//------------------------------// // Family Fun Time // Story: Royal Rebirth: The Life and Times of Prince Dusk Star // by Grey Ghost //------------------------------// I came back into consciousness, staring up from my crib. I had no idea how many days it had been since my rebirth seeing as I seemed to take naps every couple hours. I didn’t hear the telltale sounds of hooves on the crystal floors or soft voices to greet me so I was left alone with my thoughts. A brief pang of anxiety shot through me. My infantile instincts kicking in and telling me I shouldn’t be alone. Luckily, I was able to keep myself to just whimpering softly while my mobile spun above me. Said mobile had stars and planets decorating it while a gentle tune like a lullaby played. My lack of bodily controls was getting old, very, very quickly. I wriggle around in the crib, barely managing to move at all. After what I thought was a few moments of wriggling, I managed to free my forelegs from the blanket. A frown etched itself onto my face as I found myself missing fine motor control yet again. ‘Hey! Anyone up!?’ I call, waving my arms around weakly. I went on like this for a while before the sound of approaching hooves made me quiet down. My vision became filled with the familiar purple eyes of Mom as she gave me a tired smile. “Did somepony need me?” she asked, scooping me up in her hooves. ‘Yeah, I was getting antsy. Being a baby sucks.’ She bounced me softly, taking a seat next to the changing table. She sniffed the air for a moment before sighing in relief. “You don’t smell like you need a changing. Are you hungry?” A smile graced her face as my stomach growled. “Okay, Duskie, time for breakfast.” She lowered me down, putting me to her teats. I latch on without a second thought, feeling her drape a wing over me. Warmth from her wing seeps into my body as I drink. I had stopped finding the prospect of breastfeeding strange about three naps ago. After a few more minutes, pushing away from her. ‘Thanks mom. You make a great dairy cow.’ She pulls me back up and puts me on her shoulder. She then pats my back a few times, causing me to let out a small burp. “There you go, little guy,” she coos. “Feeling better?” ‘I suppose so.’ I hug onto her, looking around the room. Most of the crystals that make up the nursery walls are a baby blue. Across from where we sat were a set of doors that led to a balcony, though there was childproofing on the knobs to keep me from opening them. There were a few pads in one corner of the room where the bookshelf was. I’m guessing that’s where Mom will want me to play. The bookshelf itself is crammed with colorful books that look like they’re perfect for someone just learning to read. Something tells me Mom values reading. ‘You’re lucky I like to read.’ I continue to look over the room, trying to get as familiar with it as I can. ‘So, whats Dad up to?’ A few moments later, the door opens and Dad steps in. His mane looks damp so he must’ve just been in the shower. He sits down next to Mom and kisses both our cheeks. “How’s Equestria’s newest prince doing?” he asks, flashing a smile at Mom. ‘Eh, I’ll be happier when I can walk.’ I smirk a little. ‘Being able to say what I want kinda has it’s perks.’ Mom strokes the top of my head, a smile of her own on her muzzle. “Dusk needed some breakfast.” She giggles to herself and pokes Dad’s chest. “He’s got his daddy’s appetite.” Dad smirked. “Good. If he had your’s, he’d barely eat!” Mom puffs her cheeks up a little, turning her head from him. “Excuse me for trying to stay in shape.” Poking her cheek, Dad’s smile widens. “We both know your lack of appetite comes from the reading.” Mom blushes, her eyes widening. “I haven’t missed a meal for a long time!” she protests. A hoof tapping against her nose silences her. “No yelling around the baby.” Her ears flatten against her head and she looks down to give me a kiss on the forehead. “I’m sorry, Duskie. I didn’t scare you, did I?” ‘Nah, it was just funny.’ I smile up at her, to show everything was fine. Mom’s ears perk up and she gives me a small smile. She then brings me up to nuzzle my cheek. “How did I get so lucky to have such a calm baby?” “He gets it from me.” Dad puffs his chest out, fluffing his wings. “He’s gonna be a lady killer, just like his old man.” Mom giggles, leaning against him slightly. “Is that why I was the one to ask you out on our first date?” Dad spread a wing, draping it across her back. “Hey, I got you to ask. That was the plan after all.” Mom giggles again, rolling her eyes as she settles in against him. “Whatever you say, dear. I fell right into your plan.” She pulled away, adjusting me in her arms. “We should head downstairs. You know how Spike gets if we keep him waiting.” Dad nods and opens the door for her. “Then lead the way, Twi. A family breakfast awaits us.” He bows his head in an exaggerated manner. Rolling her eyes, Mom trotted out of the room, making her way through the castle. How she could navigate this place was beyond me. It was all just the same, crystal walls and floor. Maybe she has some sort of system or trick to remember her way? Anyway, we continue on through the castle, climbing down a flight of steps and through a long hallway before walking into a dining room. And much to my surprise, crystals make up the decor here too. They place me in a high chair just as Spike walks out of a nearby door with two plates in his hands. “Morning Dusk,” Spike greeted, placing the plates down in front of Mom and Dad. ‘Morning, Spike.’ I bobbed my head at him, eyeing the stacks of pancakes he gave them enviously. ‘Damn you, those smell good!’ Mom seemed to see where my focus was and booped my nose with her hoof. “Sorry, Duskie, no solid food for you yet.” I shift, batting at her hoof. ‘Yeah, I know. Thanks for reminding me.’ She giggled and stroked my mane before turning back to her meal. She brought a bottle of syrup over to her with her magic and spread a large amount of it on her stack. I watch in awe, fascinated by her use of magic. ‘That’s something I can’t wait to do.’ Once Mom was finished with the bottle, Dad took it with his hoof and poured some onto his own stack. Spike then left the room and quickly came back in with his own stack. I look up, blinking a few times as another unicorn enters. She stifles a yawn by holding a hoof up to her mouth. “Good morning everypony,” she greets, taking a seat near Spike. Her gaze locks on me and she smiles. “And you must be Dusk.” Mom smiles brightly and pats my head. “The one and only. How was your trip to your old village, Starlight?” Starlight smiled, nodding her head. “It went pretty well. Double Diamond let me stay at his place.” Spike quirked an eyebrow, his claw pausing as he reached for the syrup and turned his head to her. “That was awfully nice of him.” Starlight just smiled. “Yes, it was, Spike.” Spike turned back to the bottle and grabbed it. He seemed to be fighting off a frown. Mom looked at him, a bit of concern showing through. “You alright, Spike?” He started cutting into his stack, flashing her a quick, forced smile. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Taking a big bite of his pancakes, he looked away quickly. I looked between Mom and Spike as best I could from my chair. ‘Hmm, that seems a little suspicious.’ My gaze settled on Mom. ‘Wonder if she’ll figure it out.’ Mom’s look of concern deepened as she tilted her head at Spike. “Are you sure? Something seems to be eating at you.” Spike nodded quickly. “I’m fine, Twi,” he assured, proceeding to stuff his face with more pancake. Mom let out a small sigh before returning to her own meal. The chatter slowed down a bit after that while everyone ate. I sulk in my jealousy, trying not to watch as they eat the deliciously smelling breakfast. Once they were all done, Dad picked me up out of my high chair and placed me on his back. “Wanna see more of your home?” he asked, turning to face me with a grin. Not waiting for an answer, he kissing Mom on the cheek, and trotted out of the room. I watch as he adjusts his wings, sweeping them back a bit. ‘Must be to help keep me from falling or something.’ Dad continued to adjust his wings as he walked down the hall, especially when he made a turn. He eventually stopped in front of a door before opening it to reveal a large, rounded room. Dad took a step to the side, letting me get a better view. “This is where your mom and aunts hold the Friendship Council. They help solve friendship problems across Equestria.” ‘Friendship problems?’ I scrunched my face up a bit as I examined the room. There were six chairs made out of crystals, each one with a symbol on it. The largest one had a symbol that matched the one Mom had on her flank. My eyes widened a bit when I saw the holographic map that the chairs surrounded. I fidgeted a bit on Dad’s back, trying to get a closer look at it. “Well aren’t you excited?” Dad chuckled, stepping closer to the table. My eyes flitted around, taking in all the details I could about the map. ‘Whoa, this is my new world.’ I tried to lean in closer, only to have my head fall over onto Dad’s back. ‘I can’t wait to see it all.’ Dad reaches around and grabs me off his back, putting me on the table. “The maps pretty, isn’t it?” I nodded to the best of my ability and looked up at him. I then looked down, seeing that I was phasing through the projections on the map. ‘Heh, I’m like Godzilla.’ I reach out, waving a hoof through a nearby mountain, giggling as the image distorted. Dad chuckled before puffing his chest out. “Stop right there, beast. Nopony attacks Canterlot on my watch.” He batted at me with one of his wings, tickling under my nose with his feathers. I burst out into a giggle fit, falling onto my back. ‘Come on! That's not fair!’ I squirm and wave my arms around. Dad leans in and lets me bat against his cheeks. He then reels back, letting out an exaggerated cry of pain. “Gah! You won’t best me.” He brings his second wing down and tickles my belly button with it. My giggles fill the air, and I laugh my head off. I feel a strange tingle building on my head, focusing near my forehead. My eyes snap open just as a dark blue bolt of energy shoots out from my horn and blows through the ceiling. The ceiling isn’t the only casualty, Dad’s mane is shorter than it was a moment ago and has smoke rising from it. Dad blinks, pausing in his assault to examine his mane. “Welp, your mom was right, you’re gonna need that spell.” Despite his smokey hair cut, he smiles, and sets me on his back again. I look up at the ceiling, watching as the hole starts to close, the crystal growing back. My jaw drops and I point at the ceiling. ‘Dad, can you see that?!’ I jab my hoof at the scene with as much urgency as I can muster. “I know, you put a hole in the ceiling,” Dad agrees, looking at the former hole. “Don’t worry your little head too much, the castle fixes itself.” I give him a confused look, managing to tear myself away from the spot on the ceiling. ‘Something tells me this isn’t the first time you’ve seen it do this.’ My attention is drawn to the door as Mom, Spike and Starlight burst in, looking concerned. Dad flashes them an easy smile and holds me out towards Mom. “Everything’s fine, Dusk just had his first magic outburst. The hole’s already fixed.” ‘So that's what that was.’ I glance up towards my horn, feeling my excitement building. Mom sighs in relief, taking me in her arms. She smiles at me and nuzzles my cheek. “Well, at least you didn’t break any ancient artifacts like your cousin did.” She lights her horn up, touching it to mine. A few moments pass and I feel a tingle spread through my body. I shake myself off, pouting up at her. ‘Whaddya do?’ Mom smiles and strokes my mane again. “There we go, that should keep you from having more outbursts until your magic stabilizes.” She then turns to Dad and giggles. “By the way, love what you’ve done with your mane.” “You like it?” he asked, pretending to primp his mane. “Dusk was kind enough to give me a haircut.” Mom smiles and boops my nose. “I think a certain prince has found a talent in hairdressing,” she teases, kissing my forehead. I giggle a bit and relax in her arms. ‘Nah, I think this marks the end of that career.’ I grin and look up at her. ‘Gotta go out while I’m at the top of my game.’ Mom smiles and hands me back to Dad. She gives him and me a kiss on the cheek. “So, were you telling Dusk about his mom’s work?” Dad grinned, puffing his chest out. “I was informing him of his grand bloodline. And then, he decided to turn evil, and smash Mt. Canterhorn, so I had to stop him!” He assaults my belly with another feather, sending me into another giggle fit. I fall onto my back, giggling to the point where I start to hiccup. I try to bat his wing away, but he keeps up the assault. ‘N-no fair, Dad!’ He finally let up, giving me a chance to catch my breath. Mom rolls her eyes and giggles. “I’m so glad you were here to put an end to the reign of the evil Prince Dusk. Who knows what he’d have done if you hadn’t?” “Make naps mandatory,” Spike offered, snickering. Starlight giggles at that, holding a hoof to her mouth. “I think his Aunt Rainbow Dash would be on board with his evil reign in that case.” ‘Mandatory naps do sound like fun.’ I look around the room, trying to sit up. I rock back and forth a bit, building up some momentum before finally managing to get back on my stomach. My wings twitch on my back, seeming to be glad to have the pressure off of them. Spike scratches his cheek, an uncertain look on his face. “Hey Twi, aren’t mom and dad supposed to be arriving today?” Mom’s pupils turn to pinpricks, her feathers ruffle on her back and her face blanches. She whips her head around the room and almost looks like she’s jogging in place. “Oh my gosh, you’re right! Mom and Dad are coming and we haven’t even started getting ready for them!” Sighing, Dad steps over, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Twi, calm down. You might be an alicorn, but you just had a foal. You can’t go off on one of your sprees right now.” Mom seems to relax slightly and takes a few deep breaths. “Okay, you’re right.” She gives him a smile. “Now, let’s do what we can before they get here.” She turns to Spike. “Spike, can you prepare some tea and snacks for their visit?” Spike snaps to attention and gives a salute. “You got it!” He turns, hurrying off to what I assume is the kitchen. Mom then