Cobalt yawned and rolled over, let out a happy sigh as he cuddled into his rubbery sheets. He didn’t know why, but they felt extra rubbery today, and he was more than happy to keep snoozing. Each squeak set his ears flicking with delight, and he briefly wondered if he could convince Strong Hoof to get him breakfast in bed…

That was not to be, however, as a hoof jabbed his back, and a female voice spoke to him.

“Rise and shine sleepy bat. There’s a busy day ahead, and your prince would like you to accompany him.”

Cobalt’s ears flicked at that, but the call of sleep and the allure of his sheets all but demanded he roll over and wave a hoof at the mystery voice.

“No…” he moaned. “Sleepy…”

His ears flicked again at a giggle.

“I see Prince Fireheart has found a friend just as batty as he is.” Again the hoof prodded his back, a little more forcefully this time. “Come on sleepy bat, there’s a beautiful day ahead, and breakfast is waiting.”

Cobalt poked his head from beneath the covers, squinting against a light so brilliant it blinded him. Vaguely he could see a shadowy figure next to the bed.

“Thestrals are traditionally nocturnal,” he said. “And I have the day off, so I’m gonna sleep. Besides, it’s too bright in here, and my eyes hurt.”

Had his mind been fully alert, Cobalt would have been aghast at his words, but he couldn’t speak for his tired side. It was a different bat entirely. He pulled the sheets tight around him, savoring the rubbery scent and letting out a light sigh as he tried to drift away once more…

Cobalt yelped as he was yanked from the bed. He fell to the floor muzzle first, squeaking in pain as the rubbery sheets piled on top of him. He heard another giggle as the mystery mare moved aside the sheets so his head could poke free. As the covering was removed from his eyes, Cobalt looked up to find a purple mare in a plum maid’s uniform. Puffy white flows of latex rested on her chest and poked out of the skirt of the maid dress, acting as accents to the smooth purple latex covering the rest of her body. On top of her purple striped mane sat a cap, and a bow on her chest completed the suit.

Cobalt blinked, realizing he could see the mare clearly without squinting. She seemed to notice his confusion and pressed her rubber clad hoof to his nose.

“I apologize, Guardspony. I usually turn up the light while I clean the prince’s room to make sure it’s perfectly cleaned. I just forgot there was a cute little bat still in here snoozing the day away.”

The prince’s room. He looked around, finding that he was, indeed, in Fireheart’s room. Tall, unfamiliar bookcases met his case, and he looked to the floor, trying to recall how he’d gotten here. He and Strong Hoof had been training, then…

His cheeks immediately filled with blush as he remembered his eventful evening, a warm feeling still filling his belly. He could feel his guard suit still hugging his body, apparently he’d never changed out of it. He blushed harder as he thought about how he must have stank, but the maid helped him to his hooves and nosed him toward a door.

“Strip down and clean up in the prince’s bathroom. Queen Lunaris would like you at breakfast as soon as possible and they’ve both given you permission to use the royal facilities for today.”

Cobalt looked down at his filthy guard suit, then back to the maid, but before he could speak, she answered his unspoken question.

“Your suit will be delivered clean to your normal suite later today, and appropriate armor will be provided for your guard duty today.” She again nudged him toward the bathroom. “Just throw the suit in the hamper. I will personally make sure it gets returned to you.” She winked. “Cutie.”

Cobalt blushed, but did as she bade, moving toward the bathroom before pausing and turning on his heel.

“Oh, ah, thank you for helping me…ah…” He chuckled nervously. “Miss…?”

Her hoof raised to her muzzle and she giggled at him.

“I’m Maid Plum Pudding, and you are Cobalt, Prince Fireheart’s new bodyguard.” She stuck out her hoof. “Pleased as plums to meet you, Guardspony.”

Cobalt met her hoof and shook it in a state of awe.

“B-bodyguard? Since when? I…” He looked down at himself, then back to Plum Pudding. “I thought I was just passing the royal inspection.”

She gave him a beaming smile.

“Well congratulations, because you passed so well that Prince Fireheart decided that you were to be his new bodyguard.” She shooed him on again. “But I’m not going to spoil any of that, just go shower while I clean up, then I will escort you to breakfast.”

