Now that the shenanigans of Spike and Twilight had been toned down, Daring could finally get actually writing the town manifesto. The sooner the better, Celestia insisted on seeing a copy of the rough draft at the get together she made mandatory for Daring and Spike. Of course, it was also mandatory for Twilight, Cadance and Flurry Heart for some reason. Luna’s participation was optional, but chances were she would be there regardless.

When she was barely finished with the manifesto she was practically forced into a new formal dress, which also acted as a maternity dress, and was pulled from the room into entry space. It was during the checklist ritual, which she found rather amusing on most days, that she spoke up, “Did you both forget I have a rough draft of the down manifesto on my desk?”

“You finished the rough draft already,” said Twilight with a hint of surprise.

“Just barely,” said Daring, “the ink is still drying on the most recent parts.”

“I’ll get it,” said Spike, “I know how to handle freshly inked documents without irreparably damaging or smudging them.” With that he got up and headed for Daring’s room.

“Do I really have to wear this? I’m not all that fond of this sort of thing,” said Daring with annoyance, a few less than enjoyable memories beginning to bubble to the surface.

“Mom’s insistence,” said Twilight, “she’ll be there too. Care to explain your aversion to dresses?”

“I’ll save that for when I meet your mother,” said Daring, “less repetition. I’ll explain it to Rarity after we get this event out of the way.” Spike returned with the manifesto carefully rolled up. “Alright, let’s get this whole thing out of the way.”

“Don’t like social gatherings,” said Twilight as she lit up her horn to teleport all three of them.

“No, I just see the whole gathering a pointless waste of time, energy and resources. I don’t like wasted resources.”

“Good to know,” said Twilight as she finished activating her spell, group teleportations were always a bit tricky.

*****************************************

The first thing Daring experienced when they arrived at their destination was light gray coated unicorn mare hugging her rather tightly, followed by her saying, “Welcome to the family, I can’t wait for your new foal to be born. Have yo…”

“Mom,” Twilight chastised the mare, “too soon, way too soon. They don’t even know it it’s a colt or filly yet.”

“And I plan on keeping the surprise up to when the baby is born,” said Daring, “makes it a bit more exciting, and I’m more a fan of unplanned naming.”

“We can work with that,” said a blue unicorn stallion, “I’m terribly sorry about Velvet, she gets excited when new members get added.”

“Mom, why didn’t you mention you knew her when she was a foal, I had to find out from a picture of all things,” Twilight produced the picture in questions and said, “if you direct your attention to the reflection in the dish cabinet, you’ll noticed somepony familiar.”

“That does look like a younger version of you, dear,” said the blue stallion, “it must of been back when you thought being a photographer’s aid was much more exciting.”

“The only exciting part was that time his film accidently combusted because he left it too close the fire,” huffed Velvet, “one of the less thought out ideas of my life.” She took a look at the photo in question and said, “Yep, that’s me alright,” she then moved her attention to the ponies in the photo. “The photographer was an old friend of Keen Tone’s, from back when they were in primary school together, and is the only known photographer to get a picture of Keen’s family.”

“That’s my sister there,” said Daring pointing to the filly reading a book in the photo, then pointing to the other filly, “and that’s me.”

Velvet blinked a bit, before saying, “Night, I think you just won the bet.”

“You had a bet going?” Twilight said with surprise.

“Not by choice,” said Night, “it was Princess Celestia’s insistence.”

“Speaking of which,” said Velvet, “we should get going, the princesses are waiting for us.”

“Let’s get this over with,” said Daring in an annoyed voice.

“She doesn’t like having resources or time wasted,” said Spike and Night and Velvet led them down a series of halls.

“I have a feeling once the baby comes along her stance on that will get bit more lenient,” said Velvet as they continued down the halls, Her dark blue skirt flowing a bit in her wake. Night just chuckled in his green suit at his wife’s antics.

*****************************

After twenty minutes of nearly disorienting halls, Daring had dealt with worse, they finally came to a large open air garden. In the garden were Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, with Celestia in a forest green dress and Luna in a twilight indigo dress. Twilight rolled her eyes, discreetly, as she sauntered into the area in her sea blue dress.

Also there were Cadance and Flurry Heart. Cadance was in a sky blue dress while Flurry was in an orchid pink dress. Both looked amused by the sight that was before them, Flurry more than her mother.

