Balanced Aspect sat on his front lawn, sipping some iced-tea that Bon Bon had made for him before going to work. Twilight and her friends appeared to be taking a break from world-ending crisis and odd friendship problems.

Honestly, it was a rather boring day.

That was until he heard the magical ‘pop’ of teleportation and a series of rather obscene profanities coming from the last mouth he’d expected.

Princess Luna, in all her miniscule glory, was dragging Celestia by the ear with her magic, while the older alicorn yelped and swore in pain.

“Luna! Stop! Bucking, ow!” she yelped as the younger paid no heed as she strode towards her father.

“She finally told you that she all but wiped out knowledge of the Gifts of the Earth, the Air, and Sorcery while the both of us were away?” Aspect said, not looking up.

“Thou is correct in that assumption Father,” Luna nodded curtly. “Tis a foul day indeed, and to hear Mine own Sister is responsible!? Tis borderline blasphemy!” She tossed the alicorn, who moaned in pain and rubbed her aching ear. “Now thou shalt tell Us why, or We shall do something… most cruel~”

“You. Wouldn’t. Dare!” Celestia growled.

“Oh We woulds’t dare!” Luna cackled, dark clouds forming and thunder crashing. “Thy… what is the word? ‘Fanfiction’? We shalt have it published for all the world to witness! Mwaaaahahahahaha!!”

“Yes, tell us Tia,” Aspect said, finally looking up at her. “Tell me how I failed you. Tell me how bad it actually was. Tell me why half the nation rose up in revolt. Tell me what I could have done if I had but been here for you. Go on, twist that dagger a little more. It’s already in there pretty deep, one good yank won’t hurt.”

And then he got to see something he hadn’t seen in over a thousand years. The supposedly infallible Princess of the Sun, Diarch of Equestria, sobbing like a little filly. Even Luna paused and took an uneasy step back.

“Is that what you want to hear?” Celestia suddenly turned and yelled at him, her sadness suddenly turning to rage. “Do you want more lies!? Do you want the blame!? You don’t want to hear that your daughter isn’t perfect!?”

“Nopony is perfect,” Aspect said. “I was willing to be as imperfect as it took me to be for the sake of you girls. For the sake of the ponies. I was willing to kill, slaughter. I only spared once, and that was because he had a son. All that blood, all that power. Sacrificed for you all, so you could lead a more perfect life than the one I had.”

“Well, great bucking job I did of that,” Celestia said with enough snark to choke a Hydra. “Good job Tia. Whoo. Hoo.”

“Right, we’re going to fix this,” Aspect said, standing up and flaring his wings. “I’m going to do what I should have done a long time ago. I’m just going to take my freakin’ Alicorn form, announce myself, and then—”

“And then what?” Celestia said bitterly. “Tell them they can’t count on their princess? That she forced foal booties on an entire species to keep the peace, because she couldn’t lead them properly? Sure, go for your life. You’re the dad, you know best after all.”

Aspect sighed and folded his wings back up. “No...you’re right. You always were the better one at seeing the political schemes. I’d get lost in an hour of trying to follow them all. But Tia, you know this can’t stand. You can’t just...keep them back forever. Knowledge was never meant to be destroyed. That’s one of the worst crimes. What would your mother have said if she knew you went about burning books?”

“Well I wouldn’t know, because she’s dea—”

“TIA!” Luna roared with an amplified voice that sent her and Aspect reeling. “And thou as well Father. That is enough from both of you! If anypony is to blame, tis I. Had We not succumbed to the Nightmare. To Our own petty jealousy. Then Tia would not have been alone to rule! The blame lies with us… alone…” She sniffed, even as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Just… stop. Stop fighting… We… I’ll take all the blame. Please…”

“Lulu, no,” Aspect said, walking closer and wrapping her up in a massive hug, his own eyes watering. “Lulu, you don’t get to blame yourself. I blame me. I gave you the Aspect of Dreams. I didn’t think twice about the nightmares and how they would effect a pony. I opened the door for that parasite to infect you. The fault lies with me. It always lies with me. I wouldn’t blame any of you for anything I’d done.”

“But… if We had been stronger, the Nightmare would have no sway,” Luna said, her voice muffled by the hug and her own crying. “We showed… our little ponies that We are not perfect. That, we are dangerous. Tia… while she did what We think is wrong. She did her best.”

“My best wasn’t enough,” Celestia sighed, moving into join the hug. “And nor are you to blame father. We knew what we were getting into when we accepted the Aspects. You never forced this fate upon us. We walked in willingly.”

“You were born the way you were, my perfect little angels,” Aspect said. “I had...hints from the others. Whispers. Prophecies about ponies that would move the heavens on their own some day. I could have chosen to ignore them, guide you away from your destinies. But you would have resented me even more than you do, I fear, had I done that. My daughters. No matter what you do, no matter how you hurt me, I will always love you.”

“We don’t want to hurt you!” Celestia said, her tears mixing with theirs. “But yesterday, my mistake made you so angry…”

“I can name. Every single foe I’ve ever had to slay, just to make the ponies have a better life,” Aspect said. “I can never forget that moment. That time when it came down to me, and them. That second when it was nothing but a human with a sword and a powerful opponent. I can never, ever forget them. To do otherwise...is a disgrace to their memory. Even if they were terrible, terrible people. You should never forget the fallen and let their sacrifices be in vain.”

“Of course,” Celestia nodded slowly. “At the castle… I have a room. Where there’s a painting for all of them. I… well they may not be accurate, I only went on the descriptions I could remember. But, there’s a painting for every foe you faced… even Discord.”

“The worst thing he ever did to me?” Aspect said, looking up at Celestia. “He talked. ‘Everything you’ve done will be for nothing. Your daughters will abandon you, or you them. Point is, your little broken family will be all the worse when I’m done with you.’”

“So that is it then?” Luna almost spat. “Thou woulds’t believe the words of that mad fool? That Our family is destined for nothing but darkness.” She flared her wings, causing the hug to suddenly break. “Well, I say Neigh! Fie on his words, Fie on him! Tis not he that make OUR destiny!”

“Did it not already come true?” Aspect whispered. “After everything we’ve all done to each other? After all the things we’ve said...would either of you still want me? A broken little human in a pony shell, who is more afraid of losing his family than anything else?”

Luna frowned and looked at Celestia. “Tia? Did We make a mistake? This is father’s house, tis it not?”

“Yes?” Celestia blinked and nodded slowly.

“And, this simpering fool, Tis it not Our father?”

“Ye—”

“NEIGH!” Luna stomped a hoof and her mane flickered like the night sky itself for a moment, her coat darkening from cobalt, to a deep dark blue. “Tis not the father we remember. Our father was brave. Our father was mighty! Our father would not cow to the venomous words of a mismatched moron!!” She stepped forward and flicked her father’s forehead with a hoof. “Yet, tis We who are the biggest fools. None the less, We shall not abandon you over such a trivial matter. Tis been many a moon since We met. We… I, am not about to lose you again. Got that!?”

Aspect didn’t verbally reply to Luna, opting to draw her in for another hug and sigh happily. He looked over to Celestia and flared a wing, two rolled up scrolls appearing in it.

He wanted her to look them over first, so that she knew what he was planning. They were letters to Ponyville’s local school...and her own school of unicorns up on the mountain. Offering to teach them classes that they’d likely never seen before.

The lost arts, lost no longer.

“I’m not going to stop,” he said. “But maybe you two could put together a list as to who would be trustworthy?”

Celestia sighed and nodded. “Yes, I… may have, taught a few ponies. No more than a half dozen of each tribe.”

“You did not tell us this,” Luna frowned, once again reverting back to her more filly-like state. “Ah, Young Twilight Sparkle?”

“No, not her,” Celestia shook her head. “I… there is a far greater destiny awaiting her. One that I only know from the Voice of the World. So far, even I cannot see it.”

“Of course, Yggdrasil would be behind it,” Aspect muttered. “Well...this is going to be interesting to watch. Though, I don’t pretend to know his reasoning.”

“That isn’t all,” Celestia said. “There’s also the matter of the Elements of Harmony, and Lulu and I’s lack of connection to them now. Nightmare Moon broke free, because they turned to stone after I used them on Luna. However…”

“That was not the only time they were used…” Luna concluded, Celestia nodded her head and glanced at Canterlot… and the statue that lay in her garden.

“I’ve learned since then,” Aspect said. “Let him break free again. I’ll slay him this time and make a new alicorn from his bones. I am well and truly prepared this time.”

“I’ll do all I can to delay it,” Celestia said. “But… it is inevitable.”

“Bah, We shall buck him where all stallions do not liked to be bucked,” Luna frowned.

“Anyways, yes,” Aspect said. “The world is endangered, we are one of the most bucked-up families on the planet, which is really to be expected when it’s as old as ours, and I’m going to teach in Ponyville. I’ve already extended an offer to the Wonderbolts, I’m going to send one out to the school in Canterlot and the school here. But while those offers are being sent out…” He walked back to his chair and picked up his sword. “Want to hear what Bonnie suggested I do?”

“Thy Earthbound mistress?” Luna blinked. “Ah, does she wish to incite the harems Tia also got rid of? We have plenty of fine mares in Our guard…”

“Nope,” Aspect said, holding the sword so the pommel jewel was level with his eyes, staring into it. “She suggested I call all my children here that actually can come here so that I can reconnect with them. If I just focus on the jewel like so…”

“All of…” Celestia started.

“The children?” Luna finished.

“Yeah, if I just think about the Aspects like this, sooner or later there should be a-”

Aspect was cut off by a near-invisible wave radiating out of the sword and sweeping out across the earth. A wave that resonated with him, Tia, and Lulu. It was a simple message that they felt more than heard.

Come.

Celestia and Luna sat back, the latter having stolen her father’s iced tea and sipped at it as they awaited what might be a rather impressive show.

“There we go,” Aspect said, putting the sword back in the grass. “I don’t know when they’ll get the message. Pyroclastia isn’t even technically mine, but she might answer. Cadenza doesn’t technically have to either. And Chrysalis is so far away...As is Neptune. Mort, though, can be anywhere.”

“Morty!” Luna squealed and hugged the reaper as he emerged from the shadows. A quick application of shadow magic replaced the ribs she broke.

