Saturday, May 2nd, 909 AB (Immediately after)

With the meeting concluded, Celestia escorts the family back to their rooms, animatedly chatting with them the whole way. Cure is immensely leery about the change in his status even with the reassurances from the princess that little will actually change. At the same time, just seeing the unfiltered joy radiating from the ancient mare warms his heart in a way he’s only felt a few times.

The parents are obviously basking in the infectious feeling too, as even his sire, who has been reluctant to interact much with her, is eagerly engaging the mare in conversation about the local real estate market. Title is chipping in a fair amount as well, though her daughter is still occasionally giving the princess the stink eye from underneath her dam’s mane. Although the other parents are less interested in the subject, they can’t help but smile fondly at seeing the unusually energetic princess nearly skipping through the halls.

He can certainly understand the princess’s excitement. Ed had read some stories that were hypothetical ventures into what happened immediately before and after Luna’s fall. Grimdark never struck his fancy, so he avoided the really ugly ones, but it wasn’t hard to get the gist from the descriptions. Whether or not any of them are close to what really happened, the end result was one sister having to lock away the other for a millennium; a longer span of time than his mind can even truly comprehend.

Now, suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a colt shows up that is hoofing over the world and solving race-spanning problems that were completely unfixable only a year ago. Not only the problems that the pony race faces, but also many of the problems Celestia herself has come to accept as inevitabilities.

Cure is very much aware of the curse of longevity. Ed was fourteen when his great grandmother died, and he vividly remembered only a few people other than immediate family showing up. At his contemplative look his older brother pointed out that great grandma outlived almost everyone she knew. One husband died young, the other in his early seventies. She carried on to ninety-six, spending the last twenty years watching as lifelong friend after friend was buried, silently longing to join them herself.

Celestia has done that for somewhere around two thousand years. She has said goodbye to upwards of a century of generations of friends, lovers, acquaintances, and even enemies.

She has survived watching foals be brought into the world, watched their entire journey, then bore witness to their inevitable death at the cruel hooves of time; apparently powerless to do anything to save them while the cycle repeats with their foals, grandfoals, and dozens of descendants thereafter. All the while being unable to even bear a foal to carry on a beloved’s legacy or at least have one constant, unbroken familial link between herself and her little ponies.

It is a horrifying, cruel fate that Cure cannot fathom having the strength to survive. And to heap cruelty onto cruelty, the option of simply not surviving was seemingly removed. Even the option of sleeping away the centuries is denied her, given her dedication and semi-daily obligation.

More than once he caught her glance down at him atop his dam and beam all the brighter with an excited smile. Cure can’t help but wonder if a part of the whole proposal is some kind of manipulation on her part, even if she believes him better off for it. Really, given the offer, he can’t think of any reason to say no.

He’ll get the protection of the title, the authority that comes with it, and untold opportunities that he would have never dreamed possible back in September. The only downside would be if he had to step up into a leadership role before he is prepared to do so. Given that an alicorn is impossible to kill, as far as they know, that seems like an extraordinarily unlikely event.

Cure suspects that their inviolability is exaggerated, though. Even if they are impossible to kill exactly, he is all but certain it is possible to effectively remove one from the board. He can’t fathom the circumstances that would prompt him to, but the immediate example that comes to mind is to simply put her physical body in a state of permanent sleep. Granted he has not yet slept as an alicorn, but unless there’s some low-level awareness that she did not display during his breakfast delivery intrusion then doing so would have the same results as death.

Even if the unthinkable would happen, he was completely serious about revising the way the country is led. That there isn’t a group of ministers essentially running the show and only getting double-checked to minimize corruption seems like an enormous waste. Maybe, he considers, that’s something he will be able to gradually convince Celestia to look into.

Amethyst would be a fantastic trade advisor with her ability to divine the value of things alone. Title would probably be an exceedingly competent spymaster if her information gathering capabilities are applicable to areas other than real estate, and even if not then she would be a godsent running a public records agency.

Deed, he could envision being responsible for housing development as the country’s population grows, and his dam may have similar impactful results in the food industry. Lemon may not have a wide-reaching talent, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t find some way to apply it on a larger scale, perhaps by developing and implementing effective nutrition plans to encourage ponies to eat better.

Ten minutes after capitulating to the princess’s pleas probably isn’t the best time to start making unresearched suggestions, though, so Cure resolves to keep his thoughts to himself until an appropriate opportunity presents itself or until he’s been involved with leadership long enough that his suggestions aren’t just coming seemingly out of nowhere.

The “have a kid as an advisor” joke probably isn’t a thing here, after all, and the princess has been in a leadership position for two to three hundred times as long as Cure has drawn breath. Unless he’s really screwed the pooch somehow, the country should continue to thrive for the next ninety years, minimum, so there’s no urgent need to make any more big changes either way.

As the group arrives in the guest wing the parents and his sister head to their room to get ready, stopping briefly with the unicorns to pick up his other two sisters. Celestia stays with Cure, subconsciously bouncing on each step like an excited child. A flurry of feathers meets the colt as soon as he steps inside. Both Glacial and Drift are immediately upon him with Dawn and the others only a step behind.

“Heya everypony. Miss me?”

“What’s to miss?” Wind snorts. “You were only gone like two minutes.”

Dawn looks over her withers to shoot the white filly a scathing scowl before turning back and nuzzling into his right cheek. “What was it like?”

“Exploding? Zero out of ten. Would not recommend. Especially the part where my crystals went kaboom. That was like…” he looks up in thought, then scowls as he adds everything up, “over ten freaking grand in supplies. I’m just glad my bags didn’t get ruined too.”

She rolls her eyes and huffs out a sigh.

“Only you would complain about something like that, dude,” Heavy says, copying Dawn’s exasperated expression. “Can’t freaking believe you’re an alicorn now.” He looks up to the princess and waves a hoof in greeting. “Hi, princess.”

“Hello again, Heavy Lift. Is everypony almost ready to go? I think we’ve waited long enough for all of the businesses to reopen, and,” she looks towards Wind, “events are scheduled to resume at Firefly Memorial Park in half an hour.”

“Can you come with us?” Drift eagerly asks, nosing at Cure’s ear. “They would die if the new alicorn showed up!”

“I don’t think anypony even knows yet,” Cure hesitantly says, tilting his head up to look questioningly at the princess.

She explains while shaking her head no, “No doubt some of the pegasi guards near Cloudsdale caught a glimpse of his return, but there has not been time to make an official announcement yet. I believe it would be wise to wait until Monday to do so; for now we will simply be spreading word of a magic-related incident and remain otherwise vague in our description. I imagine many newspapers across the country will run special editions once we release a news press.”

As she is answering, Cure gives each of the girls on him a gentle nuzzle and meets Rising and Ferric’s eyes with a beckoning head tilt. Relieved they weren’t being left out, the pair steps in to get their fair share as the others give them room to squeeze in. Distracted by the approaching pair, Cure is caught off guard when Sapphire lands fully on his back and lays her neck up his mane, wrapping both forelegs around his chest.

The move gets a slight giggle out of Rising who carries on undaunted. Ferric lets out an exasperated sigh, but still takes Glacial’s vacated spot on Cure’s left side.

“Ah fudge, do you hafta go, boss?”

Grinning at the colt, she again shakes her head explaining, “I have ponies for that, Cure. They will answer questions for today, then come next week make the announcement of your upcoming coronation at the Celebration. With-” Celestia has to pause at the round of gasps and mumbled statements of shock. Once everypony realizes they interrupted her several quiet apologies are given.

“That is okay. I’m sure it will be a surprise for everypony. As I was saying, with your private information being withheld there is little to share. A new alicorn was born and will be crowned at the Celebration,” she says with a wing shrug. “There is nothing else to tell unless you so choose.”

“Duuude!” Heavy drawls, staring at Cure with bulging eyes.

“I know! I was against it, but somepony all but begged me to agree.”

All eyes focus on the innocent face of the princess who immediately looks away and begins whistling.

“I think most ponies would be pretty excited at the idea,” Glacial comments. “I can’t begin to imagine how my parents would react… they would probably have been looking for a new house before I even came back.”

The idea apparently hadn’t occurred to everypony yet, as Dawn whips around and, in a near panic, shouts, “Are you moving?!”

“No. For now, basically nothing is changing.”

“It was the only way he would agree,” Celestia pouts at the colt.

“Darn tootin. I’m eight. Had enough friggin changes over the last nine months ta last me a few years,” he grumbles. “And nopony better start callin me your highness or bowin or I will pin you down and tickle you until yer about ta pee!”

“Don’t threaten your friends, Cure,” Celestia gently chides.

He gives her a flat look and asks, “How long did it take for you to stop cringing every time somepony addresses you by your title?”

She haughtily replies, “I was raised knowing I would lead some day.”

Sapphire leans close to Cure’s ear and whispers, “That wasn’t an answer,” before averting her eyes from the princess’s annoyed look.

“So… a decade?”

Sighing in defeat, she sheepishly admits, “It took a few years when it came to those I considered friends.”

“Exactly. So since I won’t have any royal duties for the foreseeable future, none of that ‘your highness’ stuff,” he insists, slashing across the idea with an unsharpened hoof.

“That’s perfectly okay, Cure. Truthfully I am fine with your decision. I certainly wouldn’t expect you to attend trade negotiations or what-have-you anyway. Now,” she says, straightening up, “Cure’s parents and siblings should be prepared and I have squads ready to take those of you who are headed out to your destinations. Ferric Shine, Heavy Lift?”

Both look up in response. “Master Smith Fuller is awaiting your arrival. Again I remind you,” she says, turning to look specifically at Heavy, “take great care to listen to all instructions from her and Miss Shine. Nopony gets hurt today, young stallion.”

Ducking his head in a half bow nod, the gray colt immediately agrees.

“Good. Wind Shear?” she calls, getting a nod and a “yes ma’am?” from the older girl. “Your escort is waiting on the ground just outside your balcony,” she says, nodding to the doors. “You may depart whenever you are ready.”

“Got money for lunch or whatever?” Cure quickly asks.

“Worry not, an allowance has been provided.”

Celestia cocks a brow at the frown on Cure’s face. He gives her a minute head shake as he schools his features. “Have your Sending crystals?” he asks as he looks back. All three give affirmative responses before heading to the bedroom to get their suits on.

“What are you going to be doing?” Rising asks Cure, then glances up and starts stuttering and adds a quick head bow and “your highness” on.

“Oh, be at ease, Rising, dear,” she says with a giggle. “Cure and I will be determining what impact his change has had on his abilities. It is possible he may have to stay a few days if his magic is difficult to control.”

The explanation gets a confused look from several of the foals, Dawn in particular. The princess clarifies, “His magic increased significantly. It may not be safe for him to use at this moment.”

The yellow filly nods in understanding. “Oh! Okay, thank you for explaining, princess.”

“Of course, dear.”

“How much?” Dawn asks.

“I think I’ve almost caught up with ya. You still have me beat though.”

“You will have a very difficult time staying ahead of him, Dawn Glow,” the princess warns. “Based on my own experience his growth will far outstrip what a unicorn is capable of. Do not fall into the trap of trying to keep up with him. It would be as difficult as it would be for a pegasus to go faster while lacking earth pony strength.”

Dawn, given the source, can only nod in acceptance. She doesn’t seem particularly bothered by it, but that’s something Cure will have to watch for in the future.

Deed knocks on the door frame to announce their arrival. Celestia steps aside as he peeks in. “Everypony ready?”

“So… what’s first?”

“Always start with the basics. Levitate a rock,” she instructs, pointing at a pile of rocks set to the side. Apparently they are used for various levitation control exercises like the ones that Solar struggled with in Basic.

“M’kay.” Willing a bit of magic towards his horn, Cure focuses on the designated target.

After giving the foals another quick round of affection, which included reassuring hugs and nuzzles from Coast, Wind, and Heavy, the group had split up with everypony going their separate ways.

Cure, Celestia, and her honor guard make their way to the Guard firing range. The firing range is much more like an open archery range from Ed’s memories. There’s a dozen lanes total, only a few further down the line being currently occupied. It’s located on the east side of the barracks, wedged in between the tall walls that section off the castle grounds from the rest of the city and the barracks themselves.

There is an enchanted backdrop between the targets and the wall, though Cure is certain that, even at his increased capacity, he could blast away at the wall itself for a good chunk of the year before he might chip some stone off.

