The Lost Element

by XD-385

Equestria has long been known as the land of ponies. However, the name of Equestria is misleading. For far too long, a certain element has been missing from the world. And now, that element has been brought back. But for better or for worse?

151. Dancing Hearts

Morning got off to a lovely start. How could it not with Ember and Rain Shine at my sides? One hot shower later, I got dressed while Ember retrieved the Bloodstone Scepter from the corner of the room. And when she removed the towel she had draped over it the night before, she was greeted by a telltale glow coming from that vibrant red stone. Rain Shine paused from brushing her mane to glance over while I too looked at Ember with a curious smile. The Dragon Lord rolled her eyes and took hold of the scepter. "Hey, good morning."

Ember stayed silent to let her parents get a word in. And judging by that amused smirk spreading across her face, Torch and Blaze were aware of her blocking their view of their surroundings with that towel last night. Ember then glanced my way with that smirk growing. She came over to me and held out the Bloodstone Scepter. "It's for you."

I took hold of the scepter and promptly greeted Ember's parents. "Good morning?"

"Good morning, dear! We didn't really have a chance to talk yesterday, did we? Have you been enjoying yourself when Ember's not around?" The joyous tender voice of Blaze reached my ears in a way that caused me to grin more broadly than I usually do. Rain Shine and Ember took very close note of my face. They were smiling because they could tell I was being chatted up by someone who was essentially my very doting future mother-in-law.

Blaze was right about one thing. I do not think I ever really had the chance to speak to her and Torch the previous day. Even my time with Ember was brief. I spoke in apology, "Yeah, sorry for not saying hello. I was all over the place yesterday. But I have been having a good time."

A voice then spoke inside my head that was not that of Blaze. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself on your own terms. Especially after all you went through to earn it. Be happy, boy! Ember doesn't need to be watching over you every waking minute, does she?"

"Dad, come on! I'm not constantly worrying about him! There are mightier forces than me around here anyway." Ember groaned as I suddenly realized she had not let go of the Bloodstone Scepter. She could hear her parents just as well as I could.

Torch let out a chuckle. A very deep and insidious chuckle as he turned his attention to his daughter. "Really now? Then what of the times yesterday where you kept asking about where your little warrior poet wandered off to?"

Ember stuttered and stammered as she desperately tried to avoid looking at me. I then asked with a smirk of my own, "Was she worried about me yesterday?"

"More than she'll admit, I'd bet. The poor thing missed you when you were away for too long." Blaze said with a giggle. The things they hear and see from Ember when I am not around... They must have so many tales to tell.

"Come on, it was just my gut instincts talking! We're in an unfamiliar land, all right? I mean I get the rest of Equestria isn't like the dragon lands... Ugh, I just need to get used to how ponies do things around here..." Ember groaned in annoyance. Although I think she was more annoyed with herself than anyone else. Just old habits that had been hardwired into her due to spending her already long life in the far more rugged dragon lands.

"Aw... Ember, come here." I reached out and pulled Ember into an embrace. She resisted at first, but soon fell into my arm with her wings wrapping around me. I nuzzled the top of her head as I muttered, "I'm OK. This is a safe land. We're here to relax. Not to worry ourselves sick, all right?"

"You delicate man... Right, sorry. I know. I know. Just gotta chill. Gotta play it cool. No one's in danger around here, right?" Ember grumbled with a bit of a bitter chuckle. I mean I knew where she was coming from. I had seen the dragon lands. Volcanic rocky wastelands as far as the eyes can see. And I will never forget how the locals greeted me with a rock to the back of my head. Were it not for my helmet, I would have surely died that day. Casually assaulting others for fun? No wonder Ember was so cautious around unfamiliar locales. Just a bad habit she picked up on when it was more necessary.

We took a moment to just hold each other in appreciation. Snuggles and sighs, just being happy together. Even Torch and Blaze were respectfully quiet to not interrupt us. But something soon began to push us a little closer to the other side of the bed. Wooden roots rising out of the floor? Rain Shine leaned our way and rested her head on my shoulder while saying, "May I join?"

Torch broke the silence first as he spoke with a chuckle. "We have not forgotten about you, kirin queen. You have been a dear friend to our Ember and her future king. Please keep these two safe when their eyes are focused only on each other."

"Dad, knock it off! You know I'm not courting anyone right now!" Ember barked as all four of us burst into some form of laughter. Not that I could blame her. Ember was just being cautious for the sake of her own heart. But it was laughable of just how aware we all were of how madly in love my beautiful blue rose was with her little warrior poet. It was only a matter of when, not if. Ember's own body betrayed her words, her arms and wings not loosening their embrace.

Rain Shine began to display an impish side as she then spoke with a noticeable smirk on her lips. "Ember, your spirit burns hotly in the presence of this man. Especially when you are in his arms. What are you hiding?"

It was all such a farce. Ember and I had whispered sweet loving things to each other just shy of a marriage proposal. Our devotion to each other. Even a sacred desire to start a family together. Even Ember's own hopes of wanting to see me become a father of dragon children... We were just so deeply in love that it was hardly funny. Ember, unable to provide a response, just stewed and grumbled all while her limbs still refused to let go of me. At least, Blaze spoke up with a giggle. "All right, that's enough teasing our little girl. Ember, you and this sweet artist of a man have another great time together today, all right? We won't keep you any longer. Get out there and have some fun! Love you two!"

"Yeah, yeah... Love you guys too!" Ember nervously chuckled as the glow of the Bloodstone Scepter finally dimmed away to nothing. And Blaze was right. We still had a full week left at least. Still plenty to do around there. Ember finally released me from her embrace and spoke with a sigh. "Ugh, lay off the mushy stuff, OK? I'm not always in the mood for it, you know?"

"News to me." I replied as I assumed Ember was just putting on airs in the face of her parents. They were likely still watching from within the scepter. Although I then stated happily, "You have great parents."

"Yeah... I guess I do. I just didn't know it until I finally had them together again for the first time." Ember sighed as she again leaned into my embrace. She as happy. Even with all of her false rebuttals to such sweet words, she appreciated us all. The young Dragon Lord spoke with her beautiful scarlet eyes rising to meet mine, "And they really adore you. Look, I get this Cantercun place isn't dangerous, but just let me know if you ever have trouble or feel unsafe. I'll be right there with you."

"Will do, Ember. But shouldn't we be getting to breakfast by now? Don't want them clearing out the buffet before you can even get there." I retorted before poking at Ember's own ravenous appetite. It astounds me just how much a dragon can eat and Ember always makes multiple trips to the buffet line every meal.

Ember let out a laugh as she began to head to the door leading out to the hall. "Right, can't forget that! I swear I won't need to eat for weeks by the time I get back home... You two coming?"

"We'll be right there. Be sure to save a seat for us." Rain Shine replied while Ember saw herself out. I do have to wonder where all that nutrition ends up for how much Ember devours with those meals. Maybe dragons can fast for a long time if they consume enough food beforehand.

Now that I was alone with Rain Shine for the moment, she and I shared a knowing smile. My beautiful beloved of the grove kissed me briefly on the lips before saying, "She tries to hide it half the time, but she loves you."

"I know. I just wish she didn't have to keep holding herself back. But I guess good things come to those who wait." I muttered while falling back onto the bed for a moment. A long sigh wheezed from me before I spoke with my gaze focused on the ceiling. I felt so strangely disappointed in myself. Or rather my heart's own limits. "I wish I could understand... I don't have the heart of a dragon. Cautiously pursuing a potential mate. Giving everything you have into that confession. Solidifying a love that truly lasts forever... All with just one vow. It's a beautiful thing on paper, but I don't think it's something a human mind can fully grasp."

"You will understand in time. When she is ready to be yours. But until then..." Rain Shine whispered as she adjusted her position on the bed to turn around and place her face above mine. She once again brought her lips to mine for another tender kiss. Those beautiful crimson eyes gazed down at me with her succulent voice reaching my ears. "You will always have me. For I am yours, my love. And I hope you and I can find time during our stay here to be...together. Alone. So we may share our love and bodies with each other."

