'

At least I'm not suicidal.

...

Ouch.

Celestia knocked with he golden hoof against the door, a shallow ringing bellowed through the house, indicating that an ample space must be hidden behind, perhaps more significant than the first glance might make one assume. " Hoo hoo, we've arrived and are waiting for you!" Celestia spoke mischievously as she stretched out her words and put every last bit of effort into a melodic rhyme.

'Hoo hoo?'

The door swung open with violent force, sending a powerful wave of air forward and barely missed Celestia's snout as she grinningly evaded the blow, while I jerked with precaution and newly gained reflex.

My eyes slowly traveled upwards, a pair of deadly sharp claws, a pair of enormous wings, and a cloak of dark feathers covered the being's sleek frame standing a few inches higher than Celestia, all leading up to a faceless, head. The owl head suddenly snapped back, a grouchy glare pointed at Celestia with its facial muscles strained, the face white as bones, the beak croaked, thin and sharp while large eyes watched us.

"I told you not to call me that, tia, my name is Hauhuthos Hilihuth, not 'hoo hoo.'" He spoke with a tense voice, staring deep into her soul before he-"it's Hooty for friends, Celly." seemingly switched a lever and spoke with a calm and friendly voice, his face took on a more sentient appearance as if the previous darkness that took claim over most of its eyes vanished. "Ahh, the miracle colt arrived," Hooty spoke with sudden surprise, and he pushed past Celestia with breathtaking speed, his claws stroking the ground carefully as he sipped forward with one wind. "My oh my, you have grown to be such an excellent specimen already. I cannot fathom your state in a decade or two if you're already breaking borders." He hovered his face only a short distance away from mine, turning left and right, his pupils growing and shrinking while releasing an orchestra of Aether pulses. He reminds me of uncle carl, which is weird given that his name wasn't carl, and he also wasn't my uncle.

"Oh, stop pestering the poor colt so much, Hooty, let's just lean back and let Star have his time," Celestia spoke as she pushed her hoof between us and pushed Hooty away.

"Yes I know, Celestia, I just wish not to push research too far away, who knows what will happen in the future. You also don't need to remind me of your decision every other Tuesday." That-that sounded like a death threat...

"No, I did not come here to discuss my old words, Star and I are just enjoying the day, I also would like to see your sun bloom again, if you are not too busy on this day," Celestia spoke with a kind smile her eyes half-closed as she invited herself into his home, not even awaiting an answer.

Hauhuthos Hilihuth narrowed his eyes at her when she mentioned the words 'sun bloom' and his muscles tensed, before releasing the force and turning towards me. "Oh, do not worry about me, I just remembered the state of the sun bloom, not a very healthy one." I continued to stare at him before he rolled his eyes, it was as if two pupils, one large black and the other white and small roles in his eyes, before pushing me inside with his left claw.

The wind shot past me as I flew into the room, my hooves attempted to bury themselves into the ground as quickly descended into his layer. My eyes shoot wide open as a wall came into reach, and time seemingly slowed down. I blinked hard and realized that time did not slow down, I did as my eyes gradually hovered towards a floating, purple stone, that soon lost its shine and released me.

"That... was... awesome!" I bellowed loudly, feeling my heart pump as the taste of adrenalin and a hint of Aether floated in my mouth. I turned around and hopped the path back, Hooty stood there looking away from a slightly irritated Celestia, but I ignored the heat. "That was so cool, you, like, compressed the air into your wings and created an upward wind so I would not taste the floor!"

"Finally, a pony that doesn't just say I created an air explosion." The owl mumbled as he rolled his giant eyes away from Celestia's death glare.

"But that would kill someone. That much force could easily shatter stone. If the wind were to be caught against one of your feathers, you could've created a compressed air blade and cut me in half! You've got to be really smart to calculate all of that." The room got a little warmer, I wonder why. Why was I talking like a fucking child, he just mimicked a huge, fucking fan.

"Hmm, perhaps you do have more mental potential than I thought originally." The Owl mumbled as he rubbed his curved, wicked-looking beak. "As your future mentor, I will ask you a question now, it does not matter whether you answer it correctly, you have unlimited chances, but I will not teach you before you answer it to me, so you might start pondering now." He spoke with intrigue as he leaned forward, Celestia's demeanor calmed dowl slightly as she tilted her head. "If you try to open, cut, or separated an unknown material, a gem for this case, what would you use: Fire, Wind, Earth, or Water?" Mentor, what was up with the question, why was he jumping so fast with his question, he sounded like a lonely teacher attempting to make friends with the class nerd... A teacher who could probably beat the big bad wolf in a blowing contest.

"Water," I spoke in a heartbeat, I knew not why I blurted it out, I just, somehow knew. It was like a hint of Aether in my thought, did I use my intelligence? Wait, what was the mouse swallower talking about. Why am I playing along, this goes too fast, something is wrong, or am I just slow?

"Elaborate?" He asked with boredom as he crossed his wings. Hold your horse, ponies, mice? You're going too fast, I can't come up with this!

"Fire could make the gem burn at high enough temperature, if not make it combust. The wind would create so much force you might shatter it before you found the right strength. Earth will either crush or shatter it. If you apply enough pressure or force to the water, you can cut a line into anything. It's what rivers do!" That was almost scary to just speak like you are hooked up to google 2.

A clapping noise, a muffled one be it, broke my concentration. "Not bad, I give you that, most so-called magicians of the magic tower would've answered with ridiculous methods like concentrating the heat into a beam, a waste of mana if you ask me." Please, just stop talking, I can't keep up with the answers and attitude.

"I told you he was not just a colt born with a star metal spoon in his muzzle," Celestia commented from the side as she crept past the giant owl, her side gracing his', completely ignoring the fact she did not teach me how to learn from the environment, or jack shit about water.

"One right answer and a little bit of observation will not be enough to call themselves my star pupil, like you, claim for him to one day be." Hauhuthos Hilihuth spoke nonchalantly as he turned his attention back to me. "It is, however a good start, we will have our first lesson in a week, I will have further information passed to you in the following days. Your next assignment is to show me something that could benefit society ever so slightly, you have as much time as you need." And he turned around.

My head hurts, what was happening, it's, why was everything so fast around me? I'm sure he talked a lot slower, with more pauses, but why does it feel so fast. My... my head is spinning a little bit, and it hurts a lot. I shock my head vibratingly, attempting to knock away this gluey, tar-y, almost syrupy consistency that seemingly made the air up. Too much Aether, I'm like-I'm standing on top of a mountain and on the bottom of a lake.

"You know, putting pressure on him and expecting such high things of him was not what this trip was supposed to be."

