“Eyes closed.” Sweetie shut her eyes. “Feel your horn.” her hooves came up. Gravity took over and she face planted. “Feel it with your mind.” She stood up and tried again. A soft green energy took over her horn slowly creeping up until it engulfed it. “Now relax it.” The glow faded and released it's magic into the air.

“How did I do?” she asked.

“Very good.” Robert replied. “Very good indeed. Keep practicing that and I'm sure you'll get more control.”

“Really? That's soo cool. Maybe I can get a cutie mark in meditation.” she jumped up, gave him a hug then bolted out the door, presumably to tell the other crusaders about it.

“That was very nice of you.” Rarity said. “I know Twilight has been helping them, but her method does not work for every pony.”

“I'll be honest, I'm surprised Sweetie Belle was open to meditation.” Robert said, taking a sip of his tea. It was held in his orange glow, and had not to her knowledge, been let go since he picked it up. He didn't seem aware of it either.

“She is often rambunctious, but she is always eager to focus on anything she believes will grant her a cutie mark.” Rarity smiled. “Though I must admit, I doubt she will get one I meditation.”

“Agreed.” Robert smiled. “Though I wouldn't dream of telling her, or she might do so just to spite us.”

“She would indeed.” Rarity laughed. “Now though, you simply must tell me all about your trip to Appleloosa to see the buffalo.”

“Oh yes. I'm sorry you seem to have been the last pony to hear the story.” Robert said.

“Not a problem darling, not a problem at all.” Rarity waved with a smile. “I'm just glad to get to hear it now.”

“Well then.” Robert said and began. Rarity didn't interrupt at all, waving him om when she made some noise or other. “And then I took the train back from Manehattan because a certain somepony left me behind. One who shall remain nameless.”

“That's rather funny.” Rarity smiled. “Of course, I don't think she did it on purpose.”

“Neither do I. Though I admit, I'm not entirely unhappy she did. I really don't like being teleported if I can help it.” Robert said.

“Why pray tell?” Rarity asked curiously.

“It leaves a strange taste in my mouth. Rather like raspberry crossed with raw pumpkin.” he replied. Rarity blinked.

“Ew.” she said after a moment presumably of imagining the taste. “I can see why you'd prefer to avoid it. Have you mentioned it to Twilight?”

“Not yet. I was focused on restoring my power, before any other concerns.” Robert admitted. “It's also the first time I've been teleported, so I wasn't sure that it wasn't normal.”

“Well, Twilight is one of the few unicorns who ever mastered Teleportation. It might be a side-effect of the transition to Alicorn however.” Rarity suggested. “She might not know, and in truth, she hasn't teleported any of us since the transformation.”

“Ah. I guess I'll have to make it a point to mention it to her.” Robert said. “So, any other questions?”

“Many.'” Rarity smiled. “For instance, how is the Buffalo chieftain doing?”

“Chief Thunderhooves? He seemed to be doing fine. From what I gather, working in co-operation with the Appleloosans seems to be to the benefit of both groups. Of course to hear him tell it, the help has been mostly one way.”

“Naturally.” Rarity shook her head. “What of Little Strongheart?”

“A decidedly potent little buffalo. Very much a leader. I do not know quite how leadership is decided, but I suspect she might well be a candidate in the running.” he smiled. “On the other hand, she seems unaware of the attentions of the other males of her age.”

“Ah. A heartbreaker.”

“Amongst other things, should they be too forward.” Robert chuckled.

“Ah. You said you met the tribe's shaman?”

“Ah yes, Long Brew. Quite the interesting fellow. I suspect he and Twilight would get along famously. I nearly fell asleep while he engaged in idle chatter. I suspect a lecture would put even Pinkie to sleep.”

“That must be some voice he's got.” Rarity said.

“Indeed.” Robert nodded. “But he's very knowledgable in his field. Horns or not, Buffalo lack active magic like Unicorns, so they've taken to Hermetic magic.” she cut off his attempt to explain.

“Ah, circles and seals.” Rarity said. He gave her a surprised look. “I'm not just a fashion plate you know.” she laughed. “I could have enrolled in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns around the same time as Twilight, but I felt it wasn't my path. On the other hand, some of my earliest clients were unicorns who had, and wanted certain symbols and circles crafted into their clothing. After the first few times, I did a little research, and then a little more. I'll never be on Twilight's level of researcher, but I learned enough to understand what I was making.”

