When I woke up the next morning, there was a furry body laying with me. My body woke up with the morning sun beginning to shine through the window and the front door. Which illuminated the room to show me that Philomena had changed beds last night. Rarity had just enough time to make her one dress, but not a nightgown. So Twilight and I decided that she would sleep with her upstairs while I took the sleeper sofa by the door. It wasn’t the best mind you, but it was still a decent bed. She was almost laying completely on top of me with her head on my chest over her crossed arms. One hand lightly scratching my chest and cooing softly in her sleep with each breath.

She was cute. While laying there, one hand was used to lightly brush my fingers through her bright yellow, orange, and red hair. Oddly enough, I really liked her hair. It was long, smooth, thick, and a pleasure to run my fingers through. A soft cooing chirp came from her before she wiggled slightly against me.

My mind returned to early last night when Fluttershy and Philomena returned from Rarity’s place. She walked in with her new dress on that was a simple one-piece sundress style. All light blue with white lace trim that hugged her body and showing off her curves. She has a body figure that would make any middle teenage girl jealous of. And I still don’t know how they manage to get their tails through the material, but they do. And the dress she came in with looked good on her actually I’ll admit. Really pretty.

I also wasn’t sure if they explained to her the concepts of nakedness or sleeping with someone yet. Perhaps Mother could help her with that on the way to Baltimare today.

My ears picked up light steps from the stairs and lo there was Spike walking down. I waved to him when he caught a glimpse of Philomena and I. He waved back whispering, “So that’s where she went last night.” I nodded with a shrug. “I’m going to make breakfast.” And with me giving him another nod and a wave he disappeared through the side door and into the kitchen.

Philomena cooed a soft complaint at the noise before settling back down again.

Soon the smell of breakfast came wafting through the room. After a sniff, my nose picked up the smell of coffee, juice, and pancakes. Which, in turn, got me hungry. It must have gotten Philomena hungry as well because shortly after that she started to stir.

She gave out a wide yawn before looking up at me owlishly at first. She smiled wide cooing out, “Morning Fred.”

“Good morning Philomena,” smiling in return my hand continued to lightly brush her hair.

Thankfully she sat up on her knees giving a morning stretch which gave me a good sight of her.

Peck.

I blinked shaking my head when she giggled at me after poking me with one of her claw-like fingernails.

That moment was broken at the sound of hoof steps and moans coming down the stairs. We turned to look to see Twilight moaning down the stairs in her one-piece light purple nightgown. Her hair stuck out in all directions as if she put a finger into a light socket and clearly looking like she was still half asleep.

“Don’t look now Philomena,” I said chuckling and not even bothering to whisper, “but the dead are walking already.” I knew Twilight would hear me. Sure enough, Twilight let out a complaint in the form of a withering look my way with a short grunt of a moan while using her magic to pick up one of the pillows to shove into my face again.

Philomena thought it was funny and giggled at my expense. Not minding any I chuckled with her and set the pillow down again. I followed that by rolling off the side of the bed and onto the floor. “Well, it’s time to get up and face the day,” straightening out the shorts I wore to bed I looked down to Philomena, “I’ll let you have the bathroom first this morning. You know, to wash up and shower and whatnot.”

“Yes,” smiling to me she cooed and got up. “Thank you.” Then left to go upstairs. While she was taking care of that I decided to check on our morning zombie. After walking over to peer inside the kitchen door, I saw Twilight sitting at the table with coffee in hand. Spike was cooking away at the counter finishing up the pancakes. I leaned against the door with a smirk while watching her.

“Not a morning pony are you Twilight?”

She took a long sniff of her coffee before turning her head to face me, “No.” And a couple of seconds later she asked, “Was it me, or did I see Philomena in bed with you?”

“She was,” my nod confirmed it for her. “You know if Fluttershy talked to her about that?”

She shook her head then took another sip of coffee, “I don’t know, but she needs to be told.”

“Yeah,” I nodded while rubbing the back of my head a little nervously.

“Didn’t look like you minded any,” her voice was accusational while she looked at me out of the corner of her eye.

There was a pause before I answered, “Well if she does know what it means at least she’s old enough. I mean she’s older than me obviously while probably just as old as my mother or older.”

She gave out a non-committal sound before sipping her coffee again, “Maybe.”

“Speaking of, however,” I continued, “I spoke with mother last night and she told me to tell you that she realizes it was an accident, and she doesn’t blame you any, and she’s not mad at you alright?”

That made her smile at least. “Thanks, Fred.”

“In other news, she did say that she wanted Philomena and I to go with her on a trip to Baltimare.” Twilight looked up at me as the news worked its way into her morning fogged mind. “Which works out because it will give Mother a chance to talk to Philomena about her new body and everything. It’s a business then pleasure trip. She wants to go to inspect some places, check-in with the PD, and give an end slavery PR speech. Then she, Philomena, and I will then have time to spend with each other.”

“Huh,” she blinked at me, “Sounds more fun than what Rainbow has in mind for me today.”

“Which is?”

“Today is where she asks the school kids to think up a routine that emphasizes what living in Ponyville is all about,” she explained while leaning back in her chair with her coffee in her hands. “The whole purpose is that whichever pony team wins they will be the ones that carry the flag for the Equestria Games later this year.”

“That sounds fun actually.”

“Yeah, but tomorrow my friends and I will be going over to the old castle to help clean it up,” she continued with a slight groan. “And we’ll be there all day.”

I winced slightly with a chuckle, “Alright, that doesn’t sound fun.”

She shrugged taking another sip as Spike finished the pancakes setting them onto the table. “Maybe will find a secret or something that’ll make it interesting?”

Peck.

Philomena poked me gently in the arm with a talon. She had on her blue dress and smiled up at me when I turned around. “Whelp, my turn,” Philomena leaned up giving me cheek a nuzzle before walking into the kitchen to sit at the table.

Upstairs after getting into the shower, it gave me a little time to think about Philomena. She’s been...clingy...ever since her transformation. Well, that’s not quite right. She’s been clinging to me ever since I showed up. Kind of like a mother hen...sort of. Still, at least Philomena can actually communicate with us now verbally. If she goes back to normal then all that will go away. I don’t know, maybe it’s the hormones talking, but I kind of like her this way.

After the shower, I changed into the pants and t-shirt before walking back downstairs again. The only thing I had to pack was just my shorts and my good suit that human Rarity made me. Packed it all up in a bag, put the sofa back up and it was time for breakfast.

“Hey Philomena,” my voice called out while walking into the kitchen to the table. “Mother wants us to join her on a trip to Baltimare this morning. It’s a business and pleasure trip. Business first then some personal time for us.”

She tilted her head to the side cooing in a way that sounded like a question.

I nodded, “Just think of it, at least you and mother can have a conversation now. I can’t imagine all the stuff you two could talk about now.” After sitting down I started on my pancakes.

To her credit, she looked excited about it.

“That’s true,” Twilight chipped in now a little more awake. “Come to think of it, there’s a lot of questions that I could ask you now about Phoenixes.”

