Kamina was face down, groaning in agitation into a book on practical combat applications of magic in Twilight's private library in one of the castle towers. Actually, according to Twilight; this was Celestia's personal library, which was of significantly lower security than the archives, which stored all literary knowledge of the world at large. But Kamina ignored that noise; the mare literally lived here, with her cool little dragon bro Spike.

It had been over 3 months since Kamina was forcefully reincarnated as a unicorn by Celestia, who also finally got the courage to admit that the act of doing so; essentially genetically made him her son since she had to use herself as a base. Which, by tradition, and law, legally made him Prince Kamina the Great of Equestria; son of Princess Celestia. Kamina groaned again at remembering how irritating it was to have to read and sign so many documents confirming his “birth” over 18 years ago. It was easy for Kamina to accept Celestia as his mom, beings he never knew his actual mother anyway.c

Oh yeah! Also; Celestia had to rebirth him years younger than his actual mental age. In his mind, he was 25, but his body was 18; the same age he died. In Equestrian society though; that was the usual age that ponies were considered full adults, some were even considered such at ages as young as 16, depending on upbringing, intelligence or scholastic achievement. Overall; if a pony had the will, and the skill, they were already productive members of society.

But Kamina had apparently spent too long reflecting as his muzzle was buried in a heavy textbook, and Spike flicked his horn, making Kamina give a yelp as he jolted up to glare at the amused young dragon, who smiled impishly from his location standing on the table. “Kamina, Kamina, Kamina...you're lucky it was me who found you and not Twilight. Remember what happened the last time you drooled in one of her books?”

At Spike's mention of said horrid occasion, Kamina shuddered as he remembered the cold, terrifying fury of an enraged mare, who could break him with her mind...which he couldn't help but think was hot. Speaking of which; Twilight was 17, and a rocking, smoking hot teen mare at that! Woo~ he could stare at that mare's flanks all day, or watch her well-kept mane shift as she read, and oh~ when she put on some glasses; HOT teacher! “Ow!” Kamina shouted as Spike flicked his horn again, harder this time, and leveled a glare at the unicorn.

“I know that look! Thoughts off my sister you perv!” Spike was essentially Twilight's little brother the same way Simon was Kamina's little brother. They had a simple yet complicated brother/sister son/parent relation that was practically analogous to his and Simon's relationship, only it was more literal since Twilight literally raised him from birth. Only, while Kamina supported Simon relentlessly, Twilight stifled Spike with her over-protectiveness; something that Kamina was trying to rectify, even going so far as to name Spike his new “little bro”.

“Hey! I don't tell you to stop gawking at mares!” Kamina then grinned. “You know I wholeheartedly support such stallionly behavior!” Kamina's grin widened into a smile at seeing Spike flush in angry embarrassment at being called out on his wandering eyes. Spike was 12, and on the onset of puberty, and it was hitting him in the brain hard. Kamina did a good bit of reading, something he'd had to do with the amount of knowledge Twilight forced on him on a daily basis to get him acquainted with the world he now lived in. Some of the personal interests were what was known of dragon physiology, and a certain tidbit he relished in knowing was that dragons could breed with just about ANYTHING, meaning any relationship was viable to produce offspring. Meaning he could totally tease the hell out of Spike's increasing interest in the opposite sex.

“Sh-shut-up! Don't tell Twilight!” Spike demanded, and Kamina smirked deviously, making Spike growl as his green flames leaked from his clenched teeth. “Want me to send you to your mother again?”

Kamina's smirk was replaced with a fearful expression, and he laughed nervously as he waved his hooves. “N-no! Please! It was literally like being burned alive, fed through a tube, and then dropped on ma's head!” Kamina's accidental experience with dragonfire delivery was courtesy of him pulling a joke on Spike involving sneezing powder, that got WAY out of control, and ended up sending him, and a good number of random books right onto his mother Celestia, DURING court. That was not a fun day. Especially since he was gored on her horn, it was a traumatic experience for all involved.

This made Spike flinch, and calm down while looking sorry. “Right, yeah, sorry...I won't joke about that again.” The two fidgeted in awkward silence, and Spike was about to say something when Twilight burst through the front double doors unusually violently.

“Spike? Spi~ke!” She called as she quickly ascended the short stairs up onto the main floor of the library. “Oh! There you are!” She then looked to Kamina. “Keeping up your studies Prince Kamina?”

“Ugh....” Ever since last month, when Celestia dropped the bomb of him now being her genetic son after he recovered from his near-death experience of being gored on her horn, Twilight had insisted on referring to him by his new station, which, seriously, he doubted he ever would have the qualities to meet. Aside form his charisma, dashing good looks, his god-like dick which a certain pegasus maid got to have some fun with only a couple weeks since he arrived here.... “Twilight; for the last time, it's just Kamina. We're friends, I don't want friends using my title.” However, he drew the line at anyone he considered a friend referring to him so formally.

