Christopher Gale, aka, Balanced Aspect, aka, a good deal of other titles. He had lived a long time. Sometimes his days were filled with unimaginable joy and happiness.

Others filled with darkness and despair.

Some with everything in between.

But what he faced this morning? It was easily the most arduous test he'd been fronted with so far. Of all the monsters he'd slain.

Of all the hardships he'd faced.

None was more nerve wracking than this.

His daughter had made him breakfast.

Luna stood there, her starry mane billowing on a nonexistent breeze, her eyes shining with pride and an eager smile on her face.

Her pancakes, at least that's what she identified this… crime against food as, sat in front of him.

“Luna, answer me seriously now,” Aspect said. “You...inherited my cooking skills, didn’t you?”

“You… do not want it?” Luna asked, her gaze cast down as her cyan eyes lowered, her ears wilting as her jubilant mood lessened. “No, you wouldn't. Tia always was the better cook…”

“Luna, my cooking is barely enough to keep me alive,” Aspect replied. “Honestly, I’m pretty sure at the start I would have poisoned myself if it weren’t for the whole immortal thing. There’s no pride in not admitting your faults. What’s best is to suck it up, and try to overcome them. There’s nothing saying you can’t learn how to cook. Your mark just says what your special talent is. You’re only limited by it if you define yourself by it.”

“Aye,” Luna sighed as she tossed the breakfast into the bin with a sigh. “Fair Bon Bon is not here though. What shall we do for food?”

“As an apology to you, how about I take the family out to Sugarcube corner?” Aspect replied. “I could do with a little something sweet, and it should perk you right up.”

“Very well Father,” Luna nodded as her horn shone and the rest of his children in the house were teleported into the kitchen.

“Gaah, what gives?” Artemis groaned and rubbed his head.

“G’morning!” Aspect said cheerfully. “With Bon Bon at home tending to her shop and her Lyra, I figured we could all go out to Sugarcube Corner for breakfast!”

“....couldn't have woken us normally?” The dog quipped.

“We are not normal,” Luna replied.

“....point,” Artemis conceded, extracting himself out from under the alicorn colt atop of him.

“Get used to it, when Celly and Lulu are around, normal goes out the window,” Realm replied before yawning widely. “So...what, did Dad try cooking and end up with construction grade materials?”

“I tried cooking,” Luna deadpanned at him, the older alicorn tapping her hoof on the floor.

“Isn’t that the reason we hired chefs back at the Everfree?” the younger alicorn quipped.

“Does father strike you as the kind that wants servants here?” Luna replied back. “Besides, name one pony that even remotely holds a candle to Fair Bon Bon’s cooking?”

“Well if we’re going to Sugarcube Corner, then I think my answer is already plain,” the colt replied as he shook his wings. “C’mon, let’s go get spoiled.”

Luna shrugged and looked at Aspect. “Disguise or no father?”

“Eh, I’ll leave it up to you,” the stallion replied as he cracked his neck. “I’ll stay as a pegasus, myself.”

“Yeah, cause it isn’t like half the town knows you’re a human,” Realm rolled his eyes. Seems he’d inherited his father’s snarkiness for early wakeup calls.

“The runt had a point,” Luna said. “You used to remain in human form quite often. Now, I can count the times I have seen you as such since my return on my hooves.”

“Well maybe I don’t want to bring my humanity back into the spotlight,” the stallion griped. “This is your country now, your time. I’m just a relic, moreso if I take my natural form.”

“And we are not?” Luna said as they got ready to leave. They could walk and talk. “We have been gone a thousand years. This isn’t our country… Tis Tia’s legacy…”

“You and your sister were meant to rule this land together,” Aspect replied. “You never needed my meddling hooves once you took down Discord. It’s why I stopped taking human form. So many legends and myths associated with it...I wanted those to disappear. I wanted them to not be associated with me, but some ponies are dedicated to history. It might be another thousand years before I’m able to be ‘me’ again without some pony gasping in shock.”

“Then they’ll gasp cause you look weird,” Artemis said with a shrug. “I still get that around here sometimes.”

“Yeah, cause you all have it so bad,” Nightmare piped up, reminding the group she was here.

“Weird ponies and non-ponies, unite,” Aspect chuckled out. “Let’s dare to be different.”

“Can we take over Equestria?” Nightmare asked hopefully.

“Once you grow into your role, I’m sure others will actually welcome you,” the stallion replied. “You are technically an Aspect, born of Luna’s flesh. I’m not sure what the precedents are for that…”

“So… does that make me like, her sister, or her daughter?” Nightmare asked, the question making Luna pause.

“I have a child out of wedlock…? I am ruined for marriage!” the older alicorn wailed. Aspect merely facehooved before continuing on the way.

Then Luna tacked on.

“Does that mean Discord is the Father? Or Twilight and her friends?”

“Oh for the love of-” Aspect muttered. “Just...stop thinking like that. Please.” He turned to see Luna with a smile on her muzzle… and the realization that he’d just been played.

“...You sneaky minx,” the stallion praised her.

“I learned from the best,” Luna smiled smugly. “Now, let us go and claim deliciousness from the Sugarcube Corner,” she declared as she trotted away.

“Wait up Mommy~” Nightmare called out, cackling when the comment made Luna stumble.

“Oh boy, but isn’t this going to be a morning and a half,” the stallion muttered as he followed after his daughter.

“Aren’t they always?” Artemis quipped as he followed next to Realm and Pupal.

They reached the bakery… only to find the place oddly empty. Mister Cake was manning the counter, but aside from that, the place was deserted.

“Huh? I… have customers?” he blinked. “S-Sorry, wasn’t expecting anypony today.”

“Oh?” Aspect asked with a quirked eyebrow. “It’s just, Bon Bon was home this morning, so we took the chance to get breakfast out. Considering there’s not a pony home who can cook without committing a crime against taste.”

“Sorry, I expected you to be lined up at Sweet Apple Acres like everypony else,” Carrot said as he wiped down a perfectly clean counter. “With it being Cider Season and all.”

“Huh…” the stallion mused. “We’ll pop by later. For now, we need sustenance, my good stallion.”

“Too bad, there won’t be any later. The Apples only make so much of the stuff.” he said and straightened up. “Well now, what can I get you all then?”

“Some doughnuts would seem the fitting breakfast treat for this crew,” Aspect mused.