“I can see where you'd want to be careful of what you're getting into.” Robert nodded.

“Indeed.” Rarity took a breath. “One last question.”

“Go ahead.” Robert replied warily.

“When are you going to let me make something for you?” she asked. He stared at her for a long moment.

“When I need something?” he answered. “I mean, I don't really have anything I need. I'm not really a clotheshorse... sorry.”

“Quite alright. I realize that most ponies who say such things are simply worried about cost, but surely a gift wouldn't incur undo cost. Not least of all considering the lovely gift you brought me from Manehattan.” Rarity said.

“That? That was nothing. Just something I did to thank you all for letting me into your little circle.” Robert shrugged. “Besides, I don't want you to go to any trouble.”

“Oh, but Darling, it's no trouble at all.” She replied.

“I'll think about it. If I come up with something, I'll let you know.” he replied, and stood up. “Thank you again for the tea.” Rarity stood up as well.

“Thank you for the company. Are you alright?” she asked.

“I'm better than I have been in a while.” Robert said. “Why do you ask?”

“You haven't put down my teacup since I filled it.” to his credit, he didn't drop it. Rarity was glad since it was part of a set. He set it gently down on the saucer.

“I guess I missed it more than I realized.” he confessed. “Flight is magnificent, but it's small compensation for missing something so vital.”

“And now that it's back, you're afraid to lose it.” Rarity said. He nodded after a moment. “I felt the same way after Twilight restored my cutie mark. Both times.”

“I forgot about that.” Robert smiled. “I guess you know the feeling.”

“I do indeed.” she touched his shoulder with a hoof. “Twilight and my friends helped me, and they helped you.” she smiled.

“They did at that.” Robert smiled. “Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked.

“Pointing out my foolishness before I noticed it.” Robert replied, and touched her shoulder gently.

“That's what friend are for.” she replied.

---

Robert arrived at the library, just as the Crusaders left, heading off in their own path. “I'm afraid to know what those three are up to.” he muttered to himself, then crossed the square to the library. He knocked on the door.

“It's open!” Twilight called from inside. He stepped inside, and found himself ducking books. “Hello Robert. Just a little reorganization.”

“So I see. And how is your teaching going?” Robert asked. Twilight paused, and so did most of the books.

“It's going.” she replied. “The girls are...”

“Exhausting? Rambunctious?” Robert considered it. “Frustrating?”

“Yes.” Twilight replied.”What I was going to say was progressing slowly, but yes, all of those as well.”

“They're young and excited.” Robert smiled. “Besides, I remember that time. You can't wait to find out what you're meant to be, so you're trying everything you can think of.”

“I knew what I was meant to be.” Twilight said.

“Sure you did wings, sure you did.” Robert smiled. Twilight blushed.

“Who could have predicted this?” she asked, flexing her wings.

“I'm willing to bet Celestia knew. Riddle me this Princess Twilight Sparkle. What did the prophecy say about Nightmare Moon?” Robert asked, sitting down.

“On the longest night of the thousandth year the stars will aid in her escape.” Twilight said. “So?”

“What if it wasn't talking about Nightmare Moon?” Robert asked. “What if the prophecy was referring to Luna?”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Who arranged the stars in the sky before Luna's return?”

“Celestia, naturally.” Twilight shrugged.

“So you don't believe she could simply have altered the stars to prevent them from setting her free from the moon?” Robert asked. Twilight stared at him.

“If she had, then she wouldn't have been captured, and I wouldn't have unleashed the elements and Luna would still be trapped. So?” Twilight said.

“You're a remarkably dense pony.” Robert said. Twilight glared at him. “Look, it said the stars will aid in her escape. It didn't specifically say they would aid Nightmare Moon. I think the prophecy meant that the stars, you and your five friends, represented by the stars of your cutie mark, aiding Luna in escaping from Nightmare Moon is what was meant.” Twilight stared at him for a very long moment.

“I... I never thought about it like that.” Twilight said “Do you really think that's true?”

