From the Daily Journal of Steven Ambrose, Entry Number 116:

My magic is back! Ugh, I was feeling incomplete without it at hand. Now mind you, it isn’t as potent as it was before the Battle of The Castle of The Royal Pony Sisters, but it is back. Hand That Mourns and my Predecessors assure me I should be back at full strength is short order. I sure hope so; I was only just getting into telekinetic effects. Levitation requires massive amounts of mana and resources to use it effectively, which is kinda funny if you ask me. Lifting a feather requiring the sort of power I’d normally reserve for spells like Consumption. There is no way that isn’t Conservation Of Badass…

The other thing that’s been happening as of late is the preparation for shifting the Wolf Den to a new part of Sweet Apple Acres. This will allow Fluttershy to move her cottage and attach it to my house, thus, she can stay near me and Jackie and not have to worry about her woodland friends. Our previous arrangement as a herd was rather precarious, as Jackie was the closest mare to me, given my proximity to her apple orchard, and Flutters was essentially on a timeshare plan with me. We quickly discovered this approach was entirely untenable. This new arrangement should make it far easier for each of us and put less strain on the relationship.

I think the only thing that is worth mentioning is that the fusing of The Menagerie and The Wolf Den is going to effectively double two things: the square living space of our respective homes and my proximity to Angel Bunny. I’m looking forward to the former and rather resenting the latter. My Butterfly assures me that Angel won’t cause me any major problems; that’s not what worries me. I have a feeling Angel sees me as competition for his Mistress’ affections. In a way, he’s right, but other than companionship and a surly attitude, Angel can’t love Fluttershy as I do, or satisfy her more carnal needs. I think Jackie is preparing some humane traps to keep Angel out of her cabbage patch and other vulnerable crops that she grows. If I had one, I would let her borrow my shotgun. Wouldn’t even need to load it with honest buckshot; just fill the shells with rock salt.

Time will tell if this is monumentally bad idea or an excellent idea to improve the intimacy of the herd…

---

“Come on there, Mister Handy” Jackie yells, “whatchya’ll doin’ hangin’ back there, fer?”

I stomp up the path, burdened by two bushels worth of apples stuffed into burlap sacks upon my shoulders. I had spent a few summers working for an oil field construction company, digging ditches as well as post holes, and pretty much every degree of general labor drudgery that could have been concocted for a unskilled fool like myself. It was back breaking labor and the lowest point I thought I could ever reach as an adult. Hubris, thy name is Steven.

“Well, golly gee, Applejack,” I wheeze as I approach, “these sacks are filled with lead and I only just recovered from magic poisoning. Did you expect me to come roaring back like a manticore with a mad on?”

Jackie chuckles, saying, “Nah, I expected ya to complain all the way up the hill. Ya done better than I hoped, but we got a ways to go ‘fore ya’ll can rest.”

“Oh, be still, my beating heart,” I quip.

“Ya’ll keep that sass up and Ah won’t tell ya what Ah got planned for when we’re done,” Applejack teases with a wink, “Ah promise, it’s gonna be fun.”

With a heave and a grunt, I carry on with my load, following Jackie’s swinging tail and ample rump. Every little bit, she’ll swish her tail from side to side and I’ll catch a glimpse of her marehood. Such sights are sure motivation to keep up as best I can. Before the poisoning, I would boost myself with Titan’s Boon and Mercury’s Gift, maybe augment it all with some Atlas’ Burden. My magic is still weak right now, so those booster spells are nowhere near as strong as they once were. And to think, I once took my arcane prowess for granted.

So onward we go, from steady slope to steep incline, marching through the orchard at not quite a full gallop but something faster than a trot. I’m not sure what the name of it is; for all I know, it might be a run. I’m not sure what it’s called but I’m certain it doesn’t really matter all that much. I’m sweating profusely, the muscles in my legs and back are screaming in protest, and my arms aren’t far that behind in open revolt. My asthma, which had improved dramatically after my acclimation, had reared it's head again and threatened to close up my larynx once more with mucus.

“Almost there,” Applejack called back, “should be seein’ daylight soon, just ya wait.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I gasp, “coming up behind you.”

A smug grin appeared on her face as Applejack turned her head to speak to me, “Ya’ll enjoying the view back there?”

“Very much so,” I answer, “best view in town, in my honest opinion.”

“Ya’ll and yer flattery,” Jackie murmurs, “ya’ll gonna have plenty of time fer that.”