“I got just the thing then,” he nodded and looked in his display case. “Huh… don’t have quite enough. Would you mind waiting while I whip some up? Should only take ten minutes.”

“I think we can wait that long,” Aspect offered as he looked around. “That table looks good,” he pointed at one. “Let’s give him some space to work on it.”

“Speak for yourself, I’m hungrrryyyy,” Nightmare moaned as the group sat down.

“I have my meal already,” Pupal said, leaning against Realm.

“Well you heard the stallion, it’ll be ten minutes,” Aspect told Nightmare. “Just keep it internal until you get something inside you.”

“...Do you really want me to respond to that,” the filly Nightmare said with a waggle of her eyebrows.

“I could respond to that if you’d like,” Realm chimed in.

“No,” Aspect shut them down with a hoof to the table. “Darnit, what did I ever do to deserve you two?”

“I have a list,” Realm chirped. “One as long as your—”

Luna’s magic clamped his muzzle shut as she rubbed her temple. “I had forgotten about his… way with words,” she sighed.

“I could start a list,” Nightmare added. “As Aspect knows well, you can’t have too many—”

That was when Aspect grew a horn to clamp her mouth shut. “Holding it until breakfast?” he asked Luna.

“It would seem so,” Luna sighed as the two foals shared a mischievous glint in their eyes, a silent partnership formed.

“This will not end well,” Artemis groaned.

A moment later, Carrot cake brought out a round of coffee, tea and flavoured milk for them to drink.

“On the house,” he said with a smile.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” Aspect said, even as he let Nightmare’s muzzle go. The filly rubbed it, but just settled for a silent smirk as Luna released Realm.

“It’s fine,” the stallion hummed. “Honestly, you’ll likely be my only customers all day.”

“Well anything to support a local business,” Aspect tipped his head to the stallion.

“You have my thanks,” he said as he trotted off.

Then there was a telltale feeling of magic in the air, and a weight landed on Aspect’s head. He rolled his eyes up to look at what it could possibly be…

A baby foal was perched there, she had a golden coat, an orange mane and tail and two very large blue eyes.

“Well hello there,” he said up to the filly. “What are you doing all the way up there?”

“Blab!” she gurgled as she sucked on a hoof. She then lifted herself up with self-levitation and floated over to Luna, landing on her head and holding her horn.

“I think she likes you,” Aspect teased.

“Apparently,” Luna said as the foal gummed her horn. There was a buzz in the air, before a tan and brown pegasus colt entered the scene, their exhausted-looking mother hurrying down the stairs after them.

“Ah, that would explain it,” Aspect replied, softly catching the colt in a bubble of magic and holding him still. “Now the both of you behave for your mother, understand?”

They looked at him and poked their tongues out as the earth pony mare took them.

“Goodness, I am sorry if they bothered you,” Missus Cake said with a weary sigh. “I’ve been up half the night with these little ones.”

“I am well aware of how troublesome foals can be,” Aspect chuckled as he stuck his tongue back out at the foals, making a silly face for them to laugh at. It got a response from them as they giggled.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Luna asked as she wiped the drool from her horn with a napkin.

“O-Oh my goodness, Princess Luna… I am so so so sorry,” Cuppy Cake went to bow, only to be stopped with a raised hoof.

“Nay, t’was no slight at all. We happen to quite like foals,” Luna said and smiled at the pair of youngsters.

“Despite how much of a hassle you and your sister were,” Aspect continued.

Luna poked out her tongue, the foals mimicking her.

Cuppy breathed a sigh of relief as she set the foals on her back. “Well, I suppose I shall introduce you,” she said and motioned to the filly. “This is Pumpkin Cake, and her brother Pound Cake.”

“Charmed,” Aspect nodded at the foals.

“Baaalb!” they responded, nodding their heads back, looks of total seriousness on their faces.

And then Carrot reappeared, carrying a large tray with about three dozen, still steaming powdered jam donuts.

“Here we go, fresh from the oven,” he beamed as he set the tray down.

“Thank you very much,” Aspect smiled at the stallion as he looked at the children that were with him. “Now, you all distribute them fairly, or I’ll do it.”

Luna paused, setting back what looked like three quarters of the pile.

“I got jam, cream cheese and custard donuts in there,” he said with a smile. “I need to help Cuppy with the kids, but just shout if you need anything okay?”

“Thank you for the quick and gracious helpings,” Aspect smiled and inclined his head to Carrot Cake. “We’ll be sure to enjoy them.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said as the parents left the room and headed upstairs.

Nightmare Moon just stared at the pile of sweet, literally drooling as she inhaled the amazing aroma.

“Remember, equal portions for everyone,” Aspect warned them. “We’ve got more than enough for us all to walk away with a full belly here. Let’s not abuse that, eh?”

Luna nodded as she started to divvy them up. With six ponies, that allowed them two of each flavour. The stallion nodded once and began eating his own share, biting into a jam-filled doughnut. Flavour exploded in his mouth. That stallion knew what he was doing, this was by far the best doughnuts he’d eaten. He hummed in appreciation as he chewed, almost thinking he was doing the world a disservice by eating them.

“Shhooo guuuud,” Nightmare moaned as she tore into her food like a ravenous wolf, and Aspect noted that Luna was little better. The only pony there was was eating them with some sense of decorum was Realm.

“Honestly, you’re all like animals sometimes,” the colt rolled his eyes as he ate his doughnuts sedately.

“Realm?” Night spoke up. “You’re a pegasus, do you like seafood?”

“I have had the occasional fish dish, yes,” Realm replied. “And I was a pegasus, remember.”

Then Luna and Nightmare opened their mouths wide, showing the chewed up remains of their breakfast.

“Manners,” the colt scolded them both.

They just chuckled and swallowed their mouthfuls.

“So… I see the former Nightmare is getting along well,” Yggdrasil whispered into Aspect’s mind.

“It’s amazing what being surrounded by other immortals does for an immortal’s state of mental well-being,” Aspect whispered back.

“Hhm I’d been worried about that,” Yggdrasil said with an intoned sigh. “And yet, you plan to wed three mortal mares. Are… you prepared for that?”

“I’ve already laid the Dream Valley mares to rest, those that I called friends. I also don’t expect to see any of my friends from the Everfree castle ever again. I...know I’m going to outlive them. Just please...let me have some time with them.”

