Frost and Iris laughed as they wrestled with Pyrite in Aldus’ cabin, nopony could sleep after being pushed onto an airship in the middle of the night. Rigel sat in the corner watching them play while Selene laid on the bed with Black Star and Andromeda. The red pegasus stretched his wings and let out a yawn, it was good that the children were playing now. Whatever it took to get their minds off the gryphon attack was worth it.

Aldus and Willow were discussing plans in the galley while Polaris was busy briefing Marigold on what had transpired. The pegasus night guard had been with Luna for the past few days but was assigned to the Lunar Court to help guard them and the children. Luna herself would be traveling to the Silver Isles a few weeks after they arrived, so she allowed Marigold to leave early.

“You foals don’t get into trouble while I’m gone, I’m going to talk to auntie Marigold.” Rigel said as he got up to leave.

Pyrite jumped off of Iris and bounded over to Rigel, “Can you tell her to come play with us when you’re done?”

“I sure can!” Rigel said as he messed up Pyrite’s mane.

All of the children had instantly taken to Marigold, and she loved spending time with them. Rigel didn’t understand how a mare so beautiful and great with foals wasn’t taken. He shrugged and trotted out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

Pyrite felt something slip underneath him as he was lifted into the air. Iris held him under his forehooves with a single claw while she hovered over Frost and the others. “You saved me, Pyrite. You saved me from those gryphons.”

Pyrite smiled and nodded, “I wasn’t going to let anything bad happen to you, Iris. You’re family now. You’re my big sister.”

Iris felt her eyes watering slightly while staring at the silver pony. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a more genuine pony or gryphon,” she said with a smile, “I’m happy to be your big sister.”

Pyrite frowned and looked over at Andromeda before staring at the ground. Iris noticed and cradled him against her soft breast of feathers, “What’s wrong?”

“I just wish I didn’t have to kill them. I told them to leave, I gave them the chance, but they didn’t listen.”

Iris held Pyrite in front of her with both claws, “Where I come from, violence and fighting is common. Many conflicts happen for stupid reasons.” Iris said as she remembered what her mentor always told her about knowing when to fight.

"If you know that you need to do something, you set it in your heart and carry it through."

“If there was ever a reason to fight or take a life, it would be to protect family.” Iris said as she nuzzled the earth colt. Just then she was struck in the face by a pillow. Both Pyrite and Iris turned to see Frost smirking up at them holding two more with his magic. Iris placed Pyrite on her back as she swooped over Selene to grab some ammunition. Both Pyrite and Iris dive bombed Frost as he ran around the room returning fire with his own pillows.

Selene was busy watching Antares, Blue Bell, and Ruby stare out the window as the clouds passed by. She had thought long and hard about the situation with Andromeda and the gryphons. She didn’t understand why her daughter acted the way she did, but one thing was certain. Her intervention surely saved all the little ones, especially Pyrite. Frost was learning magic, and Pyrite had Andromeda. Iris showed some combat prowess and she had Black Star. But these three fillies...

Selene got off the bed and sat down in front of the girls, who turned to look at her. “Girls, what happened when gryphons attacked? What did you do?”

Blue Bell huffed and stomped a hoof on the floor, “Nothing! I felt completely useless.”

“I was scared,” Antares squeaked while averting her eyes, “I flew to find Ruby and Frost as fast as I could.”

“Yeah,” Ruby agreed, “There wasn’t anything we could do except find the royal guard as soon as possible.”

“I see,” Selene said, “But the royal guard didn’t get there in time, and there will be other times like this in the future. I won’t have you be put in a situation like that again.”

“What do you mean?” Ruby asked.

“Stand back girls,” Selene instructed.

Two large tendrils of mane separated themselves from the rest of Selene’s black locks. They slithered in front of her and dissolved into two puddles. The fillies moved behind her as Frost, Iris, and Pyrite joined them. Selene spread her wings and smirked at Andromeda and Black Star. “Ready to meet your new brothers?”

Andromeda smiled and grabbed Pyrite, holding him against her chest. She leaned down and whispered, “You’re going to love this, watch!” Black Star simply nodded and moved to sit beside Iris. The small cabin began to shake as Selene collected the magic in her horn. Once she obtained enough, it was released into the two black puddles. Soon, two ponies emerged from the goop and stood next to each other in front of Selene. They were larger than Andromeda and Black Star, more toned and muscular.

Selene retracted her wings and gently pushed the three fillies forward. “Allow me to present your guardians, and new friends,” she said with a smile while looking at the new ponies. “Their power will keep you safe, isn’t that right? My Firebrand, my Stormcaller?”

As she spoke one of the ponies fur changed to a soft orange while his mane turned two colors of red and yellow. The other’s fur took on the color of dark purple, and a mane of blue and yellow. Faint cracks of electricity jumped through his mane as he looked at the pony beside him and smiled.

