Jay sighed, starting to become honestly irritated with his lack of ability to locate whatever energy it was that he had gained access to. “I can’t seem to find it. There’s nothing there.”

Celestia smiled patiently, sitting in front of him on a large cushion with Luna at her side. Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she started to explain again. “To access your magic, you first need to locate your thaumic core. Every being with magic, no matter the size, age, or intelligence, has a thaumic core within their body. It’s not a physical object, but rather a magical one. By directing your intention to the core’s location, which varies between different species, you’ll become aware of the well of magic within However, for one who doesn’t know the location of their core, you must first start by finding the pseudo-leylines within your body that carry magic from your core to wherever its needed.”

“And to find those?” Jay asked, listening closely even though he had already had this explained to him twice before. Even so, the virus knew it wasn’t a flaw in Celestia’s ability to teach or a flaw in his understanding, but rather his complete inexperience with magic that prevented him from finding his magic.

“Focus on where your magic manifests externally. In your case, your blades, as they are the only location we currently know of. You’ll gradually become aware of ‘rivers’ beneath your skin yet not physically present. That’ll be your magical current.” Celestia told him.

Jay nodded and looked down at his bladed arm, trying to ‘feel’ the blade. It was difficult for him to do even that. Every so often, he would realize that he was examining the cells of the blade. He kept slipping into the physical side of the blade, not the magical. The virus had been told that there were five parts to every being; physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, and magical. Celestia had explained that he was attuned to the physical side of things due to his nature while also being aware of the mental and emotional side like all sentient beings. Most Alicorns were attuned to the magical side, but Cadence was also attuned to the spiritual side, which was how she had looked at his soul. Changelings, on the other hand, were attuned to the emotional and mental sides of life. Most ponies weren’t attuned at all, just aware of all sides.

Celestia wasn’t quite sure if his attunement to the physical was muddling his ability to connect with the magical, but Jay was convinced it was. Because of his experience, he was physically searching for something that was only there magically. He would never find his magic, if he indeed had any, like that. The worst part was the fact that he knew he was doing it wrong, but couldn’t figure out the ‘right’ way to do it.

“Is there any way you can sense my magic, just to see if I have any? I know I’ll still have to find it on my own, but I’d rather not find out the hard way that this is a waste of time.” Jay asked after a moment.

Unfortunately, Celestia shook her head. “I can’t read your energy the way your asking me to. I can tell that you do have energy, but I can’t tell if its magic or not. I’m not familiar enough with your species to be able to do so.”

Luna, speaking for the first time, nodded and agreed with her sister. “Magic is powered by understanding and familiarity. The more you understand a spell and a way for it to work, the more likely it is for you can cast it succesfully. The more familiar you are with casting a spell, the faster and easier you can do it. The only way we discover what type of magic you have is with a spell, which requires understanding of you and familiarity with the spell.”

“So until I find my magic…” Jay started, letting it trail off.

“We have no clue if its active, like a Unicorn’s, semi-active, like a Pegasus’, or passive, like an Earth pony’s. We have no clue if its evocation-based or divination-based, or if it’s universal magic or elemental magic.” Celestia said slowly, flashing him an apologetic smile. Jay returned it, letting her know it was okay. Refocusing on his blade, he thought back to the only time he had used his energy. He looked through his memories, trying to determine if there had been a specific feeling as he used it, like a current of electricty in him or a small warmth. There was nothing. As far as he could tell, there was no specific feeling or emotion associated with his magic. He sighed again.

“Does magic have a specific feel to it?” Jay asked them.

Celestia and Luna both shook their heads at that, but Celestia answered. “Magic in general has no feeling behind it, only specific spells. Such as when I connect to the sun, I feel warm and passionate. Some combat spells feel angry and brutal, while others feel cold and calculating. Using pure energy, such as levitation, has no feeling behind it either. From what you’ve explained, you coated your blade in energy in a way similar to Unicorns coated an object in magic to levitate it, though with different results.”

