“So this is it, huh?” I can’t believe Celestia asked me to come back early after I got her that nice gift.

“Eeyup.” Was all Mac replied.

“Can’t believe I’m going to miss Winter Wrap Up.” I kicked at the train platform.

“Eeyup.” He nodded somberly.

I punched him on the shoulder. “Not funny bro.” I sighed. “Everypony was too busy getting ready to see me off so Celestia sent a guard escort.”

I frowned as he ruffled my mane, “Chin up little brother, trains here.”

I gave him a quick hug as it pulled into the station. To my surprise it was Shining armor that had been chosen as my escort. “Morning Balanced Dawn, nice seeing you again.” He turned towards Mac. “Nice to meet you too.” He held up a hoof for Mac and they shared a hoof bump. “I’m Shining armor.”

“Big Mac. Dawn’s older brother.” The two looked each other over. “You keep an eye on him now.”

“Of course, from one big brother to another.” I rolled my eyes considering I could probably take them both in a fight. I could then swear I heard Pinkie laughing. “Well Dawn we best get going.”

“Yeah~,” another sigh.

It was only after we boarded the train that Shining spoke again. “So that was your brother huh?”

“Eeyup, he wasn’t always but we’ve been growing closer. Being the only two stallions in a family kind of does that.” I get comfortable on the bench as the train starts moving.

“I know what you mean. My dad and I may not have the same hobbies but the unique bond is still there. Anyway, what’s got you in a funk?” He asked noticing my mood hadn’t improved.

“I’m missing Winter Wrap Up! It’s starting today. Apparently Ponyville has a Heart song for it and everything, unlike Canterlot, but now I won’t get to join in on it with my family.” I huffed. One song I wouldn’t mind getting stuck in my head for a bit.

“Ouch, bad timing.” He winced.

“Ya think.” I looked out the window at the snow. “Any idea why the princess called for me?”

“Sorry but no. It must be important since she did though.” He shrugged.

The train ride and subsequent walk towards the castle was pure torture after my recent experience of it taking moments to travel that distance instead of hours. Would have been fine if It was my idea.

My mood did improve when Shining offered to bend our rout past Pony Joe’s for a doughnut.

When we finally arrived for the summons I was only a little pouty instead of, literally, royally pissed.

“Ah, Dawn thank you for arriving so quickly… what’s wrong?” Celestia asked after noticing my mood.

“He’s upset about missing Winter Wrap Up princess.” I glared at Shining after he answered for me. Ouch bro, right after sharing doughnuts.

I heard a familiar giggle. “Shiny you shouldn’t tease the poor colt.” Cadence had just joined us and sat at the Coffee table after giving him a nuzzle. “Dawn good to see you again.”

Celestia was momentarily surprised since she hadn’t realized Cadance and I had met before.

“I do apologize Dawn, however this was the only time in everypony’s busy schedules we could easily and safely have this private meeting.” Celestia lit her horn and her room was surrounded in privacy wards, blocking all external interference. “With your permission Dawn I would like to inform Princess Cadence and Lieutenant Shining here about… your situation.”

My eyes went a bit wide and I sat up straighter as Cadence and Shining Armor shared a look then she asked. “What situation auntie?”

Celestia shook her head. “I’m sorry Cadence but it’s not my place to say. Dawn, if you would?” She looked at me almost pleadingly.

“Ug fine.” I slumped and stuck my tongue out at her. “Put me on the spot why don’t ya Celestia.” The two others were shocked at how I had just casually addressed the Princess while she just tittered.

“True, but I do feel my future guard Captain and Niece should be informed of this.” She said half playfully, half seriously.

I undid the spell on my wings slowly, adding a bit of dramatic flare by spreading them out to full length. “There, happy?” I ruffled my feathers to prove they were real than let them rest at my sides.

“Thank you Dawn.” Celestia gave a warm smile. “As you can see, Dawn ascended into an Alicorn just before winter break by preforming some unusual spell casting, among other things. As you were both indisposed outside of Equestria I hadn’t been able to inform either of you until now. There’s no plan to release this information to the public until he is older. So for now nothing is changing.”

As Celestia finished speaking Shining and Cadance both opened and closed their mouths a few times. Shining managed to just say “alicorn” while Cadance finally yelled.

“A Male alicorn!?!”

I pinned my ears back as she did so, If it wasn’t for the wards the whole castle would have heard her.

“But? What? How? I?” She sputtered then fell into silently muttering.

I just shrugged.

The rest of the meeting had been awkward to say the least. Shining was currently walking with me back to my designated room in the palace after I had hidden my wings while ‘subtly’ looking at my back every so often.

When we arrived at my door I broke the silence. “So~, it was good to see ya again. Tell your sister hi for me. Oh, don’t mention this as she doesn’t know yet.” I began opening the door.

“Of course your…” I cut him off.

“Don’t do that.” I hissed while looking around for other ponies while he looked rattled.

“Right, sorry Dawn.” He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “That was just a lot to process.”

“How do you think I feel. Anyway, like I said, it was good to see you.” I gave him a hoof bump then entered my room. Once inside I flopped down on my bed. Celestia really needs to learn about keeping secrets better.