Even though his capacity roughly tripled, he’s still slightly less powerful than Dawn who, despite her stellar growth over the last nine months, still barely has a tenth of her brother’s magic pool. It’s not a very fair comparison at the moment though since he is still in the three year window after he got his mark, even if he only has a few more months of easy gains to look forward to.

Located to the south of the hedge maze, the Guard barracks looks far more like an actual castle than the castle itself. Cure isn’t sure how many ponies are in the normal garrison, but the structure looks like it could hold several hundred defenders comfortably, or quite a few more during a siege. He can’t help but wonder where in there the prisoners that came to attack him are being housed. He hopes their food sucks and they’re bored off their asses, though.

Heavy and Ferric are somewhere in there checking out the smithy. Cure is pretty sure that wasn’t all that interesting to his bro, but it certainly sounds a hell of a lot better than shopping or going to the opera. Vines, Title, Coast, Dawn, and Rising are all going on a tour of one of the several music halls right now and Cure can’t help but think he would literally rather stare at clouds or watch paint dry than check that out.

His sire, Lemon, Amethyst, Cherry, Lotus, Starlight, Solar, and Sapphire all went on a shopping trip that sounds… just awful. At least they agreed to pick up some zippers for Lt. Spear’s and Wind Shear’s suits while they were out.

Besides that, the only part that he could even muster the energy to feign excitement over was Sapphire’s mention of looking for some pretty jewelry. The girl had nearly exploded in glee when he had given her the Wonderbolt pendant the previous night. Thankfully he was able to escape from the spine-shattering hug by pointing out that Dawn had been the one to suggest it.

The enthusiastic filly immediately picked Dawn up in a tight embrace, planting half a dozen kisses all up and down each side of her chin. Despite the put-upon look the unicorn sported, Cure could see the faint smile on her lips when she saw how happy it made their friend.

Eager to test the adaptations from the dragon he had scanned, Cure, insisting that Amethyst help, gave Sapphire an assignment. With an allowance of a thousand bits she is to find a variety of lower quality gemstones for him to eat. He figures starting out with quantity before splurging on quality is probably a safe bet.

In lieu of direct payment, and with his mom’s approval, he offered her a challenge. He suggested that she attempt to haggle with the merchants and, upon coming to a price she approved of, check with Amethyst’s talent to compare her performance. If she gets a better deal she keeps half the difference. If she doesn’t, she doesn’t.

His hope is that she’ll come back with at least eight hundred bits worth of gems. He made sure to emphasize to both of them that if she isn’t doing well that it’s not a big deal and he’ll still pay her a commission for the effort.

The pair of alicorns draw some curious stares from not only patrolling guards, but also the unicorns that pause in their casting to give a brief bow to the princess as well as gawk at the colt by her side. With only the restriction on nearby airspace preventing pegasi from looking down on them, Cure opted to go incognito for today’s exercise. Everypony that looks their way will find him in his Riddle disguise rather than his default blue and green.

He focuses back on the task at hoof, dismissing any worry that creeps in anytime his parents are out in the city without him to keep a wary eye out. With the magic coming far faster than he was prepared for, Cure watches in shock as the rock lifts up, then shears into two parts floating in his chocolate colored aura.

“Not… exactly what I was hoping to see,” Celestia comments, “though not outside of expectations either. Fear not, you just need practice, just as the patients with injured horns you have healed.” Turning to face the scowling colt, she continues, “You will no doubt find your magic to be more responsive than you are accustomed to.”

At his agreeing nod she explains, “You’ll have to be conscious of that when casting via runes. I’m sure you have noticed that I do not usually do so.”

“I did. When you first used Reduce I noticed right away.”

“When your capacity and throughput are high it is, ironically, more difficult to cast basic spells via the shortcut runic casting offers. I liken it to pouring water from a container.”

“Hard to pour a teaspoon from a bathtub?” he knowingly asks.

“Precisely. Not without spilling or, in this case, overcharging the specific parts of a spell. You will likely not need to be concerned until you are at least twelve or so. I will eventually teach you an alternative, but it is needlessly inefficient; something that you will not benefit from for quite some time.”

“Dawn and I have been reading ahead a little. Remember I told Cpt. Shield about the teacher that approached me?”

“The one you first deaged?”

“Yup. I asked for lessons after we met and I saw you skipping runes. My customer sent a few textbooks for Dawn and I to study.”

“Ah… so you have already been practicing?”

“Yup.”

“Excellent. When you are sufficiently capable you can quickly shape and infuse your magic in a way that is essentially instant. I know you had mentioned the possibility of relocating sometime in the next year or two. You need not buy a house; as a crowned prince a room will be always be available to you near my own here at the castle.

“You could attend classes at my school and, on the weekends, return to Golden Hills. That would also give me ample opportunity to monitor your progress and supplement your education if you learn fast enough to move beyond the normal curriculum.”

“That’s a lot of time away from my family,” he points out with a frown. “I wouldn’t get to snuggle with my sisters every night or be there when Savvy starts talking… well, maybe she will by then, but still, the twins’ll only be one and a couple months old and I’ll only see ‘em on the weekend.”

Dropping the rock halves, Cure moves on to others as they converse.

“They could live here too, at least until you are an adult. Food is provided by my farm, mostly, and what few expenses they should have while here can easily be justified to the taxpaying public; especially given how much they already have and will continue to benefit due to your work. I’m assuming that’s the cause of your disapproving look earlier?”

“Yeah… I know it sounds dumb, but something about them getting money from somepony else doesn’t sit right.” Shrugging his wings he adds, “I don’t have a good reason, really. It’s like… I earned my money through my efforts. If I wanna give ‘em a few bits to blow, that’s on me. My choice, ya know?”

“Ah, and taxpayers don’t get a say in giving a few fillies spending money,” she suggests in understanding.

“Yeah, which is a dumb, flawed, ridiculous excuse given there’s many, many ponies out there getting way more than a few bits to buy lunch or a snack or whatever.”

“Would you feel better if I told you it came from my own funds?”

His snout wrinkles in thought for a moment before he hesitantly agrees. “It would. I mean, I dunno how it all,” he waves a wing vaguely towards the palace and the city at large, “works exactly but at least you can say, ‘That was my money and I choose how it’s spent’ instead of ‘That was your money and you got no say in it.’

“The main thing keeping it from being a definite yes is the fact that you may have a huge unfair advantage given your long life, but I can’t think of a good way to address that. Then again, so do I, for a different reason, I guess,” he adds. “There’s also the fact that, while the possibility certainly exists some day, you’ve not had the time to get to know them enough to consider them friends.

“It’s not a friend helping a friend as much as… I dunno… somepony fulfilling an unspoken obligation? ‘There’s a foal; they need an adult to take care of them,’ ya know? I don’t think I’m doing the best job of voicing my thoughts on it, I guess. Bottom line? Stuff’s complicated and worrying about a few bits isn’t worth the effort, that’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“That was a much more complicated answer than I anticipated,” she remarks with a smile. With a teasing tone she says, “I had assumed you just wanted to be the one to pay for your fillyfriends.”

“Ehh… no, not really. I do like to share with them, but that’s mostly ‘cause I recognize how insanely unfair my talent is. It’s the same reason I don’t charge anything to heal or for trees and whatnot. I guess in my own little way I’m ‘taxing’ ponies for cosmetic services to pay for my services for non-cosmetic stuff.”

Nodding in understanding, she comments, “An interesting viewpoint. Given the value you ‘donate’ and the voluntary nature of your earnings I approve wholeheartedly. I can’t envision what the world would look like if that approach were applied at large, but I like to think the results would be truly wondrous.”

“Yeah, I think I’ve given you enough material that you’re gonna be too busy with real world stuff to worry about some kinda pseudo utopian what-if. I just hope none of that stuff ends with us in some kinda war.”

“A possibility I’m surprised you would consider.”

“Why?” he asks, turning to face her. “It seems like common sense. A foreign government just got caught conducting clandestine operations in your country targeting a minor civilian healer on his way to visit on your invite. That’s awfully close to a declaration of war right there.”

“Cure…” she sighs, looking around and then casting a Sound Bubble, though her version also blurs sight, he notes, so it may not even be the same spell. She lays on her barrel facing the colt from only a half meter away. He cuts out his magic and turns to regard her in curiosity. “No Equestrian pony alive, save myself, has seen war,” she calmly states. “Even the oldest of my little ponies would struggle to consider the possibility of war. Your great grandsire’s great grandsire may have been a foal when we were last at war.”

“So?”

“So when I hear a foal postulate that something could cause armed conflict when there is not a living soul they would likely have heard suggest it…” she pauses, then in a soft, but matter-of-fact tone, she finishes, “it makes me wonder.”

The silence stretches between the two for several seconds. Sagging in defeat, Cure begrudgingly nods in acceptance.

“I don’t believe you have ever lied to me,” she says leadingly.

He shakes his head no, snapping up to meet her gaze. “I never would,” he insists.

Continuing in the same soft tone she says, “I understand. You do not need to share if you do not want to.” At the confused look on his face, she slowly shakes her head. “You have been found worthy by a greater force than I. I have seen the care you have for others; the love between you and your family, the way you treat your friends. I have even seen the way you treat your enemies. I assume your parents are aware?”

He nods.

“They love and accept you. Between that, your own actions, and your ascension, I have no cause for concern.”

“I wanted to let the girls know first. In case they wanna be with somepony else or something.”

“Were you waiting for them to mature before discussing it?”

“Yeah. At least some. I figured in the next year or so. Before Ferric, Glacial, and Drift turn twelve at least.”

“Good. I would be concerned if you did not.”

“Yeah, that would be a huge betrayal,” he agrees while nodding.

Rolling her eyes, she corrects, “It would be dishonest.”

“Same diff.”

Huffing, she raises her voice saying, “It is not the same!”

“Dunno why we don’t just say ‘Don’t be a prick.’ It’s the same basic idea.”

“Cure!”

“What? ‘Be kind, generous, honest, and loyal while using magic and laughing’ is confusing. Just say ‘Don’t be a prick’ and call it a day. It’s way easier,” he says, pointing to a rock that is, without wavering, levitating in front of him. “See?”

“Well done. For the record, I do not believe casting while laughing is exactly recommended.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s probably a bad idea. You’d probably look a little crazy too. Light next?”

“Perhaps fire a few shots first,” she suggests as she dispells her Bubble.

Nodding, Cure takes aim at the actual targets set up downrange. Blasting away is a whole lot easier than even levitation initially was. Of course it is essentially pushing power and pulling the mental trigger, even if the analogy isn’t precise. Being careful or gentle isn’t necessary at all, though he makes an effort to control his blasts similar to how Solar had when testing his durability.

As with the levitation, he finds his magic responds much more quickly and eagerly, and gets a heady rush of exhilaration at seeing some actual damage being done to the target beyond mere scuff marks. It takes more than a few shots before he succeeds in dialing in the exact power level he is aiming for.

“That’s a pretty noticeable change. Nothing like what my firebolt crystals could do, but,” he trails off with a shrug. “I carried them specifically so I could hit harder than anypony would have expected.” He fires a few more blasts, showing no difficulty at all, then turns to face her.

“Excellent. You may try a basic light spell next,” she instructs. “I still cannot believe you had over thirty crystals on you. Exactly how did you intend to use those?”

“Escape was always Plan A, princess.”

“Wise.”

“If that failed then Plan B was to yell.”

“Ah, yes. I recall the report.” The statement gets a curious look from the colt. “The incident report with Cpl. Flare was part of the packet along with your talent registration. Standard procedure is to include all related documents.”

“Gotcha. We’re cool now; me and him. And Mrs. Dance. I normally wouldn’t say, but since they’re both guards and you’re their Commander in Chief, they’re expecting twin colts now. So are another set of parents. Others specifically asked that I ensure they don’t get pregnant so they could enjoy the season without worry.”

“I see. I suppose such subjects will be unavoidable for you. I am relieved you have the maturity to deal with them.”

Shrugging, Cure points out, “It’s one of the very most basic of biological needs, boss. Species that suck at reproducing don’t last long. Like I keep tellin ya, it’s far from the grossest part of our body.”

“I suppose. Are the other expecting parents pegasi as well?”

