It took a lot of consoling, apologizing, and explaining, but eventually their lovers and friends all calmed down from their concern over the three siblings. Their explanation that they were required by draconian law to be with their own kind horrified the others, but they relaxed when they said that since they were all Celestia's children, they were exempt as members of the royal family.

Kamina and Animak actually had trouble changing back into their glorious chimeric forms, beings kirins are so advanced as it is, but they managed to get their previous appearances back. With that, they don't have to worry about that law affecting them ever unless they end up stuck as kirins or dragons.

Spike though, ended up getting dragged home by an excessively excited Rarity, who was prancing and tittering about her having her own prince after all, even if she'd already called him so. Of course, he had to have a good, proper shower before anything raunchy could take place.

Things settled down as the summer started to wind down to it's final month, and there wasn't really anything of interest that happened aside from Cloudsdale making Ponyville this year's source of the weather factory's massive reservoir transfer. The Twins helped, and even though a good number of the town's pegasi caught feather flu, with Fluttershy and Spike's additional help, the situation was salvaged even if they didn't break the wingpower record.

Also the CMC got into trouble involving the gossip rag they provided pictures for that was called the Foal-Free Press, the local school newspaper. Especially when the paper actually blabbed about Kamina's excessive accessorizing in private just to look at herself, Animak's personal love of digging tunnels under the town, and Spike's secret hoard in Rarity's basement composed of flawed gems he'd helped her dig up, yet didn't want for her dresses, and rather than eat them he slept on them now and then.

However; Sweetie, Bloom, and Scoots were in nowhere near as much trouble as Diamond Tiara. She was the one running the paper, and she was the one who told them to get the photos, the three fillies were just surprisingly good at stealth and photography. Odd that none of them got a cutie mark out of the venture in that sense. So the CMC got off with a slap on the fetlock, while Diamond got detention, and a Parent-Teacher Conference.

Actually, speaking of parents, today the large group of friends were all heading to Canterlot via the Friendship Express, a name that the Twins and Gilda still laud as being the lamest name for a train ever. Anyway, there was a dessert competition hosted by Celestia in Canterlot. Sure, the paper said it was hosted by a union of cooks, bakers, and whatnot, but the Twins knew their mother better than that. This was their mom's yearly excuse to gorge on sweets to her heart's content.

The reason they were taking a form of transport as slow as the train when they can fly or all mass-teleport was because they were transporting the Cake's entry into the contest. It was a massive, delicious monstrosity of a cake that they knew their mom would love. It also had such a ridiculously long and complicated name, that rather than even try to remember it, the Twins just called it John. Why John? No reason really, they just thought the sound of their mom eating a cake named John was hilarious.

Pinkie agreed too, and almost made the name official, but the Cakes overruled her before they had to tend to their own twins as Pound and Pumpkin were getting quite rambunctious, and it didn't help Citrine was over a year old now, and she was quite the hellraiser. She got into places she rightly shouldn't have been able to, she did seemingly impossible things on a whim, and she often conscripted her young cousins into joining her. She was definitely her father's daughter, and Pinkie's too even if she didn't birth her.

So Pinkie was bringing Citrine on the train to give the Cake's a break, as well as take Citrine to visit her daddy at his work. Thank goodness ponies grow up fast, because Citrine already knew how to use a toilet, she just needed help onto one or a training potty. This also put the rest of the group at ease, knowing Citrine was likely to occupy most of all of Pinkie's attention and energy. Nothing to curtail a party pony than adorable responsibility.

Pretty much everyone was going, save Gilda and Blitz who had already planned to renovate their house this weekend. So here they all were, in front of the train. Big Mac, Animak, and Kamina all straining to hold the ridiculously massive multi-level cake into the side of the opened refrigeration car, which was actually too small at first, but thanks to Twilight and Trixie's magic talents, could now accommodate the needlessly huge confectionery monolith.

“Rarity, I won't stand for it.” Spike put his hoof down, looking down his snout imperiously at his significant other, who was groveling at his forehooves.

