#Sultan Theandri

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Twilight: Did I forget to mention this? Apologies, but yes! Just a few years ago, Sultan Theandri and Sultana Elona stepped down to allow their son Prince Theandri the 2nd and Moondancer to take the throne at around the same time they were ready to be wed. Their wedding ceremony was twofold. Them being wed in mutual matrimony, along with their coronation.

I obviously went to see it, I wasn't going to miss the wedding of one of my oldest friends after all. And even from a Princess perspective, it's good diplomacy to witness new leaders grow into their role.

I can tell the citizens of Saddle Arabia absolutely adore Moondancer. She might be even more popular then I am over there by now! And that says a lot when I'm a genie!

But I'm proud of Moondancer, she looks so much happier and in her element.

I always look forward to seeing her alongside her husband again

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 13: The Royal Ball, Part 1 - Trixie’s Magic Show

Today was the day! After waking up, Spike opened up Twilight’s bottle, although it probably wouldn’t have been too long before she popped out herself. Spike regardless wanted to make sure she has even a little more time to get ready for tonight’s ball. They have another round of toast for breakfast together, before heading off to their friends to get them set for everything. Some of their friends still have a few routine stuff to take care of, the Apple family has some chores to finish, Fluttershy has animals to feed, but once they can. Everyone spends much of the next several hours seeing their invitees to make sure they’re ready. Coloratura AKA Rara even surprises Applejack with a two extra invitees of her own

Rara: I er… hope this isn’t too sudden but I actually got two more interested ponies in going

Applejack: Oh? Who are they?

Stepping from behind close to Rara, was Babs Seed and Photo Finish.

Applejack: Oh gosh, ah knew ah was forgetting somepony. Ah can’t believe ah forgot t’ get ya while ah was in Manehattan originally, Babs…

Babs Seed: It’s ok, AJ. I was probably busy cutting Photo Finish’s mane at the city barber shop.

Applejack: Ah, gotcha. And ah guess that’s how Photo Finish got wrapped up in this too?

Rara: Yeah, she was still there when I was talking about the ball with Babs. She really wanted to be able to take photos of the palace both outside and in, the royal family, and anypony who comes in with beautiful dresses for photos she can place in fashion magazines.

Photo Finish: Yeeeeeezzzzz, Zzzaddle Arabia will have plenty of opportunity to capture… ze magickz!

Applejack: Well, we didn’t exactly put their names on the list, but ah’m sure the Sultan can deal with just two more last minute invitees. So come along y’all!

Photo Finish and Babs Seed follow Applejack and Rara back to ponyville. By now it was late afternoon, most of the invitees have gathered in Twilight’s castle. And all the ponies checking their list to see all who’s accounted for. The hours go by and most of the group has made it. The only big ones left were to see if Celestia and Luna were still coming. Twilight admittedly gets a little worried that perhaps something got tight in the two sisters schedule, but she would think they’d have sent a letter through Spike’s mouth if they couldn’t go.

A few minutes later, two figures could be seen flying in the air from Canterlot. And as they got closer, it was increasingly clear it was the two princesses coming on over to join the group for the ball. Each in fancy dresses. In fact, a good amount of ponies are wearing formal clothing. Though it was only optional as some were let to wear nothing or their normal attire if they preferred. But many including the Princesses, the Elements of Harmony, and more found or were given by Rarity a fancy dress to wear. Now everyone that had been invited are all crowded in the largest room in Twilight’s castle. In a few minutes, Twilight walks up the front of the crowd.

Twilight: Ahem… First of all, I’d like to thank you all for coming. In just a few moments, me and my friends will make plenty of portals all going to the same place: Just outside the Saddle Arabian Palace. From there, we’ll all be in Saddle Arabia in literally seconds. And once it’s time to leave we’ll do it again, only to get everyone back to their homes. 

If you are not interested in attending the wedding just a few days later you can come see either me or any of the other elements to get you a portal home, when the ball is over. But otherwise if you plan on staying until the Wedding, there will be plenty of rooms in which you can basically have a few days living in the palace like a hotel until the Wedding day. But for now, here’s to an enjoyable time!

Most of the crowd claps. Everybody proceeds to just make a last few adjustments whether making sure they knew where the friends they wanted to hang out at the ball with are or just standing quietly until the portals started opening. Soon, Twilight, Spike, and the other elements of Harmony create 7 large portals. Allowing the group to split into 7 lines and efficiently getting everyone just outside the palace of Saddle Arabia. Those who are now across marvel at the sight of the palace, as well as the beautiful scenery that they can see of the deserts of Saddle Arabia at night from just outside the palace.

Within 10 to 20 minutes, the entire group of those invited from outside of Saddle Arabia as well as a large group of native Saddle Arabians are now all in the area the ball is being held. There were tables everywhere each with plenty of chairs, some balconies up in the high corners in the rooms, and a large stage in which all the performances will be performed on. The Sultan addresses everyone coming in.

Sultan Theandri: Everyone feel free to sit where you’d like, when everyone has settled down to a spot they want to sit, I will give an opening speech.

Everyone there each go with their friends or family to find a table they can sit at together, those there who aren’t quite as social or only wanted to sit with a special somepony find tables where they can sit on their own. The Elements of Harmony plus Spike, the CMC, the Friendship School staff (Sunburst, Trixie, and Starlight), the Student 6, and many of the Element’s families among those getting their own table where they’ll sit most often throughout the night. In moments, the entire group have all found seats and it was now time to hear the Sultan’s speech. The Sultana and the Prince are up in a balcony to the right of the stage before the Sultan is up there. Soon, Sultan Theandri emerges out of a door to the side of the stage and is walking onto the stage until he stops in the middle where a microphone is left. There was clapping for the Sultan as he went on stage, which slowly ends once the Sultan is standing by the microphone. Once all clapping has ceased, the Sultan begin his speech.

Sultan Theandri: Welcome, one and all, to the Saddle Arabian palace! My beautiful wife… Sultana Elona of Saddle Arabia, as well as my brave hero son Prince Theandri II, and myself are all appreciative of all of those invited that are here today. Just a few days from now, a wedding will be held between two of our most esteemed civilians and Heroes of Saddle Arabia, Malakhar Manat and Kubuya Atka. While not everyone here right now will be here for the wedding too, a big part of the reason we held this ball was to honor their coming matrimony the way it deserves to be. So please, give a round of applause for the soon to be newlyweds!

A spotlight turns on and is moved toward the table where Malakhar and Kubuya are. They blush and nervously wave to the rest of the audience next to them, but are ultimately appreciative for all the claps and cheers they receive. The Sultan then continues.

Sultan Theandri: But aside from the coming wedding, another reason for holding this ball is to further extend the hooves of friendship to the very friendship capital of the world in Equestria. Entering a new era, as the very, very, very, long tenure of Celestia and Luna’s rule is coming to an end. But within a year, coming in their place, is somepony Saddle Arabia knows will do more then be a worthy successor: Princess Twilight Sparkle will be the sole ruler of Equestria! We also dedicate this ball to wishing luck on the coming transition, and maintain strong relations that could be even stronger with a friend, and the world’s only genie leading over there.

More claps and cheers erupt as the spotlight moves on over to the table where Twilight, Spike, and the Elements are. Twilight smiles but can’t help a bit but blush in the face of the praise she is receiving, she may be perhaps becoming the most powerful leader in Equestria, but Twilight is always going to be Twilight in maintaining a modest response to praise she receives.

Sultan Theandri: But most of all, we the Royal Family of Saddle Arabia simply wanted a night of fun, friendships growing stronger, and perhaps even all kinds of love blooming everywhere in the room. As I’m sure a coming wedding brings love in the air. Even as we celebrate a coming wedding and good relations between nations, this is also simply a large party for everyone involved. We all hope you enjoy yourselves, have some of our finest dining,  and for those native here that may be perhaps unfamiliar with some of the finest entertainment Equestria has to offer… hope you’re ready for some fantastic performances.

First up, will be a stage magician known as the The Great and Powerful Trixie! But as she gets ready, before and after each and every performance there will be an intermission where you’re all free to mingle about and talk with your friends and family or anyone else you’d like to go see. There is a total of 5 performances, and at the very end. Our very last event of the ball will be a dance, you’re all in fact on the humongous dance floor at this very second, we will only need to move all the tables for when we dance until we’re ready to sleep.

Without further adieu, the ball begins now with an intermission prior to Trixie’s show. So just sit tight and mingle with anybody you’d like, I wish you all a good time!

The Sultan waves to the crowd as he starts walking, more claps and cheers throughout the room commence. The ball was now underway, with everyone either already talking with friends, family, or moving about to explore the dance hall. Meanwhile the Elements of Harmony and Spike all smile to see the ball has officially begun.

((Story continues after the break))

Pinkie: Alright! The party has started!

Rarity: Indeed, a quite fancy one at that~ So many ponies in amazing dresses and tuxedos!

Twilight: Hey, if it’s alright with you, girls. I think I’m going to head on over with Spike to Malakhar and Kubuya’s table. I feel like it’s appropriate to go talk with them first.

Applejack: Sure thing, Twi. Y’all give ah nice hello t’ the soon-t’-be newlyweds!

Twilight: Thanks! I’ll be back once I’m finished talking with them.

Twilight and Spike walk on over to Malakhar and Kubuya’s table. The couple just looking at each other smiling as the ball partly being thrown in celebration of their coming wedding commences. They do see Twilight and Spike start approaching and watch them come over.

Twilight: Malakhar! Kubuya!

Malakhar & Kubuya: Twilight and Spike!

Twilight gives each of them a hug, Spike shakes a claw with a hoof of each of them.

Twilight: It’s great to see you! Congrats on your coming wedding!

Kubuya: Thank you, Twilight. Once again, we’ll repeat we would not have met if we hadn’t met either you or Spike. So we still owe you a huge gratitude.

Malakhar: We hope you are doing well, we know that a always a lot has happened since the last time you were here. More villains defeated, some of which are now allies and/or friends like Starlight while others just recently set in stone… literally. But obviously becoming sole ruler of Equestria is sure to be the biggest thing since then

Twilight: Indeed, haha. The responsibility I have, that was already pretty huge already, will increase exponentially within just a year.

Malakhar: I think you can do it, you’ve faced tough odds and came out stronger multiple times. Equestria under Celestia and Luna has been strong already, but you’ll make it even better. I just know you will.

Twilight just blushes and looks away from the praise. Meanwhile Kubuya lowers her eyes a bit to look at Spike.

Kubuya: And how’s Spike been? Hopefully that eye of yours is doing ok.

Spike: I’ve been good, and by now I’ve gotten kind of used to having a purple scarred eye. Though look what I have that’s new!

Spike turns around for Malakhar and Kubuya and shows his small Dragon wings.

Kubuya: Oh wow! You got wings! Are you able to fly with them?

Spike: Yep! Just watch me!

Spike jumps up in the air and starts flapping his wings, does a flip and a thumbs up. Kubuya claps her hooves.

Kubuya: Awesome! You’re more like your mother then even before, you’ve both gained wings and learned to fly now! *giggles*

Twilight: Haha, the connection certainly wasn’t lost on us for certain!

Spike: Oh yeah, and once Mom’s ruling in Canterlot. I’ll be her royal advisor!

Malakhar: Very nice, glad to see both of you are doing well.

Twilight: Now it’s our turn, mind if I may ask what the moment either of you proposed was like?

Malakhar: Well, I’ll admit it wasn’t some dramatic event where I went on one knee to present a ring where a crowd was watching. It was about a month ago, where after asking the Sultana for a ring to propose to Kubuya with. I put the ring inside a ceramic bottle with a stopper that I presented to Kubuya while we were alone in the house, and told her to open it herself

Kubuya: At first I asked a joke question, “You aren’t going to genify me, are you?”. Since that’s kind of exactly how he genified you.

Twilight giggles, if a bit awkwardly.

Malakhar: I knew it was a joke, just in case however, I did assure her that wasn’t it. But there’s a reason I still couldn’t quite say what was inside. She proceeded to open it and I told her to shake the bottle until something fell out.

Kubuya: And once I did that, two jewels with gold attachments meant for hoof rings, fell softly on our table. I covered my mouth with my hooves, blushed, and ask if this is what I thought it was.

Malakhar: I said it was, and formally asked Kubuya if she’d marry me.

Kubuya: And of course I said yes! And we proceeded to move to the couch for a good, long kiss. Before we’d head out the next morning, to announce we were getting married.

Malakhar: At first, we were just going to get married at the normal venue. But once the Royal Family had caught word of the engagement, they immediately sent a few royal staffers to inform us that they are offering to let us be wed on the palace grounds.

Kubuya: And that’s how we got here!

Twilight: Awwww, that’s very cute. Again, congratulations and I can’t wait to attend the wedding in the coming days as well!

Malakhar: Thank you, Twilight. Do you two have any particular plans while you’re here in Saddle Arabia?

Twilight: We just plan on mainly enjoying our time with the girls and watching the entertainment. But me and Spike do plan on doing something tomorrow after we’ve slept.

Malakhar: Mind if I ask?

Twilight: Well, first I’ll have to give some context. While I was at the Canterlot Castle to invite Princess Celestia and Luna, Celestia in particular told me some new things she had waited for after I had succeeded her to tell me at last. One of which was where Spike’s egg was found, and… the fate of Spike’s dragon mother.

Malakhar taken aback with surprise hearing that. He starts to have a hunch maybe he’s a little more familiar with this then either Twilight or Spike knows, but waits in case it’s just coincidence.

Spike: Yeah… my birth mother died shortly after laying my egg. Celestia and the Sultan came across my egg and the princess then brought it to Equestria.

Malakhar: …So you were the dragon in the egg I found!

Spike: …Wait, what?

Malakhar: Twilight and Spike, I was there too with my late grandfather. I was only a teenager. But I was the one who actually found the purple spotted egg, and presented it to Princess Celestia at the time.

Twilight: Wow! I guess we don’t have to tell much more, in fact maybe you should go along with us

Spike: I’d like to visit the place my birth mother died, we both want to pay our respects.

Malakhar nods

Malakhar: I’d be happy to take you both to the location, I suppose you intended on asking Celestia before you knew that I was there too?

Twilight: Yes, exactly. Though I don’t think there would be anything wrong with having both of you leading us there.

Malakhar: Would you like to come with when this happens, Kubuya?

Kubuya: I think I may stay in the palace while you all go, but what a small world to have such connections. Malakhar gave the egg to Celestia, who brings it back to Equestria, and Twilight ends up hatching it. Ending up to where things are now. The threads woven from time sure can be interesting, can’t they?

Twilight: You should hear all the details of this at some point, it’s actually amazing how much all of this connects to what we’d eventually do. But I think for now, we’ll get to this all tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy ourselves at the ball a little longer.

Malakhar: Alright, Twilight. I’ll certainly be able to take you and Spike anytime you’re ready to the location where Spike’s dragon mother is laid to rest tomorrow. Have a good time at the ball, me and Kubuya will likely just remain here for much of the night if you need to see us for anything else.

Twilight: Ok, thanks Malakhar and Kubuya. Catch you again later!

Twilight and Spike head on back to the Elements of Harmony’s table, though not before waving to their native Saddle Arabian friends.

Meanwhile, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon, and Sunburst have a table of their own, where they have a talk before Trixie’s show.

Starlight: Excited about your performance, Trixie?

Trixie: Of course! I will have to head over to see Twilight in a bit, because I need to wish for an ability that I’ll need to perform the finale of my act.

Starlight: Oh, what is it?

Trixie: It’s a secret!

Starlight: Even from your stage assistant?

Trixie: Yes!

Starlight: …Well, alright.

Sunburst is looking around the crowd

Starlight: Sunburst, whatcha looking’ for?

Sunburst: Trying to see where my mother is sitting

Starlight: Heh, I’m surprised. You going to go see her?

Sunburst: Nah, just making sure I know where she is. But I might at least go see her for a little bit later on. When I went to go get her, she promised she wouldn’t keep bumping into me

Sunburst continues looking until she finally catches sight. Stellar Flare has also noticed Sunburst has spotted her, and she waves to her son. Sunburst waves back.

Sunburst: There we go, she’s surprisingly sitting by her own.

Starlight: I would of thought at the very least maybe my Father would be with her.

Sunburst: I think your father is in the table neighboring my mom though. Though he is alone too.

Firelight has noticed Stellar wave to her son. And looks on over to the table his daughter is. And tries waving. But instead of waving back, Starlight just shakes her head from side to side in disapproval. In which, he just droops his head down. Now aware Starlight’s still a little peeved about the last time they talked.

Sunburst: Still a little mad about your talk with your father, I take it?

Starlight: Of course… I’m not sure how long it will be before I even want to talk to him again…

Sunburst ponders for a moment, and suddenly realizes something.

Sunburst: Say… Starlight, if you really want to know who your mother was. What if you just got Twilight to help? Her genie powers are amazing, surely some form of wish will let you find out?

Starlight face desks realizing she probably could of done this at anytime in the years she’s been friends with Twilight.

Starlight: Oh my Celestia, I’m so dumb to have never considered that. I will surely do that… but I think I’ll wait until after the ball’s over. If I try to ask her at the ball, I’ll just be rudely getting her to butt into my family drama at a time where everypony’s here to have fun. But tomorrow, I’m certainly making it a mission to get Twilight to help one way or another.

Sunburst: I’m sure if you just explain everything to her, she’ll be more then willing to help.

Starlight: Yeah of course she will. Just the fact that I will actually get to find out who or even where my mother is has calmed me down considerably. Just one more day won’t hurt, in fact, maybe I should kinda sorta apologize to my father for at least yelling at him earlier. But he won’t know I won’t have somewhat of an… ulterior motive for apologizing since I’m dragging the truth out of him one way or another tomorrow. Just a little bit of payback for holding out on me for years… hehehe...

Trixie: Looks like you still have a little bit of the manipulative dictator in you, don’tcha?

Starlight: Maaaaaybbbeeeeee, but let’s be honest. He deserves it.

Starlight teleports all the way close to where her father is sitting

Firelight: Whoa! Oh uh, Starlight… I’m uh… surprised you even went to go see me… Considering our last talk…

Starlight just kind of gives a face that looks sympathetic for her father but somewhat hiding a manipulative edge.

Starlight: Oh, dad. I just realized that maybe just giving you mean stares all night if you dare so much as look at me was probably a little rude, so I went on over to apologize for both that and yelling at you two weeks ago.

Firelight: Oh thank Celestia… so you’re no longer mad at me?

Starlight twitches one of her eyes a bit, but proceeds to continue some manipulative lying.

Starlight: Of couuuuuuurse not, dad. At this royal ball, we’re just having fuuuuuuuuun and everything is currently water under the bridge! I totaaaaallllllllyyyyyy can wait some more years for you to tell me about my mom.

Firelight has been able to hide a secret from his daughter for years, but at the same time is nonetheless naive to his daughter’s sarcasm.

Firelight: Well… good. Nice to see you happy again, Sugarplum!

Firelight gives Starlight a hug. Starlight doesn’t really return the hug because she’s not THAT over their last talk but she at least stays there for the full duration of the hug.

Firelight: Now feel free to sit with your friends again, I promise I won’t bother you the rest of the night.

Starlight: Thanks, dad. I will come and see you for sure tomorrow. *Starlight makes a smug grin, raised eyebrow* And we. will have. a. niccccccccceeeeeeee. chat…

Firelight still oblivious to Starlight’s tone of voice just smiles

Firelight: Of course, Pumky-Wumpkins! You have a good time now!

Starlight teleports back to her table with Trixie and Sunburst.

Trixie: I figure your “apology” was accepted?

Starlight: Yup, he’s oblivious as always. It’s just going to make tomorrow all the more sweeter… mua ha ha ha…

Trixie: Niiicceeeeeee, now if you’ll excuse me. I’m going to see Twilight for a little bit.

Starlight: No problem, Trixie. Seeya when you get back here!

Trixie walks on over to the table where the Elements of Harmony and Spike are sitting at. As she gets close she calls to Twilight.

Trixie: Hey! Princess, I need a favor from you.

Twilight: Oh hey, Trixie. Whatcha need?

Trixie: Well first, is it ok if you can teleport us into a private room for us to talk. *whispers* This is for my magic show, I need a wish that will give me the ability to perform the finale I have in mind

Twilight: *Also whispering* Oh sure, no problem Trixie.

Twilight turns to her friends and Spike

Twilight: I’ll be back, Trixie wants to talk to me alone real quick.

Twilight charges her horn, and Twilight & Trixie teleport elsewhere.

Applejack: Huh, wonder what Trixie’s up t’

Rainbow: Probably something to do with her magic show. It is soon after all.

Applejack: Ah guess that makes sense.

Just a few minutes later, Twilight and Trixie teleport back to where they were, Trixie herself gracious for whatever Twilight had granted.

Trixie: Thank you very much, Twilight! Now is the time to go backstage!

Twilight: No problem, Trixie! Give us a good show!

Trixie leaves and heads back to her table with Starlight and Sunburst. Rainbow Dash shoulder nudges Twilight.

Rainbow: Hey Twilight, what did you grant for Trixie? You can tell us, right?

Twilight: Sorry Rainbow, but I think I’ll respect Trixie’s right to surprise the audience. But I will just say it was intriguing, and I think the Saddle Arabians in particular will enjoy the part I helped her out with.

Rainbow: Dang… I guess we don’t have too long to wait anyway.

Back at Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst’s table…

Trixie: You ready, Starlight?

Starlight: I guess so, we heading backstage?

Trixie: Mmhmm, let’s go!

Sunburst: Both of you, have fun up there!

Trixie and Starlight head up in the side halls that leads to backstage behind the stage curtains. Any supplies she might have needed for her show was graciously brought on stage. Trixie was not allowed however to bring fireworks, as obviously they did not want to risk any damage to the palace, or anyone at the ball possibly getting burnt. As Trixie and Starlight take their spots behind the curtains, a palace staffer comes up to the microphone to formally announce Trixie as the first entertainer.

Palace Staffer: Please give a round of applause for our first performer, a magician that goes by the name of The Great and Powerful Trixie!

The staff walks off, claps come from all around the large room, and the curtains raise. Trixie dramatically has her hat tipped to the point it’s covering most of the top of her face. She then tips it back up, and looks to the crowd with a confident grin.

Trixie: Welcome, welcome, welcome! The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie is very proud to have taken her act to the beautiful palace of Saddle Arabia! Trixie thanks the royal family for this opportunity, as Trixie will dazzle Saddle Arabians and anyone from Equestria and it’s neighbors who may have never been to one of my shows before! Before Trixie starts, she’d be most grateful if you gave a round of applause to her always lovely assistant, Starlight Glimmer!

Starlight Glimmer waves to the audience while in a magician assistant tuxedo.

Trixie: Now, let’s get to our show!

Trixie a long while ago was an amateur magician that boasted she had a lot more magic power then she actually did as to give an exaggeration for her audience to wonder about. As she stated when talking with Sunburst and Starlight in the office, the reason Trixie wanted to hit it big was not just to have a successful career in a hobby she likes to do but also perhaps one-up her father should they ever cross paths. Though she also had a pride that she sort of had to try to get back, when Twilight showed her up a bit by repelling an Ursa Minor that was brought to Ponyville by Snips and Snails.

She eventually found an Alicorn Amulet in a rather shady shop, though didn’t realize it was something that’d corrupt her into something far worse then she actually is. Thankfully, due to just how much of a powerup Twilight received from becoming a genie prior to her return, she was able to swiftly defeat even the Alicorn Amulet enhanced Trixie. But then after that, was when Twilight offered a hoof in friendship and assistance to her magic shows. Twilight’s kindness would later get Trixie to move to ponyville, though Trixie would have even more of a reason to stay in Ponyville after meeting Starlight.

