• Console: Oasis. Cartridge: Cyberpunk. Map: Cyber Kids Playground. Location: Cyber Dungeon Tree House (Private Lair).

Parzival smiled, opening his eyes...and finding he was standing exactly where he logged out. In his family home, in Suburbia.

"Parzival!!!" Kirito grinned, spotting his "Boyfriend" who took the "Boy" bit a tad too seriously. Pouncing on Z, Kirito pulled the "older boy" into a hug... Parzival insisted on being "Older". So Kirito had to wear a 7 year old Avatar, to Parzival's 9.

"What's with the new Avatar," Kirito asked the him sized pony.

• One Story Later.

"Bawhahaha," Kirito faked laughed. "is that better?" he returned to his exaggerated bored expression.

Parzival pouted, "Come on! Pony Avatar! And TWO spankings. Plus, PLUS," As if using math will make his boyfriend see reason. "2 whole months worth of diaper punishment! I even gotta use these things. Can't you feel a little sympathy for me?" the Saiyan pony gave an agitated wiggle, in his diapers.

Kirito shrugged, "Seems like you got off easy." The Swordsman looked around their guild house. It was a cute little tree house, on a map specially designed for age players. "Better then a month of spankings," Insisted the current child.

"I'd actually prefer that," Parzival sighed.

Kirito scuffed, "Yeah well, not all of us are spankos." He was, of the firm belief, that Spankings were the worst part of being little. "I'm more interested in this kid Aech met. Was he really one of Metagamer's counterparts?"

Parzival shrugged, "That's what Aech tells me."

Kirito looked deeply at his partner. "We got to meet him," he insisted.

Parzival blushed, for some reason. "Aech said the boy wasn't interested in being adopted," Parzival informed. "And that he couldn't handle him, even if he was. The boy is like, majorly kinky... I don't think Aech would even approve of us hanging out with him."

Kinky kids, and "Traditional" kids, just didn't travel in the same circles... and neither of their parents approved when they did try to make friends.

Kinky parents thought "Traditional" parents were stuck up. While Traditionals thought Kinkies were deviants. Traditionals focused on the fantasy of "shielding innocent children". While Kinkies insisted on reminding people the "kids" were actually consenting adults. That they would never do anything like this with real children.

Neither group liked the other's mindset.

"Did Aech TELL you," Kirito pressed the issue, "We couldn't meet the pony?

• Console: Oasis. Cartridge: Equestria Online. Map: Star Trotters. Location: Ferengin-Bar (Private guild).

"It's Freezing!!!" Quark complained.

"I'll get to it!" Zek snapped, as he was busy fixing the heating. Sol'pax was nearby, fixing the cracks in the plumbing.

It was more like a mini game, then actually needing to know how to repair things. Just hit the hammer on a few places, as they light up.

To keep things interesting, they had bought one of those guild houses you had to keep in repair, through an assortment of Among Us like mini games. Some people value everything running smoothly, and never having to worry about things falling apart. But others found it... strangely comforting to have domestic issues. Like a house that kept falling apart.

It certainly kept them active when they weren't on missions. Unfortunately, They may have bit off more then they could chew. They'd been gone from the lair for 3 months, on that changeling adventure, so now they had to catch up on their chores.

There was an option to spend extra coin, and reset the guild house to perfect condition... but none of them wanted to bother with that... this was their home. Each of their clan was here. Doing their own task.

Ishka was sweeping the floors, and getting rid of the cobwebs. Then Nog, was outside, mowing the lawn. while Zek was doing the dishes... so water was squirting in the colt kit's face, as he worked.

While those might be the Players' Avatar Names... they were still players, not the AI versions of the Characters... Sol'pax didn't mention anything, as not everyone could afford to pay the AIs a permanent coin cost, to get custom avatars. Where a player could buy 3 Canon Avatars, once a year, for no permanent loss.

The others prioritized their pony transformations. With the Ferengi Avatar being more a fun gimmick to them.

All of their team had gotten the "Pony Up Rings". Which transformed them into potentially any pony-like race. Even fan species. From there, the player could choose their mane and coat colors. But the actual race was determined by the AIs...

