Why am I even sitting here?

This thought was running through my head as I sat on a chair and looked at the sleeping Arthur. Although it would be more accurate to describe his state as a prolonged medicinal sleep. Ahirata did this so he wouldn't feel pain while his body recovers from the test of will.

"Although you're recovering quite slowly." I sighed, looking at the many bandages binding Arthur's entire body. Do you know how long he's been lying like this? Already two months. Just for reference, I recovered from my first test of will in two weeks. It took Rising a month to fully recover.

My gaze slowly slid to the window. While on the surface, nature has almost completely prepared for the coming winter, here in Tartarus, everything is in bloom. Along the many streams are numerous multicolored flowers, small bushes, and even trees that have just started to break through the surface. Not to mention that Ahirata has adjusted the temperature, making this place warm enough but not too much.

I'm afraid Ahirata will soon just stop going out of here.

Leaning back in the chair, I closed my eyes to go deeper into myself. Or rather, to think about something that happened quite recently. November 4th.

My birthday.

I was quickly making my way through the castle corridors. My quick steps echoed in all directions, and the few ponies I encountered along the way nervously glanced at me. Quite understandable. Usually at this time I'm just going to bed. Or I'm not even in Canterlot at all. And in general, I rarely go anywhere so purposefully. But today the situation is different.

After passing through one of the inconspicuous passages, I found myself in front of a very long spiral staircase. The path to Celestia's personal quarters. Without slowing down, I began to ascend, taking three steps at a time. Not that it was really difficult. Ponies don't have very high steps.

Eventually, I found myself in front of a white door on which the sun symbol was engraved. Straightening my glasses, I knocked sharply on the door, waited exactly two seconds, and entered on my own.

Inside, I was met by an open window, an open door to the balcony, turned-on lamps. In general, everything indicating that the inhabitant had woken up. But a direct refutation of this theory was Celestia, who was lying on the bed, her hooves hanging down to the floor.

No, no, no. You couldn't just die like that!

In a few long strides, I closed the distance and without hesitation shook her by the shoulder, before saying loudly, "Celestia, Celestia, wake up!"

"Mmm." Only a sound escaped the mare's lips. Whew, she's alive. Although this still doesn't explain what happened.

Sighing, I slowly sat down next to her on the bed and asked, shaking her more actively, "Hello, are you there, wake up!"

No reaction. Snorting, I thought for a moment about what words could wake her up. In the end, I decided to start with the most absurd: "Your daily banana cake for breakfast will be thrown away if you sleep for another five minutes!"

"Huh?" Celestia suddenly raised her head and opened her eyes wide.

I didn't even know she really has a cake for breakfast every day.

Nervously swallowing at the thought of this, I placed my hand on her knee and said slowly, "Good morning. How are you feeling?"

Celestia slightly rubbed her face with her hooves and said, groaning a little, "Mm, as usual. I don't want to sit on the throne all day, listen to the same conversations over and over again, and fill out stupid papers."

Nodding slightly in response, I looked around the room before returning to her and asking, "What happened? You raised the sun and seemed ready to start the day. But here you are, on the bed, as if you've just woken up. In the throne room, people are already getting nervous."

"Oh, well, you know how it is. The bed in the mornings is so soft and inviting. I just sat down for a second and fell asleep!" Celestia joked, waving a hoof slightly. But something inside me perceived it differently.

Don't try to lie to me. In all the time I've known you, this is the first time. Something is happening to you.

I frowned, looking at the stone slab that had long ago become Celestia's chest. Despite the absence of any obvious negative signs from her, the main problem is what it blocks. Sighing, I put my hand to my chest and pleaded sincerely, "Celestia, please, if you're feeling unwell - tell me."

In response, she slightly averted her gaze. However, I didn't feel the need to ask anything else. She knows there's no point in lying. I know. Everyone knows.

"I. . . I. . ." Celestia mumbled under her breath, as if saying the next words was absolutely impossible.