Jay nodded, understanding her point. “Luna, what did you mean when you said that if you understand how a spell works, the more successful you are at casting it.”

Luna glanced at Celestia quickly, who gave her a smile and a nod, before she explained. “If you can understand the processes that take place behind a spell to make it work, you can understand the spell itself. If you read a spell tome, there are often complex equations beneath each spell. Those are, generally, the most accepted way to learn how that spell works. Some ponies have trouble understanding it, which is why they struggle with a spell. Other ponies, like Twilight, can understand the equation easily and it allows them to learn that particular spell in a few hours.”

Jay tried to fight off the interested smile on his face at that, but failed horribly. “So, if you understand the science behind the magic, you can understand the magic that defies science?”

Luna blinked once while Celestia giggled lightly. “Y-yes, that is a much simpler way of explaining what I just said.”

“So, to understand how to cast, say, a teleportation spell, do you need to know it works, or how to do what makes it work?” Jay asked.

“You worded that very strangely.” Celestia said with a smile.

“Okay, for a portal,” Jay started. “Do I need to understand how a portal works, or do I need to be able to physically create a port- nevermind, I just realized that my question was paradoxical. I get it.”

Both mares smiled lightly at him, but he continued. “Okay, so, I know that a way to move through space and time instantaneously is through a wormhole, which is essentially a gravity well with two entrances. Since I know that massive sources of gravity can create a wormhole, and that dark energy can counterbalance the damaging effects that much gravity can do, would that allow a Unicorn to teleport?”

Both mares stared at him in confusion, and Jay finally realized that he was talking science that was decades, if not centuries, beyond pony technology and he smiled sheepishly. “Nevermind.”

“No…” Celestia started. “Try explaining that to me again, but as thorough as you can. I’ll try to understand everything you said.”

Jay nodded slowly and gathered his thoughts, then started to speak. “Gravity can affect both time and space. With a large enough source of gravity, space can become smaller and time can slow down, which is called a gravity well. If it’s ‘deep’ enough, it can form a fully-fledged wormhole, which is a tunnel through space and time. Dark energy is considered the opposite of gravity, mostly because it pushes objects apart rather than pulls them together. If a caster knows that gravity can create a wormhole, focuses on the location of the entrance and exit, knows that dark energy can stop the gravity from damaging the world, can he teleport?”

Celestia tilted her head and mulled it over for a time, thinking it over. The virus was happy to see the sparkle in her eye, realizing he had gotten her interested in theoretical physics. After a moment, she stood up and walked across the barren room and to a wall, where she tapped her horn against it. The room shook very slightly, unnoticeable to those without his senses, and a swirling mass of black energy appeared on the wall in front of Celestia and on the wall just behind him. She stepped into the energy, instantly stepping out of it across the room and just behind him. After a moment of thought, with her front half behind him and back half in front of him, she stepped fully out of the wormhole. With a thought, the wormhole closed and the shaking stopped.

Luna stared in silence while Jay waited for Celestia to say something. After a second, she spoke. “Well, a Unicorn can’t teleport with that knowledge, but that’s actually a lot easier to do.”

“Really?” Jay asked, surprised that opening a wormhole was apparently easier than teleporting.

“The gravity well actually makes it so that longer distances don’t take more power. I can’t explain why, though.” Celestia explained. “The ‘wormhole’ is harder to understand, much harder, but also easier to cast.”

Glancing back at the wall, she continued. “One could probably open a wormhole to another world, provided they knew both sides.”

Then she looked at him, though he couldn’t help but notice the nervous look she had. “Of course, that means that if you do have magic, you might have a way to return to Earth.”

Jay thought about that for a moment, realizing soon after why she was nervous. She was scared he would return to his world and not come back. He had to end those thoughts before they had time to grow. “You don’t need to worry about me leaving, Celestia. If it’s a wormhole, I can go back and forth. I’ll stay in Equestria and just visit Earth to talk to my family.”

After I kill Mercer and destroy the virus. He thought to himself. “Provided it can go to other worlds and that I actually have the power to cast it and that I have active magic. I’m getting ahead of my self with all this planning and thinking. I need to find my magic first.”

