With the little issue taken care of. I took Marble on a piggy back ride back home. She loved it as per usual. I love having fun with my kids…

Anyway we got home and Spark gave me a letter after I put Marble down.

“A letter? From who?” I asked.

“Celestia.” Spark answered. I took a second at the parchment and saw Celestia’s cutie mark as the seal.

“Oh, thanks,” I said while taking the scroll. “wonder what she wants this time…” I muttered.

-She probably wants you to go to some stupid meeting.- Embris guessed.

“Wouldn't put it past her.” I said. “Been the only way I see her and Luna nowadays.” I open the letter.

Dear Lord Ember,

Fucking called it. She only addresses me like that when she needs me for something.

We request your presence for we are holding the meeting of the Equestrian races. Thank you.

~With hugs and kisses, Princess Celestia.

I force a sigh past my lips; she always wants me to go to those meetings.

~It makes no sense considering you are an immigrant from another world.~ Ruby said.

“I know right?”

=Maybe it’s something with you ‘starting’ this meet ‘n greet thing?= The embodiment of my rage suggested.

“She’s already diverting attention from herself by doing that. I don’t even know why she wouldn’t want that kind of attention.”

-Maybe she doesn’t like that much attention? From other species at least?-

“She’s a fucking princess. And so is Luna, they’re supposed to get that much attention. Why would they not want admiration?”

~Probably because she and Luna and benevolent rulers?~ Ruby asked rhetorically.

“That still doesn’t make sense to me. I know she cares for every single in one of her subjects. She just cares too much about them. People like me or Kim Jong Un could play her like a fiddle like Terry did with the Joker. If ponies lived on Earth anyway.”

-Nice.-

“Thank you. I try.” I said while I incinerated the letter with magic fire.

~You really like doing that, don't you?~ Ruby asked.

“What gave you that idea?”

~You burn every single letter you get from Celestia. It's hard to not notice when I can only see through your eyes.~

“Oh, really? I wouldn't have thought so.” I said casually. I kindly asked Spark to let Mimic know I'm going on another business trip and teleport to the front of Canterlot Castle. The guards at the gate, completely unfazed by my sudden appearance, nod towards and allow me entrance. I nod back and head towards the conference room.

“So you two like our agreements?” Mimic asked the two queens before her.

“Yes.” Cicada answered with a happy nod.

“Yes…” Onyx answered. “But… are you sure King Ember is going to be ok with both of you acting as my mother and father?”

“I'm fairly sure.” Mimic responded. But then look to her left, and then her right, as if expecting someone to pop up, then she motioned for Onyx to come closer. Which the young queen obliged to. “He kinda has a soft spot for these kinds of things.” She whispered.

“He… oh, wow… He does really care.”

“Yes.” Mimic nodded. “He was very close to his parents. I know he couldn’t live with himself if he left you without a mother. Especially after how you carried yourself around him.”

“I… I don't know what to say… Besides, thank you.” Onyx said while bowing.

“Think nothing of it. Now, how about we get started as mother and daughter?” Onyx nodded vigorously. “Great! Oh, and Cicada,” Mimic turned to the mentioned queen. “my children will accompany you and help you get situated in the closest city to your hive.”

“Thank you.” Cicada said before bowing and leaving. Five Azurites joined the departing queen.

“So...” Onyx started after a bit of silence. “What should we do, as mother and daughter?”

“Well, that depends,” Mimic said. “Where would you want to begin? We could start like, if you were three, for example.”

“But… that would mean… Wouldn’t there be a lot of… I don’t know, catching up to do?”

“Yes,” She answered with a simple nod. “but, it all comes down to what you want to do. You’re my daughter, there’s no need to hesitate about anything.” Mimic said. “Now, what would you like to do?” Onyx though this over, it took her at the very least four minutes to finally come to a decision.

“Can we… braid each other’s manes?” She timidly asked. She then herself blushing when Mimic giggled.

“Of course!” The dark-tinted queen answered.

“How much longer is it going to take for Gregor to get here?” I asked.

“Patience, my friends. I am sure Gregor will arrive shortly.” Celestia responded. I sighed in exasperation while I looked about the occupants of the room.

The little get together had gained a lot of members after the first meeting; there was Zan from Zebrica, Soterios from the minotaur provinces, Digger of the diamond dog packs, Fair Heart of the changeling hives, Chief Brave Hoof of the Buffalo tribes, King Aspen of the Deer kingdom, Prince Rutherford from Yakyakistan, Gregor of the gryphon kingdom. And finally, Ocean Breeze of the sea ponies.

The seapony thing kinda threw me off. Since they technically are a sub-race of ponies, like pegasi. But eh, I don’t really care.

OH. And then there’s princess Ember. The Dragonlord.

…

No comment, but anyway...

Fucking Greg was late, as usual.

He’s pretty much like that one guy everyone in the office hates. And that’s pretty much destroying the already weak image the gryphons have.

And that’s not just from a single biased opinion. Naw, it isn’t.

It’s from every single person’s biased opinion.

The gryphons are fucked beyond redemption at this point. I mean, there’s still some nice ones out there like this one gryphon I know named Gabby; Nice girl. But still, as a species they’re screwed.

