Wish Gone Awry. Enter Equestria! Enter New Life!

"Lock up, keep my room secure, and keep doing a good job," Celestia commanded and complimented as she and Julius left Celestia's room.

"Forgive my questioning, Your Supreme Beatific Venerableness," the lead guard mare said as she bowed. "Where is The Royal Sister? I would not be doing my job if I didn't accurately document every entrant to your room."

"No, no, that's quite alright," Celestia assured as she motioned for the guardsmare to raise. "My sister has flown off from my balcony towards the Everfree Forest, likely via Ponyville. She should be back shortly, though I'd imagine that she'll be entering through the front doors. Julius left something important at Zecora's house. As such, my sister has gone to retrieve it," Celestia explained. "That reminds me, we really should look into getting you and Zecora a house in Ponyville proper," Celestia hummed as she led Julius down the hall.

"Nah, that's OK. Zecora prefers the Everfree. It has herbs, flora, and such that are unique to the Everfree Forest; besides, if I understand things correctly, we all share property by being in the same herd," Julius said as he followed Celestia.

"Technically, no," Celestia told Julius. "While it may seem that way, each member of the herd individually owns whatever property they brought into the herd. After joining the herd, whatever property is brought is collectively owned by the herd in question. There is an exception to any awarded property that is solely owned by whomever it is awarded to. So as it stands, you technically own nothing, save for your clothes and whatever you brought with you. While I cannot imagine that it'll ever be a problem, especially with Rarity being in Ponyville, it reflects poorly both on you and on us as a society if you do not have your own property or at least your own apartment. Though finding you an apartment could be awkward, they're only in large cities like Manehatten and Las Pegasus. They're interesting buildings, like a bunch of small houses all in one large house," Celestia explained as she led Julius through some winding hallways.

"I know; we have apartments in my world. My friend Grygoriy and his family live in one. After Russia took Crimea, his family saw the writing on the wall and noped out of the country. They moved into the apartment next to my other friend Alexei, which, well, I laughed," Julius told Celestia as she gave him an odd look. "Right, I should explain. Grygoriy is Ukrainian, and Alexei is Russian. Grygoriy's family moved away to escape from the Russians, only to move right next to a Russian family. Wolfgang, Julia, Alex, and I nearly laughed to death. It took several years, but the two families get along pretty well nowadays," Julius explained to Celestia.

"I see, a bit of an unexpected outcome, but it sounds like it all worked out. Funny how life happens, isn't it?" Celestia quipped as she walked by the dining hall. "Hungry?"

"Nah, I just ate in Luna's place," Julius replied as rapid hoofsteps could be heard approaching.

"Celestia! Julius!" Twilight happily said as she trotted up to the two. "Zecora and I were just having lunch after the morning court," Twilight said as Zecora walked up behind her.

"I see; how was court?" Julius asked as he looked right at Twilight.

"Well, ummm, it was," Twilight stammered.

"The court was a world gone mad. Surely all the nobles there are more aggravating than a gad. So long, arguing all that time, and for what? Cheese, just cheese, hours all about cheese, surely some of that could have been cut!" Zecora huffed in some annoyance.

"NO! No, no, no, she doesn't mean that," Twilight quickly interjected.

"It's quite alright, Twilight," Celestia said with a light laugh. "To be honest, there are days when I find the court to be rather trite. Unfortunately, those days are the most common. I swear, the nobility have a secret sport for bringing the most unimportant things to court," Celestia sighed while smiling.

"It may not be my place, but I do have a suggestion. Refuse all that nonsense; that should cut back on the congestion. Should your nobles complain about you not hearing their every moan, like a bunch of mewling foals. Well, the titles of nobility are given by you; surely you can revoke those roles," Zecora suggested as she looked at Celestia.

"Maybe that could work. But the nobility are heavily entrenched. Removing them would cause problems for the citizens, not to mention the vendetta the removed nobility would hold towards me. Honestly, the issues that would generate just aren't worth it. It's easier and better for everycreature if I just sit, smile, and nod," Celestia replied, causing Zecora to mumble angrily.

"I have to side with Zecora on this one. Hours about cheese is just excessive. Though, to be fair, you are handling the nobility far better than I would," Julius said as he nodded at Celestia.