Celestia walked over and gently nuzzled him, then returned to her spot in front of him on the cushion. “You’re right. Try to find your magic again.”

Jay grinned with an eye roll and refocused on his blade, trying to find any kind of energy within it.

Chrysalis sighed, gazing at the two Queens across from her. Physically, the only thing that made them different from her were their red eyes. Otherwise, their black chitin, tattered wings, and colored mid-plating made them look similar to her. “You want ‘in?’”

“We want in.” Naventia repeated, her voice echoing biologically, unlike Chrysalis’ dual-toned voice. Queen Naventia’s voice was disorienting; her echo came a second after her voice, unlike Chrysalis’ whose came instantly. The effect was that Naventia sounded like someone was right behind her, repeating everything she said just in time to mix with the next thing she said.

“In what, exactly?” Chrysalis asked, hoping for a better ‘explanation.’

Ambrosia smiled faintly, her red eyes flashing in the dim light of the cavern they were in. It was neutral ground, somewhere far from both of their Hives. It had been used in the past for negotiations and it continued to be useful. For the most part, it was a normal near-surface cave. Dirty, dark, damp, and dangerous. The only thing that made it clear that the small, dirt-strewn cave was the site of Changeling diplomacy was the small amounts of Changeling resin in the center of the room. The black, porous material formed a low table and small seats, enough to fit two dozen Changelings, even if there were only three at the moment. Magically-powered orbs hung near the ceiling, providing very light in the way of light, though that was intentional. Changelings instictively found themselves more comfortable in dark places, and this cave played to it. It made all parties more comfortable and more likely to leave happy.

“The plants that are keeping your Hive fed.” Ambrosia continued, her voice smooth and unnaturally quiet while still being heard. Every Queen had a different way of speaking caused by their biology, and each descendant of a Queen has the same alteration to their voice. It was useful in knowing who was the queen. “We would like to procure some of our own for Ruby Hive.”

“And what would Sapphire Hive gain in return?” Chrysalis asked. “We can’t be expected to give away a significant advantage to anyling who demands to have it.”

“First and foremost, peace.” Ambrosia answered. “A pact of non-aggression, ensuring that neither Hive will attack the other. Shared access to our adamantine and mythrill mines as well, with whatever your Changelings mine belonging to you.”

Chrysalis mulled it over. The adamantine and mythril would be incredibly useful; once the treaty was revealed, she could trade adamantine to Equestria and have the bits to improve Sapphire’s standard of living. Modern amenities such as plumbing, magical forms of entertainment, advanced technology, and others devices would be a great boon. The mythril would help with their defense against the beats of the Badlands. The peace would be wonderful for the Hives’ prosperity, both of them, and could lead to a semi-unification of the Hives leading to an era of peace and prosperity similiar to what Equestria was experiencing. Of course, Chrysalis knew exactly how incredibly valuable the Heart’s Blossoms were to Changelings, so she intended to get as much as she could from the deal. “While your offers are greatly appreciated and I intend to follow through with them, I believe a pact of mutual defense would work in place of a non-aggression pact in order to ensure the continuation of both Hives.”

The two Queens shared a look, undoubtedly speaking in their Hive Mind. After a moment, their attention was redirected to her and Naventia spoke. “Agreed.”

Ambrosia continued in her sister’s place. “When can we expect the plants?”

“I’ll have to talk to my consort and plan a time in which we can head to Ruby Hive. He personally created and grew the plants in my Hive, so I would need him to do the same with you.” Chrysalis explained. “I’ll send a message a few days before our arrival to give you time to prepare.”

“Your consort? Just order him to come to the Hive immediately.” Naventia said, the echoes of her sentence clashing in the cave and causing Chrysalis’ ears to fold back in pain.

“I would...except he’s not a Changeling, not connected to the Hive Mind, and is incredibly powerful.” Chrysalis said calmly. “Your spies should have reported a creature named ‘Daedalus’ to you. That’s him.”