“But Kamina; you're a prince and I'm just-.” Kamina flashed right in front of her in a burst of crimson light; a simple short-range teleport he'd mastered earlier this month, interrupting her as he pressed his face into hers to look directly into her eyes in complete seriousness.

“My. Friend! And Friends don't use titles with each other!” Kamina declared, ignoring how close they were until Twilight blushed, and he finally noticed just how close they were, and their crossed horns, which tingled pleasantly, so he quickly disengaged with a light flush. 'She's your friend Kamina, don't overstep your boundaries.' Kamina would declare her hot to her all the time, but it was mostly idle flirting, which also boosted her self-image quite a bit. They were friends first; something that Kamina cherished more than some stupid objectification of her as a hot, sexy mage that his libido demanded.

“Well...fine....” Twilight blushed a bit more, since, unknown to Kamina; informally referring to royalty in their presence was simultaneously considered rude, and implying an...intimate closeness with said royal. After composing herself, she turned back to Spike, ignoring that he was standing on a table. “Spike, I need you to help me find an old copy of Predictions and Prophecies.”

“But I'm on a break!” Spike declared indignantly. Seriously, Twilight worked him too hard, especially considering how small an allowance she gives him from the stipend Celestia grants her weekly. Twilight sighed, and then began to rapidly pull books from the shelves and look them over, Kamina sighed too as he turned back to his book, getting back to the mechanics of combat spells. His first priority after becoming mobile and able to live normally, was to learn how to use his magic as a replacement for his old body's dexterity and combat prowess.

He was plenty strong now as it was, having trained with some of the guards under Captain Armor for the weekends to get into shape. Said captain was unusually cruel and brisk with him, as if he'd done something unforgivable; which started immediately after the first session when Twilight came to pick him up, and when he walked up to them as they talked to each other, he idly flirted with Twilight as usual, making her blush and giggle, but Captain Armor to become livid. Neither of them explained why; but he had his bits on the captain having the hots for his friend.

“Found it!” Twilight shouted in elation, drawing Kamina's attention away from the Telekinetic Lance spell he'd been looking at with interest. “Elements, elements, elements....” Twilight chanted as she sat down next to him, and rapidly flipped through the pages of the index. “Ah-ha...Elements of Harmony, see Mare in the Moon?”

Spike perked up at the title. “Mare in the Moon? But that's just an old myth told to foals!” Spike pointed out, as Twilight then flipped through the book to said tale.

“Mare in the Moon; tale of Nightmare Moon, a powerful pony who plunged Equestria into eternal night, but was defeated by the Elements of Harmony and sealed in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day, of the thousandth year of her imprisonment, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!” Twilight finished in shock, as she drew some information together in her head. “Boys! Do you know what this means?!”

“No?” Spike answered in confusion.

“That there's the chance for something big about to happen.” Kamina grinned, as he imagined what said mare looked like. 'Probably smoking hot like some dark, evil version of ma...ew...bad thoughts.'

“Spike, take a note please; to the Princess.” Twilight informed, as Spike took out a scroll and quill from behind him, which Kamina had long ago learned that was how Spike accessed his hammer-space; a mystical personal dimensional pocket that every living being in this universe had. Something Kamina really wished he had in his old universe...would've been very handy. “My dearest teacher, my continuing studies of magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster.”

“Precipice....” Spike paused, and then scratched his chin before smiling and writing it out. “Is that right?” Spike asked Kamina in eager glee, and Kamina smiled as he read that indeed; Spike spelled precipice correct.

“Good job bro.” He scuffed Spike's spines, making Spike chuckle. Kamina had been positively reinforcing Spike since they met, leading Spike to take on his education with more enthusiasm, and being happier in general.

“Yes, very good Spike! Now then; For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon, is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she's about to return to Equestria, and bring her reign of eternal night. So something must be done to ensure that this terrible prophecy does NOT come true! I await your swift response. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight waited for Spike to finish. “Ok, send it.”

“Right now? But mom's kinda busy arranging everything for the Summer Sun Celebration; it IS her holiday after all.” Kamina reminded Twilight, and wondered idly if he'd get his own holiday.

“But that's just the thing Kamina! This will be the thousandth anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration; which celebrates Celestia and the longest day of the year! Nightmare Moon is supposed to return that night, just before sunrise!” Twilight had gotten into Kamina's face this time, and Kamina hadn't moved as she pressed against his face. He let her realize it, and she teleported away when she accidentally rubbed her horn against his again. “J-just send it!”

Spike shrugged and then breathed his emerald fire on it, burning the scroll and sending it magically to Celestia as magic smoke. “There, sent, but I wouldn't hold your breath were I you. The Princess is a bit too level-headed to panic over a silly old myth.”

“I side with my little bro on this one.” Kamina rubbed in, making Twilight leer at them both, before Spike burped up a trail of flame that formed into a new scroll.

