//------------------------------// // Song of Ascension Part 3: New Digs // Story: Brony Recon: Ascension // by Freescript the Bard //------------------------------// Shift’s POV When I returned to the conscious world, the flare of light from Luna and Skyblaze was still fading, blinding me a little with the contrast of the darkness I had fallen through only an instant before. Though it seemed like I had been gone for no time at all, it was certainly enough time for my physical body to become what I had seen in Morpha’s mirror, judging from the heavier weight of my new shell on my back and the lighter weight of my holed legs as I held them up against the blinding radiance. ...to little effect, due to the holes. I guess that’s one drawback to that... As soon as the light had come, it dissipated, dimming to nothingness in less than a second. Yet, in its place, there was another glow from Skyblaze himself. Or, at least, where he had been standing. In his place was a swirling orb of shimmering golden energy, flowing like water over a vaguely pony-like shape. It shocked me at first, but then I realized that it was similar to the green vortex that surrounded Morpha and I during my own ascension. “What in Celestia’s name...?” Twilight breathed in amazement, her emotions similarly betraying her awe and curiosity. The same feeling seemed to be repeating throughout the clearing by all present. Slowly, the swirling magic began to slow and deteriorate, gradually uncovering the pony beneath. When the last of the golden tendrils finished their circling, they drifted off above the snowy clearing and faded into the night, revealing Skyblaze once more. I wasn’t surprised to find a vastly different pony than the familiar pegasus I knew. Just like Morpha’s apparition of Skyblaze, he was just as tall as Luna with large, elegant wings, a spiralling horn, and a completely different cutie mark. Much to my interest, his formal coat had also grown to fit his new form, which was a good thing I suppose; anything smaller would have the collar choking him. The indigo alicorn looked very perplexed and strangely disoriented, as if he expected something different... or perhaps he was called away to a meeting like my own, with an elder Aspect, and was surprised to find himself back at the wedding. I wonder what his Aspect is, I pondered. Maybe something to do with his Bard thing? Or writing, based on the cutie mark. Aspect of Scribing sounds pretty dull, though. Silence hung over the clearing. All eyes in that moment were fixed upon Skyblaze’s new form. Emotions swirling in the air were heavy with wonder, confusion, and one little sprinkle of relief from Rarity’s direction (likely because the coat hadn’t been destroyed or torn). For several seconds, nopony said a thing, the light wind above the canopy being the only sound in the wood. Finally Luna broke the quiet. “How do you feel?” Skyblaze looked down at himself for a moment to take in his new form, then looked back at Luna’s eyes. He looked surprised that they were level with his own. “...taller,” he stated simply. Princess Luna rolled her eyes and smiled. “Then maybe we should try this again,” she chuckled, then leaned forward to bring Skyblaze into another kiss. This time, uninterrupted by the flash of light that had begun the ascension, they were allowed to carry it on to be the romantic moment between newlyweds it was supposed to be. It took the gathered ponies a few moments of hesitation to overcome their shock and applaud once more. “Shift?” I turned to Twilight, still stamping my hooves on the ground in congratulations of the union. To my surprise, her head was tilted at me and wore a curiously confused look. “What happened to you?” she asked. “Why do you look like that?” ...oh... “It’s... uh... I can explain.” “Better start now, bug,” Shining Armor’s voice threatened. Well, crap. >><<>><< Skyblaze’s POV If I’m anypony to judge, the transition from scrawny pegasus to alicorn was not a smooth process. I mean, sure, the actual transformation wasn’t too unpleasant--I was numb the whole time my mortal body was being incinerated, and for half a second, I had the experience of lacking a physical body before my new form was incarnated in its place. But from there on, it felt like I was wearing a misfit shell, with a completely new center of balance and body proportions. In my chest was an uncomfortable feeling of something having been crammed into a nonexistent cavity, just alongside my heart. But the differences and incommodities didn’t stop there. Even picking up my legs to walk back down the aisle with Luna was awkward, some new strength within me making each limb almost weightless, to the point where I had to be careful not to lift my hooves too quickly. Conversely, my skull felt front-heavy, my lengthy horn being a few ounces extra that I was very unaccustomed to having, even with my newfound strength. Only my wings, though they had grow both in size and volume, felt remotely familiar, the pegasus appendages giving me comfort apart from the earth pony and unicorn traits of alicornhood. Yet there was one difference in