“The other interpretation doesn't make much sense.” Robert said with a shrug. “Besides, I don't think Celestia would have sent you to Ponyville to make friends unless she suspected you were the 'stars' in the prophecy. “ he paused. “Unless I'm wrong and we're all trapped in an eternal dream by Nightmare Moon making us think we defeated her and she's watching what's happening like a cheap cable reality show.”

“Yeah... wait, what?”

“Making sure you were paying attention. Look, I don't know if Celestia knew what you were destined for before your cutie mark or if she just made an educated guess born from far too many years of experience, but it did pay off.” Robert chuckled. “Don't worry, give it a century or two and you'll be rolling dice with pony's lives too.” She threw a book at him, then gasped in terror and wrapped the book in a protective field.

“I could never do that.” Twilight snapped.

“Sure you could, you're more than smart enough to make the right kind of educated guesses. You just don't want to. Which I guess is a good thing. I don't think Celestia wants to either.” Robert shrugged.

“No, I mean live that long.” Twilight said. “ I could do the other stuff if I had too, but I don't want to outlive my friends like that.”

“Ah. So, I presume this means you're not immortal?” Robert asked. Twilight shook her head.

“That's one of the first things I asked Prin... Celestia about. She said that she's not even immortal technically. She'll live as long as our sun does, which is still an incredibly long time.” she paused, and looked up, lips moving as she did a quick calculation. “Technically Luna's immortal being linked to the moon which is a powerful gravitic force that only needs the big hunk of rock in the sky to exist, but when the sun blows up and dies, it'll erase the moon. Luna'd have to take the moon and flee to survive, but she wouldn't abandon her ponies or Celestia.” she looked at him. “Me, unless I choose something to connect with on a level I don't want to explain because it would take forever, I'll simply live much longer, combining the absurd hardiness of the Earth Pony, with the incredible longevity of the Unicorn, and the lightweight, low stress skeleton of the Pegasus.”

“So you'll grow to be very old, and then keel over.” Robert said. Twilight glared at him.

“Yes, if you want to simplify it that much.” she said after a moment. “What about you?”

“I have the same hope any Tiger does. Succumbing to wounds taken on the honorable field of battle and being carried from a top a mountainous pile of defeated foes by my army of great grandchildren.” there was not a trace of humor anywhere in his face.

“Wow. That's... something.” she said.

“I expect to die peaceably in my bed, perhaps having just finished slapping some sense into some nephew who's taken over the tribe before telling my successor exactly when he's allowed to do that kind of thing. And that doing it in the middle of an important meeting like me is not it.” he smiled at the terror filled look she gave him. “And that panicking purple pony princesses is just a side benefit.”

“That's awful.” she laughed.

“Yes, it is. It's also true.” Robert smiled back. “Afterlife? Or rebirth?”

“Afterlife. I hope. I'd rather not get to the end and then find out I've got to do it all over again, thank you very much.” Twilight shook her head. “What about you?”

A knocking at the door interrupted them. “Twi? You in there?” Applejack called.

“Some other time.” Twilight said to Robert. “Come on in Applejack.”

“Heya Twi...” she noticed Twilight's visitor. “Hello Robert.”

“Hello Applejack.” he responded. Applejack nodded, and turned back to Twilight.

“I was wonderin', have you seen Applebloom?” she asked.

“She and the girls just left maybe ten minutes ago, why?” Twilight asked, head tilted.

“She said she was heading straight home after you got done, but I didn't see her leave town and Mac said she hadn't gotten back yet. They weren't in the clubhouse either.” Applejack said. She sounded worried.

“Hmm... I wonder where they could have gotten to.” Twilight said. “Normally we just follow the smoke.” there was silence, even though that was the official proceedure.

“Why don't we split up?” Robert suggested. “I'll go north and check for them and ask anypony who sees them to pass the word back here.”

“Sounds like a plan. If you find Rainbow Dash, put her on the case. She can cover the town a lot faster than we can.” Twilight said.

“Got it.” Robert nodded. He stood and trotted out the door. Applejack turned to follow.

“Applejack.” Twilight's voice stopped her. “Are the Crusaders missing? Or can you just not find them?” Twilight asked. Applejack held her reply for a moment.

