Silence was our companion as Mumble and I walked through the halls and up the stairs toward my chambers, nodding to every servant of every race that bowed in our direction. Before what seemed like an uncomfortably short amount of time longer we reached the outer door to the antechamber and I gave a short sigh, glancing down at Mumble.

"Wait here, Mumble", I said quietly. "No matter what you hear or see."

"Y… yes, master", she hesitantly nodded.

I nodded and stepped forward, reaching out to grasp the handle. I gave a confident smirk and opened the door, stepped through, and closed it behind me. My eyes swept the room and settled on Cindra sitting on the bed with a small smile on her face. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and stepped further into the room.

"Come sit with me", Cindra called softly, patting the bed beside her.

"What is it", I asked as I obeyed, staring into her eyes.

"I have some amazing news", she grinned happily, nearly vibrating with excitement. "Mother is going to speak to Princess Cadence about scheduling a tour for our changelings and she wants to be there with them!"

"Uh huh", I murmur softly and scratch my chin in thought.

"Uh huh", she asks and scoffs, annoyed. "That's it?!"

A frustrated growl slipped from her as she hopped down from the bed and paced the length of the room before turning back to me.

"Jackson, we're talking about a better life and brighter future for our children and grandchildren and their grandchildren", she said loudly, stepping toward me slowly. "And all you can say is uh huh?!"

"And have you considered all the vantage points in the Crystal Empire and concealed archer positions", I shot back, standing up quickly. "Have you figured out how to keep the ladies and your mother safe if somepony decides to put an arrow in their heads or a dagger through her heart?!"

"W-well, I-", she began but I cut her off.

"And if those particular ponies decide to just blow them all away with magic", I argued. "What then?"

"I don't know", she said confidently and stared up at me defiantly. "But we will figure it out!"

"I just want to keep them safe", I sighed and dropped to a knee hugging her close. "And you're right, we will figure it out. Together."

"Thank you", she breathed and held me close, sighing happily before she began sniffing me softly. "Um, Jackson?"

"Yeah", I asked as my body tensed slightly.

"Why do you smell different", she asked and began sniffing my chest. "You don't smell like Shadow or Umbra. I mean, you kinda do, but there's also another scent there."

"Oh, that", I laughed and kissed her forehead just below her horn. "It's better if I introduce you."

I ignored her look and small squeak of confusion as I opened the door and motioned Mumble into the room. The instant her tiny frame entered the room Cindra let out a gasping squee and began gushing about how adorable she was, circling around her as she crouched nervously and fawning over the tiny pockets and tools strapped in their places.

"Cindra, meet Mumble", I grinned with arms spread wide. "Mumble, meet Cindra, princess of the Changeling Nation."

"Your Highness", Mumble bowed but squeaked when Cindra grabbed her up in a hug.

Almost too quickly for me to see Mumble teleported just out of Cindra's hooves and dashed forward. A strong uppercut knocked Cindra on her back and Mumble was instantly on top of her, hoof mounted blade to the changeling's throat. An instant later Mumble was backing away with her ears folded flat to her head staring at me in fear. I sighed and shook my head, ignoring her as I reached down and helped Cindra back to her hooves as she rubbed her chin.

"She's feisty", Cindra grinned as she gazed at Mumble with a gleam in her eye that I was all too familiar with. "I like her."

"Nope", I said as I scooped Mumble up and headed toward the door.

"But-", Cindra began but her next words didn't reach my ears as I shut the door behind me.

"Master", Mumble asked tentatively from beneath my arm after we had passed through a third hallway in silence, "Can you put me down please?"

"Sorry", I chuckled and set her on her hooves."Now that that's done, wanna get someth-"

"There you are", a familiar cheery voice called from behind me, drawing my attention.

I turned my gaze to the hallway and a smile spread across my face, my heart skipping a beat as I took in the curves of her body but felt the slightest hint of sadness when I didn't see the familiar scars on the face I could never forget. My smile widened as I spied the alicorn filly cooing and clinging to the back of Shadow's neck. I couldn't help but laugh at the soft gasp that slipped from Mumble.