I would retort, but just then I saw one of the most beautiful sights in my short life: Fluttershy, laid out on a picnic blanket, a daisy chain woven into her mane and a breakfast spread that be would be envy of King Louis XVI. I damn near dropped the sacks on my shoulders for looking and then Jackie adds to the scene by sweeping off her Stetson and plopping down right next to Flutters. Both mares have their tails arranged so their plots are showing; it’s a wonder I hadn’t blow my load into my shorts by this point. In spite of the Autumn air settling into the valley, the glade where I was lead to was sunny and warm. My mares really went all out to make this a special breakfast. I’m really glad I woke up this morning.

Noticing a spot on the picnic blanket between my girls, I ask, “Is this spot taken?”

Fluttershy, using her most coquettish expression, replies, “We were saving it for you.”

“Are ya waitin’ on an engraved inv’tation?” Applejack asks.

“No sir,” I quip and sidle into the space my mares have left of me.

Flutters and Jackie began stroking my chest with their forelegs; it is the most regal treatment I have ever had and I’m loving every minute of it. It only gets more royal when Flutters starts pulling food out of the picnic basket and starts feeding me, Caligula style. Jackie, meanwhile is massaging my muscles in my back and shoulders, using her hooves like- well, I don’t have a comparison, but it is rather relaxing. Jackie is one of the hardest working beings I know and yet the frogs of her hooves are velvet soft. Before long, my belly is full of honey maple sandwiches and Granny Smith apple slices. I’m sporting the biggest erection I’ve had in awhile.

“Well, ‘Shy, it looks like I owe ya five bits,” Jackie titters, watching the tent growing in my pants, “he is as spry as ever.”

“I told you so,” Flutters confirms with a nod, “My Stevie is a proud stallion. He can get it up for his mares when he wants to.”

“Were you gals worried about me?” I ask, “I’m flattered.”

“Well, after all that fightin’ and scrappin’ at The Pony Sisters’ Castle, Ah was wound up pretty tight,” Applejack answers, “Ah was- well, ‘Shy and Ah were kinda wonderin’ if’n you’d be up fer a roll in the hay. Then ya turned up sick and well, that kinda put paid enny plans we had.”

“I’m sorry, girls,” I apologize, “I hadn’t known having my magic restricted like that would make me so damn weak. Trust me, I was willing, more than willing, to satisfy you both.”

“We know, Stevie,” Fluttershy said, “we thought you needed some time to recover. While we were disappointed, we wouldn’t ask you to do something you hadn’t had the energy for.”

“Thanks Fluttershy, thanks Applejack,” I say, nuzzling the two most beautiful mares in Equestria, “I can make it up to you two, I swear I will.”

“That’s wha’ we like to hear,” AJ exclaimed, “now how ‘bout ya’ll scoot on in here. There’s plenty o’ food and plenty o’ mare to go ‘round, ya hear?”

“I think I’ll do just that,” I reply and scootch on in between them.

The rest of the morning is spent dining on the fine feast my mares have cobbled together. And making love for the first time since the Royal Pony Sisters Castle incident. I was still feeling a little weak and I was certain I would be inadequate to please them, but they were very happy they got their stallion back. When we were done, we just lay there on the picnic blanket, letting Celestia’s sun warm us up and dry off the sweat. I was assured that whatever sexual tension had built over the last little while was now thoroughly sated.

While I would have liked to laze around that day, my recuperation had left me with a feeling of cabin fever. So, after convincing Shy and Jackie into a (non-sensual) shower, we trotted our way into town. As far as I knew, no news had propagated about the battle in The Everfree. As far as anypony knew, there was emergency that Princesses Luna and Twilight had to handle out that way, but details were slim. In all honesty, I felt that less ponies knew of that event, the better and it appeared that Princess Celestia was of the same mind. Although, I have to think her reasons for doing so are vastly differently than mine.

In any case, AJ, Fluttershy, and myself wandered aimlessly through town. I didn’t feel like anything was out of place, but I did see a lot more Solar Guards than usual. The town constabulary was usually on patrol, but for every constable I did see, there was a pair of Royal Guards trailing behind her, spears at the ready. More than once, I felt their eyes fall upon me; I don’t think I’ve ever been so unnerved before as by the stares I got than when it came from those guards.