my new body that I could not explain; the strangest aspect yet of my transformation. For some reason, I had a very powerful craving for sweets. My mind kept straying away from the wedding and the other changes I had gone through toward sugary treats like cookies, ice cream, pie, and... cake... especially cake. Oh, how I wanted cake! Just the idea of cake made my mouth water more than I thought possible. Sweet... sugary... moist... delicious... I licked my lips hungrily. ...Cake... “Sky, love? Are you alright?” “Caaaake...” I drawled dreamily. Instantly, but too late, I came to my senses, realizing I had just spoke my hungry thoughts aloud. With a blush on my face, I shook my head to clear out the offending sugary images and turned to Luna. “Sorry, I... I was...” I stammered, looking down at a platter full of fruit slices and grilled potatoes. “I have the weirdest craving for--” “Carbohydrates and sugars?” Luna interrupted giving me a knowing smile, prodding at the mixed-veggie stir-fry on her plate. Because we had too many ponies to fit in the cottage’s dining room, the wedding feast had been laid out on a long banquet table on the porch. It was agreeably better this way, if only because Luna’s moon shone bright that night to match her euphoric attitude. Our selection of food was much like our wedding: informal and nothing too fancy apart from the top-class champagne. There was fruit salad, potato dishes, rolls, vegetables of all kinds, and large variety of apple-themed dishes courtesy of Applejack. In the middle of it all, placed teasingly in front of my face, was a seven-layered, frosting-coated, intricately-decorated cake. It took a lot of willpower to hold myself back from devouring it outright. Luna flicked her gaze toward it as well. “Yes, you would.” “Huh?” I asked, confused. “Why?” My beloved laughed, leaning against me. “Have you ever wondered why Celestia and I have an infamous sweet tooth?” “You do have a thing for donuts,” I chuckled, earning me a playful shove from her. “What? Name one time you didn’t have at least one donut on our coffee-dates.” “Fine, then,” Luna harumphed, unable to deny the claim. “But on the point of sugar cravings, it is because sugars help alicorns metabolize the variety of pony magics flowing through our bodies. Ponies normally only have one kind of magic, so we need a heavy sweets diet to ensure a healthy balance of all six.” Glancing over at Twilight, Shining, and Cadance--other alicorns with less discipline than Luna and Celestia--I could see them eyeing the sugary tower as well. It would be a long meal for the younger alicorns. As I resisted staring at the cake, something Luna said caught up to me. “Wait... six?” I asked, confused. “You mean three?” Luna smiled and shook her head. “I count the three races you know of here in Equestria proper, a magic from a certain kind of earth pony that had existed some years ago to the north, our own inert alicorn magic, and then...” Pausing, she looked at me with a somewhat-shocked face. “Have we never talked about the Atlantean Empire?” I stared at my bride uncomprehendingly. “...the what now?” “Oh my...” frowned Luna. “We’ll need to rectify that oversight, especially given you’re now Prince.” Letting out a groan, I lowered my head, lifting a scoop of diced tropical fruit into my mouth to wet my dry throat with. “Yeah, don’t remind me,” I said after a swallow. “Oh, don’t be like that,” she told me, rubbing my shoulder with a silver-shoed hoof. “Be mirthful, at least for tonight. It’s our wedding reception, after all. You should not be so glum.” She was right, as usual. It wasn’t the time to get worked up over stuff like that. That would come later, sure, but I hadn’t been given a crown yet. For tonight, I would enjoy the company of my wife and friends. Now was the time for merrymaking, feasting, and... sweet... delicious... caaaake... “Love, you’re drooling again.” >><<>><< Ding! Ding! Ding! The clatter of silverware against fine crystal rang out in the night. While a good deal of the feast remained, the many ponies at the table were sat back in their seats, patting their full stomachs with looks of contentment--with the exception of Shift, who laid his head against Twilight’s shoulder to feed in his own way. Much to my annoyance, the only item that remained pristine was the alabaster pillar of sugar and frosting in front of me. Even stuffed to the brim (an impressive feat given how hungry my transformation had left me), I found myself licking my lips in anticipation at devouring it. However, Equestrian wedding traditions cursed me again, as I was forced to wait until the Best Mare and the Groomscolt had made their speeches. Ben, my Groomscolt, stood from his seat next to me and cleared his throat. What little conversation there was died down, the circle of ponies waiting for Ben to start. “I wish I could say the task of summing Skyblaze up in a few sentences was a difficult one... but let’s be honest, he’s only seventeen,” he began, causing a rumble of chuckles. “At his base, Sky is your typical pegasus: he’s got a love of the sky, he’s hot-headed, flashy, has a