Both ponies stepped forward and bowed to the fillies. The orange one spoke first, “I’m Firebrand.” The other shoved him out of the way and also bowed, “And I’m Stormcaller.”

Firebrand shoved Stormcaller back and soon they were wrestling around on the floor.

“Ahem... boys...” Selene chided.

The two ponies stopped messing around and trotted up to the foals. “It’s so good to finally meet you all.” Stormcaller said. He went over to Ruby and took one of her hooves. “You’ll never be helpless again, the next time something like the gryphon attack happens, you’ll all be able to do something about it, we promise. Isn’t that right, Firebrand? Firebrand...? Firebrand!!”

His brother was busy admiring Antares as he snapped out of it, “Wha? Oh yeah, we’ll keep you safe.”

Stormcaller face hoofed and apologized to Ruby about his brother. The red filly giggled and leaned against him, “What can you do to help protect us?”

“Yeah!” Blue Bell said, “What’s so special about you?”

Both colts looked at Selene, who merely smiled at Blue Bell’s question. Firebrand teleported behind Blue Bell in a flash of smoke and ash and wrapped his forehooves around her. Blue Bell jumped at first, but then relaxed as she started to feel warm. The cabin was very cold at this high altitude and wasn’t heated, so she and Antares had been shivering. But Firebrand was hot, almost like a furnace. “Ahh...” Blue Bell said with a sigh, “You’re so warm...”

Firebrand smiled and sat down on his haunches while Blue Bell snuggled into his chest, “Yeah, I’m pretty hot. What can I say?” He opened an orange wing and beckoned Antares to join her friend. The yellow pegasus wrapped the wing around her and giggled to Blue Bell.

“So, Firebrand is attuned to fire?” Ruby mused as she turned to Stormcaller, “What about you?”

Several flashes of lightning arced around the airship followed by loud booms of thunder. Pyrite jumped a bit and backed up into Iris. The gryphon chuckled and tickled him with a talon, letting him know everything was alright.

Ruby noticed a faint glow in Stormcaller’s eyes when the lightning flashed across the sky. “That, among other things,” he replied with a reassuring smile. “Ah, our other siblings are here too.”

Firebrand effortlessly picked up Blue Bell and Antares and flew over to Stormcaller. “That’s right, is that the brave colt that bonded with Andromeda?” he asked, looking at Pyrite.

Iris scooped up Pyrite and trotted over to the new ponies. “Yep he and Frost saved me.”

Stormcaller took Pyrite from Iris and nuzzled him, “You know we’ve been watching you with mother for a while now. I’m impressed by your bravery.” He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “And even more impressed that you bonded so easily with our idiot sister.”

“I heard that!” Andromeda shouted.

“And Frost...” Firebrand said with a snicker, “I wanna see some of that ice magic.”

“No...” Blue Bell murmured with a yawn, “No ice magic, its too cold.”

“What?” Firebrand asked with a chuckle while looking down at the filly, “You’re still cold?” He released the two for a moment as his mane burst into dancing orange and yellow flames. He smiled and ran a hoof through it before opening his wings and forehooves, welcoming the fillies. Blue Bell and Antares jumped into his embrace as he closed his wings around them. “Better?”

“Better...” the two fillies whispered as they snuggled closer.

Stormcaller extended a hoof to Iris and Frost, “We’re going to be great friends, I can tell!”

Iris and Frost smiled as Pyrite climbed on top of Stormcaller’s head and examined his mane. “You have sparks in your mane, did you know that?” he asked.

Stormcaller grinned and looked up at the earth colt, “I do, the mares seem to like it...” he said while slipping a wink at Ruby, who blushed.

Frost let out a yawn and sat down in a bunch of the pillows near one of the corners. “I’m getting tired.”

“It is getting late,” Selene admitted with a yawn. “I think it’s time for bed, we should be arriving early in the morning.”

“I don’t really feel like going back to our cabin,” Ruby said with a yawn, “Can we just stay here?”

“I don’t see why not,” Selene said with a shrug.

Firebrand smiled down at the fillies in his hooves, each had already fallen asleep. With care, he fluttered into the air and laid down opposite Frost with the fillies snuggled up to his chest. Stormcaller extended a wing and laid down with Ruby while Andromeda landed near Pyrite and allowed him to crawl onto her back. Iris paused before settling down with the rest of her new family. She silently fluttered out of the room and down the hall only to find Black Star behind her.

“Where are you going?” he asked

“I- I wanted to talk to Rigel.”

Black Star nodded, satisfied with the answer. He stepped into Iris’ shadow and began to fade away. “If you need me Iris, I’ll be here. Remember that.”

Iris smiled, “I will.”  

She walked into the galley to find Aldus and Rigel eating while Willow was doing some dishes.

“What are you doing up, Iris?” Aldus asked.

“I just wanted to ask something,” Iris said while avoiding looking at him.

“What’s wrong, Iris?” Rigel asked, now getting a bit concerned.