“Ah can't find them. The trouble is, Ah'm worried. Ah don't know why, but this time Ah am.” Applejack replied. “Ah don't know if they're in trouble or getting ready to make some, but Ah'd rather find them before either one happens.”

Applejack turned out to have been worried for nothing, when her first circuit turned up the girls on the way home. They explained they'd been stopped by Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon, though not why. Applejack still had an uneasy feeling, but let it go. The girls trotted home, breaking up as they went.

“Applebloom, you sure you're okay?” she asked again.

“Ah'm fine.” Applebloom said. “Ah really am.”

“Alright, Ah just worry about ya, that's all.” Applejack shook her head. “We gotta watch out for one another.”

“Ah know that.” Applebloom said. She looked at Applejack and stared into her eyes. “Is somethin' wrong?”

“No. Ah... Ah jes' got a bad feelin'. You know, one o' them ones you get when somethin' is gonna go wrong and you can't stop it. Worry'n 'bout the future. I don't want to have to rely on you to be the next generation of Apple farmer if you don't want ta, but at the same time, I don't see foals in my future jes' yet.”

“Oh.” Applebloom sighed, and glanced at her flank. “Hey, I don't have my cutie mark yet, so I might be some kind of farm hand yet.”

“That's true. You could be the pony to make some new super apple.” Applejack laughed. “Did I ever tell you the secret to growin' new Apple Trees?”

“No.” Applebloom said. Applejack smiled.

“Well, first you have to find just the right spot in the ground...”

---

“Nice of her to tell us.” Robert snorted. Twilight chuckled.

“She was really worried about them. I think it was about something else though.” she said, shaking her head. “I just don't know what.”

“Time most likely.” Robert said. “Her parents are gone, and Granny Smith, vital as she is, is very, very old. Even by earth pony standards. She's gotta be thinking on ahead, to the next generation. I don't know how much of a romantic Big Mac is, but Applejack is a pragmatist.”

“Meaning?” Twilight asked, staring at the tiger.

“Meaning, she might be going on the prowl for a special somepony. Which is good, because everypony needs somepony.” he smiled.

“Don't start quoting that song. I'll get it in my head and it'll be there for weeks.” Twilight ordered.

“Yes my princess.” she coughed, and he laughed. “Of course, that's going to mean two things. One, she's going to be looking for something pretty specific. Someone capable of running the farm on their own, while she's indisposed.” Twilight stared at him for a moment, before realization settled in and she nodded. “The other thing is, word is going to get out that one of the former bearers of the elements of harmony is looking for a special somepony. And you're going to have lunatics coming out of the woodwork to try and 'win some credit' by being the one she picks.”

“That sounds pretty bad.” Twilight said.

“On the contrary, in Applejack's case, it will be hilarious.” Robert laughed.

“How so?” Twilight asked.

“Think about it. All those soft, pampered rich brats and single up and coming nobles, all coming here, and trying to keep up with Applejack? She's going to run them ragged. You're going to need ponies to come down and scoop them up with a shovel to put them on a train home.” Robert laughed.

“That's horrible. I'm sure she wouldn't do that.” Twilight said.

“Twilight, you're the one that told me the story of very nearly killing herself harvesting half the farm.” Robert looked her in the eyes. “It doesn't matter that the effort was too much for her to sustain, the point is she DID do it. The fact that she's learned restraint to keep from doing it again, doesn't mean she's any less capable of doing so. At this point she's probably got good enough to do half the farm without help without exhausting herself. She'll run anyone who can't keep up into the ground.”

“I guess you're right.” Twilight admitted. “And then there's Big Mac and Granny Smith to contend with.”

“Big Mac... he's not going to let anything stand in the path of Applejack's happiness, but I've seen him bend steel without a forge. He moved a house. Anyone who might try and take advantage of Applejack is going to find one big red angry reason to keep those thoughts to himself.” he smiled. “As for Granny Smith, hoo-boy. She might be what they had in mind when they defined Elder, but she'd probably lay out Applejack if she felt the urge or reason to do so. Anypony that tries to circumvent the process by sweet talking her is going to have one heck of a shock.”

“You really think that's what Applejack is upto?” Twilight asked.

“It's just a guess.” Robert shrugged. “On the other hand, if she does, it could be a handy Barometer of what happens when the rest of you go looking.”

