> Kitzumi the fox pony. Book one. [Edited]
>  by KittyrinnAiko
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The arival of Kitzumi the fox pony.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



 Part 1: A foal found.

It's a warm summer's evening, and the afternoon shadows have all but faded away. Light from a handful of torches light the way to the ruins of the castle of the Two Sisters, and a light can be seen in an upper window. Closer examination finds Twilight Sparkle inside carefully wrapping up books, and placing them in a cart. Spike the dragon is not far away looking over the old musty volumes. "No, don't touch that." Twilight cautions. "These are so old that using anything other than magic to handle them will cause them to crumble to dust. - I have to get them to the Canterlot book restoration ministry. - Don't know why it hadn't occurred to me to do this sooner."

"Ya, these books are at least a thousand years old." Spike offered. "I just can't understand why there would be any of them that would even be readable, and yet we found a whole library of books that looked like they had been shelved recently. - I just think it's really odd considering the place is open to the elements, and all."

"Magic Spike. They'd been preserved with magic. - Otherwise, they'd all have rotted by now." Twilight offered as she used her magic to gingerly lift a book from its place of rest to carefully put it in protective wrappings. Once wrapped it went into a box, the box labeled, and added to the cart.

For spike the entire operation was beyond boring, his mind warring with a desire to explore, and the fact that the place just creeped him out at night. Spike was always a little bit nervous about being in the old castle, even after having been there so many times he'd lost track. Still, though, he feared the whole place might collapse, or there might be some long-forgotten dark magic still permeating the place. A blood-curdling scream emanating from somewhere in the castle wasn't helping either. "Twilight...?" Twilight had the oddest expression on her face. She'd heard it too, but her logical mind refused to let her imagination run wild. Could it have been the wind? … Try as she wanted to dismiss it there had been a burst of magical energy. She had to know what it was.

"Come on," Twilight said gently setting down a book she had. It was an old wizard tome on time and Interdimensional travel.

Spike followed reluctantly as they departed the small library they'd been in, and down the hall. As the two grew closer to the grand audience hall of the two sisters, the faint sound of a young filly crying could be heard causing a cold shiver to run up and down Spike's spine. "Hey, wait up!" Twilight on hearing the sound started to trot towards the source and then broke into a gallop all but leaving Spike behind as his short little legs valiantly struggled to keep up.



On entering the audience hall Twilight could just make out a small white form up by Princess Luna's seat. Spike pronounced it a ghost, and froze in his tracks, while Twilight ran towards the shape. She was a young filly of about six or seven, white with black on top her muzzle, a mane that was mostly black with purple, crimson, and white streaks, the back of her ears were black, a fox-like tail that ran purple, crimson, and white with the purple dropping off first then the crimson, and finally the white switched to black at the end, and on her legs black from the knees down. On hearing Twilight's approach, she looked up, cried mommy,  and dashed to meet Twilight with an embrace that nearly knocked the wind out of her.

"I didn't mean to, I didn't!" the young filly cried as the two embraced. "I'm sorry!"

"It's alright, everything is going to be OK. - What, what did you do? What are you doing here in the dark?" Twilight asked trying to calm the filly while hoping for some answers.

"I – I read a passage out of a book – I've destroyed the castle!" she offered and began crying all over again.

"You haven't destroyed the castle, that wasn't your fault," Twilight said hoping to calm and reassure this odd filly. How could she possibly think she'd destroyed a castle that'd been in ruins for over a thousand years?

"But I did. - I only read a fragment of a spell – and there-there was a blinding light, and, and then everything..." She fought hard to explain while holding back the sobs that fought to get out. Now Twilight was even more concerned than ever. Spell? There had been that burst of magical energy like light flooding in from a door opened.

"Spell, what spell?" Twilight asked. "Spike, look around, see if you can spot a book?" Twilight used the magic from her unicorn horn to light the area they were in as best she could while instinctively shielding the filly with a wing.

"There." the filly offered while pointing. "By Woona's chair."

"Spike?"

"I got it, I got it." The young dragon called trotting across the floor. "Elemental Interdimensional multiverse." Spike read slowly. "A comprehensive compendium of Inter-dimensional travel through time and space by Doctor John Smith."

"Doctor who?"

"Ya, that's what I said. What a strange name. Who names there foal John Smith?" Spike offered. "Hey, this looks like the same book you had a moment ago."

Twilight's heart sank on spotting the book. It still had a magical aura about it. That little filly had called her mommy. Twilight wished fervently that that wasn't the case. Twilight wasn't even in that kind of relationship yet. Twilight looked down at her, and asked if she could tell her, her name, and who she, Twilight, was to her?


"Mommy, don't you know me?" the little filly asked looking up, her eyes like saucers. She began to cry again and this time it brought on the hiccups.

"Please don't start crying again. - Come on, hey it's going to be alright." Twilight gave her another hug while the filly buried her face in Twilight's chest.

"She's got a name tag on a lanyard," Spike announced.

"Thank you, Spike," Twilight said feeling for the tag. On the tag written in Twilight's own quill was 'Hello, my name is Kitzumi. If lost please return to Twilight Sparkle'.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Twilight said in a soft voice nearly devoid of breath. She sat hard pulling Kitzumi in closer. "I should contact Celestia."

"No!" Kitzumi protested, her stress palpable. She sat back looking up at Twilight, her hiccups stopping. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do it. - Please..." She wasn’t quite sure what she’d done but was certain she’d done something she shouldn't have, and what she was seeing around her was plenty of evidence to the fact. She was also very apprehensive about the elder Princess. Princess Celestia, she who must not be disappointed. Kitzu wasn't entirely sure why she must never disappoint the Sun Goddess, or what would happen, she just knew she mustn't disappoint her.

“No? - What about Princess Luna?" Spike asked picking up on Kitzumi's apprehension.

"It is the middle of the night," Twilight admitted also picking up on Kitzumi’s apprehension. "But then, maybe I shouldn't tell anyone? I can't tell ponies I've suddenly had a daughter drop into my lap from out of nowhere can I?"

"Oh, oh, oh!" Kitzumi exclaimed catching her breath. Her crying had stopped, but there was still plenty of evidence on her face. "I'm in the past! I didn't destroy the castle, it just hasn't been fixed yet! Daddy said that if I should ever find myself in the past I had to be really careful what I tell people. Because you might not be allowed to marry daddy if anyone thinks you've already got a baby." She'd blurted it all out really fast amazed that what her father had predicted had actually come to pass. Twilight had to take a couple of moments to take in and process what Kitzu had said.

"Any chance Daddy mentioned how we get you back to where you belong?" Twilight asked. Had they known all along that this was going to happen? That Twilight would get married, and have a daughter who would propel herself into the past? Just the idea of it left a sinking feeling in her gut.

"So who's Daddy?" Spike asked.

"No, and no!" Kitzumi protested all the harder on the second no. "I'm not allowed to say."

"To say how you get back?" Twilight asked.

"Daddy said I'd have to be brave, and that if you know who he is too soon, you might overthink it, and mess things up." Kitzumi offered, proud that she'd been able to remember everything while a bit contrite over the reality of the situation. “Daddy is really good at making predictions, but he’s not always spot on,” Kitzu added. “He never offered any solutions, but he did say that if I were to find myself in the past that I should be really careful what I tell ponies. That I can’t tell any pony about things that haven't happened yet.”

"Well whoever he is, sounds like he knows you pretty good." Spike quipped. It was with a mild teas aimed at Twilight.

"Who does … oh never mind, he's probably right on all counts," Twilight admitted. "So how exactly do I explain you?"

"Easy." Kitzumi offered, looking up into Twilight's eyes, pressing her chin against Twilight. "I'm a cousin who came out to visit without having asked permission. At least that's what I'm supposed to say." She let out a big sigh. "I'm grounded too, aren't I?"

"For life." 


❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇


Part 2:  Morning at the castle of Harmony 

A bright sunny morning following the arrival of Kitzumi. It's not too early, or late, but most ponies are already up and about. A quick look around the castle of harmony, and we find Kitzumi sitting at a table that’d fit no less than a dozen ponies. In front of her is a bowl of porridge. She’s not eating any. She’s just sitting there looking off into the distance while seeing nothing at all with her jaw slack. A bit of drool hangs off her lower lip.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything?”  Glimmer asked worried about her temporary charge. “Are you OK? What’s with your eyes?”. Glimmer placed a hoof against Kitzumi’s forehead. Kitzumi’s eyes had dilated down to slits in response to the morning sun. There is no obvious sign of a fever, but there is a sizable lump on her forehead. As for Twilight, she’d left for Canterlot early in the morning well before first light having given Starlight instructions to look after Kitzu. Without thinking Twilight had referred to Kitzumi as Kitzu resulting in her being called Kitzu from that point on. Starlight had finished her morning meal, and sat there at the table contemplating what to do – she knew nothing of taking care of a foal. Nor had she ever encountered one quite like Kitzu. Starlight called for Spike as she got up from the table. Kitzumi’s eye’s slowly closed. “Spike, I think there’s something wrong with her? - Where is he?”

“Pardon me, but wrong with who?” Fluttershy asked walking in. Her tone was cautious as she worried about butting in where she probably shouldn't, but then she had been summoned.

“It’s Twilight’s cousin. - She showed up late last night, and Twilight has gone to make some inquiries. - You’re here rather early?”

“The enchanted map summoned me.” Fluttershy offered with a puzzled tone.

“Anyone else? Where did it say you needed to go?”

“Here. It wanted me here?” Fluttershy offered just as Kitzumi dropped face down in her porridge. “Oh my!” Both mares hurried to Kitzumi’s side to pull her out of her breakfast before she drowned in it.

“I just don’t get it, I can’t seem to keep her awake? - She’s not running a fever that I can tell?”

“Twilight said this little filly is her cousin?” Fluttershy asked perplexed as she cleaned up Kitzumi’s face.

“Why do you ask?”

“Look, fangs.”

“Fangs? But she’s a Pegasus, not a bat pony? - Is she? Maybe mixed bat pony? - With those eyes, she could be, but the jaw is heavier.”

“Oh no, she’s no bat pony. She’s a fox pony. Fangs, sharp teeth, strong jaw, narrow slit eyes like a cat, the tail, and a lighter build than an ordinary pony. And I’m probably the only one in Ponyville who knows anything about them. - Just look at her cute little ear tufts. - The reason she keeps falling asleep is that fox ponies are primarily nocturnal. They tend to be rather shy, like to sleep in the sun, and have similar dietary needs as a common red fox.”

“Common red fox?”

“They need to eat meat now and then, just like bat ponies need to eat insects to supplement their fruit diet. - Let's move her into the morning lounge, there’s a nice big sofa she can lay on where the sun comes in.”

“Ponies that eat meat?” Starlight sounded horrified.

“Fish, and small rodents mostly. Nothing big. They can eat a very wide variety of things. Meat is only a small part of their diet.” Fluttershy offered as she hoisted Kitzumi up onto her shoulders.

“But meat?”

“Their bodies need an organic compound called Taurine. Most ponies can produce enough in their bodies without needing to supplement it, but fox ponies can’t produce enough. - It might seem cruel, but it’s all part of how nature works,” Fluttershy explained as she carried Kitzumi out of the room with Starlight following. Fluttershy was a licensed veterinarian and really knew her stuff. Her knowledge far surpassed what was needed to be a doctor for ponies alone. “I wonder how Twilight is related? I understand winged fox ponies aren’t very common. - Legend has it that the first fox ponies were the children of a fox that could change its form, who fell in love with a pony.”

“I wouldn't know anything about it. Twilight has never mentioned any relatives other than her immediate family – Come to think of it she doesn’t really talk about them very often either.” Starlight offered as they went down a corridor and into a room with an eastern exposure and large windows where the sun streamed in. There Fluttershy carefully set Kitzumi down, where she gratefully stretched out to soak up the warmth from the sun.

“Thank you Auntie-Shy,” Kitzumi muttered, and dropped into a deep sleep.

“Did she just call you Auntie?”

“Curiouser, and curiouser,” Fluttershy remarked as she contemplated the puzzlement that was Kitzumi. “Looking at her face there is a resemblance to Twilight. - I will simply have to pry it out of her regarding her relatives. - How high up is Twilight’s family anyway, and who are they connected to?”

“Why do you ask?”

“She’s wearing silver horseshoes.”

“So. Twilight’s family aren’t exactly poor.”

“No, I suppose not.”


✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨


 Part 3: Concerning time and alicorns.

Midday finds Twilight Sparkle returning home looking worse for wear.

“Have you slept at all?” Spike asked greeting Twilight as she entered the grand hall.

“No. Maybe.” Twilight had flown all the way to Canterlot to try to get as much information as she could on the spell Kitzumi had apparently used. The verdict wasn’t good. An expert she’d consulted had told her that the spell as used shouldn't have worked. The portion that had been uttered was incomplete, and the hypothetical victim that she’d offered, was now part of the timeline. Sorry, but it’s a fixed point in time, the expert offered. The location also seemed to have played a role. He’d also talked about time loops, discordant magic, and some stuff that was over her head.

“Say, why don’t you come into the kitchen, and have some lunch?” Spike offered.

“Lunch might be nice.”

“Fluttershy is cooking. She’s a good cook too.”

“Why is Fluttershy in our kitchen cooking?”

“Apparently the friendship map didn't like your choice of foal sitters.”

“Well it’s not like I had a lot of time, and why is a magical artifact second guessing me?”

“Maybe because Starlight Glimmer doesn’t know anything about fox ponies. I hear Kitsu nearly drowned in a bowl of porridge this morning.”

“Drowned?! Fox pony? What the hemp has been going on?” Twilight exclaimed rushing off to find the kitchen.

“Oh and Princess Luna is here too,” Spike called.

“What?!” Twilight exclaimed skidding to a stop. “Why didn’t you tell me that first? Where?”

“East sitting room adjacent the southeast tower,” Spike called followed by Twilight, making an abrupt turn to head off in the direction of the east sitting room. “She’s sleeping, probably best not to wake them.”

“Princess Luna?” Twilight called softly as she entered the room. As Luna was in the habit of turning to Twilight whenever she felt the need to confide in someone, the two had become close friends. “Luna?” Twilight called again wondering if she was still in the room. It was also unusual for Luna to be up and about in the middle of the day as well. Twilight looked about not seeing the older mare at first. When she did see her, Twilight’s mind had to take a moment to compute the information. There on the lounge was Princess Luna with a black hoodie, along with matching black and purple leg warmers; sound asleep. No, but it wasn’t the sleeping form of Princess Luna with hind legs stretched out in a most undignified frog-like position with her body in a slight crescent, and forelegs brought up by her head that tugged at her heartstrings. No, the sight that made the picture complete was Kitzumi snuggled up with her, belly to the air, hind legs straight out, and forelegs brought up in the bunny paws position. It was nearly more cuteness than Twilight could take.

Twilight walked as quietly as she could up to the head of the lounge, sat on the floor in front of Luna, and contemplated what she should do next. She thought about it for a moment, reached out, and gently bopped Luna on the nose. Luna opened her sleepy eyes to see a smiling Twilight Sparkle.

“Sunbeam got me,” Luna announced.

“You’re probably wondering who she is?” Twilight asked softly.

“Twilight, perhaps the greatest drawback of being able to see other pony's dreams, is there are no secrets that can be hidden from me,” Luna replied. “I know exactly who she is.”

“You do?” Twilight's ears dropped.

“Any chance you’ve found a way to get her back?”

“Back, as in back to the future?”

“Yes, McFly, back to the future where she belongs.”

“Can’t be done. - At least that’s the answer I’m getting. - In order for her to have done the full round trip, she would have needed to set up an anchor point.”

“No anchor point?”

“No anchor point. She didn’t know what she was doing, and she’s marooned here. - Part of the timeline now.” Twilight hung her head down. “And it’s tearing me up too.”

“Anyone hungry?” Fluttershy asked entering the room with a covered tray on a pushcart. “Oh hello.”

“Why are you making lunch?” Twilight asked.

“Well I figured, fox pony or not, your little cousin should probably get something to eat.” Fluttershy offered. “Not that I’d have anything against her being a fox pony. Personally, I think they are quite adorable. Especially the kits. - I must say you have some interesting relations though. Never would have dreamed you were related to fox ponies.”

“Fox pony?” Twilight asked wondering what Fluttershy could be talking about.

“And interesting taste in stallions.” Luna offered with a grin. “Kitzu is still asleep though.” Fluttershy shifted the tray to a small table with cushions around it to sit on and removed the lid.

“Is that a dead fish?” Twilight asked astonished at the sight of the baked trout.

“If you are going to be taking care of a fox pony, you need to understand their dietary needs.” Fluttershy offered while picking up the plate with the fish, careful not to spill any juices, or get any in her mouth as she carried it. After all, her own taste was strictly vegetarian. She brought it over to Kitzu and held it close to her nose.

“You’re not actually thinking of giving her that are you?!” Twilight protested horrified at the thought of any pony eating such a thing. Her horror turned into a sort of morbid fascination as Kitzumi’s nose twitched, and sniffed, and began to zero in on the aroma. Twilight looked on thinking how cute. Fluttershy slowly pulled the plate away, Kitzumi stretched up to find where that wonderful smell was coming from, and a moment later rolled over to fall off the sofa. Fluttershy took the plate to the table and put it back down. “If you want it, you’ll have to come to the table.”

“Is that roast fish?” Kitzumi asked as she maneuvered her legs under herself.

“Trout from the river, bean curd soup, a bowl of fruit, and spinach salad.” Fluttershy offered.

“Minus the fish, that’s a really nice meal to wake up to.” Luna offered as Kitzumi all but crawled to the table.

“I don’t believe it? She’s actually going to eat that?!” Starlight asked where she’d been watching from the doorway.

“I’ve some fox ponies on the night staff at Canterlot.” Luna offered. “They’ll even eat raw fish. - They seem to like it.”

“Raw too?” Twilight asked.

“It’s good.” Kitzumi offered between bites. Twilight scolded her regarding talking with her mouth full. “Yes, mother.” Kitzumi cringed realizing she should have been more careful with how she addressed Twilight and gave a quick glance to see if any pony had remarked on her slip.

“She’s quite taken with you,” Fluttershy said to Twilight.

“I imagine her real parents probably kicked her out.” Starlight announced.

“I would never do such a thing!” Twilight protested.

“Not you. I know you wouldn't. For Celestia’s sake, she shows up in the middle of the night, and you have to go scrambling to Canterlot before the crack of dawn.” Starlight offered. “She’s a button head. - Look, when I thought she might have a fever I checked her forehead, and she’s got a unicorn button horn.”

“Wait, wouldn't that make her an Alicorn?” Luna asked.

“Immature Alicorn.” Kitzumi offered. "I'm nothing more than a pegasus with a horn."

“Can you fly?” Starlight asked.

“I’ve still got baby feathers.” Kitzumi protested. She held up a fluffy wing. “Look, no flight feathers yet. It’s all floof.” Kitzumi was starting to get annoyed, she’d heard it all before, and it was putting her off that delicious meal that had been presented to her.

“Starlight Glimmer...” Luna began as she sat upon the lounge. “We can assure you that Kitsu was not thrown out by her parents. Truth is she performed a rather spectacular transportation spell last night. It seems to have been a fluke, and owing to circumstances beyond our control we can’t get her back to where she started.”

“I was just saying.” Starlight offered. “I’ve encountered a few. They are all slow starters, weak fliers, and Pegasi tend to view them as an embarrassment.”

“Her flight feathers will come in. It just takes longer.” Fluttershy offered. “I begin to see the real reason the map sent for me. - I’m also a button head.” Fluttershy offered. “It’s hidden under my mane so it’s not likely anyone would notice.”

“Well, you’re a good flier now.” Twilight offered. “I know I was pretty miserable when I first got my wings. - You really have a little button horn?” Fluttershy’s response was a bashful, yes, being that it wasn’t something she really liked to talk about. She wasn’t too keen on anyone knowing about it either.

“I wonder...” Luna began mulling an idea in her head. “Twilight, you became an Alicorn through magical means, but the process was essentially the same as Cadence. You were both pushed to your limits, and you were both exposed to a lot of magical energy.”

“I can’t say I was at my limit when I transformed.” Twilight offered.

“No, but you did manage a very difficult spell which resulted in you being saturated with magical energy. - That spell was of course designed to bring out the full potential of the caster." Luna replied. “Flurry Heart was born with wings, she is a pegasus first. Her horn came in shortly after hatching, and I’m wondering if the Crystal Heart had anything to do with it?”

“I thought we were born with our horns?” Starlight asked. "Hatched?"

“Don’t be silly. If a Unicorn baby had its horn before birth it would impale its own mother. The horn grows in after they are born. - And pegasi lay eggs so it really wouldn't matter one way or another." Luna explained. “Some take longer than others to come in, but most have a decent sized horn by the time they can crawl.” Luna had to think for a moment. "Still though, Flurry having a fully developed horn and wings is unheard of. Pegasi being born with horns is something I wasn't personally aware of."

“It almost sounds like you are suggesting that button heads are Alicorns?” Starlight asked.

“I’ll be perfectly honest in telling you that I don’t even know how one actually becomes an Alicorn. It’s possible Princess Cadence had a button. My understanding is that she did start out as pegasi, and it's been so long ago for me, I don't rightly remember.” Luna admitted. “But it could be reasonable to hypothesize that ponies who are destined to become alicorns are already alicorns when they are born, but no one recognizes them as such until certain conditions are met. There would need to be some trigger for an immature Alicorn to become a mature fully-fledged adult.”

“Wait, does that mean I’ll…? That I’m an alicorn or could become one?” Fluttershy asked astounded at the implications.

“In my book – you already are.” Kitzumi offered her a smile back.

“Fluttershy, can you get me some coffee?” Luna asked. “And take Starlight with you?”

“Um, OK.”

“And take your time. I need to talk to Twilight.”

“Come on Fluttershy. We’re not wanted.” Starlight said turning and exiting the room.

“About Kitzumi I gather,” Twilight said once Fluttershy and Starlight had left.

“I’d like to take her on as a student at the academy.”

“But she just got here? I’m going to lose my baby in the future, and I’d like to spend some time with her now.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Kitzumi stated as though she had a choice in the matter. “Moona, you are the last pony to try to force that issue.” Luna gave her a quizzical look.

“But you’ve never taken on a student?” Twilight asked. “Why now, why Kitzu?”

“Maybe at the start of the next session?” Kitzumi offered hopefully. “Might raise too many eyebrows if you were to cut me into a class now.”

“Aside from the fact that she’s a precocious little brat who isn’t afraid of me, she’s a dream walker,” Luna announced. “Waltzed right into a dream I was having.”

“Did not.”

“Then what do you call it?”

“A foxtrot.”

“You are a precocious little brat,” Twilight said giving Kitzumi a dirty look.

“Hate to admit it, but she’s right about the school.” Luna offered. “Also to avoid excessive contamination to the timeline, no one can know the truth.  - To avoid interfering with your timeline, and reputation, we can’t tell anyone she’s your foal.”

“And what do we do if people insist on knowing who her parents are?” Twilight asked.

“If push comes to shove I’ll say she’s mind, and I hid her.” Luna offered. “My reputation will survive. At least it can’t get any worse.”

“I feel like you are taking my foal.”

“You have a better idea?”

“Not really – no.” Twilight was feeling like she’d been punched in the gut again. “The worst part of this is I’m going to know this is all going to happen right up to the moment I lose her to the past.”

“I’m an Alicorn. Even if I can’t fly, or have any significant magical ability, I’ll still be around. I’ll still be your daughter.” Kitzu announced with a degree of bravado. She'd no way to know if she ever made it home.

“Do you know for a fact that you as your older self was around?” Luna asked her.

“No, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’m a dream walker after all. It’d only make sense to stay as far away from my younger self as possible.”

“That does sound reasonable,” Twilight said reaching over to give Kitzumi a pat. She rubbed Kitzumi’s head experimentally. “You know, that’s a little more than a button you’ve got there.”

“I think it’s grown a little.” Kitzumi offered.

“Twilight, what did you find out regarding your inquiries about time travel?” Luna asked. “Have you really given up on that?”

“She would need to be able to repeat the same thing she did to get here while going forward in time to return to where she started. Anyone else doing it would have to be willing to risk a one-way trip, plus in order to get there, we have to know where there is. Anyone going forward with the appropriate anchor point to pull them back again won’t be able to leave her behind because she’ll be pulled back when the caster returns. - Same applies to someone going back in time. Can’t pull a pony out of the past.”

“If we knew a date a person could go one way.”

“And what if that person is critical to Kitzumi being born?” Twilight asked. “For all I know, just being here means she no longer exists in our future. - She’d be from an alternate future we can’t get to anymore.”

“I don’t think I want that.” Kitzumi offered, nibbling on an apple slice.

“The whole situation is just loaded with paradoxes!” Twilight muttered, sounding exasperated. "Although, if we are talking about an alternate dimension we'd be in the clear. The moment she appeared in the Castle of the two sister's ours was no longer her dimension and it's not going to much matter what we do."

“Try not to think about it too much. OK?” Luna said hoping to calm Twilight down a bit.

“Oh, when you enroll me, can you put me down as a Nightfoal?” Kitzumi asked, the idea popping into her head.

“Nightfoal?” Luna asked astonished at the name that was once so familiar to her.

“It’s an old family name before it was changed to Sparkle.” Twilight offered. “Not too many people would know the name. I gather someone in the family tree changed it, but I haven't a clue why?”

“Because it’s associated with a certain Stallion I tried to wed. It was his original Surname before he used dark magic to try to force a transformation into an Alicorn.”

“Then using the name would be a bad thing?” Kitzumi asked.

“I think it’ll be fine.” Luna offered. “No one really remembers the name anymore, and it is technically my last name. - Luna Moon is just my title. Luna, Princess of the Moon.”

“I thought you said you tried – not that you did? Why do you still use his name?” Twilight asked.

“When he transformed he went mad,” Luna explained, a touch of sadness in her tone. “I was forced to fight the very stallion I loved. - Celestia and I attempted to use the elements of harmony to undo the dark magic. Given what I just learned today and what I’ve surmised, I don’t think he was ever meant to be an Alicorn, because he wasn’t one to begin with. When we tried to undo his spell his body shattered. - I suppose I kind of did too. - My heart if not my body."

“And the capital city of the Crystal Empire vanished with him. Everything from that point I’m familiar with.” Twilight said guessing that Luna meant Sombra. Twilight couldn't resist going to her and giving her a comforting nuzzle.  “So you were actually married to him.”

“He was a good pony. It was his own ambition that was his undoing." Luna offered with a sad wistful tone to her voice. For her, it hadn't really been all that long ago. "I never got to live with him as mare and stallion though.”

“Kitzu, please tell me I do better with your father?” Twilight asked.

“Spoilers,” Kitzumi replied.

“I don’t think I like that answer.” Twilight countered.

“Happily married so far as I know. I suppose I can tell you that much.”

“And a handsome fox pony I gather,” Twilight said with a smile.

“That would be telling if I were to confirm that.” Kitzumi offered. “Maybe I’m adopted?”

“Not likely. Fox ponies are especially protective about their young.” Luna offered. “Dare I ask why you call me Moona?”

“I couldn't say my ells when I was little. - It just sort of stuck. - It's either Moona or Muma."

“That’s nice.” Twilight offered as her head began to droop. Her marathon had caught up with her, and the adrenaline rush was well gone.

“Why don’t we get you on the sofa before your lack of sleep catches up with you.” Kitzumi offered, moving away from the table. “Uncle spike? I know you’ve been listening in the whole time.”

“Uncle?” Spike says from behind a large chair. “I’ll go get a blanket.”

“I’m going to assume he already knows.” Luna offered. “Here, I’ll give you a hoof.”

“Spike was there when I popped in, and he kind of needs to be in the loop on this.” Kitzumi offered as a soft glow enveloped her and then Twilight. Twilight without really being aware of what she was doing, got up from her spot, and climbed up onto the lounge, and lay down with her head resting against Luna.

“How did you?” Luna asked once the glow faded.

“Made her sleepwalk. Can’t you do that?”

“Can’t say I’ve ever tried.”

“Say, um… after you’ve had some coffee, would you mind walking me down to the school, and sign me up for the afternoon classes?”

“Just in the afternoon?”

“They got night classes?”

“Doubt it. - Tell me, what do you know about Nachtlicht Nightfoal?” Luna asked cautiously as Kitzumi retrieved her breakfast tray to place it on the cart.

“Don’t look at me, ask Grandfather.” Kitzumi offered as she began to push the cart. “But you didn’t hear anything from me.” Still pushing, but not getting anywhere.

“So how exactly do I breach such a subject with a Stallion that avoids the palace despite being a high-ranking government minister?”

“Don’t you get the same feeling out of him that you do out of Mother, and myself? Ask him if he has any idea why Nightmare Moon went so easy on Twilight and the others. I know you went easy on them. Admit it, you went easy on them. Maybe you should ask yourself that?” She was still not getting anywhere with the cart.

“Because, because I didn’t want to hurt anyone, least of all Twilight. - You’re not saying my feelings for her is a maternal thing are you?”

“I never said a thing. - Even if it were, and I were to admit to certain secrets that aren't mine to tell, there's been plenty of generations between. - Let's just say kinship, and leave it at that.”

“You sure you don’t want some help with that cart?” Luna offered as a big smile crept up on her face.

“OK, maybe a little. Yes, please. Thank you.”
> A new pony in town.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Ponyville, about an hour past noon. 
Fluttershy is making her way towards the town’s primary school accompanied by Kitzumi and a tall Unicorn mare who looks suspiciously like Princess Luna. Luna has her hoodie on, hood pulled over her head to shade her eyes, and there is a coffee cup hovering in front of her. Kitzumi has placed herself between her elders and has sunglasses on that had been provided by spike. The type with the material on either side to block the sun from coming in from the sides.



“You know I was going to have it out with you this morning,” Luna said to Kitzumi.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I never should have done what I did.”

“Well, it’s done. What’s done can’t be undone. - What about that little spell you used on Twilight?”

“It’s a very personal sort of connection, and requires complete trust,” Kitzumi explained. “Mmmm, um, Mother is always overdoing it. That’s how I figured out that little spell.”

“So you can do some magic then, is it fox magic?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don’t know, maybe?”

“And you used that on Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.

“Just to get her off the floor,” Kitzumi explained.

“Poor Twilight had pushed herself to the limit. - Again” Luna offered. “Though in this case, I can understand her pushing herself like that.”

“Sorry,” Kitzumi said quietly.

“What’s done is done. Having to live with the consequences will be more punishment than any of us deserve.”

“Oh my, that sounds really dire.” Fluttershy offered.

“It’s going to be a while before she gets to go home.” Luna offered.

“Ya, that’s going to be kinda rough.” Fluttershy offered and gave Kitzumi a soft pat with her wing.

“Hey, don’t be getting all emotional on me, I might lose it.” Kitzumi offered only to look up and see Pinkie Pie right in front of her.

“Oh, who is this? Are you feeling down? You’re new to town. I know, how about a party, do you want a party? I bet you’d like a party!”

Kitzumi pressed to Luna’s side and hid her head under Luna’s wing. Owing to the camouflage spell Princess Luna was using to hide her wings it had the effect of making her head appear to vanish.

“Pinkie! Pinkie, you’re scaring her.” Fluttershy protested at Pinkie’s sudden onslaught of exuberance.

“Her -  her - her head! It’s gone!”

“Pinkie!” Fluttershy all but shouted.

“Um, Kitsu, that looks really bad. Why don’t you come out.” Luna said looking around at Kitzumi. Kitzumi pulled her head out from under Luna’s wing.

“Hello, Miss Pinkamina.” Kitzumi offered in a rather reserved manner. Pinkie just simply overwhelmed her.

“Why so formal?” Pinkie asked. Pinkie leaned in. “Why – so – serious?” Pinkie tilted her head.

“Miss Pie, please. We are on our way...” Luna began but stopped abruptly when Pinkie turned and looked her in the eyes getting right in her face to do it.

“Nightmare moon!!” Pinkie shouted and dashed away.

“But I’m not,” Luna said softly.

“Forgive her.” Fluttershy offered. “I don’t think she has a clue how insensitive she’s being.”