Finally taking the hint, Cobalt moved through the doorway and into a spacious, pristine bathroom. As he unzipped his guard suit, he looked around, his jaw slightly slack with awe. The bathroom was huge. To one side was a bathtub the size of a small swimming pool, with steam gently rising from its crystal clear surface. To one side sat a basket filled with fluffy orange towels, beside which sat a plate with a half eaten mango on it.

On the other side of the room sat a large vanity which looked strangely empty, save for a comb and a toothbrush. At a glance, though, Cobalt assumed it had plenty of drawers that slid out at the touch of a hoof, much like the one in his far smaller bathroom did.

Cobalt gave himself a shake and slipped free of his suit, picking it up with his teeth and depositing it in the hamper sitting near the bathroom entrance. As tempting as the massive bathtub was, he knew he needed to be quick; Plum had mentioned breakfast was waiting, and that half eaten mango was looking tempting to his rumbling tummy. He trotted toward the glass door leading to the shower and stepped inside, reaching for the lever to send scalding hot water across his filthy pelt, only to pause when he found not the simple levers he was used to, but buttons. Lots of buttons. Lots of buttons with numbers on them, but nothing else. Cobalt looked around the shower for any kind of guide as to what the buttons actually did, but found nothing. He looked back toward the console with a frown, rubbing his chin with a hoof.

“Well, it can’t hurt to try a ‘1’…”

He pressed the button and was immediately rewarded with water. Unfortunately, the water was ice cold and he squealed like a filly, desperately slapping buttons to reverse the decision. Hitting ‘3’, Cobalt let out a squeak, then a sigh as the water warmed, easing away the chill that had started filling his bones. Still wanting the water warmer, however, he gingerly pressed ‘4’, and purred as the shower finally started to steam. He pressed the last button on the row, and squeaked as the water became heated to a scalding temperature, and he quickly pressed ‘4’ again, sighing happily as it settled on the perfect heat.

“First row is temperature,” he mumbled, turning around to make sure all of his fur, especially his hindquarters, were sufficiently soaked.

Completing his turn, he again regarded the panel, eyeing the ‘6’. Seeing no soap in the shower, he had a feeling that the panel would distribute, if he could just figure out which button did what. He pressed the button, then cringed as a mare’s voice filled the shower.

“Good morning, my Prince,” it purred from some hidden speaker. “It’s going to be another beautiful day in Stellaria, with sunny skies and a high of seventy-five degrees. Now, let’s get you ready to breed all of those pretty ponies…”

Cobalt flinched as panels on the walls opened, and arms descended on him. One seized his tail, causing him to squeak, but with a glance, he could tell that it meant no arm. A secondary arm held a brush lathered with soap, and it quickly set to scrubbing his tail clean. The arms at his sides were similarly armed and started lathering his flanks. Cobalt felt himself relax under the gentle scrubbing, and only felt mildly alarmed when arms seized his wings, stretching them toward the ceiling where more arms descended with brushes, scrubbing them clean as well.

The voice giggled as he started to purr under the attention, and an arm poked out from beneath the panel, scratching his chin.

“Good boy,” it said. “You have not selected any relief options, my Prince. Would you like to select an option, or would you like a deep cleaning?”

“Deep cleaning?” Cobalt echoed softly. The implication was fairly obvious. ‘Relief’ had few meanings, and with deep cleaning being the other option, he assumed it existed for when Fireheart had an eventful evening.

Evidently the voice could hear as well as it could speak, because the arms scrubbing him temporarily withdrew, returning only to grab his limbs, holding him in place. The arm scratching his chin gave him a pat on the head before slipping back into the wall.

“Deep cleaning mode activated,” the voice said. “Please close your eyes, my Prince.”

Cobalt recognized an order, even if the system thought he was Fireheart. He closed his eyes, then immediately yelped as water blasted from all sides. The arms kept him upright as the water soaked him from head to hoof. He yelped again as he was suddenly turned upside down, and again blasted with water. He was once more spun and set on his hooves. The brushes returned, re-lathered with soap, and Cobalt was helpless as they scrubbed him down, even going so far as to lift his tail to make sure his dock was cleaned as well. Yet more arms devoted themselves to his mane, pulling it out and scrubbing away, combing through to make sure it was clean.