“Cadenza will show up… provided she’s… not, tied up,” Celestia coughed into her hoof. Her niece had some, strange pastimes with that coltfriend of hers.

There was a wisp of smoke on the lawn...which graduated into a full-fledged blaze, but noticeably didn’t actually burn anything. When the fires cleared, and the smoke faded, what stood on the lawn was a noticeably larger Phoenix, who looked at the lot of them, cocked her head to one side, and trilled a little.

“Oh, it’s been a while,” Celestia said and waved. “If I’d known father was going to do this, I’d have brought Philomena. But she’s getting close to the end, should only be a few more days infact. Hmm, maybe I should bring her to Fluttershy. I bet she’d love to see a Phoenix’s rebirth.”

“So long as you don’t forget to tell her,” Aspect said as he trotted over to Pyroclastia. “It’s been a while, old friend. I’m glad to see you came. I was looking for my children, you see. Trying to spend more time with them like an actual father should.”

The Phoenix responded by pecking him once on the head, sharply, before nuzzling him. Her way of saying ‘You dolt, yes.’

“Hmm, always the way with words,” Luna mused as she waved at the phoenix. “So, do you really think Chrysalis will show up?”

“I hope she does,” Aspect said. “She’s the youngest out of all of you, I made her after I made Mort. I wanted to tell her so many things, but I couldn’t stay in the desert forever.”

“Honestly,” Celestia said. “I’ve never met her. Not even once. I think I saw… her child or something a century ago? I don’t really know.”

“Yes, she’s...secretive by nature,” Aspect agreed. “She’s not exactly the most forthcoming pony either. Though she does play the political game a lot better than you, Tia.”

The elder alicorn just huffed and folded her forelegs, pouting cutely. Then, a pair of strong forehooves nabbed her and she made a sound not unlike a squeaky toy as she was pulled into a crushing hug.

Also, why was she underwater?

“GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS!!” Neptune boomed, clutching Celestia under one arm and waving with the other. He sat inside a large bubble of water and wore a big, beaming grin. “And Little Lulu as well. Come give your big brother a hug!!”

“Neptune!” Aspect said, smiling and waving with a wing. “I’m glad to see you as well! I didn’t expect you to show up as quickly as you did, to be honest.”

“Well, when you called and I sensed Little Lulu and Little Tia here, how could I not!?” the seapony beamed, not realising he was drowning said little sister in his water bubble.

“Just keep in mind, almost all things need air,” Aspect said, pointing his hoof at his daughter.

“Eh?” he looked down and gasped. “LITTLE TIA!” he dropped the drowned rat of an alicorn, and she now made for a rather interesting water feature on Aspect’s front lawn, breathing out a little spout of water every time Luna cranked her tail.

“You always were a hugger,” Aspect said with a shake of his head. “Not that that’s a bad thing, but being enthusiastic about it doesn’t...tend to go well for others that aren’t Seaponies as well.”

“Tia’s strong, she’ll live,” Neptune shrugged. “Now tell me O’Valiant father! To what to we owe this prestigious event? We have not been all summoned together in…” he trailed off as he pondered. “When was the last time?”

“I think never is an appropriate answer,” Aspect said. “And is so wrong of a father to want to see his children? Gelgeth can’t come, and Yggdrasil is rooted in place, but the rest of you, I sorely missed.”

“We hath a question,” Luna asked. “Who is this ‘Chrysalis’ thou mentioned?”

“She was an experiment in a few things,” Aspect said, rolling a hoof around. “I made her from Somnambula’s essence. I intended for her to be the Aspect of Battle, so that you’d always have a valiant defender when I wasn’t around. I’m not sure it went well, though. I think she might have inherited the witch’s curse.”

There was a moment of silence as all his children stared at him.

“So, she is an alicorn-level Aspect of battle… and possibly insane?” Luna looked at him like he was the crazy one. “Father. We question thou at times.”

“You should have seen her when she was younger,” Aspect sighed. “She was so cute! A little bugpony. First thing I thought when she was made was if I’d done it right. Because she looked like a...corrupted Flutter. But nope, she’s fine the way she is. A little devious, I think she takes the espionage part of battle really seriously. Oh, I wish I’d had a camera.”

“Only you,” Tia sighed and shook her head. “Remember when she challenged a full-grown dragon?”

“She tried her hardest to get him in a chokehold,” Aspect said, smiling at the memory. “It took both of us to get her to stop before she wore herself out.”

“I don’t think Fangtooth the Mountain Render even woke up from his nap,” Tia chuckled, using a quick spell to dry herself off. “So, do you think she’ll show? I haven’t seen her in centuries.”

The air displaced and a rather haggard-looking Cadence teleported in, still trying to fix a serious case of bedmane.

Though, the fluffy hoofcuff attached to her right leg was what drew everyone’s attention.

“Ah, granddaughter? You have a little something right here,” Aspect said, tapping his own rear hoof to let her know. She looked down and blinked once, blushing as she teleported the offending item away.

“You saw nothing!” she replied.

“Of course not,” Aspect said with a straight face. “So, first family reunion in ages. Sorry if my invitation interrupted whatever you were up to. Meet Neptune, the Seapony King and Aspect of Water, Pyroclastia, Aspect of Fire, and Mortal Coil, Aspect of Death.”

“So, there is still no Aspect of Wind yet?” Neptune stroked his lustrous beard. “Have you not yet found a host?”

“I was thinking a griffon, and Yggdrasil is on the lookout for a suitable one. As well as a noble Diamond Dog ruler for Earth. But that could take a while,” Aspect said. “While I might be magically full right about now, it’s nothing I can’t handle. So long as I avoid the Weather Factory’s storm room.”

“What happened when you were there?” Mort asked.

“Arabus’ power tried to break free and turn the whole city into a giant storm-cell through me. Apparently he doesn’t like the idea of ponies mastering his storms,” Aspect replied casually.

“He always was an uppity sort,” Neptune agreed.

‘He was not the last’ Pyroclastia trilled. ‘Several dislike the ponies doing so.’

“Fortunately Crunch is much more docile than Arabus,” Aspect said. “Or were you referring to current problems? Because surely if there were a current problem, my lovely alicorn daughters would bring it to my attention.”

“Tis but the inane prattling of the self-entitled,” Luna spat in distaste. “Tis a shame to see how far the caste that declare themselves ‘Noble’ hath fallen. Why, We have seen but a scant hooffull that deserve the title.”

“Which is why I suggested you strip them of any governing power they had and give it to actual elected representatives,” Aspect said, pointing a wing at her. “That way, you can just treat them as entitled nobs rather than like ponies that actually matter.”

“And that would make me look like I'm turning into a dictator,” Celestia sighed. “Perhaps… I could use your help with it?”

“Gimmie like, two seconds to remember,” Aspect said, muttering to himself. “Legislative, Executive...aha! Judicial! That was the third branch. Turn them from law-passing nobles into the judges for the territories that they claim to hold. And they have to resolve the disputes that arise in a fair and legal way, otherwise their titles and holdings pass to the next in line. Though, there should be a final court above them that can overturn any decisions the smaller ones make. Like, if a commoner felt their case wasn’t heard fairly, they could appeal to said court, and both sides could present their arguments, their evidence, for them to hear. Ideally you should have an odd number of ponies on it. That way votes never end in a tie.”

“Interesting,” Celestia mused, the smile on her face could only be described as unsettling.

“Civil reform aside for now,” Cadence said, having used the distraction to fix herself up. “Have you told them about your marefriend yet?”

The silence was deafening.

“Iiiiii was going to?” Aspect said sheepishly. “You know, get to it eventually, ease them into the idea? Not just blurt out ‘Hey kids! Guess what? Dad’s seeing somepony!’”

Cadence just shrugged as Pyro looked at him, a wide smirk on her beak. How that was even possible was anyone’s guess.

“We… will have a Mother again?” Neptune asked.

“I am sorry you never got to meet Written Script,” Aspect said to Neptune. “But she was a lovely mare. She and I did our best to raise Tia and Lulu right.” He turned to look at the alicorns for a second, before turning back to the Seapony King. “And then I did my best to pick the new Aspects.”

“I know you have,” he nodded and thumped his chest. “I have done all I can to make sure the waters of Equus remain a safe place for any whom wish to traverse it. That said, I am not without my own problems. But, that is a matter for another time.”

“You know,” Aspect mused. “I think I might have something that can help. It’s in my old trophies section in my saddlebags. Took it from Squirk myself.”

“H’oh?” Neptune’s eyes widened. “Is that right? Well, color me interested.”

“Aww, how come he gets a gift?” Luna pouted. “Playing favourites now O’Father?”

“Forgive me if I think he’ll get the most use out of Squirk’s Trident,” Aspect said. “Without the Flashstone, the giant octopus resorted to that to try and fight me. I think it might be magical, but I never really checked. Then again, he had access to literally everything that was in the water, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.” He was happy that the topic of conversation had been successfully shifted away from Bon Bon. He wouldn’t want her dragged into the convention of immortals until she was well and truly ready to meet them. She’d met Mort, yes. But even then, she’d been shaken.

“Hmm, a trident you say. Oddly stereotypical, but… I LIKE IT!” Neptune gave a deep, resounding laugh. “My enemies shan’t know what hit them!”

“Aww, We want a magical weapon to smite thine enemies as well,” Luna pouted more, turning on the Royal Puppy Dog Eyes.

“Ack! The cute!” Aspect said, holding a hoof up to his eyes in an attempt to shield himself. “Turn off the cute!”

“Nevah!” Lulu declared, stepping forwards. “We request a weapon. Preferably a siege weapon.” Then she smirked. “Perhaps a catapult. We could launch Our sister, her flanks could crush a castle~”

“All right, I have just the thing,” Aspect said, before turning to Tia. “Remember that meteor shower about...two hundred years ago?”

“Yeesss?” Celestia’s eyes widened somewhat. Just, what was he? Oh… oh no. “You wouldn’t? She’d bring ruin to us all!”

Luna literally vibrated with excitement.