Both Queens shivered at that, remembering some of the memories their Changelings had shown them both. “That...thing he turned into outside of Ponyville… it’s horrifying.”

Chrysalis grinned internally. “Just remember that his loyalty lies to me, not to Changelings in general.”

They nodded and stood, the meeting having come to a conclusion. With a flash of scarlet magic, both of them were gone. Chrysalis sat in the dim light of the cave and smiled, remembering when her Changelings had brought news of Jay’s ‘ascension.’ They thought he had turned into an unholy god who had returned from the Aether to bring justice upon the evil. Thinking back to the form he had taken, she couldn’t help but understand how they came to that conclusion. It had been terrifying to watch, and she wasn’t even there.

Chrysalis sighed. She couldn’t wait to return to Jay and tease him about getting with two Princesses of Equestria. His reaction would be worth the wait. Then she wanted to get to know her new herdmates better. She felt she would get along with Luna better than Celestia, if the reports of her spies were accurate.

“Maybe I should call back some of my spies.” Chrysalis commented idly, realizing just how many information gatherers she had stationed all around Equestria. Perhaps she’d call most of them back. Equestria wasn’t her enemy now, so watching for troop movement and anti-Changeling propoganda wasn’t necessary anymore.

The one trailing Jay stays, though. She had to be ready to rush to him if something happened. Besides, she was pretty sure he knew about Skitter.

“I think we should take a break from this. I just can’t seem to find it at all.” Jay said, looking to Celestia. Luna, the poor mare, had fallen asleep with her head resting on Celestia’s forelegs. “I think we can safely say Luna agrees with me.”

The Solar mare just smiled down to her, gently nuzzling behind her ears, one of which flicked repeatedly at the sensation. “I think we can afford to take a break. I’m sure you’ll continue to search for your energy even if you don’t find it today, or while your here. Why don’t we get some dinner?”

Jay nodded and slowly stood up. Celestia, however, couldn’t stand with Luna lying on her so she just stared down at her sister, a look of conflict on her face. The virus smiled at that and gently lifted Luna up bridal style, being careful not to awaken her on accident. In his arms, Luna slowly nuzzled his chest and leaned in to him as Celestia stood, looking to them. “Thank you, Jay. I didn’t want to wake her up.”

A quick kiss was all that Jay did in reply before the two started walking, heading toward their private dining room again. As they walked, Jay felt Luna’s heart start to beat quicker as she woke up. When she didn’t speak and stayed in his arms, he decided not to say anything and just let her enjoy being held close to him. Celestia lead the way as an idea hit her and she spoke. “Jay, perhaps you would have an easier time finding your magic if you were in the form you used it in.”

Jay hummed at that. “It’s entirely possible. I used it naturally in that form, not knowing my ‘magic’ existed. If I’m right about my chitin being magic-infused biomass, that form might use it naturally without any thought or effort.”

One of Luna’s hooves slowly came up and waved in front of his face to get his attention as she mumbled into his chest. “I would very much like to see the other form.”

Celestia stifled a laugh, Luna almost entirely unable to be understood. Jay caught the jist of what she was trying to say, though. “I wouldn’t mind showing you, just not now.”

He glanced out one of the many windows they were walking past and amended his statement. “Perhaps not today, either. It’s getting close to night.”

“Night only comes when we want it to.” Celestia replied teasingly.

Jay smiled in reply. “Perhaps you could create an extra-long night for special parties.”

That got Celestia to blush very mildly, but it was worth it. He was slightly surprised when he leaned in, ignoring all the Guards and maids, and nuzzled his neck before lightly nipping his ear before murmuring seductively into it. “Perhaps we could. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind giving us your special desert, would you?”

Jay smiled at her, watching her out of the corner of his eye as he whispered back. “Perhaps you should be careful of who is listening. Ponies do have good ears, after all.”