“She’s just so overwhelming,” Kitzumi said. “School?”

“Come on then,” Luna said with a gentle loving tone realizing that she and Kitzumi must have had a very close relationship. The three continued on to the school where they met with Miss Cheerilee the school teacher.

“So she’s just going to attend in the afternoon?” Cheerilee asked.

“Kitzu’s nocturnal. Has to do with who some of her relatives are.” Fluttershy offered.

“She’s the daughter of a close friend.” Luna offered. “She’ll be staying with Twilight Sparkle for the time being.”

“Princess Twilight didn’t come with you?”

“No, dear Twilie has been burning her candles at both ends again.” Luna offered.

“I wanted to get set up as soon as I could,” Kitzumi informed her. “Mm – er, Miss Twilight will be homeschooling me in the evenings.”

“Mmm-kay.” Miss Cheerilee said, just a little puzzled by the situation. Add to that, she was almost certain this was Princess Luna under that hoodie.

“Cheerilee, she’s a fox pony,” Fluttershy whispered. “If there are any medical emergencies I’m to be notified along with Twilight.”

“This is most unusual. Fox family did you say?” Miss Cheerilee asked. Kitzumi lowered her sunglasses. “Oh my?”

“Without the sunglasses, I’m as blind as a bat pony in the daylight,” Kitzumi explained.

“I see. - Well, it’s a little unusual, but I don’t see it being a problem. - Well then, we’re just about to start class. She’ll be in good hooves.”

“Go on then. You’ll be fine.” Luna prompted.

“By Moona,” Kitzumi said giving Luna a hug, turned, gave Fluttershy a hug, called her Aunt Shy, and went in with Miss Cheerilee. She introduced herself to the class as Kitzu Nightfoal.




🏠🏠🏫🏘🏡



At the Apple Farm later that afternoon. 

“Hey Cheerilee, if you’re looking for Big Mac, he’s out in the back forty,” Applejack called. Applejack was busy sweeping the barn. “Or is this about Apple Bloom?”

“What, can’t I just hang out with my potential new sister in law?” Cheerilee teased.

“Yer dates going that well, are they?” Applejack asked with a smile.

“I won’t say no if he’ll ask me. - Say, what do you know about fox ponies?”

“Fox ponies? We’ve got a couple who buy apples off us. Live out in the Everfree forest. Look just like regular earth ponies for the most part, save they have eyes just like a bat pony’s eyes. - And fangs. Why?”

“We have a new student.”

“Oh don’t tell me you have some weird concern about having a fox type in your class?” Applejack said stopping what she was doing, and sounding just a little annoyed. “I know they got weird eyes and all, but they’re really quite friendly.”

“Not that kind of weird, no. - Honestly, you know me better than that. - Rarity, and her mother going on an extended vacation while Rarity was still in high school, and bringing home a baby sister weird. - The filly’s name is Kitzu Nightfoal, it was Fluttershy, and Princess Luna who brought her to the school only Princess Luna was using a disguise, and she’ll be staying with Princess Twilight. To top it off she called Fluttershy Auntie Shy, and Princess Luna is Moona.”

“Maybe it’s a cultural thing? I know the local fox ponies go to Fluttershy for their medical needs. - Did she really call Princess Luna, Moona? And she puts up with it?”

“They seemed rather close. - The story is Kitzu came out to see Princess Twilight without permission, and circumstances have prevented her from going home right away.”

“Kind of makes it sound like she could be Luna’s foal. - Not that it’s any of our business. - Must still be some bad blood between her and Princess Celestia if Princess Luna had a foal, and went to all the trouble to hide her. - Probably best ta just let it go.”

“Well, I just hope there isn’t any gossip aimed at Princess Twilight.”

“Well, you’ll just have to set them straight if they do, and tell em who her parents are.”

“Princess Luna and Fluttershy didn’t say. Just that she was the daughter of friends, and that Princess Luna, Princess Twilight, and Fluttershy seem to be her guardians. I kind of got the impression I wasn’t to ask too many questions.”

“So what color is this filly, what kind of markings?”

“Mostly white with black legs, the top of her snout is black, a black mane with purple-red and white streaks, a tail that starts out purple, red, and white, the purple tapers off, then the red, and towards the end of the tail the white switches to black.”

“Sounds a bit like Prince Reynard. Save the purple and red. He was a rather nice fella, only met him once, and mighty easy on the eyes if you know what I mean?”

“And here I thought you only had eyes for Rarity.” Cheerilee teased.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Afraid so. - Come on, the two of you go everywhere together. I mean except when she’s out of town doing some fashion thing. - I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the two of you were to beat Mack and me to the altar.”

“Are you kidding? We don’t really spend that much time together, and as for all that marriage stuff, I can’t even bring myself to talk to her about Sweetie Belle. The whole town suspects and the last thing I’d want to do is leave her behind if she really is Rarity's daughter. - All I was saying is that fox ponies have a tendency towards being mighty good-looking. - What’s this Kitzu like?”

“Cute as a button, and her wings are about as useless.”

“Wings?!” Applejack said momentarily startled. “Who ‘m I kidding, of course, she’d have wings. Prince Reynard has wings, Princess Luna has wings, granted she and Twilight are Alicorns, but if she’s in any way related to Fluttershy or Prince Reynard it’s only natural she’d have wings.”

“Fox ponies don’t have wings?”

“Not normally so far as I know. - Can't say as I've ever met one who did. Fox pegasus are as rare as hens' teeth. - Unicorns and earth ponies mostly. - And magic. They have a very special kind of magic that isn’t exclusive to any one type.”



🐺⛩🐺



 Canterlot that evening.

 “I...” Celestia began but stopped not sure what she wanted to say. Celestia and Luna are sitting down for dinner at a modestly sized table, a long oblong table long enough for no less than two dozen ponies, with Celestia at the head. Modestly sized for the palace in Canterlot. “You’ve moved closer.” Her tone cautious, and hopeful. When Luna had first returned she’d sat at the opposite end of the table, and every so often she would ask to be seated a little closer. Despite their reconciliation, they still had their issues. “Was your talk with Twilight Sparkle a good one? - You were out all day.”

“Yes, it was. I wound up sleeping there most of the morning. Met a rather charming young filly there as well.”

“Did you?”

“I think I’d like to take her on as a student. - I know you’ve wanted me to take a more active role in the school. Any chance a slot can be opened up next quarter?”

“She’s that impressive? - I mean the school is reserved for gifted unicorns.”

“To be honest, I’ve no idea what her skill level is.”

“Then why take her on as your student?”

“Well, the primary reason is that she’s not afraid of me.” Luna’s statement was met by a long awkward silence. “On another note, I happened to talk with Starlight Glimmer this afternoon. - She mentioned that there are among the Pegasus the occasional foal born with a unicorn button horn that never grows. They’re called button heads.”

“I wasn’t aware of that.”

“By any chance, would you know if Cadence was born with a button?”

“Afraid I can’t really answer that.”

“No, you only took her in after she became an Alicorn.”

“Well, I didn’t even know she existed before then.” Celestia protested. “What exactly are you getting at?”

“I wasn’t suggesting anything, dear sister. - Evidence would suggest that dear Cadence was driven from her home. Abandoned. And before you say anything, let me continue.” Luna took a breath. “Miss Glimmer informed me that such ponies are notoriously weak fliers. She says she has encountered on occasion Pegasus foals that have been banished from their homes. She didn’t elaborate. - I paid Lord Dash a visit in Cloudsdale to see if he might be able to enlighten me as to the truth.”

“He denied it?”

“He confirmed it.”

“What?”

“Apparently a small percentage, less than one-tenth of a percent of the overall pegasus population, by his guesstimates, are born button heads. He also said they only occur in families of mixed heritage. The more prominent the family, the more likely they are to either ship the foal off to be cared for by earth ponies, or abandon them completely.”

“Abandon them?! That’s outrageous!” Celestia was shocked and outraged. “I can just imagine what your reaction was, what with how strong your maternal instincts are.” There was a moment between the two where not a word could be said.

“For a thousand years I wanted to kill you,” Luna said in a nearly inaudible whisper. “In the end, all I wanted was to be reconciled with you.”

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret what happened.”

“Can I ask you something more about Cadence?”

“You might just as well.”

“Did you know, or at least suspect who her parents are when you told her to call you Aunt? - I mean, why not just adopt her outright, and let her call you mother?”

“I wanted to adopt her as my own. She didn’t really have anyone. - I was advised not to.” Her tone steady.

“I wouldn't be a bit surprised if your advisers know who her parents are. - She may even be related to us, through one of your foals.”

“I find the idea that one of my own would abandon their own foal just because she can’t fly most distasteful. I’ve got a mind to find out though.” Celestia betrayed a hint of anger in her voice.

“You want to know the kicker?”

“Kicker?” Celestia asked astonished there could be more.

“When I was still at Twilight’s we came up with a very interesting theory.”

“That would be?”

“That every last one of them, the button heads, have within themselves the potential to become an Alicorn.”

“Wait, how would that work?”

“Well, the idea is that to become an Alicorn, one must already be an Alicorn.”

“Twilight was a unicorn.”

“And she used a transformation spell you gave her. - A very dangerous gamble considering she started with the same spell as Sombra. - I’ve seen Twilight’s transformation spell, and I’ve seen the spell Sombra used. Twilight got it right while he got it horribly wrong. - She's lucky her blind casting of Starswirl's original spell only resulted in her friends' destinies being switched."

“Are you sure it was the same spell?” Celestia was shocked.

“I’m positive. - Now either Sombra was truly evil down to his core, and I simply can’t bring myself to believe that, or he was lacking some vital quality. Though it is possible the spell simply switched his destiny from a good pony to an evil monster. - Regarding the buttons, the idea is that all they need is a boost of magical energy.”

“But isn’t that the sort of thing Sombra was saying? All you need is a boost of magical energy?”

“Sombra was from a noble line of Unicorns. A line that has all but died off so badly tarnished their reputation had become. He did not possess any ancestry from Pegasus, or Earth ponies. - Our ancestry links us to all three, as does Twilight’s.”

“So you’re saying that...”

“In order for the transformation spell to work properly, the caster must have ancestry from all three primary pony tribes. - And for a button to become an Alicorn they must be exposed to a large amount of magic to create that spark that causes the horn to grow. If the theory is correct, it could explain Flurry.”

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this,” Celestia said stunned.

“I have at that. - Granted it’s going to take a lot of research to know for sure. - I just wish the wise old ponies who raised us could have told us more about what we are, and what makes us Alicorns. What did they know that was forgotten? How did they know we would be special? - Ponies who may well be like us, are being cast aside, and for all I know, all they need is a close relative who can use magic.”

“If only I had known, I might not have tried to take your son by force.” Celestia offered, dropping her head down till her nose nearly touched the table. “The castle wouldn't have collapsed, and I wouldn't have resorted to the elements of harmony when you lost yourself to rage. - When I’d time to reflect I couldn't bring you back because the elements had rejected me. - Had that spell backfired on Twilight, my failure would truly have been complete.”

“But it’s not. You’ve made some horrible mistakes, even so, I’m willing to forgive you, little by little. And you need to forgive yourself as well. - Just one thing...”

“That is?” Celestia asked looking up.

“Twilight doesn’t need to know she had the same spell as Sombra. I doubt she’d take it well.”

“Agreed.” Celestia offered, looking back up. “That filly obsesses worse than you did at that age. She kind of reminds me of you too. - Something is wrong, I can tell."

"There was an incident in Ponyville today."
> A blind fox, and an Alicorn.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So what’d she say?” Scootaloo asked as Kitzumi walked out into the main hall of Twilight’s castle. Scoot, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle had volunteered themselves to show Kitzumi around town, and possibly help her find out what her cutie mark was.

“Mo... Miss Twilight is still out cold. - And I’ll have all night to do those assessments Miss Cheerilee loaded me up with as well,” Kitzumi announced. Her need to fight the reflex of simply calling Twilight mom was coming out sounding like a stutter, and it’d already garnered her the ire of Miss Diamond Tiara. Miss Cheerilee for her credit would tolerate no one giving Kitzumi a hard time, or asking too many uncomfortable questions. “Apparently Miss Twilight had been on one of her sleepless marathons prior to my arrival. Flying to Canterlot and back didn’t help.”

“Wow, I had no idea?” Scootaloo said. “Not that it’s the first time she’s done that.”

“So are you in a lot of trouble?” Apple Bloom asked. “Where’d you say your home was?”

“Apple Bloom, Miss Cheerilee told us not to be asking a lot of questions.” Sweetie Belle Protested. “You aren’t related to Twilight, are you? You kind of look like her.”

“Whinny Bee Island northwest of Vanhoover.” Kitzumi offered. Kitzumi knew she had relatives there being the island was a fox pony principality, and just far enough away no pony would go to verify who she was. Starlight Glimmer and Fluttershy had both been given the same story, though if either suspected the impromptu narrative as to where she’d come from, neither said a thing. Kitzumi had also made sure Twilight would be on the same page by popping into her dream to let her know what was up. Something she was loath to do being one never knew what to expect in an adult’s dreams. As it was Twilight had been obsessing about suddenly having a foal to take care of, which had manifested in the form of babies being parachute dropped into her care. Kitzumi managed to reassure her that there was only one Kitzumi, at least in this world.

“Folks are on a trip around the world,” Kitzumi explained. “I got it into my head to come out here to see Princess Twilight. - She’s going to let me stay for now. At least until someone can be contacted and arrangements made.”

“And you’re related?” Apple Bloom asked, curious as to why Kitzu hadn’t answered Sweetie Belle.

“Mmm, ya, Nightfoals are related to the Sparkle family. Why I'm here.” Kitzumi offered. “Well, weren’t you going to show me around?” Kitzu was obviously avoiding the question.

“Well come on then.” Scootaloo offered. If Kitzu didn’t want to elaborate on how she was related there wasn’t much point in pressing the matter. For now. Outside waited a wagon and a scooter. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom climbed into the wagon, Scootaloo attached the wagon handle to her scooter, challenged Kitzu to a race, and started out with a push with one hoof, and added considerable wing flapping.

“Hey, how’s she supposed to keep up?” Apple Bloom protested.

“She’s a pegasus, she can fly!” Scootaloo called as they zipped down the lane.

Kitzumi hesitated only a moment and started after them at a gallop while employing her wings as an assist. Like Scootaloo, Kitzumi could manage a fair amount of prop wash, but no lift. Scootaloo was also a pony Kitzumi idolized, and when she found herself being left behind, she’d no choice but to break into a run.


✳❇✳✳❇✳🛴✳❇✳✳❇✳




“Um, where’s she at?” Scootaloo asked a short time later as she scanned the heavens. Apple Bloom took hold of Scootaloo’s head and turned it back to aim her eyes at the road into town from the castle. There she was with her wings hanging heavy staggering more than walking was a very winded Kitzumi just entering the town. “Kitzu?”

“I’m, huff, puff, gasp, I’m, gasp, gasp… OK, just give me...” breaths in heavy, “a moment.”

“I can’t believe it!?” Announced Diamond Tiara from across the lane. “She’s as flightless as you are! Just one more loser added to the loser brigade. - Fitting she’d be a blank flank.”

“Kitzu, you really can’t fly?” Scootaloo asked.

“Fly with baby feathers?” Kitzumi asked.

“Ya, she is a bit on the fluffy side.” Sweetie Bell offered. “You’d be the same if you took better care of your feathers.”

“Judging from the trail of feathers, I’d say she’s molting.” Kitzumi offered.

“Molting?!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “Great, just bucking great!”

“Scoots, you really should watch your language.” Diamond offered as she and Silver Spoon walked over to them. “There is a lady present.”

“Where?” Scootaloo asked Looking around. Silver Spoon pointed to herself. Scootaloo couldn't help but crack a smile.

“You know, I can’t help but wonder...” Diamond began edging over to Kitzumi. “..those dark glasses.” Quick as a wink Diamond snatched the sunglasses.

“Hey, give them back!” Kitzumi protested holding a hoof up to try to shade her eyes from the sun.

“Oh wow! She’s got bat pony eyes.” Diamond declared.

“I’m not a bat pony! Give them back!” Kitzumi protested. “I need my glasses...”

“Group photo!!” Pinkie Pie Shouted bouncing up to the foals.

“What?” Kitzu turned to discover to her horror Pinkie had with her the most outrageous collection of flash strobes one could possibly imagine all arrayed on a sort of makeshift scaffolding attached to a large box camera. “No!!” Kitzu had heard tales of the great flash camera debacle.

💥FLASH!!!! Too late, Kitzu had tried to turn away too late.

“Aaaahhh!!! My eyes! My eyes!” Kitzu had been looking right at it as the rig had exploded.



✳❇✳✳❇✳⚜✳❇✳✳❇✳





“Alright, every pony settle down.” Miss Cheerilee said as she entered the classroom on the following morning. The students were a bit louder than normal this morning.

“Miss Cheerilee?” Apple Bloom inquired.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Scootaloo won’t be coming in this morning. - Oh, and I don’t think Miss Kitzu will be coming in today either.”

“Is Scootaloo sick? - What about Miss Kitzu?”

“Scootaloo’s fine.”

“Then why’s she not coming to school?” Miss Cheerilee was a bit perplexed, nor was she prepared for the answer.

“Scoot’s feathers caught fire.” Sweetie Belle informed. “My fur’s a bit scorched as well.”

“Poor Kitzu’s eyes got scorched too,” Diamond added.

“Well if you hadn’t taken her glasses.” Apple Bloom accused.

“How was I supposed to know Pinkie Pie was going to blow up her camera?” Diamond shot back. “She had enough flash strobes on that thing to ignite a whole forest! - Ruined my new jacket, and I’m still seeing spots. - Not to mention scorching my fur as well.”

“Didn’t your jacket get burned when you used it to put Scoot’s feathers out?” Sweetie asked.

“The jacket was scorched before I did that. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”

“Yer mom not happy about the jacket I gather.” Apple Bloom asked.

“I save some ponies life and all she can think about is that stupid jacket,” Diamond muttered sounding rather disappointed in her mother.

“You were kind of cool when you did it.” Silver Spoon offered. Her fur also showed signs of scorching.

“Well, it does seem kind of out of character for you.” Apple Bloom remarked.

“I will admit I can be a little snarky, and do enjoy antagonizing other ponies now and then, but I could never stand by and watch someone in need and stand there doing nothing.”

“So then Scootaloo is alright?” Miss Cheerilee asked trying to take in everything that’d been said.

“She wouldn't even come out of her room this morning.” Apple Bloom offered. “What with scorched feathers and feathers falling out all over. - Why I wouldn't be a bit surprised if her wings are half-naked right now.”

“Wow, that sounds like a full complete molt.” Rumble offered. “If it is, I’d say she’s lucky. - She’ll have a whole new set in a few days.” Rumble is one of the older pegasi in the group, he’d a good idea what was going on with Scootaloo’s feathers the day before. Rumble had been intrigued when he realized what was happening as a full molt was known to be triggered by the onset of puberty. By the time Scootaloo emerged from her room at her foster home, she might well be a brand new Scootaloo.

“And you said something about Miss Kitzu?” Cheerilee asked.

“She and Pinkie had to be rushed to the horsepital.” Silver Spoon informed her. “Then they sent for Fluttershy, and a short time later Princes Twilight Sparkle showed up at the horsepital in a panic about Kitzu, followed by Princess Luna showing up too.”

“We were all there because they wanted to make sure we were all alright considering we’d all been scorched by the blast.” Apple Bloom offered. “Pinkie was alright but lost most of her mane off the top of her head. - She’s looking rather butch right now. - Princess Twilight was about ready ta snatch off what was left of Pinkie’s mane when she learned what had happened. ”

“Princess Twilight did?” Cheerilee asked. “So, um… how would you describe Princess Twilight’s relationship with Miss Kitzu?” Miss Cheerilee was finding this new bit of information to be rather intriguing.

“I suppose I might describe them as having a sisterly relationship.” Sweetie Belle offered.

“It was Princess Luna who signed all the paperwork for treatment though.” Diamond offered. “Once she was satisfied everything was going to be taken care of, she left.”

“And is Miss Kitzu going to be alright?” Miss Cheerilee asked.

“When they finally brought her out she was in a wheelchair, had her eyes all bandaged, and they took her home to Princess Twilight’s castle in a cart.” Sweetie Belle informed.

“Poor Luna must be in a state about this,” Cheerilee said quietly. To Cheerilee, the news that Princess Luna had signed the hospital release forms was proof enough that Princess Luna had had an affair, and had been keeping the foal a secret.

“Umm, Miss Cheerilee?” Silver Spoon asked.

“Is it me, or is she not one bit surprised that Princess Luna signed the hospital forms?” Diamond asked.

“Now that you mention it...” Apple Bloom chimed in. “OK Miss Cheerilee, spill it!”

“Princess Luna was the pony who brought her here yesterday, just after noon, only she was in disguise at the time. That’s why I asked you all to not be pressing Miss Kitzu with a lot of awkward questions. - I can’t say anything other than that because I just don’t know.”

“So then she’s definitely connected to Princess Luna somehow?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yes, she’s definitely connected to Princess Luna.”



✳❇✳✳❇✳⚜✳❇✳✳❇✳





“Twilight?” Luna called softly entering the kitchen where Twilight was having a late breakfast.

“How’d you know?” Twilight asked.

“Sudden panic attack coupled with a strong desire to find Kitzu. - I flew all the way from Cloud City. - I think it’s a bond between us as a result of her entering my dream.”

“I experienced the same thing. - No one knew to contact me. They contacted Fluttershy because they recognized Kitzu wasn’t an ordinary Pegasus, and someone remembered seeing Kitzu with Fluttershy. - But she never made such a link with me?”

“Afraid she did. She walked you off the floor, and up onto the sofa. - She mentioned that it’s a very personal thing that she’ll only do when there is mutual trust. I get the feeling that all her emotions concerning the individual she links with go flooding across. - Something I’ll need to teach her how to control. - What happened, and how is our daughter doing?”

“Our? - Hang on, she popped into my dreams to get me up to speed on her cover story. - It seemed so real. There were foals being airdropped by the thousands out of giant storks.” Twilight shuddered at the memory of the nightmare.

“Well?”

“She’s asleep. - I had to let her sleep with me, and I’m keeping a close eye on her. - She wakes up and has a panic attack because she can’t see, and doesn't fully comprehend what happened. - She knows me by voice, so calming her down isn’t a huge problem. - Fluttershy says the damage isn’t too bad, but she’ll need to keep the gauze on her eyes for at least a week. - She can’t have any light hit her eyes until they’ve had some time to heal.”

“I remember a lot of panicky ponies yesterday afternoon.”

“Pinkie got it into her head to attach several flash strobes to a camera she got. - Of all the idiotic things to do. The apparatus she’d rigged up overloaded. - I swear I was ready to kill her, and I can’t even be certain Kitzu is mine or another Twilight’s.”

“You think she might have crossed over from another dimension?”

“It’s a possibility. All I really know for sure is that she identifies me as her mother. Where she came from, the castle of the Two Sisters was intact.”

“At dinner last night Celestia mentioned she’d planned to restore the castle, and use it to entertain dignitaries away from Canterlot.”

“Well, that’s that then. - Meanwhile, what do I do about paperwork? The hospital was asking for documentation prior to your arrival. I think they suspected I wasn’t being truthful. - I could adopt her. I’d like to adopt her.”

“She’d have to be declared a foundling, and you could lose her to the system. - That or the fox ponies will insist on taking her in. That could prove equally disastrous.”

“What about asking Celestia to pull some strings? - Shouldn't we tell her something?”

“You’ll forgive me, but I’d just assume not have to explain any of this to her,” Luna said, resolute in her conviction. “I know you think the world of her, but take into consideration that under that exterior is a cold calculating ruler. She will use any asset at her disposal to get what she wants. Granted that’s not always a bad thing, but if she knows Kitzu is from the future, or at least one version of the future, that knowledge alone could be enough to cause her to second guess her decisions. She could become obsessed with knowing what Kitzu knows, all for the good of the kingdom mind you, but it’d drive her to distraction.”

“You don’t really think - do you really see your sister like that?”

“Take into consideration that when she sent you to retrieve the elements of harmony she couldn’t use them anymore because they’d rejected her. She knew you’d be the one who stood the best chance at facing me. It was a cold calculated decision that fortunately paid off or we wouldn't be having this conversation. - No, if there are any strings to pull, I’ll be the one to do it, and I’ll deal with the consequences later. I also want you to keep having the same life you would have had had Miss Kitzu never shown up. I think even my sister would agree to that. A foal is a serious responsibility, and it changes your whole life. Keeping her with you could potentially prevent you from getting together with her father.”

“Alright.” Twilight relented reluctantly. “You sure it’s not the other way around though?”

“Her going back in time is what makes it possible for you to get together with her father? The implications are staggering. It’s not like you’ll never see her again. - It’ll be no different than when you went to Celestia’s school, she can write to you, and you can visit.”

“How’m I supposed to go to school now?” Kitzu said nuzzling up to Twilight from a sitting position on the floor.

“You’re up?” Twilight asked wondering just how much of their conversation Kitzu had heard.

“Been sleeping off and on since yesterday afternoon. - I’m all messed up.”

“Nonsense. Fluttershy said you’re going to be fine. It’s just going to take a little time.” Luna offered reassuring Kitzu.

“My eyes hurt.”

“Did they give you anything?” Luna asked Twilight.

“Yes, pain medication and a sedative to help her sleep.” Twilight offered and got up from the table. “Don’t fall over...” Kitzu had been leaning on Twilight, and nearly toppled over when Twilight had gotten up. “This is why I’m convinced she’s mine. The way she seeks me out and is perfectly at ease with me.” Twilight offered, looking down at Kitzu. She then went to fetch the medicine.

“Kitzu, come over here.” Luna offered. Kitzu got up, and slowly made her way over to Luna, and rested her head against her.

“So how’d you find your way out here?” Luna asked.

“I know every square inch of this place. Long as nothing gets put in the way, I can feel my way.”

“Alright, I need you to drink this.” Twilight requested coming back over. She’d a small cup in which the pain medicine and sedative had been mixed with juice.”

“You bring a chaser too?” Kitzu asked.

“Chaser?” Twilight asked.

“That smells nasty.”

“I put it in juice? Here, drink, and then I'll get something to wash it down.”

A short time later finds Twilight, and Luna escorting Kitzu back to bed. Kitzu being as stubborn as her mother has insisted that she needs no help, and is finding her way by touching a wingtip to the wall, and has made it halfway through the main hall when Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, enter with Pinkie in tow.

“Twilight! I think you owe Pinkie an apology!” Applejack called.

“No, not really, no. We don’t really need to do this.” Pinkie called sounding a bit more like Fluttershy than her usual boisterous self. Kitzu on hearing Pinkie froze in place and began to tremble.

“Umm… who’s that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“One of Miss Pie’s victims,” Luna announced and picked up Kitzu as a mother cat might pick up one of her kittens just as Rarity entered.

“Pinkie! Pinkie Pie! I want to have a few words with you!” Rarity called. “I’ve been looking for you! - Oh my is that Miss Kitzu? - Poor little filly.”

“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, one of Pinkie’s more brilliant ideas didn’t go so well, and this time there were injuries besides her hair.” Twilight informed them with an edge to her voice as Luna carried Kitzu down the corridor that led to Twilight’s bedroom. “Pinkie, there are reasons they warn not to use equipment in any other way other than the manufacturer's intended use.”

“I got in late last night, and only found out about it this morning.” Rarity offered. “I had to let Sweetie Belle go to school with scorched fur. Believe you me, I’ve got her an appointment to get all the scorched ends shaved.”

“Applejack, no one told you about Apple Bloom?” Twilight asked.

“Well they did, but it’s not the first time she’s come home with scorched fur.” Applejack admitted.

“And Rainbow Dash, by any chance have you checked in on Scootaloo?”

“Umm, no.”

“Her feathers had caught on fire. She had to be treated for burns, and she’s a sight.” Twilight informed them.

“I don’t actually remember that part.” Pinkie admitted. “I just remember getting chewed out at the horsepital.”

“I’m sorry, I was pretty harsh on you,” Twilight admitted. “But what you did was reckless, irresponsible, and there’s a little filly who’s afraid of you now. - Your hair will grow back. I just hope Kitzu’s eyesight hasn’t been permanently affected.”

“I am so sorry.” Pinkie offered with a quiver to her voice.

“It’s OK, you didn’t mean any harm.” Twilight offered, followed by the two embracing.

“So who’s the daddy?” Pinkie asked mid-hug.

“I’ve no idea.” Twilight offered in a moment of candid honesty.

“How could you not know?!” Pinkie said a gasp as the two separated. “She’s your Foal!”

“I never said she was mine!”

“No one gets that upset over somebody else’s foal.” Pinkie countered.

“She – she’s Luna’s.” Twilight offered, trying to think fast. After all, that was what they’d decided on.

“Oh come on. Are we, are we talking about some kind of lesbian spawn between you and Luna? That filly is too old to be Luna’s.” Pinkie countered.

“Now Pinkie if she doesn’t want to talk about it she doesn’t have to.” Rarity offered.

“She’s a cousin who came to stay,” Twilight said as she attempted to fall back on the previously agreed-upon story.

“But you don’t know their names.” Pinkie stated. “Come on, I heard you talking with Nurse Redheart, you gave a different set of names every time she pressed you for an answer.”

“Alright fine, she’s from a different dimension.” Twilight offered, starting to get flustered.

“Please, you really don’t need to go that far.” Rarity offered. “Look, I’ll go first. Sweetie Belle is my daughter, not my sister. Now it’s your turn.”

“How old is Kitzu from the moment she entered this world.” Pinkie demanded.

“About thirty-two hours. Wait, what?! Rarity, Sweetie is your daughter?!” Twilight was in shock.

“Um, Rarity – sugar cube, I’ve been meaning to talk to you concerning that.” Applejack said.

“Umm, I think you broke her?” Rainbow Dash said waving a hoof in front of Twilight’s face.

“Hey, what’s up?” Starlight asked walking up to the group.

“Rarity just told Twilight that Sweetie Belle is her daughter and Twilight sort of froze up.” Pinkie offered.

“Is she? Really? Wow! I never would have guessed it.” Starlight replied.

“And here I thought every pony knew?” Applejack replied.

“Only those who were in Ponyville at the time would know.” Rainbow Dash corrected.

“And Twilight is about as straight-laced prim and proper a princess as a pony can be.” Starlight offered.

“Pinkie was accusing Twilight of being Miss Kizu’s mother.”

“My money is on Luna being Kitzu’s mother.” Starlight offered. “The two are all snuggled up on Twilight's bed right now sound asleep.”

“But wouldn't Kitzu be too old to be Princess Luna’s daughter?” Pinkie asked.

“No, it’s been seven years. If Princess Luna had a, shall we say indiscretion shortly after being freed from the moon, then Kitzu could be just about the right age. - I mean, think about it, a thousand years stuck on the moon? There’d be no telling who that filly’s daddy is. - Poor stallion probably never knew what hit him.”

“You don’t honestly think she…?” Rarity asked.

“First chance she got.” Starlight announced. “Look, the night before last, Kitzu shows up in the middle of the night, yesterday morning Twilight took off early, Princess Luna shows up a short time later, and I find Princess Luna and Miss Kitzu snuggled on a lounge looking every bit like mother and daughter. Princess Luna showed up again today, presumably as soon as she could sneak away, and is snuggled up with Kitzu again. - She’s also the pony who signed the medical release.”

“Princess Luna and I are good friends, and she and Kitzu just happen to have similar sleep cycles.” Twilight protested, and then a thought hit her. Twilight would likely need Princess Luna to help her keep an eye on a nocturnal baby. As for the narration, Starlight had just concocted, it fit just a little too perfectly. “Alright, alright, you figured it out, but we need to keep this quiet.”

“Yes, of course. We wouldn't want to intrude on Princess Luna’s privacy.” Rarity offered, giving each of the others a dirty look.

“Somehow I have a feeling the whole town will hear about it by noon.” Twilight predicted while giving Applejack a look.

“Oh come on, I'm not that bad… am I?” Applejack asked.