“Well, I was in the area once the meteors stopped hitting Equus,” Aspect said. “And I might have abused my saddlebags of holding. I’d been planning on making a day trip up to your smithy and seeing if there was anything they could do with the rocks, make a nice gift of it for Lulu. Like a glaive, or a halberd. Maybe put a few sorcerous enchantments on it.”

Luna’s smiled widened, making that little ‘squee’ sound some ponies did. Her eyes were wide and sparkling as she bounced in place.

“Yes yes, you’ll be getting a nice birthday present,” Aspect said, kissing her just under her horn. “Now. If you all don’t mind, I’ll be right back. Just going to nip inside and fetch the trident. Hopefully I don’t fall into my saddlebags.”

‘You speak like that has happened before,’ Pyro said. ‘And do not think I have forgotten. This mare ‘will’ be… tested~’ It was little wonder where Philomena got her mischevious nature from.

“Don’t make me tell Yggdrasil about your misbehavior, young lady,” Aspect said. “I’ll ease her into the idea of my wonderful family, thank you very much. Introducing her to Mort on his own was bad enough.”

“I get that reaction a lot,” Mort said. “Something about how I'm Death Itself just puts ponies off.”

“Tis just the way they are,” Luna snorted. “They act like foals most times. Most still believe Us to be Nightmare Moon. We… do not even leave Our room most days, simply so We do not have to deal with our own maids running away screaming.”

Aspect walked up to Luna and gave her another hug, nuzzling her softly. “If you ever just want a day to yourself,” he whispered to her. “My home is always open to you.”

“Tis… just trading one cage for another,” Luna sighed. “I just… wish I could interact with them again…”

“Well if I actually do end up teaching, you could always come around and see my students, or even see Ponyville in disguise,” Aspect said. “I’m willing to do what I can to help you, Lulu. You just have to ask.”

“We… I suppose I could try,” Luna replied, though she didn’t sound overly confident.

“So,” Neptune decided to try and perk things up. “Whose domicile is this? It’s rather large.”

“Tia gave it to me,” Aspect said. “Probably just so I wouldn’t be able to give it back right away. I’m rather fond of it by now. I might actually stick around for a century or so.”

“Ahh, Tia has always been fond of you,” Neptune nodded.

‘And you doubted her love for you,’ Pyroclastia trilled softly enough that only Aspect heard. ‘She gave you a home, surrounded by friends and within teleporting distance.’

“Just one thing, guys,” Aspect said, looking up from the hug with Luna. “Don’t go in the basement. I stuck the Golden Doors in there. Figured you all deserved to know.”

“That… my dear Father, is asking for trouble,” Neptune chuckled.

“Could you imagine if Twilight found that door?” Celestia mused.

“I put a padlock on it,” Aspect said. “Along with a chain or three to keep it shut. I figured it was safer than leaving them lying around in Dream Valley.”

“When… was the last time you were there?” Celestia asked as they moved inside. “To Dream Valley I mean?”

“I haven’t been there ever since Ponykind left there,” Aspect sighed. “Too many memories. I put up statues of my old friends at Dream Castle before coming back. It’s been...ages.”

“Perhaps we’ll go back there, together,” Celestia smiled as Luna moved up to his other side as he was caught in a Princess-sized sandwich hug.

“All right, so,” Aspect said as he saw his saddlebags. “Give me just one second here and I’ll find the trident. It...might be buried under a few things.” With that, he opened up the left saddlebag and stuck his muzzle into it...before pulling his forelegs in as well and rummaging around, the sound of heavy objects shifting around echoing through the house.

“That… is rather odd to watch,” Neptune nodded to himself.

“He really ‘throws’ himself into his work,” Celestia said with a small smirk.

‘I still don’t see how those saddlebags work,’ Pyro chirped. ‘I know magic is involved, but surely there must be a limit.’

“Father does many odd things,” Luna nodded. “Though, We feel as though the modern mare would pay a great sum for bags like that.”

“Found the rocks!” Aspect said. “And quite a few bits and pieces of armor. I don’t even wear the stuff...oh hello, weapons! Getting warmer.”

“Father, do I want to know why you have a small armoury in there?” Celestia asked, very much hoping nopony of ill intentions ever got ahold of that bag.

“Sentimental value more than anything else. Why else would I save Commander Hurricane’s wingblades? I should open a museum! A-HA! Trident! Okay, coming out!”

The stallion pulled himself free of the bag and twirled the double-ended trident in a hoof, before presenting it to Neptune. The merstallion hummed as he took the gift and gave it a twirl.

“Ahh, this is quite the weapon,” he hummed in a pleased-sounding tone. “Many thanks for this glorious gift. I shall put it to good use protecting the oceans.”

“I know you will,” Aspect said with a smile, before wiping the sweat off his brow. “I forgot just how much stuff I had in there. I am ever so thankful for these things. I doubt modern day stitching could compare to the stuff they made back in Dream Valley.”

Elsewhere, an ivory unicorn’s ear flicked and she let out a small snort. She had the most… itching urge to tell an ignorant stallion off for some reason.

“Well, you’ll never know if you never ask,” Celestia hummed. “So father, what shall we do? You’ve gathered us here, so I figured you had a plan.”

“Part of it was just me wanting to get you and your sister acquainted with your siblings, such as they are,” Aspect said. “Though...Hmm. I wonder. How many of you are feeling up to being...mischievous? We could have a family bonding day and mess with the villagers of Ponyville at the same time.”

Like he even had to ask. Pyroclastia had that smirk again, as did Celestia. Memories of her and Luna’s pranks suddenly came to mind. Hopefully, with a united target of ‘not him’, there would be a way to mitigate the damage. Maybe.

“Well, I’m already disguised,” Aspect said, indicating his pegasus form.

Celestia and Luna took their usual ones, a unicorn and pegasus by the names of Sunny Skies and Moonlight. Pyroclastia shrank down, to about the size of a large robin, while Neptune took a hippogriff form, a long ridge of fur running all the way down his back to the tip of his tail.

“So many rowdy foals to look after,” Aspect said, before looking at Cadence and Mort. “You two joining in on this?”

“I do not think I can,” Mortal Coil said. “Though I do wish I could-” a chime from inside his cloak cut him off, and he pulled out an empty hourglass for emphasis. “The job waits for no pony, myself included. Though, do cause a little extra mischief for me. I have often wondered what it would be like.”

“We shall strive to do so Morty!” Luna nodded with a wide smile.

Cadence shifted into a pegasus, what she used look like before her ascension. A light pink pegasus mare with a bow and arrow for a Cutie Mark. The head of the arrow was a red heart. “Hee, Lovey Dovey at your service.”

“Right,” Aspect said with a smile. “Take care Mort, we’ll go see how much trouble we can make. Children, assemble!”

They did so… poor Ponyville wasn’t going to know what hit them.

“So,” Aspect said under his four foal and one bird load, ignoring the looks the townsfolk were giving him. “Where to first?”

“Hmm,” Sunny tapped her chin and looked around. “I don’t really know. Nothing’s coming to mind…”

“Let’s prank Twilight!” Lovey cackled and rubbed her hooves. “She’s always good for a reaction.”

“Why did I think that it would end in anything but pranks?” Aspect said as he moved towards the treebary.

“Boundless optimism?” Sunny asked as they approached. Lovey moved up and before she knocked, she adjusted her coat colours. She now had a lavender coat with a blueish-grey mane and tail. Once that was done, she knocked on the door.

“...Ohhh, this can only end poorly,” Aspect said with a shake of his head.

The door opened and Twilight poked her head out. “Hello? Oh, Aspect. What can I… do… for you?” she looked down at the little filly before her. “Who’s this?”

“Hi Mommy!” the filly beamed.

Twilight paused. “Um, I think… you might have confused me with somepony else…”

“Nu-uh,” Lovey shook her head. “Daddy’s special. Since he’s human and all. When his magic mixes with somepony else's, we’re born if there’s enough love~”

Aspect could almost hear Twilight’s brain grinding to a screeching halt, then self-destructing. Then those pieces exploded as well.

“Then again, I haven’t made a new Aspect in a few hundred years or so,” Aspect mused. “So you should count yourself lucky, Twilight, that I used your form to base another one off of.”

“I… what...but I…” Twilight stammered, her mouth opening, but only single words or utter gibberish came back out. “This is… but we, we aren’t married… I don’t…”

*thump*

Eeyup, that was the sound of a unicorn passing out on her doorstep.

“She doesn’t take revenge pranks too well, does she?” Aspect asked Lovey.

“Wait til she wakes up,” Lovey grinned. “She’ll likely start planning out schools and want to date you.”

“Well, I’d say my revenge is complete,” Aspect said. “That’ll teach her for using cute on me to get her way. Only family members and Bon-Bon are allowed to do that.”

Pyro pecked the back of his head. ‘The cute?’ she chirped.

“Yeah, it’s a notorious weakness of mine,” Aspect said as he allowed Lovey to climb back on. “Basically a pony could make doe eyes at me and I’d cave just to make them stop.”

“It’s a wonder you aren’t wed already,” Neptune chuckled. “If you are swayed so easily. Perhaps I should mention it to that mare of yours?”

“She already knows,” Aspect said with a wave of a hoof. “I have no idea how Twilight found out. Where to next, my passengers?”

“Ah, well the ‘cute face’ she got from me,” Sunny chuckled awkwardly. “I taught it to her and… well just picture a Filly Twilight using that face. I could have weaponized that face. No evil could have lasted against it.”

“Well that explains that,” Aspect mused. “Oh! I know somewhere we absolutely have to go to! It’ll completely mess with somepony.”

“Uhoh, when father gets that look, trouble follows,” Sunny smiled. “Very well, lead on.”

The party of five ponies and a bird wound their way through town until they reached a particular building. A unique building. The door to Sugarcube Corner dinged open as Aspect walked in with his payload of foals.

“This building is… interesting,” Neptune noted.

‘And it smells like Tia’s bedroom,’ Pyroclastia added.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner,” he said. “And three, two, one.”

“HIYA!” Pinkie appeared right in front of him, the payload of foals all flinching and yelping in surprise. “Oooh, are these your kids Aspy? You and Bonniebuns have been busy~”

“Wouldn’t you know it,” Aspect said with a smirk. “But would you believe none of them have been here? I thought it was a situation worth rectifying.”