He takes a second to think before answering. “Are you ordering me to tell you? They’re not guards, and saying what tribe they belong to will really narrow it down a lot. I’m sure you could find out pretty easily, but…”

The answer gets a smile from the princess as she shakes her head no. “I am not. Though if I’m not mistaken only Heavy Lift, Glacial Breeze, and Sapphire Sprint live with both parents and are not guards. I suppose Dawn Glow’s dam is not one either since you indicated you only mentioned it because they’re both guards.”

“Yep. I’m sure you’ll know soon enough, but without their okay to share I won’t unless you order it, which I would still object to.”

“Good. Ponies show a lot of trust in you. I would be disappointed if you did not honor it.”

“Right, I’m on the same page with ya there. I’m not even super enthusiastic about sharin what I did, but… I mean, they do report to you, ultimately, and you have the right to know your troops’ readiness.”

Pausing for a moment to focus, Cure successfully casts the light spell. “Eh, even with the magic comin faster that wasn’t a problem. I don’t have enough juice to really overpower anything but maybe a cantrip. I bet this is what unicorns have that I was lacking; raw magical power.” He turns and fires a few weak Fire Bolts and Missile spells at the target, seemingly with no difficulty, then is just about to return to the subject of their discussion, halting when he is interrupted by a shout.

A loud “Auntie!” sounds out from the maze’s direction. Both turn north to find a pair of unicorns flanked by three foals; a colt and two fillies. Trailing behind them is a trio of guards similarly bedecked as the princess’s own honor guard. Cure immediately recognizes, if not the pony, the appearance; though the Blueblood from the show is likely this stallion’s great, great grandson, the familiar resemblance is astounding.

Ponies do usually have a coat like one parent or another, though sometimes the board seems to get flipped and out pops a foal that looks nothing like either of them. Crosswind Drift is a notable example, though since his visit during estrus he has wondered on occasion if Tailwind may not actually be her or her younger sister’s sire. Both parents are white, after all, so her being a dark purple and Swirling Leaf having a green coat is a little strange, but again, ponies.

It’s not like he’s not a slight oddity either. His mom’s green and yellow could certainly lead one to accept the possibility of a blue and green colt, but it’s still a tad odd. His little sister’s blue mane leads him to believe that perhaps his sire’s dam is a little more colorful than the browns that make up the rest of his biological relations on that side of the family.

Cure has seen a number of ponies he would call white. The princess has always been the standard bearer for that, something he had always chalked up to her link to the source of all light in the world. Glacial’s dam is probably the next closest, and her crystal pony heritage breaks that up a little. The stallion and his foals are right there with the boss lady on the color palette, to the point where he suspects there’s some artificial coloring at play.

Cure was able to mimic the color for his Bunletstia disguise, but the thought of nearly glowing like that everywhere makes him nearly shudder in revulsion. Standing out in a crowd is something he’s not even remotely interested in doing, a problem that will start showing itself when his mane and tail start acting up in a half decade or so.

Cure can’t help but notice how the, now standing, princess lets out a subtle sigh as the family approaches. They slow their nearly prance-like trot as they carefully walk around any of the currently unoccupied sparring areas between the groups, likely to avoid the torn up patches of dirt and occasional divot from spellfire. The group’s slight widening of the eyes and unsubtle glances in his direction don’t escape his notice as they close the last fifty meters to come within normal talking distance.

Unlike what he recalls from the cartoon, Prince Blueblood XLV, if Celestia’s memory serves, is wearing a crown and a gold ornamental peytral rather than some weird tuxedo half-shirt. He’s also not as broad-chested and thick as the animated depiction. He is still, after all, a unicorn, and from the looks of him he has rarely done anything physical in his entire life.

Cure would hesitate to call him fat, exactly, but he is definitely on the fluffier side, as are most adult unicorns outside of the Guard. What stands out the most, though, is his height. He is exceptionally tall for a unicorn, likely only a couple inches shorter than Deed is now, or about as tall as he started off back in October.

The mare, while also comfortably in the range of what one would describe as white, is the much more common “white but with a hint of color visible” tone that seems far more natural. She is also quite tall for a unicorn mare, similarly matching Cure’s moms, though again she lacks the broader barrel, thicker neck, more muscular legs, and larger hooves that only an earth pony would have. At least she has some color to her; she and her daughters have manes of a royal blue in contrast to the stallion and colt’s bright gold.

Cure can’t deny that all three girls are quite pretty. The long-legged appearance he recalls seeing portrayed by Fluer de Lis is quite the sight on the dam and oldest, and the way they nearly dance as they make their way over naturally draws the eyes to the sway of their hips and tails, as does the slight extra bounce of their manes. He estimates the older of the pair to be around twelve and the younger closer to ten, a realization that forces him to consciously keep control of his ears, wings, and tail so as to not show his disinterest in meeting the group.

The colt is, as Celestia described, a teenager, and just a little shorter than Solar at around ten and a half hooves tall. He might as well be a clone of his sire, as the pair certainly couldn’t be mistaken for anything but son and father as they prance in near lockstop side-by-side.

“Auntie, I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am that you are well! When I witnessed that terrible beast shoot out of the sky at the castle I nearly fainted in worry that somepony was launching some kind of attack!” As he’s talking he walks right up to Celestia, rears back, and wraps her in a hug. She is quick to wrap a wing around his back and pull their chests together, pressing the side of her neck against his at the same time.

“Worry not, nephew. All is well. It has not been officially announced, but as you can see,” she explains, separating and tilting her head to Cure, “a new alicorn was born. Though he is using an alias temporarily to more gradually adapt to the public life, please say hello to the soon-to-be Prince…” she pauses in thought and gives Cure a long look before smiling, “Serpentus… Yes, that feels right. The display above the city was the result of his transformation.”

The new moniker gets a raised brow from Cure, who can barely hold back a giggle at the suggestion.

”Serpentus, this is my nephew Prince Vladimir Blueblood the forty-fifth; his wife, Lady Noble Due; son, Vladimir the forty-sixth; and daughters, Azure Tiara and Misty Twilight.”

The youngest’s name sends a jolt through Cure’s system, but he doesn’t let it show in his reaction. No doubt hundreds of ponies have similar names, so he chalks it up to coincidence. It’s not as if Ferric and Starlight are related somehow after all, and they have the same second name. Nor was Lemon aware of any relation between her and Solar’s ex-marefriend when Cure asked her about it.

“A new alicorn!” the stallion joyously shouts. He prances up to Cure and, in one quick motion, scoops him up into a tight, sideways hug, sitting on his rear and smooshing the colt’s left side into his chest and peytral while shouting, “Congratulations, young colt! I did not even believe it to be possible!” As he sets Cure down he more quietly comments, “Goodness, he’s a heavy one, isn’t he?” Looking between the princess and Cure, he comments, “I wonder if alicorn colts are always so robust.”

“You’re pretty tall yourself, mister,” Cure notes aloud. Looking between him and his foals he asks, “Was your dam or sire an earth pony maybe?”

Cure distinctly hears a halted snort come from Celestia’s throat, and the unicorn visibly recoils at the suggestion. All four members of his family look genuinely offended as well, though they all remain quiet, merely observing the future royal. “Maker forbid, no! The Blueblood family line can be traced back far beyond the founding of the nation and is comprised only of the finest stock of each generation, naturally.”

“Oh? So your family’s all just really tall unicorns?”

“Why, of course they are. For over fifty generations!”

Cure gives them all a blatant up-down look before commenting, “Weird. I coulda swore you must be part earth pony. You’re almost as tall as my sire.”

A frown crosses the stallion’s face as he looks to his right, shooting the princess an arched brow in question. At her minute nod a look of shock crosses his features and, in a whisper that is way, way too loud to escape Cure’s improved hearing, he asks, “The dam too?”

While the response wasn’t full-on insulting, the tone with which he asks the question does nothing to hide his distaste at the very notion Cure comes from such lowborn stock. It doesn’t paint the prince in a good light but doesn’t quite rise to the level where Cure feels the need to get angry. Instead, he simply answers the question before the princess does, though in the flattest “I’m done with you” tone he can manage. “Yes… ‘the dam’ too, your highness.”

“Quite right,” Celestia confirms with a nod. “Both of Serpentus’ parents are earth ponies, just as he was before. As I am the Alicorn of the Sun, I believe that once he grows into his power more he will be the Alicorn of Life. A fitting mantle for an earth pony, if you ask me.”

“Interesting,” the stallion comments while giving Cure an analyzing appraisal. “Do you suppose young Serpentus is going to be as tall as you are, auntie?”

“Very likely, yes. In fact, from what I’ve seen he’ll likely be at least a hoof taller. It seems reasonable once he’s fully grown, being a stallion and all. He will likely be far more broad given his heritage and physique as well.”

The suggestion catches Cure slightly off guard as well. He’d originally made his alicorn suit the height it is based off of the tall earth pony he’d seen at the rodeo. Celestia isn’t quite a hoof shorter than that stallion was, so it’s entirely possible that if a unicorn mare could grow to her height upon ascension an earth pony stallion could end up significantly larger.

He isn’t completely opposed to being slightly taller than her, especially when he should have sufficient magic capacity to Reduce himself to whatever size he needs, but the thought of, by default, being two or more hooves taller does not appeal to him at all.

“Goodness!” he exclaims, looking between Cure and Celestia, trying to imagine somepony even larger than his auntie.

“Your highness?” Cure softly calls, looking in Blueblood’s direction. The tonal change catches both royals off guard as they give him their undivided attention. “I’m not accusing anypony of anything, by any means, but if I witnessed a possible attack on an area I would likely not then take my entire family there.”

He continues over the unicorn starting to open his mouth, he’s guessing, to refute the suggestion of an ulterior motive. “Now granted this is probably the safest place to be under a legitimate mundane siege, but I suspect that, perhaps, somepony may have let slip that an alicorn colt was staying at the castle. While I greatly value my privacy, I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet you all, so thank you very much for coming despite the potential danger.”

“Oh! Oh, you’re quite welcome, Serpentus. I admit,” Blueblood says in a contrite tone, “I was rather eager to meet you and introduce you to my family. It is very likely that, in the future, the two of you,” he motions between his son and Cure, “will work together to better the country. Of course, though you are also quite young, you will someday need a capable mare to stand by your side as well.”

“True. Beside every great stallion is a greater mare, after all. I do have six fillies that may, someday, help keep my foalishness in check.” He pauses to look at Celestia and calls, “Princess, if I may?” At his beckoning head tilt she leans down so she is close enough only she can hear as he whispers. “Do you mind if I tell them I can’t have foals with other ponies normally? I mean... anything about me reflects on you as well.”

She sits up with an understanding “Ah” before answering loud enough for everypony. “No, that is fine, Serpentus. I suspect that sharing that small piece of information may save you many a headache in a few years. I am unconcerned about anypony knowing that about myself.”

She waves Blueblood closer to explain, though she does not lower her voice much, so Cure is fairly sure the wife and his foals can still hear just fine. “I’m sure many have speculated why I have no foals. With Serpentus’ talent he was able to ascertain that, unfortunately, alicorns are typically incompatible with other tribes. He suspects that, with his talent, he may be capable of siring foals at some point, but as he was an earth pony before...”

“Then my foals would presumably be as if I still was,” he finishes.

“I see,” Blueblood slowly says, considering the information. “I appreciate your honesty, young colt, and thank you for being so forthright, auntie.”

“Of course, nephew.”

“Sure thing. Besides, like I said, I already, sort of, have six fillyfriends. I know unicorn culture is typically monogamous, so I certainly don’t want to befriend anypony under false pretenses.” He pauses to glance towards the fillies, “Though I could always use more friends,” he adds.

“I thought perhaps I misheard you,” Celestia says. “I had assumed seven. Is … the older sister not?”

“Dunno. She does have a coltfriend, last I heard. If the day comes that I find myself capable of knowing what a mare is actually thinking I’ll probably get awarded another horn and a second set ‘a wings.”

The joke gets a faux pout from the princess, but Blueblood’s family gets a chuckle out of it; the stallion himself erupts in a deep laugh while nodding vigorously. “Maker above, young colt, I do believe that would be a truly monumental achievement!”

“As if stallions are any less confusing sometimes,” Celestia complains with a roll of her eyes. Noble Due is quick to second the suggestion.

“Food, an occasional drink, and the company of a pretty lady,” Cure says, waggling his brows while nudging the prince with his shoulder. “Dunno what’s confusin ‘bout that. If ya got those what else do ya need?”

