Dawn's new day.

There are two other alicorns as well as your personal student, and yet we spend the holidays alone? Celestia didn’t have a rebuttal to the thought. In the past few years she was able to at least spend the holiday with Cadence however she had been going away on diplomatic missions around Equis for the past few months as part of her duties. She had thought about inviting Dawn or Twilight and their families but she knew, the younger alicorn had yet to inform his family about his ascension and that the Apple’s preferred not to come to Canterlot. Twilight’s family wouldn’t be a problem to convince, however she didn’t feel young Twilight’s family could be so casual with her, yet.

Excuses, We could just visit the farm, the Apples are family after all. You know we can’t, not after everything that happened. She sighed to herself while her inner voice huffed. Coward. Again she could not refute the accusation, instead she focused back on her tea and watching the fresh snow fall over her city through the bedroom window this mid morning after sending Twilight home and Dawn back to the dorms.

“Feather would you please… Right she’s started her leave of absence today and won’t be back for a few weeks.” Another sigh as she teleported a fresh pot from the kitchen along with more pastries. The entire castle was on minimal staff as ponies went to visit their families. We might stand alone but I won’t force that burden upon my staff.

After a few sips from her freshly poured cup along with a few delicious bites and her mood improved slightly while overlooking her snow covered kingdom. A stray thought reminded her that while she might be alone right now there was one place she could visit today even if not as herself.

Donning her ‘Sunny’ persona she opened her balcony door and flew off into the city with a slight smile.

Imago was both ecstatic and feeling guilty. Ecstatic because her eggs were moments from hatching and guilty because she was forced to leave her Princess alone for the holidays. She knew the season was tough on her mistress, even without her empathetic abilities, so she hated to take time off.

“Well as soon as you all are hatched and grow a bit I’ll be right back to light duty. At least I didn’t have to lie about needing more time off for family.” She happily chirped while nuzzling her eggs. “And once you’re all grown into proper young nymphs you’ll be talking care of the next clutch.” She clapped her hooves together.

It wasn’t long after she spoke that they began to shudder and cracks formed in the shells. She watched closely as one by one the little grubs poked through their shells using stubby horns and little forelegs. “Welcome to the world little ones.” Imago cooed. “You’re doing wonderfully.”

The little grubs, all babbling happily, climbed into their mothers waiting forelegs as they received fresh batches of love from her. These were not the starving, hissing changelings of lesser hives but cute little grubs of a well fed hive.

Once the grubs were cleaned up and fed they began slowly exploring their surroundings. They didn’t get very far before sleep took over and they formed a small pile with one of the larger grubs in the center upon the hatchery floor. “Aww, already protecting the little princess. Such good children.”

Laying a princess in her first clutch had been a wonderful holiday surprise, one possible only here in Canterlot with the excess love and something she was grateful to the ponies for providing.

Once she had finished cleaning up from the hatching she wrapped herself around her children and closed her eyes to join them for a nap. “Sleep well my grubs.”

After landing within the city Sunny walked lazily towards her destination. Plenty of other ponies were out today in the mild snowfall running last minute holiday errands.

“Sunny what are you doing here today?” Tender Heart, director of the Canterlot orphanage, asked from behind the front desk when Sunny cleaned the snow from her hooves at the front entrance.

“Just visiting the little ones today.” She smiled. “No one should be alone for the holidays.”

Tender was one of the few ponies ‘in the know’ about her disguise so when she said, “I understand,” She truelly did. “Well I know the foals won’t complain about a visit from you.”

Tender then walked with Sunny into the main room. “Everypony, look who decided to visit today.”

“Sunny!” Most of the foals, except a few of the newer face’s, exclaimed before she was buried in Hugs.

“Well hello my little ponies, would any of you like me to read a story today or something else.” She asked and the foals immediately started debating on if they should have story time or go outside and play. The story, with bonus hot chocolate, eventually won out so they all gathered around. Sunny could hardly contain her smile as the foals all curled up close as she began to read. Not such a bad day after all.

