Rumble ran into the kitchen of Sugarcube Corner looking for Cakes' little Pegasus foal. Rumble didn't have to look for long as he immediately spotted the cream and brown Pegasus simply sitting on the counter.

“Hey little one,” Said Rumble softly, “What're you doing on the counter?”

Pound was quick to respond, “Meow.”

Both of the colts giggled at Pound's shenanigans, “Do you want to go see Apple Bloom?” Rumble thought it would be best to keep the twins together as much as possible.

Pound happily fluttered onto Rumble's head, “I'll take that as a 'yes,'” Rumble walked carefully out of the kitchen, not sure if the infant Pegasus on his head would be able to catch himself if he fell.

Rumble walked back into the twins' nursery and heard the 'clang' of metal. Rumble looked to his left to see Apple Bloom depositing a diaper in a trash can.

“I see yah managed to catch Pound,” Said Apple Bloom, “Pumpkin just needed 'er diaper changed.”

“Oh, how do you know how to take care of babies?” Asked Rumble.

“The first few times, Pinkie was here with me and showed me the ropes,” Explained Apple Bloom, “It really comes in handy when the Cakes need someone to foalsit or one of mah family comes and brings their youngins.”

An idea popped in Apple Bloom's head, “Ah haven't put a new diaper on Pumpkin yet, Ah can show how tah change a foal's diaper if yah want.”

“Sure,” Agreed Rumble, “That will probably come in handy today.”

The trio walked over to the counter where Apple Bloom left Pumpkin, “Alright, first put the new diaper underneath 'er.”

Rumble quickly did as he was instructed. Apple Bloom leaned over to adjust the diaper slightly, giving Rumble the perfect opportunity to smell her mane.

“That was almost perfect,” Complimented Apple Bloom, “All that's left is tah close up the diaper around 'er and put the pin in.”

Apple Bloom handed Rumble a safety pin, “Now, this is gonna be a might tricky-” Apple Bloom would've have continued instructing Rumble on how to use your hooves to get the pin in the diaper without it opening up, but the light gray Pegasus grabbed the safety pin with the primaries on one of his wings and weaved it into Pumpkin's diaper.

Rumble turned his head to face Apple Bloom and smiled, “They taught us how to sew in Flight School using our wings.”

The twins laughed at Apple Bloom's expense as Pound rolled down Rumble's neck and nestled himself inbetween his wings. A moment later, Rumble and Apple Bloom were joining them in the mirth.

Dinky Doo had spent all of her time after school helping her mother and aunt with their mail routes today. Dinky had just deposited the last letter entrusted to her when a familiar voice called out to her.

“Hey Dinky!” Yelled Ruby Pinch as she ran up to her foalhood friend.

“Oh, hi Ruby,” Said Dinky happily, “What are you doing today?”

“We were actually looking for you,” Answered Ruby.

“We?” Asked Dinky. She looked over to see Noblesse Oblige just barely outside of her personal space.

“Hello Dinky,” Though Noblesse's voice was plain, he had an obvious smile on his face.

Dinky noticed the bandages on his eye and shoulder. She also noticed that the vertical slit pupil on the uncovered eye had stretched further across his eye.

“What happened?” Asked Dinky with genuine concern in her voice.

“I was resting in a tree with a ball knocked me out of it,” Answered Noblesse. He gladly told them the truth, but they didn't need to know about his skin.

“Oh gosh!” Exclaimed Ruby, “That must have hurt.”

Noblesse nodded, “Which is why – and due respect to Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle – I would like to avoid the usual Crusade activities.”

“We've never been much for going overboard like they do,” Said Dinky, “They just have a nack for getting us to join them in their harebrained schemes.”

“So, what should we do today?” Asked Ruby.

“I have an idea actually,” Said Noblesse cheerfully.

The two fillies looked at him expectantly, “Everything between the first basement and the second floor of the Everfree Palace is open to the public, that includes the palace library.”

“You want to spend the day reading?” Asked Dinky. While they weren't as opposed to reading as much as Rainbow Dash was, it wasn't exactly the fillies' idea of fun.

The smile on Noblesse's face grew slightly, “The collection of books in the palace library includes tomes Celestia left behind a thousand years ago after Luna's madness, as well as whatever the lord decided to donate from his personal collection of books. I bet there's a ton of spell books we could learn from.”

Ruby Pinch and Dinky Doo looked at each other. That did sound fairly tempting, and if everypony else was busy...

“That sounds like a fantastic idea,” Said Ruby, “What are you two waiting for? Lets go!”

Ruby galloped towards the Everfree Forest without another word. “Hey! Wait for us!” Called out Dinky as she followed her friend.

Noblesse elected to follow at a much more sedate pace. He couldn't help but chuckle at Ruby's enthusiasm. All I have to do now is get Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo down there some day, and I will be able to begin.