“Wise words!” he shouts, laughing again in a nod. “Clearly you have wisdom well beyond your years, Serpentus. Dear me, though, I believe we may have interrupted your afternoon.” He regards the target, noting the slight damage done and turns to Celestia asking, “I am assuming you were teaching him magic? His progress is stupendous if he’s only just started.”

“He had already studied magic, even before his transformation. We were simply ensuring that he had a proper grasp on his abilities before he returns home tomorrow.”

The wife, Noble Due, speaks up. In a strong, authoritative voice she asks, “Will you not be staying at the castle?”

“He will not for now,” Celestia answers.

“I may buy a weekend house here when I’m older, or maybe we’ll completely relocate. I’m only eight; I don’t want to leave my family yet or force them to relocate. We’re not from Canterlot. There’s also all my friends I would miss.”

“Ah yes, that does present a dilemma,” Blueblood nods in agreement. “Perhaps I could be of assistance finding an appropriate manor when the time comes. I do have several properties around the city; one only needs so many guest homes, I suppose.”

“That would be fantastic!” Noble agrees. “You have the one property in Barnaby Woods that we haven’t used in years.” She turns to Cure and continues, “It’s a lovely estate in the northeast quarter. Quiet, secluded, and perfect for a young stallion with a large family.”

“Yes, quite right,” Blueblood agrees. “And it’s just down the street as well. Will you be in town for the Summer Sun Celebration next month? I would be delighted to host you and your family there if you would like. Who knows? Maybe you’ll simply fall in love with the property.”

“We will be announcing plans in regards to the Celebration in the coming days. As far as Serpentus himself, I believe he will be staying at the castle,” Celestia says. “He plans on assisting with the summer births; his capabilities make him the finest healer ponykind has likely ever had.”

“Ah. How fortunate for the soon-to-be dams, then.”

“Vladimir, honey,” Noble gently calls. When he turns her direction she motions her head towards the target.

“Oh, yes! Certainly. I believe I saw a fire spell of some kind when we rounded the corner. I apologize if we’ve delayed your examination.”

“All is well, nephew. I do not believe we have much left to test. As you noticed, Serpentus seems to have a good grasp on everything. Though I admit, I don’t recall exactly what we were discussing when we heard you call for me.”

“You’d asked about the crystals,” Cure reminds her.

“That’s right… plans A and B, I believe?”

“Right,” he turns to explain the context to the family. “Her Majesty had asked about several enchanted crystals I was carrying for my own defense. Plans A and B were to flee if I could, call for help if not.”

“Yes, my family has drilled for such an occurrence so we are not completely unprepared should such unpleasantness occur.”

“Good call. I just had an incident on my way to town.”

“Ah, yes. I had heard of the disturbance on the train. No injuries, I hope?”

“The assailants severely underestimated Serpentus’ capabilities,” Celestia explains. “The end result was twenty six subdued attackers and no injuries on either side.”

“Really?” the son asks excitedly. “How were you able to achieve such a thing?”

“Sorry, dude. That’s gotta stay confidential for now. Maybe I can show ya something here in a moment though,” Cure answers with a smirk. “So anyhow, Plan C was to blast away, firing shot after shot until I was the only one left standing, basically.

“That’s where the Fire Bolt, Magic Missile, and Shield crystals come into play. An overwhelming alpha strike to break any shields. Not to mention gas attacks since shields only block air at speed. Or even hordes of venomous insects.”

Celestia nods along right up until the last four words. Thoroughly confused, she cocks her head to the side. “What? But without trees…”

“I’m sorry, venomous insects?” Blueblood inquires.

“Alicorn of Life,” Cure answers in a shrug. He turns to face the target and leans his head back. The group watches with a slight bit of alarm as a bulge seems to grow in his throat over the course of a few seconds. Just as Celestia is about to speak up he snaps his head forward, and with a hacking cough-like noise, launches a hoof sized red fleshy projectile that wetly smacks directly into the center of the target, rocking it slightly on its base.

Every jaw in the area falls open at the display. Celestia, at first, is horrified thinking he had vomited forth some internal organ. Barely able to keep her eyes from bulging out, she watches as only a split second after impact it erupts in a cacophony of angry, buzzing bugs swirling around and landing on the target. Despite herself, she feels a shudder pass through her body.

Every other pony on the range stops and stares, though several of them take a few cautious steps back and Cure watches as one stallion high-tails it out of the area. He turns to find Blueblood has moved to stand behind the princess while his family has retreated to the other side of their guards, the three of whom are staring slack-jawed at the target.

In all fairness, even Celestia has her wings raised slightly in alarm as she intently watches to ensure none of the bugs come their way. At least the son looks adequately impressed, even if he does seem a little apprehensive.

“Those,” he explains with a proud tone. “That group doesn’t have any venom, but between the snakes, spiders, scorpions, tarantulas, drugs at work, and countless other nasty things nature’s come up with that I’ve found you can imagine how unpleasant they could be. Of course, with aim like that I could just fill the thing with modified ants or whatever.

“I guess if I have a clear shot I don’t really need wings and flight muscles, which means I could make the stingers and their abdominal muscles bigger to penetrate scales, feathers, or just a thicker hide. I gotta say the thought of a few dozen skittering scorpions crawlin on me would scare the fudge right out of me if it weren’t for my talent. Alternatively, I could just fill the thing with gas, I suppose.”

“I believe I lack the words to properly convey how I feel,” Celestia slowly intones.

“Evidently my excellence exceeds your eloquence,” he haughtily declares in a nasal tone. He chuckles lightly at the tease as the princess rolls her eyes in exasperation. Blueblood is peeking around her flanks like a scared foal as Cure continues in his normal voice, “The best part is how little magic and mass that uses. Bugs can pack in pretty tight and since those would normally be little more than winged bags of venom they weigh almost nothing, so I could do that a whole bunch’a times until I need to eat something.”

“How many bugs are there,” she asks, still staring at the target.

“Only like fifty. That was only about a half kilogram of mass. I could jam a few hundred ants into a projectile that size, or just use a bigger one when I grow up. Or, cast Reduce on the projectile while forming it and have it release upon impact. It could easily be twice as big that way. Hey, mind if I try something?”

She waves a hoof towards the target. Once again, he draws back his head, launching another ball that lands right on top of the other. It erupts in a smaller number of larger insects that immediately spread out over the target’s surface and land, sitting still. “What-” she begins to ask as the entire target is suddenly blown to pieces in a familiar looking conflagration.

“Woah! Badass!” he shouts, dancing on his hooves in glee. He smiles and waves a wing to the unicorns down the line that applaud the display. Celestia suspects they did not see exactly what he did. Or, perhaps, those are ponies she needs to keep a closer eye on.

“By the maker!” he hears Blueblood Sr. quietly exclaim.

“Was that from your latest scan?” Celestia warily asks.

“Sort of. It doesn’t have any magic in it, just biochemistry. The bugs had two chambers in ‘em. They were basically just big ‘ol sacks of oil and acid that ignited when they mixed in their bodies. I guess I don’t really need all those Fire Bolt crystals after all. Then again, I can’t do that much ‘cause it uses a lot of oil up. I probably need to up my fish intake, or maybe get me some pork,” he finishes, smacking his lips at the thought of nommin some greasy bacon.

“I may have incorrectly assumed your domain,” she dryly notes.

He turns to face the princess and, lacking a hat, reaches up and removes his horn, tipping it instead as he gives a shallow bow. “Serpentus Slytherin’s the name, ma’am, but you can just call me the Alicorn of Awesome.” He paused and tilts his head, “Or maybe the Alicorn of Alliteration? Nah, that sounds like it would get tedious after a while.” He glances at the horn still held in his hoof, then tosses it in the air, catching it on his head in his TK field before putting it back in place just like he’d shown Solar and Dawn months prior.

Between the horn removal and the display, Blueblood apparently decides he’s been sufficiently introduced to the new alicorn. As he backs away, he glances over his withers to ensure his family and their guards are ready to depart as well. “It’s been absolutely wonderful meeting you, Serpentus. Please do reach out when next you visit. I apologize for running off so soon, but there’s much to do and plans to make and so forth, farewell! Goodbye, auntie!” he shouts over his withers, rejoining his family and making a hasty retreat.

Cure can’t help but shake as he holds in a snicker at their retreating forms, waving a wing in goodbye as he watches them disappear around the barracks’ corner.

“I am unsure if I have ever seen him move that quickly,” she notes.

“Aww, I thought he liked me,” Cure fake pouts.

Stifling a giggle, Celestia nods in agreement. “I will admit, that was quite impressive. Though vomiting the… egg sacks?” she asks, getting a nod before continuing, “was somewhat disturbing. Not to mention the casual horn removal. If you had not previously shown as much restraint as you have I would be terrified of letting you loose upon the populace. I suspect between that and the reveal about foals he will probably not insist his daughter pursue you. Your control also seems to be well in hoof, so overall, well done, Cure.”

He nods in acceptance of her praise, beaming a big smile. Tilting his head in wonder, he asks, “Where’d Serpentus come from? That’s not going to be my… like… ‘Prince’ alias, is it?”

“It could be if you approve. I had almost said Serpentor but, for some reason that strikes me as slightly off.”

“Yeah, I’m not evil enough.” The comment gets a raised brow from the mare but he continues without elaborating. “Serpentus will work for now. At least, I can’t think of a better one offhoof,” he tentatively agrees, altering his colors to add a golden scale-like outline pattern to his brown coat. The pattern starts at his snout and goes back his head and down his neck to his chest, over his back, angled so the scales all spread up his legs and converge on his belly. He leaves his mane and tail the darker brown color from his Riddle disguise but adds golden streaks in each, duplicating the gold and brown look on his wings as well.

He lengthens his canines into legitimate fangs and slits his pupils, then smiles broadly at the princess. “How do I look? I woulda changed my wings but I wouldn’t wanna offend the bats or tick off dragons, not to mention seem to be overly not-pony-like.”

“I am fine with the color, and the pattern is very nice, but the eyes…”

“Ah. Duh. Sorry, boss,” he says, changing them back. The whole Nightmare Moon thing slipped his mind temporarily. “How ‘bout the fangs?”

“I don’t think that would make you overly popular. Honestly, as nice as it looks, I really think you should keep a solid color. The pattern is interesting, but, again... not very pony-like.”

“Bah. No fun at all,” he whines, changing them back to purely herbivore teeth and reverting his coat back to the typical brown theme, though he does keep the gold streaks in his mane and tail. “I guess I’ll just stick to a normal look for now. Do you want me to change your teeth or anything? I mean… if you’re not eating meat then what’s the point?”

“Thank you, but I am fine. I have adapted to the change, though I admit it was rather strange when it first occurred.”

“Ah… that’s right. You hadn’t even met a bat yet, huh?”

“No, and to suddenly have unfamiliar teeth in my mouth,” she trails off, scrunching her snout. “Although, some did postulate that there may be a yet undiscovered omnivorous tribe that we were meant to share the attribute with.”

“Yup. Good guess on their part. It makes sense though. I mean, if you’d had fins, logic would dictate there’s an aquatic pony race with that too. Kinda weird we don’t have any crystal pony properties.”

“We do,” she says, glowing white and sparkling for a few seconds before returning to normal. “You need only will the change forth.”

“Damn, boss, that was freakin beautiful. I can duplicate their coats with my talent pretty easily,” he explains, altering his coat to add the sparkly shine of a yellow gemstone before reverting back.

At the pause in conversation she gives the remains of the target a long look and tilts her head in curiosity. “I can’t help but wonder if ascending at such an early age may allow you to grow into your abilities more naturally than an adult that similarly goes through the transformation would.”

“Yeah, probably. I mean, it’s a large change relatively speaking, but overall it’s less of a change than Solar has probably gone through since we started hanging out last September.”

“True. This has taken less time than I expected, though. Is there anything you would like to do?”

“I dunno. Do you go out on the town very often just to… do stuff? Like, hit a store or whatever?”

“Of course. Spending time with my little ponies is one of my greatest joys.” She looks back towards the corner of the building and adds, “Normally, that is.”

“In disguise or au naturale?”

“The latter more than the former. I only use a disguise when I am trying not to draw attention, like coming to see how much chaos a certain colt has stirred up. You’ll have to tell me how you knew my alias some day, you do realize?”

“That’s easy, boss. I knew it was you ‘cause you’re so hot, ya know?”

She gives him a completely flat look.

