I wake up to see Celestia, Luna, Shella, and now Cadence all cuddled up to me. I sigh and just relax.

After about seven minutes, Celestia and Luna slowly wake up. Celestia hums happily and nuzzles me. "Good morning, love," she says.

"Good morning," I reply and turn my head to kiss her.

She smiles into the kiss and then looks towards Cadence. "You should take Cadence out into Canterlot and show her a good time today. She's probably still upset about Shining Armour. This will help take her mind off it for awhile," she tells me.

I look back at Cadence and see her smiling peacefully in her sleep. I frown with a sad smile. I never intended to take her from Shining, but that's just how it happened. I just hope Shining can find someone else.

"Tis alright, Adrian. We shall help Cadence adjust. Thou just concentrate on making her happy, like thou does for us. Besides, tomorrow we have training to resume," Luna tells me and kisses my left cheek.

"Alright... what are Cadence's likes and dislikes?" I ask them.

"She likes those over the top romance novels and plays and loves to be around foals. She used to be a foalsitter, Twilight was the last foal she looked after before she took up her duties as a Princess. She doesn't have many dislikes. She doesn't like spicy food or strong alcoholic drinks, and she's not a fan of anything violent. Like those games Lulu seems to enjoy," Celestia replies. Luna giggles and pokes her tongue out at Celestia.

Hmmm, I could do the same thing I did with Celestia, only take her out to a baby store as well to look at the things there. That might cheer her up.

"Okay, I think I have an idea on what to do," I tell them. I look to the clock to see it's only five thirty.

Cadence begins to awaken after a few minutes of us just cuddling each other. "Hmmmm, this is nice," she mumbles and snuggles herself deeper into us.

I smile and arch my back, getting a few pops from it. "Come on, time to get up," I say, getting groans of protest in response.

"Don't want to," Shella says and licks my neck.

"Well we need to get ready for the day and only twenty minutes to do so," I tell them.

They sigh and grumble as we all get out of bed. Once dressed and our hairs brushed down from the bed head we got, Shella gets Mavis from her crib and we head down to the Dining Hall.

"Good morning, Adrian, your Majesties," Silk Sheets greets us with a bow.

"Good morning, Silk. How are you today?" I ask her.

She smiles at me. "I'm good thank you," she replies. "Is there anything you need me to do?" she then asks.

"Could you tidy up our room please, and after that, could you help Celestia, Luna, or Shella with anything they might need. I'll be out most of the day," I reply.

"Of course, Adrian," she says and follows us.

We enter the Dining Hall and take our seats. We order our breakfasts and Shella gets me to feed her and Mavis some of my love. Mavis giggles as I lightly stroke her cheek and a pink mist like energy flows slowly from my fingers into her. I smile as I kiss Shella and the same happens to her. I then cast a life beam at her to feed her the rest.

"Where are my parents?" I ask.

"They've gone back to Elysium to visit some of their friends. They took Jasmine with them," Celestia replies.

"Oh." Guess I've been so preoccupied lately I didn't notice.

"So what are you doing today that'll have you out most of the day?" Cadence asks.

I smile at her. "I'm taking you out on a date," I tell her.

Her eyes widen and she chokes lightly on the piece of toast she was chewing. "*Cough cough* What?" she asks after her coughing fit dies down.

"I'm taking you out on a date in Canterlot. If you're joining our herd, I want to get to know more about you," I tell her.

She blushes and smiles. "I'd love to," she replies.

We talk while we eat breakfast. Celestia will be going back to the Aries Peak assault plans, Luna will be planning out our training program, Shella will be taking court for a few hours where Luna will take over later and Silk will be helping Celestia with anything she needs.

I tell Celestia and Luna that I'll use the mirror tonight so they can talk to their parents. They haven't been able to talk to them in awhile due to me being out and the latest drama.

We finish breakfast and Cadence and I return to our room. We get changed into something more formal for our date. I wear my black suit from Luna with my sword and a pouch of three hundred bits. She wears a pale pink dress with long white gloves.

She stands in front of me with a nervous smile. "I feel like a little filly again," she tells me.

"Is that a good or bad thing?" I ask her.