“Oh. Oh no.” Twilight. “That could be really bad.”

“Or good, since you're no longer completely in the dark depending on how you stay out of the lime light.” Twilight blinked. “I mean watch and see how romance goes for her, and learn from her example.”

“Oh.” she paused. “That's not very scientific.”

“True, but these aren't exactly laboratory conditions. And unless you'd like to say, date Rainbow Dash and be the control group, this is about as good as you're going to get.” Robert shook his head.

“What? Why would I have to date Rainbow Dash?” Twilight demanded, just a little too vehemently.

“That's the best analogue we have to some high profile stallion or mare trying to get a leg up by dating an element.” he said, waving a paw. “I mean, the best flier in Equestria, being pursued by a princess? Obviously you're only trying to use her status to boost your...” Twilight didn't bother with a pillow. She hit him with an entire mattress. “Wow, you're kind of easy.”

“Don't say such silly things.” she said with a shake of her head.

“I wouldn't call it silly. I mean, come on, toned athlete, magnificent flier. I mean, I'm not one for ponies, but I could get behind that. Several times a night even.” Twilight hit him with the mattress again.

---

It was impossible to get close to the library. It was completely full of colts and fillies and they were not at all interested in moving. Robert sighed, and left. He could have avoided them or gone through them, but the former option would have required landing on the balcony, thus proving it was an option for any of them with wings. The latter had the potential to see them hurt, and he didn't want that.

Derpy was just settling down to a post route muffin when he arrived in Sugarcube Corner. She waved him over tiredly.

“Long day?” he asked. She considered it for a minute.

“Not really. Just a bit tiring.” she took a bite. “Lot of heavy mail today for some reason.”

“Probably games invitations.” Robert said. She considered it, then nodded. “You going?”

“Yep. I'm an alternate for Ponyville.” she smiled proudly.

“Good for you.” Robert said. “If any pony deserves it, it's you.”

“Thank you.” she said with a blush. “You coming?”

“I'm considering it. Of course, I might startle the ponies not used to my gloriousness.” he turned his head regally.

“You could always disguise yourself.” Derpy pointed out.

“I guess so. I'll have to think about it.” he sighed. “So, what's new?”

“Nothing much, just psyching myself up for the trip home.” Derpy said.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“No, it's just the kids can be a little bit much to take when I'm tired like this.” she smiled. “I love them, but they're a serious hoofful sometimes.” she sighed.

“How about I come over? I've heard all about them, and have yet to meet them. And they can be all full of energy and questions for me, and you can rest?” He offered.

“You'd do that?” she asked. “I'd be ever so grateful.”

“Not a problem. Let's stop and get something for dinner so you don't have to cook.”

“Oh... I really can't afford....” Derpy said.

“My treat.” Robert smiled. She opened her mouth to object, but he reached out and tapped her nose. “I'm not taking no for an answer. Besides, I have no interest in a sit down dinner. Let's find something gratuitously unhealthy. And not muffins.” he cut off her line of thought.

“You're no fun.” she said with a smile. “I know a pizza place.”

---

“Muffin, I'm home!” Derpy called. Something small and grey and overly excited ricocheted around the corner, and attached itself firmly to Derpy's leg. Fortunately, Robert was carrying the pizza because she nearly went over backwards.

“Mommy!” said the gray filly.

“Dinky, this is Robert.” she waved with her wing, as he came around the corner. Dinky released her mother's leg and then attached herself to Robert's instead.

“Robert!” he laughed.

“Nice to meet you.” he said, lifting his leg to look her in the eyes. “So, you're the little muffin I've heard about?”

“Yup, that's me!” She grinned at him. “Mommy told me about you.”

“Just like she told me about you.” Robert said. “Tell you what, make you a deal.” She tilted her head. “You let go of my leg and I'll give you some pizza.”

“PIZZA!” Dinky was nearly to the pizza boxes before Derpy got hold of her. “PIZZA!”

“Better dish it up quick. No one can resist her for long.” Said a much larger, pale magenta unicorn.

“Dinky, or your mother?” Robert asked.

“Either one.” the unicorn smiled. “Sparkler.” she offered a hoof. Robert shook it.

