/ Ch.11 The Crystal Empire / Story: Aero's Amorous Adventures / by StormHoof32 /-/
Aero sat in a well cushioned train car as the scenery of the outside world scrolled by his window. The cushioned seats that he and the rest of his herd sat on seemed as though they were made of velvet, and Aero was sure that due to it being the royal train car, they most likely were. Each cushion was colored in a deep purple which according to his princesses, was a royal color that was like the combining of day and night. At least that was their explanation when he had questioned why the cushions, and the rest of the color scheme for the train car for that matter, wasn't colored in the colors of the day and night.
As he watched the scenery go by, his mind drifted off and back to before they had left. After his morning shower with Moony he had walked with her down to the dining hall of Twilight's castle for breakfast. However when they had gotten down there, the rest of his herd and Twilight were standing around Spike. Floating in front of Twilight while they all tried to read over her shoulders, was a scroll. Curious, the two of them joined the group and began to read as well.
Dear Twilight,
I've missed my favorite filly. How are things in Ponyville? I imagine they are quite exciting seeing as I received a letter from Auntie Celestia. She mentioned that her and the rest of our family were off to Ponyville for the first ever Winter Solstice Celebration. First if Auntie Luna and Aunt Moony are reading this, congratulations on the celebration. I hope I can make it to the next one and I certainly look forward to seeing many more. Second, I would like to offer an invitation to this Aero Ruinwing Auntie Celestia told me about, that seems to have turned the heads of my Aunts. As the Princess of Love, you know I can't help but want to meet him. If Aero is reading this as well then I hope he accepts. On a final note, I heard your brother Shining is getting married soon, and Auntie Celestia says your friends with a great fashionista. If you could, could you also extend my invite to her, as I'd like a dress made for the occasion. I love you bunches d! And remember, Sunshine, Sunshine, lady bugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!
with all the love in the world, Cadance
After reading the whole thing, Aero looked around at everypony else. They all seemed to look at him with the same waiting look. After a few seconds, he finally figured out what they were waiting for. "I don't mind. I've always wanted to visit the Crystal Empire." He replied with an excited smile. And he wasn't lying either. He had heard about the Empire coming back from his mom when she had received the news herself. Now was his chance to actually go see it, and that excited him enough that his wings began to buzz, lifting him off the ground slightly as they did so.
At his reply they all smiled and leaned in for a quick nuzzle as Twilight rushed off. He could slightly hear her mutter something about having to write a response.
And now, after having returned to Canterlot to let his mom know about the trip, whom had left her second in command in charge so she could go with him, they were on their way. He turned away from the window and looked back at Luna who at the moment was currently stuffing her face with many of the sweet treats that had been brought in on a cart. He let out a laugh as he got up and headed to the cart himself for a bite to eat.
"Well Luna, it looks like your enjoying yourself." Moony said from her seat as she looked up from her book. She was sporting a wide grin. Luna blushed and sheepishly began to wipe the crumbs from her face.
"I don't know. I think it's pretty cute." Aero added as he snagged what looked to him to be a cherry tart from the cart. He smiled into his first bite as Luna blushed even more at his compliment. As Aero savored what he now knew was a raspberry tart, he looked to Daybreaker who at that moment was sleeping in the Princess size bed that was provided for the cart. She had become increasingly sleepy lately. Luna had to explain to him that the act of growing a foal inside one's self was quite tiring and took a lot of her energy, which for an alicorn was quite a feat. That alone told Aero that his foals and any foals he were to have with Moony would be quite powerful. He smiled at that thought and looked back to her once more before finishing his snack and grabbing a bottle of water before taking his seat again.
After taking a few sips he set it down and once again went back to staring out the window to watch the land pass them by. Soon he drifted off to sleep, the motion of the train giving him the oddest lulling sensation.
Aero flew through the air as his wings flapped and propelled him forward. Though they were on the small side, they had no problem pushing him through the air at an alarming speed. His mane trailed behind him as a wide grin split his face. Next to him flew his mom, doing little dips and dives as she flew along side her son. As he smiled at her she came closer and whispered in his ear.
"It's time to wake up Love." she said. And at that moment it startled Aero enough that he sprung awake and almost headbutted Luna as she pulled away from his ear. He looked around in confusion before looking out the window to be greeted by a vast tundra covered with snow and ice. And coming closer was the most beautiful city Aero had ever laid eye's on, aside from Canterlot of course.
"I apologize for interrupting such a pleasant dream, but we'll be there in about two minutes." Luna said before placing a quick kiss on his cheek before she turned and joined the other princesses in preparation for their arrival. Aero grinned in excitement as he joined them soon after.
As he helped them make themselves presentable, the trains intercom buzzed to life.
"Attention passengers, this is your conductor speaking. We're pulling into the station in one minute. Please be ready to disembark, and remember to watch out for any fillies or colts as we do not want them trampled. Have a lovely day.
As soon as the intercom turned off they all smiled at each other and made for the exit. Aero walked between Luna and Moony while Daybreaker walked to the side of Luna, who was at that moment allowing her to rest her left wing on her haunches. When they exited the train they found that their luggage was already being unloaded by the guards who had come with them. Helping them were some crystal guards who had come with a carriage that sat waiting for them at the edge of the station. Many of the ponies that were leaving the train bowed to the princesses before continuing on their way. That however wasn't what surprised Aero. What surprised him was the sheer number of Crystal ponies that were waiting behind the line of guards that kept them from getting too close to the carriage. There had to be about a hundred of them, all craning their necks to try and see him and the princesses.
