After 1112 years, of ruling, Celestia finally retired. Trusting her sister to rule in her stead. As Celestia returned to her sun.

Luna had to return to her moon, once every 7 years, and stay up there for at least 3 years, to recharge.

So she just moved the capital to her moon, and ruled from there. Only able to do so, because of the ponies' Space Galleys, making it an hour's trip, at most, to the moon.

For the most part, this let Luna come and go as she wished. But Luna was younger, and healthier, then her sister.

Celestia had been away from her true body, for too long. She could barely afford to leave it for more then a few days at a time. Choosing to use her time to enjoy Equus Holidays, and her family's birthday parties... once a year, she could leave for an entire month, but that was really pushing the fragility of her Avatar. Often choosing to oversee a personal project.

This allowed Celestia to go on, without too much strain on her health. While still letting her interact with her ponies.

• 1 week into Luna's rule, 3 months into the space age, a year into Ponyville's standing as a City State.

"You wanted to see me grandmother," Blue Blood kept the nervousness out of his voice.

He still didn't know what to make of Empress Luna... she didn't embody kindness, as Celestia had, nor generosity, nor Laughter... none of those virtues, which Bluey had frequent exposure to, growing up in his great great aunt's care.

However, Luna was his great grandmother, the progenitor of his line... so Bluey WANTED to get to know her. To have just as strong a relationship with her as he had with his Auntie Celestia... they just weren't there yet.

Luna wielded the elements of Honesty and Loyalty... which she failed to live up to, when it mattered most... but she was also Knight Elemental Friendship... and never faltered from such a role.

It was why her rule focused more on the needs of the individual. Where she largely left the governing of the state to the Senate. So long as their laws didn't disregard an individual's rights, she could care less what the Senate did.

"Greetings, Son of my son's son," Luna smiled, still not getting the hang of modern dialogue. "How met?"

Blue Blood tilted his head, "I am doing well grandmother."

"That is not what thy Stallion confides," Luna eyed him.

Blue Blood wilted.

"He came here, asking for thy hoof in marriage," Luna explained. "He dost believed, thee would finally accept. If thou progenitor gave art blessing."

Bluey looked down in shame, "I'm sorry he bothered you."

"Thou should be sorry, thy has been stringing along thy colt friend for 200 years. If thy does not wish to marry him-"

"That's not it!!!..." Blue adamantly interrupted her... but them lost his nerve to continue.

"Then twats?" Luna fumbled the modern saying. Blue Blood would have smiled... if the topic wasn't so grave.

"I don't wish to cause a scandal for you," he confessed. "... Auntie would never have stood for it..."

Luna stared at her great grandchild... and sighed. "Art sister still leaves scars on our bloodline, after a bakers dozen centuries."

"That's not-" Bluey tried to insist.

Luna waved off, "We know, we know. A finer mother, thou could not have hoped for. She never had you doubt her love. Yet we see, in thy quest to raise you proper, she passed down her obsession with other perceptions. Thy has been cursed with her need to present a royal front."

"That was actually my birth parents doing..." Blue Blood shifted, uncomfortably. "They wouldn't let me play with toys, or read comic books... and I didn't until I was 18... when I came into Auntie's care."

"So it twas they dead parents, that forced thou to ignore thy Stallion, during every great ball, and entertain the mares?"

Blue Blood hung his head. Of course Fancy would tell her about THAT!

Luna spoke sternly, "Thy lovest comic books, and colt games, yet thou art scared to speak of them in public's eye. Thou keeps them locked away in thy chambers... and thou lovest Fancy Pants, but thou treat him as if he too, is something shameful and childish... that thy hides in thou room."

Luna stepped off her throne, and came close enough to touch, pulling the Stallion into an embrace. "there is nothing scandalous about love. Don't be scared to show the world who you are... Thy can start, by publicly apologizing to thy Stallion. Perhaps give him a kiss at court... prove to him thy art not ashamed. And then maybe... one day... you won't be... I love you, Bluey. I see nothing to be ashamed of."

After a long few minutes, just hugging. "... grandmother..." Blue dared ask, finding this the perfect moment to do so. "There is something I have wanted to ask... but I've been worried of your reaction."

"Thy need not fear me," Luna insisted. "Speak thy desires for knowledge."

Blue Blood gulped, "I heard you had... early into your rule, there are rumors you took the orphans of Equestria, and turned them into the first Bat ponies."

"Aye... tis true," Luna looked away. "Against art sister's wishes, we took foals whom lost thy parents in the war with Discord. We brought them to the caves of Canterlot, and thus raised them to be proud Warriors, as well as the skills of nobles.