“Ha! We'll see about that!” She then opened the scroll with her magic, and floated it in front of her, and as she read she became more and more shocked. “W-what?! B-b-but...WHY?!” She let it fall to the floor, and Kamina levitated it up to read it.

“Dear Twilight, know that I admire your diligence and that I trust you completely. B-b-but *snigger* you must stop reading those dusty old books! Ha-ha! There is more to life than books, so I'm sending you and Kamina...what? To oversee the preparations for the chosen town for this year's Summer Sun Celebration; Ponyville. Kamina, I know you're reading this, so just know I'm sending you too as both your first official public duty as my son, as well as to let you get away from all the stuffy nobles you dislike so much, and so both of you can make some more friends besides each other...huh...thanks ma.”

===//////>

“Ah~! It is just so nice to get a chariot ride! Finally! I'm out of that stuffy city!” Kamina loved Canterlot, don't get him wrong, but he hated all the stuck-up ponies there; especially the nobles. His new cousin and fellow prince; Prince Blueblood, was an especially insufferable prick that crossed horns with him on a regular occasion...no homo. It was usually when on accident, or in a manner to suggest stimulation that a unicorn's, or alicorn's as taught to him by Celestia: horn was sexually stimulated. Otherwise it was as unfeeling and as strong as the bone it was composed of, making it a very dangerous natural weapon outside even it's magical properties.

Kamina was now wearing his signature outfit, tailor-made for him to his specifications. Originally, the nobles were offended he would dare dress so brashly, but he just blew them away with his demand for them to answer “JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?!” and then ranted of his accomplishments, and how great he was, and how little they all were in comparison; thus justifying why he had to appear so much greater than them.

He wore his signature large orange sharp visor shades, which were larger than when he was human to compensate his larger face. His intentionally ragged red cape with his flank mark of the Dai-Gurren Brigade upon it, but with the black flame framing it added. Lastly, he wrapped the fetlocks of his forelegs in bandaging, simply because it was cool. He stood tall, his cape billowing behind him.

“Yeah, c'mon Twilight! This is our first time ever being outside of Canterlot!” Spike added in excitement, and then became confused, then irritated as he noticed Twilight was staring at something other than the scenery. “Twilight....”

“Hm?” Twilight wordlessly supplied, her eyes glued to something in front of the carriage.

“Stop ogling their plots Twilight, it's rude....” Kamina blushed as he realized what she was doing from Spike's annoyed comments, and pointedly kept his eyes away from the white armored pegasus stallions pulling their chariot towards the surprisingly large town of Ponyville. He was all for ogling, he even supported that she do it since it was healthy for her like it was for him to ogle mares. But these stallions were performing their duties, for them, it was just...rude. This was something that Celestia also instilled in him; proving that the wild and lewd rumors involving his mother and her guards was unfounded, unless they approached her first, something she had cheekily added, and was why he and Morning Glory were even now occasional bedfellows.

“Quiet...flexing flanks in action here....” Twilight shamelessly defended as she kept her focus on the two pegasi. Thankfully, they soon arrived in the town square, where the two guards flew them down and landed expertly. “Darn....” Twilight quietly lamented as she climbed out of the chariot and her companions followed. “Thank you sirs!” At her gratitude, they nodded happily and took back off for Canterlot.

“Now then, while we're here, we ARE going to make some friends.” Kamina smirked, as he noticed a big, red, burly stallion with a scruffy orange mane and tail, with some freckles on his cheeks, wearing a wood yoke, and with flank marks of a big green apple, walked nonchalantly by, his furless hooves making loud clops that declared his substantial muscular weight; so Kamina approached him. “Hey there! Name's Kamina! I'm new in town, and I just wanted to say hello.”

The big stallion, who was about the same height, paused and looked at Kamina blankly. “Nice ta meet'cha.”

“Um...good sir, I am Twilight Sparkle, and this is my assistant; Spike and my friend here is Prince Kamina the Great.” Yes, the “Great” was more or less legally part of his name, which made Kamina beam when he was informed of it, but here; he wasn't trying to impress.

“Twilight~! We're trying to make friends! Not declare our status over others! That's for genuine peons not even worth the dirt on our hooves, like thieves or rude nobles.” Kamina turned back to the stallion, who had not changed his calm and indifferent disposition. Kamina held up his hoof for a bump or shake. “So, just call me Kamina.”

The Stallion raised an eyebrow, looked down intently at the offered hoof of friendship with his strong green eyes, and then smiled softly as he raised his left forehoof, and powerfully punched Kamina's extended left forehoof, making Kamina wince in pain from the impressive power the stallion had. “Big Macintosh, but friends n family call me Big Mac.”

“*LOUD, DRAMATIC GASP!*” At the powerful and intrusively loud intake of air, they all turned to look for the source, only to see a pony-shaped cloud and a trail of dust leading around a building.

“What was that?” Spike asked honestly.