“That she could answer in the short amount of time we have between now and leaving for the train station?” I asked between bites of pancakes with a smirk.

Philomena giggled as Spike quietly chuckled to himself.

Twilight stuck her tongue out at me, “Well...no.” She then looked to Philomena, “But when you two get back would you let me?”

Philomena nodded with a smile, “Yes Twilight, I will.”

Twilight squeed happily, “Oh thank you because I have so many questions.”

^_^

Twilight did get to ask some questions before we left for the train station. And I noticed that Philomena is getting better at speaking normally. It just takes practice, which she hasn’t had before now. The way through town to the train station was quiet and uneventful. And on the train ride to Canterlot Philomena would rest her head against my shoulder while taking my arm in hers. Mother had told the conductor to give us the private car. So, all the way up to Canterlot it was just us and the passing scenery.

“CANTERLOT,” until the conductor’s shout started echoing up and down the train as we pulled into the station.

“You know this place always reminds me of a multi-train station in all those old motion pictures,” I mumbled while standing up and grabbing my bag. She had no clue what I was talking about as my hand held hers helping her up. “I’ll explain later.” She just nodded with a smile as the train came to a stop with a screech before letting off steam.

My eyes were roaming around for my mother the instant that we walked off the private car and onto the center loading platform. Naturally, we weren’t the only ones there either. We got some looks as Philomena held my arm and searched for mother. Ponies of all races and walks of life walked around us. Some leaving, some coming.

Then out of the blue, we heard…

“My sunshine boy!” mother’s voice broke through the cacophony of noise and voices with a shout. And when I turned my head to look, the crowd was parting like the Red Sea legend with mother quite literally flying across the platform. Happy as can be her wings were buzzing as she flew almost like mad toward me with her eyes happy and giddy locked onto us with arms open wide. Yeah, it was quite a sight to see. There was only one thing I knew how to do at that point.

I grabbed Philomena and held her to me with a laugh nearly yelling, “Incoming!”

Philomena didn’t quite understand why I grabbed her as I did, but she got the idea why when my mother practically slammed into us. At least she slowed down before doing so. That way her momentum wouldn’t have us falling to the floor and sliding across the platform for a good few feet. This way we just stumbled back a few steps while mother’s arms, and wings, wrapped around us as she planted kisses over both of our faces.

“Oh I missed you, my sunshine boy,” she cooed while kissing my face. Then did the same to Philomena, “Oh Philomena, I’ve missed you too.” She pulled back to focus on Philomena, which was fine with me. Gave me a chance to straighten my shirt out. “Oh look at you,” Mother said while holding her at arm's length looking her over, “You look so pretty. Who did your dress?”

“Rarity,” she replied with a happy smile, “Missed you too Celestia.” Yep, her language skills are getting better.

Mother practically squealed in delight, “You can talk now, this is good. We can finally have some conversations after all these years. How do you feel though?”

“I feel good. Look forward to talk with you, but still want body back.”

Mother frowned a little at that but nodded, “I can understand that and I’ll help any way that I can but it might be up to Twilight alone. Because I don’t know what spell she used and without that, I wouldn’t know what to use to turn you back.”

Philomena nodded, “Understand.”

“Now that’s over with,” I interrupted, “Shouldn’t we board the other train?”

“Oh yes, of course,” Mother was smiling again, “This way.” The other ponies and other races parted around us like the Red Sea again as she led us to the train on the other side of the station. Once again we were boarded onto a private car just for us like the one we just left. After we were on the train, I had the foolish thought of leaving the two alone, so they could talk. I say foolish because as the distance increased between us I heard, “Just where do you think you are going?”

I made it about halfway down the car when she spoke up. “Just giving you two some space to talk, that’s all.”

She smirked at me with her arms crossed. “While I appreciate the sentiment, you are going to come over here and sit with us.”

I was going to protest at first, then her face showed me that there was no arguing with them. So, without a fuss, externally anyway, with my head hung I walked over to them. Mother took me by the arm, sat me down onto the sofa, and then sat down next to me. As Philomena was sitting down, my mother held my arm with both of hers while crossing her legs putting it over mine. Philomena giggled cutely with a claw to her beak thinking that was funny and mimicked it doing the same.

I was trapped and there was nothing I could do about it. And with a jerk of the train lurching forward the two started talking like hens.

“So,” my mother started while wiggling to get herself more comfortable, “how has it been with you and your new body? Do you like it? We can talk now.”

Philomena nodded in return, “I like we can talk. New body has...” She paused to think of the word, “...benefits over original. Also strange parts.” To emphasize her point she leaned back enough to put a claw to her breast, under the dress, to squeeze and wiggle it a little.

“Oh yes, those are breasts,” mother explained now making me feel embarrassed for some strange reason. I felt like I shouldn’t be here for this, but then again there was no way out either. “Those serve a few purposes for us females.” Philomena leaned in to listen closely. Actually, both leaned in and talked a little softer while only inches away from my face. Why? “Their primary purpose is to feed the foals after they are born. When we become pregnant with a foal, they fill with milk. It’s that milk that the foal drinks from us females during the first few months of life. I know birds have a different method, which is why you wouldn’t know about it.”

“I’m right here mother,” I complained with an embarrassed sigh and I’m sure there was a blush on my face. “Should you really be discussing this with me here?”

She dismissed my complaint with a scoff and a giggle, “Why should you leave? It’s not like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“What else?” Philomena interrupted quickly.

“The other purpose is the fun part,” mother’s voice was a little quieter as if she was speaking conspiratorially.

“This I am not going to listen to,” my voice was insistent, and leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and started humming to myself in order to drown out the pending conversation. It must have worked because I didn’t hear anything about what they were talking about. And stayed that way until both of them had to start poking me just to get my attention. When my eyes opened, and I stopped humming, both of them were looking at me with a smile.

“You can stop humming now,” mother told me through a giggle, “we’re done.”

“You are?” I asked looking between them. Both nodded with a smile. “Good, some things should be just between girls.”

“Alright, alright, you made your point.”

“Thanks, mother,” I said but then my ears heard…

“You like?” from Philomena.

Naturally, I had no clue what she was referring to until my eyes spotted her holding her breasts in her hands. And with a grin on her beak, she was slightly pressing her breasts together. Being a guy, my eyes latched onto what she was doing instinctively without another thought. My next thought was: Just how am I going to answer that? However, unfortunately for me, my mouth spoke before my brain did. “Yes,” was out of my mouth before my brain was able to stop it. The next second was me holding my head in my hand, the only one that was free, with a groan of embarrassment.

Mother kissed my cheek, “Aw, can we not tease you?”

I just raised my head giving her a tongue in cheek look accompanied by a raised eyebrow.

In return, she gave me a pouting hurtful look, “But I enjoy teasing you.” Meanwhile, Philomena had decided to move over and sit in my lap and wrap my free arm around her. And with a soft giggle of her own, wiggled to get more comfortable.

For a split-second, I just looked down at her with an incredulous look before simply giving up and accepting it. Philomena laid her head back against my chest with a soft hum of contentment and got comfortable. It was then my brain finally realized that there was no way for me to get out of this. I was trapped and that was that.