Celestia’s head snapped to the side, seeing a patrol of three Guards and two maids pushing a food cart staring at her, eyes wide and bright blushes on their muzzles. Celestia’s white muzzling flushed red and she started to push Jay along with her one wing, using the other to cover her face. Jay chuckled and starting walking, feeling his chest vibrate at Luna started laughing, too. A moment later, Celestia charged her horn and teleported them to her room. A quick letter later and she sent off another message, though Jay didn’t know who to.

After that, Celestia walked over to the bed and just fell over onto it and squirmed her way under the pillows, bunching the sheets and blanket up with her kicking hooves. The virus gently set Luna down on the edge of the bed and walked around it, climbing on and sitting next to Celestia. He lifted the pillow up and saw one of Celestia’s magenta eyes staring up at him, her muzzle flat against the bed and mane limp. “Sunshine?”

“They heard me.” Celestia said with a groan. “There’s going to be rumors all over the castle in an hour.”

“Equestria’s already going to know that we’re together, Celestia. Remember when you kissed me in Ponyville?” Jay asked.

“Them knowing we’re together isn’t the problem!” She exclaimed, rolling over onto her back and flaring her wings out from under her. “It’s the fact that they heard me say something so sexual! You’d think we’d be used to ponies having fantasies about us but no, it’s still slightly disturbing!”

“Especially when I walk into one such dream.” Luna added as she crawled up the bed and wrapped a wing over Celestia’s side.

Jay nodded slowly, understanding what her point was. Celestia continued though, and neither of her partners stopped her, letting her get it out. “Even if it wasn’t disturbing, I’m still a mare! I don’t mind ponies knowing my relationship status but what we do in this room is personal and intimate. What are they going to say when they find out about this?”

“‘They’ aren’t going to do anything because ‘they’ can’t. You’re the Princess of Equestria. The only one with equal power to you is Luna and I’m pretty sure she’s on your side.” Jay started off, smiling at Luna at the end. “Even then, ponies should know that you’re still a mare even if you rule a country. You have needs and desires and you have a partner who will help you fulfill those desires. If they can’t accept that, should you really care what they think?”

Celestia sighed. “No…”

“I understand that it’s still disconcerting, but just make it clear that you’re still a living mare and don’t appreciate ponies meddling into your private life. I know there are a lot of ponies who would stop just out of worry of upsetting their Princess.” Jay continued, making Celestia nod.

“And no matter what happens out there, you have us to return to.” Luna added, gently nuzzling behind her ears. “We’re your herdmates, so you know you’ll never be judged by us. We love you, have no doubt about that. This, like all other rumors, will just pass in time. Ponies will move on or forget about it, or something else more scandalous will come up to draw their attention away.”

Celestia grunted. “Worse case scenario I just outlive them.”

That make Jay cough once, not expecting such grim humor from Celestia though he couldn’t deny he found it funny. “Yeah, there’s always that option.”

“Even if it’s not a very good one.” Celestia said, pulling Luna close to her and then rolling over. Celestia’s head ended up in his lap with Luna on the other side of it, all three of them in a large hug. They lied like that for a short moment before a soft knock on the door sounded out. Luna got up and quickly pushed Celestia back down when she tried to stand, then walked over to the door and opened it a little. Jay, with his hearing currently normal, couldn’t hear what was being said but he could hear Luna start laughing before she thanked whoever was outside.

The blue mare pulled the door opened and pulled a trolley inside, which was carrying their dinner. Jay guessed that the letter she had sent was a request for dinner to be brought to her room. On the cart was three bowls of some type of soup with a large pot with more. The lower level held some slices of cake and moon pies as well as a plate of cookies. Jay’s amusement spiked when he saw on the lowest level was a can of whipped cream, a bowl of strawberries, and a bowl of melted chocolate. Celestia saw it too and her head impacted his stomach as she let out a loud groan.

Luna laughed at her reply. “The poor maid was so flustered I thought her coat was red when she told me about the ‘entertainment’ on the bottom. She had already heard about your comment and most of the castle is expecting an extra-long night. I told her to spread the word that it was simple teasing and that the night was scheduled to last the normal time.”

