“So, that happened,” I concluded my tale. “Diamond Tiara took my invitation to spend the night at my place, and insisted I take it a giant leap further by adopting her when the town hall is open tomorrow. And Spike is staying with Sweetie Belle at Rarity’s place. Speaking of which… do you know where Rarity is, and what’s going on with her? We haven’t heard anything since a couple of those night ponies called her and your sister away from the party.”

“She is here in Canterlot,” Luna said, “attending to her betrothed. The young Prince was injured in an incident that has us somewhat concerned. My thestrals are looking into the matter more deeply as we speak. He will recover before long, though, and then I expect Miss Rarity to rejoin you in Ponyville.”

“Great. I hope she doesn’t get too mad when she learns what’s going on with her sister and Spike,” I said. “Also… are there any legalities or the like we need to worry about with the young couple or their friends?”

“Mmm, that depends. The fillies who have cutie marks are considered mature enough to consent on that basis. Scootaloo’s parents could file rape charges, which might land on either Spike or Twilight Sparkle as his legal guardian, depending whether he was to be considered an adult. We don’t have much precedence for such things for dragons, so it would be between the two of them to decide unless they couldn’t agree and made the court do so,” Luna began, a little annoyed at having to delve into such things. “Apple Bloom’s parents are deceased, so it would fall on her legal guardian to make a similar charge for her. I’m not honestly sure which Apple that would be. Her grandmother, perhaps? In any case, the Apples have a long history of fecundity going back to before I was banished; I’d be less surprised by an enforced betrothal from them than a rape suit.”

After a moment’s silence, she refocused on me. “Honestly, your adoption of the other filly is a stickier matter. I don’t believe her parents ever formally disowned her. Shouting mean things at your child isn’t enough to make it legal. And from what I’ve seen, I doubt her father would give her up formally so easily.”

“So I might not be able to adopt her,” I said.

“Her parents could probably try to accuse you of foalnapping at this point,” Luna said. “We would put a stop to that, of course, but they have enough to have you arrested. On the other hoof, perhaps you could do the same to them?”

“I’m not interested in petty vengeance, and I don’t think DT is either,” I said. “What would be the point of that?”

“Give them an ultimatum,” Luna suggested. “They either take their daughter back into their home, or fill in the paperwork so you can adopt her instead. It will be much smoother if they do than if you try to acquire the foal without their cooperation.”

“Either way is a win for Diamond, assuming she even wants to go back. And if they do neither?” I asked.

“You bring to the authorities the fact that they have left their foal to shiver in an uninsulated clubhouse in the woods night after night, and now refuse to let her into her own home even now that the structure is naught but splinters,” Luna pointed out. “I can discreetly escalate things from my end to see to it the matter resolves speedily, and that you end up as her guardian when it is all said and done. I don’t think anypony wants it to go down that route, so it won’t.”

“Alright… I guess I know what I’m doing tomorrow then,” I said.

“During my sister’s time anyways. Don’t forget the night though,” Luna pointed out.

“Hmm?”

“It’s the centennial meteor shower. I’m quite excited about it myself,” Luna said, sounding proud. “First one since I returned from banishment. I plan to make it extra special.”

“Do you actually make them somehow?” I questioned. I knew she had a lot of control over the night sky, but I wasn’t sure how much.

She nodded in response. “I spend a little power each night herding space rocks, gathering them in clusters to be available for nights like tomorrow night. I could do it more often if I really tried, but at the pace I do it, it takes nearly a hundred years just to get the materials together. The last dozen I was… not in a very good space emotionally. They were more my tantrums writ large on the sky than the celebrations they once were. It’s time to make up for that.”

“Sounds like it will be incredible… I should ask Nanaki to watch it with me,” I said. “I think he mentioned something about an interest in astronomy.”

“Don’t tarry,” she said. “By the sound of it, that one is likely to have a date booked rather quickly.”

“Right…” I said. “Oh! What about your sister and her pet bird? Philomena? How much trouble are we in?”

At the sound of her name, the phoenix appeared within the dreamscape, landing on my shoulder and trilling a greeting to Luna.

“Hello, Philly!” Luna greeting with a smile, before looking at me more seriously. “She won’t be happy to lose her pet. I may need to bring my sister her for visits, or perhaps she’ll insist you turn the materia over to her. Whoever holds the gem can see the bird, right?”

“See and hear her, yes,” I confirmed. “She might come in handy with her fire powers, but she belongs to the Princess to begin with. I won’t complain if she asks for her pet back.” After a moment I looked at Luna. “You can bring others into each other’s dreams?”

