Bon Bon looked around the breakfast table and frowned. “Where is that filly?” she murmured and looked at Aspect. “Have you seen Nightie this morning? Could you go see if she's still asleep?”

“Yeah, I’ll go check on her,” the stallion replied, getting up and walking off through the halls. Her room wasn’t too far from here, if he was remembering correctly.

He reached the door and knocked, but got no response. So he opened the door to see if she was still asleep.

Okay… he wasn't expecting that. She was laying in bed, panting heavily as sweat beaded on her brow, her eyes closed as her horn gave a few sputtering sparks.

“...And you’re doing what, precisely?” Aspect asked with a raised brow. He put a hoof to her forehead and found it to be quite hot to the touch as the filly gave a wracking cough.

“Aaaah...those innoculations catching up with you,” he deduced. “Well, this is an expected side effect. You’ll be sick for a few days, and then you won’t catch ill for a while.”

“M…” she said hoarsely. “Ma… dr…”

“Ma dr?” the stallion cocked his head. That wasn’t a sickness he knew of.

“M-Magi… drain…” she panted hard. He blinked and scanned for her magical reserves.

There was barely a flickering ember of magic left in her. What the hell had she tried to cast that drained her so utterly?

Then he recalled last night…

“Oh for the love of…” Aspect muttered as he flashed into his alicorn form, spreading his wings as he focused on bolstering her own magic the only way he could.

By giving some of his own.

A beam of white light connected their horns as the hoarded strength the stallion had been building up poured into Nightmare, doing its best to restore her.

He had to be careful not to overload her, but after a moment, she appeared to be looking far better off.

“W-What…” she blinked slowly and looked up at him. “Why…?”

Aspect tapered off and shifted back to his pegasus form. “Two reasons,” he stated. “One, to repay your kindness from last night. And two...that’s the job of a father. To sacrifice himself for his children. At the end of the day, you’re worth more than this dusty old warhorse.”

“No…” she murmured. “No I'm not… I'm just, a nightmare right?”

“You’re a flesh and blood pony,” Aspect replied, walking up and pinching her to prove his point. “You may not have been born the traditional way, but you’re a part of the family now, Aspect of Dreams. That makes it my job to look after you until you settle into your role. You came of Luna, so you’re my daughter too. Nightmare you may have been, and that might be what makes up your soul, but you can choose your fate. You chose to embrace your nature last night, and do good with your talent. You could have left me to that nightmare until I woke up wanting to die thanks to what Arabus showed me...but you didn’t. That makes you worth saving. Me? I’m too stained in blood to be worth more than the dirt you walk on.”

“A fate we share,” she said as she wiped her forehead. “Look… I'm not good at this sappy stuff okay…” She closed her eyes and turned away.

Aspect cut her off with a raised hoof. “I saved the castle staff from your shadows and demons when you first emerged. And you didn’t seriously harm anyone when you returned. You’re more pure than me, or at the very least, less stained than I am. You haven’t killed anyone.”

“I see…” she muttered and sighed. “Guess that's just one more thing I owe you for then.”

“You can make it up to me later,” Aspect chuckled. “Now come on, Bonnie made breakfast.”

“In a bit, I just want to rest for a moment,” the filly said with a small shake of her head. “Thanks for the magic.”

“Try not to make a habit of directly challenging Arabus,” Aspect warned her. “Even I don’t do that. The best thing to do is just find his cage and stuff him back in it.”

“I did something similar,” she said and smiled darkly. “He likes Nightmares? Then I hope he enjoys the one I trapped him in~”

“Hoh boy,” the stallion shook his head. “Look, over the years, thanks to all the souls and magic I absorbed, I became the world’s best mobile cage for the bad old Aspects. When they calmed down and were less volatile...and once I made him, Mortal Coil took their souls, one by one, to the gates of Nifelheim. This? This is just going to rile Arabus up.”

“I'm sure it'll be fine, else I'll do it again,” the filly said. “Ergh… now I'm awake. Well, might as well see what the chef whipped up.” She stood up and then flittered onto his back. “Onwards my steed.”

“Yes my lady,” Aspect bowed his head. “At once my lady.”

“Ahh, it's good to have minions,” Nightmare murred as he found a full grown mare draped over him. “Almost forgot I could do this~”

“You’re just lucky I have practice moving your sisters like this,” Aspect chuckled as he all but dragged the mare along through the halls.

“Mmhm, so do I have to call you Daddy~” she purred to him.

“Eh, not sure yet,” Aspect replied. “I mean, you’ve clearly learned since your last attempt to take over the world. But I’d like to think I’m still in the trial period for this relationship. You’ve done good, don’t get me wrong. I just want to watch for worrying signs. Like sneaking away to plot and maniacal laughing.” It was clear from his tone that he was joking with the mare.

“But maniacal laughter is the best part,” Nightmare pouted as she lay her chin on his head. “Hmm, wonder if there's anyone I could induct as a minion? Amy ideas?”

“If you recruit the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I think even Discord would flee from the combined chaos you would unleash on the world,” Aspect deadpanned at her.

“Oohh~” the mare hummed thoughtfully as they entered the kitchen.

“Aspect… why is Nightmare on your back?” Rainbow asked.

“Hmm, well he's used to mounting mares, turnabout is fair play~” Nightmare giggled.

“Plus she’s recovering from using up all her magic, doing something she definitely wasn’t ready for yet,” Aspect replied. “Like you infusing lightning into your Rainboom. She needed time to grow into her role, let her body actually accrue the power due to the Aspect of Dreams. Before, you know, going hoof to hoof with the demon in my head.”

“I'm sorry what!?” Bon Bon exclaimed. “She did what now?”

“Saved his life while you all slept soundly,” Nightmare said with a smug grin.

“Arabus tried to give me a night terror last night,” Aspect replied. “He’s tried it before, but usually I’m able to ignore him. This time, I wasn’t, and Nighty here dispelled it before he could make it any worse.”

Then Nightmare yelped as Bon Bon hugged her tightly, the dark alicorn looking to Aspect for help.

“Of course, dispelling his night terror, which I’m pretty sure was an attempt to make me not want to wake up ever again, locking him back in his cell, giving him his own night terror, and giving me a nice dream...thaaaat took a toll on Nighty here,” Aspect mused aloud. “So I gave her a bit of magic to get her back up to snuff.”

“Aaahh, cool,” Rainbow tilted her glass of milk to the mare.

“You have my thanks as well,” Midnight smiled and nodded.

“Errgh, there's more sap here than a forest,” Nightmare groaned as she pried Bonnie off of her.

“I’m pretty sure Pupal would be fed for a day on the good emotions in this room thanks to what you did, little mare,” Aspect said to her. “So bask in it for her sake. You earned it.”

“Yeah yeah,” she said and stood over him. “And who are you calling little? I'm the tallest one here until I turn back.”

“And in the amount of days you’ve actually lived, you’re younger than a newborn,” Aspect sniped back. “You might have parts of Luna’s maturity to draw on, but you yourself have only been active for a handful of days. Dash is the youngest of us here, and yet compared to you, she’s an old crone.”