Aero did his best to not stare as he noticed that all the crystal ponies seem to actually be made of crystal. As they continued to try and gain a glimpse of them, Aero and his mare's made their way into the carriage and waited for the crystal guards to strap themselves in to the carriage. When they were finished, they started off toward the castle, with Aero staring out of the window to wonder at the city they were riding through. The road they were on ran straight to the castle, with crystal home's and buildings on each side. Behind them, the crowd followed, their own curiosity overwhelmed them, causing many to abandon their work posts to join the crowd. Murmurs and whispers spread through the crowd as to why so many princesses would gather in their humble city.
Aero however chose to ignore this as he leaned back into his seat. He looked up at Luna and noticed that as she looked out the window, her eye's seem to hold a fire of nostalgia and what he could also see as a bit of sadness. Before she noticed him looking, he turned and looked out the window once more. He was sure that if he let it be, she would tell him about it eventually.
After a few minutes of travelling, and amassing most of the city behind them, they arrived to the castle. When Aero stepped out of the carriage with Luna, he was beset by who he could only identify as Princess Cadance, quite possibly the pinkest alicorn Aero had ever laid eye's on. Oddly enough, she reminded him of cotton candy. Aero did not in fact have long to look at her as his face was soon shoved into her chest. At that she soon began squeezing the life out of him in one of the most enthusiastic hugs he'd ever felt. Not even Pinkie Pie's hugs were this tight.
"Oh Celestia your so cute!" she exclaimed as his face began turning blue from lack of air. It was Luna that managed to save him from his death by pink suffocation.
"Dear Cadance, I do believe you are suffocating our stallion." she chuckled as both Moony and Daybreaker joined him. As soon as she spoke, Cadance looked down to notice Aero trying his hardest to take a breath, which he succeeded in as soon as she released him. He sat there for almost a minute, gasping for air as his Princesses giggled.
"Auntie Luna!" Cadance said happily as she moved forward and embraced Luna in a tight hug as well. Though Luna seemed to survive it better than Aero had. After Cadance had gone through and giving everypony hugs, she stopped. She suddenly had a focused look on her face as she looked between Luna, Daybreaker and Aero. After a few minutes of this she gained the biggest smile Aero would likely see on anypony aside from Pinkie.
"Your both pregnant! Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed happily as she danced around. Once more she picked up Aero and hugged him, though this time she paid a bit more attention to how tightly she hugged him. It wouldn't do her well to accidentally take away a father from two unborn foals.
"Oh i'm so happy. Foals are the ultimate form of love." she said happily before setting Aero between Luna and Daybreaker.
"Now, if you all follow me, I have lunch ready. And after such a long trip, I imagine you're all starving." Cadance said as she motioned for them to follow her. As they left, the guards who had been standing by, immediately started unloading their luggage.
Once everypony was seated at Cadance's crystal table, the chef's began bringing out massive silver trays. Each chef took their place in between each chair and placed their dish onto the middle of the table before removing the lids from each. Steam and wondrous smells arose from the spread as all but one chef took their leave. This chef remained near the head of the table and waited until the other chef's had lined up behind him. Once they were ready, they all took a bow and filed back into the kitchen. Aero, was to busy looking at all the food to notice however. There were hummus wraps, filled with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and a handful of baby spinach. Next to those was a tray with a large pot filled what Aero's rumbling stomach readily identified as chili. And finally next to that was something that made his eye's go wide with hunger.
There in front of Aero was a tall pyramid of hayburgers, some with cheese and some without. And next to it on the same platter was an enormous pile of hayfries. As everypony else began digging into the wraps and chili, Aero went for two hayburgers with cheese and a big pile of fries. As he bit into the fry he found himself surprised. It wasn't hay at all. With a continued look of confusion he looked up at Cadance, who had also filled her plate with fries. She saw his look of confusion and smiled as she ate a few fries before speaking.
"I see you've tried the fries my ponies have made. They're good aren't they." She said with a smile that hid with the playful twinkle in her eye.
"My ponies discovered that rather than frying hay into fries, they found it easier and much tastier to fry potatoes. They're all the rage in the city right now." She said before taking a burger for herself and taking a bite. His curiosity somewhat sated, Aero ate a few more and allowed himself to marvel at the taste. The fries were warm and crispy, giving way to a soft and delicious center and left an amazing after taste mixed with seasoning instead of the usual salt.
Before any of them knew it, the food was gone and they all sat nursing slightly bulging bellies and sporting looks of contentment. Aero smiled as he leaned back into his chair and rubbed a hoof over his stomach. It had been one of the best lunches he'd had in quite a while. He was soon struck out of his peace by Cadance clearing her throat to get everyponies attention.
"Now that everypony has a full stomach, I imagine your all ready to rest?" She said happily as two guards came in through the double doors behind Cadance. "If you guys want to go to your rooms and unpack, your more than welcome to, however I'd like to speak with Aero and his mom for a bit while you do. If you don't mind Auntie."
Luna smiled and nodded as Daybreaker and Moony joined her and the two guards. Before they left, all three princesses moved to Aero and gave him a kiss each on the cheek. As they left, Aero was blushing in front of his overly ecstatic mom and a now widely grinning Princess. He could only look up at her and think, What had he gotten himself into?