“You remember I said I can sense heat, don’t ya?” She nods, still maintaining the deadpan expression. “So once I established it hadta be the hottest mare on the planet I said to myself, ‘Cure, when you cast your eyes outside in the morning,’” he holds a hoof to his muzzle to signal an aside, “ya know, cause that’s what I was doin when I spotted ya?”

“Naturally,” she stoically replies.

Nodding energetically, he continues, “Of course, so I says to myself, ‘What could I see out there that would bring a smile to my face the same as if the boss lady were standin there?’”

“I pray you do not believe half of what comes out of your own mouth,” she comments in a sigh.

“So it just came ta me! A hot mare, shining like a clear, beautiful day. Sunny Skies, duh?”

“It is a good thing you have wings. You would need them to make a jump large enough to reach that conclusion.”

“Boo! Hiss! Various disappointed audience noises! That was weak, boss.”

She huffs and turns her snout up in indignation. “Says the colt that makes plant puns.”

“I beg your garden?! Puns are the highest form of humor! Why, I laughed so hard I almost pead myself!”

“I will banish you.”

“Just ‘cause lilac control?”

She scowls at him, refusing to respond to any more of his taunts.

“Fiiine, I’ll stop. How would you feel about me being seen in public before you’ve had a chance to make an official announcement? I mean… if he hangs out with other hoity-toity nobles they’re all gonna know pretty soon either way.”

“I worry you could cause a disturbance simply due to everypony’s curiosity. A few ponies knowing is fine, but a new alicorn just trotting down the street? With the addition of ponies from Cloudsdale it could cause a lot of commotion. Why?”

“Eh I was gonna go get some crystals and thought about maybe checking out a griffon restaurant like I said the other day. It is lunchtime after all. I also need to get dust to finish Lt. Spear’s suit, and I wouldn’t mind hitting a bookstore. We could go incognito if ya want. Interested?”

“I do have crystals if you would like to replace your lost ones, Cure. More than you can imagine, in all likelihood. I can have some dust delivered to your room from the smith easily enough as well.”

He gives her a considering look for a moment before nodding in acceptance. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, I would appreciate that, princess.”

“You’re not going to fight me on it?” she asks in a tease, masking her slight surprise.

“Nah, I give my friends stuff all the time. It would be a little hypocritical for me to refuse.” The pair stare at the smoldering target for a moment, watching as it burns out completely. “Ready to head back?”

“I am.” As the two begin walking towards the north side-by-side, she looks down and comments, “I am impressed with how quickly you regained control over your magic. I expected at least one miscast from the changes.”

“Eh, I was already going to the range with Solar and Dawn, so I’ve cast all those hundreds of times. Besides, you know I have ridiculous muscle control due to my talent. I learned basic flight in like three hours. At my capacity spell complexity doesn’t matter other than how long it takes for something to actually cast, assuming I have at least enough magic to pull it off.”

“Ah, is that why you want to hit a bookstore?”

“Yep. I suppose I shoulda asked if you have any spellbooks you’d be okay with me looking through. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned I can memorize any spell in a few seconds, but… yeah.”

She gives him a surprised look as they round the northeast corner of the barracks and turn towards the castle entrance. “I was not aware. I do not recall any such note from Sgt. Haze’s reports.”

“I think I only showed his wife. It’s due to my talent’s ability to remember scans. Eidetic memory when it comes to biology, ya know?” At her nod he continues, “So mom… Title, that is, she suggested I alter a plant’s surface to draw out a spell diagram and commit it to memory. I’m exploiting an aspect of my talent, same as I’ve started to do with direct shaping formulae. I swear this has to be the most unfair talent ever.”

“I think it depends very much on how exactly you use it. Your decision to create treatments rather than trying to fix everypony one at a time, for example. Such a thing may not occur to many until it is pointed out to them. As for any spellbook I have, I am not opposed to granting you access. I am a little hesitant to give you some of the more dangerous spells, but…”

“Every spell I learn makes me less dangerous, princess.”

“My thoughts exactly. Having more options would only be to your benefit. As well as any potential bystander, should the need arise.”

“Right. Odds are I would never need anything but a good shield breaker anyhow. If somepony is unshielded and in range of my aura, which I can increase at will, I don’t exactly need to drop a Firestorm on them or whatever. For the most part Frost or Scorching ray will suffice, but there’s just something about the idea of launchin a big ‘ol Fireball that gets my blood pumpin.”

“Cure… you are not filling me with confidence here.”

“Oh please. Like you didn’t start chuckin balls of fire everywhere when you first learned how.” Celestia doesn’t respond, merely looking away to hide her expression. “Exactly. At least I can undo any damage I cause.”

The two walk for a moment in silence before she lightly mumbles, “Tag.”

“Tag?” Cure asks.

Sighing, Celestia nods. “We played tag.”

“With… Fireballs?!”

“Weak ones, yes. Or Ice Bolts, or whatever other spell we had just learned. We shielded ourselves, of course, so no harm was done. We… did not always conduct ourselves as princesses should.”

“That’s pretty hardcore, boss. Maybe when I get older we can try that. You can use fire, I’ll use my special attack. The first one I showed you.”

She looks in his direction with a scowl.

“If you ever shoot that… projectile at me I will throw more than a ball of fire at you.”

“Boo! A big bully! That’s what you are! Pickin on adorable little colts. Like you couldn’t just torch any bug that landed on you.”

“I could. And anypony whom I find responsible for them as well,” she answers, still scowling.

“Fiiine!” he whines. She gives him another second’s glance before turning towards the castle as they round the corner of the barracks.

The two walk in silence for a moment until Cure glances past her towards the building.

“Hey, princess?”

“Hmm?”

“What kind of reaction do you think we would get if we walked in there,” he waves his left wing at the building, “and said hi to the ponies and zebras that tried to take me?”

Humming in thought, she looks at the building in consideration. “I suspect the ponies would despair at the notion they were sent after an alicorn. Little would be gained, though, as the only one that seems to know who hired them is Green Slip. He has remained quiet; likely hoping for some offer of clemency in exchange for revealing the contractee, as we discussed.”

“I had thought about the idea of lettin Slip out,” he confesses. “I considered suggesting I alter one of your guard’s appearance instead, but…”

“They would not know where to go or who to expect,” she finishes. “It had occurred to me as well. I also considered we may be placing him in danger, but…”

“All we’re really doing is letting him go. If he is in danger it’s his own fault.”

“Precisely. The zebras… I admit, I am unsure how they would react. I suspect that some would be furious at being given incomplete information, more so than they likely already are. I do not believe it would do us any good.”

“And the ambassador doesn’t care that they tried to nab an alicorn?”

“He suggested it was a fabrication in order to put unwarranted pressure on him.”

Cure nods his head back and forth, “Ehh, he wasn’t completely wrong, so credit where it’s due. How do you plan on explaining the big snake after you already told ‘em I was an alicorn?”

“You were an alicorn,” she states. “You could fly, use unicorn magic, and had the resilience and vitality of an earth pony, did you not?”

“I suppose.”

“The only noteworthy change is that you gained pegasus magic. The display did occur in the sky, after all.”

Taken aback, Cure puts a hoof on his chest. “Why, princess!” In a hushed voice he accuses, “That’s so dishonest of you!”

“Not dishonest. Just not forthcoming,” she defends.

Thrusting a hoof in her direction, he throws his judgment upon her. “Misleading!” When she shoots back an incredulous look he smiles and nods. “I approve. I wouldn’t want to meet the dude, but if it would help I could prove that there really is another alicorn…”

“I do not believe applying logic will help, though I do appreciate the offer. I would not expose you to either the prisoners or a foreign ambassador without your parents blessing anyhow. He can see his proof at your coronation, or at least hear of it. They will conspicuously remain uninvited. Even if he believed you it is unlikely he would suddenly tell us everything we wish to know. Doing so may expose whatever source of information they have.”

“Fair. Are they going to get a lot of grief from other nations?”

“Some suspicion, I’m sure. If they’re conducting operations here then it will cause other nations to wonder as well. Once word gets out, that is. Like we were before, and technically still are, many nations are beholden to them for their healing abilities, so the overall impact will be limited.”

“Huh… there’s a thought; what are you going to do when other nations ask for my trees?”

“Are they even safe for races other than ponies?”

“Yes? I mean, obviously hippogriffs, and given they exist then griffons have to be awfully close to us, so I would expect them to work. Minotaurs and zebras, too, as best I can tell. Do you know Dr. Mending Care?”

“I know the name. She’s the Chief Physician in Baltimare if I’m not mistaken.”

“Right. She made an offhoof comment once about how similar most creatures in the planet are despite differing morphology. If what she said is accurate then I would expect the trees to work for almost anycreature. Especially with the way the sample slots basically clone whatever is inserted.”

“I see. Despite the potential I doubt much of the international community will show an interest. At least not for several years. No doubt word will get back as griffon and minotaur visitors mention your creations to their leaders, but I am hopeful that the Zebrican economy has time to recalibrate before another income source is denied them. It’s not as if we’ll completely stop buying their goods overnight either, but that will taper off over the coming years if all goes well.

“Fortunately for them, their lands are exceedingly rich in natural resources, so even if their medicinal exports decrease they have other sources of income available. I can foresee griffons and, much more so, dragons refusing to accept something if only due to it being from a pony. Then again, a parent watching a suffering chick or cub will likely attempt anything if circumstances are dire.

“Minotaurs… they are generally very strict about the tenets of nature. I suspect they may reject your trees as abominations, but again…”

“Right, again, got a sick foal, or calf I guess?” When she nods he continues, “Then saying ‘no thanks’ will be a lot harder. Feel free to use those as bargaining chips however you see fit when it comes to any negotiations. I’ll defer to your judgment on that stuff,” he says, shrugging his wings. “You are ultimately paying for them, after all.”

“I appreciate your trust, Cure.”

“It’s only fair. And you seem to know what you’re doin. For the most part, at least.”

“Such a glowing review of my performance. I am beyond ecstatic.”

“You should be. Keep up the good work and maybe we can see about gettin ya a raise. Four percent sounds fair. Shame ‘bout rounding, but in about thirteen years maybe we can get ya that second bit.”

“How generous of you,” she idly comments as the pair approach the castle.

“So… if you’re not down for a big ‘ol ham sammich then what’s for lunch?”

To Cure’s mild disappointment they ended up eating at the palace. Not wanting to push too much on a topic she isn’t terribly keen on, he stopped pestering her about meat and instead just enjoyed her company. It was a nice, quiet lunch where they mainly discussed some of the year-end events happening at her school over the coming weeks.

Cure is somewhat shocked at the low attendance numbers, but that is a recurring thing for him. He had expected class sizes of a hundred at a minimum, but this year’s graduating class has only thirty-six students. The vast majority of them are finishing their second year, but a half dozen are earning the Equestrian version of a master’s degree with two slightly older mares preparing presentations to earn their Ph. D.s.

The thought of doing all the work necessary to earn a Ph. D., even with his mental age, sounds daunting to the colt, so the fact that a few girls in their mid to late teens are going for that achievement is damned impressive in his book. The princess seems extremely proud of her students too, and strongly encourages government agencies to recruit new graduates to put them on the path to eventual leadership positions.

That strikes Cure as probably being a little unfair. The school does focus on a lot other than just casting spells, so the graduates do have a well rounded, and relatively speaking, advanced education compared to much of the population. The problem is that it’s almost exclusively a unicorn school. There are a few other tribe members that graduate each year, but he has to wonder if they’re only being let in so the tribalism isn’t completely blatant at a glance. There’s also other universities which, as far as Cure knows, don’t discriminate.

After a quick lunch Celestia dismisses her guards for the day and the pair head to the palace’s library. She picks a book for herself and a spell tome for Cure and they make themselves comfortable in, if Cure has the name right, the princess’s private solar. The name seems correct as it is located on the south side of the palace with large windows and a balcony door letting in plenty of light.

There’s a desk similar to the one in her office and several princess-sized couches spread throughout the room; some closer to the windows and others out of direct sunlight. Several pillows are on each couch so a pony could lay in almost any position and remain comfortable for hours on end.

A shelf is near the door with several crystal-powered reading lights and bookstands. There’s also several end tables spread throughout the room. The princess moves one close to a couch and hops up, setting her stand and book up on it.

