A ceremonial bonfire was created and lit, and my fellow harbingers and I, Spike, Ember, and her subjects were in attendance, watching the flame in silence.

According to tradition for dragons, where the body falls is where the dragon shall forever remain, and a flame shall be lit to guide their spirits to the afterlife and will continue to burn till their time to watch over the living is over.

Once the ceremony was over it was time to depart from the Dragon Lands and for a long time during the trip I was looking down at my right hand the scales were gone but often I caught myself flexing my fingers.

"Why now?" I thought.

"Hey, you alright? You look like you're in a trance or something," Spike said as he and Ember walked up to me.

"Just trying to figure something out...but the ones who can give me answers are being stubborn." I groaned.

"Stubborn?" Spike asked.

"They don't want to talk to me, can't say I blame them after all I did kill them." I said with a shrug making Ember and Spike's eyes widen.

"And you expect them to talk to you?" Ember demanded.

"It was hundreds of millennia ago no creature should be able to hold a grudge for this long I mean seriously and besides they did...kinda talk before so there," I said.

"I see... and who is it are you trying to talk to?" Ember asked.

sigh "A couple of dragons." I replied.

I could feel Spike and Ember look at each other before nodding. "Yeah, I can see them holding a grudge against you," Spike said while leaning against the rail beside me.

"I remember taking my best friend's favorite gem when we were only hatchlings. It took her a year before the Fall before she spoke to me, and that's after I used the scepter so we could talk," Ember regaled us. "So who are the dragons you wanna talk to?"

"Doubtful you know them and I prefer to hold off on answering the who till we get home," I said, and as soon as I finished the top of Aephoceria came into view.

"Well looks like we're gonna hear the rest of that story soon," Ember said.

The Pale Horse docked and I greeted my herd with a kiss for each mare Spike did the same with Nocternal who was giving him bedroom eyes once she noticed the scars but Twilight was panicking when she saw them.

"Twi relax I'm fine," Spike said.

"Fine! You call this fine!? It looks like you were chewed up and spat out!" Twilight panicked while looking him over. She then hugs him and starts crying on his shoulder. "I can't bear the thought of losing you too!"

"Twi..." Spike started.

"And you why didn't you protect him!" Twilight shouted.

"I was a little busy with my fight and besides it was a duel between dragons a sacred rite between dragons I couldn't interfere even if I wanted to," I said.

“It's that kind of bullshit that gets people killed!" Twilight yelled while getting in my face. "You once told me you would do whatever it took to win in a fight! So if Spike gets in another situation like that ever again and you don't assist, then you're dead to me!"

Everyone stepped back from Twilight, unsure where all this anger was coming from. But I knew. What with losing her father and that chess game stunt from before put a lot of stress onto her.

Tia came up and brought Twilight into a hug and rubbed her back. "It's okay, Twilight. Everyone came back alive, and no worse for wear."

I decided not to say anything more before he went and escorted Marco to the medical bay once Marco was placed in the bed I collapsed into a nearby chair and sighed the sensation was like my body suddenly had weights tied to my limbs that dragged me down before I closed my eyes in exhaustion.

Sometime later I awoke to the sensation of a presence in the room and when I looked he saw it was Allan who like me was sitting in a chair watching the gentle rise and fall of Marco's chest.

"It's hard to believe," Allen said.

"Which part?" I asked.

"That we're in a completely different world and time, and that you kicked our ass out of the beasts that have controlled us for soo long," Allen answered while watching our old friend sleep.

"What that's it?" I asked.

"Oh no, the strangest part is that you are a benevolent king here which is a far cry from the guy I knew when we first met." Allen joked making me roll my eyes before I looked at Marco.

I take it Rowan and Giff filled you in on everything." I asked.

"Yeah...Geralt is here too isn't he?" Allen asked.

"He is," I replied.

"Ugh."

Looking at the source of the sound we saw Marco was awakening from his sleep causing both myself and Allen to stand up but we didn't approach the bed but decided to give Marco some room.

"Wha...where...where am I?" Marco asked as he sluggishly looked around.

"Hey, Marco," I said gaining the young man's attention.

Marco blinked away the sleep from his eyes before looking at us. The second he did, his eyes bugged out. "Waaaaagh!" He jumped out of bed and headed for the window.