"We used dark magics, to infuse the foals with traits of a Vampire Fruit Bat. We told art Sister it was to help them. But twas a lie. A lie to art selves. We merely did not wish to spend eternity alone. So we made subjects that could never die. We live thou lives in art darkness... and view art moon as a blessing... twas a most shameless thing... to manufacture love. Yet so many generations past, it would do more damage to remove thy curse."

"So... you... you could do it again?" Blue Blood asked.

"Dost not worry," Luna eased... or thought she did. "We have learned from art sins. Though walt not play as thou we art a proper diety, not again."

Strangely Blue Deflated... "Would you... maybe... consider doing it to me?"

Luna let out a small gasp, and Blue Blood flinched. For several long moments she said nothing. Then she spoke, her voice hard. "Is it immortality thou seeks? For We canst assure thy, Bat Ponies die just as easily as any pony. Tis merely old age which cannot claim them."

"That's not it!" Bluey yelped.

"Then Twats?" Luna butchered the saying again.

Bluey sighed. "Celestia never hid from me what my ancestor was... that your consort was a Bat Pony, some generations apart from the ones you raised... nor what she did to your unborn child."

"Twas an innocent," Luna sighed back. "Yet Celestia bound art foal in a mortal shell... so thou ancestor would not be born Subpony..."

"She regrets that you know," Blue Blood urged her to believe him.

"I know," Luna finally lost the formal speech pattern... but only for a moment. "As she did tell us many times. But such apologies dost not bring back the child we had to watch wither into old age... the child we hast to bury... nor all his descendants we never knew."

Blue Blood hung his head.

Luna sighed, "Art wanst a connection to thy ancestor?"

Blue Blood sighed, "That's not it either... I was never too overly concerned with my denied heritage... until I learned... male bat ponies can get pregnant?"

Luna smiled. "So that's it. Thy wish to marry thy Stallion, free of prejudice. Not realizing, being subpony, will come with all new prejudice."

Blue Blood strangely looked determined, "I want to give Fancy a proper family... I want to have children of our blood. And watch them have children. I want to have the life I always should have had!" he accidentally yelled the past bit.

"Seeing Clockwork flirt with Stallion after Stallion, and the nobles actually pushing their sons towards him. Just because, as a Time Pony, he can get pregnant, meant the nobility were okay with him flirting with everything that moves... Well I was a shameful secret in the family."

"Thy art Jealous?" Luna smiled.

"Of course I'm jealous!" Bluey roared. Completely forgetting his formal training. "I want to live openly with Fancy, openly without shame. Not from the Nobles and not from myself!... but as you said, I am ashamed... and I don't want to be..."

"... we would love... more then anything, never having to watch another child with art blood die... but Thou's reasons art born from insecurity..."

Blue Blood's eyes began to water, as he realized his grandmother was going to say "No". "I just want a proper family... without feeling like there is something wrong with me..."

"Tis nothing wrong with you," Luna insisted... seeing how without hope, the child of her child's child was... "Tis not the healthy thing to do... but... we don't want to watch thou die some day, and tis a better reason then thou searching to cheat the Reapers as well... speak with thy stallion. If all agree, both of you shall be remade as Bat ponies... but it Twonts be by our hooves."

"What?" Blue Blood blinked.

"Bat ponies can turn others into bat ponies... is a talent we gave them... so they would not suffer alone in their long lives. We shall find thy pair a mentor. Whom thy canst learn from... and whom can watch over thee in eternity. Thoust shall receive the full bat pony experience. And learn of thy culture and gifts. Thy wish to be a bat pony, then thou shall live as a bat pony."

Bluey smiled, "Thank you."

Luna smiled back, "Tis not the healthy thing to do, but if thou wanst tis, and thy colt friend agrees, thou shall be indoctrinated into thy bat pony society... the right way, no short cuts."

Bluey gave a firm nod, showing he understood. "I'll make you proud, Grandmother. I'll listen to everything my mentor says, and make the best Thestral I can." He wouldn't even say anything about being 200 years too old for a mentor.

• Luna's Moon, 42 Years into Luna's Reign.

Standing in the Maternity ward, of The best lunar hospital on the moon, a newly made father... Who was hesitant to call it a day. Stared down at newborn foals... through a wall of glass.

All three of his children were pegasi. Although they wouldn't be for long. Not if the elders had their way.

Not that all his foals were present. One of the colts had a compromised immune system, and was rushed to emergency care.

Stealthy Intellect, just stared at his remaining children... feeling numb to the world. This should have been a happy day. He had three beautiful children. He was finally a father, with a chance to do things right, unlike his own... but his wife... had not survived the birthing... much like his own mother.

Stealth's Wife had been a mysterious race of Fox Pony, called a "Vulpony". None knew what land they came from. Although it was rumored they evolved from Fox Demons, taking Pony lovers. It was said, their demon blood may be diluted, after a few thousand years of breeding with ponies, but they maintained their fox features, and their Illusion powers.