“The time is yours to spend,” Yggdrasil said. “Still, the future is something I can only guess at at best. I will warn you, Destiny has ensnared several close to you. Not I, nor even you, with all your power can change that which is already written.”

“Destiny will have to come through me if it intends to separate me and those I’ll wed.”

“We shall see,” Yggdrasil said. “I have had… insights. But I cannot share them as you are well aware. If you knew and altered that, Destiny would be thrown off course, and true darkness and despair will have an opening.”

“Yours is one of the harder jobs, I am aware,” Aspect thought back. “You have to watch the weave and guide it, without telling anyone.”

“The desire to help is… Well I feel useless at times,” he went quiet for a moment. “There are plans, possibilities in effect. If it works, your future may be all the brighter for it.”

“I’ll take that and run with it,” the stallion replied. “You take care now. I have a small horde of troublemakers to watch out for.”

“Best of luck there,” came the reply as the connection severed.

Just in time to see Pupal hug Realm from behind, purring loudly as she rested her head atop of his, drinking down his love.

“Pupal, don’t forget your doughnuts,” Aspect reminded her. “Love is all well and good, but you need physical food to grow.”

“I knooowww,” she said, Realm feeling the vibrations of her purr through his back.

“Well then, at least eat one now,” Aspect said to her. “It’d make me feel better.”

She sighed and reluctantly released Realm, who felt a little tired now as the Changeling picked up a doughnut and started to eat.

“Plus, constantly draining the same pony time and again can’t be good for him,” Aspect pointed out.

She paused and… looked quite guilty. “Oh… I forgot about that,” she murmured and looked at Realm. “M’sorry…” she said in a quiet voice.

“It’s…” Realm put a hoof to his mouth to stifle a yawn. “It’s fine,” he said. “It’s not that big a deal…”

Then she shoved a doughnut into his mouth. “You need to eat sugar,” she said. “I’m sorry. They teached us not to overdrain. So you need to eat and not fall asleep!”

“It’s...not too bad, right?” Realm asked before nibbling on another doughnut.

“No… but it could kill you if I hadn’t remembered,” she said helpfully. “I’m sorry I was slowly killing you Realmy.”

“Well...at least you caught on, right?” Realm replied. “You’ll just need to find another source or two.”

“Mmm, nobuggy else likes me,” she said and sighed. “Like in class. If I didn’t have a disguise, they’d all run screaming like they all do.”

“Our future moms-” Realm caught himself. “Okay, miss Bon Bon and miss Dash don’t really mind you. And I know dad doesn’t.”

“That’s…” She looked away. “I don’t know…”

“Pupal, come here,” Aspect said, patting the seat next to him. She blinked and then climbed cutely down off of her chair, before moving up onto the one next to Aspect.

Then the stallion wrapped her with a wing and…

Oh. That…

That was a lot of love being forced into her.

She squeaked and tried to pull away. “A-Ah! T-too much!”

“You only have to ask,” Aspect said as he gently let her go. “My love for my family is boundless.”

The poor filly looked like she was about to be sick, her cheeks puffed up and…

She let out a window rattling belch.

“And thus we see the dangers in overfeeding a changeling,” Aspect intoned seriously.

“Coooool,” Artemis, Nightmare and Realm all said and clapped their hooves.

“Oh please,” Luna rolled her eyes and floated a soda over from a nearby fridge. Aspect forgot one moment too late what was coming.

“BBBBBBBUUUUUURRRRRRPPPP!!”

A Royal Canterlot Voice-powered belch was… impressive. The house literally rattled with that one, Realm and Artemis were literally knocked from their seats.

“Not bad,” the stallion praised her.

“Bah, I tried,” Luna sighed as Nightmare clapped her hooves.

“What in Celestia’s name was that!?” came Cuppy Cake’s yell from upstairs.

“Her sister showing off,” Aspect called back upstairs.

“...Nice one!” Carrot Cake called.

“Many thanks!” Luna shouted back.

“...Weirdest breakfast ever,” Artemis groaned.

“Not even in my top ten,” Aspect brushed it off with a wing.

“Oh?” Nightmare mused. “Praytell, what is the weirdest breakfast you’ve had then?”

“The one when the girls were in the middle of their pranking war back in Dream Valley,” Aspect replied. “It was absolutely normal, which was the weird part.”

“What?” Nightmare blinked and scoffed, clicking her tongue. “That’s lame.”

“It was the set up to the rest of the day being absolutely relentless, though,” Aspect pointed out. “I was thoroughly expecting something like dinner the last night, which was full of hot sauce, lemon juice, whoopie cushions, and drinks mysteriously erupting into fountains.”

“Until Mother put an end to it,” Luna sighed. “In my defense, it’s not my fault Celestia used a platter to deflect my spell. I’d spent days learning that ‘mane to spaghetti’ transmutation.”

“Pffft, what?” Nightmare cackled.

“It had to end sometime,” Aspect pointed out.

“Yes, and then you had to go and ask mother if you should replace her shampoo with tomato sauce…”

Nightmare lost it, doubling over with laughter.

“Ponies tend to forget they’re sisters at times,” Aspect chuckled. “They do things like this to each other. I’m surprised the pair of you haven’t restarted your little pranking war.”

“Who says I haven’t?” Luna smirked. “And that she just hasn’t realized yet.”

“What did you do?” Nightmare wheezed out.

“You’ll see the next time she takes a bath,” Luna mused. “Sister always did look better in pink~”

“Oh boy,” the stallion muttered, shaking his head. “Right, if all you troublemakers are done with your breakfasts, go on home. I’ll pay for it.”

“Nay, we shall cover it, t’was our slight that made this necessary,” Luna said with a shake of her head. “Besides, we should see what this ‘cider season’ is all about.”

“You’re not responsible for the circumstances leading up to this, Lulu,” Aspect soothed. “Go on, take the others to see this cider season thing if you want. I’ll pay and meet you all back at the house.”

“You art so stubborn,” she sighed as she summoned a bag of bits. Waaaay more than what the meal was worth as she planted it on the counter.

“Lulu…” Aspect said warningly.

“What?” Luna replied. “I paid for the meal. So there.”

“Lulu, don’t make me invoke my privilege as a father to put you over my knee,” Aspect said. “I’m the responsible father figure here, I won’t have my daughter paying for the breakfast I took her out to.”