Through both her friendships with Twilight and Starlight, Trixie vastly improved not just her stage magic but her general ability. She’s never going to be quite a master like Twilight and Starlight are, but she is perhaps at this point at least a little above the average Unicorn at this point. And you only need a little more to really provide an oomph to the kind of illusions she performs on stage. Her show went from the shame from her failure to back up her words after her first visit to Ponyville, to somepony where many ponies look forward to her act. Her new job at the school will mean she won’t have as much time to perform her shows but she’ll always have Summer breaks. Perhaps next time, she’ll finally get a show at Las Pegasus and get her chance to go toe-to-toe with her father.

For now though, it’s show time. And she performs many familiar magician tricks, stuff like levitating without any sign her horn is glowing, having an audience member pick a card and Trixie predicting correctly which one it is, and albeit to Trixie’s surprise, a bunny out of the hat.

Trixie: Is this Fluttershy’s pet rabbit?! How did he ge-

Claps are heard from the audience, and Trixie just decides to wing it and pretend it was on purpose. Though it seems definitely that Angel smuggled himself to the ball through Trixie’s supplies. He ends up heading over to Fluttershy’s side.

Fluttershy: What a surprise to see you, Angel!

Trixie recovers from the surprise appearance of the bunny rabbit, and starts announcing her final trick.

Trixie: Ahem… thank you all for being a wonderful audience! It is now time for my finale!

Trixie levitates out of a bag, a lamp. Very reminiscent of a genie lamp in particular, and puts it on the ground in front of her.

Trixie: Yes! It’s a lamp, Trixie imagines the design is familiar to a lot of you as something common of the genies from long ago! Genies both back then, and our soon to be sole ruler of Princess of Equestria compress themselves into a wave of curvy magical smoke to enter. But only the GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie can fit herself into one, without being a genie at all! And what’s more? Trixie’s horn will not glow at all!

Ooh’s and aah’s are heard throughout the whole crowd. This is a feat, that surely must be impossible as the tiny thing looks lt could barely contain more then some of Trixie’s tail. Yet she’s saying she’ll be able to insert her entire body inside, and without using her horn to perhaps conveniently shrink the parts of her body closest to the lamp’ s spout. With the audience fully looking center stage to see just how or if Trixie manages to do this. Trixie walks to the side of the lamp where the spout is pointing towards Trixie.

Trixie: Starlight, could you come come closer while I’m doing this. In case I need a little… help… hehehe…

Starlight: I suppose, but even I don’t know just how you’re going to pull this off without magic.

Trixie lays down prone on the floor, and in a moment she begins putting herself in the lamp starting with her tail, it’s clearly not as smooth as when Twilight is going into her bottle but sure enough her tail is going inside. And following suit is her hindlegs. 

What Trixie did, was wish from Twilight to be able to make her body malleable at will, and enough to fit herself into a small lamp, but not use such ability until the ending to make it more of a surprise. The audience already clapping that Trixie even managed to get this far. Eventually close to half of her body is inside, before she briefly stops.

Trixie: Hey Starlight, could you come just a teeny-bit closer?

Starlight: Uh… sure?

Trixie: Yes, that’s it, just a few more steps and…

Starlight: Do you need help with anyt-

Suddenly Trixie makes a big lunge from the lamp which extends her body where it’s sort of like a snake tail, though it’s just her elongated, malleable body and has pinned Starlight to the ground. She then looks toward the audience.

Trixie: Trixie realizes if she’s going inside, she might be a tad lonely. Which is why, Trixie is taking her assistant in too!

Starlight: Wait, what?! Trixie, I never agreed to this! How are you going to be able to fit both me and you?!

Trixie: I’ll show you!

Trixie while holding onto Starlight, slinks back to going inside, though at the same starts modeling the lower half of Starlight’s by shaping her body with her hooves sort of like clay, extending her body and even sort of spirals the elongated part of Starlight’s body around herself. In time, it looks like Starlight and Trixie are almost like two ponies with long snake tails coiled around eachother as they are gradually fitting themselves into the lamp. Starlight didn’t exactly sign up for this, but she lets Trixie do the act since this is what she wanted to do for her finale. Perhaps. the lamp may actually somehow be able to contain them both, but she is a little scared on how they’re going to get out.

Trixie rotates herself and Starlight as they get closer and closer to being completely fit into the lamp, they reach past the half way point to the bodies, then the shoulders, their necks, and finally their heads. Once both are completely in, claps and cheers erupt from the audience at the impressive display. Though then as Starlight feared, they were having a little trouble with being so compressed inside that she doesn’t know how they’re going to get out. The lamp starts jumping as the two inside attempt to get out themselves.

Luckily, a teleport comes in as a rescue. Twilight appears and uses her magic to pull the two out and get them normal size after they completed the act. Starlight comes out a bit dazed, while Trixie is just grinning after having a little fun. Trixie then waves to the clapping crowd, and Twilight, Trixie, and Starlight head back to the table Sunburst is.

Twilight: Nice trick, Trixie! Though uh, maybe you should of warned me you planned on bringing Starlight in with you. I could only make you malleable enough to both exit on your own if you went in alone with your clothes, without somepony to pull you out. You could of both been stuck in there for a dangerous amount of time! I could of at least gotten a bigger lamp if you had told me beforehand

Trixie: Hehehe, I guess I overestimated the lamp’s capacity

Starlight: My question why did you let Trixie also have the ability to turn other ponies malleable too…

Twilight: Well, I thought she just wanted to turn her hat and cape malleable so it could go with her too, I didn’t think she planned on bringing another pony in. So I guess that’s an oopsie on my part. But Trixie, if you plan on doing that trick again in another show, probably make sure to get bigger lamps just in case to make it easier for you to slip out on your own. Oh and ask Starlight or another pony’s permission before telling them you want to use it on them.

Trixie: Duly noted, Princess.

Suddenly an excitable yell is heard from a pony trotting towards Trixie. It’s her mother, Dandy Lion who comes up and gives her daughter a good, tight hug. Dandy is practically the spitting image of an older Trixie, just with an orange coat and with blond hair with a cutie mark similar in shape to Trixie’s but instead of a wand, it’s a dandelion.

Dandy Lion: That was excellent Trixie! I’m glad my idea worked out for you!

Trixie: Yes! Thank you so very much, Mom! It was a great idea!

Twilight: Oh, you’re Trixie’s mom? I don’t think I’ve ever met you before

Dandy: Ah, Princess Twilight. I’ve heard so much of your friendship with my daughter you’ve had for years

Dandy walks up to Twilight and enthusiastically shakes her hoof

Dandy: She tells me all the time, that you helped save her career after she returned to Ponyville.

Twilight: No problem, miss Dandy. Though you should also give some credit to Starlight here, she also helped teach Trixie a few things to get herself better with magic.

Dandy: Oh yes, of course! *She turns toward Starlight* Trixie says much about you as well, Starlight! Thank you very much for helping her out as well, AND also hiring her for when the next year of the School of Friendship starts!

Trixie suddenly gets closer to her mom to whisper something to her

Trixie: Pssst, mom… I just want to tell you that after I left Canterlot… I learned Starlight never had a mother figure in her life, as she doesn’t know who her mother was. I’d appreciate if you gave her a good hug for me, she could use the hug of a mother I know who loves as much as you can.

Dandy: Oh Celestia, that’s so sad… but yes, of course I will!

Dandy Lion approaches Starlight, and gives her a good, long hug as well. Though Starlight didn’t hear what they were whispering about, so she’s a little confused on what prompted it, but she admits it was nice of her anyhow. After letting go, Dandy takes a seat.

Dandy: Is it ok if I stay with you three, I have noticed both Sunburst and Starlight are a little ways from their parents.

Starlight: You’re free to sit with us, from what we hear from Trixie, you’re a great parent. Both me and Sunburst sometimes have a problem with hanging with our parents for too long for one reason or another. Besides, Trixie never told us about you before 2 weeks ago, even if that is a little odd if Trixie loves you so much.

Trixie: You just never asked! And I recall you had a few things yourself you didn’t tell us about yourself for years too, 2 weeks ago. Also telling people about my mother often gets ponies asking about my father too… which safe to say neither I nor my mother like to talk about…

Dandy’s happy demeanor up until now changing to a rather sad look confirming that feeling. Twilight perks up realizing maybe Trixie revealed something she hinted at something a while ago.

Twilight: I imagine your father is the reason you mentioned a past in Canterlot that’s worse then anything that went on in Ponyville when you decided to move?

Trixie: Yes… exactly… though let’s not get ourselves down about it! I can maybe talk about it later but for now we should be having a happy time here at the ball. Not share sad stories!

Twilight: Understood, I have to get back with my friends tables anyway. You had a good show Trixie, enjoy the rest of the night! You too, Starlight, Sunburst, and Dandy!

The first performance had finished and it was now time for yet another intermission before the next one. The ball had only just begun, as there is plenty more to get to.

UP NEXT: Chapter 14: The Royal Ball, Part 2 - Autumn Blaze’s Puppet Show

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 12: Celestia’s Secrets, Part 2

Twilight: Sunset Shimmer?! (I’ve seen a Sunset Shimmer before… in a pocket dimension where parallel universe genie versions of my Ponyville friends exist… but this is the first I’m hearing of my own universe’s Sunset…)

Celestia: Before I was basically given the instructions by the voice in my dream that led to discovering you, I went with a more old-fashioned way of getting my protege of simply finding a top student to promote to my personal protege. And Sunset absolutely was one of the strongest unicorns in raw power, if you and Sunset were around the same age, she probably would of outclassed even you as a filly no matter how many books you read. 

She was a student I was very proud of, and the fact her cutie mark was also in the shape of the Sun made me think perhaps she was the one destined to succeed me.

She also was the best at gathering recon on any potential threats to Equestria, better then any commander in my royal guard. She kept tabs on every potential threat to Equestria whether they were already defeated decisively in the past, currently out there in the present, or could become a threat in the future. Often going out there singlehandedly to deal with the threat. I would not be surprised if she knew something about just about every threat that you would come across, Twilight.

Twilight: Wow, Sunset sounds amazing… is she… still around?

Celestia just cranes her head low

Celestia: I don’t know, it’s possible. But… close to a decade before I’d find you, she went to see me personally… and she decided that she wanted to step down from being my protege.

Twilight: Step down from being your student?! That sounds crazy, if she was under your tutelage for all those years, why did she step down?

Celestia: I’m not sure even I know completely, but I think what she told me is she was tired of constantly keeping on check of all the dangers of Equestria. When she was younger, she felt that was exciting and often reveled on being the one to bring down the bad guys in her teenage years. But as she reached adulthood, she realized she wasn’t quite getting enough of the aspects of a regular life as a result. It was probably likely it got to a point that protecting Equestria the way she was had an effect on her happiness. 

She did have friendships of her own, but I don’t think she got to be with them quite the same way you were with your friends in Ponyville. Partly because of her own dedication to the job, and also partly to protect said friends because she never wanted them to be in danger. Kind of why I made sure you had some time of your own to relax and have fun with your friends, Twilight. I did try to tell Sunset that she should take a break and have some fun for herself, but one of her flaws when she was younger was that she was quite stubborn in the aforementioned dedication to her job. By the time she was just a few years older then adulthood, she realized that she should of listened to me, and as she reached her mid-20’s, she wanted to have her own family and a more peaceful life.

She did tell me however that despite stepping down, she would do one last job to protect Equestria. For she was chasing a group of 3 anarchists that she described as so dangerous, that if not stopped soon, will find a way to either take all the magic of Equestria for themselves, or just make Equestria entirely magicless if they couldn’t have it themselves. 

And this wasn’t Tirek she was talking about, given he was still firmly in Tartaurus. She felt that everything else, whomever I would find next would be able to handle it, but whatever the Anarchists were up to, Sunset had to put a stop to sooner rather then later.

Because nothing of the sort happened in between the time that she stepped down and I found you, I figured she had succeeded in defeating those anarchists and then proceeded to have the peaceful life she wanted. She also told me that if anypony asks for a national search given her high profile as my protege former or not, to not do so. As she wanted to get out of the spotlight as soon as she could.

I… admittedly was a little upset inside that Sunset was stepping down… as I was perhaps only just a few years away from thinking she was ready to ascend. But I was gracious and let her do what she wished. She thanked me, bowed, and told me she was still proud of her time as my student. She assured me there will be more powerful unicorns like her elsewhere. I wasn’t so sure personally, but thankfully I was proven wrong when I found you, Twilight. 

Regardless, that was the last time I ever saw Sunset. I have not seen a single sign of her, ever since she left my throne room. I hope she’s just relaxing, and has a lovely family she’s taking care of right now, while she’s somewhere in the world, away from easy access…

Twilight: This is an amazing story, should… should I try to find Sunset some day?

Celestia just nods her head horizontally

Celestia: I’d rather you not, if Sunset hasn’t shown herself. There’s probably a reason for it, and I want to respect her wishes to keep a low profile after having one of the highest long ago.

Twilight: I guess I understand… still it is fascinating. And if Sunset is out there, maybe one day I’ll get to meet her. I feel like we’d have a fantastic conversation.

Celestia: You and Sunset would certainly be fast friends, I’m sure.

Twilight: Though given you know she went off to have a family, do you at least know who she married or even if she had a child?

Celestia: I would not know, I did recall finding out Sunset was dating somepony sometime late in her time as my student. But she wouldn’t even tell me who she was dating, as to perhaps keep her special somepony safe from the criminals that she kept track of. If I had to guess as to where she found him, it was somepony from a pretty low profile town, at least at the time. As I can’t imagine Sunset could of easily hid who he was, if say she was dating somepony in Canterlot or any other well-populated city in Equestria.

As for having a child… I’m not 100% certain. But I had a strange feeling Sunset may have been within the first few months of pregnancy when she told me she wanted to step down. Just the way sometimes she’d put a hoof on her belly nervously as we talked. if she did have a child that early on, he or she would only be slightly younger then you are right now.

Twilight: Well ok... I guess that’s all I’ll get out of this very interesting story for now. It’s certainly got me curious where Sunset might be, but I suppose it’ll have to wait until after the ball anyhow. If it’s alright, I’d actually like to pivot to some… questions for one or both of you.

Celestia: Certainly Twilight, me and my sister will answer whatever questions you have to the best of our ability.

((Story continues after the break))

Twilight: Ok, my first question is actually for Luna alone.

Luna: Oh, really?

Twilight: Yes, the last time I was in Saddle Arabia. Malakhar mentioned that you were one of the last “masters” that the famous Jinn granted wishes to. Do you recall anything about meeting a genie far back in your past?

Luna: I’m… not sure… this was a very long time ago. I was only a filly, but I do recall once being lost in a forest before I came across a ceramic bottle. I happened to be thirsty, and hoped it would be something to drink. But instead of liquid, magic smoke came pouring out. And a white pony, with an aqua colored mane who helped me for the time I was in the forest. Providing me with 3 wishes I got granted: directions to fresh water, fruit that was safe to eat, and eventually I wished to be back home safe with my sister… though the fact that after all that, I was back in my bed at my home afterward made me think it was all just one vivid dream… 

I had been just learning about my dream walking powers at the time so I wasn’t even sure if what had happened had really happened or not.

Twilight: Well, it must have happened if word about you meeting her reached Saddle Arabia. I guess at some point after Jinn was perhaps no longer a genie, one of the stories she told was when she helped you.

Luna: Perhaps… it’s a shame she’s no longer around, I would like to have met her to perhaps thank her for getting me back home then, if it indeed wasn’t just a dream.

Twilight: Speaking of no longer around… that’s sort of the subject I want to ask both of you about next. You two have lived for thousands of years, meaning you’ve seen many generations of ponies come and go. 

Though you two seem to have managed a calm demeanor despite having perhaps lots of friends, and loyal staffers and guards pass. Have you… perhaps found a secret to maintaining a strong demeanor despite having lost so many ponies you got to know over the years?

Both the princesses crane their necks downward at the rather serious question

Celestia: Twilight… this is a very hard question… but I suppose it’s fair for us both to try to answer. We just have to face it, there is no secret to maintaining strength after the loss of many loved ones, cause it’s hard regardless.

Luna: It’s even harder for me personally, I had friends and my own set of guards back in the time before I was banished…  they must have been devastated to see me turn against my sister and then for them to never see me again...

Celestia: I hope we just don’t upset you with our rather honest answer that’s it’s not easy regardless. And hope you are still aware that’s what you gave up when you decided you wanted to stay a genie, and technically would of had to do anyway, if you were to accept the role as my successor.

Twilight: Yes, I still know… and I still feel in some ways I made the right choice in the end back in Saddle Arabia… but I know it’s probably going to be harder the more time goes on…

Twilight looking down solemnly

Celestia: While it’s not going to be a complete comfort regardless, barring any unfortunate accidents or terrible event, you’ll still likely have your friends for about 80 years. I suppose all we can really say is cherish the time you have with them now before they’re gone, though I know because you’ll be taking over for us that might be less of a comfort because you’ll be serving Equestria, and may not have as much time to be with your friends.

Twilight: Don’t worry, I understand that about 80 or so years is still a long time. I’ve become your student, a hero, a genie, a mother, a princess, and sole ruler of Equestria all in just a little more then a decade. Who knows what kind of things can happen in another 8 decades. There will be plenty of moments, though of course the longer I live, perhaps I’ll miss these coming years more and more, far in the future...

Celestia: Well, while we’ll still stress this is a decently long time from now. You’ll have us and an older, mature Spike to lean on, and probably any descendants your friends have as well. Who they may ask to lean to you for comfort themselves.

Twilight: I guess you’re right, but even though I asked the question in the first place. I think that’s enough talking about this for now… but thank you for the answers. 

As thanks for telling me about where Spike’s egg came from at last, as well as about Sunset Shimmer. The former I absolutely must talk to Spike about. I think I’ll head on back to Ponyville, see if perhaps any of my friends have finished their invitees as well. Thank you for agreeing to go, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I’m certain we’ll all have a good time there

Celestia: We are certainly expecting a good time ourselves for certain. Thank you for inviting us.

Luna: Yes, I’m looking forward to this as well. Should be a great night *winks*

Twilight: I’ll see you both there!

Twilight creates a gum portal back to her castle in Ponyville. Having finished up in Canterlot, after having had a nice talk with her parents, Moondancer, and some interesting discussions with her former mentor and her sister some of which are still floating through her mind as she heads back. Twilight comes through the portal and is suddenly surprised by simultaneous voice of many of her friends.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Starlight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Spike: Hi Twilight!

Twilight: Gah! You’re all back, huh?! And Starlight too?

Rainbow Dash: We all finished up our invitees! We were just waiting for you to be done, so you could go inform the royal family!

Twilight: Oh ok, thank you all for helping getting this done in an orderly fashion! I’ll go get some scrolls and let you all write down the names of all the ponies you invited. As well as a separate list for specifically entertainers to submit to the Sultan.

Twilight walks on over to a room in the castle with empty scrolls and gets one long scroll for the invitees, and a shorter scroll for the entertainment. And each of the ponies and dragon involved with inviting those in Equestria and a few others from outside of the country take each of their turns writing down the names. And also any potential entertainers they invited on the shorter scroll. Twilight adds her invitees last, and rolls up both scrolls.

Twilight: Alright, I think you can all head on home for now. Obviously the ball isn’t just going to start tomorrow, or even the next day as I think the royal family will at least want a week or two to make sure they’ll be absolutely ready for everyone that will be there. 

Also Spike, I have something to tell you personally when I get back, so don’t quite go to sleep just yet.

Spike: Oh sure thing, Mom. Hope I’m not in trouble or something though…

Twilight: Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. But this is an important matter, that I think you will probably want to hear anyhow.

Everyone but Twilight and Spike heads out of the castle, some waving goodnight to Twilight before heading out. Twilight turns to Spike.

Twilight: I’ll be quick Spike, and then I’ll share what I have to tell you.

Spike: Alright, see you when you get back.

Twilight makes another gum portal, this time just outside the royal palace in Saddle Arabia. As she approaches the front, the guards more then graciously let her in. And in just a few moments she finds the Sultan and the Sultana still supervising the Royal Ball decorations. The royal couple look behind them to see Twilight approaching.

Sultan Theandri: Ah, Princess Twilight great to see you’re here! Did you and your friends finish your list of invitees?

Twilight: Yes I have, your majesty! Here are both the general invitee list, and the entertainment list scrolls.

The royal couple take a quick look at both and closes them to read fully later.

Sultana Elona: Thank you, Princess Twilight. We’ll look this over sometime during the two weeks we set everything up. We will also inform Malakhar and Kubuya that they’ll be able to be wedded soon.

Twilight: Thank you *bow* I must be heading back now, but I’m certainly excited for this. Thank you for hosting this!

Sultan Theandri: We are excited too, we will see you when it’s time.

Twilight: Just to be sure, you said in two week’s time in which the ball will be fully ready?

Sultana Elona: Yes, gather everybody two weeks from now and we’ll have everything set.

Twilight: Ok, thanks! Seeya in 2 weeks!

Twilight makes one more gum portal back to her castle in Ponyville. Spike still standing where he was as Twilight returns.

Spike: Welcome back, mom! So what did they say when the ball is likely to start?

Twilight: They said 2 weeks, so we can just relax a bit before going to get everyone we invited.

Spike: Nice, so uh… what was it you wanted to talk to just me about?

Twilight: Well, first of all. I learned of this from a decently long discussion with Princess Celestia where we talked about a few things including the coming transition. But what comes most relevant to you, is… Celestia finally told me where she first found your egg that was brought to Equestria.

Spike: Wait, really?! But hold on a moment, why did she wait this long to tell us?! I would of loved knowing this years ago…

Twilight: Well, part of it that it’s slightly connected to other things that we talked about then. Not to mention there might have been a danger to telling you too soon. But first of all, I must share some rather… somber… news…

Spike: What’s that?

Twilight: Spike… your birth mother… passed away shortly after she laid your egg…

Spike goes wide-eyed

Spike: Whoa… so… my birth or rather, dragon mother has been dead the whole time, huh?

Twilight: Hope that doesn’t upset you too much.

Spike: Well the thing is, because I never got to know her. I’m not sure it’s something I can get too upset about, perhaps it would of been if I was told this before I’d recognize you as my mother. 

So in that case, you’re right that there was probably a time where it would of been too early, because maybe I’d feel somewhat betrayed that I had been taken away, even if of course I might not have ever hatched if I was just left there. 

I guess it helps that I have you as my mother now. Though you haven’t given where exactly my egg was found?

Twilight: Believe it or not, your egg was laid in a cave in the middle of the Saddle Arabian desert.

Spike: Say what?! Does that make me native to Saddle Arabia all this time?!

Twilight: Maybe not exactly, it’s probably more likely it just happened to be your birth mother’s final resting stop. But yes, Princess Celestia and Sultan Theandri went to the cave to investigate and found the corpse of your birth mother. And somewhere next to it, was your spotted purple egg. 

Celestia decided to take your egg under her wing until she could think of what to do with it. She then had what was a pretty vivid dream that very night where a mysterious voice, of which Celestia suspects was somehow the spirit of your birth mother, and she told her to find the one who could hatch the egg. 

As they told Celestia that whomever hatches the egg, will also be able to fulfill the wishes of both your birth mother and many of Celestia’s own desires from freeing her sister, all the way to succeeding her when the time came. And that of course, led to me.

Spike: Wow… that’s amazing… though I’m curious, you said that my birth mother also got some kind of desire granted connected you? What was that?

Twilight: Well, I don’t know how to say this without sounding like I got Trixie’s ego but… your birth mother desired… the perfect mother for you…

Spike smiles and tears up slightly in joy

Spike: She got what she wished for, absolutely.