“Pinkie Pie. You'll see her later.” Big Mac supplied.

“Well, it is nice to meet you Big Mac, but we'll have to catch up later. We need to check up on the preparations for the celebration.” Twilight informed him, making Big Mac raise an eyebrow again.

“What's first?” Big Mac asked, making them all look at him in confusion.

“Uh....” Spike took out the checklist. “The first on the list is the banquet. So we'll have to talk to a pony named Applejack first.”

“Hm, convenient. She's mah sister. I'll take ya to her.” Big mac then kept walking in the direction he'd been going when Kamina hailed him, and they looked to each other before following, Twilight shamelessly ogling his red flanks.

===//////>

“Nice orchards!” Twilight commented as they entered Sweet Apple Acres. “There isn't anything like this in Canterlot. Everything is brought in from towns like this up there.”

“Well, except for private gardens, like Castle Canterlot's massive one.” Spike added.

“Nah, mom's garden doesn't compare to this place in size at all.” Kamina then turned to Big Mac, who paused as they had looked at the trees. “So Big Mac, where's-.”

“Yee-haw!” At a mare's holler, they all turned to see an orange mare with a simple pony-tailed blond mane and tail, and a trio of red apples as her cutie mark run a short distance at a tree, spin, and buck it so hard that every apple fell from it's boughs and into strategically placed buckets under it. She then proudly posed and crossed her forelegs with a nod as she faced them, showing she shared her elder brother's eyes and freckles under her brown stetson, she also wore a red bandanna around her neck that partially covered her chest, which was rather tasteful.

“There.” Big Mac walked up to his sister as the others followed. “Sis; officials.”

“Oh? That so?” She looked at them, and raised an eyebrow at Kamina. “Fer sure? He don't seem like some snooty organizer to me.”

Kamina smirked, and bowed to her in greeting. “It is so my fair mare. I am Prince Kamina the Great, but please; just call me Kamina.” He winked, making Applejack smile and Big Mac to...not care really.

“Well, ya must be some city pony to be so charming to little ol' me.” She then took his right hoof, and shook rapidly, making Kamina smile in amusement. “Ah'm Applejack! Pleasure to meet'cha!” She then looked to Twilight who flinched away from a potential hoofshake. “Ah, shucks, no need to be nervous; ah don't bite.” She then leaned over to Kamina. “Much.” This made him and Twilight blush at just how bold that was. “So, what can I do ya for?”

“Um...well...we're here on official business. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike, we're here to make sure everything is ready for the celebration, and you're listed as the supplier of all the food for the banquet.” Twilight explained as Spike held up his checklist for emphasis.

“Oh we sure as sugar are! Care to sample some?” Applejack asked eagerly, but before they could answer, she'd run off to a hanging rusty triangle, and rang it with a spoon. “SOUP'S ON EVERYPONY!” Suddenly, without warning, a stampede of dozens of ponies barreled them over, onto their backs, and were seated abruptly at a picnic table with Applejack next to Kamina on the far left. “Hows about I introduce you to the Apple Family?”

Kamina was utterly lost, as she fired off names that were all clearly apple related, and was joined by said themed apple-based food being placed on the table. He tried to keep up, really, but his mind just wasn't made for ingesting so much information so quickly. He heard Twilight say something about leaving, and then it happened.

“Aren't ya gonna stay for brunch?”

Kamina failed to heed his stallionly instincts, he failed to resist the adorable filly's voice. He looked to see a yellow filly with soft strawberry red mane and tail, with a big pink mane bow tied in her mane, giving them the most potent puppy-dog pout he'd ever seen, her shimmering amber eyes finishing it. “HNNNNNNG!” Kamina loudly grunted as he put a hoof to his chest, his eyes dilated, and he fell over.

===//////>

Kamina awoke being tended to by Twilight with a battery of emergency first-aid spells. “Kamina! Wake up!”

“W-wha?” Kamina jolted up, and was gasping for air as he was surrounded by a great number of worried ponies. “What happened?”

“A filly accidentally hit you with pure weaponized cuteness with a watery-eyed pout, and your masculine nature couldn't withstand it so abruptly, sending you into cardiac arrest. Don't worry; I've stabilized you.” Twilight then turned to the filly who was practically in tears. “It's ok Applebloom, Prince Kamina is just fine.”

“B-but Ah almost killed him~!” Applebloom; the small yellow filly that nearly killed with her cuteness burst into tears. “Ah'm goin' to be a criminal~!”

“Oh no you're not you adorable thing!” Kamina stated as he quickly scooped the surprised filly into his left foreleg, and then stood on his hind legs as he gestured with his right towards the sky. Thankfully his sword was sheathed, so there was nothing obscene...aside from his balls, which everypony ignored since it's such an everyday occurrence. “You might be dangerously cute! But I know that you'll harness that power for good! Aim for the sky! Even if you don't have wings!”