Daring was not looking very happy with the turn of events as she entered the area, with Spike in his deep blue suit shortly behind her. Celestia waved the two over, and Spike all but dragged Daring over to the alabaster alicorn and her midnight blue sister. “Everyone else knows, I think it’s time we shared,” said Celestia.

Daring gave the waiting alicorns a confused look. “You’re about to learn a little known legal secret,” said Spike. Daring gave him skeptical look that said she doubted the validity of that statement.

“Legally,” said Celestia, “Spike is my son, while also legally being Twilight’s brother. It’s something her whole family already knows.”

“And kept quiet on with a royal gag order,” quipped Luna, “my sister actually waited until almost a year after my return to let me in on that little secret.”

“So I wanted to wait until I thought was the right time,” responded Celestia, “you were a little busy getting caught up on details regarding the nation during your... absence.”

Luna huffed, “A point that I am still more than a little sore about, sister. But that is not why we are here, we are here for something else entirely.”

Flurry and Cadance just giggled at the antics of the two oldest alicorns in the room. Both considered saying something, then decided against it.

Daring stared at the princess of the sun with surprise on her face then said, “Did I inadvertently make you my mother-in-law? Of all the things for nobility to bicker about, I had go and do the one thing that topped them all.”

“And to make matter more amusing,” said Spike, “you don’t really care about your social standing.”

“I’ve put most of my resources and energy into finding my sister and potentially dangerous artifacts to secure in a safe place,” said Daring, “the reasons I made the books in first place was because I needed capital to continue my endeavors and it was something my sister and I talked about doing together.”

“Speaking of which,” said Twilight as she cantered up to the four, “I spent some time with this,” she held up the book that Star Log had written, “ever since Daring liberated it from her lockbox.”

“That has to be one of the cutest early attempts at writing I have ever seen,” said Celestia, “it’s a pity we’re still looking for a lead on her.” She then took the book and cracked it open, Luna, Daring and Spike rolled their eyes, looked like mentor and apprentice shared a few more similarities than they wanted. Cadance gave another giggle and Flurry just gave Daring a perplexed look.

“How goes the search for replacements for the project,” inquired Daring, wishing to a have distinct change in subject matter.

“Slower than any of us would like,” said Celestia as she continued to read through the book written by a literal foal, “the ‘incident’ involving my former picks revealed a few flaws in our system, which I have already taken steps to correct. The so-called professionals I had chosen for the project were sent back to training, in a more amusing fashion.” Daring and Spike gave the alabaster alicorn an intrigued look,for a moment or two, then shifted that same look to Princess Luna.

“They were all sent to redo their training independent of other in small towns that at most have three or four ponies with construction skills, with the added bonus of being told if we receive so much as rumors of them continuing the misconduct that got them there in the first place we would give them a far more amusing punishment.”

“Like something involving being sent to communities with no construction capable ponies, by themselves, and being responsible for the expansion of those communities,” said Spike.

“I’m sure we can do better than that,” said Daring, “how about also giving each a handler who is also responsible for the acquisition of new outfits, and if they don’t like their handler’s choices then they can just walk around town in the buff. Think of it this way, they can either be completely at the whims of their handler’s sense of style or risk their perceived reputation by walking around town either without changing their clothes once or none at all, no matter what their ego will be taking a hit.”

“Especially if we make it so their handler is also responsible for their laundry,” said Spike, “if we have their handlers outright state to them that the only thing they’re responsible for are their charge’s observation and attire that should give them pause, especially if we bar them from hiring any new help. Chances are they aren’t learning their lesson because they likely hired housekeepers to keep their new accommodations in pristine condition.”

“Aren’t you worried that under their current conditions they could be bribing the ponies responsible for filing the reports?” Daring inquired.

“We are,” said Luna, “which is why we have multiple ponies of the towns under their current circumstances are filing reports for us on them, and they were all told to not let it slip they were hired to do so. They were able to figure out one or two ponies involved in their observations and make a go at bribing them. Of course, ponies from smaller communities are actually rather difficult to bribe, they have very few wants or desires and have rather simple needs.”

“Although,” said Celestia as she finished up the book with a smile and floated it over to an eager Flurry Heart, “your idea does have some merit, and entertainment value.”

“That new innovation that makes it possible to watch movies at home, rather cheaply, might provide some more entertainment value,” said Daring, “if we have it all filmed discreetly and made available for everypony, possibly around the time it actually happens, we could get some entertainment out of it and shame them for misconduct all at the same time. Or do you think I’m being too callous?”