“Say what now?” Rainbow levelled a glare at him.

“Yeah yeah, point made,” Nightmare rolled her eyes as the clock chimed.

“School time,” Bon Bon smiled as she handed Artemis, Pupal and Realm their lunches. “Are you going Nightie?”

Nightmare let out a low groan. “Urgh. Must I do something so banal?”

Aspect got a dangerous gleam to his eye. “You know, there’s a surefire way to prove to us that you’re mature enough to not need school,” he almost sang.

“...I am afraid to ask,” the mare shuddered.

“Research paper, ten thousand words,” Aspect said to her. “On why any Aspect attempting to take over the world like you did is a bad idea.”

“...” Nightmare just stared at him before taking her filly form. “I'm late for school,” she muttered and headed out the door.

“How long before you think she takes me up on that offer?” the stallion asked his mares.

“Until she figures out a way to get Twilight to write it for her,” Rainbow snickered.

“Which I’ll ask her about after Nightmare hands it in,” Aspect countered. “Also, sorry for using you in my example, just trying to prove a point to her. She’s got...leeched life experiences from Luna, but all the dark ones. She hasn’t actually gone out and made good memories, good anchors yet. Until she does, until she has something, someone she finds precious...I can’t trust her.”

“She saved your life man,” Rainbow pointed out. “I think she's pretty cool.”

“Well, I'll choose to trust her,” Bon Bon agreed.

Aspect sighed. Yes, she had done that, hadn’t she? But still...the way she thought so little of herself afterwards. She not only needed to find something worthwhile to anchor her, to give her good memories, she need to have confidence in herself, that she mattered.

He was just an old warhorse, at the end of the day.

“And so that's your assignment for today,” Cheerilee smiled at her class. “You need to bring in a family member for Family Appreciation Day. Somepony to tell a story perhaps? Talk about what they do.”

“Cause Aspect’s stories are totally safe for foals,” Nightmare whispered to Realm.

“He’s retired, mostly,” the pinto alicorn whispered back. “These days, he just teaches.”

“Seems someponies already have an idea,” Cheerilee chuckled as Diamond huffed.

“Well as the wealthiest pony in Ponyville, my Daddy is best,” the filly smiled smugly. “Not to mention our family founded Ponyville.”

“Now jus’ a cotton-pickin minute,” Apple Bloom huffed. “It was the Apples that founded Ponyville first!”

“Uhoh,” Realm whispered. This could get ugly.

“Just like a Blank Flank to get her facts wrong,” Diamond smirked, only irritating Apple Bloom further.

“Now now,” Cheerilee raised a hoof. “Just remember, tomorrow is the due date. So be sure to ask tonight alright?”

“Yes miss Cheerilee,” Realm and most of the class chorused.

Outside, the two earth pony fillies continued to butt heads.

“So,” Artemis said, ignoring it. “What do we do? There's four of us. Do we bring somepony different for us all?”

“Well, Pupal can’t exactly bring Chrysalis,” Realm pointed out. “And you can’t exactly bring any of the Diamond Dogs here. And I doubt Luna will answer Nightmare. As for me, I’m adopted. It looks like we’re all going to be stuck asking the same pony for help.”

“Great. We're all either adopted or just don't have parents,” Nightmare sighed. “That's just sad…”

“You said it,” Diamond and Silver smirked as they walked past and giggled. “Poor little freaks like you don't have anypony~”

Nightmare Moon growled as her horn lit up. “I'll tear her eyes out through her rear…” She said in a frosty tone.

Realm on the other hoof…

“When was the last time your parents said they loved you?” he sniped at the fillies. “When was the last time they took a genuine interest in the things you do? Aspect adopted me when I was barely old enough to walk. He showed me more love and compassion than I can remember from my original parents. He trained me. He showed me arts that most ponies couldn’t master. I did everything in my power to make him proud of me. And he kept on saying the same thing. ‘Everything you do makes me proud, that you’ve found meaning in living after what happened to you.’ He’s more a father than either of your parents.”

“Blah blah blah,” Diamond rolled her eyes. “My Daddy loves me more than anypony. So you can take your words and go crying home to your ‘Not Daddy’~”

Then the temperature dropped by several degrees. Everypony turned and looked at a very pissed Nightmare.

“Realm is most correct,” she snarled, the ground icing up as she walked. Realm knew this power. The undying hatred that the Windegoes fed upon.

“Nighty, calm, we don’t need to attract one of Gelgeths,” Realm hissed. “And besides,” the colt said to Diamond. “I wouldn’t go crying to him. A knight doesn’t cry, which is what I will be when I’m old enough to be knighted. But keep this up, and Nighty might give you something to cry to your dad about.”

“There won't be enough left of them,” she snarled, dark magic thrumming through her horn.

“Let's go Diamond…” Silver whimpered.

“Tch! Whatever,” the filly said as she turned and walked away.

Artemis took a breath and unclenched his paw, while Pupal just looked… pensive.

Nightmare was practically vibrating with anger.

“Calm,” Realm put a hoof on her withers. “We don’t need a Windiego here. With your anger feeding it, the whole town would freeze over.”

Nightmare let out a growl… but dissipated the spell she was building. “Fine,” she finally said after a moment's pause. “They are but mere insects, not worth my time.”

“That’s the way to look at it,” Realm sighed. “Besides, when we all bring in Aspect, we can show her how wrong she is. He’s been there since the beginning of ponykind. That beats Ponyville by a mile.”

Nightmare looked at her hooves. “I… have another idea for myself,” she said and smiled. “See you later half pints. I have a pony to go and see.” With a wave of her little wing, she headed off.

“...Who wants to be the first to tell Aspect he needs to come into school tomorrow?” Realm asked.

“Let's tell him together,” Artemis said.

“I feel sorry for her,” Pupal suddenly said.

“She’s as much a member of the family as we are,” Realm pointed out. “Aspect wouldn’t take her in otherwise. He’d probably just stick her with that filly-curse full time and pass her off to Cadenza if he didn’t like her.”

“Not her,” Pupal shook her head. “The other pony. The loud pink one.”

“Oh?” Realm asked.

“When you said your words,” she said with a nod. “It made her sad.”

“She didn’t act like it,” the colt muttered. “And if she showed an ounce of compassion, maybe I wouldn’t feel the need to try and hurt her back.”

“She's… it's hard to explain,” Pupal frowned. “She's like the Star Filly, it's not her doing.”

“Hmm,” Realm hummed. “Well, in any case. Want to go back and tell dad what we need him for?”

“I guess,” Artemis said. “Oorrr…” His smile widened. “We can go to Bon Bon’s and get candy~”

“Ooooh, there’s an idea,” Realm mused. “Technically, dad’s gonna be marrying those mares. So that makes them our moms too!”

“We could ask them,” Pupal pointed out. “Three of us. Three of them.”

“Dibs on miss Midnight!” Realm suddenly called out.

“Dang,” Pupal and Artemis muttered.

“Right, I'll--”

“Dibs on Bon Bon,” Pupal said.