"I feel unwell, Daniel. With each raising of the sun, I feel it becoming harder and harder for me to raise it. It seems that next week, Equestria will be plunged into eternal darkness. And it's not some cataclysm that has made the sun heavier." Celestia sighed, not looking at me.

"The thing is, I'm weakening." She finally turned to me with a sad look in her eyes.

These words are not for me. I already knew that perfectly well. These are words for her.

"I'll fix everything. " I said, gently rubbing her knee. I just need to put in a little more effort. A little more, MORE, MORE."

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Celestia placed a hoof on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality and said with a gentle but tired smile, "I believe in you, Daniel. You'll definitely make it. And even if not, you at least tried."

"Don't talk like that." I said slowly, shaking my head. In response, Celestia just sighed and removed her hoof. It seemed that for an eternity the room was plunged into absolute silence. However, closing my eyes, I heard one such distant but familiar sound. The gurgling of water, the pounding of hooves, the screeching of metal against metal. Below, another training exercise is underway.

Suddenly, Celestia spoke up, as if the previous conversation had never happened: "By the way, happy birthday to you! Have you already figured out how you'll be celebrating?"

Sighing, I couldn't help but smile a little and replied, "Well, I made arrangements to meet Rising and Flying under Canterlot, where the tank crews usually train. And on site, we'll come up with something."

She smiled and said, raising both hooves up in a stretch, "Ahem, an excellent plan. Happy birthday, Daniel. And don't worry about me, I'll get up now and take care of things."

Just. . . Just hold on a little longer. Please.

Exhaling, I got up from my seat on Celestia's bed and headed towards her open balcony. However, a sudden thought escaped my lips: "Do you have any restrictions on me teleporting from your balcony?"

Celestia chuckled and said, suddenly standing right in front of me, "Of course there are! There is no place for any magic on my balcony, except for raising the sun!"

"Well, then I'll go from here." I chuckled, concentrating magic in my left hand and looking over Celestia's shoulder. There, I saw another tower of the castle, judging by the dark coloring, belonging to Luna. Frowning, I focused my magic more precisely on that spot.

In the next moment I found myself right on Luna's tower and quickly grabbed the spire that was sticking out of it, so as not to fall. Unfortunately, right now I won't be able to chat with the tower's inhabitant, it's too early.

Well, I'll talk to her in the evening. Not the biggest loss.

Leaning over the edge of the tower, I tried to see the tanks from here to teleport directly to the meeting place. However, this could not be achieved. I'll have to do it in several stages. Sighing, I glanced at the rooftops of Canterlot below, plotting a route to the cliff from which I would definitely be able to see the meeting place. I'm just afraid of unsuccessfully teleporting and breaking some kind of tank.

Finishing my thoughts, I took a deep breath and released the spire on Luna's tower. My legs began to slide down, but I teleported to the roof of some penthouse next to the castle before I fell.

Quickly oriented, I quickly ran to the end of the roof, before teleporting further, to some small building. However, the surface under my feet let out an extremely unpleasant creak. As if the roof could collapse under my weight at any moment.

Suddenly, I was distracted by a sobbing sound coming from somewhere to the side and below. Adjusting my glasses, I saw some pegasus mare who was looking helplessly at a chessboard hanging on a branch. How did it end up there? Although it doesn't matter, it won't be difficult for me to remove it-

Wait, is this 'right'? Maybe there's some rule that only a child's mom and dad can help them? Like forming basic connections, clearly distinguishing who is a friend and who is an enemy and all that. What if by interfering in the problem, I violate the formation of her personality?

Screw this large-scale planning.

Without much effort, I jumped off the rooftop, onto the tree branch. Without any particular problems, maintaining my balance, I reached the chessboard and, looking at the filly below, asked, "Is this yours?"

In response, she took a step back and stared at me with wide eyes. I sighed, fully understanding the reasons for such behavior. Since this is Canterlot, there's a chance that she not only heard, but also personally saw how I fought with Celestia and what things I said. As a last resort, her parents could have told her about it.

