The morning started out not unlike any other, Aspect rolled out of bed and went to find the elixir that would allow him to resemble something akin to a functioning member of society. Celestia still hadn’t returned from Canterlot and Pup seemed to be settling in nicely.

However, something was new about this day.

Namely the cyan pegasus sitting at his dining table, a mug of fresh brew waiting for him.

“Morning,” she waved. “Bout time you woke up.”

“Stuff it, I’m old,” Aspect sniped back as he drew closer, before grabbing the free mug and downing it in seconds.

“Morning~” the caffeinated pony chirped at her as he lowered the mug.

“...I literally have no words for that,” Rainbow shrugged. “Have fun with Candy flanks last night? Sorry I didn’t come by, had to catch up on the weather work I ditched to go save Rarity.”

“It’s fine, I know your job comes first,” Aspect waved with a wing. “Besides, I have to get used to my new lows anyways.”

“Lows?” Rainbow questioned. “Whaddaya mean?”

“I just gave up the Aspect of Earth,” Aspect elaborated. “It’s what was providing me with super-pony strength and stamina. Now the only thing running through me is the Aspect of Air. Meaning I can still turn clouds stormy and cheat at the Gale King and Pegasus magic, but I’ll wear out like anypony else.”

Rainbow’s smiled widened. “So… you don’t have as much stamina huh~?”

“It’s a sad truth, but the world needs a new Aspect more than I need to be a superpony,” Aspect replied, sighing as he looked into his empty mug.

“Aww, so we won’t see any repeats of the other night?” she hummed, moving around behind him. “So the next time Candyflanks and I team up…”

“You both will probably win, yeah,” Aspect agreed, his brain not quite processing what was going on. “Still. Pup’s gonna be a better Aspect of Earth than I ever was.”

“You think so?” Rainbow mused as Bon Bon came downstairs, her mane and tail done up in a classic ‘bedhair’ style. “Oh, mornin, Sweet cheeks!”

Bon Bon just rolled her eyes as she took a seat, stealing Rainbow’s coffee. “Urgh… I’m exhausted today…”

“Sounds like breakfast in town, since we all know what you think of my cooking,” Aspect quipped. “Let me just check up on the others and I’ll be ready to go.” He moved to stand up from his chair.

“Hey,” Rainbow asked. “You two look pretty beat, why don’t you go to the spa? I know Rarity and Fluttershy go today as well.”

“Ooh, I haven’t been to the spa in ages!” Bon Bon sighed and turned to face Aspect, setting her Cute to maximum.

“All right, fine, you could have just asked,” Aspect chuckled. “No need to cute me into taking you. I’ll go make sure the others are okay first, then we can head out for a day on the town. Breakfast and spa visits for all.”

“Yay~” Bon Bon said before falling forward and snoring on the table.

“Heh, I’ll get her, you go and find your rugrats,” Rainbow chuckled. Aspect walked over and gave Rainbow a kiss on the cheek before walking off, humming a little tune as he did and leaving said pegasus to grumble about sappy stallions.

So along with Bon Bon and Dash, Luna and Realm also decided to tag along. The two of them were looking forward to a professional preening, though Realm seemed especially interested when the fact that the spa was run by twin mares was brought up.

Once inside, the mare to greet them had a blue coat with a slicked back pink mane. A white headband kept it out of her eyes as she smiled at the group.

“Welcome to ze Ponyville spa,” she said with an exotic accent. One that reminded Aspect of an Eastern European one. “My name is Lotus Blossom, how may we help you?”

“All right,” Aspect said, before pointing at Luna. “Professional wing care.” The hoof shifted to Realm. “Real professional wing care, he uses his wings as a paintbrush.” He leaned in to whisper to Lotus. “But be careful around him. He might look like a colt, but he’s a pervert.”

“But he iz but a child,” Lotus blinked. “Ahh, he iz getting to zat age?”

“Exactly,” Aspect agreed, without elaborating. His hoof shifted to point at Bon Bon. “She’s worn out from all the adventures around town, so she could use a bit of pampering.” Then his hoof shifted to point at Rainbow. “Captain of the Weather Team, professional athlete. I think the massage would go down a treat on her.”

“So, two wing care packages, a deluxe package and a massage and spa package,” Lotus nodded. “And, for you?”

“Well, I’ve never been in one, and I’ve been a knight for Celestia for a long, long time,” Aspect replied, bowing and spreading his wings slightly to the mare. “I place myself in your hooves.”

“Ohh, such a gentlestallion,” Lotus giggled. “Zen we will show you to ze spa and massage tables as well.” She pointed at a cupboard behind them. “You will find ze robes and slippers in there, once you are done, head through zat door zere,” her hoof moved to another door.

“You heard the nice mare,” Aspect said to the assembled crowd, leading the charge and reaching the cupboard first. He passed out robes to Realm and Luna, letting them get dressed before turning to Rainbow and Bon Bon. “And one for you two too,” he said, holding up a larger robe than the child-sized ones for Bon Bon and Rainbow in both hooves.

The door opened to reveal another mare, she looked near identical to Lotus, only with an inverted colour palette. A pink coat with a blue mane and tail in an identical style. “Welcome honoured guests,” she greeted them. “I am Aloe and my sister and I will be your hostesses for today.”

Aspect nodded at her, before pointedly gesturing for Aloe to talk to Lotus. He didn’t want either sister to be unprepared for his adopted son. It was a statement of fact that he felt that he had to warn nigh everyone now, after that incident with Twilight. Plus, he didn’t know if Realm knew about his...arrangement. Or might look to replicate it.

Lotus nodded and whispered something to Aloe, the mare smiling. “Ah, well we cannot have zat,” she said and winked at Aspect. “With your permission, I have a ‘special’ treatment for ze young gentlecolt.”

“If you’re sure,” Aspect replied with a shrug of his wings. They were the professionals, after all.

The group was led inside and Aspect saw that this building was massive. They had a large wooden tub, more like the size of a small swimming pool. Several smaller baths that looked like they were so shallow, they barely covered one’s hooves. And, were those baths filled with… mud?

Aspect elected not to question it. He wasn’t in for the full package anyways. As long as Bon Bon and Rainbow Dash were happy, he’d be happy. He had his suspicions about whether or not Realm would be happy. And Luna would probably enjoy it. He didn’t recall there being such services offered back in the castle.

Luna was led off to a separate room, and after the door closed, there was a yelp from the mare inside. Seems Luna preferred her true form when being preened.

“If you would come zis way,” Aloe said to Aspect and Rainbow. “I will show you to ze sauna while our masseuses finish up wiz anozer client.”

“Sounds good to me,” Aspect replied, bumping flanks with Rainbow. “A nice soak before we get massaged.”

“...Do you know what a sauna is?” Rainbow blinked. “Alright, show us the way ladies.”

They were soon escorted to the steam rooms, and best of all, they had the whole room to themselves. For Aspect, all he saw was a room made of treated wood, a bench went all the way around and a metal bowl in the center holding a pile of dark stones.

“O...kay?” Aspect more asked than said as he walked in, not sure what he was supposed to do here. Rainbow directed him to sit on the bench as she tossed some water into the stones. They hissed loudly as thick steam filled the room.

“And now we sit,” she said as she lay down, stretching her wings out and sighing.

“Seems...rather fancy for a steam room,” Aspect replied as he stretched out on another bench. Aloe had left and closed the door behind her, clearly going back to see to some of the other, numerous clients they had today.

“I dunno what it’s for,” Rainbow shrugged. “Rarity mentioned something about toxins and skin… meh, I just chill here before getting a bath and massage.”

“It’s probably good for you in some fashion or another, I would imagine,” Aspect replied as he just lay stretched-out on his bench. “Pretty relaxing, all things considered. Never been in one before.”

“Mmm, and the time alone is good as well hmm?” Rainbow purred, her tail flicking against his flank.

“I’m getting ideas and having trouble not acting on them,” Aspect warned her as he lay there, not quite meeting her gaze.

