Dawn's new day.

I awoke for my nap feeling much better and ready for dinner. Trixie was the only one left in bed with me so I nudged her. “Trixie you awake?”

“Trixie… I’m awake.” She wrapped herself around my neck and gave me a loving nuzzle that I happily returned. “She’s also happy you’re home.”

“So am I. Do you know where Twilight and my dam went?” Trixie shook her head but I heard the bathroom door open and Blushed as my dam walked back into the room since Trixie was still clinging to my neck.

“Right here sweetie and Trixie don’t cling to my colt like that in public.” She said it playfully while flicking her tail at the filly before coming over to give us both nuzzles. “I’m glad you’re safe.” She pressed her forehead against mine.

“Me too dam.” The moment was ruined when Trixie’s stomach rumbled causing Morning Dew and I to chuckle.

“Sounds like my colt’s filly friend is hungry.” She ruffled Trixie’s mane. Dam had already accepted Trixie as one of us.

“Trixie could eat.” She smiled and slid off the bed.

“Ah there you three are. I was beginning to worry.” Celestia sat alone at the dining table with only a few servants waiting around the room.

“Hey Tia.” I earned a small tail flick to the side from dam.

“Manners young colt.” She sat down between Celestia and I while Trixie took my other side.

Celestia tittered. “That’s quite alright. I prefer when those close to me drop the title.” She looked my way. “How are you doing by the way Dawn?”

We put in our dinner order before I answered. “Much better after my nap. Speaking of where’s everypony else?”

“Young Twilight was picked up by her parents and Imago is helping the Thestrals get settled into the castle. As another unique equine species she felt they might feel more comfortable around herself than my own ‘day ponies’ and so far she’s been correct.” She smiled and sipped her tea.

“Well that’s good. So um, I’ve been meaning to ask, what now?” Dam gave me a concerned look.

“Well after the recent events it’s clear we can’t go forward as normal so I’ll be assigning some guards and moving you into the castle full time whenever you’re staying in Canterlot.”

“Wait so Dawn won’t go to school?” Trixie looked devastated.

“Oh no he will still be going just with an escort.” Celestia placated.

“Thank you princess. I for one will sleep much better knowing somepony’s looking over him and I bet my wives will too.” My ears wilted a bit as Dew hugged me.

“Dawn I know you don’t like standing out but you’re safety comes first.” She gave me a warm smile.

“I know. I was just hoping for a few more normal years.” I shrugged my wings.

“As was I my little pony.” That earned a chuckle from me. “It is unfortunate that others have forced my hoof.”

Celestia let out a heavy sigh as she removed her golden shoes once back in her room. Dawn’s dam would be leaving in the morning and she had already sent Trixie back to the dorms, much to the young filliy’s disappointment.

“At least the day is finally over?” Celestia shivered in surprise as Imago spoke from the bed. She kept forgetting she no longer slept alone most nights. A few surprises is a fair trade for such nights.

Celestia lit her horn and lowered the sun and made a joke as she made her way over to Imago. “Now it is my dear.”

Imago rolled her eyes. “Show off.”

Celestia kissed her cheek causing Imago to practically purr from the shared love.

“How are the Thestrals settling in?” Celestia draped herself over Imagos back to relax.

“So far so good. How would you feel about some of them joining the guard while my changelings take up jobs in the castle?” Imago used her changeling ability to shift onto her back in a flash of blueish fire so she could look at Celestia directly.

“I think it’s a wonderful Idea. The nobles probably won’t like it very much. They’re already making a fuss about my consort.” Celestia rubbed her muzzle against Imagos chest. She had come to enjoy the cool chitin of her partner’s soft exoskeleton.

“Just remind them who’s in charge.” Imago stuck her tongue out. “How did Dawn take the news of moving into the castle?”

“Better then expected.” Celestia smiled a bit then yawned and rested against Imago as the changeling stroked her hoof along Celestia’s fur.

“Hmm.” Mango nervously leaned back and forth as Pinkie hummed while inspecting her.

“HMM.” Pinkie lifted one of mangos wings and ran a hoof along it while Cheese Sandwich sat in the corner.

“So you want to join our herd do ya?” Pinkie got muzzle to muzzle with mango while speaking like an old mob boss. She was even wearing the hat.

Mango nodded nervously.

“Okie Dokie Lokie. Welcome to the herd.” Pinkie wrapped Mango in a tight hug and licked her cheek. Cheese breathed a sigh of relief while Mango looked confused. “We can have the party tomorrow.”

”You know Celestia, I’m surprised you didn’t ask Dawn about the griffins he killed. I would have loved to hear the story.” Daybreaker circled her other half while seductively rubbing her flanks against her.

Celestia let out an angry snort and flicked her tail. ”You know as well as I do he didn’t intend for that to happen. He’s only a colt.”

”We and our sister were just fillies when we took our first life in combat and remember how she turned out?” Daybreaker stopped in Celestia’s face and started into her calm eyes with her own fiery draconic ones.

Celestia stomped her hoof causing the dream to ripple. “And what would you have us do? Dawn is a colt and fellow alicorn. He deserves no punishment.”

“But what about a reward, maybe some land or maybe another herd member? As you said, he did what any good Equestrian royal should have done by removing slavers from our little ponies’ land.” Daybreaker laid out on her side, licking her lips and rubbing a hoof along her flank as she watched her counterpart.

Celestia rolled her eyes and waved a hoof to banish Daybreaker from her sight. Her counterpart was a pain in her flank but wasn’t always wrong. Dawn, like Cadence and possibly Twilight, needed to be guided properly so they didn’t end up like her daughter or sister.

Looking up she took a long calming breath. “Oh Lulu, I wish you were here. You were typically so much better with foals.”

“So you made it back safely once again.” Luna strolled into my room of the Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse. “Good job on finding my Thestrals.”

“I found them but Did you still need me to deliver a message you never exactly told me what to say.” I responded after gaining full lucidity in the dream.

“Nah, we just needed them found.” Luna strolled over and wrapped me in her wings. The hug was surprisingly warm and not unwelcome. “You did well escaping.”

“I, I killed them Luna.” I buried my muzzle against her chest. “All those griffins dead because of me.”

She shook her head while her chin still rested atop my own causing an odd sensation. “You only knocked them out nothing more. Your monsters just got eaten by larger ones.” I groaned at her attempted humor but it did make me smile.

“So where’s Nightmare tonight?” I looked up at her concerned.

Luna sighed and flicked an ear. “Drained, she has been doing something recently but what that is I cannot tell. It has given me the opportunity to come see you though.”

“It’s unfortunate you two can’t get along better.” I said without really thinking.

She gave me a pondering look before saying, “Perhaps one day, for now I must return to my prison,” before disappearing back into the dreamscape.

“Goodnight Luna.” I hopped up onto my bed from home and curled up to relax for the rest of the night.