However, he didn't get far since Ash used his magic to grab and hold Marco preventing him from jumping.

"Marco you need to calm down," I said not moving from where I stood.

"Let me go! You're both trying to kill me!" Marco yelled while struggling against my magic.

Marco listen to me." I said earnestly as he used my magic to have Marco look at me. "No one is going to hurt you."

"That's what someone who's trying to kill you would say!" Marco retorted before reaching into his pocket. "Pocket sand!" He threw the sand toward us, only for it to fall short. "Dammit!"

"Marco...look at me," I said as he pinned Marco's arms to his sides and had him look me in the eyes. "You're safe here and no one is trying to hurt you."

After a while, I felt Marco's muscles relax as I looked at him.

"Ash. Allen." A smile crept onto his face. "It’s you."

"Heya kid," Allen said.

Suddenly Marco started blubbering before he let loose a stream of tears before I brought him in for a hug.

"Still a crybaby," I said.

We stayed like that until Marco fell asleep before he tucked him back into bed.

"Best we let him rest," Allen said causing me to nod in agreement before we departed but not before asking Rosa to check in on him now and again.

"I imagine you have questions yes?" I asked.

"Yeah. Do you plan to kick all our asses when we meet? Because I still feel the phantom pain," Allen said as we moved along the halls.

"You nearly killed people closest to me I'd be thankful that I didn't kill you in a blind rage," I said without looking at him.

"Fair enough," Allen said as we entered the parlor.

Upon entering we saw everyone native to Equestria and my fellow harbingers were here and when they saw Allen they were instantly weary and Allen saw this too.

"I'll catch up with you later," Allen said before leaving me to look at the others.

"Nice," I said with annoyance as I crossed his arms.

"We didn't say anything," Caramel said.

"Your expressions said a lot more," I stated.

"After that stunt, he pulled, the cold shoulder is the least he deserves," Dash pointed out.

"You all know he was being manipulated you four should understand this better than anyone," I said as I looked at Luna, Moon, Dream, and Chrysalis

“Ash, we understand, but the pain is still lingering. For some, literally," Spits said while rubbing her head.

"I was also partly to blame too y'know I chose you and directed which opponent for you to fight," I said.

"It was either that or who knows what else. Look, we don't blame Allen, but we need just a little space from him," Mac countered.

I could only sigh before I moved to sit on a chair.

"You have questions," I stated.

“Yeah. How were you able to summon the other dragons without the scepter?" Spike asked before Ember chimed in.

"Why did the bloodstone enter your body?" She asked while crossing her arms.

"That is the question isn't it...the simplest answer through mere technicality is that the Bloodstone Scepter was originally mine," I said making the group stare at me strangely. "The long version begins a couple of hundred years after the fall of Aephoceria I was living in a town as its blacksmith.

To help tell the story I created a magic screen that showed me working in a forge.

The forge in the screen was a simple stone building with a thatched roof, with tools and ore scattered around the tables and floor. The screen showed I was working on mending a chest plate.

"Things were going as expected as the day started that is until there was a sound that would haunt me for a long time," I stated when suddenly the screen produced a sound that was akin to two beats roaring before the ground on the screen shook knocking the younger version of myself to the ground with tools and other knick knacks shaking.

The Ash on screen ran outside and looked around and saw to his horror a pair of dragons locked in combat against the other one dragon adorned with crimson scales the other as white as fresh snow.

"Whoa!" Spike shouted as he saw the firepower the two dragons had.

"Whoa is one way to describe them but at the time I was too scared to move," I said.

"Seems to me these two have a deep problem with the other." Ember pointed out.

"They do but what it was I couldn't tell you all I know is that those two have been fighting each other for so long no one not even they know knew it was they were fighting about and the only way a fight like that would end is if one submits or is slain," I said.

"That's stupid I mean I can hold a grudge but for so long till I can't remember why," Rainbow said.

"That's the dragon's way Dashie," I explained.

Back at the screen, the crimson dragon sent a blast of fire at the snow-white dragon, only for it to dodge and hit the town's granary

"So what did you do?" Thunderlane asked.

"The only sane thing anyone could do in my situation which was run," I said as I gestured to the screen to show me running for my life.