Twilight blushes, and has some tears of joy of her own from the flattery of Spike’s words

Twilight: Oh Spike, come here and give your mother a hug!

Spike runs up and jumps in Twilight’s hooves as they give eachother a big, long hug. After the end their embrace, Spike starts pondering a little bit before asking something of Twilight.

Spike: So Mom, is there perhaps a chance… we go see where my birth mother died after the ball is over?

Twilight: Well sure we can, though we’ll have to ask Princess Celestia and/or the Sultan for directions to where that was, and if it’s even safe to try to trek to the cave first. But I think we can surely do that if you feel that is the right thing to do, paying respects to your birth mother, and even if you didn’t get to know her. 

Obviously she cared enough to set you up with me, and heck given what Celestia told me… She also basically set up the rest of my life as well. I should pay my own respects as well.

Spike: Yeah, exactly. It will be nice for us to honor her the only way we really can.

Twilight: Of course, though there’s one thing that’s not quite as related to you and I, but was brought up when Celestia told me about her dream. Another of Celestia’s desires mentioned was, a new protege. Which implied she had some pony else before me, and it was a pony named Sunset Shimmer.

Spike: That sounds familiar… wasn’t there a human Sunset you met in that Genie Pinkie Pie dimension you’ve been to?

Twilight: To be exact, a pony sunset in a human world. But this was the first I’m hearing about our own universe’s Sunset. The dimensional mirror she traveled through, does not exist in our universe. Meanwhile our universe’s Sunset has not resurfaced into the public eye in over 2 decades. 

She resigned from being Celestia’s student in order to pursue a more normal life and seems to have never shown herself since. Though she also mentioned to Celestia that she would save Equestia one more time from a dangerous anarchist group, given nothing happened in between the time she left and I became the Princess’s new protege. It seems like she was successful.

Spike: I wonder if we’ll get to meet her someday?

Twilight: Maybe, but it sounds like to me she was determined to be on a low profile. She may not want to be found exactly. And I think we should only respect that, as cool as it would be to meet her.

Spike: I see… well… *yawn* certainly an interesting fact if nothing else. But If it’s ok Twilight, I think it’s about time to hit the hay…

Twilight: I was thinking the same thing, too *yawn*

Twilight and Spike walk to their bedroom, where as always, Spike gets a big bed all to himself while Twilight of course has her bottle on a table nearby to slip into. Spike slips himself under the blanket, while Twilight closes her eyes as her body from the waist down form into her genie tail.

Spike: Goodnight, mom!

Twilight float on over to Spike’s side and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

Twilight: Goodnight, my son.

Spike smiles and rolls on over to his side to begin sleeping. Twilight starts slowly slipping herself into the bottle. Much of the coming time left is to be pretty routine for all those invited, but within 2 weeks. The Royal Ball will be ready. And everyone is looking forward to some good-natured fun in Saddle Arabia.

NEXT UP: Chapter 13: The Royal Ball, Part 1 - Trixie’s Magic Show

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 22: Life is Magic, Part 2

Jinn: Correctamundo, Twilight! Magic encompasses just about everything in our world. There’s almost nothing that magic isn’t involved with. And that means that Magic is much more then defined as the lasers, transformations, and/or magical items. We are made of magic ourselves, through our souls. And if all souls are magic, then effectively… life is magic. Whether said life is as small as a blade of grass in a meadow, or as large as a dragon.

Have you ever heard the saying that magic cannot be truly destroyed? It’s pretty much a true statement, at worst it can be dissipated, but magic never completely disappears. It has to end up somewhere, and because our souls are magic. The same approach applies, it just depends in terms of the more sentient lifeforms how they lived their life that determines what their soul ends up doing. Either they end up among the trillions of souls protecting the planet far above us, or… they become dark magic that damages our world.

Another thing I should mention is… what happens if a genie ever tried to bring something back to life. A genie cannot bring the soul back down once whatever the lifeform is has died. We at most can only make the husk of a body move, but that only creates a sort of zombie-like state for the corpse. It wouldn’t try to eat brains or anything, but nonetheless is quite unsettling. Let’s just say, it’s not a pretty picture, and we genies don’t like doing it!

Twilight just has her mouth aghast with these revelations. Her talk with Jinn has led to the discovery that life is magic too. The rest of the room is just as shocked, but also very understanding that it makes a good degree of sense. Twilight eventually recovers and starts to ask a few more questions.

Twilight: So… I don’t know if this is entirely related to the conversation. But I notice something regarding your appearance… you lived the entire rest of your life after becoming mortal again, right?

Jinn: Mmhmm *nods vertically*

Twilight: If that’s the case… why don’t you appear to us as an old mare. I would think a spirit’s form would take what they look like when they died. Jennesis told us she was over 100,000 years old. But I don’t think Dragons get as many obvious aging wrinkles. So it’s plausible that’s how she looked when she died

Jinn: You are partly right that in some cases the form in which someone died in could be the form they take as a spirit. Cause usually the way they looked when they died tends to be the memory that shows up first when summoning. So if a family member was there the moment they died, it’s very likely that if they summoned their spirit. The spirit would come down in the form of the old body they had. 

However, imagine if there was a friend who have not seen them since the old pony or any species at all died, and they were the ones to summon. They’d actually look like when that friend last saw them and that could include going as far as remembering a more younger age, or in my case with Somnambula. I was still a genie when I last saw Somnambula, and of course, Genies don’t age from the moment they’re genified. It’s also why I have my attire on!

Twilight: Huh… so because Somnambula was the only two of those summoning you that actually has memory of what you looked like… She sort of prioritized the look of your spirit. Though if I may ask.. what if only Kubuya had tried to summon you despite having never seen you in her life.

Jinn: I probably would of appeared as an old mare in that case.

Twilight: I see… so if someone who didn’t know the family member… but could still summon them purely through blood relation. Then they appear at about the age of when they died?

Jinn suddenly winks at Twilight

Jinn: Perhaps, though there’s something you should know about us spirits. Watch this!

Jinn closes her eyes, focuses. And she suddenly starts fast-aging. She slightly shrinks, her body gets much thinner, wrinkles appear, and her light blue mane becomes grey. Her genie attire also disappears. She opens her eyes, and shows herself as an old mare.

Jinn: This the looker of a body you wanted to see? Ehehehehe!

Jinn’s voice even suddenly was scratchy like an older mare as well

Twilight: Oh… you can change age! I imagine this is at least close to about the age you passed away?

The older look Jinn nods vertically

Twilight: Are you… also able to go back the other way in age?

Jinn: Of course!

Jinn once again focuses, this time regressing in age. For a brief moment she’s back to the form she appeared in when she first appeared, but after that, she shrinks further. All the way down to when she was a filly that had just recently gotten her cutie mark. And as if to sell her cuteness further, she looks at Twilight with a grin and puppy-dog eyes. Somnambula looks at the lil’ Jinn, puts her hooves on her cheeks and grins.

Somnambula: D’awwwwwwwww! I never got to see you as a filly, Jinn! You were so cuuuuuuuuuute!

Twilight: Amazing! So spirits can shift into any age they were in their lifetimes I take it. I’m sure that’d be a relief to Rarity, when she becomes a spirit. Cool that spirits have their own sort of magic abilities. Is the age shifting all you can really do?

Jinn shifts back to the young adult form she was when she first appeared before replying.

Jinn: Ohohoho, you don’t even know the half of it…

Twilight: Hm? What do you mean by that?

Jinn: Let’s just say. I have one more question for you. I know the answer myself already, but want to hear what you think first. Before I utterly blow your mind again. *giggles*

Twilight’s a little scared at the thought of having her mind blown again. She’s still kind of trying to wrap around the fact that life counts as magic.

Twilight: …Go ahead, Jinn. What is your question?

Jinn: Twilight, tell me… what exactly is a genie? From your perspective

Twilight raises an eyebrow, she wonders what exactly is Jinn’s purpose of asking her this.

Twilight: Well uh… the way I understand it… a genie…  is a former mortal… that through the use of a Dragon’s Tear or a wish from another genie… gains amazing power and the ability to grant wishes if the genie agrees to grant said wish… They are a revered part of Saddle Arabia’s culture, many of which were often worshipped on the level of deities…

Jinn claps

Jinn: Yes yes, that’s all true… but believe it or not… there is more to this…

Twilight raises an eyebrow

Twilight: How?

Jinn: Think back what you said in your description of a genie, the part about how a Dragon’s Tear turns a mortal into a genie. Knowing what you know now after our conversation, what kind of magic is in the Dragon’s Tear?

Twilight thinks back to earlier in the conversation

Twilight: …Soul magic?

Jinn: Annnnnnd… if Genies are created as a result of infusing themselves with soul magic then…

Twilight nervously thinks, putting two-and-two together through the conversation she’s been having with Jinn and the description she gave. And suddenly once again makes a booming gasp that echoes through the cave. Meanwhile, Jinn just smugly grins.

Twilight: J..J…Ji…Jinn… before… I say what I think you are implying… can… you… s-show… me… something...?

Jinn: Sure thing! Anything that will make you 100% sure

Twilight: Are you… able… to… make your genie tail… or… in your case… a ghostly tail… appear?

Jinn starts giggling like crazy

Jinn: *giggles* Ehehehehe… hahahahahaha. hohohohoho. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You knooooow! Don’t you! Hahahahaha!

Jinn briefly stops laughing to close her eyes. Stands on her hindlegs like a biped temporarily, she stretches her front hooves to her sides putting herself in a T-pose, before she does a backflip in the air, and in the blink of an eye, she’s now floating in the air, and from the waist down, she now has a long single, curvy tail. Very similar to a genie tail but not tethered at all to a bottle.

Jinn wiggles the tail as if to sort of flaunt it and continues to look at Twilight with a smug face as she wraps her hooves behind her head as she sort of flies in circles around Twilight.

Twilight once again goes wide-eyed with mouth aghast.

Twilight: N-no… t-this can’t be… G-G-Genies… Genies are… GENIES ARE PART SPIRITS?!

Twilight is shaking, sitting down, her front hooves on the side of her head. Already in the past few hours she’s gotten absolutely crazy stuff happening, the dead showing up to speak, learning that life is magic, and now she just learned that within her, she herself is part spirit. Jinn just continues to look at her smugly, lying on her back in the air, and moving her tail some more

Jinn: Figured it out, huh?

Twilight: WHAAAAAAAAAAAT THE BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK?!

((Story continues after the break))

Jinn giggles, seems like by now she’s kind of gotten a little bit of pleasure out of blowing Twilight’s mind.

Twilight: So I’m technically undead?!

Jinn: Nonononono, not undead. Rest assured, you still count as among the living

I didn’t even realize this myself until sometime after I had died, but the reason why us genies are so powerful. Is that they are the result of combining the strong soul of a dragon that both lived a full life of more then a hundred thousand years along with friendship, with the direct ability of ponies that are uniquely capable of using their magic on parts of the world or even outside of the world in the case of the Unicorns and Alicorns that move the Sun and Moon. The Dragon Tears were already capable of granting desires/wishes themselves, though only in the hands of Dragons themselves unless a pony… (or potentially other species too, but there’s literally only been pony genies as far as I know…) infuses themselves with the tear. So just imagining the power of a dragon soul and granting powers of a Dragon’s Tear, combined with the ability of a pony to directly use that magic whether through their horns, wings, or hooves. Genies just came about naturally as a result!

When a pony is infused with the tear (aka Genification by being sucked into a vessel of some kind) within the enclosed space, both the body and soul of the pony is absorbed by the tear, once the stopper is closed on a genified pony. The fusion of the pony and dragon souls explodes the tear inside, the explosion remains compressed in the vessel, and even though the tear disappears it actually simply just fuses with the magical energy that a genie becomes when inside their vessel. Some of the pieces of the Dragon’s tear infusing with the vessel instead of the pony so that there’s a connection between the genie and their vessel.

By the way, technically us spirits can grant stuff too. But we’re incapable of granting the wishes of the living, instead… We grant the desires of the planet

At this point, one of eye’s Twilight twitches as she just snaps.

Twilight: NOW YOU’RE TELLING ME THE PLANET IS ALIVE?!

Jinn: I mean… yeah… but the planet is alive in the same way plants are alive. Our planet is obviously quite shy! *giggles*

Twilight: How can you spirits grant it’s desires then?

Jinn: In a similar way to how earth ponies like me are capable of cultivating plants more naturally through their more subtle magic. We sort of just feel out what the planet needs, and it just so happens it’s desires are quite simple: protect it from threats outside. Meanwhile, it also has desires for those living on the planet, though it’s not as easy for the planet to contact the living. But now that you can talk to us spirits, we can say what the planet wants to say to the living by proxy. Though I think for the most part, you ponies have recently been doing what the planet wants anyway, even if it has not been able to contact the living.

Twilight: What does the planet want of the living?

Jinn: For the life on the planet to raise as many good lifeforms as possible. Extending friendships, love, and shrinking the impact of any dark magic from the forces of deceased villains of the past. Whether it was intentional or not, you Twilight, has come up with a path in order to most strongly grant the planet’s desires. By extending the hoof of friendship to the many other species of the world, even if they were once considered enemies by Equestria such as the Changelings, through the School of Friendship.

Twilight: Wait… how do you know of the school? You couldn’t come down here until now, right?

Jinn: That’s right, but remember ALL those who had a normal life or better end up in the shield above. We hear current events from those who have died, including changelings, yaks, griffons, etc. who mostly passed from old age. Many tell of the immense respect they have for what Equestria is now doing for their respective nations.

Twilight: What… what is it even like up there? Do all the souls simply just flow around the planet in the shape of spirits like how you are now, simply watching the planet and/or watching for stuff like meteorites coming in?

Jinn: Sort of, but we’re actually not in the shape of how I am right now, most of the time. This actually somewhat connects back to how genies are actually part spirit. You know how you’re simply just a mass of magical energy when you’re resting in the bottle?

Twilight: Yes?

Jinn: Most of the time, us spirits are simply encircling the planet in that form, only not enclosed within a bottle. Just traveling like a sort of magic comet orbiting the planet. If you noticed, that’s what’s I looked like when I was being summoned here. That form is what we’re in for most of eternity. What’s more, is much like when you’re in the bottle. We’re in a subconscious state in this comet-like form where we’re in a blissful sleep. We are capable of becoming our living body shapes like how I am right now up there too, but we aren’t protecting the planet when we do this, but it’s how some of us greet the recently deceased. Mostly, it’s fellow friends and family that know the deceased that come out to greet them. Though there are also neutral arbiters like myself that greet the deceased even if I never knew them. Our wisest and oldest spirits tend to be the ones hired for that.

Twilight: Heh, getting to know you? Kinda funny, that you’re considered among the wise given how many times you’ve lost composure and laughed while enjoying blowing my mind…

Jinn: Hehehehe, Oh I’m wise alright, wisecracking that is, ahahahahaha!

Twilight: Anyhow, here’s my next question… how did you even come to know all this? I can’t imagine ALL of this you found out after you were dead. You sound like you’ve known much about this long before you passed…

Jinn: It’s all thanks to Jenn, that I discovered much of this.

Twilight: Jenn?

Jinn: Short for Jennesis, you know… Spike’s birth mother that you spoke to before me.

Twilight: Doesn’t she hate that nickname though?

Jinn: No that was Jenny, not Jenn. She tolerates being called Jenn from me. Just because it’s fun to call ourselves Jinn and Jenn. I’ve known Jenn since she was a baby dragon, in fact she was pretty much Spike’s size when I met her I’m pretty sure *giggles*

But anyhow, one day… me and Jenn came across a small Dragon’s tear chip. At some point Jenn was able to create her own magic shield with it. She challenged me to try to blast through it, and nothing I did really worked. Granted, none of my blasts I made sure would of seriously hurt Jenn if it went through. But it stood to reason, that it could of very much withstood if I had literally tried something that was capable of turning Jenn’s body into nothing but ashes.

Sometime later, in a rather casual conversation where I talked about some of dancer friends who became genies. But during the dark times of the Anti-Genie regime, they went back to being mortal and then passed away at an old age later. Me and Jenn at one point had our hoof and claw on the Dragon tear, and I sort of wished I could see my friends again. Soon after, the tear started glowing. It freaked both me and Jenn out, and soon the souls of my 3 dancer friends all came down. And I was able to speak to them, and even hug them. They all told me and Jenn what the soul shield up there is like, and much of what I’ve told you, I learned from them.

Though one sad part about this conversation, is at the time, we didn’t know if there was anything left of that extreme part of the Anti-Genie regime remaining that wanted to use Dragon Tears to power their genie-controlling device. Meaning, that after this conversation it was a good idea to make the Dragon’s Tear unusable... and unless I came across another tear. My friends would have to wait until the day I decided to become mortal again, before living the rest of a mortal life before seeing me. But my friends truly were just happy to have gotten to speak again at least one more time, were very understanding, and they said they’d wait an eternity for me to see me again or eventually join them. Even joking on my part that before we sent them back that we could do our ol’ dance troupe performances up there again *giggles*

And guess what… sometimes we do! Ahahahahaha!

Twilight giggles along with Jinn. Her surprisingly bubbly personality kind of warming up to her now.

Jinn: Now… how about I ask YOU some questions. Like, how’s your life been as a genie thus far. I know that compared to a lot of genies you’re still quite the newbie. Not even reaching 10 years since you were genified! But I’m curious. If it weren’t for the fact that genies don’t age, and we were mostly adults, I could technically call you a baby genie *giggles* Much like how Spike is still considered a baby dragon, because he’s still quite young in a Dragon lifespan!

Twilight: All those recently deceased haven’t told you everything about me?

Jinn: I mean yeah, I get some of the gist of what you’ve done. Saving Equestria and/or the world, multiple times over and all. But I don’t think I really get to hear about your personal life much. There’s still some cons to well… dying from that perspective. But if more dragons drop dragon tears, and Dragons agree to be conduits to bringing Spirits down. Technically, the living will be able to regularly contact the dead, assuming those who summon spirits are of blood relation and/or had been lovers or good friends of the deceased.

Twilight: That is true, would be very much a source of happiness for many ponies to occasionally see their deceased friends and family

Jinn: Though of course I must repeat that we should only hire the most trusted dragons to be spirit conduits. As remember what we’ve said. Calling down too many spirits at once, or even just more then 2 really large spirits leaves a big hole in the soul shield up there, making our planet vulnerable if we happen to be trying to direct something from space.

Twilight: Of course, if we find more dragon tears at some point. And that’s probably going to get more common in the coming years, given you told us dragons that found friendship are far more likely to drop them. We’ll do our due diligence in making sure they’d be responsible, just as much as we make sure a pony would be responsible as a genie. Which of course, making more genies would also be an option

Jinn: You could even split just one full-sized dragon tear to both make more genies and give to dragons to summon the deceased!

Twilight: Yeah! Though that will certainly make some hard decisions for when the next large dragon tear is found. Pros and Cons are there to each of those 2 abilities of Dragon Tears. And both we have to be extra careful who we trust with these powers.

Jinn: Mmhmm

Twilight: I guess now I can sort of tell you how I’ve been as a genie. I’ve generally enjoyed it in, the past 7-8 years I guess? Got to do plenty cool stuff. Turn into all kinds of things, amazing magic abilities that I couldn’t have ever dreamed I could do as a unicorn, or even as an Alicorn to be frank… Becoming a genie has helped me get closer and closer to Spike, who I adopted as my son just about a year after I became a genie…

Jinn: D’awww that’s so adorable, and not to mention outs you as the perfect mother that was Jenn’s dying wish, huh?

Both Twilight and Spike smile and nod.

Jinn: Ehehehe, are you sure she’s perfect after I made her freakout a few times, ahahahaha!

Twilight just deadpans, Spike actually giggles.

Spike: Oh trust me Jinn, the freakouts she had earlier are CALM compared to some of the stuff she’s done before she was genified. Hahaha

Twilight: Et tu, Spike?

Jinn: Hehehe, you know I’m joking, Twilight. I definitely believe Jenn’s wish came true. After all, Celestia’s did. Dragon Tears do not succeed on some of the desires given but fail on others. Luna is here, you became Celestia’s next protege, and a year from now you’re going to be her successor! Literally the only thing left was Jenn’s wish for the perfect mother for Spike. And I’m certain that was granted as well, I’m even less doubtful that the tear would fail the very one that wanted their desire granted first, while conveniently advantaging all of Celestia’s desires. I like to poke some ponies in the rib, but I assure you, I believe it. And it kind of reminds me of me and Jenn’s relationship

Twilight: Wait, are you saying you kind of consider Jenn to be an adopted daughter?

Jinn: Naaaaaah, not my daughter. More like younger sister. She’s JenneSIS after all *giggles*.  I never really officially adopted her as such. But hey, it’s just similar in a few ways of a dragon and a genie treating each other like a family. That’s all.

Twilight smiles

Twilight: That’s quite cute

Spike moves on closer to Twilight to hug one of her front hooves, as Twilight responds with a wing hug. Before Twilight continues speaking with Jinn.

Twilight: I suppose that’s most of my questions answered… and if I want to see you again for any reason. I’ll go see either Somnambula, Kubuya, or anyone in Kubuya’s side of the family (AKA your bloodline) to summon you down here again

Jinn: Yeah, it’s been a pleasure talking with you, Twilight. I would be most happy to see you again.

Twilight: Next time we meet I can even show you my friends, I have a feeling you’ll easily become friends with Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

Jinn: Ah yes, the other Elements of Harmony. Would be nice to meet them too, for certain.

Twilight taps her hooves together, before asking her one more thing

Twilight: Actually, I guess I do have one more thing I’d like to ask you. I know I can’t summon most historical figures that I’d like to talk to personally. But is there perhaps a chance if I give you a name sometime… you talk to them up in the soul shield… have them answer a question.. and get back to me by proxy the next time we meet…?

Jinn suddenly gives a serious face

Jinn: No… that is against soul shield rules. You are now banned from ever seeing one of us spirits ever again!

Twilight: Wait what?! No! I’m sorry I…

Jinn just starts stifling another laugh before just letting herself laugh again. Looks like again, she was joking.

Jinn: Ahahahahaha! I’m sorry, I just wanted to get one more joke in, before I go.

Twilight sighs, though also expresses relief while shaking her head.

Jinn: Ehehehe, but yeah, I can go find a historical figure of your choosing. And tell you what they said the next time we talk.

Twilight: Alright, thank you. I can think about who I’d like to hear from next time.

Jinn: I figure you’re now going to go around to summon some other spirits for folks who have deceased friends or family that they dearly want to see again?

Twilight: I suppose so, yeah.

Jinn: Mind telling me who you plan on summoning first? Maybe I can tell you a thing or two, if I’ve seen them? Perhaps... tell them ahead of time once I return?

Twilight: Well first… I must kind of talk with some of the others here…

Twilight turns to Malakhar, Celestia, and Luna.

Twilight: Malakhar, I know you said you want to see your Grandfather. And also for the Princesses… at least some of their staffer and guards from the many past generations… but if it’s ok… there is two ponies in particular I’d really, really, really like to summon for somepony that dearly misses them… and that’s Applejack and her family.

Malakhar and both Princesses are both very aware of the Apple family’s situation with their parents.

Malakhar: Go ahead, Twilight. I don’t mind waiting a little longer to see my Grandfather. I know that Applejack’s parents were taken from her far too soon, I feel you’re dong the right thing by letting her see her parents again.

Celestia and Luna nod and smile

Celestia: I agree that reuniting Applejack with her parents is a good idea. I can most certainly wait a little longer to see some of my own friends and most loyal staffers and guards.

Luna: I may have not seen any of my past friends in more then 1000 years… but even I feel a parent being taken away far sooner then they should have… absolutely takes priority first with this newfound ability of the Dragon’s Tears. We consider this quite noble of you, Princess Twilight.