Time Turner was down the street from the trio of foals now headed for the Everfree Palace. It was coincidence that Time Turner was on patrol duty this week and had found Noblesse Oblige with his daughter and her friend.

Time Turner did not like the fact that his daughter was spending so much time with Noblesse. He didn't care if Dinky got a coltfriend, Time Turner would actually like to see his daughter going out into the world, if only slightly. Time Turner's problem with Noblesse was that trained killers wanted him dead and they had no leads on who exactly was after him. To make matters worse, ROoK took over the investigation of the Royal Guardponies that tried to kill Noblesse. This meant that there was a total media blackout on the assassination attempt and the local guards could have nothing to do with the investigation.

Time Turner sighed and continued his rounds. Be careful Dinky, I can't protect you anymore.

Twilight Sparkle and Cheerilee were in the Golden Oaks Library reading through the books Noblesse left for Twilight. Cheerilee never gave out worksheets or home work on the first day of a school week and Ponies rarely came into the library for the books. With nothing better to do, the pair of mares decided to spend the rest of the day getting to know each better.

Cheerilee actually asked Twilight if she could read through the books Noblesse gave her. Knowing what Noblesse put himself through, as well as what kind of life he lead up to this point, would help Cheerilee understand Noblesse as a Pony better.

Twilight was hesitant to let Cheerilee read the books. But Twilight realized that more Ponies knowing more about the Under-City Ponies culture and history would help Ponies in Equestria understand and accept Under-City Ponies better. So Twilight gave Cheerilee the Hemomancy spell book and opened it too the section about the blood rites the first Under-City Ponies took to make them the way they are today.

“He-he did this to himself?” Asked Cheerilee with a shaky voice.

“I know right?” Said Twilight, “The books that I've read says that the process takes years to finish and that the last stage is supposed to be very painful.”

“Why would the settlers do this to themselves?” Asked Cheerilee.

“Nothing like this had been done before in Equestrian history,” Explained Twilight, “So they wouldn't have known how painful it would be. Of course, they'd do it anyway. They needed to preform the blood rites to live in the hostile underground environment. They also see it as an act of penance.”

Cheerilee thought about all of the points Twilight had made. When Princess Luna descended into madness, it was well known why she had gone insane to the Ponies of the time. Everypony that felt guilt over their negligence of the Moon Princess banished themselves to the underground. It was in fact why Nightmare Moon became a folk lore instead of historical trivia. If the books Noblesse gave Twilight were to be believed, then the Under-City Ponies still worshiped the Alicorns as gods. They also engaged in self-mutilation and ritual suicide out of penance.

Shivers went down Cheerilee's spine as she thought what it must have been like. Too abandon the safety of the surface and Princess Celestia's vigil and wisdom to dedicate your life to protecting Equestria from it's subterranean enemies and atoning for your crimes. Cheerilee was absolutely horrified that these Under-City Ponies had developed the concept of hereditary guilt to justify staying underground. Given the contents of the numerous historical texts Noblesse gave Twilight, it was probably for the best.

Cheerilee was brought out of her dark thoughts by the sound of claws against the wood floor of the library and the smell of baked sugar. Cheerilee looked over to see Twilight's 'assistant' bringing a tray of with a plate of freshly made cakes and a pot of tea over to the pair.

Cheerilee was confused about the relationship between Twilight and Spike. Twilight called him her assistant, but a Unicorn could do everything more efficiently and more quickly than a baby anything could. It also concerned Cheerilee that Spike seemed to be treated more like a servant than a member of Twilight's family. He made food, cleaned house, washed dishes, and did a plethora of other domestic chores that Twilight could do all at once with her magic. Another of Cheerilee's concerns was the fact that Spike slept in a basket like a small dog or cat when Twilight had a spare bed that was rarely used.

“Here you go ladies,” Said Spike cheerfully as he laid the tray on the table between them.

“Thank you Spike,” Said Twilight, “How about you take a brake and join us?”

“Sure,” Replied the wyrmling happily, “That sounds nice.”

Spike removed his pink apron and ignited it with his fire breath. But instead of turning into ashes, the flame covered the apron and floated away into the kitchen like a lime green specter. Spike then sat on the opposite end of the couch Cheerilee was sitting on.

Spike had to stifle chuckles at the look of shock and amazement on Cheerilee's face, “Dragonoids cast magic with their fire breath.”

“So Spike,” Started Cheerilee, “What was life in the Canterlot Palace like?” Cheerilee was genuinely curious about Spike's life. Cheerilee knew the story of Twilight getting her Cutie Mark – courtesy of a paper by Sweetie Belle – and knew that Twilight wasn't actually expected to hatch Spike's egg. Knowing more about Spike would help confirm or invalidate her worries about the purple and green Dragon.