"That's why time is unlimited, I just want him not to be forgotten in the history books like nearly all my former pupils, and those who did were for all the wrong reasons." He mumbled as she slowly walked towards a faraway door.

Please... stop talking. My head hurts, I can't-can't think right. Game, what is happening!?

The high Aether content in the air, originating from two, for this world's average level, high profile entities, in a single, small, and efficiently magic proof structure, has reached a point where breathing; thus the surpluses of oxygen, is becoming harder to acquire. Your body cannot keep up with it, this is why everything appears to happen at an accelerated speed around you. Compared to the Nightmare realm, where you would be hundreds of times slower, this is a great training experience. Fuck...You... Gah... What-what are those two rambling about again?

"Inventing how to purify water in masses without the use of evaporation was a great contribution to society." Celly countered.

"Yes, and the fallout of the first official use and the birth of the algae plague surely bolstered his recognition even further." He spat, his saliva bristled from his beak ever so slightly.

"Well... I made this a while ago." I spoke as I pulled the pencil from my hair, one made from ordinary wood I 'took' from a nearby tool shop. Ain't no way I'd show this guy material from another world. I... I knew this was a bullshit idea, but they flared and flooded the room ever more with each heated argument, I needed them to stop.

"Hmm? What's this?" He asked as he walked closer and grasped it with his claw and brought it with mesmerizing dexterity to his face. "A rod of carbon inserted into hollow Quercus cylinder, before a considerable force was applied from the sides and the top tip was sharpened with a sharp object, possibly a knife given the smooth surface." He raised an eyebrow, as well as a wing, a wind blew through the room, and a paper was soon found floating in front of him. The pencil danced across the paper with incredible speed, the coal gleamed with heat, yet burned the paper not.

"Coal is much cleaner than ink, it's also cheaper and does not need expensive feathers, it also does not dry up or congeal. Sadly coal dust colors fur and feathers, but this way, everyone can use it. I call it the pencil!" I spoke proudly, partially faked, a few scraps true, and a few just on the side. I... I spoke not that line, I thought about it, the Game probably helped because I could barely keep my face from tipping over, and now I was suddenly talking fluently.

"Hmmm, it's simple, cheap, creative, and easy. Not bad, I officially ran out of lessons for the time being." He spoke, but his face froze, before dropping into annoyance as Celestia's smug grin slowly closed in from the side. "Oh, you are a bad winner. Anyways, if you would allow me to keep it, for the time being, I will have a patent filled out into your name, this way you won't be smooching of the royal treasury like the rest of nobility, maybe even be able to fund a few experiments." I... I don't give a shit, steal the patent for all I care rat deepthroat-er, just stop everything, I feel like there is blood building behind my eyeballs, is this what quicksilver poisoning feels like?

"Well?"

"For a mare as rich as you, you fought with incredible and nearly impressive tenacity, if it was not for your smugness." He spoke as one of his claws put the pen into his feathery coat, before pulling out a bag filled with, given the clinking of metal, bits. I flinched at every high and low tone as if something hit my skull.

Celestia snatched the puck from his claw with her magic with a grin. "You know full well that if I use up even a quarter of my monthly allowance that the upper class will start to panic and fear that I am investing in plots to ridden this country and myself of them." She spoke with an undertone of annoyance as the bag disappeared with a golden glow. "Besides, you just funded our day." I... I feel like I'm about to vomit blood, am I supposed to feel my bones grow soft?

'What a checky bitch, I like her.' I thought with an ever so shyly creeping smile in an attempt to hide my awareness of how far my bodies are rotting and falling apart. My pupil's shock for a moment as I saw my bars slowly lose capacity, I really was dying by just standing near them, and yet I felt like laughing, but why? "How did you two met, you must know one another for a long time to speak like that with one another." Please, this must calm them down, somehow, I can barely stand anymore.

"That is a long story for another time. Although while we are talking about the topic of first confrontations, you seem to be rather comfortable being in my near vicinity, you are perhaps not just a, how the common pony calls it, 'bird lover' are you?"

"Why should I be scared of someone being different, even if it's a huge owl?" I could no longer tell who was talking, Star, the Game or me, everything melted in another, just like my body fluids, please, let his bloated ego calm down his radiation.

He jerked for a moment, losing his composure by my answer. "Well, it seems like we'll get along just fine." He spoke with what appeared to be a smile which I returned ever so more gleamingly, the pressure reducing significantly, I nearly let out a tear as I could feel my organs regenerate, some of them died off, I believe, after losing so much power.

This is just an assumption, but based on the location and his strong relation with Celestia, combined with the general racism of Ponykind, it can be assumed that Hauhuthos Hilihuth does not often interact with ponies. What does this have to do with anything, I'm dying! Wait-!

For gaining the reputation of friendly in the eyes of Hauhuthos Hilihuth, you've gained 10 points in Charisma. Difficulty rating in this achievement: Very Hard.

'Holy mother of breadsticks, that are a lot of points... Where have you been, Game?' I thought with a profound emptiness in me, unable to pull out any emotions after the initial shock. The sensation, this sickly horrific, drag towards the grave combined with the pull towards euphoria from the gained points left me in an indescribable state. Literally, I could not tell them apart anymore, I was dead inside, not the emo way.

You did not need my help, you managed just fine. I will fucking strangle you...

'You can just talk with me outside of work... you know, we are pals after all?' He fell silent after that, not email, I do not think, more like a lack of words. I lacked the energy to make up insults.

"Now, enough of the chit chat, Celestia and I have important business to do, please await our arrival here, do not try to break anything, touching is allowed, excluding the items placed in shelves." The owl said before marching towards a far off door. Finally, they are gone...

"Can I come along?" No, who said that? I'll kill you!!!

"No," Celestia answered, trotting past me without another word. There is a god...

'Wow, that was unusually cold...' I thought drily with a raised eyebrow as I witnessed both entities leave me behind to do their business with flowers. The moment they were gone, my health skyrocketed back to the maximum, leaving me breathless and energized, and with a clear mind I came onto one conclusion: I was not a fucking idiot, they were talking about their plan like I was braindead. Who was stupid enough not to get suspicious when they are talking about their projects as if they were attempting to sell crack and music at the same time.

Increasing ear drum sensitivity. Warning, a magical ward is blocking most sound, attempt anyways?

'Yes.' I thought with narrowed eyes as I folded my legs under my belly. I grit my teeth, my stomach turned and twisted, my kindness slowly expanded to their full volume again and the blood was slowly being filtered from my bladder, there was no pain, there never was, but so was having a tooth pulled under anesthetics, you just know something is wrong in every teeny, tiny detail.

"...Have you lost your damn mind horse?! You said it yourself not to build any relationship with anyone involved in the plan."

"Things have changed, Hooty."