As the Ash on screen ran he heard screaming all around him of terror as the battle between the two dragons raged on destroying everything from buildings to trampling and blasting everything. Unfortunately enough to be there suddenly the younger version of me tripped and fell and was rendered unconscious by hitting his head on a rock just before the screen went dark.

"I was unsure for how long I was unconscious. But when I did awake...well everything was gone," I said as the screen lit up showing the destruction that the two dragons wrought destroyed homes, charred bodies, and ash falling from the sky like snow, and in the center on his knees looking at the destruction was Ash his skin covered in soot and ash but his eyes showed only one emotion...wrath.

"Things were grim for a moment till finally I decided that if nothing was done then more people would die and knowing dragons at the time they shall we say had stubbornness issues," I said.

"Hey!" Spike and Ember shouted in mock offense.

"I said at the time," I corrected.

"Sure. Anyway, what did you decide to do after that?" Ember asked me.

"Well if I wanted to kill those two I was gonna need something that would have been strong enough to pierce a dragon's scales and most of you must know by now how tough it would be to do that," I said.

"So you needed materials and also a way to test to see what would work," Shining said displaying his reason for being Captain of The Royal Guard once upon a time.

"Exactly it took time to gather materials and thankfully thanks to the two dragons they managed to knock plenty of scales from their opponent making them perfect for what I needed until finally, I managed to find a material but the metal was rare and I only had enough to use it as the tip on a lance however there was still one problem using the metal on old dragon scales was one thing but using it on a living dragon was quite another," I said.

"Yeah, I imagine so. Slippery bastards they can be," Caramel commented before he was smacked in the head with Spike's tail. "Case in point."

"Blow me," Spike retorted.

"Anyway one-day news reached me of a dragon rampaging in a human capital city and upon arrival I discovered the dragon had taken refuge in the castle and managed to keep the kingdom's princess as a hostage and demanded treasure for her release but to me I saw this as an opportunity so salvaging some armor dead guards I made my way to the castle armed with the lance and upon arriving the dragon laughed and guffawed seeing only a lone human daring to challenge him so the smug bastard decided to let me get a free shot off on him pfft big mistake on that I managed to pierce the dragon's heart and killed him much to his shock but he was unable to do much against me as he lay dying," I explained.

"Wait, a princess locked in a castle, guarded by a fire-breathing dragon and saved by a handsome knight in shining armor of this sounding familiar to anyone," Cadence spoke.

"Oh gods I was hoping no one would notice that." I groaned.

"That is a classic fairy tale of the brave hero saving the damsel in distress." Rarity said as she looked at me with sparkling eyes.

"The story wasn't even accurate and I wouldn't have killed 'that' dragon if I knew that story was gonna come and bite me in the ass all the time." I groaned.

"Too late! You're the knight and killed it. It's on you now buddy," Comet joked.

"I wasn't even a knight and the armor wasn't shiny!" I shouted.

"Okay, what happened next?" Rage said interrupting my rant.

sigh "After killing the dragon stories of my actions spread far and wide and while that happened I gathered the material I needed to defend myself and fight dragons I also took the time to find them and study their weaknesses allowing me anything that I could use to my advantage and train myself to fight and after a while, I became very good at it far and wide people started calling me The Dragon Hunter not that I cared at the time but things got interesting on the day I found the two dragons that had destroyed my village the bastards were still fighting each other which worked in my favor." I said.

"Let me guess. You killed one or both of them," Day guessed,

"I did and carved them into a thousand pieces when I was done with them...kinda sick what happened to them afterward that's a story for another time anyway after killing those two things changed my prey started coming after me," I said.

"Not surprised. If you made yourself out as a dragon slayer, then they would stop at nothing to kill you," Ember stated.

"Well what may surprise you is the fact that none of them succeed and with each dragon that died by my hand I started to change I became faster, stronger even started having surges of magical energy that allowed me to create a new form of magic," I said as I held up my right hand to show sparks of red energy to dance along my skin. "Red lightning or as others called it Dragon Lightning this allowed me to piece dragon scales even though they were in the air...I was becoming so renowned the top dogs of dragon kind taking me seriously The Elder Dragons." I said making Ember's eyes widen.

"The Elder Dragons!? I thought they were just a myth," Ember said while moving to the edge of her seat.