As the arms spun him upside down so that the brushes could best get at his underbelly, the scratching arm returned with a toothbrush, dollop of toothpaste on its bristles.

“Open wide, my Prince.”

Cobalt opened his mouth to protest, to correct the system, but he too quickly realized his mistake as the brush went to work, scrubbing every inch of his mouth. The taste of mint quickly became overwhelming, but the system seemed to know this, and offered a cup of water for him to rinse with. As soon as he spit, it went back to scrubbing, making sure his fangs shined.

Once it was satisfied that his mouth was clean, the arm withdrew, replacing the head of the toothbrush as it went. Cobalt licked his teeth as the brushing stopped and the rest of the arms started pulling away. Warm water fell like rain from above, washing away the suds in his fur, and the voice let out another giggle.

“Deep cleaning is complete. Rinse cycle will complete in thirty seconds, please keep your eyes closed.”

Cobalt continued to obey, more than happy to bask in the warmth of the wonderful shower. The one in his room was good, with great water pressure and temperature control, but once he had gotten used to the rather interactive nature of it, Fireheart’s shower was far better. He’d never felt cleaner, and the rainfall shower… he faintly wondered if he could request to have one installed in place of his normal shower-head.

The water tapered off, and Cobalt let out a sigh, turning to leave the shower. He was immediately buffeted by winds that felt like they belonged in a desert. Hot and dry, he could almost feel the water being forced to evaporate, making his fur stand on end. As quickly as the air started, it suddenly stopped, leaving him fully fluffed out. The shower door opened and he waddled out to the sound of giggling. Through his mane he found Plum Pudding giggling at him, holding some sort of blue cover with one hoof.

“Looks like somepony found the Prince’s automatic settings.”

“There are too many buttons,” Cobalt grumbled, glancing up to find his hair brushed back in Fireheart’s style. He brushed it down with a hoof as the maid moved closer, taking a brush to his puffy fur. With the cloth closer, Cobalt noticed the royal seal on one side, and found that it looked like a heavily padded caparison. He tilted his head, eyeing it with open curiosity. Plum lifted his wing and brushed the fur down on his flanks.

“You won’t be needing your suit today, Guardspony. Queen Lunaris has requested you wear your traditional underwear to breakfast, then you will stop by the armory for fitting for a steel set of armor.”

“Steel?” Cobalt echoed. “But I was told that the rubber guard armor hardened to be stronger than steel when in combat.”

“Which is true,” Plum Pudding agreed, “But today you cannot be dressed in any of the royal gear, because today you will be escorting our Queen and Prince to Lum’s growth district?”

“What’s a growth district?”

Lunaris smiled as she looked up from pancakes. Plum Pudding had become rather tight-lipped, again stating that the queen had wanted to explain everything, so Cobalt had been left to silence with the maid as she finished brushing his coat. After that she assisted him into the heavy, but comfortable caparison that now sat on his back. The royal seal sat on each flank, much like his normal bodysuit, but aside from that, it was just a simple blue. Cobalt felt his wings flick nervously, unused to being free from rubber. It was surprising just how much he had adapted to his new life so quickly, but he was sure he’d get used to being a touch more bare again.

Beside Lunaris, Fireheart chowed down on his own plate, beside which sat a solitary mango. To Lunaris’ right sat a bat pony mare with spotted fur, and seafoam wings, wearing a caparison matching his, with an extra crimson seal in the shape of a sword over a shield on her chest. She was watching him carefully, but with a smile on her muzzle as she carefully ate her breakfast.

“You are from Fruity Fields, correct?” Lunaris asked.

Cobalt looked to his queen and nodded.

“Yes, and we didn’t have any “growth districts”, your Majesty. Apologies for being ignorant of them.”

She waved his apology away with a scoff.

“No need for apologies Guardspony, your town is small and isolated.” Her eyes flashed with momentary irritation. “It is why your latex-less plight escaped my gaze for a spell, but that is remedied now, and I have an agent in town ready to again offer the royal services whenever needed.”

“Still,” she continued, waving her hoof. “Fruity Fields is far too small to sustain a growth district in any meaningful way, so tell me Cobalt, you mentioned sisters and a brother? How did your family shield your innocent eyes from the rubber pleasures that have spread through my kingdom?”