"Good... I haven't felt this nervous in years," she replies, but her expression turns sad. "It reminds me of how Shiny first dated me. He tried so hard to make me happy... ended up muzzle first into a street lamp and I had to levitate him home," she tells me with a light giggle.

I chuckle at the image of that. "I bet he was embarrassed," I say.

"Oh he was, he was red faced for the rest of the day... and that's not from the bump," she tells me.

"Well then, I promise to look where I'm going. So, are you ready?" I ask her.

She checks over her dress and nodded. "Yes," she replies.

I hold out my left arm for her and she hooks her right arm around it. We walk out the room and head to the courtyard, getting some strange looks from the guards and maids we pass. We get a carriage and a couple of guards to pull it and make our way into the City.

First, we'll just take a stroll around the city and talk.

"So, Cadence. Where were you born?" I ask her.

"Oh, I was born in Cloudsdale. My family was just an average one. Not wealthy, but not poor. My mother and father ran a small general store in the City. I helped out when I wasn't in school or doing homework. I helped the ponies in my school who were having relationship issues and found I enjoyed it and got my cutie-mark. When I turned twenty, I opened up my own place where I offered advice and ideas to help others, I didn't make a lot of bits from it, but I loved my work all the same," she tells me. "It was when I turned twenty-five that I became an alicorn. Celestia was there explaining how the magic of Equus chose me as the Princess of Love... though I think I've failed in that lately," she says and sighs.

I squeeze her hand reassuringly. "From all I've heard of you, you're doing a great job," I tell her.

She smiles and squeezes my hand back. "Thank you," she replies. "What about you? Where were you born?" she asks.

"I was born in a small town called Elerune. My mother was a seamstress while my father was a member of the town guard. I was still in school myself back then, but just a little over six years ago bandits attacked the town. I saw my parents... I guess injured is what I now know is the truth, were saved by Discord and I only just met them again," I tell her.

"I've met your parents. They're very nice people," she tells me.

"Thank you. I've missed them over the years, but I'm glad to have them back," I reply with a smile.

"You should treasure them for as long as you can. I remember the day my parents died. They both passed away together in their sleep, We found them on their couch holding onto each other with smiles on their faces," she tells me with a sad smile.

"Sounds like a peaceful way to go," I reply.

"It does, but I just hope I won't have to experience it for a very long time," she says and leans against me. "So, where are we going?" she asks.

"We're going to the park first so we can walk around and get to know each other better. Then we'll go to a Café me and the others go to. Then we can do whatever you want, and after that, the next place you'll have to wait for and at the end, a nice romantic dinner," I tell her.

She smiles. "Sounds lovely," she replies.

I tell the guards pulling to take us to the park. We sit quietly and after five minutes, we arrive and the guards open the door for us.

I get out first and then hold my hand out for Cadence. She giggles and takes my hand and steps off the carriage.

I then look back at the guards. "We'll be back in an hour or so," I tell them.

They saluted and sat on a nearby bench. I hold my left arm out for Cadence and she hooks her right arm around it.

"Celestia tells me you used to babysit kids. What made you start that?" I ask her as we walk through the park.

"You mean foalsit?" she asks. I nodded. "Well, it was after I became an alicorn. I was told I'd never have my own foal unless it was with a male alicorn... which there isn't any. So I decided to foalsit, I love foals and their happy playful nature. I guess it was just the closest thing I could have to a foal at the time," she replies and then strokes her stomach. "but thanks to you, I can finally have my own," she tells me.

"I'm glad I could help. You're a kind and caring woman, I have no doubt you'll be a wonderful mother," I tell her.

She hums and leans her head on my shoulder. "Thank you. I just can't wait till I can hold the foal in my arms," she says. "What have you been doing before you came here?" she asks me.

"I travelled Reymorah doing any job I could find. Helping to clear out bandits, bodyguard, escort, healing, and anything else I could help with. I was also hunting the bandits that attacked my home, but I'll have to ask Discord what happened to them as I never found them," I reply.

"So you were like a mercenary?" she asks.

"Eh, kind of, but I didn't hurt anyone innocent or those who didn't deserve it," I reply. "What were your parents like?" I ask her.