"Changed? Changed?! In what way did things change? If you haven't noticed, you are putting everything on the line to cradle a random foal in hooves."

"Star is not a random foal, you know that."

"Of course, I know that. No other creature ever had this many blessings, but this is exactly what we need to proceed, so why stop now? You cared not for the last three hundred years, but now you do for the bastard spawn from a low class noble and a maiden!?"

'Three hundred years? Wasn't Cadance born around that time?' I thought with a raised eyebrow before something cracked in me. 'Bastard spawn and a maiden?' I wondered a second crack followed, I didn't know my ribs were this heavily affected by the rot.

"Do you not understand? We have reached the penultimate step, no acolyte after him could ever reach this potential."

"What are-no, that's impossible, and you know that as well as I do, Celly. Do not try to-"

"-I am not putting myself in front of us all, Hauhuthos, he used it on me. It was faint, but he is very much able to do it."

'What are you talking about!?'

"Are you sure he is a pony? My calculations state-"

"Yes, mortal flesh cannot hold this power, but he does so anyway. I have done my research, father, and mother, their entire bloodlines are all ponies, each having done tests at certified doctors, even Goodwill was very informative during the procedure, it was just like it was supposed to be with only a few differences."

"This is troublesome, but, but I try to work with this situation we are in, at least we are no longer behind... What about after it is done if it is done?"

"He'll stay with me."

"I will not interfere with your private dealings, however, remember that I have warned you."

"Of course." Her voice was cold, yet warm, like an igloo with a burning fire inside from which a weak, trail of smoke carried into the sky of a heavy winter storm.

The doors opened slowly, Celestia seemingly assumed I would attempt to listen, smart horse, it would explain their subtlety and their controlled speech, however, it was enough for my suspicions about this wannabe Narnia. Ain't no way I die for your race if that is your plan. Celestia looked at me with a hint of surprise, seeing me at the other side of the room waiting patiently, completely oblivious.

"I am sorry for the wait, Star," Celestia stated briefly before a warmer look crossed her face. "It seemed as if the Sun Bloom took a rather sharp turn in its development, but now that it is done, we can enjoy the rest of the day, say goodbye to Hooty if you will." Celestia urged gently as she slowly walked towards the exit, her steps lighter than before.

"Have a nice day Mister Hilihuth." I beamed at the old owl, his beak twitched ever so slightly as he waved me off, leaving me with a hint of Aether, blood, and bitterness in my mouth. Smoke and mirrors... costumes and facades, but what is which, who is what?

"Miss?" A sharp but weak poke to the side, as well as a soft voice, woke me up from my deep slumber.

"Hah-I-wat-I-I'm awake!" I cried out loud in shock, the bright, clean, and vibrant light robbed me of my vision, and a cold shiver ran across my fur. "Hmm?" I asked, my heart's beat calming down slightly as I leaned forward, my back ached slightly from my position. Did I fall asleep in a chair? I shook my head, a yawn escaped my lips as I rubbed my eyes with my left hoof, as sight slowly returned to me. A guard mare, golden armor adorning her and mirroring any other solider in Equestria.

"I wished to inform you that one hour has passed and that I have woken you like the princess requested." The guard mare spoke out stiffly like Guard, having served as a courier for a long time, no more information was handed than needed.

I rose an eyebrow at her words, why would pr- Celestia ask for a Gaurd to wake me when she was right-...there... My head turned to the throne, only to find an apparent lack of both the princess and Star. "Huh? Where did they go?" I ask with surprise and concern, my necklace jingling from my sporadic movement.

"Princess Celestia and crown Prince Star are enjoying a tour through Canterlot." The Guard mare spoke bluntly

"When?"

"Fifty-two-minutes and thirteen seconds ago."

"Where?"

"Unclassified."

"What about-"

"Miss Gentle Touch." The Guard interrupted me, something that otherwise only Celestia would do. "Asking for permission to speak freely." She stopped herself mid-sentence, her facial expression and muscles freezing for a moment. My necklace jingled slightly.

"Ehm... Granted?" I said shyly.

"As a mother of five foals and Guard's Mare for nearly twenty years, I can tell that you are not spending much time with yourself, or rather, for yourself." The Guard Mare spoke freely, though her voice differed not much from the guard dialect; it now bore a bit of dryness and softness.

'Huh, how did she come to that conclusion?' I wondered with a raised eyebrow before I realized what she meant.

I winced slightly; the last time I was spending time on my own was, dear goodness, when was that? It must've been before Star was born, how the time flies past.

"There is nothing wrong with spending some time with your foals, but sooner or later, they will leave the house, and it's better to find a few hobbies for one's sanity." The Guard spoke with a hint of somberness, before smirking sadly while shaking her head. "Could you believe I would always be a guard mare and mother till I die? Well, a surprise really hit me like a frenzied minotaur when my foal factory broke down. Had nothing to do for months other than wonder what to do next."

I sank into my chair slightly by four specific words she spoke, though I couldn't help but nod slowly in agreement. "I-I guess you're right," I said somberly as I looked down with newfound tiredness, the medallion hanging from my necklace, a sun symbol burned into the metal to allow passage and show my position in the country. There really had to be more than being the legal guardian of the crown prince.

"Well my shift's about to end, there's a badminton session in the public section of the castle garden's right now, would you like to join?" The Guard offered as she turned around, taking the first few steps towards the door.

I fiddled with the gold for a moment, before answering. "That would be lovely," I replied, feeling somehow a bit lighter, more comfortable to breathe, so to say. I hoped from my seat and followed her, though I jumped in shock backward as the Guard suddenly buckled, nearly toppling. "Are you alright?" I asked with concerns I rushed to her side, ready to help the presumably old mare up, only for her to jump into a low, then high stance on her own.

"Ah, darn it, the old hip won't last much longer with this old piece of scrap. Just hope Heavy won't laugh at me for switching to the light model." The Guard cursed under her breath as she slowly took up a slower pace than before, each step careful in hopes of keeping the armor from weighting her to the floor.

'Puff Pastry, oh you sly old mare.' I thought with a risen eyebrow before rushed to her side and kept her right side from falling down. Puff turned towards me with an open mouth, ready to protest, I stared at her warmly, my medallion rattling much more than I wished to admit due to the shaking armor, but I belied she understood my intent.

"Thanks." She mumbled, a hint of disappointment and embarrassment in her voice.

"No problem." I answered, biting my own tongue just to resist uttering the nickname 'Puffy.' I had a feeling that the day might turn out better than I thought it would, though I do wonder what this badminton game is.

For brightening up Gentle Touchs life and fulfilling her private life more, as well as forcing her to realize bad habits, thus enabling her to change for the better, you gained 5 charisma points.

