Again, sorry about the long wait, but midterms have really been wreaking havoc on my schedule. Plus, Season 3 of Netflix's Castlevania recently came out, so that's been eating up a large chunk of my time as well. So, time to tie up some loose ends!
Celestia stared at the earth-pony-turned-alicorn before her, dumbstruck.
"H-how..." she uttered, ''"""...how did this happen...?"
"I don't know!" Luna said. "It was the strangest thing; Avey and I were just spending some time together, and then all of a sudden, he started to undergo the transformation out of nowhere..."
(Flashback)
At the Castle of the Two Sisters, Aversion and Luna sat out on the balcony, conversing about how their troubles that had afflicted them for weeks on end were now over, and what the future could entail for them.
"I think I'll go and prep us some more tea," Luna said.
"Okay!" Aversion said.
With that, Luna went off to prepare some herbal tea in a pot, along with two teacups, and a candle warmer stand for the teapot. When she returned, she found Aversion standing, holding the rail on the balcony, and putting his other front hoof to his barrel. His head was tipped forward, his eyes closed and lips pursed.
"Avey?" Luna asked. "What's wrong?"
"Ahh..." Aversion moaned, "...I... feel funny..."
Immediately after he stopped speaking, he looked up again... and Luna noticed his height had increased. Or rather, it was still increasing. He was visibly growing, a few millimeters per seconds. A sound akin to muffled meat noises emanated from his soft tissues as they changed and grew, and his joints repeatedly popped as his bones realigned themselves.
Luna stared, setting down the tea set.
"Lulu... what's happening to me...?" Aversion asked.
A strange bubbling effect started under the skin on his forehead, and with it, an appendage began to emerge from his skull. It grew slowly and became pointed, like a spear piercing the front of his head. But that was just the start; the same skin-bubbling started happening on the forward part of Aversion's back, right on his scapulae. A pair of appendages slowly began to emerge, growing slowly but visibly.
"Ohhh..." Aversion moaned.
"A-Avey..." Luna uttered.
She had a feeling about what was going on here.
As the swelling, visibly-bubbling appendages continued to develop on Aversion's body, all he could do was lower his head again. Just about any movement produced an overwhelming physical sensation. Whatever was happening to him was not painful in any way, but it was intense, like touching your hoof that had fallen asleep.
However, after due time, everything stopped. Aversion was able to stand straight up again. He looked over at Luna, who was immobile, eyes wide and jaw hanging.
"What?" Aversion asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Luna, looking around, spotted a spare pane of silvered glass that had been sitting against the stone wall. She levitated it right in front of her coltfriend, who went rigid at the stallion who looked back at him in the reflection. On that stallion's forehead was a long unicorn's horn... and on his back were fairly large pegasus wings.
Slowly, Aversion reached up and touched his new horn, unable to believe that it was real. After fondling it briefly, he turned his attention his pair of brand-new wings. His own touch felt so weird on them, an alien sensation. However, his shock turned to excitement as he finally processed what this really meant.
"...I..." he uttered, a massive smile on his face, "...I'm an alicorn!"
Luna, having gotten over her own shock and surprise, managed to smile weakly.
"Well," she said, "at least now, nopony would object to us being together... or at least, fewer numbers would..."
"But... what will we tell Celestia?" Aversion asked.
Luna's smile disappeared. "Well... this will need to be brought to her attention, regardless..."
(End flashback)
"Of course," Luna spoke, "I realized that it was my alicorn magic, cultured within my tear, that spread throughout Aversion's body, and... well, altered it to be a more familiar host."
"So," Aversion chimed in, "here we are."
Celestia walked around Aversion, examining how he changed.
"How curious..." she said.
"So," Aversion began, "guess I'm the first in history, huh?"
"Actually," Celestia said, "you're the first in a handful, Aversion."
"What?" Aversion asked.
Celestia explained: "You see, alicorn mares are quite rare... but alicorn stallions, despite existing, and even more rare. The alicorn gene is a highly-recessive trait, and it manifests more prominently in females than males. There have been alicorn stallions before... but let's just say, there are many biased historians in our world."
"Oh?" Aversion uttered.
"Yes," Luna added. "The alterations and forgeries began a good a century ago, back when social norms were a bit... different."
"Oh, right..." Aversion said, "...the Stallions' Suffrage movement. I remember learning about it in history class back in school."
Luna nodded. "So, as everypony knows, stallions were not given the same privileged status as mares, and were looked down upon by them. Plus, they were viewed as a disposable gender, back when the Equestrian Military Draft Program was still in effect. Only stallions served in the Equestrian military, and most of them were by draft. And of course, due to the heavy bias against the male pony gender... there were protests and riots by stallions' rights activist groups demanding justice.
"One day, an alicorn stallion, one 'Dissident' by name, was born, raised among his peers, and... well, he was bullied quite often, especially by fillies. Upon reaching adulthood, however, the supporters of Stallions' Suffrage sought to use him to their advantage... but it backfired. Many mares accused Dissident of stealing his horn and wings from other ponies, and called him a blasphemer attempting to usurp the throne.