After several silent moments, I briefly scanned the area where the mare was standing. It looked like a kind of playground, only enclosed by a tall fence. Maybe it's a kindergarten?

To my surprise, the mare still swallowed and spoke up: "Y-Yes, it's my board. Those foals threw it up here!"

'Those foals?' Maybe bullies? Not sure she can handle them the way I used to. . .

Frowning, I carefully threw the chessboard in the direction of the mare. She quickly reared up and caught it with both hooves, although she still looked at me with a certain wariness. Not that it was unfounded. However, my curiosity still made me ask, "Listen, why didn't you ask an adult to get the board?"

The mare awkwardly averted her gaze and sat down on the cold ground before reluctantly answering, "Well, the caretakers won't help with such things. And the ponies my age, well, they're bad."

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the windows of the dilapidated building. Despite the lack of direct evidence, I couldn't shake off one thought. This is an orphanage. A place where cruel parents abandon the most unwanted children. Even crueler than mine.

Turning to the next house in my route, I asked, "What's your name, filly?"

Despite her fear, she answered almost instantly, "My name is Cozy Glow."

This name. Why does it feel so. . . weird?

Quickly shaking my head, I glanced briefly at the sun. Oh, I seem to be running late already. I raised a finger up, so the mare behind me could see it, and said, "Okay, I'll stop by to see you. It's not like you'll only be dealing with bullies, right?"

"Uh, well, I don't mind!" Cozy replied surprisingly positively. Anyway, in the next second, I teleported forward to some building. Then to the next one. And one more. In the end, after several teleportations, I found myself next to a small tree that was desperately clinging to the edge of Canterlot, right above the abyss.

Putting my hand on one of the few branches, I leaned forward, trying to make out the meeting place. And to my surprise, this was extremely easy! Next to the trail of tank treads stood two ponies. One of whom was clearly a changeling, judging by the holes in his body.

Chuckling, I made the final teleportation and found myself right behind their backs. The first to react to me was the yellow-eyed bat pony with purple fur. Rising Moon, the current captain of Luna's personal guard. He smiled, seeing me, and ran up to me, saying, "It seems like an eternity since we last met in person, doesn't it, Daniel?"

Sometimes. Sometimes I miss how he used to call me mister sir boss.

Unable to suppress a smile, I said, holding out my hand forward, "Yes, it's been a long time. Although I think it's easier for me to notice that you've gotten older."

In response, Rising lightly shook my hand and chuckled awkwardly, "Well, since the invasion of Canterlot, there have been a lot more volunteers. So I constantly have to train new and new soldiers."

Suddenly, Flying decided to make himself known: "Can we leave the sentimentality and get straight to the celebration?"

"Well, have you two come up with anything while waiting for me? Then we can celebrate. With drinking, like you love, F- I mean, Abdomen." I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

He snorted and said smugly, "Of course I came up with something! Your birthday fell on one of the few days when strip clubs are open in Canterlot. It's a sign, you know? It's time for you to lose your virginity already."

I regret having told you about this before.

I frowned, but Rising interjected before I could speak: "Well, I suggest we visit Manehattan. After all, that's where we bonded, remember?"

"And that's where you drank absinthe on New Year's. Remember, you madman?" Flying asked, looking at me with a mischievous grin.

"You do remember that my birthday is not on the list of days when I drink alcohol, right?" I asked, crossing my arms. After I said the last word, the changeling's face finally darkened completely. Apparently, he didn't remember.

Suddenly, he rose from the ground on his insect wings and said, starting to circle around me, "Maybe it's time to put aside all this thing with super-restrictions? I mean, what really changed since you 'rejected' perfection?"

Before I even had time to formulate an answer, Rising spoke up: "But that's just right thing. Drinking alcohol is harmful. And the idea of touching mares for money, well, it's kind of wrong."

My boy. I love him. Those words just increased that love by one hundredth of a percent.

Flying snorted and, still hovering in the air, crossed his hooves before saying, "Okay, you two are absolutely no fun. What do you propose then? Except for Manehattan. I hate trains."