“Here?” Pinkie screeched to a halt. Literally. He could hear the sound of car brakes screeching. “You mean… they haven’t… new ponies… haven’t… missed birthdays….” she was vibrating now.

“Um… is she… going to explode?” Neptune backed away from the increasingly vibrating mare.

“This is the part where we run away,” Aspect said, double-checking his passengers to make sure they were all on board. “Please hold tight, because we are about to be airborne.”

With a mighty flap, Aspect and his cargo were outside of Sugarcube Corner and flying through the skies. Another flap saw them landing on a low-hanging cloud, one that offered them a prime position to view the upcoming chaos. A discrete bit of sorcery and pegasus magic made sure the cloud would hold up the weight of anypony, not just pegasi. Just in case.

“OhmigoshIhavetothrowyouthebiggestmegapartyofalltime!!” Pinkie said, floating from some balloons behind them. “Apartyforimmortals?SomuchworksolittletimeGottagobye!” And with that, she popped the balloons and fell back to earth. There was Party Science to do!

“...Ohhh dear, my plan backfired,” Aspect said. “Well, that’s going to be interesting.”

‘What… just happened?’ Pyro blinked in confusion.

“You all just met Pinkie Pie and lived,” Aspect said. “I have no idea when she’ll throw her party. Or where. But it will happen. And it’ll be the party of our lives.”

“...” Neptune looked contemplative. “Father. Is she single? Imagine the feasts she could throw when I return from adventures!”

“As far as I know, yes, but she prides herself on being Ponyville’s premier party pony,” Aspect said. “So if you’re after regular feasts, you’d have to actually visit regularly.”

“Ahh, hmm…” Neptune rubbed his beard, only he didn’t have one as a foal. “Well, I guess I could…”

Then their cloud disappeared as somepony bucked it, Aspect had to think quick to keep everypony airborne.

“Whoops, didn’t see ya there,” Rainbow chuckled. “Sorry about that Aspect.”

“Gah!” Aspect said as he flapped his wings to keep himself, and by extension, his cargo, in the sky. “Oh. Hello Dash. If I settle on another cloud, will you buck that one away as well? Flying with this large crew on my back isn’t the easiest of tasks.”

“Ahh, the day called for clear skies, so I was wondering why that cloud was there.” She looked at the foals and blinked. “So, who are the rugrats? You a foalsitter now?”

“You could say that,” Aspect said with a chuckle, looking for another cloud and flying over to it, before making it glow as he enchanted this one as well. “Kids, introduce yourself to the nice pegasus.”

“Hi!” Sunny chirped. “I’m Sunny Days and this is my sister, Moonlight!”

“I am Neptune!” the hippogriff thumped his tiny chest.

“Squawk?” Pyro offered.

“Are you one of our Mommies as well?” Lovey blinked. Rainbow paused and looked at her.

“Um, come again?”

“One of our Mommies. There’s Miss Bon Bon, and Miss Twilight…”

Rainbow blinked, before doubling over laughing. “Bwahahahaha! M-me… and Aspect? Y-Yeah kiddo. When pigs fly and it rains chocolate milk.”

“So,” Aspect said as he sat there, covered in foals. “You performed quite well at the Young Flier’s competition. Finally touched your Pegasus magic, I’d wager.”

“I dunno zip about magic,” Rainbow shrugged. “My Sonic Rainboom was awesome though. And it turns out, I can probably do it again too!”

“Pegasus magic is more about emotion and intent, less about runes and spells,” Aspect said, flapping a wing and causing a breeze to move his cloud a little. “It’s an old art, but it all has to do with making the air easier to move through, or changing the atmosphere to suit your whims. Most pegasi only use a little of their talent, just to fly. They barely scrape the surface of what they can do.”

“Sooo, that means what?” Rainbow blinked.

“PegaMom isn’t very bright huh?” Lovey said.

“It means one pegasus could look after one town, in the old days,” Aspect said. “Maybe a few, so that there was a rotating shift, but you didn’t need weather teams to manage the weather. Pegasi were the masters of the sky.”

“Well, wouldn’t that put a lot of pegasi out of a job?” Rainbow blinked. “I mean, I love my team and couldn’t do the work without ‘em.”

“And that loyalty is why you’re so special,” Aspect said with a nod. “The Wonderbolts used to be the grand masters of the air, standing on par with me when they worked together. Entire martial arts were devoted to fully exploring a Pegasi’s magic. Ponies used to feel safe and secure when they had Pegasi around in the sky above them. Heck, ponies in general used to be adorable balls of danger.”

“Well, that sounds pretty badflank,” Rainbow hummed to herself. “Rainbow Storm Dash. Heh, now that sounds like something I could get behind~”

“And then,” Aspect sighed, looking downcast. “Ponies proved themselves no less infallible than the ones that ruled them. Now I’m one of the only ones that remembers anymore.”

Well that’s how he thought, until he remembered Bon Bon’s demonstration from last night. How many others still knew the secret arts. And for that matter, who in the heck taught her?

“Still, it’s not all bad news,” Aspect said. “I’ve decided that I’ll look into teaching the old arts again. Maybe find a trustworthy pony to carry on with the secrets. It’d be nice to know that I’m not the only mover and shaker anymore. Means the ponies will be able to defend themselves when they, for example, go into the bloody Everfree and meet a Hydra.”

“Well, I could totally take one on,” Rainbow said and puffed out her chest. “Still, that sounds pretty cool. Give me a call if you need a hoof okay?”

“So, if he needs a hoof tonight?” Lovey said, leaving no room to misinterpret her meaning.

“Aspect…” Rainbow replied, a small blush on her face. “That kid of yours has issues.”

“Technically she’s a granddaughter, but I agree with your sentiment,” Aspect said. “Lovey, do you have no off switch? I’m already involved with Bon-Bon!”

“And?” Lovey blinked. “There’s no laws against polygamy.”

“The fact that you know that is disturbing,” Aspect said with a shake of his head.

“I’m educated,” Lovely nodded as Rainbow blinked slowly at the implications.

“Iiiii’m gonna go,” she said and blasted off, the air popping as she went from zero to supersonic in a matter of seconds.

“Well, that’s half the Bearers met,” Aspect said. “Hmm. Don’t really feel like meeting with Rarity right now, and if we met with Fluttershy, she’d probably fawn all over you, Pyro. So...wanna go mess with Honesty’s head?”

‘Oh that sounds delicious~’ the phoenix cooed. ‘Lead the way~’

It was a strange sight that walked onto Sweet Apple Acres that afternoon. One pegasus stallion, with four foals of varying colors, shades, and in one case, species, on his back. As well as a bird of bright red hue about the size of a robin on his head.

‘Oh, I like this place,’ Pyro hummed and trilled. ‘All these trees, perfect for raising young.’

“Right up until you realize they’re all apple trees and are regularly bucked for their fruit,” Aspect pointed out.

‘Ah, that would be…’ the bird paused and shuddered with a chuckle. ‘I have a wonderful idea father, but I need your help.’ She whispered her plan to him, one requiring a liberal amount of earth magicks.

“Oooh, I like the idea of that,” Aspect said with a grin. “Now all we need is to find Applejack…”

***

It hadn’t taken too long to do so. All they had to do was follow the sounds of the thumps of her apple bucking. On the far side of the orchard, they spied the orange earth pony, rearing up as a solid kick emptied the tree of it’s fruit.

“Hmm, Fair Applejack is rather talented in Earth magikcs as is,” Moonlight noted. “Even if she herself does not realise she’s using them.”

“She’s rather in tune with the land, yes,” Aspect said. “She and her family have worked this land for ages. This entire plot of land is Apple Family land, it knows that. It’ll be hard to work anything here...but then again, I have a lot of Crunch left in me. I think I can pull something off.”

Applejack reared up at the next tree, and with one solid kick, she relieved it of it’s appley burden and into the buckets below. Once that task was done, she turned to the next tree.

A light peck from Pyro cued Aspect to get to work. Aspect nodded and planted his hooves on the ground, calling forth what Earth magics he knew.

It was...difficult. Like trying to drag something heavy through tar, which was a testament as to how much power the Apple Clan had put into these lands. But eventually, his magic succeeded in growing new apples on the tree she’d just emptied of fruit. Applejack turned to buck a tree and she blinked.

“Whut the…” she looked to the tree she just bucked. The apples were there in the buckets… yet, the tree was still full. “How the…” Her brow furrowed, before she shrugged and moved the buckets, replacing them with empty ones and bucking the tree again. It emptied and she once again moved on without any fuss.

Once again, Aspect reached out and gave the natural world a tweak, making another set of apples appear on the same tree.

Applejack whistled as she raised her hindlegs… Wait… She looked up at the previous tree. How.. what?

“Am ah workin’ too hard?” she muttered to herself. She rubbed her eyes and once again, moved the buckets and bucked the tree. “An’ stay bucked!” she scolded it before moving on once more.

Aspect decided to wait just a minute this time. He waited for Applejack to buck a new tree, and be ready to move on…

And then he regrew the apples on the tree she’d just cleared.

“OH COME ON!” the mare roared and bucked the tree again, apples falling and rolling across the ground. “There! Come back again. AH DARE YA!”

“I think if I did anymore she might actually snap,” Aspect said. “I’ve pushed it about as far as I can in the name of fun.”

Applejack’s ear flicked and her green eyes turned towards them. “Aspect? That you… wait a durn minute…” She put the puzzle pieces together. “Y’all are in a heap o’trouble!”

“It was just a prank,” Aspect said. “Your family lands are heck to work with, by the way. They’re so thoroughly coated in Apple Family energy that any other Earth pony might as well try walking through a swamp if they want to do something here.”

“Huh?’ She halted her stomping towards them and looked at him. “Come again?”

“Earth magics, the Gifts of the Earth,” Aspect said, gesturing to his hooves, which had small vines growing around them. “An Earth Pony with the proper training can call on the earth for strength, or to make crops grow faster. But the more a pony stays in one area, the more the area likes that pony in question. It’s all about setting down a territory and defending it. And Sweet Apple Acres so thoroughly belongs to the Apple Clan, the only reason I was able to do anything was because I cheated.”