“Dang it!” Artemis frowned. “Fine, I'll ask Miss Rainbow I guess. But first, candy time!”

“Yes!” Realm agreed. “Candy is important, and Pupal can ask Bon Bon while we’re there!”

Bon Bon hummed as she wiped down her countertop. It was a rather slow day today, and likely wouldn't pick til after school which was… Her ear flicked as she glanced at the clock… and school finished an hour ago.

“Slow day indeed,” she yawned.

The door’s bell chimed as two sets of hooves and a set of paws met her ears.

She looked up and smiled. “Well if it isn't my favorite foals in Ponyville,” she smiled and then narrowed her eyes. “What did Aspect do this time?”

“It’s not like that,” Realm dismissed. “We’re here for candy!”

“Is that so?” she giggled. “Well alright then. What can I get you?”

“I want…” Realm looked the treats over, before picking out one he could afford. A little chocolate truffle. “That one!”

Pupal pointed at a chocolate bar and beamed, while Artemis scratched his chin thoughtfully.

Bon Bon bagged up a few truffles for Realm and passed them over, and the colt smiled as he pulled out his coin purse to pay for them.

Soon the others had candy in the hooves/paws as well.

“Remember not to spoil your dinner,” Bon Bon reminded them. “I'm making broiled fish and pasta tonight.”

“Ooooh,” Realm went, carefully tucking his treats away in his saddlebag...before nudging Pupal with a wing.

“U-Um… Miss Bon Bon?” Pupal asked with fidgeting hooves.

“Yes?” the mare repiled.

“Will...um,” Pupal blinked, the little Changeling, disguised as a unicorn asked. “We have… a family thing at school tomorrow. Could, you maybe come?”

Bon Bon blinked slowly. “Well,” she finally said. “Might I ask why? Wouldn't Aspect be a better choice?”

“We can’t all ask Aspect to come to school for us,” Realm pointed out. “So...we decided to go with the mares that are gonna be our moms instead.”

Bon Bon froze, dropping the bag of candies she held as those words sank in. “W-What…?” she asked softly as her eyes widened.

“Yeah, I’m gonna ask Miss Midnight to come to school for me,” Realm nodded.

“N-No I meant…”

“I believe she means the mother comment,” Pupal pointed out plainly.

“Well you’re marrying dad, right?” Realm asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, yes but I--”

“Then like it or not, you’re at least marrying into having me as a son,” Realm finished. “He adopted me legally. He might’ve made a few kids with magic, but I’m really the only one the courts will recognize as being ‘his’.”

Bon Bon moved around the counter and sat on the floor, opening her hooves up for a hug. Realm was quick to jump on the offer, having not really had a mother figure for his life and needing a few dozen hugs of that sort of caliber.

“I know… I'm not really your mom,” Bon Bon whispered. “But, I'll try my hardest to be a good mom for you and the others okay?” She smiled and stroked his mane.

“Thank you,” Realm said softly, before slowly letting go and clearing his throat. “So, will you come in for Pupal?”

“I'd be most honored to do so,” she smiled and pet the Changeling on the head, getting a giggle from her.

“Say thank you, Pupal,” Realm instructed her.

“Thanks Mommy!” The Changeling chirped and Bon Bon froze again. Whoops, the lil bug broke her. She just sat there with wide eyes, Realm trapped in her frozen limbs.

“...I said thank her, not break her,” Realm muttered as he worked his way free of his prison. Or tried, Earth Ponies were flipping strong.

“N-Need a paw?” Artemis snickered.

“...Yes please,” the colt muttered.

Artemis looked around and then smiled. “Missus Lyra is stealing all the expensive candy.”

“LYRA!” Bon Bon perked up and dropped Realm before looking around. “...That should not be such an easy trigger for me.”

“Thanks for letting go,” Realm replied, rubbing his wings to make sure they were still in shape.

“So, I guess you’re asking Midnight and Rainbow Dash as well?” Bon Bon asked. “I think Midnight is at home, but I have no idea where Dash is.”

“He can ask dad, he’ll be able to find her,” Realm suggested. “He still is Air.”

“Oh right,” Bon Bon replied as Artemis finally chose some hard rock candy and the mare bagged it up for him. “Okay kids, run along. I’ll see you tonight okay?”

“Thanks miss Bon Bon!” Realm called as he led the trio away. Once they left, Bon Bon let out a happy squee as she bounced around the store.

“I’m so calling dibs on Miss Midnight for the next thing,” Artemis grumbled as they walked inside. “Man, she’s so awesome.”

“She’s also the one that first started treating me like her son, so nyeh,” Realm replied, sticking his tongue out at the dog.

“Wait, didn’t Miss Bon Bon do that?” Artemis said. “When you first ascended?”

“Nah, Midnight actually called me ‘son’ first,” Realm waved it off. “Bon Bon nursed me back to health, but Miss Midnight actually called me her son.”

“Huh,” Artemis shrugged. “Well from what I saw, Miss Bon Bon gets embarrassed easily.” The dog sniffed the air. “Miss Midnight’s scent is coming from outside.”

“Right, I’ll go find her,” Realm replied, taking wing. “You go ask dad about where Dash is for your project!”

“Sure,” Artemis shrugged and wandered off in search of the stallion. “Good luck bro.”

“Same to you!” Realm called back as he began looking around the property for that familiar coat color. Sooner or later he’d find her…

He eventually found her out the back, standing in the center of what used to be some boulders, now nothing but a pile of shattered rubble as the mare exhaled, her hooves covered in scratches, cuts and bruises.

“Sheesh...does the concept of taking it easy after a fight just go in one ear and out the other?” Realm asked as he touched down nearby. Her ear flicked as she turned her head towards him, she’d heard that from that distance?

“Hello young Realm,” she said, exhaling slowly and relaxing her form. “May I assist you in some manner?”

“Yeah, you can start by at least adhering to standard protocol after fighting dad,” Realm replied, pointing a wing at her. “No strenuous activity for a week afterwards. Longer if you got him to pull out any of his Air nature. The guards that actually challenged him back at the Everfree castle needed that long to recoup their strength.”

“Such frivoloties lead to laziness and loss of skill,” Midnight said with a nod. “He has shown me that I am… weaker than I thought I was. There is still much to improve. Physically and mentally.”

“And pushing yourself to do the impossible so soon after fighting him is only going to lead to your body breaking down instead of being built up,” Realm replied. “I saw a case of that, a guard that thought he had to beat dad to be the best. The healers...couldn’t put him back together again.”

“I am stronger than that,” she smiled. “He’ll not find a more stubborn foe than myself. Regardless.” She stepped closer to him. “Can I help you with something? Or did Aspect send you to fetch me?”

“Actually, yeah, you can help me with something else,” Realm replied. “There’s a project in school, and we need to bring in one of our parents to talk about what they do. But we can’t all ask Aspect to come in, that’d be silly. Soooo...can you come with me to school tomorrow?”

“Hmm, but I am not your parent… well not yet in any case.”

