Author's Notes:

Updates
-22Jan2017

“...”

“…”

“...mmm...”

Ah, a slow wake up to soothing music. I don't remember this one. It must be one of Octavia's new pieces. Enough of that, I had a day planned out and I wasn't going to miss today for the world. Getting up I made my way to the bathroom.

“Good morning your highness.” Oh yes. Your highness. It was much more exciting than the bland ‘my queen’ the Crystal ponies puked out all the time.

“Good morning to you Octavia. Is that a new piece?”

“Indeed your highness. Inspired from New Equestria.”

“Beautiful. It truly is.” The slow Symphony combined with the high notes promoted happiness and energy. This was definitely a song to wake up to. “From now on use that one to wake me.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

Oh yes. I can feel it. Nothing could go wrong today. Not even if I said those words out loud while walking under several ladders and smashing a few mirrors. Today was going to be the best day ev-

“Oof!” A familiar weight pounces on me and begins to jump up and down.

“Get up get up get up! It’s time to get up mom.”

“Ok, ok. Stop jumping on me and I’ll get up.”

He did so which resulted in him being pinned to the bed with my magic. I then grabbed a few feathers hidden under the mattress and started tickling the little colt. Instantly he was dying of laughter.

“Hey! No fair! Stop that!” I did so, but not after torturing him a few seconds longer.

“Now what was so urgent that you needed to tackle me before I got out of bed?”

“Oh right. Queen Chrysalis just arrived.”

“Already? I better get a move on.”

“Hurry up. I don’t want to wait on you all day.”

“Then practice your magic while you wait.”

I tuned out the groan that I’m sure followed after. Instead I listened to the beautiful melody that flowed from the mahogany cello nearby. That pony knew her stuff. As I made myself presentable for the day I noticed that Octavia was playing another piece. I think this one was new as well.

This composition invoked a sense wonder that would bring about a great change. One of peace and prosperity. The beautiful instrumentals made their way inside me and soothed my very soul. Damn. Is this music going to make me soft?

I finished in good time and walked into the bedroom to see Dark Star practicing his dark magic. He really has come a long way in the art of dark magic. He notices me and runs out into the hallway. I’m about to walk after him when I hear Octavia speak up.

“Will that be all for today, your highness?”

“Yes, that'll be all. You may retire for the day.”

Time to meet the others.

As I entered the dining room, I see two of the many girls I'll be spending the day with, Gem and Chrysalis. They look over to me with a playful smile. I have a bad feeling about this.

“Good morning...Queen Sparklebutt.” After the ‘comedic display’ by Chrysalis, the two girls along with my traitor of a son, starts laughing at me.

“You girls really need to stop with those inside jokes. You’re beginning to turn my own son against me.” Dark Star stopped laughing at this point.

“We’ll stop. Sometime. Maybe. Not anytime soon.” And Gem starts another small fit of laughter.

“Just shut it. The both of you. Onto more important things, where’s breakfast?”

I walk to my seat on the table as did my son. Almost on queue, a few servants walked through the kitchen doors with wheeled trays of food. As the servants past out the plates to each of us I could see my little one grow more and more anxious. Stake was set down in front of him and I could see that little bit of blood lust in his eye’s. Even at breakfast he’s still my little monster.

Gem had her usual crystal pony food. I still couldn’t pronounce that thing to save my life. Chrysalis didn’t have anything except for some orange juice. It was only for taste really. I’ve learned oh so much about changeling biology.

The only way they feed is through the magical impulses one pony uses on another. Since this is also biology based, the pony meant to receive the impulses don't feel anything other than maybe some of the hormones in their subconscious. So the term 'changelings feed off love' is politically correct but only in the magical sense. And there I go again. While in another of my mental rants the others noticed and started picking on me again.

I wasn't wrong, today was going to be a great day...just not for me.

Once we were done with everything in the castle, us girls set out for the train station. I sometimes wish Spike was still with me. ‘sign’ Just like before when he used to ride on my back. Not to worry though, it’s time for my visit to New Equestria. Hooves crossed hoping nothing will happen to stop us fr - and here comes a guard. This’ll be interesting.

“My queen, we've had an incident at the dragon stables that requires your attention.” It says in a hurried manner while bowing.

“Dark, I'll give you this one.”

“Guard, take me to the stables immediately.” He's can be so cute when he's trying to be serious. He'll get there in time.

“Of course, my prince. Follow me.”

The guard starts running off to the stables. Dark Star does as well. He still has a lot to learn.

