Princess Twilight’s throne room was beyond words. In the stories my mothers told me, it was mostly described as magic crystals that sparkled even in darkness, that was an understatement. It even had the six thrones for all of the elements of harmony. Damn, my brain kept all this in my head somewhere? My moms were right, I am a big kid.

Princess Twilight herself seemed the be slightly preoccupied with papers though, she gave, seemingly timed, glances at me before looking back at whatever was on those papers. “Are you a student at Celestia’s school?” She asked, looking at the papers.

“Uhh, no?” I reply confused. Celestia’s school? I knew the principal before my mom was named Celestia but… Right, dream. Still hope I wake up from this before anyone comes to school and sees me.

“To teleport this distance, even if it was a surge, is impressive. You might want to enroll. The guards told me you were from canterlot, strange that a unicorn isn’t enrolled. Being born a unicorn practically grants enrollment form birth. You in Secondary school then?”

“Yes? Today is actually supposed to be my first day.”

“Secondary school started a month ago, you home schooled?” She looked up from her papers, looking slightly confused.

“Yes?” I feel like I’m lying, but this is a dream so is it bad? Also, A month ago? Glad reality school doesn’t start that early.

“That makes sense as to why you’re not in Celestia’s school then. Do you know how to get home from the train station?” She asked, eyes falling back onto the papers.

“No, I’ve never been to the train station.” That’s half true. Given dream logic… Actually, save for movies and books I’ve never seen a train in real life. But the half true part was that I don’t even know where the train station is in reality. I only know a few places.

“Hmm.” She noised as she wrote something down on the paper she was reading. “I don’t think it will be too hard to find your parents, who are most likely worried about you, I’ll just need a photo to send the the royal guard in Canterlot and they can do a search of all homeschooled students in secondary school. Now, what’s your name?”

“Oh, Dazzling Sun.”

“Alright then, until we find your parents I’ll have one of the guards escort you around the castle or Ponyville. Since this if your first time away from home this can be a good learning and social experience for you.”

“Great.” I say dryly.

“I’d handle this more personally, but I’m behind on paperwork. I hope your parents are found. We should have word in an hour or so. Till then, Trodeal will be the guard looking out for you for the time being.”

I looked over and the guard pony without a horn nodded. So that’s his name. Who thought up that name? “Thank you.”

“It’s my duty… also, you have not been formal in the slightest since seeing me. I like that.”

“It’s most likely because I’m more confused now than I have been since I was an annoying two year old.”

She chuckled. “To be young and curious. Enjoy Ponyville Dazzling Sun, and do visit again.” As me and my guard were leaving I heard the princess say one more thing. “Why is his name familiar?”

* * *

“So this is your first time in the outside world kid?” Trodeal asked me.

“I've never seen buildings this… colorful before.” I replied. Looking around, the town and the ponies look like a color wheel threw up on them.

“Yeah. Ponyville's population is majority mare so expect lots of pink. So who are your parents?”

“My mothers, one is a school principal and the other is the school librarian.”

“Oh, you have two mothers. Bet they never let you get away with anything as a foal.”

“You can say that again. Closest thing I had to a father figure was my Uncle Flash, and he’s always off seas somewhere.”

“Which mom was he related to?”

“Neither. He’s just been a friend of my mothers since High, er, Secondary school.” I correct myself, remembering some of what princess Twilight said. “He used to date my mother Sunset but he broke it off.”

“So one of your mothers swings both ways.” Trodeal says in a tone that rubbed me wrong.

“You know that armor of yours doesn’t protect what’s between your hind legs.”

“Relax kid, I’m just teasin. Besides, only one mare was meant for me and she passed a long time ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“She left me one thing though. A little filly, has her mane, attitude, and stubbornness.”

“You’re a father?”

“Yes, and I’ll remind you you’re not wearing armor.”

“Two mothers, remember? I’d be insulting them if I was anything less than a gentleman.”

“They raised you right. I find it funny that your parents work in a school and your homeschooled.”

“Y… yeah. Odd. They’re just protective. Where are we going exactly?”

“My daughter works as a singer at a local dinner theater, or whatever it’s called. You are gonna sit at a table, enjoy the music, and eat whatever thirty bits will buy you. And from the prices on food there, you can make it stretch all day.”

“And what are you gonna do?”

“Say hi to my little girl and then go fill out the paperwork your case is building up. And I’ll be checking in every so often so don’t wonder off and get lost.”

“Alright.”

The ‘dinner theater’ Trodeal’s daughter works at was actually a club. Not A Nightclub, it was called. Weird name honestly, but it could be weirder. Trodeal sat me at a table in the middle of the dining area, a good view of the stage. A waiter gave me a menu before I even sat down. The crowd was fair, but they barely filled the tables. Trodeal left and the lights dimmed. The curtains on stage opened and a mare was on stage, next to her was an electric keyboard. Her coat color was the same as Trodeal’s, a dark leaf green, but her mane and tail was a curly Lapis Lazuli color. She had wings too.