Now, I’m unsure if our route led us there or if it was our aim to get there in the first, but we eventually turned up at Twilight’s place. The Golden Oak was doing some fair trade that day and while I was still rather lackluster in written Equestrian, I’m pretty sure the sign over the door was about some book sale. I didn’t know that sort of thing happened in Equestria, but Flutters was curious about it, so we ventured within. There were a few ponies milling about, some were actively perusing the titles on hoof, and some were there to partake of the refreshments recently laid out. The mare of the hour was behind her circulation counter, where an antique, scrolltop cashier’s register was planted.

“Hey Twilight,” I called out, “what in wide world of Equestria is going on in here?”

“Oh, nothing much,” Twilight beamed, “just a little book sale. Some of the volumes I have here are older editions and I need to make some room for newer editions. Also, I was hoping to give Sunset a little lesson in friendship!”

“A lesson in friendship?” Fluttershy asked, “And, uh, how would that work in with a book sale, Twilight?”

“I was kinda wonderin’ that meself,” AJ said, “what is yer apprentice gonna learn from a book sale?”

“Oh, you’ll see,” Twilight said coyly, “ah, there she is!”

Twilight pointed a hoof to her right, we looked and we saw. Parading around the floor of the library was Sunset Shimmer, clad in a business mare’s suit, holding a tray of treats for the patrons and wearing the most plastic smile I had ever seen. I would laugh, but the throbbing vein on her forehead was threatening to burst. I didn’t want to be accused to making bursting a pony’s aneurysm. And given how uncomfortable Sunset looked, it wouldn’t take much for her dam to burst, either. It was a little harder for Shy and Jackie to hold back their mirth, though.

“Laugh it up, fillies,” Sunset growled, “she has three more of these things in back.”

And that shut them up right quick…

“Actually, I’m surprised you three are here,” Twilight said, “I would imagine you would be spending as much with each other as possible.”

“Eh, I was getting cabin fever,” I replied, “anymore time spent at home and I was going to lose it. No offense, Sunset.”

“None taken,” the fiery mare said, “though I’m certain you do have some barbs you’d like to trade with me.”

“I had thought about it,” I responded, “but given how much of an effort you’re making to be pleasant this afternoon, I didn’t want to ruin the illusion.”

“Actually,” Applejack added, “I kinda had a few question fer ya, filly.”

“Oh?” Sunset asked, placing her tray down, “And what would those be?”

“Where were ya during the- thing?” AJ inquired, “Ah woulda figured ya be there with yer princess, helpin’ us fight.”

“Uh,” Sunset began, “well, I would have, really, I just, uh, I just-”

The poor mare was sweating bullets.

“Sunset,” Fluttershy started, “were you- afraid to go into the Everfree?”

“No, no!” Sunset exclaimed, “Why would I be afraid of a the scariest and wildest forest in all of Equestria? It’s not like it isn’t teeming with predatory wildlife and is treacherous underhoof or anything!”

“Ah smell a scaredypony,” Applejack announced.

“Applejack!” Twilight admonished, “That’s totally unfair! Aren’t you a little too old to be name calling anypony?”

“I have to agree with twilight on this one, Jackie,” I add, “I know Sunny and I harass each other all the time and whether that’s good natured ribbing or not, I honestly don’t know. Yet, I would never only berate Sunset about anything like that. So what if the Everfree frightens her? It frightens most ponies! From what I understand, you were practically terrified of it the first time you went in!”

“Wha-what?!” AJ sputtered, “Now who done tole ya that?!”

“A little birdie did,” I reply with a wink, “now I think you owe Sunny an apology.”

“Consarn it,” AJ muttered, then turning to Sunset, “I’m sorry, Sunset. Tweren’t right of mah to mock yer fears and all.”

“A-apology accepted,” Sunset replied, “wow.”

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

“I think that is the first time I’ve ever accepted a pony’s apology before,” Sunset said, “I’m still upset, but not as much as before.”

Twilight smiled, then said, “I think you’re making progress, Sunset! Hopefully soon, you can return to Canterlot and face your demons without any shame!”

“Yeah, fat chance of that happening,” Sunset snarked, “so, are you all here to gawk at the loser or did you have business you wanted to conduct?”

“Well, I think I saw an interesting recipe book, Dining With Minotaurs? I’m hoping nopony has made off with that one yet,” Fluttershy said.

“And I’m thinking of getting that there rodeo book, Buck Wild,” Applejack said, “Ah have the first three in th’ series.”

“There’s an entire series of rodeo books?” I asked, “Are they nonfiction, fiction, or historical fiction?”