Cobalt blinked, looking toward the ceiling in thought. After a few moments, he started slowly.

“Well… I suppose us kids were just kind of stuck on the farm except for school, or once we were older, the occasional festival. Trips into town were always done by one parent or another, and later my sisters when they got older, and finally me once I was of age.”

“And during school, or these festivals, were you kept to a narrow path?” Lunaris asked, nibbling at her pancakes.

Cobalt frowned as he scanned his memories.

“Now that you mention it… I believe so,” he said. “The festivals were always at night, being a town of mostly bat ponies, and so it was always glowing with light!” He smiled fondly. “I was always good at bobbing for mangoes, Mountain Climber destroyed at the obstacle course…” He blinked, drawing himself back to topic. “The town square was always decorated with streamers and stuff around the rides and games, but I vaguely remember seeing other parts of town also lit up…” He shrugged and met Lunaris’ eyes again. “I never did find out what those were. My brother just came of age this spring, and we weren’t due for another festival before I entered your service. We liked hanging out together, so I stayed with him while my parents and sisters did setup.”

Lunaris smiled and touched his muzzle with a napkin.

“Then although you did not have a formal district set aside, your parents, and your neighbors are still following my commandment. A growth district is an area of a city set aside for families with young children, unable to participate in the more erotic ways of Stellaria. It would not serve to have foals introduced to latex gear and public displays of lust. They must develop in a safe environment, free to make their own choice to join those of us who like to live more openly, or to remain in a safe, happy place.”

Cobalt frowned slightly.

“I apologize if it’s rude to ask, but… they’re just shut away? We stayed on the farm, sure, but we knew everypony in Fruity Fields.”

Lunaris giggled.

“It’s not rude dear, you’re merely curious, and no, they are not “shut away” as you put it. The district is surrounded with tall walls and guards, yes, but to keep everything out.” She nodded toward his chest. “It is why you are dressed in more modest garb, and why Fireheart and I will be wearing little other than regalia today. All latex-related gear is prohibited in the growth districts, but so long as a pony is willing to shed their erotic clothing and abstain from any public acts, they may come and go at will.”

She leaned over and ruffled Fire’s mane, earning a purr from the orange bat pony as he set upon his mangoes. Her eyes twinkled as she met Cobalt’s gaze again with a smile.

“I made sure to save all of my wondrous inventions until well after Fireheart’s eighteenth birthday, and I would be a shamed queen if I forced any other parent to not have the same luxury. I ensured that the growth districts were constructed, and fully developed to function alone if necessary without outside intervention. A family has everything it needs to grow fully inside the safety of the walls and the protection of the guards.”

“As for us guards,” the bat pony beside Lunaris said, swallowing the food in her mouth. “It’s standard for us to work a rotation at least once a month in the district, to make sure we remember the heart of what we’re protecting. Since you’ve been assigned to the prince’s bodyguard, however, that’s going to be waived, but you are required on all royal visits to the district.” Her eyes flicked to his plain blue chest. “The royal seamstress should have your proper caparison prepared in a week or so, but it’s better you come along to the district this time around. We’re visiting a schoolhouse.”

“Midsummer Song is correct, but more specifically we are sitting in on a history lesson for Mrs. Starshine’s third grade class,” Lunaris said. “As well as some general visiting with the ponies of the district.”

“It’s a very standard trip.” Midsummer Song nibbled at her pancakes. “We make one at least twice a month, more if there are festivals.”

“And will Strong Hoof be coming too?”

Lunaris chuckled and nodded.

“He was due to guard the district soon, so he will be added to the guard detail today as well.”

Cobalt smiled at that and finally started on his breakfast, happy that his partner wouldn’t be left out, even if they wouldn’t get to tease and play like usual. It would still be a fun experience he imagined. He looked toward his fellow guard.

“So what will my position be Guardspony? Rearguard?”

As the spotted mare started to speak, Fireheart cut in with an excited squeak.

“You’re gonna be with me! While Mom does her speech, we’re gonna go to this amazing ice cream shop that puts little mango chunks in the ice cream, and then we’re gonna go to my favorite comic shop, and then-”

Lunaris chuckled as Fireheart picked up his plate and moved around the table, sitting beside Cobalt as he continued to ramble, with the new guard joining in, asking questions and bobbing his head excitedly as the prince happily answered each one. She leaned down, feeling Midsummer Song’s ear flick as she whispered to her.

