As the brilliant light of the morning sun reigned down on the landscape of Equestria below, the city of Canterlot bustled with ponies, all starting their days or ending their night shift. All around the town, the gentle springtime air quietly blew in soft zephyrs that carried fluffy clouds along in their wake, much to the annoyance of the unicorns below. Little fillies and colts made their ways to school, with parental guidance of course, while their teachers prepared the lesson plans for the day.

It was a beautiful scene flush with color and vibrancy that brought out the smiles in even the crankiest of ponies. However, while the outside world was bathed in light, warmth, and joy, the same could not be said for a certain purple alicorn sitting in her former mentor's throne, presiding over day court.

Twilight felt her eye twitch as the man sitting in the throne beside her, none other than Prince Anonymous himself, dressed in his usual button up and khakis, greeted the newest ponies to arrive for day court.

"Greetings, my little pony. Welcome to day court. How may TS and I help you?" Anon asked, his voice full of warmth and kindness.

Twilight grit her teeth.

"Why, thank you, Prince Anonymous and Princess Twilight. I've come from the lower district and I was wondering if there was any chance at all that I could request an expedience on my permit to expand my property into the neighboring lot. I've paid for the expansion already, but until I get that permit, I can't start work. I'd like to get the foundation laid out before the summer, when it gets a bit too hot to work comfortably." The earth pony stallion, explained.

Anon scratched his chin, "Well that certainly seems like a reasonable request," He replied, before turning to Raven, "Rave, do you think we can get mister..." He looked back to the pony.

"Oh, Morning Wood, your highness." Morning Wood bowed.

Anon tried, desperately, to hold back a snicker. He quickly turned back to Raven and covered his mouth with a fist as a flurry of laughter fought tooth and nail to come out. His cheeks ballooned outwards as he tried to keep his composure, but swiftly failed. A snicker escaped, followed by a chortle of choked laughter that quickly turned to fake coughing as Anon looked over to Javelin.

The guard tried his absolute hardest to maintain his composure, his stoic eyes staring straight ahead as he felt a snicker nearly escape his mouth as well, but after only a moment, he made a fatal flaw: he looked over to Anon. The look on the man's face quickly sent him over the edge and he snorted as a similar choked laugh forced its way out of him.

As the stallion and human fought to keep themselves in check, Twilight watched with an increasingly deep frown. She glanced over to Raven, finding the secretary rolling her eyes as she wrote down some notes on her notepad, before giving a polite nod to the purple princess.

"Morning Wood, we'd be happy to give you that expedience. Raven has made a note of it, and we'll send somepony down to the permit office to get that sent your way asap." Twilight calmly, if a bit frustratedly, explained.

"Oh, thank you so much, Princess, and you as well, Prince Anonymous. You both have no idea how much this means to me. I'll have my shop opened before the end of summer if I can get started fast enough. Thank you both so much." Morning Wood replied, bowing deeply and completely oblivious to Anon and Javelin both struggling to keep from laughing out loud.

"Of course, Morning. If there's nothing else, then please have a wonderful day." Twilight responded, giving a small nod.

"Y-yeah... *ahem* have a good rest of your morning, Wood." Anon announced, before covering his mouth once more to hide his snickers.

"I will! Thank you both so much." Morning Wood enthusiastically replied, before turning on his hooves and trotting out the door, a pep in his step.

The second the throne room doors closed, both Anon and Javelin burst out laughing. Anon nearly fell out of his throne while Javelin chuckled to himself, completely aware that Captain Valorant was still in the room, at the doorway. After a few seconds of Anon's boisterous laughter ringing out in the large hall, said Captain cleared her throat and looked over to the human in question.

"Sir, that was the only petitioner in line. As of this moment, we have no other ponies for Day Court." She announced, an annoyed frown on her face as Anon simply ignored her.

"Oh my god... oh my fucking God, his name is Morning Wood! He has to wake up every day with that name!" Anon doubled over in laughter, once more nearly falling out of his seat.

Twilight let out a flippant sigh and fixed Anon with an annoyed look, "Yes, yes, his name was part of some low brow humor. We get it, Anon. Can you please calm down. You almost laughed right in his face the second he told you his name." She explained, sounding like a disappointed parent.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Anon replied, wiping a tear from his eye, "This is just the funniest shit I've seen all week. Holy shit, TS. That killed me."