“I knew about Sweetie Belle, and I wasn’t here at the time.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Well don’t look at me, I didn’t attend high school here either.” Pinkie offered.

“Applejack...” Rarity growled.

“My lips are sealed.” Applejack offered with a half-smile on her face.



✳❇✳✳❇✳⚜✳❇✳✳❇✳





“Watch it,” Spike warned Kitzumi. It was late afternoon on the third day since the accident, and Kitzumi was feeling well enough to explore the castle. Spike had been charged with keeping an eye on her, make sure she didn’t get lost or bump into anything. Spike had grown bored with this assignment and was presently teasing Kitzumi by telling her she was about to bump into something when there was nothing there.

“Spike, knock it off! There’s nothing there.” Kitzumi said, her frustration beginning to show. “There wasn’t anything there the last time, and there’s nothing there now.”

“How do you know there’s nothing there?” Spike teased.

“Nothing!” Kitzumi declared waving her hoof in front of her. “You satisfied?” Truth was, Kitzumi had discovered she’d had an extra sense that she’d never really paid much attention to. In her mind's eye, her brain was attempting to make crude sketches of the things around her. It was kind of like seeing an after-image of an object after having stared at it for a long time. Everything was really blurry though with the exception of one direction. Kitzumi moved around Spike until she had him lined up. Spike looked at her puzzled as to Kitzumi’s odd behavior and was even more surprised when she reached out and bopped his nose.

“Hey?!” Spike protested.

“I’m sorry, was that you?” She lied.

“Ah, no,” Spike said sidestepping away. Kitzumi circled around, lined him up, and bopped his nose again.

“Hey?” Spike was beginning to become alarmed. How was she doing that when she couldn't see. Was it the ears? As for Kitzumi, she’d come to realize that she was lining up on magnetic north. Any object living or otherwise with a strong aura would light up the moment Kitzumi lined up the magnetic lines of force when she faced north. Living items having stronger auras would light up more. When added to her keen hearing she’d found that tracking him was quite easy. She’d been subconsciously aware of it but had never found herself having to rely on it. It was also a bit like seeing a sketch of the environment she was in slowly coming into focus as objects got closer, and fading as they drew further away. Spike sidestepped away, Kitzumi would maneuver to cut him off, line up the lines of force, and bop him again. “How are you even doing that?” Spike protested as the two maneuvered about the room. “OK, I get it, you have really sharp hearing or something, quit it!”

“I know you’re there… I can hear you breathing.” Kitzumi taunted. Without realizing what he’d done, Spike had found refuge on an east wall, between a couple of cabinets, making it very difficult for Kitzumi to sense his location. As for spike, he was starting to get really concerned as the thrill of the hunt was causing Kitzumi’s fox magic to flare in the form of a glowing vaporous vortex at her feet. “Aha, got you again!”

“No princess, you got me.” replied the voice of a stallion.

“Captain Smith, Thaddeus Smith?” Kitzumi asked recognizing the voice. She tilted her head and rotated her ears to get as much information as she could about the visitors. Nearby was the sound of a stifled laugh from a mare.

“It’s Lieutenant Smith.” He replied. He was barely distinguishable from any other pony in his appearance, dark with a bit of peppering in his coat and mask, and ears that were slightly wider at the base. Both he and his companion had sunglasses. She was a ginger red with a white bib front, black at the tips of the ears, black legs like Kitzumi, and a long luxurious tail that ended in a white tip. Both looked to be ordinary earth ponies to anyone who didn’t know how to spot a fox pony.

“Tell me little dragon, why are you hiding from this little filly?” Asked the mare.

“Miss Pudding!” Kitzumi declared recognizing the voice.

“She keeps bopping me on the nose.” Complained Spike.

“Well after repeatedly telling me I was about to run into something when I wasn’t, it’s what you deserve,” Kitzumi stated. “And so help me if you want me to call you Uncle ever again, I think you should apologize, and promise to never do it again. You were making me doubt my own senses, and that’s not funny.”

“Alright, I’m sorry. Just stop doing whatever it is your doing?” Spike pleaded. “And who are those two anyway?”

“They are Night Watch,” Kitzumi announced. “If I’m not mistaken.”

“Interesting… and yes you are correct.” Miss Pudding offered. “You’ve also apparently been in the palace often enough to be able to recognize Mr Smith and me from the sounds of our voices.”

“Can I ask how you were able to so accurately pinpoint my nose, and what was that mist that was forming around you?”

“Mist?” Kitzumi asked not having a clue.

“Your fox magic playing up.” Lieutenant Smith explained. “As for the other, having her eyes covered she was forced to rely on F G P S to create a mental map of everything around her.”

“F G P S?” Kitzumi asked.

“Foxy Geomagnetic Positioning Senses.” Miss Pudding offered. “All fox ponies have it. - Not all know how to use it though.”

“I’m just now figuring it out,” Kitzumi replied. “Hadn’t even realized I could do it, till… Say why don’t I let someone know you are here. - So what brings you here?”

“We’re actually here for you.” Lieutenant Smith offered.

“Are you now...” Kitzumi said stepping away and then made a dash for the library.

“Kitzu, don’t run! Look out!” Spike shouted as he exited his hiding place. Kitzumi realized her mistake too late, her speed overshooting what her ability could cope with, she’d veered off to one side of the hallway, and right into a cabinet. She’d tried to stop, but it was too late.

“Kitzu!” Spike called rushing to her as she crumpled to the floor with a cry of pain.

“Princess!” the lieutenant and Miss Pudding called following after.

“Kitzu, why didn’t you listen to me?” Spike asked sounding confused.

“How am I supposed to know when you mean it?” Kitzu asked from the floor. “That really hurt!”

“Why did you run like that?” Miss Pudding asked.

“Because I don’t want to go with you, not yet.” Kitzumi offered in a quiet voice that sounded of defeat.

“We aren’t here to take you anywhere.” Lieutenant Smith offered. “Princess Luna sent us here to be your shadows.”

“Then why didn’t you just say so?” Kitzumi asked. “You’d still need to tell M-miss Twilight first anyway.”

“Well, we blew it.” Miss Pudding offered. “Can you get up?”

“Please tell me you didn’t break anything?” Lieutenant Smith asked sounding concerned.

“Give me a moment.”

“Please tell me nothing is broken?” Smith pleaded. “I’ve a feeling Princess Luna would break me into little pieces if anything were to happen to you.”

“Come on, let me help you up.” Miss Pudding offered.

“I can see that FGPS probably isn’t going to be of much use while flying,” Kitzumi muttered as she slowly got back on her hooves with a little help.

“You’d have to be able to extend your range quite a bit, even so, it still makes it possible to pick out which direction is north.” Miss Pudding offered. “Now perhaps we’d best go find Princess Twilight.” Kitzumi walked out into the center of the hall, turned around a few times, and then stopped. “You are completely turned around; aren’t you?”

“It’s like living in a low-res computer game.” Kitzumi offered.

“A what?” Lieutenant Smith asked.

“A technological marvel that can be found in the human realm.” Spike offered.

“So is that where Princess Luna was hiding you?” Miss Pudding asked.

“I’ve been. It wasn’t very fun.” Kitzumi offered, remembering her one trip to the human world. She’d turned into a fox on crossing through the portal, chased by dogs, impounded, and narrowly escaped execution simply for being a fox that was too friendly. “Umm, spike, can I trust you to direct me in the correct direction?”

“We’re in the main hall, you're facing the front doors.” Spike offered.

“Thank you,” Kitzumi said, turned, and promptly sat down. “I’m sorry, I seem to have hit my head a little harder than I realized.”

Miss Pudding and Lieutenant Smith rushed to her side. They hoisted her up on the Lieutenant’s back and carried her to the library with Spike acting as a guide.

“Kitzu! What happened?” Twilight called, getting up from the table she’d been at.

“Hit her head out in the hall. - Hi, I’m Miss Pudding.”

“We were sent over by Princess Luna to help keep an eye on Princess Kitzu here.”

“Princess?” Twilight asked.

“Don’t be calling me Princess like that, you’ll be giving ponies the wrong idea.” Kitzu protested as they put her down on a sofa. “Mom – Miss Twilight, don’t be fussing over me, I just got a little dizzy.”

“I’d say you’re a little more than dizzy if you can’t keep track of who your mother is.” Miss Pudding quipped.

“It’s an inside joke.” Twilight offered. “Don’t pay any attention to it if she calls me mom.”

“Well, perhaps we should send for Miss Fluttershy?” Lieutenant Smith offered.

“Spike, do you think you can find Fluttershy?” Twilight asked. Spike declared he was on it and was out the door grateful to be away before any awkward questions could come up. A moment later Miss Cheerilee came rushing in and announced that everyone was out looking for Scootaloo. After a brief explanation, Twilight jotted down a quick note in the book she’d been writing in, and left with Cheerilee, and the Lieutenant.

“Well, that just leaves us.” Miss Pudding offered, going to look out the window. “Anything I can get for you?”

“Well if you could...” Kitzu said as a thought hit her. Kitzu knew the book Twilight had been writing in, and while it would be breaking the rules so far as interfering with the past, surely Twilight would have put the book back? Kitzu thinking back to the incident where Scootaloo had vanished seemed to remember that Sunset Shimmer had come to help find Scootaloo. “Miss Twilight can be rather picky about that specific book she just left out. - Do you see that mirror at the far end of the room with the equipment attached to it? If you could bookmark where she left off, and place the book in the slot at the top, I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”

Pudding went over to the table. “This book? - What an odd thing to write? - She’s written put the book back several times.”

“Well then, put the book back.” Kitzu prompted.

“Alright then.” Miss Pudding replied as she placed a bookmark in the book. “Hang on, there’s a new line, Twilight, put the book back, exclamation, exclamation, exclamation?”

“Put the book back, hurry!” Kitzu ordered. “I’ll explain later. - It’s very important that the book is in that slot on the mirror.” Miss Pudding looked at Kitzumi with a measure of bewilderment, peppered with urgency as more lines began to appear on the page. She closed up the book, took it over to the large floor to ceiling mirror, reached up, placed it in the slot, and found herself being bowled over by a wingless Twilight, along with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack. Pudding looked about quite literally floored just as a golden Alicorn with wide streaks of red in her mane and tail, and wings that ended in the same red color along the trailing edge. “Auntie Sunset.”

“Auntie?”Sunset asked. “Who are you? No, forget that.”

“Pinnacle point. - You’d better hurry.”

“Pinnacle point?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“An Alicorn?” Pudding said looking at Sunset.

“Alicorn? - But I’m not...”

“Wings.” Kitzu offered. Kitzu didn’t need to be able to see the wings, she already knew.

“Wings? Oh wow, when did that happen? - How did that happen? - I haven't got time for this!?”

“I told you, Pinnacle point. That’s where you’ll find her.”

“I don’t know who you are, but thank you.” Sunset offered and hurried out the door.

“If you knew where Scootaloo was, why didn’t you tell Princess Twilight?” Miss Pudding asked as she untangled herself from the ponies who’d just tumbled through the mirror.

“Because Twilight doesn’t find her, Auntie Sunset finds her,” Kitzumi explained.

“That doesn’t even make sense!” Miss Pudding protested.

“Hey, wait for me!” Rainbow Dash called getting up and following after Sunset.

“Rainbow, maybe we shouldn't...” Twilight called.

“Too late, she’s gone,” Applejack announced as Rainbow dash rushed out the door.
> Take a chance on me.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset Shimmer ran out the door and lept down the steps while holding her new wings out experimentally, and had she not been so preoccupied with her concern for Scootaloo she might have been thrilled at the sensation. These were also brand new ligaments of which she had no experience as to how to control them properly. She touched down a short distance past the steps, and continued to run, as she tested out her new wings. Every now and then she’d lift off the ground where she’d waver from one side to the next in a fashion that resembled a young albatross trying to take off for the first time. She’d nearly made it to the village when she finally felt confident enough, and with a leap, and a downward stroke of her wings soared heavenward.

“This is awesome!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she zipped past.

“Have a care you don’t crash and burn!” Sunset shouted at Dash. Dash was all over the sky, and Sunset just couldn't help but wonder what the ponies down on the street who’d seen them were thinking. Especially being every pony who could be spared was likely out looking for Scootaloo. Twilight had been communicating with Sunset, via the two-way books each had, asking what to do about Scootaloo. Scootaloo had locked herself in her room at the foster home following the incident with the flash camera, not eating, and barely drinking enough to keep herself alive. Despite the fact that she was growing new feathers, Scootaloo had convinced herself she was going to be marred for life. Twilight’s last message had been that Scootaloo had run off and everyone was out looking for her. Sunset feared the worst, and she’d only the tip from that little filly with her eyes bandaged to go on. Other than a few cryptic notes, Twilight had told Sunset nothing about the girl. Filly.



✳✳



Back in the library…
“Well, would you look at me… I’m a pony. An actual pony. And I can talk too. - An actual gosh darned pony!” Applejack said looking herself over. “I’m a gosh darn real-life Mr Ed!”

“I’m so adorable!” Rarity exclaimed looking at herself.

“What is with these ponies?” Miss Pudding asked herself. And who’s this pony that looks like Princess Twilight?

“Hi, I’m Twilight Sparkle. Is Princess Twilight still here?”

“She’s out.” Pudding replied not sure what to make of the present state of affairs. Kitzu informed Pudding that she’d explain, except that the information was probably beyond her pay grade. Which didn’t help one bit. Not one bit.



✳✳



Sunset circled around three times and set off in the direction she knew would take her in the direction of Pinnacle Point. It was a long way if Scootaloo had gone that way she’d been gone a lot longer than any pony had realized, and likely no one would be looking out that far. Could she trust that filly? Auntie Sunset she’d called her. That in itself was odd, but she’d also been completely unfazed by ponies tumbling out of a mirror, or her emerging as an Alicorn. Logic dictated she'd known about the mirror and her. Sunset pushed herself on as Rainbow did loops overhead. That filly just knew her, knew her by voice it seemed, but Sunset just couldn't understand how.

“Rainbow!” Sunset called.

“Yes?” Rainbow asked coming up alongside.

“You’re going to wear yourself out before we get there.”

“You’re just too slow.”

“I’m pacing myself. Besides, it’s my first time flying with my own set of wings.”

“Mine too.”

“You’re an athlete. The only thing I was ever good at was manipulating humans.”

“You know you really should quit beating yourself up over that.”

“Not like I don’t have plenty of other things to beat myself up over.”

“Does this have anything to do with why you are so desperate to find this girl?”

“Filly.”

“Alright, filly. - You know, when Twilight told us she was a pony princess I thought that was just some kind of weird title. Never occurred to me people were ponies here. How exactly am I a pony?”

“Has something to do with the portal. - I bet our Twilight is geeking out over it. - She’ll probably have formulated a scientific hypothesis by the time we get back.”

“No doubt. Now back to this Scooter girl.”

“Filly. Her name is Louise, but every pony calls her Scootaloo. - She was quite a handle when she was a baby.”

“How old is this kid?”

“Filly, she’s a foal, not a kid. - Old enough to be in middle school.”

“So how old were you when she was a baby?”

“Old enough.”

“Old enough for what?”

“Rainbow Dash, this may come as a surprise to you, but I’m more than old enough to be your mother.”

“Wait, I thought we were the same age?”

“No, afraid not. I’ve been in your world long enough to attend high school … well, let's just say many times.” “I’ve been to college. - Kicked out of every last one. - Even had an affair once.”

“Ya don’t say. - Just once?”

“Once were I abandoned caution. - He was married, and dropped me like a hot rock covered in spiders.”

“Let me guess, you were pregnant, and decided to come back to this world.”

“Ponies in general just seem to be kinder than humans. - Not that there aren’t kind humans.”

“No offense taken. - What happened?”

“I was in your world not by choice, but as punishment. I was out of control, and I’d been banished to your world because there was no magic there. - There is an outstanding warrant for my arrest if I should ever return. Three months after I gave birth, I was picked up by the authorities, and delivered to the ruler of this kingdom, who then sent me back to your world without ever once bothering to ask why I was there.”

“Deported. Damn. - And you said nothing?”

“I wasn’t given the opportunity.” The two continued on without a sound save for the sound of their own wings pushing them onward. After a short time, Sunset admitted that she’d vowed revenge. She’d sneak back into the castle to spy on the Princess who’d sent her away and formed a plan when she’d learned of Twilight’s crown.

“So all that wasn’t you just making an ass of yourself.” Rainbow offered. “What about now?”

“Twilight has never mentioned if the order has ever been rescinded,” Sunset replied. “The ruler of this land is Princess Celestia, and she has never once sent word to me to tell me I can come home despite Twilight’s report that I had changed my ways, and become repentant for my past actions. - Ah, I see her. She’s walking up to the lookout point. Looks like a brand new set of plumage too.”

“Wonder why she’d come all the way out here to try out her new wings?”

“I don’t know, and I’m not sure I like it.” Sunset glided down to the lookout while Rainbow continued to soar overhead.

Sunset Shimmer set down a few paces from Scootaloo, and called her by name, but she didn’t seem to hear. Schootaloo took a step, then another, and then tumbled off the edge with wings tucked tight. “Louise?!” Sunset called rushing to the edge. Scootaloo had skidded a short way and then tumbled off into oblivion. She was falling, making no attempt to fly. Sunset dove off the edge in pursuit. “What are you doing?! Open your wings!! - For the love of Equestria open your wings! Please, for my sake, open your wings, you can fly, trust me! - Please don’t give up on me, if you do, I’m going down with you! - Please, take a chance, open your wings, and fly!” Sunset did her best to reach out with her magic, but she was rusty, and just couldn't manage to concentrate on magic, and flying at the same time.

High above Rainbow Dash sees what is happening, and dives down not knowing what to do. She calls out, “Louise! Open your wings! You've got a brand-new set of wings! Open them!”

“Schootaloo! What in Equestria are you doing!!!” Shouted a second Rainbow Dash. The presence of two Rainbows shocked Scootaloo out of her depressed stupor, she opened her wings, and with a jolt shot heavenward pursued by both Rainbows.

“I’m flying?!” Scootaloo shouts. “I’m flying!!!”


“Sunset!?” The human world Rainbow shouts and dives back down to where she’d last seen her.

“Stay there!” Equestria World Rainbow says, adding, don’t do anything stupid, and dives in pursuit of the other rainbow. “Hey! - Come back here!” For a moment it is Rainbow following Rainbow, and then the lead rainbow dives down to come alongside Sunset Shimmer who is skimming over the tops of trees. She looks like she’s hit a few, and her face is set, teeth clenched in a look of extreme pain.

“Rainbow help!” Sunset manages to spit out through gritted teeth. “Pulling out of that dive was too much!” Her breathing was becoming strained.

“We’ve got you!” The human world Rainbow calls. “Rainbow Dash, take her left, I’ll take her right, we’ll support her with our wings!” E. Rainbow Dash not knowing what to make of the situation does as she is told, and the two Rainbows support Sunset, lifting her to a safer altitude, and then bringing her down to a landing in a clearing. The landing is anything but graceful.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry!” HW Dash says after picking herself up. Sunset is sprawled on the ground not moving.

“Who are you anyway!?” E Dash demands.

“Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset says. “Rainbow Dash, meet Rainbow Dash.” Her voice is strained, and indicative that she is in a lot of pain.

“Sunset, are you alright?” HW Dash asks just as E Dash repeats the name Sunset Shimmer.

“Does she look alright!” E Dash demands as Scootaloo comes in for a landing that’s about as graceful as the previous landing. “What exactly are you doing here anyway? - Aside from trying to stop Scootaloo from doing something stupid.”

“I’m OK. I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into my head. I just left the house, and started walking.” Scootaloo says getting up and going over to the three. “Rainbow Dash, why are there two of you? Any chance one of you is a changeling, and who’s that?”

“Changeling?” HW Dash asks.

“She means you.” E Dash accuses looking at her counterpart.

“She’s from the mirror world.” Sunset offered in a quiet, pained voice.

“Hey, don’t you fall asleep on me!” HW Dash demands.

“I’ve pulled every single muscle and ligament required to fly,” Sunset informed her crossly. “Forgive me if I pass out.”

“I don’t get it. Who is she?” Scootaloo asked just as confused as before. “Why’d she do that? Why’d she risk her life for me like that?”

“Just a wild guess...” HW Dash began, “..but I’d say there is a really good chance she’s your mother.”

“Mother?!” E Dash exclaims.

“My mother, who abandoned me?” Scootaloo asked anger welling up.

“She got deported.” HW Dash stated loudly. “Went nuts stole Princess Twilight’s crown and turned into a she-demon all because she was desperate to get back to you and remove any obstacle in her way if she had to. Even if that meant overthrowing your own Celestia to do it. - OK, some of that is supposition on my part, but that’s the gist of it.”

“Holy road apples!” E Dash declared sitting hard. “Is that why she wanted to overthrow Princess Celestia?! Twilight told me all about what happened.”

“Ya, pretty much. For what it’s worth, I never expected I’d lose control of the power. I suspect harmony stones are soul-bound.” Sunset offered. “Any chance someone can go for help? I really don’t think I can move anymore. And let's not tell anyone about me wanting to overthrow anyone.”

“I’ll go.” Scootaloo offered, stood up, and spread her wings.

“That’s a nice new set of feathers you got there, take good care of them.” E Rainbow Dash suggested.

“And the markings on the wings are nearly identical to Sunset’s too.” HW Dash offered.

“And lands like you.” E Dash offered.

“Hey, it’s my first day of flying with actual wings.” HW Dash says in protest.

“Me too.” Sunset offered.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, and you dove after me,” Scootaloo said as tears began to well up.

“And even if I never fly again, it will have been worth it to see you safe,” Sunset replied. “Now go get help.”

“Yes mam, I mean mom, can I call you mom?”

“Just go. And when you get there just tell them you went for a walk to clear your head.” Sunset scolded. “And Louise; you can call me mom if you want.”

“Louise?” E Rainbow Dash asked.

“Umm, that’s my actual real name. Not often I hear it. Just when I’m in big trouble.” Scootaloo offered. Tested out her wings, and with a couple of steps, was airborne.

“So how’d you know to come out this way?” HW Rainbow Dash asked of the other Rainbow Dash.

“Got accused of goofing off when I needed to be out searching. - As I was allegedly in the company of Princess Celestia, I thought I’d check it out.”

“Some pony mistook me for Celestia?”

“It’s the sunbutt on an Alicorn thing.” E Rainbow Dash offered with a smile. HW Rainbow Dash repeated the words ‘sun butt’, and started laughing.

“Stop, don’t make me laugh, it hurts.” Sunset Shimmer protested. “Sun butt.” [Stifled horse laughter] 



✳❇✳



When Scootaloo descended from the sky with the sun behind her, the ponies who’d been searching for her mistook her for Celestia for a brief moment. When they realized it was Scootaloo with brand new plumage and could fly now, every pony was ecstatic. At least until she informed them there was a badly injured pony out near Pinnacle Point. A rescue party was quickly assembled, with Twilight leading a group of Pegasi with a stretcher, and Scootaloo leading the way.

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked on discovering two Rainbows waiting. “Sunset Shimmer, what are you doing here? - What’s happened here?” Sunset Shimmer being an Alicorn was a big surprise and had the ponies who’d come with Twilight all on edge. Here was another Alicorn, one they knew nothing about, and yet, Princess Twilight knew her.

“They came to look for me.” Scootaloo offered as Sunset was carefully lifted, and shifted onto the stretcher.

“Did a dive I wasn’t ready for,” Sunset admitted. “Almost didn’t pull out in time.”

“I see...” Twilight said feeling even more in the dark. “Maybe I’ll have you explain everything later. As for now, we need to get you back to Ponyville. We’re going to airlift you.”

“Just don’t drop me.” Sunset requested. “And Louise, don’t overexert yourself.”

“I’m alright. I pull Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle around on their wagon all the time.” There was a bit of back and forth among the rescuers. Why was this Alicorn calling Scootaloo Louise, and why was Scootaloo being so familiar with an Alicorn Princess? And for that matter, why were there two Rainbows? 

“She does at that.” Equestria Rainbow Dash offered. “She’s going to be a strong flier for a late bloomer.”

“Would you call me a late bloomer?” Human world Rainbow Dash asked.

“I’m not really sure what to call you? This is just weird. It’s like when Pinkie duplicated herself.”

“Just exactly why are there two Rainbow Dashes?” one of the pegasus who was there to carry the stretcher asked.

“Long lost twin who just happens to have the same name.” Twilight offered. “What say we get going?”

“I’m going to head over to Cloudsdale, and fetch the flight surgeon for the Wonderbolts.” E Rainbow Dash offered.

“Princess Twilight, we’re ready.” The team leader of the Pegasus medical evacuation offered.

“We’re taking her to my castle,” Twilight announced.

“Cloudsdale would be able to take better care of her?” The team leader offered.

“Unfortunately this is going to be a delicate situation. Sunset Shimmer is from a different land and I want to keep her presence here as quiet as possible.”

“Ya, I thought you might say that.” E Rainbow Dash offered. “I’ll see you at the castle.” And with that, she took off, cut an arch across the sky, and headed for the Wonderbolts complex. A moment later the medical evacuation team was in the air, the stretcher with Sunset Shimmer slung underneath, and Twilight, HW Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo following close behind.

“You hanging in there?” Twilight asked Scootaloo after they’d gone a short way.

“I’m OK. - I’m going to feel it in the morning though.”

“I can show you some stretching exercises after we get back that Rainbow Dash showed me.”  Twilight offered. “That is when our Rainbow was teaching me to fly.”

“I know you didn’t mean me.” HW Dash offered. “Sunset says there’s an outstanding warrant for her arrest.”

“I’m aware of it.” Twilight offered. “Our Celestia, when I asked if Sunset Shimmer could return to Equestria, she informed me it wasn’t possible. Sunset’s actions when she still lived here had gotten her in a lot of trouble. What exactly I don’t know. - There were never any formal charges, just an arrest, and deport order. - Stealing my crown, along with the harmony stone on it, didn’t help. - My understanding is she faced life in prison for the previous things she’d done, though I've yet to determine what she did that would warrant such a harsh punishment. Princess Celestia chose to send her to another world to give her a new start.”

“She says she’s my mother, and I believe her.” Scootaloo offered.

“What?!” Twilight exclaimed, and momentarily lost control of her flight. “Warn a pony before dropping a bomb like that.”

“When she learned that your Scootaloo might be in trouble, she went nuts.” Dash offered. “We were all gathered by the portal when you sent word that everyone, er pony, was out looking for Louise.”

“My name.” Scootaloo offered.

“Did you know that our Scootaloo and Sunset live in the same foster home? Everyone thinks they are sisters because Scootaloo’s mother looks so much like Sunset.” Dash informed Twilight.

“So what happened to that Sunset? I’m assuming for the sake of argument, that that was your world’s Sunset.”

“My understanding is it was similar circumstances.” Rainbow Dash explained. “She was in the country illegally, got into trouble, and got deported. Our Scootaloo was born in our Canterlot, so she got put into foster care.”

“What kind of pony – person, separates parent and child?” Twilight asked.

“Apparently your Princess Celestia.” Rainbow Dash offered. “Stealing your crown was just a way to get back at Celestia for separating her from Louise.”

“Oh...” Twilight was beginning to see a side of Celestia that she simply did not want to see.

“For what it’s worth, your Celestia may not have known about Louise.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“So what happened to that other Sunset?” Twilight asked cautiously.

“No idea. - Last, our Scootaloo heard from her, she was going to try to sneak back into the country. That was three years ago.”

“Wow. Must be hard on her knowing she has a mother out there trying to get back to her, but not knowing where she is.”

“Or if she is alive, or even cares,” Scootaloo added. “Oh don’t give me that look. - The pony I thought was my mother who raised me when I was a baby tells me she’s not my mom as she’s dying, and that my mom would come back to me someday. After that, I got bounced around from one foster home after another. - I got so upset about my feathers that I walked off a bucking cliff face before I knew it was there. - I didn’t even know where I was.”

“You could’ve gotten killed. Why would you do that?” Twilight exclaimed ignoring the profanity.

“Because I didn’t care,” Scootaloo replied as if it was nothing. They continued on in silence for a while, no one knowing what to say.

“Should have seen Sunset dive down after her, and then I dove down in pursuit.” Rainbow Dash offered up.

“The last time someone called me Louise was at a custody hearing. - The whole thing was like a dream, and I didn’t snap out of my stupor until I realized there were two Rainbows, and an Alicorn desperately trying to get me to open my wings, and fly. - They all seemed to know I could do it.”

“You just knew she could do it?” Twilight asked glancing at Rainbow Dash.

“Sunset Shimmer had faith she could do it, and I have faith in her.” Rainbow offered. “Look, I don’t know a thing about nothing in this world. - That and Sunset looked like she was ready to go down with Louise in the effort to save her. - Nearly did.”

“How’d you know where to look?” Twilight asked astonished at what she was hearing.

“There was a black and white filly, mostly white, with some kind of blindfold on who knew where we should look.”

“Sounds like Kitzu,” Scootaloo observed. “Wonder how she knew where I’d be?”

“I’ll have to be sure and ask her,” Twilight said in a voice that was suspiciously like a growl as they approached Ponyville. Was Kitzu tampering with time? Twilight could only think of one thing, and that was that Kitzumi had known all along where they would find… Twilight didn’t want to think of what might have been. The group arrived at the castle a short time later.

Twilight escorted the medical team to a room where they could get Sunset cleaned up, and tend to her external injuries. Equestria Rainbow Dash showed up with a doctor in tow a short time later. The doctor was quite alarmed, possibly more than would have been normal having been told the patient was an alicorn with a sun for a cutie mark. He was not expecting to see a total stranger.

“Something wrong?” Twilight asked.

“I… well, to be honest, I was expecting Princess Celestia. - Who is she?”

“A friend from another kingdom. Her name is Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight offered. “We kind of need to keep her presence here quiet. - Can you help her?”

“I’ll have to examine her first, and then we’ll see. - By the way, why am I seeing two Rainbow Dashes?”

“What?” Twilight asked, turned to discover both Dashes were poking their heads in to see what was going on. “Oh. One is a look-alike sister from another mother who comes from the same kingdom as Princess Sunset Shimmer. - Let me just chase them out so you can do what you came here for. - Alright you two, let's let the medical experts do their job.”



✳❇✳



“Now hold on one hoofing moment.” Twilight protested. It was later in the day, and the doctor had only just left a short time ago. Lieutenant Smith had just announced that as a member of the Royal Guard, he had no choice but to report the presence of Sunset Shimmer. “Correct me if I am mistaken, but I was under the understanding that you were sent here to keep an eye on Kitzu?”

“But Sunset Shimmer is a wanted felon,” Smith stated emphatically.

“When she is in this castle she is under my care and protection,” Twilight replied with an equal amount of conviction.

“While who is in your care and protection?” asked Princess Celestia approaching. “Twilight, it’s not like you to not tell me what’s going on?”

“Mr Smith seems I’m beginning to understand why Kitzumi ran from you,” Twilight muttered in a low growl. His reaction was one of surprise and denial as he hadn’t as yet said anything to any pony.

“Twilight?” Princess Celestia asked, concern in her tone. “And for that matter why are there two Applejacks, two Raritys, two Rainbow Dashes, oh alright, I get it now, Sunset Shimmer is here. But why is the whole gang here? - Well hello, Miss Twilight.”

“Is this a bad time?” Human world Twilight asked while making a polite bow.

“This may take a while to explain.” Princess Twilight offered. “Perhaps you could tell me what brings you to visit me… unannounced.”

“Can’t I just drop in any time?” Celestia asked. “But I can see that it’s obviously a bad time. - I came because there was a rumor that I was presently laid up in your castle.”

“Um, that might be my fault.” One of the Rainbow Dashes offered. “You see, Sunset Shimmer injured her wings while searching for Scootaloo...”

“Wings? But she’s a Unicorn?” Celestia asked confused. “And why was there a search for Scootaloo?”

“Scootaloo had gotten her feathers scorched really bad by exploding camera flash strobes a few days ago. As a result, she was feeling really down.” Twilight explained. “Scootaloo left her foster home late last night, and her absence this morning got a lot of ponies very worried. Sunset came thru the mirror to help look, well, because Scootaloo is her daughter apparently.”