“Yeah, but you’re basically dad’s fiancee,” Realm pointed out. “Soon to be married into his family. Which means that you’ll actually legally have me as a son. Soooo...it might be a little early, but...can you come in for me, mom?”

Midnight paused. This was the first time he’d seen such a reaction from her. Her ears stood up straight and her eyes wide.

“You ah…” she said. “Poti repeta?”

“Mom, can you come in for my project tomorrow?” Realm asked in a practiced ‘cute voice’. It worked wonders getting things from Aspect.

And now he had the thestral mare nuzzling and hugging him. “Yes,” she smiled happily and she kissed his forehead. “I would be happy to… my beloved son.”

“Thanks!” Realm chirped, returning the hug. “All you’ll need to do is tell the class what you do when they call on me, okay?”

“Hmm, shall I need to bring anything?” she asked and gestured to her armor.

“Probably not...but if you feel the need to, your helmet might be good enough, any piece of guard armor is hard to fake,” Realm replied. “It’s really more for show and tell than a demonstration.”

“But, is the point not to tell the foals about my job?” the mare tilted her head somewhat cutely. “So I should show up in my full uniform no?”

“If you want to,” Realm replied. “I can’t imagine wearing it everywhere is comfortable. ‘S why I was going for a Knighthood.”

“A knight often wears full plate armour into battle,” Midnight said. “Hmm, I think I have an idea for later. But regardless. I will be at your school tomorrow.”

“Thank you!” Realm replied as he nuzzled her chest, before trying to break free of the hug. That didn’t seem to be happening though, as Midnight picked him up and started to fly.

“Um...eep?” Realm offered as he was carried.

It was a nice afternoon. The perfect day to enjoy the sun as Aspect sighed happily. Then he saw a shadow and… ah horseapples.

Midnight tackled him happily, sitting atop of him as she held Realm up. “My Stallion! A most wondrous thing has happened!” Her smile was huge, showing off those impossibly white teeth and those four cute fangs.

“Do you have to tell me while you’re sitting on me?” Aspect grumbled from under her flank.

“Yes,” she said and grinned wider. “My adorable son called me mother! I am so very happy right now!”

“I regret nothing,” Realm said in her grasp.

“Of course you don’t,” Aspect sighed. “Look, it was bound to happen if you agreed to marry into this crazy family. Just wait until my other kids gang up on you to take your measure. I don’t think most of them know I’m seeing more than one mare yet.”

“I am a mother!” she beamed and snuggled Realm like a plush toy. “I shall make a true stallion of him. He will grow up strong and kind and—”

“...You do realize I’ve already got training in the Gale King up to near where Hurricane had her mastery, right?” Realm replied.

“Yes, but you can only hold a Seventh Form technique for about a minute until your magic runs out,” Aspect countered. “So you’re almost as strong as one of the founders. Good luck teaching him manners, though.”

“I shall do as such,” she said with a fanged grin. “These sharp fangs do wonders for correcting manners. Both of you will find as such out~”

“...And now I’m scared,” Realm eeped out as he tried to squirm away.

Midnight chuckled as she nommed him with her fangs. “Small colts are always so tasty,” she giggled and nommed on his little belly.

“Nooooo,” Realm tried to scream, but it came out as a giggle instead because of how her fangs tickled him. She cackled as she blew a loud raspberry on him and then eyed the stallion under her mischevously… then her gaze turned to his hooves.

“Nope!” Aspect replied, tucking his legs under his body.

It did not save him. She released Realm and grabbed one of his hooves, her wing barbs teasing the soft underside as she pinned him under her.

“You do *snerk* realize I could just demateralize to get out of this, yes?” Aspect pointed out.

“You could,” she mused as she lifted her tail… and the soft tip started to tickle him. “But I will hear your laugh and will hunt you until I do~”

“You can try,” the stallion replied, barely stifling another giggle before it escaped him.

“Do you want to live looking over your shoulder?’ she mused as she leaned down. “Or will you give in here and now…”

Then her lithe tongue started to tease his hoof. The stallion was fairly shaking with the compressed force of the giggles wracking his frame.

“Tickle tickle~” she giggled as she swished her tail, tickling his belly as a hoof went to his ribs, a triple assault.

“BWA HA-” the stallion laughed, before clamping his hoof over his mouth.

“I heard thaaaaat~” she smirked and wiggled her ears… before redoubling her efforts. Aspect shook his head a few times as he forcefully kept the laughs contained, not wanting to give in again.

“Baaah, you are little fun… unleeesss~” she looked at Realm. “Oh my dear son. Come and help Mommy.”

“Tickle fight!” Realm agreed as he went for Aspect’s rear hooves and used his wings.

It was too much for the stallion. With a mighty bellow, the laughs tore free of his frame, filling the air around them.

“Victory!” Midnight giggled as she thrust a hoof in the air. Realm was quick to meet it with one of his own as they celebrated their triumph over the grump that was his father. Mare and colt shared a hoof bump and grinned.

Then a giggle caught the attentions of Aspect and he looked back to see Bon Bon standing a distance away, doing a very poor job of suppressing her giggles at the sight.

“What?” Aspect asked after he calmed down a bit.

“Nothing, just enjoying my family being adorable,” Bon Bon mused. “Your laugh is really something.”

“Eh, I don’t get nearly as many chances to use it,” Aspect replied, still laying there.

“Hmm, you shouldn’t be so reluctant to laugh then,” Bon Bon replied as she helped him up after Midnight vacated her seat. “So, did you find Dashie Realm?”

“I was after Midnight, it was Artemis who needs Dash,” Realm replied.

“Oh right,” Bon Bon replied and kissed Aspect’s cheek. “So, aside from losing a tickle fight to a bat and a kid, how was your day love?”

“Eh, pretty standard day,” the stallion returned as he shook the dirt off from the little fight. “Did a little cloud work in lieu of any teaching, felt like a productive member of society.”

“So you were bored because you weren’t teaching or being dragged off on Twilight’s near weekly adventures,” Bon Bon translated. “Well no matter. Seems I’ll be at the school tomorrow. Your kids want us mares to give a presentation.”

“Ah,” Aspect nodded. “So that’s why I need to find Dash for Artemis, because the mare is flighty.”

“Yup,” Bon Bon said and sighed. “Good luck pinning her down…” Then she caught herself and looked at Aspect. “I do not mean that literally.”

“Too late, taking it as a challenge,” Aspect grinned as he flared his wings.

“Christopher Gale…” Bon Bon warned, bringing out the dreaded full name. Mostly. She really needed to see if it was.

“Yeeeees?” Aspect smiled as his wings twitched.

“No.”

“Yes,” Aspect replied, reaching out with the wind to search for the chromatic pegasus. He found her a few miles west, she was stationary, likely napping on a cloud.

“Aspect no!”

“Too late,” Aspect smirked as he disappeared.

“Sonofa—” Midnight blocked Realm’s ears as Bon Bon cursed.

Rainbow Dash was having a great dream. Millions of her screaming fans, some weeping at her mere presence as she soared high above the ground, Captain of the Wonderbolts. Princess of Everything Awesome and Saviour of the Universe. It was good to be the Dash.