Raven noticed a vein bulge on Twilight's forehead.

"Anon, for the love of Faust, will you stop calling me that!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Aww, it's just a nickname." Anon reasoned.

"A vulgar one!"

Before Anon could respond, the sound of hooves on porcelain echoed out from behind him, prompting him, Raven, and Twilight to turn around to see both Celestia and Luna walking up behind them. Both princesses were heavily pregnant, and their absolutely gravid bellies hung noticeably low on their barrels. However, just the mere sight of them alone was enough to halt Anon's mirth and replace it with utter captivation. He found himself immediately wondering if they'd done something different or if they simply always looked so absolutely beautiful.

Anon hurriedly got out of his throne and rushed over to his wives, quickly reaching Celestia as she was just a few steps ahead of her sister. He gently embraced the solar diarch before planting a deep kiss on her muzzle, much to her joy. The lunar princess was not far behind, and Anon quickly leaned down to hug and kiss Luna as she wrapped a foreleg around his neck, deepening the kiss even further.

"It's good to see you too, Anon. We heard copious amounts of laughter and merriment coming from the throne room so we decided to investigate." Luna tiredly announced, before quickly kissing Anon's nose.

A sheepish smile formed on Anon's face as Celestia closed in on him from his right, "I know Day Court isn't quite that exciting, so I imagine that something entertaining must have happened. Please, do tell." She said, nuzzling Anon's cheek.

"Well, you see, me and TS over here were-" Anon began, only for a loud groan to give him pause.

Anon, Celestia, and Luna all looked over to Twilight as she fixed the man with a scowl.

"Will you stop calling me that!?" She exclaimed, her voice brimming with frustration.

Celestia and Luna shared a look of confusion, "TS?" They both asked in unison.

"YES!" Twilight nearly shouted.

"I... don't think I follow. Those are just your initials, are they not?" Luna questioned, looking back and forth between Anon and Twilight.

"They are, but he's not referring to my name! He's referring to something else!" Twilight explained.

"Twilight, dear, calm down," Celestia placatingly offered, before turning to Anon, "Honey, what are you teasing Twilight with now?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Anon pursed his lips and glanced away, trying to look as innocent as possible. After a few moments of silence, Twilight grit her teeth and spoke up.

"Titty sprinkles. He's calling me Titty sprinkles and he's been doing it all week!" Twilight exclaimed, her wings flaring out as she pointed an accusatory hoof at Anon.

A few moments passed in silence, followed by a snicker, then several snickers. Twilight's jaw dropped as both Celestia and Luna struggled to hold back their laughter. Eventually, they both devolved into a series of giggles and laughter at the poor lavender alicorn's expense, prompting her to frown deeply and pout on her throne.

Anon, having also picked up on his wives' laughter, allowed a shit eating grin to form on his face, and he quickly retook his place on his throne, fixing Twilight with a smug look that only made her scowl at him harder.

"Oh, that's a good one. I haven't heard something like that in a long time." Celestia chuckled.

"We're sorry, Twilight... we don't mean to laugh, but... that was quite humorous." Luna giggled.

Twilight turned away from the solar and lunar diarch's and let out a long winded sigh. It was only when she felt a gentle wingtip brush against her cheek that she looked over to find Celestia smiling down at her from beside the throne.

"Oh, come now, Twilight. It's just a little joke, nothing to take too seriously. If Anon makes fun of you, that just means that he likes you." Celestia offered, her wings furling back against her barrel.

Twilight rolled her eyes, "But how is anypony supposed to take me seriously when my current co-ruler is openly mocking me in front of Day Court!? I've been here for a month straight to learn how to rule and he's made a mockery of me every single day!" She exclaimed.

Anon leaned forward on his throne until he could look past Celestia to Twilight, "Twiggles, come on. You're gonna be a real princess with a castle and potentially enemies that want to kill you one of these days. I'm just giving you shit. Don't tell me you're that soft." He offered, raising an eyebrow.

Twilight growled, "I am not soft. My friends and I have beaten Nightmare Moon, King Sombra, and we were instrumental in defeating Chrysalis! I'm taking this position with the level of seriousness that it deserves. You're the one acting like being a ruler is just a joke!" She shot back, pointing a hoof at Anon again.

