Dawn's new day.

“Prince Dawn, it’s nice to officially meet you. My name is Mending Heart and I take it you know why you’re here?” Mending Heart, my newly appointed castle therapist asked as I got comfortable on a large couch across from her own chair.

“Of course, Celestia recommended we talk.” I was currently having my very first session with her on the first Saturday morning of winter. Celestia had ‘highly encouraged’ I speak with somepony after moving me into the castle full time, so here I was talking with Mending.

“Yes, but do you want to talk? This only works if you want to be here.” She gave a warm smile.

I shrugged. “Maybe, but I don’t really know yet.”

I really didn’t want to be there, now that I was no longer living at the dorms but instead being escorted by a few discreet guards when traveling between the castle and school my routine had changed enough already without adding regular therapy into the mix. Not all the changes of moving into the castle were bad, like getting to go into the city and pick up holiday gifts, but the changes were bringing further attention to my new status as an alicorn which was rough on my friends.

“And how has your first week back in Canterlot after your ‘incident’ been?” She could tell I wasn’t thrilled to be in her office but was working around it.

“Honestly doc. Not bad. Classes are still going well and my friends are all happy I’m back which makes me happy. It feels good not hiding my wings and most of my schoolmates haven’t made to big of a deal about it.” Yet. I fluffed my feathery appendages. “I do wonder, how much you were told? Also you can drop the title as I’m not officially a prince yet and it makes me uncomfortable.” I smiled politely from my spot loafing on a couch as she took some notes. God do I hate therapy.

I was forced to go my first time as a child due to a court order after my parents messy divorce. I found that while talking does help, there’s often too much you can’t change about the world so enjoy what you can. There’s the other reason I won’t enjoy it this time, there’s just too much I can’t even talk about.

She gave a small chuckle. “Well you are still an alicorn so forgive my slip but if it makes you uncomfortable I’ll be sure to leave out the title. It’s great that things are going well for you, and to answer your question I was intentionally not told the exact details about what happened, only that something had, so I could remain unbiased.” From her expressions I could tell she was genuinely concerned about me which was much better than the last therapist I ever spoke with. “Would~ you like to talk about it?”

“Honestly? Not really. It’s something that happened and there’s no changing the past. I mean technically I could.” I wiggled my hoof. “Starswirll had a spell for that. But I still wouldn’t, considering the possibility of paradoxes.” I huffed and crossed my forelegs before resting my chin upon them.

This actually got her to pause and look at me with a raised eyebrow. “He um, did?” She shook her head. “Well it sounds like you at least have a healthy attitude about the past. If you don’t feel like speaking about what happened I won’t force you. Should we talk about something else?”

She continued to ask questions about my daily life, about my relationships and take notes the rest of our hour. When we finally finished I was feeling somewhat better but knew I would still need to talk to someone about the actual foalnapping.

Celestia had nervously waited for Dawn’s appointment to end and for him to be down the hall before knocking on Doctor Mending Heart’s office door. After speaking more in depth with Dawn as well as receiving reports from her investigators throughout the week, she was worried the young colt had been traumatized or would develop a complex about the actions he took while defending himself. She had no intention of condemning the colt as the guilt he showed was punishment enough. Not that he should feel guilty for removing such scum.

“Come in.” Came a muffled reply, breaking her from her thoughts.

“So, how is he doctor?” Celestia slowly walked in and sat in front of Heart’s desk.

“Princess you know I can’t break doctor-patient confidentiality. Not even for you.” she replied while adjusting some of the paperwork on her desk.

Celestia huffed. “I’m not asking you too I just need a general sense of how he’s doing.”

Mending looked the princess over. Celestia’s mask was cracking, a rare sight even during their own sessions held every other month.

Mending sighed and straightened some papers. “For a colt that apparently went through a traumatic experience he is remarkably stable. He didn’t tell me what happened but if it was as bad as you made it sound he might either be suppressing the memories or is truly putting it behind himself.”

Celestia’s ears wilted. She had hoped for more progress but it was only one session. “I see. Thank you doctor. Hopefully you can learn more from his future sessions.”