“Do continue the search for another bodyguard. Cobalt will be absolutely loyal, but not as alert as I’d like.”

Midsummer chuckled, chewing on her pancakes.

“Probably not, but look how happy Prince Fire is. He’s been aching for a friend to share with.”

Lunaris quirked an eyebrow.

“He is friends with everyone in the castle, is he not?”

Midsummer Song giggled as Cobalt let out an excited squeak as he was pulled into a hug.

“Of course he is, but do the nurses pull him away with a guard, or by himself? He shares a bed with the maids, but are they lavishing him and another with attention, or just him? A mango shared is often better than one you get to devour alone, as we bat ponies say.” She giggled again, watching a crimson blush spread on Cobalt’s cheeks as Fireheart nibbled his ear, his wings wrapping tight around them. “Fireheart has needed a good partner just as much as Strong Hoof has. Let’s hope Cobalt is up to snuff in that regard, shall we?”

Lunaris hummed her agreement as she watched the pair of bats, her smile slowly widening as she thought of just how to make sure Cobalt was as close to Fireheart as possible.

*****

Cobalt did his best to stand tall as his far bulkier and far less comfortable armor sat heavy on his body. He couldn’t resist the urge to turn and scratch though, earning him a giggle from the orange bat to his left, and earning him a scowl from his fellow guard on the other side of Lunaris. Cobalt shrank and stopped scratching his wing joint where the cloth of his caparison was rubbing his fur backward. He immediately let out a purr as Fireheart scratched the area with his hoof.

“Right there?” the prince asked, a smile on his muzzle as he scratched away.

Cobalt whined and nodded.

“P-perfect my Prince, t-thank you.”

Fireheart winked and drew his hoof away, gently bumping their rumps together.

“Anytime for my best bat friend!”

Cobalt blushed and looked away, causing Fireheart to giggle and pull him closer with a wing.

As the pair continued to move forward, Strong Hoof snorted and rolled his eyes, smiling as he watched the pair of bats.

“I hope the prince doesn’t steal my partner for the royal harem. I just got him!”

Midsummer Song matched his snort, her eyes alight with mirth.

“Fireheart just might, but I wouldn’t worry too much. I think he just wants a bat friend, and Cobalt is silly enough to fit that measure.” She quirked an eyebrow toward the amber pegasus. “I’ll make sure he still gets rotated on normal shifts with you though. Cobalt asked if you were joining our detail by name, so don’t think he’s forgetting about you. He’s just…” She waved a hoof at where the pair were giggling as they neared the gates of the growth district. “Batty. But batty is good, and while he might not be the most disciplined guard, I don’t think we’ll have any questions of loyalty.”

Strong Hoof smiled and nodded in agreement.

“He’s a good pony, just like you said, a touch silly, a touch unobservant.” He glanced at the bat pony and winked. “But I’ll be alert enough for the two of us.”

He immediately let his smile fall away into his stern guard demeanor, and he silently scanned the rooftops around them as the city fell away to a small avenue of trees leading up to the growth district gates.

Cobalt was doing something similar, but he was less looking for threats and more simply looking as they approached the gates. On his way into Lum, he had been just as starstruck, but he’d been less looking at the buildings and more looking at the latex clad ponies. Now, latex was the norm for him, and he had more interesting things to stare at. Ornate buildings framed the walk to the gate, replaced quickly by tall, bristling pine trees as they neared the gate. Guards wearing similar armor stepped out, stopping the party and giving them a once over for “contraband” before letting them pass. If Queen Lunaris or Prince Fireheart were ruffled by the search, cursory that it was, they didn’t show it. If anything, Lunaris seemed to walk taller as they passed through the gates, receiving passing glances from the guards on the inside as well.

Cobalt didn’t notice the magic barrier until it was just before his eyes, and he stumbled as instincts told him not to walk into the obstruction. Fireheart’s wing on his back pushed him forward, however, and Cobalt closed one eye, wincing as he prepared for his nose to smack into the wall.