“Besides, that’s far too much money,” Artemis said, pointing at the sack.

“It is?” Luna tilted her head. “Tis it not the way anymore? Somepony receive equal compensation for services rendered. That meal was both extremely enjoyable for quality and company. I am simply paying what is rightfully due.”

“Lulu, just...take the money back and let me pay for breakfast, please,” the stallion said, punctuating it with a long-suffering sigh.

“Fiiine,” Luna sighed and teleported the money away. She would come back later and tip them. “I shall see you at home then.”

“Mmhmm, take care of the others while I pay,” Aspect said as he saw his children off.

“Fine,” Luna rolled her eyes as she left him to his business. Time to see what the cider nonsense was about.

Luna snorted as she made her way down the dusty path towards Sweet Apple Acres. If she knew the place, she could have just teleported. And Night didn’t have the magic to teleport herself, let alone the whole group.

As they got closer, a curious sound caught the alicorn’s ears. It was not the sound of joyus ponies enjoying fresh cider on this warm day. No, far from it actually.

As Luna and the others stepped up to the crown, the tall alicorn looked over the herd to see an odd contraption, twin unicorn stallions and a rather dejected-looking Apple Family.

“What happened here?” she asked nopony in particular.

“These guys,’ Lyra said, having been standing just in front of Luna. “They used that weird machine to win a bet, and now they’ve taken the farm away from the Apples.”

Luna’s eyes narrowed. Oh did they now…

A smirk crossed her muzzle as her eyes flashed dangerously. So, they liked to bet did they?

So did Luna~

The first thing Aspect heard was the door slamming open, followed by the loud laughs of Luna and Rainbow.

“Ohman, did you see their faces!?” Rainbow wheezed with giggles. “If the verbal beatdown wasn’t bad enough, the physical ones sure was.”

“Dare I ask what happened?” The stallion asked with a raised brow.

“O-Oh hey… A-Aspect,’ Rainbow panted, getting her breath back. “Y-You missed out. It was the best thing ever!”

“Indeed, a great battle was fought, thou even missed the spoils of war,” Luna shook her head. “Thankfully, We saved some for you.”

“I’m gonna need details,” the stallion replied, pointing to the seats nearby. Rainbow and Luna took a seat, the former taking the chance to catch her breath while Luna summoned a wooden mug filled with a fizzy amber liquid.

“Here father, some of Lady Applejack’s finest cider.”

Aspect raised a brow before taking the mug and sipping from it. It was rather delicious. The perfect blend of sweet and sour. The fizziness tingling his tongue pleasantly and it went down oh so smooth.

“Good no?” Rainbow hummed. “I finally got a mug… or twenty. Don’t judge me!”

“It’s...probably one of the better drinks I’ve had, I’ll agree,” Aspect nodded as he nursed the mug, only occasionally sipping from it.

Then Luna and Rainbow recalled the series of events that transpired. How a pair of unicorns called Flim and Flam, earning a snort from the stallion, tried to swindle Applejack’s farm. Not only had Luna put an abrupt stop to that particular outcome, the brothers foolishly made a wager against her.

“Ponies are so soft these days,” Luna smiled like a shark. “They don’t get as confident when their life is on the line.”

“Lulu,” Aspect sighed.

“What?” Luna said. “You’d have agreed if you’d met them.”

“Yeah, they were total jerks,” Rainbow nodded. “They kicked AJ and her family off of their farm, up until the Princess stepped up to help.”

“Nonsense, and call me Luna, we are but family now,” she said and nuzzled Rainbow.

“...Fair enough, I clearly don’t have the full story here,” Aspect agreed.

“Well, after defeated them in the cider-making game,” Luna said. ‘They had the gall to say that a Princess helping was cheating, even though they agreed to it in the first place. So, we made a small wager.” She pulled out a golden bit. “Heads, I give them my throne in Canterlot. Tails, I get their heads.”

Then she turned the coin in her magic, showing Celestia’s sunmark on either side.

“Oh dear,” Aspect shook his head. “Well, I’m glad they eventually had the good sense to know when they were outmatched.”

“Mhm, it was around the time I started sharpening my scythe,” Luna smiled as lightning flashed from outside.

“Ooh, ominous,” Rainbow noted. “Also on that note, I need to take care of some weather business.” She hugged Luna and gave Aspect a kiss. “Later.”

And with that, she rocketed from the room.

“Always in a rush, that one.” Luna noted.

“She is known for her speed around here,” the stallion pointed out.

“So I noticed,” Luna mused as she reclined on the sofa. “So how fare you father. Sister sends her regrets in being unable to visit. The nobility is being as asinine as always.”

“I suspected as much,” the stallion sighed. “Well, things have been relatively calm around here as of late.”

“Father, did you just taunt Murphy again?” Luna asked, remembering what he used to say about that name. “You know he has it in for you or some such.”

“Well I mean there was that thing with Applejack breaking a Pinkie Promise, which, trust me, you don’t want to know about,” the stallion replied. “But other than that adventure...calm.”

“Hmm, and you’re complaining?” Luna asked him. “I mean, quiet is fine and all. But a good adventure is good for the soul.”

“I’ve had my fill of adventures, thank you,” Aspect sighed. “I just hope that say...the next eighty years or so are calm.”

“Oh, only that long. A meager drop in the bucket for ponies… and humans such as ourselves,” Luna said. “Also… may I hide… I mean, stay here for a few days?”

“Luna, you know you’ll have to face your sister sooner or later,” Aspect pointed out.

“Nope, not worried about her,” she said with a shake of her head. “Her new medic on the other hoof. She bucking terrifies me.”

“...Dare I ask?” Aspect posed.

“Her name is Lady Holy Eldena Prime,” Luna shuddered. “And her methods are… unorthodox.”

“Such as?”

“Well, Celestia sprained her hoof not long ago, Holy suggested breaking her leg to kickstart her regeneration to heal it.”

Aspect raised an eyebrow at that.

“Oh, did I mention she’s a field medic for the Guard?” Luna said. “She once stepped onto the battlefield, and figuring it was easier than healing ponies getting constantly hurt, she single-hoofedly annihilated the entire opposing force with a Light spell.”

“Well that speaks of a tactical mind at least…” Aspect pointed out.

“A dozen of our own were caught in the crossfire, her response was. ‘I healed them later didn’t I?’,” Luna said and shook her head. “So no, I do not think I shall be letting this maniac examine me.”