“B-but Ah don't want to fly...do ah?” Applebloom wondered, as she looked to the sky, and had an epiphany. “Whoa....” She was seeing something that nopony else could, something she didn't think she really saw either, but it was amazing. “Ah...Ah will Prince Kamina!” It was at this point, that Twilight noticed the spiral of Kamina's horn had been glowing a powerful pale blue, but it disappeared soon after Applebloom's words.

'There is that unusual magic again. Kamina won't tell me what that is, but it shows up whenever he's doing something like this. Something to inspire others usually, but also when he pushes his own limits.' “Well, with all this excitement; I think it's best we do stay for a bit....” Twilight decided with a soft smile, and the whole Apple Family gave a quick cheer.

===//////>

“Ugh...too much pie....” Twilight groaned, her distended belly being testament to how much she over-ate.

“Ugh...too many fritters....” Spike commented, holding his own bloated belly.

“Ugh...too many mares....” Kamina lamented, because while he did like being surrounded by pretty mares, all the single Apple mares, including Applejack, had tried to woo him with their baked goods. And, of course, Kamina being too much of a gentlecolt thanks to Celestia and her butler: Proper Manners' lessons; had to at least try each one. So of course, he was in the same boat as his friends.

“Urp...uh...ok Spike...what's next?” Twilight asked hesitantly, because she really wanted to just lay down and let her stomach digest.

“*Burp*, woo...ok....” Spike took out the list, and looked at the next item. “A pegasus named Rainbow Dash is supposed to be keeping the sky over the town clear.”

Kamina looked up, and noticed many scattered clouds over the town. “Well, urp...she's obviously not doing her job. If only one pegasus is in charge of this; she'd better get on this now if she's going to make it for the celebration tonight.” Kamina was then suddenly violently blindsided by a blur of motion that crashed into him, and sent them both careening into a nearby giant mud puddle...which Kamina promptly proceeded to vomit into from the jolt the impact gave to his overfilled stomach. “Ugh....”

“Oh...holy crud...sorry....” The cyan mare that crashed into him apologized with sincerity in her cerise eyes as she helped him up, getting them both more covered in mud. “Uh...ew...hold on.” The mare was referring to the undigested food that was now mixed with the mud, and flew off towards the nearest cloud, flew into it, and came out clean. With the mud gone, her wild shaggy rainbow mane and tail were revealed, along with her rainbow lightning bolt cutie mark. She then destroyed the cloud with a kick, and grabbing a darker cloud to bring over him. “I'm going to give you a quick cold shower, alright?”

“Go for it....” Kamina tiredly responded, and she bounced on the cloud, causing a quick waterfall-like downpour on him, which woke him up, cleaned him off, and helped him feel a bit better. Kamina then walked out of the bigger mud puddle, and shook off his hooves before looking up at the mare that crashed into him. “Thanks!”

“Don't thank me, I caused the incident anyway.” The mare responded, and then landed in front of them, just now noticing Twilight and Spike. “Oh! Hey! Sorry about crashing into your friend here.” She apologized as she adjusted the flight goggles Kamina just noticed on her neck.

“Um...not to sound selfish...but I'm just glad it wasn't me, considering I would have vomited too.” Twilight answered with a smirk as she gestured to her distended stomach,

“I thought it was kinda funny...aside from the throwing-up thing.” Spike commented. “So...you're obviously Rainbow Dash; the one who is supposed to clear the sky?”

“Yep! That's me! Don't worry about it though; I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat!” Rainbow Dash boasted, and Kamina quirked an eyebrow.

“Oh? Confident are we? Let's see you back up that boast. I boast a lot too; but I can back it up. Put your bits where your mouth is.” Kamina challenged, making her glare at him, before smiling and getting in his face.

“Fifty bits says I can do it!” She then pulled back slightly when he pressed into her face to her surprise, making her blush slightly.

“I'll raise that to one hundred bits! Incentive for you not to disappoint me.” Kamina stated, and reached his right hoof to his side, and pulled a small bag of bits that held said amount from his hammer-space, and jingled it. “I'm good for my side of the bet, are you?”

Dash gulped in surprise, she didn't expect this stallion to have so many bits on him at once, she only ever carried 50 on her. “Well...I'd have to pay you half later...IF I lose!” She started with an unsure tone, but bounced back to her defiance, believing she'd back up her boast.

“Do it.” At Kamina's prompt, Dash took off into the air, and Kamina counted as she sped through the sky so fast he'd thought she could give several planes back on his old world a race. She returned, and he smirked as he then tossed the bag of bits to her. “Good job! Only nine and a half seconds really.”

“Really? Cool! I beat my time!” Dash gushed slightly, and then calmed back down. “Yeah, sure, whatever.” She then noticed something. “Hey~ wait a minute...I didn't catch your names.”

“That's because you didn't ask.” Twilight returned. “I'm Twilight Sparkle, this is Spike, and the stallion you crashed into is Prince Kamina the Great.” Twilight introduced them, and Dash had a visible moment of being on the verge of freaking out over accidentally assaulting royalty.