Stealth wanted to activate the Vulpony gene, in at least one of his children. Instead of guiding them into a Thestral. Although the elders may take issue with that.

They might not be obsessed with blood purity... but they still wanted as many Thestrals as possible. To increase their numbers.

However, as far as Stealth was concerned, both races had longevity, so he didn't have to worry about losing them. Plus, it be a good way to honor his wife... even if some would argue she didn't deserve such respect.

"They art gorgeous." spoke the Princess of the Night, as she approached him.

The Thestral spared his grandmother a glance, before looking back to his foals.

"The Doctors think... I might lose the middle child... as I lost my wife." Stealth refused to cry.

He may be a Stallion, whom were known for being the more emotional of the sexes... but he was also a member of Luna's guard. He must remain strong. Better to be numb, cold, detached, then another weepy Stallion.

Luna gently laid a wing on said Stallion, and gently guided him to her. Pressing him against her side, and nuzzling him close. "Thou must not lose hope."

But he already had.

About an hour later, neither Stealth, nor Luna, had moved from their spot by the nursery.

Not until another Thestral arrived. This one wearing a white doctor's coat.

"Mister Smart," The healer got their attention.

Stealthy Intellect may be his name, but he was of the Smart Colony. Ponies didn't have family names, so much as "Family Themes". With the Smarts choosing names to show off their intellect and skill... and more often then not, their traditional Thestral attitude problems.

The Smart Clan was descended from one of the newer consort lines. With Stealth being raised by Luna, after his mother died in Childbirth... his father couldn't handle looking at the colt. Which Luna reprimanded him for.

Stealth grew up a pampered Prince, on Luna's moon. Choosing to join the guard, when he came of age... and taking a Vulpony for his wife.

It wasn't like in the old days. When Luna would have to have the foal in secret, whenever she took a "Bat Pony" consort. As to not cause her sister to bind the foal's Thestral nature... as The Sun princess had with Luna's first consort, and Prince Blue Blood's distant ancestor.

Stealth, and in fact that whole side of his family, lived in luxury. As the Consort they were descended from did. Although Stealth imagined it helped they lived on Luna's moon... away from Celestia.

Supposedly, Celestia felt guilty over her own bigotry... but Subponies were always seen as lesser then the original three tribes. They were bound to-

Stealth shook his head. He mustn't let his mind wander. He will not be so stoic, he thinks of trivial things well he hears this news... he will show his fallen child with the love and respect he deserves.

"I..." The Doctor hesitated, not a good sign. "Your son may just be the luckiest child, ever to exist."

That... broke him...

"He's..." Stealth forced the words out. "He's alive?"

The Doctor nodded, "And completely stable."

Stealth sunk to the floor, Luna allowing herself to go with him. He felt such overwhelming relief... it could only come out in the form of tears.

Luna continued to nuzzle him, still pressing him tightly to her side.

Once the Stallion calmed down, Stealth was allowed to see his son. The little colt was still being kept in some kind of plastic box, but the Doctor assured that was just a precaution.

"We thought we lost him there," Explained the Doctor. "and for a few moments, we had. But that triggered a magical surge. Restoring his health and transforming him into... this..." The Doctor gestured at the box. At the strange little creature inside.

•

The colt had Thestral wings, strong hooves for backlegs, and a pony body type. But that was where the similarities ended.

His head was fox like, although with far larger eyes. Then he had paws, instead of front hooves. And a fluffy fox tail.

He even had more fox like coloring. What with his bright orange body, a cream white underbelly, and black lower legs.

He had a few blue squiggly lines, above his knees, where the orange met the black fur.

As well as quite the colorful tail. With thick blue squiggles, in between the orange and white. As well as between the orange and black tip. Then there was a blue squiggle, going down from the back of his neck, over his shoulders, down his spine, and even down the top of his tail.

Then his mane matched the blue squiggles. While his eyes were two tones of red and green... looking much like a mango.

Luna took a long look at the child. "It is rare," she acknowledged. "But sometimes, magical surges can cause both Subpony genes to fuse. Creating a new species."

Leaving out the fact the amount of internal magic, needed to trigger such a fusion... this child was, at the very least, a Planet Buster. At least he didn't have horns, so his bouts of accidental magic would be more manageable.

She looked at Stealth, with the Stallion standing on his hind legs, while his front legs were through the plastic sleeves of the container. As he gently pet his child.

"Sassy little guy," Stealth smiled. As the colt kit's back legs continued to kick. While his front legs tried to keep hold of the hoof.

The little guy was screaming out, making various Equine and fox noises. All the while purring like there was no tomorrow. The tiny babe was having quite a lot of fun, while his father continued to gently pet him.