“...I might want to have words with her about this,” Aspect muttered.

“Good luck, she wants give you a medical too, saying that all that shapeshifitng can’t be healthy.” Luna summoned her own mug and sipped it.

“It is perfectly healthy!” Aspect snapped. “I don’t see her having the magical essences of most of the species on Equus stored in her body!”

“To be fair, she thinks exploding things fixes most problems,” Luna sighed. “Well whatever. Unless you don’t want your sweet, lovable daughter here?”

“No no, by all means, you’re free to stay for the time being,” Aspect waved a wing. “I’ll not turn you away.”

“Excellent!” Luna cheered and smiled. This was going to be a great couple of days.

The next day was… uneventful. Boring even. Aspect had spent a good portion lazing about the house. Midnight’s mother had returned home, as had Bon Bon’s. The kids were at school, Twilight hadn't bugged him for stories…

Even Lyra was absent.

“Is it always so… dull?” Luna asked as she lay on her back on a rug, painting a night sky illusion on his ceiling and drawing lewd star patterns.

“Normally something happens around here every so often,” the stallion agreed as he flipped through a book. “I guess you filled that quota with what you did to those con artist brothers.”

“Aww,” Luna pouted. Even older Twilight wasn't around. The ancient mare off exploring Ponyville and the surrounding area, Midnight tasked with keeping her safe. “Tis there nothing we can't do Father? We art most bored.”

“Between not teaching today and the weather being pretty light to the point where they don’t need my help, I’m pretty bored as well,” the stallion pointed out. “Some days are just slow days. Days which, need I remind you, I cherished back when we lived near Dream Vall--”

*POP!*

And with a magical flash of light, Aspect now had a dizzy Twilight Sparkle in his lap, her eyes swirling.

“Nevermind, something’s up,” Aspect said as he put his book to the side. “So, how can I help you?”

Twilight shook her head to clear it and blushed when she saw her new seat. She quickly leapt to her hooves and stammered. “S-Sorry, I kinda rushed my spell.”

“Who am I to turn down a pretty mare?” Aspect asked her. “But I assume there’s a reason you’re here now.”

“O-Oh, Yes,” Twilight fought her adorable blush down. “It's Rainbow Dash. She's in the hospital.”

“Oh geeze,” the stallion rolled his eyes. “What did she do this time?”

“She had a pretty nasty crash while practicing,” Twilight explained. “The ground won. So now she's in with a broken wing, some scratches and bruises and a busted ego.”

“Welp, sounds like the perfect chance to go cheer her up then,” Aspect nodded once. “As long as she wasn’t trying to put lightning into a rainboom again, I’ll not chastise her for it.”

“No, just some stunt flying,” Twilight said as Luna tried to get to her hooves. “Oh? Hello Luna.”

“Good morning Friend Twilight,” the alicorn nodded.

“Well, shall we?” Twilight said as she helped the alicorn up.

“Yup, I’ll be with you in a moment,” Aspect nodded as he cracked his neck. “Just gonna go grab my bags and I’ll be on my way.”

He also noted that Luna was watching a particular part of Twilight as she left....

He sighed. His girls. One was still pure, the other, all too willing to chase after anything that caught her eye.

...Like he could talk.

It was a matter of a minute before the stallion walked back into the main entryway and held open the door for his daughter. “Let’s go see Dash,” he stated.

“Well, beats doing nothing,” she said as she walked out of the door.

To say Rainbow Dash was less than amused was like saying water was wet. Shebhad her forelegs folded and the mother of all pouts on her face as her left wing was bandaged up, her other injuries coated in gauze and wrappings.

“This suuuuucks!” she moaned. “Urgh! Do I really have to be here for three bucking days?”

“If you want to fly again, yes, yes you do,” Aspect deadpanned at her. “Ponies can walk off a lot of things, but not broken wings, Dash.”

His mare just snorted and looked away. If stubbornness had an Aspect. Dash would be a shoe-in for it.

“Look, just relax,” the stallion soothed. “It’ll all be over before you know it. And I can always come and visit you.”

“And do what?” Rainbow sighed. “Doc says I can't do any of that stuff til my wing is healed fully.”

“Part of being a couple isn’t just that, Dash,” Aspect sighed. “It’s also about connecting with each other. Sharing stories and the like. For example, you know a lot about me. You could tell me more about your life.” He nudged her with a wing. “I’m sure you have some stories I haven’t heard yet.”

“I guess…” Rainbow murmured.

“There’s always books!” Twilight suggested excitedly, only for Rainbow to scoff and roll her eyes.

“Please, books are for eggheads like you Twi. Not cool ponies like me.”

“...You’ve never read a book?” Aspect raised an eyebrow.

“Text books and crap in school, sure,” Rainbow said with a shrug. “Sometimes. Books are boring. Why read about life when you can be out there living it?”

“You can’t do everything, Dash,” the stallion pointed out. “Tartarus, even I’ve not done everything. I’m old and there’s still parts of the world I’ve never been to.”

Rainbow held up her good wing, extending her primaries like fingers. “I've defeated two ancient evils. Pulled off a pegasus move nopony has done in centuries. Got engaged in a herd marriage to an immortal alien and I'm not even twenty yet. I dare you to find a book more exciting than that.”

“Twilight, the ball is in your court,” Aspect bowed his head to her.

“Um…” Twilight scratched her head as she was thrown under the proverbial carriage. “Hmm…”

“See?” Rainbow said, not waiting for a reply. “Books are for foals and eggheads.”

“Where’s a good adventure book when you need one,” the stallion shook his head. “All mine are old human copies I’m saving for Twilight.”

Aaaaand now the unicorn as looking up at him, The Cute set to maximum output as her tail wagged adorably.

“You’ll get them on your birthday and Hearth’s Warming,” the stallion chuckled as he turned back to Dash. “Seriously, there has got to be a pony adventure novel that’d tickle your fancy…”

“Meh…” Rainbow shrugged as she bounced a ball against the far wall.

“Any ideas, Twilight?” Aspect asked the unicorn.

“Hmmm….” Twilight turned as a book cart wheeled by and she gasped, floating a book over. One titled Daring Do.

“Here!” Twilight beamed. “This is a favourite of mine actually. The pony it's about is brave, fearless and tenacious. She kinda reminds me of you.”