As she stood to make her way out Mending called after her. “Don’t forget your own appointment in a few days.”

“Good news?” Imago was waiting outside the door.

Celestia tilted her head. “Possibly. I’ll try to talk with Dawn myself after our afternoon lesson.”

“Dad!” Spike rushed over and hugged my side as I walked towards the palace dining hall for brunch. He was quick followed by Digit and Ditto.

“Hi!” They both said.

“Hello Spike.” I gave him a nuzzle before greeting the nymphs and sharing some friendly love. “And hello to you two as well.”

Both nymphs reveled in the free meal and flanked my sides protectively as I plopped spike onto my back to proceed towards the dining hall. Imagos newest hive members had, along with her own children, become a common site in the castle recently. After about half the adults began working as maids or other staff the new equines were quickly accepted. The Thestrals were making similar progress by joining the night guard or applying to nighttime jobs.

I found the change in timeline quite interesting, considering Cadence would actually watch the young nymphs when not preforming her own ambassadorial duties, I had a feeling that changelings in general would not become universally hated.

“So where we going?” Digit looked up at me. She and her sister were only about half my height and I was actually getting closer to my own mother’s height after my growth spurt. I still wasn’t close to my own parents size but when I finally reached full maturity I would definitely overtake them.

“Brunch.” My stomach rumbled a bit causing spike to laugh. Hearing this prompted me to ask spike while nuzzling him, “Speaking of, where’s Twilight?”

Spike hummed in thought. “Library. I got bored so find my friends.”

“‘I went to find my friends’.” I gently corrected him. “Should have known your mom would be there.” If I wasn’t mentally over thirty that would feel so strange to say. “Maybe we should go get her to make sure she eats as well.”

At the next junction we made for the library instead of the dining hall. I was a bit worried about Twilight. As my lead filly she had taken my foalnapping personally and had dived back into her studies to escape. Trixie on the other hoof was more than overjoyed at my return and didn’t seem effected by it as deeply. it’s like fate doesn’t want either’s personality changing to much.

“Well all this looks in order.” The orphanage director smiled at Morning Dew, Forest Breeze, and Pear Butter as she filed away their paperwork. “I am happy to say that, barring a few follow up home inspections, Scootaloo is now officially your daughter.”

“Really!” A small fillie’s head poked through the doorway.

“Really.” All three said with a smile.

Scootaloo bounded over towards Forest, her new Pegasus mother, and was enveloped in a hug by all three. The director wiped a tear from her eye and snapped a quick photo of the new family. These were the kind of moments she lived for and made sure they were preserved.

“So moms what are we doing first today?” Scootaloo asked as they arrived back at the farm.

“Why a party of course!” Pinkie and Cheese both popped out on either side of the group and motioned towards the banner that Mango was still helping to hang up.

“Best. Day. Ever!” Scootaloo’s tiny wings buzzed and she flew of her mother’s back to greet her new family.

As Forest and Dew hung back and watched. “I wish Dawn was here to see this.” Dew’s ears splayed back.

“So do I Dewy, at least he was excited that we were adopting Scoots into the family. How was he by the way?” Forest Breeze gave her wife a loving nuzzle.

“Honestly Breezy we gave life to one strong colt. He managed to escape from the foalnappers all on his own this time and even came back with a long forgotten race of ponies.” Dew rested against her partner’s side, enjoying the party from a distance.

“He has done quite a few incredible things since getting his mark.” Forest happily looked out over their family.

Morning Dew sniffed. “I’m worried our little colt is already outgrowing us.”

“Oh Dewy. Sure all children leave the nest one day but our colt won’t leave us for good. Heck we already got a letter about how excited he was to come home for Hearths Warming and you only just left the city.” Forest gave her partner a wing hug. “Now let’s go party with our newest family member.”

“Thanks Breezy.” Dew wiped her face with her foreleg. “And you’re right we shouldn’t keep our newest daughter waiting.”