"He seems to really love to talk back," Stealth smiled. His eyes welling up with tears again. "Don't you? My little Smart Mouth?"

The Smart Clan, a wealthy family of Thestrals, which held a special relationship with both Technology and Magic.

Many in their clan inherited the rare goat-like horns, of the high borns. As well as the monkey tail, ending in an arrow head. Both traits ran strong in their family. Although they didn't always manifest.

Thanks to their many clan members, with horns, they were able to pass down family magics. Such as spells, to control and manipulate technology. They even used this knowledge, to assist Princess Twilight in the manufacturing of the Clockworks.

They held a special talent for building computer based devices... perfecting computers, into the first Android-type phones. Which they, ironically, called "Smart phones", after their family theme.

They even created the magical Wi-Fi network, which stretched across their island. Later, after ponies started exploring the stars, and the other races moved onto less high maintenance planets. Celestia extended the Wi-Fi spell, to cover their entire Sector of Space, allowing everypony free access to the Internet no matter where they were.

They later joined forces with the Gamer Clan, Button Mash's family. Who had created the first Equus videogame console, and were looking to rule the market, between space fairing civilizations. They wanted to create a handheld console, specifically designed for long term space travel.

So, with the joint forces between the Smart and Gamer clans, they created the JoyBoy Galaxy.

Like the Gamer's other JoyBoy models, it could magically link itself to projectors, through a type of magical bluetooth. So ponies could play games on bigger screens.

The JoyBoy had always been an all purpose console, which used techno magics to push it to the edge of technological engineering.

This new console used purely digital Media, and so had a techno magic hard drive, worth several trillion Yottabytes. With the ability to transfer media, from the Smart Phone, to the JoyBoy. Even use the JoyBoy as a phone.

The JoyBoy looked like a bulkier Smart Phone, with buttons on the sides. So it was easy to hold and use with hooves. There was another model, for creatures with hands to more easily operate, but it used the same game mechanics.

The Smart Clan put a lot of effort, into making the JoyBoy a sturdy little thing. To the point it could survive a dip into Celestia's Plasma Volcanoes.

It had a magic battery, which automaticlly recharged itself, due to being powered by a rare gem. The battery even lasted 30 hours, and took a measly 1 hour of rest, to fully recharge.

Although the JoyBoy was designed for one player, it could connect to other JoyBoys, to play in groups.

Though what the ponies loved most about the JoyBoy, was it worked like an Enchanted Comic Book. With an option to be pulled into the game, and play through it as the main character. With a few trillion safeguard enchantments, to insure no permanent injuries or death.

Such as the player is able to look out of the console, at what is going on around them. As well being able to "Save and Exit" at will. With Death just causing the Player to respawn, in the game.

It also refused to expell the player, if the JoyBoy was in a dangerous situation. Then acting as a protective stasis device, until the player could be safely extracted. Which was why so much effort was done to make the JoyBoy indestructible.

The Smart Clan, wanted the JoyBoy to double as escape pods, while on starships. Even installing homing Beacons, the player could activate while inside the game.

While in the JoyBoy, time progressed faster, and the battery was designed to feed off the excess magic of the player, to run indefinitely. Players could even return to the main menu. In order to access other games, or their entire media collection.

Although they couldn't insert themselves into most media, they could still: watch, listen, or read it. Even communicate with the outside world, via Social Messaging. Which had an "I'm trapped, come save me" connection to The Ponies rescue division of Starfleet.

Theoretically, although this has yet to be tested, individuals could live forever, inside their JoyBoy. Even if they were seconds away from death, in the real world. Even leaving the JoyBoy, fully healed. Again, this was theoretical, but it was possible for any magical lifeform, to escape even dying of old age, thanks to the JoyBoy.

The reason this interested Luna... was because of her newest consort. It been so long since she had one... but as always, she fell for a wealthy bat pony noble... that rebelled against his nobility.

Street Smart... was beautiful. He had a blood red coat, a shaggy mop of a grey mane, two curved back horns... and that gorgeous arrow head tail.

He dressed in a white ruffled shirt, a navy blue suit coat, and a neckerchief that matched his coat. His white wings had obvious red bones showing through...

Just GORGEOUS, yet that wasn't all their was to him. He was also sweet, caring, and kind.

And he was Luna's consort, unlike any of the others. Each was unique, and each she cherished. With her determined to remember them all. She enjoyed this moment with her consort... knowing... she would one day lose him.

None of her other consorts, despite their longevity, had lived very long lives. And so she was determined to cherish their time together... and not panic over the future. The former element of Honesty, lied to herself, insisting this time... wouldn't end in her tears.

• One month after Stealth's eggs were laid.