“Whoa-whoa! Calm down my fit mare. I'm fine. It was honestly a pleasure, and I had too much food in me anyway. It was nice meeting you Rainbow Dash.” Kamina then took one of her forehooves, and kissed it, making her blush and her wings to flare. “I look forward to seeing you again.” Kamina put her hoof down, and turned to his friends. “Let's go.” Kamina then left with Twilight and Spike, Dash not wanting him to go yet, but enjoying watching him leave, as she bit her lip.

“Whoa...that is one smooth stallion....”

===//////>

The trio arrived at the town hall, and gawked in amazement at just how...GOOD the decorations were. It felt like an official royal celebration, which is what it was, which made it more impressive that this local pony had been able to do all this on such short notice. “Wow...I feel like I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala.... I've never been to it myself, but I've seen the preparations it goes through.” Twilight mused as she looked around, and Spike checked the list.

“Says here that the pony in charge of the decorations is named Rarity.” Spike then looked around, and froze. “Homina, homina, homina....” Spike's eyes went heart-shaped, and Kamina looked where he was looking, and about started gawking himself.

The unicorn mare that both males were eying was an extraordinary beauty, accentuated by her gentle pale blue-gray eye shadow contrasting with her pure white coat, and also drawing attention to the simple pearl necklace around her neck. Her eyes were a captivating blue, her deep and vibrant purple mane and tail were painstakingly styled into rolling vertical curls, and on her flank was a very fitting trio of diamonds. She was currently looking through a number of ribbons to finish off the décor, but Spike could wait no longer.

The young dragon shot off like a rocket, skid on the floor on his knees, took the mare's right hoof, and kissed it to her surprise. “Milady! When I witnessed your beauty, I could not resist the temptation of approach! I beseech thee! Might I know thine name?”

The mare tittered with a cute contained giggle, and curtsied, how a mare could do that without a skirt, Kamina didn't know, but this mare DID curtsy. “My, I am impressed with how polite you are young dragon. I am Lady Rarity; but a mere seamstress and designer. Might I know my sweet company's name?” Rarity played along, very charmed by just how sweet Spike was being.

“I am Spike the dragon. Assistant to Lady Twilight Sparkle; personal student to Princess Celestia, and accompanying us on official business is Prince Kamina the Great; son of Princess Celestia.” Spike stood from his kneel and introduced Twilight, who was smiling at how cute Spike was being, and Kamina, who bowed slightly to her. Hey, she was white-hot like the center of a fire, but this was obviously Spike's show; not his.

“*GASP* My WORD! My Prince; do not take this the wrong way, but your attire is absolutely dreadful for formal wear!” And...there it went...great, she's like those nobles. “It is quite dashing however; I feel like I'm looking at a brave adventurer rather than a prince.” And it's back on again! Mare has taste after all. “But something must be done with those shades.” ...Say what? “They are glorious, but whoever made them didn't take the shape into account right, I feel they should be angled a bit higher than to the side. I can make the adjustments if you with your highness.”

Oh...well alright then. He thought that was just because of his new brow, the one who made his shades had them angled more to the sides, but apparently his shades could be even better. “Oh, could you? I'd be really happy if you did so. How much?”

“Hm? No, no, I couldn't possible charge anything for something so minor. It will be enough hassle just to get you to come to my boutique for the adjustments. I'm already finished here, so we can go now if you wish.” Rarity informed, and while Twilight and spike missed it; he didn't miss her glancing eyes getting him in more detail.

'Oh~ pretty mare has wandering eyes~. Too bad lady, my little bro already called dibs on you.' “Sure! Mind if you give Twilight a bit of a makeover though? Poor mare hasn't changed her look since I've met her.” Kamina poked at Twilight, who gaped at him.

“Kamina! I look fine! I don't need a-.”

“Oh no, no! This won't do at all! I MUST rectify this!” Rarity stated as she levitated Twilight in her blue magic, and trotted out the door, ignoring the complaints of Twilight, the boys laughed as they followed.

===//////>

It was a few hours later that they finally left Rarity's store; Carousel Boutique. Kamina's shades were now fully reminiscent of his favorite pair in his previous life, and Twilight got a new mane and tail look, having opted to have it done like Rarity's which was surprisingly easy, considering Rarity said Twilight had such “easy” hair to style, since it didn't fuss or fight like she said her hair did.

“Oh c'mon Twilight! You look gorgeous!” Kamina was trying to convince her to at least keep the look for a bit, because he knew she looked good before, but with effort she was a knockout.

“I...I just don't like all the looks I'm getting....” Twilight shyly returned as she nervously shifted her eyes through the crowed, seeing just how many stallions, and even some mares, where clearly eying her up, something she wasn't used to with her usual natural style. “J-just for today! Ok? But after all this I'm going back to my flat look, I prefer not to be so...noticed.”