“It’s just... I studied some of the pony kingdoms before. I’ve read about the Silver Isles, and well, they aren’t too kind to non pony folk.”

Rigel frowned and trotted over to the gryphon. “They’re a bit... different,” Rigel said with distaste, “But you’ll be with us, you won’t be treated unfairly.”

Aldus nodded, “Rigel and I are a big deal in some parts of the Silver Isles, once the ponies see you’re with us, there shouldn’t be any trouble at all.” he said with a wink.

Iris smiled, “Okay, if you say so.”

Rigel turned her around and nudged her out the door with a wing, “Off to bed now, we’ll be there sooner than you think, and you’ll want to be awake once we arrive, its quite the sight.”

Iris nodded and flew back to the cabin as Rigel turned to Aldus. “A big deal, are we?”

“We’re heroes!” Aldus exclaimed reclining in his chair and levitating his coffee for a sip, “We’ve defeated the evil changeling princess and saved their kingdom!” He said while playfully tugging on Willow’s mane with his magic.

“Hur hur...” she grumbled while continuing to work.

“And you’re the famous wizard who fell in love with their beloved Princess Seabreeze...” Rigel said.

“Yeah...” Aldus said while staring into his coffee, “That too...”

Iris entered the cabin again to find the ponies sleeping. However, a small light could be seen under a blanket near the corner of the room. She fluttered over silently and heard the faint sounds of whispers coming from under it. The gryphon slipped a talon under the blanket and poked her head inside. Frost had a book propped in his hooves as he lay next to Pyrite. A small glow emanated from his horn as he turned a page and noticed Iris.

“What are you two doing?” Iris asked.

“I’m reading to Pyrite,” Frost said, “It’s one of our favorite stories. Want to join in?”

“Yeah, come sit with us, Iris. We’re just getting to the good part!”

Iris smiled and sat down next to Frost. She picked up Pyrite with her tail and deposited him between her claws, “What’s the story about?”

Pyrite leaned into her breast and looked up at her, “It’s about a brave hero who goes on a quest to save a princess from an evil wizard and his black knights.”

“Black knights?” Iris asked, “They sound cool, what do they look like?”

Frost smirked, “They are cool. Their armor is charred black with horns. They wield swords, greatswords, great axes, halberds, and spears.”

“A halberd? My father’s weapon was a halberd.” Iris said with a frown.

Frost noticed Iris’ change in demeanor and changed the subject, “Pyrite doesn’t like the Black knights, right buddy?”

“You don’t like them?” Iris asked, “They sound really cool!”

“I don’t like them, they’re the ones who broke into the tower and took the princess. They’re bad.” Pyrite huffed while crossing his forehooves.

Iris freed a claw and tickled Pyrite’s tummy with a talon, “Every story needs some good bad guys, right Frost?”

Frost nodded and grinned as Pyrite squirmed trying to stop Iris’ tickling, “Yep, and these guys are cool.” he said as he turned a page.

After hearing about the brave hero’s ascent into the tower to rescue the fair princess and do battle with the wizard, Pyrite fell asleep against Iris. Frost closed the book and set it aside as he fluffed a pillow and prepared to go to sleep. Iris moved over to him carefully, making sure to not wake Pyrite. She wrapped a claw around him while he drooled into her feathers, but she didn’t mind.

“Frost?” Iris whispered.

“Yeah?” he said while turning over to face her.

Iris felt her heart flutter a little as his light blue mane parted and draped over his shoulders, which were more muscular up close. “Where I come from, it means a lot when you save the life of another gryphon.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Iris continued, “What I’m trying to say is... I...”

Iris closed her eyes, hating herself for stuttering and not being able to say it. Then she felt a set of lips touch her beak. She opened her eyes to see Frost staring back at her, grinning. His eyes seemed to twinkle light blue in the moonlight. “I’m just happy you’re here with me, here with us.” Frost said while glancing down at Pyrite huddled in Iris’ claw. He pulled her close and ran a hoof through her feathers. “Life has been hard for me for as long as I can remember, I taught myself almost everything I know. Only now have things started to look up. Iris, I’ve heard about your past, you’re a princess!” he said with a smile. “Thats so incredible! I can’t even imagine what your home must be like!”

Iris felt her eyes beginning to water. Frost and Pyrite were nothing but street urchins when she met them in Manehattan, and her being of the upper class didn’t make them resent her in the slightest. “Frost...” she whispered.

As the tear dropped out of her eye, she felt a cool sensation on her cheek. Frost levitated the single tear in front of him as it froze into an ice crystal. “No crying,” he said while resting his forehead against hers, “We’re going to have so much fun in the Silver Isles. I can’t wait.”

Iris smiled and kissed Frost, “Neither can I.”

----------------

Sunlight broke through the porthole of the cabin as the ship lurched in the wind. Pyrite yawned, opened his eyes, and was greeted by a mass of soft white feathers. He nuzzled them lightly and whispered to Iris. “Psst, hey Iris its morning.” No response. The colt pushed open the claw holding him and noticed Frost asleep next to her. He had his hooves around her. Pyrite climbed in between Iris’ wings and gently rubbed her shoulders. “Get up, its time to get up!”