She has a sad smile on her face. "They were very kind and tried to give me everything I wanted, which wasn't much as I was happy with my life back then, but when my business started to get financial trouble, they gave me some bits to pay my bills. As I said, I didn't earn much, but I loved my work. They kept telling me to keep at it and enjoy what I did," she tells me. "What were yours like?" she asks in return.

"My dad was strict, but still caring. He wanted me to join the guard when I grew up and we had little practice sessions in our backyard. My mom made clothing, blankets, table cloths, pillow cases, anything with cloth really. When we found out I had a gift for magic, she got me a beginners wand and I started learning the life element. I was twelve back then, I only had under two years of practice before the bandits attacked," I tell her.

"What happened to your parents?" she asks.

I sigh with a sad smile. "Dad was teaching me some new stances with a sword when they came. There were quite a lot of them for a bandit group, thirty I think. Dad told me to hide in the basement and lock it from the inside. I climbed some boxes and watched through a small window as my parents were stabbed and then dragged off. I was down there for two days crying before someone found me," I tell her.

She hugs me tightly. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," she tells me.

"It's fine, my parents are alive, I couldn't ask for more," I reply and hug her back.

We walk for a while longer and I can hear people talking.

"Is that Princess Cadenza?"

"Yeah, it is. What's she doing with the King?"

"Is she part of his herd? I thought she was with the Captain."

I see a couple sitting under a tree talking about us. Cadence looks nervous now. "Maybe we should head back..." she says.

"Ignore them. If they want to speculate, let them. It doesn't change anything," I tell her. After a few more minutes walking through the park, I speak up. "Come on. Let's go back to the carriage and head to the café. I'd like you to meet Mocha," I say to her.

She nodded and we head back to the carriage where the guards stand up and bow. "Welcome back, your Majesties," they say.

"Thank you, can you take us to the Golden Roast Café please? I'll even treat you to anything you want there," I tell them.

They grin at each other and grab the bar at the front of the carriage as I help Cadence into it. We sit down and the carriage starts moving.

After ten minutes, we arrive and enter the Café. The bell goes off and Mocha looks at us. "Adrian!.. Oh hello, Princess." Mocha greets us and bows.

"Good morning, Mocha. At least you didn't trip this time," I tease her.

She blushes slightly. "Hush you... So what can I get for you today?" she asks.

"I'd like my usual please," I reply.

"I'd like a piece of strawberry cake, a cup of jasmine tea and a small fruit salad please," Cadence says.

I look back to the two guards. "What would you two like?" I ask them.

They both ask for a sandwich, a muffin, and a coffee.

"That'll be thirty bits please," Mocha says and I hand over the coins. "Thanks, take a seat and I'll bring it over to you," she tells us and we head over to two tables. Cadence and I sit at one while the guards talk to each other at another one.

"She's nice," Cadence says.

"She can be a bit clumsy at times. Trips over herself when she's surprised or startled," I reply with a chuckle. "but very friendly."

"So what happened on Terra? I know there was a battle, but no pony told me any details," she asks me.

I tell her how the battle went and what happened, minus the gory details. "I then managed to bring down the giant and that's when I passed out. Woke up three days later," I finish.

She frowns sadly. "That sounds terrible, why would anypony want to hurt their own family?" she says.

"Those who think they're superior, stronger, or just like violence. Or for resources, position, and land. There are many things people kill over..." I reply, this isn't a good discussion for a date, time to change topic. "What do you plan to name your child when it's born?" I ask her.

"Well, a foal's name is usually given to them when they're born. Something to do with the magic of harmony," she tells me.

I frown confused. "So you just make up a name when they're born?" I ask.

"Not really, the name just comes to both parents. We're still not sure why that is," she replies.

"Huh... Well, what ever their name is, I'm sure your child will be as beautiful as their mother," I say.

She smiles and blushes slightly. "Our daughter you mean," she tells me.

"Daughter?" I ask with surprise.

"MmmHmmm. I went for a check up two days ago. It's an earth pony filly, with alicorn magic but the same kind of magic as you... Just like Tia's foal," she tells me.

So I have two daughters and a son? I wonder what Luna will have. I smile at Cadence and squeeze her hand.