“Heard about you as well.” Robert said, following her through the doors into the kitchen. Derpy had managed to pin Dinky to the floor, and was blowing raspberries to keep her occupied. Dinky was intermittently giggling and calling for Pizza.

“Believe everything.” Sparkler said with a half-smile.

“I believe nothing.” Robert said. “I will form my own opinions on the matter. Plates?”

“Here.” She stretched up on her hooves. “You staying for dinner?”

“Yes.” she pulled down four plates. “Why by hoof?”

“My telekinesis isn't the best.” she replied. “I practice, but it doesn't get much better.”

“Would you like some assistance with it?” Robert offered. “I'm no Twilight, but I'm not bad with magic.”

“You're a tiger.” Sparkler pointed out, to the amazement of no one.

“Noticed that did ya?” Robert smiled. She laughed after a moment. “Yeah, I'm a Tiger, but I can wizard with the best of them.” he considered. “Well, maybe not but you get the idea.” he let his eyes glow and settled the pizza's on the counter. He opened two of them, and light flared along the lines where the slices had been cut. Several slices floated out of each box and settled on three of the plates. Sparkler blinked.

“Wow.” she said after a minute. “How do you keep those all in the air?”

“I simply don't think of them as individual objects.” A questing gray hoof appeared over the edge of the counter. “If you're having trouble with multiple objects, you simply have to work with them as one big flexible object.” while he spoke, he floated the pepper grinder of the edge of the counter, and gave it a twist. The hoof disappeared, then so did the unicorn, the sneeze propelling her out of the room. Sparkler laughed hard. “Try it yourself.”

“I don't know...”

“I'll grab them if you mess up.” he said confidently. She glanced at the plates, and flared her horn. One plate rose, then settled down. She concentrated and two of them rose. She set them down, sweat beading on her forehead. “Stop. Take a deep breath.” she did. “Now, grab them all as one big object.” she nodded, and her horn flared. The plates rose into the air, and she slowly spun around, keeping them in the air as she walked out the door. There were gasps from the other side off the divider and then hearty congratulations as soon as he heard the plates clink gently on the table. “Gotta thank Rarity.” he smiled to himself and set about his pizza.

“So, Robert...” Sparkler said when he'd sat down on the couch. “What brought you to Ponyville?” she added a moment later. “And don't say your feet.” he laughed.

“A quest for knowledge!” He waved a paw in the air. “Actually, I was sent to learn from Zecora, and anyone else I happened to run across in my travels. So far, that's turned out to be just about everypony I've run across.” he laughed. “Especially your mother.” Derpy blushed.

“I didn't teach you anything.” she said, rustling her wings.

“Sure you did. You taught me how to work that curiously obscure job board, and how to avoid ending up Rainbow's... crash test dummy.” Robert chuckled.

“Oh, that was nothing. Any friend would have done the same. Except maybe Rainbow Dash.” she smiled at him. Dinky glanced between them confused. Sparkler laughed.

“Exactly. Learning about friendship worked for Princess Twilight, I don't see why it wouldn't work for me.” he glanced at the stripes running down his side.

“What's with the stripes?” Dinky asked.

“They're like my cutie mark.” Robert replied. “Though I found my destiny and now they're filling in.”

“That seems silly.” Dinky said. “Shouldn't they all appear at once?”

“I guess they're not just like a cutie mark then.” Robert agreed. Derpy knew the full story and he figured she'd explain to Sparkler later. He figured Dinky was a little young and that Derpy would explain when she was older, if it became something she needed to know, or asked about.

“So, you can do magic.” Sparkler said. “Why?”

“Ah, well, that's a good question, because it's related to my stripes. See I didn't find out my destiny. My teacher discovered it in me. While most tigers have a little bit of magic. Like Pegasi being able to fly, it's just part of our nature. Me, I can use magic like unicorns.”

“So, how did your teacher know?” Dinky asked. “Can your teacher do magic too?”

“Yes, he can. He's a shaman of my tribe, so he recognized I have the potential to be one.”

“What's a Shaman?” Sparkler asked.

“Like Zecora. I'll be the wise person that the tribe comes to for information, and for spells. Like ponies come to Twilight for knowledge and magical spells. Though not so much of the latter. I guess because it's easier to find a unicorn who can do magic than it is a tiger.” Robert shrugged. “No problem though. I've been learning a lot from Twilight as well as Zecora.”

