I can’t stand it when ponies cry. I thought as I was showered in hugs and affection. My family (new and old), Lyra, Bon Bon, and I were all congregated together at the Ponyville train station and the train had just arrived.

“You stay safe now you three.” Pear gave Lyra a hug, me a kiss on the forehead, then a proper one to Morning Dew. My dam was the only one who had the time to go with us to drop us off, so we were all saying our farewells.

“We will.” Lyra and I said in unison with my dam finishing with a, “And I’ll make sure of it.” After sharing a kiss with Forest.

“Bonnie, are you sure you can’t come with?” Lyra’s ears couldn’t droop any lower as she pulled Bon Bon aside.

“Sorry Lyra. The shop is just about ready to open so I can’t leave.” Bon Bon gave her one last comforting hug.

“See you at the end of the year for Hearths warming.” Applejack gave me another hug as well. I’ll need to get them some good presents.

Before anything else could be said my dam ushered us onto the train before it could leave us behind. Once onboard we found an open bench and got comfortable.

“So are you two ready to be back at school?” Morning asked us with a sad tone. We had almost arrived at the city so she would only have the walk back left with us.

“It will be nice to see all my friends again.” I yawned while resting my head on her side for a moment. I then stretched like a cat but almost fell off the bench as the train shook.

“Yeah, and I have new ideas for human club, like maybe an O&O game but we play as human characters.” I flinched a bit when Lyra brought up humans and my dam played along. For the rest of the short train ride I listened to Lyra gush about the ‘mythical’ creatures as morning just nodded along. Just a few more minutes.

When we did finally arrive in Canterlot we made our way off the train and weaved our way through the crowds until they thinned out. My dam looked skittish the entire time so I felt it best to speak up. “Mom you two alright?” I nuzzled her leg. Lyra also looked a bit skittish and had asked to ride on her back.

“I’m fine sweetheart, why?” She hardly focused in my direction. She was scanning the crowds with her ears.

“Because your ears have been on a swivel ever since leaving the train.” I made sure my voice sounded concerned. When she looked my direction I could also see a tint of magic on her horn but not fully lit.

She sighed and slowed down. “Just worried I guess. Your grandparents had plenty of ‘friends’ and two of them including my dam are still on the lose.”

My own ears dropped. “I hadn’t really been thinking about that.” The both of us stopped walking and we sat down. Dam forgot Lyra was on her back so she slid off with a squeak. Lyra then walked around and joined us giving Dew a deadpan look.

“Oh sweetie.” She quickly chastised herself and gave us both a nuzzle, before focusing back on me. “Dawn, I didn’t mean to worry you. I know you’re both going to be safe at school with Princess Celestia around.”

Lyra blushed at the genuine affection from a motherly mare. She was about to speak when another voice rang out.

“Yes they will.” We all looked up and found Celestia herself was standing there on our path. Morning Dew bowed while Lyra and I both ran up to her and hugged a leg. I have no idea why I felt the need to hug her but she always has soft fur.

“Princess/Celestia.” We both smiled And gave her a nuzzle when she bent down.

“Hello my little ponies, no need to bow Morning Dew, I appreciate the hugs though.” Celestia looked around and I followed her gaze. There was a small crowd outside of the perimeter of her guards. Quite a few were whispering about the foals hugging their Princesses legs.

“Nice to see you my students.” She nuzzled both Lyra and I back signaling the end of our hug. I could sense it’s end caused her a bit of unease and sadness. Probably can’t show affection in front of the crowd.

Lyra and I returned to my dam’s side as she continued to speak but in a lower volume so the crowd couldn’t hear her. “Morning Dew, Balanced Dawn, if the two of you have the time I would like to speak with you both at the castle before heading to the school. Lyra, I am sad to say, I will need you to go with Raven Inkwell, my assistant, and she will take you to school to show you your new dorm room and explain your new stipend.”

“Can’t I go with you?” Lyra tried to give her the puppy dog eyes.

I almost thought she would relent then Celestia shook her head. “I am afraid not my little pony.”

“Come along little one.”Raven used her magic to set Lyra on her back then bowed before she headed off.

“Now then let’s get going shall we.” Celestia’s guard parted the crowd for us and we headed towards the castle.

When we finally ended our journey we were in the same sitting room where I first met Celestia. Once she had dismissed everypony except her maid she spoke up. “I am sorry for changing your plans like this but I needed to speak with you both.”

“Not at all princess.” My mom shook her head. The maid began serving us all tea and I noticed her gaze linger on me before she stepped back. “Is this about the trial?”

Celestia took a sip and motioned for us to try it before speaking. Not the biggest fan of tea but not bad.