"Oh, Rain... We really should. We've still got a week left down here. It wouldn't be right to not...engage in a little intimacy now and then." I said with a smile, my hand rising to tenderly cup her cheek. Rain Shine's aura basked in mine and mine in hers. But it was not beckoning me at the time. My libido was weak for the moment. And there was someplace we needed to be. My body was hungering for something that did not involve lust. "In any case... Breakfast is calling, right?"

"It most certainly is. To the buffet, my love!" Rain Shine giggled before standing and bounding down from the bed. I fetched my sandals and followed her down the hall to reach the dining patio. Another day in tropical paradise, another day starting with a scrumptious meal.

The morning played out much the way it always did with every prior morning. Good food, good company, good conversations. Surrounded by friends. Loved ones. Even lovers. With one of them being something much more. Novo saved a spot next to her for me. And when no one was looking, she guided my hand to her belly. Pride surged within me. She was not about to let me forget that I would be the father of her next foal. A foal that may very well have been growing inside her at that moment. My queen was just so eager and ready to be a mother again. Just as eager as I was to be the father of her beautiful royal children.

Breakfast was more filling than usual. And Novo and I appeared to be on the same page as each other. We headed back to our room with quite a few yawns being shared along the way. And once past the door and out of sight, we embraced. The lovely queen of Capricorn Island whispered to me, "We really shouldn't spend too much time napping during our trip down here...but I can't imagine it being fun trying to stay awake and not being able to enjoy ourselves."

"Yeah... Might as well throw in the towel now so we can enjoy the rest of the day in our prime." I grumbled with a tired smile. Novo appeared to be more tired than me. Did she not sleep well last night? I asked softly, "Are you OK? Didn't get as much sleep as you could've?"

Novo sighed in my embrace before saying, "No, honey... I don't know why, but... I was just missing you more than usual. It just...didn't feel right not having you by my side last night. We're gonna have a baby before long... It wasn't right...not having daddy by mama's side. Not when I'm surely carrying your baby boy inside me right now."

It was my turn to let out a harsh sigh. Her words were full of longing and even sorrow. I tightened my embrace around my beloved and whispered to her ear, "I know, Novo... I know. It's just...I can't always be there with you. You're not the only one I have..."

"I know, James. And I'll be so mad if you break the hearts of any of the lovely ladies who belong to you the same way you belong to them. We're all in this together... But it's just... I just missed you so bad, honey. More than usual. And I thought I had adapted to spending nights in bed without you." Novo cooed as her glorious wings folded forward to encompass me. She gently swayed in place with me, as if waltzing to an unheard melody. I closed my eyes as I basked in her touch. The soothing sounds of her breath. The subtle scent in her feathers.

It came out of nowhere. A single tear trickled forth from each of my eyes. I was just...so happy. Yet so sad too. Her longing for me was mutual. With my eyes closed, I whispered to my wonderful queen. "Sometimes...when I'm alone... My thoughts drift off to you. And it's so hard to stop thinking about you when that happens. I just miss you so bad sometimes, Novo... I'm just...so madly in love with you... I'll never pick favorites, but...you'll always be a perfect woman in my eyes."

"James... My love. My king. My sweet...sweet husband..." Novo cooed to me as I felt her feathery head rub up against mine. She continued to whisper to me so sweetly, "I'll always be your perfect woman, honey. I'll always be the best I can be. The best queen. The best wife. The best...mama to our babies."

It was just us at that moment. As lovers... As husband and wife... As mother and father eagerly awaiting the arrival of our firstborn. Just so in love... A seemingly perfect love. I felt blessed. And even with our eyes closed, my lips and Novo's beak found their way to each other. Kiss after kiss... Oh, how in love we were. And when our eyes opened, we saw fresh tears in each other's. Novo cooed to me again, "James... Come to bed with me, dear. Come be with the mare who will give you a son to love."

We were so in love, so in need of each other, but also so very tired. Breakfast proved itself to be too filling and the atmosphere of that resort too relaxing. And I had not taken complete leave of our time down there. As eager as I was to flop onto our bed and hold Novo as we drifted off to sleep, there was one little precaution I needed to take for when we woke up. "I will, love. But before that... Need to do something first."

Novo all too reluctantly released me from her embrace, but she began to smirk in some amusement when she saw what I was up to. Set up on a narrow table along the wall was a bit of a refreshment counter. An electric kettle along with a box of assorted tea. The water soon came to a boil and I poured us both a mug of black tea. Just a little something to give us a caffeine kick for when we woke up. The options were meager. Straight black tea, green tea, and some fruit herbal tea. But as long as the tea did its job, I would not complain. I looked back at Novo as she watched me from the bed and said, "This way, it'll be cool by the time we wake up."

"Clever, honey. Now get over here. Your future wife missed you." Novo chuckled as she beckoned me with her wing raised high. I all too eagerly rolled onto the bed with my beloved only for her to wrap me up in that wing against her feathery body. Novo's hand took hold of mine as our brows touched. Fingers intertwining as she whispered to me. "There's gonna be a ring on this hand someday, James. And you're gonna be the one to put it on me."

She was just so inspiring. If someone out there could find a way to bend the rules to let us walk down the aisle without the law having a problem with it, that person was Novo. She had said so before, but being reminded of her intentions to find a way was reassuring. I whispered back to her, "And I believe you... Let's make it happen, dear."

"We will, baby... We will. And oh, I hope to see every last one of the lovely ladies in our family wearing something just for you. A ring, a bracelet, anything. Don't forget to put something on them to wear just like how you wear your ring for them." Novo giggled before slipping a kiss upon my lips. But when we gazed into each other's eyes, we could see just how tired we were. We were fighting to stay awake by then. Whether we wanted it or not, a nap was imminent.

And so we slumbered in each other's arms and wings. My dreams were pleasant. I remember...displays of birds. So many soaring overhead. And Novo... I am sure she was at my side as we watched those dazzling bird horses soaring. They laughed and called. And they felt...personally familiar. The joy and pride in Novo's eyes as we beheld them filling the sky... Were they...ours? Our sons and daughters? An entire flock of children born from our love? And Novo... How gloriously gravid she was. Graceful as always, but with a much rounder and wider belly. Her eyes were filled with so much pride...

I awoke to a feeling of such longing. I could remember their faces. And my hand... It had found its way to Novo's belly. So slender yet strong, yet lacking of the girth given by an unborn life. My fingers dug into the layer of feathers coating her underside. We were so ready, yet waiting had never been more frustrating. And at my touch, my beautiful queen began to lazily open her eyes. "Mmm... Hey there, baby. How long were we out?"

"I think...two hours at most?" I mumbled with my hand still caressing Novo's feathery belly. I could still remember those happy avian faces when they came swooping to us. Many were still children. Just little fillies and colts. Others were...all grown up. Gloriously beautiful mares and stallions that inherited their mother's flair. I sighed to myself and spoke honestly with her. "I...saw them again. So many filling the skies. I think they were ours."

Novo's hand rested over mine as my fingers touched her belly in longing. Such a smile of longing formed on her beak. "James... Oh my goodness, you really are so ready to be a daddy... I saw them too, baby. I...felt like I had a real family again. Sweet little angels tucked under their mama's wings..."

I buried my face into the fluffy ruff of blue feathers around Novo's neck. It was such a simple desire we both shared. To love and be loved. To come together nd bring precious new little lives into the world. Lives we would love and nurture together. I sighed as I almost felt tempted to cry out of sheer longing. "We'll have to think of names for them eventually..."

"Then why wait, honey?" Novo giggled before pushing me onto my back. I was too drowsy to really resist and soon found myself pinned under the much larger body of my beautiful queen as her fingers lovingly tussled my hair. She smiled with those eyes filled with just so much love. "You know I intend to give you as many heirs as I can, my love. And they'll all need names. So why wait? Got any ideas, daddy?"

