Midnight woke up wincing in pain as sunlight shone trough the window of his and Twilight's room.

Damn, how does a leg I don't even have hurt like this. he thought.

He had been waking up with phantom limb pain for the past month. This morning, though, he wasn't going to stay in bed like he had. Because today was the day the doctor told him he could be active again.

It's time I do something nice for Twilight. I'll make her breakfast. he reached with his left ghost hand and grabbed the prosthetic Jacob made him. It slid onto a rod Jacob put on him in the OR when he was fixing the damage.

Midnight flexed the leg to make sure it was connected to his nervous system properly. It was the first time he really got to use it as Jacob had just finished it the day before. He examined the polished steel and 'felt' for the different features it had.

Satisfied, he walked down stairs and into the kitchen.

I haven't made hash browns for a while he thought and got out some potatoes. A knife shot out of his metal wrist and he started chopping.

When it was cut shall enough, he quickly washed it and retracted it. Then he opened the cabinet as his hoof separated into five fingers, God, I love this thing he laughed to himself, I barely even miss the real one. He grabbed a frying pan and spatula and began breakfast.

“You just couldn't wait, could you.” Twilight said as she walked into the kitchen just as he was finishing.

“I'm just happy. The doc said I can start doing stuff again, and Aurora's coming back from Canterlot. It's an awesome day.” he said.

“I just can't believe she's already controlling her magic.” Twilight said.

Midnight separated the food equally on two plates and put them on the table.

The food didn't last long and soon the couple was in the living room cuddling on the couch.

“You know we still have about an hour and a half until the princess gets here with Aurora.” Twilight said giving him the look he both loves and fears.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Rainbow Dash sat on a low hanging cloud as she watched Scootaloo tie her favorite band around her scared eyes. It said, 'no fear', in stylized letters. It was actually nice to sit back and watch somepony else show off for a change.

She was too tired to show off anyway. The nightmares have been keeping her awake. It even took her fifteen seconds to clear the sky that morning.

Scootaloo set up a series of ramps, poles, rails, and walls. It amazed Rainbow Dash how the filly could use them in a way that she's never seen before.

Scootaloo was on her scooter jumping, spinning, flipping, and grinding across the obstacles. She was, on the ground, what Dash was in the air. It was, after all, her special talent.

Rainbow Dash remembered how the filly reacted to her telling the filly she got it. The kid ran strait to Sweet Apple Acres to get Applebloom to let her see it.

After that Dash asked Jacob to make her one of those runes so she could help Scoots, too. She even asked all their friends to get one for her, they all quickly agreed.

After her routine, Scootaloo rolled up to Dash, “Well what ya think?”

“That was awesome. Geez, I could never do any of that stuff.” she was absolutely beaming with pride for the filly.

“Thanks... mom.”

“Off to school squirt.” Said Dash with a smile

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Rarity watched Sweetie Bell head off to school reminiscing on their time together. She remembered how annoying she was when she first arrived. How happy she was when she met Scootaloo, and then Applebloom. Coming home covered in tree sap... repeatedly. The thought made Rarity shudder.

Rarity couldn't help being proud of herself for helping mold Sweetie into the young mare she's become.

When Sweetie was out of sight Rarity went back to work.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Applejack had been letting her stress out on the trees of Sweet Apple Acres. It was hard without Big Mac there all the time but Pinkie was always willing to help until he arrived.

“Consarn it, where is that big oaf. He should have been here an hour ago.” AJ said with another buck.

“He's going to be late,” Pinkie said after a buck of her own.

“Watcha mean. When did he tell ya that?” asked the cowpony.

“He didn't, my Pinkie Sense did.”

AJ looked at her pink friend and saw her ear twisting back and forth.

“I ain't seen that one before. So that means that somepony's gonna be late.”

“Not exactly. It means somepony's already late... and it's not Big Mac.”

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

“Honey are you ok in there?” Big Mac asked through the door to the bathroom. She had been sick the past couple days, throwing up.

“I'm fine.” came the response. Fluttershy was sitting with her head by the toilet. She kept looking at the little white stick on the counter, How long is this suppose to take?

Finally after another excruciatingly long minute a pink line appered. Fluttershy looked down at it dumbstruck.

“Big Mac,” she said opening the door.

“You alright, Fluttershy?” asked the work pony.

A smile slowly made it's way to her face as she showed her husband the test.

As realization crept up to him, a smile followed. He quickly swept up the yellow pegasus in a hug.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

“...and after his knee heals he's going to join the royal guard.” Applebloom said.

“We've been waiting for you three.” said a familiar voice.

“Oh, geez.” Sweetie Bell said. They turned to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, “What do you want?”

“Pay back. You got us grounded for a week.” said Silver Spoon.

“Ya got yerselves grounded. Don't blame us cause your prank was set off by Twilight instead of us.”

Scootaloo chimed in, “You're lucky she didn't turn you into frogs or something. She has a wicked temper.”

“It's your fault.” Diamond Tiara said, “and these guys agree with me.” Three very large colts and a griffin came up beside the two bullies, “now their going to teach you why you should respect us.”

“Wow,” Sweetie said, “this is not a very fair fight.”

“You're right Sweetie. I'll fight them alone.” Scootaloo said.

Sweetie smiled, “That's better.”

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

A knock at the door brought Midnight out of his blissful stupor. Twilight woke up as well.

“I got it.” Midnight said.

The instant he opened the door he was glomped by a purple and white blur.

“DADDY!” screamed Aurora, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Midnight said returning her hug.

“Ahem.” a voice came from out side the door.

“I'm hugging my little filly. You can wait.” Midnight said.

“I'm glad your priorities are intact.” Said Celestia.

“Go give mommy a hug.” he said.

Twilight was just walking down stairs, “Good morning PrinOOOFF.”

“So how'd it go?” Midnight asked.

“Well, she's powerful. In time she may become as powerful as my sister and I. Luckily her magic is not so difficult to control, but as a precaution we placed an inhibitor on her. It took both of us to cast one powerful enough, but it was successful. Now her magic is at the level of Twilight's at the same age.” the princess said.

“I'm glad to hear that. Thank you for helping us with her.” Midnight said.

“Anything for the ponies who saved my Equestria. Now if you'll excuse me I must see Jacob.” she took off.

Midnight looked back at Aurora as she lifted several books around in a white aura.

“That's awesome, Aurora.” he said, “You want to learn some seal magic?”

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

The manticore hollered in pain as Nag-Ta ran his claw across the beast's legs. He's getting use to this new body. It's far more agile than his previous one. The crippled monster in front of his was testament to that.

This was the first real pleasure he's had since taking the coyote's body a month ago and was savoring it. Every yell, every cry was a drug to him.

He reached up with his right paw ready to strike again, but as he dropped it to the beast a black shadow enveloped his hand just before it landed. The manticore was wreathed by black energy and wailed in pain before going limp.

Nag-Ta lifted his paw to see it encased in a black metal claw with a black gem set in the back in the shape of a skull. It radiated evil and malice. It's darkness was almost... elemental.

To be continued...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authors note:

First, I'd like to thank everyone who read, liked, and favorite this.

As I've said before I’m planing on making this a series so of course Nag-Ta would survive the last fight, every series needs a villain after all. I might make a preview of the next one some time but no promises.

Anyhoo, I'm going to be working on a different fic for a while so sorry if you're wanting more of the Dawn Shield. Next Chapter: Sequel Estimated time remaining: 1 Minutes