Pyrite jumped down and crawled out from under the blankets and found Ruby. She was sleeping next to Stormcaller, who was dozing atop one of the large pillows. Antares was wrapped in one of Firebrand’s wings and barely visible, while Blue Bell was sprawled out on Firebrand’s chest moving up and down as the colt took each breath. Pyrite huffed in frustration when he heard a whisper from Firebrand. “Awake so early, kid?”

“Yeah,” Pyrite answered, “I usually get up before the rest of my friends.”

“I’m an early riser too, buddy. Could you help me get up?”

Pyrite nodded and helped Firebrand gently push Blue Bell off his chest while he wrapped Antares in a blanket. He stretched and hoof bumped Pyrite for the help. “Hehehe...” Firebrand chuckled mischievously, “Wanna see somethin’ funny, Pyrite?”

The earth colt grinned and quickly nodded his head. “Okay, c’mere” Firebrand said while he picked up Pyrite. With care, Firebrand crept over to Stormcaller and lit a tiny spark at the tip of his tail. After a few seconds it grew into a tiny flame.

Ruby yawned and nuzzled Stormcaller, “Mmm do you smell, burning?”

Stormcaller sniffed the air and looked down at his tail to find a growing inferno. “Gah!” he grunted while rolling to extinguish the flame.

Firebrand fell over laughing while Pyrite jumped off and laughed along with him. Soon, Stormcaller tackled his brother and they were rolling around the room grunting words Pyrite didn’t understand. While the other foals began to wake up, Pyrite climbed onto the bed and found Selene sleeping beside Aldus. The earth colt scrambled onto her back and climbed on top of her head, disturbing the motionless tendrils of mane in the process. “Mommy, get up.”

Selene eyes snapped open when she heard the child say that. “What did you say, Pyrite?”

The colt giggled as the her mane began to coil around him, “I said wake up, Mommy!”

The black alicorn shifted on the bed and turned around to look at Pyrite, “You called me mommy?”

“Well, yeah,” Pyrite said as he settled down between her wings, “That’s what you are to my friends and I. You take care of us and love us, and we love you back.”

“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said, Pyrite.” Selene said while she got up off the bed.

Aldus grunted and turned over, burying his face in the pillow, “Five more minutes...” he muttered incoherently.

Selene giggled with Pyrite, “Get up, Aldus. We’re almost there.”

“Five more minutes... mom.”

Selene scowled at the grey unicorn and shot him in rump with a bolt of green magic. “Ow!” Aldus yelled as he tumbled off the bed tangled in sheets. Iris stretched and untangled herself from Frost’s hooves. The blue unicorn sneezed as he opened his eyes.

“Are we there?” he asked with a yawn.

“Almost!” came a jubilant response from the door.

“Auntie Marigold!!” the foals shouted as they all ran to the night guard. Rigel appeared behind her and trotted over to Aldus, who hadn’t budged from the floor.

“We’re coming up on the ash mountains, its even more beautiful than I remember.” he said.

“Okay,” Aldus said with a yawn, “Lets all go topside.”

As the foals followed Selene and Marigold, Aldus and Rigel trotted over to the side of the ship and looked out beyond the mountains.

Iris and Frost joined them and asked what was so special. Rigel allowed Iris to jump onto his back and pointed a hoof, “That.”

As the airship moved cleared the final peaks, the Silver Isles came into view. Enormous gleaming spires stretched toward the sky while several domes dotted the areas near the shores. The isles continued past the central Island where the silver city was located. Iris saw what looked to be enormous cathedrals with arches and towers stretching out along their frames. Residential areas could be seen as they approached one of the landing towers. Each of the towers around the edges of the main island was connected to a tram that ferried passengers into the silver city.

Polaris and Willow stepped onto the deck and joined Aldus and Rigel. Marigold stayed with Selene and the foals while they departed the airship. As they made their way to the tram, an old unicorn surrounded by four guards stepped up to greet them.

“Hello my friends, welcome to the Silver Isles!” he said with a jubilant smile.

Iris and Frost watched as Aldus, Rigel, and Polaris each stepped forward. All of them towered over the old stallion. Each pony knelt and bowed their heads, which made the old unicorn smile.

“Thank you for your hospitality ambassador Silverthorne,” Aldus said as he embraced the stallion in a gentle hug.

“You are welcome any time, you know that,” Silverthorne said. “Oh my... Polaris? Is that you?”

“Yes sir,” Polaris said while nodding his head in courtesy.

Silverthorne touched a hoof to his face and shed a single tear, “Welcome home, soldier.”

After a few moments Silverthorne composed himself and turned his attention to the children gathered around Selene, Marigold, and WIllow. “Well, what do we have here? Hello little ones!”