need for speed, is absolutely distracted, and has made cleaning his wings almost masturbatory.” I felt a blush form on my face as another chorus of laughing rang out. “But to know Skyblaze Freescript as his friends do, you have to look beyond this surface. He is a philosopher; he thinks deeply--often too deep--about menial things. He is a dreamer; he likes to think and write about fantasy worlds and grand adventures, and sing songs of rebellion, freedom, and love. He is a lover: his favorite genre is tragic romance, believe it or not; and he holds love as the most powerful, most valuable thing in existence. Is he a romantic in believing this? I thought so. But then again, was it not love and friendship that freed Luna from Nightmare Moon and turned the Spirit of Chaos into stone?” Ben took a moment to nod respectfully to the Elements of Harmony. “When I met Skyblaze, I saw in him a pony with no other want than to be humbly content. He wanted no fame or fortune and he feared having responsibility and power above all else... barring bananas. To Princess Luna, I say that you must certainly be insane or desperate to marry him. But, given his fears and attitude toward politicians and gods, something in you aside from your regality and divinity has ensnared his heart, and so I must label you both equally disturbed.” Taking a pause, Ben lifted his glass. “To wrap up, I would like to be the first to toast what will surely be a long and prosperous reign of the Triarchy of Equestria. To the High Princesses and Prince.” When the table echoed the toast and the sound of clinking glasses clamoured and died away, Ben sat down, satisfied with his speech. In turn, Celestia stood, her grandiose height towering over the rest of the attendees. Her face was soft, yet serious. “I feel any iteration on my part about my sister would be repetitive, so I will be keeping this as brief as a few thousand years can be,” the Solar Princess began, following Ben’s lead in using humor and an allusion to age to start. “Luna, I find, is a very curious pony in her own right. She is very much a dreamer, yet she is unable to dream herself. She is loud and boisterous in manner, action, and heart, yet has an appreciation for more small, more subtle things. She admits to having little talent for the arts, and yet her night sky remains the greatest work of imagery, wonder, magic, and lore in Equestria’s history, far greater than my paltry attempts at recreating it.” Celestia turned her gaze upward at the light of the full moon. “When my sister was returned to me, after a thousand years apart, I felt a great joy. Not just for myself; for Equestria as well... Luna is, as expected, is my contrast, no further analogy needed. Many ponies considered my monarchical reign to be the golden age for this nation, but this is in comparison to the tumultuous years leading up to and including the War of Sun and Moon. They forget that, under the Diarchy, Equestria had centuries of splendor and power, in greater amounts than today. This was the result of having two rulers that were so different, so polarly opposite, that our compromises were always the better for our subjects. I was very traditional, very reserved, and so Luna’s progressive and outward views were necessary to open my eyes to new ideas and keep the progress of a thriving country moving forward. Without her, our people would have been kept in the dark of the old ways. With her, I believe that the golden age will come again.” Taking a moment’s pause, Celestia gave a small chuckle. “That is, if this series of new Princes and Princesses does not interfere too much. But, I digress...” I couldn’t really tell why, but I felt as if Celestia was speaking directly at me. There was no legible disdain in her voice, yet it was almost like she gave me a cold glare. “Luna, I cannot give to you my congratulations on your marriage.” A small gasp went through the table. Celestia continued unabated, with a light chuckle. “After all, I’ve only just got you back from the moon, and now I must give you away, after so little time together... and that little spent busying ourselves with matters of the state and your reintegration into society.” For a moment, Celestia regarded her sister with a studious, yet familiar gaze. “On that line of thinking, maybe this is part of your introduction to the modern world; finding love, companionship, a friend. And this is the reason that I give you my most sincere congratulations. “Now, before I put anypony else to sleep with my rambling-ons, I will conclude with an irrelevant fact,” Celestia said, a sly smile crossing her face. “After some observation, there are a few individuals who physically depend on sugars to keep their magic regulated, and I believe it would be best for all if their drooling could end.” Instantly, Shining Armor, Twilight, and myself sat straight up, conscious that we had indeed begun salivate heavily in the presence of the tower of fatty sugars. “Prince Freescript, Princess Luna, you may finally cut the cake.” Aside from what I’ve seen Pinkie accomplish with her elastic