Instead of pain in his nose, Cobalt instead found his ears pinning to the sides of his helmet as he was barraged with the sounds of a busy street. What had been an empty boulevard before was now filled with ponies flitting between colorful shops and sweet-smelling market stalls. His ears flicked and he looked back, managing to spot a small distortion just inside the gatehouse. A chuckle sounded from beside him, and Cobalt shrank slightly as Lunaris smiled at him.

“It’s alright dear, it’s new to you,” she soothed. “Many guards have plenty of questions to ask when they enter my service, and I am happy to educate.” She gave a nod back toward the gatehouse. “There is a permanent spell on the walls and the gatehouses, to keep noise inside the district, as well as to make sure nobody can view inside or out the main entrances. Simply another safety precaution to protect the children.”

A trio of fillies and a colt appeared as if on command and sprinted through her legs, chasing after a small red ball. Catching it, the colt turned and reared back to throw it, but froze when he found the trio of guards and two royals watching them. He let out a squeak, then a delighted squeal.

“Queen Lunaris!”

Instinct made Cobalt act before he could truly process what was happening. His wing brushed Fireheart’s aside, then fell across the orange bat’s back, pulling him close as a crowd of ponies formed around them. Strong Hoof and Midsummer Song immediately spread out on each side, keeping the excited ponies back, even as Lunaris raised a hoof and her voice.

“Greetings my most treasured subjects!” she called, her voice bright and filled with joy, yet demanding quiet. The crowd happily gave it, watching her with open adoration, hanging on every word. “Your welcome is just as warm every time it is given, and this time is no different! You make me proud to be your queen, and you have my thanks.”

A cheer filled the air, and ponies continued to jostle and attempt to press toward the royal party, excitement on their muzzles. Guards, drawn by the commotion, quickly descended and gently pushed the excited ponies back. Fireheart giggled and a heavy blush filled his cheeks as he spotted a crowd of mares holding plush versions of the prince. From his scarf he drew a pen, and he nudged Cobalt’s wing away as he moved toward the mares.

Cobalt followed just behind, doing his best to not look nervous as the mares grew more rowdy with the prince’s approach. They called out his name, flooding the orange bat with compliments, making Fire blush even more.

“I love you my prince!” an earth pony at the front called.

The orange bat let out a squeak, and his ears pinned back, his tail flicking with visible happiness at the compliment.

“T-thank you!” he replied, reaching out and taking a plush, scribbling down a message on its belly.

The plush was passed back to a mare, and another three were pushed forward. A bat pony mare toward the rear of the group flapped her wings to try and get closer, and Cobalt let out a sharp click of warning, causing her to flap back down, a mildly embarrassed look on her muzzle.

The rest of the mares calmed slightly, remaining semi-orderly waiting for their turn to meet Fireheart. Cobalt kept an eye out the whole time, feeling his chest puff with pride slightly at doing his job well. After a few minutes, the crowd started to peel away, going about their normal morning routines, the excitement fading somewhat under the weight of the autographed royal merchandise in their hooves.

A tall, blue unicorn with tufted ears trotted through the stragglers with a smile on her muzzle. She approached Lunaris and bowed low to the ground.

“My Queen,” she said, her tone smooth and relaxing.

Cobalt immediately felt more comfortable around the mare, and both he and Fireheart had smiles on their muzzles as they moved back to Queen Lunaris’ side. The blue alicorn chuckled and offered the unicorn mare a slight nod.

“Midnight Wind. It is good to see you again. I’ve missed our regular sessions.”

The unicorn rose from her bow, her crimson eyes twinkling with mirth.

“We shall resume them soon my Queen. I’ve been missing them as well.” Her eyes drifted over to Fireheart, and she winked, earning a blush from the orange stallion. “Hello, my prince.”

The words were said with a purr, and Fireheart blushed ever more, his face painted a bright red as he let out a soft ‘meep!’

Midnight Wind giggled, and she looked toward Midsummer Song and Strong Hoof.

“Guardspony Song, Guardspony Strong Hoof, you are both doing well I hope?”

Strong Hoof answered with a mere nod, while Midsummer Song continued to keep an eye on the crowd.

“Doing my best to keep our Queen and Prince in the best of shape, not like they’re ever in any real danger here,” the bat pony answered. “How are the kids?”

“Doing fantastic!” Midnight Wind giggled. “Such energetic little things, always so eager to learn, always a pleasure to teach. I do so love it when it’s my turn to lead their lessons, but you’ll see plenty of that today.”