"Yes, it's daddy", Shadow giggled as Aliyah hopped from her back and zipped through the air to land in my waiting arms before the beautiful bat pony turned her piercing gaze to Mumble. "And who might this be?"

"Mumble, your Highness", she bowed while staring at my wife. "Mumble, of the Silver Mist clan."

"My bodyguard", I smirked and rubbed Mumble's head.

"Since when have you needed a bodyguard", Shadow asked with a chuckle.

"Since I destroyed a Bloodmane coven in Vanhoover", I replied absently as I tickled my daughter in my arms.

"Bloodmane", Shadow gasped as she rounded on me with wide eyes.

"Yeah", I replied slowly and turned my attention to her. "What about it? He's just another vampony."

"Jackson, he's not just another vampony", Shadow said fearfully, her words seeming to echo in the hallway. "He's one of the three vampony lords that make up the Unholy Trinity!"

"And you know this how", Mumble asked with suspicion clear in her voice.

"Well", Shadow hesitated as she stepped over to a nearby window and stared into the sky. "He was the one that turned me."

"What the fuck", I shouted and stared at her, my mouth hanging open.

"Language, love", Shadow sighed with a hint of resignation. "I don't want her to pick up your bad ha-"

"Fuck", Aliyah squeaked with a happy smile. "Fuck! Fuck fuck!"

"Luna dammit", Shadow groaned as she facehoofed hard. "Her first word and that's what it is?! Jackson!"

"Gotta go", I quipped, drooping Aliyah across Shadow's back before scooping Mumble into my arms and dashing toward the closest window.

As I was launching myself into the air I could hear Shadow yelling at me in anger. After a short discussion with Mumble we decided it would be best not to be near the castle grounds for the remainder of the day. With that decision made I adjusted course and we began the journey to Canterlot.

As we were passing over Ponyville I heard a familiar voice calling to me from the ground and I looked down as I slowed to a hover. Standing just outside the library was none other than my favorite nerdy pony waving and smiling up at me.

"Hey Twilight", I called with a smile as I came to a gentle landing in front of her, setting Mumble on her hooves beside me. "What's up?"

"Jackson, please, for the love of Celestia, tell me you didn't foalnap that filly", Twilight groaned.

"I'm his bodyguard", Mumble replied with a monotone voice, surprising Twilight.

"Before you ask, she was assigned to me by a powerful Vanhoover vampony", I sighed and stroked Twilight's ear before turning toward the center of town. "Let's get some lunch. My treat."

"Sounds good", she smiled and kept pace on the other side of me, glancing up at me. "Jackson, may I ask you something?"

"Sure", I shrugged.

"Why do you always dress like you're ready for war", she asked and nudged my hip with her side. "Every time anypony sees you you're in some form of armor and it makes some ponies nervous."

"I… you know, I never thought about it", I admitted softly. "It just comes naturally."

"Well, perhaps you should wear something else", she replied before continuing in a whisper. "Of course, I like seeing you in nothing at all."

"Going around nude would be bad", I laughed. "But I guess I see your point."

I snapped my fingers and a flash of magic coated my body briefly. As each foot left the ground my thick leather boots morphed into thin soled boots reaching halfway up my calf, a deep caramel color that almost glistened in the sun. My leather pants seemed to pulsate before becoming a slightly baggy pair of silky trousers of the same color cinched tight at the waist. Above them my cuirass became a flowing tunic with buttoned cuffs and an open neckline that gave occasional glimpses of my chest as it fluttered in the brisk fall breeze. Without a word I cocked an eyebrow at Twilight while maintaining my calm pace.

"Much better", Twilight smiled with a slight blush.

"Very handsome, master", Mumble agreed, a light blush of her own shining through her fur.

"I'm glad you approve", I grinned as we neared the cafe and made our way to an outdoor table.

I pulled out two chairs allowing Twilight and Mumble to be seated, with only minor hesitation from the latter, and pushed their chairs in before taking my own seat. Almost instantly the waiter appeared and jotted down our drinks, three sarsaparilla, before leaving menus with us and hurrying inside. I waved hello to a passing group of smiling ponies before turning back to our table.