Suddenly, Rising asked me a question I least expected: "And what do you want yourself? As I heard, on a birthday, the birthday pony usually does what they want. Well, within reason."

"What do I want?" The words quietly escaped my lips as my gaze fixed on something far away. Farther than the tanks practicing their next maneuvers, farther than the hills hiding Ponyville. Farther than all these worlds and dimensions.

Finally, I sighed and slowly said, adjusting my glasses, "I want to be with you. Both of you. Despite how long we've known each other, we've had little time at peace. Maybe we can just go somewhere and just talk? I know one place in Canterlot that serves delicious meat."

"Are there normal drinks there?" Flying asked, still keeping his hooves crossed.

This is exactly the question I expected from you.

"There's definitely beer there." I immediately replied, quickly nodding to the changeling.

In response, he raised both hooves up and said with a sigh, "Finally, a normal option! Not as good as mine, but still good."

Rising watched for a while before suddenly asking, "Uh, nothing bad if you don't know about this. But can you smoke there?"

In response, I could only raise my eyebrow in confusion, to which he quickly waved a hoof and said, "Nothing, if you can't do that there! I just wanted to know. I, uh, don't like the smell of smoke in a room."

"Listen, smoking is harmful. I know that from my own experience," Flying said, giving him a serious look. Unusual for him.

"Yes, smoking damages the lungs, brain, skin, bones, nervous system, heart, reproductive system, and many other things," I replied with a concerned look.

"I'm nervous, okay!? I need some way to relax," answered Rising, when his wings reflexively rose slightly.

No one needs you to shorten your lifespan.

I stretched out my hand forward and said calmly: "Rising, give me your cigarettes, please. Preferably absolutely all that you have."

He stared at me for a while, then sighed. He then stuffed his wings into the saddlebags at his sides before pulling out two packs of cigarettes. I held them between my fingers and Flying asked, raising an eyebrow: "Are you going to smoke them all yourself? That's your style, of course, but I'm going to suffocate. Literally."

Snorting, I put the cigarettes in my pocket and said raising a finger: "Anyway, Rising. Sorry, but I want you not to kill yourself today, on my birthday. And in the future we'll find a common way to deal with stress."

He sighed and said reluctantly: "Okaaaaay. Just return these cigarettes to me, okay? They're expensive."

Speaking as a former guard captain, it's amazing he was even able to find the money to buy himself such things.

"So, have we discussed everything? Can we immediately teleport to the diner you recommended?" Flying asked slightly hastily.

Upon hearing his question, I briefly snapped him on the nose and replied with a smirk: "No. I will teleport us to the outskirts of the city, but from there we will get to the restaurant on foot. I would like to chat along the way."

In response, he snorted and flew a few feet back to be out of my reach. But Rising nodded and said: "Okay, I don't mind. And after all, this is your birthday."

Thank you. Thank you for even agreeing to spend time with me.

Taking a deep breath, I touched the remains of my right shoulder to Flying, who was still hanging in the air, and with my left hand to Rising's mane. Then I looked at the tree next to which I had stood just recently and exhaled.

In the next moment, the three of us found ourselves on the edge of a cliff and right in front were the narrow streets of Canterlot. Flying landed on the ground and said slightly staggering: "I don't understand why ponies complain about hangovers but at the same time come up with such spells."

"Hangover?" Rising asked, slightly raising his eyebrow. Despite smoking and all, he still remains the cleanest of us.

"Hangover is when a human has a headache after drinking." I explained in response to which Rising slightly opened his mouth in realization before briefly chuckling.

Never thought I could explain someone else's joke.

With satisfied sigh, I started walking forward and almost immediately the two friends began to follow me. Due to the early time, there were no other living beings on the street. Ponies are sleeping, rats probably too, and birds have already flown away. It's good that the place we're going to is open 24/7.

"So, Flying. You said you know the harm of smoking from your own experience. You used to smoke, I gather?" I asked, slightly turning my head towards the changeling.