“Well…” Applejack smiled and looked out at her farm. “Ah thank you kindly fer that. We try our darndest to respect th’land and look after her. She’s our life after all, part of the family.”

‘I feel bad pranking her now,’ Pyro whispered.

“So how goes the additions to the farm?” Aspect asked. “After all, you got like...half the sum Tia tried to give me.”

“It’s goin’ great,” Applejack beamed. “We got a new barn, and tha’ rusty old plow of Mac’s got replacing.”

Speaking of, the giant red earth pony approached them and Lu-Moonlight was turning the most interesting shade of pink.

“Howdy Mister Aspect,” he nodded his head and looked at the foals. “Foalsittin’?”

“You could say that and you wouldn’t be entirely wrong,” Aspect said. “Girls? Say hello to the Apple Clan, they’re old friends of mine.”

“Hello~” came a chorus of greetings, though Moonlight’s was rather muted, opting to hide behind her father’s leg.

“You as well Neptune, Pyro,” Aspect said to the other two. The bird trilled and landed on Applejack’s hat while Neptune nodded up at the stallion. The two stared silently for a moment before bumping hooves.

“So,” Aspect said casually. “I might have taken them to meet Pinkie Pie as well. Is she normally ‘randomly explosive’ levels of bad when she meets new ponies?”

Applejack and Big Macintosh looked at one another, before their solemn glance turned back to Aspect.

“Ah’ll pray fer yer,” Applejack said. “Y’all are gunna need it.”

“You inspire so much confidence,” Aspect deadpanned.

“Yer dealing with Miss Pie,” Big Mac rumbled. “Ain’t no way yer gettin’ out of it.”

“That pony is more impossible than Surprise,” Aspect said with a shake of his head. “And she regularly showed up out of nowhere, screaming her name.”

“She was a real hooffull alright,” Sunny smiled, though Aspect caught her slight shudder. She was a filly at the time, and to this day swore she might have died from a heart attack from that mare. Pinkie was more… reserved in that area.

She more than made up for it in sheer randomness.

“Well, iffn’ y’all are done with yer little prank, ah have some advice,” Applejack said.

“I am indeed, though I think there’s a stop we’ll be making on the way back to my place. If only because I know all my children will not let it go until we go there,” Aspect said.

They all shared a single, unified nod.

“Well, ya got yer work cut out fer ya,” Applejack chuckled. “Jus’ don’t prank Fluttershy. Even Rainbow and Pinkie know that. Also, don’t prank those two. That… well it won’t end well fer ya. Their prank wars are legendary round these parts.”

“How do you think we got Pinkie to nearly explode?” Aspect quipped. “Prank gone wrong and backfired on me. Ah well. All aboard you little scamps. We have a candy shop to raid.”

Celestia and Luna’s smirks could not have been any wider if they tried.

Bon Bon hummed to herself as she wiped down her counter. Lyra saw fit to make herself some hot-chocolate… then sneezed and blew cocoa powder everywhere. It was like a Chocolate Winter Apocalypse.

Ah well, that was now done and all Bon Bon had to do was wait until the foals were free from school and launch their annual afternoon assault.

And then the bell over her door dinged...a half-hour before school got out. She didn’t have long to wait for an explanation, either, as a familiar voice accompanied the bell.

“I have told you all this multiple times on the way here. Five candies each. No more. Otherwise you’ll make me buy the whole shop out, and that’s not fair to the other foals.”

Bon Bon’s eyes widened and she near gallopped around the counter, seeking out her coltfriend and pulling him into a strong, deep and passionate kiss. One that was only broken when she heard...birdsong? She pulled back, looked up and blinked.

“Um… Aspect dear,” she said. “You have a little something on your head there.”

“I should bloody well hope so,” Aspect said, nodding his head. “Pyro has been quite anxious about meeting you. As has Nep and Lovey.”

And that was when she noticed the four foals, she was… surprisingly calm. Earth Ponies panicked on the inside.

“Aspect,” she finally said, exerting a great deal of self-control. “Most stallions bring their mares flowers or candy… not foals.”

“I’m sorry, but my family wanted to meet you,” Aspect said, crouching a little to let them off and look at the wares. “Also, bringing you candy would be redundant. I tried to get flowers, but the mares that ran the stall all looked at me funny.”

“Rose and her sisters are… odd,” Bon Bon said as the five youngsters all found her to be much more interesting than the candy, particularly the robin and the... hippogriff? “Um, hello?”

“Father?” Nep asked. “Is she the one Young Amore spoke of?”

“Yes, so stop crowding her, all of you,” Aspect warned them. “You’re not too big to put over my knee.”

All the children smirked, and with a flash of light, resumed their normal forms.

All of them.

“And now?” Neptune smirked.

A soft thump filled the void of silence between words.

Ah, Bon Bon fainted.

“And now I am going to put you all over my knee for breaking Bon Bon,” Aspect growled. “I mean, really. You all should know better. How did you think a pony would react to suddenly being surrounded by most of the Aspects of Equus?”

‘Humbled and awed?’ Pyroclastia snickered. She thought this to be most hilarious.

“If it was just Celestia or Luna, maybe,” Aspect said. “Sakes, the power in this room. And that’s before I find two more replacements to round out the list, and without Chryssy besides. I was going to ease her into it. Have you all be normal foals looking for candy. Maybe break it to her once you all were gone that she’d just served the immortals candy.”

“We are sorry,” Luna said as Bon Bon groaned and rubbed her head.

“Urgh, I just had the weirdest… dream…” She looked up and sighed. “Really?”

“To be fair,” Aspect said. “You suggested I call my kids here. They’re the ones that wanted to meet you. You can actually blame Cadenza for bringing you up in the first place.”

Cadence inched away from the group, finding a nearby display very interesting all of a sudden.

“Well, I just botched my first impressions on them,” Bon Bon sighed. “Great, now I’m the ‘Marefriend who Faints.’ Wonderful.”

“I do wonder, though,” Aspect mused. “You didn’t do that when I transformed around you into any of my other forms. Is it because I’m not awe-inspiring?”

“You’re…” Bon Bon rolled a hoof to find the right words. “Well, I guess so in fact. Your human form isn’t exactly Miss Flames and Feathers here.”

Pyroclastia preened and smiled. ‘At least she recognises true beauty.’

Aspect just huffed and sat on his haunches. “Been around for millenia and what do I get? ‘Oh, you’re...okay. You’re not your children, though.’”

Bon Bon wilted and pet his leg. “Well yes, but I don’t love them like I do you. That would get weird for everypony.”

“I know,” Aspect said, nuzzling her back, before glaring at his children. “All of you, back in your guises! If Lyra or anypony else shows up, we’ll have a hell of a time explaining why most of the power of the world is in this mare’s foyer.”

And as if on cue, the minty unicorn walked in, took one look at everyone and blinked. There was a moment of silence, before Lyra shrugged, grabbed a box of chocolate drops and left.

“...Or she could prove to be more accepting than I thought,” Aspect said. “Still. Best to not tempt fate a second time.”

“Yes Daaad,” they all echoed and resumed their disguises. Bon Bon let out a small sigh of relief, she would not have liked to try and explain that to a customer.

“So, aside from a panic attack. What can I get you?” she asked and the foals looked at their father expectantly.

“I said five candies each,” Aspect said. “Pyro, I am watching you, if you try to sneak any maple-sugar candies away, I will tell Pinkie Pie where you live myself.”

The Robin/Phoenix trilled innocently as she flittered off to a deeper part of the store. Celestia was the first to return, a small pile of candies in her magical grip. Aspect flared a wing warningly.

“I said five, Celly,” Aspect said. “I will not have any of you ruining your appetites.”

“But, I’ve eaten entire cakes and still been hungry,” Celestia pouted and then realised she should not have admitted that. “Um, five you said? Right, I can do that.” And then she galloped off as Bon Bon stifled a giggle.

“It’s hard to believe,” she said. “Seeing this up close. They don’t act like the rulers of a nation, or powerful Aspects. They’re just kids trying to pull one over on their grumpy dad.”

“The old family relations never really go away,” Aspect said. “Apparently, even though they’re strained at times, the bonds of family will endure through anything.” He turned and nuzzled Bon Bon. “Thanks for suggesting this. I think we all needed a day to reconnect.”

“Well, a marefriend is always right,” Bon Bon chuckled and returned the nuzzle. Tia and Luna were in the background, arguing over which was greater, licorice or butterscotch. Pyro was trying to lift a candybar four times her size and Nep was still deciding.

And Cadence… she was eyeing some candies of a romantic nature and her horn appeared, sparking pink motes of light.

“Do you have any saltwater taffy?” Aspect asked Bon Bon. “Nep might like it.”

“Hmm…” Bon Bon looked through her display case and smiled. “I do indeed, oh, and um, Pyrolestia was it? She might like some of these.” She set a single piece of candy on the counter. It was a bright red colour.

“Pyro, come over here and try this,” Aspect said, waving her over with a wing. “And Nep, you too. The nice mare has some candies for you both, despite your little mischievous natures.”

They moved to the counter and smiled, each putting the candy in their mouth… and Aspect saw his sweet mare’s sweet smile turn into a sharkish grin.

“Bon Bon, what did you-” Aspect managed to ask. He looked at Nep, whose mouth seemed to be near glued shut from the super-sticky candy.

Meanwhile, the little robin, Immortal phoenix and Aspect of Fire… started to sweat.

“A little word of advice,” Bon Bon said. “Never prank a Ponyville pony~”

“...Ohhh dear,” Aspect sighed. “You realize, of course, that this means war.”

“I have a Lyra,” Bon Bon smirked as she ducked under the counter. “She’s sooo much worse.” She reappeared, with a glass of milk for Pyro and a fizzy drink for Neptune. “As you can see, mixing Alchemy and candy making leads to some interesting results.

“Note, we shan’t mess with thy lover,” Luna said as she placed her five candies on the table. “Um, these are safe for consumption, yes?”

“Yes, those were my Joke Candies. Popular on Nightmare Night and April first,” Bon Bon nodded.

“Ah, so that tradition survived as well,” Aspect mused. “It’s sometimes amusing to see what I remember being mirrored in the modern day.”