" 'Tia and I believed, wholeheartedly, that oppression of anypony, regardless of gender, was wrong, but unfortunately, the Royal Council, all consistent of mares at the time, disagreed, as did most female civilians. Eventually, it got so bad, that Dissident, and many stallions left Equestria, seeking nations that would welcome them, and let them live happy lives. Apparently, there were a number of mares who did the same, some to stay with their brothers, husbands, and cousins, and others simply out of their outrage toward the social downgrade males were forced to endure."
"Wow..." Aversion said, "...I've never heard of Dissident before."
Luna sighed. "And sadly… that means you have fallen victim to the forgeries that misandric, feminist historians have made to the history of Equestria."
"Yes," Celestia added. "They wanted everypony to believe that there were only female alicorns, as they viewed an alicorn stallion as a great shame that they wanted to be forgotten. Not only that, but Dissident, and those who knew of him, never made contact with Equestria again, presumably because they want no further contact with a kingdom that abused and oppressed them."
"Hm," Aversion hummed. "I don't blame them, to be honest."
"But the point is, Avey…" Luna began, "...even though you've been stripped of your mortality, you've been given the flight capacity of a pegasus, and the magic of a unicorn. Not only that, but you've also retained your passive earth pony magic that connects you with nature, and especially… you're still the same Avey that I know and love."
Aversion nodded. "Yeah, that's true."
"So," Luna began, "how do you feel, Avey?"
"...Taller," Aversion responded, nonchalant.
The three alicorns chuckled.
"Well," Celestia spoke, "I believe I will have to inform the Council, and make a few time adjustments for a special event…"
Aversion stepped forward, raising a brow. "What event?"
Celestia smiled. "I believe it's only proper that you be coronated, Aversion. After all, I believe that, given the happiness you have provided my sister, and the valiance you have shown against a dark entity, you have proven yourself more than worthy."
Aversion could hardly believe it… he was going to be a Prince! A Prince! Never did he imagine his life could ever lead up to him becoming royalty. However, knowing it was best to let the good things come as they have, did not bother to question it.
"Wow!" Scolus said. "Using magic and flying? Well, welcome to the club, buddy!"
It was later that same evening. Aversion and Luna retreated back to the Castle of the Two Sisters, with Scolus tagging along as usual. But, little did the changeling drone know… his best friend had changed dramatically. Needless to say, he was quite surprised, but happy for his friend regardless.
"Yeah," Aversion said, "and it seems I'm going to be officially coronated by Celestia."
"Oh, way to go, Av!" Scolus said. "I get to be the best bud of Equestria's new Prince!"
"Well, no matter what lies ahead…" Luna said, looking out over the night from the balcony they stood at, "...things are going to be better. For all of us."
"Yeah," Aversion said, looking up at the stars.
One star in particular was glowing brightly, and appeared to be moving… in fact, it was growing brighter and moving downward. The three realized it was coming toward them. The star grew close enough to be revealed to be about five feet in diameter, humming a high tone. Luna, Aversion, and Scolus all stared, frozen, as it stopped, hovering a few feet about the balcony.
From there, the star materialized into a smaller shape, and took the form of a pony. As the fine details worked out… they saw that it was an earth pony mare with a long, periwinkle mane and tail, green eyes, light gray hide, and a cutie mark in the shape of a pair of wings. She had a smile on her face, despite her eyebrows pointed upward.
Aversion's eyes grew wide. "Mom…!"
"Hi, sweetheart," Evasion spoke, her voice soft and warm… very motherly.
The male alicorn stepped forward. He could not say anything more. Seeing his mother appear right in front of him, out of nowhere... he was quite surprised, but also happy.
"I know it's been a long time," Evasion said. "But don't think I would ever forget about you, Avey."
"Who is she?" Scolus asked Luna.
"It's his mother…" Luna responded, "...Evasion."
"Yes," Evasion said. "And I must say..." she bowed to Luna, "...it's truly an honor to be in your presence, Your Highness, even if in spirit form."
"Of course," Luna said. "I've wanted to meet you ever since Avey told me about you... even though I thought I would never get the chance."
"And I must offer you my thanks, Your Highness," Evasion said. "You helped my son through a truly dark point in his life, and gave him a new life... in more ways than one."
"For sure!" Scolus added.
Evasion turned her attention to the changeling. "And I wish to thank you as well, Scolus."
"Huh?" Scolus uttered. "How do you know my name?"
"Like I said," Evasion explained, "I've watched over my son following my death. And I know that, despite the stigma against your species, you've learned how to show true compassion, rather than stealing it from others."
The deceased earth pony mare walked toward him.
"And it was your kindness toward Avey that helped him see what life was really worth living for..."
And then she kissed Scolus on the cheek. The changeling actually felt her lips make contact, as though she were actually corporeal. His eyes went wide and his jaw fell agape as his face flushed green. After a moment, though, he managed to smile again.