maw, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that much cake devoured so quickly. Nothing else, from that day on, could compare to the sweet, moist, fluffy goodness of me and Luna’s wedding cake. >><<>><< I vaguely recall the rest of that the night. Upon the swift demise of the cake, Storm put a vinyl record on an old player, and the table was levitated off to one side to turn the porch into a make-do dancefloor. All the songs on the vinyl were slow, but melodic dances performed by a small symphony orchestra with a fitting percussion beat. I’m a little embarrassed that I can’t remember the name of the song to which Luna and I danced our first dance, but it was something with a flute melody that reminded me of Irish music back home. Only a few songs in, even Pinkie was yawning, the feast in everypony’s bellies making them lethargic and sleepy, and the small hours of morning weren’t helping. Eventually, ponies said their goodnights and congratulations one-by-one, and stepped into the cottage to get some sleep. About an hour before sunrise, only Celestia, Luna, and I remained on the porch. As if on queue, a pair of Lunar Guards pulled up to the balcony pulling Luna’s personal carriage. There were no words spoken between Luna and Celestia... just a loving hug and a short, smiling look between them that I couldn’t read. Then Luna boarded the carriage and Celestia turned to me. “Well?” she asked. I frowned at the question. “Well... what?” Celestia smiled. “No hug for your sister-in-law?” This caught me a little by surprise. I eyed the taller alicorn suspiciously. “Since when are you the hugging type? Or the technically-familial type?” I questioned. “...and I still think something in your speech was directed at me. The part about interfering.” “Perhaps,” Celestia hummed to me in a tone of appeasement. “Or perhaps, as Sir Kind Greetings pointed out, you are reading too much into it.” Keeping her stalwart smile, she looked East, toward Canterlot, as if she saw the city through the wall of mountains. “But I stand by it. I cannot trust you with rule of our nation when you are barely a year into maturity, and are still learning our customs, history, and laws. Luna and Ben have taught you only the tip of the iceberg, and they can only teach you so much. The rest will come with experience, and it will likely be decades before I feel comfortable and trusting enough to allow you full rule.” I felt, with my fear of not being ready or able to accept a position of high authority, that I should have thanked Celestia for this, for easing me into the task over several dozen years. But again, there was something about the way she said it that told me there was more to it than that. To me, there was almost an emphasis on the issue of trust. Maybe Ben was right... I thought to myself, trying to stem my worries. Maybe I’m thinking too deep into a menial thing. “If that’s what you want—you are the Princess, after all,” I said, deciding on an obedient stance. “I’m glad we could come to an understanding, Skyblaze,” stated Celestia cheerfully. We came together for a decidedly awkward hug, then I stepped up to the carriage. Celestia waved at us. “Fare thee well, and I wish you and your stamina the best of luck.” I smiled back at her. “Thanks!” I said, giving the alabaster mare a small wave with my wing before ducking into the carriage with Luna. Immediately, I found myself in a tender kiss with the love of my life. It may have been my imagination or some static from my coat, but I swear there was a small jolt that ran down my spine when our lips connected. After a minute or so (I wasn’t keeping track), we broke away and stared into each other’s eyes for even longer. I nearly laughed at how sleepy her face looked, though mine likely looked similar. It was then that Celestia’s farewell words caught up with me. I scrunched up my face in confusion. “Why did Celestia wish good luck to...” Puzzled, I scratched my chin. “...my stamina?” Luna suddenly snorted and laughed uncontrollably for some minutes. “Do you even remember where we’re going, dear?” “Maybe?” I looked around at the carriage, and then outside. “Wait, where ARE we going?” Luna snickered again. “A secret cavern enclave reserved for use by only Celestia and I for retreats and vacations, called Elysium Sanctuary. It’s hidden behind a waterfall, and the floor is covered in a bed of dry, plush moss. There’s a volcanic mineral spring that is always comfortably hot, and the soothing steam fills the cavern. In the back is a small cavity behind a curtain of flowering vines, where the moss is softer than almost any pillow.” She let out a dreamy sigh. As the image of this mystical place filled my head, I did the same. Snuggling closer to me and nestling her head beneath mine, Luna continued in a mumble. “The perfect place to honeymoon and consummate our marriage.” I blinked twice, registering what I heard for a moment. “...consumwhatnow?” “I wish you and your stamina the best of luck,” Celestia’s words echoed in my head. I looked down at the now-sleeping form of my wife, a small smile of innocence on her face. ...This day is going to be perfect.