"Hey, I helped with Chrysalis too!" Anon retorted, before grabbing Javelin and literally dragging him out of his post and in front of his throne, "Me, my best friend, and Raven!" He responded.

Javelin owlishly blinked at the Princess of Friendship before shrinking back into his armor just a tad. Anon and Twilight swiftly entered a staredown, both glaring into each other's eyes with disdain. Meanwhile, Celestia and Luna shared a look of concern.

"Sister, I think this is getting out of hoof." Luna whispered, using her wing as a makeshift curtain to keep her voice hidden from Twilight and Anon.

"Agreed. I suppose we should intervene. The last thing we need is Twilight and Anon causing a scene in front of the nobles when they come in." Celestia agreed.

The staredown between man and alicorn only increased in intensity as the solar diarch stepped between the two thrones.

"You both helped," Celestia diplomatically cut in, her wings flaring out between Anon and Twilight, "It was a group effort, and it took all of us working together to defeat the changeling queen. Now please, both of you calm down. You're supposed to be working together as a team, much like back then. You can't be at each other's throats like this." She said, giving a look of disapproval to both man and alicorn, respectively.

"Anon, I think you owe Twilight an apology for making fun of her." Luna offered, nudging Anon's shoulder with her muzzle.

"And you need to control your anger, Twilight. Anon does have a point. There will be literally thousands of ponies that will test your patience to its limits over the coming years. You can't let them set you off with just some light teasing." Celestia admonished, giving Twilight a slightly disapproving look.

All of Twilight's ire deflated instantly at her former mentor's gaze, and she let out a quiet sigh of resignation.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Princess. I'm just not used to being goaded like this." She admitted.

"It's okay, Twilight. You're still learning. Just keep it in mind going forward." Celestia responded, giving the younger alicorn an affectionate nuzzle, before turning to her husband.

Anon glanced back and forth between the many eyes now glued on him, and after nearly ten seconds of more and more implicant looks, he let out a long, dramatic sigh, "Ugh, alright, fine. Twilight, I am sorry for calling you Twiggles, Titty Sprinkles, TS, or whatever else I may or may not have called you to cause such offense. My bad."

Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Raven, and even Javelin gave the man deadpan stares for several seconds before Twilight rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I guess that's the best I'm gonna get. Thank you, Anon." She said.

"Here all week." Anon replied, before slouching into his throne.

Celestia gave a small nod, "Alright, now that that's settled, how has Day Court been proceeding these past few days?" She asked, giving Anon a curious look.

Anon shrugged, "It's been going decently, I guess. It's just the same thing every day. Some pony wants to do something super tiny like get their permit expedited, and then we just say 'sure' and have Raven make a note of it." He explained, a slightly bored expression on his face.

"My, you make it sound so invigorating when you explain it like that." Luna chuckled.

"Well it's at least better than listening to nobles drone on and on about how they think they should be given more power in the government or that they should get massive tax cuts just because." Anon replied, flippantly.

Celestia nodded, "Oh, I know the ones. Jet Stream has been actively trying to kiss up to the crown ever since his release from the dungeon after that bar fight with you and Sergeant Javelin." She recalled.

"Still think it was a bit of a light sentence for what he did, Princess." Javelin chimed in, looking over his wither.

Celestia let out a small sigh, "Well considering that Comet Star was the mastermind and main conspirator of that attack, I felt that making an example of him specifically, would send the message clearly enough. The rest of the stallions involved have all made plea deals and have been serving community service ever since. I don't think we're likely to see something like that again." She reasoned.

"Plus, Comet Star's main reason for even attacking you in the first place is kind of a moot point by now. His reputation as well as the reputations of everypony involved are all tarnished, and as far as Canterlot Nobles go, reputation is everything." Raven added, with a small shrug.

Twilight shook her head before looking over to Celestia, "I'm still shocked that the nobles would do something like that... I mean, I know that most ponies look up to you, but to let greed and arrogance make them choose to violently attack your consort and his guard... that's just unacceptable."

Anon held his hand over his chest in mock surprise, "And here I thought you wanted to skin me alive just a few minutes ago. Glad to see you do care." He teased.