She rolled over… only to find her cloud was… warm and furry?

She opened her rose-hued eyes, blinking the sleep out of them as a familiar stallion slept by her side. “Huh?” she blinked slowly. “Whazzat? Aspect?”

“Heya,” Aspect softly kissed her cheek. “Have a nice nap?”

“Mmm, wasn’t bad,” she yawned. “Then again, It was about me, of course it was awesome.” She stretched her wings and looked at the sun to determine the time. “So, what’s up? I’m sure you didn’t come all this way just to nap with me.”

“Two things,” Aspect replied. “One, the kids are having an event at school, and rather than ask me to come in for all of them, they’ve decided to ask the mares that would be their mothers. Realm has Midnight, Pupal has Bon Bon. So that leaves Artemis with you. Wanna come in for the nascent Aspect of Earth?”

“Hmm, do I want to go to a school and talk about how awesome and cool I am?” Rainbow repeated and smirked. “Sounds like a fun way to spend the day… buuuuut.”

“But?” The stallion asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I have work tomorrow,” she said and looked at the cloudy, overcast sky. “Tomorrow calls for a clear day, it’s gonna take ages to clear this up.”

“You do realise, I am Air, right?” Aspect raised a brow. “I could clear this whole sky up without any effort whatsoever.”

“Yeah, and probably cause a tornado or something,” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “And say you do that. How many ponies are you suddenly denying a day’s pay because they no longer have to work?”

“True enough,” Aspect sighed. “My fine control has picked up, but I shouldn’t just use my power willy-nilly.”

“Yup,” she nodded and poked his chest. “Look, I’ll work as fast as I can and try to be there. But no promises okay?”

“You know, you could tell me to do it while being a normal pony, and I would,” the stallion pointed out. “I’d come out and help until I dropped if I had to.”

“Nah, you’ll need to be backup if I can’t make it,” Rainbow said with a nod. “Don’t worry. I mean, look at who you’re talking to here. I’ll have the skies clear in no time.”

“...Okay, if you say so,” Aspect sighed. “Just...call me if you need help, okay?”

“Will do,” Rainbow saluted. Then she smiled and licked her lips. “I have another idea though~”

“Oh?” Aspect asked, raising that eyebrow again.

She pounced on him, pinning him to the fluffy cloud under her. “I haven’t broken this cloud in yet~”

The next day, Bon Bon and Midnight arrived at the school, along with quite a few other ponies that seemed to be waiting. She saw Filthy Rich, but thankfully not his wife. A few other ponies that she seemed to recognise as well. Midnight didn’t know any of them.

As she waited at the back of the room, Aspect joined them to watch, just in time to hear Granny Smith tell the most interesting tale of how Ponyville was first founded. The foals learning that while the apples created the town through their farming and something called ‘Zap Apples’. It was Filthy Rich’s ancestor that brought the traders and more commercial sides, truly making Ponyville a town for everyone.

“Both sides of the same coin,” Aspect mused, looking out the window to check up on Dash’s progress. They sky was getting clearer, but she still hadn’t fronted up. Artemis looked like he was getting worried too.

Bon Bon stepped up next, explaining her role as the candy maker of the town and how she got the job. Apparently she apprenticed under an old stallion here, and his shop was passed down about four years ago after he passed away. It was a rather bittersweet tale actually. Aspect smiled along as he watched the class progress. Hopefully the foals were learning a lot today.

Midnight was up next, several foals shying away from the fearsome-looking mare as she explained a few duties of being a royal guard, though Cheerilee had to intervene a few times to avoid the more graphic details.

Nightmare had gotten somepony unexpected. Twilight Sparkle.

The mare also looked a bit confused as to why, but still offered a story on what it was like being the student of Princess Celestia. Naturally, that earned a few questions from curious foals.

Then the room shuddered as a rainbow exploded across the sky, clearing the clouds as it streaked towards the school…

Aspect smirked. His rainbow mare had done it.

She landed outside the school, digging a small trench as she got up and trotted inside, saluting with a wing to Artemis.

Once it was her turn… well Aspect had to admit that she could spin one hell of a tale. She explained the story behind her Cutie Mark, and her job as a weather mare. He also finally got to hear a first hand recount of what happened to Nightmare Moon.

The stallion just smiled. This...this was a class day done right.

Eventually, everypony had had their turn, and it was a tie between Granny, Midnight and Rainbow for Best Story. The class eventually broke up for the afternoon, but on his way out, Aspect noticed that Scootaloo looked a bit down… and he recalled that she hadn’t had anypony there…

The stallion let out a sigh and followed after her, sitting out of the way so she could come and talk to him while he performed a few minor Gale King tricks to practice his meditation. Hopefully, she’d choose to talk with her teacher about this…

“Hey…” she said quietly once they were alone. “Sup teach?”

“Just a little pattern recognition,” Aspect replied, running an arc of lightning across one wing and having it ‘jump’ to the other. “Everypony there had somepony...but you. Are your parents just too busy to come in?”

“...I guess,” she sighed. “Mom works in Canterlot… so she isn’t home very often. And Dad… he travels all over Equestria. I know that… well they do what they love. And I live a good life. Just…”

Aspect smirked as he reached into his saddlebags and started penning a quick letter. “What’s your mom’s name, squirt?” he asked once he reached a particular point in the letter.

“Huh?” She blinked and looked up at him. “Why?”

“Do you forget who my daughter is?” Aspect replied with a cheeky wink. “I can have your mom here in a flash. Possibly literally if I use runes to get there and bring her back.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked and look at him. “How did you know my Mom was a Guard?”

“The only ponies that work in Canterlot and don’t live there are guards,” Aspect explained. “Everypony else has a house/shop combo, or a really snobby estate if they’re a nob. The guards are stationed in the barracks, and when they have off time, they return to their families. By the simple fact of you being here, I know she’s a guard.”

“Are you a detective now?” the little filly asked as a voice called out and she looked up to see a white pegasus mare in full uniform flying towards her.

“Huh...well, guess I don’t need this then,” Aspect chuckled as his hoof turned into flames and incinerated the paper instantly. “Go on and say hello to your mom, kiddo. She’ll have a story to tell when recess is over.”

The mare stopped in front of them, removing her helmet as the illusion wore off, a deep orange bleeding into her white coat and… and she looked just like a grown up Scootaloo. She was rather tall, and had a clear, sharp gaze that softened as she nuzzled the little filly.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said to her. “The train broke down and I had to fly here as fast as I could… I know it’s no excuse but…”

“It’s okay,” Scootaloo said and beamed. “Oh this is cool. You can finally meet my awesome teach!”

“I hardly qualify for awesome teach,” Aspect replied, though he was smiling. “Just think of me as a martial arts instructor instead.”

“Nope, Aspect is totally awesome!” Scootaloo said excitedly. “He taught me to fly and even turned into a freaking dragon!”

“Ahh, so this is the famous ‘Aspect’ I’ve heard so much about,” the mare smiled and turned, offering a salute with her wing. “Sunrise Dawn. It’s good to meet the stallion that make my little girl smile like that.”