“Daughter?!” Celestia was in shock.

“Looks that way.” Twilight offered. “She had been really interested in Scootaloo’s well being, and when she heard Scootaloo might be in trouble she rushed over to help with the search. It was when they spotted Scootaloo that Sunset was injured. - I understand Sunset did a dive she wasn’t ready for.”

“She always was headstrong, and impulsive,” Celestia said with an edge of agitation in her tone. “Where is she? Sunset?”

“This way.” Twilight offered knowing there was no point in arguing. They found Sunset resting on a bed with her wings immobilized. She was also heavily sedated. “The doctor said she’d torn ligaments, and muscles. - He says that he’s amazed that she was even able to continue flying. - I’d say desperation on her part, the terrain is really rough out there. - Doc doesn’t want her being moved, and she’s to stay put, and rest.”

“Mother, I want to come home,” Sunset said sounding as though she might be talking in her sleep.

“Well?” Twilight asked.

“Well, what?” Celestia asked.

“When are you letting her come home?”

“Now I’ve told you it’s out of my hooves.”

“Yes you have, but you never said why, so I decided to find out for myself. Took me a bit too, being she wasn’t exactly a class or two ahead of me. - She was never formally charged for anything that could possibly warrant being banished, let alone indefinitely banished, and listed as a wanted felon. - I saw a lot of petty stuff on her record showing she had been engaged in some very outrageous behavior. She was out of control I’ll admit. She joined a political action group.”

“It was a terrorist organization.”

“Was it, was it really? - The members all seemed to be the offspring of some mighty influential families, and not a one was charged with anything other than minor infractions.”

“It started out like most of her activities...”

“And then they did something that had to be swept under the carpet, didn’t they? - All the members got shipped off to relatives given certain ultimatums, and Sunset was made the example. - Don’t you think it’s time to let Sunset come home? - Must she be punished indefinitely? - She’s not the same pony she used to be. - Look at her, she’s become an Alicorn.”

“All the more reason not to let her come home. Not publicly anyway.” Celestia offered. “Those others who were involved, they’re all grown, some with grandchildren. Sunset...”

“Has a filly of her own. - Scootaloo is her daughter, and she nearly killed herself to save her.”

“Save?”

“Scootaloo walked off a cliff in a stupor. - She had become that despondent. - Scootaloo needs her mother.

"Nor do I understand why you are being so hard on Sunset when you so obviously care about her well-being. - If you didn’t you wouldn't be asking about her so often.”

“Excuse me?” asked a shaky Scootaloo entering the room.

“Now’s a bad time.” suggested a considerably more confidant Scootaloo quickly coming in behind her.

“She’s got, two daughters?” Celestia asked, the two fillies while looking identical showed an age gap.

“Daughter?” Asked the younger of the two dumbfounded by the idea.”

“My mother.” Informed the elder Scootaloo, and then turned to Celestia. “She came in through the mirror-like the others. They are all really worried about Sunset Shimmer. - My Mother.” Scootaloo was making sure Princess Celestia would know she'd separated her from her mother. All those years of thinking she'd been abandoned had been Celestia's doing.

“She’s sleeping. She’s going to be alright.” Twilight offered.

“Lieutenant Smith?” Celestia called.

“Please let her stay here?” Twilight asked not sure why Princess Celestia wanted Smith.

“Stay? What? The girls, or… oh. No, I’m not going to move Sunset if that’s what you are worried about.”

“Princess Celestia?” Lieutenant Smith asked as he entered the room. He made a polite bow.

“Have you had any sleep?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight, please. Lieutenant, why exactly are you here?” Celestia inquired.

“Princess Luna is being overly protective,” Twilight interjected before Smith could answer.

“Lieutenant?” Celestia prompted giving Twilight a sideways glance.

"I imagine one could say as much. - Princess Luna asked Miss Pudding, and myself to come to Ponyville, to be at Princess Twilight’s disposal.” Smith offered. Princess Celestia studied him for a moment, then turned back to Twilight.

“Just what kind of a relationship do you have with my sister?”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Twilight asked with honest puzzlement. “We’ve been close ever since Luna’s first nightmare night after her return from the moon, but it’s not like we are doing anything inappropriate. They are just here to help me take care of Kitzu.”

“Kitzu?” Celestia asked. The name didn’t sound like a pony name to her. At least not a very common name. Not one she was familiar with.

“Miss Kitzu is a relative of mine who’s come to stay with me. - Didn’t Princess Luna say anything to you about her?”

“Oh don’t tell me she’s the one Luna wants to take on as a student?” Celestia asked as the pieces began to fit. “Don’t tell me she’s been dumped on you by a family that didn’t want her?”

“She wasn’t dumped on me, her mother loves her very much, but circumstances required I take care of her.” Twilight protested perhaps a bit too much.

“She’s a button?”

“Yes.”

“And she just shows up on your doorstep?”

“I found her lost in the castle of the two sisters.” Twilight corrected. Twilight's tone was becoming defensive. Twilight also knew not to stray from the truth too much as Princess Celestia would know she wasn’t being truthful. “Miss Kitzu came out to visit without permission, and circumstances have required I take care of her. Yes, her mother knows, I’m not, that is...” Twilight takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly to calm herself. “She’s not happy about it, but there doesn’t seem to be anything that can be done about it. - We're not entirely sure how Kitzu got out there, but that's the situation as it stands."

“I see,” Celestia said cautiously, and a bit surprised at Twilight’s outburst. There was also that moment where Twilight stopped to rethink what she was about to say. Something wasn't adding up, but Celestia decided it'd be best to be cautious as she'd never seen Twilight act quite the way she was presently acting. Why was she being defensive about it, and what was the unspoken truth?  “So where is she now?”

“Hopefully she’s found a nice quiet corner of the castle to get some sleep.” Twilight offered. “Miss Pudding should be with her.”

“Sleeping in the middle of the day?” Celestia asked.

“Kitzu is primarily nocturnal. She is up most of the night, and Lieutenant, shouldn't you be sleeping too? When was the last time you slept? What say you find Spike, and he’ll direct you to a room you can use.”

“It’s been a while, and thank you.” Lieutenant Smith offered, bowed, and exited the room.

“Lieutenant,” Celestia called. He stopped and turned back. “Princess Sunset Shimmer will be remanded to Princess Twilight Sparkle’s custody until further notice.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“You may go.”

“Thank you, your highness.” He hesitated a moment, turned back, and continued out the door.

“Remanded to my custody?” Twilight asked.

“Afraid it’s the best I can do. - For now.”

“What say you tell her the truth?” Sunset prompted. Sunset was awake this time. “Grandmother.” Grandmother was echoed by Twilight and the fillies. “Little Scoots is here too? Come here you two. No, Scoots, Principle Celestia is not your great grandmother. I think she is a third or fourth cousin though. Ironic how subtle differences can create such a big impact, and yet there are so many similarities it’s uncanny.”

“How are you?” Celestia asked Sunset.

“I feel like I got hit by a truck, but doing OK,” Sunset replied as the two fillies cautiously ventured over to her afraid they’d be turned back by Princess Celestia.

“I, um, actually have no idea what a truck is, but I’m going to assume it’s something big.” Celestia offered, sounding genuinely concerned.

“A very large transport vehicle intended for bulk commodities.” Little Scoot offered. “We talking eighteen wheels here?” She asked of Sunset.

“At least that many.” Sunset offered and managed a smile. “Grandmother, please tell Twilight why I got banished.”

“I was rather hoping to avoid that conversation. Especially with the two fillies present.”

“They kind of need to know the truth.” Sunset prompted.

“Twilight, what got Sunset and the others in so much trouble is they dared to challenge the ponies who run the government. And no, I do not run the government. - I’m barely more than a puppet. Oh, I do have some pull, but nowhere near as much as I’d like. - Unfortunately, that means the government is run by ponies who are too short-sighted to understand the kind of damage they can do through self-serving decisions. - Sunset and the others wanted to change that.”

“I wanted you to have veto power so you could tell them no, but you betrayed me.” Sunset scolded. “Yes, I wanted an elected government as well, but a total upheaval was the last thing I wanted. - I wasn’t the pony abdicating the abolishment of the nobility. What I wanted was some proper checks and balances of the nobility, and the corporate class who actually run Equestria. - In the human world, they call it a parliamentary system. What we have here is an oligarchy.”

“And your father is part of it.”

“Nothing I was advocating would have changed his position in any way. I wasn’t even the pony calling the shots. - Though I’ll admit I was being rather naive back then.”

“But you were the pony closest to me.”

“Is that why you separated me from my mother.” Pony World Scootaloo asked in an accusing tone.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that.” Sunset offered. “Afraid your father is human.”

“What?!” Celestia exclaimed.

“I came back because I didn’t want to have a foal in that world.” Sunset pronounced. Her tone sounded like someone who was ready to give up. “And then you went and did to me the very thing I feared the most. Sent me packing without even giving me a chance to explain myself.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” Celestia protested.

“I tried, you wouldn't listen. - I was so naive when I was young. For all its faults our world is a utopia compared to the mirror world. It only looks good on the surface, or if you are fortunate enough to be part of the elite class.”

“It’s not like...” Celestia began after a moment of silence. “I can’t be showing favoritism.”

“Does that mean you can do something?” Twilight asked with an accusatory edge.

“Wait, does that mean you might be taking Sunset Shimmer away from us?” Human World Scootaloo asked.

“Scoot, it’s only a matter of time till the immigration people figure out my identification, and birth certificate is fake.” Sunset offered. “To be honest I’d be perfectly happy to stay here, and bring you with me.”

“Hang on?” Asked the human world Twilight from the door.

“Miss Twilight.” Celestia offered in greeting. Her tone was noncommittal.

“Twilight, any chance you can cover for me?” Sunset asked.

“Cover for you?” Miss Sparkle asked. “What was that about our Scootaloo coming here? - Should the two Scootaloo’s even be in the same dimension? - I mean for an extended amount of time.”

“Never hurt me, or my counterpart.” Sunset offered. "That and they aren't duplicates of each other."

“Shouldn't she be with family?” Miss Sparkle asked.

“She can stay with my Scootaloo.”

“They aren’t family though… or are they?” Princess Twilight asked. “Let me guess, you totally had a relationship with your counterpart.”

“After my return to the human world, I sort of hooked up with my counterpart,” Sunset explained. “She’d crossed paths with the same jerk I had.”

“What, but then that means!?” Celestia exclaimed not sure she wanted to commit to what had just crossed her mind.

“Are we sisters, I mean actual sisters?” The older Scootaloo asked.

“Both were conceived in the human world, both have the same human father. If there is a counterpart to the girls, they are still here in Equestria.” Sunset explained.

“Why do they have the same name?” Miss Twilight asked, and the explanation seemed simple enough. Pony Sunset had told Human world Sunset about her daughter, and the human world Sunset had decided to go with the same name.

After further discussion, it was decided that little Scootaloo would have to go back, at least for the time being until they could work something out, and neither wanted the elder Scootaloo to go to the human world where she might risk the same fate as the human world Sunset. That and she’d be instantly robbed of flight the moment she crossed through, and no one wanted that to happen. And Sunset, Sunset was to stay in Princess Twilight’s castle until she was better while the human world Twilight would explain that Sunset Shimmer had gone to visit her grandmother.
> Bath time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



It’s a dark and stormy night. Seven ponies have gathered in a room lit by a single candle, Kitzu, the central figure, waits.

“Well, get on with it.” Kitzu prompted from her chair. Fluttershy was sitting opposite, Luna waited to the left, Twilight, and spike to the right while Starlight Glimmer stood near the rooms only source of light which was positioned some distance behind Kitzu. Smith and Pudding waited nearby.

“Um, Kitzu there is something I should tell you first.” Fluttershy’s voice sounded a bit rough.

“You’re in bat mode. - Don’t worry, I won’t be afraid, or startled, or anything.” Kitzu offered.


“Did you tell her?” Fluttershy asked Twilight.

“I… I guess I might have.” Twilight offered. Twilight knew full well she hadn't, but could not rule out the possibility She might have told Kitzu when she was younger. Which wasn't going to happen for some time yet.

“Was that supposed to be a secret? The whole town knew about it.” Glimmer prompted.

“Every pony thinks she’s cured.” Twilight offered. “No pony knows that she’ll turn back simply by drinking a glass of cider. - The alcoholic kind.”

“Can we get on with it?” Kitzu protested. “I’d like this bandage over my eyes off if that’s alright.”

“Kitzu, don’t be short.” Luna scolded in a quiet kind voice.

"I can't help it if I'm vertically challenged." Kitzu protested.

“Alright, all right, hold your kittens.” Fluttershy offered. “I wanted it dark so there wouldn't be a shock to your eyes, and my transformation makes it possible for me to see in the dark.”

“I thought bats were blind?” Kitzu asked.

“Only in bright sunlight, or total absence of light. - Just like fox ponies.” Fluttershy corrected as she began to undo the wrappings around Kitzu’s head. “Bat ponies aren’t much different from yourself. What makes bats, and bat ponies special from most other mammalians is their ability to use echolocation.”

“Oh, OK… kind of like my geomagnetic sense.”

“Yes, I suppose. I don’t really know much about it.” Fluttershy admitted.

“It’s an ability we fox ponies inherited from our fox ancestors.” Smith offered.

“Well, let's see what those eyes look like.” Fluttershy offered as she removed the last of the gauze covering Kitzu’s eyes. “So how do I look?”

“Beautiful.” Kitzu offered, looked about, excitedly, got up, trotted over to Luna, gave her a hug, said mom I can see again as she scanned for Twilight. Finding her, Kitzu went straight to her and gave her a hug. She then gave Fluttershy a hug, and went in search of the other ponies, but found they were too close to the only light source. “Um, I think it might be OK for a little more light, preferably defused.”

“We wanted you to be able to be slowly readjusted to the light.” Twilight offered.

“I’m OK, it’s just that with a single candle, I can’t see anything when looking in the direction of the candle.”

“Perhaps we could light a few lamps?” Glimmer suggested just as Luna used her magic to open the drapery to let in the moonlight.

“Way more better.” Kitzu proclaimed prancing about the room delighted she could now move about without having to take time to use her other senses to determine her whereabouts. “Oh, hallway!” And with that, she dashed out of the room and could be heard racing back and forth.

“Kitzu, we need to wash your mane, it’s a mess,” Twilight called following after her.

“I’ll help.” Pudding offered following after.

“Any idea why she’d be avoiding Princess Celestia?” Glimmer asked Luna. There was a certain amount of familiarity owing to Luna’s frequent visits. It was the first time Glimmer had an opportunity to ask.

“Who…?” Luna prompted.

“Kitzu, or Kitzumi as Twilight sometimes calls her.” Smith offered. “Princess Celestia was here earlier owing it seems to Sunset Shimmer’s presence. Princess Celestia decided that she wanted to meet Kitzu, and Kitzu just seemed to always either be somewhere else or just left any time we got close. I suspect Miss Kitzu is using fox magic as well.”

“Nerves I guess.” Luna offered. “She just seems to be intimidated by my sister. - At least I hope that’s all it is.” Luna couldn't help but wonder if Day Breaker had anything to do with Kitzu’s apprehensions concerning Celestia.

“It couldn't possibly be something you’ve said to her, perhaps when she was younger?” Starlight Glimmer prompted.

“Kind of wish I knew,” Luna responded wondering what the Luna Kitzu remembered had said to her. Was Kitzu under orders to ovoid Celestia, or was it something else? Had Celestia done something to make Kitzu want to avoid her?

“Who was she calling mom just now?” Starlight Glimmer asked.

“Maybe that’s a subject we shouldn't breach?” Smith whispered to Glimmer.

“True, after all, the fillies mother might be dead, and she was talking to her spirit… Why not admit it though? Inconsistencies like that just bug me.” Glimmer offered as she pondered the question. Nor was it the first time she'd heard Kitzu call either Twilight or Luna mom. Indeed Luna was most often addressed as Moona or muma, which Glimmer surmised could be a variation of mom. Perhaps Luna and mom combined?

“Well, she’s not mine.” Smith quipped.

“Maybe not, but I did give you two this assignment for a reason.” Luna offered with a smile. “And not just because you are both fox ponies.”

“Am I that obvious – wait, you mean it’s mutual?” Smith cast a glance at Pudding who looked quite flushed.

“That would leave either Twilight or Princess Luna.” Glimmer mused ignoring the diversion. “Being Twilight’s filly doesn’t really make much sense as there’s no way she could have hid the pregnancy from an entire community that is prone to gossip short of her having had a foal prior to coming to Ponyville. Granted Kitzu has rather taken to her, but she’s also rather fond of you, Princess Luna.” Could Celestia have orchestrated something to cover a pregnancy Glimmer wonder, but then dismissed the idea. No, this had Luna deeply mixed up with it, and Celestia seemed to know very little about Kitzu, plus the fact that Kitzu actively avoided Celestia every time she came to visit.

“I imagine you find it all rather perplexing.” Luna offered just as the sound of something breaking could be heard out in the hallway. Her ears perked up. “One moment.”

“That’s not a denial.” Glimmer stated as Luna headed for the door.

“Maybe you shouldn't pry.” Smith cautioned as Luna stepped out of the room. Glimmer followed with the Lieutenant following after her.

“Wasn’t me, Pudding knocked it over,” Kitzu called from the ceiling of the hallway. Kitzu was presently hanging upside down, hooves firmly fixed.

“Young filly, don’t make me come up there after you!” Twilight called. Miss Pudding was perched halfway up the wall above a stand where a lamp had been, and Fluttershy was on the opposite side of the hallway.

“But I don’t want a bath!” Kitzu called back. Kitzu’s mane was a mess. Owing to the need to keep the padding over her eyes dry, Kitzu had gone over a week without a proper bath.

“Oh for...” Luna said sounding a bit put out by the situation. “KI-TZU-MI – NIGHT-FOAL! GET DOWN FROM THERE RIGHT THIS INSTANT!” The effect of Luna’s royal Canterlot voice was immediate in that it caused Kitzu’s hooves to become unstuck along with Miss Pudding. Poor Fluttershy cringed on the spot. Twilight managed to catch Kitzu with a levitation spell, and Miss Pudding was left to her own devices, twisting, momentarily alighting on the small stand, stepping down, and knocking it over in the process.

“What was that? What’s going on out here?!” Scootaloo called poking her head out from a doorway a short way down the hall. A little further down Spike could be seen in a gray flannel nightgown with matching cap while holding a candle to light the dark hall. Kitzu could be seen hanging in mid-air with her feet straight up.

“Nothing to see here, go back to sleep.” Glimmer told Scootaloo.

“Why’s Kitzu upside down in mid-air?” Scootaloo asked suspiciously. Kitzu’s eyes were fully dilated, and she’d a frantic look despite having wings and legs tucked. Her tail swished back and forth.

“Bath time,” Twilight informed.

“Run Scootaloo, it’s too late for me,” Kitzu called as Twilight marched down the hall with Kitzu – who remained upside down until she was plunged into a tub.

“Just out of curiosity...” Glimmer began looking at Miss Pudding. “How’d you climb up that wall like that?”

“It’s a trait of fox ponies.” Luna offered as she followed after Twilight and Kitzu. “We can stick to most surfaces, and are really good assassins too.”

“Nothing, just Kitzu trying to avoid getting a bath,” Scootaloo announced to the occupant of the room she’d come out of, turns, and heads back in.
> Big changes for Kitzumi
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Kitzu approached the train station delighted at the presence of so many of her new friends who’d come out to see her off on the afternoon train. The past few months have been the best she’d experienced in her short life, and she kind of regretted their plans to send her off to school. Smith and Pudding were going to escort her to Canterlot where she was to begin her formal training, only… Kitzu was a little disappointed because Twilight had been called away by Princess Celestia on some urgent errand. Kitzu looked up at Luna, who despite the fact that she’d be teaching Kitzu, had arrived just to cover for Twilight’s absence. Luna smiled, and Kitzu did her best to smile back only to have that expression switched to one of surprise as her ears snapped to attention. Kitzu snapped her head in the direction she’d heard her name whispered. Now despite the noise all around her, and ponies wishing her good luck, Kitzu had very good hearing, and had little trouble hearing that one voice. There just beyond the gathered friends stood a single cloaked pony with a hood over her head. It only took Kitzu a moment to recognize this pony as being ‘her’ Twilight.

“Kitzu wait?!” Luna cautioned as Kitzu made her way through the ponies. A moment later The mare, an Alicorn who is strikingly like Twilight only with dark wingtips, has sat on her hunches so as to better embrace Kitzumi. “Twilight?” Luna asked as the hood dropped back. Twilight looked up at Luna, and although the tears were streaming from her eyes, the smile on her face was that of utter joy. “Every Pony, give us a moment,” Luna said as she made her way to Twilight.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Twilight whispered to Kitzumi.

“Who is she, and why does she look just like Twilight?” Glimmer asked perplexed.

“Twilight’s relative. Kitzu’s mother.” Luna offered as Twilight cuddled Kitzu with her wings. “Give us a moment.”

“Oh- Kaye.” Glimmer said hesitantly.

“I’m Kitzumi’s mother.” Twilight offered. "We, um, had a little magical mishap that resulted in Kitzumi being teleported all the way out to the Palace of the Two Sisters here in this Equestria. - Oh, and Starlight Glimmer, there was a spell you and I had agreed we’d never use again if you might perhaps remember or have a copy, can you keep that safe for me? - I’m going to be needing it.”

“Spell? - How exactly do I even get it to you?" Glimmer asked confused. Who was this Twilight – was she from the future or an alternate reality? No, if this Twilight wanted the spell Glimmer thought she needed, then she must be from the future, but when does Twilight end up with fancy colored wingtips?

“Does this mean I’m going home?” Kitzu had mixed emotions as she now had more friends than she ever had in her old life. In her old life, she was the daughter of an Alicorn Princess, and had few real friends, if any. Not to mention the constant worry of stalkers. Here her anonymity had given her more freedom than she'd ever experienced.

“I’m afraid the conditions for getting you home haven't been sorted.” Twilight informed her. “But I’ll come and visit as often as I can.” Twilight gave Kitzu another hug. “Sorry I can’t stay long. - Luna – Princess Luna, just a heads up, she’ll switch her ‘Ms’ to a ‘W’ when she’s upset, frightened, or excited, and tends to drag the oo… and here I go, spell time’s up. - Kitzu, do as Luna tells you.” Twilight had begun to fade, was surrounded by a soft glow,  and simply vanished.

“That – that spell!?” Glimmer blurted out as the sounds of hooves galloping across the cobblestone approached.

“Oh good, I’m not too late,” Twilight called. “Someone… it was a wild goose chase. Celestia never… Kitzu? Why are you crying?! I’m here now.” The present-day Twilight offered on seeing Kitzumi’s distress dropped down and hugged Kizu in much the same way as her future counterpart had only moments before.

“Your relative was here.” Luna offered. “Just for a bit. - She wasn’t able to take Kitzu back with her.”

“Oh,” Twilight said sounding as though what little breath she had left from the mad scramble to get back in time had left her. To be true there was a part of her that was glad Kitzu wasn’t going back to the future. At the same time, Twilight knew that every moment Kitzu was in the past was a moment she would lose in the future.

The conductor called out the last call to board the train, so Kitzu, Smith, and pudding climbed up into their compartment, the conductor blew his whistle, and everyone waved as the train slowly pulled out of the station. Twilight, Luna, and Glimmer lingered as the ponies gathered to see the train slowly drifted back to whatever it was they should probably be doing until it was just the three of them standing there looking at the now vacant tracks.

“Twilight.” Glimmer began, paused, “We need to talk.”

“Let’s go back to the castle.” Luna prompted.

“So when were you going to tell me?” Glimmer asked accusingly.

“I’d say you already know the answer to that question.” Luna offered quietly as they left the station. Glimmer gave them both an accusing look.

“Oh come on, we haven't even told Celestia.” Twilight hissed.

“To be honest I’d assumed she was Princess Luna’s filly.” Glimmer offered. “Half the town suspects, what with her calling Luna either Moona or the occasional Muma, but now I realize who she was calling mom. Assuming she wasn’t calling you both mom from time to time.”

“I don’t have all the answers.” Luna offered. “All we can do is try to do the best we can, and tell as few ponies as possible. - That Twilight could easily be from another dimension. - And I’d kind of like to save this conversation till we get back.”

When they did get back to the castle they found Sunset Shimmer, Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity waiting for them.

“We’d kind of like an explanation,” AJ stated in a flat accusing tone.

“Oh dear,” Twilight said knowing full well the cat was out of the bag.

“Oh, dear is right!” Pinkie stated melodramatically. “What was with you and the fancy plumage, telling everyone that little filly is your daughter, vanishing, and then rushing back in a moment later? - Minus said fancy plumage. - Was that some kind of spell?”

“It’s my fault.” Glimmer offered quickly before anything else could be said. She’d had the time it took during the walk back to mull things over, and in the confrontation found herself crafting a likely explanation while casting all fault on herself. The part that frightened her most is that what she was about to say might even be true. “A while back I did something I deeply regret. I did something that shattered time resulting in multiple dimensions. That pony, that Alicorn at the station was Twilight, just not our Twilight. - Little Kitzu is from another dimension, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to get her back. I think maybe that Twilight has an idea how it might be done, but it involves using the same spell I used that resulted in this mess in the first place.” Twilight gave her a look wondering just how much of that could be considered a little white lie.

“You did... just what exactly did you do?” Applejack asked.

“I tried to take all of Twilight’s friends away from her by going back in time and preventing Dash from accomplishing her first rain-boom. It is the event which triggered all your cutie marks at the same time, tying your fates together.”

“You what?!” Applejack all but shouted.

“Darling, dear, our fates are tied to all of Equestria.” Rarity offered.

“It resulted in timelines where Discord was never rehabilitated, where Nightmare moon was able to come back unopposed never to have the darkness that had engulfed her soul-driven from her, where we weren’t able to defeat Sombra...” Twilight explained.

“I’ve heard enough!” Rainbow Dash shouted, anger welling up.

“Explain to me why I get banished, and she doesn’t get punished at all?” Sunset asked equally angry.

“Well from our perspective it never happened.” Luna offered. “Aside from that… because no one knows. - I didn’t even know. - And from a legal standpoint, it didn’t happen.”

“Hey, you’ve got to see this!” Little Scootaloo called entering the hall from the mirror room. She had a newspaper in a shoulder pack around her neck and had just come from the human world.

“Um, you’re kind of interrupting something important.” the older Scootaloo cautioned.

“This is important.” Insisted the younger Scootaloo. “Starlight Glimmer better not come into the human world anymore. She’ll get arrested if she does.”

“Arrested?” echoed Glimmer along with several others who, while they knew their Starlight Glimmer was no saint, they knew nothing of the human world Glimmer.

“Let me see that,” Luna said using her magic to snatch the newspaper from the bag. “Oh my. Cult leader Starlight Glimmer was wanted by the authorities for crimes against the state. Considered armed, and dangerous. Do not approach. Call the police hotline if sighted. Ooo, and a big reward too.”

“I say we turn her in.” Dash offered.

“But wouldn't the human world Starlight Glimmer go unpunished then?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes, and I’m going to need our Glimmer if we are ever to get Kitzu back home. - The best I can figure is the world Kitzu is from is out of sync with ours." Twilight offered, wondering if out of sync really was the little white lie it was intended to be. Twilight was sure Kitzumi was from the future, but the more ponies knew, the more likely the future might change in some way. She thought for a moment, and added, “That and the whole time Glimmer was in training with me she was technically on probation under my supervision.”

“Fine, Starlight Glimmer is a wanted fugitive in the human world, and on probation here – let's get back to what’s going on with little Kitzu.” Applejack prompted. “Not only is she apparently the daughter of another Twilight, but she’s also a little more than a button horn. Now if I’m to assume she has or will have a counterpart here in this dimension, who all do we know who’s a Nightfoal?”

Both Luna and Twilight answer ‘I am at the same time.

“We – um – seem to be distantly related.” Twilight offered to the stunned stares leaving off the part about Nightfoal not being Kitzu’s true surname. “In my research, I also discovered that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are separated in age by about a hundred years. Their mother was also an Alicorn, and they had different fathers. There are references to other Alicorns, but I’ve had to send the oldest books off for restoration. Apparently, at one point in time, there were quite a few alicorns of various magical abilities. What I’ve gleaned from the books goes along with the little we could coax out of Kitzu, and that is Alicorns will occur naturally when the pony parents have the combined ancestry of all three pony primary types. The chances increase exponentially if any of the parents are also an alicorn or descended from one. Kitzumi is an Alicorn. She just hasn’t matured enough yet.”

“Wait, one more thing...” Fluttershy prompted. “Why is her horn growing so much faster than mine ever did?”

“What? - You’ve got a button horn?!” Applejack, Dash, and Rarity chime in nearly at the same time.

“Unfortunately I can’t really answer that.” Twilight offered.

“Wonder if it has something to do with Kitzu’s reluctance to take a bath?” Luna mused. She couldn't help but smile at the many times Kitzu had found herself being levitated in an inverted position. "Not that I entirely blame her though. That thick fur of hers takes a while to dry."

“You think it’s the baths?” Sunset asked confused.

“No, I think it’s the exposure to magic. In this case, magic that would be, for all practical reasoning, be identical to Kitzu’s mother’s.” Luna offered.

“Ah, yes, there was something about a mother’s magic!” Twilight exclaimed triumphantly.

“In my case, it seems to be exposure to the magic of the portal that triggered my transformation.” Sunset offered.

“And closely related to Celestia,” Twilight added with a smile. “Now, what do we tell ponies about the appearance of my doppelganger?”

“That she’s a distant cousin. - Most will believe that.” Sunset offered. “I mean, isn’t that what you’ve been telling every pony? That Kitzu’s mother is a distant relation.”

“And if push comes to shove we’ll fall back on our original plan where I take the heat for having a foal with no clue as to who the father is.” Luna offered.

“Oh my.” Rarity said. “At least I know who Sweetie Bell’s father is.”

“What say we just all pretend no one heard that.” Applejack offered. “Honestly Rarity!” Poor Rarity proceeded to turn red as a beet, which was plain to be seen under her white fur.

“Let's try to keep things in perspective here.” Twilight offered. “From my perspective, I haven't even met Kitzu’s father yet. You know – time flows differently in different dimensions. - And that Twilight is a future me in regards to her relationships. – Let's face it, I haven't even met the colt. At least I don’t think I have? - That's what I meant by out of sync. - That Twilight is already married with a foal, and I haven't even met the pony I'm going to marry yet."

“No, I’m thinking it’s entirely possible you have.” Applejack mused with a knowing smile.

“Who?” Pinkie asked jumping up and down.

“Oh, I don’t think I should say. Might spoil things if I do.” Apple Jack replied. Pinkie continued bouncing up and down prompting Applejack to spill it.

“Now Pinkie, we all know you can’t keep a secret.” Rarity offered and then asked Applejack to whisper in her ear.

“And you can’t keep a secret either.” Twilight reminded.

“I can so.” Rarity protested.

“Rarity, the only secret you ever kept, the entire town figured it out anyway.” Applejack drawled.

“I’ll have you know I know plenty of juicy bits of gossip I keep to myself.” Rarity offered indignantly.

“Like what?” Applejack asked.

“Like who Princess Celestia is dating.” Rarity replied just a little indignantly. “I’ve also got my own hunch who Twilight could possibly end up with. I was just curious if you were thinking of the same pony.”



🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃



“First time on a train?” Smith asked as the countryside went by. Kitzu’s mood was subdued owing to the appearance of her mother.

“I suppose.” Kitzumi offered, looking out the window not really seeing anything. To be true, chronologically, so far as Kizumi was aware, it could be considered her first time on a train. It was not her first time though. Twilight had taken Kitzu to Canterlot on many occasions, and the train seemed to be her preferred mode of transport. This despite the palace offering to send and retrieve her by way of an enchanted carriage pulled by pegasi.

“So, ah, you care to talk?” Pudding asked. “Forgive me, but I’m a bit curious about what happened at the station.”

“Princess Luna is my mother.” Kitzu offered. Her tone was flat without emotion or commitment while still having a ring of truth to it.