“Please, please, please, PLEASE Spiky Wikey~! I need them~!” Rarity was referring to the mountain of luggage behind her, it was enough to fill half a train car on their own. In response, Spike snorted smoke out his nostrils in aggravation, and his horns glowed with power for a second before all her luggage save her carry-on was sent off, getting a sigh and pout out of his mare. “You just know how to treat a lady Spike....”

“A “lady” does not inconvenience so many others with her excess baggage.” Spike sniped back, as he levitated her carry-on next to her. She whined as she took it in her own magic, and climbed aboard. “Besides, if you let Twi enchant all your bags with Undetectable Extension Charms you'd only need the one bag.” Spike snarked to himself, not knowing the mare of his life heard, and blushed in embarrassment at not thinking of it herself as she trotted to her private room, which she was still going to share with Spike in spite of this firm treatment.

“Oh...kay~...there!” The Twins grunt out as they and Mac finished loading the continental cake into the train car. “You can relax girls.” Twilight and Trixie had been holding open one of the windows, which had expanded across the whole side of the car. It was a Detectable Extension Charm, clearly much harder to do since it was harder to ignore the laws of matter when the unreal result was so obvious. In fact, the mares had been sustaining it since it was such a drastic change, and they let out breaths of relief as the window shrank back to normal, and the car reverted to it's original state.

“Thank you all so much for the help!” Pinkie bubbled as Citrine held on to her bouncy mom with glee. “Don't you worry mister and missus Cake, I'll protect John from any neigh-er do-wells who might try to sabotage him.”

The Cakes were standing further into the station with Pound and Pumpkin thankfully snoozing in foal saddles on Carrot's back. “We know you will dear, just please remember it's the MMMM and not...John. What kind of name is that?” Cup asked her husband, who shrugged.

“No idea, probably Braytish. Anyway, thank you all so much. We need to do some serious foal-proofing while we have the chance and Citrine isn't around to undo it before it can be finished.” Carrot then turned around. “So relax, guard the cake, and enjoy the National Dessert Competition. Even if we don't win, just please let Celestia know it was us who baked it for her.”

“Got it~!” Pinkie sang, and then they all boarded the train.

===//////>

It was a somewhat eventful overnight ride, but the Twins had slept like logs due to the train's relaxing rocking, so they missed most of what happened, but the gist of it was that a few of their friends got snackish, and sabotaged John. Then Pinkie's wild accusations and glorifying of the other contestants entries made them give in and try each other's works, sabotaging them too.

Whatever, the Twins were asleep, and didn't really care since things resolved themselves somehow, and Pinkie, the Prench griffon Gustave le Grand, the mule Mulia Mild, and Donut Joe all worked together to combine the remains of their creations together, to make an even bigger, more deadly-via-diabeetus concoction. It was glorious. So the siblings dubbed it Alphonse. Why? Because, that's why. The bakers all agreed to go with it for the name since they couldn't justify anything themselves that wouldn't be biased.

So, then came the hard part, getting the even bigger confectionery colossus OUT of the train car, had to be done the same way it went in, making a very awkward walk to the event. However, once they set it down, the Twins grinned; they could finally set about doing what they actually came here for. “We're going to visit family, that alright?” They asked the group as they all gathered around the table while Pinkie and the other bakes shored things up with an official of the competition.

“Hm? Oh, yes, that's a wonderful idea. Who were you planning to see again?” Twilight asked, as she was busy at the time they mentioned it to her preparing a checklist of preparation plans involving this very trip, and she simply nodded and made sure to exclude them from any plans.

“Our dad, future second-mom, meet our other brother, drop in on Bluey to see how he's doing, and lastly hit up Cade to catch up. She's been oddly bland in our letters lately.” The Twins commented sadly before they blinked. “Oh! Right, and check in on Charity Bell and her family. We want to see how things are with them.”