Twilight then turns to Somnambula and Sultan Theandri

Twilight: Just to be sure, how about you both? Somnambula, I know you have other friends you probably miss from when before you went into Limbo. And as for the Sultan, you probably have royal family members you miss.

Somnambula: Go ahead and reunite Applejack and her family with her parents. I can wait my turn along with the others.

Sultan Theandri: I can wait as well, Princess Twilight. This is obviously something of utmost importance to your dear friend.

Twilight looks around at all who replied, and smiles

Twilight: Thank you, I knew you’d understand.

Jinn: Just curious, do you know the name’s of Applejack’s parents?

Twilight: I was told their names were Pear Butter, and Bright Mac.

Jinn grins, and squishes her cheeks

Jinn: Pear Butter and Bright Mac?! D’AWWWWWWWWW! They’re one of the cutest couples I’ve ever seen in the soul shield! I’ve always felt so bad they died so young…

Twilight: Yeah… it will be especially good for Applejack’s little sister Apple Bloom. She was born just weeks before their unfortunate deaths.

Jinn: D’awwww… I am so happy that I got to talk with somepony who will use the knowledge I gave you for good. I messed with you a few times, yes, but only because I knew you could take it in stride in time, plus I wanted a little of my own fun. But ultimately, because you’ve handled responsibility as a genie the entire time. I think you’ll certainly be just as smart with summoning spirits.

I’m sure for quite a long time, Spike’s going to be the only one summoning spirits unless he hands that tear of his to another dragon. Smart usage of spirit summoning will lead to more happiness and positivity to the lives of many on the world. And the more that are happy, the more likely it buffs up the soul shield. Maybe even in a good couple of thousand of years. We’ll have more friendly dragons, not to mention more dragon tears dropped before they go, and it’ll be safer to summon more spirits down at once without worry of leaving too big of a hole up there.

Thank you for summoning me, and feel free to call me back down any time. Goodbye, Twilight!

Twilight: Goodbye, Jinn!

Jinn waves, as Spike proceeds to send Jinn back to the soul shield. Jinn’s spirit turns back into a sphere, and speeds out of the cave with a comet tail. Twilight makes a portal back to the inside of the Saddle Arabian palace.

Twilight: All of you can head back to the palace, I’ll probably be in Equestria for a little while. Though I also need to head back to the palace to bring Applejack, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Sugar Belle, The Cake family and I think it’d also be a good idea for the rest of my friends to meet Applejack’s parents as well.

The Alicorn sisters, Somnambula, Sultan Theandri, Malakhar, Kubuya, and all of the Sultan’s guards all head into the portal back to the Palace. Twilight and Spike follow last. Spike looking back at the skeleton of his birth mother one more time, smiles one more time looking at it, before being the last one through.

UP NEXT: Chapter 23: Spirits of Apples & Pears, Part 1

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 20: Dragon Soul

Upon the next morning, Spike wakes up. He quickly looks over to make sure Twilight’s bottle is still there, and indeed it is. Even with all the precautions they took, the last trip to Saddle Arabia certainly turned dark quickly and quite traumatizing for Spike. So Spike gives a sigh of relief. And decides to open Twilight’s bottle right away in the room, instead of letting Twilight pop herself out as he makes breakfast.

He takes off the stopper, and immediately a purple swirl of smoke pours out, shifting once the end of the smoke once again forming into Twilight’s shape from the waist up. Once she’s completely formed, she stretches her hooves, and smiles. She looks down to sees Spike, down on the floor of the room.

Twilight: Good morning, Spike!

Spike: Good morning, Mom!

She then proceeds to float herself down, disconnect her tail from the bottle and shift the tail into the rest of her body.

Twilight: Let’s get some breakfast before we return to Saddle Arabia to get Malakhar and Celestia to help us find the cave your birth mother died.

Spike: Of course! Who knows if the trek to the cave, will take long so we better have something in our stomachs at least

Spike and Twilight head to the kitchen in the castle and Spike makes another batch of toast for him and Twilight. Twilight then also precedes to deactivating all the protective measures they put in the castle from last night. Once they’re finished, Twilight tells Spike of another thing she’ll probably be doing once they’re done in the cave.

Twilight: By the way, Spike. Trixie went up to me last night to tell me Starlight wants to see me sometime today for something. So once we’re done paying our respects for your Mother, I’m going to go see her.

Spike: Sure thing! What is it about? School of Friendship stuff?

Twilight: I actually wasn’t told what it was about, but I guess I’ll find out later. But for now, let’s go get Malakhar and Princess Celestia.

Twilight opens up a gum portal back to the palace in Saddle Arabia. While Twilight and Spike put themselves with protective measures in the castle, the Sultan and Sultana also beefed up their security and put a guard at every door of the guests that are staying to go to the wedding. Just because Twilight would be safe, doesn’t mean her friends staying there would be. So they put the extra measures to protect all of Twilight’s friends in the night. No suspicious movement ever came about during the night, but even the palace guards certainly wanted to go with the same better safe then sorry feeling.

Twilight reaches the front of the palace and is meant with the Saddle Arabian Royal Guard captain who is thankful nothing happened this time around.

Guard Captain: Good to see you made it, Princess Twilight. All your friends have been safely protected throughout the night as well.

Twilight: Thank you Captain, I appreciate all the effort to assure us our safety after last time.

The captain bows and let’s Twilight and Spike in. Both then head in the direction of Malakhar and Kubuya’s room. Before they actually get there, the room actually opens and Malakhar walks out. He sees Twilight and Spike are already here.

Malakhar: Real eager to visit that cave, huh? I guess it does mean a lot to you. I can certainly start leading you there as soon as we’ve gotten Princess Celestia with us.

Twilight: Before we go, how’s Kubuya?

Malakhar: She’s fine, just still sleeping. We had a fantastic time at the ball last night, you have some very talented friends in Equestria. And we were also very happy for Pinkie Pie, when she started her relationship with Cheese Sandwich on stage.

Not to mention your friend Moondancer’s impressive dance moves she showed with the Prince! Which speaking of which, we’re happy the Prince finally found a special somepony that legitimately loves him. I don’t think we know Moondancer very much, her dancing was the first time we ever saw her. Is she just a regular dancing pony over in Equestria?

Twilight: No, in fact I don’t think many ponies have ever seen her dance until this ball. That was the first time I’ve seen her dance too. Perhaps I should of guessed given her name, but I guess I didn’t really spend enough time with her to find out about it.

Moondancer’s normally a lot like me, you could even say Moondancer would be closer to what I’d be like if I had a more normal life, rather then becoming the hero and Princess of Equestria I am now. She’s very much a bookworm like myself, normally.

Malakhar: Well then, I can’t wait to get to know her once she’s fully moved in to Saddle Arabia. Another you sounds like the best thing to us. And if Moondancer becomes Sultana, I’m sure she’ll be a very popular one. I think her dancing skills from last night is already the talk of the city from what I overheard from many of the Saddle Arabian citizens that attended the ball.

Twilight: I bet! She absolutely mastered some of your nation’s classic dances. There is absolutely no way I’d be able to do what she did even if I practiced dancing for the next 1000 years. I’m such a terrible dancer myself, heh.

Twilight sheepishly rubs the back of her head as she admits her rather poor dancing skill.

Twilight: But… Ahem, I guess we should now go find Princess Celestia.

Malakhar: Right, let’s go.

Twilight, Spike, and Malakhar walk the halls of the palace looking for Celestia, they eventually find her speaking with Sultan Theandri.

Twilight: Pardon if I’m interrupting an important talk Princess Celestia, but I believe you agreed last night to come along with me and Spike to the cave in the desert?

Celestia: Oh no worries, Twilight. Me and the Sultan were just having a pleasant conversation about the ball last night. I imagine you’re here so I can help you find where Spike’s egg was found?

Sultan Theandri: Wait, Spike was born here?

Celestia: Indeed. Remember when we came across a deceased dragon in a cave in the nearby desert? The egg that Malakhar presented to me happened to be Spike’s egg

Sultan Theandri: Amazing! Perhaps I should update Spike’s honorary citizenship here after the battle with Zathir, with birthright citizenship!. Actually, is it ok if I come along on this as well? It will be sort of like a nice little return get-together.

Malakhar: Though we’ll be of course missing my Grandfather, but sure it’ll be nice to have you along as well for a real re-visit.

Sultan Theandri: Ah yes, Hisan Manat. Great stallion, I’m sure he’d be proud of what you’ve done yourself, Malakhar.

Malakhar: I’m sure he would too…

As Malakhar reflects about his Grandfather,  he along with Twilight, Spike, Celestia, The Sultan, along with protective guards go onto a trek to the cave. Very much mirroring when Malakhar and his Grandfather set out to go where they saw a dragon land from the backyard of their hut.

((Story continues after the break))

Spike meanwhile keeps up a solemn face as he knows he’s about to see the resting place of his birth mother. He considers Twilight his mom through-and-through and nothing’s ever going to change that. But he feels like it’s still going to be a feeling of complex emotions to visit for him. As on one hand this is where his birth mother met her end, but also in a more positive spin, he’s visiting the place his egg was first laid before he’d end up in Equestria.

Soon they reach the mouth of the cave. But first, some guards check if anything dangerous is in the cave or if there’s any danger of the cave collapsing suddenly that could kill or entrap the Sultan. Though they do have a backup this time of Twilight using her magic to save the Sultan, as well as Princess Celestia’s strength in magic should something come up. The guards exploring the cave come back and give the go ahead for the group to go in.

When the group goes in, they see a large towering pile of bones, particularly the ribcage of the dragon that died. And as they look around they also find many of the other bones of the long tail, wings, claws, long neck, and a large skull. This huge skeleton had to be all that remains of Spike’s birth mother. Twilight at first kind of want’s to closely examine the skeleton to satisfy the curious scientist in her, but she also doesn’t want to perhaps do that right in front of Spike who might not want to see his birth mother’s remains treated like a museum exhibit. So for now, she keeps her distance.

The group just generally remains quiet as a sort of moment of silence. And then Spike slowly starts walking more closely to the skull of his birth mother. Twilight not sure how Spike is taking seeing his birth mother’s remains, she calls out to him in some concern.

Twilight: Spike… are you ok? If this is an upsetting sight, even if you never knew her. We can get out right away.

Spike turns back to Twilight and first nods side-to-side to indicate he’s fine.

Spike: I’m ok Twilight, I’m just thinking to myself…

Spike turns back to looking at his birth mother’s remains and makes a heavy deep breath. He puts a hand over his dragon tear necklace. And in his own mind, pays his respects for his birth mother.

Spike: (I never got to know who you were… but if what Princess Celestia told me was true… you set me and Twilight on the paths that we’re on to this day… As soon as I heard that… I felt an obligation to see where you laid in eternal rest… even if you can’t hear me, being dead and all… I want to express thanks for laying the egg containing me here, and instructing Celestia from beyond the grave, so that I would end up in Twilight’s hooves…

I know you also wanted me to find the perfect mother since you weren’t able to live to take care of me yourself… and I believe you got your wish, wholeheartedly… I just wish you could see if your wish came true…  if there was a way to, I’d love to have you to see me and Twilight… I’m sure you’d agree that your desire was fulfilled… and Princess Celestia’s as well…

It might be silly to say it, given it’s probably not going to actually do anything… but I desire you to come see us. Wherever you are… if you were able to visit Celestia’s dreams… perhaps there is some way to see us after all… please… I desire to see my dragon birth mother…)

Suddenly, the Dragon’s tear necklace starts glowing, which surprises the entire group in the cave including Spike himself who looks down wide-eyed.

Spike: Whoa!

Twilight expresses huge concern, not knowing what is happening

Twilight: Spike?! What’s going on? Why is your Dragon’s Tear glowing?!

Spike: I’m not sure! But something must be happening! I was just thinking to myself before this!

Twilight: It must of heard whatever you were thinking, then!

Spike: It couldn’t be granting what I thought about… could it?

Twilight: What?! You’re saying you said some sort of wish? What was it?

Spike: I… think we may just see in a moment…

As the Dragon’s Tear continues to glow the group awaits for what exactly Spike thought about. Unbeknownst to them outside, a large white streak of energy comes down into the atmosphere like a comet. It quickly flies down to Saddle Arabia and quickly approaches the cave. Guards warning the group of what they might have mistook for something attacking.

Royal Guard: Everyone duck!

The entire group goes prone on the ground as the energy comes into the cave with a loud whoosh. The energy then stops just above and in front of the skeleton of Spike’s dragon mother in a large sphere.

Celestia: What in Equestria is this?!

The entire group looks awestruck at the sphere, eventually the sphere starts taking a new shape. The sphere starts transforming, and in time it’s becoming clear from the silhouette that it’s becoming a dragon.

Spike: Oh my gosh, it may actually be happening! This thing must be my birth mother’s spirit!

Twilight: No way… We’ve never seen ghosts before! Are we sure this isn’t some dangerous shapeshifting monster?

Twilight is quickly prove wrong however as the silhouette of the dragon fades out and even gives at least some of the color of who it was supposed to be. Celestia, Malakhar, and the Sultan recognizing those colors.

Celestia: Pink scales…

Sultan Theandri: Green back plates…

Malakhar: Twilight… Spike… this is the dragon who died here… and Spike’s birth mother… there is no mistaking it… She looks exactly as I saw her back then…

Twilight just is speechless, wide-eyed, and mouth agape. The others basically confirmed that the spirit had been summoned. Was this what Spike’s desire was that the Dragon Tear granted? Do Dragon Tears have the ability to allow the living to see and even contact the dead? She is just entirely mind flooded, as the spirit continues to show more of the dragon who died here. Soon the full dragon can be seen. with a white glowing outline over the entire body and the spirit being somewhat transparent

The spirit dragon’s head comes into full view, eyes closed but are soon opened. As she looks around, and finds she was summoned at the very spot she died in. She then takes a look at all the ponies around her until she finally takes a look at the little purple dragon with the glowing Dragon Tear. She lowers her head to take a closer look at the little dragon. At first, kind of freaking out Spike. But she then smiles, and with a gentle voice that slightly echoes, that the other ponies can’t tell if it’s because of the cave or just an ominous effect of a spirit. She says…

???: Hello, my child…

Spike goes wide-eyed hearing the voice of her mother for the first time and doesn’t even know what to say first to of all things, the spirit of his birth mother. He manages to lightly raise a claw and waves, though it’s a bit shaky and he just ends up replying with:

Spike: U-u-ummm… h-hi?

Upon hearing the voice of the spirit, that’s when it sort of sunk in to the ponies in the cave that this was real. A dragon that supposedly passed away years ago is now in front of them. Most just standing there with mouth agape, but perhaps most attentive is Celestia who realizes she… recognizes that voice.

Celestia: T-that voice! I could never forget it… you were the voice in my dream! I knew it!

???: And I recognize your voice as well, Princess Celestia. I admit, I’m a little surprised I got this chance to appear before you all as well. But I’ll relish it, I’ve long wanted to know for sure if me and Celestia’s joint desires were granted. I see that I had a young son in the egg I left here… Tell me Princess., who was the one who hatched my son?

Celestia: Her name is Twilight Sparkle. Princess Twilight Sparkle in fact, she’s the purple alicorn next to your son. I promise that she very much fulfilled many of my wishes, she and her friends freed my sister. Twilight was also quite the worthy student, she would become a Princess of Equestria. And within a year from now, I will officially step down and let her take the reins.

And I do believe that she fulfilled your wish too.

???: I am happy to hear that everything worked out for you, Princess. Though to be absolutely sure that I got my wish as well, I must hear my son’s own opinion. What do you say? Has she been the perfect mother for you, that I wished

Spike thinks for a moment but first suggests something else before he gives his answer.

Spike: I promise I will answer you soon, and I also assure you that you’ll like my answer. But… I don’t think we got properly introduced, I know that being… well… dead… can kinda make introductions rather weird. But I’d like to at least know the name of my birth Mother before I say anything. In exchange, I’ll say my given name for you to call me.

???: I suppose that’s fair… my name… is Jennesis

Spike remembers that name from a conversation with former Dragon Lord Torch.

Spike: I… I remember hearing that name… former Dragon Lord Torch mentioned you!

Spike’s birth mother, now known as Jennesis just gives a deadpan expression on the mention of Torch. Just about the equivalent of reminding Rarity about Prince Blueblood.

Jennesis: Ugh… Torch… he was one of the most self-centered jerks of a mate I ever met… I tried to make it work in the few years I was with him… but he just never got better… I cringed whenever he called me Jenny…

Spike: Heh, no wonder he mentioned that you would of never agreed to lifetime marriage if it existed in the Dragonlands.

Jennesis: Yeah… because our relationship was mostly beneficial to him… pardon if this is a rather dirty subject in front of you ponies. But Torch mainly loved me for our intercourse together, and my kindness towards him he only really just took advantage of to get me to have sex with him every week or so.

He didn’t like abuse me, as he did actually somewhat respect whatever kindness I gave him.

Besides, I was bigger then him at that point, if he had ever tried to hit me. He’d face the wrath of an angry full grown female dragon.

Regardless, I wouldn’t say him wanting to have a pony-style lifetime marriage with me is him necessarily saying he cared about me. Just simply what’s best for him every now-and-then.

Spike: I guess while we’re on the subject of mates, I don’t suppose you know who my birth father could be?

Jennesis: I’m afraid I couldn’t specify, since I likely had multiple mates at the time I could of possibly started incubating your egg, and I’ll admit they may have been mainly one night stands, where I didn’t even get the names of them. I will say at the very least that they were all dragons about as big as me at least. Even if I know that doesn’t exactly narrow it down that much.

Spike: Gotcha. That’s alright. I don’t necessarily need to know who my father is, that’s sometimes normal for Dragons after all.

Jennesis: *nods* Now what is your name? Perhaps it shouldn’t be right to call you my son when you have had a new mother that I’ll be speaking with… as soon as she gets out of her shocked trance *giggles*

As Jennesis noticed, Twilight still has her mouth agape that all this is happening, maybe even partly regarding the subject manner mentioned in her conversation with Spike. Occasionally blinking, but otherwise has barely said a word. Spike himself laughing a bit, though soon goes on to tell his birth mother’s name.

Spike: My name is Spike.

Jennesis: Ah, Spike. Simple name, but I guess it works. Anyhow, I am actually somewhat familiar with how I was summoned, but was never certain I’d actually get the chance to get summoned down like this. But I’m glad that I did, so I could meet you, and hopefully with what I hope was indeed your “Perfect mother”.

Spike: I suppose I should answer how I feel about Twilight then. Yes, I very much consider her the best mother I could of asked for. We sort of grew up with each other first, at the time I was hatched. Twilight was a little too young to consider herself a mother. But through her entire rest of her childhood and teenage years as Celestia’s protege. And then a few adventures after meeting our friends in a town called Ponyville, we sort of became closer.

Then one fateful day in Saddle Arabia, she became a genie. Which gave her the chance to be able to take care of me for far longer then if she remained a mortal pony. Of course, she’d find out later that she was going to be able to do so anyway when Celestia was ready for Twilight to ascend into an Alicorn, but she couldn’t have known that at the time, plus the fact she chose to be a genie for my sake was a huge sign she saw me more then simply a younger sibling or an assistant.

She very well knew that becoming a Genie meant she’d one day outlive her friends, but she realized perhaps that she wouldn’t be where she is had she not hatched my egg, she’d never be where she was then and perhaps felt some responsibility for me. I also impressed her during our very first visit to Saddle Arabia when I did everything I could to help Twilight learn about herself as a genie, I helped her realize some of the pros of being a genie, after she had a pretty disastrous introduction to becoming a genie after Malakhar tricked her. Even if Malakhar had good intentions. I kind of had to go-to bat for the part of her mind that was now an internal conflict in Twilight’s own mind on whether to stay a genie or not.

And when the decision came down, she hugged me for the remaining minutes of the time limit. Promising at the very least that she’d be around for the next 1000 years.

Then, about a year after she became a genie… I came to a realization about me and Twilight’s relationship. And through showing some of our memories… I would call Twilight my mother for the first time ever… it caught her by surprise, to the point I wasn’t even sure if she was going to actually agree to being my mother… but then she teleport hugged me, and said she would be honored to be my mother. From there, she’d adopt me the next day and we’d proceed to have more adventures over the many years since. It took a little while for the butterflies in my stomach that I felt every time I was about to call Twilight my Mom, but now I’m at a point where I casually call her Mom all the time.

So what I’m saying is… I definitely think your wish for my perfect mother was granted. Albeit it surely was a slow process and wasn’t as simple as soon as Twilight hatched me we were mother/son right away. As Twilight’s own mother and Celestia generally helped out early on, but what matters is I consider Twilight my Mom now… and there’s no one else I’d rather it be…

Twilight finally breaks out of her trance as she’s been listening to Spike’s heartwarming summary of how they’d come to see each other as Mother and Son. Giving out joyful tears.

Twilight: Spike, what you just said deserves a hug…

Twilight walks over to Spike, sits down and hugs him tightly. Spike hugging back as well. This makes Jennesis smile, as it looks like indeed she got what she wished for.

Jennesis: I’m thankful, there was a part of me that was scared in my final moments I might of messed something up when I sent out my desire. But, looks like the power of the dragon’s tear as long as a desire has been said before it loses power, it still gets granted…

After a long hug, they finally let go and Twilight finally starts talking to Jennesis. Twilight’s ears perk noticing something Jennesis implied.

Twilight: Wait, Jennesis. What do you mean by that? Wasn’t there no dragon tear found around you when you died?

Jennesis: The truth was, I actually did cry out a pretty large tear before I died. A pretty big chunk too, I knew I was dying in the cave so I had to act fast. I had just laid Spike’s egg, and I quickly spoke into the Dragon’s tear that I desired the egg find the perfect mother. I saw the Dragon Tear work it’s magic giving the egg a barrier of magic protection that you, Twilight, would break in order to hatch Spike.

However, I had been away from Saddle Arabia for so long, I wasn’t sure if there were any remnants of that radical part of the Anti-Genie regime that wanted to use dragon tears to make those awful genie controlling devices. So after making my desire, I destroyed the dragon tear. Crushed it into pieces and used my last breath of fire to turn the pieces into unusable ashes.

Malakhar gasps

Malakhar: (So that’s why my grandfather never saw one back there…)

Jennesis: I had lived long enough to know things about just about everywhere in the world, including Saddle Arabia. I knew that Dragon tears had immense powers, especially when used by a dragon, in fact… it’s because Spike made his desire to see me known to the dragon tear on his necklace… that I was even able to be summoned. Becoming a genie is literally the only other way a non-dragon can harness the power of a Dragon’s tear. And even then, they don’t quite have all the same abilities a dragon with a Dragon’s tear does.

As you can see by myself being here, Dragons using Dragon Tears can summon the spirits of the deceased. Though one caveat, is in order to summon a spirit. The dragon themselves or at least someone else that is touching the dragon’s tear must be related by blood, had been lovers, and/or have had a close friendship. You can’t just simply look up the name of a historical figure that you never got to know, think of them, and summon them. You had to actually have known them, or hope they were somewhere in your family tree.

Twilight’s admittedly sort of disappointed with that, but she might understand why and asks just to clarify.

Twilight: So basically… the Dragon’s Tear has to actually sense a legit close relationship of some kind with the spirit in order to summon them. Whether they were family, friends, or even lovers that have passed?

Jennesis: Exactly

Twilight: What if a family member was at odds with another even after they died and thus not really close? Does that mean they’re cut off from being summoned?

Jennesis: Well, if a family member wasn’t particularly close with another family member even after they died, usually that would mean the one that could summon them probably likely wouldn’t want to summon them to begin with. But I suppose if you convinced someone to summon a family member they didn’t like, the blood relation is still strong enough to summon them on it’s own.

