• Back with the Smart Colony. 700 years after Luna became Empress .

"Auntie Computer Wiz!" Smart Mouth grinned, spotting his favorite Aunt on the couch.

He'd gotten out of bed, in the middle of the day, to get a drink, only to find Bluey's granddaughter enjoying a glass of Cider with Daddy.

Daddy's fight, with grampa Bluey, had been earlier that very morning... and Daddy still looked upset over it. But Auntie, as always, had come to comfort Stealthy Intellect.

The little Colt kit excitedly ran over to his favorite Aunt, but frowned when he saw she was all misty eyed.

"Hi honey," The mare reached out and ruffled the boy's mane, as she forced her eyes to dry, while showing a clearly fake smile.

Mouthy studied her a moment. Auntie Computer Wiz was what is known as a "High Born" Thestral. She had goat like horns, which let her cast spells nearly as well as a Unicorn. It was a rare gene, that occasionally popped up in specific families... which was part of the reason the Colony was so disappointed Daddy married a Vulpony.

Daddy might not be a "High Born" himself, but he did have the recessive gene... even if it was Dormant.

Regardless, it looked like Auntie was still upset about losing her husband. Uncle Smarty Pants Junior. His grandfather created the Smarty Pants doll line. Naming the doll after his bookworm daughter... whom, in turn, named her son after the doll that made her family rich.

But unfortunately, Jr. died in a wagon accident, some months back. Soon after, their son's egg hatched... as Thestrals lay eggs, as opposed to live births.

The foal was a healthy colt, which she named "Smarty Pants The Third".

Auntie had been visiting a lot more often, ever since, getting help from Daddy in taking care of her newborn.

Uncle Smarty Pants had been a nice stallion, but honestly Smart Mouth didn't know him very well. Before he died Smart Mouth rarely got to see Auntie.

Of course, they were newly weds. So can't expect them to spend all their time with family.

"Buddy," Daddy got his attention, looking strangely serious. "It's well past your bedtime."

"But I'm thirsty," Smart Mouth whined. He will admit, this time, it was definitely a whine. He just wanted to stay with Auntie.

Daddy sighed. He walked over to the kitchen, which was directly connected to the living room, and separated only by a long counter.

Daddy pulled out a cup from the cupboard, and poured some water into it from the faucet. He quickly screwed on a lid, and brought it back to the colt kit.

"I'M TOO OLD FOR A SIPPY!!!" This time, Mouthy made a very sound argument.

Daddy rolled his eyes, "It's not a sippy, it's a sports bottle. I'm not having you bring a cup, without a lid, to your room."

Mouthy pouted, as his Daddy handed him the bottle. "Sports Bottles" were a relatively new concept to Mouthy. As he was a particularly clumsy child, daddy refused to take him off sippies for 500 years.

Even though Mouthy was officially off them, for 200 years now, Daddy had almost immediately switched the foal to sports bottles... which just looked like a different kinda sippy, to the foal, who did much whining... and spilling.

Regardless, Mouthy took the bottle, and allowed himself to be sent away. But the Stallion really was practically begging to be eavesdropped on.

So Smart Mouth, being a good little colt, sat in the hallway, drinking from his sippy. Too suspicious to put up much of a fuss, about the baby bottle.

"Sorry about that," Daddy said to Auntie. Once Mouthy was hidden from sight.

"It's okay," assured Auntie. "You've got a house filled with foals, it's bound to happen..." She grew quiet, and an awkward silence filled the room.

"Stealth..." Auntie finally spoke, though she was still hesitant. "Do... do you think we're cursed?"

Daddy didn't answer.

"Your mother, my sister, your wife... My husband... So many ponies lost..."

"It really does feel like it sometimes..." Daddy admitted taking a sip of his own drink, "It's the reason I refuse, to let what happened to my wife, affect my children. When my own mother died giving birth to me... Father couldn't even stand the sight of me. I spent my foalhood, bouncing from house to house, as he pawned me off on other family members.

"I always told myself I'd be a good father, if something like that happened to me... I just... Never thought it would." Daddy sighed unhappily. Them took a sip of his cider. "Still... I love my children, and will raise them with all the love, they could ever hope to have..."