The children exchanged greetings while their things were loaded onto the tram. Silverthorne sat next to Aldus and Rigel as the it departed for the city. “The wedding is going to be so much more exciting with you all here,” Silverthorne said. “I can’t wait.”

“I’d like to see Princess Desalia as soon as possible,” Aldus said, “We have some matters to discuss before Princess Luna arrives.”

“Yes, I do apologize Aldus, but her majesty is away for the next few days.” Silverthorne said.

“Away?” Rigel inquired, “Where has she gone?”

Silverthorne shrugged, “Urgent matter in Concordia is what we were told, she departed yesterday.”

“I see, well that’s a shame,” Aldus said as he shook his head.

“She did leave some instructions regarding your visit before she departed,” Silverthorne said with a smile. “You are granted your previous level access to the archives effective immediately, and shall receive full access when the princess has returned. While you work in the archives, you can stay in any room in Silver Crown Citadel. Otherwise, Princess Desalia has arranged a cottage for you and your friends to stay... on Pythia...”

Aldus and Rigel’s heads snapped up. Iris and Frost giggled as they watched their two guardian’s reactions. Each had a silly grin on their face like they were foals on Hearth’s Warming Eve.

“Excellent!” Rigel exclaimed while putting a hoof around the old stallion, “I can’t wait to see what’s changed! You’re welcome to bring your family any time, of course. I’m sure the foals would love to play with your children.”

“Well, if its no trouble...” Silverthorne muttered.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Aldus said while rubbing the stallion’s back, “I’d like to share a cup of tea with you when we get the chance. There is much that I’d like to know about.”

As the tram came to a stop, Aldus, Rigel, and Polaris said goodbye to Silverthorne and told everypony to start walking to the docks. There, a sea ship would allow travel to Pythia.

“Rigel...” Iris whispered, nudging the red pegasus.

“Hmm?”

“Do you think its okay if I fly around a bit? This place is beautiful, I’d love to see some of the city before we leave the main island.”

“I don’t see why not,” Rigel said with a smile, “Just don’t go near the citadel and don’t fly too high, we don’t want any trouble with the guards after only just arriving.”

“Oh! Can I come?” Pyrite asked jumping in place.

Rigel grinned and picked up the earth colt and nuzzled him, “Listen to what Iris says and don’t do anything foolish while she’s flying with you.”

“It’s not him you should worry about,” Frost said with a wink to Iris.

The gryphon knelt down and let Pyrite climb on before kicking off the ground and soaring over the residential districts. She zigzagged between apartment buildings and flew under clothes lines in the alleys. Pyrite leaned forward and pointed a hoof beside Iris’ head, “Whats that?”

Iris looked up and found a winding path leading up a cliff near the rear of the citadel. At the top sat a set of three enormous towers. “I don’t know, but we’re getting close to the citadel, we should turn back.”

As Iris turned around she saw a pegasus in one of the guard towers spot her. She felt a tinge of fear and quickly dove into the streets. Several merchants shouted as she flew over their carts and stalls, blowing away their clothes and smaller items as she flew by. Soon, she saw the docks and spotted the rest of her family already on a ship headed for a distant island that she assumed was Pythia. She glanced back at Pyrite who was smiling and taking in the view. With a smile, Iris began a gradual descent and craned her neck around, “Hey Pyrite, want to do something cool?”

The colt leaned forward and quickly nodded his head. Iris gently took the colt from her back and wrapped her claws under his shoulders. His hind legs dangled as they flew lower and lower. Soon, Pyrite’s hooves were skipping across the calm water as Iris kept her speed. She didn’t think the smile on his face could grow any larger, but she was wrong. The colt giggled and kicked his hind legs around as the water splashed against his face. While they they were skimming across the surface, a school of flying fish began jumping out of the water around them.

Iris got the colts attention and winked, “You’re lookin good, Pyrite! You don’t need me anymore!” The gryphon relinquished her hold on the colt and let the wind catch her wings pulling her upward.

“Wait! Woahoah!” Much to Pyrite’s surprise he didn’t fall into the water, but instead kept moving at much the same speed. He spread his hind legs to keep his balance and watched the fish dance around him. Eventually his momentum began to fade, but not before propelling him off the crest of a wave and into the air. Pyrite fell back and took a breath preparing to go under when Iris swooped in caught him with both claws.

She cradled him against her breast as they turned toward the ship, “You didn’t think I’d leave you, did you?”

Pyrite grinned and nuzzled Iris, “No! That was really fun, Iris! You’re a really good flier!”

Iris raised an eyebrow while she tickled the colt with a talon, “Think so? Hmm I wonder what a certain pegasus thinks... Hold on Pyrite, we’re not landing just yet.”

------------

On the ship, Rigel was sipping some coffee Marigold has just brewed him a few minutes ago. The children were off with Willow, and Selene was with Aldus belowdecks. Polaris was skipping stones across the water while Marigold shifted closer to Rigel.

“You know, Rigel...” she said.