“To be fair, the dragon thing was a one-off, at least, as large as that was,” Aspect rubbed the back of his head. “And really, teaching Scootaloo to fly isn’t a big deal. I’m glad to see Aeromancy being used to help this one get to where she really belongs. Maybe if she behaves I’ll teach her the Gale King too.”

“REALLY!?” Scootaloo said in a volume usually reserved for Crusading. “AWESOME!!!”

“Oh dear,” Sunrise giggled as she pet the filly’s head. “Hmm, why don’t you go find those friends of yours. Momma wants to speak with Aspect for a moment.”

“Oh, I have to get Bloom and Sweetie,” Scootaloo agreed as she tore off to find them.

“So I’m sure you have questions,” Aspect said as he mentally prepared his defenses. “Go on, fire away.”

“Not so much questions,” she said. “But thanks… for taking care of her. I know I’m not around as much as I should be… I want to, really I do. But a guard’s life is all I know. I want to make sure she grows up comfortable and happy you know.”

Aspect hummed, before looking over to where the fillies were. “You know...Ponyville sees its fair share of disasters these days. And we are situated on the edge of the Everfree, which has only grown more wild since ponies stopped living there. Maybe it’s time we had a guard station around, to protect the average citizen from Timberwolves and rogue manticores?”

“Perhaps, but that’s for the Princess and the mayor to decide,” Sunrise sighed. “As a single parent… it’s hard you know. I’ve never had a foal before or after her… sometimes I’m just at a loss as to how to handle it.”

“Oh believe me, I do know,” Aspect chuckled. “Fear. You’re constantly afraid that you’re going to screw up somehow, that they won’t get everything they deserve, that they’ll turn out to hate you for not doing more than you possibly can. And at the same time, you love them. That little ball of fur and hooves, that little bit of you running around in the world. You can’t bear to think about them not loving you back…”

“Amen to that,” she groaned. “Everyday I’m terrified that she’s getting into trouble, or somepony’s picking on her, while I stand in front of a door for hours on end. But then I get these letters saying she’s having a blast. She’s got awesome friends and a teacher that’s ‘A bit of a grump but totally okay for a grownup’.”

Aspect nodded, before pulling out another scroll from his pack and penning a quick letter. Making sure that he’d gotten her name right and double-checking the request...he briefly opened his mouth and breathed blue fire, turning the letter to ash and sending it whisking away to Canterlot.

“Well that wasn’t something you see everyday,” she said with a light chuckle. “That said, Scootaloo never told me her teacher was so handsome as well.”

“Sorry, taken by quite a few mares,” Aspect replied. “I mean, you could try, but you would have to compete with quite a few slightly possessive mares. I don’t think they’re interested in adding what would be, to them, a total stranger.”

“Just an observation, not a request,” she said and waved a wing. “I am quite happy being single thankyou very much. My life is dramatic enough without some stallion adding to the mix.”

“Oh, so now I’m a source of drama, am I?” Aspect teased. “Wonder what you’ll think of me when I tell you that was a request for Celly to put in a guard post at the town’s borders, with permission from the mayor of course...and for you to be the one in charge. Lieutenant.”

“I… what?” the mare looked rather shocked. “Wait. I know you now. You… you’re—”

“Just an old warhorse with some pull with the princesses,” Aspect replied instantly. “But anything that puts a smile on that filly’s face...is worth it. Anything that makes good little ponies smile...like bringing their families back to spend time with them.” He was silent for a little while longer. “When are you planning on telling her?” he eventually asked, nodding at the distant filly.

“Telling her what?” the mare said with a narrowed gaze.

“She said her dad is travelling. You said you’re single. Only one of those is true. I think I know which one,” the stallion replied evenly. “I won’t tell her...but you should. Sooner or later. I know, I know, let her be innocent a little while longer, let her have her fun with her friends. But which do you think will burn more? The truth...or the fact that you kept it from her as long as you did?”

“I told her once…” she said softly. “That her dad was out there somewhere. I don’t care where he is really. Not after what he did.”

“So like I said...you should tell her. Just because she doesn’t have a father figure, doesn’t mean you love her any less. She should know the truth one day. Before you bring home a mare and she asks what’s going on.”

“Pfft, not likely,” Sunrise chuckled. “Sorry mate, but my door doesn’t swing that way.” She flicked his nose with a wing and smiled. “Still, thanks for caring huh?”

“Some days all I do is care about others,” the stallion replied. “As long as they listen, that is.”

“I’ll tell her when she’s ready,” Sunrise said. “Just… let her be a kid a little longer hm?”

“Fair enough,” the stallion replied. “As long as you agree to be there for her when you can. She’s tough, but she looked like she needed somepony today.”

“I know, it’s my fault,” Sunrise sighed. “I’ll make it up to her.” She turned and smiled. “Thanks for listening aye?”

“Hey, it’s another service I offer for no charge,” Aspect replied playfully.

“That’s good, I forgot my bitpurse,” she smiled back as Scootaloo tackled her with a hug, dragging her away to meet the other avatars of chaos.

Aspect was mistaken before. Now?

Now today had unfolded perfectly.

He was walking home, a group of mares around him and a trio of youngsters on his back. “So, you seem rather chipper,” Bon Bon giggled, bumping his flank with hers.

“The day unfolded just right,” the stallion sighed. “Plus, I might be getting Scootaloo’s mom a promotion and a station here, assuming the mayor agrees to the need of a guard post in Ponyville.”

“Hm? Sounds like a new plan you’re hatching,” she mused as they approached the large home.

“Today was pretty good,” Artemis agreed. “And Midnight’s story was pretty cool.”

“Psh! What?” Rainbow scoffed. “Mine was totally the coolest. Midnight and Bonnie’s were weaksauce.”

“Bonnie had a nice undercurrent of...hrrm. That feeling of homeliness, of being close to the heart,” Aspect summed up. “Though it ultimately lost to how the Rich and Apple clans founded Ponyville, for that regard. Yours was a tale of daring heroism that most young ponies could relate to. And Midnight may have won if the audience was slightly older and able to hear all the juicy details without the teacher intervening.”

“She was a spoilsport,” Midnight huffed and pouted. “I have seen some glorious battles.” Realm patted her side understandingly. Midnight would have fit in just fine back in the bad old days.

“Yeaah, but mine were the awesomest,” Rainbow nodded and shared a hoofbump with Artemis.

“You were all good in different ways, is what I’m trying to get at here,” Aspect rolled his eyes. “No one pony can be everything. For example, for all her power, Celly can’t do a lick of ice magic, nor Lulu fire. It’s just too opposite their spheres of influence.”

“Pretty sure we can do anything,” Rainbow said as she looked at the other mares. “Well, Middy can’t cook. And I… nah, I’m awesome at everything.”

“Except reining in that ego,” Bon Bon rolled her eyes. Speaking of… she had an idea. “Anyway, today was nice. No weekly disaster… just a nice, calm day.”

