Dawn's new day.

“So Starlight hasn’t spoken to you all week?” I was currently resting between Celestia’s legs as she groomed me like a kitten before our next Saturday lesson. I had arrived an hour early, for what I thought would be alicorn training, but found out she just wanted to check on me.

“Nope.” I frowned and yawned at the same time. At first I found the grooming demeaning but now it was just relaxing, I wanted to hate it but couldn’t. Mom and Dam used to do this all the time heck mom still likes preening my new wings. “She keeps avoiding me whenever I try to talk with her. It’s not like I plan on ending our herd but we need to clear the air.”

Celestia began fixing my mane with a brush held in her magic and moved to preening my wings, which were currently unhidden. “Perhaps I should speak with her. Anything that affects one of my students reflects on me as a princess.” Luckily her tone wasn’t serious.

“I appreciate the thought but I really need to talk to her myself. At least Trixie hasn’t been avoiding me, though I also can’t force her to act as a go between,” I flinched as she pulled out a loose feather. “That would probably make things worse.”

“Well, aside from your personal relationships how are classes going?” The mothering was nice, since I was missing my own parents, and I think she needed it too after a week of dealing with ‘noblemares’.

“Going great. The rune lessons are fun and that cooling charm was really useful.” I drew a few in the air with my magic. “I still don’t have many memorized yet.”

“Yes, some of the teachers really chewed out the maintenance ponies for letting the cooling crystals fail like that. Honestly they should have lasted another year but I think the incident during Twilight’s test messed with most of the magic in the city.” She sighed.

“Yeah, Rainbow Dash really did a number with that Sonic Rainboom last year.” I laughed but noticed Celestia had stopped brushing.

“Dawn, how do you know about such classified information?” She angled herself to look down at my face so I was practically pinned under her larger self. “No pony should know who caused that magical explosion.”

I looked up at her sheepishly. “Well I knew about it since I got my cutie mark that same day and Rainbow lives in Ponyville. She works on my mom’s weather team and bragged about it to me once, since we’re friends.”

“I see.” Celestia blinked slowly, took a deep breath, and moved back to our original positions. “Ms. Dash wasn’t supposed to tell anypony, for her own safety, quite a few nobles were upset about the magic explosion. I did not know you also received your cutie mark that day.” She began pondering.

“Princess?” I quickly hid my wings as the door opened but couldn’t move away from the Princess at the same time. “Aww.” Feather smiled when she saw Celestia brushing my mane. “I was just wondering if you two wanted anything?”

“Some snacks would be lovely my dear.” Celestia gave her a warm smile and Feather left the room after she returned it.

“You got it bad Tia.” I looked up at her with a grin.

“Yes, Feather and I have become quite close.” I huffed, upset that I hadn’t rattled her. “She’s one of a very few ponies that can see behind my mask.”

“Ever date before?” I was curious and still trying to get her back for the impromptu grooming.

“Not in decades. As an alicorn you will learn it’s not always easy getting close to mortal ponies.” She shook her head. “But that’s a discussion for when you’re older.”

I could tell she wasn’t in the mood for more conversation so just went back to relaxing. Well there will be at least six others she won’t have to lose between all the alicorns present and future and Spike.

Imago had a hard time not prancing down the hallway. Those two were so cute together. Maybe she will act the same way when I introduce my children. Feather duster hesitated before entering the kitchen and took a calming breath.

One day.

She thought about the new clutch of drone eggs she had laid recently and the progress of the hive before continuing her duties in retrieving snacks for her princess.

As she began to head back with a tray on her back she felt an odd ping from the hive mind. Oh, what are those nymphs up to?

When Twilight finally joined us for our lessons she hesitated in the doorway after noticing me. It wasn’t until Spike came over and jumped on my back did she finally relax.

“Hey Twi going to join us?” I was no longer resting between Celestia’s legs but on my own cushion, it was easier to eat snacks without Celestia’s legs in the way.

She nodded and smiled before loafing at my side. At least she’s not avoiding me.

Celestia gave a warm smile and passed her some of the snacks.”Now that you’re both here why don’t we get started. I think we left off talking about some of Star Swirls earlier work.” Relaxed lessons like this were always nice.

Applejack wiped some sweat from her brow after looking over her work. She had just finished bucking another tree for the day and was pleased with how much her and Mac had gotten done while their dam was out working the stall. “It might be the weekend but farm work never stops.”

“Eeyup, good job on getting so many trees done.” Mac gave her a pat on the back.

“Hey you two.” They both looked up and spotted their mom Forest hovering overhead. “Lunch is ready so go get cleaned up.” She then flew off back toward the house.

“Thanks mom.” They both yelled after her before loading up the wagon and heading towards the barn.

To both their surprise the farmhouse’s dining room had more ponies than normal when they arrived. “Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, what are you three doing here.”

“Oh hello darling. I was just talking shop with your mother, Morning Dew, here. Her accounting skills are much better than mine so has been teaching me a few things.” Rarity was telling the truth but Applejack raised an eyebrow.