She twists slightly so she’s laying on her barrel with her hind legs to the side, so Cure is quick to accept the unspoken invitation. With a book and two stands floating behind him he quickly hops up and props his stand and book up, laying against her side to use her left shoulder as a pillow and her soft tummy as a back warmer.

“What’s the second stand for?”

“I was gonna show you my cheat. Don’t freak out, okay?”

“I would normally dismiss the notion of a foal being able to shock me as ridiculous, but given that display earlier I’m somewhat less confident now.”

“Well I didn’t think to grab one of my plants, so I’ll have to use myself.”

“Your… self?” she inquires, watching as his coat on his left side disappears, leaving smooth, unblemished skin. The layer of skin comes off as a sheet, revealing another underneath, upon which his fur immediately regrows. “Strange, I’ll grant, but given the lack of pained cries, not exactly upsetting.”

“Yeah, that’s definitely a better skin removal method than some. So anyhow, this is my page of notes, essentially.”

“Ah, so you can duplicate anything you read on there?”

“That’s what I did with version one of the idea. And yes, the second stand is for when I just want to make note of something, but for just straight copying, assuming you don’t mind?” he asks, pausing to look up. She quickly shakes her head no, so he continues, “for pure copying I can use an adaptation from spiders that’s probably the same thing chameleons do.”

The sheet turns nearly completely transparent as he flips open the book to a chapter about spatial magic; a complicated field that few mages show interest in aside from the basic Reduce and Enlarge spells. The spell diagram he focuses on is complex, requiring a strong grasp of mathematics and the ability to visualize three dimensional space accurately.

“Bend space? That’s badass,” he quietly murmurs. He lays the sheet on the open book and, within a couple seconds, an exact duplicate of both pages is made. “See, it’s got a photoreactive pigment in it that darkens. I guess I’m, in a way, photo-copying the book.”

“An ingenious idea.”

“Yep. Ma didn’t hesitate to lord it over me too. Whatever, credit where it’s due. I probably would have come up with it eventually, but it’s not even her talent and she saw it right away. The thing here is that even if I have a mental image of the page it is just that. I’m sure you’ve met ponies that can regurgitate facts but lack that spark needed to effectively apply them to real life?”

“Yes. That’s generally accepted to be a difference between intelligence and wisdom.”

“True. Similar concept here. I have these scans in a file drawer, but I have to go ‘read’ them to absorb the knowledge. It’s a lot faster than actual reading and my retention is nearly perfect, but it’s not exactly instant. It’s the same way with any scan, which is a necessity for the talent to be feasible, I think. That much info crammed in somepony’s brain would probably cause a stroke or something.”

“So you can mentally duplicate the material and review it as needed. It begs the question then, if the information is essentially stored in a way you must consciously access, how does that work?”

“I’ve pondered on it more than once, boss. I’m pretty sure we’re not purely corporeal beings. At least, I hope not at this point. I’m not entirely sure how to process that tidbit.”

The answer gets a very surprised look from the mare. “Could you elaborate on that?”

“Well, if we’re purely physical creatures then Cure Wave died today in a rather energetic eruption at about nine thirty and Celestia died to poisoning however long ago. Or, even before that when she ascended, I suppose.”

He had expected a response, but none came for a moment, so he continues the line of thought. “I figure that the metaphysical side of our existence… our souls, I guess, for lack of a better word… that’s the real us, even if the physical bodies we occupy are tethered somehow. Maybe some kind of codependent relationship? I dunno. I didn’t wanna upset my parents, but physically, biologically, I’m not even their son as the watch enchantment so mercilessly proved.”

“I admit,” Celestia begins, “I have had similar thoughts several times over the centuries. I believe the act of, as you say, dying, in a way, forces one to confront such possibilities. Are you… okay? It’s a somewhat scary prospect.”

He lays fully against her, nuzzling into her shoulder with his cheek. Even though he’s had these thoughts several times since the memories came he still enjoys the physical comfort from the warm mare. “Yeah. I kinda suspected something along those lines after I got my talent; basically for the same reason you cited. If there was a physical part of my brain storing the data from my talent then I should see neurons firing when I use it.”

“And you do not?”

“Nope. No more than any other time I’m using magic. No overt heightened activity in my brain, certainly not in the parts that store memories. Given how much info I’m taking in with each scan there definitely should be a lot of activity. The fact that using my talent burns magic instead of a physical energy source like sugars means there’s probably some metaphysical construct attached to my being that’s housing the information until I call on my talent to access it.”

“Fascinating. That’s a very good point.” She shifts so she can reach over with her long neck and gently nuzzles into his mane between his ears, just behind his horn. “If you ever want to simply talk, feel free to either come here in pony or, I suppose, step into the astral. Just know that I may not always be able to immediately come if, for example, I am in a meeting or in court.”

He leans up into her chin, turning his head to the side to return the friendly affection. “Sure. Thanks, princess. I have my parents to talk to also. My dam is a little more emotional than is sometimes helpful, but Title and Amethyst are both very pragmatic about stuff. Lemon’s not bad either, but she’s not always the most insightful. Dad’s kinda the same way, but he’s good for a understanding ear even if he doesn’t have an answer to the problem.

“Between them and, for lighter subjects, my friends, it seems to me I got plenty of ponies to talk to, so right back at ya, highness. If you ever need an honest opinion, even if not fully informed, feel free to send me a letter and I can hop in and tell ya what yer doin wrong.”

“I do have some ponies whom I can entrust to do the same, but you have shown a certain unique perspective and insight that I may occasionally solicit.”

“Darn right. After all, I’m almost as smart as I am adorable,” he teases, fluffing up his untrapped wing and poofing out his chest.

“It is a near thing, isn’t it?”

“You bet! So, tell me… How many times did you use this spell to make somepony’s own attack smack them? And just so you know, I’ll be sorely disappointed if you didn’t yell ‘stop hitting yourself’ while doing so.”

“I can’t say that I did, but I do have a question regarding your use of the second sheet, if you’ll humor me.”

“Sure. Fire away.”

“The paper, if I am not mistaken, is made from trees, is it not?”

Cure freezes in place, staring at the book. Ever so slowly, he lifts his right hoof, moves it towards his face, and presses it against his forehead.

“I believe that answers my question,” she smugly comments, giggling at the colt’s continued facehoof.

He found that he could scan the paper and, for the life of him, couldn’t come up with an excuse as to why he hadn’t thought of it before. It was a massive improvement to the speed with which he could duplicate information, but he still couldn’t necessarily ‘process’ it any faster than he could before.

Cure spent a few hours chilling with the boss lady, copying down spell tomes and some magic theory books she recommended. He’ll eventually get some use out of the latter, he’s sure, but for now he just doesn’t have the raw power to do much more complicated than the simplest of spells.

While there is a lot of flexibility in the direct shaping method, the magic requirements are significantly more than doubled. Not only does the magic still need to be supplied just as if runic casting is being used, but instead of using the vibration of a horn to guide the magic it must be done entirely metaphysically; Cure’s muscle enhancements will not help.

The eventual plus side comes later; when a caster is as powerful as the princess is, the entire diagram can be created mentally and reviewed prior to activation. With enough practice, the entire spell can be willed into existence in an instant and activated instead of “typed out” with runes.

Not only is casting faster, but once the syntax of the spell structures is figured out the versatility is virtually infinite, and any opportunity for a counterspell during casting is negated. While simple works can still be overpowered, one also had the option of attaching wasteful magic sinks to instruction, giving the caster a way to dump excess power into parts of the spell that effectively do nothing.

The classic method of doing so is to have opposing heating and cooling commands counteracting each other. Even altering a moderate section of air is energy intensive, so appending modified Warming and Cooling cantrips counteracting each other is a great way to siphon off excess power.

The end result is that energy is used to do both, but no temperature change actually occurs. Very few mages are powerful enough that this is a major concern for all but the simplest of spells. Unicorns like Solar or his sire can cast cantrips easily as long as they’re paying attention; it’s only heavy hitters like Arcane that need to be extra careful.

Cure isn’t exactly sure how powerful the unicorn is, but if his grandsire’s description of the stallion’s capabilities are correct then it’s very likely the creatures that came to foalnap him are fortunate not to have incurred the battlemage’s scorn.

It was around four o’clock when others started showing back up, starting with Ferric and Heavy being escorted by a castle servant. They had apparently just come from the room because both were freshly showered. They are initially hesitant to hop up and snuggle with the princess, but at Cure’s silent, head tilt invitation they both join him against her tummy.

Celestia seems thrilled to have more foals laying against her. If Cure could think of a tactful way to do so, he would invite her to either crash with them tonight or see if they could all go to her room and pile on top of her to sleep. Ponies are a herd species, and he has no way of knowing when the last time the lady has had a good ‘ol fashioned snuggle pile on her. Too long, he bets.

Ferric uses Cure’s lower back as a pillow with a book to her left, reading over his left wing, and Heavy faces the other direction, tucking his tail to keep from blocking her book while happily snuggling into her left hip.

The pegasi came back shortly after and, though they were initially rowdy and a bit noisy, were quick to pick up on the vibe. Cure hits them each with a cleaning to whisk away their sweat and sets aside his book to hear about their success.

Drift all but dances up to the couch bragging about her sister’s victory. “Sissy totally kicked flank up there! Especially on the obstacle course. First place!” she finishes in a cheering shout, bumping the older filly with a shoulder playfully.

“Sure did, and third in the five K,” Wind proudly says, digging the case containing her gold medal out of her bag. “A few other fillies had marks that made them faster, but on the sharp turns I was able to leave ‘em in my wake. They beat me in the pure speed competitions,” she shrugs in acceptance, “but that’s okay.”

“You’ll get there,” Cure assures her. “Were they older?”

“The two that won were. They’re both turning fifteen next month, so they had a huge advantage.”

“Third place is very impressive, Wind Shear,” Celestia compliments. “And your victory at the obstacle course is fantastic. As I understand it you’ve not even had your mark for a year, so if you return again next year I am certain you’ll do quite well.” The praise brings a big smile to the filly, who ducks her head in thanks.

“How’d you two do, Glacial?”

“We got fifth and sixth place in the races. Not so hot at the obstacle course, unfortunately, but we haven’t practiced sharp turns very much.”

“We were also some of the youngest there, and Glacial beat everypony that didn’t have a mark.”

“Nice. Congrats, ladies. We’ll definitely come back next year. I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed to compete, though.”

“You would have a huge advantage even without your talent’s capabilities,” the princess points out. “Perhaps you can participate, but not as a ranking competitor.”

“Maybe the others will see you as somepony to beat,” Ferric quietly suggests. “Assuming you do well.”

“Eh, with earth pony strength I should. Then again, even in a year I’ll have way less experience than most of the competitors. They’ll have been flyin for eight or so years. Anypony with a special talent will whip me.”

“You just need to practice more!” Drift eagerly suggests. “Wanna go fly around the castle some?” Her eyes flick to the big white pillow they’re all laying against. “Princess? Could you come fly with us?”

“What’ll Heavy and Ferric do? I hate to just leave ‘em. I’ve barely been around Ferric, especially, this whole trip.”

“I don’t mind,” Ferric softly answers.

Rolling his eyes, Cure can’t help but remark, “Red, you’re a gentle soul. I worry you wouldn’t say anything even if you wanted nothing more than to chill out. I’ll tell ya what, I’ll make it up to the both of you tonight. Whenever we go back to our room, I’ll give you each a hand massage.”

Two loud, excited gasps sound out from the pegasi drawing everypony’s attention. Both Drift and Glacial’s wings are up, fluttering in excitement. “Us too?” Glacial asks hopefully.

“Maybe on the train?” he suggests. “We’ll have the whole trip so I can really work everypony over.”

“Hand massages?” Celestia inquires.

“Oh my stars, they’re the best!” Glacial gushes in answer as she hops up to give Cure an enthusiastic nuzzle.

Drift is bobbing her head excitedly too, but it’s Wind that provides context. “Both our dams got massages from him the week before he knocked ‘em up.” Ferric almost recoils off his back and Heavy’s head whips around so fast Cure, for a moment, was worried he snapped a vertebrae. “He changes his forehooves into hands. Dam and sissy have gone on and on about them.”

“Damnit, Wind,” he sighs. “First off, phrasing,” she gives him a shit-eating grin, “second, patient confidentiality!”

“Neither of our dams care,” Glacial insists. She looks to the princess and clarifies, “He gave them each a second egg; we’re both having twin brothers. Daddy and Mr. Flare can’t say enough nice things about Cure.”