“Dark.” I say in a sing song pitch which makes him stop and turn to me. “The empire isn't burning down nor will it by the time you walk over there. You are a prince, you must be aware of that role, especially in public.”

“Yes mother.” I could hear the sigh in his voice. He'll get past it at some point.

Walking to the stables we saw a dragon thrashing against the hold of about thirty guards attempting, and failing, to restraining the beast. Some dark crystal shards lay on the ground from previous ‘snacks’. My son looks to me and I give a nod to proceed. He in turn walks up to the dragon, front and center. It was about to chomp on him for another snack.

“STOP!” The dragon did so and even laid down once it recognized him as a master. He looked around the area as everypony around him bowed no longer needing to hold the winged beast. “You. What happened here?” He points to a guard.

“My prince, two of the slaves let loose the dragon after failing to secure the main latch on the door.”

“Where are these two slaves?”

“One is right there, my prince.” My son walks up to the slave who was also in a bow. I think it was scared for its life. Why else was it crying?

“You,” the slave looks up with tears running down his face, “what happened here?”

“M-my prince, we were finishing the feeding process for the dr-dragon when my wi...the other slave...was shoved by a guard into the gate. We didn't finish closing the main latch when the dragon hit it with its tail. Before we knew it the dragon was free. It...it ate-,” Dark put a hoof up to the sobbing thing. I guess he put the pieces together as well.

“Who was this guard that shoved the other slave that was with you?”

“Th-that one, my prince.” Wow. The guard that did the blaming was the one getting blamed. I love the irony.

Sucks to be the slave though. His wife was eaten by the dragon and he has to live with that, maybe. Time to see how Dark will deal with the situation. He grabs the guard in his magic and flings it in front of the dragon. Before anyone can react he stomps one hoof on the ground twice. The dragon then chomps on the guard completely unhindered. The others know better than to move from their bow.

“This goes to all of you, cost us any of my work force again and you'll get a lot worse than that. Now get back to work!”

“Yes, my prince!” A collected shout rang out.

“Take a week for yourself.” Dark was quiet, but I'm sure that's what he said to the slave.

“So how did I do? I did pretty good right?” He starts hopping around me in the cutest manner.

“Yes, yes. You did good. Keep in mind that when you become king, there is no wrong answer. As for me, I'd have thrown the slave in with the guard as well to save him from the misery of his late wife. Now that that's over, let's get to the train before anything else happens.”

“Before I forget to ask, have you returned?” Chrysalis asks me.

“Returned? From where?”

“Oh it's not you. Just a little squabble with the hive mind. Nothing to worry about.”

Hmm. That's been said to me before. Odd. Anyway, our trip to the train was uneventful this time. Once we boarded, the train began to move heading toward New Equestria. These new rails are so much smoother than those old ones in Old Equestria. Can't even feel a bump. The ride there was sure to be a very uneventful one. I know how to spice things up, Cards Against Ponies.

It felt weird

With half of the population of Old Equestria now dead, it was hard for the princesses to start up a colony. After all she only had a third of that half to work with and some still committed suicide. Even with all the odds stacked against them, the princesses managed to rebuild.

Just goes to show how much resiliency they have.

Getting off the train was smoother this time than before, my dark crystal guards certainly knew how to act appropriately. Although I can already feel the inevitable dea-ooof.

“Twilight!”

Yep I knew it. My very own friend death pile. This time it was Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack. Only when I stood back up I saw Rainbow Dash standing next to Shining Armor in...a set of guard armor of her own. I knew she was in the Royal Guard but I was under the impression that she was kicked out shortly after. I mean, this is Rainbow Dash after all. Has the military become that lax in the past year or are they that low on pony power?

“Ummm, Rainbow? Are you ok?”

“Sir, permission for free motion, sir.”

“Permission grante-”

Nothing else registered around me besides the skittles pony that was trying to kill with hugs.

“Oh Twi, I'm soooooo happy to see you. This visit is going to be so awesome!” Finally she let me go. “So uh, yeah. Good to so you egg head.” Now there’s the Rainbow Dash I know and love.

“It’s good to see you too, all you girls.”

“Yes. Such a lovely welcome.” Chrysalis said from behind.

“Gem! Chrysi!” Pinkie Grabbed them both in a hug that should have crack both their spines but...nope. No snapping. Chrysalis didn’t seem to mind the affection.

“I do hope you ladies are ready for the girls night out.” Oh Rare’s, you have no idea.