"Well they are now I killed four of them," I said before the screen changed.

"First was Bozzor The World Shaker."

"Next, there was Deorgien The Tempest."

"Atidi Ruler of The Deep."

"A-and the last one?" Spits asked.

"Zedim Lord of Cinder." I said.

"Each dragon was a literal force of nature and saw humans as little more than cattle or amusement till I finally put them down but...with each of their deaths, something changed with me," I said.

"Wait a minute. I've seen this before!" Moon declared before standing up. "You're Dragonborn!"

"Wha- no but I can't deny the similarities," I said.

"Can you do a Th'um?" Luna asked me with hope in her eyes.

"Ugh with each of the Elder Dragons, I somehow obtained their abilities but when I killed Zedim the changes became...physical," I said as I showed the group my now scaly right arm.

"Oh, my~," I heard Tempest purr from her seat.

With the Elder Dragons dead I decided to retire from hunting dragons and as time passed I changed more and more becoming more dragon than man and stopped hanging around humans altogether and going into solitude it was after some time I learned I had obtained a dragon's longevity and during the hundred years as a dragon I started having blackouts and I would wake up somewhere else and I had also learned that somehow I could control other dragons command them if you will and that I had been given a new name...Drago The First Elder Dragon King." I said.

"Chalk that up to the list of names," Soarin said while Comet wrote something down on a long piece of parchment.

"Anyway one day I woke up from one of my...blackouts to discover I was amidst a kingdom buildings were burning people were terrified of me. I had turned into the very thing I hoped to stop so seeing this I fled and once I was certain I was alone I decided to end things by impaling myself with a bolt of Dragon Lightning." I said.

"Wait you...killed yourself?" Twilight asked.

"I saw my existence as a threat to others so I did what I thought was the best thing at the time," I explained.

"Okay...but what does this have to do with the scepter you absorbed?" Ember asked.

"Were you not listening I mentioned that when I was Drago I could control other dragons right and the scepter is called The Bloodstone Scepter right?" I stated.

"So The Bloodstone Scepter was a fossilized drop of your blood Ash," Spike said causing me to clap his hands at Spike's statement.

"So you see Ember I didn't so much as rob you of the scepter but simply took back what was mine," I said.

"Okay but then how will I control the other dragons that scepter is part of our way of life," Ember said.

"Hmm fair reasoning...I'll help you out with this later I promise," I said.

"I got a question," Rainbow said causing everyone to look at her. "Okay so your blood can control dragons cool but what's bothering me is this happened after Aephoceria was destroyed and Equestria was created so how did that shard of your blood get to here when you were over there."

"That is an excellent question Dash but unfortunately it is not one I can answer," I said.

While Dash nodded, Twilight was going into overload and writing in four different journals at once.

"Hey calm it down Sparkle," I said.

But she was too far gone with her theories.

"I'll take it from here," Comet said before lightly taking hold of Twilight and leading her out of the room.

"Question you've had the power of four Elder Dragons at your disposal before...why now are you only using it?" Spitfire asked.

"Well it's not so simple for one I technically stole this power from them so using it feels wrong and second I can't just use it whenever I please I'm still unsure of how I did it in the first place AGH!" I shouted as I suddenly felt a migraine coming on.

"It's because we allowed it."

"Ash!" Everyone shouted as they moved to help me but I held up my hand to stop them all.

"You picked a hell of a time to respond ya pricks," I growled.

Suddenly gusts of wind swirled around the room causing everyone to shield their eyes when suddenly four colossal spectral shapes began to fade into the room taking the shape of the four Elder Dragons I slayed centuries ago.

"Ugh was the massive headache necessary?" I growled.

“A side effect from taking our lives and power, so I say very necessary!" Bozzer boomed throughout the room, making it feel like they were in an earthquake.

"Oh for fuck sake you're never gonna let me live that down in case you forgot you lot plundered and slaughtered entire kingdoms on a whim as far as I'm concerned you had this coming," I said.

"Apples and Oranges, Ash. We're predators with power. Your species is numerous and quite frankly, tasty," Cinder responded.

"Eep." Fluttershy squeaked before she toppled over stiff as a board much to the others' worry before rushing to her aid and drawing the attention of the ghosts.