“It would seem your time is booked. So you'd best flee now, before you're hooked.” Zecora grinned as she was served a plate of cake after Celestia had had a slice. She was so preoccupied with enjoying her precious, precious cake that she didn't even notice her sons were there, much to Scoddri's amusement.

“Such, sweet, chocolaty, tangy, teeth-humming, chewy goodness~!” Tia practically moaned as she was having a foodgasm in her mouth, and the Twins blushed in embarrassment over how worked up their mom was getting over a cake, when she could watch all kinds of things without even blinking.

“We'll just be going...away...from here.” They distanced themselves quickly, not wanting their mom to force some of the cake in their mouths. “We're pie people anyway.”

===//////>

*knock, knock, knock* They rapped their knuckles on the upscale home's front door. “Look at this place...so snobby.” Animak quipped, feeling that their dad's house being in the Noble District to be both odd, and irritating, even if he was given it by Celestia in apology for jumping his bones for several days straight so many years ago.

“Look, I know it's been a while, but just ignore them-and WHAT was that?!” Kamina suddenly spun her head around to glare viciously at a passing noble mare, who quickly scurried off, and Kamina huffed. “I don't care if you think my accessories make me look like a punk, I'm sexy damn it!” She shouted for all to hear, getting plenty of bemused looks from the nobles who knew better than to mock the royal siblings.

“Yes you are~.” Kamina blinked at the unfamiliar voice, and turned her head back around to see...a blue-eyed pegasus clone of when she'd first arrived? “You're really my sister? Geez, I got the short end of the stick then.”

“You didn't come from Celestia's loins. We did.” Animak grinned as he raised a fist, and the tan-orange pegasus with the blue spiky hair hoof-bumped him.

“Yeah, nothing against ma, but I wish I got more of her in me than my wings.” Flash spread his wings to show off the surprisingly elegant feathers. They were rounder, softer, practically down-feathers, yet were clearly still meant to fly. “The mares love them. Want to feel?” He didn't give them a chance to respond, as he quickly stepped into their personal space, and began tickling their chests, getting them to laugh at the amazingly soft appendages actually tickling straight through the fur with simple swipes.

“Ha, ha~ okay! You have nice wings. You must be Flash Sentry then?” They asked, getting a bow out of the young stallion.

“Yes your majesties, or sibs as we can call each other. I'm on vacation for the moment, fresh out of my last year of training and awaiting a posting. I might get sent off since Canterlot's fully staffed. Well, no sense keeping you out here. C'mon in.” Flash let them in, and he closed the door. “Dad's out with Glory for tonight's dinner. They'll be back in the afternoon.”

“Oh...we were planning to drop in on our cousins and this mare we met last Hearth's Warming. If they're not going to be back for a few hours, we could come back.” The Twins thought they'd be able to chat with their dad and Glory before they went to visit Bluey and Cade, and then come back for dinner before flying back home if the others decided not to stay in town a bit.

“What? And not get to know me first? Sibs, we've just met, and I'm totally jelly that my sis Vinyl's got all the dibs on your sibling affection.” Flash draped his wings over them as he got between them in a half-hug each. “Why not chat a bro up huh?”

===//////>

“He's nice.” Kamina commented after the content silence between her and her brother as they flew towards Platinum Manor, the home of House Blue.

“If by nice, you mean an absolutely good guy with few faults to hate him for.” Animak grumbled. For some reason; he didn't like Flash. He was too nice, too skilled at nearly anything he apparently tried to do, too cliché. 'And I thought WE were Gary Stus.'

“Ahem.” Kamina cleared her throat a bit too loudly, and Animak rolled his eyes.

“And Mary Sue.” Animak added, getting a pleased purr from his sister. “Stow it Kam, we're visiting family, not loose swingers.”

“Ani, I've been keeping good track on Bluey since Hearth's Warming, and he is totally swinging right now. He's putting himself out there, trying to find somepony who actually likes him for him. And you cannot deny that his plot is totally-.”