“Pray tell, what is Nightmare Night?” Luna asked, you could see the look of contempt on her little face when she said that.

“It’s new to me as well,” Aspect said.

“On the last day of October,” Bon Bon explained. “All the foals and fillies dress up in costumes of monsters or storybook characters, that sort of thing. Then they go around to houses and get candy. If they don’t, the house owner is likely to get a trick instead. Then we make a candy offering to Nightmare Moon…” The words left her mouth before Bon Bon realised whom she was talking to. “Ah…”

Luna was standing very, very still.

“And, pray tell,” she said quietly. “Whose idea was that?”

“Mine,” Celestia said, not moving even as the little pegasus slapped her across the face.

“At a time like this,” Aspect said calmly, though if you looked his wings were twitching. “I can only say one thing. Kids. Get your candy together. I’ll pay and then we can go home.”

They did so, as Bon Bon almost robotically finalised the transaction and bagged the candy up.

“To be fair to you,” Aspect said to Bon Bon before they all left. “I’m not mad at you. I have a policy against shooting the unfortunate messenger. But I think we’re all about to go home and have loud, angry words at one another. I’d rather not subject you to it.”

She just nodded, her eyes not meeting his. If she did, she felt as though she might cry.

“Come by for dinner,” Aspect offered to her. “We should be done shouting each other down by then.” And with that, he was ushering his foals out onto the street. Once they left, Bon Bon turned the sign around to closed and fell to the floor behind the door, quietly shaking to herself.

Aspect waited until they were home and the door was shut before he flashed into his human form, glaring at Tia’s form. “You made a holiday around one of the worst days in our lives?” His voice growled to her.

“No, I turned one of our worst nights into something somewhat enjoyable!” Celestia shouted back, taking her true form along with the others. “Do you know what it was like after that day? Oh wait, of course not. You weren’t there!”

“I would think one of my daughters would be mature enough not to celebrate the downfall of her sister!” Aspect pointed out.

Celestia’s horn flared, before Cadence stepped out in front of her and said a few words that the others couldn’t hear.

“Auntie. Getting mad won’t help. Just explain. We’re family. They’ll understand.”

With a deep, haggard sigh, Celestia powered her magic down and nodded. She put a hoof to her chest and swept it outwards, taking a breath as she did. “Very well. I’ll explain, provided they can listen without aimlessly judging me.”

Luna was still in her foal form. At least like this, she couldn’t do something she’d regret. Her licorice was getting rather angrily chewed though.

“I’m listening,” Aspect said. “But there had better be a good explanation, young lady.”

Celestia was silent as she gathered her thoughts, before continuing. “When Luna… did that. The times after were… well they were horrible. Old Canterlot was in ruins, our Guards were decimated and the thestrals had retreated back to their homeland. Some were nearly killed on sight for being ‘tainted’ by the nightmare.”

“Which is just bloody ridiculous,” Aspect said. “Just because they were nocturnal doesn’t mean they’re to be feared. Sakes, they were some of Luna’s best friends. Are they around anymore?”

“Some returned about… a century ago. But there are less than a dozen in Canterlot,” Celestia sighed. “They either remain in Roamania, or the hidden village of Hollow Shades. Regardless, that’s a tale for another time.” She paced in a small circle, before taking a seat on the rug. “The time after, well I tried my best… but then came that day. Tell me, do you remember what day Bon Bon said Nightmare Night was on?”

“The last day of October,” Aspect replied. “I tried to bring over All Hallow’s Eve, but the ponies of Dream Valley were...less than receptive about a holiday celebrating being scared. What with all the actual monsters around.”

“And, what day was… that day,” Celestia said, motioning to Luna and waiting for her father to make that fateful connection.

“...Oh,” He said weakly. “You know, I was more concerned with lasting the day than thinking about what day it actually was? I didn’t put two and two together until just now.”

“And what of it?” Luna spat. “So We get to be reminded of the exact moment We nearly destroyed everything?”

“No,” Celestia shook her head. “A few months after that day, I thought I’d calmed everything down. Ponies still locked their doors at night and jumped at shadows, but i had assumed that they’d started moving on… then came those damnable ‘prophecies.’ Ones made by ponies that had no skill in telling basic fortunes, let alone reading the script of Fate. They would say that because I alone wielded the Elements of Harmony, that the seal was imperfect, that that day marked Nightmare Moon’s return.”

“So you made a holiday for it!? How does that help!?” Luna’s ire built.

“Tell me this,” Celestia did something that Aspect himself had never seen. She was literally vibrating with rage. “What did… Miss Bon Bon say that they offered to Nightmare Moon?”

“Are you saying...it was worse?” Aspect dared to venture.

“I… do not want to say it,” Celestia said shakily as she trembled. “Please… do not make me say it…”

“I’m already blaming myself for not being here for you,” Aspect said. “You can either let me imagine what it was or tell me.”

“Some… offered livestock, pigs, chickens…” Celestia said in a tone barely above a whisper, though she might as well have been shouting. “Then I got a letter from Clover… she was travelling at the time. One village… they… they offered…” She swallowed hard as new tears fell. “They offered live foals…”

Aspect very carefully didn’t say anything. Much like some of the ponies he was so fond of, he didn’t get visibly mad. He prefered to let his actions speak for him.

“Tia? I feel like tearing down your entire nobility and tossing them in a fire,” Aspect said calmly, wisps of smoke dancing along his form. He might not have more than a touch of Fire in him anymore, but it was still enough for him to get smoking mad.

Celestia offered a light chuckle at that. Maybe she should turn him loose on them, if only to scare them for a few good centuries.

“So…” Luna’s own fire died like an ember tossed into the ocean. “As far as sheer lunacy goes…”

“Oh, Clover tore that entire village apart in rage,” Celestia mused. Her old friend and… well she was a little more that that. Her descendants looked so much like her. “But I assume you want to know how that travesty became what it is today?”

Luna and the others nodded. Except for Cadence, as she knew the story already.

“I love my little ponies to pieces,” Celestia sighed. “But… they can be a little too easy to convince sometimes. It was slow at first, and that was when I started making my… edits to past history. Fortune telling was banned for a little while and the day was actually stricken from the calendar. It took months to alter the courses of the sun and moon to remove the day as a whole. Then I realised I should have just added a day to another month. Foresight is a cruel mistress at times. Anyway. After a generation or two, I started the second phase. The Mare in the Moon story was circulated and I reintroduced the day. It started as the end of the Harvest Season at first, where ponies would offer a portion of the harvest to the Mare in the Moon, to appease her and keep the monsters and beasts from their farms. After that, well… I actually have no idea how the whole dressing up thing came about. My ponies just started doing that on their own. I think one village did it as a part of their festival and it just caught on. From there, offerings of the harvest soon became candy as civilization advanced and the larger cities like Manehatten cropped up. They don’t have farms you see, but still wanted a holiday out of it. And thus, Nightmare Night was born.”

She looked at Luna and smiled. “That was, only a part though,” she said. “What nopony really knows, is the true reason behind the day.”

“I’m guessing you wanted to keep it around as a reminder of everything you’d lost,” Aspect whispered. “Oh Celly. I’m so sorry I left. I really am.”

“Actually grandfather, that’s not the reason,” Cadence said and looked at Luna. “When you returned. As Nightmare Moon. How did everypony react? Were they terrified? Did they raise an army against you?”

“Nay! They did not remember Us at all, save for friend Twilight,” Luna said with a derisive snort, then her eyes widened. “Wait…”

“It took centuries,” Celestia said. “But… it worked. I made them forget… I made them not hate my little sister for her mistake.”

“You were planning for the day when we could be together again,” Aspect said. “You waited for us all that time?”

“I knew the seal would break eventually, and I knew you would someday return,” Celestia nodded. “Clover foresaw that much before she passed. I…” She paused for a moment and shook her head. “Nevermind. But yes. I wanted my ponies to welcome not a murderous warrior and a crazed Alicorn bent on eternal darkness. I wanted them to meet my dearest father and my beloved little sister. But… they had to forget. I know, I know it’s a great injustice to you and your deeds and that my selfishness has caused you both so much pain but I—”

Aspect shut her up by falling to his knees in front of her and drawing Celestia into a hug. And she let out a surprised gasp when Luna followed suit.

“As We said before,” the alicorn of the night said. “Thou did the best as thou could on thy own. We art sorry thou had to do so in the first place.”

“The world is tamer now,” Aspect said. “I’ll still defend any ponies that need it. I’ll still keep an eye on the Everfree. But maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to hang up my sword one day. You know. Once I’ve passed on the last few Aspects to worthy hosts. Maybe I won’t need to exercise my role anymore.”

“I think the world will always need you,” Celestia chuckled. “But, tis a matter for another day also. Right now, there is another pressing concern of utmost urgency.”

“Do tell,” Aspect said.

“Yon concubine, the Lady Bon Bon,” Luna said, taking her true form finally. “We must have upset her with Our foolish display.”

“Oh yes,” Cadence said as her horn shone. “That… that is not the emotions of a happy mare at all.”

“Mmm,” Aspect said. “I know how to solve it. But the question is, are you all okay? If I go to take care of her, will you all be fine if I stop paying attention to you? I sort of called you here for a family day, which admittedly, got utterly ruined towards the end—”

“And there is your solution,” Neptune said and thumped his chest. “She is to be our mother is she not? Then, she is family too. Bring her here and we will all help, especially since it was Tia and Lulu’s fault.”

The alicorn sisters just poked their tongues out at them.

“Right, guises on, I’m out to take care of her,” Aspect said, once more retaking his pegasus form. “I don’t want her overwhelmed when we come back.”

“She will have to get used to it eventually,” Celestia chuckled. “Besides, I have met her a few times already. So it is only Neptune and Pyroclastia she is unused to.”

“Suit yourselves,” Aspect said, going out and heading back to Bon Bon’s shop.

He saw an odd sight, several foals were trotting away from the shop, talking about how weird it was that it’d closed early today. And to their words, when he got there, all the lights were off and the closed sign was up.

Aspect sighed. He knew how much Bonnie needed to stay open. So...apparently today had really hit hard. He cleared his throat and did his best to get the foal’s attention. “Excuse me, but are you all worried about miss Bon Bon?”