“Oh, what sort of ideas?” Rainbow hummed, whistling innocently.

“The sort of ideas that leave us in a hot and sticky mess,” Aspect elaborated. “Which we’d have a heck of a time explaining away, as we’re in public.”

“Hmm,” Rainbow smiled and winked at him. “Is that so~” her tail brushed up against him again.

“Plus I don’t think you learned that thing from Bon Bon yet,” the stallion elaborated. “So that method of hiding the mess is out.”

“That thing?” Rainbow blinked and blushed. “W-Well… shut up.”

“I mean I could stuff it somewhere else,” Aspect mused as he turned onto his side and reached a hoof out to touch her flank. “But the problem with that is, it’d leak.”

Rainbow went to respond, but the door opened as two more mares entered the room, Rainbow recognised them as Carrot Top and Ditzy Doo. ‘Dang it, just as it was getting good.’

“Oh, hi Rainbow Dash!” Ditzy waved and looked at Aspect, one golden eye focused on him while the other found the ceiling very interesting. Aspect sighed and rolled onto his belly before waving at the pair.

“Hello,” the stallion said to them both. “I don’t believe I recall your names, I’m sorry to say.”

“I’m Carrot Top, I own and work the carrot farm here in Ponyville,” the orange earth pony smiled.

“And I’m Ditzy Doo,” the pegasus beamed happily. “You teach my daughter Dinky magic.”

“Oh?” Aspect replied, raising an eyebrow. “Mm. It’s possible. We only took nine students out of the class. What sort of magic? I teach Aeromancy and the Gale King, my assistants handle Sorcery and Geomancy.”

“Um, well she’s a unicorn,” Ditzy said and looked a little embarrassed. “Sorry, I really didn’t understand a lot of what she said. My Little Muffin is much smarter than her Mommy.”

“That’s something to be proud of,” Aspect smiled at her. “I know that my kids are going to go on to do great things. All because I was there to help them get started.”

“Dinky is the world to me,” Ditzy smiled as she took a seat next to Carrot. She looked between him and Rainbow Dash and her eyes slowly widened as she started to blush.

“We’re just in here for a bit of steam before we get massaged,” Aspect explained. “I’ve never been to one and I think miss Dash here could use a visit every now and again.”

Dash groaned and thunked her head against the bench.

“Am… I missing something?” Carrot blinked.

“No,” Ditzy giggled. “Just funny to meet a pegasus that sees even less than me~”

“I’ve been out of touch for a while,” Aspect admitted with a shrug. “Chasing monsters and the like. My social skills might be a little bit rusty.”

“Ah, that might explain it,” Ditzy mused as Rainbow glared at her. “Oh, don’t look at me like that Dashie. I’m glad you found a special somepony.” And that caused the blue mare to blush and splutter.

“What? How do you figure that?” Carrot blinked, just as lost as Aspect.

“She’s practically screaming it,” Ditzy hummed. “I mean, the pert ears, slightly raised wings that show the underside. Her tail flicking slowly…”

“Oooohhkay!” Rainbow blushed brighter. “I think we’ve been in here long enough! Let’s go Aspect!”

“Ap,” Aspect interjected, catching Rainbow before she could leave and drawing her in closer. “Tell me honestly. Have I been blind? It’s been ages, I don’t think I properly learned how to speak ‘Pegasus’ before I left. You can be honest, I won’t be offended.”

“Ahhh…” Rainbow wilted as Ditzy giggled again. “Oh shut up… Clouds, this is so embarrassing… Was I really telling that much?”

“Mmm, I might have been teasing a little,” Ditzy giggled. “But trust me Mr. Aspect, she hasn’t been shy in showing other pegasi you belong to her.”

“Oh really now,” Aspect grinned as he looked at the pegasus in his grasp. “I belong to you, do I?”

“I… argh, shut up…” she blushed harder. Coupled with the steam meant he had a rather red pegasus in his grip instead of blue.

“You,” Aspect started, before leaning in and pressing their muzzles together. “Are going to teach me how to speak pegasus when we get home. Got it? That way I don’t get caught off guard again.”

“I...um…” This was rather new, seeing Rainbow Dash all cute and flustered.

Carrot and Ditzy were also staring rather expectantly at them.

“This is better than those romance novellas,” Carrot whispered.

“I know right,” Ditz giggled and licked her lips.

Aspect decided to go full hog, and kissed Dash.

On the lips.

With tongue.

One she was too surprised to return as the other two mares stared with wide, expectant eyes. Dash soon recovered and pushed him back onto the bench, deepening the kiss.

Aspect smirked and reached up to hug the mare, running his hooves over her form. Hey, he could get used to a steam room if things kept getting steamy in it~

Rainbow moaned into the kiss, those tight flanks of hers were just the most delightful things to touch. She wrestled his tongue with hers and moaned again as he touched her Cutie Marks.

“...wow…” Carrot and Ditzy breathed, staring wide-eyed at the pair making out right in front of them. Eventually, though, the fact that they had an audience meant they had to stop. It took a remarkable amount of self-control to not pin Dash to the bench and screw her through it like the naughty pony she was, but Aspect pulled it off. He pulled back from the kiss and brought Dash in for a simple hug, nuzzling her and smiling at her.

“Awww,” Carrot and Ditzy sighed, both at the cuteness, and the disappointment that the show was already over. The grey pegasus’ wings were flared out and the earth pony panted slightly.

“Tch! M’not cute,” Rainbow pouted.

“Not yet you aren’t,” Aspect muttered up to her. “Gimmie like five minutes at home, I can make you be cute with just a touch~”

“S-Shut the buck up!” Rainbow squeaked as the other two blushed hard.

“My adorably beautiful pegasus,” Aspect cooed. “You’re so pretty~ So attractive~”

“Quittit!” Rainbow said, hiding behind her wings.

“I mean honestly, have you mares seen her flanks,” Aspect asked the others, trying to get backup. “Apparently all her training isn’t for looks.”

“Well, I do have to admit that despite her attitude, Dashie is pretty adorable,” Ditzy giggled.

“Mhm,” Carrot nodded as Dash sunk further into the corner. Maybe if she curled into a little red ball of embarrassment, nopony would notice her.

Aspect got up and sat next to Dash, nuzzling softly at the wings she was hiding herself behind. Maybe he had pushed it a little far, but all those words had been true.

Then she launched herself at him, tackling him to the bench and kissing him with unbridled passion.

Okay, apparently she didn’t hold it against him. Or responded to being embarrassed with lavish displays of affection. Either were good by him. He felt his wings pop as she pinned him to the bench.

“Whoohoo, go Dashie!” Ditzy cheered as the pegasus showed her stallion who wore the metaphorical pants in this relationship.

Aspect growled and reached up with both hooves, gripping the smaller mare by the barrel before flipping the situation around. Now, he was the one pinning her. One of his hooves wandered to her flank and rubbed her cutie mark as he enjoyed the smaller mare below him.

Rainbow squeaked from the sudden role reversal, but moaned as he touched her. Okay, so her flanks were a sensitive spot huh.

Aspect leaned back and pulled Dash into a sitting position, never once breaking the kiss. Now they were on equal footing, and he didn’t stop touching her flank with one hoof or another.

Oh yeah. He liked steam rooms now.

“This… is kinda hot,” Carrot breathed heavily, her unblinking eyes staring at the scene before them. “Should I feel bad for enjoying this.”

“Shush! We’ll scare them off,” Ditzy whispered back.

Aspect slowly pulled away, looking Dash in the eyes as he smiled at her. “To be continued,” he promised. “Just not in public.”

“Awwww!” Carrot and Ditzy whined again.

“Huh… what the, you’re still here!?” Rainbow squeaked, her eyes widening. And with a burst of speed, Aspect was left hugging a fading rainbow.

“Well, guess it’s on to the next part for me,” the stallion sighed dramatically as he waved good-bye to Ditzy and Carrot Top. “Take care. I have a mare to go wrangle and ensure gets to the massaging table.”