"Oh, what have we here, little ponies my second favorite treat," Deorgien said with a toothy grin.

"You'll have to get through us first scaly!" Soarin shouted as he and the other colts stood their ground.

"Relax dummy kinda hard for me to do anything when I can't even touch you," Deorgien said as he went to poke Soarin but his finger went right through the pegasus.

"But believe me, if we weren't ethereal, then you'd be a tasty meal!" Atidi told Soarin before eyeing Spike with a different hungry glare. "Speaking of tasty~." She approached Spike with a lust-filled gaze. "Where were you a few thousand years ago, handsome~?"

Hearing this Spike turned as red as Mac while both Nocturnal and Ember surrounded Spike and hissed and growled at the larger dragon.

Everyone was all surprised that Ember stuck to Spike. Nocturnal we understood, her being his marefriend, but Ember was a complete shock, especially to Spike, given his expression.

"Protective aren't we?" Atidi teased.

Ember realized what she was doing and slowly let Spike go with an embarrassed look. "Sorry."

"Alright, you four I've got questions and I'm long overdue for some answers so let's start with the obvious why now after all this time have you decided to appear?" I asked.

"Trust me, we've been hollering and shouting for what felt like eons!" Cinder roared.

"It wasn't until you retrieved your blood that we were able to speak to you," Bozzer said while smashing his fist on the ground, causing nothing to happen except drive his point forward.

"And now that we can talk, oh ho, buddy, are you going to get an earful," Atidi said while getting in my face.

"Oh, this outta be good," I said.

"Later though. We do have an actual agenda," Cinder bellowed.

At this I just raised an eyebrow.

"Though our bodies are now dust, we still wish our legacy and knowledge to be passed down," Atidi informed me.

"Okay," I said with an unsure tone.

"But not now. We've seen what you and everyone's been through. For now, rest, and be with your mates and little ones," Cinder explained before all four dragons started to disappear before our very eyes.

"Hmm, you know for a couple of dragons who killed and pillaged as they pleased they were surprisingly considerate," Caramel stated.

"They have been dead for some time so all personal plans are no longer needed. This sort of behavior is seen in crime bosses who are arrested they become docile and relieved of the burden of running their criminal empire." Celestia stated.

"You've been watching the Godfather films again, haven't you, sister," Luna accused Celestia with a smirk.

"Yes I have but this is something from real experience sister. Hmm, let me see it must have been fifty years ago in Las Pegasus a detective had finally managed to get strong evidence on a notorious crime boss and brought him in the stallion became docile while in custody." Celestia stated.

"A story for another time. Right now, Alora should be waking up from her nap," Moon got up from her seat and went to leave the room. "Ash, would you care to wake up your daughter?"

"Sure excuse me, everyone," I said before he departed.

I made his way from the room when suddenly Spike came running after him and stopped in front of him.

"Hold up...Ash remember what Torch said about Ember's mother," Spike said.

"Yes...wait do you wanna go searching for her or something?" I asked.

"Yeah, and I also think we should tell her," Spike said.

"Well...Spike I think it would be fair to tell Ember about her mother but we seem to have an issue that we don't know where she is or what she even looks like think about this if Torch knew this when he was alive why didn't he tell Ember or go bring her back himself?" I said.

"I-I..." Spike began.

"Listen Spike there are too many unknowns in this situation and we can't go off searching the lands blindly so until we know more let's put a hold on this discussion," I said as he moved to walk around Spike.

"Okay...But should we tell her?" Spike asked making me pause

"If you wish but also tell her what we just discussed and hope she listens to reason," I said before departing.

---

"Wahahaha!" Alora was laughing out loud as I laid on my back and had her held up in the air and making funny faces.

"Bleah, Wooooo, Blalalalalalah." I continued and with each new face, Alora squealed in laughter.

She then reached out to me, so I lowered her onto my chest and she started playing with my face.

I then decided to give her a small scratch behind the ears and that made her giggle and curl up on my chest.

As I watched my little one laugh and play, it reminded me why I keep up the good fight. So my little girl and I can laugh and play together. Soon though, she reached up and grabbed my nose and gave it a good squeeze.

"Beep," I said causing Alora to look at me curiously but when she squeezed my nose again I let out another beep which caused her to excitably babble before squeezing my nose again and again earning her more beeps.