Until they got home to find Luna and Midnight’s mother embroiled in a rather heated discussion over some battle tactics. That was also some very colourful language being used…

“Luna,” Aspect said warningly. “I raised you better than that. Do I have to go get the bar of soap?”

“Eeep!” Luna tried and failed to hide behind the tiny thestral.

“Ahaha, dinnae tease the lass so much,” she chuckled. “Ah haven’t had a good back an’ forth like this in a while.”

“I don’t even know what half those words mean,” Artemis said.

“And so long as you all remain good little children, I won’t hear you repeating them,” Aspect replied. “Otherwise I’ll go find a bar of soap and you’ll learn what the punishment for a dirty mouth is.” He also gave Luna a bit of a stink-eye for even teaching those words to the kids.

The mare just offered an adorable, sheepish grin.

“Ahaha, Imma going to love this fam,” the thestral smiled. “Now, who’s hungry? Ah made some traditional thestral dishes fer dinner tonight.”

“Oh boy,” Aspect chuckled. Somehow, the stallion was already cautious of this.

Turns out, it was quite a normal meal. The fish was amazing, as was the abundance of fruit dishes. The banter around the table was hearty, especially with Luna present. And then the small thestral mare pulled out something from the fridge and placed it in front of Midnight and Aspect.

“Mah specialty dessert,” she said and pulled the lid off, revealing little lumps of chocolate. Midnight’s eyes widened and she let out a happy skree, before all but devouring her own desert.

Aspect shrugged as he picked one up. What was the worst that could happen?

So he popped it in his mouth. It had some kind of filling, crunchy… and rather tart, almost acidic to the taste, offset by the sweet chocolate.

Huh...not bad actually. So he had a few more.

“Well ah’ll be,” the smol mare mused and slapped his back. “Ain’t ever seen a normal stallion take to my chocolate-coated cave beetles like that before.”

Aspect slowly stopped what he was doing…

Before flashing into his Thestral form and having a few more. What? They were tasty.

Bon Bon and Rainbow… along with almost everyone else turned a little green at that. Midnight just giggled as she watched him eat. He truly was a stallion of many surprises.

And next to Realm, Pupal was busy tearing into them as well, munching noisily, bits of beetle flying onto her plate. Aspect was sure there would need to be some sort of conversation about that later.

He eventually finished his bowl of beetles and sat back, not sure what he should be feeling.

“Mm, I was not expecting you to take to it so readily,” Midnight smiled. “That taste is not for everypony after all.”

“It’s...an acquired taste, that’s for sure,” Aspect agreed. “Not sure it’d be my first choice…”

“Hmm, you still did it,” Midnight kissed his cheek. “You are now all but family.”

“That… was really gross,” Rainbow said with a shudder. “Dude… you ate bugs.”

“Yeah, I can tell I’m going to have to wash my mouth out before I get any kisses from anypony but Midnight,” Aspect rolled his eyes.

Bon Bon and Rainbow nodded quite readily at that one.

“Their loss,” Midnight shrugged as she leaned over and trapped the stallion in deep kiss, one that was flavoured with the dark chocolate. Something that Aspect readily returned, deepening the kiss just a touch, before pulling back.

“Yup, he’s alll yours,” Rainbow waved a wing before a knock at the door sounded. The stallion smacked his lips, before flashing into his pegasus form and trotting through the halls, humming a happy tune as he reached his front door.

He opened it to reveal Sparkler, standing there with a box in her magical grasp.

“Sorry it’s late,” she said with an apologetic smile. “But, I thought you might like these as soon as possible.” She held up the box and opened it, revealing a trio of the most necklaces he’d seen. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and Rainbow’s one stood out nicely, with a flawlessly carved heart made of a Spectra gem, the gem polish to a gleaming finish. The silver of Midnight’s one shone like a star and Bon Bon’s was as gorgeous as the mare destined to wear it.

“They’re wonderful, thank you,” Aspect replied, taking the box and putting it on his back, bowing to her in reverence of her skills.

“H-Hey, no need for that,” she waved a hoof. “Services rendered for services paid right?”

“You still did a fantastic job,” the stallion pointed out. “I’ll be sure to tell them it was you if they ask.”

“Appreciate it,” she said and then leaned closer. “You better promise to take care of the mares that will wear these hm.”

“That’s sort of why I asked for them,” Aspect chuckled, before giving Sparkler a quick hug. “Thank you again.”

“H-Hey!” she pushed him away with her magic. “Easy lovercolt. Save it for the finances alright?” She looked really cute blushing like that in the moonlight.

“Just giving you some appreciation,” Aspect replied, before smiling at her. “You truly are skilled, you know?”

“W-Well of course,” she huffed and blushed again, turning around. “Idiot…” she mumbled under her breath. “See ya round okay.”

“Take care,” Aspect called back as he walked back into his house. He would have to hide the necklaces in his saddlebags.

… Alternatively, he could spring them on his mares now, as they were all gathered in one place.

It took him all of ten seconds to decide what to do.

Bon Bon giggled as Rainbow told her something funny, while Aspect’s kids were led off into the living room to play for a bit before bed. All that remained in the kitchen were his three loves, Twilight and Luna.

So Aspect snuck up behind his mares, before getting on bended knee and opening the box Sparkler had given him. Twilight, given she was standing opposite him, gasped and put her hooves to her mouth. The mares blinked and turned around, their eyes widening as they took the scene in.

“My loves, you make my days brighter, you fill them with color, you enrich my life with your sweet songs,” Aspect started. “So it would please this old warhorse greatly...if you would accept my proposal, and be my wives.”

Bon Bon was crying at this point, while Midnight smiled warmly and nodded.

Rainbow though…

She looked at them, letting the words sink in. And took a step back…

The stallion actually felt a pang in his heart as she did that.

“I…” She looked at him and the necklaces, before flying out of the nearest window.

Bon Bon’s eyes widened as Midnight looked at Aspect. “Go after her fool Do not let her get away!”

“Hurry!” Twilight agreed.

Aspect nabbed Rainbow’s necklace and dashed off after her. She wouldn’t just run away from this!

She was fast alright, he’d have to break out quite a bit… quite a lot of Air power to catch her… only he didn’t have to. She was standing on some clouds a few hundred feet from the house, staring up at the night sky.

Aspect landed behind her, holding the necklace in one hoof as he just waited. He was quite sure she’d heard him. If she felt like talking to him, he’d be right there.

“Y…” her voice cracked and she shook her head. “You… actually asked me. I… I thought, that I’d be ready but…”

“I understand if you’re not,” the stallion replied.

“It’s just…” she paced in a small circle. “AARGH! I’m not good with all this feelings and crap!” She panted and stomped the cloud a little. “I love you Aspect. Really I do. When you asked that just now. I… I thought my heart was going to just… just explode with how happy I am.”

“Then why did you run away?” Aspect softly asked.

“I dunno…” she said quietly. “I… I guess I panicked. I mean… getting married? Having a family? That’s a huuge commitment for somepony my age Aspect.”

“Well I’m not saying you’d have to have a family right away,” Aspect pointed out. “But I am asking you to be in my life.”