“Daring Do?” Rainbow looked at the cover like something you'd step in. “Really….”

“It’s better than staring at a wall all day,” Aspect pointed out. “I can’t stay forever, I have to wrangle the kids soon, and somepony is going to have to help out the weather team while you’re temporarily indisposed.”

“Psh. Sure,” Rainbow waved a hoof. “Fine. Guess I'll see you round then.”

“I’ll stop in from time to time when I can,” Aspect promised Dash, giving her a peck on the cheek.

“Urrgh, not in front of Twilight,” she blushed, wiping her cheek with a hoof.

“Yeah, cause I haven't seen worse,” the unicorn rolled her eyes.

“In any case, take care, get well soon Dashie,” Aspect teased, before turning and walking off to gather his kids from school.

“So Dash hurt herself… again?” Artemis deadpanned. “Seriously? Maybe Miss Rarity should make her a bubble wrap suit or something.”

“At the speeds she was going, it wouldn’t help,” the stallion sighed. “It’s like she lives for the thrill...and the hospital bed.”

“I'd like to know how she isn't dead,” Nightmare commented. “Usually when a pony flies into the ground like that. One would require a sponge to pick up what's left. And all she gets is a broken wing?”

“One of the basic skills of Aeromancy is more instinctive than you’d think,” Aspect noted. “In times of panic, a pony who is skilled in Aeromancy will instinctively pull the air around them into a cushion, to soften any blow or impact.”

“She can do that?” Nightmare said, actually sounding impressed. “So… how much of a monster will she be when actually trained?”

“I honestly don’t know,” the stallion returned. “She can already break the sound barrier, and the visible light spectrum so…”

“Eesh,” Nightmare shuddered. “The only thing worse would be Sparkle learning Runic.”

“Yeah, no, we keep a very tight lid on that ability for a reason,” Aspect countered. “Runes powered the fountain, after all. It was only when the sword was drawn that it started to stop.”

“And Runes can't restart the fountain?” Artemis asked.

“Depends, do you feel like uprooting the World-tree to try?” the stallion riposted.

“Where’s my shovel?” Nightmare said without missing a beat.

“Rude!” Yggdrasil said to Aspect.

‘Nightmare is as Nightmare does,’ the stallion thought back. “Look, no. There’s a reason I planted him there. Mostly to hide the location of the fountain in the first place. Also, I still couldn’t read Runic when I did. Honestly, it’s better this way.”

“Huh…” Nightmare mused on that. Well wasn't that interesting. Then her ear flicked. “I have a new question.”

“Mmm?” the stallion mused as he kept on leading the kids back to the mansion, one of his ears turning to face her.

“What's higher? Your defense. Or Midnight’s attack?”

“Hilarious,” the stallion deadpanned.

“Well… I'm about to find out…”

*POW!*

And that was a bat tacklehugging at high speed. Aspect let out an ‘ack’ as he fell to the ground, tumbling a dozen feet before coming to a stop, Midnight standing over him.

“Oh look. I found a husband,” she mused and kissed his lips.

“So you did,” the stallion replied after the kiss broke. “Was the tackle necessary?”

“Yes… yes it was,” Midnight nodded.

“I bet her she couldn't get the drop on you,” Twilight Twinkle chuckled as she walked up to them. “Seems you're getting old Christopher.”

“Well excuse me for not expecting a sudden attack from nowhere,” the stallion replied. “It’s not like the era isn’t more peaceful or anything.”

“Perhaps I am simply too good for such a weary male,” Midnight said smugly.

“Oh dear,” Twinkle chuckled. “Hmm, maybe even I could defeat him.”

“Somepony’s forgetting who they’re talking about,” Aspect pointed out. “It was just a boring day, that’s all.”

“Mhm,” Twinkle pet his head. “Poor boy. Were you lonely?”

“Luna was around for most of it, and then Dash went and broke her wing, so it wasn’t that bad,” the stallion replied. “It was nice to have a day to unwind, actually.”

“Rainbow did what?” Midnight gasped. As a fellow flier, she knew that pain all too well. “Is she alright?”

“Bored out of her skull, but she’ll heal,” Aspect nodded. “Three days in the hospital.”

“I shall give her love to recover!” Midnight nodded and flew off to lavish the pegasus mare.

“Is Rainbow a Changeling too?” Pupal tilted her head.

“Nope, aaaaand something tells me Midnight’s about to be booted out of the hospital,” Aspect chuckled. “So, homework first, then dinner.”

“A-Are you cooking?” Realm asked with no small amount of trepidation.

“Eh, if Bon Bon doesn’t show, we can go out to eat,” the stallion replied. “I’m all too aware that my cooking isn’t fit for anyone but myself.”

“It's been how long and you still don't know how?” Twinkle sighed. “I swear… you and Majesty were the worst for avoiding that.”

“I at least tried to learn,” Aspect returned fire. “Granted, all that managed to do was avoid having milk curdle in my presence, but I made the effort.”

“And now we know why he couldn’t get a marefriend,” Nightmare chuckled. “Take note little Realm. Mares like a stallion that can cook.”

“I’ll keep it in mind,” the pinto alicorn colt replied.

“Well… she’s not wrong,” Artemis said and licked his chops. “Aww… I made myself hungry.”

“To dinner then!” Aspect called out as he raised a hoof dramatically. “Right after you all get some effort put in on your homework.”

“Awwwww,” the foals sighed dejectedly, they’d hoped he’d have forgotten all about that.

“Chop chop, the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll be finished,” the stallion urged them, pushing them towards the house with his wings.

Midnight Song had returned not too long after Aspect had returned home. Curiously though, was that she’d zipped inside, given him a quick kiss and darted off, returning a moment later in full combat armor.

“Well, I must be off,” she said as she packed a sandwich. “Try not to do anything stupid while I’m gone aye?”

“Dare I ask what you’ll be up to?” Aspect mused. “It doesn’t bode well...for whatever you have to meet, that is.”

“I have orders to mobilise,” she said as she finished packing her saddlebags. “Griffon mercs are causing trouble on the eastern border. Nothing too serious, but the Princess wants me there as a deterrent.” She paused and poked his chest. “And she said you are NOT to tag along. You’d only make the situation worse. Her words, not mine.”