That got a laugh out of me. There was some fun to be had in deciding on names for our precious future offspring. "Well, if you insist... Hmm... They need to be names that fit... Maybe...a recurring theme?"

Novo gently traced one of her dull claws through my hair and along my scalp. She looked so calm, yet so hopeful. "Go ahead, James. You're the artist here. You've always been good with words, right? Please. I want you to be the one to name our first baby. Any ideas, daddy? A fitting name for our first baby boy?"

She really was set on the idea our first child would be a colt. Not that I could blame her. I already knew the joy of having a daughter. I too wanted to know what it would be like to have a son. I let out a snicker at Novo's insistence as I spoke, "Me? OK then. Let me think a minute here..."

The first thing I considered was Novo's own name. Novo... It sounded like it was derived from the word nova. And a nova is a phenomenon that occurs among stars. Her first daughter's name is Skystar, which is even more on the nose with its connection to celestial objects. And her first husband... Cygnus. The swan constellation in the sky. There was a recurring them in Novo's family. And inspiration struck as one very specific star came to mind. "Sirius."

"Come again, honey? What's so serious?" Novo asked while clearly mishearing me. Even the movements of her fingers stopped as she gazed down at me with confusion in her eyes.

"Heh, no. Not serious. Sirius." I chuckled with one hand resting on Novo's shoulder. I spoke with a smile as I explained, "I mean the star. Sirius. The brightest star in the night sky. Our first little boy... Our brightest star..."

"James, oh my goodness... You and your way with words... Ember was onto something when she called you her little warrior poet." Novo giggled while also clamping her beak shut with one hand. Was she trying to not laugh? Or...to not cry? But before I could inquire about her emotions, Novo placed a kiss on my face between the eyes. My glorious queen then said with a smile, "Sirius it is, honey. Oh how he'll love that name. And just how everyone back home will be fawning over the brightest little boy the island's ever seen..."

Novo looked so joyous. Almost like she was on the verge of tears. But before I could try to wiggle out from under her, she then readjusted herself to pin me even more firmly to the bed. That sassy mother mare then smirked at me and said, "But let's not forget that he won't be the last. Sirius, you say? In that case, how about we keep that naming convention going? I say...our second baby will be named...Vega. And I'm calling that she'll be a filly."

"Wow, you really are all mom, aren't you?" I almost laughed at just how much Novo was planning ahead. She was right. Novo may be queen of Capricorn Island, but she has always been a wife and mother first. And her motherly instincts were exceptionally dominant in her personality.

"You better believe it, honey. No one's been an active mama longer than me. But what do you say? Our first baby girl having the name Vega?" Novo asked while again playfully tussling my hair.

I thought on that name a moment. Vega. Yet another one of the brightest stars in the night sky, but not quite as bright as Sirius. But...I also think it is a name with avian origins? All the more fitting for a beautiful bird filly. Now it was my turn to feel giddy. Gazing upon the beautiful mother of our future children... Just how utterly gorgeous would our children even be? A daughter as radiant as her mother? My mind went wild as I tried to project how such a child would turn out, but nothing really stuck. "Oh man... Vega, huh? That's... You know what? That's a perfect name for our first little girl. But we shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves, all right? Shouldn't we wait until those first two are here before we start thinking about those who will come later?"

"Good point, honey. We shouldn't count our chicks before they hatch. Gotta pace ourselves." Novo replied with a very agreeing nod of her head. But she then brought her beak to my nose so that her eyes were directly in front of mine. And I could see that smirk on her beak. "But don't think they'll be the only two we end up having, honey. Remember what I said. As many as you can give me."

Such a sultry tone in that voice. Novo knew exactly what she wanted. And she knew what I wanted to. And as she smirked at me, both of my hands rested on her shoulders before I spoke tenderly to her. And I told her something directly from my heart. "Please... Make me a father, Novo. To your...wonderful little foals."

Novo's smirk faded and was replaced by a much more heartfelt smile. Her arms scooped under me and embraced me against her soft feathery body. Her head nestled up against mine as she whispered so sincerely back to me. "I will, my love. I will. I promise I will give you a family... I'll give you sons and daughters to love... And I'll be your bride forever. I love you, my sweet swan king."

"And I love you, my bird of paradise." I whispered back to my beloved. Novo did not delay. She brought her beak to my lips for a quick kiss before opening wide and clamping the two halves over the sides of my face. We sighed and moaned in that wonderful deep kiss, our voices singing to each other as our tongues danced a loving tango. I was so lucky to have found love with such a mare... The best woman in the entire world. And I wanted to be the best man possible for me queen, whether or not I would ever wear a crown to match her own.

"Mmmm... All right, that's enough family planning, baby. We can't spend all day lounging around in bed, can we? Let's get back out there in the sun and have some fun." Novo soon giggled as her beak released my face. She was right. We were planning too far ahead for big changes in our lives. We were in Cantercun to relax, not to get busy with personal planning.

"Ugh, you're right... Don't know what it is about locations like this... Makes a man think about the...simpler things in life. But we've already gone over that, haven't we?" I replied while also remembering that we had already discussed that phenomenon the previous day. And we were not the only ones who had tried to make a baby together during that vacation.

Novo giggled so deeply as she finally pushed herself up to stand over me. "That we did. I've had babies on the mind every other hour. Can't help it when my future king is already such a sweet daddy. And I'm absolutely gonna pay a visit by our place on our way home. Mama still needs to say hello to her baby girl."

"You better, dear. Gladesong would be so upset if she knew her Mama Novo passed up a chance to giving her some snuggles." I snickered at the thought. Novo made such a huge impression on my firstborn daughter during her first encounter. In just one afternoon, she became like a second mother to Gladesong. I could hardly wait to see those two reunite.

The two of us had spent too much time in bed already. And our tea had long since cooled by then. Novo and I clinked our mugs together and took a sip. I immediately squinted at the taste of pure black tea on my tongue. "Ugh, this breakfast tea... I don't know why anyone drinks it."

"Bitter, isn't it? Needs something more. Like some fruit flavorings. At least I can add cream to my coffee." Novo muttered before we both chugged the contents to get it out of the way. Anything to perk us up enough to enjoy the rest of the day. But as we approached the door to the hall, Novo whispered cautiously to me. "Remember, honey. Tonight. We're going to help your little sun queen get what she really needs."

"Sun... Oh... Oh, we're really doing this? What's the plan?" I asked as I took a moment to recall what we had discussed. Celestia... She had not told me. But...would this visit really be the time? Where I could truly make her a queen?

Novo confidently smirked at me before placing a reassuring kiss on my cheek. "Of course, honey. We both know Celestia wants it. She's just too hard on herself. And I'd hate to see her miss out on this while the opportunity is there. She wants to have your little ones, baby. As do I. Why should she be denied that?"

"Novo... You really are the best. I do remember. She was...so sincere about it. And there's no better time than during a tropical honeymoon. Or...something similar to it." I replied as I started to feel giddy. Would that night be the night? When Celestia would finally be given an heir?

I tried to get my mind off of that concept for the moment. We would not be ready to make a move until sundown. Until then, it was all about just having a good time. But while Novo headed back over to the VIP area at the resort's beachside, I decided to head back to more familiar ground. I departed the hotel and walked the road back over to the docks nearby.

The Olympia and Alabaster still floated in the sea as they rose and dipped with the waves they floated upon. Two glorious airships of royal ownership with very different aesthetics. The polished oaken hull of the Olympia contrasted sharply with the more streamlined and almost avian shape of the Alabaster's bow. Much of the Alabaster had been given a white finish that complimented the white architecture of Capricorn Island. And even the outer design of the famous Ivory Palace. The hippogriffs sure do like that pure pale color. Maybe because it reminds them of the clouds...