“Nonfiction, Ah think,” AJ answered, “well, bless my stars! The whole series, in paperback! Ah think Ah got enough bits for this…”

I had to smile as my mares went a small shopping spree in The Golden Oak. I know Jackie is no slouch when it comes to brains, foregoing her lack of mathematical prowess, but she does tend to favor most anything related to farming or ranching. Flutters interest in that minotaur cookbook does have me quite curious. I have to wonder what it is she thinks might be in there that might be delectable. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

“So, Steven,” Twilight begins, “how are you feeling? Has your magic come back?”

“Now that you ask,” I reply, “I am feeling better and my magic has returned. It isn’t as strong as it was before, but I have it under certain authority that should rectify itself shortly.”

“Ah, that reminds me,” Twilight said excitedly, then she ducked under the circulation desk and scrutinized the shelves underneath for a time. When she came back up, she held a tome as thick as the Oxford English Dictionary, but antiquated, with a faded and peeling leather cover.

“Princess Luna sent this,” Twilight said, “it supposed to be for you, but I couldn’t help but get a glance at it. I have no idea what it’s about because the glyphs inside are of no language I’ve ever read. The construction of the volume is a curiosity in and of itself, as well. Most books made in Equestria are string bound to heavy cardboard. The material of this cover feels strangely- fleshy and the pages are not bound at all. It looks like they were fused together.”

“Curiouser and curiouser…” I mused, “that sounds like the sort of build the books back home have, but this thing appears ancient. Was there any explanation from the Lunar Princess as to why she sent this?”

“Not really,” Twilight answered, placing the book on the counter with a slight thud, “just to give it to you at my first opportunity.”

“Then you can tell Blue it was well received,” I reply, picking the book up, “huh, lighter than what I was expecting.”

“Lighter?” Sunset asked, “When I picked it up it weighed a ton!”

“It was no sack of feather for me, either,” Twilight added, “just what is up with that book?”

I shook my head, bemused at all this trouble over a single tome, then opened it the first page. Upon doing so, The Aether opened wide for and the text on the pages quite literally came alive. Illustrations inked on the inside cover and in the margins of the pages began to dance; I was starting to have a very Harry Potter reaction to all this and I hoped to God I was holding a horcrux. As it turned out, I wasn’t and what I was seeing was an enchantment built into the book itself.

“It’s a spellbook,” I chimed, “not just any spellbook, though, but one written for The Archmages!”

Twilight and Sunset both gasped, “What?!”

“There’s a reason you couldn’t read it, Sparklebutt,” I added, “it’s written in Olde Imperian.”

“Old Imperian, huh?” Sunset wondered, “Yes, yes, that would make sense. Olde Imperian predates The Founding of Equestria, well before the Discordian Era! Nopony alive, except for maybe the Princesses, could read it.”

“And why not?” Twilight said, affronted, “I was Princess Celestia’s protege! She taught me everything she knew!”

“Or everything she wanted you to know,” Sunset snarked, “trust me, Twilight, she couldn’t possibly teach you everything she knew unless you became an alicorn, too. And even then, I’m pretty sure most of what you would need to know would come from experience.”

“But, I am an Alicorn…” Twilight murmured.

“Ladies,” I interrupted, “as fascinating as this conversation is, I think you have some customers awaiting you. As for myself, I think I’ll be perusing this tome later; there’s quite of lot information in here that I can learn from. Plenty of spells, some glamours, I even found some charms that might be useful later.”

“Aren’t you afraid of running out of mana?” Sunset asked, “I know from my education at Celestia’s School of Gifted Unicorns that every spell or cantrip has a cost; you’ll run out of mana eventually if you keep casting without a rest.”

“I don’t think Steven’s magic works that way,” Twilight said, “all the rules of Arcanus Equus don’t necessarily apply to Steven’s brand of magic.”

I nod, adding, “Human magic, or Arcanus Sapiens, has no need for a mana reservoir, unlike unicorns and alacorns. I pull mana from my environment and channel it in a way to craft spells. It looks more complicated than it actually is.”

“I- can’t imagine doing that,” Sunset admitted, “that sounds like a lot of busy work.”

“Had I any locus for my magic, I might understand,” I countered, then pointed to my forehead, “alas, no horn,” then I pointed to my back and feet, “no wings, no hooves. In a way, my entire body is a locus.”

“That is fascinating,” Twilight said, “you’re going to have my invite to one of your practice sessions.” Sunset nodded in agreement.

I smiled, saying, “We’ll just have to see what I can work out.”