Then the Lunar mare eyed the chocolate. “And maybe we won’t be using that to her intent but chocolate covered strawberries does sound delicious.”

Celestia sighed. “It does.”

“You know, that’s a nice maid.” Jay said suddenly. When the sisters turned to face him, he continued. “Instead of freaking out about your comment, she brought some supplies here to try to help us, even if she was incredibly embarassed by it.”

After a moment, she nodded. “Luna, who was it?”

“Gleaming Silver.” Luna replied.

“Ah, I remember her. She usually brings me my tea when I’m doing paperwork.” Celestia said with a smile. “She is a nice mare. I can see why she was the one to bring us that. You have the right idea, Luna. Chocolate strawberries sounds amazing. Bring those over here. Oh, and that cake! Maybe some cookies?”

“What about the soup?” Luna asked in amusement.

“Oh, right, that too, I guess.”

Celestia looked up at Jay with a small blush when he burst out laughing, Luna dissolving into giggles soon after.

Jay leaned down, still laughing lightly, and kissed her. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you.”

“One of them?” Celestia asked with a small smile.

Jay nodded. “One of many.”

Perses reclined against the shattered throne, bored out of his mind. His gaze drifted acoss the runic walls, his eyes shifting between the floating lights in the room as his boredom steadily climbed. After a moment, he hit his hoof against the throne and broke it a little more. “Why haven’t I felt the rune activate yet?”

“Perhaps he has yet to find out how to use his magic.” Soul Flare supplied. “Remember, Creation is just a few rooms down the hall from us. He does not have easy access to his magic yet. It will be hard for him.”

“He needs to hurry up.” Perses said in reply. “I’m getting tired of waiting for him to fall into my trap.”

As Perses stood and left the room, Soul replied. “What makes you think he’ll bring Celestia along?”

“He will. The rune will make sure of that.” The Master of Destruction said as he descended into the dungeon ruins, passing countless ruined cells. Finally, he stopped by one in a perfect condition. Rune lined the walls, the roof, the floor, and the bars. Nothing could get in or out without magic unless it was his. “Once they’re here, they’ll stay in this cell until I can break her.”

“And you plan to do that how?”

“Oh, there’s plenty of ways to break a mare.” Perses said with a disgusting grin. “I’ll just have to take precautions before I get started.”

“It won’t work. She’ll just kill us.” Soul said firmly, but he could detect the hint of worry in his mind. Soul was afraid that his plan would work and Perses found delight in that.

“Trust me, it will work. To truly break a mare, you need to take your time. Work slowly, build up to it over the course of several weeks before you strike the final blow. It’ll help shatter Daedalus’ resolve as well, knowing he can do nothing to save her as he listens to her scream for his help. It’ll be a bigger when if she starts to hate him for not saving her.”

Then he had a thought that made him laugh loudly. “It’ll be even sweeter if I fully break her and she submits and becomes mind. It’ll shatter Daedalus completely!”

“You’re a bucking monster.” Soul said simply.

“Oh, I know. I love it!” Perses shouted before he turned around, turning around and walking upstairs and into another room, the only one in the ruins that he had restored. Within, a soft purple orb pulsed with light. It was clearly a magic-imbued crystal, one of his own making. The orb, suspiciously, was the same shade as the rune. “In any case, this will be what leads Daedalus and Celestia here. The rune will lead him to this before he falls into my trap.”

“Do you plan to kill them?” Soul asked disparingly.

“No.” Perses said honestly. “I want to break him. If I break Celestia and make her my slave, that’s just a bonus. Particularly if she’s as kinky as I suspect. Maybe I’ll go for Luna afterward whether Daedalus breaks or not.”

“I hope he manages to kill us.” Soul said suddenly.

“Relax, it’ll be fun. And once I give you back control, you might have two goddesses servicing you.” Perses said with a grin, slowly making his way back to his throne. A burst of magic repaired the stone, but the room itself was still ruined. The moon shone down through a gap in the roof above, placing a stream of moonlight on the throne. “Look, even Luna wants us to succeed.”

“You’re idiotic.”