In response, he loudly snorted and said: "Today. Only today will I let you call me by the wrong name!"

I just silently nodded, after which Flying sighed and answered reluctantly: "You know that feeling of irritation when you're hungry? Like any scout who barely visits the damn hive, I felt that CONSTANTLY. That's why I started trying different things to somehow compensate for it. But cigarettes are harmful. Really. Every puff of a cigarette literally chokes me. And it's not a matter of skill, it's just a bodily reaction."

Thoughtfully humming, I suddenly asked him: "Listen, you're the only changeling in all of Equestria who can walk around freely. All other representatives of your kind are either in prison or hiding, until the princesses decide what to do with all of you. And, well, how do you feel about that?"

"Are you really interested in this, madman?" Flying asked in disbelief, his eyes wide open.

Yes. I want to know what's going on in your head and whether I can at least understand it.

It seemed he understood the general intent just from my face and slowly sighed. For several seconds the three of us just walked in silence, before Flying finally spoke: "I don't like the idea that while we're here walking and talking, all the changelings from my hive are sitting in a dungeon."

For a moment, silence hung in the air, but he quickly corrected himself: "Don't get me wrong. I'm still sure that betraying Chrysalis was the right decision. That bitch deserved imprisonment for not valuing me. But the other guys, especially the scouts like me? Oh, I wish they were free."

After that, he fell silent, apparently finishing speaking. However, before I could come up with a worthy answer, Rising finally spoke in a soft, comforting voice: "I'm sure we'll figure out how to make changelings live peacefully and freely sooner or later."

As soon as Flying slightly opened his mouth to respond, I quickly added from myself: "Yes. I'm sure the changelings will be released. In the worst case, they'll get community service or something like that before that happens. And Chrysalis will be kept in a golden cage."

"Hmm, I'd prefer if she was kept in a regular cage." he snarked, but couldn't hide the smile touching his lips.

Seems to have turned out not bad.

Mentally nodding to myself, I looked at Rising and asked, raising an eyebrow: "So, how's the role of guard captain?"

In response, he raised his head, showing me his tired eyes in full and said in an irritated voice: "It's incredibly difficult. Someone is always trying to pull some stunt. Literally two days ago, someone tried to remove the treads from a tank and replace them with wheels! And the worst part is, even I don't know how to fix it. No one in all of Canterlot knows! Me and a bunch of other soldiers had to sit and think about how to fix it."

For a moment, he stopped to heavily sigh and shake his head before muttering quietly: "I don't think I'm suited for this role. You somehow managed to discipline and unite everyone better."

I slightly rubbed my cheek with my finger before saying: "Rising, how are you any worse than me? What can make you a worse leader than me, who never led a group before becoming a captain?"

Suddenly, Flying answered the question posed: "Well, you know how to cook deliciously and quickly. Like, dude, you haven't let anyone near the campfire in a long time! Of course, I mostly ate at the expense of the, ahem, hidden love in the squad. But for the rest, you were just like Mum, the only source of food we needed to survive."

Um, thank you. . .

Noticing the slightly awkward expression on my face, he asked mockingly: "Confess, like any cool chef, you have a pink apron with some inscription somewhere."

I rolled my eyes in response and said: "For your information, until the nineteen-forties, pink was considered a masculine color. I can wear a fully pink suit and say it's the style of the thirties."

"I didn't understand anything." He chuckled, quickly shaking his head.

Briefly chuckling, I turned to Rising and offered: "Listen, the only thing that sets us apart as captains is cooking. Maybe we'll cook together? Like, gather in the kitchen at a certain time and cook the first thing we find in the book."

"And what if it doesn't work out?" He asked slightly tensely.

"What does it matter? The kitchen is in the castle, not ours!" I answered with a sharp wave of my hand.

In response, Rising couldn't hold back a brief giggle and answered with a nod: "Okay, I like this idea."

"Oh, can I be the one who tastes your food in this scheme?" Flying asked, raising his insect wing.