Street Smart walked into Blue Blood's room, as the "newly turned" Thestral was still getting used to his sleep schedule. It had only been three cycles, since he was turned, so it could be forgiven, he didn't automatically wake at night...

Especially given Luna's moon was an eternal night. The body itself generated the Darkness of night. Protecting the Thestrals from the nearby sun. Without the sun rise... it was easy to hibernate.

Street Smart was old enough to remember the burning light of Celestia's sun. He'd actually gotten used to it, after 900 years of enduring the cycle of "Day" and "Night"... and while that cycle continued for the worlds... it was always night on Luna's Moon... which really messed with the Thestrals instincts, to sleep during the day.

So now, Street Smart didn't hold it against his young charge, for sleeping during the night... even if his mate managed to get up at a respectable hour.

"Come on, pup," Street Smart smirked, at the sound of sleepy groaning. "It's time for breakfast."

Blue Blood groaned more, but slowly sat up. The slits in his still blue eyes, constricted from sleep. Slowly dilating to the dark.

The turning process had made his horn curve back more, though still obviously a unicorn horn, due to his origins. With his wings being a lovely grey, with gold bones. The same gold color his yellow mane, and tail, had darkened to. His coat was still a pure white, which was rare for Thestrals, but it could be his living planet genes.

Such descendants might rarely have the immortality of a Celestial, but they nearly always had the gorgeous looks.

"Please tell me it's not pears again," Blue Blood dragged himself out of bed, and headed to the bathroom for his waking rituals.

Street Smart rolled his eyes, "The Castle staff fed you pears once, since you turned. You don't have to keep whining about it."

Blue Blood stopped, and pouted up at the older Bat pony. Still not used to the fact the stallion was taller then him... Bluey was convinced, the older Thestral had some Saddle Arabian blood, but the Stallion never confirmed it.

"Whining would be unbecoming of a Prince," Blue Blood insisted, and definitely not in a whiny voice.

"And yet, you whine," Street Smart smirked. "Now go relieve your royal bladder."

Bluey blushed but went into the bathroom, trying to hold himself with dignity.

Once Bluey finished his "morning" rituals, such as cleaning his hooves and brushing his teeth, he followed his mentor... and step great grandfather, out of the white Thestral's chambers, and down to breakfast.

Street Smart had been one, of millions, of applicants. All Wanting to turn the Prince... although Street Smart, in his video application, said he was only doing this as a dare. As he believed Blue Blood, from his reputation, would make a terrible apprentice, and what the colt really needed was a good spanking.

Blue Blood had been mortified, when Luna chose him. Not only for him being unafraid to actually discipline her spoiled descendant, but because the red stallion insisted claiming a Progeny shouldn't be a competition. That the dark gift should be given to somepony you cherish. Someone you were willing to spend eternity with. How it shouldn't be given to some random stranger, to win you a cookie from the nobles.

Basically, Luna was intrigued, the Thestral only sent her an application, in order to scold her. Her, the ruler of the worlds, and the physical manifestation of the Moon they lived on... the sheer audacity of this Thestral...

Luna immediately contacted Street Smart, and asked him to meet Bluey. To get to know him, and if he agreed the boy was worthy, he could turn him... but only when he thought the colt was ready.

For the next 5 years, Blue Blood was the Stallion's "Familiar". Having to earn the right to be turned, just like any other Candidate.

The only difference was Luna was too be informed how, when, and why, Bluey was punished.

Street Smart disliked having to write reports on what should have been his charge alone, but Luna never interfered... not even when Bluey complained to her. Not whined, complained. Only to remind Bluey that he had agreed to be turned the proper way.

Luna ended up spending a lot of time with Street Smart... although he wasn't named the royal consort until 7 years after Bluey was deemed worthy to turn.

Luna made sure to keep things at "Friendship", and never hint at anything else, until after Bluey was turned. So as to not affect Street Smart's decision... although she did understand she was developing feelings for him, early on.

To which, in typical stallion obliviousness, Street Smart didn't pick up on. It didn't help, any reasonable pony, wouldn't think a ruler of an Empire, would fall for them.

Street Smart was strict, but he was also compassionate. He may have been unafraid of disciplining the younger Stallion, but he never did so unjustly. All Blue Blood's punishments... he could now admit he earned... however embarrassing...

Author's Note : The Italics / Center-Paragraph, references to age play, feel free to skip. The chapter will get to more normal stuff afterwards .

Like when he was rude to a maid. And Street Smart called her to witness Bluey being spanked, then put into a diaper, before forcing the colt to apologize... and requesting she spank him to...

Bluey was an adult, trying to prove himself worthy of becoming a Thestral... so he had to submit to the punishments, of his own free will... even if they were harsher then what a real child would receive...