turns to Starlight. “And can you help Flash and I do some last minute cleaning? I don’t want my parents to think pregnancy turned me into a slob.” Starlight smiled, nodding. “I don’t mind at all. I live here too, ya know.” She winked at me, happily trotting out of the room. ‘Huh, so I guess I’ll be meeting my grandparents today,” I note, trying to get comfortable on Dad’s back. I watch as he and Mom move about the castle, straightening up an already clean house. I wonder if Dad’s just humoring her. Oh wow, this means I have Adrian Monk for a mom. After a while, there’s a loud knock on the door. Mom shoots up and rushes to open it. “Mom, Dad, it’s great to see you!” she greets, wrapping her hooves around two unicorns. I tilt my head to get a better look at them. Grandma has grayish-white fur with a purple and white mane that’s styled a lot like Mom’s. Grandpa is a light blue while his navy blue mane is neatly combed. “Good to see you too, Twily,” Grandpa says, returning her hug. “Sorry we couldn’t come sooner. Your mother had to finish up a last minute editing job.” Mom flashes them a smile and takes a step back. “It’s okay, I’m no stranger to getting caught up in my work.” She then ushers them inside. “Now come and say hi to your grandson!” As if on cue, Dad scoops me off his back, and holds me out in offering. “Presenting, Prince Dusk Star~” ‘Sup?’ I ask, giving my best happy face. Grandma steps over to me with a bright smile and pinches my cheek with a hoof. “Aww, he’s such a cute little foal.” She then takes notice of my wings. “And my goodness, we’ve got another alicorn in the family.” A small smirk works its way onto her face. “Wait till the book club hears about this.” ‘Oi! I’m not a bragging right!’ I protest, squirming a little. Grandpa chuckles and gently extracts Grandma’s hoof from my cheek. He then looks between Mom and Dad with a proud smile. “Congratulations you two. Dusk here looks like a perfect little colt.” He then chuckles and turns to Dad. “Though it’s a little hard to believe you helped make such a handsome young foal, Flash.” Dad frowns, puffing his cheeks out. “Hey, I’m handsome!” Grandpa chuckles and gives Dad a playful smile. “You must be, can’t even begin to imagine what else my daughter could see in you.” I look back at Dad, noticing his wings fluffing a little and his chest puffing out. ‘Huh, kinda like birds.’ I watch him for a bit more, taking in his behavior. Grandpa’s grin grows and he looks down at me. “Anyway, has this little guy caused any trouble yet?” He reaches out and scratches behind my ear. I smile a little, leaning against his hoof. “Not a bit,” Mom replies. “I don’t even think he’s cried once. He’s very quiet.” Grandma giggles a bit and smiles. “You might not want to share that tidbit with Shining and Cadance. They didn’t sleep for weeks thanks to Flurry’s crying and magic outbursts.” She lit her horn up, and I float over into her awaiting grasp. “It doesn’t surprise me, Shiny was loud when he was a foal.” Grandpa nods, a nostalgic smile on his face. “You were a pretty quiet foal, Twily. Spike though, he wailed his head off every time we left him on his own. He clinged to your mother and I for dear life when we tried to put him to bed.” He looks around the room. “Where is Spike by the way?” “Making tea,” Mom says, gesturing with a wing. “Let’s head to the den, we can get comfy there.” “That’s a great idea, sweetie,” Grandma says, putting me on her back. Mom gestures with a hoof and leads everyone through the halls for a little while before opening the door to a den. In the back of the room is a fireplace made of purple crystal with a few couches and chairs close to it. Grandma takes a couch, spreading herself out on it. She sits me against her chest, wrapping her arms around me. The other adults take their seats, chatting about various things. After a few minutes of talking, Spike comes in wheeling a tray with a teapot, teacups and an assortment of snacks. “I’ve got everypony’s favorite snacks!” he cheers. He places the tray on a table between the couches and turns to Grandpa and Grandma. “Glad to see you, Mom and Dad.” Grandpa smiles and gets up to put a foreleg around Spike’s shoulders and ruffles his spines with his free hoof. “There’s my favorite drake. So, what’s new with you? Aside from having a new nephew I mean.” Spike tried to fight off his smile, fixing his spines.”Pretty much the same, Dad. The only things I have coming up, are Ember and Thorax’s visits.” Grandma points a hoof at him, shooting him a mock frown. “That’s not good enough, mister. When are you going to get a marefriend? I need a grandchild from all my children.” Her frown turned into a smirk. “You know, Twilight tells me that Ember dragon is very pretty~” Spike blushes and rubs the back of his head. “Yeesh Mom, you don’t