'Da fuck you ranting 'bout!?' I thought with concern for the Game's sanity, randomly bombarding me like fucking windows explorer opening up after half an hour. 'Don't I have to, I don't know, "Experience" something to gain points?' I asked with a raised eyebrow as my eyes narrowed onto the substantial mountain of books in front of me, the small reservoir of materials was also a nice boon.

You don't have to value a memory, or you being the one who directly experienced it, this is at least so for the charisma stat.

'I literally have no fucking clue what you're talking about.'

Exactly.

"Star?" Celestia asked, sitting right next to me on a lovely table, a little tea shop behind us. The smells of herbs and fruits mimicked a divine scent that made it hard not to let a puddle of saliva form under me. "When I said I would buy you a few nice things... I thought more along the line of toys..." Her voice drew long, her sigh heavy as she supported her head on her hoof.

"Why?" I asked with confusion, genuine, which made her turn towards me with a rapid motion. "I mean, I don't play with them, and books leave so much to learn from." I beamed slightly; the array of knowledge I had acquired would allow me, eventually, to never need anyone else again. Except for the Game, of course.

Celestia's eyebrow quirked upwards like a thin piece of metal as she brought a random book to her face. Her eyes squinted as she read aloud the title. "Ms. Poly Pommels practical guide to poisons and antidotes from pufferfish to the puff-puff-Puffonicus?" She put the book down and gave me an intrigued look. "I am unsure why you would want all of those boring tombs instead of adventure books."

"But, Mommy, they are so bland." I moaned as I put my upper body onto the table. "They leave out all the details, and there is no tension at all. Bad guy comes in, steals the mare, Stallion defeats the villain, and they all live a happy life. Even the Daring Do books feel all the same after the third volume." I silently rolled my eyes; at this point, I missed the miniature stories written on the toilet stalls.

"Hmm, I thought they were pretty good before going to sleep." Oh, really? I wonder why... "Well, if you really find the modern literature so bland, as you call them, perhaps I am able to find something older that might suit your tastes." My ears perked up, my interest caught. Pillaging, war, and destruction here I come.

"Really?" I asked, hopefully. Celestia nodded, a gentle smile on her face. "Thank you!" I shouted loudly, much more bluntly than I wished, but who gave a shit. Finally, some good entertainment. Celestia did not engage in the hug, perhaps she simply enjoyed it?

A crack echoed through the street, followed by a muffled moan that penetrated my eardrums.

You forgot to put off the skill [Gentle Touch]... The Game said dryly on the side, though his amusement even he could not hide.

I jerked away from Celestia, eye wide with a strongly beating heart. I awaited shouting, scolding, or been silent cursing, embarrassing the highest horse in the country in public, but what I saw was more than unpleasantly unexpected. I would've preferred shouting over that sight.

Celestia silently moaned, one of her shoeless hooves pressed on the back of her neck, the tip pressing firmly into the middle of the neck while rolling her head circlewise. "I knew keeping my head this way would catch up to me sooner than later, but this fast?" She mumbled as she switched between clock- and anti-clockwise at a particular spot, grinding at it before a second, quieter crack followed as she worked out the annoying crick.

"Is everything alright?" Asked a waitress, her green uniform and grey apron shone in the sun, and a tablet in her magic grasp, on which an array of tea essentials we're placed. She had a look of concern in her eyes, it was not often that a goddess visited a random tea shop after all.

Celestia took in a deep breath, her nostrils flaring as she sucked in a copious amount of air. She jerked slightly before released the breath. Did she take damage from just taking a deep breath? "Everything is alright, I am merely a bit stressed, do not worry." Not showing a sign of weakness was a good strategy, the free market, or in this case, the chain of power was like a small pond filled with ravenous sharks and swarms of piranas.

The mare ate the bait and gave her overlord a smile before placing the tray down on the table, a bow later, she was gone.

I pressed no further, dumped a single sugar cube in my cup, and took a sniff at the beverage placed in front of me. The deep aroma of strawberry invaded my Mind, hazily taking away my grumpiness and drowning out all not important to me. I blew on the cup, the excessive heat vanishing like the flame of my halberd, before taking a long sip. The aroma was just a decoy masking the real power that was this miracle potion, it was less like strawberry infused water, and more like water infused strawberry. I hummed while gushing the little cup of heaven, slipping down my throat.

"Wholesome Embrace's guide to pressure points and massages for optimum pleasure and self-defense?" Celestia jerked her cup away and read the title out loud in confusion. She let out a hum and rubbed her chin, and as if a lightbulb went on over her head, her eyes started to sparkle.

"Star, I believe to have found a splendid bonding experience for the two of us," Celestia spoke vividly as she took a deep sip, leaving me to wonder what the hell she was talking about while I wasn't paying attention. What that's supposed to mean, Game? Let it surprise me? This can't be good...

"Times up, Green Hoof won!" An aged voice rang through the garden, hooves went into full swing, and chit catering began the little group dispersed, the two walls of flesh, old and meeker, but alive none the less.

"You weren't joking when you said you didn't know how to play it," Puff said as she glanced at my former opponent. A small, shivering mare who could barely stand, before her eyes snapped back to me, who panted sharply.

"H-H-HOW!" I pantingly chocked out as I let my bat fall onto the ground carelessly and into a puddle of my own sweat. "She-she was so slow, but so-so fast!" I grunted between each breath, my sides felt like they were being pocked repeatedly, my head hurt slightly, combined with the fact that my body was seemingly on fire made the best recipe for exhaustion.

"Well... She did play Badminton competitively since she was a filly, so I guess it was a bit unfortunate for her to be your first opponent. Oh well, just don't lose hope, you'll get the hang out of it." Puff encouraged me, but her words bounced off like hot air against a raging fire. "You don't look so good, fit either. Perhaps you should rest a bit. Don't want the princess to make me scrub the floor for letting you pass out."

I nodded slowly, my eyelids felt so heavy, yet my hooves pushed me forward as if they were made out of feathers and lead alike. Her personal thread seemed absurd, but then again, it was probably less due to my own sake and more off Star not being traumatized. I was not that dumb, Star was a wonder foal, thousands of bits had to be already invested in him, and every little scratch was a substantial hit for the kingdom, but it still made me wonder what Celestia wanted him to be one day. A Prince, or more?

I sat down with heavy force; for a moment, I feared the cracking of the bench bellow my, I have to admit, voluminous flanks. I have done not much sport, I could afford it, I did not eat much, I rarely hungered after Star stopped feeding off me. Still, my choices of the past left me with a figure that most mares would hurt others for.