Our food arrives and we thank Mocha. We dig in as Cadence tells me what she's been doing the last three days. She's been talking with Celestia about their pregnancies and what their babies will look like. Fur, eye, and hair colours. Celestia gave her advice on what to expect in the next few weeks from her own pregnancy.

"I see," I say and finish my tea. "Well then, if you're ready. Shall we go?" I ask and stand next to her holding my hand out.

She takes my hand and I help her up. "Thank you," she says.

I head over to the counter and give Mocha twenty bits as a tip. She thanks me and the guards follow us out.

We get in the carriage and I ask her where she would like to go. "I'd like to go see a play," she tells me.

The guards take us to the Theater where we're taken to the royal box where we sit down and wait for the play to start, it's some kind of romance and action thing. Something about an ex-guard turning bandit and the love between said bandit and a noble woman.

The actors take their place on a set that looks like a forest. A small carriage with bags and chests on the roof is pulled along with some noble looking unicorn woman in it. They're ambushed by some people in green tunics or leather like armour with swords and bows.

They defeat the guards by knocking them out as the earth pony leader named Silver Shield opens the carriage door.

"Please don't kill me," the woman begs him as the men take the bags and chests off the carriage.

Silver just chuckles. "Perish the thought, m'lady," he says and holds her hand. He slips off her middle ring and lightly kisses the back of her hand. "A gentlecolt such as myself would never harm such a beautiful rose," he tells her.

She blushes as he smiles at her before leaving her with the rest of her valuables still on her.

Silver and his men run off into the forest with their pilfered goods as the woman watches them leave, still with a blush on her face.

Silver runs past the guards in a mansion trying to catch him. He parries and dodges their swords with his own, laughing at them.

The noble woman named Eloquence is chasing after them. "Stop! Please don't hurt him!" she shouts.

The guards corner Silver at the end of a hallway with only a window. "We got you now scum," a guard says to him.

Eloquence slips past them and hugs Silver. "Take me with you," she says to him.

"Are you sure, m'lady?" he asks her.

"Yes, I love you," she replies and they kiss each other.

"M'lady! Step away from him!" a guard tells her.

Silver just grins. "Hold on tight," he tells her and then jumps out the window.

She screams as they fall and seconds later, two pegasi catch them and they fly off towards the forest.

The last scene shows Eloquence wearing a similar outfit to the bandits and shows them robbing another carriage together with smiles on their faces.

The curtains close and I frown... that was certainly not the ending I was expecting.

Cadence sighs. "It's so romantic that she would give up her nobility just to be with him," she says.

"I was expecting them to... you know... settle down, start a family. Not her becoming a bandit as well," I tell her.

"I guess the director wanted to do something different," she says and stretches her limbs. "So... what's next?" she asks.

"I'm going to take you to somewhere I think you'd like," I tell her.

We leave the Theater and I walk up to the guards and whisper to them to take us to the baby store, they nodded and I help Cadence into the carriage. People watch our carriage go by as Cadence leans against me while looking out the window.

I notice she has a sad smile. "Is something wrong?" I ask her.

She sighs and looks at me. "Just remembering the time Shiny took me out," she replies.

"I'm sorry about Shining, I really didn't mean to break you two apart," I tell her.

"We knew this could happen... auntie Tia told me they didn't find a mate because they would just out live them... but I wanted to find love, I wanted it so badly... I'm the alicorn of Love and I found it hard to find it myself," she says and looks me in the eyes. "I just hope I have this time," she tells me.

I give her a light kiss. "Don't worry, I'll try to make you and the others as happy as I can," I tell her.

The carriage stops and I help her out. She gasps when she sees the store. "Why are we here?" she asks.

"I'm going to pay for anything you want to get for our daughter," I reply.

She smiles widely and pulls me into the store. For the next hour she looks around and gets a pink crib, a few different pink full body outfits she called a onesie, and some toys to start with.

I paid for them and loaded them into the carriage. For our next stop, we head to a fancy restaurant called 'The Golden Bell'. Canterlot sure likes stores with Golden in it's name. I open the door for her and we both enter. Everyone inside stops what they're doing and stares at us as a waiter quickly makes his way over to us.

"Your Majesties, welcome to The Golden Bell. We have an empty private table if you want it," he tells us with a bow.

"Yes please," I reply.