They watched him leave and looked at one another.

“We have got to come to the spa more often,” Ditzy said, Carrot nodding in agreement.

After the sauna, he found Rainbow and once he’d calmed her down with nuzzles, they headed for the massage room. Aloe and Lotus were waiting and two tables were free.

Ten minutes prior…

“So, what shall we do for you little colt?” Lotus purred as she helped Realm up onto a table.

“Such a handsome little zing,” Aloe agreed.

“Well my wings get a lot of work,” the pinto pegasus said, stretching them out as far as he could. “I could do with some help there...one colt is only good for so much.”

“Mm, such an impressive wingspan for one so young,” Aloe hummed as she touched a wing.

“Perhaps we should do somezing… special~” Lotus said, her mouth close to his ear.

“Oh?” Realm asked as he looked at the twins. He honestly liked them a lot, from an artistic standpoint. They matched very well. He would have loved to have given them a more...personal examination. “What sort of thing would you do?” he asked, feigning innocence.

“Mmm, we have a ‘special’ service for somepony like you,” Lotus replied.

“One zat will make you feel…” Aloe leaned down. “Oh. So. Good~”

“What, like some kind of special preening, maybe a massage?” Realm asked. He’d had to be the ‘cute little colt’ on more than one occasion, and it had paid off.

“Oh somezing like that,” Aloe giggled.

“Your fazer told us all about you,” Lotus replied as she nuzzled behind his ear. “So… we shall give you our very best~”

Realm felt, for the first time, a pang of uncertainty. The last time his father had told someone about him was that Clover lookalike...but the way they were acting, they weren’t acting like they knew what he was…

“Close you eyes little colt,” Aloe said, nuzzling him as well.

“And you shall receive pleasures unknown~” Lotus finished.

Realm closed his eyes, wondering what the next step was…

Then, after a moment, he felt somepony tending to his wings and it was divine! Whomever it was, really knew what they were doing. The colt let out a pleased little sigh as his body sagged a little. He hadn’t preened in ages and sorely needed this.

Various oils were applied to bring out the feather’s luster and a conditioner added to soften them. Loose feathers were pulled and others straightened. And all of it was done without an iota of pain. The slight itching misaligned feathers brought melted away. The colt had dutifully kept his eyes closed through all of this, not wanting the sensation to end like he imagined it might if he opened his eyes. It just kept getting better and better the longer it went on. Surely it had to stop at some point, right? It couldn’t go on forever.

And once that was done, a pair of hooves begun to massage his back, working out all the little knots and kinks that had built up from hunching over an easel. Realm let out a little moan at that, all but melting under the touch as he finally gave up the fight to remain seated, instead opting to lay down.

Shoulders, back, legs… His body felt like jelly under the touch.

“How does such a little colt get so much tension?” a flamboyant voice said, a voice that definitely wasn’t one of the twins… or a mare for that matter.

Realm debated internally about whether or not he should be offended that he’d been passed off to a stallion, before the absolute bliss that he was experiencing told him otherwise. No, he could deal with not being touched by a mare, if this stallion was as good at caring for customers like he clearly was. But he’d figure out a way to get back at the twins.

Maybe an anonymous picture left on their doorstep in the middle of the night.

Back in the adjoining room, Dash and Aspect were at the mercy of the twin’s expert hooves. The stallion feeling a thousand years of tension and stress melting away like water off a duck’s back.

“Ohhh, you have no idea how good that feels,” Aspect moaned as he lay there. “So many old hurts just evaporating…”

“You have a lot of tension,” Aloe noted as she rubbed his shoulders. “You should have come to see us much sooner no?”

“Oohh yeaaahhh~” Rainbow groaned not unlike in a way that Aspect only heard in one other… more private place. “That’s the stuff~”

“Couldn’t...too busy. Might come back though,” Aspect replied before moaning again. “Oh yeah. That feels so good…”

A gentle aroma filled the room from the incense as the twins finished up their work and smiled. “Zere we go, Miss Dash, Mister Aspect. Once you are able, we have a bath waiting for you.”

“Gimmie like...five minutes to enjoy this,” Aspect said, lazily waving a hoof at them. “I’ve never felt so free…”

“Take all ze time you need,” Aloe giggled as the pair left the couple alone to relish this.

“Ahh, damn they’re good,” Rainbow sighed happily. “I feel like a puffy little cloud on a clear day.”

“I feel fresh and ready to take on anything,” Aspect grinned. “I didn’t know just how much tension I was carrying around before now. Holy heck do I feel amazing!”

“Wanna get that bath?” Rainbow asked as she stretched. “Before the oils in our feathers get all sticky?”

“Oh, so that’s why you went for the shower the other night,” Aspect mused ‘innocently’. “Yeah, okay, we should probably do that.”

Rainbow blushed and spluttered. “W-Well, what was I supposed to do!?”

“Wait until the morning, when we could all share one?” the stallion suggested with a wide grin. “I’m sure Bon Bon and I would have loved to help get you clean...and dirty, and clean again.”

“Urgh, you’re such a perv,” Rainbow rolled her eyes as they made their way to the large bath. Rarity and Fluttershy were in there, as well as Bon Bon, who was looking rather blissed out.

“Ah, hello!” Aspect greeted Rarity and Fluttershy as he and Dash joined the other mares in the tub. “You know, I was starting to doubt that we’d run into you here, and yet we eventually met!”

“Oh, Aspect?” Rarity looked quite surprised. “I didn’t think you to be the spa type.”

“I mostly came for the others, but I will definitely be coming back for their massages if nothing else,” Aspect replied as he felt the water wash the oils out of his feathers. It had a rather… nice scent to it as well, the mineral waters relaxing him more.

Rainbow moved up next to him and smiled at the others. “Yeah,” she agreed… as something touched him in a rather… intimate place. “It was pretty nice to just come and chill.”

“Really get rid of your tension,” Aspect agreed as he did his utmost to control himself. “Which, considering our active lifestyles, we could really use. Heck, I bet Applejack could do with a massage here every now and then, considering how much farmwork she does.”

“I know darling,” Rarity sighed. “She and Rainbow Dash are impossible! If only I could get them in my store for an hour. Oh the wonders I could work…”

“Pass,” Rainbow shrugged as her hoof started to move. “You know I can’t stand all that frou-frou stuff.”

“I’ll bring it up with Applejack to at least get her to consider coming in here on occasion,” Aspect said with a shrug of his wings. “Maybe if I point out they do massage packages to loosen a pony up, make them fit for work again, and would likely explain what a room is meant for if they asked, she’d consider it. Though I might have to go the dreaded route of paying for her first trip myself, but if it gets her in here more often, I’d gladly sacrifice some bits. Some things you really should just have done, especially if you constantly push your body to the limit.”

“Yeah, but AJ is busy a lot of the time,” Dash nodded, throwing her tail into the mix, brushing up against his underside as her hoof picked up a little more speed. “It’s hard to find time to do it.”

“Okay, so I find a day when she’s not busy with something or other and induct her into the ways of the spa, got it,” Aspect nodded knowingly, having a harder time keeping himself under control now. Still, he had a few tricks for that left that he could employ. “Maybe if I bribe Applebloom, she’ll tell me her sister’s schedule.”

“I wouldn’t use underhoofed tricks against Applejack,” Rarity warned. “That will not end well for you darling. But, if I may be so daring. Could I ask a favour of you?”

Rainbow ducked under the water, presumably to rinse her mane… and he felt a tongue go somewhere…

“I’m listening,” Aspect replied, hiding his buck with what little was left of his mind after all the teasing they’d done to each other.

“Well you see, dear Fluttershy has kindly agreed to model a few outfits for me,” Rarity said. “Perhaps, you might model a few stallion ones. I don’t know all that many that would be willing…”

“I don’t know,” Aspect mused. “I mean, it would mean you’d put me in a fancier outfit than my cloak…” Sweet gods, when would that mare stop!

