"I'm glad you had fun yesterday," Fluttershy said as the two of us headed to Sugarcube Corner. Today was the day of the brunch for Princess Celestia, which coincided with the episode where Fluttershy tried to cure Philomena, but failed. "They didn't ask anything rude, did they?"

"Just Diamond Tiara when she asked if humans eat meat and are savages," I replied, fiddling with the two medallions hanging around my neck.

"That was rude of them," Fluttershy said with disapproval. "I'm sorry you had to answer that."

"It's not something I'd have preferred to answer," I replied, "but it's just how my kind work. We need protein in our diets, and the easiest way to get it for thousands of years was meat."

"Oh my," Fluttershy said, looking worriedly up at me. "Are you getting enough protein in your diet?"

"I think so," I said. "I ordered a bunch of meat from Griffonstone a while ago, and that helps. I still have some products with meat in them from Earth, like canned soups and what have you. Actually, after yesterday's question, I went home and did some more research, and unless you Ponies have ways to make supplements that can give me the protein I need, I still need to eat meat to be healthy."

"You know, if you want, I can get you some fish," Fluttershy offered.

"Oh, man. I haven't had fish in a while," I admitted. "If you're willing to offer, I'll gladly accept. Thank you."

Fluttershy blushed, but smiled. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help somepony out?"

"Element of Kindness hardly describes how kind you really are," I said as I reached down to scratch behind her ears. She shuddered, and began hovering beside me.

As we turned a corner, I saw Sugarcube Corner coming up, but unlike normal, it was being guarded by two white furred Pegasi. "Looks like the festivity's already begun," I said, chuckling.

Just then, I saw a familiar rainbow mane sticking out of the open doorway. She jumped out, then looked at the guard to her left. "So…what do I have to do to get to be one of the Princess' royal guards, anyway?" she asked. After a brief pause, she nudged one of them. "Is the pay good?"

"It's called working your rear off," I called out to her. "I'm willing to bet these two trained under conditions that would make Tartarus seem like a vacation spot. I bet they also have to constantly maintain a strict schedule and be constantly vigilant. After all, they're protecting the ruler of an entire country!"

One of the guards raised an eyebrow at me and, to my surprise, spoke. "How'd you know?"

"Back home, I knew someone who was in our country's military," I replied as I stopped in front of him. "I'm sure there are similar training techniques between worlds."

The second one looked at my medallions, and his eyes widened. "You're free to enter, but is this mare with you?" he asked, pointing to a now nervous Fluttershy, who was actually clinging to my shoulder, trembling a little.

"She's not only with me, she's on the list," I replied. "Surely you recognize one of the Bearers of the Elements?"

"Of course, sir. You may enter," the first one said.

As the three of us walked back in, I looked around. This had all the makings of a Pinkie Pie soiree. There were streamers on the wall and ceiling, balloons everywhere, cupcakes, cakes, a chocolate fountain, and bowls of small candy. I didn't quite know many of the Ponies I saw, but I did see the other Bearers of Harmony, or as I now knew the fandom to call them, the Mane Six. I saw Lyra and Sweetie Drops at a small punch bowl, talking about something. At the back of the room, there was a massive table where Celestia, and to my surprise, Luna, were both seated. While Celestia had the practiced smile of a politician, Luna was maintaining a regal distant look, something I was sure was more common in her time.

Celestia saw me, and her eyes brightened. She lifted one of her gold-shoed hooves, waving at me. "Jethro!"

That got Luna's attention, and she turned to me. I saw a nearly imperceptible lifting of her eyebrows as she nodded at me. "Greetings to you, Sir Jethro."

"It's just Jethro, Luna," I said as I walked up. Fluttershy had already climbed off of my back and was making her way over to Twilight. Remembering something, I looked around and saw an uncertain Applejack looking at the food on the table. She was seated next to Celestia, as a matter of fact. "AJ, it's salad first, then appetizer, then an entrée and then dessert."

Applejack, who I found absolutely beautiful without her Stetson (not that I didn't like how she looked with it on) looked up. "But which is which?" she asked.

"Salad's the stuff in the wood bowl," I replied. "You do realize this is a casual get-together, right?"

Celestia giggled, then turned to Applejack. "Miss Apple, feel free to eat whatever you like."

"Oh, phew!" she said before taking a bite of the sandwich to her right, chewing on it with gusto.

Looking around, I next saw Rarity, wearing the gown she wore for the Gala. "Watch the dress! Careful, you're gonna spill that on me!"

"Rarity, I think you're a bit overdressed for this little soiree," I called out. "Not that you don't look absolutely gorgeous already, but you can't really enjoy the brunch with that on."