And that lasted until we got into the Baltimare train station in the late afternoon. The teasing slowed down to nearly a stop after that but that didn’t stop mother and Philomena from talking. Now that I expected considering this is the first time they ever got to talk at all.

“BALTIMARE,” came the conductors call from up and down the cars. The whistle from the train echoed slightly against the stone platform and building it was sidling into. Instead of an outside platform, this one was inside with the train on one side and everything else on the other.

“Here we are,” stood up grabbing for my bag as the train stopped before letting off steam. “So what’s the first stop?”

“First stop is the Baltimare Police Department,” mother told us as she lifted a couple of suitcases with her magic. Philomena took my hand again as the doors opened. “After that, we are going shopping,” mother singsonged the last word to us as she reached the door giving us a smile a mile wide while clapping her hands.

The only thought in my mind, as we walked away from the train was: For what? What are you going to shop for? For Philomena? For me?

We walked side by side from the train and the afternoon crowd parted like the Red Sea for us. All of the smiles and ‘Your Highness’ that we heard were for my mother. They all pretty much either ignored me or gave me a stink eye look. It was the same all the way up until we got to the BPD in the middle of downtown. Mother said that normally she would fly there, but because I couldn’t we used a cab.

The front of the police department looked like almost any other. A tall two-story building with glass front and glass double doors. Big letters over the doors. Ponies from the three races were there. Earth, Pegasus, and Unicorns were walking around inside and out. I’ve never been to Baltimore, but this looked like any big city. The PD was surrounded by business and office buildings of all shapes and sizes. All we saw of the inside was a foyer slash waiting area. The reception officer was behind a large glass window.

As the mare behind the desk looked up and spotted my mother, her eyes went wide in shock before sitting up straight. “Princess Celestia,” the mare said happily through the speaker box in the window. “Welcome to the Baltimare Police Department.”

Mother smiled as she floated her two suitcases to the corner and put some type of shield over them. “Thank you my little pony,” her voice sounded motherly to the mare, “Your chief is expecting me.”

“Of course,” she nodded before pushing a button. “Chief? Princess Celestia is here to see you.”

“Send her in.”

The mare motioned to the side door off to our left, “If you go through there his office is at the end of the hall.”

“Thank you,” mother singsonged to her before motioning for us to follow. Ignoring the questionable look from the mare, Philomena and I followed her through the door. I kept my bag with me slung over my shoulder. I’m sure that Mother’s bags will be safe. After all, she put a spell around them. My mind was wondering in all directions thinking of why we would be here as my eyes looked around. It was a long hallway with doors on either side. Most open to reveal either empty or a pony sitting at a desk looking through papers.

“Enter,” we heard after mother knocked on the door. An earth pony was sitting at the desk when we entered. Though instead of a uniform, he was wearing a suit. Complete with a tie. “Ah Princess Celestia,” he stood up and bowed. “Welcome to Baltimare.”

“Thank you chief,” she said before motioning to Philomena and I. “May I introduce my son, Fred Justice, and my dear friend, Philomena.”

“Son?” his voice was quick and sharp with shock as he looked between us. Leaning forward I offered my hand to him. “There were rumors about you having a son,” he shook my hand carefully while eyeing me with a watchful eye. Then gently shook Philomena’s hand.

“They’re true,” Celestia sat down, as we did on the couch by the door. “He returned to me from the human world where I sent him to be raised by my human counterpart.” The look on his face told us that he didn’t know how to react to that, so mother continued. “Years ago I fell in love with a human. And he showed me how wrong I was. Later I had my son,” she motioned toward me. “And since then I can’t go on hating humans or I’d hate the human I fell in love with and my son.” Mother took a breath. “Which is why I’ve been trying to correct my previous mistake. To go around telling my ponies not to hate anymore and to end this slavery.”

After he let it sink in, the chief slowly nodded to her, “The preparations for your speech tomorrow are taken care of. Even stepped up a bit due to the rash of humans being nabbed openly on the streets. Even during daylight hours.”

“How bad is it?”

“It has escalated during the previous few days I’m afraid Princess,” he said with a growing frown. “After they are taken they are held for ransom first, and if not paid then they get resold on the market. The black market of course.” Turning around in his seat he reached for the file cabinet, pulled out a handful of folders, and let them slap down onto the table. “And that is just the tip of the iceberg.”

I whistled softly.

He nodded to me, “Quite, but I’m afraid that’s not all. In most of the cases, I’ve either got the evidence, but can’t convict them. Or I think I’m being blocked on getting the evidence.”

There was a pause as Mother looked over at the chief with widening eyes. Even I got the implication of his words. “If this is similar to the human world then only so many would have the power to do that. You think that the DA, or what humans called the District Attorney, is behind it?”

When the chief looked at me, I could tell what his answer would be just by the look in his eyes. “I think she’s at least part of it yes. And maybe some on the city council too.”

“Looks like some things are universally constant,” muttered softly as they looked over at me curiously. “Death, taxes, and the greed of politicians.”

“But you think there’s more to it?”

“Yes Princess,” the chief sighed once more. “Whoever is truly behind this wouldn’t just do it. He and or she must be getting paid off by the traders. I mean sure, I can do all the investigations and arrests I want. But that’s moot if they won’t prosecute anypony for those crimes. And the city council has been pushing me toward paying more attention to other crimes.”

“I see,” mother mused softly. It got me thinking as well.

Peck

Philomena’s eyes were looking over at mine with a ‘Don’t you dare’ look to them after I turned to her after she used a talon to poke me in the arm. I mouthed ‘What?’ to her playing innocent. She kept up with the look though.

“Philomena?” mother asked softly, “What is it?”

She didn’t even break eye contact with me when she answered, “Fred has bad idea.”

Now, Mother was eyeing me carefully. “Fred?”

“What?” I asked innocently, “I was just thinking honest.”

Surprisingly it was the chief that laughed softly while crossing his arms over his broad chest, “That all it’ll take is evidence. The only problem is all the humans know what’s going on but no pony will believe a slave. And that’s if no pony kills them before they can say anything. Most would keep quiet just to save their skin anyway.” Then he smirked at me, “Except for you. I’ve seen that look on my officers more times than I can count.”

“What look?”

“The look of somepony thinking about going undercover Princess,” he replied with a soft laugh. “I doubt you would let him though.”

“Absolutely not,” her words shot at me like a hot knife with eyes to match. “That’s out of the question.”

I held my hands up, “Hey, never said it was a good idea.”

My head suddenly got pulled down nose to beak with Philomena, who was sporting a very similar look. Mixed in with another emotion I couldn’t place, “No.” Her talons were almost digging into my cheeks as her eyes glared into mine.

The chief laughed at me, “Well that settles that then doesn’t it?”

“I never said I would go through it did I?” the tone of my voice hopefully would placate them.

Philomena’s eyes softened, as did my mother’s, and her hand let my head go.

“Now then,” mother continued cordially, “has all the preparations for my speech been taken care of?”