“Hmm?”

“I don’t really know you that well. I- I mean, I don’t know much about you.”

Rigel took a sip of coffee and turned to look down at the mare, “No, I suppose you don’t.”

“Well, I was thinking... you don’t know much about me either, and since we flew together in that battle, maybe we could spend some time together, if you wanted.”

Rigel admired her as she shyly looked away. It was amusing to see her act this way, especially since she was usually such a forward mare. He draped a wing around her and grinned, “I’d like that, Marigold. Whenever you want.”

Her face lit up and that adorable goofy grin Rigel had come to love made another appearance. She leaned against him and giggled, “We should have a picnic!”

Just as Rigel began to respond, something large flew right over the two pony’s heads coming inches away from Rigel’s mane. For a moment, he could feel his mane touching feathers. Neither had seen the gryphon coming so they jumped when it happened, causing Rigel to spill his coffee over the side. Marigold laughed as she watched the gryphon perform a few victory rolls as she flew away. Rigel on the other hand did not have the same reaction, he stared off after her with a raised eyebrow twitching slightly.

“That was really good coffee...” he muttered before stretching his wings and cracking his neck. He turned to Marigold and handed her the mug, “Hold this, please.”

Marigold frowned and took the mug, but grabbed Rigel’s wing, “Oh they’re just having fun, you aren’t mad are you? Please don’t be mad.”

Rigel turned around and put both forehooves on Marigold’s shoulders before staring down into her beautiful eyes, “I’m not mad,” he said with a gentle smile, “I don’t get mad. I’m just going to give Iris her first flying lesson.” he said with a wink, “Don’t worry.”

Marigold backed up as Rigel propelled himself into the air with a single flap of his wings, something that took several for any other pegasi. Polaris trotted up to Marigold and grinned at her, “I’ve known him a long time, and I actually think he’ll be a better teacher than Aldus.”

“Why is that?” Marigold asked.

“He’s patient, understanding, and never loses his temper. Not that Aldus doesn’t exhibit those qualities. However, Rigel has one thing Aldus doesn’t, and that’s prior experience with foals.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Polaris answered, “I think Aldus tries to imitate him a lot of the time. Rigel was like a big brother to Aldus when we were growing up, just like me. But Rigel had a real younger brother, whereas Aldus and I did not, his name was Epsilon.”

Marigold watched the red contrails cut through the air around Rigel’s wingtips and frowned, “Rigel’s never said anything about a brother, but then again, he hasn’t said much about anything in his past.”

Polaris placed a hoof on Marigold’s shoulder, “Ask him about it, I think he’ll tell you, and it will be good for him to talk about it after so long.”

---------

Iris flew around still holding Pyrite in her claws when she felt something, a slight shivering on her neck, without a second thought she turned over and flapped her wings once, propelling her into a sharp vertical drop. As she did, a red streak passed by then stopped abruptly.

“That was good,” Rigel said, “You have the instinct, perhaps a part of your predatory nature?”

Iris grinned and sped off in another direction, this time ascending into the lower clouds. When she broke through to the other side, she turned over and prepared to dive straight to the ocean. At the apex over her turn, she looked up to see a shadow looming. Rigel flew in and plucked Pyrite from her grasp, landing on the cloud opposite her.

“I don’t think it’s fair for you to try and out fly me while carrying another pony.” Rigel said before kicking off the cloud and hovering above Iris. Pyrite was still enjoying himself and laughed while Rigel held him atop his shoulders. “Tell you what, you try and catch me, and I’ll do something for you tomorrow once we’re all settled in.”

Iris grinned and crossed her arms, “Do something? Like what?”

Rigel threw Pyrite in the air and caught him with his forehooves, “I dunno, what do you want to do?”

“I want to see the rest of the city and spend the day with you.” Iris said.

“Done,” Rigel said, “Providing you catch me, of course.”

Iris kicked off the cloud as hard as she could with her paws and lunged at Rigel, who sidestepped her and bounced backward toward the edge of the cloud. Iris backflipped and disappeared under the cloud, causing Rigel to place Pyrite on his back, “Listen kiddo, stay right there and hold on tight.”

Pyrite nodded and grabbed as much of Rigel’s mane as he could while anchoring himself in position. In an instant, Iris burst forth from beneath the cloud and almost grasped Rigel’s forehoof, but the pegasus was too quick. He fell back and plummeted off the cloud into a dive. With his wings tucked he gained speed and checked underneath him to make sure the little gryphon was pursuing.

Pyrite’s face slowly turned from joy to fright as the ocean rushed up to meet them. He clutched Rigel’s neck and closed his eyes. Iris angled into a steeper dive to go as fast she could without breaking her wings. In an instant she saw what Rigel would do next. He’d snap to the left and begin to climb again. Iris made her move and began to intercept the pegasus. Just as Rigel began to turn left he heard Pyrite whimper and didn’t notice Iris rapidly closing in. He barely had time to invert into a barrel roll to avoid her. Two or three feathers grazed the edge of a talon as she passed by and pulled up, skimming just across the surface. Unfortunately, she failed to see the large wave directly in front of her and crashed into it, causing her to tumble into the water. Meanwhile Pyrite lost his lunch as Rigel came around from the roll. Most of it went into the sea, but some made it onto Rigel’s mane. “Oh no, I’m sorry!” Pyrite exclaimed while losing his grip.