Still he was thankful, when the maid said she thought he'd been punished enough. And Street Smart nodded approvingly.

Bluey was even allowed to stay in their quarters, as he endured his humiliating diaper punishment... that time at least.

Fancy had decided not to be turned, but he was very supportive of Blue Blood, as the blonde acted as the bat pony's servant.

It wasn't just servitude, either, Street Smart would talk to Bluey, learning about him. Yes, Bluey was a bit spoiled and demanding, but he had a good work ethic, and a silver tongue... and was more then what he showed the worlds.

On Luna's insistence, Bluey had showed the red stallion his secret room, filled with comics and action figures... and Plushies... and Street Smart added a changing table in there, as well as a Naughty corner... He insisted Bluey would come to like them, if he gave them a chance. Given the Race Car Bed, and childish carpet Bluey already had in there...

Street had smiled, and said this "Turning thing" might actually work. Given he liked treating those he turned as foals.

They never did Anything sexual, as to Street this wasn't sexual. He couldn't have foals naturally, although that wasn't a common disorder for bat ponies, and their were laws about turning children, as they would stay children. So Street just got into the habit of treating his progenies as his children... to which Bluey blushingly agreed to try.

Luna just would have found someone else, if Bluely wasn't willing to give it a try.

Bluey didn't like diapers, so Street kept those as a punishment... but after a life of being "The Perfect Prince", he enjoyed a good deal of the lifestyle he was introduced to... just not how public Street was about it...

Apparently, Auntie Celestia was into this stuff to, but she kept it private... and was a caregiver... on account of having watched so many of her children die, over her long life. Someone who wanted to stay her child, for nearly as long as they lived, were truly treasured consorts to her.

End age-play talk, on with the rest of the chapter.

Bluey blushed as Street Smart kneeled down to nuzzle him, he was getting more used to these public displays of affection.

He'd never had such an open parental figure before. Not even from Celestia, who liked to maintain her royal mask in public, and taught Bluey to do the same. Auntie was very affectionate when they were in their private chambers, and never cruel or cold to him when they were outside them... but she wasn't one to cuddle him as they walked through the halls of the palace.

Regardless, none of the staff batted an eye. Not even when Street Smart draped a leathery wing over him... and they walked like that, all the way to the dining hall.

Unlike Celestia, Luna ate none of her meals with the nobility. Meal time was family time, as far as the living moon was concerned.

"Good morning your royal consort," Fancy Pants greeted the older Stallion. Being sure to greet him first, as was proper.

The unicorn... was still a unicorn. Luna had merely cast a "Duel Life Force" spell on Fancy. Connecting him to Bluey, after the prince was turned.

It was more dark magic, but didn't come with all the benefits, of Thestrals. It just kept him at his current age... by tying his magic to Bluey. If Bluey died, so would Fancy. It was kinda romantic like that...

Fancy actually COULDN'T die, so long as Bluey was around. It had been Luna's wedding gift...

"Morning baby," Fancy gave Bluey a kiss, enjoying how Bluey blushed, but didn't pull back, like he used to whenever they were in public.

He might not understand the lifestyle his Stallion got into. But he loved the confidence Bluey gained from it.

"Grampa!" Stealthy Intellect smiled, trotting over. His three foals in specially designed Saddle bags.

Stealthy now had a full set. His daughter, an Earth fox pony. Then his first born, a horned Thestral, looking a lot like Street Smart. Then the middle colt kit, a hybrid of the two races, born without horns, but maintained his wings.

Stealth was the natural born son, of one of Street Smart's earlier progenies. Regardless, due to how Turning worked, was still a blood descendant of Street Smart.

His previous progeny, had even been blood adopted by Luna... and they had enjoyed a happy family dynamic for a full cycle... With Bluey as the baby, and Smart Alec as the big brother... they were happy...

But then Smart Alec married... and his wife died in childbirth. The Thestral then abandoned all his responsibilities... and left the Palace.

Last Street heard, the younger Stallion was living with the Zebras, as a magical craftsman.

A progeny was only really expected to stay by their Sire's side, for a few hundred years. Eventually, they were supposed to go out into the world, and make a family of their own... but Alec had been so young, only a century.

Then Stealth had gone and knocked up a Vulpony, when he was still in university... Street was beginning to wonder... if he was a bad father. However, Luna dismissed the idea. Assuring him all families had drama.

• 700 years, after Luna ascended to the Throne .

Thestrals... were not uniform. Occasionally, there was one born with large, curved, horns. Usually 2, but they could have as many as 6 horns. Shaped similarly to goats.

Thestrals, with horns, came to be heralded... but originally, it was looked down on as a deformity. It was only after they proved their usefulness, to their colony, that they were accepted.