“Should their current punishment not yield the desired result,” said Luna, “your suggestion would likely prove a better choice, to them it’s all about the games played by the elite. In such games public humiliation is considered one of the greatest shame.”

“We thought they had a taste of it when we administered their punishment,” said Celestia, “seeing as we made it a publicly known fact through every news outlet we hold sway over, facilities that we hold to high standards of honesty and integrity. But should their punishment prove less fruitful than we are hoping, your suggestion will be implemented.”

“Now, on to happier happier things,” said Luna, “I hope you’ll allow me time with your foal once he or she is born, I absolutely adore foals.”

“Luna’s built up a reputation of spoiling many of the nation’s foals,” said Twilight, “to the point most communities have established rules for when she is permitted to visit.”

“Honestly, we would be more than happy to have you visit,” said Daring, “the heavens know we’re likely going to need help over the first few months, both with the community and our little bundle of joy.”

“Oh, right,” said Twilight seeming to remember something, “you mentioned Zelshirka actually had some connection to our family.” Twilight’s parents perked up at this, it was always fun learning new things about past generations, even if some of those things weren’t worth remembering. Celestia and Luna also showed some interest in the statement.

“Yes,” said Daring, “during the pre-Alicorn era Equestria Zelshirka and her sisters ended up having pony worshippers. By Zelshirska’s own admittance, at least one of my ancestors was among her early worshippers but what is now known as the Sparkle line actually had several members in the congregation. The first ones did so out of a sense of curiosity, the following generations that still were active worshippers did so partly out of tradition and partly because of what the edicts of the three stated.”

“Well,” said Velvet, “at least we have confirmation Twilight’s desire to learn more than most is hereditary, we weren’t entirely sure about that.”

“However, their worship started to wane shortly before the appearance of the ponies we now know as the royal sisters.” Celestia and Luna weren’t happy to hear this, a lot of history had been lost since their initial rule and the fact that there had once been a faction dedicated to the worship of ancient dragon deities had been completely glossed over didn’t sit well with them. “I believe that the foundations for many of the beliefs Celestia and Luna champion now, along with their fellow princesses, may have derived from the edicts of the three dragon goddesses. Zelshirka’s sisters are currently in a transcended state of sleep due to a lack of power on their part. They require worship to enrich and enhance their power, as is true with all deities. Zelshirka lucked out due to her former physical heart now being the Crystal Heart in the Crystal Empire. A portion of the energies the ponies of the region share with the heart actually goes to her, she got a bit of a power surge when we asked Spike to help restore her idol.”

“An idol we are currently studying at one of the magical research facilities I’ve established over the years,” said Celestia.

“Amusingly enough,” said Daring, “due to her domains, Zelshirska is actually gaining energy from the very act of her idol being researched. In fact, Twilight, she expressed a desire to talk with you in private during the meeting I had with her just last night.”

“So, she’s sporadically contacting you in your dreams still,” said Twilight, “but how am I to speak with her in private? I can’t ask Luna to help me get to her pocket space.”

“Part of our agreement allows her to use me as a conduit. Although, I’m not sure it’s a good idea in her current state with me also being pregnant, she’s not nearly strong enough to not cause negligible issues while one of her representatives is carrying. Although, she did mention she might be able to establish a more effective connection with you if you were to have a small shrine dedicated to her within a place that is easily accessible to you.”

“I’m listening,” said Twilight.

“What you use to make the shrine, and its exact dimensions, is not too important. The materials used to make it just need to be symbolic of her domains. Those being: Fertility, Connections and Knowledge. You’ve already got the third domain down pretty well, the other two might prove a little trickier. But as long as one of those three is properly represented, or you have an appropriate representation of Zelshirska to reside within the shrine, you should be fine but it’s best if you have a shrine that has representations of all her domains making up the shrine and an appropriate representation of Zelshirska within the shrine.”

“You just had to say it,” said Celestia, “Twilight has a tendency to want to go with the best if she has the opportunity to do so. Now she’s going to go around looking for the best materials to make that shrine, then probably try carving a duplicate of the idol.”

“Well, she won’t have to look far for the materials,” said Daring, “just as far as her friends and loved ones when it comes to the materials for the shrine and representation.”

“And she just made it worse,” commented Night.