Seeing the Olympia and the Alabaster literally docked right next to each other with only a concrete barrier separating them reminded me of Celestia and Novo. Almost like the airships themselves served as an allegory for the friendship between two of the longest serving monarchs in Equestria's history. Two best friends...who were also two of my dearest beloveds. Two wonderful mares who were now part of a steadily growing family. "You two... I just...love you so much."

Seeing the two royal airships filled me with hope. Everything would work out in the end. I just needed to be optimistic. There was no room for pessimism in our relationship. Too much doubt would cause the entire thing to fall apart. And there was too much at stake to let that happen. My curiosity sated, I left the docks and headed back over to the resort for some good company and a cold drink.

Everyone was present once I got there. Either in the pool, at the bar, or throwing darts in the gaming area. All except for our younger companions. Silverstream and Terramar sure love spending time out on the beach or in the sea with Skystar. But I was not in the mood for a dip in that briny surf. I was in the mood for more stable waters. Even if they were mildly chlorinated.

I kicked my sandals off and draped my shirt over a spare beach chair before heading over to step into the pool. Novo had submerged herself at the shallows while...sipping from a martini glass. While I was certain she knew better than to drink alcoholic and even caffeinated beverages when in such a state, I felt a twinge of alarm regardless. I headed over to the edge of the pool before my beloved looked up at me while sipping from her glass. I tried to not be accusatory and asked calmly, "Whatcha got there? Anything I might like?"

Novo snorted as she saw right through my hidden concern. The hippogriff queen smirked as she swirled the reddish fluid around in her glass with circular movements of the hand holding the glass from below. "Are you assuming I'd drink on the job? Relax, honey. It's just a mocktail. All flavor, no booze."

I felt silly for ever doubting someone as wise and experienced as Novo. She would never endanger her children, unborn or otherwise. "Right, sorry. I mean I never had any problems like that with Fluttershy. She had no trouble staying sober. It's just... I mean I would never expect you to be careless, but..."

"Shhh. Come on in, honey. Why else are you only in your trunks around here?" Novo replied before taking another sip of her drink. I did not delay and jumped right down into the pool's shallows. I took a seat on the underwater ledge beside Novo before she leaned over and whispered to me. "Don't apologize, baby. You're just being a good daddy. Any father who worries about his kids, even the ones that haven't been born yet, deserves a kiss instead of a scolding. Speaking of that..."

She gave me exactly what I deserved. Novo's beak became pursed at the tips before planting a kiss right on my cheek. I cringed as a nervous smile formed on my face. She did not care who might be watching. And as I leaned into her, my hand found its way to hers under the water. Our palms touched and our fingers curled inwards. Our hands clasped with fingers intertwining. My eyes closed as did Novo's while our heads rested against each other. To hold the hand of a woman... It was something I did not get to savor very often.

And so we sat there in the pool's shallows, just savoring each other even without sight. Just the two of us being in love and being so very excited that we may have had something very special waiting for us in the coming months. I did not care if anyone there was a witness to my love for Novo and her love for me. The locals and other vacationers could not see us and our entourage knew better than to spread gossip. With my eyes closed, I whispered a beautiful truth. "I love you."

Novo said nothing at first, but she did immediately respond. I felt her vibrant pink fingers clasp even more firmly at my hand beneath the water's surface. Those three simple words tickled her heart. Words she had gone nearly a century without hearing from a man who loved her so. And I felt something else. One of her fingers wiggling a bit to rub against my wedding ring. A sign of longing, showing how she wished there was a ring on her finger to touch mine. I felt my body tremble in delight as she reminded me with that subtle sensation how I was the only man in the world she would say her vows to. A day I could only hope was not too far off. I heard that lusciously deep and soulful voice coo into my ear, "I love you."

She was just so perfect. If there was truly a perfect specimen of a woman there in Equestria, it was Novo And I would not be convinced otherwise. What a wonderful future we surely had waiting for us. For her, for me, for our children, and for every other wonderful woman who would become a part of my family. Novo would be an inspiration to them for certain. Just like...another wonderful blue rose of a queen who was sneaking up beside us. "What're you two lovebirds doing?"

Ember had slunk over to us and was now seated on the ledge just to my left. Novo and I instantly opened our eyes and found the Dragon Lord smirking at us in playful curiosity. My eyes happened to glance about and found Shining Armor and Cadence lounging at the far end of the pool while actively trying to pay us no mind. With my dear friend and beloved now intruding on my time with Novo, I replied with a warm smile. "Just...being in love."

The Dragon Lord's eyes softened as she heard the words spoken from my heart. Novo smiled broadly at my response while allowing Ember to speak first. My beautiful blue rose then said with a softer tone, "You really are... I can see just how happy you two are together. Almost makes me...jealous."

"You just don't know what it's like to have a husband yet, honey. But you'll get there one day. I know you have your eyes set on a very special man right now. And...he might be closer than most people think." Novo giggled while I tried to not respond too much to that claim. It is just so frustrating, being so in love with Ember yet not being able to fully commit yet. I was ready, but she was not.

Ember tried to avert her gaze with such a blush starting to shine through her blue scales. But her body was more sincere with the workings of her heart. Just like with Novo, her right hand snuck its way over to my left just under the surface. Ember looked away and up at the pale fluffy clouds in the sky above, but her hand pressed its palm against mine with her fingers curling in to clasp around it. Each of my hands were firmly occupied holding those of two of my dearest royal beloveds. Two wonderful queens in very different ways. And I wanted to be worthy of being their king. I glanced at Novo out of the corner of my eyes before she glanced at Ember for an instant and wiggling her eyebrows at me. I understood and leaned towards Ember as an impish idea bloomed in my heart. "Just a little something you should know... Someone loves you."

Wow, what a crooked smile. Ember's eyes brightened as she squirmed in her seat beside me. Without even turning to look at me, Ember giggled out a response. "Don't tell me who, all right? I'll figure it out on my own."

Novo started to join in with the fun as she spoke quietly to us. "You sure? I could drop you some hints, honey. And he's such a sweet man. Good to his wives too. Makes us all happy... He'll make you happy too if you'll let him."

"You...have no idea how happy he makes me, Novo. He makes me...able to believe in tomorrow." Ember said almost solemnly. She was smiling, but...she also sounded forlorn. Bad memories?

My hands were literally tied in the grasps of my two royal beloveds. Stuck between Novo and Ember, I could not reach out to hold the Dragon Lord. And before I could think of something kind to say, Novo beat me to it with a solemn tone of her own. "There are no good men where you come from, is there?"

"You're kidding, right? No. All the males of the dragon lands are just a bunch of boulderheads. All brawn, no brains or subtlety. And if there are any real gentlemen among them, I've never met them." Ember replied with a bitter chuckle. And I remembered. It had only been five years. Five years since she first received the title of Dragon Lord. And how it was a struggle to keep her own people in line. Especially with the males. Ember had always been so petite. So beautiful too. Not at all possessing the usual physical attributes those brutes would associate with strength.

For once, even Novo could not find a retort to that. But after a moment of silence, Ember turned to look at me as her left hand rose to cup my cheek. Those beautiful scarlet eyes gazed into mine as she whispered, "I didn't find a real man...until some outsider showed up out of nowhere. He displayed restraint and courtesy... Opened my eyes to some...very unfortunate truths I needed to know. And...he always listened. Never spoke over me. When I had something to say... He always listened to me."

As she spoke, Ember's long jaws inched just a little closer to mine. And I knew what was coming. Our eyes narrowed until they closed. And then I felt Ember's lips upon mine. It was then that Novo made a move. She reached out and draped her right wing around us in a soaked feathery embrace to shield us from everyone's eyes. Now squeezed between those two wonderful queens, I felt such a dissonance in terms of touch. Soft and wet feathers on one side while smooth reptilian scales rubbed up against the other. Ember then gazed into my eyes as her fingers tightened their grasp around my hand, "Please don't ever let me go. I've waited...far too long to find someone like you."