"Darling, I'd never go in anything other than my best to meet with the Princesses," she replied.

"Well, you ain't gonna be borrowing my washing machine," I rolled my eyes before turning back to the Princesses. Leaning forward, I whispered, "I'm surprised to see you here, Luna. You weren't here for this episode."

"Oh? We are currently engaged in a story from this show?" Luna asked curiously.

"It involves Fluttershy and Philomena," I replied. "I think, however, that since we met Philomena at the Gala, the events might not happen at all."

"You met my Mena?" Celestia asked curiously.

"Yeah. She gave me a bunch of her feathers, same with Zecora. She gave a single feather to the other Bearers of Harmony, as well."

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating."

For a brief moment, I imagined Celestia with an old-style Starfleet uniform and pointy ear attachments along with a black bowl haircut. I held back my snickering as I nodded. "I'm guessing there's some significance to that. Are Phoenix feathers special?"

"Very," she said. "They are impervious to flames, for one. They also radiate a magic that eludes efforts to study it."

"I feel like Twilight isn't gonna rest until she figures it out," I chuckled.

"We see thou hast taken full advantage of our gifts to thee," Luna said, motioning to my medallions.

"That's one way to put it," I said. "I wanted to make sure Fluttershy doesn't steal Philomena and try all sorts of ways to heal her like she did in the episode. That, and to catch you two about the tree business."

"Of course, my little human," Celestia said as she lifted a cupcake up.

However, before she could, Pinkie Pie ran up onto the table. "You gonne eat that?!"

"Ah ah ah, you silly pink one," I said, lifting her up with my magic and pulling her over into my arms, "That is called stealing, and it's not nice." I poked her snout before lifting one hand, moving to behind her ears, but didn't move to scritch. "Naughty kittens don't get ear scratches."

"Awww, meow?" Pinkie gave me the cutest kitty eyes she could muster up.

I rolled my eyes. "You're lucky I like you," I said as I scratched behind her ears. As expected, she made that strange purring sound and curled up in my arms. "I think I'll adopt you," I chuckled.

Just then, a worried Mrs. Cake came up. "Pinkie, are you bothering the princesses?" she asked.

"She almost did, but now she's my cat," I chuckled, stroking the curly pink mane.

"A thousand pardons, your Majesties," Mr. Cake said, looking at Pinkie.

"That's quite alright," Celestia said, smiling kindly down at the retreating stallion.

As Celestia took a bite of her apple cupcake, Luna spoke up. "Sir Jethro, how hast thou been since we last saw thee?"

"I've been doing pretty well, actually," I replied, still holding a purring Pinkie Pie. "I'm making the bottom story of my house a horror themed escape room for Nightmare Night. Yesterday, I spent some time at the school answering questions."

"Truly? Thou are becoming more popular," Luna said, sounding a bit upset.

"Luna, the invite to help me with my Nightmare Night house is still open," I said. "You can enjoy yourself among your subjects and give the children a good scare."

"We still dislike the idea of scaring anypony," she said.

I nodded. "Well, I can understand that," I said. "I won't force you, but I think you'd have fun there regardless. That, and it would give you an opportunity to-"

"Empty teacup at four o'clock!" Mrs. Cake shouted from behind me.

"Uh, I see it, honeybun!" Mr. Cake said.

"Oh, watch this," I whispered to Luna as Mr. Cake refilled Celestia's teacup.

"Oh! Um…thank you," Celestia said.

Luna and I watched the scene unfold. Pinkie, who was still in my arms and had, in fact, thrown her front hooves around my neck, was slowly relaxing to my scritches. She didn't even stir when Celestia trolled the Cakes by pretending to take a sip. Even Luna snickered at her sister's actions. When the confused Alicorn turned to us, I smirked. "Saw that coming a mile away."

The ancient but beautiful Princess tittered, before she turned to the end of the table. "Twilight, Fluttershy, are you two going to join in and eat?"

"Oh, yes, your Highness," Fluttershy said, moving a bit closer and picking up a small sandwich with her wings.

"Jethro tells me you met my pet Philomena at the Gala?" Celestia asked.

Fluttershy's eyes widened, then she swallowed, and then she spoke. "You mean the bird Jethro called a Phoenix?"

"That's the one," Celestia chuckled. "She's here with me today, actually, but you might not recognize her." Turning to a nearby golden cage, she looked inside. "Oh my, Philomena, you're still sleeping, aren't you?"

A wingless bird poked its head out from the bottom of the cage. With a cough that sounded weakened and sickly, the bird fluttered up to its little perch and sat down, wobbling a bit.

"Oh…my…" Fluttershy said nervously.