Unless the player is willing to permanently spend some coin. Then they can completely design the Avatar. All of Sol'pax clan went that route.

The mower suddenly stopped, and Nog gave an exclamation of surprise. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing, and ran outside.

"It's Parzival!!!" Nog gaped.

The group of Ferengi froze, upon seeing the prince of the world, accompanied by a war hero.

"I ignore your PMs," Sol'pax glared. "and your response is to stalk me to my guild house!?"

Unfortunately, everything passed "sta-" went unheard. As Quark forcibly grabbed the Colt Kit's muzzle, and clamped it shut. Sol'pax's friends knew him too well.

Parzival, "The First to the Key" himself, just blinked at the colt kit. As if not understanding that his intrusion was, in fact, an intrusion.

Regardless, everyone else was acting very welcoming. With Quark picking up the pony/fox hybrid. While his hand was still holding the boy's muzzle.

"Please, Come in," Nog was foaming at the mouth, just for the chance to talk to such legendary gamers.

"One sec," Stead turned around, and began messing with the setting pad next to the door. Paying a few hundred coins, to fix everything.

Sol'pax would be sure to pay him back. Stead might make good money, doing "Job" minigames around the Oasis. However, it was Sol'pax's fault he had to spend that kinda coin. Bloody stalkers.

The only player of their guild, not to use a Ferengi as their primary Avatar... was Stead. Whom used a "Boulder Avatar", that could only move when he's not being observed... but could get around that with his "Pony Up Ring". Becoming mobile as a grass green Earth Pony.

Stead was an old friend of Sol'pax entire system. From long before he, or the Misfits Hive itself, existed.

Stead was a childhood friend... so very close to the entire hive... he actually was dating Metagamer, although in the market for a poly group.

Stead and Metagamer, had been in and out, of so many poly relationships. Sol'pax had kinda grown numb to it. Kinda too bored to acknowledge that year's model.

It always ended up hurting everyone of the hive... not that any of the other "Adults" in the system were any better. Even Sol'pax was a serial dater. It was just hard integrating partners with the hive. At least Stead understood he wasn't dating all of "The Misfits". Although they all liked him.

The small "Ferengin-Bar" guild, quickly walked back into their guild house. They were a group of tight-net friends. Not truly a clan, but as a registered guild they did get nearly as many benefits. Especially while adventuring as a "Party" together.

Everything looked as good as new. Most Everyone directed the Princes to the larger sitting room, where the guild entertained guests. While Quark took Sol'pax into the kitchen.

"I know you have some thoughts about fame," Quark finally released the boy's muzzle, once he got the colt kit away from the high profile guest. "But these guys aren't just famous. They are the fucking rulers of the Solar System! You need to be on your best behavior!"

Sol'pax just pouted. Sure, he had fun with Aech, but these guys just wouldn't take a hint. Worse, they actually tracked him down! That's got to be an abuse of power. Regardless, Sol'pax gave a grudging nod of false cooperation. So Quark let him go.

"Good, now let's get the kids some brownies." Quark smiled.

"Blasphemy!!!" Sol'pax played along. "I'll make the COOKIES. You go out and distract my stalkers!"

Quark glared, pointing at the Colt Kit. "Behave," he ordered.

Sol'pax rolled his eyes, as the older Ferengi left the room.

"I'll handle this," Sol'pax heard Metagamer, from deep inside their hive mind.

When the boy met Aech, he had activated "Privacy Mode" just as he approached the guild. He was expecting to get all kinds of Kinky, after all. Need privacy for that. Especially with the child alters present.

But here? Sol'pax was just doing chores with his friends. There was no need to be without the hive mind. So all versions of Ollivander were online, and knew what was going on.

Dilbert scuffed. "You're doing a great job with those boys, Meta."

Metagamer could only sigh, and chose to ignore the Kangaroo's jabs. "Unfortunately, Aech is in meetings for the next few hours. So I'll need to fetch the boys, myself. See to it they don't move, until I get there. And you better not reward them with cookies... but you should feed them a snack. Something healthy." As player's actually did need to eat, as part of the game mechanics.