Rigel cursed as he slipped out of reach. Luckily, a purple pegasus flew by and caught the colt. Marigold held him against her chest fur and shook her head at Rigel, “Are you okay, sweetie?” she cooed.

 Pyrite groggily looked up and shook his head, “I don’t feel so good.”

Rigel winced and ran a hoof through his mane, “I’m sorry, buddy. I didn’t mean to go that fast.”

Pyrite turned around and smiled at him, “It’s okay uncle Rigel, It was fun, I just shouldn’t have eaten lunch.”

Marigold stroked his mane and kissed his forehead, “Once we’re at the cottage I’ll give you some medicine. That should make you feel better, okay?”

“Okay,” Pyrite said while snuggling into her embrace.

Rigel frowned as he watched Marigold fly back to island.

“Ahem!” came a screech from behind Rigel. Iris treaded water just below him and held out a claw. “A little help?”

Rigel quickly scooped the wet gryphon out of the water. “Didn’t see the waves?”

“No...” Iris grumbled, “And I think I sprained my wing when I hit the water.”

“We’ll take a look at it when we get back. But no flying tomorrow, understand?” Rigel said.

“What? Why?!” Iris exclaimed.

“We’re going into the city tomorrow and you don’t need to fly around there. Your wing can heal for the day.”

“You’re going to spend the day with me? But I didn’t catch you!”

Rigel laughed and straightened some of the gryphon’s feathers, “No, but you touched some of my feathers.”

“So?” Iris huffed, “That’s still not catching you.”

“Iris, you don’t know how many others never even came close to what you just did. You have potential, and under my guidance, you’ll be ready when the time comes to retake your kingdom.”

Iris beamed at that and hugged Rigel as tight as she could, “I love you, Rigel.”

Rigel chuckled and massaged her damage wing, “I love you too, Iris.”

--------------

On the Island, Aldus took in the view from the rear of the cottage. The foals were busy running around playing with Willow while Polaris trotted next to him. “Something wrong, Aldus?”

“No...” Just taking in the view, “It’s just like I remember.”

“Indeed, the Silvermane family has always tended this island with great care.” he said with a smile. The house of Silvermane was said to be one of the founding houses that crossed the sea from mainland Equestria to settle the isles during the founding of the kingdom. Their influence was vast, and they still maintain a presence in the royal court and hall of magistrates to this day. Long ago, a unicorn of great magical prowess named Arcanus was said to have helped Princess Desalia create new spells and organize part of the library. A statue of him still decorates the approach to the archives, along with many other talented unicorn wizards and scholars.

Selene trotted up to Aldus and watched him closely, “So I did do a good job in the dreamscape recreating this place...”

Aldus smiled and nodded, “Yes, you did...”

Soon the laughter of the foals could be heard entering the yard as they chased each other. Frost followed Willow as Firebrand ran away from Blue Bell and Ruby. The cottage wasn’t really a cottage at all, it was a large manse nestled near a mangrove patch and thick groups of palm trees. Several drapes hung out the sides and billowed softly in the wind as the sun began to set.

Earlier Marigold had returned with an ailing Pyrite, and Rigel came back with Iris. After bandaging up her wing, he left her with Black Star to rest. Pyrite on the other hand was feeling much better and was wrestling with Andromeda. The blue filly fell over and pretended to be in dire straights as Pyrite gnawed playfully on her ear. Frost came over to break up the fight but was dragged into it instead by a playful Andromeda. She tried to kiss him while he pushed her away.

“Frosty...” she pouted, “Frosty just one kiss...”

Firebrand grinned and ran over to the three foals. “Pony pile!!”

Frost felt the wind leave him as the larger colt landed right on his chest. Andromeda screamed rolled away with Pyrite. Blue Bell landed on Firebrand and put him in a death grip. “I gotcha!” she yelled triumphantly. Antares and Ruby tackled Stormcaller onto the pile and soon Frost was buried in ponies.

Willow trotted up to them and tsked, “You foals all play so rough, I swear.”

Frost freed a hoof and stretched out to the unicorn mare, “Willow... help me!”

“I think I’ll pass, Frosty.” she said with a giggle.

Meanwhile Firebrand’s mane began to change into flames causing Blue Bell to yelp and let go before he got too hot. “Hey!” she pouted.

“You’re so clingy!” Firebrand said, exasperated. “I need some space!”