“Why? Because then it's easier for you to give guys looks without being caught?” Spike asked sarcastically, making Twilight glare at him and Kamina as they brofisted/brohoofed. “Ok, the last item on the list is the music. We need to find a mare named-.” Spike was interrupted by the sound of a beautiful arrangement of songbirds, and the trio looked to each other before heading through the bushes towards the sound.

There, they found a butter yellow pegasus with voluminous and long light pink mane and tail, said mane hid most of her face, but her eyes were still visible enough to see they were a light blue. On her flanks was a trio of pink and blue butterflies as her cutie mark. She was literally conducting a song with songbirds! “Is that here I'm guessing?” Kamina asked, quietly captivated by the mare's gentle and profoundly adorable natural beauty. While Rarity clearly worked hard on her looks, this mare obviously just put a small bit of effort in, and got a huge return.

“Yep, she matches the description. She must be Fluttershy.” Spike informed them.

“Judging by her name, and how she's behaving with those birds, I'd say she's going to be a bit hard to speak to.” Twilight deduced, and thought of how to approach. “Shush you two, we need to be gentle about this, let's just watch the performance.” Twilight walked out quietly, and sat on the grass a good bit away to watch the unique orchestra, and the boys did the same.

It was a short bit later when Fluttershy called for an end to the practice. “That was wonderful my little friends. Now remember; the performance is very, very early in the morning. So head on home, and get some rest.” After Fluttershy's dismissal of them, the trio let the birds leave, and Fluttershy turned and gasped quietly. “Oh my, oh dear, um...how long were you watching?”

“For most of it my dear. It was very enjoyable.” Kamina complimented, making her blush. 'Wow, she really IS shy.'

“Oh...um...thank you.” She quietly replied, it was a bit hard to hear her, but at least they could. “Could I ask wh-*GASP!*-A BABY DRAGON!” Fluttershy suddenly gushed, and she practically tackled Spike into a hug. “Oh my gosh! He's so adorable! What's your name?”

“Oh! Um, I'm Spike! I'm Twilight's assistant.” Spike told her, and gestured to Twilight who was actually smiling at the exchange. “Twilight?”

“Hm? Sorry, Spike, I was just thinking of how...nice, today has actually been.” Twilight mused as she looked to Fluttershy, who smiled back. “Yes, I am Twilight Sparkle. My friends and I were actually here to check on the preparations for the celebration, and your music was the last on the list. As we saw, and heard, it's all just perfect. It's a pleasure to meet you Fluttershy.” Twilight extended her left hoof, and Fluttershy moved back only for a moment, before taking it and shaking gently.

“I'm Fluttershy. I...don't really have much interesting to talk about. But if it was ok with you all, could I talk to Spike about himself for a bit? I'm really interested in what he might have to say.” Fluttershy looked to Spike, who blushed gently and smiled sheepishly as he waved her off.

“I'm not all that interesting, really. But...if you insist.”

===//////>

Their chat had dragged on for pretty much the whole life story of Spike the Dragon, and the group had decided that it would be best to finally head to the library Princess Celestia had arranged for them to stay in. “And that's the story of my WHOLE life! Except for today, would you like to hear about today?”

“Oh, yes please.” Fluttershy acquiesced as they entered the library together. “Oh my...it is really dark in here.”

Suddenly, the lights snapped on, blinding them all except Kamina thanks to his shades, to reveal practically the whole population of the town shouting. “SURPRISE!” Needless to say, they were surprised, especially Fluttershy who squeaked adorably and tried to hide between Kamina and Twilight.

“Surprise~! I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you!” A light pink earth pony mare with a darker pink wild poofy curled mane and tail, light blue eyes, and a trio of balloons for her cutie mark suddenly introduced herself, and simultaneously revealed herself as the culprit for this shindig. “Were you surprised? Were you, were you, huh, huh, huh?!” She fired off rapidly, as she literally bounded over them effortlessly as if she were a gazelle from Zebrica and not an earth pony.

“Oh we sure are! We didn't even know anypony but us and the mayor even knew we'd be staying here.” Twilight stated with a suspicious glare at Pinkie. “How DID you find out about where important ponies like us were going to be staying?”

Pinkie just beamed at her. “I have my ways~ tee hee!” Pinkie then looked to Fluttershy, and her smile died. “Oh no! I'm sorry Fluttershy!” She was quickly at the yellow pegasus' side, hugging her. “I didn't know you'd be coming in with them, and I didn't find you in time to give you your invitation either.”

“Oh...it's fine Pinkie Pie...I was just...surprised.” Fluttershy calmly responded once she was sure that nothing really scary was going on. “Oh! Hello Rarity.” Fluttershy gently called, drawing the whole group's attention to said mare, who was also approaching with Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“My goodness darling, you don't usually show up for one of Pinkie's parties.” Rarity commented.