The chief bowed his head, “Yes your highness, they have been. Police protection will be there thirty minutes before your arrival.”

“Wonderful Chief, thank you,” mother said to him with a happy smile. “I only plan to speak once tomorrow just before lunch. The rest of the time I plan on spending with my son and Philomena.”

“May your visit be productive and peaceful, your Highness,” he bowed his head again after he spoke.

“Just where are you going to make this speech mother?”

“At the human market at the docks, son,” she said through a sad smile. “That way I’ll tell both human and pony at the same time.” Then she stood up looking back at the chief, “Thank you chief for your time and service.”

He stood and bowed to her, “Not at all, Your Highness.”

And then we left his office, but I was still curious as to where we were going next. I thought we’d be going to eat or to check-in at the hotel. “Where to now mother?”

“Well,” she spoke with mischief in her voice, “I think we should go shopping.” She eyed me with a wide motherly smile that sent one of those warning chills up and down my spine. You know what I’m talking about. It was a look that predicted upcoming embarrassment for me during this shopping trip. “Extra clothes and swimsuits for you and Philomena.”

Philomena cooed, almost chirped, happily at that. While I gazed into my mother’s happy mischievous eyes with trepidation as we walked out of the station.

^_^

“So what is this place?” I asked curiously. We were walking up to the double glass doors of a shop just down the street from the station. It looked like a typical high-class store with two presentation windows on either side of a glass entryway. Male and female ponyquinns stood in the windows with fancy dresses and suits on.

“This is called ‘The Prancing Pony,’” she announced as she opened the door letting the bell ring above us as we entered. “It has all the best brands. Including ‘NobleStallion.’ They make the best clothes for stallions.”

The interior was a simple, but elegant, layout with one aisle right down the center of the store. Racks were lined up on either side of the aisle and filled with all sorts of clothes from simple to suits to swimsuits. In the back of the store were the register and fitting rooms. Almost immediately there was a store clerk right there to greet us.

“Welcome, your highness,” the unicorn stallion bowed to us in classic fashion, one hand in front and the other behind him. He appeared to be dressed in one of the more fancy suits from the store. A walking advertisement. “How may ‘The Prancing Pony’ serve you this late afternoon?”

“Philomena here,” mother moved behind us putting one hand on her shoulder, “would like to try on some outfits.” Philomena looked up with a happy smile. Mother put her hand on my shoulder, “My son would like to try on some outfits as well as swimsuits for all of us.”

“Swimsuits?” I asked her.

“Yes,” she replied. “The Clopton Mane Hotel has a wonderful pool and hot tub in the basement.”

My mouth made an ‘o’ as the store clerk bowed his head speaking politely, “Of course, Your Highness. I will assist Prince Fred myself and have a salesmare tend to you at once.” He half-turned away from us raising a hand sending up a tiny light like a flare that was red in color.

“Thank you so much my little pony.” As mother was thanking the stallion another pony was walking up to us. It was a unicorn mare wearing a fancy off shoulder evening dress that clung to her body showing off her eye-catching curves. The dress was almost full length with it stopping just above her two hooves. It was full black with see-through lace from the knees down. The color matched her light gray coat and white mane and tale extremely well with the black looking hoof shoes. It also had a shallow v cut in it that drew my eyes. The only thing that was off was her eye color. A striking bright blue. I think she would be around mid-twenties maybe? But with a body that any teenage girl would be envious of. She could easily make it as a model in my opinion.

And she was looking right at me as she approached.

It was a look that would put Elvira to shame. And I still have no idea how they get the tail through the dress either.

“Yes miss Vira,” the stallion said cordially to her. “Would you assist her Highness and Miss Philomena here with their selections?”

Miss Vira bowed her head to mother first, “Your Highness,” then she looked back at me. She bowed her head while still maintaining eye contact with me, “My Prince.” Her voice was soft but alluring at the same time with a look in her eyes that drew me in and captured me. “If it would be alright sir,” she said to the stallion before stepping up to look up to me, “and your highness. I would like to attend the Prince.”

“That is irregular Miss Vira,” he said quickly.

I was a little surprised to hear mother speak up, “Actually I think that would be alright. In order to get a true opinion one must get it from the opposite sex.” Both the stallion clerk and I were surprised to hear that. Philomena was also looking at Mother with shock, but also taking quick glaring glances at the mare standing before me.

I heard the stallion clerk sigh, “Very well your Highness.”

Miss Vira was immediately on my right side and putting her arm through mine while mother was practically dragging Philomena away while giggling up a storm. “What were you hoping to try on my prince?” she asked while pulling me toward the stallion side of the store from the middle aisle.

It took my brain a second, or two, to sputter back to life again. “Oh…Um...swimsuit and maybe a couple of outfits. One casual and one suit.”

“I would be happy to help you with that,” she giggled lightly when she said it with us walking into the swimsuit section. “How about the swimsuit first? What colors do you like?”

“Oh...Ok. Red, blue, purple, black, white, gray,” I responded at last.

“Good choices, my prince,” she cooed softly at me as we approached the swimsuit section. Swimsuits were held on hangers in rows up against the wall of the store in all colors and sizes. And still with her arm through mine she eyed me carefully, “I think I know what size you are.” Then she leaned up putting her hand on my chest to whisper, “And black goes with everything my prince.”

There were two parts of me during all of this. One part was wondering why she was coming onto me. The other part didn’t care why she was doing it and was just going to enjoy that she was doing it. I also think my brain sputtered and died again because she giggled a little at me before turning to the racks. As she stepped up to them, to make a selection for me, she had sway in her step. Each sway of her hips had her tail swaying side to side for me. And I have no idea why it caught my eye so much.

She hummed as I watched her pick out three or four swimsuits for me to try on. “Why don’t you try on these for me?” she asked softly with a wink and a smile.

“Uh...ok,” my brain finally said and took the swimsuits from her.

“The changing rooms are this way,” she started pulling me along the wall toward the back of the store. “Now,” she opened the door to a room, “try one on and let me know how it fits.”

“Ok,” I said dumbly and stepped in with her shutting the door behind me. Luckily for me, it was a relatively good-sized room with a bench to sit on with a mirror on the other wall. And completely enclosed and not like other stores that are nothing more than a small gate and everything else open for the world to see.

What the heck is wrong with me? Why am I responding this way? Not that I’m complaining she’s hot. But still. While my mind was turning over in thoughts I was also sifting through what she grabbed for me. Black with white stripes. Red and blue with purple stripes. WTF? Is this a black speedo? The last one was the opposite coloring of the first.

I tossed the speedo to the side and tried on the colorful one first. However, while I was removing my shoes, pants, and undies my mind wandered back to the speedo again. Why am I considering that? Because it might mess with her a little? Well, that’s true. She did pick it out for me. Then another thought hit me. I wonder what Philomena would think about it?

Now, where did that come from?

Images of her in a bikini came to mind with variations of red, yellow, and hot orange. While images of Philomena in bikinis ran through my mind I watched my hands grab the speedo and put it on.

At least I kept my shirt on.