"Specially for you, I'll prepare chicken in white wine." I replied, running my finger along his horn. Why?

I'd like to know that myself.

Fortunately, he quickly moved his head and said solemnly: "I remember this. We all remember this. Now you'll never get out of it."

Snorting, I looked forward and saw that we had already reached our destination. A restaurant of griffin cuisine. Interesting fact, even though I've been learning German for a very long time, I still can't read what's written on the sign. I just can't find these words anywhere in the dictionary.

"Okay, we're here. Follow me and try not to say anything. The local griffins don't like it when someone speaks not in griffin." I warned before putting my hand on the left part of the double doors and walking inside. For some reason the room was completely dark. I understand that at this time there are almost no visitors, but usually at least the light is on. Wait, I feel something.

"SURPRISE!" Loudly clamored a multitude of voices together with the suddenly dissipated darkness. Blinking in shock a few times, I saw seven ponies in front of me. Twilight, her 'friends' and Princess Luna. Right behind them was a long table covered with various types of food. At the head of the table there was meat of various kinds, and in other places there were more products suitable for ponies.

And not a single sweet product. Amazing. Not a single bright poster. Excellent. Not too big a crowd of people. Incredible.

"Well, how do you like it? I tried to take into account everything I know about you to make the perfect party for you, Dani!" Pinkie said excitedly, jumping to be at eye level with my face.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find any flaws. Sighing, I said gratefully with a nod: "Yes, everything is really good. Thank you."

Pinkie gave me an extremely wide smile and cheerfully chirped: "I'm always happy to make my friends happy!"

After that, I let out a satisfied sigh and briefly glanced at the two friends. Judging by the smirks on their faces, they knew all about this surprise. However, I couldn't confirm my guesses, because I heard a familiar voice: "It seems we haven't talked in a long time, have we?"

Yeah, it looks like it. . .

Sighing, I looked up and looked at Luna. Today she wasn't wearing any jewelry or the like. Just like an ordinary pony. Awkwardly smiling, I asked: "Well, um, how do you feel about everything I've been doing lately, Princess?"

Luna was silent for a moment before smiling and saying, putting a hoof on my shoulder: "First of all, you no longer have to call me a princess. And secondly, despite the fact that you don't always do well, I understand that your intentions are good. You just need to learn how to be good the right way."

I pondered her answer for a few moments, but she interrupted me with an offer: "Maybe we can all sit down at the table, give you a present, before we start long conversations?"

"Okay." I nodded, after which Luna removed her hoof from my shoulder. With a unhurried step, I reached the place at the head of the table, next to which there were many meat dishes. One of them is a burger with shrimp. Often, I only come to this restaurant for it.

Satisfying, not too unhealthy, not too expensive, can be eaten while walking. . .

Simply delicious. That's enough. Sighing, I finally sat down in my place. To my right sat Rising, to my left Flying. Then came Luna and Twilight. Then Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Applejack, Rainbow and finally Fluttershy. The latter was on the opposite side of the table.

"They're arranged by how good my relationships with them are. The worse, the further away." The idea flashed in my head, but it was quickly overshadowed by an incredible feeling. Exultation? Anticipation? Triumph? I don't know how to express it other than...

"What will my birthday present be? What will my first birthday present in my life be?" These thoughts kept repeating in my head. Every moment of waiting made these thoughts even more obsessive. Judging by the smirk on Pinkie's face, she liked to see this impatience.

Eventually, Luna spared me and briefly nodded to Rising. He, with his wings, reached into his saddlebags and pulled out three boxes. Two were about the same size, and the third was smaller, about the size of a palm.

What's in them, what's in them, what's in them?

"You can op-" Luna began, but just chuckled when she saw that my only hand had already reached for the boxes. In less than a second I opened all three and simply couldn't believe my eyes. It was a prosthetic arm disassembled into three parts: shoulder, forearm and hand. I... I thought something like this was just impossible here. I thought that until the end of my days I would have only one hand at my disposal!