“Oh for the love of...You know, I could be there as fast as the wind, take my Griffon form, and summon a weapon that would get them all to stand down,” the stallion griped. “Literally, I am the best tool to get them to back off. Why does she not see that.”

“Because you’re also fight-happy and would likely goad them into combat,” Midnight said and kissed the tip of his nose. “Fret not my stallion. A few mangy birds cannot defeat me.”

Aspect merely grumbled a little more. He’d been a little too lenient on the children of the wind as of late, it would seem. He’d have to see about...redirecting some of their natural wind in their homeland. Maybe that would make them think twice before they attacked the ponies.

Midnight’s ear flicked and she hummed. “My ride is here. Anyway, take care and don’t do anypony I wouldn’t do~” She smiled and kissed him deeper before zipping out of the door and to the chariot that had landed outside.

Once she left, Luna stepped up to Aspect’s side as he watched Midnight become a speck on the horizon. “You’re going to follow her, aren’t you?” she said.

“...I could,” Aspect noted. “But if I did that, then who would take care of the kids? I appear to be the only responsible adult here. Now, if she’d left at night when they were asleep? Oh, yes, most certainly.”

“The eastern border is a half-day’s flight via chariot,” Luna pointed out. “I doubt Midnight Song will return for several days at the very least.”

“Luna, I could be there in an hour,” the stallion deadpanned. “I ride something much faster than a chariot. But I’m not going to do that to the kids.”

“I could watch them?” Luna offered, adding the power of Cute into the mix for added measure. Her teal, doe-like eyes blinking once as she looked down at the pegasus.

“Luna, if I did that, you all would eat all the food,” Aspect deadpanned. “I don’t need to come home to doughballs instead of kids. And besides...Tia doesn’t want me to be the old warhorse anymore. So far, I can obey that.” That didn’t stop a smirk from growing on his lips though.

“I know that look,” Luna chuckled as she turned around. “And sister is going to learn to be more specific when ordering you not to do something isn’t she?”

“Let’s just say...I’m going to let Midnight borrow Gungnir when she arrives at the border,” Aspect replied cryptically. “That oughta get the featherbrains to back off.”

Luna paused and slowly turned towards him. “You… you would let Midnight borrow Gungnir?” she asked in a low tone. “You still have Gungnir?”

“It’s a part of the world, a part of the air, a part of me,” Aspect replied, putting a hoof on his chest. “I can no more lose it than my sword...until another Air Aspect is chosen.”

“Perhaps,” Luna said. “Well, I’m sure no harm can come of Midnight Song wielding a weapon literally made of lightning.”

“She’s only going to be allowed to use it once,” Aspect replied. “Just to get this whole thing to calm down.”

“Midnight likes her toys, good luck getting it back,” Luna mused. “In any case. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Oh wait… You always worry.”

“It’s my job to worry,” the stallion replied. “So, let’s go over our options for taking the kids out to eat.”

Turns out, there are not a lot of options available. Sugarcube closed late afternoon, so that only left the fancy (and expensive) Prench restaurant. Berry Punch’s bar, or Burger Princess.

Aspect wasn’t going to even try to bring Artemis into the Prench restaurant, and he also didn’t want the minors to be exposed to drink just yet. So that left the Burger Princess.

Still, letting the kids have all that junk food didn’t sit well with him either.

Luckily, somepony arrived in the nick of time. A few solid knocks on his door had him open it to reveal Applejack, pulling a wooden cart.

“Well, howdy Aspect,” she said, tipping her hat, the one he’d given her. “Nice evenin’.”

“Ah, evening to you as well,” Aspect greeted her. He looked to the skies for a moment and…

“Pardon me, there’s something I have to do very quickly,” he said, stepping outside and holding a hoof to his chest. Before Applejack could question it, he pulled the hoof back, a tiny spark glowing atop it.

That spark grew into a lance of lightning, trapped on his hoof and squirming...before slowly morphing into a bronze spear that crackled with energy. “Now you behave for Midnight,” he told the spear, before chucking it to the east, where the Equestrian border met the Griffon one. The spear flew, and flew...and twinkled as it disappeared into the distance.

“And with that taken care of, how can I help you?” Aspect turned back to Applejack.

Applejack just stared at where the spear had flown and then shook her head rapidly. “Uhh… wut?”

“Midnight is dealing with some Griffon mercenaries tonight,” Aspect elaborated. “So I gave her something that...should help them see the light. Or the lightning. Whichever comes first.”

“Riiiight,” Applejack decided it was best to ignore that. “Well uh, ah dunno if y’all know, but Princess Luna really helped us out of a pickle earlier. So ah thought it best to repay that debt.”

“She...did make mention of it,” the stallion noted. “She never said what though. And I’ve learned not to ask.”

“Well, thanks to her, our farm was saved from two real low-life con-artists,” Applejack said and pulled the cloth from her wagon, filled with every delectable, Apple-made apple treat known to ponykind. “So, Granny and ah whipped up a few vittles fer you n’yers.”

“...This is a few,” Aspect pointed out. “...Dare I ask what you would consider an actual meal to be then?”

“Nopony like a smartflank,” Applejack chuckled. “Now, care t’use yer fancy magic an’ help me get all this inside?”

“Well, I gave up Earth, so I don’t have Earth Pony strength,” the stallion mused. “And the wings I do have won’t be of much use. But what I can do…” he walked around to the front and hitched himself up. “Is drag this to the side door.”

“Well, ah figure y’all woulda sprouted that fancy horn a’yers,” she replied. “But that works too.” She pulled the cart to the side entrance and manoeuvred it into the kitchen.

As she did, Twilight Twinkle walked into the room, curious as to what the noise was about.

…

There was a flurry of movement and…

“Uh, Aspect?” AJ said, a bead of sweat rolling down her head. “Why the heck is a strange mare huggin’ me an’ cryin’?”

“Because, save for your Cutie Mark, you exactly resemble the Applejack of Dream Valley,” Aspect pointed out.

“Huh…” Applejack said as she awkwardly patted Twinkle on the back, before the older mare pulled away and wiped her eyes.

“S-Sorry,” she said as she took a step back. “You just… Tartarus, there’s so many reminders… and that hat. It has to be hers…”

“It is,” Aspect said out loud. “I saved it and gave it to her. Believe me, I know. I had to take a few days to wrap my head around how things worked around here.”