He leads us into the back with all eyes still on us. We enter the room with a circular table with four chairs around it. I pull a chair out for Cadence and she thanks me.

"Here are your menus," the waiter says and hands them to us. We look through them and pick our meals. "I will be back with your order in a few minutes," he tells us and leaves.

We chat while we wait for our food and she sighs. "I've just thought about what Twilight will think of us..." she says.

Oh yeah, Twilight is Shining's sister... I'm not looking forward to that conversation.

"We'll deal with that when the time comes... right now, let's just enjoy ourselves," I tell her.

Our food arrives and we chat while we eat. "What are you doing tomorrow?" she asks me.

"I'll begin my training with Luna and to harness Mother Gaia's power," I reply.

"Who is Mother Gaia?" she asks confused.

I show her the back of my left hand. "She's the aspect of the life element and she's in this orb on my hand," I reply.

She looks surprised. "How did she get in there?" she asks and I tell her what Gaia told me. "I see. So when you master her power, you're going to help regrow her forest?" she asks.

"That's the plan, but I got a feeling Grogar will be needing to be taken out before hand," I tell her and finish my meal. "Ahhh, that was good," I say.

I wait a few minutes sipping my cider while she finishes hers.

She puts down her fork and looks at me with worry. "Adrian... I need to tell you something," she says.

"What?" I ask with a raised brow.

"I've started getting these cravings for... meat... like auntie Tia," she tells me nervously.

"I see, and have you talked to Tia about it?" I ask her.

"No... not yet. I wanted to get your opinion first," she replies.

"Well as far as what I've seen from Tia, it's not harmful to you. I could catch some fish later and you can try some. Since I can eat meat, I'm guessing our children will be able to as well," I tell her.

She looks a bit queasy at that. "Do I have to?" she asks.

I give her a sad smile. "Most likely. I need a source of protein to stay healthy. So I think the ba... foals, will need it too," I reply.

She rubs her stomach and sighs. "Alright, I'll try it. If it helps keep our foal healthy," she tells me.

I lean over and hold her hand. "You'll be fine. Come on, let's pay for the meal and head back to the Castle," I tell her and we get up. We head back into the main room where everyone stares at us again. I pay for the meal with a tip and we go back to the Castle.

The guards drop us off in the courtyard and then take the carriage away after we thank them and I take Cadence's baby stuff out of it.

Cadence then turns to me and smiles. "Thank you for the date, it was fun," she tells me.

"You're welcome. I'll take these up to the baby room," I say and lift the box with the crib in it over my shoulder. "What are you going to do now?" I ask her.

"I'll probably go and keep auntie Tia company," she tells me and kisses me.

I return the kiss and smile. "Alright, If any of you need me. I'll be in our room talking to Mother Gaia," I tell her and make my way to the Castle doors.

"Okay. I'll see you tonight," she says.

I head up to our room and place the box in the baby room, along with the toys and clothes. Once placed, I return to the bedroom and lay on the bed.

I then tap the life orb on my hand. 'Gaia, what would I have to expect when I start training to control your power?' I ask her.

The orb lights up in response. 'It will be similar to how you channel your elements, except it will be much more intense and you'll need to focus a lot more, and this time, I won't be guiding you like I did against the giant,' she tells me.

Hmmm, doesn't sound too hard. I'm guessing it might just take time and practice.

'Thanks. I can't wait to get started,' I reply.

'If you thought it's going to be easy, think again. Starswirl took six months just to master my power,and mine is the safest to learn,' she tells me.

Well... bugger.

The others enter the bedroom looking tired, After Shella put Mavis in her crib, they cuddle up to me and Celestia levitates the mirror over to us. I smile and open the connection to Solaris and Galaxia.

They congratulate Cadence on joining the herd and she blushes. She was also excited to meet Celestia and Luna's parents for the first time as well.

After a good thirty minutes of just idle chit chat, they say their goodnights and Celestia puts the mirror in a safe box they had placed in the room to keep it safe and hidden. I would too if it was the only method of contacting my parents... Although we could just get another mirror from Terra if we had to.

Once we were all settled down, we all slowly fall asleep.

5k chapter for ya!

Next chapter in the beginning of Adrian's life aspect power training.