Though blood relation doesn’t necessarily just override a need for friendly relations with a family member, it also overrides if you never knew them to begin with. Like, I don’t think Spike necessarily loves or hates me, since he never got to meet me before I died. But he could still summon me, purely from blood relation.

Twilight: What if… someone bystanding a spirit summon sort of becomes friends with a spirit by talking to them. Does that work as a sort of loophole?

Jennesis: Unfortunately, no. Even if say we officially became friends now, you’d still need Spike or if you just so happen to find any friend or other dragons that I was a mother to that’s still alive. If hypothetically the one who summoned me was another dragon that was not Spike, and you tried summoning me because we became friends while I was a spirit. It wouldn’t count.

Twilight: Alright, I think I understand. If I’m hearing this right, when my friends in Ponyville have passed… me and Spike should be able to summon them from being great friends with them… Spike, suddenly one of the biggest cons about being a genie will be much less bad!

Spike: Yeah! That’s awesome! And we can also help others see beloved friends and family members who have passed!

The others in the group speak up

Malakhar: I could see my Grandfather again!

Sultan Theandri: I could get advice from all the former Sultans and Sultanas in my family dynasty! Or give advice myself if a future Sultan should they remain in blood relation!

Celestia: Me and Luna could be able to see our many departed generations of friends and loyal guards and staffers!

All of them just perhaps have some of the biggest smiles they’ve had in a longtime, joyful tears just thinking about the possibility of seeing either friends or family that have long been gone. Though Twilight gives an ahem before giving one more important question to Jennesis.

Twilight: Say Jennesis… how do you know all this anyway. A lot of what you told us isn’t something I’d expect a dragon from outside Saddle Arabia to know. You seem quite knowledgeable about Dragon Tears and Genies.

Jennesis: Well… I could say it’s just from how long I’ve lived. As after all when I died, I was well past 100,000. But I suppose it’s true that I wouldn’t have come across such knowledge, had I never met Jinn.

Twilight: *gasp* You met Jinn?!

Jennesis: Yes, it was a real long time ago. In fact I may have actually been Spike’s age at the time I first met her. But Jinn was a very fascinating pony, I learned a lot about Saddle Arabia, genies, and of course the Dragon Tears in the thousands of years that I got to know her, and call her a friend. Many of my own morals were taught by her, and I’d also assist her in her plight in escaping the Anti-Genie regime.

Though this kind of stuff would be easier, and quite frankly safer, if you could summon Jinn, somehow someway. I do at least know Jinn had a family, after she let herself become mortal again. Do any of you know someone of blood relation to Jinn? Or… but this would be kind of unlikely… someone who was good friends with Jinn back when she was alive

Malakhar immediately speaks up on the former. Twilight ponders a bit before she realizes they also have somepony who was good friends with her too.

Malakhar: My marefriend, Kubuya is blood related to Jinn

Twilight: And there’s also Somnambula! She’s been in limbo for a long time but she was brought back a few years ago, and she was friends with Jinn back in the day.

Jennesis: That’s great! Bring them both, just for good measure.

But perhaps I should at least give the short of why I must start going, and tell you that there is a danger to summoning too many spirits at one time. You shouldn’t summon down more then 50 pony-sized spirits at one time. Nor more then 2 fully grown dragon-sized spirits, it’s quite frankly risk enough to summon me down for reasons Jinn will explain soon.

Spike: Are you saying you don’t want us to summon you ever again?

Jennesis: Not ever again, just don’t overuse it, by summoning me all the time. I’d like to see you as much as I can, being your birth mother and all, but us spirits actually have a purpose where we go. Again, Jinn will clarify everything. And it’ll be safer for the world that she’s the one explaining all this, rather then me. Since she’s only one pony.

I do want to say that I’m proud of the dragon you are, Spike. And I am happy that you have found your perfect mother that I desired. Even if you never summon me again, I am most certainly eternally happy that what I desired has come to pass. As for you, Twilight, the perfect mother that I wished for. I am so happy to hear about your dedication to my son. Please continue to be the best mother for him, I know you’ll be very capable.

And to Princess Celestia, thank you for listening to me after your dream that one time. Doing that was risky on my part, and couldn’t really do that for much longer then I did. But I had to make sure things came out favorable to the egg. I am also happy to see all your wishes were granted as well, I wish you a happy retirement along with spending plenty of time with your dear sister.

Spike, Twilight, and Celestia all have joyful tears at Jennesis addressing them all.

Spike: Thank you for setting us on the paths, that we are on now. We will always appreciate that.

Twilight gives Spike a wing hug while waving to Spike’s birth mother.

Jennesis: Thank you Spike, now please deactivate your dragon tear and allow me to return…

Spike: Alright Jennesis, my birth mother. Perhaps I’ll summon you again some other time just to talk for a bit. But until then, this is goodbye.

Spike closes his eyes, focuses as he puts a hand on his Dragon Tear once more. The tear had been glowing the entire time Jennesis has been in the cave, albeit a decent amount dimmer then it was when she was being summoned. It starts glowing brighter again, as the spirit of Jennesis starts forming again into the giant sphere that had left the group in the cave awestruck. Finally, the Dragon Tear’s glow fades away slowly as it now as the sphere once again goes into a comet shape but now going out of the cave. Once the spirit has left, the group in the cave just looks at each other all with smiles on their faces as they are in full realization what kind of avenues this revelation brings up. But of course, they plan to do what Jennesis told them….

Summon the first ever genie in history, and learn some important stuff she knows about this newfound ability of the Dragon’s Tear.

UP NEXT: Chapter 21 - Life is Magic, Part 1

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 21: Life is Magic, Part 1

Just moments after Spike’s birth mother Jennesis’s spirit was sent back. Twilight got set to create another gum portal to get between the palace and the cave faster.

Malakhar: Mind if I come with? I’ll help getting Kubuya here

Twilight: Sure thing. Just follow me as soon as I’ve made the portal

Malakhar nods, then Twilight makes a portal back inside the palace. They then head over to where Malakhar and Kubuya’s shared room was. They open the door quietly in case Kubuya is still sleeping, and indeed she is. Malakhar leans in closer to Twilight’s ears to whisper.

Malakhar: I’ll go wake her, Be right back.

Twilight nods and Malakhar approaches the bed quietly. Malakhar gets to the side of the bed and lightly shakes his to-be wife in two days. Kubuya starts waking up but still a little groggy, she looks over and sees Malakhar there and smiles.

Kubuya: Oops, did I oversleep a bit, honey?

Malakhar chuckles

Malakhar: Kind of! But it was a long, fun night yesterday. So it’s understandable

Kubuya sits up, stretches her front hooves and yawns.

Kubuya: So what’s the plan for today, we’re still two days away from our wedding...

Malakhar: Believe it or not, Twilight’s just outside our room and she needs you to help out with something important.

Kubuya: Huh? Why does Twilight need me? What can I do that’d be so important?

Malakhar: You’ll see in a moment, just trust me and her that it’ll be something special.

Kubuya: Well… ok... if you and her truly think I can help with whatever it is. But I’m not sure I can think of anything else other then knowing how the city library organizes the books *giggles*

Kubuya follows Malakhar out of the room and as Malakhar states Kubuya finds Twilight waiting for her.

Twilight: Good morni… or well I guess... it’s already close to noon at this point. But regardless... hello Kubuya. Hope you had a good rest.

Kubuya: Same to you, Twilight.

Twilight: Now we just need to get Somnambula for what we’re doing next.

On Twilight’s suggestion once Starswirl spread the word to them, the Pillars of Equestria attended the ball and had their own fun if lowkey time together at their table. Most of the pillars choose to go back once it was all over, however Somnambula happened to be the only one to decide to stay a little while longer. Either through more affinity for Saddle Arabia, or perhaps as some respect for her friendship with Jinn to see the wedding of her friend’s descendent.

Twilight, Malakhar, and Kubuya eventually find Somnambula who is talking with Princess Luna.

Malakhar: Hm, I wonder what Princess Luna’s doing here.

Twilight: I’m not sure, but I wonder if we should have her along as well. You told me she saw Jinn before right?

Malakhar: I’m not sure she’ll be able to help summon Jinn, as I’m not sure meeting her once as a filly is criteria for the friendship requirements to summon Jinn from Spike’s dragon tear. But it couldn’t hurt to have her see it as well, she’ll probably go if she knows her sister is there too.

Twilight: Yeah, sounds like it’s at least a good idea for her to see our discovery too.

They approach closer and call out to the two.

Twilight: Hey Somnambula! Princess Luna!

They turn towards the voice and see Twilight walking along with the soon to be married Malakhar and Kubuya

Luna: Ah, Princess Twilight, Malakhar, and Kubuya. Hope you all had a good night at both the ball and a nice rest.

Twilight: We certainly did, but we need you and Somnambula to come with us. We have something you absolutely must see, I promise it will be worth going. Princess Luna, your sister is there too.

Somnambula: Oh you found something I might be interested in seeing?

Twilight: Very, you could say… I found a great source of hope.

Somnambula smiles

Somnambula: Well, I’m alway up to see something that can provide hope! Sure, I’ll come along.

Luna: I will come along, too. I trust you and my sister have found something of great interest.

With that Twilight, Malakhar, and Kubuya are now accompanied by Somnambula and Princess Luna back to the portal Twilight left originally, and they’re all soon back in the cave. 

((Story continues after the break))

Somnambula and Luna look around, Somnambula in particula thinking that they were going to see the very thing that Twilight was hinting at once they got past the portal looks a little confused.

Somnambula: Um, Princess Twilight. I’m not sure a huge dragon skeleton in the middle of the desert is really a source of hope…

Twilight: That’s not it, well technically it’s related to a little earlier. But look, I need both you and Kubuya to touch the dragon tear on Spike’s necklace.

Kubuya and Somnambula look at each other before shrugging and then heading in front of Spike to touch the Dragon’s Tear

Twilight: Now I need you both to think about Jinn. Imagine that inside your head, you’re talking to her, even if it sounds silly. If you could send a mentally-sent message to Jinn, what would it be?

Somnambula goes wide-eyed

Somnambula: Wait, are you saying you found a way to contact the deceased?!

Twilight: You... could say that…

Kubuya: Twilight… if this is true… this is the most amazing discovery in perhaps tens of thousands of years! In other words, one of those too good to be true kind of stuff…

Twilight: Just trust me on this, Kubuya. I wouldn’t have gone through the effort of finding you and Somnambula if I hadn’t seen how this works firsthoof. Even if you find it hard to believe, speak to the Dragon’s Tear through your mind, as if you got a chance to speak with Jinn. Of those I know personally, only you two can do this.

Both Kubuya and Somnambula think for a moment then about what they would say. They still have one of their the hooves on Spike’s necklace, they close their eyes, and in their heads say what they want to say.

Somnambula: (Jinn? If you can actually hear me… this is your friend Somnambula. I just want to say I miss you, and would do anything… to somehow see you again… I was in limbo for a very long time, and I never got to say goodbye… so I’d very much appreciate that, if it’s possible…)

Kubuya: (Erm… hello… Jinn? My name is Kubuya, i’m… a descendent of yours. I don’t know where you are, or if this even works. But supposedly, I can contact you like this… I have always been curious at what you were like. And I would love to see you for the first time… you mean so much to my family history and all of Saddle Arabia itself… it’d be an enlightening experience just to even see you, let alone being able to speak to you…)

Spike then puts his own hand over the Dragon’s Tear to activate it. The process can work with just pony thoughts, but it still needs a Dragon to sort of be a conduit to use the Dragon’s Tear and send whatever thoughts or desires a pony has. Soon the tear gem starts glowing just as it did when Spike unknowingly summoned his mother. Twilight smiles.

Twilight: Looks like it’s working!

Kubuya and Somnambula still rather confused about all this, just either keeps an eye on Spike’s glowing tear or looks around the cave for whatever this was supposed to do. Soon, another white energy comet comes down from the sky towards the inside of the cave. This time much smaller then the one of Jennesis’. Mostly because this is a pony spirit, it’s just naturally a smaller size. Once again it becomes a sphere that floats in front of the group. Somnambula, Kubuya, and Luna all awestruck at the sight. Luna looking at her sister as it appears, noticing Celestia has a smile watching what’s happening. Meaning obviously Celestia saw this already a little earlier.

The sphere soon shifts into the form of a pony, the clear shape of hooves, mane, and tail. The silhouette then makes way for some color and specific details, just like with Genesis the spirit is outlined by a white glow. Jinn herself is also white but thanks to the transparency of her spirit, it is dull enough to make out despite the white glow, her mane is round and very light blue, both the mane and tail end in a hook of a mane that sort of resemble the end of a genie tail on it’s own. Her actual pony tail also light blue and decently long, She even has her genie attire on. Her eyes are closed as she fades in, but once everything has settled. She opens her eyes to reveal the light purple shade of her eyes. She tilts her head and smiles in front of the group.

Somnambula can’t believe her eyes, Jinn was truly in front of her. Her tears welling up with joy, and despite the transparent look of Jinn’s body she couldn’t resist and decides to try to hug Jinn’s spirit.

Twilight: Wait! Somnambula you’ll just fall thro-

But to Twilight’s surprise, Somnambula actually does manage to get a hoof around Jinn’s neck to hug and sob joyful tears into Jinn’s shoulder. Her tears fall through Jinn’s spirit, but otherwise Somnambula is actually physically touching a spirit. Giving the rest of the group even if they were here when Jennesis was first summoned, a bit of another surprise. Meanwhile, Somnambula’s just having a joyous reunion.

Somnambula: Oh Jinn! I missed you so much! I can’t believe you’re actually here! As a spirit, but here nonetheless!

Jinn: It’s good to see you too, Namby!

Twilight: Whoa… you’re actually touching the spirit! I was so sure you were going to fall through…

Kubuya taps her hooves together a bit, and asks Jinn something.

Kubuya: May I… give Jinn a hug, too? We are family after all…

Somnambula lets go of Jinn and lets Kubuya give Jinn her own hug. Kubuya also manages to give her ancestor a hug. Twilight is kinda curious herself and sees if she can give a hug as well.

Twilight: So uh… can I give you a hug from one genie to another?

Jinn slightly giggles as if she knows something, but she outstretches her hooves as if to call Twilight to do so. Twilight approaches, and she decides to try a jump hug in confidence after seeing two previous hugs work. But instead of jumping into Jinn’s hooves… she falls through and faceplants on the floor. 

Jinn laughs, having known that was likely going to happen. Twilight a bit dazed but she gets back up.

Twilight: Hey… Why couldn’t I hug you, when Somnambula and Kubuya could?

Jinn: Hehe, sorry. Only those who are capable of summoning the spirit are actually able to physically touch them. Looks like we’re not related, and we never met when I was alive so…

Twilight: You knew that? Then why did you outstretch your hooves to anticipate a hug?!

Jinn: Just a little prank on my end *giggles*

Twilight: From the stories I hear about you, I never imagined you were the pranking type... I thought you were simply a benevolent genie that sort of responded in a sage-like way to everything.

Jinn: I may have tried to be a bit of a fuddy-duddy so I could be responsible with my wishes at first. But I eventually relaxed and allowed me to be myself what with some of the silly things we genies could do *Jinn spins her eyes* Some reason no history writers ever wanted to write about my sense of humor, my own book explaining about Genies I even had to tone the comedy down, unfortunately. *Jinn spits her tongue out*

Malakhar and Sultan Theandri suddenly get a little closer and just sort of kneel before Jinn.

Malakhar: Jinn… it is such an honor to meet you. Much of Saddle Arabia still reveres you greatly.

Sultan Theandri: Even as a Sultan, I feel to be unworthy in your presence Jinn. You are not just a legend here… you are THE legend here…

Jinn shakes her head and laughs a little

Jinn: Oh come now, yes, I’m the first genie. But you don’t have to kneel to me or say you’re unworthy in my presence as if I created the entire world. If there’s one thing that Anti-Genie regime was actually right about, we genies are ponies just like you. We were fellow friends, powerful friends with crazy amount of magical power yes, but friends nonetheless.

Both Malakhar and the Sultan sort of surprised at the adherence to modesty. Like Twilight they’ve always been led to believe some rather exaggerated view of Jinn as more omniscient and/or quite a level above everypony. Perhaps they just read too many books that sort of depicted her as some god.

Jinn: Guess, that’s just some sort of air about me I may have to keep dispelling, if I’m summoned here more in the future.

Princess Luna suddenly approaches.

Luna: I… remember you… I was a filly… lost in a forest… but after giving me 3 wishes… I ended up back home…

Jinn squints a bit given Luna is so large she is probably decently different from how she looked as a filly.

Jinn: Ah yes, you are the filly I helped out that one time aren’t you? You’ve sure gotten so much bigger!

Luna: I actually thought the time we met was only a dream. But I guess I was really lost?

Jinn: You were a pretty scared little filly, I sort of set things up to make you thought it was all a dream to sort of comfort you. Your sister didn’t even know you were gone for too long.

Celestia: If that is the case, thanks for helping out my sister when she got lost.

Jinn just smiles at the Alicorn sisters. Then Twilight finally starts speaking again to Jinn.

Twilight: So… Jinn… we spoke with the dragon Jennesis before you were summoned…

Jinn: So this is where she went from where we were, huh?

Jinn looks behind her.

Jinn: Wonder if that was a little awkward for her to be spawned where her skeleton is…

Twilight: Huh? Where you and Jennesis were?

Jinn: Yes, where we go when our souls have left our bodies AKA when we died.

Twilight: Well… I guess that works into getting into what my first question was going to be. Summoning you and Jennesis has proven without a doubt, some kind of afterlife exists in our world. Are you willing to tell us, what happens to the souls of the deceased?

Jinn’s general happy demeanor suddenly reaches a more serious expression that stares at Twilight. She said that she’s a pony that likes to have a little humor, but even she understands that there are times to give a serious look, given the stuff she’s about to say.

Jinn: Before I directly answer this question, I need to tell you some facts about the way our world works. Twilight, have you ever wondered why we ponies need to move the sun and moon every day?

Twilight: Huh? Well… I guess in my younger years I was curious. But I’ve just generally accepted that’s just the way it is. No specific reason why, it just is.

Jinn: There in fact is a reason for that, and not even the sun and moon princesses themselves know why.

Celestia and Luna go wide-eyed that Jinn is claiming there’s something about the Sun and Moon they don’t know.

Twilight: What?! How can Celestia and Luna not know everything about the sun and moon?!

Jinn: Simple! Nopony, not even the Alicorn sisters have been far enough up in space to see!

Twilight: Wait, that’s not true. Luna was sent to the moon!

Jinn: Ah, moon banishment… (Things must of really got serious between the two at one point to resort to that… looks like thankfully they’ve made up) That however doesn’t send a pony to the outside of the moon, they’re sent INSIDE the moon.

Twilight: …I guess that does make sense… the tale was Mare IN the moon… not ON the moon. But what exactly is up in space that we haven’t discovered? Don’t tell me that like… those crazy ponies who think the world is flat are actually right or something?

Even though Jinn has been serious, she can’t even stifle her laughter at the thought of Flat-Equestrians.

Jinn: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahaha. Sorry, sorry. I couldn’t help myself. That was just funny. No, those flat-equestrians have never been correct. There was a lot more of them during my early time as a genie, but even as far back as then most knew our world was round from as simple as Pegasi going pretty high up in the air in all corners of the world, and seeing the same round shape wherever we go

Twilight: Hehe, yeah. At this point they’re like a fringe group of less then a dozen ponies, mainly cutoff from much of the country.

Jinn: Hehehehehe, I guess I should actually back to explaining things, but just to say it. Yes, our world is round and has always been round.

Jinn tries to get back to her serious explanation but still kinda breaks composure every so often to laugh again.

Jinn: Alright then… as much as I laugh about the flat-equestrians, ahahaha. There is perhaps one thing in their theories ahehehe, that is just about near on-the-money. And thats the way our Sun and Moon act are quite strange. 

Going back to what I said, we ponies for some reason have to move them whether it’s a whole group of unicorns like the old days, or currently the Alicorn sisters. But do you know what would happen if Celestia and Luna just decided to like… not move the Sun or Moon for a full day? A week? Months? Or even years?

Twilight ponders for a moment in a scenario where Celestia and Luna just decided not to raise the sun and moon each day.

Twilight: I imagine our planet still rotates? But maybe a lot slower? In other words, day and night cycles would last several days or even weeks?

Jinn: Nope… the Sun and Moon would just never move at all!

Twilight goes wide-eyed with her mouth agape

Twilight: WHAT?!

Jinn: Yes, without our magic. Our Sun and Moon would just stay where they are on the sky. And what’s more, our planet does not rotate at all. This is also why Pegasi control the weather in most places without rotation… Clouds can’t quite get there by themselves without a rotating world.

And if the Sun and Moon does not move, nor does the planet rotate. It would result in half the world becoming a frozen wasteland. While the other side becomes a large desert if left like that for long enough. The only solid habitable areas would be the areas just between the two sides that would be under an eternal Twilight or Sunset essentially.

Twilight muses to herself for a moment

Twilight: Well, I guess I know what would be the result if I went with my own “Eternal” time of the day like Nightmare Moon did. *giggles* Though Jinn, if you spirits go up in space. Are you able to see if other planets in our universe are like this?

Jinn: We don’t know if it’s like this in other potential planets with life in our vast universe. This could be very well normal in the universe, or we could even be some strange anomaly. But either way, us spirits can plainly see our world where we go to.

Twilight: Then I suppose this is a good time as any to finally explain where the deceased go?

Jinn: Ok… so anyone who has ever lived on our planet that had an average, normal life or better all end up as where we are. All kinds of life: ponies, dragons, wild animals, and even the souls of plants end up there.

Jinn winks and leans in closer to Twilight

Jinn: However, the plant spirits aren’t exactly very talkative. *giggles*

But ahem… when someone... or something in the case of the plants… the spirit inhibiting the body out of our planet and stops and joins all the other spirits encircling our little space in the universe,we spirits flow around our planet and the Moon. We are entirely invisible to the living. But we are all there, most creatures and plants that have ever lived on the planet… Has been around us the entire time. Just invisible, and way, way, way, up in space that no pony alive has ever reached before.

Twilight: Fascinating… but does this shield made by the streams of life in all our history, have a purpose?

Jinn: Yes, we spirits protect our planet from the most dangerous objects in space reaching us. Whether that’s large meteorites, or stray solar flares that might heat up our planet, melting the ice caps, and flooding the planet.

Twilight: I see… now… I noticed you said MOST life that dies ends up up their in the soul shield up there… are there exceptions?

Jinn: Yeah… anyone who was evil or otherwise generally unhappy doesn’t go up there. Instead, their spirits become some sort of dark magic that cause havoc on the planet. And in some cases, damage our shield up there temporarily. An example of said dark magic… are the Windigoes. They’re actually formerly a type of extinct prehistoric horse closely related to our own prehistoric descendants but instead of working together and making up the core values that would later become our world’s friendship. The horses that would become the windigoes depended on hate, rage, and violence in a world ravaged by ice and snow.

In fact, you know when I said what would happen to the planet if the Sun and Moon never moved for a longtime? That was actually once the norm for our planet. And our prehistoric ancestors were at tribal war with these horses for their very survival in some of the deepest parts of the planet where only the moon shined. Our own land of Saddle Arabia, actually started because a few tribes that befriended each other decided to try move in to the warmer part of the planet to escape those prehistoric horses. Those horses had lots of fur and tougher-built bodies that gave them an advantage in a world of ice an snow, but it becomes a weakness when they tried to attack in the warmer areas of the planet. The side where the sun only shined came with it’s own dangers as well, but for many of the first settlers in the land that would become Saddle Arabia. It felt much safer, then the moon’s side of the planet.