“Oh please!” Rarity begged and… what that Rainbow’s mouth!? “It’s just for a few hours at most, a few photos. Nothing much and all you would have to is stand there.”

“Well, okay,” Aspect agreed. “Just this once.” Surely she’d stop. She still didn’t know the trick. She knew the trick, When did she learn the trick!?

Wait… where was Bon Bon? When had she left the bath? Aspect looked around without trying to look like he was looking around.

Four hooves… oh bucking dammit!

“Is everything alright?” Fluttershy asked. “You look a little red Aspect.”

“Fine, just fine,” Aspect replied with a smile. “I’m just gonna dip in, rinse myself off real fast.” Before the others could reply, the stallion had ducked into the bath and was giving a look that all but screamed ‘Really?!’ at the mares under the water.

Once he reappeared, Bon Bon and Rainbow followed.

“Phew!” the prismatic mare sighed. “Thought I’d never get that gunk outta my wings.”

“Well, you have to be thorough,” Bon Bon smiled.

“Indeed you do,” Aspect agreed without a hint of bite to his voice. “I think I’ll stay here for a bit and make sure myself.” And give time for something else to die down.

“Well, I’ll see you at my boutique this afternoon then,” Rarity smiled as she and Fluttershy got out of the bath. “Enjoy your stay dears. Tatah~”

Fluttershy offered a small wave as the pair left, leaving the trio alone in the bath. Aspect sighed before looking at both of the mares in turn. “Bon Bon,” he started. “Did you have an enjoyable stay at least?”

“Mmmm, I feel like a new mare,” she sighed and rolled her neck. “How do you ponies go on adventures like that on a weekly basis?”

“Practice,” Rainbow nodded and smirked at Aspect. “What’s that saying? Turnabout is fair play?”

“Did something happen?” Bon Bon blinked.

“Steam room,” Dash replied flatly. “And in front of Ditzy and Carrot as well.”

“To be fair, I only started a bit of it,” Aspect rejoined. “You responded. Enthusiastically.”

“Bite me,” Dash huffed and folded her forelegs. Aspect smirked playfully and leaned in to nibble at her ear. She squealed and backed away next to Bon Bon, who nibbled her other ear.

“Mmm, tasty bird pony~” she cooed. “What do you say Aspect? Shall we have some lunch~”

“I do wish I could, but I have to go see to whatever Rarity wants of me,” Aspect replied with a sigh. “Though, I will say she blushes adorably when you compliment her figure or beauty, if you’re after that.”

“Aww,” Bon Bon sighed, dropping Dash. “That’s not fair. You get to play with her the other night, and in the steam room, now you’re running away?”

“Well I do have to do other things as well,” Aspect replied, moving over to kiss both mares on the cheek. “Mmm. But I will eagerly respond to whoever is free to join me tonight.” With a cheeky wink, and a light spanking of Dash’s flank, the stallion was off, out of the bath and the door.

“Argh! He totally got away scot-free,” Dash pouted.

“Don’t worry,” Bon Bon said and rubbed her hooves together. “I have a plan~”

“So,” Aspect stated as he looked at himself in the mirror. “Literally just stand here, wear this, and look good?”

“Indeed,” Rarity nodded as she set some feathers and sequins onto Fluttershy’s outfit. Aspect’s was a black suit with red velvet lining. A fedora adorned his head with a phoenix feather poking from the band. “Hm... She's going to want to see attitude and pizzazz.”

“Oh, well, attitude, I can do,” Aspect retorted, ruffling his wings a little and gazing through half-lidded eyes.

“Attitude, not a poor attempt at seduction,” Rarity deadpanned. “Try again.”

Aspect closed his eyes, adjusted himself slightly to flare his wings in a slightly menacing fashion, and opened his eyes again. Only this time, he was glaring with a steely glint in his eyes. One hoof was even pawing at the ground, like he might charge into battle at any moment.

“That is even worse,” Rarity sighed and shook her head. “You look like a bull about to charge. Just… sophisticated. Can you try that perhaps?”

“...I’ve been away from civilization for a thousand years,” Aspect deadpanned. “I mean, I could try imitating those ponies up at Canterlot, but I doubt I’d be able to do it well…”

“Just… show me what you’ve got,” Rarity said like she was talking to a foal. Aspect sighed, relaxed for a second…

And then adopted a much more regal bearing. He held himself in a confident, sure manner, as he gazed caringly at Rarity. He’d been lying when he said he didn’t have practice imitating the ponies from Canterlot.

Celly and Lulu still made their home there, and he’d gotten plenty of practice imitating them, or rather, imitating the show they had to put on for others.

“Ahh! Perfect!” Rarity beamed as she placed a few pins in his outfit. “Just like that and you’ll have them eating out of your hoof.”

“That’s not the only thing he like to eat out of,” Rainbow snickered, causing Twilight and Pinkie Pie to blush.

Aspect glanced to his right as he saw Rarity using Spike as a pin cushion while she made some adjustments to Fluttershy’s outfit.

“I would imagine that might hurt,” the stallion commented. Even his voice had changed slightly, to better imitate the ones he was basing this mimicry off of.

Spike shrugged. “Thick scales. Can't feel a thing. And even if I could, there is no pain that would keep me from assisting the most beautiful creature in the world.” He turned to see if Rarity was out of earshot, before looking back at the other ponies. “I'm gonna tell you four a secret. But you have to promise not to tell anyone.”

Aspect merely gestured for Spike to continue with a hoof.

“I promise,” Twilight agreed.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie agreed, actually sticking a cupcake she pulled from her mane in her eye.

“Sure,” Rainbow said.

Spike looked around again before taking a breath. “I have a crush on Rarity!”

Pinkie gasped in surprise. “I promise not to tell!”

“I’ve heard weirder, but I’m the best at keeping secrets,” Aspect agreed amicably.

“Really?’ Twilight deadpanned. “Everypony knows about your—”

“Twilight!” Pinkie scolded her. “You promised Spike you wouldn't say anything. He trusts you. And losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend forever!”

“But—”

“Forever!!” Pinkie said in a lower tone, one that sent shivers up the spines of the equines for some reason.

Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes. “My lips are sealed. Though I'm pretty sure Rarity is gonna pick up on your feelings.”

The doorbell rang and a pony burst in. She was an earth pony with a light blue coat and a bleached white mane and tail. She wore a full body dress, black and white striped with a little magenta around the skirt. The ascot she wore accented that as well.

And for some reason, she also wore a pair of rather large purple glasses… or goggles. It was hard to tell.

“I, Photo Finish… have arrived!” she declared, her voice hinting at an Austrian accent. Aspect opted not to say anything, instead deciding to see how this played out. It was already shaping to be interesting, based on her verbal tics.

Rarity tittered as she walked over to her. “Photo Finish, I must say what an honor this is—”

“We begin… now!” the mare said, taking out a camera.

“Attitude and pizzazz,” Rarity stage-whispered to the pair of dressed up ponies.

“Now, show Photo Finish something.” the mare said, her camera flashing as Fluttershy did practically nothing but cower. The mare moved between the two of them, Aspect doing his best to hold the regal pose that he’d practiced earlier. “No. Yeesss. No…. yeeesss.. NO! YES! Enough!” And as quick as it started, she stopped and put her camera away.

“Well that was painless,” Aspect mused aloud, still in his mimicry of his daughters.

“She hardly took any pictures,” Twilight commented.

“I’m so sorry,” Fluttershy whimpered. “I tried my best.”

“Well, the headdress is too big for you and cape had too much sparkle,” Rarity sighed. “I can't believe I ever thought I could impress her.”

“Fashionable ponies are different,” Aspect commented, finally dropping his mimicry and returning to normal. “What was the name of that stallion that you had judge your fashion show? He was...unique as well.” He would refrain from saying how out of respect.

Photo Finish held up a hoof. “It would seem that I, Photo Finish, have discovered the next fashion stars of Equestria!”

Rarity blinked. “Wait, really?”