Twilight frowned, "Actually I was more concerned about how Celestia and Luna would take having to marry a greedy noble as well as Sergeant Javelin's safety." She shot back, giving Anon a challenging glare.

"Well that's just rude." Anon dramatically sighed, leaning back into his throne in mock despair.

Twilight rolled her eyes at his antics as Celestia and Luna chuckled.

"Anon, honey what's got you in such a mood today?" Luna teasingly questioned, nuzzling his cheek.

Anon returned the gesture by scratching Luna's ear, "I just want to deal with some actual issues. You guys have me and Twiggles over there holding day court all week for the last month, and while I definitely needed the practice at first, I just feel like now I'm wasting my time. You don't need both of us to hold Day Court and I want to learn more about the other parts of being a prince that I don't have any practice on." He explained, pointedly ignoring Twilight's glare at his nickname for her.

Celestia approached his other side and nuzzled his free cheek, earning a scritch to her ear as well, "Honey, we told you, after the foals are born, and we're recovered enough to resume our normal duties, then we'll show you the rest of your duties by your side. It's just a lot to take in if you aren't completely prepared and having either Luna or I by your side will ensure you don't have to worry about making mistakes that are more... well, more severe than a simple Day Court mishap." She offered.

Anon ran his hands down Celestia and Luna's necks, his fingers lightly scratching into their soft fur as he reached their collars.

"I get that, I do... but you guys are scheduled to go into labor in just another month. I want things to be as easy as I can make them for you both, especially since you won't be doing much in the way of ruling a kingdom for the first year after the kids are born." Anon replied, his brow furrowed in thought.

Celestia softly kissed Anon's cheek, "Sweetie, that's very thoughtful and kind of you, but you don't have to worry about us. We may have put on some weight, have strange cravings, and need to use the restroom five times as often right now, but we're more than capable of handling anything that comes our way in the coming months. As for the kingdom, our top advisors have already seen to it that most of the truly pertinent issues over the next year have already been dealt with."

Raven nodded, "Anon, we've got pretty much everything handled in advance specifically for the princesses' pregnancies. The only things you'll really have to concern yourself with are holding Day Court and the occasional public appearance over the next year." She explained.

Anon sighed, "I know, Rave, but that's just it! I want to actually make some decisions! A whole year of Day Court sounds so... tedious." He exasperatedly explained.

Celestia quietly chuckled to herself, "Now you know what I've been dealing with for the last eleven hundred years."

Anon rolled his eyes, "It's not so bad when they just want something simple like the last guy, but when they just come in here to bitch... holy shit." He shook his head.

Luna sagely nodded in agreement, "It is quite infuriating to listen to nobles whine about the most mundane of subjects."

Celestia snorted, "I recall. Having said that, Anon, honey, you have been making both of our lives much easier these past few weeks." She offered, gesturing to herself and Luna.

Anon looked up at the snow white princess, "I have?"

Celestia nuzzled his cheek once more, "You have. Honey, I know Day Court is dull, but please, be patient. You'll get your chance to shine, I promise. For now, this is a good place for you to learn and build a reputation with the citizens of Equestria." She said, gently.

"Besides, once upon a time I seem to recall you being extremely hesitant to doing anything with regards to the actual duties of being a prince. Now you seem eager to jump into the fray." Luna chuckled.

"I was nervous at first, and I still am, to an extent... but with all the stuff I've learned with Raven, and with you during those dream study sessions, I feel like I'm ready to make some actual choices now." Anon replied.

"Anon, if I may, I think what the princesses are saying is that while you've made great progress, there's still a lot you need to learn before you make critical, society-altering decisions. It's not to say you haven't come far in a short amount of time, but rather that they want to nurture what you've grown into, but you still have a lot more growing to do, in this regard." Raven suggested, earning a raised eyebrow from Anon.

Celestia gave a grateful smile to her secretary, "Thank you, Raven. That's a marvelous way of putting it. Spot on, if I'm being honest."

Raven beamed at the praise while Anon just let out another heavy sigh, "I guess. Just want to be at that point already." He relented.

Luna quickly darted in and kissed his cheek, "In due time, Nonny. In due time."

Anon gave the lunar princess a grateful smile before leaning back in his throne and crossing his leg over his knee.