“How does it fit my prince?” I heard Vira ask.

I’m so going to be embarrassed about this. But with another calming breath, I turned and opened the door to show her. Her eyes roamed over my body while she lightly bit her bottom lip while wiggling her eyebrows at me. I actually found myself liking that reaction out of her. And when she asked me to take off my shirt, I complied.

“Oh my,” she whispered while looking up to me, “it suits you really well my prince.”

I tried to think of anything to ask her so I wouldn’t look stupid standing there. “Is this thing fireproof?” I felt so stupid for asking that.

She blinked up at me, “Fireproof? Why would you need it fireproof?”

I held up my hand igniting it for her.

She gasped putting her hands to her muzzle, “You can do magic?”

“Yeah,” I said simply with a nod, “I’m my mother’s son.”

“So...are you…?”

My mind knew where she was going. “I’m part pony on my mother’s side, which is why I can do magic. Twilight and my mother are teaching me.”

“So what they said in the newspapers is true,” she whispered while looking at me in awe. “She did have a foal with a human.”

I nodded while spreading my hands out in a “ta-da” fashion, “And here I am.”

“Does this swimsuit make my butt look big?” I heard from my mother asking. And after turning my head to look, I saw her in a bikini and wiggling her rear end toward the poor stallion who had met us upfront. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the stallion’s situation while leaning myself up against the door frame. The one question that no man, or stallion in his case, could ever hope to answer correctly without getting into trouble. And he knew it too.

He tried wiggling himself out with, “Your Highness, is that really the question you should be asking me?”

She wiggled her butt again, “Of course it is. Now answer the question.”

“No, it doesn’t, your Highness.” He said it as simply as he knew how. But I think mother was having too much fun to let him off that easy.

“Oh so you admit to ogling at the royal rump?” she turned herself around and purposely crossing her arms under her chest.

He tried his best but I could smell the sweat from here. “Of course not, Your Highness. I simply answered your question.” He tried not to look.

“Oh you’re no fun,” mother complained before walking back into the changing room.

But then that’s when Philomena came out. My eyes locked onto her. She wore a bright yellow, red, and hot orange striped bikini. I think she was looking for my mother. At least at first, until she spotted me. My eyes widened in order to take her all in. The bright colors complimented her very nicely with the swimsuit itself showing off her curves. “Fred,” she called out in a wave at me.

Dumbly, while watching her, I lifted a hand and waved back.

“You like?”

My head seemed to nod on its own.

She giggled before retreating back into the changing room.

I heard another giggle from my left. OH yeah, I forgot about Vira. “Oh yes!” she grinned at me with a mischievous voice. “The black one is the way to go.” She stepped up to me blinking her eyes and whispered, “Especially if your marefriend likes it.”

And my brain sputtered and died again. Marefriend? All I could do was blink down at her.

She dismissed my confusion with a wave of her hand, “Oh please, like you don’t know how she looks at you.” No, I didn’t know but I’ll be watching from now on though. “Now we need to find you an everyday outfit and a nice suit,” she said before practically shoving me back inside. “Keep the black one and hand back the other three.”

I found myself doing just that with only the black speedo and the clothes I came in with, left to me. Marefriend? Does she think of me as more than a friend? A fellow woman always knows and notices those things. Men, not so much. My mind went back to all the little things Philomena has done since changing bodies. Even if she does then it can’t last because she wants her original body back.

It was minutes before Vira came back with a fancy suit as I sat on the bench. “Why don’t you try this suit on my prince?” she said to me but my mind didn’t hear her at first. “My prince?”

A few seconds later I slowly looked up to her, “Vira? What do you think of me as a human and being a prince?”

Vira leaned down with a smile and half-lidded eyes. And with the suit hanging in her magic she took my head in her soft fur-covered hands. And kissed me. Her lips were surprisingly similar to human lips. Only softer. At first, my body was in shock at what she did, then my body started responding. All too soon she stopped and broke the kiss. “I’ll tell you a secret my prince,” she whispered into my ear with her cheek against mine. “Human males perform better than stallions.”

My face looked silly while simply blinking up at her as she pulled back.

She giggled at me. “Why don’t you try this suit on my prince?” she hung it up on a hook before giving me a wink and shutting the door again. Over the next couple of minutes, the only thing running through my mind was: Really? My next thought was: Great, now I’m stuck with the black speedo. With a sigh, I stood up to try on the suit Vira picked out for me.

It was a simple style with flashy coloring. The colors were Philomena’s colors. Red overall with bright yellow highlights. Within the yellow highlights were little gem like studs that seemed to hold the colors of the rainbow within. It was nice and even if I was interested in the opinions of the others as I tried it on, I wasn’t sure if this coloring was for me. Typical black and white was more my speed.

“Are you ready?” Vira asked from the other side of the door.

“Yeah,” was my response, and opened the door. Taking a quick look to my right showed Philomena and mother standing there in their dresses as well.

“Why don’t we get your marefriend’s opinion,” Vira grinned at me before sashaying her way over to Philomena and my mother. It was almost surreal watching Vira get their attention and suddenly felt like I should start walking like a model down a runway. “What do you think?” Vira asked the two of them when they got close.

Philomena was wearing the same type of dress that Vira was wearing, but in her size and a sky blue color mixed with those rainbow gem accents. Mother was the only one that hadn’t picked out something flashy, though she was obviously having a hilarious time with the clerk.

“I like,” Philomena cooed while looking me over. Well that settles it doesn’t it? Philomena moved in front of me spinning around, “You like?”

“Yea, I do,” my mind said absentmindedly. Truthfully, I did like the dress she was wearing.

“I think you look handsome my sunshine boy,” mother told me with a smile.

A smirk formed on my face as my eyes met my mother’s, “You’re biased, mother.”

She dismissed it with a shrug and a smile.

“At any rate why don’t we finish up here and get something to eat?”

“Good idea,” mother agreed happily, “I am getting famished. Why don’t we eat at the hotel? They have a wonderful selection.”

^_^

The Clopton Mane Hotel was the place that we were staying at. Mother said that it was very luxurious and it seemed she was right about that. It was like one of the best Hilton hotels back in the human world. Large front foyer with high ceiling and chandelier with carpeted floor. Front desk on the left with a small restaurant looking area on the right. Everything polished to a sheen. The room we rented only had two large queen beds which made me wonder where Philomena was going to sleep.

The rest of the night would be pretty simple. Change clothes into the suit and have dinner, then go back to the room to change into the swimsuit to have fun in the basement pools later. Nothing interesting happened during dinner, although I’ll admit to liking Philomena’s new dress. Plus she complimented me on how I looked and that she really liked it. Which led me to think back at what Vira said at the store more.

What was interesting was the pony that we met at the hot tub in the basement.

“Oh hello my little pony,” Mother greeted the stallion that was lounging in the water as we walked up.

The stallion’s eyes seemed to bulge out from their sockets for a second at the sight of us. Though I’m pretty sure that it was mostly my mother. “Your Highness,” the pony struggled to get up quickly.