Photo nodded. “Yes. Really. And I, Photo Finish, am going to help her to shine all over Equestria. Tomorrow, a photo shoot in ze park.” she paused for a moment. ”I go!”

And go she did, the mare vanishing as quickly as she came.

Rarity’s smile could not be any wider. “Did you hear that? I am going to ‘shine all over Equestria’.”

“Good on you both,” Aspect replied, under the impression he wasn’t wanted for this. “I’ll still attend to see how it goes, but I don’t think there’s much call for a stallion model.”

“Oh, the male model industry is just as large as the one for mares,” Rarity said with a nod. “Stallions wear clothes too. So naturally, I’ll need your assistance. If it’s compensation you’re worried about, I’ll be happy to pay you.”

“I really don’t need payment,” Aspect said with a shake of his head. “But I honestly don’t think I can do it too often. What with Pup, teaching at the school, teaching the Wonderbolts...my schedule is looking pretty cramped as it is. I’ll help out a friend every now and then, but don’t expect it to be a regular thing.”

“Of course,” Rarity nodded. “If I’m being a bother, just say so. I’m sure I can make do with Fluttershy…” She turned and looked at Rainbow. “And Rainbow likes to act like a stallion most times…”

“Hey!”

“Well, I have a home to make sure is still standing,” Aspect replied, before looking at the various pins keeping the outfit on his body. “Um. Little help?”

“Oh, of course,” Rarity smiled as she assisted him in getting undressed. Once he was free, she packed the outfit away, along with the one that Fluttershy had on.

“Well, I should get back to the library,” Twilight said and looked at Aspect. “Oh, and could you tell Realm he’s forgiven? That aside, I did enjoy talking with him.”

“If I can find him,” Aspect replied with a snort. “I think he’s looking for a practice yard to train in. I should see about building one. Maybe a nice peaceful garden to meditate in.”

“Well, the library is always quiet,” Twilight said. “He’s free to paint there until you have something. Anyway, I should go. See you later.”

“Later,” Rainbow nodded as she and Pinkie left. She was busy waving, she didn’t notice the stallion coming up behind her…

At least, she didn’t notice him, until he started nibbling the tip of one of her ears. She let out a rather high-pitched squeak and flew up to the ceiling, glaring down at the stallion.

“Y-You… You…” She blushed and waved a hoof at him. “Cheater!!”

“All’s fair in love and war, and with you the lines oftimes do blur,” Aspect quipped at her.

“Oh great, now he thinks he’s a zebra,” she rolled her eyes. “Hmm, well if you can catch me… you get a prize~ 321GO!” And with a blur, she shot from the room and out into the sky.

“Apologies mares, but I have a suddenly appearing engagement,” Aspect said to Rarity and Fluttershy, before he was off as well. If anybody had been looking, they would have seen a muted flash from his body as he started channeling the full Aspect of Air once again.

The two pegasi landed on Aspect’s front lawn, a hair’s breadth between them. Favoured winds and other Aspect tricks saw that he caught up quickly, but it was up for debate on who won the impromptu race.

“Hah! I totally won!” Rainbow cheered. “Whoo! Yeah! And the crowd goes wild. Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!”

Aspect smirked, reached out, and pulled Dash into a quick kiss. Well that shut her up rather quickly and effectively.

She pushed back after a minute and stared at him. “Hey, I won. No prize for you.”

“Au contraire,” Aspect smirked, before parroting her exact words back at her. “‘Hmm, well, if you can catch me...you get a prize~’” The stallion trapped her in a hug and smiled at her. “I caught me a Dash.”

“Ahh horseapples,” Dash swore. “Well… fine. I guess you do get a prize then.”

“I’ll be sure to cash it in later tonight,” Aspect smirked at her, before grabbing her flank. “Aren’t you the weather captain for Ponyville? I wouldn’t keep you from your highly important job.”

“...I’m late?” She looked at the distant clock tower. “I’m LATE!?” She rocketed off, leaving a cloud of dust and an upside down Aspect in her wake.

“Well,” Aspect mused to himself as he picked himself up and looked at the house. “I suppose I could do other things while everyone else is busy.” He idly wondered when any of the other alicorns might pay Pup a visit. He wanted to be there to see that.

Inside the house, he was greeted with quite the sight.

Princess Celestia, still in her full regalia…

Putting away an entire three-tier cake with a look of utter contempt on her face, oddly switching to a second of bliss with every bite before flipping around to rage again.

“And this is why my food bill is so high,” Aspect deadpanned. “Maybe you should level a tax on the noble houses that don’t know how to take ‘no’ for an answer. Call it the ‘idiot tax’ and send it to me so I can keep you swimming in cake when you come to visit.”

“I mean this with the utmost amount of love I have,” Celestia replied in a dry tone. “Go jump off a cliff into a cacti field.”

By way of answer, Aspect merely flared his wings with a cheeky grin on his face. “But seriously,” he stated after a moment. “What is it this time?”

“Ohh, you know,” she replied with a mountain of sarcasm. “Just tried taking your advice. Unfortunately, I cannot revoke noble titles without reason. If they committed some sort of crime, then yes. But it’s not illegal to be irritating and stupid.” Another slice of cake made it’s way home. She was like a piranha with a sweet tooth. “Despite the fact that they’re nothing but overgrown foals… no, I revoke that, I’ve met foals with more sense…”

“And this is why I wish Chryssy was more social,” Aspect sighed as he shook his head. “She’d be able to help you pass the legal documents through the proper channels in a week.”

“I wouldn’t know, I’ve only met her once,” Celestia sighed. “And Luna never has…”

“Though I know that there’s someone here you haven’t met yet~” Aspect smiled at Celestia. “Didn’t you feel it?”

“Feel what?” Celestia muttered and her eyes widened. “Crunch is… Where’s your Earth magic!?”

“Found a new Earth Aspect,” Aspect hummed. “And let’s be honest, we needed one.”

“After so long…” Celestia stood up and with a quick spell, cleaned herself off. “Right. Show me to him or her.”

“No idea where he is, to be honest,” Aspect replied, before looking at the nearest painting.

“Drawing room,” the subject within replied. “He’s fascinated by the moving pictures, now that he’s actually noticing us.”

“Right,” Aspect nodded in thanks to the painting. “Thank you.” He turned to Celestia and waved a wing. “Shall we?”

Celestia nodded and headed for said room.

Pup stared at Commander Hurricane, the two locked in a fierce, intense match. But when Celestia and Aspect entered the room, the sound of the door made him blink and he groaned.

“Dang it! I was so close that time!”

“Are you...actually having a staring contest with the painted ponies?” Aspect inquired, befuddled as to what he thought he’d be accomplishing with that.

“Yes! And I almost beat the bird pony!” Pup sighed.

“You wish, runt,” Hurricane taunted him. “I could go all day!”

“That’s what she said!” a voice in the background shouted. Hurricane, to her credit, didn’t blush. Instead she grinned and waggled her eyebrows at Aspect, who groaned and facehooved.

“Can we please stop giving the painted ponies ammunition?” he begged.

“On one side,” Celestia smirked. “They can only window shop~”

“You’re not helping,” Aspect hissed. “Can we just get this introduction out of the way?”

“Of course,” Celestia chuckled. She stepped closer to Pup, who flinched and backed away when he saw her. That… that was a big pony. “Hello little one,” Celestia smiled warmly. “I hear you’re a part of our family now.”

“I...I…” Pup stammered at the massive alicorn. Aspect walked over to the small Diamond Dog and put a wing on his back comfortingly.

“Relax,” he soothed. “She’s just curious about you. We haven’t had an Earth Aspect in so long. She’s my daughter, she won’t do anything to you.”

“Wha…” Pup blinked. The Equestrian Princesses… had parents? Well… that was just plain unfair.

“Whatever is the matter little one?” Celestia knelt down to look at him. Pup backed up again, but Celestia pulled him closer with a wing. “It’s alright, I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“That’s not… what they said,” Pup finally spoke.

“What who said?” Aspect asked with a cocked head.