When he got up and turned around, Blue Bell smirked and charged him, pushing them both straight into the pool. Firebrand broke the surface, his mane steaming. Blue Bell swam over to him and cupped his face with her hooves, “Oh look at the big tough pony... you’re much more lovable when cooled off.” He sighed as the filly cuddled up to him again. Stormcaller laughed while Ruby jumped into the pool, she winked at Firebrand who instantly understood her mischief. Ruby summoned her magic and pulled Stormcaller into the pool by his tail, causing all the foals to laugh.

After an hour of swimming, Firebrand had an idea. The colt swam over to Pyrite, who was sitting on a raft with Andromeda and whispered something in his ear.

“I don’t see why not, I did like the way it felt at first,” Pyrite said.  

“What?” Andromeda asked.

“Firebrand wants to see me transform like we did with the gryphons.” Pyrite said innocently.

Andromeda scowled at her brother and protectively scooped up Pyrite, “That isn’t something to be done at just any time, Firebrain.”

Firebrand shrugged, “It’s better he learns to control it now. Who knows when they might need it in the future?”

“I agree,” Aldus said from the veranda, “I want to see what this looks like.”

Iris nodded, she had come outside with Black Star and was dangling her talons in the pool. “I was unconscious the whole time and didn’t see what saved me.”

Andromeda looked down at Pyrite, clearly concerned, “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to hurt you again.”

Pyrite turned around and nuzzled Andromeda, “You won’t hurt me, I trust you.”

“Alright...” Andromeda relented, she fluttered out of the pool carrying Pyrite with her. “Relax and clear your mind, then think about something you love, something calm.”

Pyrite took a deep breath and closed his eyes, soon Andromeda hovered into the air and formed a black sphere around both of them. It rippled and coalesced until dissolving into nothing, revealing a large armored colt where Pyrite once stood.

“Amazing...” Polaris admitted while examining the armor up close. He touched its joints and pauldrons while examining the face plates. “It covers the mouth and vulnerable points around the neck, too? Interesting.”

Firebrand fluttered out of the pool and deposited Blue Bell next Pyrite, who was now about twice the size of Firebrand and Stormcaller. “You look... awesome!!” Firebrand practically squeed. Blue Bell hit the armor with her hoof, “You’re hard as rock now Pyrite, fits your name I suppose.”

An audible chuckle came from inside the mouth plates, the hulking colt turned to face Blue Bell, its slanted eyes giving it a fierce expression, “That’s true.”

“It looks durable... I wonder how tough it is?” Aldus said while staring at Selene, who watched Pyrite carefully.

“I’m bored...” Pyrite suddenly said while stamping his front hooves, “Who wants to spar with me?”

“Spar?” Stormcaller asked, “You want to fight?”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Frost said while shaking his head at Pyrite. “We don’t know what damage that armor can take.”

Pyrite turned on Frost and took a few steps toward him, the armor protecting his mouth slid away, revealing a wide grin, “This armor can take anything the likes of you can dish out... Frosty...”

Frost scrunched his snout and stood up with a raised eyebrow, “Frosty? Little Pyrite wants to call me names and dare me to fight?”

“I’m not so little anymore, am I?” Pyrite chuckled

Aldus teleported next to Frost and put a hoof to his mouth, “You know, that might be Andromeda talking...”

“What makes you say that?” Iris asked, with Frost wondering as well.

“Well when I merged...I mean... when your auntie Selene and I are together, our personalities touch... Selene was aggressive the first time we did it, if I recall...”

Selene nodded in shame, and Aldus continued, “Andromeda is a very... forward pony.”

“And Pyrite is quiet and reserved in comparison,” Iris added.

“Correct,” Aldus said, “The change in personality is likely a result of this."

“You know I’m right here, right?” Pyrite said, an edge in his voice, “We’re both here.”

Aldus raised and eyebrow and smirked, “Frost has magic... what do you have?”

Pyrite smiled and closed the plates around his mouth. He lifted a hoof and banged against his chest three times while leaning forward at Frost, “Unbreakable armor.”

“It sure sounds unbreakable.” Firebrand said to Blue Bell with a nervous laugh.

“Andromeda says I can win... she doesn’t think Frost has what it takes. Well, Frost?” Pyrite asked.

Frost looked at Aldus, who clasped him on the shoulder. “Show me what you got, kid.”

“What about the stuff you taught me earlier today? I can use that?”

“You heard what he said, ‘unbreakable armor’. He should be fine. If things get out of control we’ll step in.”

“Alright, then I’m going to cut loose.” Frost said with a grin

“Just don’t embarrass yourself,” Aldus warned with a sigh before joining Rigel and Polaris on the veranda.

Everypony backed away while Frost and Pyrite circled each other. “You never did like the cold that much,” Frost said, “You’re not going to enjoy this.”

Pyrite smiled and jumped to the side, steam coming from his nostrils, “You’ll never break this armor Frost, and once you’re out of magic, you’re mine. Nowhere to teleport, nowhere to run.”

“We’ll see,” Frost said as he charged a spell to the tip of his horn, and fired.