"When was the last time your Phoenix was reborn?" I asked Celestia.

"Oh…let me think…about a hundred or so years ago," she said.

"Well, damn," I said. "She's definitely overdue for a rebirth. How old is she?"

"I found her about nine hundred years ago, or actually I found her egg," Celestia said. "She is reborn every century or so. Such an unusual egg, too," she mused. "It looked like somepony had painted red flames on a yellow egg."

Fluttershy and I quickly exchanged looks, which Celestia didn't fail to notice. Neither did Luna, who looked at me curiously. "Sir Jethro, is anything amiss?"

"Well, if you count a possible Phoenix egg being found in the fake forest that I had cut down a while ago on my property as something amiss, then yes."

Both Alicorns looked stunned by this admission. Celestia was the first to speak. "Fluttershy, has the egg hatched?"

"No, and I've tried everything I know," she said, sounding a bit worried.

"How long ago didst thou find this egg?" Luna asked.

"It was found just over a month ago," I said.

Celestia chuckled. "Then there's no need to worry. Phoenix eggs are known to hatch after around two or so months, so don't worry about that. All you need to do is keep the egg in a warm place." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a Pegasus guard approaching the table. I groaned as he whispered to Celestia. However, what I heard next startled me. "Tell her that I'll make sure to visit sometime today, but it won't be right away."

"Not leaving right now?" I chuckled as the guard rushed off.

"Nope," Celestia said.

"Any particular reason?"

"This brunch is important to me, too. I mean, after all," and then she leaned towards me, beckoning me closer. I leaned in, and heard her whisper, "I'm the fucking princess."

"I still cannot believe you," Twilight was fuming as she, Fluttershy and myself headed to Fluttershy's cottage. After what Celestia had told us about Phoenix eggs, I was curious to see the egg again so I asked Fluttershy if I could see it. Twilight had begged to come along and Fluttershy had, of course, said yes.

"What did I do now?" I asked.

"Before you came here, I never once heard the Princess use foul language! And now I've heard her say it twice!" I saw one of her eyes twitching as she spoke.

The brunch had lasted for a few more hours after that little incident. I'd spent a great deal of the time talking to Luna. I mostly showed her a bunch of astronomical objects which she took great interest in seeing through a telescope eventually. She even pondered funding for an Equestrian space program, but I warned that the price would be enormous. When Celestia mentioned my idea for landing on Equestria's moon, Luna immediately said that she wanted to go see the lunar surface. "Dangerous space rays be damned," were her exact words.

"You even have Princess Luna swearing!" Twilight added with a huff.

"Twi, we're grown adults here," I said. "We can swear, you know? It's pretty cathartic, actually. You should try it sometime."

Twilight sputtered, and Fluttershy just blushed. "I-I would never use that kind of language! And I'd better not hear you use it around Spike, or there'll be consequences!"

"Relax, relax," I said, "I'd never use that kind of language around children."

"You shouldn't have to use it at all! Swearing is the sign of-well…you shouldn't use it!"

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "Unfortunately for you, you aren't a princess yet, Twilight Sparkle. And if I decide to become a Prince at the same time, I'll still be older than you. So…nope."

She facehooved. "Grrr, you're insufferable sometimes…"

"And yet we're still friends, my crass language notwithstanding," I teased.

"Um, speaking of that," Fluttershy said, "If you do decide to become a prince, what will happen with you and Zecora?"

"Well, nothing will change between us," I said confidently. "I love that mare with all my heart."

"And if you marry her, will that make her a princess too?" Fluttershy asked.

I paused. I let the phrase "Princess Zecora" roll over in my head. I chuckled. "That'd fit her very well. She's my precious princess, anyway."

Fluttershy blushed and looked away whereas Twilight just rolled her eyes and smirked. "You're a hopeless romantic."

"What can I say? That mare has started to fill a hole in my heart that I never thought anyone would fill."

Fluttershy flew up to my eye level, her gentle smile infectious. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, putting a hoof on my shoulder.

"Thanks, Flutters," I said, reaching out to stroke her mane. She shuddered at that just like normal.

"We're here," a somewhat annoyed sounding Twilight said after a bit.

Fluttershy opened her eyes and blushed, flying down to the ground. "Ah, yes, um…stay here, I'll be right back." She walked up to her house, opened the door and slipped inside, leaving me alone with Twilight.

"So…" Twilight said hesitantly, "are you dressing up as anything special for Nightmare Night?"

"You kidding? I'm gonna be busy running my little haunted escape room," I chuckled. "I doubt I'll be able to really go and enjoy Nightmare Night like the rest of you. Even back home, I'd buy candy for the kids for Halloween but since my house was in the middle of nowhere, I just ate the candy the next day."