“The ponies at the kennel for pony pups,” he said. “I was there… after I was born. It’s why I can speak and read better than the other Dogs. But, once I was old enough, they gave me to the dogs. Says that I wasn’t a pony and that the Princess didn’t want dogs in her kennel, only ponies.”

“The townsfolk around here might be a little wary of you at first,” Aspect soothed. “But here, in my home, you will always be welcome. This family doesn’t discriminate. Heck, we have a freaking Phoenix and Seapony, and a Windego as well.”

“A… what?” Pup knew was a Phoenix was, but not the others. Scratch that, he’d met the Seapony. The heck was a Windego?

Celestia listened to his story and nodded. “I will… look into things.” She’d heard some rumors in the past, and a few pieces fell into place. “But father is right, you have all of us now, and you’ll find nothing but friends here in Ponyville alright?”

“A-Alright,” Pup nodded. “I’ll try… as soon as I beat that old bird pony in a staring match!”

“Old?!” Hurricane screeched. “Oh it is on runt!”

Celestia just shook her head. “It’s good to see you too you old warmare. And I heard you met a descendant of yours.”

“She looks like me, but she doesn’t look like she’s seen a decent scrap in her life,” Hurricane scoffed.

“She kicked a full-grown dragon in the face,” Celestia smirked. “Besides, Equestria’s a more peaceful place these days. There hasn’t been a large scale battle for six hundred years.”

“Just the one?” Hurricane asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s not like I go and send untrained mares out to fight dragons on a regular basis,” Celestia deadpanned.

“Let’s just ignore the fact that I only found out about it because of the smoke,” Aspect replied with a roll of his eyes.

“Because your go to response is ‘How quick can I kill it?’,” Celestia deadpanned. “The dragons would have wanted my head if you’d done that. Have you met the Dragon King? He’s rather cranky at the best of times. Like you without coffee, and that’s on a good day.”

“I’m the one that nicknamed him Smaug, and he liked it,” Aspect quipped. “Besides, I wasn’t gonna kill him.”

“No, likely make him wish he were dead,” Celestia sighed. “Also, have you seen Cadence? I looked for her after I teleported her to Canterlot, but I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Well if she’s lost, it’d only take a little looking to find her,” Aspect replied. “Or I could ask. Or maybe she’s just looking for some private time. She did mention a coltfriend…”

“Oh right, Shining Armor did just get back from a trip with the Long Patrol,” Celestia nodded. “Hmm, perhaps you might like to come with me back to Canterlot then?”

“I have things to do here in Ponyville,” Aspect replied. “Have to make sure Pup gets settled in here, have to keep a watchful eye on Realm, have to attend a photoshoot tomorrow as a model, have to teach whoever shows up next…”

Celestia blinked. “I’m sorry what?” Did… he just say, model?

“Yeah, you were here for the teaching thing,” Aspect nodded as though there were nothing wrong.

“Nonono, circle back around,” Celestia said. “Did you say… model? As in… a fashion model?”

“What of it?” Aspect asked with a raised brow.

Celestia had a mental image, one of him in a puffy collared shirt, tight latex pants and waaay too much body glitter.

Pup, Aspect and the paintings were treated to Celestia collapsing, unable to stand as she was laughing so hard.

“And this is why I don’t tell my daughters what I get up to,” Aspect sighed, before putting a comforting wing around Pup again. “Come on. Let’s see if there’s anything left for you to discover in this old house.”

“Well, I haven’t been into very many rooms,” Pup admitted. He turned and looked at Hurricane. “And I’ll get my revenge!”

“Anytime runt!” Hurricane cheered. “I’ll be here, bring your A-game next time!”

“Only if you bring yours…” Pup shot back as they reached the door. And just before it closed… “Old bird pony~”

“That’s it!” Hurricane yelled back as she began chasing after them through the paintings.

Early the next morning, Aspect was awake, caffeinated and now waiting in the park as Celestia’s sun had started its climb into the sky. Gods above it was early. What pony in their right mind was awake at this hour?

Yes, Celestia was, he still stood by his previous statement.

“Aspect!” Rarity tittered as she arrived, a clothes rack and Fluttershy in tow. “Good to see you could make it. Thank you.”

“For a friend I can sacrifice some time,” Aspect replied as he shook the sleep off. “Realm’s busy painting, and Pup is exploring the house, so I’m free for today.”

“I still appreciate it,” Rarity smiled as she moved through her outfit designs. “No, no, no, yes! That is definitely the one. Photo Finish is going to love it. Everypony is going to love it!”

“Oh, I am so excited for you.” Fluttershy smiled as Rarity started putting the chosen outfit on her. “Just don't forget us little ponies when you become the most famous designer in all of Equestria.”

“Never,” Rarity replied as she chose a rather dapper-looking suit for Aspect.

“I just hope this is all Photo Finish needs,” Aspect added as he put on the suit carefully. “I don’t mind helping you out, but I do kind of need my free time again.”

Rarity opened her mouth to respond, but she was interrupted by Photo Finish arriving, carried on a platform by a pair of stallions. “Put me down here,” she instructed as the stallions let her down. She took one look at Fluttershy’s outfit and sighed. “Oh, nonononononono. The model should be in something simple! Something inspired by... the nature!”

Rarity’s brow knitted into a frown for a half-second. “That's just what I was thinking. Um... give me a moment and I'll, uh, put a little something together…”

“That will not be necessary,” Photo Finish held up a hoof as her assistants removed the dress that Fluttershy had on.

Rarity’s frown returned, and deepened. “But... but... how are you going to help me ‘shine across Equestria’ if I don't design something new for these pictures?”

“Ahh,” Photo Finish turned and looked at the designer. “I am not going to help you shine across Equestria. I am going to help her shine.” The mare pointed at Fluttershy. “She is my star.” Photo pointed at Rarity and Aspect. “You and You! Go!”

“...Well, that’s rather rude,” Aspect huffed. “You could have said that back at the boutique.”

“I did, you misunderstood is no fault of mine,” the mare replied and waved them off. “Now go, I have a photoshoot to do.”

“Rarity…” Fluttershy looked dejected. “I can’t do this…”

Rarity swallowed the lump in her throat. “Oh, but you must, Fluttershy. Photo Finish wants to make you a star. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I know we were both hoping it would be my lifetime, but nonetheless you can't throw away this chance. You must do this for me. You must. You must! You must!”

Fluttershy looked… apprehensive. But she nodded regardless. “Alright then,” she said as Photo Finish dragged her away.

“Come Flootershy, It is time to make… ze magicks!”

Aspect sighed as he took his suit off with the same amount of care he’d put it on with and hoofed it back to Rarity. “If it helps any, I rather liked the hat you put on me back at that boutique,” Aspect told the fashionista as they left. “An actual Phoenix feather? Rather bold.”

Rarity sighed as she put away the outfits and wheeled the clothes rack off without a word. The stallion shook his head. He could see where this was going…

He just didn’t know how to resolve it. Or even if he should intervene.

After attending his classes at Ponyville School, Balanced Aspect now sat in his backyard, illuminated by the late afternoon sun as he instructed Pup about his various abilities as the Aspect of Earth.

“Okay,” Pup groaned. “So… I’ve learned that exploding rocks is a bad idea. Sorry about those windows…”

“It’s fine,” Aspect waved off. He could afford to have them replaced. “Let me see if I can’t explain it for you…” The stallion mused for a moment. “Okay. So a normal Diamond Dog has very little magic, right? They can interact with the earth, but they don’t have the ability to use magic as actively as the ponies can. Your problem is, you now have way too much and are trying to get used to how much is enough for anything you try to do.”

“It’s hard,” Pup said as he looked at his paws. “I mean, I know what I wanna do… but it gets… arrgh, how do I explain this!?”

“You’re trying to use a trickle of water, and the entire stream comes gushing out?” Aspect offered. “Except you actually have an ocean hiding behind that trickle now.”

“I… what’s an ‘ocean’?” Pup asked, momentarily forgetting his woes.