"Aw, it was nothing," he said. "I just wanted a friend for myself... and that's when fate crossed our paths, I guess. I gotta say... I'm sure you were an even better mother than my Queen, Evasion."
Evasion returned her attention to her son.
"And Avey..." she said, admiring his new horn and wings, "...given the hardships and challenges you faced, all culminating to what you are now... you truly have turned your life around from the horrors inflicted upon you, and now have the ability to make a long-lasting legacy for yourself. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of you."
Aversion smiled, despite tears filling his eyes.
"I just want you to know," Evasion said, "even though I died… I was never really gone. I have watched over you, all these years. Neither I, nor my love, was ever truly gone."
Evasion hugged her son, and he did the same, both closing their eyes. The two held each other very deeply. This was when Aversion really began to let off the waterworks.
"Y-you don't know..." he sobbed, "...h-h-how much I've... m-missed you, Mom..."
"I believe I do, sweetheart," Evasion responded. "Even though I saw you from afar... simply not being with you made me miss you as well..."
As the two continued to hug, Luna and Scolus kept off to the side, watching this heartwarming scene. The Princess, at one point, heard the changeling sniffle. She glanced at him.
"Scolus?" She asked. "Are you crying?"
Scolus hastily wiped his face and turned away. "N-no...!"
After the two finally separated, a beam of light surrounded Evasion from the sky. Slowly, she began to float upward, against her will... but she relented to it.
"And now..." she spoke, "...it is time for me to return to what lies beyond."
Aversion held up a hoof in vain toward his mother. "M-mom...! Will... I ever see you... again...?"
As she continued to float up, Evasion nodded. "I promise to return for you, Avey. Until the end of time, I will always be with you, even if it seems like I am not there."
The spot in the sky where the light emitted from began to flare brightly as Evasion approached it. She waved to her son.
"Farewell for now, Avey," she said.
Aversion waved back, tears flowing once more. Evasion then disappeared as the light grew very bright, enveloping her, before fading completely, and she was gone. Aversion lowered his head. Seeing his mother again, after so many years, made his so happy... and sad. It brought all those awful memories of his childhood back, when the tragedy occurred. Luna walked up and placed a hoof on his shoulder. He looked at his marefriend.
"Your mother is right, Avey," she said. "When a mortal pony dies, they do not truly leave the universe completely. Their spirit, their very essence, transcends the fabric of reality, becoming one with nature. That is the natures of the Gift of the Three Races."
"Oh..." Aversion said.
"Of course..." Luna spoke again, "...given that you have been turned into an alicorn, Avey, I'm afraid you have relinquished the Gift as a tradeoff for your immortality, reincarnation, and power. Unless you were to be turned back, you would remain bound here until the end of time, like me."
Aversion thought for a moment, but was quickly able to make up his mind. "So long as I get to be with you, Lulu, I would gladly give up my Gift. Plus, you won't have to go through grief when I would die of old age."
"And what about me?" Scolus asked. "Can't I be immortal, too?"
Luna smiled. "I'm sure we can research a way to lengthen your life... perhaps even reverse your age. Plus, even if you die, Scolus, changelings, as well as all other species, are still bestowed with the Gift. So, we would still have a means of interaction."
Scolus lowered his head and smiled. "Even in the worst case... you guys still manage to see possibilities. I'm so glad to have you two as friends!"
At that moment, the three heard hoofsteps approaching from the balcony door. They turned to see a light-pink, very fluffy pony... one that looked very familiar to the two of them.
"You again?" Aversion asked.
"How did you even get in here?" Luna asked.
"Huh?" Scolus said. "Who are you?"
The fluffy pony said nothing, instead holding up a picture she seemed to have drawn in crayon. It was a very well-detailed sketch of Aversion and Luna. However, in the drawing, Aversion was still an earth pony. She seemed to realize this, though, as her smile vanished, and she turned the picture around to look at. She held it up, looking at the drawn stallion, then lowered it as she looked at the real Aversion. She did this a few times, realizing the stallion now had a horn and wings, before eventually, she gasped.
She started jolting her head off to one side, hunching her front leg on the same side, before a box of crayons, concealed within her fur, fell onto the stone floor. She picked it up in her mouth, ran inside to the nearby writing desk, and began work on revising the picture, taking a crayon in her mouth and drawing. The three who walked inside after her, needless to say, were quite dumbstruck.
"Who is she?" Scolus asked.
"To be honest..." Aversion began, "...Luna and I don't really know."
Luna pursed her lips. "Well, not like she's harming anyone. I guess we'll just leave her to do her thing."
"In any case," Aversion said, "I think we'd better get some shuteye. We've got a coronation to get ready for in the next few days."
Hope it was all to your liking! And I hope the cameos of Fluffle Puff aren't too much. I do not own Fluffle Puff, nor am I affiliated with her creator, FluffyMixer, in any way. Regardless, I do plan to wrap up this story soon, and I'll be ready to work on my next fanfic project soon. Stay posted for more! Keep holding on...