have to try and force me to get into a relationship.” He then glances at Mom and smirks a little. “Besides, if I started dating Ember, I’d have to move to the dragonlands, and if I did that, Twilight would be completely lost.” “Hey!” Mom protested, her cheek fur turning red. Spike chuckles, jabbing a claw at her. “You know it’s true. Can you even name a day where you’ve gone without one of the triple-checked checklists that I’ve dictated for you?” He moves his claw, pointing at me. “It’s only going to get worse now that Dusk is here.” Mom frowns at him, puffing her cheeks out slightly. “Fine, you’ve made your point.” Her look softens as she turns to look at me. “Still, Dusk has been very well behaved so far. I can only hope that trend continues.” ‘I plan on it,’ I reply, noting that my hoof had somehow ended up in my mouth. Dad gets up and walks over to the door. “Looks like somepony needs his binkie.” He opens the door and turns back to everyone. “I’ll be right back.” He trots out and closes the door behind him. ‘I don’t need a binky, I can stop anytime I want.’ I try to prove my point by removing my hoof from my mouth. Instead, I just continue to teeth on it, causing a bit of drool to run down it. ‘Ugh, I don’t even believe me.’ Dad returns after a while with the pacifier in one of his hooves. He then walks up to me, pulling my hoof out of my mouth before popping the pacifier in its place. “There, that's much better than your dirty hoof.” ‘Not teething would be even better,” I counter. Despite that, I gurgle happily at him as I teeth on the pacifier. ‘Damn it, betrayed by the baby instincts again.’ Looking around, I see all eyes on me, everyone sporting a smile. ‘What’re ya lookin’ at?’ I try to point a hoof at all of them and glare, but I can tell there’s a smile on my face. Grandma smiles, kissing my head. “He’s certainly a happy foal.” Mom has a smile of her own as she looks down at me. “I know, and it’s contagious. I feel very lucky to have a foal like Dusk.” Dad smirked, nudging Grandpa. “He’s certainly quieter than Flurry.” Grandpa nods, a smirk of his own on his face. “Oh, you can say that again. I love her to death, but keeping up with Flurry’s energy is an adventure.” ‘Geez, Flurry must one one of those tornado kids,’ I think to myself, nuzzling into Grandma’s coat. A yawn escapes my lips, and I rest my head against Grandma’s chest. ‘I haven’t even been up that long!’ I fight to stay awake, shaking my head in an attempt to get my blood pumping. Grandma smiles, peering down at me. “Looks like somepony doesn’t want to sleep.” Spike chuckles, grabbing what looks like a cupcake filled with gems and taking a bite out of it. “I can see how he’d be tired of all the naps. He does spend most of the day asleep.” Grandma kisses my head again and holds me to her chest. “Go ahead and sleep, Dusk. A growing foal needs plenty of sleep.” She starts to hum a soft tune. I let out another yawn, my eyes drooping. ‘So tired...’ Before long, my eyes close and I drift off to the lullaby Grandma is humming. Velvet smiled as Dusk fell asleep, using her magic to drape a blanket over them. “I missed snuggling up with my family.” She sighed, giving Spike and Twilight a nostalgic look. “It wasn’t that long ago, you were sleeping against me, Twily.” Twilight giggled, smiling at her mother. “I’d teach you how to go back to that time, but that just causes trouble. Trust me.” Velvet’s smile turned mischievous. “You could always teach me an age spell~” Flash laughed, eyeing Twilight for a moment. “As tempting as it is to see her as a baby, I’d rather not have to change my wife’s diapers.” Velvet put a hoof to her chest. “Flash! I’d never use it all willy nilly. Probably just when Twily needs a vacation.” Twilight’s ears flattened to her head and her wings fluffed out. “Being a foal for extended periods of time does not sound like a vacation to me,” she protested. “I’m perfectly happy in my adult body, thank you very much.” Velvet giggled, shaking her head. She turned her gaze to Night Light, giving him a sultry smile. “I can think of another use for an age spell...” Night Light picked up on her look and returned it. “Me too, dear. I think we’re on the same page.” Twilight let out a sudden cough, her eyes wide with panic. “Let’s talk about something else! How has the editing been, mom!?” Velvet let out a wicked giggle, closing her eyes and trying to avoid moving too much to not disturb Dusk. “Oh, it is what it always is. Despite working with some of the most famous writers in Equestria, they all seem to let simple mistakes slip through the cracks. Dangling participles, unnecessary commas and no idea what a semicolon is for.” She paused, watching Dusk for a moment as he shifted a little. “Twily dear, you have to make sure to keep your voice down, even if you're