"Seems she found a new toy to play with." I looked over to the door, and I saw that it was Day who had said that. She was leaning against the doorframe and had a tender smile for a change. "Hope you'll do the same for ours."

My children are equal in my eyes so I think you should be expecting it...Alore you wanna say hi to someone?" I asked as I held Alora aloft again.

Day came up to us and sat down in the chair I use when I feed or read to Alora. I levitated Alora over to Day's outstretched arms and she held her gently. "Hello, little one."

Looking at the woman before her Alora cooed at her and outstretched one of her arms towards Day.

Day smiled and leaned her head down a bit. Alora started to feel her muzzle with the usual sense of wonder. But when she saw Day's mane, she started to giggle again and started to play with it.

“This seems like one of the times I should be warning Alora about playing with fire but your mane shouldn't be problematic...right?" I asked.

"Very funny," Day snarked at me before tickling Alora's belly. "I'd never let any harm come to this little one."

Watching Alora enjoy the attention made me smile.

"You have a real soft spot for kids...just like Tia does," I said.

"I may be her darker half, but we still like and do things the same," Day told me while rocking in the chair a little.

"Moon would say otherwise when I compared traits to her and Luna," I said.

She simply rolled her eyes at me before bringing forth a stuffed bear doll over to her and letting Alora hold it close.

We both watched as Alora hugged the toy close and nuzzled its fur with a big smile on her face and as I watched her I couldn't help but snicker when a thought entered my head.

"Hmm? What's so funny?" Day asked me.

"Oh it's just little Alora here whenever she's in her crib for bed she clings to that toy and needs a night light because the dark spooks her but the irony is her mother is Nightmare Moon she who was determined to bring about darkness eternal...it's kinda funny when you think on that," I explained.

"More like Irony if you ask me," Day said before Moon came in. "Sister."

"Sister," Moon said with an even tone before she noticed Alora. "I hope she has not caused an inconvenience."

"Never. If anything, she's a ray of sunshine," Day smirked.

"Really?" Moon asked still keeping an even tone but I saw her eye twitch when Day compared her to a ray of sunshine.

Suddenly Alora let out a yawn and Moon seized this opportunity to step forward.

"It's time for her afternoon nap," Moon said.

"Here." Day got up with Alora in her arms. "I'll put her down."

Moon looked like she was about to say something but stopped when I wrapped my arms around Moon pulling her into a hug.

"That's fine thank you Day because I wish to talk to you about something Moon," I interjected.

Day gave Moon a small smug look before going over to Alora's crib with her in her arms.

"Moon?" I asked as I leaned around her so I could look at Moon's face.

It took her a bit before she tore her eyes away from Day holding her daughter. "Yes, dear?"

"Alora will be who she wants to be when she grows up and she will always love you as her mother besides this is good for Day too. Experience for when her child arrives in the world." I said.

At first, Moon looked like she was about to deny my words but ultimately leaned against me and breathed out a sigh.

"They both did look really cute in that chair," Moon admitted before kissing my cheek.

"It might be good if you try talking to her from time to time because if things work out you'll be seeing her nearly every time you wake up," I said.

Moon let out a chuckle before shaking her head. "Very well. I'll talk with her on a more personal level. After all, I too remember what it was like to be ostracized."

I gave Moon a kiss on the lips making her hum in approval.

"That's my girl I'll leave you to it," I said before departing.

Making my way through the halls I summoned a ball and mitt before I went in search of my sons finding Pip was no hassle and Midnight he was working on trying to sneak into the kitchen to get his hands on the cookie jar raising hell for Perfect Serve and right now Pip, Midnight and myself were throwing a ball to each other in the palace gardens.

“Here comes the curve," I told Pip before throwing the ball at him.

"Whoa!" Pip shouted as he made a dive for the ball and used his wings to keep him airborne so he could catch the ball.

"You're getting better with your flying Pip," I said.

"Yeah. Aunt Dash has been giving me lessons. Most of the time I spend them eating dirt, but I've gotten better," Pip told me before throwing the ball to Midnight.

As the ball flew at him Midnight didn’t use his mitt to catch the ball but rather the ball was stopped by a midnight blue aura which was Midnight’s magic at work.

"And your magic is improving too Midnight," I said.