“Huge body of water at either end of the continent,” Aspect explained. “So vast you could swim in it for a year and not reach the other end. Neptune rules them with the Seaponies.”

“Fishie ponies?” Pup wondered what they were like. He had… a promise with water. If water stayed away from him, he stay away from it. “Why are there so many different ponies? There’s only one kind of griffon, one kind of Dog…”

“I honestly don’t know why there are so many types of ponies,” Aspect replied with a shrug of his wings. “I didn’t create the situation. I just used it to my advantage. I’m not responsible for that one.”

Pup just shrugged, wasn’t that important anyway. “Alright, back to training.”

“Okay…maybe this time,” Aspect told the small Diamond Dog, “You could try using only a touch. The barest bit of your power to do things. It’ll happen slower, but it’ll still happen. We’re trying to get you used to your power, not use it all up.”

“Alright then,” Pup closed his eyes. “Um… what should I do?”

“Let’s start small,” the stallion instructed. “Just bring up a small pillar of stone. Just a tiny one. You don’t have to get fancy with it.”

Pup nodded and raised one of his paws. Just a small pillar. Nothing fancy. Use as little power as possible… The earth started to part as a spire of stone, about as round as a pony’s hoof started to rise. Slowly and surely…

Then a door slammed nearby and the pup yelped, his power flaring up. The spire soon bursting into a small tower that rose higher the the house.

“Well...now we know not to startle you,” Aspect quipped as he looked towards the source of the sound. “You wait here. Don’t try anything until I come back. I want to make sure nothing happens that could startle you again.” With that, the stallion was off to investigate what it could have possibly been.

As he walked though his home, he was sure that the noise had come from the kitchen. Had his daughter launched another raid on the fridge… whyyyy was the fridge shaking? Without a second thought, Aspect opened it to investigate.

Fluttershy… was in his refrigerator…

“I’m fairly certain you’re not a food,” he commented dryly.

“Can… I hide here for a while?” she asked before sighing. “Oh, I’m sorry. You probably want to use the refrigerator…”

“What do you need to hide from so badly? And please, come out of there when you tell me,” Aspect replied, holding a hoof out for her to use to pull herself out. One she accepted, but then quickly moved to close the curtains on all the windows in the room. Outside, Aspect could hear voices… from what sounded like a lot of ponies.

“Are you being followed?” Aspect asked, looking at the windows with a glint.

“Something like that,” Fluttershy sighed. “It’s just this model thing… ponies are everywhere! I can’t get a single moment to myself. They stalk my home, where I go, what I do… I’m sorry… I just thought, this would be the safest place, but I’m inconveniencing you.” She sighed again and peeked through the windows. “I’ll make a break for it when the coast is clear, I promise…”

“You know my home is open to everyone,” Aspect sighed. “You’re not a bother. I have more room than I know what to do with, most days. But if this thing is so stressful for you, why are you still doing it?”

Fluttershy sat down at the table and groaned. “I don't like being a model. No, I hate being a model. All this attention is awful, just awful. And I'm only doing it because Rarity told me I must. I must! I must!” She sighed again and put her head in her hooves. “I must…”

“Then I’d say you need to have a talk with Rarity and tell her that you don’t like it,” Aspect stressed, walking over and lifting Fluttershy’s head up a little. “Friends look after one another. They don’t force each other into doing things they don’t want to do.”

“Oh no, I could never do that,” Fluttershy said and shook her head. “Rarity would be devastated. This is her dream.”

“Her dream was to have her fashions spread across Equestria,” Aspect pointed out. “That’s not happening. True, she missed out on her chance, but that’s more Photo Finish’s fault for not seeing the work she put into them. A friend wouldn’t force another friend into doing something if they truly didn’t like it. And you need to stand up and tell her that you don’t like it. Otherwise that?” He pointed out the window, where there were still voices coming through. “Will keep happening.”

Fluttershy bit her lower lip. He made a lot of sense. Maybe… if she just talked to Rarity…

“Okay, I’ll try,” Fluttershy said with a small nod. “Thank you Aspect.” She smiled, the first smile she’d had all day. “I can see why Rainbow is so smitten with you.”

“Yeah, now if she just stopped blowing off work to hang out with me, she’d be responsible enough to, wouldn’t you know it, spend more time with me,” Aspect chuckled. “By the way. You’re very cute when you’re smiling. Just thought you should know.”

Fluttershy squeaked and blushed. “I’m… cute?” She ducked behind her mane, now blushing even more.

“Not helping, you’re even cuter when you’re blushing,” Aspect explained. “I should know. I have an eye for cute ponies.”

Fluttershy was just reduced to squeaking now, turned more crimson than Applejack’s apples.

“Well, when you recover, you can go talk to Rarity,” Aspect finished, before giving her a quick hug. The stallion then decided to do something about the trespassers on his lawn.

He always wanted to be a cranky old man…

Outside, well over a dozen ponies, all with cameras littered about, searching for the elusive pegasus mare.

“She has to be here somewhere,” one said.

“I saw her fly this way, you think she’s in the house?”

“Dunno, anypony knows who lives here?”

“Probably nopony important…”

There was the sound of a throat being cleared coming from behind them all. The first one who turned to look got a sight that he wouldn’t soon forget.

A white pegasus stallion, with a grey mane and tail…

Whose wings were coated in lightning.

“I’ma only say this once,” the stallion said with a terrible accent. “Git off mah lawn.”

“Bwah? Who’s that guy?” one paparazzi asked.

“Beats me,” another said, snapping a photo of the lightning-coated pegasus.

Then the stallion demonstrated just how much control he had over the lightning…

By zapping the camera out of the hooves of the one who carried it. Said stallion yelped out of surprise and a little fear…

Then the entire herd ran for it, not wanting to see if he started aiming at them instead.

“And that is the distractions done for the day,” Aspect sighed, ruffling his wings a little as the charge dissipated. Arabus would never calm down, it seemed. Always eager to have his power used, but his influence over it was...bah. And he’d been working on it for ages.

Still, he had other, more present Aspects to worry about. The stallion trotted around his house to find Pup still there, along with the pillar of stone he’d unintentionally called up. “Okay, the distractions are gone,” he stated to the small dog. “So we can try exercise two now.”

“Exercise two?” Pup blinked. He’d heard some shouting outside, what had happened out there? “What’s Exercise Two? Teacher.”

“Okay, so, you have a large column of stone here,” Aspect replied, pointing at it with a wing. “But I can’t have that sticking out of the ground around here. So what you’re gonna do, is put it back in the ground.”

“Seems easy enough,” Pup nodded. “Lemme guess, slow and steady again?”

“Yup, you have the gist of calling your power up, so we’re gonna try a new exercise as well,” Aspect nodded. “Visualization.” At the pup’s uncomprehending blink, he elaborated. “Imagine your magic as a giant paw, pressing down slowly on the top of the column. Even if you only use a little magic, it’ll go faster and with more control if you imagine how it should work, instead of just forcing more magic at the problem. Less explosions that way.”

“Ooohhh,” Pup nodded understandingly as he tried this new method. The pillar trembled as it started to press into the ground with a low rumble. After a minute or two of focus, the top of the pillar slipped into the earth. A patch of displaced dirt was the only indication it was there at all.

“And there you go,” Aspect smiled at the small Dog. “You’re getting the hang of it. You’ll grow into your power and be able to use more and more for these exercises as time goes on. Soon you’ll be able to call up mountains.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration isn’t it?” Pup deadpanned.

“The power of the Aspect of Earth is not to be underestimated,” Aspect replied seriously. “It will probably take you time to grow into that much power, but I know for a fact that one of the major jobs of the Earth Aspect is to call up new ores and gems from the planet’s molten core. I tried to do that for years, but I soon learned...I was not ready for that much weight on my shoulders. When the time comes that you fully grow into your power...there is nothing on this earth that could stop you, save me. Mountains will move because you asked them to. Swaths of land shall be green and fertile because you blessed them. And the mines that will be needed to find all the ores you bring up shall be extensive.”