"Here, this might cool you down," Puff answered as she held a bottle of water in front of me, cold and a few droplets of the clear liquid still rolled down the glass. I accepted it, not even thanking her, a rude deed on my part, before gulping down the drink, but I had to admit, it had a weird flavor to it as if there was powder mixed into it with a hint of orange: A sports drink perhaps?

"There, now let's just watch some old folk play a few rounds," Puff spoke, I separated the bottle from my lips with a loud pop, panting silently as I inhaled every last ounce of air I could, before continuing to suckle on this surprisingly good drink, even if it was seemingly tasteless. When did I get it, who gave it to me? Star? Something I was thinking about, but what? It lays on my tongue-oh, the Game is about to win.

"Look, the next game is about to begin!" Puff cheered silently as she pointed her goof forward. "It's Cherry Kiss against Bloom Tale, those two are one of the best players in Canterlot."

I took her by the word, my eyes peered onto the playing field in front, Cherry on the left, Bloom on the right. The two ponies gave each other a shaking nod before the Game was started. The shuttlecock that was the name of the ball, the more you know, flew upwards with a high speed, before plunging down steeply nearly twice as fast. Cherry, with seemingly in-pony speed, rushed forward and hit the projectile with a forty-degree angle, sending it to the back of Bloom's field, but the m-m-a-a-awhwhw caught it.

My head swung slowly from side to side as I let the bottle drop onto the ground, a shallow ring rang through the area as I leaned back into the branch, my mind-numbing slightly as the ball ponged off from side to side. Yes, this was really pleasant and peaceful.

'Game, this might just be my wild imagination... but could this Gentle Touch skill actually, you know, change these ponies?' I asked hesitantly, even keeping my own thought quiet while my eyes were glued onto Celestia's head, her backside to be precise, but I didn't have to see the front to know what she was showing the world.

Any action- Game, I ain't in for shits and giggles, that was a serious question. -involving the use of Aether onto Aether inexperienced has effects. I've been keeping your Aether output in check and restrained it, but no matter what is done, there will always leak something. For you, it is not harmful, the Mind in you will act as both vessel and bait to gain new to replace the old. Those surrounding you will use it to enhance their bodies or repair wounds, other events are those I am preventing and am not allowed to reveal.

'In what way are we talking about improving? She is a fucking goddess who could probably incinerate the whole city on a whim, and stop mentioning stuff briefly if you can't talk about it anyway, it's making me anxious.' I spoke sharply in my Mind, my voice waving with each sudden movement and noise Celestia made. She did not talk or even acknowledge me, I could barely keep my pace as she led me forward.

Entity Celestia, rank monarch, has many wounds that her alicorn regeneration is either incapable of healing due to a lack of power and or precision, as well as many marks of magical nature that hinder her abilities. She is significantly weakened; the main damages and hindrances are found within the base of her horn, ribcage, and lastly, her left wing.

'That's not even her limit!?' I screamed out in shock and panic, for a moment my heart felt like bursting as the thought crossed me that I mayhaps have been talking all the time loudly and Celestia just waited for me to spill the beans, only for my pumping organ to nearly stop doing its job after the fear dreadingly sank. 'If she is at her fucking worst, and is even crippled, how strong is she and...' My body was consumed by an icy chill. 'How strong are the Nightmares if you said that they will consume whole worlds.' I was nothing but a droplet in a vast ocean, this realization was always there in the human world, but never did I even vaguely think that I was still small, even with the Game.

We have about 16 more years before the first nightmare can enter this world from the nightmare realm, however those beings, if they are located on this world already, or near it, in other words, a world that is close to this one, might reach it sooner.

I unconsciously gritted my teeth, feeling the pressure build in my jaw and dryness took over my mouth. The perk [Gamer's Mind] seeped into my skull and brain, cooling it down and restraining my thoughts like painkillers and opium to the highest degree. I slowly build up a shivering smile, my empty visage would only bring worry and fear from others to longer towards the nightmare realm. I shuddered at the memory, it was like a drain, stealing away all life away like a parasite, only that we lived on it like flees on an ape.

An annoying noise rang from my side, it sounded wet and slithering. I turned to my right, a filly wearing an expensive dress with parents in tow that slowly turned towards their daughter. Their smug looks died as they saw who their foal was blowing a raspberry towards. I rolled my eyes and turned around, only to jerk in shock as a sharp clap rang through the air. I turned back to the foal, who, like her parents, waved at me with a smile, even if the fillies red check and tearful eyes could not be hidden. I felt nothing, but a hint of dread as bits and pieces, cinders, and dust of negativities slowly sank into the fabric of reality like pebbles into pudding, all feeding the beast below. I turned my head sharply back to Celestia, she did not react, I knew not if she noticed or not, but I asked not.

I kept my eyes forward along the way, the streets, and ponies, the stalls and alleys, it all started to blend in even with a map, the only waypoints were the bonfires of negativity. This place was a breeding ground for it, every beggar, poor pony, and even those simply unhappy reeked of this mold and the worst part of all? Despite the dread, unease and worry, I felt excited about the idea to kill more nightmares, the one's breeding it could either do this forever or just die and stop this madness all at once and for all... What... is happening to me... I've never thought this way.

Increasing [Gamer's Mind] to its maximum until the host hast regained emotional control. You have just experienced the reason why I require a host, instead of an animated body. No matter how many calculations, they always end with this. The only way to end the Nightmares once and for all is for total genocide, but this is unacceptable; I need your moral compass, among other things, to not become the thread I was made to deal with.

I nodded slowly, emotions and feelings left me numb, and I just followed Mother, everything else mattered not as I calmed down, yet I knew not when the effects of Gamer's Mind started and ended, everything just started to blur. A sudden voice, loud and obnoxious echoingly repeated itself, each time more clear and booming, rang through my skull, but only after the third time did I hear it.

"Huh, wh-what!?" Blurted out, uncaring whether I was falling in or out of character.

"I said we have arrived," Celestia said as she turned around and looked at me, the worry was the most prominent emotion on her face. "Are you feeling unwell?" She asked with curiosity; still, the subtle hint of motherly concern could not be hidden. "We could still return to the castle if you wish to rest, one word, and I could teleport us to the infirmary if it's bad."

"N-no, it's fine, it really is," I said wearily, tired as well as I held my hoof to my head and caught my breath. "Everypony is just so... weird around me, it's like they are completely different." Not really a lie, I was not used to people acknowledging my existence more than me standing in front of them in a line or some shit for fuck's sake, but not a celebrate.

"Oh, do not mind them, they are just jealous, perhaps a bit curious as well, but nothing to worry about. You are the first male member of royalty since the founding of Equestria, who was not part of the house of Blueblood." Blue-oh, you're kidding me... "Speaking of which, in a few weeks Blueblood the... I want to say twenty-fifth, but I am unsure if that is correct..." Celestia held her golden hoof to her cheek for a moment, before shaking her head softly, her mane staying in form despite the motion. "That is not important right now, if you are feeling well, then let us no longer dwell and enter."