The Windigoes are the most well-known example of the dark magic that came after the death of those who were evil. Though they may certainly be other examples even if it’s perhaps unknown what exactly was the evil that died that contributed to such areas, the Everfree forest for example may be such an area. The dark magic collected there may be why it’s one of the few places where clouds move on their own and often are bad news, such as uncontrolled thunderstorms.

While I’m not sure if many civilizations understood why, executing and/or otherwise killing threats ended up biting the land in the flank later. That’s actually why… perhaps subconsciously… our society tries to instead turn enemies into friends… or failing that, trapping them in a sort of permanent state of still technically living, but unable to die, such as being turned to stone or otherwise trapping them in places they’ll never return from.

But regardless, the more evil a threat was. The more consequences there were, if they died. Granted, with a dead villain of the magnitude that reforming isn’t an option. It was still better to contend with the consequences of killing them of it compared to what they were trying to do when they were alive. But the result of killing threats just got to a point it wasn’t advisable. As aside from their death unleashing consequential dark magic to fight, but often killing only made them martyrs if they had any followers and/or others that would be inspired by villainous acts. Some taking the acts of dark magic, as the result of the death of such villains as righteous retribution and a sign that the forces of nature was on their side.

The good news however, is the opposite is also true when it comes to the good. The more someone was a good and powerful hero, the more strength they provide our shield up there. And often said force of good inspires their own friends and family still living, to be strong forces of good that leaves the living prepared against the wreckage of dark magic. Size also matters as our shield would not nearly be as strong as it is now without dragons like Jennesis. The reason why she couldn’t be the one to explain what I’m telling you now even though she would be quite capable, is it’s actually somewhat of a risk for her to be down here, because when she came down it leaves a hole in the shield that even with all the life up there, we have to work overtime to try to make sure nothing dangerous comes through the hole. When you summon me, even if I’m a pretty strong force of good myself. It’s a much easier patch up, then a full grown dragon that lived a full life and found friendship.

Twilight just sits there trying to digest all this new information in her mind. She’s close to an epiphany, of what this all means.

Twilight: This is all amazing information… so villains that have died wreck havoc on the world in different ways… and those who are good or at least had normal lives patch up a shield that protects our planet. The good are actually rewarded for their service by continuing to protect our planet… and now we know Dragon Tears can allow us to contact the dead. Or at least, the dead that are personal friends, lovers, or family… I feel like I’m close to realizing something… but I think I may need to ask one more question before I really say it for absolute certain…

Jinn: Anything, shoot me with whatever ya got.

Twilight: What… exactly is a Dragon’s Tear? Why is it so powerful?

Jinn: Very good question, Twilight. I’m glad you asked that. As you’ve heard, the Dragon Tear’s often only come from dying dragons. Though not all dragons who died left one, it takes a dragon having found friendship within their lives to make it more likely they leave one. And also as I’ve told you, dragons who found friendship absolutely offer the most support up in the shield. But if they’ve left a tear, it meant they had so much excess soul magic, that some of it had to be left on the planet.

Twilight: I actually have a bit of an addendum about this… you see… Spike cried a Dragon’s tear. However, he’s still living because he managed to use it to save himself and my friends. Is there an explanation for that?

Jinn: …Oh wow, Spike had to been through a real emotional scene to have done that…

Yes… it’s technically possible for a dragon to drop a Dragon’s Tear and live. But… it has to be basically a near-death experience and the dragon has to have fast reflexes and amount of love for those he wishes to protect to just manage to use their own Dragon’s Tear to save others.

Twilight: And that’s basically what happened… I can give the details about what happened a little later… you may continue answering my Dragon’s Tear question.

Jinn: Right, but basically all I have left to say… is that the Dragon’s Tear contains excess soul magic of the Dragon that passed. Most of the soul magic is what makes up the Dragon’s spirit that heads up in the shield. But a Dragon’s Tear contains within it the power of a Dragon Spirit that can either be used to protect with powerful magic shields around the living and/or contact deceased spirits when used by a dragon

Twilight gasps, knowing that’s the reason why the main use of the tear was a shield that protected her friends and Spike himself from the blasts that Zathir made Twilight while hypnotized blast at them. Though she is also affixed on Jinn saying soul magic.

Twilight: Jinn… you mentioned soul magic… multiple times now in fact… Is every single spirit in the shield up there made of this same soul magic?

Jinn nods vertically to indicate a Yes

Twilight: Then… are our souls… magic?

Jinn: You are sooooo close to getting it! Think a little more broadly then souls…

Twilight: More… broadly… then souls…

Twilight suddenly perhaps expresses a gasp so loud it echoes throughout the cave.

Twilight: Magic is not just friendship and love, or even just our emotions whether good or bad… Magic also isn’t just the spells we cast… nor is it just the many magical artifacts and items that exist in our world… it’s... life… 

Life itself… is… Magic too!

UP NEXT: Chapter 22 - Life is Magic, Part 2

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 19: The Royal Ball, Part 7 - The Taste Of Fresh Dough On The Tray

As things settle with the crowd that things are starting to wind down with only one performance left followed shortly by some dancing, many decided to head back to the tables they were at for the beginning, for example all the mothers in the M.I.L.F. club went back to the tables with their families as they’ve had a nice, long meeting already. Moondancer & Prince Theandri as well as Big Mac & Sugar Belle stay where they are for their dates (Honeymoon in the case of the latter couple) as most of the elements and Spike hug their family and/or friends before starting to head back to the table. 

Applejack of course has been at that table the whole time, though Starlight gives her one more hug before returning to the table where Sunburst and Trixie sit. Both thanking each other for the talk they had earlier, and/or Starlight comforting Applejack after Sweetie Belle’s song touched Applejack.

Eventually the Elements and Spike are back telling each other about any notable things they talked about with each of their families and friends after they all split.

Applejack telling her friends of how much Sweetie’s song moved her. Getting some sympathy hugs from her friends in the process.

Rainbow Dash hanged out with her Wonderbolt team, and even had a nice talk with her parents.

Rarity spoke to the Sultana from down on the floor while the Sultana was still up in the balcony if she could meet her, Coco Pommel, and Sassy Saddles for more of the fabric she received last time she was in Saddle Arabia. And of course she got to see her little sister perform for a big audience just on her own singing voice for the first time.

Pinkie mostly spent some of her time with her family from the Rock farm as they reunited with Maud, who’s lived in Ponyville for over 2 years now. Lime, Marble, and Pinkie’s parents meeting Mud Briar for the first time. All realizing that Mud is basically Maud but interested in trees, rather then rocks.

Fluttershy played some card games with her family and Discord. She also finally told her family about what happened to Mr. Mousey’s passing and got some comforting hugs from her parents knowing how much she cares about her animals back home.

Spike saw Thorax, Ember, and Gabby for some time. Thorax and many of the other changelings absolutely satisfied with the night as they got a pretty good fill of love from all around. Ember mainly hung out on her own but enjoyed some of the food provided, and Gabby accompanied Derpy as fellow mail carriers.

And Twilight told her friends all about what happened with Moondancer with the Prince, and about herself joining the M.I.L.F club where all their mothers are a part of. The former getting a lot of awww’s though also an amused surprise hearing that Moondancer had feelings for Twilight as a teenager. And after hearing that the Prince had set it up even at the cost of  possibly Twilight breaking his heart again by taking Moondancer from him, Rainbow Dash says to Twilight that she retracts everything she ever thought about him in the heat of the moment after the messy end of his “date” with Twilight.

Just about as everyone has caught up, the Palace Staffer once again goes up on stage to announce the final performance.

Palace Staffer: Prepare for the final performance... The very funny Cheese Sandwich! Who knows what he’ll have for us!

Pinkie grins that Cheese Sandwich is finally performing

Pinkie: Finally! I’ve been looking forward to this! Come on, Cheesy! Gave us a good show!

Within a few moments, the lights start dimming expecting the show to start and a spotlight hits the center stage. However, Cheese hasn’t shown himself yet. At first, Pinkie and the audience was expecting this to just be part of his act and he was going to just pretend to get on stage late. But as more and more minutes roll by without Cheese appearing. Concerns about him being a no-show starts to worry those watching. The audience goes though a few more minutes before everyone starts asking the family member or friend next to them what’s the hold up.

Pinkie: Awwww man, is Cheese going to be a no-show like Trixie was last time we were here…? I guess I can step up and do an impromptu show like I did when Trixie didn’t…

She slowly turns over to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The two remembering what Pinkie made them do last time immediately respond.

Applejack: Oh HECK no, Pinkie. We ain’t goin’ up there in dancer outfits again!

Rainbow: Yeah! Don’t even think about it. If you want to sub for Cheese, you’re doing this on your own!

Pinkie: Ok ok ok, fine… Geez…

Pinkie hops off her seat and heads up stage and goes into the spotlight on to the stage.

Pinkie: Since it seems Cheese is a bit of a no-show, I’ll do some acts of myself since the only sub for a party pony, is anoth-

Suddenly the spotlight light color changes becomes pink and when Pinkie notices, the circle shaped spotlight had also shifted in shape into a heart. Followed by the beginning of music playing and the sound of Cheese’s voice making some acapella-like sounds. Though neither Pinkie nor the Audience can see him yet.

((To the tune of Kiss From A Rose by Seal))

Cheese Sandwich: Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

(Then another spotlight, also pink and in a heart shape is lit. Showing Cheese Sandwich in a tuxedo holding a mic from a balcony just to the left of the stage. Pinkie turns looking up, watching him as he starts his song)

Cheese Sandwich: Theeeere… used to be a little colt alone under a tree…

Yoooooooou became… the mare that could set me free…

Loooooovvee remained… a sugar bag that’s too high for me to reach…

But did you know?

That when you show…

My eyes become large and the… Party in the room, becomes so fun…

Pinkie!

I compare you to the taste of fresh dough on the tray…

Oooh, the more I get of you, the sweeter it feels, yeah…

And now that your cannon’s gone boom…

The streamers go vroom…

And our love starts today…

(Pinkie blushes and has joyful tears stream from her face hearing what is obviously Cheese’s confession of love put in a song, he purposefully pretended to not be able to do his performance and predicted that Pinkie would go on stage to try to be his substitute being the other party pony in the room. Pinkie grabs the mic, and sings her own verse while looking up at Cheese still on the balcony)

Pinkie: Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

There is so much a mare can tell you, so much she can say…

Yooooou remain, my powder, my flour, my grains!

Cheesy…

To me you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny…

I know my diet’s not exactly healthy, Cheesy…

But did you know?

that when you show…

My eyes become large and the…

Party in the room, becomes so fun…

Cheesy!

I compare you to the taste of fresh dough on the tray…

Oooh, the more I get of you, the sweeter it feels, yeah

And now that your cannon’s gone boom…

The streamers go vroom…

And our love starts today…

(Cheese Sandwich then swings down onto the stage via a string with a hook to grab onto and joins Pinkie in Center stage. Cheese and Pinkie now in eachother’s hooves as they do a slow dance in a circle as they turn the final part of the song, into a duet. The two spotlight hearts on the two ponies coming together to as a signal to the audience of two lovers being together for the first time.)

Cheese & Pinkie: Iiiiii smell the fresh dough on the tray…

Iiiiii smell the fresh dough on the tray…

Iiiiii smell the fresh dough on the tray…

Iiiiii smell the fresh dough on the tray!

Cheese: There is so much I can tell you

Pinkie: So much we can say…

Cheese & Pinkie: Yooooou remain, my powder, my flour, my grains!

To me you’re like a growing addiction I can’t deny

I know our diet’s not exactly healthy…

Cheese/Pinkie: Pinkie…/Cheesy…

Cheese & Pinkie: But did you know

that when you show…

My eyes become large and the…

Party in the room becomes so fun…

Cheese/Pinkie: Pinkie!/Cheesy!

Cheese & Pinkie: I compare you to the taste of fresh dough on the tray…

Oooh, the more I get of you, the sweeter it feels, yeah

And now that your cannon’s gone boom…

The streamers go vroom

And our love starts today…

Yes, I compare you to the taste of fresh dough on the tray…

Oooh, the more I get of you, the sweeter it feels, yeah

And now that your cannon’s gone boom…

The streamers go vroom

And our love starts today…

Ba da da, ba da da da da da, ba da da

(Cheese and Pinkie stop dancing and now just stare at each other, back in each other’s hooves. Their faces gradually getting closer.)

Cheese: Now that your cannon’s gone boom…

Pinkie: The streamers go vroom…

Cheese & Pinkie: And our love starts todaaaaaaaay…

And as the song ends, that’s when both move in for a deep, long kiss. With a huge d’awww from just about the entire audience that becomes a big applause. They didn’t just get a show, they got an adorable public confession of love starting a relationship between the most well-known super party ponies in the world. 

((Story continues after the break))

Pinkie’s parents smile for their daughter, with her mom Cloudy Quartz in particular with some liquid pride. Maud and Marble each smile for their sister. Though Limestone scrunches her nose, moving her eyes from side to side, crossing her hooves. and slightly grumbles in a little bit of a totally-not-jealous look just like when she heard that Maud got a special somepony.

Moondancer and Prince Theandri II also noticed the performance, happy for the other couple that started their relationship on the same night as them.

Moondancer: Looks like we’re not the only ones to become special someponies tonight.

They look at each other again, before having another kiss for themselves.

Pinkie’s friends are also super happy for her, clapping for the performance. Rarity shedding joyful tears for Pinkie.

Rarity: So cuuuuuuuteeeeeee!

Rainbow: Haha, that was pretty adorable, I’ll admit. I never would of guessed Pinkie would of been the first of us to get a special somepony, though. Well uh... I mean specifically since Twilight first showed up in Ponyville… since aside from Fluttershy who I’m pretty sure never had one, I don’t know if you girls had any exes in your teenage years or anything.

Applejack: Didn’t Rarity kind o’ have Blueblood for ah little bit, even if she hated his guts within the first few minutes of meeting him?

Rainbow: I guess so, but she’d probably hiss if we count that, given she’d like to forget his existence.

Rarity just crosses her hooves and pouts remembering what happened with her and Blueblood at the first gala they went to. Twilight and Fluttershy just giggle. Pinkie Pie comes down the stairs along with Cheese and heads back to the table with her friends. Twilight the first to greet them.

Twilight: That performance and simultaneous confession was adorable, Cheese Sandwich!  And you seem to be mutually pretty happy about this, Pinkie. Though I wasn’t even aware you had feelings for Cheese that way.

Pinkie: I guess I just never really outwardly make it obvious since I make it seem I like most ponies equally! Althoooooough, I will admit I started to think Cheesy was pretty cute when he was here for Rainbow Dash’s birthaversary years ago, when we worked together to make the party. I don’t know when Cheese started having feelings for me, though.

Cheese: Pinkie, I’ve likely had feelings for you a long while. Remember when I told you that you’re the one who inspired me to be the party pony I am today when I was just a colt? I could say maybe that was when it started, though I mainly idolized you first. I even got a plush that resembles you, that I would always hug to make myself feel better when I was sad.

Then I visited Ponyville and dueled you in a goof-off, I was facing my party pony idol going blow-for-blow. Then you forfeited the duel, and I… felt bad. I was actually hoping our duel would just escalate into more and more craziness and maybe like… as we end up covered in flour or something else, we realize fighting over who gets to headline a party is silly and we just decided to mutually work together. I… never intended to take your title of the super party pony of Ponyville. Just show what I’ve learned from you, no… perhaps it was actually more then that… I wanted to impress you… and i guess while we worked together on Rainbow Dash’s birthaversary… that’s when I also saw you’ve grown into a beautiful mare.

I already told you that I planned to get a home in Ponyville two weeks ago, but now I can say that this was my big motive for doing so. I hope to spend much of the rest of this everlasting party we call life together with you, Pinkie.

Pinkie once again starts shedding joyful tears and hugs Cheese. While they’re hugging, Cheese asks Pinkie something.

Cheese: Pinkie, mind if I ask you something?

Pinkie: Yes, Cheesy? *Blinks while anticipating something romantic*

Cheese: Do you know any lawyers? I’m not sure I ever asked permission from the singer for us to parody the song we did

They let go of the hug, and Pinkie raises an eyebrow.

Pinkie: Huh, what?

Cheese: Sorry, yeah… just I still remember when I got into a liiiiiittle bit of trouble for not asking permission of the singer themselves when I sang Rock Farm Paradise to parody Coolicolt’s Dragon Paradise. I do make sure I get permission from the actual record holders, but just in case I do actually get sued this time… *Sheepishly grins*

Coloratura happened to be nearby and replies to Cheese Sandwich.

Rara: I think you’re fine, I know the pony who sang the original. PegaSeal would be alright with you and Pinkie’s personalized version of Kiss From A Rose.

Cheese: Oh ok, good. *phew*.

Sans Smirk suddenly approaches the couple and he has some liquid pride of his own for his former boss.

Sans Smirk: I am so happy for you, sire! I wish you and Pinkie a happy life together, should you two end up marrying.

Cheese: Thank you, Sans Smirk! Make sure to keep the factory going as I spend time in Ponyville

Sans Smirk: Of course, sire!

As things settle down after the adorable performance Pinkie and Cheese, the Palace Staffer goes up to the stage to pronounce all the performances has finished and get people be prepared for the dancing coming up soon.

Palace Staffer: Thank you Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie for absolutely giving us all an adorable and heartwarming performance! Perhaps, it’s fitting that in a royal ball taking place before a wedding in just 3 days, we end off with even more love in the air.

Now though, we are just about almost finished with the night. But in a moment or two, we will have Vinyl Scratch back on stage to be the DJ for our ball’s dance. And the tables you’re all sitting at will be folded up and put away, for as the Sultan mentioned before… You’re all actually on one large dance floor below your hooves or feet. And for at least for the next hour and a half once it begins, you may dance to your heart’s content!

This is the last time I’ll be on stage tonight. For when we are done dancing, you will all either return home or take a room in the palace for the next few days. Thank you all for being a wonderful audience, and I hope you all had a great time!

The staffer walks off stage and claps spread across the room. Many already standing out of their chairs to stretch and warm-up before getting ready to dance and/or as a courtesy of when the many staffers start moving all the tables and chairs from the dance floor they’re standing on. A few moments later, Vinyl’s DJ equipment is moved from backstage. Vinyl herself stretching before getting this place ready for her to get this place pumping up with the jams that everyone will be dancing to. At the same time, staffers start moving the many, many chairs and folding up the tables to move them. The dance floor gradually opening up, and now many walk around looking for others to dance with if they aren’t already with the group.

Aside from Pinkie who chooses to dance with Cheese, the elements mostly want to dance with each other. Though that doesn’t stop from a certain tall green stallion from trying to make a move on a certain rainbow-maned sky blue mare.

Zephyr Breeze: May I have this dance, Dashie?

Rainbow: OH HEEEEEECCCCCCCK NO!

Rainbow bucks Zephyr up into the air from a blow right below the chin catapulting him quite a few feet in the air. Even though this was her brother that was just attacked, Fluttershy giggles. Besides, Zephyr always tells Fluttershy that it’s still worth it everytime. Sometimes making Fluttershy wonder if her brother’s a tad masochistic… given no matter how many times he tries to flirt with Rainbow, it always ends up with him in pain.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders along with Babs also decide to dance with each other. Celestia and Luna plan to do some sisterly dancing. The Student 6 all generally dance together, though must like the prom they had a little while ago Yona and Sandbar dance together.  Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst are also dancing with each other.

Though not everyone necessarily plans to dance. Zecora, Tree Hugger, and Somnambula are instead doing some meditation and/or yoga with some Saddle Arabians.

Many of the married parents of course dance with each other. Twilight Velvet & Night Light, Windy Whistles & Bow Hothoof, Cadence & Shining, Cookie Crumbles & Hondo Flanks, Posey Shy & Gentle Breeze, and Cloudy Quartz & Igneous Rock all each having their own style to dance and/or memories of when they’ve dance together before.

Velvet: Oh honey, this brings me back to our Prom date!

Night Light: Sure does… though I hope that doesn’t also mean you end up accidentally blasting me and I faceplant into the ceiling again…

Velvet: Hehehe, who knows… I may do it on purpose this time, just for old times sake!

Night Light: *gulp*

Photo Finish takes this opportunity with less tables to obstruct the view of her camera in getting as many of the celebrities, and ponies in fancy dresses as she can. Prince Rutherford also get ready to do their dance though others that aren’t yaks around them make sure to get a good distance to they end up smashed by the Yaks type of stomp dancing. Malakhar and Kubuya, the to-be newlyweds in 3 days, are going to dance together, Kubuya knowing classic Saddle Arabian dances, Changelings like Thorax and Ocellus dance, though the dragons Ember and Smoulder think dancing is a little much so they just lean on the wall. But smile for the friends who will be dancing the night away.

Twilight’s old Canterlot friends aside from Moondancer are dancing together themselves. Lyra in particular of course will be alongside her special somepony, Bon Bon. However, moving on to Moondancer, she has a conversation with the Prince that will surprise him as they prepare to dance themselves.

Theandri II: Are you ready to dance?

In front of the Prince’s eyes. Moondancer’s adorkable smile shifts into a smug grin with half-lidded eyes.

Moondancer: Ohohohoho, you have no idea how ready I am!~

Moondancer takes off her large dress to reveal a Saddle Arabian dancer outfit. The leggings similar to Twilight’s genie leg accessories, but Moondancer also has a semi-transparent dancing mare outfit on her torso as opposed to only the leggings. Moondancer also unpins her hair to let a long mane flow down. Both her outfit and her leggings a similar color to the red of her mane and tail, she really looked like a Saddle Arabian princess now. She turns around at her royal special somepony, still with the smug grin he gave him.

Moondancer: My name isn’t Moondancer for nothing~

The Prince is shocked, but intrigued and blushing a deep red. The mare who was timid just meeting him, and mainly a kind bookworm for the rest of the night until now, seems to have transformed into a confident temptress once it came time to dance. But he certainly loves it all the same.

Theandri II: My my, you’re a different mare when you’re about to dance aren’t you?

Moondancer puts a hoof on the Prince’s shoulder to explain a bit.

Moondancer: Usually when we were younger, me and Twilight were a lot alike. If it weren’t for our different colors or cutie marks, probably no pony would of been able to tell us apart when we were fillies. But as we reached our teenage years, there were a few big things that made us different enough to diverge to where we ended up, I was far more interested in love then she ever was for one, I’d have passing infatuations with Stallions most of the time, though like much of everything else in my life in general. Things came to a halt after Twilight didn’t show up for my courtyard party for… obvious reasons that you know now.

Another big difference between me and Twilight, to be blunt… Twilight’s just not a good dancer at all.  While I always loved dancing in general. Though I rarely ever get a chance to show my dancing skills, because again, I locked up myself in my home for a good portion of my life, and rarely went to social occasions. But I spent plenty of my alone time reading about and performing dances on my own. And of course, I had to learn the most seductive dances I could find, if I ever did find a special somepony.

And there were no dances more seductive then those that originated in Saddle Arabia. Though in order to really get in the mood for those sort of dances, I had to learn to sort of… think past any timidness I had socially to effectively do these dances, even if I was dancing alone. I first needed temporary confidence spells when I was learning to perform these. But overtime, or possibly my mind sort of started to imprint the effects of the confidence spells over time. I sort of… gained a mental switch specifically for when it was time to dance… I only need to repeat myself in my mind that it’s time to dance to activate it…

But that also means you better not be too bad at dancing yourself… cause I might end up embarrassing you on the dance floor in front of your subjects~

She once again gives the Prince a smug grin. The Prince just laughs.