“Not exactly, due in part to those events however, I have decided to take Dawn as my second personal student.” I did a literal spit take at the news and the maid was right there to clean it and me up.

My mother gave me a disapproving look before she turned back to the Princess. “I thought you typically only took one at a time? Not that it wouldn’t be an honor for the family.” She rubbed the back of her neck. I was still trying not to choke so couldn’t intervene.

“Traditionally, yes, however Dawn has matched Twilight every step of the way and I believe their friendly rivalry has helped them both grow. Twilight has already made a few friends including Dawn after meeting him which had admittedly been quite a concern of mine.” Celestia gave a knowing smile my way. I mean she’s not wrong.

“What would that entail exactly. He could still return home right? We only just got him settled into Ponyville with our new family.” My mom had begun to panic a bit so I pressed against her side. She put a hoof over my withers in response.

“The only thing that would change is his Saturday. He would Join Twilight and I during our private lessons and Tea time.” Celestia placated. “None of his scheduled holidays would be interrupted and he will eventually have a room at the castle instead of the dorms just like Twilight.”

My mother seamed to be mulling it over. I could tell she was conflicted between the extra safety and attention it would bring. I was feeling the exact same way. It would be my biggest change yet.

I smiled at that idea. “Mom. I want to do it.”

Morning looked at me pensively while Celestia beamed. “Excellent, you will start next weekend. Don’t tell anyone, including Twilight.” She winked at me. Oh it would be a fun surprise.

“Guess I can’t say no now if it’s what you want sweetie.” Dam gave me a thin smile. Her and Celestia began talking about the particulars while I tuned out and finished my tea. Looking around the room I spotted the maid waiting patiently in the corner, an odd shimmer around her body. Something about her feels strange.

She stared right back and gave me a toothy simile and I could swear that she had fangs. Maybe she’s just part thestral, I haven’t seen any of them, yet.

After the meeting with the Princess, mom walked me back to school. She didn’t stop at the gate and brought me all the way to the dorms.

“Well here we are.” We shared a hug at the building’s entrance.

“I’ll miss you mom. Have a nice train ride back.” I smiled up at her. When our hug ended she reluctantly began walking away and I was left alone in front of the dorm building.

Taking a deep breath I turned around, straightened my saddle bags, and walked inside. Time to get back to school.

“What a strange colt.” Feather Duster dropped her disguise and returned to her true form as Princess Imago once she had entered the crystal caves below Canterlot. She had turned a small section of it into a bedroom of sorts but was only now improving everything in the caverns after deciding to stay.

“I can appreciate what Celestia sees in him though.” She licked her lips and stretched herself out. “He had no trouble noticing my presence, one that even Twilight ignores.”

She had been debating on setting up her hive in the abandoned caves but her decision was made recently when the positive energy around the castle had increased.

“Honestly I’m glad I didn’t have to leave my Princess.” She picked up a picture of Celestia in her magic and gave it a quick kiss then hugged it between her forelegs as she fell onto a bed she had added recently. She rolled back and forth like a lovestruck teenager, primarily since that’s exactly what she was In terms of changeling biology.

Stopping in her playful motions, “I would have hated being away from her where I could no longer serve her. I would have had to let somepony else take my place.” She hissed out. “Now that won’t have to happen just to bring my children into the world.” Her smile returned and she buzzed her glistening wings happily from the thought of not having to give up on one or the other.

Imago set down her picture safely on the nightstand then hopped onto her hooves. Walking over to a nearby mirror she checked herself over after finally being in her true form again.

Imago’s height was the same as in her Pegasus form sans horn, she was a short princess but loved that she could always look up to Celestia. She was also not love starved like those inferior ’queens’ since she had no problem sharing her love and received plenty in return. This gave her wings beautiful shimmer effect and left her chitin hole free and a lovely darker glistening silver color, her face and rump were framed with a lovely red mane and tail bordering on pink and her eyes were a deep hazel.

She smiled at her reflection then flopped back down onto her bed and grabbed her planning journal to write a few notes. She still debated on finding a donor for her first royal offspring but had decided laying some drones would be a good start. With her recent vacation request and the upcoming holidays increasing the ambient love, now was the perfect time to start a hive.

Putting her journal back she closed her eyes and began rubbing her stomach lovingly to begin the process of self reproduction. Sadly this process would only result drones, as far as any
Ing knew. “Soon my children you will be born and then serve Princess Celestia and Equestria same as I do.” She laid back and began pleasuring herself to thoughts of Celestia and her new eggs.

Author's Note

Imago’s name origin, she’s a few hundred years old but not the most mature without any drones.