'Enter?'

False code inserted.

Huh?!

I shook my head, ignoring the robotic, more than usual, voice and trotted to Mother's side as we entered a large, spring colored building with hues of orange, pink and vanilla making up the front, a large construction, though sadly I could not read the sign to warn me of the smell explosion originating from exotic oils and cremes. I blanked out shortly before senses returned, it was somewhat hard to breathe, yet pleasant as well.

"Ah, you must be Mild Stroke-" That's one way to call a heart attack "-I thank you for making room for the two of us on such short notice," Celestia spoke softly as she looked down onto the raspberry-colored and vanilla maned mare.

"Oh, it was not all too much trouble, after all, who could say no to the princess?" Mild Stroke spoke with an amount of honesty that made me wonder if they were just incredibly loyal, scared, or both? "Ah, the Prince is already here. Oh look at you, you look so cute and cuddly, like a giant chihuahua." You never delivered a package; otherwise, you would've chosen a different comparison. "You're simply perfect." Her gushing reached a point where I began to wonder when she magically would pull out her daughter and try to match us.

"No, I'm not, nopony is." I was much less than perfect, at least honest, a dead beat unlucky enough to get pulled into this bullshit, and giving her the satisfaction and validation of me being flattered? I may be cheap, but I ain't no whore.

"Aww, so humble as well." Please, just swallow your tongue. "Now, I believe that is enough, Firm Hoof, please guide our special guest to room 21," Mild spoke before-holy father of Ikea, he swallowed all them steroids!

"If you would follow me." His stern voice rang through the room, chilling it slightly. His form towered the mare and was just ahead, perhaps two, smaller than Celestia, and was covered in scars and muscles alike. I gulped and followed silently, praying that he would not lay hoof on my spine, lest it shatters.

"So private Hoof, how does your retirement serve you. I thought you would search out a career that required fewer intense motions, something that would put less stress on your joints." Celestia spoke as she eyes, alongside me, his scars. They were scattered on his skin like a spilled rice on a small carpet, yet they were all very similar to those of Iron Grace.

"Hah, I told you, Princess, that I'd die on the shift. 'sides, this old body can't handle all the peace and tranquility," Hoof spoke firmly, though his amusement shone through his static appearance.

"Did you know a pony called 'Warden'?" I asked curiously with a risen eyebrow, making the giant of meat and scars freeze like a mouse that stared into the face of a cat.

"Hehe, why do you ask?" He asked previously, Celestia's face was hidden behind her mane, but she was probably signalizing him ever facial expression in the book to threaten him to keep it shut.

"Well, Mom, Gentle Touch, once knew a Warden, he knew Iron Grace, and you have the same scars, just wondering." I put a few random numbers together, I really knew not why I gave a shit about some dead horse, yet there was a certain hint of alien curiosity. Why did I bother with this, he was just some random pony who's gone now, but why do I care about that, why is this eating me so much?

"Star, do you remember our talk about Princess Cadance?" Celestia nodded as she turned around with a softened look. I nodded slowly, unsure if I stepped over 'cellies little line.' "Just be patient, everything you need to know, you will hear in the future." Her suppressed emphasis, or rather, it being the word with the least amount of it on 'need to know' surely was a great example of how stupid she thought of me.

"Ok," I mumbled obediently, now seriously unsure which person talked, who agreed and who believed. The path led to a far of door beyond which laid two simple massage tables, what was there more to describe. Well, other than that, they looked awfully modern compared to the time, I'd say it would've been made in the nineties if it was not for the fact that I was a sentient horse.

I was about to question how this experiment was to continue before a lime green aura pulled me upward and onto the table. I stared back and into the face of a unicorn, slender and tall, nearly the complete opposite of the grey, scared Earth pony. I did not like this; her appearance waivered just like the one of Sugar drop. Oh no... I can feel the drain, I can barely keep up with it.

"Ahh, the customers have arrived, welcome, welcome in our humble adobe. Please take off any piece of clothing, as well as any other object you are carrying, off, and rest on the tables. Everything else?" She paused dramatically with a suddenly appearing smile. "Is up to us."

I was dropped softly onto the table, but that was just a delusion before I was, much more roughly than I liked, put into position. "Just relax your highness, you are in good hooves." The changeling spoke as she circled me, her voice sedentarily buzzing, pings and pongs repelling against my Mind. I turned to the right, Celestia quickly put off all of regular, seemingly entirely unbothered to undress like an ordinary horse to a bunch of strangers.

You, and nearly every other pony, is always naked.

"Prepare yourself, this might get a bit cold, but be at ease, ms Topaz will warm you right up." She cooed as she pulled several bottles and scrutinized them while Hoof already went to town on Celestia's lower back, mercilessly beating any strains out, and Celestia? She enjoyed every second of it, moaned silently while her cracks overshadowed them tenfold. If she was a mortal pony, I don't think she would ever walk again.

Topaz worked much slower, only now had found the right bottles, almost like this was her first day, perhaps it was, but she was far too close with Hoof for it to be the case. Could they change into someone else? Possible, the amount of power she kept generously bottled up in her was mind-numbing, like a sun in a never melting glass jar. Then again, I was only level ten, and the average horsey level was somewhere above twenty.

"Topaz Heart"
Level: ???
Class: "Masseuse"
Race: Changeling (Assumption)
Stats: Unknown. Above [Observe]'s current potency
Current thoughts: You're so cute she could suck you dry.

'C-can she...?'

Yes, John, she can drain you to the point of death. I gulped silently, flinching as Topaz placed the bottles back into their shelve's position with enough force to cause a few cracks to appear, though this sound was overshadowed by the inhumane, scratch that, in-pony cracks.

"Oh, I'm sorry for the wait, but it appeared as if a colleague had switched up the special tincture that we keep for most extraordinary customers," Topaz spoke with a sharp, almost cat-like smile as she drew near. Her lightly orange coat gleamed like that of a panther in the sunshine while her light blue, nearly vibrant mane waved from side to side with each step. The bottle in her grasp looked not like glass, not even any crystal I have ever seen before, and let me tell you, I've carried around some strange shit, it was more like crystalized honey or bee wax, but in green, while the fluid inside had a dense liquid, not like lava or rock, but, well, like slime.

I took a deep breath and put my head down onto the pillow, I wished not to know what the liquid she carried around was, what is effect was or anything surrounding it. Sure, I could scream that she was a giant... whatever the fuck she looked like carrying around some slime juice, but why would they believe me, they didn't even trust me about Sugar, and now a random masseuse? Sure, let me lose all credibility. The sinister undertone her smile took on did not ease my worries, even if there was a hint of pity in it.