“Does that surprise you? There is much I can do within the realm of dreams,” Luna said. “Such as combining dreams with one another, and more.”

I thought about it a bit more, and then shook my head. “I’ll not ask any favors of the sort from you. The temptation to abuse it is too much.”

“I’m more than capable of saying ‘no’ to any such abuse,” Luna said, looking at me curiously. I think she wanted to know what I had considered asking of her, but when I declined to speak further, she spread her wings. “Enjoy the rest of the night, Lady Strife. I will resume my rounds now.”

I nodded, and she took flight, winking out of existence. Only when I was sure she was gone did I loosen my grip on my thoughts, and let the dream version of Nanaki appear, placing a firm hand on each shoulder as he started to give me a massage.

Nanaki and I met on the road back to Ponyville, where the path from my home merged with the path from Sweet Apple Acres. Diamond Tiara trotted a respectful distance ahead of us, so as to pretend not to be listening in. Just to make sure I didn’t miss the opportunity, the filly looked at me, nudging her head toward Nanaki a few times before refocusing on the road ahead of her.

“Do you have any plans for tonight, Nanaki?” I inquired.

“I do, actually,” he said. “Twilight and I are going to go watch the meteor shower together. I thought it a perfect chance to indulge our mutual love of astronomy. I’m actually heading over there now to read a few of her books on the subject.”

I blushed fiercely, falling a few steps behind. “You and Twilight, huh?”

Nanaki studied my face as we walked in silence for a bit. “It bothers you, obviously. You had something else in mind. A date?”

“Isn’t that what you had planned?” I asked pointedly.

Nanaki shrugged. “If Twilight were more socially aware, she might take it as such. As she is? She’ll probably take it on face value.”

“And what is it to you?” I asked.

“An opportunity to get to know one of my new friends better, as well as my new home. And indulge in something at once new and familiar,” he said. “Despite Pinkie’s ambitious gridwork, there’s really no need for things to become any more intimate between me and the librarian. As lovely as she is, both within and without, I doubt she’ll start anything and I certainly won’t press.”

“You’re really going to keep it as ‘just friends’,” I asked.

“Believe it or not, that is essentially how things are with Pinkie and Applejack as it stands. One night ‘in the hay’, figuratively speaking, is not a relationship,” he commented. “I’m sure you can relate, given what I hear of you and Miss Dash.”

I blushed anew. “I suppose… I can excuse a few indiscretions, if you can excuse my own…”

“We have no relationship ourselves, as of yet. I can hardly fault you for what you’ve done before meeting me, at least in that regard,” Nanaki said. “Besides, every healthy adult has such desires, regardless of race or gender.”

I hesitated a moment. “I’d be interested in changing that,” I said. “The ‘no relationship’ part, I mean. Tomorrow night?”

“I promised to attend Fluttershy’s tea party tomorrow night,” he countered.

“Great. I’ll meet you there,” I said. “She can be our chaperone slash awkward third wheel.”

That earned a laugh from him. “Then I’ll just have to invite you to Rainbow Dash’s stunt show in a few days.”

“Can’t, she already invited me,” I laughed. “Though I can’t rule out the possibility she was hoping for an intimate conclusion there.” As we got into town, our paths diverged. “I’ll see you at Fluttershy’s, Nanaki. Right now I’ve got some paperwork to deal with.”

“My condolences,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ll see you then.”

We spent a good couple of hours at Town Hall getting the situation sorted. We had to find and hire an attorney, a mare by the name of Dotted I, to help us sort out the paperwork and how to approach her parents. By the time we left, I had a new briefcase filled with documents, ideally needing only a few signatures to start the adoption process.

“Does this kind of thing always take this long,” Diamond complained as we finally got out of the building.

“From my experience, Dotti was exceptionally quick about it,” I said. “We may be in for quite a bit more before this is over. I’ll spare you as much of it as I can.”

“Thanks but no thanks,” she said. “You’re not leaving me out of anything.”

I met her eyes a moment, seeing the determination that had grown there. I wondered how much she had grown up just from staying in the clubhouse a few months. But perhaps it was time she had a chance to be a foal again.

As we reached the estate, the gardner caught sight of us and fled into the main house. I didn’t sense any fear in the action, so I wasn’t surprised when the butler opened the door for us, and informed us that a sitting room had been prepared for us, and the masters of the house would be with us shortly.