"Thanks, Dad." Midnight said.

"Yeah, but you're not supposed to catch it with your magic Midnight," Pip said with a smile.

Midnight just gave his brother a raspberry before he threw the ball to me.

However, the force of the throw was like that of a cannonball that made my arms jerk back a bit on the impact but thanks to my godly abilities I was unharmed.

“May need to ease up on the power of the throw there buddy," I said.

"Yes, Dad," Midnight nodded.

For the next half hour, I played catch with my sons, talking, laughing, and ribbing them from time to time.

"There are my boys."

Looking over we saw Luna was watching us with a smile on her face this caused Midnight to drop his mitt and run towards her and hug her.

"Court over for today?" I asked.

“Just finished a few minutes ago. Have my favorite boys been working up a sweat?" Luna asked us.

"Not a big one," Pip said.

"I see well I was thinking of heading down to the Cakes to grab something sweet so why not go together," Luna suggested.

"A small family outing...I like the sound of that and afterward, I believe Spitfire and Aunt Dash and Uncle Soarin are gonna be putting on one of their famous shows." I said causing the boys to cheer.

"Woo hoo! I'm gonna stuff my face with gummy worms!" Midnight yelled before running toward the city.

"Hey slow down Midnight!" Pip shouted as he gave chase while Luna and I walked after them.

"Your kids," Luna teased me as we strolled down the street.

"Our kids Midnight has your love for cookies I caught him trying to nab the cookie jar...again," I said.

"He was on a mission for mommy," She told me, surprising me a bit. Though not by much.

"Oh well, whatever the mission was he didn't succeed since he was caught," I said.

"He still has much to learn," She told me with a smirk.

"Oh, Serve is not gonna like this," I muttered.

Our walk through the city did not go unnoticed as many civilians greeted us till finally we made it to the Cake's Store a new version of Sugarcube Corner almost identical to the one back at Ponyville.

Upon entering the store The Cakes are quick to greet the two rulers with a smile.

"I was beginning to wonder when you would enter our store." Mrs. Cake said with a big smile.

"Sorry it has been so long Mrs. Cake, my schedule has been...well," I stated.

"We understand," Mr. Cake told me before directing us to an empty table.

"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Cake now let's see what to have." Luna began.

"Oh please your Highness allow us." Mr. Cake said before he and his wife departed leaving Luna and Ash to shrug at each other.

As we waited, I listened to my sons tell stories about what they've been doing around the palace and in school, while also listening to Luna talk about her time in court, as well as her latest high scores.

"Here we are dears." Mrs. Cake said as she came back with a variety of items on a tray.

There were ice cream sundaes for the boys along with some drinks while Luna and I got a caramel dipping platter and a couple's caramel milkshake.

"Mrs. Cake isn't this..." Luna began.

"Enjoy dears." Mrs. Cake said with a wink before departing

"Trip down memory lane huh," I said with a smirk.

"So it would seem," Luna said with a smile before taking an apple slice and dipping it in the caramel. She savored the piece of fruit before taking another one and offering it to me.

I opened my mouth and Luna fed me the piece while we gazed into the other's eyes lovingly while the boys silently gagged at our antics.

"Mock now, but soon you'll find someone you'll feel the same way," Luna told our boys as she took a sip from the milkshake.

"Like that will ever happen," Pip commented making me chuckle.

"Hi, Pip, Midnight." We looked over to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon enter the shop, with Silver coming over to greet my boys. "How've you two been?"

"Not bad." Midnight spoke.

"How have you been Silver?" Pip asked.

"Good. Mom had some time off, so she sent me and Diamond to get some treats for a movie night," Silver explained before nodding over at Luna and me.

"That's a fact I heard some good movies are available lately," I commented.

Diamond came over with the treats while waving at the boys. "We gotta go. It was nice seeing you again, Pip." Silver gave Pip a quick hug before they left out of the shop.

Pip watched Silver till she walked out the door and even still his eyes remained on the door this caused both Luna and myself to giggle which snapped Pip out of his trance.

"What...what is it," Pip asked.

"Nothing son c'mon better finish the ice cream before Midnight decides to eat it," I replied.

Pip looked at the ice cream to see Midnight was already halfway through. "Hey!"