Face full of annoyance, Drift nods along. “Ugh, no doubt. And all we’ve heard since then is how excited they are to finally have colts on the way.”

“He doesn’t mean anything by it,” Wind reassures her sister, squeezing her to her side in a wing hug. “He was just as excited when dam was pregnant with Swirl too.”

Drift shrugs and mumbles, conceding the point.

“Glacial, Drift, and Dawn are the only three I’ve done that to. Well, Solar and Star too. I had promised him a massage for a Basic graduation present, and the whole family was there when I delivered, so about an hour and a half later I had five snoring unicorns to deal with. That’ll give us something to do on the way home to pass the time. They’ll be more thorough than what I normally do since I won’t have to rush ‘em.”

“You should totally have him do you too, your highness!” Glacial insists, looking up to the princess.

“I may observe for now. I believe the size difference would make it exceedingly difficult for him to do much.”

“Dam said he used a spell,” Wind comments. “It makes him bigger.”

“Yeah, but even at double the size the boss lady is a lot taller. I have other tricks I can use, but I gotta warn ya, princess,” he says, looking up to meet her eyes. “You’ll be a moaning, drooling mess. I know as the princess ya gotta maintain the whole ‘dignity of the station’ and whatnot, but you’ll hafta accept the inevitable if you’re interested. You shoulda seen Drift the first time.”

“The sleepover?” Heavy asks. Drift grumbles something about him cheating under her breath at the same time. Wind gives her a curious look and asks about the event, prompting Glacial to give a retelling while the colts continue.

“Mmhmm. Remember that makeover?” Cure asks then barks out a laugh.

“Whatever, dude. I definitely remember you tackling me and throwing me to the wolves.”

“Yeah,” he mumbles, smiling fondly. “Good times.”

“My sire freaked out when she screamed at the end,” Ferric reminds them with a barely suppressed giggle.

“I’m not sure if I should be concerned,” Celestia mildly says, giving Cure an evaluating look.

He shrugs innocently back. “It’s a purely medical massage. I did the same thing, a more thorough version even, to Solar right in front of his parents, marefriend, my parents, and Dawn. I’ll admit, giving another dude a horn massage was a tad… uhh… awkward,” he confesses with a cringe.

Celestia straight up snorts trying to hold back a laugh, then quickly turns away to wipe her face with a summoned handkerchief. Wind doesn’t even try to hold it back; both her and Drift almost fall on top of each other laughing uproariously.

“I don’t get it,” Glacial admits. “What’s funny about a unicorn getting a horn massage? Isn’t that normal?”

“Duuuude,” Heavy slowly drawls out.

“It’s… umm… a very intimate part,” Ferric quietly explains while blushing brilliantly.

“Yeah, like our wings or your hooves, so what?”

Cure missed the first part, mainly because the girl was laughing so hard while trying to talk, but the five words out of Wind’s mouth he, and everypony else, manages to catch are, “horn looks like a boner!”

Glacial takes a second to process it, but Cure figures the visual finally renders in her brain. The girl turns straight scarlet as her jaw falls open and her eyes widen comically before she bursts out in a fit of giggles, burying her face under his wing. He has to fight back the urge to squirm from her muzzle vibrating in laughter, tickling against his side.

“I’m not sure I want a massage now, dude. I definitely don’t want that kind.”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Just wait till y’all get a UTI or something embarrassing like fleas. Then you’ll be thanking the stars I keep stuff professional.”

Before he can say anything else the door to the solar opens to Coast, Rising, and Dawn bouncing in, squealing in joy and all talking at the same time. It takes a moment to parse anything, but when Rising turns sideways the situation is revealed. On her flanks is a depiction of a mare’s head and neck, face turned upwards, a single musical note escaping her lips.

The pegasi all bound over to her and join in the commotion as Title and his dam make their way in and around the group. Ferric hops down to join in as well, but Heavy and Cure are happy to stay back and watch the enthusiasm at a distance, even if they do both scoot to the edge of the couch for a better view. Vines is quick to come over and give her son a loving nuzzle as the fillies all squeal in joy.

Celestia has sat up and is smiling broadly at the excited herd. “Congratulations, Rising, dear! I suspect many such events are happening all throughout both Cloudsdale and Canterlot at this very moment,” she notes. Cure turns up to look in question as she clarifies, “The ascension of an alicorn is a significant magical event; It would not surprise me to find that many, many young colts and fillies have gained their mark today. Perhaps across the entire nation, even. Did you get an opportunity to sing on the stage, Rising Pitch?”

“I did! How’d you know? Err, your highness?”

“Cure had mentioned he asked that you perform for your school. I suspected he was making arrangements for this to happen as well, were you not?”

Cure purses his lips before slowly nodding to the excited group. “Yeah… I thought maybe it would happen then. Assuming it was meant to be, at least. I’m not sure if playing the sax would’a done it, now, though, since singing is specifically depicted.”

“I suspect it could have worked,” Celestia suggests. “Her talent may not be singing alone. The musical note could indicate a much broader application.”

“True,” Cure nods in agreement. “You’ll have to let us know on Monday if you or your dam notice a big improvement with your sax or clarinet. Or maybe you can finally play for us,” he adds with a fake pout. The euphoria from the event has probably clouded her judgment, as she instantly nods, seemingly thrilled at the idea. Either that or she finally has the confidence; unsurprising given the world itself more or less said “You’re good to go in this department.”

Celestia nods in agreement and turns back to the excited filly. “I would absolutely love to hear you sometime as well, Rising. Perhaps next time you are able to come here you would consider gracing the court with a performance?”

Her eyes grow big as saucers as she turns into a stuttering mess. Excited at the prospect of playing for the princess, Rising can only nod while beaming a million watt smile at the ancient mare.

Cure leans up against the princess’s chest and whispers, “Maybe she can give ya singin lessons, boss.”

Scoffing, Celestia laments, “It would be a marvelous achievement if she had any success at all. Regardless, I believe two cutie marks in two days is cause for celebration, wouldn’t you agree?” she asks, smiling at the parents.

Title smiles wide at the suggestion. “No doubt, highness. I don’t suppose you have any ice cream, do you?”

“Always food,” Cure mumbles, shaking his head in disappointment.

“I think it’s a stupendous idea! I shall have somepony run and fetch some for after dinner again, and perhaps the kitchen may be able to whip up some cake to accompany it!”

“We could always go make it ourselves,” Cure suggests. “Dunno if your kitchen staff would mind, but it’s something we can all do together. Not mom, though. We won’t have any batter to bake if she ‘helps,’” he finishes with mocking air quotes.

Title just shrugs and nods in acceptance. There wouldn’t be any use in denying it; cake mix is some good shit and she’ll happily eat the whole bowl before it makes it into a pan. She’s just lucky salmonella doesn’t seem to be a concern in ponyland.

Celestia gives the colt an impressed look. “You know how to cook too?”

“Yeah? I mean… of all the crazy stuff I can do cooking surprises you? Baking is just following directions, mostly.”

“You’re right. I suppose Mrs. Sweet has shown you around the kitchen some?”

Vines smiles at the memory from a few months back. “He started helping in the kitchen back in September, right after he learned how to use a horn.” She nuzzles into his side, rolling him over and nosing at the sensitive area under his wing.

Anypony else would have a fight on their hooves for that, but she has clearly invoked Dam’s Privilege; he has to simply lay there and take it. “You should have seen him the first time! He was floating around the ingredients and humming like he was conducting a little orchestra while making us pancakes! It was just too cute!”

The girls all giggle at the helpless colt, watching as he huffs in annoyance at being rolled around and poked at. Celestia is delighted, again, to see how foalish he is when interacting with his dam. Heavy’s just relieved his parents aren’t around to do something like that to him.

“I think the kitchen staff will forgive me so long as we clean up after ourselves. We should be able to make a couple before they need to start on dinner as well. I will instruct the gate guards to inform the rest of your friends and family upon their return.”

“Awesome!” Cure wraps his forelegs around his dam’s muzzle and plants a big kiss on her cheek before rolling to his barrel. He looks at the books he’s piled up on the table and mumbles an “uhh” before the princess waves a dismissive hoof.

“The staff will reshelve those and put everything away.” She looks over the group of foals and tilts her head towards the door. “Shall we?”

Princess Celestia does not need an oven to cook, Cure reflects. He feels like that should be some part of a witty one-liner that starts off with something about how hot she is, but she legitimately can bake cakes, and other things, just by plopping them in a bubble of magic and turning on the heat. It wasn’t meant to be intimidating; the mare was simply showing off to the foals, but Cure had to fight back a cringe at the thought that the ability could easily be used for far more sinister applications than making treats.

Any unicorn that’s a decent caster could do the same thing, really; it would just wear most ponies out after a few minutes. From the ease with which she maintained the bubble, Cure can only assume that her regeneration is high enough that she does not have that problem. Of course, given her connection with the sun, it may be as easy for her to pull off as it is for him to heal a cut.

It makes him question his incessant need to learn new spells, though. From the looks of things, once somepony gets powerful enough they can virtually impose their will on the world and, barring another similarly powerful magician, everypony else is more or less at their mercy.

The remainder of the group didn’t show up until just about dinner time. Cure’s soul nearly wept in sympathy for the two exhausted stallions. They didn’t exactly shop the whole time, but even with the breaks for lunch, a short one at a hoof filing and polishing stand, and a snack break a couple hours later, the pair got dragged from store to store for the better part of five hours. Thankfully they found the supplies Cure needs to finish Lt. Spear’s suit.

Sapphire was moderately successful with her gem hunt; she initially accepted prices slightly higher than necessary, but learned pretty quickly to haggle them down more aggressively. Cure suspects the early mistakes can be chalked up to her not factoring in higher supply and more competitive prices, given there’s far more vendors here than in the no-stoplight town they all live in.

In fact, Cure is pretty sure Midnight Gem doesn’t have any competition at all in their little suburb, given there’s probably not enough residents to support two jewelry stores. Regardless, Cure now has a surprisingly stuffed normal bit pouch full of small and, likely, medium quality gemstones (which is fine for his purposes) to experiment with and determine whether dragons’ magic resistance is a physical property and Sapphire has about fifty bits to blow on whatever she wants to when she gets home.

With the entire family regrouped, dinner consumed, and dessert annihilated, everypony gathers in a lounge room just down the hall from the guest rooms; a location chosen at Cure’s suggestion for his last demonstration for the princess before they depart. Most of the adults are reading or staring out the windows at the busy cities in the distance, but the princess, with the foals all laying on and around her, are sitting on a nearby couch waiting for the show to begin.

“Alright, which of you two wants to be it?”

Ferric and Heavy each point a hoof at the other and say “She / He does” at the same time.

“I’ll go,” Wind instantly volunteers, thrilled at the opportunity to finally get her turn with the colt.

Drift shoves her sister with a shoulder, almost tripping the taller girl as she hops off the couch. “Hey! No fair!”

“It seems fair to me,” Glacial argues. “You’ve gotten massages several times after we go flying.” Drift grumbles but doesn’t counter the point at all.

“I still haven’t had one either,” Rising pouts. “I don’t mind waiting until we’re on the train though.” Sapphire chimes in, echoing the sentiment.

“Alright, I guess you’ll be my victim for the night, Wind,” he says with a shrug. The white filly doesn’t hesitate to trot over and hop on the couch that’s been designated as his massage table. She turns so her left side is to the princess and the foals, then flops on her belly with her legs and wings stretched, mindful enough to at least keep her tail down to cover her goods. In the meantime, he’s making the transition from hooves to hands, showing them to the princess once complete.

Ready to get started, he uses Enlarge to give himself more leverage and better reach. Wind very unsubtly gives him an evaluating look before straightening herself back out and looking forward again.

Cure has to admit, the view of an attractive pegasus spread eagle, even on her barrel, is a sight to see. Doing stuff like this during puberty would be a nightmare if he didn’t have his talent, as he is certain he would be popping wood the entire time, especially if they’re as vocal as Drift and her mom have been every time.

Dawn, at least, is pretty quiet when he’s giving her one; typically because she’s almost passed out for most of it. Glacial… she was every bit as bad as Drift was. The experience was probably worse, actually, because despite the fact that both girls are physically attractive there’s just something about that sparkle in her coat that makes him want to pounce on her. There’s also the fact that she has a much more gentle disposition than Drift. The darker filly has certainly toned down the unwarranted aggression over the last few months, but she’ll always be the more thorny between the two.