Auntie stared up at the ceiling, as Daddy continued, "You know, I think we are cursed but. But that's why we need to spit in the face of whatever asshole deity keeps bucking with us! Why we need to cling to what we have…" Auntie stared off into the distance, as Daddy spoke his wisdom.

"Are you really leaving us..." Auntie asked. "I know you have always felt like the black sheep of the family... but we do love you."

"No Wiz," Daddy shook his head. "You love me. The rest of the family couldn't care less. I'm an unwanted burden... I spent my foalhood, bouncing between our relatives... I've never had a consistent home...

"I've lived with Luna, Grampa Blue Blood, even your father took me in for a time... but none of them actually wanted me. They bucking took turns, as if I was more object then pony. Always trying to paw me off on each other. Arguing over who had to take me next..."

"That's the major reason I married my wife... her family actually wanted me... treated me like I was one of them... they still do..."

"And they live in Ponyville," Auntie nodded, knowingly.

"They are moving to Ponyville," Daddy corrected. "... and they asked me to join them. Offered to help me raise my two youngest. The Vulponies know how to handle their slower aging. While our own colony is starting to lose patience with them."

Auntie sighed, "They are trying Stealth, but it's been 700 years... and they are still children"

"That just means I'll get to pamper them longer," Daddy insisted. "Their slower aging is a blessing, not a curse."

Auntie sighed, "I know that. Have I ever complained about the foals?"

"You're the only one who hasn't," Daddy sighed.

Thinking on it, for only a moment, Daddy asked. "... Maybe... instead of trying to convince me to stay, you should be coming with me?"

Auntie blinked, so Stealth took that as an invitation, and continued. "You know I'm not very good at the whole comforting thing... but I worry about you. With me transferring over to Ponyville, you won't have the support of the disgraced corner of the Colony, anymore."

Mouthy could hear the light smile in his Auntie's voice. "Ah, yes, how will I cope with only the support of the rest of the family estate."

Dad got quiet.

So Auntie sighed, realizing Daddy was mostly speaking for himself. "I have a good job out here, working for the family business... Ever since my sister passed, I've been having to look after my niece, in addition to my own sons. She's so distraught she actually dropped out of her apprenticeship."

"I know." Daddy hummed thoughtfully. "Bring her too,"

Auntie sighed, "I can't just drop everything, and I couldn't burden you like that."

Daddy thought for a moment. "We might only be cousins, but we were raised together, a good portion of the time. There's a reason my children call you 'Auntie'. I consider you a sister."

"Please, come with me instead. I might not be much help, but I know a thing or two about losing a spouse... I could help you.

"Since I'll be working as an Archer, for the Princess of Friendship's Royal Guard, I can probably get Princess Twilight, to enroll your foals in her school and daycare, free of charge, as a member of my household."

"Really living up to your name eh, 'Stealthy Intellect'," Auntie chuckled, "Trying to bribe me?"

"You know it's a good idea. Besides Cunning Trot, is getting to be a real hoof full. And like you said Smart Alec needs help. In her state of mind she's willing to destroy her future, and neither of us want that. They could both do with some time under the guidance of the Council of Friendship...

"Please Wiz, come with me. I'm sure you could get a job working for the Ponyville branch, of our family business... I need you just as much as you need me right now."

Auntie needed a moment, to think that over. To be honest, both ponies were sad and frightened, even though each one didn't want to show it.

Daddy was nervous, being transferred to a new city... Leaving his family's side... even if he didn't feel they loved him... they were familiar.

However, Auntie had a lot of things going on Luna's Moon. If she did decide to go to Equestria, it probably be better to move to Canterlot... but deep down... they both knew they needed each other. If they were together they'd stay strong through the pain. Maybe that was worth it. Auntie finished thinking and sighed, "Alright... I'll come with you."

"Woo-hoo!" Smart Mouth cheered.

"Smart Mouth!" Daddy scolded, "Go. To. Bed!"

"Sorry Daddy!" The colt grinned before running off to give his brother the good news.