After the visit to Sugarcube Corner, the family made its way to a large arena where the Wonderbolts were holding a comeback performance the first performance since the Caribou Invasion.

"Alright, here come the Wonderbolts, and leading them as always, Captain Spitfire!" The announcer called over the speakers before the entire team came flying out to a rock ballad.

Each of the Wonderbolts was trailing smoke and lighting all except one which was a streak of rainbow color that belonged to one Rainbow Dash.

As the show went on, we watched the stunts being performed. Some we've seen before and others they must've invented some time ago. Near the end, Spitfire circled the stadium, and as she got close to us, time seemed to slow down. When she was right in front of us, she blew a kiss our way.

As soon as she blew the kiss time sped up again but instead of trailing dark clouds and lightning she was trailing what could only be described as fire as the mare flew through several hoops the hoops ignited but from what I could see of the fiery mare was that there was no danger but rather it's like how Rainbow trails her color but with Spitfire, it's just flames which I couldn't help but marvel at.

Near the end of the show, the whole team turned into a whirlwind in the middle of the stadium, creating a kaleidoscope of visuals in the air. And to add an extra bit of pizzazz, the air becomes alive with static, making our hair frizz a bit.

Suddenly there was an explosion of rainbow colour and sound thanks to Rainbow Dash's sonic rainboom which left the audience in a state of awe causing them to cheer and clap including us.

After the show was over, we went backstage to congratulate Spits on a wonderful performance.

We were at the door and we got past security with no problem where we saw the bolts sitting around taking a break most of them most likely coming from the shower.

"Great hustle you lot helluva show," I said with a smile.

Most of the team smiled and nodded while Thunder, Soarin, and Dash came over to greet us with open arms.

I clasped hands with the colts but Dash ever the ego of the group boasted her skills to the young colts about her performance.

“You know if that ego got any bigger one would be able to see it from the moon." Luna teased.

While they laughed at the jab, I excused himself over to the showers, where he heard a single showerhead running.

When I peaked in, I saw Spits cleaning herself after a wonderful performance. As she stepped under the showerhead and let the water cascade down her back, I intervened. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we get to know each other better in the showers?"

"I believe you left out the part where we would spar one another first then showered," Spitfire said as she flicked her tail sending droplets of water into my face.

I just chuckled before wiping my face and Spits toweled off. "That was one helluva performance, babe." Kisses her cheek. " I saw that kiss you threw my way."

"Good. I was hoping you would catch it," She went over to her locker and started to get dressed in more casual clothes.

"How could I not by the way that new move of yours the fiery one?" Ibegan.

"It's called Burnout," Spitfire said.

"Fitting," I said before coming up to her. "Care to join us for the rest of the day?"

"Hmm, sure. Just let me tell the team and I'll meet you at the front," Spits said while putting on her bra.

I responded by kissing the mare on the cheek and helping her with the bra before departing.

As the group waited for Spits, Pip saw Silver walk by with her mom and he couldn't stop looking at her. Luna saw this and couldn't stop giggling. "My little Pip is falling in love," She teased her son.

"What no I'm not," Pip argued.

Midnight was laughing and poking fun at his older brother. "Can I be your best man?" We all burst into laughter at that while Pip was fuming.

"Y'know Pip falling in love isn't all that bad just as long as they ain't a dork." Rainbow stepped in.

"Et tu Aunt Dash," Pip said.

"Seems like your lessons in Latin are getting better," I said as I stepped out to join his family.

"Kinda. I know that, and "Ubi balneo?"." Pip told Ash before Spits came walking out.

"Just through there kiddo," Spitfire replied as she gestured to the room she came through earning chuckles from Luna and myself while the bolts seemed surprised. "What can't a mare learn another language?"

"I didn't mean it literally Mom," Pip said.

"Stud I'm gonna take the boys back why don't you and Spits go for an evening fight and I'll...meet you later with the girls," Luna whispered into my ear so in response I turned and kissed the alicorn and then walked over to Spitfire.

"Wanna get outta here?" I asked with a smile directed to the fiery beauty.

Spits smirked at me before taking off. "Try and keep up!" And she was gone like a bolt.

I just smirked before I extended my wings and took off after the mare.

Next Chapter: Chapter 60 and then there was Ash Estimated time remaining: 27 Minutes