“It’s so damned uncanny,” Twinkle said. “I’m sorry dear it’s just…”

“So, yer one of Aspect’s older friends ah take it?” Applejack asked, looking at the stallion as he gave a small nod. “Well, odd first impressions aside, it’s nice ta meetcha!” She held out a hoof as Twinkle took it, the pair shaking gently. “Mah name’s Applejack. Nice to meet you Miss…?”

“Twilight Twinkle,” the mare smiled back. “Honestly, is this what they mean by, ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’?”

“You tell me,” the stallion chuckled. “In any case, we have foodstuffs!”

“Oh?” Twinkle spied the various foods and took a deep breath. “Oh my, seems looks aren’t the only things that were passed down. That said, I do miss Megan’s cooking. She had the most interesting ideas when it came to food.”

“Yes, of the two of us, she was better at helping teach ponies new things,” Aspect sighed. “I’m just glad somepony learned to cook back in Dream Valley.”

“As much as I loved Written…” Twinkle said, just as the mare in question passed by a portrait. “Her cooking looked, smelled and tasted like one of Grogar’s creations.”

“And I suppose you learned how to cook with utilities that were literally magicked into existence better than I did?” Written casually sniped.

“I’ve learned quite a bit actually,” Twinkle fired back. “I still recall the time you served up a plate of grass clippings.”

“The oven was out,” the painted alicorn cooly replied.

“Mhm…” Twinkle rolled her eyes.

“Are… they always like this?” Applejack whispered to Aspect.

“Sometimes they’re worse,” he whispered back.

“—Says the mare that couldn’t even get married,” Twinkle fired back, still arguing with her.

“Says the mare that can’t even grant her own wishes,” Written calmly retorted.

“Now now, no need to get snippy,” Applejack stepped between them. “Let’s all calm down and have a good meal instead hm?”

“...Fine,” Twilight huffed and started floating dishes from the wagon and onto the table.

“Huh...that normally doesn’t work,” Aspect mused.

“Christopher, go and get the children,” Twinkle ordered with a snappy tone.

“On it,” he replied instantly and walked off, not wanting to be anywhere near this.

“Good colt,” Twinkle and Written echoed before giggling.

“Ah’m so glad ah don’t live here,” Applejack muttered.

On a large, open plain. Midnight Song stared up at the darkening sky. So far the griffons had been quiet, so that left her with a whole lot of nothing to do. The Medical Mage here was… unique to say the least. She dressed like a court wizard and her bedside manner was something to be desired.

“I wonder if Aspect and the others are doing alright?” she wondered to herself.

“I wonder how many of these griffons I could catch with a single spell,” the mage wondered out loud. “Awful lot of targets out there…”

Midnight turned to the mage in question. “We will not antagonise them, nor are you even a front line combatant!” the thestral snapped. “You’re the medic. You job is to heal, not attack the opposing forces!”

“I can keep you in optimal condition by taking them all out at once,” Holy replied. “Heck, I could probably do it from here…”

“Do. Not. Attack them!” Midnight said with an exasperated sigh. “Goddess, you’re as bad, if not worse than my husband to be…”

The clouds above them rumbled ominously. Had it been cloudy before? Lightning flashed up there.

“Look, all I’m saying is the best defense is a good offense,” the medic replied. “And I have the best offense.”

Midnight managed a derisive snort.

There was a louder rumble, and then from the heavens, right between their camps, a bolt of lightning struck the ground.

And the crater it left had something sticking out of it. Something shiny, that sparked with power.

Something that called out to Midnight.

“What… is that?” Midnight murmured as she stepped closer to it.

The spear hummed as she drew closer...and when she was in touching range, lightning danced along it. She let out a gasp as her hoof made contact with the metal, the thestral mare admiring the spear as she ran a hoof up and down the shaft. As she pulled it free of the earth, it let out a little hum, almost a tune as the lightning didn’t hurt her at all. And the name for it came into her mind unbidden.

Gungnir.

“Oohhhhohohoh!” Midnight hummed as she twirled the spear, lightning crackling around her as she pulled a few moves. “Ooh, now this? This, I like!”

“She wields the holy spear!” One griffon cried out from the griffon lines. “It has returned to the world only to be wielded by one of the ponies!”

Midnight turned to see that some griffons had emerged from their tents to see what the noise was about, and were looking quite shocked about the spear.

“Oh, so you know what this is huh?” She said as she stepped closer, staying on her side of the agreed, non-aggression zone.

“It is the weapon of the Allfather, the one true emperor of griffonkind, the one all other griffon kings and queens have ruled in his stead for,” another griffon answered. “Why...why has it come back to this world, and in your hooves?”

Midnight paused as she processed that information… and on a whim.

She looked at the merc and tilted her head. “Would that griffon happen to be Bloodfeather?”

“She dares speak the holy one’s name!” One hissed, drawing very close to the line.

“I know him yes,” Midnight said and pulled her necklace from out under her armor. “And why wouldn’t I speak the name of my husband?”

That got all the griffons to pause.

“You lie,” one stated simply. “He would not wed a pony.”

The spear crackled as a bolt of lightning struck the earth. “I am a thestral you birdbrained halfcat,” Midnight growled, showing off her gleaming fangs. “I wield Gungnir, not in the name of the Allfather, but in the name of Equestria! We have an accord with your kind. A nonaggression treaty that you are breaking.” She just went with it and hoped to Tartarus they were buying this. “I will offer you this one chance. Retreat back to your fatherland, or I will tell Bloodfeather about this slight. And he will bring ALL of his fury upon your kind. He granted you His gifts… and he can Take them away!”

The griffons, thusly cowed, all fled from the sight of the madpony that broke everything they ever thought to be true about Bloodfeather. Come dawn, not a one of them would be remaining. Nor would they willingly march against the ponies again.

Midnight looked at the fleeing griffons… then at the spear.

“This… feels like cheating,” she pouted, wanting to have a good fight.

The lightning on the spear danced a little, and Midnight swore she could hear the sound of laughter in her mind.

“Oh, so I have a smartass spear huh?” Midnight mused as she looked at it. Well, if Aspect had truly sent her such a wonderful gift… it’d be a real shame not to try and master it before she returned. “Let’s put you through your paces anyway~”

Author's Notes:

Meet the holy lady! She'll show up in a few more places.

Also, meet the spear. Middy's gonna have fun with it for a bit, kay?

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