The bottle opened with a mighty pop, droplets flying everywhere as the cork was removed, the changeling wasted no time, and let a large portion of the potion's content flow onto my back. The liquid sizzled silently, there was great pain hidden under excessive amounts of painkillers and ecstasy, as it not only sank into my fur but through skin and tissue as well. I gulped as I felt it invading me and flinched a moment later as I felt a second rock as the changeling put her hooves onto me to rear herself upwards, applying more pressure than I liked, to which she instantaneously, even before I expressed my discomfort, eased the force.

I am-. I won't be available for the following time; it seems as If the liquid penetrating our body requires my dire attention, and I believe you wish not to know the effect on you yet. Changelings appear to not only being able to feel emotions but sensations like pain as well, useful to know if we ever have to face one. Cutting communication now.

I breathed softly through my nose and spread my limbs widely, with the amount of force she applied I wished not for my joints to pop, besides, where was the worry? The Game surely would help me out, and it that didn't work, celly would, right? I mean, she invested too much in me... I gulped silently, hopefully swallowing dry spit along with dreadful worries down the abyss.

I closed my eyes, shutting out the moans and cracks from Celestia, my last image seen was the Stallion rearing up on his hind legs and dug digging his elbow into the alicorn's back. Topaz applied the faintest amount of pressure, waiting just a single moment, before attempting the same with more force, probing each and single muscle and tissue with her elegant hooves.

I shivered slightly, the goo sank into my little back fat, my back heated up pleasantly, becoming more sensitive and soft. I smiled softly as her hoof's tip dug into my back's middle, my flesh accepting her advance with not one bit of resistance. I gasped audibly, goosebumps and shivering run across my skin.

"Did that hurt you? Are you feeling any pain or discomfort." Topaz asked sweetly as she pulled her hooves away from me. I winced and arched my back upwards just to savior her touch one more moment, it was like all my grumpiness and grudge was just melting away.

I bit my lip, I felt dirty and ashamed, just the thought of what I said next made me nearly vomit in retro specific. "N-no... Not really, I mean, not at all, it felt really good actually." I spoke frantically, bubbling away my begging like some angsty teen. "Please, do continue." I waited for a moment, the pull from her abysmal hunger faded into the void as the beloved pressure returned, this time grander than before. If it was not for the pleasure, I would've sunk into this table and wished for it to swallow me, which I probably will later, but now was not later, now I had no time to self reflect on all my life's mistakes... My timetable does not have enough hours for that.

"Oh, if that is the case..." Topaz mumbled though it sounded more of a sly coming than anything else in my ears. 'She's probably enjoying this even more than MEEE!' My eyes momentarily bulged as her oiled hooves were pushed up my back, unwinding knots I knew not existed. I shivered, breathing deep and heavily as my body trembled from the sudden assault that reached upwards to the beginning to my neck, yet leaving so much room for more in-depth techniques. "I'm sure you would not mind me to increase it even further."

'Ye-e-eshhh~' My Mind loosened itself from reality ever so slightly, the world around me did no longer matter, just the thought of being kneaded like clay as her hooves teasingly nipped deeply at the edges of my neck, before placing them flatly on my naturally strained flesh and pushing downward.

"Oooh." I moaned, my care for embarrassment died away long before, and now only pleasure was ruling over me as the knots and bunched muscles unwinded with great force, goosebumps spread like a virus across my skin and shivered, melting seemingly as the hmms of the changeling, tones reaching high and low at once, filled my ears to shun the outer world.

"You- ~ah~ you really ~uh~ you're really ~ngh~." My thoughts melted away like butter in the pan, just like my muscles and stress did as her hooves seemingly reached inside of me, applying crushing force, yet scratching every last of my flesh's desires. Every time I tried to form a thought, it slipped away, as if I would topple on the liquid that I was. I would often come close to grace a single thought, but then Topaz would reach deep, popping the idea like a bubble and mounding my body like mud, before breaking me down and repeating the process.

"You wish to say, your highness? I was not able to make this comment out," Topaz spoke with insufferable, infuriating and irresistible helpfulness as her hooves trailed down yet again, shivering forced every last hair on my body to stand for the mere hope to come closer.

"Yes! T-That's right, I wa-ahhhh~." I spoke hastily to achieve my sentence's end, yet making it, I did not as a shock, electricity, traveled from my lower spine to the tip of my hooves and head's top. I flopped my head onto the cushion's, every sense or reason lost just like my facial muscles, unbothered of the saliva that unhindered flowed onto the fabric as the sudden, substantial force onto my cross, cracks ensured that rocked my world, for a moment I wondered if heaven finally came back to pick me up from this sugary hellhole. I arched upwards slightly, teaching my body every so more, but the gently pats of the masseuse forced me down yet again as the pleasant heat still resided in my every muscle to the point it made me wonder if I was numb and just trapped in a realm of pleasure, or have reached Mind blunting levels or sensitivity.

Then, all of a sudden the hooves were removed from me, leaving me to linger in the adding warmth, my heart beat with such intensity I wondered how my ribs did not bend yet, my veins filled with dopamine. My bones ached from the assault, yet it's bleeding pain heightened my pleasure only more, and the yearning of my head's muscles kept me awake, awaiting more of this delightful ritual, yet a part of me was overcome with joy that it finally ended.

"Good, now I believe I have found out your bodies yearning and pain," Topaz spoke mundane, her voice in the background as if she was talking to herself, before speaking out louder with a muss sweeter tone. "Now, the massage can begin."

"Excuse me?" I asked eloquently with groggily waken shock as I arched upwards. The words still were repealed by my mushed brain and the hard, inner layer of bone in my skull, still processing the information, before the realization hit me. My eyes shrunk to pinpoints, my breath froze cold, nearly taking on a fog. "No-no, everything is fine, we can stop heaaaaaahhhh!"

If someone could describe the noise that I made as anything other than the most grotesque Viking war cry, then I might've paid you money. I took a deep breath the moment her hooves duck into layers of tissue and fat I knew not passed as she forced all air in me out with a great moan.

Slip. Slip. Slip

Slipping again and my again, my thoughts did, like an incredibly overweight, round, and clunky man tumbling down while standing on a bed of oil. Each attempt was futile to regain balance and higher ground, yet trying desperately every time, again and again, but eventually laying down, accepting the onslaught. Every time the fat man in my Mind fell and crashed, so did my world flicker, losing all touch, smell, sight, and importance, just like my thought that popped like bubbles.

"Are you enjoying this?" Topaz moaned under her breath, copious amounts of pure Aether, filtered and enriched with levels of joy, the things I missed in life, feeding her.