“Oh no need for formalities here my little pony,” she told him with a wave of her hand and a smile. “I’m not here on any official capacity, so just go ahead and relax...”

He did and slunk back down into the hot tub as we got in. “Thank you, Your Highness. The name’s Burnt Oak. Kind of a small world isn’t it?” The tone of his voice reminded me of a laid back hard working down to earth working man. He was an earth pony with a dark gray coat and an off-white mane and tail.

“Why do you say that Mister Oak?”

“Well, your Highness,” he said slowly, “ever since I read about your announcement about your son it brought memories back to me.”

“What sort of memories?”

“You must be Fred Justice,” he looked at me with a sad smile. I nodded at him. “Well then,” he continued softly so only we could hear, “it brought back memories of when I was growing up with Bright Mac at the Apple’s farm.” That got my immediate attention.

“So...did you...”

“Yeah,” he nodded confirming my suspicions, “I knew your Pa. As Bright Mac and I got older and started to talk over the family businesses for our own, we interacted with the humans we had more often. He even started telling me about his long conversations with a certain human of his.” By now he had my undivided attention. It felt like I was a kid listening to a grandfather tell his tales of old. “Of course by this time, them two had already gotten married and had Big Mac. And to answer your question, that I know you have,” he smiled at me. “I do have humans at my own ranch. However, over the course of all these years and the many conversations with Bright Mac, Pear Butter, and I, I’ve realized one very simple thing. I just can’t see humans as mere animals. Your Pa might not have been educated in the traditional sense. But he had a head-on his shoulders with a very simple view of life. That all, whether pony or human, have certain rights that are affording to them by nature. The right to live, the right to be free, and the right to be happy.”

A thought suddenly entered my head. “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” I interrupted softly, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

He seemed to be proud of what I said. “That’s putting it might elegantly, but yes. Where did you hear that from son?”

My thoughts went back and I stared off into the distance, “From the human world where I grew up. It’s from the Declaration of Independence. A document from the founding of our nation. At the time there was still human slavery. Unfortunately, that wasn’t eliminated until almost one hundred years later after a lengthy and bloody civil war.” I guess it was my turn where I had his attention now. “Now it’s all but eliminated. But anyway I grew up in the human world and until a relatively short time ago I had no knowledge of this place at all. I had no idea who my father was because mom didn’t want to talk about it. It wasn’t until a pony named Sunset Shimmer decided to take Twilight’s crown into the human world that set everything in motion. One-touch of that crown and...” I stopped and lifted a hand igniting it with fire. “This…,” I stared at my hand engulfed in flames. “It freaked me out before I realized that it didn’t hurt. Then the memories came.” I looked over at mother putting out my hand, “Dreams about her. Holding me in the throne room.” My eyes met Oak’s again, “That got me asking questions. It was when I overheard Twilight saying about where she came from and the humans enslaved here that made up my mind to cross over. Not only did I want to finally meet my birth-mother, but I wanted to help as well. Slavery is wrong and maybe, just maybe, I can keep this nation from going through a bloody civil war that it did in the human world.”

There was silence for a couple of minutes before Oak spoke up again softly. “I may technically own the humans at my ranch but I view them as equals. This is the first time, in a long time, that I’m able to take a vacation. It’s just me and them, so if I ever left who would I leave in charge?” He shrugged with a smile. “I know that ponies might not like it but I help to educate the ones I have. Matter of fact, I got one right now running the place.” He chuckled, “Can’t do that unless he knows what he’s doing right? One thing I know is that family is the most important thing in life. More important than money or fame. If one of my human friends on my ranch had to leave family behind, well I think it’s my responsibility to help bring that family back together again.”

“Which is why you have the ones you have now?”

“Exactly right,” he nodded with a wink, “and all because of your Pa.” He chuckled again lifting his head up to reminisce, “That Pear Butter was a real peach of a pear. I remember her telling me how Granny was going to outright kill your Pa until she butted in. Made her promise to treat them right or she’d leave. I didn’t rightly know what happened to the man until I saw the announcement in the paper and your name mentioned.”

That’s when Mother spoke up with a wide smile, “Yes, I met John at the castle’s front gates. There was a sale going on and he was the one being sold. I decided to confront him. He told me his ideals and it was then I decided to buy him in order to prove to him that he’s wrong.” That got Oak laughing with my mother as she shook her head, “No it didn’t work. And I couldn’t be happier that I was wrong. Or I wouldn’t have my son.”

“Yeah,” he chuckled again. “That’s John for you. He had a way of showing ponies the truth.”

“Mister Oak?” I spoke up hesitantly, “You mind if I talk with you alone?”

His nod was my answer as I stood up and excused myself from my mother. It wasn’t until we were out of earshot of my mother and Philomena that he spoke up again. “So, what’s on your mind son?”

I took a steady breath, “Ever since coming here and having this magic, it’s like my hormones have gone into overdrive.” We sat on a bench at the end of the pool. My eyes watched the other patrons swim around the pool while my mind was working itself into a tizzy. “On earth, I was attracted to and had relations with Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and the other’s human counterparts. But when I showed up here and started to see the females here it seems that everything is three times as bad.” I chuckled with a wry smile, “Or better depending on your point of view.”

One of the mares staying at the hotel chose that moment to climb out of the water. It was a typical cliché way too. She got to the edge bringing up her head out of the water in a wide front-to-back motion sending her long flowing hair flying in a wide arch over her head before smoothing it down with her hands. After climbing out we got a good look at her. She was beautiful. A slender form that looked like she could model without a problem and wearing a skimpy bikini. Her slow walk even screamed out model material with a soft clop of her hooves.

“It’s like seeing the world’s best candy right in front of you,” I whispered as she walked by us. “And if I’m not careful I’d reach out and eat it up before I knew what I was doing.”

Oak nudged me with a chuckle, “All stallions go through that phase. That’s normal. Maybe it’s just your pony side trying to make up for lost time.”

I shrugged, “Maybe.”

“Let me give you an example,” he said with a light chuckle. “When Bright Mac was growing up there was a period of a few years when it seemed that mares were all he cared about. He wouldn’t go chasing after them mind you, but it was similar to your problem. But like all things, it was a phase during his younger years. And even through all that, there was only one mare that was always on his mind. Pear Butter. So, that’s why I say not to worry about it. Especially considering you are only part pony.”

I nodded, “Thanks, that makes me feel better honestly.”

He nodded in return before continuing, “And by your swimsuit, it appears that you might have a mare in mind already?”

Looking down I groaned lightly, “It was a shopping thing this afternoon. Both the lady clerk and Philomena liked it, so...” I shrugged off the last part of the sentence.

He looked toward the hot tub. “You mean the...lady...bird with your mom?”

“Yeah. She’s a phoenix that was transformed by accident from her original bird body to the anthropomorphic one. She...I guess was my mother’s pet, but I guess can’t be now. However, she still has a desire for her original body back. She was there with me throughout the first two years of my life here before Mother was forced to flee to the human world.” He listened as I looked over at the two of them talking and giggling together. “She missed me and hasn’t left my side since I returned, but since she turned it’s like she’s gotten more...clingy?” I shrugged, “I don’t know.”