“I was invited by Forest since I’m working with her this weekend.” Dash answers with a full mouth. “And I couldn’t leave Flutters by herself.”

“Rainbow you really shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.” Fluttershy wiped a few crumbs from her fur.

“Sorry Shy.” She gave her a sheepish smile.

“Oh it’s ok. Most of my animals are just as messy at first.” Fluttershy use the same napkin to wipe off Rainbow’s cheek. Only a few ponies around the table caught the joke and smiled.

Applejack sat down while watching the exchange and filled her own plate. “Well it’s nice ya have you three over. How’s the stall doing today dam?”

Pear looked over from her own conversation. “Oh it’s been great Sugar, the Apple pies have been selling really well and ponies have been really happy that we now offer pears as well.”

Applejack was proud that the fruit she was helping to grow was selling so well.

“I do love me some pears.” Morning Dew winked at her wife earning a snort from both her partners while AJ groaned at the lost moment.

“I still can’t believe Star Swirl was your teacher princess.” Twilight’s eyes were literally filled with stars after today’s history lesson. Magic can do some strange things.

“Yes, he was quite the magical prodigy, bit excessive and eccentric as well.” She laughed at her on joke though Twilight looked to have missed it. “In any case my little ponies, it’s gotten quite late so why not head out for the day. You’re both more than welcome to use your rooms in the castle.”

Twilight and I both gave her a hug and said our goodbyes before heading out into the castle’s halls.

“Dawn?” Twilight finally spoke after we were about halfway towards our rooms.

“Yeah?” She hadn’t continued her thought.

“Does Starlight hate me?” I almost stumbled at how casually she asked.

“No. At least I don’t think so.” I honestly wasn’t sure anymore and it was why I wanted to talk with her.

“Oh, then why didn’t she accept me into your herd?” Twilight honestly sounded confused.

“Twilight. You are really smart and I find you adorkable.” She gave me a ‘thanks’ and blushed before I finished with. “But you are really dense.”

“Hey.” She pouted.

I sighed. “You went about asking all wrong.”

“What, why?” Her voice squeaked and she almost work up the sleeping Spike on her back when she tilted her head.

“Twilight really think about that day and how Starlight’s mood and how she might have felt when you talked to her.” I stopped and watched her face change.

“I, wow. I was a really bad friend to her, wasn’t I?” She pinned her ears back.

“Kind of.” I gave her a friendly nuzzle. “You weren’t wrong with what you said, you’d make a great addition and I love having you around. It was just said all wrong and the timing wasn’t great with the heat and everything.”

“Thanks.” She paused. “Still friends?” She gave a hopeful smile.

“Of course Twi.” I smiled back. “I still won’t go easy on you during classes though.”

We both laughed a bit before continuing down the hallway.

When I arrived at my room I took one look at my bed and flopped onto it. Finally.

“Hisss.” I was startled from the unexpected sound and fell off the bed, dragging my blankets with me. My flailing limbs became trapped, including my wings, thanks to my disguise failing at the same time.

I stood up as quickly as I could only to find a changeling the size of Applebloom standing defensively in my bed. “What the.”

As I stared at the cute little nymph, I found myself smiling at its adorable posture, like a kitten about to pounce with its tail wagging back and forth.

The changeling started back, calmed down as I did, then stuck its forked tongue out at me playfully. “Uh. Hi?”

I reached out to boop it’s nose but flew towards the ceiling as the door flew open. Feather duster rushed inside, kicking it closed behind her and began chastising the changeling on my bed. “Young Nymph what are you doing in the castle?! You’re supposed to be…” it took a moment for Feather to notice me hovering in the air and her eyes went wide once she did.

Mine also went wide when I remembered my wings weren’t hidden then I fell back onto the blankets as they snapped closed.

“I can explain!” We both said at the same time.

“Uh.” My brain had locked up. Why is a changeling in my bed? Why does it look like a reformed one this early. Is Feather a changeling? Is she Chrysalis?

I must have said that last part out loud. “I am not that insane self proclaimed ‘Queen’!” Feather undid her disguise. “I am princess Imago and this is my daughter Alicia.” She picked up the young changeling in her hooves and gave her a nuzzle.

Silence hung in the air as Feather, or rather Imago, realized what she had just done.

“Um…” I must have overloaded from every recent event and even ones I hadn’t fully processed because the next thing I knew I was laying on the floor, my young brain struggling to keep up.

“Dawn! Oh buck, please be okay. Celestia is going to send me to the sun.” Imago stood over me looking worried as I fainted.

I don’t know how long exactly I was out but when I regained consciousness I found myself tucked into my bed with Imago back in her disguise, the young nymph disguised as a peagsus foal resting on her back. She was also acting if nothing unusual had happened.

“Oh good you’re awake, I came to clean your room and…” I cut her off with a hoof held up.