Imago entered her bedroom down in the crystal caves with stunned silence. As she sunk into bed she could feel her pupa emitting worried emotions.

“It’s okay little ones Im fine.” Just earlier she had been hiding out in Celestia’s bedroom waiting for a chance to serve when Celestia’s student, the Princess of food, and a guard had arrived. She had planned to make her presence know when a ward had suddenly been erected. Fearing that her identity as Feather Duster was exposed she had remained still and silent while listening.

She could tell her grubs were still worried as they sensed her emotions as well. “It was just an… unusual day my children.” They lost interest as her emotions stabilized and became content with resuming their climbing onto her body.

As Imago watched them she focused on the freshly born princess.

“A male alicorn… I only have eyes for Celestia but perhaps.” Ideas formed in her mind as she nuzzled the newborn princess now tucked between her forelegs. “Perhaps.”

I couldn’t sleep even after the moon was high in the sky. Two new ponies now knew my secret years before I was completely comfortable with releasing it. I really don’t want to mess up the major events of the timeline.

So far everything I have changed wasn’t a detriment towards Twilight facing off against future evils, using the Elements, and becoming an Alicorn herself. But, if she somehow got distracted by my ascension, things could go horribly wrong. I rolled around on my bed in the castle.

“I need a snack.” I got up and poked my head out the doorway. Once I was sure the coast was clear I began sneaking towards the kitchen without shadow walking. Sure it would make things easier but where’s the fun in that.

When I finally made it I began rummaging through the cabinets looking for anything sweet.

“Need a hoof finding something?” I jumped and spun around all at once tripping over my own hooves. “Sorry Dawn, I take it you couldn’t sleep either?” Cadence helped me back up.

“Thanks, and not really, no.” I dusted myself off. “You too?”

“Haha, not after the day we’ve had.” She opened one of the cabinets with her magic then pulled out a cookie jar. “Cookie?”

I thanked her for the treat as we both sat down at one of the servants tables in the kitchen.

“Good cookies .” I grabbed another with my magic from the jar placed between us. Cadence had also kindly grabbed us some milk before sitting down.

“Yeah, only the best for us royals. They really help with the increased alicorn metabolism as well.” She licked a few crumbs from her lips. “So~.”

“So?” I tilted my head and took another bite.

“You and Twilight?” I almost choked on that bite before using my glass of milk to wash it down.

“No. No way.” I shook my head.

She gave me a coy smirk and rested her chin on her hoof. “Oh really? Last time I saw her she only talked about you and Moon Dancer… though I suppose she could be more attracted to fillies.” Cadance tapped her chin. “I was never attracted to mares myself so it’s lucky Shiny and I shared a Soulmate Song.” She trailed off.

“TMI Cadance, TMI.” We both sat in silence eating another cookie before I asked. “What’s a Soulmate song? I have heard of Heart Songs but never a Soulmate one.”

“Typically you’d hear about this at CSGU once you got older but, why not, I am the princess of love.” Cadance smiled happily as if remembering something. “A Soulmate song or Lovers song, as they are sometimes called, is a more intimate Heart song shared between two ponies destined to be together.”

She tapped her forehooves together. “Ponies that share one are bound together for life and no pony with any sense will try to interfere with their relationship lest that face consequences from harmony itself. Ponies who shared such a song will never herd, as new partners would have to be included in the ‘Song’, something I’ve never heard of. That’s why it’s the only acceptable reason for a mare to monopolize her stallion” She sighed.

“Wait really?” I was a bit confused by that last part. “But not all stations have multiple wives or form herds right? Some have just one or none.”

“Well true. But that doesn’t mean the married mare doesn’t share with her community or that a single stallion is not preforming his stallions’ duty when it comes time.” She tilted her head back and forth. “That might be a topic for when you’re older though.” I could probably guess what she meant by Stallions’ duty. Not that it sounded all that bad.

I huffed and looked away. “You’re the one who brought up relationships and Twilight.”

“Touché.” She giggled. “Anyway I’m finally getting tired.” She got up. “I’ll see you around ‘prince’ Dawn.”

I rolled my eyes though internally cringing. “Night Cadance.” I cleaned up the mess after she left before I took one last cookie.

“So how was he?” Shining asked Cadence when she returned to their room.

“He was having trouble sleeping just as we thought. He looked worried about us knowing his secret.” She sighed and curled up with him.

“Talk about it?” He nuzzled her neck.

“Funny enough, no. We talked about Soulmate Songs and how you and I shared one.” She lightly laughed.

“How did that come up?” He nipped her ear.

“I asked him about Twilight.” She felt Shining tense up.

“He better not court my sister.” He growled.

“Oh Shiny, you of all stallions known it’s the mares choice to chase, lead, or ignore a potential mate.” Cadence wiggled her rump against Shining as he spooned her and quickly got the result she wanted. “Now be a good Stallion and come get me.”

Shining didn’t need to be told twice.

Author's Note

Since it was requested I fired up the ai generator, got close enough, then Elemmaster did a lovely job fixing the Cutie mark up.