"No mead", Twilight asked with a small smirk as I pulled out a rather aromatic Mooban cigar and lit the tip. "And when did you start smoking regular cigars?"

"I've been smoking regular cigars for months", I replied and took a long draw from the cigar, blowing the smoke up away from the mares. "And I'm not a complete alcoholic."

"I'm sorry", Twilight said softly with an apologetic grimace as she rested a hoof on my hand. "I didn't mean it that way."

"I know", I replied and smiled at Twilight as I curled my fingers around her hoof.

"Does anypony know about you two", Mumble asked, her voice oddly stiff.

"What do you mean", Twilight asked nervously. "There's nothing-"

"Please", Mumble huffed. "He's holding your hoof and both of you reek of pheromones."

"That information is irrelevant", Twilight snapped testily.

"I'm not the only Everfree to taste that pussy", I replied and laughed when Mumble's jaw dropped.

"Cindra isn't an Everfree", Twilight chimed in, clearly enjoying this tiny bit of revenge. "Neither is Umbra."

"You fucked Umbra", I asked as I turned to Twilight in surprise. "When?!"

"One of those nights you smoked yourself catatonic", she replied as she examined her hoof nonchalantly.

"Whore", Mumble grumbled and slumped in her chair.

"Whores get paid", I grinned at Twilight.

"Jackson has been the only penis that has been near me", Twilight sniffed indignantly.

"But the females", I argued playfully.

"That just makes me the royal bed mate", Twilight smirked and licked her lips but her features returned to normal as the waiter deposited our drinks on the table.

"I wish I knew how you manage so many", the waiter said quietly and rushed away, leaving me cackling at my companions' expressions.

As soon as I regained my composure we looked over the menu and called the waiter back over. Twilight ordered a daisy and cucumber sandwich, Mumble chose the grilled vegetables and I decided on the grilled salmon and Celestia salad. The waiter bowed and hurried away, leaving us to more civilized conversation as I enjoyed the flavor of my cigar.

"So in theory, a charge of Chaos magic at the moment of matter collision could very well open a transdimentional doorway to any point in the fabric of space and time", Twilight finished just as the waiter arrived with our meals.

"Your nerd is showing", I smirked, laughing as Twilight looked around herself before giving me a deadpan stare. "I gotta admit, though. I think that would be something worth investigating. When do we start?"

"That's the problem", she sighed and took a bite of her sandwich. "All of this is simply theoretical because we are nowhere near advanced enough scientifically. I would be dead long before we had the technology to even begin."

"I could remedy that", I grinned and flashed my fangs at her before taking another bite of salmon.

"N-no thank you", she shuddered. "I just feel like I would lose a part of who I am. I'm sorry."

"Vamponism isn't for everypony", I shrugged and we settled in to enjoy our meal amid more small talk.

Once we all finished eating the waiter returned and collected our dishes, asking if we wanted dessert but we all declined. Once he hurried away we went to the nearby park to relax and let our food settle while listening to a beautiful duet played by Lyra and Octavia. The swells of the music washed over us and lulled me into mindless bliss as I closed my eyes.

Before I knew it I had a mare snuggled against each side of my chest, Mumble on my right and Twilight on my left, so I wrapped an arm around each as I continued to let my mind wander. Eventually the two musicians left the park but we remained where we were. I hadn't felt at peace in a long time and wasn't in any hurry to disrupt that peace but the lengthening shadows and pair of snores drew me back to the present. With a smile I adjusted my left arm to gently stroke Twilight's neck as I gently kissed her lips.

"Twilight", I whispered as she began to stir. "Twilight, it's time to wake up."

"Hnn", she moaned softly and stretched her neck up to return my kiss. "Is it really that late?"

"Yeah", I whispered. "Don't you need to be getting back to check on Spike?"

"I guess", she replied and hugged me tightly, kissing me again. "I'll be coming to the castle in a day or two. Will I see you then?"

"Friday is the group picnic", I reminded her.

"Oh yeah", she smiled happily. "I'll just come back with you, then."

"Sounds good", I smiled and kissed her again before watching her leave.