“A little,” one filly replied. She had a yellow coat and a slightly off white mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark was a bright sun. If cuteness could take physical form, this would be it. “She’s never closed this early before.”

“I promise you all if you’ll wait five minutes, ten at most, I’ll have her open again,” the stallion promised the foals. “I just have to get in and give her some encouragement.”

“Um, who are you mister?” her friend asked. She was an orange earth pony with three peaches for a Cutie Mark. Then the two fillies shared a look and giggled. “Ooooh~ Are you her Very Special Somepony~?”

“I might very well be, if she’s not mad at me,” Aspect said. “Go and round up your friends please, I don’t want her to lose too much business. Plus I’m sure she’ll have some delicious candies for you.” Aspect waited until they’d scurried off, with giggles trailing after them…

Then he picked up a nearby flowerpot, finding a key hiding underneath. He’d been guessing, but had been happy his guess was right. With a flick of his wing, the key soared into the lock, and he turned it, before taking it out and replacing it under the pot. He walked into the shop after he made sure the spare key was hidden again and that no foal had seen where it was.

He had a marefriend to comfort. The bell chimed as he walked in, signalling to her his presence. He didn’t have to look far either. She was just sitting in the middle of the room, a few dozen candy wrappers scattered around her. She didn’t even look at him as he entered.

“Bonnie?” Aspect said, standing a few feet away. “Bonnie, we worked it out. We’re not mad anymore.”

“It was my fault,” she replied softly. “If I hadn’t been so… so insensitive… I nearly ruined your family day. Just… leave me alone. Find somepony who deserves you…”

“Bonnie, the issue was going to come up sooner or later,” Aspect said, walking close and nuzzling her. “To be honest, I’m glad you brought it up before the day itself arrived. Much better to hear it from the mouth of someone you love than get blindsided by it later down the line. Now we know the history of it. Now we can plan around it. It’s not your fault. So please? Stop blaming yourself. I do enough of that for my entire crazy family.”

“But… Luna she… she was so angry,” Bon Bon said. “I made a foal angry, enough that she struck her own sister…”

“Bon Bon, repeat after me,” Aspect said, turning her to look him in the eyes. “Ready? ‘Everypony in Aspect’s family is crazy.’”

Bon Bon looked at him, she still looked sad but he saw that little twitch in the corner of her mouth.

“‘Everypony in Aspect’s family is crazy,’” Aspect repeated, then smirked at her. “‘Especially Aspect.’ Now you.”

“You’re not crazy,” she said, her shoulders shaking slightly.

“Hel-lo? Have you met me?” Aspect said with a raised eyebrow. “I’m millennia old and I slew a score of monsters. I think that sort of behavior in polite society earns you a special jacket from the ponies in white suits.”

“Hmm, I suppose I wouldn’t mind tying you up for a while,” Bon Bon mused at that thought, before blushing and shaking her head. “But what are you doing here? You should be with your family.”

“Somepony needed a confidence boost to run her shop for the after-school rush,” Aspect said, beeping her nose.

“The after school rush isn’t for a half hour,” she muttered, her nose scrunching adorably at the boop.

“Then explain the mass of foals wondering why you were closed,” Aspect pointed out. “I think you lost a little time, love. Might want to open soon, otherwise I’ll not be the only one that worried about you.”

Bon Bon’s eyes widened as she looked at the clock. “School ended… an hour ago!?” She sat up and started scrambling to clean up her mess, only to slip on a wrapper and faceplant the floor, her rump sticking up and giving Aspect quite the show in the process.

“Up you get,” Aspect said, not rising to the accidental bait and helping Bon Bon up. “Well, I got a few nice foals to round up their friends, so you might get a little business today. And I am sorry that my family ended up costing you so much already. I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

“It’s fine,” Bon Bon rubbed her snout as she turned on the lights and tidied the store up to presentable levels. Aspect could hear the foals outside and moved to open the door for her. Bon Bon’s eyes widened and she held out a hoof. “Wait! D—”

He opened the door and… oh my, well he’d never seen a stampede of foals before as more than two dozen charged over his form and into the store.

“Don’t open the store while standing in front of it,” Bon Bon finished and giggled at him.

“‘S fine,” he slurred from the floor. “Dis is nothing. Grogar’s zomponies were worse. Oh hey, canaries. ‘Zat normal?”

Bon Bon giggled again as the canaries all chanted ‘Pain gives us life’ She moved around and helped him up, giving him a brief, yet tender kiss on the lips.

“Oooohhhhh~” the foals chanted, all staring at the pair.

She blushed and pointed at them. “All candy is twenty percent off!”

The effect was instantaneous. They all scrambled to clear her shelves and empty their wallets.

“Well, that was...something,” Aspect said, shaking his head a little to clear it. “And to think, I thought of teaching the little ones.”

“I wish you luck,” Bon Bon giggled. “They are adorable though… maybe one day I’ll…” She snorted and shook her head. “So, teaching? You’re still going to do that?”

“Somepony has to pass on the old ways,” Aspect said. “I’m not sure if my students will be mares and stallions, or fillies and colts. But in an Equestria where most of the problems have been browbeaten out of the populace, I think this time around, it’ll go a lot better.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine,’ Bon Bon nuzzled him. “This is Ponyville. What could go wrong in such a little town?”

“I would cite the things that have gone wrong already, but I feel my case is already made,” Aspect said. “See to your little pillagers. I’m just happy you’re in a good mood again.”

“Thanks to you,” she said and smiled. “Am… I still welcome around tonight?”

“Of course you are,” Aspect said, nuzzling her. “It wouldn’t be dinner without you.”

“Okay, do I need to bring anything? A salad, some wine? Last will and testament?”

“It’s just dinner, Bonnie,” Aspect said, giving her a brief kiss. “I’ll see you when you feel up to joining us again.”

“I’ll be there soon, I promise,” Bon Bon said as somepony ran in, put an envelope in her hooves and ran out, all in the span of an eyeblink. She looked at it and opened it, reading. “Oh… oh my… You uh, best hurry home.”

“Why do I get the feeling my home will be on fire?” Aspect said to nobody in particular. “They did that once, you know. It took us an entire year to rebuild it.”

“You should only be so lucky,” Bon Bon said and placed the paper on the counter.

“I fear your children have been left alone in the hooves of Pinkie Pie,” Bon Bon said.

“...Please tell me you’re going to come as well,” Aspect begged her. “I don’t think I could stay sane if you weren’t.”

“Hmmm, convince me~” Bon Bon smirked.

“For once, you won’t have to cook,” Aspect pointed out.

“True,” Bon Bon nodded. “And don’t worry Aspect. I’ll be there. Now, I believe you have a line behind you. I’d best serve them before they eat you instead.”

Aspect took one massive step to the right, to get out of the way of the foals, and shook his head. “Okay. See you when I see you then.” He gave her a bow and was off.

Now, how bad could a Pinkie Pie possibly be?

That… was a lot of ponies. Almost all of Ponyville must have been here. Ponies he recognised and most he barely knew or not at all.

“SURPRISE!” came a cheerful tone as the white pegasus burst out of a bush in front of him. “Ya miss me?”

“Either you’re here about the offer I made the Wonderbolts, or Pinkie Pie invited you to what has to be the biggest party I’ve ever seen,” Aspect said.

“Both!” the mare chirped. “I flew here today cause Pinks invited me. But the Wonderbolts are interested in your offer. In fact, two more will be here tomorrow morning.”

“Oh good,” Aspect said, discreetly making sure that his heart was exactly where it was supposed to be. “Haven’t had a student in some time. It’ll be nice to know the old arts aren’t entirely dead.”

“Yup, me, Spitty and a mystery pony are gonna learn your pocus-hocus,” Surprise giggled. She honestly didn’t know who else was coming, she hadn’t stuck around to hear it. “Still, that aside. Great party huh?”

“Yeah, never thought me and my kids and grandkids would ever get so much press,” Aspect said. “Sakes, most ponies actively avoid acting themselves around us. Then again, we are one of the weirder families.”

“The weirdest, but that’s why it’s the best!” Surprise giggled. “Incoming!”

“HIYA!” Pinkie chirped, popping up on his opposite side. “Where ya been hiding Aspy?”

“Just cheering up Bonnie, she brought up Nightmare Night around Luna,” Aspect said. “We may have had a...falling out about that. But everything’s fine now. Bonnie’s happy, the family isn’t shouting at each other. It’s fine.”

“There… were sad ponies?” Pinkie gasped. “And you fixed them?” And then she put a gold sticker on Aspect’s chest that said. ‘No.1 Happiness Assistant.’

“Yes, well, given our family’s history, there may be a bit more of yelling in the future,” Aspect said. “You don’t just...fix this. But we’re getting better about it. Anyways. What’s this about a party?”

“Well duh!” Pinkie sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically. “There’s five new ponies in town and I haven’t thrown a party for them yet!”

“Five?” Aspect asked with a raised eyebrow. “I counted four.”

“I DON’T KNOW HOW, ‘WHAT’ IS SHE?” Mort sighed from behind Pinkie Pie.

“Oh,” Aspect said blankly. “Um. I...what…”

Aspect.exe has stopped working. Abort, retry, ignore?

“And father is broken,” Mort sighed and looked at the house. “Celestia, Luna, we require some assistance.”

The two alicorns appeared and looked at the broken Pegasus. “Oh my, one moment,” Celestia hummed and poked Luna before blocking her ears.

“WAKE UP!” Luna unleashed her Voice at point blank range. Aspect was bowled over and sent tumbling across the lawn, eventually landing on his back. He raised a hoof though, and managed to voice a demand.

“How in the love of all that is holy, did Pinkie Pie manage to touch Mort and drag him here without her dying?!”

Pinkie just shrugged and bounced away.

“I believe she wields chaos,” Mortal shrugged. There was also the promise of cake.

“Right,” Aspect said, pulling himself onto his hooves. “Nearly forgot. Don’t question Pinkie Pie. Okay.” He shook his head to clear it again. “Okay. So this is a party for us all? I mean...as we are? Because I’m pretty sure I’m still supposed to be a pegasus for now.”

“I’d say so,” Surprise said with a shrug.