“And that alicorn who looked suspiciously like Princess Twilight was just some sort of ruse to throw ponies off I gather.” Smith offered, leaning back. “Fine, if that’s the story you want to stick with.”

“Are we just going to leave it like that?” Pudding asked.

“I’ve got a feeling the explanation might be too complicated for my ears.” Smith offered.

“How about this...” Kizu began as she continued to look out the window. “First choice, that pony who said she’s my mother is a relative of Princess Twilight Sparkle. The second choice I’m Princess Luna’s illegitimate daughter, and the whole relative of Twilight is a ruse. The third choice, I’m Princess Twilight’s illegitimate daughter. A fourth choice, the alicorn at the station is either Princess Twilight from the future, or from another dimension, and everyone is desperately trying to think of a way to get me back to where I belong. Meanwhile, I have to make a life for myself here until that can be accomplished, or I find I’m just stuck here until I catch up with myself by which time I’ll have grown up.”

“Told you it was too complicated for my ears.” Smith offered.

“Didn’t Princess Luna tell you what to say?” Kitzu asked.

“That you are a relative of Princess Twilight, and any questions are to be directed to Princess Luna.” Pudding repeated with an air of defeat. From that point on the train ride continued without any unnecessary questions.

Kitzu’s arrival at the station late that afternoon saw her mood lighten considerably on their arrival in Canterlot. From the station, they took a cab to accommodate the luggage and make sure she didn’t have to walk too much. “Hey, whoa there,” Smith called shortly after arriving at the palace. Kitzu had made a beeline for the royal apartments. The school and the dormitories where Kitzu would be staying were an annex some distance from the royal apartments.

“Aren’t I staying with Princess Luna?” Kitzu asked. “Oh don’t tell me I have to stay in the dorm?” Her ears went flat, and she puffed up her feathers. “Might have told me.”

“Sorry about that.” Pudding apologized. “Last minute change, but don’t blame us.”

“I got the feeling it’s Princess Celestia’s doing.” Smith offered.

“Fine,” Kitzu replied sounding as though her mood had gone sour again. She then turned and headed in the direction of the school muttering as she went.

“Watch your mouth young lady.” Pudding scolded.

“What’d she say?” Smith asked almost certain he’d heard Kitzu say bucking sun-butt.

“I’m not going to repeat it.” Pudding said indignantly as they followed after Kitzu. “She does seem to know where to go, though.”

“She does at that,” Smith noted as they approached a checkpoint.

“Lieutenant Smith, and Miss Pudding. So good to have you back. How was the honeymoon?” asked one of the guards at the checkpoint. The second chimed in that it must have been good, they already had a half-grown filly.

“She’s a relative of Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Smith offered crossly. “She’s here as a student.”

“Well, a relative of Princess Twilight Sparkle must be really bright.” Offered the first of the two guards. “Don’t let us keep you though.”

“Thank you,” Smith replied, prompted Kitzu, and the three continued on their way.

Idiot hissed the first guard, she’s got a horn, and relative of Princess Twilight. What, being a unicorn is kind of a requirement of Celestia’s school ain't it, asked the second? And wings you moron, that filly’s an alicorn. She’ll likely be Celestia’s new prize student.

Kitzu shuddered involuntarily having overheard the two guards. She knew her trepidation was pointless and absurd, but she’d never been able to warm up to Princess Celestia. “I think if I had to be Princess Celestia’s student instead of Moona’s – Princess Luna’s, I’d be too nervous to be able to do any magic.” Kitzu offered to her escorts taking care to address Luna by her title anywhere she might be overheard by anyone outside of close family and confidants.

“Well then, being in the dorm means you’ll not likely cross her path very often.” Pudding offered.

“And what about my continued training with Princess Luna?”

“We’ll see to it you get an escort.” Smith offered, hoping to reassure her. “Are you really that intimidated by Princess Celestia?”

“I can sense her power levels. - OK, that’s a bad excuse. Princess Luna is just as powerful… it’s just different with Princess Celestia.” I… I really don’t know why to tell the truth.”

“It’s the being in charge thing, isn’t it?” Pudding offered. “That and you have a close relationship with our Princess Luna. Maybe once you’ve been around here more often, you’ll get over those nerves.”

“Perhaps.” Kitzu offered. “Not like I ever saw her that much.”



📚📚📚📚📚



The staff at the school all seemed quite friendly at first, though they mistook Smith and Pudding for Kitzu’s parents, and once they’d explained they were Night Watch assigned to escort her, things seemed to go downhill. Never mind that she’d been sponsored by Princess Twilight, nor did they ever look at her long enough to realize she’d both wings and horn. Nightfoal said a matronly member of the staff clicking her tong in distaste, and Kitzu found herself wishing she wasn't going to have to stay in the dorms.

“Must I stay in the dorm?” Kitzu asked Luna later in the evening. Lieutenant Smith had collected her immediately following dinner in his uniform. He’d looked quite dapper to her, nor was she opposed to the rescue as she seemed to be having difficulty making friends among the unicorns.

“Afraid it was my sister's idea.” Luna lamented. “She seems to think it wouldn't be appropriate for me to have a student living with me, and that it’d be good for you to be among students your own age.”

“My own age? I haven't even been born yet.” Kitzu lamented and then smiled after considering the absurdity of what she’d just said.

Later that night, or rather early in the morning, Kitzu was returned to her dorm oblivious to the turmoil her absence had created. A short time later she was rudely awakened by a very cross mare who demanded to know where she’d been while never once giving her an opportunity to explain herself. From there it was off to the dining facility for breakfast, none of which did she eat owing to the condition of her constitution at that hour, and then off to classes. Most of which she slept through until noon when she finally started to wake up but had missed lunch. At least she managed to redeem herself in her afternoon classes as Twilight had made sure she’d be more than ready for anything the instructors might throw at her. Dinner was the same routine as the night before, fairly bland, and with none of the things her dietary needs required. Once again she was collected after dinner, said nothing regarding her day to Luna as she wasn’t quite sure what to make of her day, though she did at least get one decent meal, and returned to her dorm early in the morning as before. Once more she found herself being rudely driven from her bed at the ungodly hour of having just gone to bed and repeating the same routine as the day before. By that evening her lack of food and sleep was beginning to show. Luna seeing the warning signs gave Kitzu time for a nap and made sure to go easy on Kitzu with the intention of consulting her sister regarding her concerns.

What Luna walked in on the following morning just about made her mad enough to turn back into Nightmare Moon. Kitzu’s dorm head, along with one of the school's deans had drug Kitzu into Celestia’s office to berate Kitzu and lament her ever having been allowed in the school. Why was a pegasus allowed in a school for Unicorns one questioned? Celestia was at a loss herself being Kizu’s mane was so messy it was presently obscuring her horn. Kitzu herself was fit to be tied, and near panic in her present situation, looked about, saw Luna, called out ‘Woona’ in a plaintive desperate voice, attempted to go to her, and when her escape was cut off, somehow managed to teleport herself leaving nothing behind but water vapor where the air had rushed in with a snap.

Luna had a moment of panic, followed by relief and pride to discover her prize pupil now pressing against her side.

“Well, would some pony like to explain what in thunderation is going on here?” Luna said in a low agitated, and undeniably angry voice. Her demand coupled with the fact that the object of their scorn was now attaching herself to Princess Luna as though she was her parent met stunned silence. “She should be asleep right now, and yet you seem to be holding some kind of tribunal?!”

“Woona?” Celestia asked hesitantly.

“Yes, dear sister of mine? Owe… Kitzu?” Luna turned her head to discover Kitzu had her head pressed against Luna’s flank. “Hey...” Luna said in a soft gentle voice, her tone suddenly like a warm summer breeze where it had been more like a winter's storm a moment ago. She nuzzled Kitzu gently, and let out a sigh. “You have a slight fever so I think it best I take you back to my apartment so you can get some sleep. - Come on, you’re digging your horn in. - And I should probably carry you. Up you go.” The others watched in stunned silence as Luna used her magic to lift Kitzu up onto her back, and then slowly walked out careful to maintain a nice steady pace. Kitzu had fallen asleep before they’d even made it to the door.

“What was the filly’s name?” Celestia asked of her staff.

“K-k-kit-zoo Nightfoal.” the dean replied shaking.

“Her name is Key – sue.” Celestia corrected. “And you’ve probably set my relationship with my sister back a thousand years!” Celestia emphasized her point by standing and slamming her hooves down on her desk. “Is there a reason you can’t spot an alicorn when one is right in front of you? On top of that, Kitzu is nocturnal. You were given instructions that she was to be allowed to sleep until noon. - Now if you’ll excuse me I need to see if I can salvage this mess.”





Celestia caught up with Luna a short time later as she was crossing the campus of the palace. The sight of a sleeping foal on Princess Luna’s back gathered more than a few curious looks and stunned stares.

“I’m so sorry,” Celestia said approaching. “I was completely blindsided, I had no idea what they were doing. - Is...”

“She should be fine once she’s caught up on her sleep, and had something more to eat.” Luna offered quietly. “I know you’d never intentionally hurt someone so innocent. No matter who she’s related to.”

“Luna…?” Celesta let at a sigh at the pointed barb. “I’ve learned my lesson, you didn’t have to hide her from me. - Might have helped if she wasn’t hiding from me every time I visited Twilight.”

“Afraid I don’t have an answer for that. She’s just terribly intimidated by you.”

“And that confrontation probably didn’t help. - She’s not one bit afraid of you though. Not even when...” Celestia let her voice trail off.

“She’s got me wrapped around her little hoof,” Luna admitted and stopped. A short distance away was a white stallion earth pony with a dark mane that had a white streak in it. He’d a hoof from which a blue flame had been produced that he was looking through. His gaze turned from puzzlement to bemusement, to utter confusion, followed by a little bit of fear and concern. He slowly dropped the flame, a type of magic unique to his kin, and set his hoof down while managing a smile.

“Prince Reynard… what spell was that?” Celestia asked. He laughed nervously while scraping the ground with a hoof.

“That, well, that was...” Reynard replied rather sheepishly.

“A fox spell.” Luna offered and started walking again.

“Um, if-if you ever need anything...” Reynard offered.

“I’ll let you know.” Luna offered.

“Did I have a meeting with you?” Celestia asked.

“Not until later, though I’d say I've my answer,” he responded still trying to make sense of what the flames had shown him. Luna looked back at him momentarily with a smile. Was this the pony Twilight would end up with? Celestia gave the stallion another look and followed after Luna. He was handsome, and on the occasion, either Luna or Twilight had an opportunity to spend time with him, they got along quite well.

“So, umm...”

“Ask me no questions I’ll tell you no lies.” Luna offered.

“Is Miss Kitzu yours?” Celestia asked fearing her sister’s reaction.

“She’s my student.”

“That’s not a denial.”

“No, I suppose it’s not. - Oh, and if he’s here to inquire about this little filly tell him she’s mine, and he can’t have her.”

“Luna?!”

“Any chance you can get her schedule fixed? - I’d kind of like to get some sleep myself, and considering they’ve seceded in impacting the health of an otherwise healthy filly...”

“Say no more.” Celestia offered. “I’m a bit curious as to why they didn’t follow orders myself.”

“Thank you,” Luna said continuing on. Celestia stopped, watched her sister go, and then turned to the prince who was standing a short distance away.

“Prince Reynard. Any chance we can discuss what you needed?”

“Rumors concerning a certain filly.” He offered trotting over to her. “It looks like she’s in good hooves though.”

“Afraid I can’t discount that my sister might be her mother. - So what was that spell you used.”

“Fox magic. I was prying. Being that filly is a fox pony she kind of falls under our jurisprudence.”

“Well, I’d caution you against trying to take her away from my sister.”

“Being I can’t rule her out as the mother, I’m going to leave well enough alone. However, being fox ponies fall in our jurisprudence I’d be interested in making sure her needs at your school are being met.”

“Well then, I was just in a meeting, perhaps you’d like to join me while I grill me some horse flesh regarding a certain screwup?”

“And what was it they did?”

“Making our niece who is nocturnal get up with the sun when they’d been given orders to let her sleep.”

“I must confess I too dislike being up at this hour, but sometimes I’ve little choice in the matter.”

“Well, then we’ll try to remember to schedule you for late afternoons.”



⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜




Kitzu woke up late in the afternoon. A pony that looked suspiciously like her father propped her up. “You have got a nasty fever.” Prince Reynard informed her. “I’ve prepared a bowl of herbal chicken soup.” The soup bowl was suspended by a strange mist like a magic aura. Prince Reynard was for all outward appearances a white earth pony with a short dark mane, and dark tips on his tails. Yes tails, he had three but was cautious to keep them bound together into one by means of a spell whenever about in pony lands. Despite the Prince's outward appearance, he was a fox. A very special kind of fox. As for his appearing like a pony, well that had something to do with the magic of Equestria.

“Daddy?”

“Princess Luna has left you in my care while she has it out with the ponies who got you in this condition in the first place.”

“Not the daddy,” Kitzu said sounding grumpy. He smiled.

“Here, drink.” He held the bowl for her to drink from it.

“You did a reading on me didn’t you?” Kitzu asked plaintively after taking a sip.

“Afraid I had no choice. There’d been a report of a lost kit living with ponies in Ponyville. Agents went there just the other day, but found they’d missed you.”

“Well, I don’t need that kind of rescue. - More soup please. - Is good.”

“Here you go. Little imp.” Kitzu sipped slowly at the soup. “Do you know where you are?”

“I’m not that out of it. I’m in Muma’s apartments in the palace in Canterlot.”

“Muma?”

“Princess Luna to you buddy. - More soup.”

“Precocious little rascal aren't you?” He said holding the bowl for her to drink. Kitzu looked at him, and then went back to the soup. “So is Princess Luna your mother?”

“Ya.” Kitzu offered between sips of soup.

“Ya?”

“You did a reading on me.” Sips soup. “So you know I’m not lying.”

“Indeed. - Who’s your father?”

“What’d your reading tell you?”

“Strangest reading I’ve ever done. Saw myself married to Princess Twilight with Princess Luna all but living with us, and you...” He trailed off.

“Soup?”

“Oh, sorry.” He put the soup bowl back to where Kitzu could drink. “Well, you’ve still a good appetite.” Kitzu sipped a bit more and then announced she’d had enough. “OK, you nearly finished it. Go back to sleep, and don’t worry about school. Oh, and I’ll be your instructor for fox magic.”

“Don’t mess things up,” Kitzu said closing her eyes.

“Don’t mess what up?”

“You, and Princess Twilight.”

Prince Reynard gave her a puzzled look, told her to go to sleep, and exited with the bowl trailing like a dutiful child. He deposited the bowl on a cart that had been prepared by the staff. It was fortunate there were foxes on staff or he might not have been able to scrounge up everything he’d need when Princess Luna had come in search of him shortly after placing Kitzumi on her bed. In the time it’d taken Luna to traverse the distance from the school to her apartment the fever had gone way up, and Luna was frantic. As frantic as a new mother it seemed. Who’s her medical provider Reynard asked to which the answer was Fluttershy. Fluttershy was in Ponyville. Fortunately, Prince Reynard was also a trained healer among his people. He agreed to go straight away to see Kitzumi, assessed her, roused the foxes on staff who then went out and procured the medicines he’d need. The first being administered as soon as he’d the ingredients. Luna stayed by her side where she eventually fell asleep. He’d fallen asleep as well, but his place of rest had been a lounge out in the great room outside of the apartment with Miss Pudding standing by. He’d been awakened by Luna later in the day announcing that Kitzu’s fever had gone down. But rather than ask him to leave, Luna desired he look after Kitzu a while longer as Luna wanted to hear for herself from the staff at the school their explanation of what had gone wrong. Now that Kitzu was doing better she might manage without losing her temper. Prince Reynard was convinced she had every intention to flay them alive given what he’d learned of the incident. To Prince Reynard, it looked like a classic case of wholesale wanton prejudice. Drive out the nocturnal pony with fangs. He’d seen it far too many times.

Reynard returned once more to the great room to discover a nightguard, black in color, looking out the large windows onto the private courtyard. Miss Pudding was still asleep.

“Smith. Your Highness.” The lieutenant announced. He continued looking out the window. “Lieutenant Thaddeus Smith.”

“Undeniably an old-world name, Thaddeus. - You here to protect the kit?”

“Princess Luna saw fit to trust you in that regard. - I’m here to protect my Raspberry Pudding.”

“Pardon?”

“Miss Pudding.”

“Oh, that Raspberry Pudding. - For a moment I thought you feared I might raid the refrigerator.”

“Your reputation suggests you’ve raided your fair share… of refrigerators.”

“All lies. - OK, some of it is true, but most of it lies.”

Smith turned to look back at the prince. Both stallions couldn't help but smile.

“So why is a member of the honorable house of Smith serving under the house of Equestria?”

“I don’t.”

“Pardon?”

“Princess Celestia is House of Equestria. You of all foxes should know the history of the Princesses of Equestria.”

“Then what you are saying is that you serve Princess Luna.”

“Granted I am bound by oath not to betray the elder sister and serve the house of Equestria, but my loyalty lies with Princess Luna and the House of Nightfoal.”

“Ha! - If ever there was a wrong horse to back it was Lord Nightfoal. - Though I must confess I only know the history.”

“My great Grandsire was there. - To hear him tell it, it was for the love of Princess Luna that drove him to madness.”

“Desired immortality he did. - Not even the Alicorns are truly immortal.”

“What of the Matriarch?”

“Ah, if ever there was a true immortal it’s that vixen. - Doesn't look a day over two hundred. - The little temptress.”

“Temptress?”

“Well, I’m two hundred-and-thirty-seven myself.”

“You are practically a kit yourself. - Just turned three hundred myself.”

“You’re what?” Asked the voice of Celestia. The two foxes turned to see Celestia and Luna had just entered the apartment.

“You’re not immortal… are you?” Luna asked.

“Oh no. We just happen to live a very long life. - Even as measured by your seasonal cycle.” Prince Reynard offered, bowing. “It’s not unheard of for one of our kind to live well past a thousand harvest moons. - Though life expectancy does drop off dramatically for those of mixed heritage.”

“I see,” Luna replied. “What about my little Kitzu?”

“Well, being that her mother is an alicorn, and well on her way to becoming one herself, I’d say barring tragedy, she could potentially live well past a thousand years. Even longer.”

“Is she going to be alright?” Celestia asked.

“The little princess is going to be just fine.” Reynard offered with a smile.

“Hang on you said she’s well on her way to being an alicorn,” Luna stated closing in to look him in the eyes. His eyes were the same deep-sea of jade green of Kitzu’s eyes. Luna backed off, blinking as she was overcome by the irrational notion that she might plummet into his eyes. He smiled.

“From time to time we find a lost foal, or I should say abandoned foal with a button horn. We raise them as one of our own. Occasionally they’ll have a foal that’s a unicorn who will produce a pegasus with a button horn. When the horn is exposed to the mother’s magic, it grows. The foal that was born a Pegasus becomes an alicorn. Their magic abilities vary, but they are undeniably alicorns possessing the magical abilities of all three primary types of ponies. - They’ll also respond to close relatives as well. - My understanding is that exposure to large magical fields can trigger a transformation as well, but it only happens to ponies of mixed heritage.”

“And you’ve known about this for some time I gather,” Celestia said taken back a bit by the revelation.

“They’ve been rescuing our cast-offs,” Luna pointed out. “Given how Kitzu was being treated, why would they even bother to bring it to our attention?”

“Perhaps it would be in all our interest if we had closer relations.” Reynard offered just as Twilight and Fluttershy entered.

“I came as soon as I got word – Celestia. - I brought Fluttershy.”

“Umm, hello.” Fluttershy offered.

“Twilight?!” Luna asked realizing she hadn’t sent word that Kitzu was sick. Reynard whispered that it was his doing. Luna asked what sort of spell was it that he’d done earlier, and he replied that it was a spell that identified parents.

“Princess Twilight, Doctor Shy. Princess Kitzumi is doing much better now thanks primarily to a decent day’s sleep.” Reynard said greeting the two with a warm smile. His was a toothy grin, but Twilight never seemed to mind. Perhaps it was the odd assortment that often drifted into Ponyville, but there was little that bothered Twilight anymore. That and her heart of gold.

“She’s in my room.” Luna offered.

“I’ll go check on her.” Fluttershy offered and retreated into the back.

“Princess Twilight, could you stay a moment?” Prince Reynard asked. “It’s important.”

“Mkay,” Twilight said, anxious to follow after Fluttershy who’d headed down the length of the great room which ran the better portion of that wing of the keep. Luna’s bedroom was the door closest, but Fluttershy had no way to know.

“Princess Celestia.” Prince Reynard said addressing her. “I’ve heard rumors concerning an arranged marriage in the works for a certain Alicorn Princess.”

“Oh?” Celestia replied with a knowing air.

“Alicorn… what?” Twilight said.

“I find myself wishing to be considered, and placed at the top of the list of eligible candidates.”

“Luna, are you going to marry Prince Reynard?” Twilight asked.

“Forgive me Princess Twilight, it’s you I wish to be wed to.” Reynard corrected.

“Oh – wait. Me?”

“And shouldn't you be marrying Luna?” Celestia prompted. “Considering.”

“Why whatever are you suggesting dear sister of mine?” Luna asked innocently.

“Well, I wouldn't be above marrying both princesses.” Prince Reynard replied with a grin, Smith muttered ‘waifu stealer’, and Miss Pudding hissing at Smith to be quiet while pretending to be asleep.

“Just exactly why are you two here, and why is she sleeping on the sofa?” Celestia protested as though she’d only just noticed them.

“Mrs Smith is acting as a chaperone, and Mr Smith is acting as a bodyguard,” Luna replied.

“They’re married, but they are both guards on the Night Watch?” Celestia protested.

“Pudding handed in her resignation, and I hired her on as Kitzu’s nanny.” Luna offered. “That way it wouldn't be a fraternization issue.”

“I’m going to go check on Kitzu,” Twilight announced turning.

“That’s not a no.” Prince Reynard prompted.

“Let me get back to you on that.” Twilight offered as Fluttershy emerged from the back.

“Um, I don’t know where the bedroom is? - What’s going on?”

“Prince Reynard just proposed to me,” Twilight announced. Fluttershy let out an excited squeak. “Come on, the bedroom is right here.”

“But aren’t you going to say yes? I mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“Alright, what exactly has been going on?” Celestia asked starting to get agitated. “Luna, Twilight, you two have been hiding something from me for a while, and Prince Reynard seems to be mixed up in it. Now I want a straight answer out of both of you. Which one of you is that filly’s mother?”

“Kitzu is from another dimension and identifies both of us as her mother,” Luna said quickly while leaving off any mention of accidental time travel.

“Ah, now it makes sense,” Reynard announced.

“Does that mean the proposal is off?” Twilight asked looking a bit hurt.

“Still on,” Reynard replied enthusiastically.

“I asked for a straight answer,” Celestia said sounding like she just had the wind knocked out of her.

“Well, you’re not going to get one.” Luna chided. “And before you say anything, no we haven't been able to identify where precisely she came from. She’s stuck here for the duration. Maybe even permanently. - We also decided that I’d be her mother so far as the public is concerned to protect Twilight’s reputation.”

“But why didn’t you tell me?” Celestia protested, the hurt feelings evident in her tone.

“We didn’t want to burden you with this.” Twilight offered. “They’ve been trying from the other end as well.”

“I’d imagine they’d be frantic.” Reynard offered.  "Princess Twilight won’t you please give me an answer?” He got down on one knee. “It’s not like we don’t know each other.”

“But I?” Twilight replied not wanting to commit just yet.

“No second-guessing,” Fluttershy counseled.

“How about it? Shall we marry him?” Luna asked. “Assuming he really is willing to marry us both.”

“Oh, I’d be delighted. If you’ll have me tails and all. - Time I settled down before some pony makes the decision for me,” Reynard said with a smile.

“Alright. I will.” Twilight replied returning the smile.

“Two brides for the price of one.” Luna offered taking hold of both in a big hug.

“So when should I announce the engagement?” Celestia asked. “Wait – tails?”

“Preferably not until after I’ve told my parents what I intend to do.” Reynard offered with a rather sheepish grin. Twilight couldn't help but laugh. Twilight couldn't resist an experimental kiss, blushed, and announced she really wanted to check on Kitzu.

“He’s got three tails.” Twilight informed Celestia. “Uses a spell to make them look like one.”

“Twilight noticed the use of magic right away.” Luna offered. “All my fox ponies on staff have more than one tail. They’re just really clever about camouflaging.”

“I see,” Celestia said then suggested they see how Kitzu was doing.

Kitzu opened her eyes from the dreamy state she was in to see Twilight, Fluttershy, Prince Reynard, Luna, and Celestia entering the large bed-chamber. Seeing Celestia was a bit too much. What Kitzu did next surprised just about every pony there. Kitzu, without hesitation, rolled off the pillows she’d been propped up on, twisted around, and burrowed under the blankets.

“Is it too many of us?” Reynard asked.

“Princess Celestia, I think it might be you.” Pudding offered from the doorway.

“I’ve certainly never seen behavior like this?” Twilight commented going to the side of the bed Kizu was closest to. “Granted she does seem rather adept at avoiding a certain princess” Twilight quietly called to Kitzu, lifted up the blankets where she was at, and burrowed in as well, with her hindquarters still exposed. “Hey there, what’s the matter?”

“S-s-Celestia,” Kitzu whispered.

“Oh, my,” Celestia said having heard. “Kitzu, I am so sorry about what happened.”

“Let's go back out to the sunroom.” Luna offered, giving her sister a nudge. Celestia hesitated a moment before agreeing to go.

“Should I…?” Reynard asked not sure what to do.

“She says it’s OK.” Twilight offered as Kitzu nuzzled up to her.

“So it really was Celestia.” Fluttershy offered in her quite shy voice not sure what to do.

Out in the larger room Luna explained that Celestia’s counterpart had likely done something, or perhaps someone had filled her little head full of nonsense. “I’ll get right to the point, I’m afraid she sees the Daybreaker in you.”

“And yet she’s not one bit afraid of you,” Celestia replied plaintively.

“She won’t talk about herself very much, but Twilight is for snuggles, and I’m for protection.”  Luna offered. “I can’t hide that her timeline would appear to be forward of ours. Which of course is another reason I never said anything to you. I was afraid it would drive you to distraction. - Granted it could just be her Twilight married sooner.” The last Luna threw in just to keep her sister off balance.

“A filly that’s afraid of me is what’s going to drive me to distraction.” Celestia quipped. She let out a sigh and offered up that the morning’s fiasco likely hadn’t helped one bit.

“Well from her mindset she was being scolded for sleeping when she should have been allowed to sleep.”

“You were so mad I was afraid you might revert to Nightmare Moon. - But then Kitzu did that teleport straight to you.”

“That was probably the most frightening moment in my life,” Luna admitted. “I’m afraid that’s how she got into our dimension. Twilight found her crying her eyes out in our old estate.”

“Oh my.”

“She charted herself a one-way trip with no return address. - For a moment I was afraid she’d done it again, landing Harmony knows where? - What?”

“You didn’t say Celestia knows where.”

“Now why would I say such a silly thing as that?”

“I’m an expression now.”

“Shouldn't you be lowering the sun about now?”

“Now that you mentioned it, I think I’m a bit late,” Celestia admitted and went out to the large balcony off the room at the end of the wing of the building in which they were in so that she could perform the task. Luna followed a moment later to raise the moon.

“You and Twilight have gotten really close these last few years,” Celestia commented as they watched day give way to night.

“We have at that. We’ve both had our eye on that stallion as well.” Luna couldn't help but smile and found herself dancing in place for a brief moment. She blushed.

“They are unusual ponies.”

“Well, you put a limit on how many bat ponies I could hire for the night shift. I needed nocturnal ponies that weren’t going to fall asleep and had good night vision for the night watch. - So I started sneaking in these fox ponies. Most ponies can’t even tell the difference between them and regular ponies.”

“Sorry I put you in that position.” Celestia offered. "Afraid it was the Nobles doing."

“Yes I know it wasn’t entirely your decision. - I’m well aware that there were ponies worried I’d try to reestablish my Shadowbolts." A rather wicked smile formed on her face. "Blueblood is going to be mighty disappointed when he finds out he's not going to be able to rope Twilight into marrying him."

“So now you’ve got these fox ponies.” Celestia offered as she shared Luna's grin. “I must confess I know very little about them.”

“My understanding is they emigrated from the human world. There they were foxes, not ordinary foxes mind you, but foxes endowed with magic that made it possible for them to do amazing things. One could even say they were the unicorns of the human world.”

“So why come here to live in obscurity in a forgotten corner of Equestria?”

“It was to escape persecution. Even though they had great power, their numbers were small. They found a way to enter Equestria and left their homeworld. When they arrived, something about the magic of Equestria turned them all into ponies. - They are by far the most interesting ponies I’ve ever met having a richly diverse culture unlike any other in Equestria.”
> First day back in school.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Kitzu had high hopes for a fresh start as she was escorted to school by Luna. Her mane was combed in front for the first time since starting, her sunglasses on, and Pudding had braided her mane in the back. She’d be in time for the start of the afternoon session, and if she’d thought it was difficult to get up at noon before, she now found it was easy compared to her first days at the academy. She was also staying with Luna, which to her was like the next best thing to being at home. Her recovery had taken a couple of days, which had all but finished off the week. Still, though, Kitzu wanted to get back to school before she fell too far behind. Though truth be told she was actually ahead of where her class was supposed to start. As for what had happened, it was explained to her as a mix-up. Celestia had tried apologizing as well, but it was difficult for Kitzu to get past her phobia of her.

“Now don’t hesitate to ask for help, and the palace guards will be there for you if you need them. Also, Pudding will pick you up after school.” Luna gave Kitzu a kiss on top of her head. In the short time they’d had Kitzu with them, she’d really grown on every pony. Giving her back was going to be tough, but it wouldn't be like they’d never see her again. Assuming time played out more or less the same.

“And don’t give your instructors a hard time, and make friends. - Lots of new friends.”

“Yes, mother,” Kitzu replied looking up at Luna with a smile. There was a hint of annoyance, even sarcasm, but truth be told, Kitzu kind of liked the attention she’d been getting from Luna and the staff.

“Books?”

“In my saddlebags. - Maybe I should go to class.” Kitzu gave Luna a quick hug, and then trotted up the path that led to the school building. Luna watched until Kitzu had gone inside, turned, and went back up to the palace. The exchange not going unnoticed.

Kitzu went upstairs taking her glasses off as she went. Once on the right floor, she went to where her classroom was, went in, found her chair, deposited her saddlebags under the chair, got out the book and notebook she’d need along with a writing implement, and sat down. She was quite proud of herself in that she’d used magic to levitate everything thanks to Prince Reynard teaching her how to focus her magic on her horn. He’d seemed quite impressed she’d figured it out so quickly. The room grew strangely silent with the instructor entering a few moments later. The instructor went up to the front of the room, turned, and began to take a quick count of who was there. He stopped at Kitzu.

“Miss Nightfoal?” his inquiry sounding more like he wasn’t too sure who she was.

“Yes, sir?” Kitzu asked while watching his every move. Her acknowledgment of her identity generated some whispers from the other students.

“You’ve combed your mane. I mean, welcome back. - Had you not been feeling well?”

“I got pretty sick, but I’m alright now.” Kitzu offered with a smile.

“We’d heard you’d left?” asked one of the girls.

“Just the dorms,” Kitzu admitted. “This is about as early in the day as I can manage. I take after Princess Luna in that regard, and no, I’m not part bat pony. - When the dorm manager and others insisted on getting me up at oh six hundred along with every pony else, it did a number on my system. - Mom moved me in with her. - I gather she told off a few ponies too, to include Aunt Celestia.”

“You, um, have an aunt Celestia?” a filly in the class asked.

“Ya...” Kitzu offered, realizing she’d just dug herself a hole. On the other hand, ponies were going to find out sooner or later. There’d be the gossip, there’s always gossip, and sooner or later there’d be some kind of public explanation regarding who she was.

“Saw her coming into the school right after lunch.” A colt offered. “Saw her with Princess Luna. Princess Luna kissed her on top of the head, and Kitzu hugged her.” The colt’s tone was borderline taunting.