"So, anything else on the agenda for the day or is it just... this, for the next six hours?" He questioned, gesturing to the empty throne room.

"Captain Valorant said that there weren't any more petitioners outside at the moment, although that was before the Princesses arrived, so there might be somepony out there now." Raven responded.

"Yo, Val! Anybody out there?!" Anon called out to the guard.

Valorant immediately opened the throne room door and glanced outside for a few moments, before closing the door and shaking her head.

"Nopony yet, sir." She answered, flatly.

Anon quickly clapped his hands together and pushed himself to his feet, "Alright then, how's about we close for lunch? Anybody else down with that?" He asked, stretching his back.

"L-lunch? Anon, it's only ten thirty! We have a duty to the ponies of Canterlot to be here and hear them if they arrive for Day Court." Twilight indignantly rebutted.

Anon shrugged, "I can't make decisions on an empty stomach. Need to fuel the tank up so I can make the best choices for these guys when they show up."

Twilight did a double take, "What do you mean you have an empty stomach? Why would you skip breakfast? It's the most important meal of the day! It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health." She hastily explained.

"I was too busy eating something else." Anon replied, with a smirk as his eyes darted back and forth between Celestia and Luna.

A hot blush instantly exploded across Celestia, Luna, and Twilight's faces as Anon's grin only grew in size.

"A-Anon!" Celestia bleated.

Anon quickly held his fist up for Javelin to bump. The stallion in question stared at the offered fist as if it were the most tempting thing he'd ever seen. However, just as he moved a muscle, Raven spoke up.

"Javelin, don't you dare hoof-bump that." She demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Javelin hastily looked back and forth between Anon's fist and Raven, then up to Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, then back to Raven. He nervously gulped as he lifted his hoof off the ground.

"Javelin!" Raven snapped.

His hoof raised higher.

"Don't!" She ordered.

Javelin quickly bumped Anon's fist, causing the man to make a fake explosion sound with his mouth and waggle his fingers as if they were the explosion itself. He quickly pumped his fist in the air.

"Yes!" He beamed.

Javelin kept his gaze straight ahead, pointedly ignoring and avoiding the four mares now glaring at the back of his head as if they were trying to set it on fire.

"I can assign him to Blueblood. I'll do it, I swear." Raven offered, looking to Celestia and Luna.

"Bros stick together." Anon hastily interjected, protectively hugging Javelin.

"Was he always this foalish?" Twilight questioned, looking to Celestia for answers.

Celestia sighed, "No, no this is just because he's hungry. It'll pass after lunch."

Raven shook her head, "I suppose I should announce an early lunch, then?"

Before Celestia could respond, a harsh pounding on the throne room doors sounded through the air, drawing all eyes to the source of the noise. Valorant quickly opened the door and looked outside, only for the guard in front of her to teleport past her to the center of the court. Instantly, all guards drew their spears or conjured their spells while Celestia and Luna flared up defensive shields around the thrones.

"Princesses! I'm so sorry, but I have urgent news!" The pony shouted, her voice hoarse and rushed, as if she'd galloped miles to get to them.

While the rest of the ponies present kept their weapons drawn, Valorant quickly rushed up behind the guardsmare and grabbed her by the scruff of their neck. Before she could drag her off, however, Celestia spoke.

"Wait, Captain." She instructed, before looking at the pony, "What is it that's so urgent?"

"It's Queen Chrysalis!" She said, earning a room-full of gasps.

"She's returned!?" Luna questioned.

"Is it another invasion?" Twilight asked.

"How many changelings does she have?" Celestia demanded.

"Is she attacking here or the Crystal Empire?" Anon pressed.

"She's... surrendering."

Hello everyone and thank you for reading! This story has been in the works for months but I am so glad to finally be able to deliver it to you! There's a lot of shenanigans coming and lots of fun times ahead, so I hope you all stick around until the end. I will offer this quick note, however. To tell the story I wanted and have it make sense, be coherent, and enjoyable, I've had to write Chrysalis a certain way that I don't think she's really been written as before. At least, not very often. I do hope that you like what I have in store for her, but I can already tell that she might not be the way some of you were hoping.

That said, I do think most of you will like what I've done with her in this story. You will see what I mean going forward :)