---

Rainbow Dash had been resting on a cloud as it floated across Sweet Apple Acres. It was one of her favorite places to nap between weather duty jobs because the sound of the Apple Siblings working below was as much a sedative as anything Dash knew about. At the altitude she was at, hardly anything, save another Pegasus, could reach her. It also helped that another squad was assigned to the apple orchard, given it’s proximity to the Everfree Forest.

It was a surely relaxing perch and would have remained that way until an apple pierced her reclining cloud and knocked her upside her head.

“OW!” The cerulean Pegasus cried, “Hey, what gives?!”

When Rainbow Dash looks down, she sees nopony for a while. Then, sidling out from beneath a tree, came Big Mac. Even though the large, red Earth pony was as stoic as ever, Dash could see a hint of crimson on his muzzle. She had never seen the stallion so embarrassed; it actually piqued her interest before a more pressing matter disrupted her thoughts.

“Hey, Big Mac!” Dash shouted, “Were you the pony that pegged me with an apple?!”

“Eeyup,” the stallion admits.

Dash starts, then, “Why?!”

“Ah need ta talk with ya,” Big Mac replies, “if’n ya can come down here, please.”

“Dang it,” Dah moaned, “I was having a good nap…”

She sprung from her napping spot and flew down, landing softly in front of the massive stallion. She wore an expression that was equal parts pensive and annoyed. In normal circumstances, Applejack would be the one to buck apples up to Dash, only for the stunt flyer to pick them out of the air to devour them. It was a game they played as part of their friendly rivalry. Lately, with AJ sticking so close to Steve the Hooman, Dash hadn’t been able to play with her at their little diversion; she was also upset that one of her best friends had picked up her stallion.

“So,” Dash challenged, “what’s this about, anyway?”

Big Mac took a few calming breaths, for he looked like he was about to vomit, then opened and closed his mouth a few times; no words came out of his muzzle, though. He started to scratch at the ground with a forehoof, his eyes darting every which way but at Dash herself. Big Mac’s behavior was unnerving Dash but she couldn’t figure out why. After a whole minute of him staring at the ground and saying nothing, Dash had reached her limit and started to turn away. Then he spoke.

“Are ya doin’ anythin’ Friday night?”

Dash turned back around to face the stallion, her eyes bugged out in surprise.

“What?” Was her genius reply.

“Are ya doin’ anythin’ Friday night?” Mac asked again, “the harvest is near complete, and with Steve back on the mend an’ all, we should get all the apples harvested by late Thursday, early Friday. So, Ah was a-wonderin’ if’n ya wanted to grab some coffee at Sugarcube Corner, maybe catch that new film playin’ at Haystax? Ah hear it’s a real hootin’, hollerin’ comedy. Ah could use a few laughs, given all that’s happened round here as of late.”

“Are you,” Dash began to ask, “Are you asking me out on a date?”

Big Mac nodded his head, adding, “Eeyup.”

Dash blushed a little; she had spent a significant amount of her time lately in pursuing Steven and she had never given any thought into a stallion stroking her affections. The fact that the nominally stoic Big Macintosh Apple had asked her out and was flustered to no end doing so, set off a warmth in her heart. While she still wished to seduce the hooman mage, she didn’t think she could do much worse when it came to stallions. Faust only knew that her selection in town was rather dismal.

“Okay, sure,” Dash answered, “but only if you can win against me in a hoof race!”

A sly smile formed on the larger stallion’s muzzle and he replied, “Let’s get it on!”

---

“This is fucking amazing!”

Okay, a little background for this moment here. After our little love making session, AJ, Shy, and myself returned to the Wolf Den to review the book Luna had sent me. This rather gargantuan tome was written in Olde Imperian, the language of the Empire before The Fall. I don’t believe many ponies now alive could read it and I hardly believe that even Hand That Mourns could. Some of the effects of my Reclamation was the new ability to read Olde Imperian, so when I saw the cover of the book, I instantly knew what the scribbles on the front meant. The title of the book was The Archmage’s Handbook and Arcane Library.

Now, it was exceedingly rare for any hard copy versions of Terran Imperial texts to exist after The Second Golden Age; every citizen of the Empire was given a Portable Holographic Adjunct Tablet (similar to one of those PDAs of the early XXIst century,) so most text documents and manuscripts were digitally converted and uploaded to The Ecumene. So this encyclopedia arcana was a rare treat indeed. After explaining what it was and what it contained to my partners, I began to read in earnest. That’s how I found the spell that loosely translates to “bounce house momentum.”