“That is what Lady Pie explained,” Luna nodded.

“Out of deference to your political games,” Aspect said with a bow to Celestia. “I’ll refrain. I doubt any other form I possess would go over well. Let’s just enjoy the party.”

“Of course,” Celestia said. “Oh, this party does remind me of something. The Grand Galloping Gala is coming up soon. I trust you’ll be attending?”

“The whata what?” Aspect asked with a tilted head. “Oh, that thing Rarity was making all the dresses for. Sorry to say, but I doubt I have an invitation.”

“You do not need one,” Celestia snorted. “Do you honestly think I would need them for my own family? You are always welcome in Canterlot. Anywhere, anytime.”

“Huh,” Aspect mused. “Well maybe then. Depends on if I have too many other things going on. I mean from the sound of it, it sounds an awful lot like a boring night for me.”

“Hmm, I think this one might be interesting,” Celestia chuckled and put that damned ‘I know something you don’t’ smile on her face. “Now, go and enjoy the party. I hear a certain school teacher is around here somewhere.”

“Oh goodie,” Aspect said, perking up a bit. “More students. Young ones at that. If there’s one thing I liked, it was teaching and learning new things.”

“Father?” Was that… Yggdrasil? He normally didn’t talk much if you weren’t in his cave. This was...new.

“Yggdrasil? My son? This is novel, though not unwelcome. Hello. How are you?” Aspect ‘thought’ back.

“As well as I can be… Father, are you near Magic right now?”

“I don’t quite know,” Aspect mused. “Everypony was invited to this party. Yet I don’t see her...which is odd. You would think that with me taking up a teaching role, she would be the first one to pounce on the opportunity to learn…”

“I cannot feel her Father, Magic has… vanished.”

That...was concerning. If Yggdrasil couldn’t feel someone...well. There was still an option. One that he didn’t use all that often. And he wouldn’t have to talk to his children to do it either.

“One second. Let me just…” Aspect reached out with his magical senses for an artifact that he’d buried far beneath Yggdrasil’s roots. The Heart of Ponyland, moved to Equestria after the great freeze. “I guard the Heart, and the Heart guards me,” he intoned.

Instantly he was connected to Equestria on an entirely different level than he had been a moment ago. He could sense things the way Yggdrasil could, now. He looked at Ponyville with his magical senses, and ‘saw’ the trail of Twilight Sparkle going into the Everfree Forest...and not coming back out. “...There is one way this could have happened,” he eventually said to Yggdrasil. “Something like this happened once before, where ponies just...stopped. But seeing as how Mort is here, I doubt she is dead.”

Yggdrasil was silent for a moment. “I am sensing…. Kindness. And… a small amount of Chaos in my forest.”

“It happened before you were born,” Aspect said with a sigh. “Crunch...turned ponies to stone. Because it amused him. It was only after Discord’s...rampage, that I found that some of the creatures he’d twisted...didn’t untwist with the Harmony wave. There is a beast called the cockatrice...that if it looks you in the eye, can duplicate those powers. It tried it on me, but turning me to stone is less of an inconvenience than it would be if it happened to somepony else.”

“I see, I will observe and keep you updated then.”

“Yes, and if too many ponies are turned to stone in the forest...actually, did I not give you some of Crunch’s essence when I formed you? You should be able to scan for statues. I should be able to scan for statues. In any case...if you find any more pony-statues in the forest, just let me know. I know the trick to unstoning them.”

“I see… ahh, I found her. And… a chicken? Well, Kindness is… Father?” Yggdrasil sounded… well, Aspect wasn’t quite sure what emotion that was. Surprise? Slight panic? “Did you give Kindness such a skill?”

“Not that I’m aware of, no,” Aspect replied.

“Well… she has freed both Magic and, the chicken.”

“...You know, I did learn something from the first one I encountered,” Aspect said with a slight chuckle. “If you can outstare them, it causes them to panic and reverse their magic.”

“...Equestria is weird,” Yggdrasil sighed. “Good night father. I think I need to sleep for a bit.”

“Says the crystalline magical talking tree,” Aspect riposted. “Take care. I’ll enjoy the party for you.”

“Say hello to Tia and Lulu for me.”

Inside was just as busy as the outside. Ponies were everywhere and most seemed surprised to see Celestia and Luna walking about. Neptune was busy telling stories of his adventures to some foals and a few stallions… and more than a few mares were swooning over him. Pyroclastia was the center of attention, none dared touch her, bust she basked in their awed looks.

Mortal was understandably avoided, but hey, nopony ran away screaming. Granny Smith was giving him the stink eye though.

“Well, it’s going better than I thought it would be,” Aspect mused. “Now. If I were a school teacher, where would I be?...”

After some asking around, he found her admiring the ballroom. She was an earth pony mare with a mulberry coat and three smiling flowers for a Cutie Mark.

“Hello,” Aspect said, bowing to her. “I understand that you’ve been looking for me.”

“Hmm? Oh, well I heard the opposite,” she smiled back. “I hear you’re going to start teaching something?” She blinked and then held out a hoof. “Oh, where are my manners. My name is Cheerilee. Local schoolteacher.”

“Balanced Aspect, master of the old ways,” Aspect said. “With your permission, I’d like to teach the foals of Ponyville some of the ancient arts. The ones you think are mature enough to handle magical tutoring. I have lots of old lore accrued from my travels, and I can use the pegasus stuff quite easily.” By way of demonstration, he flapped a wing and caused a light breeze to be felt the entire length of the ballroom.

“Wow…” Cheerilee whispered. She’d never seen something like this, or somepony quite so handsome. “Are you sure? If it’s pegasus magic, we only have a few students. And well…” She looked around and nodded. “I’m afraid one of them can’t even fly just yet.”

“Then it’s all the more important that she or he learn,” Aspect said. “Besides, I also know of the Gifts of the Earth and how Sorcery used to work. Earth Pony and Unicorn magics, respectively. It might just be that if a student is having trouble with their magic, that they’re simply in tune with other magic.”

“Hmm, this sounds a little over my head,” Cheerilee frowned, her brow knitting in confusion. “But, I would not be adverse to you coming by the class. You come highly recommended after all. It’s not every day Princess Celestia herself vouches for you.”

“I promise that I’ll do my best to make sure class is conducted in a safe, responsible manner,” Aspect said, holding a hoof to his chest. “I’ll draw up a lesson plan and everything.”

He could almost feel Twilight’s squee from somewhere inside his home.

“Well, let me know if you need any help, I’ll be more than happy to assist you,” Cheerilee smiled and bat her eyes at him.

“We’ll probably want a few training weights for the unicorns...and nice, cushy mats for the pegasi to land on,” Aspect said. “Just to make sure that nothing goes wrong.”

“I’ll request some right away,” she said as she walked towards the door. Were? Her flanks had a nice sway to them. Not that he was looking.

“Well, two offers down, one to go,” Aspect said, idly wondering if he was going to be ambushed by anypony else tonight. Either a unicorn from Celestia’s school or one of the Bearers was his guess as to who would find him next.

“Hey Aspect,” Rainbow said, balancing two cups of punch on her wings. “Thirsty?”

“As a matter of fact, yeah,” Aspect said, guiding a cup to him with a little bit of air manipulation. “I’ve been doing a lot of talking today.”

“Yeah, I’d imagine,” Rainbow chuckled and rubbed her leg awkwardly. “I um… I was wondering…”

“Go on,” Aspect said with a roll of a hoof.

“When you mentioned Pegasus magic,” she said, looking away. “Well… it got me thinking. If I could do something like the sonic rainboom. You said… that was magic right?”

“You broke the sound barrier and caused a shockwave of color,” Aspect pointed out. “Unless you just naturally are that fast, I would say a little bit of magic went into making the impossible possible.”

“Well… I guess I’m awesome like that huh?” Rainbow got some more of her confidence back. “So uh, I was… just wondering. I mean, could you maybe teach me more?”

“Let me give you a little demonstration as to one of the more difficult skills a pegasus used to be able to do,” Aspect said, flaring a wing. It took a moment, before Rainbow realized that the light reflecting off his wing...wasn’t just light.

That was lightning dancing across his feathers.

“Ohmygosh!” Rainbow stared at him like a foal on Christmas. “That’s… there’s no stormclouds here. HOW are you doing that!?”

“Pegasus magic, but as with most things, I cheat a little,” Aspect said. “That doesn’t mean it’s not possible for a pegasus to do, I just have a massive advantage in getting this going sooner.”

“So. Awesome!” Rainbow squeed and flapped her wings. “I so wanna do that! Imagine the tricks I could do? The Wonderbolts will be begging to let me join!”

“My teaching style might be a little rough, just so you know,” Aspect said. “I mean, you were probably taught one way. The way I was taught these things, runs contrary to how most ponies are taught these days. It definitely won’t be easy.”

“Hah, you act like I like the easy road,” Rainbow thumped her chest. Aspect would have responded.

If he hadn’t felt a magical presence. One he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

The Aspect of Battle…

“If you’ll pardon me, I have an errant daughter to go find,” Aspect said, bowing to Rainbow Dash and making his way through the party. Where was she? Chryssy was always so hard to find, but one Aspect always called to another. He knew where his other children were, it was just a matter of focusing on her signature…

He stepped outside, and as the clouds moved from the moon’s light, he saw her.

Standing amongst the trees, She was… taller now. Her black carapace shone like ebony, her hole-filled hooves beling the strength they held. Her mane and tail hung like moss and her draconic, emerald eyes stared right into his soul.

And they burned with anger.

“Chryssy?” Aspect said carefully. “My little grub? You’re...not angry with me, are you?”

That stare just continued until it shifted ever so slightly. His gaze followed and he saw Celestia through the window, laughing at a joke Pinkie Pie told. He could almost feel the Changeling’s hate. But when he looked back to her, she was gone, a few motes of emerald light remaining of her teleport.

“Chryssy,” Aspect said, a tear falling down his cheek. “They’d welcome you, if you but walked in the light with them. Why...why do you hide, my daughter…”

From the darkness, she watched him turn and walk back inside.

“I will have… what is rightfully MINE!”

Author's Notes:

What are you talking about, I totally didn't forget to upload the chapter. See?

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