“I… could really do all that?” Pup asked, his voice having no small amount of awe in it. “That… sounds like I’m going to be a god.”

“Only of the earth,” Aspect pointed out. “Pyro is the queen of the Phoenixes, and mistress of the flames. Neptune is the lord of the seas. There are about a dozen Aspects in this world. You are going to be one of them, when you grow up. Earth is a powerful aspect, true. But each and every one has things it can’t do. For example, you won’t be able to do a thing with water, or fire. You can combat them, but you can’t do anything with them.”

“Ah… I wouldn’t want water anyway,” Pup shuddered. “Nu-uh, no way. I hate taking a bath.”

“You do realize that if you’re going to be staying in my house, there are certain standards of hygiene I will require you to uphold,” Aspect stated matter-of-factly. “I realize you don’t like baths. But I’m not going to let you get away without them.”

Pup’s eyes widened.

“Are you going to run?” Aspect questioned in a dangerous tone. “Because I still have the power of one Aspect running through me. You won’t get far.”

“You’ll never take me alive!!” Pup declared and prepared to dig away…

“Rotten cheater,” he muttered as he pouted in the bubbly bathtub, weeks of dirt, grime and other things scrubbed from his fur.

“There are lots of illnesses that can be fought just by keeping clean,” Aspect stated as he kept scrubbing. “Plus, you’ll look far more attractive to others if you keep yourself clean. Not just ‘some dirty Diamond Dog,’ but ‘A dog of standing and taste.’”

“Says the grumpy bird pony hermit on the edge of town,” Pup snarked back.

“Even when I was wandering the wilds, I kept myself clean,” Aspect replied as he dumped a fresh load of water atop the pup’s head. “I don’t understand why you don’t like taking a bath. Explain it to me.”

“Gee, let’s combine getting wet and being underground,” he said back. “You’d wind up covered in mud and all that digging meant you were just gonna get dirty again anyway. There was no point.”

“Fair point,” Aspect conceded. “But that’s likely because the dogs haven’t discovered proper plumbing yet. Or towels.”

“Towels?” Pup stood up suddenly and started to shake, spraying water everywhere until his top half was dryish. “Who needs ‘em?”

“...Somepony who wants to remain dry,” Aspect replied as he stared at the pup, his top half now soaked. “Or somepony who wants his house to remain dry.”

Pup looked around and smiled sheepishly. “Ehehe… oops?”

“Come on, you’re about as clean as I think you can get in one session,” Aspect replied, dumping a final load of water over the pup to rinse him off with. Before he could object, or shake again, the stallion pulled the pup out of the tub and set him on the bathmat. It was a near thing, but Aspect managed to get a towel around the weaponized wetness before it started flying.

“Graababahaba!” he growled as the towel was scrubbed over his head. “Oh come on!”

“Having fun?” Bon Bon smirked, standing in the doorway with a bemused expression on her face.

“Just inducting the newest addition to the house in the art of the bath,” Aspect replied over his shoulder as he kept drying the pup. It was a struggle, but one he seemed to be winning.

“You look more like a dad struggling with an unruly foal,” she giggled. “Need a hoof?”

“Just one, bring that mirror over here,” Aspect replied, pointing a wing at it. “I want him to see what he looks like when I’m done.”

Bon Bon nodded and brought it over, before sitting down and propping it up in front of her. “Like this?”

“Yup, and...done!” Aspect proclaimed as he whipped the towel off of Pup and turned him to face the mirror. “Get a good look at yourself. This is what you look like after a nice bath.”

“Ahh, why am I cute and fluffy!?” he whined, his fur puffed out adorably. “I’m not supposed to be cute! I’m supposed to be cool!”

“Oh, well. I suppose I could comb it down for you.” Aspect mused as he poked around the bathroom. He eventually emerged with a brush and started combing Pup’s fur down, to tame it a little for him.

“Mmmmm~” his tail thumped the ground as his eyes closed in bliss. “This feels goooood~”

“Who knew,” Bon Bon chuckled. “The puppy likes a brushing.”

“The secret weakness of Diamond Dogs, the unconquerable brush,” Aspect quipped as he kept it up. “Whenever you feel a bit more normal, feel free to look at yourself again. I think I’ve got your head fur under control.”

“Maybe a proper grooming might be in order, get a fur trim and whatnot,” Bon Bon suggested as Pup looked at himself. He had to admit, he didn’t think his fur could get so shiny. A small smile appeared on his muzzle.

“See? I see that,” Aspect smirked as he kept up the brushing. “You like the way you can look if you put a little effort into it. It’s all well and good to work hard, play hard, get dirty. But staying clean is the trick. That shows others that you take care of yourself, in every way. From the ones that matter to the small things. Image, is important.”

“Is it really?” Pup said and looked at him. “Is that why you hide yourself?”

“I hide myself for a number of reasons,” Aspect replied. “The first of which is, my daughter Celestia has spent ages building a house on the mountain, and playing games of words with the ones that think they’re better than everypony. If I showed myself, proclaimed myself, suddenly it would be my job to take over. I don’t want to take that from her. Plus, I am terrible at the political game.” The brush was set to one side, its job done. “The second reason I go around like this is because it’s easier to blend in with the ponies if I am a pony. Plus, going around as a pegasus means I can more easily tap into the Aspect of Air if I need it.”

“I still like you for you though,” Bon Bon smiled and kissed his cheek. “No matter what you look like.”

“I know, and thank you for that,” Aspect replied, before looking back at Pup and scratching behind his ears with a hoof. “So. How about we make an appointment to go down to the spa and see if they can groom you there in the near future? See if they can’t make you look any better?”

“A...spa? What’s that?”

“A place where you can relax… well, mostly,” Bon Bon giggled as she ran a hoof down Aspect’s back.

“It’s also a place where they make ponies look better,” Aspect explained. “I don’t know if they’ve ever had a Diamond Dog customer, but we can ask and show off that you’re well-mannered.”

“This is gonna be a hassle huh?” Pup sighed. “Ponies… don’t like us. They don’t like anything that isn’t a pony.”

“Hey,” Aspect softly said, nuzzling the pup. “I care about you. And they’ve already accepted that I’m weird. If need be, I will carry you into the spa on my back and ask them to see to you on threat of me never coming back if they don’t.”

“Don’t worry,” Bon Bon chuckled. “Ponyville is as weird as you can get, you’ll fit right in.” She tapped her chin and looked at him. “How old are you anyway?”

“I… don’t know,” Pup sighed. “I don’t know when I was born, or where… just that, my Mom is a pony. I dunno where my Dad is…”

“Hey,” Aspect replied, holding the Pup from behind in a hug. “It’s okay. Though...I think we might need to make a few trips to figure some of those things out. I doubt we’ll be able to answer the question as to who your parents are. But we can probably go to the hospital to see if they can help us determine how old you are. Plus, we should probably make sure you’re up to date on your shots as well.” He sighed as he looked at Bon Bon. “Looking after a new life is complicated.”

“Apparently so,” the mare smiled and nuzzled the pup as well. “And you can count on Aspect. He’s actually quite reliable sometimes.”

“All I ask is that you bear with me, okay?” Aspect asked Pup. “These early days are going to be new, probably uncomfortable. But I’ll get my act together and help you out as much as I can. I have...like, two other things going on as well. And that’s not to mention my relationships.”

“Relationship!” Bon Bon corrected him. “We’re all in this together. Me, you and Rainbow. Lyra… well I hope she takes the news well. Our own friendship is… unique.”

“Just as long as she doesn’t ask to jump in as well, I think I’ll live,” Aspect chuckled. “C’mon Pup. Let’s get this nice-looking dog off to the hospital and see about those appointments.”

“Okay teacher,” the dog responded as he tossed the towel and followed him out. Meanwhile, Bon Bon thought it was time for Aspect to meet her other family member...

Author's Notes:

This one is all me forgetting, sorry. Got caught up in something.

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