“Or better,” said Spike, “depending on how you look at it. Twi has been having some difficulties with all the changes recently. She just barely got the beginnings of an actual castle staff up a few days ago, what with me getting closer to no longer being a consistent option anymore.”

“Yes, well you are preparing to have a family,” said Velvet, “that changes things for everypony.”

“Of course most ponies don’t go and try and build an entire community when they’re expecting,” said Night. “Although, I’m sure your mother would have tried it if she could get away with it.”

“I only considered it for my second month of pregnancy, and only when I was carrying Shining,” said Velvet, “but by my third month I realized how much of a financial drain that was.”

“Well,” said Spike, “to be fair, she is building this with support from all the princesses and the community is more of a place to observe what happens when you bring back an older belief structure into the modern era.”

“I am working on making sure it’s all up to date,” said Daring, “the lack of records on the subject matter makes things a bit tricky, but it also provides for opportunities in how things are approached and executed.”

“Anything else we should know?” Velvet inquired.

“She’s kept a stuffed cat since the time she was a filly named Gingersnap,” said Spike but I don’t see what th…”

The sound of an excited Night Light shrieking like an enthused little filly crashed through the room, Daring gave Twilight and Velvet a worried look. “Night,” Velvet did her best to clear her throat and talk over the excited sound of her husband, “has a habit of antiquing, something he shares with Twilight, but while our little Twiliwily,” Celestia, Luna and Spike couldn’t help snickering, much to Twilight’s annoyance, “is a bit more subdued, Night has a tendency to overdo things so much we had to BUY a warehouse just to house everything he inevitably ends up buying.”

“Yeah,” said Twilight, “dad does go a little spend happy when he’s in places that are selling more vintage items and accessories.”

“Looks like the princesses prepared a spread for us, I suggest we make a go at trying it,” said Daring, clearly trying to shift focus.

Twenty minutes, and about a dozen helpings of various snacks later, a mildly content Daring was interrupted by Velvet, “Twilight tells me you have a general aversion to dresses, care to explain that one?”

The entire room’s attention focused on her, Daring just sighed before saying, “You try falling asleep in one place then waking up in another to find what attire you had on was replaced by some perv who decided you needed to be dressed in some sort of ceremonial dress in order to be sacrificed! That happened to me a few too many times.”

“Oh,” said Twilight, “I’ll let my friends know about that.”

“Mom,” said Flurry Heart, “why aren’t we more involved in the project?”

“Politics,” said Cadance flatly, “we’re in agreement that the only rail line to the community during this early time will be to and from the Crystal Empire and the town will primarily fall under our watch. We provide the bulk of the building materials for the project and the other princesses, plus Daring, make choices about who will be trusted with construction on the project. We wanted the best ponies possible for this project, practically the whole of the Crystal Empire would be trying to go down their and do their utmost to earn Spike’s favor. The system we have works out for the workforce and qualified ponies.”

“And even we as rulers are still prone to error,” said Luna, “my sister’s initial choices proved to be lacking in the proper traits for this project. As for Twilight Sparkle, she felt she was likely to interfere with the project if she should be involved in the selection process.”

“But when it comes to paperwork and planning I’m top notch,” said Twilight, “I helped hash out the town’s initial design, even going as far as creating a models of community layouts to see which way they want to influence progress. I’m also going over the outlines for what is intended to be the beginnings of the town charter, and writing up a questionnaire to assist in screening potential inhabitants.”

“I told her to cut the length on that one, it was more like like having an unfinished short story than being an actual questionnaire.”

“I suppose I deserved that one,” said Twilight.

“Besides,” said Daring, “It’s on Cadance and Shining to appoint the observers, I do hope the selections don’t get all in a tizzy about ponies in revealing attire or waltzing about the area with little to nothing on.”

“We’re still looking into things on that front,” said Cadance, “but it is nice of you to give reminders that this community is going to have some somewhat different expected norms than what most ponies are used to.”

“I volunteered to be one of the observers, I figured that if visiting ponies at least saw a princess in area they would feel a little more at ease, and I really want to get to know you and this project better.”

“I bet it’s more of a case she doesn’t want her parents finding out how she desires to see naked ponies,” Daring whispered to Spike, it was so low the ponies next to them couldn’t pick up on what she had told him. Spike just chuckled.

Author's Notes:

Looks like Shining drew the short straw and had to look after things back home, bummer.