“Family~! Not hearing this~! LA, LA, LA~!” Animak covered his ears as he tried to get the incestuous thoughts out of his head. Genetic immunity to inbreeding or not; he did not want to think of Blueblood like that.

“Tight plot~! Tight plot~!” Kamina sang back like the cruel older sister she was, and this continued in a childish argument until they landed at the front door and knocked. They went silent, and shuffled a bit, before Animak knocked again. “Where's the butler? Or at least one maid?”

“I have a bad feeling sis....” Animak mused, and he pushed in the door to see it simply click open. It was unlocked.

“That's bad.” They echoed, and cautiously entered into the vast entry hall, finding nothing save unlit candelabra, chandeliers, and even a little dust. “It's like it's abandoned....”

“Oh! H-hello!” They quickly looked to the familiar voice, to see a seemingly tousled Blueblood on the upper level. “Sorry, staff's been on vacation the past week. I didn't feel like having much company lately with all those shallow harlots getting my hopes up and then letting me down.”

“Oh, that's fine. But why now?” They asked curiously, and they noticed Blue seemed quite nervous, enough that some sweat was running down his brow, only for Kamina's ears to perk, her nose to twitch, and for her to grin maliciously before nudging Animak in the shoulder, and having a quick silent conversation. Animak quickly mirrored her. “Oh~! That's what's going on?”

“NO! I mean, not at ALL what you're thinking, he, he....” Blue sighed, and leaned down over the banister. “Look, fine, it's what you think it is. I wanted privacy with her for a while, and the servants are such gossips. Kam, PLEASE keep your gossiping trap closed? For me?” Blue pleaded, and Kamina pretended to mull it over.

“Oh I don't know~...this is so~ juicy.” Kamina got smacked over the head, and she grumbled as she rubbed her skull.

“She'll keep quiet. I'll ensure it.” Animak promised, and then they turned to leave. “Have fun Blue. We're going to visit Cadence and Shining, check in on that wedding date.” They left out the door, and Blueblood seemed about to have a panic attack.

“That was close, but not close enough. She isn't aware of this I'll bet. I must give her a head's up.” Blue quickly galloped over to the nearest telephone, obscenely happy that the later models have hoof-friendly number pads as he was too nervous to use his magic dexterously enough. “Cousin, they'll be there soon. I'm guessing they came for that baking contest.

…

Yes, everything's in order. We'll be ready for the extra security measures come the wedding.

…

Of course, your Highness.” Blue hung up, and trotted calmly to his bedroom, opening it up to reveal a bright green glossy cocoon enclosing another Blueblood on the bed. “We're already at the final stages.” “Blue's” eyes flashed green with malevolence.

===//////>

“Hope she's surprised.” Kamina chuckled at the thought of seeing a gobsmacked Cadence.

“I hope Shining's surprised.” Animak grinned, thinking his face was much more satisfying to see lose it's composure. They were about to knock on the front door of the Sparkle home, considering they heard Cadence was visiting, only for the door to open and a smug Cadence to be leaning in the doorway.

“Thought you could surprise me? Blue was nice enough to call ahead with a warning.” She smirked victoriously at the grumpy expressions the Twins leveled at her, grumbling something about getting back at Blueblood. “Well, come in. I figure it's time you properly met Twilight's family anyway.” Cadence turned and walked in, while the Twins froze in the doorway.

'Oh...fuck...right....' They both looked worriedly to each other. They had TOTALLY forgotten that they've never actually met Twilight's parents. This lovely casual visit suddenly became much more important. “Do we look fine?” They asked nervously as Kamina took off her shades, and tried to straighten her plumage, while Animak opened his left wing to check his preening.

“Oh please, don't be worried. Twilight's parents aren't like most nobles. Just behave as you would normally.” Cadence advised, not noticing they noticed the...hunger, in her eyes when she looked them over. “You'll be fine.”

They both blushed lightly and averted their eyes, thinking their cousin was checking them out. She'd done so before, but this time was...odd. “Yeah, it will be.” They followed behind Cadence, but any attempt to approach for physical contact was met with subtle, yet obvious efforts to avoid being touched. Cadence was rather flighty, so they figured she was just teasing them.