“Muma is my mother – I mean Princess Luna is my mother.” Luna may not have been Kitzu’s biological mother, but it was still a mother-daughter relationship. The idea that she might be mocked because of a public display of familial affection rankled her. Kitzu looked the colt in the eye and explained she got her sleeping habits from Princess Luna, which wasn’t entirely untrue. Granted while she’d inherited her sleeping habits from her father, Twilight was also known to burn the midnight oil herself.

“Now that you’ve got your mane tamed, it’s kind of obvious that you are an alicorn.” A filly stated. “You don’t look like Princess Luna, and will there be any kind of announcement?”

“I get most of my looks from my father, but I really can’t say anything right now.”

“Why’s that?” the filly asked.

“Because he finally got around to asking mom to marry him,” Kitzu replied feeling rather sheepish about her reply. After all, there was no way she could tell any of these ponies the truth. No matter what it cost her.

“I think we all get the message.” Their instructor offered. “Nor would it be the first time such an occurrence happened where a prince couldn't keep his sword in its scabbard.” His words were met with a moment's shock followed by uproarious laughter. “All right, all right, let's quiet down.” He requested firmly. “I’ve no doubt Princess Kitzu will get the same quiet introduction as Princess Mi Amore. - Now, let's get started.”

Later during the first break. “Wow Kitzu, let you get your sleep and you turn into a genius.” the girls offered, approaching her.

“Alina, wasn’t it?” Kitzu asked. “I get some really intense homeschooling too. - I was kind of out of it for my first couple days though, wasn’t I.”

“That would be something of an understatement,” Alina replied. Kitzu couldn't resist smiling back. She quickly shut her mouth as several of the fillies take a step back.

“Oh come on. Not like she’s growling at us again.” Alina scolded. She hadn’t moved and looked a bit disgusted at her friends.

“I didn’t… did I?” Kitzu said sounding mortified.

“Afraid so.” Alina offered. “Forgive me, but you remind me of my pet dog.”

“Fox.” Kitzu offered, hanging her head down. “I’m so sorry I did that.”

“So, um, what’s it like being a princess?” asked one of the other fillies.

“You live in a big house?” Kitzu asked.

“Yes.”

“Servants?”

“Yes.”

“What about guards everywhere, and you can’t really go anywhere because of tourists, tour groups, and government officials?”

“And you probably have to show an ID everywhere you go,” Alina added.

“I don’t actually have an ID yet. Be nice if I did. As it is I can’t come and go without an escort because most of the guards don’t know me yet. - I don’t even count as a princess right now.”

“Wow. - Amber, Amber Calista. - We can all come and go pretty much whenever we want. - Except right now.”

“Time to get back to class.” Alina offered. “And don’t worry about the fangs. Might take some getting accustomed to, but there isn’t a pony in this class who hasn’t been around some interesting individuals. - Come on, we’d better get sat down before the next instructor gets here.”

A few moments later the next instructor, an old mare, walked into the class and announced a pop quiz. The quiz was handed out, and the students all set to do the test. Kitzu found the test wasn’t too difficult, save one question that she needed to think about for a moment. When she was done, she turned the test over, sat the pencil down, and waited. She was the first to finish. The instructor walked back, and picked up Kitzu’s test, and looked it over. She looked around and started picking up the test of others as they finished looking the tests over as she went.

“Mrs Inkwell?” Alina asked.

“Don’t worry, you got them right.” Mrs Inkwell replied. “The majority of you missed at least one, and it should have been a gimme. - Stargazer, how many Royal Alicorns are there?”

“Six.” replied the colt confidently.

“Wrong!” Mrs Inkwell scolded.

“Wrong?”

“Wrong.” Mrs Inkwell repeated giving him a stern look. “OK fine, name them.”

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Mi Amore, Princess Twilight, Princess Flurry Heart, and Princess Kitzu.” He replied confidently.

“Um, I don’t think I count.” Kitzu offered. Several of the fillies stifled their laughter.

“But your Princess Luna’s daughter, and an alicorn?”

“As far as the general public is concerned I don’t exist. I’m in the same paddock as Princess Cadence was when Princess Celestia first took her in. - I might be the daughter of a princess, but I’ve yet to be officially recognized as such.”

“Oh.” He replied sounding defeated.

“May I ask why the test so soon into the quarter?” Amber inquired.

“Afraid your homeroom teacher has chosen to look for some other career opportunity, and I’ll be your new homeroom teacher. - No, not the Gentlecolt from after lunch, Miss Kitzu. - You were so out of it in the mornings I imagine you don’t even remember them.”

“That was rather sudden.” Stargazer commented dryly. “Didn’t want to teach a bunch of blank flanks?”

“Blank flanks?” Kitzu said looking around. Until that moment the fact that not one of the students in that class had a cutie mark had registered.

“You hadn’t noticed? - Everyone is here because they got high marks in school. Not because of a cutie mark.” Mrs Inkwell said with a smile. “I like you already. Even if you did get preferential treatment to get in.”

“Wow, you don’t hold back one bit,” Kitzu said shocked.

“Well to your credit you got all the questions right. - Who’s your tutor?”

“Princess Twilight Sparkle. - And yes, she did tell me to expect anything.” Kitzu offered, smiling with her mouth closed.

“Hmmm...” Mrs Inkwell said closing in on Kitzu taking a close look at her. “Wonder if the Sparkles are related to the Nightfoals.”

“Mmm, there is said to be a connection a few generations back, or so I’m to understand.” Kitzu offered, getting nervous. Had Mrs Inkwell guessed who’s foal she really was? Mrs Inkwell’s eyes widened seeing the panic in Kitzu’s eyes. At that moment Kitzu resembled a cat about to go crazy. Mrs Inkwell smiled and backed off.

What was that all about?” Alina asked Kitzu the first chance she got. Kitzu differed the question till later. After school it was, aw come on, you looked like my cat when she’s about to go running through the house at breakneck speed.

“Well, you know how the elderly can get,” Kitzu replied in an undertone. “I was scared to death she was about to say something horribly inappropriate. - I just spent the last six months living in Twilight Sparkle’s Crystal castle. She and Luna have a really close relationship. Not that close.”

“Didn’t say a thing.” Stargazer offered with a smile. “What’s with the sunglasses?”

“Bright sunlight hurts my eyes.”

“Well well, if it’s not the blank flank contingent.” A group of older students teased.

“We’ll get our cutie marks soon enough.” Kitzu countered only to find herself ducking as a group of pegasi flew right over their heads. “Hey, watch where you are landing!”

“Oh look, the egg head is giving us orders.”

“I thought I told you lot not to come back?!” one of the older students all but shouted.

“Hey look, blank flanks!”

“Those are our blank flanks. No one’s allowed to harass them, but us!”

“Hey, one of the blank flanks has wings! - You spoiling for a fight blank?” Kitzu had spread her wings about as far as they could go.

“Ya, in fact, I bet I can beat you all in a race.” Kitzu boasted. They all laughed.

“Ya, ya, that so. Let's see you put your money where your mouth is. - We’ll even give you a head start.”

“To the clock tower and back?” Kitzu suggested.

“Alright, let's do it. Go, start flying little pony!”

Kitzu started flapping madly, and as she hoped would happen they all took off without waiting to see if she could even fly.

“Aren’t you even going after them?” an older class pony asked as Kitzu folded up her wings.

“Not happening. My flight feathers haven't even come in yet.” Kitzu replied holding back a grin. “I can’t fly.”

“Ah, there you are.” Miss Pudding called approaching. “Come on Princess, we need to get you some identification.”

“Coming,” Kitzu called trotting over to her.

“Who’s that?” an older pony asked the others.

“Oh, just the new alicorn in our class.” Amber teased.



⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜



Pudding escorted Kitzu away from the school compound, and through a gate that opened into the government section of the palace. A short time later they turned and went through a restricted gate that entered into apartments and gardens reserved for the nobility of Equestria. The apartments and gardens were arranged on several terraced sections with each apartment having a public area in front and private gardens behind walls and pavilions. Miss Pudding admonished Kitzu to pay attention to which way they were going so that she wouldn't get lost in the future. Kitzu looked up towards the castle's keep which loomed above the residential section ignoring the curious glances of residents and groundskeepers.

“What about that way?” Kitzu asked as they passed an alley between apartments.

“That leads to the base of Luna’s tower. - I doubt you want to climb those stairs.”

“Now that you mention it, no, not really.” Kitzu offered having thought about it. She’d seen the stairs in the tower that went down to the base. “Does no one use the guard barracks at the base of the tower?”

“Not these days. - Come on, we need to get you an identification so you’ll be able to move about on your own.”

A short time later they arrived at the gate to the keep via a ramp that ran along the side of the mountain, followed by a short flight of stairs. To the left, there was a short expanse of wall and a guard tower of modest size. The guards only stopped them for a moment. From there they passed into a small room with a high ceiling, no windows, and another large door that had been set to the right of the entrance. Beyond this was a large yard with plants in large raised beds. Luna’s tower was at the far end jutting out from the main building, the circumference of which lapped out beyond the fortifications. From here they turned left to face the main building, which was a rather imposing structure. Further to the left could be seen The Celestial hall which jutted out at an odd angle, at the base of which was guard barracks. The pair continued to the entrance to the main building where two more guards waited. Beyond the doors lay the grand entry hall. Pudding and Kitzu entered and silently passed a tour group. To their right the old throne room that’d become known as the night court. To their left the grand doors that entered into the antechamber of Celestia’s day court, the Celestial Hall. At the far end of the grand entry hall an equally grand staircase. Pudding and Luna went around the staircase to a door to the right on the other side of the door waited two more guards and a much smaller hallway. They traveled down this hall, turned down a hall to the right, and continued till they’d come to the office they wanted.

“Ah, there she is.” Said the secretary in the office as they entered. “Now, let's see if we can’t fix you up with an identification so you can get out and explore without getting detained by the palace guards. - My name is Secretariat, I want you to be sure to come to me if you ever need anything.”
> Run Kitzu Run
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Kitzu ran through the back halls of the palace. She was in a near state of panic having used teleport several times. Which was in of itself quite the accomplishment considering she’d only just recently learned how to do it. Kitzu’s breathing was coming in ragged breaths now, and the binding holding her wings down made it difficult to breathe. She knew only that she had to find Luna. Why the palace guards were so intent to arrest her was a mystery, but she could only assume it had something to do with the bat pony teens who’d pony-napped her, and the pegasus from before. To a rational mind, it would make no sense, but she was presently beyond reasoning, and under the assumption that there was some kind of plot going on.

That first day back to school, the day Kitzu had encountered the colts from the flight school, that evening at dinner Luna had asked her if anything had happened at school. At first, Kitzu was truly ignorant, but then Luna mentioned that Pudding had said Kitzu’s tail had been all puffed out when she picked her up. Kitzu had to quickly say it wasn’t the older students, but a group from the flight school. Thus cornered she felt she’d no choice but to relate what had transpired. The next day the Pegasi were back, only this time Rainbow Dash had been alerted. Dash gave them the opportunity to try to beat her back to their school. After that, the colts from the flight school stopped coming over, and Kitzu had all but forgot about them. That was until about a week later when some teenage bat ponies grabbed her as she walked across a palace courtyard that just happened to have a large blind spot from the palace guards. They bound her, gagged her, bagged her, and took her to a seldom-used area of the school grounds where the boys were waiting at the top of an old tower where a catapult sat. The cults made no secret that they intended to launch her out of it, and loaded her up. They wanted to see how well she could fly. Kitzu managed to get rid of the gag and pleaded that she couldn’t fly. At this point the bat ponies started having second thoughts, there was a scuffle, and Kitzu was sent heaven word while still bound. Kitzu called out ‘Woona’ as she soared through the air, bat ponies after her, and in a panic, Kitzu made the hasty decision to make a desperate attempt to teleport to Luna’s bed chamber in hopes of hitting the bed. She popped out with a loud reverberating crack that echoed off the sides of the mountain the castle was built on. She materialized with an equally loud crack in Luna’s bed-chamber, crashed into the bed with enough force to cause it to bounce, and bump up against the wall. The impact of the teleport trashing the bedroom. Kitzu she took a moment to assess herself, satisfied she’d suffered no serious injury began to free herself. No sooner had she removed the old bag she was in and untied her legs, a group of bat pony guards rushed in. The room looked like it’d been ransacked due to the force of air expanding where she’d popped in. The guards accused her of being a thief and lunged for her while threatening dire consequences. Kitzu did everything she could to avoid them while insisting she was no thief. “But I live here! Princess Luna is my mother!” she pleaded. They weren’t going to listen to her. They nearly had her once, but Kitzu having decided she’d need to find Luna, teleported again. This time was not quite so spectacular, and she only went a short distance. Truth be told she was doing it out of instinct in an effort to get away and really couldn't say how she was doing it. More guards showed up, and before long there was a mad chase through the keep, and across the palace as Kitzu looked for Luna. Every time the guards thought they’d cornered her, she’d teleport again.

Meanwhile, in a small audience hall situated in the government wing of the palace complex, Celestia and Luna are presently in discussions with a delegation from the Fox Kingdom of all places. Their first indication something was going on was the sound of a lot of running outside the hall followed by a contingent of guards rushing in. Kitzu popped into the hall, not on the floor, but on the ceiling. Pegasus guards flew up to her while Unicorns moved to screen off the princesses. Kitzu in her desperation was too fast, she let herself drop, twisted her body, teleported past them, dashed for Luna, and curled up next to her pressing against her flank while desperately trying to catch her breath.

“What is the meaning of this?!” demanded one of the delegates recognizing the familiar shape of the tail as one of their own.

Kitzu looked back at them from behind her tail, her breath ragged, her eyes like saucers, feathers puffed out, and her fur even more so. She was quite the puffball. Princess Luna looked down at her with a bewildered look as Kitzu pressed against her, tears streaming from her eyes, and then without saying a thing, Luna lay down from her seated position covering Kitzu with her wing and gave her a gentle hug. "It's alright, you're safe now," Luna whispered.

“Luna?” Celestia asked sounding as though she was quite mystified, and indeed she was.

“I’m terribly sorry your majesties.” A captain of the guard offered. “If you could Princess Luna, we’ll deal with that little thief.”

“Thief?” Luna asked. “What did she steal, and from whom?” The guard then explained that the filly had been caught in the act of ransacking the princesses own bed-chamber, and had made off with a moon medallion… just like the one Luna was presently wearing. “This medallion? - Ransacked my chambers, and yet she comes to me for protection. - Can you explain this?”

“I’m a little curious about that myself?” Celestia remarked. A filly fleeing to Luna for protection was unheard of. Mostly they just ran away or hid behind their mothers. Celestia raised an eyebrow when it occurred to her that this filly really looked like she was hiding behind her mother.

“Looked a bit like my Nova.” A member of the delegation commented quietly, to be answered by the filly in question, that she was right there, and she didn’t have wings.

“Luna?” Celestia asked.

“Hey now, don’t cry. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” Luna said quietly to Kitzu.

“S-say my name?” Kitzu pleaded. Luna looked at Kitzu realizing something was horribly wrong here. “Woona – say my name?” Luna spotting an ornate ribbon around Kitzu’s neck, along with a golden chord, and used her magic to inspect the items. What she found was an exact duplicate of her moon medallion, of which there should have only been one, and a palace ID badge.

"Woona?" Celestia asked quietly.

“I – I'm so sorry,” Luna said softly hoping to reassure Kitzu.

“Luna?” Celestia pressed.

“She does indeed have the very medallion I now wear.” Luna offered quietly. “The exact same one. - And a palace ID badge that says that I...” Luna looked up to look her sister in the eye. “Captain, this filly is my guest, you are to treat her with the same respect you treat myself. - Captain, care to tell me who tied her up?” Kitzu still had straps used to tie her dragging from her hooves and had yet to free her wings.

“Tied up?” Celestia asked the concern showing in her tone. The captain was at a loss for words.

“So you mean to tell me you couldn't catch one little filly even though her wings had been tied down,” Luna asked, and then continued while he attempted to stammer out a reply. “No, what you and the other guards did was terrorize her when she’d done nothing wrong. - When she as likely needed your help.”

“But your apartment?” The captain offered in a feeble attempt to defend the actions of the guards.

“Don’t but your apartment me.” Luna snapped.

“I can answer for what happened to Princess Luna’s chambers.” Twilight offered, approaching. Celestia’s expression changed to one of astonishment, but Luna just smiled. “Miss Kitzu had a power surge due to ill-treatment at the hooves of certain colts who are in a world of hurt right now.” Kitzu stirred from her little ball of fluff to peek out from under Luna’s wing. “Kitzumi, come on, I’ll take you home now.”

“Twilight?” Celestia asked her eyes fixed to the young alicorn standing before her. Kitzu hesitated only for a moment, got up, and hobbled over to Twilight to rub up against her in an obvious display of affection with straps dragging from her legs.

“I’m so terribly sorry I’m late.” Offered a second, and wingless Twilight as she entered the room. She was then followed in by a dark cloaked pony who went to the side of the winged Twilight. Her height and silver hoof guards made it obvious she was no ordinary pony.

“Guards...” Celestia began but was cut off by Luna.

“Don’t you dare!”

“What?” Celestia said. “Do what?”

“You heard me,” Luna replied, the tension showing. “No guard is to do a thing. Not unless they want to take on Nightmare Moon. - And if any harm comes to that filly I’ll join her.”

“Very astute of you.” The other Luna offered, dropping the hood off her cloak. She was wearing her battle armor and looked very much the part of Nightmare Moon. 

“A bit theatrical don’t you think?” Luna asked. Her counterpart reminded her that she really had no idea what sort of reception she could expect, as the winged Twilight removed the remaining bindings from Kitzu. Kitzu happily pressed up against her, and then her’ Luna. “Tell me, how did you track her so quickly?”

“Transdimensional tracking spell embedded in the amulet.” the winged Twilight offered. Kitzu for her part couldn't resist stretching out her wings. 

“She’s so pretty.” The unicorn Twilight said quietly.

“Um, excuse, say Twilight, did you find her?” Reynard asked coming up behind the none winged twilight and gave her a kiss behind the ear. Her ears went straight up in shock and surprise.

“I say there old bean, I do believe you’ve my Twilight.” Offered a Prince Reynard among the delegation followed by one of the delegates bursting into laughter.

“Lady Aiko, please,” Grumbled one of the matrons in the delegation.

“I’m sorry, but I find this situation quite comical.” Lady Aiko replied. “That is aside from the fact the guards nearly ran a foal to death. - They’re from another dimension. I can even feel the presence of my counterpart.”

“Reynard, wings...” The Alicorn Twilight prompted giving him a dirty look.

“Wings? Oh right. - Terribly sorry about that.” Reynard offered, going to his Twilight. “Oh hay, Kizu, look at you. - No really look at her.” Sure enough, Kitzu was alight in a soft glow as though bathed in moonlight. She lifted into the air just a bit as a bright glow erupted from her flanks. There, despite her fluffed out sweaty state, appeared a dark purple crescent moon that overhung a small violet star, and partially overhung a larger star that was set a little further down then the small star. The effect was that of a mystic gateway.

“Kitzu, you just got your cutie mark!” Alicorn Twilight announced sounding delighted.

Kitzu turned to look and nearly toppled over. Kitzu’s Luna caught her with her magic. “OK, up you go.” Kitzu was then lifted up and deposited on Luna’s back. Kitzu’s glow slowly faded.

“And she’s asleep, or fairly nearly there.” Alicorn Twilight announced. “No nose bleed so she’s not likely used up her manna.”

“Afraid she’s had it rather rough here.” The Luna of that world offered, getting up and going over to them. “How were you getting home?”

“Twilight set us up a portal in the old wardrobe we never use in the back of the apartment.” The other-world Luna offered. “Should Kitzu find her way here again...”

“I’ll see to it she gets a better reception than the one she got today. - Would you like an escort?”

“Oh, we should be fine.” Reynard countered. “Grandmother has immobilized the guards.” He then bowed to Lady Aiko, followed by a nod to his counterpart.

“Can I ask one more thing?” that world’s Luna inquired.

“I suppose it can’t hurt.” the other Luna replied.

“How is it your Twilight is an Alicorn?”

“Our dear sister gave her the Alicorn transformation spell.”

“She what? - But that...” That world's Luna stopped seeing a cautionary look from the other Luna, who then leaned over, and whispered that it works on naturally occurring alicorns when properly worded.

“Naturally occurring alicorns?” asked Unicorn Twilight having heard the last bit.

“Oh yes, we’ve discovered quite a few that never got the nurturing they needed.” Alicorn Twilight offered, wondering just why her Luna had stopped the other, and what the significance was. Had she unknowingly used a dangerous spell? True it had switched her friends' destinies... She’d trusted that her Celestia knew she’d be able to figure out the spell – though Celestia had given her precious little information as to what the spell was intended for, and her carelessness could have resulted in a far worse outcome now that she thought about it. “Our world has been trying to replace the ones that were lost thousands of years ago during a rather nasty war. Afraid I don’t have any details though seems most of the records were lost or presumably destroyed. But if you want to find alicorns look for talented unicorns of mixed heritage, and pegasi with button horns.”

“From what we’ve determined is they are either born as pegasus or unicorn. Pegasi are dependent on the magic of a close relative for the horn to grow. The pegasus will naturally become an alicorn when the horn grows, but those born as unicorns require the transformation spell to gain their wings. - Having combined heritage seems to be a must, and of those we've discovered, we've been able to positively identify at least one connection to an alicorn ancestor." Offered the Luna who now had a sleeping filly on her back. “And yes, many were not getting the support they needed. To date, our Princess Cadence, Mi Amore,  is the only widely known success having ascended all on her own. Of course, there’s our little Kitzu here as well who we have great expectations of.”

“I get the feeling we need to start looking a little closer at our little ponies. Is – is she going to be alright? Kitzu? - You’ll let me know, won't you? - She really seems to have overexerted herself.”

“Yes, I think she'll be fine, but I am a little concerned.” The winged Twilight offered. “We should probably get going now."

They said their goodbyes, and then left. The ponies in the hall remained quiet as they watched the four visitors exit, the silence lingering once they’d gone.

“Twilight, good of you to make it to your own marriage meeting,” Luna called breaking the silence.

“Marriage?!” Twilight exclaimed feeling rather bewildered. A few moments later the Captain of the guard suddenly spun around in place looking about as though bewildered as to why he was even there.

“I had a guest, and you and your men nearly ran her to death.” Luna scolded as she directed Twilight to her place. “In the future, if a filly or colt should show up in my chambers you will treat them as an honored guest until it can be determined what the true facts are. - Is that clear?!”


A few days later Luna and Celestia are together enjoying a late afternoon tea.

“Luna, I must confess I’m still a little in the dark about who that little filly is.
You wouldn't mind telling me would you?”

“Perhaps I’ll let her tell you.” Luna offered, getting out an opened letter and offered it to Celestia.

“To princess Luna of world… what’s with this number?”

“There’s an explanation from twilight, their Twilight. It’s the number needed for the calculation to get to our dimension from their own.”

“To my mother from another world – Mother?”

“That’s what her identification card said. The evidence would suggest she is that world’s Luna’s daughter.”

“Oh my! - She sure didn’t get much of a welcome here.”

“Considering that they have a pony capable of immobilizing our guards without you even realizing it, I’d say harming that filly would be a very bad idea.”

“I wonder who it might be?” Celestia mused thinking strategically.

“I wonder,” Luna said with a smile remembering how their Prince Reynard had paid his respects to the young Lady Aiko. “It is a puzzle. - But go on and read what little Kitzu said.”

“To my mother from another world, thank you ever so much for protecting me when I was in need.” Celestia read. “I know now that you had no idea who I was, but you chose to protect me anyway. Also, I’m ever so grateful for the flank to cry on. I know that if I should ever find myself stranded in your world that I can rely on you to come to my aid. I hope someday to repay you for your kindness. As to how I came to be in your world, some ruffians...” Celestia took in a deep breath. “Ruffians. - 'Fired me out of a catapult.' - What!?”

“Found and dismantled. Leftover from the war years. I’m just amazed it was still functional. - We’d one on-site as well. I had it dismantled, and stored in weapons reserve.”

“It likely would have been reinforced with magic. - She says she tried teleportation but overpowered. I saw your room, and I can honestly say that Twilight did far worse. She mentions the pegasus involved had their wings clipped, and sent out to earth pony families to work on farms until their next molt. There were bat ponies involved who were sent to their home villages along with their parents in the guard being demoted out of the guards.” “They do seem rather forgiving over there though.”

“You forgave me. - I suspect she intentionally left out the names so it wouldn't reflect on their counterparts here. As is I’ve suspended the guards who started that chase. She’d told them who she was, but they didn’t take it seriously.”

“She mentions her mommy was worried she might be sick from overexertion and called on Auntie Fluttershy who is her doctor. Fluttershy, a doctor?”

“Our Fluttershy specializes in helping injured animals, and Kitzu was no ordinary pony. She has the same type of teeth as our dear Prince Reynard and his family.”

“But he’s marrying Twilight?” Celestia protested.

“Well here, but being all three came to fetch Kitzu, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they’ve got a polygamous marriage.”

“Something tells me such an arrangement wouldn't bother you in the least.”

“I wouldn't mind sharing. He is rather cute after all. - Not quite like typical Earth pony stallions one bit.”

“Well, I can see how you’d fall for her. Miss Kitzu. She is rather cute. So how’d she deliver the letter?”

“I found it in front of the wardrobe in the upstairs spare room.”

“The upstairs spare room?”

“Well where else would you find a passage to another world, but a wardrobe in an upstairs spare room?”

“Oh I don’t know, enchant a mirror perhaps?”







Not long after Kitzu’s misadventure while on her way to school, Kitzu spots a familiar young unicorn filly who seems to be lost, and has presently been detained by some guards. “Do we know her?” Pudding asks. Since the incident, it’d been decided to make sure Kitzu always had some pony nearby. Pudding would take her to school, and the school would keep an eye on her till someone trusted arrived to pick her up.

“Kind of looks like cousin Nova. - Prince Reynard’s relative. Kitzu offered going over to the filly. In Kitzu’s time, Nova had been an older sister who looked after the little foals from time to time. Granted the cousin Nova Kitzu had known was a lot older. “Nova?” Nova was related to Prince Reynard and was strikingly similar in appearance to Kitzu with the exception that her mane was black with a white stripe, and no red or violet streaks in her mane and tail.

“Princess Kitzu,” Nova said looking over. Nova bowed politely.

“Oh, you don’t have to bow to me.” Kitzumi offered. She wasn’t even going to try to explain she didn’t count as a princess just yet. “It’s Nova isn’t it?” Kitzu hadn’t technically met Nova just yet.

“Yes. I seem to have gotten turned around, and I don’t have my guest badge.”

“Tell you what, why don’t you come with us?” Kitzu offered. “I’m on my way to school. I go to the Academy. Maybe they’ll let you sit in today? Can’t hurt to ask.”

“Really? You think they’d let me?”

“Well if they don’t Mrs Smith can see you back to your family.”

“I wouldn't mind one bit.” Pudding offered. “And then you won’t have the indignity of being escorted by the guards.”

“You’re a guard too.” One of the guards quipped.

“Nope, not anymore. I moved to household staff.” Pudding replied with a smile. “Now don’t worry about Miss Nova here, I know where her family is staying.” They agreed to let Nova go with Kitzu and Pudding, and a short time later they were at the office of the school who were perfectly fine with Princess Kitzu bringing a guest. Kitzu couldn't help but wonder if they’d be OK with anything she wanted to do in that they all thought of her as a princess now. Even if she was technically illegitimate.

“Good morning Miss Nightfoal.” Offered Kitzumi’s first teacher of the day. The other students couldn’t help but smile being it was afternoon for them.

“Good morning Mr Shimmerhorn.” Kitzu offered. Mr Shimmerhorn had been a very understanding teacher right from the start. “And you’ve brought someone with you.”

“This is Nova Silvermane. - She’s here for the upcoming announcement.”

“Is she? - There’s a lot of excitement about it, and you’ll gain a second mother along with a father won’t you?”

“What?” Nova said tilting her head sideways. “What’s he talking about?”

“Let me guess, no one told you.” Kitzu offered. “It’s already widely known among the palace staff and people at the school apparently, so I imagine there’s probably no harm in my just saying it. - Prince Reynard proposed to both Princess Twilight and Princess Luna at the same time, and they both said yes. - Can’t really say how it went, I was in the bedroom sleeping at the time.”

“And here I thought he was just going to marry Twilight Sparkle.” Nova offered. “Does Grandmother Morning Dew know? - And what’s this about you gaining a second mother?”

“Miss Kitzu is Princess Luna’s daughter. Didn’t you know?” Alina offered possibly wondering why Nova hadn’t known.

“Knowing Prince Reynard, I doubt if Morning Dew knows. - Not yet at any rate, and my alleged relation to Princess Luna is only locally whispered about.” Kitzu offered. “Lady Aiko is supporting the marriage, so even if Grandmother Morning Dew knows, she’ll just have to bite her tongue.” Nova looked at Kitzu her face breaking into a big smile.

“Alright then, time we got class started.” Mr Shimmerhorn announced. He’d brought out a cart loaded with stones about the size of his hoof. “We are doing levitation exercises today.” He then went from desk to desk depositing a stone in front of each student. The instructions were to wait, and he’d evaluate each pony individually.

“Miss Nova, not to put you on the spot here, but I’d like to see you try levitating the stone if you please.” Mr Shimmerhorn said looking at her. Nova looked at Mr Shimmerhorn, and then at the stone. Her horn began to glow a pale blue. She looked over the stone a couple of times as if wondering why it wasn’t moving. The color of her magic deepened taking on a silver hue while brightening. A moment later the stone lifted up appearing to be carried on a swirling mist.

“Well, that’s different.” Mr Shimmerhorn said having expected the usual glow around the object.

“There seems to be a spell on the stone,” Nova replied.

“Ya, that’s to make it more challenging.” Mr Shimmerhorn offered.

“Nova, maybe we are supposed to be using our unicorn magic?” Kitzu offered.

“Oh,” Nova said just a little embarrassed. “Yes, that would make sense.”

“So Miss Kitzu, how about you give it a go?” Mr Shimmerhorn suggested turning to Kitzu. “Miss Nova, you can put yours down.” Kitzu waited till Nova set hers down, and then concentrated on her stone. It rose up shakily while enveloped by a light violet aura to match the aura around her horn. She held it there for a moment, someone said something, the aura turned to dark purple, and the stone shot straight up embedding in the ceiling.

“I’m terribly sorry,” Kitzu said looking up at the stone. “I seem to have experienced a power surge.”

“Indeed.” Mr Shimmerhorn said softly as he gazed up at the ceiling.

“That look on his face reminds me of the look on Princess Celestia’s face when that Alicorn Twilight Sparkle showed up at the marriage meeting,” Nova whispered to Kitzu.

“What?” Kitzu said turning to Nova.

“Oh right, you weren’t there. - A bunch of doubles showed up, there was even another one of you and mmmf. - ??” Kitzu had put her hoof on Nova’s mouth.

“Mr Shimmerhorn, Nova just remembered she had to be at an important gathering – yes you do – I’m going to show her the way.”

“But?” Nova protested as Kitzu proceeded to maneuver Nova out of her seat and escort her out the door.

“Hang on, you’re supposed to have an escort.” Mr Shimmerhorn called as the two-headed out the door.

“I’ll call for a guard,” Kitzu called back.

“What are you on about? I don’t have anything scheduled? Do I?” Nova protested as they hurried down the hallway.

“Never mind how it happened, but you went into Luna’s wardrobe, admit it.”

“Wardrobe? - What?”

“Did you, or did you not climb into a wardrobe in Princess Luna’s apartment? - And don’t lie, I already know you did.”

“And how would you know I was in Princess Luna’s apartment?”

“Because if I existed in your world, the guards would never have tried to arrest me. - That and no doubles showed up here.”

“What?”

“The wardrobe is a portal.”