"YESSSSSSSSSSHHH!!!!" I moaningly squealed, droplets of spit, sweat, and oil catapulted in every direction, my shame drowned in of the many puddles I created. My heart raced, and butterflies roamed my insides, it compared not to slaughtering Nightmares, yet it was just as wholesome, relaxing, and addicting. 'Was this how an orgasm felt? What else did I miss during all those years with my waste of life on earth? Who cared if I would hear jokes about these moments decades later, who gave a shit, I was happy, and I will find all pleasures I've never got to experience.' That was the last thought I managed to muster before my vision became and blurry ocean, one I could dwell a little eternity in.

"I must say, this was the upmost enjoyable free-time activity I was allowed to have in an excruciatingly long time." I faintly heard Celestia speaking, ears twitching in response, among other things. I felt it still, those divine whose reaching inside of my, I laid on my back to suppress the tingling, yet it stopped not this heavenly experience. My limbs were prayed far apart, except for my left hind leg, pointing into the air and twitching. My face, I care not to deny this shame, was dopey with tongue stretched out and a cloudy stare, my own face to see was a spectacle on its own. Otherwise, I'd be blind with out-of-focus vision, though disorienting as well.

"Hufmawamama ngh~." Childlike, eldrich gargling escaped me, motioning my body with a strained stretch before pushing myself deeper into the pillowy ground, Celestia's bed was perfect in every way, filled with feathers of Griffin and creatures I knew not, the luxury of my kind.

Celestia held a hoof, now no longer carrying her godly regalia, in front of her mouth and giggled ever so gently. "It appears as if supper had hit the very last missing spot." I sighed in response, one hoof rubbing my slightly bloated belly, yet no discomfort or regret plagued me. For supper, there was a greatly and aggressively spiced broccoli soup and garlic bread, this was perhaps my choice of food if I ever were to lay on my death bed, which I won't. Spices were expensive, salt was practically gold because of how many uses it had with anomaly research and refinery, and this world was not much better when it came to them in food, but this time they held not back and dear lord, I am one happy horsey... I will never say that word with the letter 'h' again.

All traces if the serum erased and contained, any change is undone, and I am back for personal assistance. The Game spoke again, I missed his voice, it was not so... how should I call it... Over the top? Would you like to review the results of the analyst?

'Sure sure... Just keep the voice down and the feels up cause I think I started living only today.' I mumbled in my head, my weight shifted suddenly and drastically to the right as Celestia took place next to me in her bed. The alicorn's warmth radiated like a mellow sunset into which I buried myself under soft layers of feathers.

The serum gained us the ability to change us as, not permanently and always undoable, into a changeling. To be precise, a specific type of changeling with broader posture, height, and strength, several biological components are advanced versions of a standard variant of which the genetically blueprint is based off. Several factors are still unknown.

My eyes popped wide open, and my gaze went on into the nothingness, a bottomless pit forming before it was replaced with annoyance and a hint of sadness. 'Why is everyone on this world after me for their own gains.' I thought with slight anger, before closing my eyes as Celestia opened one of her wings and folded it over me, enveloping most of my form. 'I guess even in a different, better world, some things still remain the same.' I thought somberly as I gave up on the thought and the search on the thing I've forgotten the whole day.

I woke with a sudden burst of shock, and my gaze fixated on the darkness enveloping my room while keeping my pounding heart from bursting. Cold sweat ran down my fur, and an unbearable heat plagued my forehead, this irritation was only enhanced by the singing, crisp night air. Night?

I turned to the right, a window stood open, and behind it, an ocean of stars awaited. Stars? Star? My eyes opened widely, the thing, fatigue-full strings attached to me broke off as I jumped off and onto the floor and searched the room. It was nothing special, even if fancy, not that I could make out the finer details in the dark, but I did recognize it, it was a guest room of the castle.

"Why-why am I here?" I mumbled tiresomely, smacking my lips a few times and surpassed a yawn. The memories of the day appeared fuzzy, though it mattered not, I needed to find Star and see if he was alright. My eyes darted towards the door, and I trotted quickly towards it, I would've allowed if it was not of the fear to trip. I grasped the handle with my magic and tugged in forcefully, though I could not pass as a painfully blinding light blocked my vision. "Gah!" I explained, halting my advanced and shield my eyes with a hoof.

"Miss Touch!" A male, soft voice replayed with shock before a metallic squeaking resonated shortly before the light dimmed considerably. My eyes took a few moments to adapt to the laser, lighter to bear illumination to face two concerned guards. "Are you feeling well? Is there any problem?" The Guards playing, each one part, thus following the protocol, she heard it countless times.

"Star, where is my son!" I demanded angry, scrapping my hoof on the ground, something was off I could feel it, the horrible aftertaste in my mouth of the Touch family was a trait that rarely failed, and I dared to imagine that it didn't this time either.

The two guards looked at another, their expression hidden under the enchantments, before the one holding a two-hoofed spear, answered. "Crown price Star Touch is residing with Princess Celestia in her bed-chamber."

I stared at the odd pair for a moment, there was just a dead since while I perhaps was the only one actually feeling more than a haunch of awkwardness, there was a certain kind of anger and betrayal burning in me, if it was exaggerated or not I did not care. "Well?"

"Well...? What?" the Guard holding the lantern asked with confusion, his levels of obliviousness reaching height perhaps unknown to ponykind.

"Well, bring me to him," I answered angrily, storing with my hoof and causing one of them to flinch lightly if a civilian would've done this they might've landed themselves a few hours in a suspension room, but I did not even bother to care about that kind of possibility.

"I- we are sorry, but we cannot let you exit the room or enter the princesses chamber, for a matter of fact, Princess Celestia ordered that no pony is to disturb her." The spear guard spoke.

"Nopony? I'm his mother, you have to let me go to him." I cried angrily.

"We are sorry, ma'am, but orders are order."

"Yes, it would be better not to cause a scene, get a good night of sleep, and deal with the problem like adults."

I stared at the pair of guards with mouth slightly agape, not believing what I was hearing, before sighing out lightly. "Maybe you're right," I spoke somberly before returning back to the room, I did not agree with the order, I honestly didn't, but she was the princess in the end. The door closed with a light click, and I walked back to my bed, laid upon it, and levitated the blanked over my form.

My gaze was fixated onto the night sky, my own worries and concerns, but most importantly, thoughts not letting me rest. 'What kind of Game is this, if it was, what part did I play? Was I just a peasant with a tad too much connection, and if so, who were the players?' I sighed audibly, before burying my muzzle into the pillow, depressing the loneliness that sank into my flesh, the first night in over four years, for the first time in a long while I dreaded it to sleep.