“They're in here.” Cadence answered and entered what was obviously the large home's living room. A white and purple version of Twilight Sparkle, clearly her mother; Twilight Velvet, was seated next to a dark blue unicorn stallion with even darker hair, clearly Night Light. Shining was seated on the sofa across from them, and when he looked up at them, he smiled earnestly.

“Ah, siblings-in-law, good to see you.” The sudden complete turnaround involving Shining's behavior towards them got them to pause in confusion. “Hey, hey. I've gotten over it. Clearly you and Twily are in it for the long haul with how long you've been together, so I'm not going to keep griping over your extremely...active...relationships....” Shining grit his teeth as he tried to get the thought of his precious, sweet, formerly innocent little sister doing the deed, often. “Okay, I still need to work on that.”

“Oh Shiny knock it off. Besides; this just means grandfoals are in the future~!” Velvet clopped her forehooves together in excitement at the idea, getting the Twins to blush bashfully and idly scratch at the marble floor with their knuckles.

“We still want to get married before we have foals, but Twilight is so...resistant to the idea, what with the other members of our herd. She keeps saying it will be so complicated, that trying to get married in a herd so big is often more trouble than it's worth.” The Twins said as they moved over to the third couch in the circle of furniture, while Cadence was practically laying against Shining lovingly.

“Oh pony-feathers, little Twilight needs to understand that love is worth the hassle. Either way however, you truly love our daughter, and that's enough for us.” Night replied. They'd been getting letters from Twilight about how she's been, and she often gushes over her relationships. Velvet blushed slightly at remembering the naughty ones meant only for her, and she nodded in agreement.

“Actually, about weddings....” Cadence spoke up, and nuzzled Shining. “We're tying the knot in September~! The first Friday. I actually have something to talk to Kamina about. Would you mind joining me in the other room? I want to show you the dresses I've planned for my bridesmaids. This is a girls-only affair. I don't care if you were originally a stallion, you're as much a mare as anypony I've met.”

Kamina bashfully chuckled. “Oh you! Flatterer. Okay, let's go see these dresses. Don't know why you'd want me of all people to see them though is beyond me.” Kamina got up and cut off her connection to Animak, and followed the eager Cadence out of the living room.

“Great. I swear. Sis needs to change back into a stallion for a while. She's forgetting how stallionly we are.” Animak snorted in derision as the others all contained chuckles. “So Shining, how're you doing? A future prince must have all kinds of things to have to take on.”

“Well, not really to be honest. I've just been going about my duties as normal. The main difference is that my soldiers are all rather mixed-up about it. Many of them are happy for me, but a good number are sad that once I'm married; I won't be their captain anymore.” Shining sighed as he rubbed his neck with a sad face. “I understand the sentiment actually. I mean...not being a captain? Not leading my soldiers personally? It'll be so...odd, to issue commands TO a captain to be relayed to the soldiers, and that's it.”

“It is rather unusual, I know. I used to be the leading charge of my sprouting rebellion back on my world in my first life. I always led by example, by being the inspiration that spurred everyone on. When I died...the rebellion almost fell apart. Kittan tried his best, but he didn't have the charisma to rouse everybody. But then, my little brother; Simon, stepped up.” Animak shed a tear, both sad, and obscenely proud as he smiled wistfully.

“You okay?” Shining asked in concern, Velvet and Night also looking worried, and Animak sniffed before he took a deep calming breath.

“Yeah...yeah. It's just...hard to think about.”

“EEEEEEEE~!” Everypony jolted at the loud excited squeal, only for the source to come barging into the room holding a soft red gown. “I'm going to be a bridesmaid~!” Kamina gushed as she took to the air and spun about holding the dress to her chest, and Animak groaned as he smashed his face into the large coffee table.

“So...emasculating....”