There was a pause of silence before I spoke up again.

“Thanks for listening, Mister Oak,” I told him sincerely, “The only father figure I ever had was Bright Mac’s and Pear Butter’s human counterparts in the human world. And like here they’re gone now too. There’s also a human counterpart for you too.”

“Is that right?” he drawled out slowly in thought.

“Yeah, and I know him as well and is a friend of mine. I’d like it if you were too.”

He thought for a second then smiled, “You know, I think I’d like that.” We shook hands.

“Thanks.”

“Come by my place in Ponyville anytime,” he nodded with a smile, “if you ever need anything.”

“I will, thank you.” Looking over I saw mother and Philomena stand up and get out of the hot tub before waving me over to them. “It seems they’re ready to turn in for the night,” I stood up before he did. “Hope you have a good vacation.”

We shook hands once more. “Thank you kindly and remember what I said.”

“I will, goodnight.”

“Goodnight to ya,” he drawled out before I walked away.

^_^

“So what’s the schedule for tomorrow?” I asked as we walked into our room shutting the door behind me. Mother walked over to the nearest bed sitting down on the edge.

“Tomorrow morning after breakfast, we will be speaking at the pier marketplace,” she said with sorrow while looking at me. “It won’t be pretty.”

“It never is,” my soft comment told her that her statement was a given. “Anyway,” with a shrug, I walked over to the other bed and my meager things. “I’m tired, so I’ll just change and go to bed. I’ll take a shower in the morning.”

So that’s what I did. After getting out of the speedo, which I still can’t believe that’s a thing now for me, I put on the shorts for bed. “Goodnight mother,” I said hugging her as she still sat on her bed after walking out of the bathroom.

“Goodnight my sunshine boy,” she told me softly and proudly as she hugged me back wrapping her arms and wings around me. “I’m so glad you came with me.”

“So am I mother.” After letting her go Philomena was next as I hugged her as well. “Goodnight Philomena.”

“Good...night,” she hugged me saying the words slowly as if she was trying them out. After Philomena let me go mother used her magic to turn on the bathroom area light before turning off the main room lights.

The beds in the room were near top tier but not quite as good as what’s in Canterlot Castle. Not that it matters to me. My body drifted off to dreamland while listening to the soft chatter of mother and Philomena as they went through their nightly duties.

^_^

Somehow during the night Philomena had, not only gotten into bed with me but was laying on top of me. I was on my back with her spread eagle over me with her head resting on my chest. Her wings were relaxed and limp on each side of her made for a cute and dare I admit pretty picture.

My eyes watched her sleep. I’ll admit to getting more fond of her in her anthro form and finding her rather pretty. Especially her long thick hair which my fingers lightly ran through after reaching up to stroke it. She hummed softly while wiggling a little putting her hands under her head. A few talons gently stroked against my bare chest. She had a look of peaceful contentment on her face as she slept.

Until an almost silent moan escaped from her. Her hands slithered up to wrap themselves together under my neck before she wiggled herself up to where her head rested in the crook of my neck. A soft whisper of my name and she went still once more.

Makes me wonder just how she really feels about me.

^_^

The next morning came talking and giggling hitting my ears. And that was just before a feather, or two, tickled the side of my face.

“Wake up my sunshine boy,” was mother’s cooing and giggling voice.

With a groan of complaint, I turned over on my other side.

“Now don’t be that way,” she chided me, though I could hear her amusement in her voice. “We have a little time before the speech this morning for breakfast. So, if you don’t get up and start getting ready you’ll miss breakfast entirely.”

Seeing how getting up was inevitable, my head turned to look up at them, “Alright, alright. I’m up.”

“Good,” mother clapped her hands with a wide smile before taking Philomena’s arm. “In that case, we’ll be downstairs waiting for you at our table.” They both headed toward the door already dressed for the outing. “Don’t take too long.”

I got up from the bed after they had gone and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Then it was to change into the typical black and white suit I got at the store. Then headed out the door. All of which took about twenty or so minutes, give or take a couple. And if my timing was right then the food would be arriving at the table right when I got there.

This early in the morning there was hardly anypony out yet. Except for the two that I passed in the hallway leading to the elevator. Both stallions. The look on their faces toward me should have been the warning sign of what they were about to do. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t register until after a cloth covered with chloroform was pressed against my nose and was putting me asleep before I knew what was happening. The only thing that I heard was, “This human should give us a good price at the market.” I heard a chuckle before another spoke, “Or ransom.” And blackness overtook me.

^_^

When consciousness came to me again some things were obvious right off. First was that I was naked. The slight breeze blowing against my skin told me that. Second, I was laying on concrete in a kennel of sorts made for humans when my eyes opened again. The floor was concrete as was the wall behind me up to the roof of the building. Concrete made up the side walls to about chest height or so. From there were iron bars stretched up connecting to the ceiling. My kennel door was nothing but iron bars as well. There wasn’t anything in the cell at all but my naked self. The third thing I knew was that Mother and Philomena were looking for me if any sort of time had passed that was over thirty minutes. Forth was that I wasn’t alone. My ears picked up the sounds of another occupant.

Taking a glance into the cell to my right showed me a naked human female. Tanned skin and looking like a middle-aged teenager with long blond hair. My heart went out to her. “Hey,” I whispered trying to get her attention. “Are you alright?”

When she looked up to me from her curled up spot in the far corner it was clear that she had been crying. She was covering herself the best she could, which was the reason she was curled up in the corner. Among other things. It wasn’t cold in here but it wasn’t hot either.

“Anyone else here besides you and me?”

Again she shook her head.

“Were you kidnapped as well?”

When she looked up again it was clear she didn’t know what that meant. “Kid...napped?” she asked slowly in a soft shy and dare I say cute voice. Her skin was fair as if she was well treated because she didn’t show any signs of abuse.

“Taken from your home against your will,” I clarified for her.

“Yes,” she nodded also whispering back to me. “I was taken from my home and brought here.”

“Well don’t worry,” I tried reassuring her with a smile. “I can get us out of here. And when I do, not only will you be safe again, but Mother and I will take you back home again.” Hope sprang to life in her eyes.

“You can?”

I nodded to her before holding up a hand and igniting it. She flinched before gazing at it like a monkey doing a math problem. “I’m not quite human. My mother is Princess Celestia, so I’m part human and part pony. With my magic and abilities, we can get out of here. I’m only sorry that there isn’t anything for you to wear.” There was a pause while her mind processed that information with hope in her eyes and a slight smile on her face. “What’s your name? I’m Fred Justice.”

“I’m...Beth,” she said quietly but with a small smile.

“Ok Beth, stay still while I work against the bars.” She nodded while I turned my attention to the front bars that made up the door to my cell. And was just channeling my magic into my hands to heat up the bars when….