Sol'pax considered smiting the little stalkers, with raisin cookies... but didn't wanna disappoint the rest of his friends.

Going to their Replicator, Sol'pax got some peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies (yes the good ones, begrudgingly), brownies for Quark, a few pizzas, and a bowl of fruit. Along with a pitcher of milk, and a couple pitchers of booze.

While all that materialized, Sol'pax went to the cabinet, and got out some glasses and plates.

Stuffing everything in his profile, he wandered back into the living room.

"Metagamer is on his way," Sol'pax announced, stepping inside the lounge. Getting glares from everyone.

"You TOLD on us!!!" Parzival glared the hardest.

Sol'pax sighed, "The entire reason you wanted to check me out, is because I share a hive mind with your Uncle. Did you really think I'd be ABLE to hide anything from him?"

Sol'pax friends sighed in defeat, while the princes of the world looked terrified.

Looking at his boyfriend, Kirito acknowledged. "We didn't really think this through." he spoke the obvious.

Sol'pax couldn't resist commenting, "No kidding."

Stead, still in his Earth pony form, got up from his seat, and picked up the colt kit in his mouth.

"Don't be rude," he chided, before placing the boy on the same couch as the other children.

"How long until Meta gets here?" Stead asked.

Metagamer estimated, "About 20 minutes." Which Sol'pax relayed to the group.

Stead nodded, "Since we're on borrowed time, it's best to let the boys have some bonding time. Come on Ferengin-Bar."

Nog pouted, "I'm a boy..."

"Go!" Stead ordered. And the clan grumpily left the room. Stead then pointed a hoof at the colt kit. "Behave, or no cookies for a month."

Sol'pax flinched. Stead knew what would ACTUALLY work on the kinkster, as a punishment.

"Yes Step-Daddy Steady," Sol'pax recited, in a childish voice. Kinda teasing the man, while also promising to at hear to him.

Stead rolled his eyes, but left without another word.

"That's your dad?" asked Kirito.

Now it was Sol'pax's turn, to roll his eyes. "No, it's an inside joke." he waved off.

Stead had kinda labeled himself as the "Step-Dad" of the hive. He might not be dating all of them but was very parental with the minors, and even the age players. Although he never stepped beyond his boundaries.

"Soooooo," Kirito suddenly felt awkward. "I'm about to die, anything you wanna know?"

Parzival glared at his boyfriend, for the joke. Then glared at Sol'pax. "Why'd you tell on us!? We just wanted to meet you!"

Sol'pax sighed, "I didn't tell on you. I have to actively turn on my 'Privacy Mode'. To prevent the others from knowing what's going on around me. You dropping by, unexpectedly, didn't give me the chance to do so." the colt kit gave a huff.

Parzival blinked, his monkey tail, attached to his padded flanks, twitching nervously. "Sooooo... every time we're with Metagamer..." He reasoned.

But Sol'pax dismissed the thought before it could be fully formed. "He always has the mode active. I didn't even know he was dating Helen!"

"You're on real name basis with Aech!!!" Parzival gaped.

The Colt Kit shrugged, "Well... yeah. He made a point of meeting all our counterparts, last night. And he did it the 'RIGHT' way. Setting up a meeting through Metagamer. Who encouraged me to stay in contact. Helen, didn't spam my account with messeges. Then Stalk me to my guild house!"

"We didn't stalk you!" Kirito blushed. "Well... not really. Besides, you didn't answer any of the messeges."

"So naturally," Sol'pax glared at the boys. "You assumed I was busy, and waited patiently for me to get back to you?"

The boys squirmed. Good.

"We just got back from a really long quest," Sol'pax explained. "Last night I just happened to run into Mister Aech, when I was looking to unwind. But today was supposed to be my clan's day to do chores. Stead had to waste a good deal of coin, on paying to fix the house. You inconsiderate-"

"Sol'pax," Metagamer warned, in the Colt Kit's head.

Sol'pax could only sigh, before pouting, "Whatever."

The world's princes, shared a look.

Kirito scratched his cheek, while Parzival looked more placated.

