“Stupid wings.” I was having trouble sleeping after getting back to my dorm room. While I could make them invisible and intangible thanks to shadow magic, Wouldn’t want a random hug getting me caught, I could still feel the things as they itched like Tartarus and the muscles kept cramping up. “Why oh why did this happen again?” I lamented to myself while tossing and turning in bed.

Well let’s review shall we? I mocking thought to myself. First you prevented a cult forming by being a good friend with Starlight, then saved Trixie from herself, Lyra from your and her family, finally you apparently easily performed a spell not even Clover the Clever could do and she wrote the thing. Oh, let’s not forget surviving getting shadow magic from Luna shoved into our head. I huffed.

“And that’s basically what happened to Twilight wasn’t it?
Made friends? Check.
Save some ponies? Check.
Finish writing an old spell? Close enough.
Have abnormally high magic? Check.”

I groaned to myself and hit my head on my pillow. Thank goodness the rooms have soundproofing spells. Also did I just make a check list? Great.

“But now I have to spend at least the next decade trying to hide the fact I ascended all while two Alicorns already know. One of which wants to crown me and the other apparently wants something else.” Luna might be best princess but Nightmare is a nightmare, I think. I laughed at my poor joke.

After hitting my mattress a few more times I eventually found a comfortable position loafing and hugging a pillow. Finally.

“Hello Dawn.” I groaned as I heard Nightmare’s voice. Think of the devil and she appears.

“Hello Nightmare.” I replied like a foal to his teacher.

“I see you survived that solar traitor.” She spat out.

“You mean Celestia? Why wouldn’t I?” I shrugged, my fresh wings weren’t hidden in my dreams.

She snorted. “That mare craves nothing but power and control of Equestria while allowing those plot kissing ‘nobles’ to get away with whatever they want. So yes I am pleasantly surprised she didn’t chuck you in a dungeon to use as breeding stock once you’re older.” She lowered herself to match my eye level.

“Nightmare do you not know about…” I stopped to realize she didn’t know about Cadence yet. “Never mind.”

“I do so hate unfinished thoughts but that’s not the purpose of my visit tonight.” She sat back up.

“Balanced Dawn, I am here to collect your debt.” She spoke in a more professionally menacing than normal tone.

I gulped. “What did you have in mind?”

“For the next few years before my release I will most likely no longer be able to visit your dreams as I consolidate my power in order to escape my prison. In that time I need you to find my Thestrals and Inform them of my impending return.” She looked down her muzzle at me.

“What? How am I supposed to do that when nopony even knows where they are and I can’t freely travel?” My wings flared a bit and she narrowed her eyes.

“Maybe use those fresh wings?” She tapped her hoof against my forehead causing images and a map to be imprinted upon my mind. Great another headache when I wake. “You now have all the information you need. As for traveling I am in no rush, so you may find them any time up until a year before my return.”

She faded from my dream before I could reply. “Harmony damn it Luna!” Great become an Alicorn and get tasked with finding a lost pony tribe, lovely…

I sat alone In my dream pouting. Bucking night princess.

Imago lovingly stroked one of her eggs, the largest, whilst singing to them in her natural form. They would be ready to hatch well before spring time and then she would have a bunch of grubs to look after.

“I’ll hate taking time off but without any caretaker drones it’s up to me.” She rolled onto her back with the egg cradled by her legs and began speaking sweetly. “Isn’t that right my cute little love bug?” She kissed the egg. “You’re going to do your mother and our princess proud.”

Imago set the egg gently with the others and got back to her work of crafting the nursery for her new children.

“Pinkie, darling, I do appreciate you stopping by for tea but why must it be so late? I know I was up working but still.” Rarity pored her pink friend a cup of tea. She wasn’t that upset with the filly as it had broken her from a creative slump she had been stuck on involving winter scarves tonight.

“That’s just it Rarity I can’t sleep. Normally I can fall asleep in a moment wherever I want yet today I keep feeling like there’s a party emergency!~” Pinkie took a sip of her tea, added far to much sugar, then drank it in one gulp causing Rarity to wince. “Good tea.”

“I’m, glad you like it dear.” Rarity cringed a bit. “In any case I can’t help you with a party emergency but do try to relax. I am sure you will figure it out eventually like me and my slump.” Rarity pointed to some unfinished scarves.

“Ohh pretty. Could use a moon and stars though, maybe a snowflake design?” Pinkie tapped her chin while Rarities eyes lit up.

“Idea! Oh thank you Pinkie” Rarity quickly rushed from the table then back to Pinkie and kissed the fillie’s cheek before she got to work in her studio.

“You’re welcome?” Pinkie tilted her head and rubbed her cheek with a hoof before shrugging and making her way back to Sugar Cube Corner. At least I made Rarity smile even if I didn’t find out who’s party I missed.

Twilight was reading a book under her covers by horn light. Her faithful assistant had long since fallen asleep leaving her to ponder alone. “I still can’t believe Dawn became the Princesse’s student too.”

She huffed and turned a page. “It’s not that he can’t keep up but I was supposed to be her student.”

She closed her book, too unfocused to read. “And why does he keep saying he’s Spike’s dad and I’m the mom? Sure I hatched Spike but I’m much too young for that… even though ancient ponies did used to have foals much earlier according to my history books~.”

Twilight grumbled to herself. “Stupid colts, Moonie is a much better friend and… and I haven’t been seeing her as much because of my studies.” Her eyes went a bit wide.

“Twilight Sparkle. You better not be reading in there young filly.” Twilight Velvet’s voice rang out through the door.

“No mom.” She regretted responding on instinct as her mother opened the door.

“Twilight, you need to go to bed.” Younger Twilight unraveled the covers off herself and sheepishly looked at her mother who was now standing in the doorway.

“Sorry mom I couldn’t stop thinking.” She lowered her ears apolitically.

“About what? Did something happen with your lessons at the castle today?” Velvet sat next to her daughter’s bed.

“No. Kinda? Dawn was there and he’s joining us from now on and he keeps calling Spike his son.” Twilight huffed as she explained the rest.

Velvet just blinked a few times at her daughter’s unusual behavior then laughed. “Oh sweetheart he probably just likes you. Your father was the same way when we first met and didn’t know how to talk to me. As for you being Spike’s mom well you can be whatever you want to him as long as you take care of him.”

Velvet gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. “Now get to sleep young filly. It is unusual she took another student though.” Velvet mumbled about the new information on her way out.

It was Twilight’s turn to blink. “Likes me?”

“So what are you still doing up?” Forest Breeze sat down at the farmhouse dinner table next to her first wife who was sipping some coffee.

“Can’t sleep. I’m worried about Dawn.” Morning Dew took a sip of her lukewarm coffee just before Breeze cuddled up next to her on the table’s bench.

“You know our colt is safe at the Princesse’s school Dewy. Nopony can get in there without permission.” She nipped her wife’s ear.

“I know.” Dew huffed. “But my parents are still out there somewhere and I can’t stop worrying.”

“Fair enough. It has only been a week since he went back and just a few days since the trial.” Forest sighed. “And we do still have to take care of the family assets.” This earned her a look. “Fine. You have to take care of them.”

Morning Dew nodded. “I love you sweetheart but you’re terrible with the finances.”

“And I love you both so get back to bed. It’s cold.” Both ponies jumped a bit as Pear Butter suddenly nuzzled her way in between the two giving them a longing look. “Also Dawn will be fine, he’s the colt of two amazing mares.”

“Three.” Morning nuzzled their wife as Forest agreed before they all headed upstairs.

Author's Note

Merry Christmas another surprise chapter as I was stuck at my desk all day.