“That's good.” Derpy said. “So, any tales of Daring Do?” she asked.

“No, I love those books though. I do know the tale of the three little Griffons.” the pair of siblings shared a look.

“Never heard of that one.” Dinky said. Sparkler shook her head.

“Well then, let's see...” he closed his eyes for a moment. The room seemed to shimmer as his magic laid out the scene.

Three little griffons, Gyre, Gimlet and Greg went one day for a romp in the woods. Gyre was the oldest with deep blue feathers, and fine dark blue fur. Gimlet was next with bright red feathers and deep red fur. Greg was the youngest, and had lovely white feathers and soft gray fur. The three leaped from tree to tree, gliding, singing and rough housing as griffons are wont to do. The time passed as they played, until the skies began to darken. But it was not yet night. No, a great storm crept up on them and engulfed the woods in which they played. Great and terrible winds whipped through the trees, knocking them to the ground.

Gyre, Gimlet, and Greg huddled together, unsure of what to do. They took shelter near the base of a tree, hoping to ride out the storm in it's shelter. It worked for a while, but a great bolt of lightning ripped down from the sky, KRAKTHUUM, and smashed apart the tree. The three little griffons each pushed the others out of the way. When the noise of the tree falling died away, they found they were separated. Gyre called for his brothers, but they could not hear him over the noise of the storm. Gimlet thought for certain they were injured and would need him to find help. So he started for the direction he thought the village was in. Greg on the other hand, knew what to do, and while he called for his brothers, he also stayed where he was.

High in the skies above, fighting the storm with all their might, griffons fought and pushed to break the storm clouds, and free the day from it's terrible rage. As they fought, they began to hear cry's and calls from below. Some were ordered to go and look. They followed the sound, some chasing Gyre's calls and oft just missing him as he searched. Others followed Gimlet, in his race away from the others, as he screamed for help. Yet the first they found was Greg, who while he called, had stayed in one place and been found the fastest. Gyre led a merry chase, which ended only when he tripped and fell into deep mud.

Yet, when all was over and the storm broke, they found that they were not far from one another, though exhausted were the rescuers. Home they trod, all safe, and all sound. Yet a lesson had they learned. Stay still, stay safe.

The magic broke and he found that he'd enraptured his audience. It was not his best retelling, and Trixie, who'd taught him the story would have chided him on it. She would, however, have grudgingly acknowledged that his illusion had been acceptably average. Which from Trixie meant it was pretty fantastic.

His audience, realizing the story was ended, thundered applause, even Derpy managing a respectable showing against the table at the end of the couch.

“Great story!” Dinky laughed. “I liked it a lot.”

“She's right, it was a good story.” Sparkler agreed.

“Yeah, it was good. Now of course, it's time for bed.” Derpy said.

“Awww!” Dinky managed to be an entire chorus by herself.

“Don't worry Dinks. I remember the story so I can tell it again.” Sparkler promised. She led Dinky off to bed after another bone crushing hug.

“Thank you.” Derpy said, after they'd gone to bed. Technically only Dinky had, Sparkler being older could stay up later, but she'd explained she had homework. “I love them both to death, but...”

“Energy is something that you don't have a lot of to spare at the end of the day.” Robert suggested. She nodded, one eye remaining unmoving. “No worries. I'm usually pretty good with kids. Unless you know, they're horrible.” he smiled. She laughed.

“How do you have the energy?” she asked. “I mean, Pinkie consumes her body weight in sugar somehow and turns it into raw energy.”

“I take very long naps.” Robert shrugged. “They don't call it 'cat-napping' for nothing.”

“Oh, like Rainbow Dash.” Derpy nodded in understanding.

“Precisely. Though, she's a bit of an amateur, just by nature of being a pony.” he chuckled. “Not that she's not getting better.”

“Don't worry, I'm sure she'll master it eventually.” Derpy grinned. “She certainly practices often enough.”

“She does indeed.” Robert laughed.

“Robert...” she paused. “Do you think you're up for some more... adult fun?”

“Depends on your definition of adult fun.” she grinned worryingly.