===//////>

After that embarrassing display, Cadence entered to explain that she'd wanted Kamina to be her First Lady, and had even considered it before the Twins formed separate bodies. Animak admitted he would've done it for her if she'd asked, but wouldn't have been so utterly feminine in response. Animak then asked Shining if he was going to blindside him with being his Best Stallion, only for the guard captain to laugh and say he could just watch from the audience, since Twilight was his Best Mare.

The Twins otherwise got to know Twilight's parents better, and were glad to have done so since they were pleasant folk. They left in high spirits, Kamina still all giggly from getting to be her cousin's First Lady. They arrived back at their dad's place, just in time too as dinner would be ready soon, so the Twins were catching up with Keen and getting along with Flash who was glad to continue the chat they'd had earlier.

“-and then we had to pull his raw rump out of the ditch!” After Flash finished his silly story from training, they all laughed boisterously, even the stern Keen had a hearty laugh. “And that's why I have standing orders to NOT fly below the treeline. I just attract trouble.”

“For others you mean.” Keen chuckled at his son's antics as he turned his head towards the kitchen. “Do you need anything in there honey?”

Glory poked her head out of the kitchen. “No sweetie, I'm all good in here. But don't worry, the artichoke and chickpea stew is almost ready.” Glory ducked back into the kitchen and Keen sighed.

“She's practically banished me from the kitchen from trying some of my home cooking. Now I'm only allowed to make breakfast.” Keen barked out a laugh and the others joined him. “Ah...son, daughter, it's good to have you here.”

“I just wish it was more often.” Kamina stated, getting a slightly open-mouthed Animak to pause...he didn't speak with her?

'What's going on? We're connected aren't we?'

'Yeah? What's up?'

'Nothing....' Animak let Kamina continue talking, and suddenly...he felt out of the loop. He knew she was the parts of him that could so easily connect with others, interact with them, manipulate them. Yet somehow, even when connected, he felt like they were disconnected. She was speaking...not THEM, SHE.... Suddenly Animak felt ill, he felt...wronged. “I need some air, I'll be back for dinner.” Animak suddenly interjected, and then quickly got up to escape. He ignored Kamina's mental hails and closed the connection. He was disturbed that he felt better being disconnected from her. 'What's wrong? Why?'

Animak exited through the front door, and looked up at the budding night sky. His aunt's tapestry of infinitely intricate points of light was fading into view as his mother's son sank below the horizon. He sat, and watched as the moon made it's spectacular and impossible rise from the east, bringing it's pale light to the darkness of night. A silvery shine cast upon the world in a profound dichotomy of light and dark, plunging everything into a tenuous balance of shadow.

This was the most peaceful time for Animak.

While Kamina loved the day, and shined like the sun on so many occasions with how much she just radiated life, Animak was on the other side, overshadowed by her. Animak grunted and clutched his chest as a tear of pain leaked from his left eye. 'No! Don't think like that!' Animak grit his teeth, and really wished they were near the Everfree so he could vent on some unfortunate predator. 'What is happening? Why are we suddenly drifting apart? And why does she not notice?'

“Bro!” Animak gasped quietly, and turned his head to his sister who'd poked her head out the door. “Glory's finished dinner...you alright?” She asked in concern, and Animak put up a fake smile that didn't touch his eyes. She could see right through it.

“Yes...let's have a good hearty meal.” Animak brushed passed her as he entered, and Kamina let a tear fall from her stunned face. For some reason, it was like Animak had jabbed a knife in her heart..

'Why...did that hurt? What's going on?' Kamina hissed as she clutched her head with a talon, and her face scrunched up in pain. 'What...oh! Dinner!' Kamina suddenly did a complete 180, and turned back inside to have dinner with family.

Author's Notes:

Life is hard right now. Seriously, I've been being ran into the ground since October, and I'm still going to have to be ground into little tiny pieces by my job because they just HAD to extend my torment by increasing my workload AGAIN and now I can barely even stay awake when I get home, or even when I wake up.

Ugh...I need a vacation.