“Hey there sport.”

“Mom!” I leapt into my momma Forest’s waiting hooves after bounding out through the front gates of CSGU. As I gave her a loving nuzzle I asked. “Where’s Pear and Dam?”

“Waiting for us back at home. No point having all three of us take the train here and back when it just takes one of us to come get you. Besides somepony has to watch over your siblings and get the house ready for the holidays.” She tussled my mane then lifted me onto her back by my scruff with an ‘ooph’. “You’re getting heavy there colt.”

“Right. Wait, we’re not just flying back then?” I tilted my head causing my winter hat to almost fall off.

“Nah. Much too cold for long distance flights, I even took the train up here myself today.” She ruffled her wings then began walking us to the train station her hooves hardly compacting the snow thanks to her magic.

“Oh, I guess that makes sense.” I replied before we began to catch up on what has been going on the past few weeks. While telling her the story of my latest lesson with the Princess she slowed down to laugh as we approached the station.

“So that little filly Twilight really overpowered the spell and shocked her poor baby dragon?” Forest Breeze asked after buying our tickets.

“Yep, poor Spike wouldn’t stop crying until I calmed him down.” I proudly replied.

“Sounds like you’re going to be a good sire someday.” She hummed. “And with so many fillies after you already your moms and I won’t need to worry about grandfoals.” She joked.

“Mom.” I groaned. “Every time.”

“What you know I’m just teasing you colt. It’s my job as your mother to get you ready for when you grow up.” She replied as if it was sage wisdom and she wasn’t wrong exactly.

It was my turn to laugh as we boarded the train. “I guess you’re right. Mom.” I emphasized the last word then hopped off her back onto the trains bench before she took her own spot.

“Darn right colt. Now then how about I finish telling you about the new weather team I’m working with.” We both got comfortable as she started filling me in on everything that had been happening in Ponyville.

When the train finally arrived in town mom and I were the only ones getting off. I thought no one was waiting for us until a pink blur came rushing at us yelling. “Congratulations!”

I soon found myself on my back with a pink filly on top of me. Every time I come home. I huffed, Not that I really mind that much. Aww thanks. She gave me a friendly nuzzle.

“Hi Dawn! Congratulations on…” I shoved my hoof in her mouth before whispering.

“Pinkie I know you probably know but my family doesn’t know, so let me tell them, Ya know?” I pulled my hoof back.

“Okie dokie lokie.” She nodded happily. “Can I at least throw the party?”

“Yes Pinkie, only when it goes public though. Pinkie promise to keep it secret till then and I’ll do the same for letting you host the party, okay?” We both did the motions ending with us both having a hoof to the eye.

“Aww you two are so cute.” Mom cooed. “I didn’t realize you two were such good friends.”

Pinkie and I shared a look after she got off me. “What do you mean Mrs. Breeze? We’re great friends. I’m friends with everyone in Ponyville. Aren’t we friends?” Pinkie pouted as her mane deflated a bit.

“Oh, of course we are Pinkie.” Forest hurriedly replied.

“Great! Well I have to get back to work. Ms. Swirl probably needs my help baking more treats for the holiday rush.” She speed off back towards Sugar Cube Corner. Wait isn’t the owner Mrs. Cake? Not for another few years silly. I felt a familiar chill run down my spine as I realized why her name was like that.

“Well that was something.” Mom shook her head and broke me from my thoughts. “Let’s get home shall we?”

Once we arrived back at the farm I could feel the air change around me after walking past the fence. Why does it feel so, comfortable around here? I looked around bemused.

“Something wrong colt?” Mom asked after noticing I had slowed down while following behind her.

“Nah. I’m good.” I bounded through the snow and caught up to her before we made our way onto the porch and into the farmhouse after shaking off.

“Hey everypony we’re home.” Mom yelled inside after opening the door. It’s good to be home.