“Of course, I can’t wait to spend time with all you girls like before. Captain Armor?”

“Yes, Queen Sparkle?”

“Ok now enough of the formalities, I’m commandeering your lieutenant for the day.”

“I thought as much.”

“Don’t look so blue, you’ll have an outstanding time as it is.”

“Doing what?”

“Watching after Dark Star.” As I said that, my little one materialized on my BBBFF’s back. “Have fun you two.”

“Yea Haw! Mush pony, mush!”

“Wait you can’t do that. I have to go back to my duties.”

It was already too late. The girls and I were on our way through the town. Shining will be fine. He’ll just drop Dark off with the other kids, most likely being watched by Cadence. I’ll check up on them later, for now I had some catching up to do.

Today has definitely been the best of the best. After a quick catch up over coffee we headed off to the newly established bowling alley. My team won of course. Lunch soon followed while we talked about the stallions in our lives.

Rainbow Dash was dating some up and coming newby in the guard, ‘tough on the training field and in bed’. That's what she says anyway. Fluttershy and Discord are officially a thing now, and it’s about time too. That pair were secret about the whole thing for too long. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie were still riding the solo train. I suggested they give a threesome a try. Oh boy, the red hues on those faces were priceless.

Gem got herself hitched a while ago, but then again, I already knew that. Chrysalis was getting laid far too often to think of a ball and chain tieing her down. Benefits of being Queen of the Swarm I guess. I made a mental note to ask about that later. Lastly was me. As I went on and on about my knight in shining armor...EWWW! Ok never making that reference again. Anyway I noticed a trend, sex was getting to be more spread out as time went on. I’d have to fix that.

Next we traveled to the local bazaar for a shopping trip. I didn’t find anything I wanted. Not right away that is but I did buy a wagon load of alcohol and the like. There’s no way I’m not going to end this day on a high note.

We still had some time to kill before we could even think to start drinking so it was the castle for us. The guards were a little suspicious of letting me and Chrysalis through. Even with Rainbow telling them to stand down I could tell there was still some lingering anxiety.

Inside the castle, if you can call it a castle, the guards were still a bit uneasy around us. Maybe to the casual observer they were stoik, but not to me. All I saw was a bunch of children playing soldier. It wasn’t long before we found our way to the throne room. As I suspected, Celestia and Luna were busy with some paperwork and Cadance was playing with the kids. I noticed Dark Star was getting a little too close with that devil Flurry Heart. I’ve got to find a way to kill that devil spawn.

“Heeeeey.” I sang to the princesses.

The princesses stopped to greet us. Celestia and Luna looked a little weary and not too cheerful. Not surprising, really.

“Glad you could make it Twilight.” Cadence talked to me first.

“Well we were going to hit the clubs. It wouldn't be right if you didn't come with us.”

“I don't don't know about that.” Cadence tilts her head toward the other two princesses. “I’ll need to find somepony to watch the kids so I can go.”

“‘sign’, Fine. We’ll watch them while you’re out.” Celestia said very sarcastically.

“Yes. Alright girls let’s go.”

“Woah woah waoh. Hang on Cadance, this was far too easy. What are you planning Celestia?”

“I have a lot of things to do so leave before I change my mind.”

Wow, really? I thought it was going to take more than that to win her over. I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth...I have to stop with these metaphors.

The next few hours were awesome. We spent most of our time at the Swooning Stallion. After that, us mares began bar hopping around the city. Also Fluttershee was getting a little tipsy. Our was that me, I couldn't-can't tell. It was getting late by the time we called it a night. Or was it early? Nope, can't tell again. Our group was heading...somewhere. It was the trips there that worried me. I kept falling off-I mean over.

Ohhh. Who is that? Is that...yeah? Yeah. Shela.

“Hey, Shela! Hey! We're you going? I wanna talk.”

She kept walking away from me. I must have been forever since I began the walk to...to...that bitch that won't stop walking way.

“Come on Shela it's like, almost morning stop moving. Shela!” Yay she stops.

“It's time Sparkle.” Shela told me.

“Sparkler? You never call me that befo...hey I know you.”

“Yes you do.” I said to myself. “But it's time you go.” Was that me? I think it was. Or was it Chrysi?

“But I...it is? Thank you. I never thought that talking to myself would realize I'm smart.”

“Riiiight. Now hold still, the spell will just take a second.”

“TWILIGHT! STOP!”

Oh my sun butt. Celestia's here. And she’s FIRING A MAGIC AT ME! WHAT-

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