"But you'll miss out on everything else," she insisted. "Can't you have somepony help run it for a while?"

"Not unless you want to move all the attractions to my house," I said offhandedly.

Twilight brightened. "I could organize that!"

I laughed. "I'm sure you would." But as I thought about it, the idea didn't seem that too far-fetched. "Hmm…you think you could fit everything in my yard?"

She beamed. "I'll make it work!"

"If you can, then starting tomorrow, we'll work on that. See if it could work. Of course, if Rainbow Dash approves, that is. This haunted house is partly her baby, too."

Twilight bounced around in delight just in time for Fluttershy to come rushing back out. She had a frantic look on her face as she exclaimed, "Jethro! Twilight! It's hatching!"

"Talk about your coincidences," I said as Twilight and I rushed in. She led us downstairs to a large spacious basement where I saw a lamp aimed directly at the same egg I'd seen a month ago. Sure enough, I heard small cracking sounds from the egg. "Has the egg been down here this whole time?" I asked.

"Oh, yes," Fluttershy said. "I've been rotating it every hour and asking some of my bird friends to do it when I'm not here," she explained.

Twilight and I gathered around the egg, while Fluttershy grabbed a bucket and began filling it with warm water. She grabbed a small purple washcloth and came back, carrying both in her mouth. I took them from her and placed them on the table next to the egg and lamp. The three of us watched anxiously.

Just then, there was a small commotion from upstairs. A familiar voice called out, "Sister, she's heading to this door!"

We turned just in time to see a now reborn Philomena flying down the stairs, and straight towards me. "Whoa!" I gasped as, once again, the Phoenix landed directly on my head. I carefully angled my eyes up, barely seeing anything. Once again, I pulled out my phone and took a look. Philomena sat on my head as if there was no care in the world.

From the stairs, the Alicorn sisters appeared, looking around frantically. Celestia saw Philomena first and rushed over. "Mena, what are you doing?"

"Kraawk!" the Phoenix replied, moving around to preen her feathers innocently.

"I'm really sorry about this," Celestia said to me. "She somehow escaped and flew here."

I chuckled, then lifted my phone. Philomena looked directly at the camera. To my surprise, she lifted one wing as if waving. I gave a peace symbol as I took the first selfie with a Phoenix. "This isn't the first time she's stood on my head," I said. "She did this at the Gala."

"Truly?" Luna asked, staring between me and Philomena with awe.

"Kwaaawk!" Philomena squawked again.

"I suppose it'd be too much for Athena to have given me access to animal languages," I said.

Philomena lowered her head so she was looking at me upside down. Her head tilted. "Raawk Kaw!" she said.

"Probably too much, yeah," I sighed. "So, what brings you here, Philomena?" When she turned towards the egg, I raised an eyebrow. "Motherly instinct, huh?" Philomena nodded. "Well, don't let me stop you. Fluttershy, stand aside. I think Philomena's here to help."

Fluttershy did indeed move aside, watching in awe along with the rest of us as Philomena flew off of my head to stand next to the egg, almost protectively. I stepped back, then whispered to Celestia, "There's no possible way that's Philomena's actual egg, is it? No way she escaped the castle and set up a nest in a tree in Ponyville, right?"

"She'd need a male," Celestia said, "and she's only in the mood in Spring."

"Okay, so the timing's off," I said.

"Indeed," Luna's serious countenance focused on me. "Dost thou know why our sister's pet would stand on thy head?"

"I wish I could tell you, but all she did was stand on my head and give me and Zecora a ton of her feathers, then gave the Mane Six one feather each."

"Mane Six?" Celestia asked curiously.

"It's what the My Little Pony fans call the Bearers of Harmony," I said. "It's a play on words. M-A-N-E, and not M-A-I-N. Since they're the main characters of the show, and all. But that can wait."

"Indeed," Luna said. "Sister, why wouldst thy pet be interested in a newborn not her own?"

"I'm afraid I'm at a loss, too," Celestia said.

We watched for a few minutes as the newborn continued poking and prodding its way out of the egg. Philomena stood almost protectively over it, looking back at us with an almost warning glare. "Is that…normal for her?" I asked.

"Nothing about her behavior is normal," Celestia said hesitantly.

With a sudden burst of flame, the egg shattered, revealing a light orange bird covered in the fluids within the egg. Philomena immediately went to work, a bright red tongue flicking to clean the chick. "I didn't know birds did that," I muttered.

"Normally, they don't," Fluttershy said, sounding just as confused as I felt.