“Imago I remember everything.” I deadpanned. Scanning the room with my eyes and horn I noticed faint traces of magic.

“Drat. I didn’t think that spell would work on an alicorn.” She ‘tisked’ then bowed her head. “Please don’t tell Princess Celestia. I can’t lose her.” She almost looked on the verge of tears. The young nymph on her back noticed Feather’s distress and hugged her mother.

I was a bit taken aback at her attitude. My own emotions were a mess but I managed to ask. “Do you love her?”

Imago nodded as her daughter watched us. “For the past fifty years.” Fifty, just how old is she and why wasn’t she in the show? “It started out as idle curiosity when I moved into pony lands then evolved into respect after looking at her history, finally, when I began working in the castle to find out more… I fell in love.” So that’s why they looked reformed, they know how to share love.

“And your hive is fine with that?” I made my suspicion clear in my tone.

“Well considering I just started one and Alicia is part of my first clutch as well as Celestia’s daughter. it’s not really an issue.” She shrugged.

My brain almost shut down again. Definitely not in the show. “Her Daughter, does she know?!”

“No, honestly I don’t know how any of Celestia got mixed in while she was going through metamorphosis but it happened. Maybe all those feathers I keep around to eventually make a pillow. so will you keep my secret prince Dawn?” She emphasized the word prince and probably knew I was keeping that a secret.

I’m already keeping Luna a secret and what I know about the future and my alicorn status, what’s one more? I felt a pinch in my flanks.

“Fine, but only because you seem like a good changeling and I have enough of my own problems right now. I also expect you plan on telling her yourself soon.” I also didn’t want to get on her bad side. I might be an alicorn but she was probably much stronger than me.

“Thank you, I do plan on telling her soon. Now can I ask a question?” I nodded. “How do you know about Changelings and are you actually fine with us?”

“Long story and part of my own secrets but yeah I’m fine with you.” I shrugged. “I can tell you really do love Celestia and her having an immortal partner is a good thing. Just so long as the real Feather is safe and you haven’t hurt any pony.” I narrowed my eyes almost forgetting my fear from who I was talking to.

“Never! My disguise is original and I would never hurt one of Tia’s ponies.” She looked offended.

“Alright just checking. Honestly I have only heard about one changeling hive and they’re not exactly friendly.” I placated.

“Yes well Chrysalis is insane, she’s forgotten how to share love. It’s causing mental problems for her and her hive. She also let her hive exceed the available food supply of her territory so has resorted to pony napping, which the other hives have condemned as unsustainable.” The knowledge of other hives was a surprise but I didn’t let it show.

The two of us fell into silence again before the young nymph on her back jumped onto the bed and began examining me.

“She hasn’t seen a real pony before, it’s probably why she’s up here.” Imago laughed as the nymph undid its disguise and smiled at me.

I booped the young bugs nose and she giggled. “She’s cute. Anyway it’s been a long day and I really want to sleep so…”

“Right.” She scooped up her daughter. “I’ll see you around young prince.” She bowed and left the room once they were both fully disguised again.

I flopped onto my back and stretched my wings. “What a bucking day.” I sat there just thinking about everything that had happened this even and this past year. “At least they’re not evil.”

I curled around myself to get comfortable.

Imago had originally planned on scolding her children for the escape but things had worked out in her favor. The young prince in hiding had apparently accepted her as a friend or not an enemy at least and had called her daughter cute. “Perhaps there’s hope for integration after all.”

She put her daughter in the nursery who was then swarmed by her siblings asking about the outside. None of them could speak aloud but the hive mind was buzzing with conversation.

Imago left her children and curled up into her own bed. “That could have gone so much worse. And how does he know about Changelings?”

That bucking bu…Don’t even finish that thought! We both just watched the same interaction. Celestia paced back and forth in her room. The palace wards had been triggered by some unusual magic around Dawn’s room and she had immediately brought up a scrying spell to check on him.

She was shocked at what she had watched from both parties. To think we have been dating that...That what?! That wonderful creature who loves us for who we are? One we won’t have to worry about loosing? Celestia’s mane began smoldering and the room became warm from her internal furry. “A creature who, despite being a changeling queen, has faithfully served us for the past fifty years, and we apparently have a child with!”

All heat drained from the room as she froze in place. “That young creature is our daughter.” She fell on her rump. Celestia knew some strange things were possible with changeling offspring and she had already failed one daughter, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for another.

Are you really just going to sit here? Celestia stared at the floor mulling things over before, Move! her hooves slid out from under her and she bumped her chin.

What am I doing just sitting here? After shaking her head Celestia burst out of her room and began searching for her mare friend.

Pinkie dropped the baking sheet she was holding and looked towards Canterlot. “Uh oh.”

“Pinkie you alright darling?” Mrs. Cake poked her head into the kitchen.

“Just felt a doozy.” and I don’t know if it’s a good or bad one. Pinkie cleaned up the mess she just made.