Theandri II: Maybe I won’t quite be as good as you if you’ve been learning our dances for years, and even going as far as gaining a mental switch in your mind to really get into them. But I wouldn’t say I’m too bad myself, my Mom’s always been a pretty good dancer. She taught me everything I know in that department.

Though remember when you told me you were afraid that the citizens of Saddle Arabia might be wary about you not having been here for very long? I already said to you that I knew they’d like you because I know your kind demeanor and bookworm charm, would endear you to the public.

But if there were any remaining doubt, that’s gone now. Because also knowing many of our dances, AND having a bit of a hidden side to you when you dance… if it wasn’t for the fact you’re going to be taken. I probably would of had to fight off dozens of other stallions our age… and probably mares too, given you’re Bi.

But how about you give me a taste of what I’m in for, so at least I’ll have a good idea of what I’ll have to match up to.

Moondancer: Gladly~

Moondancer demonstrates her skill for the prince.doing several ballet spins first, a few cartwheels, teleporting herself into the air to do some aerial spins and landing perfectly on her hindlegs that probably would of got herself a perfect 10 score on the landing if she were in an Equestria Games gymnastics event. And to top it all off, gyrates her hips in a style vital to many traditional Saddle Arabian dances for mares. The Prince amazed and blushing deep red again.

Theandri II: (She wasn’t kidding… I will never forgive myself, if I fail to marry her… she’s too perfect…)

Vinyl Scratch finally starts pumping up the jams. For the next hour and a half, all kinds of ponies along with changelings, yaks, dragons, and more dance to the beats Vinyl puts up. Vinyl even keeping in mind the place they’re at, and including a few Saddle Arabian instrument sounds into her remixes.

For much of the dancing time, the dancing goes as well as any other large gathering aside from of course being careful around the large adult yaks dancing. Perhaps the most eventful is when Vinyl decided to dedicate a segment to more romantic dance music. In which most of the crowd gathers around a circle as they watch couples both married or still dating in the middle. At some point it becomes a sort of impromptu competition with no real stakes involved but nonetheless got some couples feeling competitive. It gets to the point where Twilight Velvet & Night Light, Pinkie Pie & Cheese Sandwich, and Moondancer & Prince Theandri II are the final 3.

Velvet in a desperate ploy to get an upper hoof on the others makes do on her warning to launch Night Light into the air right up into the ceiling. Though she makes sure to catch him with her magic so he isn’t seriously hurt, but the launch into the ceiling still kinda hurt him to the point he can’t really dance for much longer. Night Light’s a bit dazed but he manages to laugh a bit and joke to his wife.

Night Light: You’ve still got it, honey! That’s for certain…

So Velvet bows out, leaving Cheese & Pinkie along with Moondancer and the Prince as the final 2. Both being the couples that started their relationship just tonight. Despite plenty of Party experience, Pinkie and Cheese are constantly surprised at what Moondancer is capable of. And try their best to go blow-for-blow, but perhaps in a little bit of a case of home field advantage, the loudest cheers come for the couple of the Prince though they are noticing that the cheers aren’t really for the other couple just because the Prince is in it, but the cheers got louder with each dance Moondancer was doing.

Pinkie: Darn! How come Twilight never told us Moondancer was such a good dancer…

Cheese: Um, Pinkie. It’s kinda in her name, maybe we should of realized that from the start.

Pinkie: Oh my gosh, that’s true! And it is nighttime so the moon is out too... I wonder if when the moon is out, it makes her even better!

Cheese: Heh, a were-dancer would certainly be something

Luna who happened to be nearby knowing the Moon doesn’t work like that, just rolls her eyes.

Soon Pinkie and Cheese bow out as well leaving only Moondancer and the Prince left. Even though they by all means “won” this unofficial competition, they’re still dancing. And that’s when actually Moondancer and the Prince save their best dances for last, they go in full sync with each other. Theandri throwing Moondancer up into the air, who proceeds to do more aerial flips. The Prince going into a handstand position. Moondancer perfectly landing on the top of the Prince’s hindlegs in the air. And they balance off each other for a good 5 seconds. Before Moondancer does a backflip in the air, the Prince standing back up.

And perhaps taking some inspiration from Twilight’s mother’s last part of her dance. Moondancer throws the Prince up in the air, though not quite as high as the ceiling as to not hurt him. And while the Prince is in mid-air. Moondancer teleports, now holding onto him in a hug. They flip together, the audience at first averts their eyes thinking the couple’s going to get hurt once they hit the ground, but just before they hit the ground, Moondancer teleports again just a few feet away and they’re back on the ground, with the Prince in Moondancer’s hooves. Moondancer is standing as the Prince is leaned over in Moondancer’s limbs. Moondancer then tops things off, with a kiss on the lips. Getting both d’awww’s and cheers from the crowd around him.

Saddle Arabian Mare: Is this mare going to be our next Sultana? She’s just perfect! I want to learn from her!

Saddle Arabian Stallion: The Prince is certainly lucky to have found such a talented mare…

The Sultan and the Sultana themselves have watched from the Balcony. Super impressed with the display their son and Moondancer showed. They knew the Prince was pretty good having taught him themselves, but they quickly found they can already tell they were going to like Moondancer a lot.

Sultana Elona: Moondancer’s already a better dancer then I ever was… our son truly found a great mare.

Sultan Theandri: And from what I hear, Moondancer’s quite similar to Twilight in her kind demeanor and nose for the books. So it’ll be like we have our own Twilight in the Palace!

Sultana Elona: Yes, she’ll absolutely love the royal library.

A few moments later. The signal goes out that the dancing is coming to an end, Vinyl turns off her machine. And those who plan on heading back home get in touch with any of the Elements to inform them they’re heading back home while also thanking to invite them.

Though some do get a word in before they go. In particular Discord has pretty much surprised the Elements that he… didn’t actually do anything crazy at all.

Twilight: I was afraid you were going to pull off some shenanigans during this, Discord. But you never did a thing… so thanks for behaving I guess?

Discord: I’ve told you before, perhaps not doing anything is the most chaotic thing of all. As you expected it too much, I’m not about being predictable. Besides, there’s no budget in this thing...

Twilight: Huh, what?

Discord: I bid adieu! I’m out of this story.

Discord snaps himself out of the Palace.

Meanwhile Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine all go to see Moondancer after her amazing dance performance.

Minuette: MOOOOOOOOOONDANCER! I had no idea you were such an awesome dancer!

Moondancer: My name never gave it away, ey?

Twinkleshine: Well, just because my name is Twinkleshine doesn’t mean I shine all the time, I would think I would be a Crystal Pony, if that were the case. But yes, we wish we could of known you loved dancing so much before you decided to move away from Canterlot. Me and the others could of pointed you to a few clubs in Canterlot.

Moondancer: Oh I knew about the many places in Canterlot where they hire dancers, but I never wanted to dance for money whether it was for being a background dancer during concerts or… night clubs if you know what I mean. I only wanted to dance for, when I finally found somepony. I initially of course dreamed of one day getting to dance with Twilight.

Lemon Hearts: Even though we all know she was a terrible dancer?

Moondancer: Maybe, but in a hypothetical situation that she did have feelings for me then, I was thinking I’d also get to enjoy teaching her how to dance like me. However, seems like that was never meant to be… but I’m more then happy to finally show it off after meeting the Prince

Minuette: So um… now that you are set on moving into Saddle Arabia. Are you staying here from now on? In other words, we’re never going to see you in Canterlot again?!

Minuette looking at Moondancer with a somewhat sad face

Moondancer: Well… I’ll be staying here to attend Malakhar and Kubuya’s Wedding. But after that… I’ll probably at least spend one last month to say my final goodbyes to everypony that I’ll be leaving behind in Canterlot, including you girls. I’ll probably introduce the Prince to my sister and my parents. I plan to ask Twilight for some of that portal gum she used to get us all here, so I can go between Canterlot and Saddle Arabia more smoothly, as otherwise it would take forever for me to truly be ready to move-in to the Palace here. I have lots of books and stuff from my house to bring over here.

But yes, once that’s settled. I’ll likely remain in Saddle Arabia for a long time, especially if I end up becoming the Sultana, in which if I do, it’ll be for a good majority of the rest of my life. I’ll have a whole nation on my shoulders should that come to pass, but should any royal duties bring me to Canterlot to be on the negotiating tables with Twilight. I’ll try to find time to visit you girls again, I promise.

Minuette starts tearing up

Minuette: WE’RE GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUUUUUUUCCCCCCCHHHHH!

Minuette hugs Moondancer and starts sobbing into her shoulder. Moondancer tearing up herself a little.

Moondancer: I’ll miss all of you girls, too! Just know that I’ll forever be grateful for your friendship, and that I’ll be super happy in Saddle Arabia, once I’m living there on a mostly permanent basis. On the bright side, you’ll get to see Twilight more often in a year… even if that comes with the caveat that she’ll have Celestia and Luna’s combined schedule so probably not for very long most of the time…

Twinkleshine: Yeah, we mostly expect to mostly get a few waves and a hello from her, but otherwise probably unfortunately still a little difficult to see her other then I guess events like the Summer Solstice or the Grand Galloping Gala

Lemon Hearts: But at least it would because of her duties, and not both her studies and disinterest in friendship.

Moondancer: I tell you what, on the last full day I’m in Canterlot. We’ll have one big party with just us 4 at Donut Joe’s together, how does that sound?

The promise of donuts seems to cheer up Minuette fast

Minuette: Oh yes! Dooooooonnuuuuuuuuuuuts!

Twinkleshine: I’m in

Lemon Hearts: Sure, Moondancer!

Moondancer: Thank you girls, I’ll be back home after the wedding, so if you need to see me before our donut party I’ll still be living in my Canterlot home for the next month. Now how about you all come here for a group hug.

Lemon Hearts: We actually might stick around for the Wedding, so we’ll take rooms.

Moondancer: Oh then I guess I’ll see you all at the Wedding!

Moondancer stretches her hooves to the side to anticipate a big hug and the Canterlot friends that still stuck by her even at the fateful courtyard party all approach for a big hug. Moondancer then heading to a room of her own in the Palace. While the rest go to their own rooms too.

Meanwhile Starlight, Trixie and Sunburst have been together talking about the grand time they had at ball, though perhaps Starlight has her mind set on tomorrow. Given her plan to finally end the search for her mother.

Sunburst: So… finally going to get your answers about your mother tomorrow, huh?

Starlight: Yeah… tomorrow my life’s going to change in a big way somehow or someway. I will finally know much of what’s driven my past. It’s pretty nerve-wracking, I feel like at least personally, the whole world’s going to be different once I find my mother.

Sunburst: If you’re going to see Twilight, she will be in her castle despite also going to the wedding. Just to make sure nothing like what happened the last time Twilight was sleeping in her bottle in Saddle Arabia happens again.

Starlight: Yeah, I was thinking maybe I’d head on over there as well and sleep in a bedroom near my office in the school of friendship so I can go see her soon after I wake up. But what about you Sunburst? Are you going to stay here?

Sunburst: Actually, I think I’m going to see my Mom in Sire’s Hollow

Starlight: Hmm? That’s a surprise, what for exactly?

Sunburst: Well, I guess I feel a little bad for not seeing her much at the Ball considering how much fun Twilight and others had with their family. So I thought maybe I’d spend a day helping out my Mom with things as a courtesy.

Starlight: D’awww, that’s pretty sweet of you Sunburst! And now for Trixie… is it ok I give a mission for you?

Trixie: Depends what it is, but I’d love to help if I can.

Starlight: Can you go over and tell Twilight before she goes home that I want to see her sometime tomorrow? I know she might just end up being in Saddle Arabia for a good while because she plans to be at the wedding. I’d like it so I can just simply tell her and we can go on our search for my mother, but she might have her own plans.

Trixie: I can do that, but of course you could try to ask her if she’d like to help you with your mother right now.

Starlight: It’s too late in the night though, I don’t think I even have the energy to go on a life-changing reunion with my Mom right now. And even if I did, if my Mom’s still out there… I’m not sure waking her up at like 3 AM in the morning is a good idea to start a reunion.

Trixie: Good point, I suppose. Well I’ll go see her then, be right back!

Trixie heads out to see Twilight who is currently still helping some guests get back home. Twilight sees Trixie and waves.

Twilight: Hi Trixie! You going home too?

Trixie: I probably will when all is said and done but… I actually need to tell you that Starlight really, really, really wants to see you tomorrow at some point.

Twilight: Oh? Is that so? I do kinda have to go somewhere with Spike, Princess Celestia, and Malakhar first in the morning. But sure, I’ll keep it in mind to go see Starlight sometime tomorrow.

Trixie: Thank you, Twilight. That’s all I wanted to ask. Seeya later!

Twilight: Bye Trixie!

Trixie walks back to where Starlight was

Starlight: So what’s the verdict?

Trixie: She said she’ll see you tomorrow, though she wants to do something with her dragon son, Princess Celestia, and Malakhar first if you can wait.

Starlight: Yeah I’m sure that’ll be fine. Can’t imagine whatever Twilight’s going to do is take too long. So I guess we’re good till’ tomorrow then. Here Sunburst, your piece of gum to go to Sire’s Hollow. And here’s me and Trixie’s portal back to Ponyville.

Sunburst, Trixie, and Starlight each go to their homes. Albeit in Sunburst’s case, his old home to sleep in his old room before spending a day with his mother, to make up for not talking much at the ball. But Trixie heads back into her wagon, and Starlight eventually gets to a bed installed near the Principal’s office at the School of Friendship. At first keeping herself awake knowing she’ll finally get some solid answers about her life tomorrow, before finally heading to a deep sleep.

By now, everyone who went to go home has gone. And now it was time for everyone still at the palace to sleep in their rooms. Though of course, Twilight’s an exception that she’s still going home but will still be back in Saddle Arabia. As both a comfort for her friends and herself that what happened the night when Zathir’s desert dogs kidnapped her bottle in the middle of the night. Twilight and Spike head back to Ponyville, close their portal. Put a forcefield on every window or doorway of the castle, followed by a bubble shield around the castle for good measure. Twilight even gets Spike to wish that she could enhance the floor to sense anypony sneaking on them from the ground or floor that isn’t them or her friends. Perhaps overdoing the security measures a bit, but better safe then sorry. And once Twilight and Spike feel it’s safe. Spike gets into bed, and Twilight slips into her bottle.

The ball was over, but with a few days until Malakhar & Kubuya’s wedding. Twilight and Starlight both have plans for tomorrow. And who knows what each, or both of them discover…

UP NEXT: Chapter 20 - Dragon Soul

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 9: The Sands Of Time & Love

While the ponies that make up the Elements of Harmony and their friends and family prepare for the upcoming Royal Ball and Wedding in Saddle Arabia. The capital city is also preparing from as high up as the Royals to the average everyday citizens that are just excited that Twilight’s coming back once more. Since the last time they were here, Saddle Arabia has been well, though the aftermath of the battle with Zathir was surely felt throughout. A good amount of cheers from the entire city were said to be heard when Zathir was sentenced to life in prison officially. And the Sultan immediately made it a directive of the army to apprehend any Desert Dogs, who still maintain some sort of loyalty to the former Vicegerent.

Though aside from stomping down anything remaining of the evil of Zathir, the citizens were kinda afraid the experience would scare Twilight and the others from ever coming back, as it didn’t exactly help that both times Twilight has come here, something happened whether it changed the course of her life by changing her into a genie in the first place, and being forced by a madman to almost kill all her best friends and her adopted dragon son, Spike. Thankfully, the news that Twilight is not just coming back but also being involved a big event where the populace can see more prominent Equestrian citizens, entertainers, and allies from other nations close to Equestria. Twilight’s surely making this her grandest reappearance yet, and that has brought great joy.

Not to mention two citizens who were now renowned as among the heroes that defeated Zathir are getting wed: Malakhar Manat and Kubuya Atka. A pottery shop owner and a librarian respectively. Both also were key players when Twilight was first genified, Malakhar being the first pony in a long time to successfully genify somepony, while Kubuya mainly helped with Twilight and Spike getting information in the library she works at. They met shortly after Twilight first left Saddle Arabia after deciding to stay a genie after all, stroke up a friendship that bloomed into love. And now about 4-5 years later, they felt they were ready to be wed. They’re delighted that the Royal Family are pulling out all the stops for their wedding coming up, hosting a grand event as a precursor though they definitely know that not everybody that will be at the ball, will also stick around for the wedding just days later. But they’re a modest couple that thought at first holding it at the Royal Palace was overdoing it a bit, but the royal family insisted. Regardless of the location of the ball, they’ll be grateful for any number of friends and family that come.

For now however, they’re on a very solemn occasion currently. As before the wedding happens, Malakhar wanted to visit his grandfather’s grave at the Saddle Arabia Cemetery, Kubuya also coming with. Malakhar bringing a bouquet of Flowers, before going in a prayer position. On the stone itself is the words “Here lies Hisan Manat. Proud Grandfather, Father, and Husband. May Wishes Return One Day”. The two just sit quietly for a few moments. In a little bit of time, Kubuya speaks up to ask something of Malakhar.

Kubuya Atka: Say um… if I i may ask. How did your Grandfather come across the Dragon’s Tear that would genify Twilight?

Malakhar Manat: He actually had a secret Dragon’s Tear that he didn’t tell me he had until he was on his death bed. Before then, we were still simply two ponies looking fruitlessly for years for another Dragon’s Tear to show up. Though there was one moment, where we briefly thought we had one come practically in our own backyard.

Kubuya: Oh really? Can you tell me about that?

Malakhar: It wasn’t literally in our backyard, but we were behind our hut at the moment…

*Flashback*

Hisan Minat and Malakhar Manat was up in the morning on what was expected to be just another normal day for the pottery-selling family. A young Malakhar in his teens was shaping up the clay on the spinning tables. His grandfather smiling at his grandson’s work.

Hisan Manat: You’re doing a wonderful job with your clay pots. You’re getting close to mastering them! Once you have, it’ll be time to teach you how to make glass bottles.

Malakhar: Thanks Grandpa!

In a little bit, Malakhar finishes his pot and procedes to place it on a table to later put it in the kiln. Malakhar stretches and proceeds to go outside for some fresh air, his Grandfather follows him. Malakhar looks around the are a little bit before seeing something faint far in the distance, but from the looks of it was something really big. He can just make out what looked like to be big wings and a long neck. He immediately calls out to his Grandfather to look at what he’s seeing. Hisan goes to his son’s side and watches what his grandson pointed to.

Hisan: Malakhar… that might be a dragon!

Malakhar: Oh wow!

In a few short moments, suddenly a big thud could be heard that might of vaguely came from the direction the dragon was coming.

Hisan: That sound… is the dragon dying? Malakhar, we have to go over there right away!

Malakhar: Won’t that be kind of dangerous, especially if it’s still alive?

Hisan: Maybe, but there’s a strong possibility that by the time we get over there, we won’t have to worry about it being still alive.

Malakhar and Hisan immediately head out to trek towards to the direction the dragon might of landed in the desert. To add to the intrigue, they weren’t alone. Sultan Theandri, Princess Celestia, and some Saddle Arabian Guards were also on there way there. Which raised Hisan and Malakhar’s hope that this was something big happening. in time, they find a nearby cave where just near the entrance a big mark in the sand that would fit if a Dragon that fell. Though also from the mark is the prints of a dragon crawling into the cave. Sort of worrying that the Dragon could still be alive and thus would be dangerous to approach the cave. The Sultan’s bravest guards decide to check if it’s safe before anyone else comes in. In time, they come back and say it’s safe because the dragon is deceased. Hisan can barely contain his excitement as this is perhaps the 1 in a 1,000,000 chance that a huge Dragon’s Tear has appeared. Providing enough to chip out to potentially make dozens of genies

However, when the entire group enters the cave. Hisan’s excitement slowly turns into nervousness as he sees no sign of a Dragon’s Tear, and eventually despair as he’s looked everywhere in the cave and see’s nothing. Not even a chip. He falls on his knees and just bangs his hooves on the sand in frustration. Malakhar shows concern for his grandfather though he decides to help by making a closer look around the Dragon. Malakhar first looks at the dead dragon itself, it had light pink scales all over with green back plates, and somewhere near the dragon’s legs was a small egg. It was purple, with darker shades of purple spots spread across it. Malakhar walks up to it, picks it up, and shows it to his grandfather as well as the royals in the cave. He in fact lets go of it carefully, and lays it at the ground near the tall princess, Celestia herself with a solemn sad face with concern for the egg.

Celestia: How awful that this dragon will not have a live mother to care for it. And if nothing is done about it, the dragon inside may never hatch at all…

Sultan Theandri: Is there perhaps a chance we can find the father of this egg?

Celestia: Unfortunately not, Theandri. Or at least it certainly wouldn’t be easy. Dragons don’t have marriages, they have many, many, many mates in their lifetimes. Only the mother takes care of the young. And other dragon mothers aren’t usually open to adoption. I’ll have to take it to Equestria and come up with an idea of what I should do with it.

Malakhar smiles to himself that perhaps he saved a baby dragon’s life by handing over the egg to the benevolent leader of Equestria, who will no doubt know what to do with it. Though he and his Grandfather then just accompany eachother as they leave slowly out of the cave. His grandfather still visibly disappointed the hope for a dragon’s tear went bust.

*Flashback ends*

Kubuya: Awwww, sounds adorable that you saved a dragon egg. I hope the dragon you helped save is somewhere out there.

Malakhar: I certainly hope so too.

Kubuya: Though that is a shame for your Grandfather to be given so much hope that a good sized dragon’s tear was imminent, only to find nothing. Though when do you think you Grandfather got hold of the dragon’s tear he handed you on his death bed?

Malakhar: I’m not exactly sure, though I’d be kinda surprised he found it sometime after the dragon in the cave. I think it’s more likely he had it since before then. But since it was only one chip, he had to be really careful who they ultimately chose to Genify. There was no one in Saddle Arabia that quite made him light up that they were perfect to try to genify at the time. So when he started thinking that maybe the next genie might have to be someone foreign to Saddle Arabia, that’s what led him to his eureka moment, when after reading the news about Nightmare Moon’s return and subsequent defeat by the Elements of Harmony, his eyes lit up and must of decided that the next genie must be one of the Elements of Harmony for the one shot to work. In fact, his very last words on his deathbed to me was “Please, genify the Element of Magic”, handing over the dragon’s tear he had all along to me as his last action before finally passing.

Kubuya: I see, thank you for the insight on your grandfather. I figured I’d ask since we are going to be family soon.

Kubuya gives Malakhar a short kiss.

Kubuya: Though I think I’m going to head on over to another grave that’s here if that’s ok with you.

Malakhar: No problem, I’ll follow you.

Kubuya starts on walking on over to a different area of the cemetery. Before finally stopping at one of the grander designed graves  where it’s tall, and on top is a fastened brown ceramic bottle. This was the grave of Jinn. The first genie, who also remained a genie until the time she was the last genie before Twilight’s genification. She went back to being mortal for rather mysterious reasons as the day she finally came back to Saddle Arabia the populace found that she was a normal pony again. From there she’d have a peaceful life in Saddle Arabia, raising a family that after many, many, many generations eventually gave birth to Kubuya. She was the youngest in the bloodline of Jinn’s family still going on. Kubuya herself even as a family member doesn’t know what Jinn was personally like given it was so long ago she was still around, but her family has always revered her perhaps on a stronger level then most Saddle Arabians already did.

Kubuya: She must of been a great pony, would of been nice of her to remain a genie even to this day so I could of seen her. But perhaps I wouldn’t have been born since she was hesitant to have children as a genie.