As soon as she was out of my sight I woke Mumble and lifted her into my arms before making my way to Canterlot. We arrived just as the sun was being lowered over the far horizon and Mumble flinched as the exterior torches of Canterlot castle flared to life. With a chuckle I set her on her hooves and led the way to the throne room.

"Honey, I'm home", I called with a smirk as I strode through the doors earning a glare from my aunt. "Miss me?"

"Guards, leave us", the Princess of the Night ordered with masterfully suppressed anger and turned to me once the doors were closed behind me. "Jackson."

"Aunt Luna", I nodded, losing all hints of merriness from my voice as I turned to Mumble. "Stay."

"Yes, master", Mumble whispered, complying immediately.

"I thought I ordered you to destroy that coven", Luna spat with a disdainful glare at Mumble.

"I did", I replied as I strode forward. "Every single one of Bloodmane's lackeys in Vanhoover died horrible deaths."

"Bloodmane", she demanded as she jumped to her hooves. "Did you get him as well?!"

"Nah, just the scraps", I shrugged.

Stand in front of the large window to your right, Cain's voice whispered in my mind and I moseyed over to the window. Good. Now stay there and don't move much.

"I met up with an old clan there by the name of Silver Mist", I said conversationally as I stared out the window. "Nice guy. Powerful, too."

"I am acquainted with him", my aunt snapped. "I suppose this tiny vampony is from his household?"

"Yep", I replied and rested a fist against the window as I stared out at the city, my view distorted by the stained glass depicting my father. "He immediately assigned Mumble there to me as soon as he heard Bloodmane's name."

"Prudent as always", she said with a hint of respect in her voice. "Did you gather any useful information or did you just mindlessly follow my orders?"

"I learned a few things", I scoffed. "He has covens in Sao Ponyo, Moorocco and Transylmaneia. Cain and I are going to take care of them and kill Bloodmane himself."

"Interesting", Luna muttered before looking at me. "I have another task for you."

"Don't want it", I quipped and lit another cigar as she dispelled her illusion, revealing her larger belly. "Fucking really?!"

"Yes, really", she snapped angrily. "You will do this task and you will not question me!"

"What the fuck ever", I scoffed and spat on the floor. "The fuck do you want me to do?"

"Relations with the minotaurs have soured", she began smoothly. "They have ignored plea and threat alike and have ceased trade with us. You are to go there, assassinate the king and ensure the succession of a candidate of my choosing."

"Fuck that", I growled and turned to the window, resting my palm against the image of my father.

In the middle of taking a draw on my cigar the window before me shattered, sending shards slicing through my hand and across my face and chest. An instant later pain rippled across the left side of my head as something fleshy rolled off my shoulder and my scheming aunt gave a strange shout. I slapped a hand to my head as I fell to my knees, staring dumbly at my cleanly severed ear laying before me while blood flowed down my chest.

Before I could move Mumble was at my side, her magic pulling my hand away while simultaneously mending my ear. I quietly thanked Mumble before I stood and turned in place to check on my aunt before freezing where I stood. A single gasp from Mumble was the only sound that broke the silence in the throne room as I stared at the arrow protruding from my fallen aunt's lower abdomen.

"Aunt Luna", I shouted and rushed to her, gently lifting her head into my lap as the underlying love I felt for my family members washing away the animosity I had felt moments ago. "Aunt Luna, talk to me! Please!"

"The baby", she gasped with a grimace. "Is th-the baby…"

A strange mix of relief and sadness welled up in me as I glanced past her flank and spotted the steadily growing pool of blood beneath her hips. I stared down into her eyes as the sadness in me gripped my heart. Slowly I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes as she began to sob.

"GUARDS", I shouted as I turned my eyes to the throne room doors.

Instantly I found myself surrounded by armed guards with spears aimed at my head as I was magically stunned and dragged away from my aunt. No matter how much I tried to struggle I couldn't resist the restraints as they were clapped around my wrists, nor could I resist being dragged out of the throne room alongside a stunned and restrained Mumble. Through it all I cast one last glance at my aunt surrounded by medics and doctors.

"Well, fuck."