“Now,” she said, her eyes shifting to rest on Cobalt. “Do tell me who this new cutie is.”

The blue bat pony in question shrank slightly as all eyes turned to him, but he was quickly dragged upright by Fireheart, who pulled him close with a broad smile.

“This is my new friend Cobalt!” he crowed. “It’s his first time in the district, so I’m gonna show him everything!”

Midnight Wind’s eye brow rose in question and she looked to Lunaris, who gazed at the pair of bats with a gentle smile.

“Cobalt is Fireheart’s new bodyguard, as of this morning.”

Cobalt’s ears flicked, searching for even the barest traces of disapproval, but if it was there, he couldn’t find it. Glancing at the alicorn out of the corner of his eye, her smile still seemed genuine and warm, almost motherly as looked at him. He swallowed and looked back toward Midnight Wind, who also smiled at him. Her red eyes twinkled with delight as she took a step closer. She offered a slight bow and extended a hoof.

“I welcome you then, Cobalt. Any friend of the prince’s is a friend of mine.” As Cobalt met her hoof and shook it, she giggled. “Especially when that friend is another adorable little bat.”

Cobalt squeaked as she winked at him, with Fireheart making a matching squeak as she gave him another wink as well. She let out another giggle and took a step back.

“Utterly precious.” Looking to Lunaris she said; “The morning session is about to start your Majesty. Would you like to join us for a history lesson, or would you prefer to wait until after lunch for math and science?”

“History would be lovely,” Lunaris said. “I do enjoy how you tell the old tales.”

Midnight Wind puffed out her chest with pride, and she bowed low to the ground.

“Thank you, my Queen. I try to honor your legacy.”

Lunaris giggled and moved forward, nudging the unicorn to her hooves.

“None of that now my friend.” She leaned in and whispered something in the mare’s ear, and the two glanced back toward Fireheart and Cobalt. Blush filled Midnight Wind’s cheeks as Lunaris continued to whisper, and her fangs shined as she grinned. With a bob of her head, the pair separated, and the blue unicorn waved them on.

“Let’s get you settled in before the children arrive.”

Cobalt exchanged a glance with Fireheart, who waggled his eyebrows, a playful grin on his muzzle. A hoof was swiftly thrown around Cobalt’s withers as the party started moving forward, following Midnight Wind through the busy district streets. While Midsummer Song and Strong Hoof continued to keep guard, making sure the eager ponies around them didn’t get too close, Fireheart held Cobalt close.

For his part, the blue pony simply continued to look around, studying the buildings of the growth district. It was far busier than he’d thought it would be, with busy ponies moving in rivers up and down the streets. Foals were everywhere of course, but he noticed more than a few groups of ponies without any kind of children. His muzzle twisted in confusion, drawing a chuckle from Lunaris.

“Not everypony likes latex as you and I do, Cobalt,” she said, smiling and nodding at a passing pair of patrolling guards. “The growth district is as much for those uninterested as it is for those with families. In fact, I grant special benefits to ponies who have no interest in our rubbery kingdom, offering them tax breaks and such to ensure that their businesses thrive.” She nodded toward a fruit stand that was already closing down, its shelves barren of produce. “As you can see, the measures aren’t wholly necessary, but I like to think it eases the burden of being separate from the kingdom abroad even if most things are the same.”

Cobalt hummed in agreement, offering his own smiling nod to a trio of mares as they trotted by. He’d never really given such things thought, but he supposed that was why he wasn’t royalty. He was far more small scale. Even aspects of managing the mango farm were lost on him.

The schoolhouse was near the center of the district, and it was clear which structure it was as they approached. Red brick built up to a steeple with a pristine bronze bell inside. Cobalt’s ears flicked at the noise that spilled out across the plaza as the bell chimed, summoning the foals from all over the district. Midnight Wind chuckled as the group that had been chasing the ball stormed under their legs again, racing toward the schoolhouse.

“Double time ponies!” she chirped. “Class is about to start, and we don’t want to be late!”

Lunaris and Fireheart chuckled, and they all made for the schoolhouse entrance at a brisk trot.

Author's Note

Maid Plum Pudding

Guardspony Midsummer Song

Midnight Wind