"Never. I can't...ever let you go now. Not when you've become my little blue rose." I whispered back to my draconic beloved. We had been through too much in such little time. A love that bloomed on the battlefield. A love I never wanted to lose. And so I whispered to her, "Don't ever leave me. Please."

"Never. You're mine forever. And...I am yours." Ember was being so very careful with the words she chose to say. Everything she could do to skirt around blurting out a direct confession. But the joy in her eyes... And that very thankful smile. We were in love. It was just such a shame we still had to wait...

"My my, just listen to the two of you." Novo giggled as she wrapped Ember and I up very tightly in her majestic wing. The three of us wrapped in that wet feathery cocoon were squeezed up against each other. Not that we minded. Ember looked more amused than confused. The wise hippogriff queen whispered to our beautiful blue friend, "It'll be such a pleasure to have you as part of the family, Ember. Just know that we're all friends here. And that you and I...have been blessed with the love of a very special man. One who will never stop loving you."

"Novo..." I grumbled in uncertain response. She was just going so heavy on the sugar in her words. She was right, but I still found myself cringing as I found myself trapped between two wonderful women.

Unlike me, Ember did not object. She even chuckled softly before pressing her forehead against the side of my head. "Mmhm... What a man."

"Ladies... I'm the lucky one here. This world is such a wide ocean and...the chances of finding you... Let alone...you having the will to..." I started to say before Novo and Ember silenced me without a word. I felt them tighten their grasps on my hands. Squeezing them in response as if demanding that I immediately stop talking.

"Don't you start now, honey. There's plenty of lovely ladies out there a good man like you could've chosen." Novo said firmly while looking me right in the eye. But that firm gaze began to soften as she smiled beautifully. "But men like you... Men who can love so many... And love them so evenly... They are very rare treasures. When Celestia chose to bring you to this world... Out of every human man who could've qualified... She chose a true diamond in the rough. You might feel lucky, but we... Your ladies. Your wives. Your queens. We're the ones who really struck gold. So please, baby. Don't ever stop being you. Don't ever stop loving us. Because we love you too."

There was nothing I could say to that. Such a powerful display of love through just words. Humbled and defeated by the mastery of such an experienced undying queen, I just bowed my head and smiled. I basked in the love of my two beautiful queens. One, a bird of paradise with glorious feathery wings. The other, a beautiful reptilian blue rose of a volcanic wasteland. As they held me and savored the relative silence of that little corner of the tropics, I tightened my grasp on their hands. I loved them so much. I wanted to be good enough for them. To make sure they would never regret giving their hearts to me. Even now as I write this, I find myself longing for my dear Novo and Ember...

They may have been so very fortunate with how things turned out, but they were only half right. Because I knew the reality of the life I left behind. And as I was held, I told them the truth. "I know... But still...I'm lucky too. Because... I never would've found anyone like either of you back home. The circumstances and opportunities...just wouldn't have allowed it."

"I know, baby. I know. And I know you've been hurt. The tramp who threw you away... I promise you'll never find anyone like that in our little circle of ladies, James. You're a man who deserves to love and be loved." Novo said with a hint of venom in her voice. Not towards me, but towards the one who betrayed me in my final months leading up to me being brought to Equestria.

Ember was much more profound in her response. She suddenly gripped my hand so tightly that it became uncomfortable. I turned to look into her eyes and found those scarlet discs gazing at me with such ferocity. She spoke with a firm whisper, "James. If anyone ever hurts you in the heart... Tell me. I'll find them and make them pay. Because I'll always be your shield."

Even if I wanted to tell her otherwise, I am certain Ember would not be dissuaded. As I fumbled my words, I felt Ember press her other palm over my beating heart. Her gaze softened as she spoke to me. And I listened. "The body can heal, but the heart... It just might never. If anyone breaks your heart... I'll see to it they don't get away with it."

I understood what she meant, even if it did not really apply. A dragon's heart is so much more fragile than a human's. I knew that a dragoness would never allow herself to love again if betrayed by her one and only. And Ember would never wish such heartbreak on anyone. All I could do was sigh and bow my head. But that was not enough for Ember she soon pulled me into such a kiss... One fueled not by passion, but fear. I think she was genuinely afraid that someone really would hurt me someday. During a lull in that kiss with Novo's wing still shielding us from outside, Ember whispered almost fearfully to me. "Please... Don't ever lose faith in me. Even if everyone else leaves you, you will always have me. Do you believe me?"

"Yeah... I do. And I'm honored to have you." I whispered back to my beautiful blue beloved before that kiss resumed. And it only deepened. Her slender tongue caressing mine. The subtle spicy hint of sulfur on her breath... She tasted and felt just the way I would expect her to. My beautiful fiery queen of the dragon lands, so fierce and devoted. How I loved her... And how fortunate I was to know we would always belong to each other.

"OK, that's enough now. We shouldn't be getting so melancholy on vacation, you know?" Novo finally spoke up as her wing shifted to start releasing us. Ember adjusted her seating to be less conspicuous, but she did not release my hand from below the water's surface. Novo even brought her glass to her beak to sip down the last the instant her wing folded back up against her body. With us now being out in the open, the hippogriff queen asked, "So then, got any plans today?"

"Come to think of it, we've been spending a lot of time just down here at the beach. What about the town nearby?" Ember asked while her eyes kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eyes. Almost like she was silently asking me a request.

Novo too quickly became aware. She did not say anything, but that huge smirk told me she was onto Ember's subtle signs. I then asked politely, "Would you like some time for just the two of us today?"

"Yes! I mean... Sure, if you don't mind. Maybe...tonight?" Ember chirped while trying to not come across as too excited. But she then leaned a little closer, bit by bit, as she said softly, "When the sun is setting... The two of us... Alone on the beach."

"Count on it. Just come track me down when the time's right." I replied before Ember happened glance about. And somewhere in the shade of the bar was a glowing reddish light. The Dragon Lord snorted and said, "Oh... I guess Mom and Dad wanna have a chat. Excuse me. We'll talk again soon, all right?"

"Yep, you do what you have to do. Say hello to big mama and big daddy for us, all right?" Novo replied while I rolled my eyes at her playful use of words. Ember reluctantly left my side to go answer her parents' call. But once Ember had stepped away, Novo whispered into my ear. "Now then, honey... I think we should start talking about Operation: Sunrise."

Wait, what? An operation? I was legitimately drawing blanks as I replied, "Um... Excuse me? I don't recall us discussing any operations like that. Remind me?"

Novo got a good chuckle out of my obliviousness. "Have you forgotten, honey? What you and I need to do for your sexy little sun queen?"

My heart fluttered. Of course it was about Celestia. And I then asked, "Right... What did you have in mind? You think she's ready?"

The glorious queen of Capricorn Island whispered sneakily into my ear. "Of course she's ready, honey. The poor girl just needs a little encouragement. Here's the plan. You arrange to spend the night in her room. I know she'll be happy to have you. I'll arrange for her and I to have a little chat and drink that evening. During that time, you go to her room and wait to let me in. Then we wait for her to show up. And one last thing, honey. Save yourself for tonight. You'll want to be in top form to give your sun queen her first heir."

It was actually happening... We were really doing this. I had already hopefully blessed Novo with the child we both dearly wanted. Now it was Celestia's turn. It was just such a shame she had not asked me directly. Was she really just that hard on herself after so long on the throne? Especially during that millennium where she had to go on without Luna? And yet... There was one person that we were forgetting about. "Novo... You knew Cadence when she was a kid, right? Celestia raised her?"

Novo spoke with a soft smile, "That she did. And I adored little Cadence like she was my own whenever they came knocking for a visit. Although...Celestia never talked much about why she adopted the little thing. Or why she was an alicorn by the time we first met. I'm pretty sure that sort of thing just does not happen outside of the royal bloodline..."