“Oh no,” Nova said with an air of panic, her reluctance to go with Kitzu now gone. The two hurried out a door, and across a compound where Kitzu led Nova to a back entrance to the palace that was used as a service entrance to the royal apartments. It also had the benefit of not being heavily watched allowing the two to enter relatively unnoticed, and was frequented by students who lived in the apartments. The staff, were accustomed to Luna taking the back service passages to avoid people whenever she had to go anywhere within the palace that she couldn't otherwise fly to as well, and Kitzumi had been a frequent companion as of late, so the staff paid them little attention other than to tell them to slow down.

“Come on, this way.” Kitzu offered, peeking through a service door. The two emerged into an empty conference room, crossed it, and exited to an open corridor.

“Nova?” called a voice. Both Kitzu and Nova looked to discover a small group of fox ponies to include Nova’s Grandmother Morning Dew. Her call was momentarily answered by the Nova who belonged to that dimension coming around a corner.

“Oh buck,” Kitzu muttered having been hanging around Apple Jack too much. What were they doing there of all places? They were also on the wrong side of the keep. Kitzumi had hoped to make it to the lower entrance to Luna’s tower, but they’d have to go through Grandmother to do it. Kitzu looked about, up and down, picked a spot high on the walls of the keep, hugged her Nova with a wing, and teleported them both. A loud crack echoed off the walls followed by another crack as they appeared on a balcony some distance away.

“Warn a pony before doing that!”

“Good, I landed where I wanted to be,” Kitzu commented looking about as the hooves of guards could be heard approaching. “Come on, not much further.” She pulled a large glass doorway open. “It’s OK, just me.” She announced to the guards.

“And who is this with you, and why can’t you use the stairs, same as every pony else?” One of the guards asked.

“Sort of a cousin.” Kitzu offered. “Followed me thru the portal Princess Twilight set up.”

“Why’d you go and tell him?!”

“Saves time. - Come on then, and welcome to the north wing of the keep.” Kitzu replied to Nova and continued down the hallway.

“Ya, well tell Princess Luna to lock that portal.” the guards said following so as to return to their post outside the Door to the Night wing. The Night or East wing had Luna’s apartments on the top floors as well as accommodations for visiting relatives.

“You do realize she walked right past everyone, and no one stopped her till she was out in a common area?” Kitzu replied. The guards cringed at their own failure. A moment later Kitzu and Nova had arrived outside Luna’s rear entrance to her apartments.

“I’m home early,” Kitzu announced, led Nova inside, and closed the door.

“What are you doing here, why aren’t you in school?” Luna asked. She’d been having tea with Celestia in a small tea room just off the entrance that looked out over the east approach to Canterlot.

“Nova followed me thru the portal.”

“Kitzu?” Nova protested quietly.

“Best get it over with as quickly as possible,” Kitzu said to stunned silence.

“I’m so terribly sorry.” Nova offered to Luna and bowed.

“Excuse me, and please pardon the intrusion.” Said a second Luna coming down the hall that led to the rest of the apartment. “We seem to have misplaced our little Miss Nova.”

“Found her.” Offered the resident Luna with a smirk.

“Well, that was quick. - Young filly, there are a lot of ponies looking for you. - What are you doing here?”

“I didn’t even know I was here? Wherever here is?” Nova protested.

“Maybe we should lock the wardrobe?” The resident Luna offered.

“Shouldn't you two get going?” Kitzu asked sounding concerned.

“Now let's not be packing them off so soon. Tea?” Celestia offered.

“No really, I think they...” Kitzu began to say, but then the Luna from the other world declined while mentioning that there were a lot of ponies out looking for Miss Nova.

“It is a bit disconcerting seeing myself like that.” The resident Luna offered. “No offense.”

“None taken, and your right. It’s a bit disconcerting.” She gave her counterpart a wink. “Though I think I could get accustomed to it, and we’d become good friends in no time.

“So, you planning on heading back to school?” Luna asked.

“I probably should.” Kitzu offered. “Any chance there’s someone about to provide an escort?”

“So, you have the portal in your apartment?” Celestia asked.

“They had to retrieve me.” Kitzu offered, feeling a bit awkward. “It’s in one of the attic rooms.”

“I thought it’d be a good place for it in case she overpowers on a teleport. - We put the mirror inside a wardrobe so it could be locked. - To be honest, I thought it was locked. - And for that matter, why was a young filly snooping around in your upstairs bedroom?” The resident Luna offered.

“I’m a bit curious about that myself. Come on Miss Nova, your family is frantic.”  The mirror world Luna remarked, thanked Luna, Celestia, and Kitzu, and then escorted Nova back the way she’d come.

“So how is Miss Kitzu doing with her classes?” Celestia asked remembering how frantic Luna and Twilight had gotten when Kitzu had vanished.

“I embedded a lifting stone in the ceiling today.”

“So much like Twilight. Just out of curiosity, can I take it that wasn’t your rightful home?” Celestia asked.

“Their Twilight isn’t an alicorn.” Kitzu offered. “My mother has had her wings long enough for a new set of plumage that is more colorful than her first set.”

“She does have some nice plumage.” Luna offered. “A bit like Scootaloo’s new flight feathers. - And a little taller than our Twilight, but not by much.”

“I should get going.” Kitzu offered.

“Alright,” Luna replied. “Watch out for tour groups.”

“OK, I will.” Kitzu offered, heading for the door.

“Nova?” Celestia called to be rewarded by Kitzu looking back. Kitzu froze for a moment. Kitzu had answered to Nova.

“Princess Kitzumi Nova Silvermane.” Kitzu offered, realizing she really hadn’t given anyone her full true name, and as far as Celestia knew, she was from another dimension with no knowledge of any time travel. Nor could they know her full name being the only identifier she’d had on her was a simple name tag her mother had given her. “I couldn't very well tell any pony my real name,” She thought for a moment. “At first I thought your Twilight was my mother. When I realized she wasn’t even married yet I lied about my name. I’m really comfortable around Princess Luna because my Luna nursed me whenever mother couldn't. So in essence, they are both my mother, and I’m ever so grateful they took me in when they could have so easily just assumed it was a scam being perpetrated. And yes, it hasn’t even been a year yet, but in the time I’ve been here, I’ve had to do a lot of growing up.” Kitzu bowed, turned back to the door, and exited.

“You know she doesn’t like you.” Luna offered. “Putting her on the spot like that isn’t going to help.”

“Was it your idea to have her call herself Nightfoal?”

“Oh no, that was her idea. Apparently, there are Nightfoals in her family tree. - You heard what she said, using Nightfoal was all her doing.” Luna smiled delightedly at her sister’s moment of discomfort.
> Cultural appreciation day.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	


Kitzu’s wings rustled under her school cloak. Today her class was visiting government offices, and everyone in the class had to wear one. “Cloak bothering your wings?” Nova asked. Nova, that is to say, this world's Nova, was now attending the school as an exchange student, which had forced Kitzu to explain to her what had happened the other day. Up to that point Nova had been sure there were changelings in the palace. Portals being part of her family history, the idea that someone coming over from another world who was her double wasn’t that hard to believe.

“Well, it is a little irritating,” Kitzu admitted stretching a wing and then folding it back up again.

“Come along then, and stow that wing.” Mrs Inkwell said coming up to them. “Mr Shimmerhorn will be with the colts, and the fillies are with me.”

“Look at it this way...” Alina began approaching. “It’s like you’ll be incognito. - Well at least to the ponies who don’t know you.”

“If you are wondering about the cloaks, it’s to make it easier to keep tabs on you.” Mrs Inkwell said in her typical manner as if to say it should be obvious. After all, theirs wasn’t the only class visiting government offices, and there would be students from other schools. “Come along, fillies with me, colts with Mr Shimmerhorn. - Also, senior class-ponies Miss Starshine Twinkle is with the girls, and Kavelan Sword is with the boys. - And no dawdling.”

“Yes, mam,” Starshine called as she joined the girls. A moment later Mrs Inkwell set out towards the palace setting a pace that tempted Kitzu to use her wings to assist. Starshine trotted up to Kitzu and asked if she was doing alright, Kitzu being the youngest in the group.

“I think I can manage,” Kitzu replied as they approached the gate that divided the school from the palace proper. There they paused a moment as the guards looked the group over. There was a momentary pause as they checked the roster with the ponies in front of them.

“They’re hiding my wings.” Kitzu offered, extending a wing, not realizing that that was exactly what was going on.

“Ahh, yes, that’s what was bugging me.” The guard with the list offered.

“I sure hope this isn’t going to be a problem?” Mrs Inkwell asked. The guards assured her they’d let the others on duty know.

“How are they going to do that?” Miss Tara Star asked in a whisper.

“Magical intercom in the helmets,” Kitzu whispered as they were ushered past. Mrs Inkwell led the group down the more public access ways skirting around the royal apartments.

“Bet you see this a lot.” Starshine prompted as the group passed ponies going about their day to day business.

“Actually I don’t. I’m looking forward to this just as much as every pony else. I don’t use the public access ways. It’s for my own safety as well as convenience. This is actually the long way, but at the same time I can’t go into public areas without an escort.”

She’s a bird in a gilded cage who can’t even fly.” Alina offered as they rounded a corner. Before the group was a large courtyard where several groups of students were gathered, either waiting to start a tour or had just ended. Energy levels were running high.

“Kitzu!” called a familiar voice as they crossed the court. Kitzu looked about to see a pegasus headed her way, the group made to shield Kitzu but was thwarted by Kitzu who rushed to meet the pegasus.

“Scootaloo!” Kitzu called, and a moment later the two embraced.

“It’s so good to see you.” Scootaloo offered as the two separated. She then added in a whisper that her little button of a horn had started to grow, and her mother was teaching her the basics of magic. Her whisper was perhaps a might loud.

“Hush, someone might hear,” Kitzu cautioned. “So how is your mom?”

“Going under the name Dawn Patrol,” Scootaloo replied still whispering. “The warrant was lifted, but she doesn’t want certain ponies knowing it’s her. Starlight Glimmer suggested a slight alteration of appearance.”

“Miss Kitzu, it’s good to see you well.” Sunset Shimmer offered as she approached. Kitzu looked around Scootaloo to find that sure enough, Sunset Shimmer was right there in the palace. Minus her unicorn horn. Kitzu’s keen eyes were able to pick out the slight imperfection of the spell hiding the horn, but couldn't help but wonder if Sunset was going to get away with it. After all, she wasn’t all too welcome among certain circles.





“Mrs Patrol.” Kitzu offered with a smile while conscious of a tugging sensation of her cloak. She turned about to have a look to discover Mrs Inkwell had adjusted the cloak.

“You seem familiar, have we met?” Mrs Inkwell asked Sunset.

“I don’t believe so.” Sunset lied. “My name is Dawn, Dawn Patrol.”

“Hey, hey, what’s going on, we’ve got fillies to be keeping an eye on.” Rainbow Dash offered up, butting right between the two. “Say, it’s little Kitzu. Sorry about what happened to you the other day. Just so you know, most of our cadets aren’t like those bullies.”

“Yes, the higher-ups came over to make a formal apology.” Kitzu offered. “I was a little disappointed you didn’t come by.”

“Afraid the individuals from our school were in my flight, so it was kind of my fault.” Rainbow dash offered.

“Say, isn’t Scootaloo in your flight?” Kitzu asked.

“If I’d have known what they were up to, I’d have said something honest.” Scootaloo offered. “What exactly did they do anyway?”

“Oh not much, just tied me up and fired me out of a catapult to see how well I can fly.”

“What?!” Scootaloo, Sunset Shimmer, and Dash exclaimed at the same time. The details of the incident had been kept confidential.

“How…?” Scootaloo asked nearly breathless.

“Amazing Princess Luna didn’t have them plucked.” Dash offered.

“Did someone – some pony caught you didn’t they?” Sunset asked.

“I teleported myself to safety. - Sort of a panic teleport, and destroyed Luna’s chambers in the process. Well, it was the bigger bed, and I was going at a pretty decent clip.” Kitzu offered while omitting the fact she’d teleported herself right into the next dimension. “And got my cutie mark.”

“Well you’ll just have to show them your cutie mark later, we’re running behind.” Mrs Inkwell cautioned just as Mr Shimmerhorn approached with his group. Mrs Inkwell wasn’t too keen on any ponies among the general public seeing Kitzu’s wings just yet.

“Excuse me, Miss?” Mr Shimmerhorn began as he approached Sunset. “Might I know your name?”

“Dawn.” Sunset offered.

“Such a pretty name.” Mr Shimmerhorn remarked with a smile. “Amazing how much you look like my sister. Only she’d be much older.”

“Sister!?” Rainbow Dash blurted out. “This old codger?!”

“Honestly Mr Shimmerhorn, if you are going to flirt with a filly, don’t be telling her she reminds you of your sister.” Mrs Inkwell scolded. “Even if she does look remarkably like Miss Sunset. - Though Sunset was a unicorn, not a fancy pegasus. - Come along girls.”

“I better go.” Kitzu offered. “I’m free after school lets out till dinner if you wanted to come by. Be nice to see some friends from Ponyville.”

“Miss Kitzu, please.” Mrs Inkwell called.

“Sorry, got to go,” Kitzu said, and rejoined her group. They were followed by Mr Shimmerhorn a moment later.

“Mom?” Scootaloo asked. “That stallion?”

“Afraid I’ve just gotten a taste of what being an alicorn is going to be like.” Sunset Shimmer offered in a quiet contemplative tone.

“He looks like he’s old enough to be your father, is he really?” Dash asked. “I mean, is he your...”

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s my little brother. - Come on – before our group scatters.”

“So that’s it then?” Dash asked. “Celestia did lift the arrest warrant.”

“No, that’s not it, but now is a bad time. Not with a dozen miniature versions of yourself who’ll take any opportunity to get into mischief waiting on us.”

“Point taken,” Dash commented dryly, looked over at their charges, shouted hey stop that, and trotted back to their group.

“Mom?”

“Don’t worry Scoots, we’ll take Kitzu up on her invitation the first chance we get.”



⚜⚜⚜⚜🏰🌄⚜⚜⚜⚜



Moments later, Kitzu’s group had met up with their tour guide on time. This was an elderly unicorn, his color fading to gray with perhaps a hint of blue-green, with a silver mane and tail. His name, Silver Falls. Mr Falls welcomed them to the palace, introduced himself, said a few things regarding what would be expected of the foals, and bid them follow as he began going into the history of the palace. They stopped in a large courtyard a respectable distance from the staging area where he began pointing out various points of interest. When he’d said his bit, they moved on, down a corridor, and soon found themselves in the grand entryway of Celestia’s court, the Grand Audience Hall. Also known as the day court, this was a grand audience chamber built sometime after Night Fall and intended to meet the requirements of the coming modern era. The court was presently out, but they were still admonished to be quiet.

"Here in this Grand Hall," Silver Falls explained, "is where the law of the land is decided on. Each sitting Lord casts a vote either for or against. Each getting only one vote. Princess Celestia casts what is known as a weighted vote in that her vote counts for twenty percent of the total. She has for a thousand years had the ability to sway the vote one way or another, but as you might guess, a determined faction that can muster enough votes would not have too much difficulty in overriding her vote in that only a simple majority is required to pass legislation.” He stopped for a moment as just the slightest hint of a smile formed on his face. “With Princess Luna’s return there is a whole new dynamic in that Princess Luna’s vote is equal to her sister.”

“Does Princess Twilight, and Princess Cadence vote?” Gwyneth Cheer asked.

“They each have a vote worth one percent, but typically only vote in special sessions. - Now...” He hesitated a moment. “The one percent vote was quickly pushed in by the Chancellor some time back in fear that Celestia’s Granddaughter Princess Sunset might ascend and become an Alicorn, and have an equal vote to Celestia. - Sunset Shimer was just an ordinary unicorn at the time, but a pony need not be an alicorn to be considered a princess. Princess Twilight actually counted as a low-level princess before she ascended do to her father's titles.”

“Who was Princess Sunset?” Alina asked.

“She was Princess Celestia’s hand-picked apprentice a while before Princess Mi Amore was discovered. - Now, we have a lot more yet to see.”

“Did you know her?” Kitzu asked as Silver Falls showed them out a side door. His answer – he’d only known her by reputation. “Good or bad?” Well, that depended on who a pony asked. Kitzu letting her curiosity get the better of her asked Mrs Inkwell if Mr Shimmerhorn was Sunset Shimmer’s brother?

“Sunset Shimmer was of the Shimmerhorn clan, and yes Mr Shimmerhorn is her brother.” Mrs Inkwell offered, giving Kitzu a calculating look. “They are among the noble families. Mr Shimmerhorn’s eldest brother even has access to one of the apartments in the royal apartment complex. - She was one of the first students I had the privilege to teach, and it was widely speculated that being Princess Celestia’s hand-picked student, that Sunset Shimmer might ascend someday. - I’m afraid she was under a lot of pressure, and it just got to her. - I don’t really know where she is now. - Do you?”

“I might.” Kitzu offered with a wink. Mrs Inkwell looked at Kitzu, her eyes opened wide, and stopped in her tracks. She thought for a moment, shook her head, and then started walking again.

From the Grand Hall, they continued down a passage that led to the offices of various leading lords, and ministers. The who’s who list didn’t really interest Kitzu until they reached the offices of Minister Night Light. Kitzu looked about eager and hoping to spot the pony who would be her grandfather, knowing she’d not likely see him. Not today when every pony was away. She was about to give up when her keen hearing picked up the sound of some pony in the back out of sight of the tour group. Kizu looked about, hung back a bit, and quietly crept away from the group. Stealth mode activated. In the back office, she found him, Night Light.

“Um, hi.” Kitzu offered, standing on her hind legs and putting her front hooves on the desk to look up at the big stallion. He shot back in his chair startled, and then relaxed realizing he’d only been interrupted by a curious filly. He looked her over critically.

“Oh, it’s you.”

“Oh, it’s me? - How do you know who I am, when we haven't even met yet?”

“Should you maybe be somewhere else? - Like in school? - I’m busy.”

“For a pony who’s about to be my grandfather, you aren’t being very nice.”

“Well forgive me.” His tone was perhaps a bit harsher than it needed to be.

“Kitzu, what are you doing in here?” Nova called entering the office. “Oh hi.”

“There are two of you?”

“Her name is Nova Silvermane. - She’s sort of related, or soon will be. - I’m Kitzumi. A wayward filly from another dimension? Did Twilight tell you nothing? - No of course not. Not coming from a family that can’t even be bothered to tell her, her own brother is engaged. - Princess Luna adopted me because I’m stranded here.” There is a scolding manner to her tone. “You sure aren’t like the grandfather I remember.” Kitzumi dropped down.

“Now hold on one moment, young filly. - I know full well who you are, you’re that filly of Luna’s. - I’m a busy government minister. - Wait, you said…?” What Kitzu had said about being from another dimension had started to sink in.

“Not like you haven't had ample opportunities to come by to visit and find out first hoof who I am. like when Twilight is here. - Didn’t I just say I was from another dimension? - Did Twilight say anything to you? - Did you not hear a word I said?” Kitzu scolded. She’d thought surely Twilight would have told him enough to know that she wasn’t just some illegitimate filly. “Come on Nova, before we are missed.”

“Kizu Nightfoal – Nova Silvermane. - Minister Night Light; I’m so sorry they bothered you.” Starshine said entering the office.

“It’s alright.” Night Light offered. “Miss Kitzu is going to be my granddaughter after all.” His tone had softened. Kitzu looked up at him for a moment, let out a sigh, turned, and left quickly followed by Nova.

“What just happened here?”

“I think I blew it. - I kind of had the wrong idea about our Miss Kitzu and never bothered to find out for myself. Rather amateurish of me to make a blunder like that.”

“Sorry to hear that. If you’ll forgive me I better get after them. They are normally very well behaved but prone to mischief.” Starshine then turned and followed after Kitzu and Nova.





When Kitzu returned to the group her mood had soured considerably from the cheerful pony who’d left them. Nova followed, with Miss Starshine bringing up the rear.

“Short with you was he?” Mrs Inkwell asked. “Next time stay with the group.”

“Try not to let it bother you. You just caught him at a bad time.” Miss Starshine offered going up alongside Kitzu.

“Can I trust there will be no more ponies wandering off?” Mr Silver Falls asked sounding about as annoyed as Night Light had.

“What’d he say?” Nova whispered as the tour guide marched them outside, and past several large forums each a little higher up on the mountain.

“He seemed to know who I was, but by the tone in his voice he seemed to have gotten the wrong idea.” Kitzu offered, ascending a long flight of stairs on a narrow strip that overlooked much of the palace.

“Oh. Say no more. I’d say I caught enough of it to know exactly what’s going on with him.” Nova replied softly as they came to a stop outside the doors to the castle keep which was itself a castle within the castle that made up the palace. Here too was the royal apartments of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and guest accommodations for those privileged enough to be allowed to stay there. Also, unlike a typical keep, this one was in many ways more like a grand manner house than a keep. Beyond the gate a short passage to another gate on the right, and a modestly sized courtyard beyond that. Here was the front entrance to the manner house through a grand entryway which led to a great hall, on either side of which were the audience halls of the sun and the moon, and a grand staircase at the far end. Beyond these were dining halls, a kitchen, libraries, and the personal offices of the Princesses and close staff. Above that were the apartments.

“Beyond this gate, are the personal apartments of The Princesses, and honored guests.” Silver Falls announced in a stern tone. “I trust every pony will be on their best behavior.” He gave Kitzu a withering look which didn’t help her mood one bit. An exchange that did not go unnoticed by the guards at the gate who in turn gave Silver Falls a rather stern look as the stallion was known to be rather acidic in his nature. Silver Falls took one more moment and then escorted the group inside the entry gate. He made a quip about this entry being known as the murder hall while pointing out holes in the ceiling above and then announced welcome to the bailey as they passed through the second gate.

“So is that where you live?” Alina asked looking up at Luna’s tower.

“No, I’m in the East Wing.”

“Ah, you’re interested in Princess Luna’s tower?” Mr Silverfalls asked. “Most ponies assume that Princess Luna lives in the tower, but in reality, she lives somewhere else. - Any pony want to hazard a guess?”

“Might that be the East wing?” Alina asked.

“Well yes, but it’s called the Night wing,” Silverfalls replied. “The tower itself once housed Princess Luna’s Shadowbolts where they could send out a deadly barrage from the small slits you see in the sides of the tower.”

“Is that an observation platform at the top where those large windows are?” Hester asked.

“It was at one time.” Mr Silverfalls offered. “It’s a grand reception hall now known as the Moon Viewing hall. - I know it’s difficult to see it from here, but there is another smaller tower on top that one at the very top of which is I’m to understand a rather sophisticated observatory. - Now, can anyone tell me anything about the garden beds here before we move on?”

“Oh, I know.” Gwyneth offered. “Because the front wall blocks most of the sunlight, the garden is planted exclusively with deep shade plants, and sometimes referred to as the night garden.”

“And the guards affectionately know it as the frost pit.” Kitzu quipped. The fillies all giggled realizing the garden must get mighty cold, but Mr Silverfalls scolded her for speaking out of turn. He then turned and directed them to the front doors.

“Welcome to the Frost Pit Mr Silverfalls.” One of the guards at the door offered.

“She’s not wrong you know. This may be the south side of the building, but that wall blocks all but the noon sun.” The other guard offer. “Gets mighty cold here.”

“Indeed.” Mr Silverfalls replied indignantly. “May we enter?”

“Indeed you may.” The guards offered and opened the doors for the group.

They stopped in the grand entry hall where Silver falls talked for a bit noting the offices along the front hallway, and then they moved to the entry of the Hall of the Sun. Here was a grand reception room with a large staircase at the south end which they had to climb to get to the audience hall. The Hall of the Sun was a large open expanse with a lofted ceiling and large stained glass windows on either side, The structure had been built out on the top of a massive stone that jutted out from the mountainside. In the windows were depicted many important events to include the defeat of Nightmare Moon, the return of Luna, the defeat and reform of Discord, and other notable events in Equestrian history. Such was the depiction of Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna that it gave the viewer the impression the two were completely different individuals.

“Hey Kitzu, what’s the sunrise like?” Alina asked in a whisper in response to Silver Falls commenting he’d heard the sunrise view from the Hall of the Sun was quite spectacular.

“Don’t look at me, I’ve never been awake during sunrise,” Kitzu muttered. The fillies all did their best to stifle a giggle, garnering a dirty look from Silver Falls. “A pony can’t actually see the sunrise from here anyway.”

“That will be enough out of you, young filly. - Now that you’ve seen the Hall of the Sun, let's go over to the Hall of the Moon.” Silver Falls offered, escorting them back out to the grand entryway. As they entered the hall of the moon he informed everyone that the hall of the moon was the original audience hall shared by the two sisters over a thousand years ago in which they were called upon to administer government concerns and the occasional personal petition brought forward. It also just happened to be the original central courtyard of the structure over which a vaulted roof had been installed. Inside it was quite dark and was a stark deviation from the previous audience chamber. Here there were no windows, only slits high up to allow some natural lighting via shafts that ran out to the outer walls. The room was lit with lamps and had very much the look of perpetual-night about it. Kitzu couldn't resist the temptation to slip away into the darkness, to be momentarily followed by Nova. The other fillies taking note of the absence of the two quietly whispered among themselves.

“Alright, what’s with all that whispering while I’m talking?”

“Alright, what’s going on?” Mrs Inkwell asked not too sure she was going to like the answer.

“They think the place might be haunted.” Miss Starshine offered having spotted Kitzu and Nova’s eyes reflecting light back at them. She also couldn't resist a little teasing.

“Well I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it was haunted,” Silverfalls commented with an air of conspiracy. He then looked about the room to see if he could spot some dark shape he could torment the girls with and froze on spotting two pairs of glowing eyes looking back at him. To the astonishment of everyone there, he took a couple of steps back, turned, and rushed out of the room.

Mr Silver Falls?” Mrs Inkwell asked. “You lot, don’t leave the building.” She hesitated for a moment, and then followed after him.

“If I didn’t know there were a couple of mischievous fox fillies in the room, I might have done the same,” Starshine whispered. Kitzu trotted over to them.

“Any pony want to see my room while we are here?” Kitzu asked. “Mom should be up by now.”

“But we couldn't.” Starshine cautioned, but the others wanted to see her room. “But Mrs Inkwell, and the tour guide?”

“There’s a back way.” Nova offered as she rejoined the group.

“Won’t we get in trouble?” Sharik asked concerned.

“Yes, that is a strong possibility. Just not with my mother or anyone under her.” Kitzu offered. “I already got permission for the girls if I got the opportunity, but you’d better decide fast.”

“Mrs Inkwell will be furious, but she’ll forgive us.” Starshine offered. “I say we do it.”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Alina asked. “And she never said we had to stay in one spot, just not to leave the building.”

“Alright then, follow me,” Kitzu replied with a grin, turned, and led the group up the center aisle and then around behind the stage up front where the princesses’ chairs were located. Mrs Inkwell returned to the audience hall with Mr Silver Falls just as the last girl slipped through the door behind the stage.

“And they’re gone.” Mrs Inkwell muttered.

“That’s not possible?” Mr Silver Falls stated. “This is the only way in or out.”

“Miss Kitzu lives here. I’ve no doubt she knows another way.”

“Kitzu?”

“That filly you were so annoyed with. Princess Luna is her mother. - Mr Silver Falls?”



✨✨✨



Meanwhile in a back hallway. “Excuse me, what are you doing in here?”

“It’s alright, it’s me,” Kitzu announced to an office worker. “Mom gave me permission to show the girls from my class around.”

“Wait, shouldn't you all be at school right now?”

“It’s our day to tour the palace.” Starshine offered as a way of explanation as they walked past.

“It’s highly irregular though.”

“Our tour guide left us on our own. Mrs Inkwell our homeroom teacher went to see if he was alright.” Nova offered. “We were told to stay in the building. We’re just going to run upstairs real quick in case anyone comes looking.”

“Fine then, but stay clear of Princess Celestia’s apartment, she is entertaining a personal guest.”

“Yes, Mam,” Kitzu called back having a fairly good idea of what was meant by personal guest, and who it might be. A moment later they were in the main hallway that connected to the entry hall. At the end closest to them stood a couple of guards, and a large door. The guards gave them a curious look but did nothing.

“Behind that doorway to our right is the grand entry hall and the grand staircase,” Kitzu explained. “Granted we won’t be going that way.” She then turned towards the guards. “They turned their backs on us. Be so kind as to stall if any pony comes looking for us.” The guards smiled. “Come on, this way then,” Kitzu offered to the fillies and led them in the other direction. They passed a large dining hall with an enormous bay window, a library, and passed through a door at the far end which led to a stairwell beyond which could be seen the kitchen through an open door. There were two flights of stairs there, one going up, and one descending to a lower level. Upstairs was very much the grand manner house. Several doors opening into grand apartments to their right had been left open to allow natural light and ventilation into the hallway, there was another library, a reading room, and a hallway that led to the top of the grand staircase where two guards stood watch outside the entrance to Princess Celestia’s apartment. They passed all this noting only a blank wall to their left till they came to a sunroom at the end of the hallway with windows that looked out over Canterlot at the front of the building.

“Come on, the view is even better from Princess Luna’s tower,” Nova offered. “Besides, the front wall blocks most of the view from here.”

“And we’d better get going before Mrs Inkwell thinks to try the stairs,” Kitzu added, her mood had returned to her cheerful self. “She’s bound to realize where we’ve gone.”

So off they went along a wide corridor along the front of the building. The corridor itself seemed to serve no other purpose than to be one long sitting room at the end of which was another flight of stairs to the next level. At the top of the stairs was a short hallway leading to a small door in the direction from which they’d just come and in the other direction a large ornately carved set of double doors outside of which stood two guards.

“Miss Kitzu, what pray tell has become of your tour guide?” Asked one of the guards. “And your teacher?”

“No idea,” Kitzu admitted. “Mr Silverfalls left, and Mrs Inkwell went after him. - I thought I’d take the opportunity to show the girls in my class my rooms. Oh, and this is Miss Starshine Twinkle. She’s our chaperon in Mrs Inkwell’s absence. - There isn’t something wrong is there? - I mean other than Mrs Inkwell will probably be mad we took off without saying anything. - She said we should stay in the building, but didn’t say anything else.”

“No, you’re alright.” The other guard offered.

“Mmm-kay...” Kitzu said studying the demeanor of the two unicorn guards. Something wasn’t quite right, but then she reasoned that if she needed to know they’d tell her. She then used her magic to levitate her moon pendant and placed it in the position where there was a carving of a moon in the doors. Within could be heard the sound of bolts rolling back, followed by the doors swinging open towards them forcing Kitzu and the others to back away. She retrieved her pendent and escorted the fillies into the chamber inside the doors closing behind them. Outside one of the unicorn’s horns lit up.

“Miss Kitzu and the other fillies just arrived, can someone locate Mrs Smith, and let her know they are without supervision? - Oh, so that’s what happened?” The two guards looked at each other trying to hold back laughter. Mr Silver Falls had apparently fainted on being told Miss Kitzu was Luna’s daughter.





🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘





“Welcome to the third floor,” Kitzu offered as she closed the door. The room was a large circular entryway and lounge area. To their left, there was a large shouldered arched opening into a hallway with an ornate ascending staircase that hugged the tower walls a short distance beyond. Beneath the staircase was an enclosed descending staircase with an ornately carved door. Beyond that, and to their right there were seven shouldered pointed arches in which large windows had been set separated by fairly thick spaces between, each window having a stained glass inset at the top showing a phase of the moon, and within the room itself, seven large tree trunks complete with branches supported the ceiling. Each tree had been stripped of bark, cured in some manner unknown to Kitzu, and either bleached or painted white. Kitzu simply couldn't decide how the color had been achieved as the trees themselves had been enchanted to provide light for the room. The room itself was decorated in colors of blue and white, with banners the likes of which the girls had never seen. Instead of the usual banner depicting two alicorns representing day and night with the sun and moon, each banner depicted a white tree reminiscent of the supporting columns each having arranged about the canopy of the tree, seven phases of the moon.

The girls moved slowly into the chamber. “Welcome to the moon garden,” Kitzu said quietly, “few outside the royal family ever get to see this place.”

“One does not simply walk in here,” Starshine said mesmerized. “And that door...”