“With the commotion outside we’ll need to make this quick,” a male’s voice hit my ears. Stopping the magic I looked up to see a small group walking toward us from one of the side doors about fifteen or so yards away. It seemed that only one wall had the cells. The rest of the space in front was the sales floor maybe? A private sale or maybe a black market? Three ponies came into the light that shined from one of the many sunroofs. “You are lucky,” the unicorn stallion continued accompanied by another stallion and a mare, “we just acquired two humans of breeding age. One male the other female.”

“Wonderful,” the other earth stallion, wearing a simple casual suit that had seen a number of years of use.

“Yes,” the earth mare agreed also wearing a simple dress that’s seen many years of use, “we are looking for a couple to work on our farm and to breed.”

My hackles were rising very quickly just listening to them. All I had to do was wait until one of them opened the door. And the slightest smirk on my face knowing what the commotion outside was all about.

“Well you should be pleased with these two,” the unicorn stallion of brown coat and black hair and tail stepped up to our cells. “The male here,” he pointed to me with a wide smile which I glared back at him, “as you can see is well-toned for hard work.”

The other two looked over at me. The stallion looked at me with a buyer's eye while the mare looked at me with a curious expression. As if she was trying to remember something.

“The female,” he continued while stepping up and banging his fist against the iron bars, "will stand up for your future masters.” My ears picked up her cries of fear and I could just imagine her flinching in the corner.

“And why don’t you leave her alone?” I snarled at him without thinking.

“What was that?” his voice was low and menacing with his eyes narrowed.

My chuckle was equally dark, “I said, ‘Why don’t you leave her alone?’ Obviously, you don’t hear very well.”

“Alright smart mouth,” he growled at me and used his magic to unlock and open the door. “Get out here!”

“If you insist,” my voice was soft, quiet, and filled with amusement with some anger mixed in as I slowly stepped out of my cell. Luckily for me, he didn’t step back from me when I stopped about five feet from him. “But you’ll regret that.”

He chuckled darkly as his horn lit up, “And why would I regret it, you no good slave?”

“Because of,” my voice died down only for a second, just enough time to build up the magic I needed for my fire style Jedi force push. Then sent him flying backward sliding across the concrete floor of the warehouse after yelling, “THIS.” My hands thrust forward sending out the wave of fire and energy.

The stallion’s magic fizzled and knocking the wind out of him with a loud “oof.” “I remember now where I’ve seen your face before,” the mare nearly yelled out while grabbing a hold of the stallion she was with and pointing to me. First came the shock, “Your Prince Fred Justice,” then came the fear. “Your Princess Celestia’s son.”

I waited to make sure that my host wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon before turning to the couple. After taking a bow and sweeping a hand from one side to another I smirked, “At your service. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to let my mother know where I am.” The mare didn’t wait but started pulling the stallion toward the door, while still holding a shocked look on his face.

With the amount of magic I’d need to make a flare through the roof I closed my eyes and concentrated just like Twilight said to. Felt my core and willed the power to rise. And released it toward the roof with a single thrust of my hands skyward. My flames hit the ceiling with authority only being blocked for a few seconds before the ceiling gave way. The flames were high enough, but I needed to keep it up for a few seconds. Just enough time for me to be sure somepony saw it.

Feeling myself wane I stopped the flame flare and lowered my hands only feeling slightly dizzy from the amount of magic used. “Oh...” was my chuckling reply against my slight lightheadedness and put a hand against the concrete wall of the cell, “Steady boy, steady.” After a steadying breath, I looked into Beth’s cell, “You alright Beth?”

She nodded while still sitting in the corner, but she was now looking at me with shock and awe. “Is it...true...” her voice was soft and a little frightened, “...what you said?”

I smiled to her, “It is my dear,” taking another polite bow. “I am part human and part pony.”

“FRED?” came my mother’s cry after she literally tore a hole in the roof above me with her magic.

“Down here,” I called up waving to her as the sun shined down upon me like a spotlight.

“Fred,” both my mother and Philomena, called out at the same time before they both flew down practically tackling me to the concrete floor. Mother was on one side, Philomena was on the other with me in the middle chuckling under my breath while they both peppered me with kisses. Both their arms and wings were around me as officers from the local authority flew in and ran in from the street.

“Mom,” I tried getting her attention as she continued peppering me with kisses.

“Oh I’m so thankful you’re alright.”

“Mom, I’m fine,” I told her, “other than a slight bump on my head. There is someone else here that needs help.”

It was then that mother finally stopped and get her mind back into gear again. Philomena saw her first by looking around me and into the cell behind me. “Who she?”

“Beth?” I asked softly getting her to look up. “It’s alright now. This is my mother and my friend Philomena. Mother this is Beth. She was also kidnapped.” Beth was hesitant to stand up.

Mother turned toward the cage and used her magic to open the bar door. “It’s alright,” she cooed using her soothing voice, “it’s ok Beth, I’ll take you home.” Mother held an arm out while using the other one to hold onto me.

Beth stood slowly. “You will?” she asked with uncertainty still in her eyes.

“I promise upon my crown,” she cooed again still holding her arm out with a wide smile.

Beth slowly walked forward until she got to the door then practically ran into Mother’s awaiting arm crying.

“There now,” mother cooed softly rubbing her head against the poor girl, “we’ll get you cleaned up and dressed before sending you home.”

“Will...you...take me?” she asked between sobs.

Mother was hesitant, but then she looked over at me and knew what my smile meant. “Yes Beth,” mother told her softly, “we’ll take you home ourselves.”

One look between mother and I had us both agreeing that the speech was off.

“Your Highness?” came an officer’s voice and a sharp salute. In his custody was the pony responsible for trying to sell us, and more than likely the one who set up the abduction. “You want to press charges?”

I didn’t have to look at my mother to know what she was thinking or the look she had in her eyes at this moment. My ears did pick up Beth’s quiet gasp and mother comforting her.

“That’s him alright. What’s the pony’s name officer?”

“Quick Sale,” he told me turning to me, “my Prince.”

“Well then Quick Sale,” my grin went from ear to ear at seeing the fear in his eyes as they met mine, “I think you screwed up rather...royally.” I heard crickets chirping. “What?” I asked while looking at Mother giving me a deadpan look of disappointment. “Oh come on, that deserves at least a groan.” My ears did pick up a soft giggle from Beth. At least someone liked it.

Mother simply rolled her eyes. “Yes officer,” she addressed him, “and his charges are against the crown.”

Quick Sale’s head snapped up in horror at my mother from what she said. He knew his freedom was forever gone and it showed on his face as they hauled him away.

“Be sure to get his accomplices,” I called out to them.

“Well now I think it’s time to find something for you two to wear,” mother said with a smile. When Philomena hugged me again putting her head on my chest it gave me an idea.

“Hey Philomena, do you think one of your dresses would fit Beth here?” Philomena pulled back a little to compare sizes. Where it looked like both she and Beth had around the same height and build.

Philomena nodded with a wide smile, “Yes.”

“Then let’s not waste any more time in getting you home,” mother held Beth to her and kissed her head before igniting her horn to teleport us all directly to the hotel room. I had just enough time to tell Beth to close her eyes before we disappeared.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirteen: Appleloosa Estimated time remaining: 18 Hours, 14 Minutes