Malakhar: I imagine the thought of outliving your own children is a bit tough to swallow. But yes, at least being able to speak with Jinn would of been interesting. Not just because she’s our nation’s most revered figures, but given she spent so much time in history. She probably saw many events across the entire world’s history. Granted, she couldn’t say a lot about Saddle Arabia during a long period since she put herself in exile to make sure she didn’t fall under the hooves of that radical part of the regime that wanted to do what Zathir did to Twilight to genies like her. But wherever she was hiding, she probably found ways to keep up with what was going around.

Kubuya: Twilight would of probably liked to spend a whole month just talking personally with Jinn just to hear all about all the historical events Jinn may have witnessed. *giggles*

Malakhar: I wonder if Jinn would of even been able to handle an excitable Twilight like that, haha.

Kubuya: I think ultimately though they’d be great friends. Twilight would probably get so much insight about being a genie from her, and Jinn herself seeing a new genie around.

Malakhar: Most certainly

Kubuya: But we are where we are, how about we head on back home, dear.

Malakhar: Sure

((Story continues after the break))

Malakhar and Kubuya head out of the cemetery and in time gets back to their home. The place used to simply be a hut, but was since upgraded to a full on house and has windows that display Malakhar’s latest pottery designs for customers to buy. They relax for a moment in the living room.

Kubuya: I wonder how Twilight and the others are doing it at this moment.

Malakhar: If I know them, Twilight already has them hard at work finding their invitees. We’ll probably be married within a month or 2 knowing how effective Twilight could potentially get everybody on board quickly enough.

Kubuya: Hehe, may actually be nice to have it done pretty quickly. I can’t wait myself until we’re officially wed.

Kubuya and Malakhar have a prolonged kiss.

Kubuya: Though… I hope it’s not too much to start possibly thinking about having kids? *Kubuya blushes*

Malakhar just smiles while blushing himself

Malakhar: Don’t worry about it, I definitely intend on being a father. And I think we’ll raise great kids. Though I do have a semi-related question for you.

Kubuya: Oh, what’s that?

Malakhar: We did bring Genies back with Twilight, but of course she lives elsewhere. If we can raise our child in the right temperament, and they consent to it. Perhaps we can bring Saddle Arabian born genies again too.

Kubuya looks off to the side with a rather concerned look, she may not like that this question is being positioned now of all times.

Kubuya: Hm, I wouldn’t be completely against it if done the right way. But I don’t want us to be indoctrinating any children we have that they absolutely must become genies when they’re older. We need to focus on being caring parents first before pressuring them to decide to become genies.

Malakhar: Of course, I know through my own Grandfather’s and my Father’s relationship that the next born may not exactly want to follow everything their father wants. I will definitely focus on being a good father first before thinking of genies, but I’m only saying if we should succeed at both raising a good child and they choose to decide to become a Genie when they’re all-grown up.

Kubuya: Just wanted to make sure that you weren’t saying this was the sole reason you wanted to marry me. I’d like to see more genies around too, but as of right now this is about us and our love. Time will tell if our children decide to do anything significant when they’re older. We shouldn’t be deciding what they do before they’re even born.

Malakhar puts a hoof around her shoulder and gives a gentle smile

Malakhar: Don’t worry, honey. I love you, for you. If there was anything I was doing that made you unhappy, even if it meant I got closer to making more genies I would much rather do anything I can to cheer you up. I’m not going to become obsessed with making more Genies as much as my grandfather was, as in all purposes our mission was completed the day Twilight decided to stay a genie. You’re absolutely right that we probably shouldn’t try to push our child to a direction and let them feel things out naturally. It would be much better if hearing things about the genies as they grew up made them curious about it rather then us trying to push them even subtly towards it. Just based on my father, that’s actually the fast track to make sure they never do what you hope they will. 

Perhaps if I were a single parent, I might of made the same mistakes. But the more grounded and quite frankly smart approach from you is part of why I love you so much, you know how to make sure I remain grounded myself and think critically.

Kubuya’s eyes tear up in joyful relief for her to-be husband’s words.

Kubuya: Thank you, dear. That’s what I wanted to hear. The possible motive of that question just slightly worried me.

Malakhar: Yeah I admit, maybe that wasn’t a good time to spring a question like that. But at least we’re an honest enough couple to talk about our concerns and remain level-headed if perhaps something we say are worded strangely, or otherwise odd timing.

Kubuya gets up close and kisses Malakhar once more.

Kubuya: Let’s just relax until we get word the Royal Ball is underway. It’ll be exciting to see Twilight, Spike, her friends we saw last time, and even all their friends that we ourselves haven’t met yet!

Malakhar: Indeed, it will be. It should be a great night, but most assuredly our wedding will be the best part. *winks*

Kubuya just winks back and the loving couple hug it out and giggle. Before relaxing once again, as they await word for when the Royal Ball and also thus their subsequent Wedding begins.

Meanwhile, at the royal palace. The Sultan and Sultana are supervising the work the many butlers, staffers, and guards who are setting up the preparations for the ball. The stage where all the entertainers about halfway done and all the tables in their spots, albeit folded up. The Royal Chefs are also fast at work preparing the kitchens for what will certainly be a large number of guests. 

There’s also being work done on the Palace courtyard where the wedding of Malakhar and Kubuya will take place in, but there’s less of a rush since it’s slated to be a few days after the ball. And some of the things from the ball’s preparation are going to be easy to simply move to the courtyard such as the tables, for whenever they make a headcount of whomever decides to stick around after the ball for the wedding too, as it’s expected to be a smaller crowd for the wedding, though there will still be some important guests at the wedding such as Twilight herself and her friends.

Sultana Elona: Looks like the preparations are going alright, Theo.

Sultan Theandri: Indeed Elona, I am absolutely looking forward to this.

The Sultan and Sultana of Saddle Arabia has generally remained a peaceful rule since the last time Twilight and the others are here. Though the military actually did get to see some action in hunting down the Desert Dogs and forcing an ultimatum of disavow Zathir’s ways or face the same fate of life in prison.

Aside from clamping down on the aftermath of Zathir’s attempted takeover though, things remained pretty normal in Saddle Arabia aside from said battle with Zathir making Twilight and her friends instant living legends, and anyone involved in the cavern that lives in Saddle Arabia known as local heroes, from Malakhar and Kubuya, the Sultana, and even the Prince who had once been considered the #1 suspect for Twilight’s disappearance for a brief time, since the gossip had come out that he had a date that went wrong with her. When the truth came out that while he did have a rather petty ending to his date with Twilight, he was in the heat of the moment and was going to apologize to her just before Zathir’s plan was put in place. And he along with his mother sneaked up on Zathir at one point to try to make Zathir fumble the lamp. Thus, Theandri II was now considered among the heroes.

Though despite the adulation a hero usually gets, Theandri II still hasn’t quite gotten what’s he’s been looking for: A suitor that he mutually loves, as either he just doesn’t have feelings for any native girl of marrying age, and/or he finds out said suitor doesn’t mutually love Theandri II for him, and were simply trying to eventually become the next Sultana for the fame and fortune, nothing more.

The Sultan takes a brief break from supervising the preparations to visit his son in his room. He finds his son lying on his back in his bed, with a bored expression.

Sultan Theandri: What’s wrong, son? Aren’t you excited for the Royal Ball coming soon?

Prince Theandri II: Kind of, I suppose. I’m sure it’ll be a grand event to attend. I’m just… thinking about other things…

By now, the Sultan usually knows what his son means by other things.

Sultan Theandri: I see, still a little down regarding finding a suitor... I understand it can be hard, it took a while for me to find the right one.

Theandri II: You didn’t exactly find Mother, though. She saved your life, and it was through that you met

Sultan Theandri: True…

Theandri II: The closest to anyone who’s saved my life is Twilight after she gave that beatdown on Zathir. And there’s multiple reasons why me and Twilight aren’t going to happen… I’ve already done all I can to make sure I’m over her. Though I am starting to worry that my slight joke to her before she left Saddle Arabia that someone half like her would be enough… is no longer a joke. I may actually need to find someone out there at least close to being like Twilight…Saddle Arabia has plenty of fine mares… but I can’t say any of them were like Twilight…

Sultan Theandri: I see… well the good news is perhaps someone from Equestria that Twilight and her friends bring might interest you. Granted, there’s always the caveat that they might not be willing to move to Saddle Arabia so easily, and of course you should always keep in mind that they may say no just like Twilight did.

Theandri II: Knowing my luck, that’s probably going to happen…

The prince just kind of slumps off to his side in slight frustration and sadness.

Sultan Theandri: Well, whatever happens at the Ball. You have plenty of time left in your young life to find a suitor. So don’t feel like you have to find someone right away.

Theandri II: I know I have plenty of time, but I’d also like some of that said young life spent with someone who might care for me, as I would them… so it’s been hard on me regardless… Don’t worry about me too much father, I’ll still attend the ball and probably Malakhar and Kubuya’s wedding regardless. I don’t expect to find a suitor even from this, but I’ll try to have a great time regardless what happens. You’re free to go back with Mother and continue watching the preparations coming up. I’m just thinking on my own.

Sultan Theandri: Alright, son. But if you need us for anything, you’re always welcome to come out and help with anything you may want.

The Sultan leaves his son’s room and closes the door. He himself has been somewhat worried about his son’s inability to find a suitor that’s mutual in feelings for one another. But continues to just try and be a supportive father and making sure the stress doesn’t get to his son. Even though it would be nice for him personally, to know who one day he and his wife will step down to give the reins of Saddle Arabia to as well.

He soon returns to the side of his wife, as they await for Twilight to show up with the Equestrian invitee list.

UP NEXT: Chapter 10: Dragon Love

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Epilogue, Page 2

It’s later in the night, with Twilight's balloon ready for takeoff in the background. It's not time to leave yet, however. Standing not too far from the balloon is a podium just big enough for everyone involved in Zathir's defeat. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, The Sultana, Malakhar, Kubuya, the Prince, they were all up on the podium, with Twilight and the Sultan in front. While the cheers from the crowd celebrate the heroes, the Sultan whispers to Twilight.

Sultan Theandri: Princess, why aren't you up on the podium? There's still room for one more on there. Surely you had a hoof in the victory.

Twilight Sparkle; Technically yes, but for most of the fight, I was basically Zathir's weapon. Even if I wasn't in control of myself, I was the reason why the fight was so long. My friends, your wife, and especially my son deserve all the credit.

Sultan Theandri: Wait, you have a son?

Twilight Sparkle: Oh! That's right, I didn't really tell you or the Sultana about that. But there's really not enough time to explain. The crowd's going to start wondering why it's taking a little while for you to make your speech.

Sultan Theandri: Right.

The Sultan raises his hoof, signaling the crowd to quiet down.

Sultan Theandri: Today is a great day for Saddle Arabia. We can finally close a chapter that has long haunted the history of Saddle Arabia. Zathir was the last remaining member of the devilish minority of the Anti-Genie regime that drove the culture we enjoyed for millenniums nearly to extinction. But now that he has been sentenced to life, and all of his Anti-Genie devices have both been compensated and simultaneously destroyed. We are now more sure than ever that another incident like this. will never happen again. It is thanks to everyone on the podium that Zathir didn't use Twilight to transform this great land into a brutal empire. Please give them all a round of applause

The crowd start giving cheers, but Twilight signals the Sultan that she'd like to speak too.

Sultan Theandri: Halt your cheers a little longer! Princess Twilight has something else to say.

Upon the orders, the crowd quiets down once more for Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle: I first want to thank you all for showing up for us. What we all went through was one of the hardest experiences in our entire lives, and to know you all have our backs will help us recover. I want to thank each and everyone of the real heroes for their actions.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash…

You two were the bravest during the entire battle. No matter the odds, you two didn't break down when it mattered most, you led the way during the battle.

Rarity…

Your friendship with the Sultana proved vital in the battle ahead…

Pinkie Pie…

While AJ or RD probably still aren't going to appreciate it well, the dance you had the three of you ended up taking you all to my location faster than ever. There would of been far more damage and casualties if the battle had taken place outside of the underground cavern.

Fluttershy…

You were the one that ultimately saved us all, when you managed to knock Zathir's lamp away long enough for Spike to knock off the collar around my neck. That was no doubt one of the bravest acts you've ever done. Not to mention that your bat tooth saved Spike's right eye. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough.

Malakhar and Kubuya…

You supplied the information that my friends needed to know to help win. And you fought off the battle as admirably as any of my other friends. Kubuya specifically…I hope your ancestor, the first genie Jinn, can forever rest in peace knowing that the device that she and other genies feared so much was destroyed by her own descendent.

Prince Theandri II…

Even when everypony was accusing you of being the culprit, you came back and tried your best to help out during the battle. Instead of having a black mark on your record, you are a hero to all of Saddle Arabia

Sultana Elona…

Your nursing skills were pivotal, and you and Fluttershy saved Spike's eye. Your bravery to go on with us, even when you were as high-ranking as you are in Saddle Arabia, was a noble thing. We'll never forget your kindness.

Twilight Sparkle: But if there is one I want to give special attention to… it's Spike.

If Spike had not been there or did everything that he did, none of the the previously mentioned heroic actions would have even been possible nor would they have mattered. For his spectacular use of the Dragon’s Tear was the first time on record someone used it for more than just a genifying tool. Without Spike's courage and bravery, I would have still been Zathir's weapon. And no pony currently standing on the podium would be standing right now. Please give Spi-… I mean… my son… your most heartfelt thanks

The loudest cheer of the ceremony erupts as soon as Twilight finishes. Meanwhile, she and Fluttershy grab Spike and fly up in the air. Spike is surprised by that, but he smiles when he gets the shower of praise and cheers for his accomplishment, even the near-sacrifice the scar on his right eye now symbolized. The ceremony gradually starts to close, but not without everyone involved getting their well-deserved cheers.

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Act 3, Page 2

The Sultan walks straight into the Prince's living quarters. But he finds neither a sign of the Prince nor Twilight's bottle inside.

Sultan Theandri: H- he's… n-not here… m-my son… could he have really…

The Sultan droops his head, finally contemplating the possibility that his son really did take Twilight.

Sultan Theandri: Darn it, if I had known he had a crush on her, I might of gave him advice on how to take rejection better than this… I would of told him there was no guarantee that Twilight was just going to fall for him that easy…

Sultana Elona: Dear, calm down. There's nothing that can be done. I-I think I'm going to travel with Twilight's friends and discover the truth with them. You stay here, and if we do have a worst case scenario here… where our son is responsible for this… then we'll talk how to approach it… But for now, I have to see for myself if this is really the case, and I'll make sure Twilight's friends aren't too harsh on him if he is responsible…

Sultan Theandri: ….OK, dear. That sounds like a good idea. I need to be alone anyway. If my son really did do this… I just don't know what I'll do. He's our only son and heir to the throne… a kidnapping of a foreign official isn't a life sentence, but it would still be a black mark on his record when he eventually succeeds to the throne. I might have to delay my retirement by another decade, in hopes that the people come to forgive the Prince's mistake…

Sultana Elona: I know dear, but we don't have confirmation he did it yet. Let's wait and see if the things Twilight's friends say is true before we talk. He's the only suspect, but that doesn't rule out this being the work of a random outlaw.

Sultan Theandri: If it were some random outlaw, I don't know how they got past the guards. I thought we increased security ever since my near death experience.

Sultana Elona: Well then, obviously the culprit was someone who has knowledge of the Palace inside-and-out.

Sultan Theandri: *sigh* Great, more evidence pointing it towards being my son… just what I need…

Sultana Elona: Just leave it to me. I'll be back as soon as I can. I want to see him personally, regardless if he's responsible for this or not. Please, relax for now.

The Sultana kisses the Sultan and proceeds to go in the direction Twilight's friends went

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Act 2, Page 10

The Sultan and Twilight come out of the meeting room. Their meeting is over. They both have a good smile on their face, having done their routine duty for the day.

Sultan Theandri: You did a fine job for your first time today, Princess Twilight. Thank you for your time.

Twilight Sparkle: Thank you, Your Highness.*bows*

Sultan Theandri: If I may, I'd like to provide a little constructive criticism as well.

Twilight Sparkle: Huh?

Sultan Theandri: The next time you're at these kind of meetings, whether it's here or elsewhere, loosen up a bit. I could tell you were acting quite by-the-book for almost the entire meeting. It's OK for your first few meetings or so, but you come off as less yourself and more so a book if you keep this up. You don't give that good of an impression.

Twilight looks a bit distraught, as if she failed a test that the Sultan was giving her, based on what he's telling her.

Twilight Sparkle: I'm sorry, I did kinda look up what were the best things to do during a meeting. It never said anything about making an impression.

Sultan Theandri: Don't worry about it so much, Twilight. I hear from Celestia that you learn quickly. I expect your next meeting with us to come out stronger than you were today.

Twilight smiles at the confidence the Sultan has in her

Twilight Sparkle: Uh… speaking of the next meeting… will the Prince… or rather your son… will he be ok? I don't know what was bothering him so much…

Sultan Theandri: I'm not sure what it was, either. But I might come see him to ask what was bothering him. I'm assuming that it was nerves.

Twilight Sparkle: Nerves? I didn't think I was that intimidating. I could understand if someone was meeting Celestia for the first time. She does kinda have that towering figure about her. But as far as I know, I still look about as normal as any other pony. Well, other than the fact I'm an Alicorn and I’m wearing this Genie garb.

Sultan Theandri: Nerves can come from other things besides intimidation. But later today, perhaps during the lunchtime party, I'll give him some advice for the next time.

Twilight Sparkle: Hm? Lunchtime party?

Sultan Theandri: Oh! I didn't tell you or your friends, did I? After every routine meeting, we have lunch in the Royal Cafeteria where the meeting’s participants attend to with their entourage, in addition to those who could afford a ticket to the event. We'll also have entertainment near the end.

Twilight Sparkle: That sounds like fun! When is it?

Sultan Theandri: About an hour from now. But for now, my wife should be bringing back your friends here.

The Sultana brings all of Twilight's friends back to regroup with Twilight and the Sultan

Twilight Sparkle: Hey everypony! How was the tour?

Rainbow Dash: Way better than we expected.

Rarity: Indeed, so much interesting stuff we saw and learned about. But how was your meeting?

Twilight Sparkle: It was alright, I didn't do the best job. But I didn't do too bad either.

The Sultana approaches her husband and kisses him.

Sultana Elona: How did our son do at the meeting, dear?

Sultan Theandri: I'm afraid I had to take over for him. He seemed to had lost his nerve at the beginning.

Sultana Elona: Oh… that's a shame.

Sultan Theandri: I'm going to see him a little later and try to see if I can help him figure out things. But for now, how about we get things ready for the party in an hour?

Sultana Elona: Sure thing.

Pinkie Pie: Did you just say PARTY?!

Sultan Theandri: Indeed, Ms. Pie. We'll be having some lunch and entertainment in the cafeteria in about an hour.

Rainbow Dash: Awesome! I could wind down a bit for some lunch.

Twilight Sparkle: Mind if I ask who's going to be our entertainment?

Sultan Theandri: We believe it's somepony who's been touring the world with her act. She goes by the name Trixie.

Twilight widens her eyes and smiles.

Twilight Sparkle: Trixie?! I know her! She's actually a friend of mine. She has an off-tour home in Ponyville. She moved there last summer.

Sultan Theandri: Oh ho! Isn't that conveniently interesting? . We'll be sure to greet her even more, knowing she's a friend of yours.

Sultana Elona: Rarity, would you like to assist me with setting up the table and decorations?

Rarity: Of course, Your Highness. Anything to repay your kindness today!

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Act 2, Page 4

In a few short moments, somepony walks in. But it's not the Prince. Twilight could tell just by seeing how old the stallion looks. He's really dark brown in coat color with a dark gray mane and tail, and even though he's a bit skinny in build. He looks rather intimidating.

Nonetheless, Twilight waves politely to the stallion. But in response, he gives a big scowl to Twilight. That shocks Twilight, as she received such a negative reaction just by waving. The Sultan whispers to Twilight

Sultan Theandri: Don't worry about him, Twilight. That's Vicegerent Zathir. He's just here to observe the meeting, as one of his important jobs is an aide to my son. He's also known to be a bit cranky, as even I get a tongue lashing from him every now and then.

Twilight Sparkle: So he's just the type who takes everything seriously?

Sultan Theandri: Exactly. Don't let him sour the mood.

Twilight nods and continues waiting.

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Act 1, Page 8

Rainbow Dash: Heh, maybe that Anti-Genie regime that you told us about Twilight began, because the founders of those got lost in the place too much, hehe.

  The Sultan and Sultana make faces that's a mixture of unamusement and awkwardness

  Sultana Elona: Please don't joke about that. Everypony here… feels any reference to that regime is a sour subject to Saddle Arabia. And even poking at it lightly feels in bad taste.

  Rainbow Dash: Oh… I'm sorry. I should have realized that it probably wouldn't go well with you guys…

  Sultan Theandri: …Anyways. Princess Twilight, is there something you'd like to personally request before we show you all your rooms?

  Twilight thinks for a moment

  Twilight Sparkle: Yes, actually. Am I able to invite particular citizens that live here to the Palace?

  Sultan Theandri: Mmhmm

  Twilight Sparkle: Then I would like to request that Malakhar Manat and Kubuya Atka be brought here if you can.

  Sultan Theandri: As you wish. Captain, order all guards at their posts to search for Malakhar and Kubuya. Whomever finds them are to escort them immediately to the Palace.

  Royal Guard Captain: Yes Sir!

  Twilight looks to her friends

  Twilight Sparkle: You all go on ahead to check out your rooms. I want to speak with Malakhar and Kubuya with just me and Spike for tonight, if that's ok. I just don't want to overwhelm them with meeting you all at once just yet.

  Rarity: Of course, darling. We know they both mean something to you if you expressed that much excitement in seeing them again.

  Rainbow Dash: Yeah, we'll make sure to meet them either later tonight or tomorrow before your meeting. We have plenty of time, right?

  Twilight Sparkle: Of course, girls. Thank you so much. If I don't see you girls again before I head to sleep, goodnight.

Everyone but Twilight and Spike head into the hallways, being escorted by butlers to assigned rooms.

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Act 1, Part 5

Cheers from the crowd get louder as they get close. Eventually, everyone has landed. Twilight in front of her friends to meet with the Sultan couple. As Twilight stops in front of the Sultan, he signals the crowd to quiet down.

  Sultan Theandri: It is with much pleasant surprise that I see you're here, Princess Twilight… though I hope you don't think this is rude… but we were expecting Celestia to be on her way here. Is she still coming?

  Twilight Sparkle: *shakes her head* There's been a change of plans. Celestia decided to switch places with me for a temporary amount of time. It will be me attending this time

  Sultana Elona: Really? You're here in her stead?

  Twilight Sparkle: That's right. I will be doing the negotiations at the meeting from Equestria's side tomorrow morning. And if it's ok, I’m taking the time to show my friends at least some of things I saw the first time I was here.

  Sultan Theandri: Ah, so the rest of the Elements are here as well. It is a pleasure to meet all of you as well. And oh! Where are my manners? I am Sultan Theandri.

  Sultana Elona: And I am Sultana Elona. It's a shame we never got to see you the first time you came.

  Twilight Sparkle: Well I think that would of kinda made the whole "Turned into a Genie" situation a bit more complicated if I went to see you all back then.

  Sultana Elona: It would have been great to see you anyways. I know you were probably very conflicted about things. But it has truly been a long time since Genies were around, given how deeply rooted they are with the culture here.

  Twilight Sparkle: I guess we'll just have to try to make up for that somewhat.

  Sultan Theandri: Before we head inside, is there any particular reason you're replacing Celestia this time around? Is she sick?

Twilight Sparkle: Nope, she did it purely as a surprise change of plans. She's kinda like that sometimes…

Sultan Theandri: Oh ahahaha, well nonetheless we and all the citizens of Saddle Arabia are grateful to greet you and your friends. Let us walk to the Palace.