I tried to shift the subject away from that. I knew for certain Cadence's status as an alicorn was not natural. And I could not help but suspect it may have had something to do with Celestia's dubious intentions for Twilight Sparkle. But I had already struggled to regain my faith in Celestia after experiencing those doubts. And her sisters were watching closely. They would stop her from making any bad decisions regarding those in her extended family. "Right.. Yeah... Anyway, about Cadence and Celestia. What were things like between her and Cadence? Your the one with real mom experience here."

"Ha! That I am, honey! As for them, little filly Cadence looked up to her sunny mama. At least...she kind of was. I think...they didn't really have a mother and daughter dynamic about them. Celestia was more of a guardian figure than a proper mother, but you wouldn't know with how they acted together. Cadence never called Celestia her mama at any point when I was around. It was always the same old honorifics everyone else uses." Novo explained with her joyous tone becoming more contemplative with every word she spoke. As if she was really trying to examine her own memories from a new perspective. I suppose even the memories of immortals are unnaturally sharp compared to those of mortal men like me.

To think that even when being raised by Celestia, Cadence still used the honorifics of 'princess' when addressing her. It was truly not a proper parenthood after all. And knowing that made me rather sad. At least I could take comfort in seeing that Cadence must have had a very healthy and happy upbringing if she turned out to be the loving mare I know today. And her time in school must have been quite interesting when taking into account what I heard about her earliest days in dating Shining Armor.

Talking about Cadence anymore would probably get us nowhere. It was time to turn our attention to the beautiful Princess of the Dawn. I leaned forward and asked softly, "Did you ever talk to Celestia about why she adopted Cadence in the first place? Or...why she wanted to raise a child?"

Novo's soulful gaze softened as she took a moment to think back on those conversations they likely had over tea. "I did. And...I'm still surprised that it wasn't even that long ago. Having Cadence around even helped me take my mind off of Cygnus now that I could be mama to a little girl again. As for Celestia herself... She was very wishy washy about why she literally took that little filly into her home and raised her as her own. She said something about seeing potential in Cadence, things about wanting to give a happy life to someone with so much love in her. I'm guessing Cadence didn't exactly come from the happiest background. The fact that she had no parents of her own says a lot..."

"Oh... Oh man, how did I not consider that?" I mumbled in quiet shock. How did that ever slip my mind? The fact that Cadence was adopted by Celestia in the first place meant she never had any family of her own. The Princess of Love being an orphan? No wonder Celestia thought it necessary to intervene. Even if her intentions for Cadence in the long run were likely dubious at best, just how dire could Cadence's situation have been if the Princess of the Dawn was so moved to adopt her as her own?

"I know, right? People always talk about Cadence's connections to Celestia and the fact that she was raised by old Sunbutt. They never ask about where she even came from." Novo snorted as she rolled her eyes. How does that little detail slip everyone's minds? Maybe because it is too morbid to bring up. I am sure Cadence would prefer that no one ask her about it either.

Regardless, Novo got my attention again by firmly gripping my hand under the water's surface. She looked into my eyes and said softly, "But I did ask Celestia a few more things. Seeing her raising Cadence as her own got me wondering. So I asked Celestia if she had any plans of really having little ones of her own. And if there was a handsome stallion she had her eyes on who would sire them. She got all flustered, but... I could see it in her. The poor thing really had no man in her life and I think she was resigned to never finding one. It's risky falling in love with someone you will outlive, you know? And...I could see it in her eyes. She is a mare who wants to have little ones of her own to love and raise. But for that to happen, she needs her own king."

Novo then smirked in a manner that got my smiling in a giddy fashion. She then whispered playfully to me, "And guess who's sitting next to me right now?"

I burst into a snickering mess. I was not laughing at something funny. I was just laughing out of sheer joy. The joy of knowing how loved and in love I was. Novo then kissed me on the cheek and said, "And that's why tonight... We're going to help little old Sunbutt get what she's wanted for a very long time. She's ready. And so are you. And from one mother to another, I'd hate to see her miss out on the opportunity while her body's ready to carry your foals."

"Right... Tonight. I guess I better go have a word with her then. Excuse me for a bit, Novo. I'll see you again soon." I whispered back to my lovely queen as I kissed her goodbye. She went back to sipping the last few drops of her drink while I went to swim a few laps around the pool. Just to come off as inconspicuous as possible. After the third lap, I climbed out of the pool with heavy amounts of water falling off me. That warm tropical breeze felt so much cooler right out of the pool. Celestia was easy to spot nearby and I made a beeline towards her with my heart giddy with excitement.

Celestia was in the middle of a game of pool, the Princess of the Dawn looking like an old pro as she kept her head down to the table with her cue floating beside her. Several clacks rang out as she managed to send the last few balls into different pockets. Orbash and Sunflare were observing with the moon king jotting down Celestia's point total. "Hm. A new record, my dear! Think you can top that, Sunflare?"

"Ha! Watch me. Stand aside, my dears. For the sun herself outshines all." Sunflare replied as the radiant sun queen began to reset the triangle of balls with a faux haughtiness in her tone. She was just having fun. And Orbash would surely be eager to try and best his wife afterward.

I waited for Sunflare to ready her pool cue before approaching Celestia and tapping her on the shoulder. My heart was pounding in my chest. "Celestia? Could I have a word with you?"

"Of course, my love. Right over here." Celestia replied as she led me to a corner that held a pinball table or two. Tucked away in the shade of the gaming corner's roof, my beloved whispered to me. "Now then, how are you? Having fun? We still have a whole week left, right? Plenty of time left to try new things."

"No, no, nothing like that. I wasn't going to ask you about making any plans for the day. More like...plans for tonight." I retorted as I nervously rested my hand on the side of Celestia's neck. Right above her gilded peytral. Celestia sensed the intentions in my touch and gazed at me with eyes wide with excited intrigue. I then whispered uneasily, "Tonight... I...want to be with you. Until morning. Please? I want...to wake up in the arms of my queen."

Oh my goodness, the giddy joy in her smile and the blush forming in those cheeks. I chose my words well. Celestia leaned closer and placed a soft little kiss upon my lips. There was such love in her eyes when she whispered to me. "Your queen would love to have her king by her side when she goes to sleep tonight. Yes... Please be with me tonight, love. I'll be sure to let the front desk know you're to be given a key for my room if you come knocking. No questions asked. If I'm not there first, just wait for me. I promise I won't keep you waiting for too long."

The plan was set. Now it was up to Novo to work around things and reach Celestia's room before her when the time came. I returned Celestia's kiss with one of my own. "I love you."

Celestia must have sensed how tense I was. While excited, it was...just such a momentous occasion that was approaching. We would finally be doing it... We would finally have a chance to start a family. To give my future queen an heir. An heir that all of Equestria would come to know. Celestia whispered with some concern, "James, what's wrong? You...feel tense? Are you coming down with something?"

"Huh?! No, I'm good! It's just... Um..." I yelped and stammered before finding myself in a comforting winged embrace. I let out a sigh to calm myself before providing a little half-truth. "It's just...we haven't shared a bed together in a while. We...haven't been able to sleep as a couple."

"Oh, James... That's true. But that changes tonight. Tonight, it's my turn to sleep in the embrace of my king." Celestia said with a wistful gaze that soon brightened with a giggle of excitement. She rested her head on my shoulder while we held each other. It was just such a happy moment.

And yet, my thoughts returned to the moment I shared between Novo and Ember just minutes earlier. And what was brought up between us. I suddenly felt an urge to say something to the mare who made everything about my life in Equestria possible. With her wings shielding us from prying eyes, I whispered to my dear Celestia. "Thank you. For everything."

Celestia kept her jaw resting across my shoulder while my arms remained around her. She spoke softly with her lips just behind my ear, "Everything?"