“Moms look what I got.” As if summoned Scootaloo hovered over holding a pair of cupcakes in her hooves. “Pinkie made so many. Here.” She passed them off to her new parents.

“Thank you my sweet filly.” Forest gave her new daughter an affectionate nuzzle.

Scootaloo once again reveled in the attention until she felt a tug on her tail from Applebloom.

“Come on, it’s time for games sis.” Bloom had been the most excited about having her friend become her new sister. The two had even decided to share a room despite the farmhouse having plenty of room.

“Guess we better go as well.” Dew chomped down on the delectable cupcake and followed after the fillies.

“We have got to get this recipe from Pinkie.” Forest Breeze followed close behind.

“Oh Twilight, where are you~?” I called out into the library. Our small group had yet to find Twilight amongst the rows of shelves. I took a few sniffs of the air but Twilight spent so much time in the library her subtle lavender scent was practically everywhere and she had gained the scent of old parchment from the library itself, so that didn’t help.

“Come on Twilight it’s lunch time.” I lit my horn and began casting a spell to track her magic and cursed myself for not thinking of doing so much sooner.

“Where’s mom?” Spike was getting a bit restless from his own hunger, as brunch time had officially ended and lunch had rolled around. Digit and Ditto were still faithfully sticking to my sides, content with the morsels of love.

As we passed another row of shelves my spell took effect and it wasn’t long before we found Twilight napping in a small book fort snoring softly. Digit giggled and I just sighed. If this was anypony but Twilight I would call this unhealthy. Well don’t just leave her there silly.

Without bothering to wake her up I gently lifted her up in my magic and laid her upon my back after Spike hopped off. “Welp come on you three the smell of lunch should wake her up.”

“Mmm~ five more minutes.” Twilight mumbled and she nuzzled against my withers, burring her drooling muzzle in my mane. Ill need a shower later. I had to hold my wings down as her hooves brushed against them while she was trying to hold on.

“That’s fine Twi just enjoy the ride.” I blushed a bit as we finally headed towards lunch. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed both nymphs look my way and lick their lips. Dang adorable love bug’s definitely know what I’m feeling. Spike was of course oblivious as he followed along.

When we finally made it to lunch we arrived to find Imago and Celestia already sharing a meal. With only a flick of her ear in our direction Celestia spoke first. “Oh hello you four. Where have you all been?”

“We had to track down my elusive partner.” I shrugged a wing to adjust Twilight as the nymphs ran over to their own mother and spike plopped down on his favorite cushion.

I could tell that Celestia found the sight of me carrying Twilight on my back adorable. “She fell asleep in the library?”

I just nodded and she huffed in amusement.

As I walked closer towards the food filled table Twilight’s nose twitched and she smacked her lips a few times before yawning. “Well good afternoon sleeping beauty.” I looked over my withers at her.

Twilight blushed as she realized where she was. “Hi. Um you can let me down now.”

I sat on my haunches and let her slide off before giving her a nuzzle. “I couldn’t let you miss lunch.”

“Thanks.” She smiled and looked away bashfully before taking her spot next to me.

“So Dawn how has your first week living in the castle been? My new subjects are quite enjoying it.” Imago spoke up as she passed some food our way.

“It’s different. I have to leave a bit earlier to make it to class on time but getting to walk through the city is nice. I already stopped by a few shops to browse for Hearths Warming gifts.” I helped the sleepy Twilight load up her plate after filling my own. Her ears perked up at the mention of getting gifts As if she had forgotten the holiday was coming up.

“Yes the holidays are always perfect for gathering ambient love. We should have more than enough to not go hungry.” Imago smiled.

“Oh, do you have to be nearby to collect the emotions or can you do it from right here in the castle?” Twilight started asking questions and I tuned out the conversation in favor of eating and watching.

Celestia had a warm smile on her muzzle as she watched her Marefriend and student converse, Spike was stuffing his face with gems and other foods, and the twins were nuzzled up close to spike feeding off his ambient love of said food. I couldn’t help but smile myself as I realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by such creatures. And in a few weeks I’ll get to see my family again.