The same thing happened fir the Thestrals with long, fur-less, tails. As the arrowhead for a tip proved a valuable weapon. While the sheer control they had, over the tail, couldn't help but impress.

One, particular foal, was hoping something similar, would happen with him.

Deep before The Castle of Eternal Night, the Sun began to rise, looking as if it was muted by a night's fog.

Within it's lush walls, looking out a window of the royal family chambers. Was one colt, longing for the sun. The dim outline, in the night sky, was not enough for him.

Not caring, it would sting his slitted eyes... he looked out the window, and dreamed of playing in the sun.

If he was any other child, he would be waking up with the world, not being put to "bed". Although his version of "bed" didn't involve a real bed, So much as a dark, closet like, room to shut himself in. Where he would hang from the ceiling, and sleep... only problem was... this colt was scared to sleep upside down... So instead of resting, in the natural way all Bat Ponies do, he curled up on the floor... in a Basket.

Even by Thestral standards, he was an oddity.

Mouthy was of the Smart Colony. A respectable family of nocturnal business ponies. Respected for both the inventions they brought to the world... and the sheer level of money those luxuries allowed them. Respected as part of the Royal family, although the tabloids often spoke of Mouthy as the odd pony out.

But Smart Mouth, hardly had anything to do with that. He was only 7. Never having even seen beyond the castle walls...

Smart Mouth turned his slitted eyes from the window, and looked down at his front paws. They were definitely paws, not hooves like his Daddy had. The little colt had hooves on his back legs, but his front legs had paws, and weird looking digits called thumbs.

Real ponies could just hold things because of a type of magical static cling, but he had to use the short digits and thumbs. A fluffy fox tail, and head. Though a good deal more cartoony and cute, then a real world fox.

He was mostly orange, with an underbelly of cream white, as in extremely pale orange. Although his lower legs were black, with thick blue squigglies where it met the orange fur, above all four of his knees. Complemented by blue pads on the paws, and blue hooves.

Then his tail was orange, with the underside being the same cream white as his underbelly, with a black tip, plus thick blue squiggles between all the colors of the tail. His leathery wings were a bright white, with blue bones showing through the thin skin, and a thick black trim at the bottom of the wings.

His cheeks and lower jaw were the same cream white. While the rest of his face was orange. Well, except for the large number of black freckles around his green, anime style, eyes, with just a tinge of red.

At least the boy was allowed to style his mane how he liked. It was blue, cut in a short spiky boyish style that was popular with modern colts. His mane kinda naturally stood on end, so the adults didn't have to do anything to it. Just give it a quick brushing in the morning. Honestly, he kept his mane this way more out of laziness then style.

He looked weird. He had the classic pretty colt features, but with odd fox bits added on. It was obvious he wasn't a normal pony. Even so, he was not an abomination, just not the norm. That didn't stop other ponies from staring at him, though.

His father refused to let him leave the family wing, without his big brother. With anywhere passed the Castle Staff, being completely forbidden... and Mouthy, being a good colt, listened to his father's boundries. It helped, that his big brother always made sure to steer the little coltkit to the various fun things within the Castle.

What didn't help, were the funny looks, all the other Thestrals gave him.

Mouthy would want for nothing... except maybe friends...

There may be other kids here, his cousins, but they tended to stay away from him... they were frightened of him. He wasn't exactly bullied, but that was because of the Thestrals fear of him... they didn't yet realize, they had nothing to be scared of.

Smart Mouth was a special colt, with a destiny that stretched across time itself... One day, he would touch the stars... one day... he would be the salvation to a great many worlds... one day, entire Galaxies would sing of him... but that impending fate was far away. For now he was a little colt... that only knew he didn't belong.

The young colt kit let out a sigh, staring at the filtered Sun... longingly...

"Mouthy?"

The colt kit turned his eyes, to spy his older brother.

"What are you doing up?" asked Book Smarts.

Mouthy blushed, "Couldn't sleep." Admitted the tiny colt.

"You might find that a lot easier, if you went to your room and closed your eyes," Book shook his head.

Mouthy frowned... not wanting to admit he was scared of the dark. What kind of Batpony didn't like the dark?

"Did you at least wash your teeth?" The Stallion asked.

Mouthy gave another sigh, continuing to stare out the "window" of their playroom. Then the little boy gave a groan, as his brother gently picked him up. With Book using his muzzle, against the loose skin on the back of the Colt-kit's neck. Then began carrying, his tiny brother, out the room. Most likely towards the bathroom.

Book Smarts had always been awfully bossy, and way too overprotective... probably because dad relied a lot on him. Book had to help take care of the younger ones... he had a lot of responsibility forced on him... though not as much as your average stallion.

Stealth had his own relatives, to help the single father raise the foals.