"Maybe it's something unique to a Phoenix," Twilight said in conjecture.

The little chick began making small chirps, opening its beak. Philomena squawked, then gave us something like a warning glare before flying up the stairs. The bird hardly moved, but the chirping became more insistent. "The poor bird needs some food, now!" Fluttershy said, approaching.

With a few sudden steps that surprised even me, I moved between her and the new Phoenix. "Philomena made it perfectly clear that we are to stay away from her," I said. "She's taking care of this."

Fluttershy gave me a glare. "I can't sit back and watch!"

"Fluttershy," Celestia approached and stood beside me, "I understand your frustration, but please don't interfere. Philomena knows what she is doing."

Fluttershy's ears flattened, but she nodded and backed away. Soon, Philomena came back, then stood above the chirping newborn. Opening her mouth, it regurgitated something back into the newborn's own beak. "I'll be damned," I said in awe, "She just adopted the little one."

"Indeed," Luna said, walking to my side and watching with her own brand of curiosity.

With a sudden twist of her head, Philomena turned to me, then flew and landed on my shoulder this time. Looking me in the eyes, she extended one wing directly towards the newborn. I pointed at my chest to confirm, and when Philomena nodded, I slowly approached. I heard the others walk up as well, but a warning squawk from Philomena stopped them in their tracks.

I stopped at the table, and reached out hesitantly. The little chick turned its head towards the noise, and as it opened its eyes, the first thing it saw was me. "Cheep cheep?" it said, the rising of intonation almost sounding like a question.

I cupped my hands together and very slowly picked the little Phoenix up. Cradling it close to my chest to keep the baby warm, I gently stroked its feathers as I turned to the others. "Can they come see it now, Philomena?" I asked.

With a nod, Philomena jumped up and landed back on my head. The other Ponies in the room slowly approached and looked in various states of awe at the little chick who hadn't taken its eyes off of me. Fluttershy was the first to speak. "Adorable…"

"Jethro, I believe you've just adopted your very own pet," Celestia said with a small smirk.

"Me? Have a Phoenix for a pet?" I asked, a bit uncertain. "I don't know a thing about raising a Phoe-" A smack to the back of the head from Philomena silenced me. I looked up. "What? It's true!"

"I can help you with that," Celestia said. "I'll send you a list later."

"Thank you. That'll definitely help." The little Phoenix in my hand yawned a bit, then closed its eyes. I lifted it closer. "Now…are you a boy or a girl?"

Celestia took a closer look, then smiled. "She's a lovely little girl."

I felt a smile creep up. "You'll need a name, little cutie." As I cradled the sleepy bird in my arm, I pulled out my phone and searched for appropriate names for a Phoenix. However, all the names I saw fell short. I looked down at the bird, and she was now breathing regularly. It made a small noise as it breathed, one that sounded like eeev…eeeev…I grinned.

"Looks like you have a name," Celestia said.

"I do," I replied, looking down at the little Phoenix. "From now on, your name is Eve."

Philomena squawked in apparent approval. Then, to my surprise, she began pulling out even more of her wings, tossing about a bunch towards me. I caught them, then I watched as she pulled out a single feather for everyone else in the room, leaving a small pile of four in front of Twilight. When she finished, she flew off of my head, then moved in front of me. She used her claw to separate the pile of her feathers in my hand into two separate files. I moved one pile to my other hand and held them both up. "One pile for me? And one for Zecora?" I asked. Philomena nodded, then finally flew over to Celestia, landing on the monarch's outstretched hooves.

"Jethro, congratulations," Celestia said, "you're now a pet owner."

I looked down at my newly named Eve, cradling her closer to me. "I'm gonna need so much help…"

"I'd love to help," Fluttershy said, hovering close to me as she looked down at Eve's sleeping form. "She's so adorable."

"I'll send a copy of how I took care of my Philomena to you too, Fluttershy," Celestia said. "Just be warned, they grow up very fast and for the first week or so require constant care. If you're schedule is crowded, I suggest you have somepony else take care-" Philomena flew over to me again, hovering in front of me as she looked between Eve and me. "Or…Philomena could do it."

"You'd help me?" I asked the Phoenix, who nodded. "And you'll bring her back to me when she's ready?" Another nod. I turned to Celestia. "That okay with you?"

Celestia nodded. "Of course. It's probably best this way. When Philomena first hatched, I was too busy to take care of her personally, so I asked a Pony who specialized in animals to look after her until she was independent. Eve will have a mother this way."

I nodded. "Understood," I said as I held Eve closer, doing my best to keep her warm. Eve snuggled up close to my body heat, still making those unusual but adorable breathing sounds. "Welcome to the family, Eve."