She pressed a button on the keyboard and music started to play. It had a good beat, but it was coming from the keyboard's built in speaker, so the quality was… less than what it deserved. My attention turned to the mare when she tapped the mic in front of her and started singing.

In this place, this town, I’ve called my home.

Lies a secret, magic, it’s very old.

Just outside, through the trees of the Everfree.

The Elements of Harmony.

Laughter, Kindness, Honesty, Generosity and Loyalty.

Kept together with Magic, the ties that bond our hearts.

We live in peace thanks to these six brave souls.

Equestria’s strength comes from within our hearts

Rivaled only by cruel destiny.

The rulers of the moon and sun dance across our stars.

So close yet so very far.

Even if everything turns dark, we still have the Spark.

In this town, this place I’ve called my home.

I would have clapped if I had hands, a few other ponies here smacked their hooves together, making a clap like sound. She took a bow, which looked weird to me since she was a pony, and got off the stage.

“May I take your order sir?” I looked over and saw another pony, mare, with a yellow mane and orange coat.

“Oh, uh. What do you recommend?”

“We have a delicious hay burger and grass fries,” Nope, bad brain. Why the horse jokes with food? “We also have a fruit salad served with a glass of tea.”

“I’ll have that then.”

“Alright sir. Also since you look new here I’m inclined to tell you about the pay upfront rule.”

“Too many people left without paying?” I ask.

“Yeah, I know the rule sucks but the manager won't argue about it.”

“It’s alright. So how much?”

“Six bits.” That is cheap. I count out six of the gold coins Trodeal said we're bits. I found it funny how they were small gold coins. They had simple designs. A horse shoe on one side and a leaf on the other. “Thank you.” She said once the money was paid and left to the kitchen.

I sat at my table, just waiting for my food or the next show to start. “So you’re the lost little colt?” I looked up and Trodeal’s daughter was sitting next to me. When did she get here?! “Parent’s baby you to death city colt?”

I decided to be a smart ass. “Goo, goo ga ga.” I said, making her burst into laughter.

“Wow, and I thought my dad was bad.”

“Least he lets you work. My moms don’t want me out too long so I’m not aloud to get a part time job.”

“Now that sucks. I mean, we’re fourteen, right?” I nod in reply. “We’re legal adults damn it!” Fourteen is considered being an adult here? Now that’s just my brain being weird. When is this hyper-realistic dream gonna be over anyway? “Why do parents have to be so overprotective?”

“Cause they care. If they didn’t, we might not be here right now.” She looked surprised by my statement.

“You a philosopher or something?”

“Nope, my mother Sunset was just very smart and I was taught from a young age.”

“She must have some I.Q. So what’s your name?”

“Dazzling Sun. You?”

“Hope Spring. So how’d you get your cutie mark?”

“My what?”

“Oh come on, what kind of school teachers are your parents if you don’t even know what a cutie mark is?”

“Ones the Principal and the other is the Librarian.”

“That’s not any better. Did they raise you in the Everfree or something?”

“No, and even if I knew what a cutie mark was I couldn’t tell you how I got it.”

“A cutie mark are the images on your flank stupid.” Hope pointed at the image on my body that I failed to notice. It was the design from my favorite hoodie. It was slapped on my, quite literal, horse ass like a tattoo. “It shows what you’re best at. So, what are you best at?”

Crap. How to make up an excuse for this. I don’t want my dream world to either call me crazy or crash around me at the mention of reality, even though that might also wake me up I’d rather not risk turning this place into hell. “I guess I can sing alright. I took after my mother Sunset on that even though it was my other mother Adagio who birthed me.”

“Did they use a Potion of Family?”

“That sounds made up.”

“It’s a potion that came out like fifteen or so years ago. If two mares, your mothers, drink it, half each, if one isn’t already pregnant it will make whoever finished the bottle pregnant with a child that is both the drinkers child, genetically. If they are pregnant when drinking it the same effect applies, but similarities are less noticeable for the parent who’s not pregnant with the child. Usually, genetics are random at times.”

That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard. How is my sub-consciousness even able to come up with this? “Does it work with two males?” Let's see how far this can go.

“Yes, two stallions drink most of the potion and a surrogate mother finishes the rest and the baby is born related to both males.”

Okay… “Is it magic or…?”

“Yes. It was actually made by Princess Twilight and the zebra shamen Zecora. Supposedly, it was made for some friends of the Princess but that was never confirmed.”

“Odd.”

“Magic is as magic does. And by that I mean it does whatever the heck it wants. So…”

“So what?”

“You said you could sing. I want to hear you.”

“But I haven’t sung in public before! I’d be a total wreck!”

“So, everypony goes through that. Can’t get over it if you don’t face it.” Hope said as she pushed me off my seat. “Make up a song if you have to. The club does have open mic option. How else do you think I got this job?”

“Fine. If I bite it up there you owe me.”

“Whatever.”