Parzival acknowledged, "Guess we didn't make a very good first impression."

"It's fine," The colt kit waved a dismissive paw. "You're probably just used to people bending over backwards for you."

"Sol'pax!" Metagamer snapped, while Dilbert was laughing his ass off.

The others, of their hive mind, seemed too focused on their own thing, and had muted this conversation. Most of them were working hard on quest, and didn't want to risk dying.

With the Mute button, they were all still aware of each other, but not really paying attention. So it was different then Privacy Mode.

Musky-pup was with their Babyfur friends. Raiding a "Space Pirate" station. So he really couldn't afford to be distracted. Especially since they were going against Rogue players, and not VIs.

While Kole was doing a solo mission. He was stealing some legendary artifact, from an elder Lich King. So yeah, he was sneaking around nothing but VIs, but it was one of the higher level quest.

Then Haunter was where he usually was. Working in the Ether. He didn't really indulge in the Oasis. Sometimes he did, but these passed few months. He'd been in a lot of secret meetings. So his "Privacy Mode" was practically always on. Unless they were awake, in the real world.

Metagamer arrived not long after, before immediately stuffing a bar of Soap, in Sol'pax's mouth. Then proceeding to give both his sons a spanking, while Sol'pax pouted, in the corner.

Stead had even taken all the boy's cookies, and told him he wasn't getting anymore, for the rest of the month... the colt kit considered that, MAYBE, he should have just kept his mouth shut.

After the brothers received their sore bottoms. Metagamer removed Sol'pax's soap, and sat everyone around the coffee table. Encouraging Sol'pax to set out the food and drinks. While confiscating the booze, as Stead had the cookies.

Soon after the food was on the table, Step Daddy Steady came into the room, and took Sol'pax away. Giving the boy quite the tongue lashing for being rude, after he was repeatedly told to behave.

After getting an earful, Sol'pax rejoined his "Guests". Metagamer left them to it, saying she was going to talk with the rest of Ferengin-Bar. Although he insisted she wasn't going anywhere, and that all 4 boys best play nice together.

Once she was gone, Kirito took out a Pensieve. One of those memory sharing, magical devices.

It worked a bit differently, then Harry Potter, as you just stick your head in. From there, you can choose to show which memories.

Parzival looked nervous, "We figured, maybe, as a good way to get to know each other..." he trailed off, looking at the floating Basin.

Kirito asked, "Who's going first?" not wanting to volunteer himself.

The boy's, learned so much about each other... realizing all of them had hard lives... filled with tiny moments of brilliance. Like everyone.

Olive went first, in an attempt to earn back his cookie privileges, by proving what a good boy he was.

He showed them his life of privilege and tragedy. And the last hundred years of study.

Even if the universities allowed any random player to act as "Teacher". The "Students" actually worked with the AIs, creating scientific theories and inventions, as well as cultural advancements. Ideas the AIs improved on.

It's part of the reason Sol'pax's fan comics were so well known. As an Ageplayer, going to school. His creative outlets were given more priority, in advertising.

Sol'pax studied like a good little boy, and worked on making scientific advancements, as that was required, but he was there for the creative classes. Where he both learned how to improve his hobbies, and was guaranteed a lot more people would see them.

This earned him good coin. Even though all media was free to access. Having a purely digital economy, made it possible to reward people, without penalizing others.

Sol'pax should really get back to school soon. He's taken too long off. Sure, school wasn't mandatory, and Ageplayers "skipped" all the time, with no penalties... but it really was a fun place.

Besides, it was only 7 hours long.

The boys finally left the Pensieve... at just passed 7AM. Kirito had to log out, and get ready for the day. As apparently he didn't have a mother board. Which like, not everyone can afford one, so I wasn't gonna question it.

Parzival decided to log out as well, but promised to be back soon... Sol'pax thought he might still be a little butt hurt about getting his butt hurt.

They said their goodbyes, both to each other, as well as to the members of "Ferengin-Bar", and Metagamer. Before finally logging out, and thereby returning to the real world.

Although not before making plans to go on an adventure together. After all, tomorrow night, they would all wake up back here.