It wasn’t a true flying spell; apparently even Terran magic couldn’t break the laws of physics the way Equestrians can, but this spell would allow my bound for great stride and great length. I was originally going to call it “The Superman Spell” but knew none of my friends would get the reference and calling the “Pinkie Hop” jinx just wasn’t working for me. I eventually just declared it the Long Bounce Charm; that was how I found myself dashing from one end of Sweet Apple Acres to the other with little effort.

“Boy howdy,” AJ exclaimed, “ya sure figur’d that ole spell easy ‘nuff! Ya can dang near give Rainbow Dash a run for her bits!”

“It sure does look like fun,” Fluttershy declared, “I bet Pinkie would love to see you bound like that.”

“No kidding!” I said, coming in for a fast and dirty landing; I regret doing that because Shy and AJ got showered in dust when I did, “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Shy said, “I was planning for a bath later today.”

“An’ Ah still got work ta do,” AJ added, “a little dust ain’t gonna hurt me none.”

I love my girls so much; they put up with so many of my eccentricities and never complain once! Well, they might still complain but usually when I’m out of earshot; that’s strictly my speculation on the matter, mind you. In any case, they have stuck with me through thick and thin, so I have to give them credit for being resilient.

“Okay,” I say, smiling, “I’m going to practice this cantrip a little more. It’s one of the more usual and fun spells in my repertoire. And then I’m going to try out that new technique Princess Luna wrote to me about.”

“I keep fergettin’ how cozy ya are with Princess Luna,” Applejack states, “how do that start out again?”

“I think it had something to do with he did during the Grand Galloping Gala,” Fluttershy answered, “he started getting letters from her after that.”

“And since the incident, I’ve been getting those more and more often,” I added, “one every other day, instead of one every other week.”

“Dang,” was all Applejack could say.

“Those letters have been forthcoming since The Incident,” Fluttershy said, “isn’t that right, Stevie.”

“Seems right,” I reply, “The Battle of The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters has stirred up some controversy. I would figure Blue would have plenty on her plate already, but she keeps sending my correspondence! I guess I made a good friend there.”

“I would say so!” Jackie beamed, “Ah think a thank ya letter is in order.”

“Halfway there, already,” quipped, “and if I can perfect this spell, I just might be able to deliver it myself!”

“But what about that trick Princess Luna told you about?” Flutters asked, “I wouldn’t mind seeing it.”

“Oh, right,” I said, “I almost forgot,” I readied myself than added, “I want you girls to close your eyes, please.”

They did as I asked, though I could see that Jackie was a bit hesitant.

“Okay, I want you to focus on my voice for a little bit, only on my voice, block out all other stimuli-”

“Stimuli?” Jackie asked.

“All other senses,” I explained, “just focus on my voice-” and all will be apparent soon enough.

“Stevie?” Flutters questioned, “What happened to your voice?”

Not much, I reply, but you can now open your eyes.

When they do open their eyes, they see nothing different.

“Okay, what’d ya’ll do?” AJ ponders.

Oh, nothing, I respond, then again, what I’m doing is not something that you can see.

Fluttershy gasps when she catches on.

“Stevie, are you- speaking in our thoughts?” She asks.

“What-?”

I am, is my answer, Luna taught me how to project my thoughts into your minds.

“I can hear ‘im talkin’,” AJ mutters, “but Ah ain’t seeing his lips move…”

“Because he doesn’t have to,” Fluttershy says, a bit mournfully, “Stevie can now ‘think’ to us.”

Why does that make you sad, Shy?

“Well, I always enjoy listening to you talk,” the Pegasus admits, “it makes me warm in my belly.”

“It’s also downright creepy,” AJ says with a shudder, “can ya’ll knock that off now?”

The incantation needed to produce the telepathic effect gets shut down and I say, “Sure thing, Jackie. I just wanted to demonstrate what I can do now.”

“Mighty proud of ya, darlin’” Jackie says, nuzzling me, “next time, though, a little warnin’.”

“Consider it done,” I assure, “now I need to try one last spell before I call it a day.”

“Oh, is it a fun little spell?” Shy asks me.

“Eh, not exactly,” I answer, “know where I can find a vacant valley with hardly anything in it?”

---

Note to self: Ultima, as a spell, requires a lot of room and a lot of mana to cast it. Star Valley is now pretty much a scorch mark and the explosion I rendered could likely be seen from orbit, or at least from Canterlot. I should expect a letter from either Blue or Princess Sunbutt asking what happened here. The good news? I discovered a treasure trove of gems for Rarity to play with. That should be make her very happy.

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