"Would you like me to help assemble it?" Rising asked, slightly leaning towards me with a concerned smile. Not that it was unfounded, I have trouble fastening my belt.

However, despite this, I answered with a wide smile as I reached my left hand towards the set: "No, no, everything is fine. I would like to savor the moment."

In response, he nodded and let me study the entire set. There were some protrusions, depressions and a rotating mechanism on the shoulder and forearm, as if it were a lock. However, on the hand there was nothing of the kind. How to attach it to the entire structure?

Okay, we'll deal with problems as they come.

Slightly nodding to myself, I carefully began to try to connect the shoulder and forearm. While the process was slowly progressing, Luna began to explain: "You see, everyone in this hall in one way or another participated in the development of this prosthesis. I, for example, helped with the fingers. After all, I saw how you move them while I was training you."

"And I helped with everything else! After all, I once turned into you. So for that you could promise me two chickens in white wine. Or just give me two bottles." Flying replied, raising his hoof.

With a click, I managed to secure the two parts of the prosthesis together. Then I turned the forearm clockwise, which caused a series of small clicks, like a locking lock. I smiled at this and the spoken words.

Thank you.

"I helped with the control system for all of this. In the end, we settled on the option that you can use your magic to wrap around the special protrusions on the prosthesis to move it." Twilight quickly noted with a nod.

"I helped with the design to make it look cute!" Pinkie Pie chirped, slightly bouncing on her chair.

"I helped with the design to make it harmoniously look with you." Rarity replied modestly.

"Me and AJ did a test drive to make sure this thing doesn't fall apart at the first sneeze!" Rainbow answered before raising her hoof to be hit by Applejack a second later, in agreement.

"Well, I, uh, helped a little bit. I just suggested where the mounts should be placed so that it looked, well, natural." Fluttershy said, covering her eyes with strands of her mane.

And what did my favorite boy do?

As if feeling my question, Rising smiled and said: "And I, I proposed the idea of the prosthesis. I think this is exactly what you wanted."

"By the way, the hand is attached to the entire structure with a magnet. After all, you need to be able to rotate it, don't you?" He suggested with a slight chuckle. Dang, I should have figured that out.

With a light movement, I pressed the palm to the forearm and to my surprise it calmly attached. The prosthesis is assembled. Taking a deep breath, I removed the right half of my coat and rolled up the sleeve of my shirt to expose the little shoulder joint that remained of my right hand. But right now. Right now this will change.

Exhaling, I quickly fastened the belt, securing the prosthesis. Then I released several lines of my magic. To my surprise, I almost instinctively felt where to lead them and what to wrap them around. It was as if I was stretching a new layer of muscle between the metal parts, a perfect copy of the old one. As a result, in just ten seconds I managed to reach the tips of the new fingers.

Trembling, I slightly pulled all the lines towards myself. And the mechanical hand bent at the elbow. I moved the lines a little to the side in the area that was further away and the palm turned slightly in the same direction. Probably no words could fully express the expression on my face at that moment.

The word happiness does not fully encompass this.

After a few seconds of my silent exultation, all the ponies said together the words. Words that I probably hear for the first time from so many people: "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you, thank you. I, I'm glad you're all here." I muttered, lowering my face down. They shouldn't see this now.

My tears.

Rubbing my eye lightly with my left hand, I came back to reality and looked at Arthur. Of course, he was still unconscious. Sighing, I looked at the prosthesis attached to my shoulder and said, "You know, Arthur, I wish you were there. We could talk. About how you're doing here, what your plans are, what you're going to do with your newfound power. "

Exhaling, I looked out the window again and muttered to myself, "Or about why you can hate me forever. But I guess I'll tell you anyway. Soon. "

I just need time to gather my strength and say it.

Author's Note

Well, I'm back. Uh, the break was a bit long, but I'm ready to write chapters. And I have good news, the pace of the story will pick up and the adventure tag will finally be fully justified! (Better late than never, I guess?)

This is the end of my message. Have a nice day!