"Yes, it takes a different type of creature to deal with nobility. Honestly, most of them are just dreadful. Though, a few of the nobility are decent," Celestia sighed as she turned towards a hallway. "Now then, Julius and I are on our way to visit the Aleric brothers. You're welcome to come with us," Celestia said as she started to walk down the hallway.

"Really?" Twilight happily squeed. "I'd love to! The transmutation spell is one of the few that I've only heard of but don't know," Twilight happily said as she and Zecora trotted after the two.

"That is a spell that will remain unknown to you," Celestia told Twilight. "As it is, there are only six beings who know that spell, the Aleric brothers, Luna, Aloysia, Cadance, and myself. For state security, that list will not increase, well, not unless there's another alicorn," Celestia further told Twilight.

"Awwww, wait, who's Aloysia? Why does she know?" Twilight asked as she looked carefully at Celestia.

"Aloysia is an old friend. She isn't supposed to know the spell, but she's about as good at shadow walking as Luna. So I suspect that she snuck into in innermost chambers of the royal mint and learned the spell. Fortunately, she's loyal enough to Luna not to abuse the spell in any way," Celestia told Twilight.

"Aloysia is a pretty solid mare. Though, I'm a little concerned about what she has in store for me. Luna did say that I might be getting cut a lot," Julius sighed.

"Getting cut a lot? What on, oh those little," Celestia huffed. "ALOYSIA, I THOUGHT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS!" Celestia loudly said to seemingly nocreature.

"No," a voice responded from seemingly nowhere. "You and Luna argued; I'm just doing it. You know as well as I and Luna that this must happen," the voice sighed.

"Honestly, I'm not sure which is the bad influence and which is the victim," Celestia sighed while shaking her head. "I shouldn't have to tell you, but by law, I must, do not abuse spirit magic," Celestia sternly warned Julius.

"I only promise to try," Julius said as Celestia narrowed her gaze at him. "OK, fine, I won't abuse it. I'll only use it either if I absolutely have to or under the supervision of either you or Luna, alright?"

"Better, but I'm still uneasy about it," Celestia sighed.

"Why does he get to learn but not me? I'm the element of magic; I should know this," Twilight pleaded.

"Twilight," Celestia sighed, "you are the element of magic. Your potential with magic is among the highest of any creature I know. But just because you have the potential doesn't mean that you should use it or that you are ready to use it. As you currently are, you are not mentally mature enough. I was hoping that you'd come to this conclusion on your own, but sometimes a helping hoof isn't out of place. Every unicorn that learns of spirit magic wants to learn it, but almost none of them can use it safely," Celestia explained. "Look, if you genuinely want to learn spirit magic, you must work on two things; the first is your body. Spirit magic can be extremely harmful if your body cannot handle it. I'm not telling you to get buff or anything. However, you need to maintain fitness that's well enough to pass the Equestrian Physical Fitness Examination at a level of 'Excellence.' The second thing you need to work on is your restraint on the use of magic. For at least an entire month, you must not use any magic with the assistance of a magical suppressant ring. Then another month without the ring and limited magical use, each use must be documented and justified. You must also show better judgment in using magic, like, not using it as a first resort. This is a part of the reason that I sent you to Ponyville," Celestia explained to Twilight.

"I, I see," Twilight said, sounding slightly dejected.

"Twilight, this isn't no, never, this is no now. You're not ready at the moment, and spirit magic is extremely dangerous," Celestia assured Twilight. "As for Julius learning it. Well, dark magic is tied to his being due to how he came to Equestria. Considering that he can use magic, there is a genuine danger of him accidentally using dark magic. Why he hasn't yet, well, Luna has a few speculations. It could be that ritual with the wine and bread. Maybe his faith. Perhaps due to the world he grew up in, he's naturally averse to the use of magic and just hasn't used it too often. Or maybe it's a different reason entirely. Whatever the reason, it is somewhat lucky that there hasn't been an incident yet. I wanted to wait a little longer, see how he developed, and have a plan fully devised. But, it would appear that my sister and Aloysia thought otherwise and have started his training," Celestia sighed with a slight eye roll.

"Well, to be fair, I haven't started any training yet. But I did fight Aloysia. And she does have some ideas on where to start my training. Apparently, I might get cut a lot," Julius said with a sigh.

"That sounds a lot like those two. It's funny; the more things change, the more they stay the same," Celestia said as she approached a heavy-looking door guarded by a squad of stern-looking guardsmares.