I remembered the room as we waited there, enjoying the light refreshments that had been left for us. I had been there with Blueblood long ago. “You know, I’d really missed how good the water is here. Expertly filtered, and perfectly accentuated with just enough lemon. But the pastries just can’t compare to what Silver Spoon brings me.”

“I’ll have to try her cooking someday,” I said casually, watching the door and waiting. I made it through another lemon bar before a light rap at the door announced the impending presence of Mr. and Mrs. Rich.

“Miss Strife,” Spoiled Rich greeted me cooly, not meeting her daughter’s eyes. She offered a hoof and I grasped it briefly.

“My little Tiara,” Filthy said in hushed excitement, eying his wife nervously as he slipped a tight embrace around his daughter.

“Mr. Rich, Mrs. Rich. It’s good to see you both again,” I lied. “Unfortunately, I come bearing paperwork, and something of an ultimatum.”

“Oh, my. Must we jump straight to business like that? I believe we can have a tray of fresh scones out in short order,” Filthy suggested.

“No, Daddy. This has taken long enough as it is,” Diamond said. “It’s time she take back what she said or make it official.”

“What are you talking about?” Filthy said, acting unconvincingly unaware.

“Are you done hanging out with your so called friend in that rickety box in the trees?” Spoiled asked pointedly. “I won’t have you associating with that riff raff and living under my roof.”

“That’s actually what made this matter urgent. The clubhouse was recently destroyed. If you won’t take her back, then I need you to sign her away,” I said plainly, opening the briefcase and revealing the papers within. “I’ll take her in myself. It’s quite fitting, isn’t it? The leader of the Elements of Harmony raising the leader of the Elements of Greatness?”

“Put that paperwork away,” Filthy said. “We can’t go signing away our only child.”

“The clubhouse,” Spoiled said. “How was it destroyed? Monsters?”

“Spike, actually. He, umm…” Diamond started to explain but broke into a blush, unable to admit to the details in front of her own parents.

“Spike? The dragon colt? See, this is what you get for letting such lower class persons into your life,” Spoiled said. “What did you expect? If you moved back in here, I’m sure they would just destroy our home next.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Diamond said. “There’s no way that would happen again here.” She blushed, trading glances with me, reminding me of just how Spike’s growth had been spurred on in the first place.

“Nor under my roof,” I pointed out.

“Do you even have a roof?” Spoiled inquired. “I heard you were cobbling something together in the Everfree yourself.”

“It’s survived quite a few monster attacks, including being buried in snow by a windigo,” I pointed out. “I’ll admit it is quite a bit smaller than your own estate, but it’s been tested and proven many times.”

“Relax, Cloud. Everypony just relax,” Filthy suggested nervously. “I’m sure your house is just… lovely.” He couldn’t meet my eyes. I’m guessing he was imagining Diamond living there, and not liking that one bit.

“Go!” Spoiled said, as she got out the first page of paperwork and a fine quill pen, looking for the line to sign. “Live in your little monster-ridden hovel surrounded by peasants and dragons. You’re no daughter of mine anymore.”

“Remember that when everypony around town is singing my praises,” Diamond shot back. “If I hear of you taking any credit for your daughter I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“You’re still my daughter,” Filthy said more quietly.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Here’s your line to sign,” Spoiled retorted, shoving a signed paper to him.

“Spoiled, my love. Surely you’re taking this too far?” the stallion insisted.

“How can you say that after how she’s just spoken to me? Sign the paper,” Spoiled insisted.

“I’ll take good care of her,” I assured Filthy, resting a hand on his withers. “And I won’t stop you from visiting.”

Filthy was clearly torn, until he looked desperately to his daughter, and she nodded to him, eyes filled with confidence. That was the last push, and he took quill in hoof, signing away his greatest treasure.

The gardner met us on the way out, as we neared the gate. “From the master,” he said as he passed over a rather heavy bag of bits. Glancing back, I noticed we were out of clear line of sight from the main house, trees blocking any view Spoiled might have had of the transaction.

“It’s not necessary,” I said. “But thank you. And thank him.” I passed the bits over to Diamond Tiara.

We spent the rest of the day shopping. I paid for most things myself, as we were getting necessities like a new foal-sized bed. A few of her requests I insisted she pay from her own bits, and she quickly noticed the pattern.

“So I can have anything I want if I pay for it with my own bits?” Diamond said, trying again to count them.

“That’s generally how it works,” I said. “Ask me before getting anything bigger than you are, or alive. But you don’t need to ask about anything like that.” I nodded to the stuffed dragon she had purchased. It was blue with a silver underbelly, but I suspect it might have been green and purple if the option were readily available.