I walked up on stage. All the ponies in the restaurant looked at me, mostly with a confused expression, save for Hope, who was wearing a devilish smile. I am gonna wipe that smile off of her. I quickly sorted through memories for lyrical inspiration and my talk about my Uncle Flash with Trodeal was the first thing to come to mind. Flash loved it in the Air Force. Little tribute song it is. I cleared my throat and began singing.

”In the end, it is just you and I.

My wings and I up in the endless sky.

Even with the peace, we know what’s truth.

Darkness lives, and it will run when I fly!

Through the fire and the wind,

I will fight for those I love!

Even when I am burnt to dust,

I will fly til the sun has set!

Nevermore will I fear!

Darkness will fall with me here,

Crashing down to earth.

I only wish I could, fly with the stars once more before I die.”

I didn’t realize I closed my eyes while I sang. I opened them and everyone in the room had their jaws on the floor, even Hope. “I, uh. That was a tribute to my uncle.” I say shakily while getting off stage. Suddenly, despite the low numbers, a roar of yells and applause come from the small audience. Oh God help me. And I thought having my parents at school was gonna be bad, I feel embarrassed hearing them applaud like that.

Call me weird, but I don’t like hearing others speak or do anything highly of me. I feel ashamed for it for some reason. I suddenly fell face first to the floor as someone hit me in the back of the head. “Damn it! I thought you would choke. Where you learn to sing like that?!” Hope’s loud voice rang into my ears.

I got back up, rubbing my head. “Just always could. No one ever taught me.”

“And that song! That was a tribute to your uncle?”

“Yeah. He loved to fly and even loved it more at night.”

“So that part at the end, he…”

“Strong winds when he was flying over seas. They… only found his flight helmet.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, I was little when It happened. My mothers actually gave his helmet to someone else who they thought should have it. They never said who, but If they thought they should have it then they must have meant a lot to him.”

“I… sorry for putting you up there like that. On the bright side I think you impressed everyone in the club here. Got some pipes, for a stallion.”

“Thanks, I think that song would be better with music in the background though.”

“I still got ten or so minutes on my break, maybe I can use my keyboard to help put something together.”

“Sure, I got time to kill.”

The beginning of the school year was the start of a new leaf for all high school students. New teachers, new classes, new schedule. For Sunset Shimmer, it was the start of paperwork. Near endless paperwork. She felt like Adagio at the end of the school year. Many students were still being enrolled and some were transferring. “UGH! Now I know how Twilight felt after Celestia gave her royal duties.” This year, the school had more students than ever before. Shattering previous records.

Knock. Knock. Knock. “Is the principal in?” Adagio’s voice spoke through the door. And it was music to Sunset’s ears.

“Come on in.” She replied, smiling as her wife entered.

“I wanted to ask if you’ve seen Dazz. He didn’t visit me in the library and I couldn’t find him around campus.”

“He probably ran off to Sugar Cube Corner. You know how much he loves those breakfast muffins.”

“But without telling us?” Adagio was a wreck with concern.

To this Sunset merely rolled her eyes. Smiled. And gave Adagio a light hug. “He’s fourteen Dagi. We can’t mother him forever.”

“I just wish we could.”

“I think that’s a mental problem when they do that Adagio.”

Adagio frowned at that pun and pushed Sunset away, who was giving a sly smile. “Oh har har Sunset. But I’m just worried. I can’t help it.”

“Look, if he ran off to Sugar Cube Corner then he was seen by the surveillance cameras. I’ll just rewind the footage and if he did leave campus we’ll call him to come back soon. There’s still an hour before classes start anyway.”

Sunset sat down at her desk, Adagio hovering just behind her. With a few clicks on the computer a window popped up, showing a black and white video with Sunset, Adagio, and Dazzling Sun in front of the school. Then, after Adagio and Sunset walked out of view Dazzling Sun walked over to the wonder colt statue, look around, and attempted to climb it.

“Oh no!” Both mothers said as they saw their son place a foot at the base, only for his lower half to fall into the base, the rest of his body soon followed as he lost his grip and, in a flash of light, disappeared into the statue base. Falling through the portal to Equestria.

“Nononononononononnonoononononononononononononononnono!” Adagio panicked. “He’s in Equestria! I knew I should have had the janitor put a fence around that damn statue!”

Sunset was awe struck. Though Twilight no longer opened the portal manually, it still opened like it used to. Today was the first of the three days it would be open for, which is why they warned Dazz not to go near it. “Adagio.” Sunset said, catching her wife's attention. “We are about to do something so stupid.”

Adagio gulped. “W...we’re going after him? But can’t you just use your journal?”

“I can’t anymore. All the pages are full, and you can't erase anything in them cause the magic to communicate only works with ink! What was Celestia thinking when she made that?” Sunset grabbed Adagio by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. “I know neither of us has been in Equestria for years, but for our son, we can swallow our fear. And when we get back we are going to ground him til he’s eighteen.”

Adagio bit her finger. “Alright. The mirror should still be in Twilight’s castle so at least we can ask her for help.”

“Alright then. We should be back in less than half an hour if I tell Twilight we have a time limit.”

“Adagio and Sunset through the looking glass then.”