I did not mince words. She needed to hear what I had to say. "Yes. Everything. Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful world. For letting me know love that I would never have known back home. For letting me...find love with so many. For...giving me the opportunities I thought I'd never experience. Thank you...for giving me a world I can believe in."

She went silent for a moment. And I did not press Celestia for a response. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against hers. But Celestia did finally whisper an equally heartfelt reply. "And thank you for being kind to my world. For loving Equestria and all it stands for... And for preserving it for future generations to come. Thank you, my love... Thank you for being everything I hoped you would be...and for not being everything I feared you would be."

It was easy to forget just how long Celestia had been planning for the day a human from Earth would enter her world. Watching and waiting as she observed my world for centuries. And becoming increasingly disillusioned as it began to deteriorate. She witnessed horrors that would turn most of my own kind into bitterly jaded misanthropes. Had it not been for Luna, I would not be here now. It was thanks to a second opinion from the Princess of the Night that I even made it into Equestria at all. I gained so much, but so did they. I am honored to know that I have benefited those around me. Equestria has made me a much happier person and I am happy to know I have made some of its people happier too. I whispered again to the one mare that made this all possible, "I love you."

"And I love you... My sunshine. My only sunshine." Celestia sighed so happily as we took a moment longer to just stand there in the corner. To love and be loved. At least until we heard the tapping of hooves near us. And then the touch of cold glass against us. Celestia snickered and asked, "Yes, who is it? Can it wait?"

"I'm sorry. Am I interrupting? I was just offering you two a cold drink. Should I come back later?" Luna's voice replied kindly. Hearing her reminded me of the thoughts I just had and the epiphany regarding my arrival in Equestria. I could not say no. And I had more to say than that. I gently wiggled out of Celestia's winged embrace to reach for a bottle of cold cider. And it was infused with more than just apple flavors.

"Luna... I just need to say..." I replied with a bottle in hand. I squatted a bit to bring my gaze before the Princess of the Night. "Thank you. For being there to convince Celestia to give me a chance. I wouldn't have faulted you for giving up on my world, but... Without you, I doubt I..."

"Speak nothing of it, my friend." Luna quickly brought her wing forward and touched its longest feather to my lips like a shushing finger. She then beamed confidently at me as she said, "Perhaps me being gone for a thousand years paid off in some twisted way after all. My views of your world were fresh and untainted by centuries of disappointment. And...it was a worthwhile investment in the end. Please, my friend. Continue being kind to our world. And please keep being very kind to my sisters."

"I will... I'd hate to let you all down now." I sighed as Celestia also took hold of her bottle with a levitation spell. Our drinks clinked together for a toast before we all took a swig together. I heard the distant clack of pool balls rolling around a table and glanced over at the king and queen of Equestria. Sunflare seemed to be struggling a bit to get more balls into the table's pockets. I doubt she had much time to practice out there while she and her husband were living off the grid. But Orbash happened to look my way and flashed me a wink of approval. Such a good man, that stallion. I wanted to make him proud and to make certain his daughter would never regret giving me her heart. And oh, how I hoped I could make him the most joyous grandfather in the world.

Now the date was set. I would be seeing Celestia in her room that night and Novo would be there with us. My heart was anxious, yet so very excited. What would even happen? But now I was too distracted by my thoughts. I needed something to soothe my nerves so I could actually enjoy myself for the day instead of obsessing over the approaching evening. So I politely left Celestia's side and made my way over to the bar to grab a much stiffer drink. And someone was waiting for me. "Hello there, my boy! Care to share a drink with your old man?"

Sky Beak just had a drink poured for himself. And I could only chuckle a bit at how he referred to himself. "You're not over the hill yet, papa bird. And whatcha got there? Looks...sweet?"

"Ha, so I am! And this is a honeypot. The king and I exchanged some drinking suggestions and I wanted to give his favorite a try." Sky Beak replied while I requested something fruity at the bartender's discretion. Just so long as it had no coconut flavors in it. The end result was a very fruity drink packed with rum that had fruit garnishes. The bartender even cheekily added a small paper umbrella to set the tone. And I found myself letting out a laugh as its tiny size brought to mind a very tiny little lady from my dreams who carries a sewing needle into battle. I wonder if such an umbrella would be the right size for her.

Sky Beak and I clicked our glasses together for a toast before taking our first sip. Very fruity and tasty in spite of the presence of alcohol. I then glanced at my feathery father and asked, "How've you guys been holding up? Is Ocean all right?"

He glanced at me with a subtle smirk on his beak. Sky Beak knew what I was inferring. "Ocean's doing just fine. She's really enjoying spending time out there in the surf with a seapony necklace. I have to wonder if she was a fish in a previous life... But maybe that's why she's always been at home working in the fisheries back home. No signs of morning sickness yet, but that'll surely change before long."

They really were doing it. Trying for one more child. And with how wonderful Silverstream and Terramar are, I had no doubts that Sky Beak and Ocean Flow's third child would be living a very happy life. But thinking of my father's own flesh and blood prompted me to ask, "And what about foals #1 and #2? How've they been? I mean we've been enjoying ourselves together lately and Silverstream really knows where to get some good lunch stuff..."

"Having the times of their lives! You've seen them. And Silverstream was especially excited to find out that we would be seeing you again. It was originally supposed to just be me coming along as part of our queen's guard detail. But when Silverstream found out you would be there, she practically begged to let the whole family come along. And our queen just could not say no. Probably because she knows we've basically always been family to you. I think Queen Novo was even a little embarrassed that she had not considered that right away." Sky Beak explained while taking another sip of his drink. And I felt all the more grateful to know it was all because fo Silverstream that the whole family was allowed to come. I looked around from my stool, but could not her vibrant pink and blue plumage anywhere. Silverstream was probably out there frolicking in the surf. Sky Beak then winked at me and said softly, "You made a real friend back there during your first visit. Thank you for always being good to my kids, James. They missed you."

"I missed them too... I always felt like I was in good hands when I was with them. They might just be kids for now, but they were a real lifeline for me when I was exploring the whole island last time." I sighed while thinking back fondly on my time on Capricorn Island. It was not even just Silverstream and Terramar. I was just in awe being surrounded by such happy and beautiful bird horses everywhere I went. I felt like I belonged there. That the hippogriffs of Capricorn Island would be happy to have me. It was a feeling I did not even feel from the likes of Ponyville. I wonder if that is how it feels to walk among angels...

"Yep, they are just kids. But not for much longer." Sky Beak said with a pretty wistful sigh. He gazed at nothing in particular as he displayed smile that did not seem all that happy. "I swear kids grow up too fast sometimes. In just two more birthdays, those two won't be swimming in the filly pool anymore."

What was that about? A father reminiscing on the years where his children were just little tykes only for them to inevitably grow up? I too began to ponder that. I am a father too. And my little girl is mere months old. But a day will come when my little filly will become a mare. As will also be the case with all of my other children that have yet to be born. How will it feel to watch my children grow? And to eventually leave the nest? It was a sensation I could not fully comprehend. Only time would tell.

And yet... Wait. What was that about two more birthdays? I knew that Silverstream and Terramar are twins. And that they are currently twelve years old. But then... "Wait. What do you mean about that? Something supposed to happen when they turn fourteen?"

Sky Beak's more melancholic gaze made way for one of quiet surprise. He looked at me and said, "Huh? You don't know? When it comes to Capricorn Island, the age of consent is fourteen. In just two more birthdays, my kids will officially be seen as a mare and stallion... James? What's with that look?"

Fourteen. Hippogriff children on Capricorn Island reach the age of consent at fourteen. I mean the age of consent for most places in Equestria is sixteen, which is not so unreasonable even by the standards and expectations of where I come from. But...fourteen? "Uh... Wow, really? Just fourteen? But...I could've sworn a friend told me the average age of consent is sixteen in most places..."

My father from another world suddenly snickered as he put the pieces together. "Ah... I see. That's not how things work where you're from, is it? Then again, I'm pretty sure there are no avian races in your world's society. I mean yes, sixteen is the norm around Equestria. But age of consent laws can vary by region. And by species."