“I know,” she said as she looked up him with an upturned gaze. “But… geeze Aspect. I don’t even know what to say. I mean, I’m just nineteen! What… how am I supposed to…”

The stallion’s jaw worked for a little bit, before he did the only thing he could.

He walked forward and kissed her. She melted into his warm embrace, sighing softly as he held her there for a moment. Once he broke the kiss, she chuckled and lightly punched his shoulder.

“That’s cheating and you know it,” she said.

“Sheesh, go about making me feel old why don’t you?” Aspect chuckled. “Then again, I was younger than you when I became what I am. So...semantics.”

“Your fault you never asked,” she giggled, poking his chest. “So uh… I guess I owe you an answer huh?”

“That you do,” Aspect nodded, still holding the necklace out for her. She looked at it, it really was beautiful, something wasted on a tomcolt like her.

“I’m scared you know,” she said. “I’ll… probably screw something up. Make you mad or…”

“That’s me every day,” Aspect replied teasingly. “I think if anything goes wrong, it’s my fault anyways.”

“Cause it usually is,” Rainbow snorted, unable to resist taking that jab.

“Fair enough,” Aspect shrugged. “It’s all up to you.”

Rainbow looked at the necklace and smiled. “Well… I guess somepony has to challenge you. And besides… nopony else will give that pervy griffon a workout.” She took the necklace and with a bit of fidgeting, placed it around her neck and looked up. “So uh… how do I look? Prolly really stupid an—”

Aspect put a hoof under her chin, raising her just a little bit to give her another kiss. Once it broke, he smiled at her. “You look wonderful, Dash. It really suits you.”

Rainbow squirmed under the praise and blushed hard. “Eerrghh, you’re just saying that.”

“I promise that when we get back to the others, you’ll hear them gushing about it too,” Aspect replied, kissing the tip of her nose. Rainbow giggled and blushed again.

“Yeah okay,” she said. “I guess we should go back. I probably worried them huh…”

“Just a bit,” the stallion teased. “In any case, don’t you want to see the others in their necklaces too?”

“Yeah, I bet Bon Bon’s all blushy and giggly,” Rainbow said, being exactly that way herself right now. “And Midnight will be playing it all cool and stuff.”

“Mmm,” Aspect pecked her cheek, before giving her a hug. “Thanks for saying yes.”

“Yeah well… Thanks for taking a chance with me,” she smiled back. She wiped her eyes with her wings and nodded. “Right, totally cool now. Let’s head back!” She spread her wings and then flashed that trademark grin. “Race ya!”

And with that, she rocketed off. Aspect chuckled as he spread his own wings, before bearing them down in a powerful thrust, heading towards home himself.

Twilight tackle hugged Rainbow almost the second she arrived, followed by Midnight and Bon Bon as they giggled about the proposal. It was a rather heartwarming scene actually.

“So you actually did it,” Written said to Aspect from a nearby portrait. “Who'd have thought it possible.”

“It only took me a few thousand years to settle down,” Aspect joked back.

“And it only took three mares,” Written riposted without missing a beat. “So that's where I went wrong. Should’ve teamed up with Heartthrob and Hurricane~”

“Like that old warmare would have ever settled down with me,” Aspect waved it off.

“True enough, she was awfully stubborn,” Written giggled. “And Christopher? I'm sure the real Written would have been proud of you too.”

“I’m sure she would have,” the stallion sighed. “She always wanted me to have more tying me to this world. More reasons to fight and stay here.”

“Well you have quite a lot now,” the painted alicorn chuckled. “In anycase… good luck.”

Then three mares dogpiled him under hugs and kisses. The stallion let out a cry as he collapsed under the affection, dramatically raising a hoof up from under the pile before it slowly sank back in.

“And lo, the great hero falls,” Twilight said with a snarky, solemn tone. “Here lies Balanced Aspect, slain by snuggles.”

Aspect even let out a fake death rattle as he was cuddled to death.

“Aww,” Bon Bon pouted. “Now who do we marry?”

They all looked at Twilight. Who in response?

Teleported right the hell out of there for the evening.

“Cheater,” Rainbow snickered. “Oh, I think I broke Aspect earlier?”

Midnight raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Apparently he didn't know how old I was,” she snickered and looked down. “How old did you think I was anyway?”

“Well you were clearly mature enough to know what you were getting into,” Aspect replied, opening his eyes. “Beyond that, I don’t ask. It’s rude to ask a female her age.”

“Ten bits says he doesn't know yours either,” Rainbow snickered at the other mares.

“I doubt even Aspect is that foolish,” Midnight nodded and looked at him. “Isn't that right?”

“A gentlestallion does not pry into the matters of a mare’s age,” Aspect said solemnly. “It is up to her to disclose it if she feels like it.”

Midnight just stared flatly… before depositing a silver bit into Rainbow’s hoof. “Well, for your information, I am twenty six.”

“And I’m twenty two,” Bon Bon replied and looked at Rainbow.

“Nineteen,” she smiled as the mares just stared.

“Wow… we really robbed the cradle here huh?” Bon Bon said, earning a huff from the little pegasus mare.

“You know, if you wanted to do a comparison, you could always ask me my age,” Aspect pointed out.

“Several thousand, you old relic,” Rainbow snorted. “Like you’d find anyone your age that isn’t related.”

“True enough,” Aspect mused. “I could always try a dragon, but I doubt any would be interested in me except as something to be added to their horde once they realize how important I am.”

“Mine!” Bon Bon and Midnight growled.

“And that is the reason I’m not doing that,” the stallion chuckled. “So...hmm. How to go about doing this, I wonder?”

“What do you mean?” Bon Bon asked. “Do what?”

“The actual wedding, of course,” Aspect replied. “We’ll need somepony to preside over it, a location, a guest list…”

“Yeah, there’s a lot to work out,” Bon Bon said with a nod. “Hmm, well I’m sure you have some family that could help. Maybe a certain pink alicorn?”

“I can always ask her help, true...oooh, there’s an idea,” Aspect mused. “Getting wed by the Aspect of Love. That is, if she agrees to it. Plus she could give me a list of things that need to get done, and I’m sure Twilight would help me get it organized. Then it would just be a matter of ticking it all off one by one.”

“Hey, leave some for us to do yeah?” Rainbow snorted and looked at her necklace. “So… you think these suit us Aspy?”

“They are more lovely than they were before, because the mares that are the light of my life are wearing them,” the stallion replied with a nod of his head.

“Awww~” the trio cooed and looked at each other.

“Shall we show him our… appreciation?” Bon Bon purred.

“Mmm yes,” Midnight smiled and licked her fangs.

“Somepony ain’t sleepin’ tonight,” Rainbow smirked as the trio surrounded him.

“I regret nothing,” Aspect replied seriously. Regret wasn’t on the table.

The ability to walk the next morning though… that option was shot right to hell.

Author's Notes:

Am totally preparing this early, because that means more time spent doing other things on Wednesday.

Like the story? Consider dropping Aus and me a dollar on my Patreon. It really does help.

Half of all funds will not be spent ranching slimes.