“It's good to see ya Fluttershy!” Rainbow landed and hugged her, getting one back. “What're ya doing with these guys though?”

“Oh, they watched my bird friends practicing their music, and told me they were here to check on our preparations. Did they do the same with you girls?” Fluttershy explained, and they all nodded, Applejack approached them.

“Well, Ah'd say ya'll get around quite well! See; we're all sorta friends here, and it's nice to meet some ponies, and a dragon, that clicks so well with us. So, Ah'm thinkin' it'd be nice if we could say we're all friends hm?” Applejack asked, and she and the four other local mares of the town all smiled at the trio, who were suddenly put on the spot, but Kamina beamed at them.

“Friends with five beautiful mares in a single day? Can anypony say lucky?” Kamina asked, making the five all smile at him a bit more, but Pinkie then pointed at him.

“Lucky!” She giggled and they all had a good laugh, even Twilight and Spike. Their worries about Nightmare Moon forgotten in the event of making so many friends today.

===//////>

They were now at town hall, and were a bit tired having partied all night long. Pinkie had a solution however, of a highly caffeinated cocktail of sugary goodness she called the Pink Surprise Super Sugar Sip. Beings the whole group, even Fluttershy had one, they were all now a bit jittery rather than sleepy, and Pinkie was as usual firing off words like a motor, but they all generally ignored her, and only listened for anything relevant.

Fluttershy was conducting her songbird orchestra, and the spotlight landed on Mayor Mare; the ironically named mayor of Ponyville, as she trotted onstage. “Fillies and gentlecolts! As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” This brought about cheers from everypony, save Twilight, who gasped and suddenly remembered her worries.

“Oh no! Girls! Kamina! Spike!” Twilight called her new and old friend's attention to her, but Fluttershy was too busy to come to her. “I just remembered! All our fun meeting each other made me forget, but tonight was supposed to be the night that Nightmare Moon; the Mare in the Moon, escapes from her imprisonment and plunges Equestria into eternal night! I'm hoping that Princess Celestia was right, and it's just a myth, but if not...do I have your help?”

“Of course!” Dash instantly jumped in to support her new friend. “I won't leave anypony hanging! Especially if something this serious is about to go down.”

“Ah'll lend ya my hooves sugarcube.” Applejack stated with a serious expression, and looked back to the stage.

“I am unsure what I could possibly be of help with...but I will try.” Rarity supplied.

“I'll be there the whole way!” Pinkie beamed, and Fluttershy turned and nodded to them from her place up high. Clearly she had good hearing.

“You've got to ask? Twilight; I'm a prince, and even if I wasn't; I'd still jump into the action.” Kamina turned to the stage as Rarity teleported to her spot on the stage, and pulled the rope to reveal where Princess Celestia was supposed to appear...but she didn't. Kamina's eyes widened, and then narrowed. 'No....'

Above them all, on a balcony, a mass of darkness, speckled with light as if the night sky came to life, burst into existence, and formed into a slender black alicorn, just as regal and of same size as his mother. Her mane and tail were the ethereal night sky come to life, her eyes a cold piercing light silver-blue with draconic slits, and adorned with armor that matched her eyes. She sneered down on them all, disgusted, yet elated.

“Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so~ long since I've seen your pathetic, sun-loving faces.” She growled, and then let her eyes lock with Kamina's, and she balked in surprise. “Well, well...so...my sister finally did it; had a child of her own.”

“I will only ask once, before I destroy you...where is my mother?” Kamina dangerously threatened, his horn's spiral glowing a light blue, drawing attention to himself.

“Your mother is now one with the sun, as I have been one with the moon for a millennium. What? Is my being your aunt not good enough for you?” Nightmare gasped as she suddenly had to dodge an enormous red cone of magic that completely destroyed the balcony she'd been on, and the whole building behind her, continuing on into the night sky, leaving a clean round hole through it all, making her gawk down at her recently discovered nephew, who glared death at her with his piercing red eyes from behind his orange shades.

“Last warning...give her back...NOW!” Kamina cast another spell, and dozens of unicorn Royal Guards teleported into the room at the distress signal Kamina had sent them, surrounding Nightmare with a glowing field of charged combat spells, and several citizens who knew even the basic laser spell also took aim.

“...A Prince you truly are, to inspire such bravado so easily...however!” Nightmare's eyes glowed, and a split second later, before they could bombard her; a shockwave blasted through the whole building, knocking everypony down, and while they were down, she teleported over Kamina, and pressed down on his neck with her right forehoof. “There can be only ONE ruler of Equestria!” Her horn glowed, and for a moment, all Kamina saw was her dark light, before he knew no more.

Author's Notes:

Yes! Kamina has corrupted Twilight! Mwahahaha! He's totally prince worthy, infinitely more than that Blueblood reject! Blegh!

Not to mention he's getting ALL the ladies! Or at least looks, because he's a damn fine example of stallion! He'll have to beat them off with a drill I say!