I had to borrow a cart from Applejack to move everything, and when we got home it made everything quite cluttered, adding the extra furniture. “We’ll start building additional rooms soon. Tomorrow, in fact.”

“We could have done that before buying me furniture,” Diamond pointed out.

“We could have, but I think you’ve gone without having a real bed for long enough,” I said.
She didn’t have an answer for that for a short time, before finally coming back with a simple “Thanks.”

I smiled back at her. “Leadership has done you wonders,” I said. “I still remember when you were… much less mature.”

“I guess that’s it? And here I thought it was living in a clubhouse making me grow up,” Diamond said.

“I’m sure it made you tougher. But you didn’t used to think as much about other people or their feelings,” I pointed out.

“Mmm,” she answered simply, before hopping onto my bed where I was sitting and draping herself across my lap. A hand instinctively moved to her, stroking her gently. “What about you? You changed quite a bit yourself even since I’ve known you.”

“I remembered who I was,” I said. “It’s… a lot to get into right now, but I wasn’t entirely in my right mind when I came to this world. I was confused, enough that I didn’t even realize I was confused. But… Discord, of all people, straightened me out. Right before he stabbed me with my own sword.”

“Ouch. But you got him in the end, right?” she asked.

I ignored John’s commentary on the matter. “Yes. I kept a part of him as a summon, and had the rest of him turned to stone and banished to the far side of the moon, where there is very little chaos to feed him. Though… with the Tree of Harmony gone, it’s probably only a matter of time before he escapes again.”

She placed a hoof on my other hand. “We’ll beat him again when he does.”

I nodded. “In the meantime… let’s go find a spot to watch the meteors.”

There was one particular hilly area on the edge of town, grassy and treeless, above the lights of the town below, where you could see the night sky amazingly well whenever there weren’t any clouds on the schedule. It was perfect for watching the meteor shower.

The whole town thought so, too. Luckily, it was a large area and a small town, so everypony had enough room to spread out a bit. Many ponies brought picnics. I brought a small snack for us, but it seemed a bit pathetic by comparison.

Luckily, Silver Spoon had gone all out. She waved us over to where the other Elements of Greatness were gathered. As we sat with them, I looked around, taking stock of the other Elements. Applejack was there with us, and took a seat by my side. She was clearly there to keep an eye on the fillies and their enlarged dragon friend.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were on another rise, enjoying their own snacks and each other’s company. Twilight and Nanaki were setting up a telescope, and appeared to have forgone food altogether. They looked to be having a good time, in a perfectly chaste fashion, and I quickly stopped watching before I could start imagining impure motives for every casual contact between them. Rainbow Dash made an appearance shortly before the meteors began, darting in to land by Fluttershy, trading a hoof bump with Pinkie before snagging a muffin and settling in.

“How do you get used to it?” Spike asked me, lying on his back and looking up at the sky as the fiery streaks began to light up the night. “I mean, being so much taller than everypony.”

“It’ll grow on you,” I punned with a grin before answering more seriously. “It’s just the way things are, you can’t really help but get used to them eventually. In your case… maybe there’s some way you could reverse it and become as small as you were. Giving up Sweetie Belle entirely, maybe? But I don’t think that’s really worth even considering, do you?”

He shook his head fiercely, before oofing as the aforementioned filly hopped onto his belly. “You’re not talking about me behind my flank, are you?” she questioned good naturedly.

“We were just saying how he’s never getting any smaller because his love for you as made him this big,” I said.

“Aww, that’s a sweet way to put it,” Sweetie said, giving Spike a light kiss after he nodded his agreement. She twisted to lie on her back against his side, his left arm pinned around her as she watched Luna’s display. “Though maybe somepony ought to look into why he got so big, really.”

“Twilight doesn’t have any ideas?” I questioned.

“No, her library doesn’t have much about dragons at all,” Spike said.

“Zecora knows some things even Twilight can’t look up,” I said. “Otherwise we’d need to hunt down a better library or some actual dragons to consult with.”

“Let’s start with the zebra. You’re friends with her, right?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Not the closest, but yes. I’ll make time to visit her and ask about it someday soon,” I said. “Oh! Luna gave me a bit of word about your sister. She’s safe in Canterlot, but Prince Blueblood is in the infirmary, recovering from a blow to the head.”

“Did he deserve it?” Sweetie asked.

“Not that I know of,” I said. “But I can’t rule it out.”

“If he did… I’ll make sure Spike here gives him a fresh one when he comes by,” Sweetie said.

“I’m sure your sister will beat you to it,” I replied.