“Always open to friends.” Kitzu teased. “OK, it’s really for show. There are other ways in and out of here. I seldom go that way myself. Every pony who lives and works here for any length of time soon finds the back passages. - Oh, and these windows are positioned so that the passage of the sun and moon can be fully observed. Well except when overhead, but a pony can still view most of the arc.”

“So what’s the deal with these banners?” Alina asked.

“Don’t know?” Kitzu admitted. “I just figure they were designed to complement the room. Not like they are some remnant of a long-forgotten kingdom defended by horse lords of old or anything like that? - Anyway, we have one more flight of stairs.”

“More stairs?!” Several of the fillies protested.

“This floor is just for visiting family. - Tell you what, since there’s no pony using any of the rooms right now, a quick look can’t hurt.” Kitzu then led the others through the archway. They were surprised to find that the arch opened out into a long open room to their left that looked out on a private patio garden that had been built right over the old audience hall. To the right was a wall with paintings and doors to small apartments.

“Retreat!” Kitzu commanded emphatically on spotting Celestia having tea with Rarity.

“What?”

“Celestia. I don’t want her to see us, she might make us go back before we’ve had a chance to get upstairs.” Kitzu announced, having reversed direction. The others quickly followed and ascended the sweeping spiral staircase to the next level at the top of which was a richly adorned landing, and another ornately carved door. What they found beyond the door was in stark contrast to the large chamber they had just left. The room was round, but it was much smaller and adorned in soft pastels and warm wood paneling. Gone were the trees replaced with large hand-hewn posts and beams along the outer walls with four large posts central each supporting open beams forming a crisscross pattern on the ceiling. About the only thing that indicated that these were the apartments of Princess Luna was familiar dark blue banners with depictions of seven phases of the moon. There was the door leading to the fourth-floor apartments in the east wing, and another leading to a large rooftop greenhouse on the top of the south wing, each with a shouldered arch. The remaining arc of the turret room was lined with windows separated by massive columns, with a central door looking out on a balcony.

“Welcome to the watchtower,” Kitzu announced.

“Ooo balcony!” Itzel Aurora said headed for the door.

“Waite!” Kitzu called. “Don’t go out there till you’ve checked the pennants.”

“Pennants?” Itzel asked stopped while looking back.

“The wind can get really bad in the afternoon. Bad enough to sweep a grown pony right off. - See how the doors slide open instead of opening in or out? That’s so the wind can’t grab hold of the doors. If the pennants are more then halfway unfurled, think twice, all the way – don’t go out there at all. - Well, we are really high up on the mountain after all. It’s my understanding this smaller section was built later because of the wind, and a need for a second way to get in and out of the fourth floor of the Night wing without getting blasted by the wind. - The observatory at the top serves both for looking at the stars, and watching for signs of enemy troop movements.”

The fillies went to the window, looked at the pennants, and decided they’d best not tempt fate. As for the view, they could swear they could see all of Equestria from there.

“I usually eat my first meal of the day in here.” Kitzu offered, pointing out a table and chairs big enough for a dozen ponies. There was even a small pantry built under the stairs up to the next level; stairs accessible from the fourth floor of the lunar wing. “And the sunsets are incredible.”

It didn’t take long before they ventured from the tower to the bedrooms where once again the layout was much the same as the third floor. Here at least the windows to the courtyard had lace curtains to obscure their presence. The first section on the right was a landing for the stairs up, and after that was Princess Luna’s bedroom which had been decorated with a variety of blue, leaning towards dark blue and accented in golds. The bedroom doors were large glass doors of the verity we might call a French door, with heavy curtains that were presently pulled back and tied up with cords. The room inside was very large for a bedroom and accommodated a bed large enough for a half dozen standard-sized ponies. At the far end of the room was a doorway leading to a changing room, necessary, and bath. From there they continued on down the inner corridor past Luna’s apartment where the corridor opened out to a library. Here they were able to look out small windows on the outer wall that looked out over the valley.

“Wow, we are high up. The school looks like a toy from here.” Elidi Sungift commented looking down. “The ponies all look like ants.”

“My room is coming up next.” Kitzu prompted after a bit.

“Well, then we should hurry up,” Alina suggested and made for the corridor. A short time later they were outside Kitzu’s rooms as evidenced by a number of textbooks on a table out in front. Here too was a pair of French doors, the bedroom was decorated in off white, golds, and earth tones accented with reds. Kitzu wasted no time in taking her cloak off and throwing it over a rather expensive looking antique chair. The bedroom and bed were considerably smaller than Princess Luna’s, but by no means was it a little bedroom. It also boasted its own walk-in closets, changing room, necessary, and bath. It also had fairly substantial windows allowing for a grand view. Nova followed Kitzu’s lead in taking her cloak and throwing it over another chair, as Kitzu stretched out her wings.

“They are letting me stay here too,” Nova explained.

“Lucky.” Several of the fillies chimed.

“She doesn't have parents, and she’s Prince Reynard's Ward,” Kitzu supplied. “He took her in when no one else would. Kind of makes us sisters. - Isn’t that right, Nova?” Nova looked back at Kitzu her eyes looking like they are about to start to water up, so Kitzu went over to her, and gave her a hug.

“Excuse me, but what do you fillies think you are doing in here? How did… Kitzu? Why aren’t you in school?” It was Princess Celestia.

“Tour day.” Kitzu offered rather sheepishly. “Our tour guide sort of left us, and Mrs Inkwell went to see what the matter was.” In my defense, I was left unsupervised. 

“Well don’t you think you should go back, and find them?” Princess Celestia prompted.

“Yes, mam,” Kitzu replied, looked about, grabbed a knit hat, stuffed it on her head effectively hiding her horn, and hurried out followed by the others.

“Which way did you come?” Celestia called.

“Front door, my pendant acts as a key,” Kitzu called.

“Well, that’s good...” Celestia said as the fillies hurried down the corridor.



✨✨✨✨🌞✨✨✨✨



It took Kitzu and the others considerably less time to find their way back to the grand entranceway where they ran right smack into Rainbow Dash’s group. They were immediately set upon by the tour guide. “Where’s your guide, and teacher?” the tour guide demanded. Kitzu thinking quick, flashed her palace ID, and the moon pendant, using her magic.

“They got separated, do you know where Mrs Inkwell or Mr Silverfalls is?” Kitzu asked. The guide stammered out that he hadn’t heard. “OK, we’ll see if we can find out where they went. Maybe we might just head back to the group area. Thank you.” Kitzu then leads the group out the door missing the pegasus whispering about the possibility Kitzu was an alicorn and then realizing she was the same filly Scootaloo knew.

“Um, ya, we met in Ponyville. She was staying with Princess Twilight.” Scootaloo offered.



✨✨✨✨✨✨



A short time later back at the private patio garden…   Princess Celestia has rejoined her date.

“Now where were we? Ummm Rarity?”

“There seems to be some pony else up there now.” Rarity offered. “They seem quite frantic. - Oh, they’re gone now.”

“I wonder who might be up there now? There isn’t supposed to be anyone up there. Luna is talking to wedding planners. - Oh, and the fillies were Miss Kitzu and the fillies from her class in school. They’d slipped away from their tour group.”

“Miss Kitzu? - Doesn’t really sound like her to do something like that. Not unless something had happened to set her off. Otherwise, she’s usually very well behaved.”

“So what sort of things does she do?”

“Oh, just some devilishly clever pranks is all. It’s rather interesting, it’s like she has known every pony for years, and knows every ponies week spot.”

“Sound’s just like my sister… Say...”

“Oh, there she is again, foxy red coat. On our floor now. Seems to be checking all the rooms. It looks like she’s got a cloak or something as well. - Oh I know who that is, that’s Miss Pudding. - She’s running around like a chicken with her head cut off.”

“Mrs Smith now.”

“Oh you found out, did you?”

“I found out, but… Oh, don’t tell me she’s looking for Miss Kitzu?” Celestia said watching Pudding race down the hall in search of the fillies. “A thought just occurred to me. I may have done something I shouldn't have.”

“How’s that?” Rarity asked.

“Well, I chased Kitzu and her friends out without knowing the full facts of the matter and Kitzu grabbed a hat to hide her horn from the tourists. When she checked in with the tour groups she would have been wearing a cloak and counted as a unicorn.”

“Oh, and without that cloak and her horn hidden they’ll assume she’s a pegasus.” Rarity supplied with a grin. “I’m almost tempted to go down there just so I can witness the confused looks on the faces of the tour people.”



✨✨✨



“You did that deliberately didn’t you?” Miss Stargazer accused as the group made their way back to the group meet up area.

“What, showed them My ID, and moon pendant?”

“You hid your horn, presumably so you wouldn't have to hide your wings, and then you used your magic.” Alina supplied.

“I – whoops?” Kitzu said realizing the flub.

“Well if you are trying to hide that you’ve both wings and a horn, you need to be more careful.” Starshine offered. “And be consistent.”

“Wasn’t exactly my idea.” Kitzu protested. “Wasn’t a problem in Ponyville?”

“Home turf of the Princess of Friendship.” Calista Amber offered. “I’d imagine they’d just be more accepting, that or they don’t realize a pony with wings and a horn is a big deal, and we get a lot of ponies who just respond in bizarre ways to anything out of the ordinary, or different from what they see as mundane. - I mean, just look at the way some of the tour groups we’ve passed have been looking at us.”

“Ya, I noticed that.” Nova offered. “Probably should have grabbed our cloaks.”

“Likely more than that. We are wearing school livery after all.” Elidi Sungift offered.

“And wandering about the palace like we have free run of the place.” Tara Star teased.

“Even I don’t get free run of the place.” Kitzu offered as they turned a corner. “I think it’s this way?”

“Wouldn't that be funny if you get us lost?” Nova said bemused.

“On second thought...” Kitzu said changing directions.



✨✨✨



“Where are they!” Pudding demanded of a guard.

“Somewhere.” The guard replied with a barely concealed smirk. Pudding had been to the group gathering point twice now, and she was desperate to find Kitzu. Day shift guards just infuriated Pudding at times. “Come on, they are still in the palace. I hear they are having fun. - Miss Pudding?”

“Mrs Smith to you.” Pudding growled, her teeth showing menacingly. About her, a mist had formed and was now circling about her. She whispered fox fire find her, the mist spiraled up into the air forming into tiny plasmic balls and zipped off into different directions. “Is-is that magic?”

“Yes.”



✨✨✨



“Hey, we made it!” Gwyneth declared on sighting the group gathering area.

“Well, it’s not like we didn’t have fun looking.” Nova offered.

“Well come on, let's check-in, and see what became of our tour guide and Mrs Inkwell,” Starshine suggested moving forward.

“Come on, let's get this over with,” Kitzu muttered as they all followed.

“Um, who are you, and where’s your tour guide and instructor?” Asked a tour coordinator as they approached.

“Mrs Inkwell’s class.” Starshine offered. “We, um, sorta got separated.”

“It’s my fault.” Kitzu offered. “Mr Silver Falls was our guide.”

“Mr Silver falls? Oh my! - Everything must have happened so fast, you all got left behind. - Oh dear, I hope this doesn't cause a problem with the nobles though.”

“There shouldn't be a problem. I mean our families are kind of high up.” Starshine offered. “Um, what exactly happened?”

“Mr Silver Falls fainted. - Oh, he’s alright, but they took him to the horsepital just to be safe.”

“Horsepital?! - Fainted?!” The fillies chimed, and then wanted to know what had become of Mrs Inkwell? Mrs Inkwell they were told was fine and had gone back to the school with the request someone could escort the fillies back to the academy once they’d been located being she had other students to attend to.

“I get the impression she wasn’t too worried about us,” Idalia whispered as they were shown to an area where they were to wait till someone was available.

“She likely has a good idea where we all snuck off too.” Starshine offered. “Shame about Mr Silver Falls. He was such a nice man.”

“Seriously?” Kitzu asked, looked at Starshine to find she was watching Kitzu with a smirk on her face. “Oh, yes, you are right, he was such a charmer.” The fillies all suppressed a laugh as they were ushered to a holding area that looked suspiciously like a paddock for animals. They were told to make themselves comfortable, and that they’d have to wait just a little while.

“I suppose this is their way of punishing us.” Nova offered after they had been there long enough to see several groups returning to include Dash’s pegasus group.

“Ha, looks like you lot are in the penalty box.” Dash offered as their group approached.

“They’re making us wait.” Starshine offered. “Not like we can’t find our own way back to school. Our school is part of the palace grounds.”

“Hey, are you really an alicorn?” Asked one of the fillies in the pegasus group of Kitzu.

“Kind of sort of,” Kitzu admitted. “I’m no Flurry Heart if that’s what you are thinking? - I’m a Pegasus, only I grew a horn.” This the pegasus fillies thought was amazing, even more so when Kitzu admitted to starting out as a button head. They proceeded to barrage her with a bunch of questions and even managed to talk her into showing them her horn. “No, I can’t fly yet, but I expect I’ll be able to once I’ve had a proper molt.” Kitzu offered while putting her hat back on. Otherwise, I do my stretches and exercises daily so I won’t be too far behind once I’m rid of my baby fluff.”

“Alright, you’ve asked her enough questions; time we got going.” Dash prompted, and herded her reluctant charges along with a little help from Ms Dawn, and Scootaloo.

“I probably won’t see you till the wedding.” Scootaloo called as she went.”

“I’ll probably be grounded till then,” Kitzu called back.

“Well, that was an interesting diversion.” Alina mused after they’d sat there for a bit. “Hang on. Someone is coming.”

“Bout time,” Idalia muttered.

“So you’re the group who run off on your tour guide and teacher.” A middle-aged unicorn mare offered as she approached. She entered the paddock and looked at a clipboard. “Alright, I’m going to read out your names. Speak up so I can hear you when you hear your name because no pony is going anywhere until I know every pony is accounted for. - Alina Sunbeam?”

“Here.”

“Calista Amber.”

“Here.”

“Elidi Sungift.”

“Present.”

“Gwy-neth” The mare stumbled over the name for a moment. “Gwyneth Cheer.”

“Present and or accounted for mam.”

“Just say here.”

“Yes, mam. Here mam.”

“Hester Aureolin.”

“Here.”

“Idalia Sunglow.”

“Here.”

“Itzel Aurora.”

“Here.”

“Kit soo Nightfoal.”

“Here. And it’s pronounced Key-Sue.”

“Now hold on.” The mare said eyeballing Kitzu. “You’re a pegasus.”

“Yes, mam.” Kitzu offered confused as to why that would be an issue.

“And with no school livery either.”

“We accidentally left our cloaks behind.” Nova offered.

“And you are?”

“Nova Silvermane. Mam.”

“Says here that our Miss Key Sue is a unicorn. - That’s a problem. - Neither of you has your cloaks.” “Supposing I were to keep you here till some pony can verify who you are, and your cloaks have been retrieved?”

“Um, excuse me, but...” Starshine began.

“I’m in charge here Missy. If you lot hadn't skipped out on...”

Kitzu had been growing more and more apprehensive as that mare went on, and when she felt some heavy fabric being rudely thrown over her, her mind was filled with images of being foal napped by the bat ponies from when she’d found herself shot out of a catapult, let out a frightened squeak, and teleported to the first place of safety that crossed her mind.

“Kitzu?!” Pudding called dismayed. Pudding had let herself get into quite a mood, and had never meant to take it out on Kitzumi by so rudely throwing the cloak over her. “Kitzu, come on, I’m sorry. If you’re nearby, come on out already. - Kitzu?”
> The long road home.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Kitzu felt the familiar sensation of teleportation, the numbness of lack of feeling. A numbness that lasted perhaps a bit too long. She felt the feel of tile under hoof and threw off the garment that had been thrown over her. To her chagrin, she found the garment to be her own cloak. Some pony had thrown the cloak over her, and she’d panicked.

Kitzu looked down at the garment, let out a sigh, and then used her magic to put it, and her hat back on. The hat had come off when she’d pulled the cloak off. She then took a look at where she was and discovered she was in a library bereft of any books. Kitzu looked about momentarily confused and put a hoof to the moon medallion knowing that Luna would at least be able to track her with it. The place was familiar and had the feel of old magic about it. It took a moment, but she knew the place well as it was the old private library in the castle of the two sisters. She smiled as thoughts of spending time in this place with her two mothers and was comforted in remembering that Twilight had been removing all the books for conservation.

Kitzu looked out the window, the afternoon shadows were growing long. Soon the Timberwolves would begin to prowl, and she’d no desire to be stuck in the castle all night without a bite to eat. She fastened the cloak and made her way to the main hall. There she was delighted at the sight of work being done to restore the place. Scaffolding was set up all over, and a temporary roof was above the gap where the roof had collapsed. Kitzu hurried on, the place was empty now, and despite the signs that ponies had been there recently, it was cold and empty.

Outside the shadows were gathering, the sun would be down soon. Kitzu hurried along, nor did she want to risk another teleport. Her panic-induced teleport had left her feeling queasy, which she took to be a sign she’d used way too much of her reserves of manna. She looked up at the sensation of rain on her nose. Just what she needed, but then her hat and cloak would protect her for a while. A good shield spell would have come in handy, she thought as the rain began to come down harder. The gathering gloom prodded her into a trot. Part of her wanted to run, but she knew she’d never been able to keep up the pace. Teleporting just wasn’t an option no matter how badly she wanted to try it.

Kitzu pushed on till she’d finally made it out of the woods, where she felt it would be safe enough to relax. It was getting dark though, and the rain was coming down harder still. The trot through the woods had winded her considerably, so now all she could manage was a slow walk into town. There a few curious ponies caught out in the rain would cast a glance her way, but none stopped. To them, she was just someone’s filly who’d been caught out in the rain.

“Excuse me, but are you alright?” Asked an alabaster pony as they approached. Kitzu looked up to discover Rarity holding up an umbrella with her magic.

“Oh hi Miss Rarity,” Kitzu offered as cheerfully as she could muster. The trek through the woods had worn her out, and the rain was beginning to soak through. “I’m alright. I’m just headed up to the castle.”

“Afraid you won’t find Princess Twilight, she was called away.”

“Undoubtedly looking for me, no doubt,” Kitzu mused. “I had a rather spectacular blunder. Teleported my way from the palace all the way to the castle of the two sisters.”

“Oh my?!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Thought it’d be best to keep my hooves on the ground for a while. I’m restricted to line of sight because I could end up no pony knows where if I’m not careful. - Thank you for offering, I’ll just let myself in when I get to the castle.”

“Well alright, but don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

“Yes, thank you. I will.” Kitzu replied with a genuine smile and continued on her way.

“Wonder who she is?” Rarity said softly as she watched Kitzu go. “She seems to know me, but I can’t for the life of me recall who she is?”



🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧



Kitzu arrived at the castle a short time later greeted by dark windows. Not even a porch light was on. She looked for the lamp and used fox magic to kindle it, and then tried the door – it was locked. “Come on Castle, let me in. I live here, remember?” Kitzu pressed against the door and tried to jimmy the lock, but it was no use as her skill was nowhere near what it would need to be. She tried holding the moon pendant up to the door, but this was one door that simply did not respond to the moon pendant. “I’m simply going to have to ask mom for a key,” Kitzu muttered thinking she just might have to impose on Miss Rarity. “Come on Kitzumi, you’re a fox pony, think of some clever way to get in.” She said to herself. She was soaking wet now even with her wings shedding water, and giving up now was just something she wasn’t ready to do. No, the castle was a bit outside of town, and it would mean having to trudge back through the rain and mud. As generous as Miss Rarity was, Kitzu did not wish to impose. She couldn't fly up to a window, and climbing in that storm was out of the question. Nor did she wish to attempt teleporting to a ledge as she felt she was too worn out to attempt it. Now if she was inside, it would be nothing to open the door – and then it hit her. She may be outside, but there was nothing preventing her foxfire from going in, and opening the door.

Kitzu set herself, her stand firm willing up the Foxfire. A mist formed at her hooves and began swirling about, and with a little concentration, she willed tendrils of mist forward to penetrate even the tiniest of cracks around the door. This was one time she was grateful for the draftiness of Twilight’s castle as the mist found the latch on the inside of the door. A moment later the door swung outward allowing Kitzu’s entry. Kitzu wiped her hooves as best she could, and entered feeling elated in her cleverness.

“Spike!” Kitzu called as the door shut and latched behind her. “Miss Glimmer!?” Not that she expected anyone to answer. An involuntary shudder came over her causing a cascade of water to come off her. Better here, then all the way through the castle Kitzu thought, and then made her way to the bath on the second floor, dribbling water, and tracking mud as she went. Once there she hung her cloak on a peg, and after carefully removing her hat from her horn, the horn having worked its way through the knit placed the hat on a rack to dry. From there she ran the water to fill the tub and scrubbed herself off in the shower to rid herself of all the remaining mud. From there the tub now full to overflowing, she climbed in, and after a bit of wing flapping, settled down to soak. Never had a bath been so inviting.



⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜⚜



“Hey Twilight, glad you’re back.” Starlight Glimmer announced going out to greet her at the entrance.

“Wow, greeting me at the door… at this hour? What’s going on?” Twilight asked a bit concerned.

“OK, who tracked mud on my nice clean floor?” Spike protested.

“About that, I rescued an alicorn from the bath.”

“An alicorn? - From the bath? - Luna?” Twilight asked perplexed as Luna was the only alicorn other than herself to be found in Ponyville on a regular basis.

“Um, no. A little filly. She’d fallen asleep.”

“Flurry!?” Twilight exclaimed wondering how Flurry could have gotten all the way from the Crystal Empire.

“Um, no.” Glimmer offered.

“No?” Spike said confused. After all, they only knew the one filly alicorn.

“She has a cloak with the Canterlot Academy livery, and a palace ID stating her name as Kitzu Nightfoal.”

“Nightfoal?” Spike echoed.

“Name ring any bells?” Starlight asked. “The ID indicates she’s some sort of apprentice to Princess Luna. - That and she’s wearing a moon pendant.”

“Where is she now – Kitzu that is?” Twilight asked.

“I got her dried off and put her in a spare bedroom. - She’s running a bit a temperature as well.”

“Alright, you can show me in a bit. - Spike, I need to send a letter to Princess Luna. - Wonder why she never mentioned having an apprentice?”

“I don’t.” Luna offered as she entered behind Twilight, and Spike causing both to jump. “Sorry I startled you.”

“Don’t you start tracking mud in here too,” Spike protested.

“Did you fly in that storm?” Twilight asked with a hint of a scold in her tone.

“Yes, I did. - And spike...” Luna shakes herself off like a dog. “Now I won’t be tracking anything inside.”

“Luna!” Twilight protested trying to hold back a smile.

“Starlight, if you could show me this apprentice?” Luna asked.

“Let me put my cloak and luggage away, and I’ll join you.”

“Just wait till Spike sees the second floor bath.” Starlight offered, showing Luna and Twilight to where Kitzu was. A blurry-eyed Kitzu met them in the hall. Kitzu zeroed in on Twilight, snuggled up to her, and complained her stuff was all gone.

“We should get you back to bed.” Twilight prompted.

“But mom… where’s my stuff? There’s nothing in my room?” Kitzu protested.

“Kitzu?” Luna said looking at her.

“Muma,” Kitzu replied looking at Luna with half-closed eyes.

“Who are you?” Luna asked. Kitzu thought for a moment, and then her eyes snapped open.

“That’s not even funny,” Kitzu said looking Luna in the eye.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are,” Luna stated emphatically. On hearing, Kitzu backed away from Twilight.

“I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’m going back to bed.” Kitzu offered, turned, and went back to the guest room.

“Muma.” Starlight said giving Luna a dirty look. “Way to break a fillies heart.”

“But I’ve never seen her.” Luna protested.

“She’s wearing your enchanted moon medallion, and there’s an inter-dimensional locator spell on it,” Twilight announced. “I’m going to go see if I can cheer her up a bit.”

“And I seriously want to get to the bottom of this,” Luna stated following after Twilight.

The two quietly entered the room just as Kitzu was climbing back into the bed. Kitzu ducked under the covers and curled up into a tight ball. “Hey,” Twilight said peeking under the covers.

“It’s OK, some pony will be around to fetch me.” Kitzu offered. “I’m just in the wrong dimension… again.”

“Oh, is that what’s happened,” Twilight said softly. “Well, you get your sleep.” Twilight put the covers back down, and quietly escorted Luna back out closing the door.

“What was that she said?” Luna asked.

“Wrong dimension,” Twilight announced.

“Wrong dimension?” Starlight asked confounded by the notion.

“Suppose that explains how my moon pendant can be in two places at the same time,” Luna said thinking about it.

“She’s just a lost filly you brought in out of the rain.” Said the voice of Twilight Sparkle approaching. Luna looked back and forth to discover there were now two Twilight’s, and hers along with Starlight were under some kind of spell. “Her mother came and picked her up.” Continued the new Twilight. “Why don’t you two go have some tea.”

“Tea, yes that sounds like a good idea.” Twilight and Starlight said at the same time. The two then quietly left.

“What did you just do… what?” Luna began, but the new twilight had leaned over and kissed her.

“Right dimension wrong time I’m afraid.” Twilight offered. “And as much as it pains me to do so, I’m going to have to take her back to the place she’s been living.”

“You're abandoning her to another dimension?”

“Not exactly.”

“Pardon?”

“Same dimension, different time stream. - It’s exactly 180 degrees out of phase with this one, but having the same dimensional coordinates. - I’ve no doubt their Luna is having a fit right now because she can’t figure it out.”

“And why aren’t you just taking her back with you?”

“Because I can’t. - I would have some time ago if I could figure out how to pull some pony out of the past, and the time travel spell I’m using only allows me to come back for a short duration. When it wears off, I go back to when I started. - There’s no grabbing Kitzu and bringing her back with me.”

“Oh.”

Twilight then went into where Kitzu was sleeping. “Hey, sleepyhead.” Twilight’s voice was soft and had a different sort of sound than her younger counterpart had a few minutes earlier. “I’m here to take you back to where all your friends are.”

“Mom?” Kitzu asked poking her nose out. “Back to my friends?” Something about the way Twilight had spoken, along with what she’d said was playing havoc with her mind. Kitzumi looked at Twilight and discovered this one had the most beautiful wings. Her mother’s wings. “Mommy!” Kitzumi scrambled out of bed, and the two embraced. “Home? You are taking me home?”

“I’m taking you back to that other world. I never figured out how to bring you home, and your friends are all in that other timeline.”

“But?” tears began to form.

“Well, you can’t stay here. You’ll split the time stream again. - Don’t worry, you’ll catch up to me eventually.” “The new stream, the one where you live in the past will eventually overwrite the old one, and both Twilights, from this timeline, and the other will become me. - And don’t worry about the old timeline vanishing and you along with it, it will remain. That which has happened cannot be undone.

“Hang on, how exactly does that work?” Luna asked.

“It’s rather difficult to explain, but I’ve found it happens more often than you’d think.” Twilight offered. “Generally results in individuals remembering things differently. - Every so often the quantum time matrix will split. Time itself flows like a river, and splits don’t always result in new dimensions. Sometimes they come back together. - I actually remember both timelines. I started to remember shortly after Kitzumi went back in time. It was a bit disconcerting at first, and I think the time travel spell has something to do with it as well.”

“Or else how would you know you’d mucked uptime,” Luna offered.

“Not so much as mucked up, but created a brand new timeline. Well come on then, let's get you back to your room,” Twilight said to Kitzu.

“Um, how does this work?” Kitzu asked as she climbed out of the bed.

“We are going to take a walk down the hall.”

“Pardon?” Luna asked.

“New spell. Well, new to me. - Lady Aiko taught it to me.” Twilight offered as they went out into the hall. “Now it’s only good for traveling to locations not our own that occupy the same space, and I need you to cast the spell with me.” Twilight then said a carefully memorized spell in a language that was about as foreign to Luna as a language could get while Kitzu faithfully repeated each word.  As they spoke a thick mist formed in the hall. “Come on Kitten,” Twilight said with a tear in her eye, and a smile on her face. The two walked into the mist till they’d come to the door to Kitzumi’s room. Twilight opened the door. “This is as far as I go. And remember that spell, it might get you out of trouble someday.”

“Um, OK,” Kitzumi said entering to discover her room was back to being her room.

“Goodbye, and remember I’ll always be there for you,” Twilight said closing the door.

“Wait?!” Kitzu protested turning and pulling the door open. The fog was gone, as well as her Twilight.

“Kitzu!?” Twilight shouted. She’d been out in the hallway with Luna. The two had been trying to make sense of what Luna’s locator spell was telling her. “Don’t tell me you’ve been in your room all along?”

“But we looked? She wasn’t there?!” Luna protested. “First it said the forest, then Ponyville, then here, and not once did we find her where my spell said she’d be?!”

“I um …. kind of got here via my old home timeline sorta,” Kitzu announced looking about her tone subdued. “Mom number one just dropped me off. - Though thinking about it I think mom three-point-oh might be a better description. - I couldn't stay there so she wanted me to come back here where I have friends.”

“Pardon?” Twilight asked.

“I went home, but I was still in the past.” Apparently, my home dimension isn’t a separate dimension at all, but a separate timeline. Two timelines of the same dimension flowing like a river around an island. - I seem to have split the timeline. There is the original timeline, and the new one, I assume started when you brought me home.”

Twilight went to Kitzumi and hugged her tightly.

“Hey, I found her cloak, hat, and ID badge hanging in the bath!” Spike shouted running down the hall. “It’s soaking wet too – hey you found her!”

“More along the lines she was returned to us.” Luna offered.

“You have a slight fever,” Twilight said softly still hugging Kitzumi.

“I got caught out in the rain.”

“Rain, what rain?” Spike asked.

“There is a storm brewing over the Everfree Forest.” Luna offered. “Chased us all the way here. Go look out a window Spike. - Kitzu, would you like to tell us what happened, and where you teleported to?”

“The tour people seemed to be stalling, and they weren’t being very nice.” Kitzu offered. “We’d been waiting quite a while when someone threw my cloak over me. Course I didn’t know it was my cloak. I thought it was the bat ponies all over again.”

“You thought you were being foal napped, is that it?” Twilight asked.

"Yes. I panicked, and teleported all the way home.”

“Home was in the Everfree?” Luna asked. “And you teleported all the way to the Castle of the Two Sisters.”

“It’s not really that far from Canterlot. - OK, maybe it was a bit far, I think I hit my limit. - Too many ponies wanting a piece of me in town when I was little. So I spent most of my time at the castle of the two sisters.”

“Piece of you?” Luna asked stunned. “And that’s still a mighty long way even for an adult.”

“Tourists I’d wager.” Twilight offered. “We get a bunch of em gathering outside here on a fairly regular basis now. Fortunately, they’ve only been small groups, and only on the weekends, and don’t yet know about Kitzu or they’d be hounding her for sure. - They stay well clear of the forest though.”

“Oh dear,” Luna said at a loss.

“I gather that’s why I have to hide that I’ve both wings and a horn? - I walked here from the forest because I felt like I’d tapped myself out on that jump, and didn’t want to risk another jump.”

“Wise decision not to try another jump. And yes, we’ve been hiding what you are because ponies might think you are an alicorn impersonator.” Twilight offered. “Ponies who make themselves look like alicorns but aren’t. - Some ponies can be very critical of them.”

“Some of them might be alicorns.” Kitzu offered. “Just with less magical reserve. - Miss Inkwell says reserve and ability are two different things.”

“Indeed it is.” Luna offered. “I’m to understand our dear Twilight here had plenty of reserves but lacked when it came to ability.”

“I studied really hard to make up for my shortcomings.” Twilight offered. “Now, what say you lay down, and I’ll see what I can whip up for that cold. Did they give you anything? Are you hungry?”

“I’m OK, maybe I’ll eat later – I just want to go back to sleep.” Kitzu leaned into Twilight. “I guess I’m home now too, and I can quit worrying about it.”

“I guess so.” Twilight offered and escorted Kitzu back to her bed. She tucked her in, went back out to the hall, and closed the door.

“I’ll fix her something later.” Twilight offered. “We need to let the others know we found her.”

“Do you think there really are two-time streams?” Luna asked in a whisper.

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. - Something tells me I’m going to need to know.”