Mouthy... was part of a litter of 3. However his siblings were all maturing at different ages. The Vulpony blood, which ran through Smart Mouth and his sister... caused them to age slower. They did, after all, had an activated demonic heritage.

Though not quite Hanyou, the Vulponies did have a demonic ancestry. Which they purposely controlled their breeding, for thousands of moons, to fuse their demonic aura, into a third chromosome chain.

It caused the Siblings to age at different rates.

For Example :

Book Smart had his Thestral genes activated. So he aged at the same rate as a pony. He had a normal, though attractive, blood red coat, with a white underbelly, with a grey mane, forelegs, and tail. He even inherited the twin horns, of high born Thestrals. Which gave him near unicorn reality bending...

Mouthy wished he had those cool horns...

Unlike Mouthy, Book was, in fact, an adult. Even by Thestral standards. While his sister was barely into apprenticehood. Mature enough for 'Legal Privileges", but not old enough for those to become "Rights".

Mouthy was still prepubescent... to the point he wasn't old enough to be told what that word actually meant. As far as he was aware, it was simply a synonym for "Little Kid".

Mouthy was hundreds of years old, and still not old enough to begin secondary school... and wouldn't be for hundreds more years. He aged like a proper demon, with every 100 years being the equivalent of 1.

Mouthy's mind stopped wandering, once they reached the bathroom.

Book deposited his "younger" brother on a stool, in front of the sink. Before fetching a vial out of the medicine cabinet.

Handing it to the smaller colt kit, the Stallion ordered, "Gurgle this, but don't swallow."

The little boy rolled his eyes, knowing perfectly well not to drink mouth wash potions.

The child's paw wrapped around the vial, that thumb really helping hold it.

Downing the potion. The Colt Kit swished it around, and occasionally gurgling it. It took an entire 10 seconds, for the potion to clean away the plaque, repair any damage done to the teeth, whiten them, and even sharpen them.

The Zebra made these potions, special for the Thestrals. After all, Subponies had to stick together.

Spitting out the potion. The little boy proceeded to rinse the residue out of his mouth. Not because it tasted bad, it actually tasted gently of mint, but it was best to get as much of the potion out as possible. Didn't want to accidentally swallow any.

Zebra had a special talent for brewing. They knew just what to do, in order to create a good taste, while not compromising the potion's effects.

Next... the prepubescent ColtKit blushed, as the teenager laid him down, on the counter... and started getting him into his "big boy pants", AKA, pullups... at least they weren't diapers anymore.

These were made of a mix of cloth, and plastic. They magically absorbed everything, and only took an hour to clean themselves. They were also designed to prevent leaks, even well sleeping upside down. They even grew with him.

These were rich foal pamps. As they could be re-used, forever. Constantly cleaning themselves.

Although Daddy wasn't particularly happy Smart Mouth wanted pink padding. Though the boy picked them out, more for the little Daleks, printed all over them... The Half demon loved the Doctor Who stories, the Yokai made. The books, audio dramas, videogames, comic books. They were just so cool!

Though Mouthy was supposed to take good care of them. Koto Sensei was adamant about that. This was stuff about the Doctor's real life. Based on Journals the Doctor's companions made. The Doctor was, after all, their god.

"What you thinking about?" Book asked, as he finished adjusting the padding.

"Doctor Who," Mouthy spoke honestly.

Book shook his head, "Of course." Before picking him back up, and putting him on the floor. "Now let's get you back to bed."

On their way back through the hall, they heard the sound of angry voices. They were coming from the living room.

"What's this I hear about you leaving the colony!" The first voice was too outraged to be really asking.

The second voice, belonged to daddy, and was just as angry. "Empress Luna is transfering me to Ponyville!"

The first voice scoffed. "Only because you requested it!!! Don't think I don't know about that!"

"I made a commitment to the guard!"

"Luna's Guard!"

"Twilight requested more night guards, and I volunteered. It's as simple as that," Daddy snapped at the first voice...

Who the colts now recognized as the Colony Elder. The one directly born of Luna. Who had later been turned into a bat pony. And kinda just assigned himself the role of 'Colony Leader'. Even if Daddy wasn't part of his line.

"But WHY!?" demanded Elder Blue Blood. The old Stallion still looked in his Prime, thanks to Thestral magicks. "You have a duty to Luna."

Stealthy raged, "You lot have been pawning me off as 'somepony else's problem' since I was born. You don't have the right to demand ANYTHING from me!!!"

Book quickly steered his little brother away. Not wanting the colt kit to hear grownups yelling at each other... a hard thing to do, given how curious the little boy was to hear more. He did love a healthy dose of drama. That is, so long as it was other ponies'.

• Later that Night .

"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.