I also thought it was kinda weird that a gryphon had an italian name. But, then again, this planet isn’t Earth either.

That’s kinda easy to forget when there are about nine different sapient species that remind me of people on cultures back Earth, with the possibility of more joining in the future. Definitely more since the Sea Ponies were quite the wild card.

Anyway, it was a good five more minutes of waiting before the sound of a door opening got everyone’s attention.

We took a collective glance and saw the light blue bastard strutting his way towards us. The whole room was silent, minus the lone sound of claws on marble. Every single person watched as the little shitstain strutted his ass towards his seat. He even managed to sit down like an asshole.

“Now that everypony is in attendance, we may begin.” Celestia started. “Princess Ember,” She said. “you requested a ‘more stable’ supply of gems, may I ask why?”

“Ever since we established contact with you ponies, more and more dragons have been gathering, looking for guidance, apparently.” The dragoness elaborated. “Kinda doesn’t help that we also got started making a country and stuff.”

“I see. We will make adjustments accordingly then.” Celestia nodded.

*Where does she get all that shit from?*

~Possibly from the diamond dogs. And judging from Digger’s reaction, they’re not going to be too happy about it.~

*They have all the land they need within the equestrian borders to mine all the gems they could want, with the proper tools to boot. I don’t see why they’d be mad about selling a little bit more gems. It’s not like the dragons are going to need the supply for long either. They’re just starting a nation to call their own.*

“Well, that is all the business I had, would anypony else like to-” Celestia began, but was interrupted by Greg.

“I need more gold.” He stated as if what he said was a matter of fact. All while looking at the royal sisters.

The room stayed quiet for a good two minutes before Luna answered.

“We are sorry Gregor. But all of us have already donated ten percent of all our spare funds. Why do you need more?” Luna queried.

“What we do with our wealth does not concern anyone.” Stated the bird-lion hybrid.

“I believe it does when you wealth comes from our pockets.” Soterios said with a snort. A statement everyone minus Celestia, Luna, and Princess Ember agreed with.

“I am not permitted to disclose sensitive information.” Greg droned out. To which all of us face palmed; the gryphons are really annoying.

“How about you tell us where our bits are going and maybe we’ll consider giving you more?” I offered.

“The bits need to be guaranteed.” Greg said.

“The bits will be guaranteed, but we must know what is the source of your greed.” Zan said. Greg sighed, but otherwise kept his beak shut.

“I guess that means a no then.” Aspen said with a nod. He was about to speak more, but Greg kept him from doing so.

“If you do not supply the Gryphon Kingdom, we will be forced to make you.” He said with no trace of emotion.

“That a threat for war?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Depends, do we have a deal?” Greg asked with interest.

I, of course, was having none of his manipulative bullshit.

“Alright, how about this;” I started. “either you don’t make any war threats and we continue to work on a solution. Or all of us declare war on your stupid little kingdom and turn your species into slaves?” I said with a smile.

That offer somehow offended Greg, since he pulled out a crossbow from under his wing and aimed it at me. He took a quick second and pulled the trigger. I saw the bolt fly through the air towards me while Soterios and Princess Ember got work apprehending Greg.

Meanwhile I actually let the bolt hit me; I wanted to see where he was aiming. Kinda dumb, I know.

It also took a lot of concentrating to keep from moving out of the way. Something I should maybe work on. Although, it probably took a lot of that concentration since the bolt actually impaled itself right in the middle of my forehead.

I also felt really drunk at that moment. Like, borderline blackout drunk. I didn’t even know what was going on anymore. I was vaguely aware that there was a commotion, at least. But other than that, I was pretty much stumbling about. I think.

I then felt a pulling sensation on the middle of my forehead, and suddenly world came back into focus. And Celestia was screaming in my face.

“Huh?”

“Ember! Are you alright!? Speak to me!” She demanded.

“I’m fine I’m fine! The hell’s going on!?” I yelled back. Which prompted a sigh of relief from the pony… currently on top of me.

“Oh, nothing much.” She said without getting off of me. “Soterios and Princess Ember are currently holding down Gregor.” She said. “Since he just assaulted you, I suggest you handle the situation.”

“Alright...”

There was a pregnant silence while we stared at each other, I kept staring at her, my face showing more and more of my irritation as time passed. And all she did was look down at me, that stupidly innocent smile plastered on my face. I grunted and teleported from her under her. I heard her snicker a bit while I walked over to Soterios and Princess Ember. I looked down at the struggling ambassador. He soon laid eyes on me, freezing as he did so.

“How are you still alive!? I saw the bolt pierce your head!” He screeched, I managed to only chuckle a little bit.

“You got balls, I like that.” I said. “But,” I got close to his face. “I’m not gonna be taken down so easily.” I said while backing away just in time to avoid a little nip.

I then got nice little idea. I looked back at Celestia, who was still holding the crossbow bolt. We locked eyes and she instantly knew what I was planning. With a small, almost unnoticeable smirk, she handed me the bolt. I graciously took it and immediately shoved it right into his left claw.

What followed was thee most blood curdling, pain filled screeched I’ve ever heard. Princess Ember and Soterios actually had to cover their ears, and I’m guessing along with everyone else.

I could care less, of course. I had a message to send to the king.