"You are entering a heavily restricted area. State your names and business!" One of the guardsmares commanded.

"I'm Celestia, Sovern Princess of Equestria, Raiser of the Sun, Uniter of the Realm, and so on, and so forth. Honestly, these formal titles get rather silly," Celestia laughed.

"Well, that fits Celestia's personality," the guardsmare responded. "Still, we require a confirmation of your identity. Simply moving the sun five degrees left, then ten degrees right, then back to its original position will suffice," the guardsmare told Celestia.

"A bit excessive, but, considering what you're guarding, it's understandable," Celestia said as she complied with the demand.

"Identity confirmed. Welcome to the mint, Your Supreme Beatific Venerableness. Now about those with you," the guardsmare said as she looked at the three following Celestia.

"They're with me; I've confirmed their identity myself. Rest assured, they will not see the transmutation spell; I shall see to that personally," Celestia told the guardsmare.

"If you insist, but if you let them in, then we cannot guarantee the security of the mint in regards to them," the guardsmare warned Celestia.

"That's quite alright. For this visit, I alieve you of your responsibilities towards these three. I, Celestia, hereby take these three under my mantle," Celestia told the guardsmares.

"Very well," the guardsmare said as four of the other guardsmares opened the doors.

"Professional soldiers tend to make for better guards. They're a bit expensive to maintain but worth it for guarding the important areas of the castle," Celestia remarked as she led the three into the mint's foyer. "Oh, Aloysia, of course, you're here. Snuck by the guards again," Celestia sighed while shaking her head.

"What can I say? Shadow walking is useful, and making fools of guards makes me smile," Aloysia said as she walked out of the shadow of one of the couches. "You sure took your sweet time. What, stopped to take a walk through the gardens?" Aloysia lightly joked.

"V-v-v, v-v-v," Twilight studdered.

"Oh, spit it out, mare. You think to call me a vampire. A blood-sucking demon, here to drain you of your life essence and turn you into a thrall. Honestly, I was there for how such rumors started, and I still wonder how they started," Aloysia sighed.

"A pony tied to the dark. I thought such a being would have a spark. For it to be a pony, though, that is a surprise. I'm guessing that Luna has to do with your guise," Zecora calmly remarked.

"Quite right. Once we were thestrals, but thanks to Luna, we've become more. Also, she needs help with the dream realm. Seriously, that place can be a nightmare. And there's an insane amount of work to do there," Aloysia sighed.

"Yes, quite," Celestia sighed as Twilight shook behind her. "Auric, Sterling, are you busy?" Celestia asked as she sat down on one of the couches.

"Oh, no, not busy at all. We're just making the country's new money supply ourselves and, at the same time, taking into consideration the economics of the whole thing. You know, the ramifications and all. Not busy at all," a slightly high-pitched voice quipped back from behind a heavily locked door.

"That's Auric," Celestia sighed with a smile. "Aloysia, want to try to get them?"

"Already tried. That door has got to be the single most warded thing in Equestria," Aloysia sighed.

"Yeah, we specially warded it against you," Auric laughed from behind the door. "Sterling and I have been warding it more and more in our very limited free time. Just try to get in; I dare you! You're not getting through this door unless you're packing Celestia's solar fire. Hay, even that might not be enough," Auric smugly said.

"Brother, you shouldn't tempt Celestia like that," another, more timid voice said from behind the door.

"Oh please, Sterling, what's she going to do? Replace us with Cadance or Luna, or perhaps she wants to add making bits to her already ludicrously long list of things to do in a day? You know as well as I that we've warded that door against everything. And then, we further warded it with so many redundant wards that we made Twilight look lazy," Auric told Sterling.

"OK, that's where I draw the line," Twilight said as she walked up to the door. "You can insult me, but insult my work ethic," Twilight said as she charged her horn. "Insult this!" Twilight said as she vanished, only to smack off the door.

"Say that to my face, Twilight," Auric taunted. "Oh, wait, you can't," Auric said while chuckling.

"I'm just getting started," Twilight grunted as she charged her horn with magic.

"Should we stop her?" Julius asked as he looked at Celestia.

"Eventually, yes. But, hopefully, she'll stop on her own before she exhausts herself. And hopefully, she'll understand that using magic as a first resort isn't always the best idea," Celestia sighed as Twilight blasted the door with a magical beam.