“So we talked about this earlier, and though the conversation definitely took a turn for the worse,” he says, directing a light scolding look at the sprawling pegasus, “hands are far better than hooves for precision work, even with our telekinesis. Have you ever had a massage from a minotaur?”

Celestia actually laughs at the suggestion, shaking her head no. “I do not think the opportunity has ever presented itself. Perhaps next time I meet with an ambassador I will request they include a masseuse with their entourage in the future.”

“Better not. I’ve joked a few times that they could take over the whole friggin country if they started offering massages. That’s a thought… maybe I should expand BodyWorks Enterprises into a series of massage parlors and hire minotaurs to work there.”

“Jeez dude,” Solar calls from the windows, “I swear you’re obsessed with money or something.”

“Money is freedom in a capitalistic society, my friend,” he easily responds. Focusing back on the task at hand, he begins his explanation. “So step one would normally be to check with my patient and make sure they’re onboard with everything. Most ponies would probably freak out if they had a set of hands on ‘em instead of hooves like they’re expecting, and of course some ponies will have things they just don’t want touched. Wind?”

“Nah, go ta town. I want the full experience.”

Drift sniggers at her sister, but doesn’t give her any warning. Cure rolls his eyes but clarifies his concern for the girl. “You remember what I told the boss lady earlier, right? The whole moaning, drooling mess bit? Are you good to go?”

“Do not be embarrassed, Wind Shear,” the princess instructs. “I have visited many a spa here in the capital. Alicorns share the same sensitive regions as all three tribes, so I am not ashamed to admit how pleasant a vigorous hoof, horn, or wing massage can be.”

“Go ahead, colt. I’m ready,” Wind insists.

“Really? Damn, I may need to turn off my talent and get a real massage then,” Cure comments as he’s getting started. “I didn’t really get much from the one at that place on the bay for Hearts and Hooves.”

“I thought it was nice,” Dawn disagrees. Smugly smiling, she turns to look at Glacial. “You enjoyed it too, didn’t you?”

The platinum filly turns a deep red as Drift bursts out laughing. At least Ferric has the decency to not be a butt, though she blushes slightly at the reminder. Cure just gives Dawn a disappointed look and carries on, though he notes the princess looking between the four with some confusion.

“Alright, so go ahead and fold your wings in for now, Wind. I’ll save those for last.” He moves into position by her right side so he’s not blocking the view and continues his explanation as she does so. “Step one is to use our grabby aura to warm my hands and just lightly knead the withers and lower neck. We have a lot of muscles in our neck area, so it takes more force than you’d think to really get it all to relax. Of course, you have to avoid the throat area with anything but the most gentle of touches. Nopony likes to feel like they’re being strangled, after all.”

The cushy couch is a bit of a pain to work around, he realizes. Fortunately he’s able to latch onto the frame by making himself slightly heavier, similar to how he’d done when he gave Drift the massage the first time months ago. This is probably why masseuse tables are typically harder padding, he figures.

He goes all out on the older girl, using his thumbs and his earth pony strength, along with his talent, to really loosen up the powerful neck muscles underneath and, mostly, to the sides of her mane as he works his way up her neck. She stays blissfully quiet throughout the experience, only breathing heavier than normal and letting a few grunts slip out.

After several minutes working up her neck he hops down and moves to the front of the couch so he can work on her ears and face. She lets out a happy hum at the sensation of him massaging her forehead and the base of the ears, and can’t seem to hold back a quiet “ooh” when he targets the muscles that rotate the ears.

“Ears seem to be the universal weak spot,” he explains cupping his fingertips around the base and gently massaging the area. “I believe these were labeled the auricular muscles in the anatomy book I got from the library. They’re responsible for rotating and perking the ears and, as you can see,” he nods towards her slowly wagging tail, “feel friggin amazing when massaged.”

Several of the foals are holding back giggles at the half-lidded look Wind is giving him. “Of course the ocular muscles,” he continues, running his thumbs around the brow and side of her head, “and nasal muscles feel pretty good when you’re gentle with them,” he explains as he moves on, cupping her chin with his fingers and using his thumbs to rub her muzzle and get her cheeks lightly for a moment. He notices she has a little drool at the corner of her lips, but uses his talent to cause her to slurp that back in before anypony can see it.

He moves around to hop back up and face towards her tail as he continues his explanation. “And with the neck forward complete, I typically start on the back and hips next. With a pegasus ya gotta kinda work under the wings, but that’s not a problem because the muscles that really feel great are the ones further back at the hips.”

Under the princess’s watchful gaze he kneads her sides under her wings, working his way slowly in circular, downwards motions towards her hips. Focusing first on the left so everypony can see, he works a little harder on the larger, stronger muscles in her hind legs.

“So you wanna start from the top and work your way down, is my understanding. I’ve not had formal training, but I’ve also not had anypony complain at all. The gluteus, sartorius, and forward parts of the fascia muscles are about as far as I go on a minor,” he indicates as he works on the upper and forward part of her hips, “though the biceps and further down the leg seem safe enough, especially with ten witnesses to her insisting I go to town.”

Celestia nods in approval, watching in interest as the colt extends Wind’s left leg back, cupping and massing down the back of her leg while being mindful not to stimulate any areas that would be inappropriate. The fact he’s including medical terminology helps distract from the intimacy of the area; something he was likely conscious of from the start based on his naming of the muscle groups of the face before moving to the filly’s rear area.

The girl is becoming more vocal now that he’s targeting larger muscle groups. The occasional sharp intake, slow exhale, quiet moan, or pleased grunt are barely audible, but do not escape the princess’s notice.

Cure finishes giving a thorough massage to the left leg, then repeats the process on the right, never letting his focus move from the muscles he is working on and ignoring the growing volume of happy noises coming from the barely-conscious pegasus. After finishing the girl’s legs he moves to sit beside her barrel, facing her front again.

“So when I gave Solar and his parents a massage I had them roll over to get their chest muscles. That’s not something I had done for Drift and Glacial when they came over. If you want me to do the same…” he trails off as Wind quickly flips herself over, though she does maintain her modesty with her hind legs held together and covers her lower regions with her tail.

“Pegasi pectoral muscles are primarily responsible for the downward motion of wings,” he explains as he begins rubbing from the center outward on her chest. “I think it works best to do a general massage of the area, then focus on one side, then the other with both hands. The vast majority of the strength is in the thumbs, after all, though with earth pony musculature and magic empowerment the grip from the other four fingers is significant as well.

“That’s something my talent lets me cheat at; without it, injuring somepony would be pretty easy, but with it I can tell exactly how much pressure to apply to unknot any drawn muscles and really loosen the whole area up.”

“This is quite a bit more clinical than I expected,” Celestia admits. “It is good to see you treat this so seriously, Cure. I admit that I assumed you would rely more on your talent, though.”

“Eh, we’re a very touchy species, boss. I don’t know how minotaurs or griffons are, and I’m pretty sure dragons are not, but using direct manipulation instead of smoothing it out only with magic gives a far more pleasant sensation. I mean, I could strictly use my talent, I suppose. Hay, I could directly stimulate tactile nerves… want me to demonstrate on your ears?” he asks, crossing his eyes and looking up at his horn to indicate he means with his talent.

“Just one, please.”

“Sure. Brace yourself, boss.”

He doesn’t appear to do anything for a few seconds, then the sensation that floods into Celestia’s system almost makes her recoil before she attempts to school her features. A gasp escapes her before she can, though, and when he stops only seconds later a full-body shudder passes through her.

It was unlike anything she has ever experienced in her life and she is left unsure how to accurately describe it. It was as if a warm compress enveloped her ear from tip to base, stimulating every pleasurable nerve from her cranium up. She had previously called him dangerous; that description completely failed to accurately encapsulate the threat this colt posed to anypony, or anything, he is allowed to use his talent on.

She doesn’t even realize that a full ten seconds has passed before she opens her mouth to respond. “That… was far more intense than I had anticipated.”

“Yup. That’s why I stick to the physical act of massage. I think I could cause somepony to almost have a heart attack if I did that all over. And that’s a pleasant feeling. I shudder to think what doing the same thing with pain receptors would do to somepony.”

“You must never do that, Cure. I am certain the results would be catastrophic.”

Cure nods in agreement as he prods the filly to roll back onto her barrel. “I know. I know a few ponies who are still wary of letting me use my talent on ‘em at all. That’s fine, though. It takes a heck of a lot of trust. Now…” he dramatically pauses, moving to stand overtop of the girl, “for the main event.”

He places his large hands on the filly’s side, just before her hips and slowly slides them up under her wings until he reaches the base where they connect just below the withers. Celestia can see his fingertips poke out from under the front of Wind’s slowly spreading wings as he uses his thumbs to massage the center of her back where the sensitive muscles are all connected.

The response is as immediate as it is vocal; Wind cannot help but moan out in euphoria as the colt slowly, firmly massages the wings, starting at the trapezius muscles and gradually working his way out, spreading and stimulating the wings as he moves. Wind’s hind legs are extended fully back, kicking lightly at the stimulation as her forelegs press into the couch’s surface, seeking to grasp onto anything to give her leverage to push up into his hands more.

In a shout that Celestia would certainly have mistaken for orgasmic, the filly’s entire body locks up and spasms before she collapses fully on the couch, all but unconscious from overstimulation. The colt doesn’t stop there, though, still working over the wings, both at once initially, then focusing his attention on one, then the other. With a proud nod he dismounts the girl, leavin her laying in a heap with legs, wings, and tail sprawled in all directions and a puddle of drool escaping the corners of her lips.

“And there ya have it. One Cure Wave massage.”

“Did I look like that?” Solar quietly asks his marefriend, getting an affirmative nod in response. “Damn.”

“That… was impressive, Cure,” Celestia can’t help but admit. “I must confess that I am relieved you warned me in advance. I don’t mind looking a little silly, but…” she trails off, cringing slightly at the thought of her guests all seeing her moaning like that.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty intimate affair,” he concedes as he releases the Enlarge spell. “Eh, think about it. I don’t have to do the whole shebang, but you heard her tell me to go wild, so,” he finishes in a shrug.

“True. And your timing is good as well. I am afraid I must depart soon. I have neglected nearly all of my duties today and must tend to a few issues before lowering the sun.” She pauses and, in a raised voice, calls for everypony’s attention. “Before you leave tomorrow morning, I would ask that all of you join me in the throne room. I would like to commemorate your visit with a photograph, copies of which I will have sent to you all once they are developed.”

The offer gets a round of excited agreements from the foals and adults. As far as Cure knows not a single one of them has ever had their photograph taken. Perhaps Solar has for his enlistment in the Guard, but otherwise he can’t think of any occasion when he has even seen a camera.

“Wonderful! I believe your train departs at eleven o’clock, so I will have castle staff come to escort you all around nine thirty, just a while after breakfast. Now, before I leave, I demand a hug from every single one of you,” she insists while climbing off the couch. She glances over to Wind and adds, “I suppose I can make one exception.”

One by one, each foal hops up on the couch and is wrapped in a hug by the princess, each one being pressed against her chest with a nuzzle as they separate. When the princess gives the adults a pouty look they all smile broadly and rush over to get in line too. Within a few minutes everypony has a Princess Celestia brand hug to mark the occasion, save one snoring, drooling puddle of a pegasus on a nearby couch.

Author's Note

Ok, I hope you all are aware that the whole 'super long chapter' thing is imminently coming to an end. 65 - and I hope everyone is sitting down for this, because I'm sure it will be a HUGE shock... 65 ended up being way longer than I intended.

I'll give you all a moment to recover from that TOTALLY SURPRISING news.

... That being said, the following chapters will be more along the lines of a typical 4-7k length, probably. I dunno, there's a scene in 67 I need to add in that I expect will cause it to grow a bit, but... we'll see.

JUST A REMINDER - 65 will come out next week and then I will be taking, more than likely, three weeks off. I have travel plans and I also did some traveling last week. I need to build my buffer back up, so expect 65 on 5/8 then 66 probably not until 6/5. I feel like I should delay it a day, though... (get it... 66 on 6/6? I'M BRILLIANT!). 66 through 68 are in what I would generously call draft format right now, so I'll poke at those and get them finished soon. I hope.

Okay, later folks! Thanks for reading.