panicking.” Twilight put a hoof to her mouth and cleared her throat, her ears pinned to her head. “Sorry, I’m still getting used to that.” She craned her neck, peering at Dusk. “I didn’t wake him, did I?” She sighed in relief, noting Dusk’s closed eyes and steady breathing. Velvet gave her a reassuring smile. “You’ll learn, honey. Trust me, your father and I weren’t exactly experts with Shining at first. I remember, he always got into the most trouble.” Nightlight chuckled, glancing over to his wife. “Like the time he dug that trench while playing in the sandbox at Canterlot Park.” He chuckled, sipping at his drink. “Or that time he nearly broke everything in that shop.” Velvet giggled, nodding along to what he said. “Oh, I remember that alright. I had to pull double my normal workload for almost a year and crank out a best seller quick in order to pay for it all.” She turned to Twilight. “Flurry has taken after her father alright. I’d be willing to bet she starts asking for weapons as birthday presents once she turns ten.” Spike snorted. “I doubt she’ll even need them. She’ll just make ‘em outta magic and smash the furniture up.” He flexed his claws like he was gripping a weapon and started to swing his arms around, all while making accompanying sound effects with his mouth. Nightlight chuckled, shaking his head. “A few pieces of smashed furniture and a punctured family portrait ensured that weapons training was only for the backyard from then on.” A smile etched itself onto his face. “Of course, he only got them back after a very long grounding.” Spike grinned. “Yeesh, hard to believe Shining’s become a respectable captain of the guard and a prince.” Velvet chuckled. “Of course, you and Twilight came with your own quirks. Like how we got kicked out of a jewelry store because you tried to eat the rings and cut a hole in the display case with your claws.” “Or the time you tried to eat the Princess’s stained glass windows,” Night added. Spike huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Hey, I was little and they looked like gems,” he retorted, turning his head away. “I’m just glad I didn’t actually eat glass...” Velvet nodded, a serious look on her face. “Same here, sweetie. We lucked out on never needing to pay the hospital a serious visit.” Adjusting Dusk, she leaned her head down next to his sleeping form. “I can only wonder what kind of trouble this one will cause.” Twilight sighed, hanging her head. “Considering Fluttershy is pregnant right now with Discord’s baby, I get the sinking feeling Dusk and them will get in all sorts of trouble.” Night whistled, shaking his head. “I do not envy that mare. That kid is going to be a bundle of chaos. Probably more difficult than raising a dragon.” Velvet nodded in agreement, shuddering a little. “Considering the baby will likely inherit Discord’s magic, they’ll definitely be… spirited.” she froze as Dusk shifted, laying his head against hers. She smiled, letting out a content sigh, stroking the little wisp of mane on his head. “At least all babies are absolutely peaceful when they’re sleeping.” “Least he doesn’t snore like his mom,” Flash teased, snickering as Twilight’s chest puffed up. “She gets that from her father,” Velvet said, shooting her own husband a teasing smirk. “So, Twily when are you going to visit Shiny and Caddy? I bet Flurry and Dusk will get along great.” “We’re going to very soon,” Twilight assured. “I just wanted to wait until I felt Dusk was up for the trip. Travelling can be very hard on newborn foals. Especially to a place like the Crystal Empire.” Pouting, she noted the smiles being thrown her way. “What?” “Nothing, just amazed at how quickly you turned into a mom.” Night chuckled, shifting in his seat. “Honestly? I was afraid you’d be driving poor Flash up a wall with all your worrying.” Flash chuckled, putting a hoof around his wife’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, she still does plenty of worrying. But she is absolutely wonderful with Dusk. She practically glows every time she looks at him.” “Well, it’s just... I still have a bit of a hard time believing he’s mine,” Twilight said, glancing at Dusk. “I think Starlight is still adjusting to living in the same castle as a baby. I’ve only seen her once since she came back from visiting her old village.” “Maybe you should ask her about that?” Velvet suggested. “She can’t exactly avoid you forever.” Twilight glanced to the door, sighing. “You're right mom. I’ll talk to her later tonight. For now.” She turned back to the others, smiling brightly. “It’s family time right now~” “Up for a game of Boggle, Twilight?” Velvet asked, a smirk on her face. “We are still tied twelve to twelve.” The group moved some furniture, spending the rest of the day playing board games. They did make sure not to get too loud.