That last part caught my ear. I was not disturbed. I was merely confused. "Species? You mean that regional laws might not apply depending on what you are?"

"I don't blame you for being taken aback by this. But yes, it can vary. While Capricorn Island specifically has the age of consent set at fourteen, caveats are also in place regarding avian species. Hippogriffs, harpies, and griffons in general land under the age of fourteen restrictions, but its entirely because of biological reasons." Sky Beak explained very professionally and seriously. He was one of the peace keepers of his own homeland, so he had to be completely straight-faced about such a topic.

How would one's own species dictate how age of consent laws apply to them? That is not at all how it works in the world I come from. But then again, the only profoundly sentient species on planet Earth are humans. It is all my people know. But when considering avian species and their rate of maturity... It suddenly made sense for all too obvious reasons. "That...makes a weird kind of sense when you consider how avian wildlife develop. There are some birds that go from hatching to being basically fully grown in only thirty days..."

"Yep! We birds are early bloomers compared to most other species. Granted, we don't grow anywhere near that fast, but we do develop a little quicker than most. So laws and exceptions had to be put in place around that issue." Sky Beak said with a laugh now that he had gotten the formalities out of the way. I wonder how many times he has had to explain that to foreigners.

I looked over my shoulder as I tried to scan the distant shoreline of the very busy beach behind us. I knew what colors to watch for, but I just could not see anyone I recognized out there. As my thoughts went back to my youngest hippogriff friends, I realized another layer adding onto Sky Beak's explanation. "I should've noticed the first time I met them. It's not just that they're bigger than most adult ponies I know... The way they sound... Their voices. They don't sound like a filly and colt. They sound like a young man and woman."

Sky Beak cracked quite the crooked smirk on his beak. "You only just now noticed that? Yes, that they do. Puberty tends to come a bit early for avian races too. So don't be too surprised if they sound a bit...wiser than you'd expect for someone their age."

"God, all of these maturity rates differing from specie to specie... I guess I still need to get used to this stuff. This crap would've caused an uproar back home if interplanetary contact was made..." I grumbled in amused exasperation while I rubbed my temples. I was just going through a spot of culture shock. After spending a few years in Equestria, I thought I was done being surprised. I suppose I learn something new every other day.

Now it was Sky Beak's turn to be curious. He leaned my way and asked, "And why would that be?"

How was I going to word this? I considered my response carefully before I began to explain. "I mean don't get me wrong. Age of consent laws are important. It's just that where I'm from... It can vary all over the world. But attitudes vary as well. I'm from the continent of North America. And human culture there...takes a very hard-line stance on the subject. An arguably unhealthy obsession with it with no capacity to examine anything with a case by case study, to be honest. Even being suspected of engaging in or desiring to do...stuff with those under the age of consent can permanently ruin a person's image there. You can't even really talk about it without people looking at you funny."

Sky Beak muttered with wide eyes, "Sounds...like you come from a very dangerous world if the people of your homeland are that sensitive to the subject."

"Yeah... I guess where I come from is a land of extremes when it comes to that topic. Where people think more with their emotions instead of their heads. I at least get where they're coming from since...well...it's all about the kids. And no one wants to see kids get exploited. I mean does that ever happen where you come from? Where some sleazy creep travels to Capricorn Island with someone under the age of fifteen as a means to exploit the lower age of consent laws?" I grumbled while trying to stay platonic on the issue. But even then, the fact that age of consent laws even exist in Equestria carries the likelihood that children were...harmed at some point in the very distant past.

My feathery father spoke with a sigh. Such an unpleasant topic to bring up. And as a father, he was right to find the topic disturbing. "Very rarely. I think the number of times it's happened during my career could be counted on one hand... Um...on one four-fingered hippogriff hand! Heheh... But yes, we do have policies in place should a foreigner attempt that. We are required to be very thorough on background checks if someone arrives in the company of a nonavian companion who is under the age of sixteen. We are also trained to spot signs of duress in such young foreigners. If we have reason to suspect anything is amiss, we carefully monitor them while they are there. And when it looks like a line is about to be crossed, we intervene and make an arrest before deporting the lowlife back to the mainland to stand trial."

Good man, that stallion. Sky Beak may have always been one of the most jovial hippogriff men I knew to the point where he almost seemed unfitting for a royal guardsman, but he was a true sentinel and protector of his people. And the people of distant lands who may visit. I showed a slight smile as I said, "That's good. I mean I'm still getting the hang on being a dad myself, but knowing that this world looks out for its children does a lot of good for my head."

"That's something we both have in common, isn't it? We both know the joys and fears of being fathers." Sky Beak replied before holding out his glass. I saw what he was requesting. He just wanted to share a toast of solidarity with me. And so I did. I took my glass in hand and clinked it against his for a toast to our futures as parents. We even took a swig together in unison. Sky Beak set his glass down firmly before saying, "I mean I too have my worries. My firstborn are growing up so fast... I just hope they don't make me a grandfather too soon."

My eyebrows rose at that quiet mention. And I had to consider what that meant. Even though hippogriffs and other avian races reach the age of consent at fourteen, that does not necessarily mean they are completely mentally settled into the mindset of the average adult. I asked softly, "Right... Just because someone has reached the age of consent doesn't mean they're ready for the entire adult spectrum of experiences. I don't suppose...teen pregnancy is a common occurrence?"

Sky Beak rather nervously responded, "No, not really! And thank goodness for that! It's just... I suppose it's normal for a father to fear for his children when they really start to come into their own in the world. My kids don't appear to have even really developed an interest in...that sort of thing."

"They're both great people, yeah. But...you think that might change? I've seen a lot of Capricorn Island and...I recall children and families being common. Is it...normal for hippogriffs to develop a desire for...that lifestyle?" I asked with some curiosity. I had to keep in mind that it was not simply Equestria's culture that defined how its people function. Equines, avians, reptiles. They are all wired differently from humans. Different instincts and inherent needs and desires my kind might not understand.

My papa bird looked at me and spoke with a soft joy in his voice. "From personal experience... I do believe it is natural for we hippogriffs to eventually desire companionship and love. To...build a nest together. Few of my people remain single throughout their lives. I hear that even the harpies of the tropics tend to be very family-minded as well. I guess the avian races of Equestria are just a bunch of lovebirds after all, ha ha!"

I got a good laugh out of that. Perhaps he was right. Many wild bird species tend to be very devoted mates to their lovers. And few things are more synonymous with love and family than a bird nest filled with eggs. So many bird species are legendary for their devotion to their mates and children. Corvids, many songbirds, and especially the majestic swans. No wonder the hippogriffs of Equestria are much like them. I then asked with a smile, "You think the kids will be finding their first sweethearts before long? Maybe start dating?"

Sky Beak was about to take a drink from his glass, but had to pause to avoid spewing it out as he let out a snorting laugh. "Pffft, hopefully not too soon! I hope they go through life at a steady pace. Although... While Terramar has always been a sensible boy, I...have my concerns when it comes to Silverstream. She's always listened to her heart more than her head. If one of those two are going to end up doing something reckless, it's surely going to be her."

He was not wrong. I knew Silverstream well enough by then. Such a peppy and positive little lady, she would surely be the one out of the twins to rush into a relationship once she was old enough to comprehend falling in love. But she was far from stupid. She could even be quite clever. She just...thinks with her heart more than her head. Exactly like Sky Beak said. I thought back to my young friend and said, "I'm confident she'll make good choices in time. And I'm sure she's smart enough to stay away from bad actors. She's a bit impulsive, but still a very good girl. And a good friend. She's gonna make some guy very happy someday."

"Yes, I know. I just worry about her. You will too when your little girls reach that age." Sky Beak said sincerely as he downed the last of his drink. He let out a long sigh as I am sure the liquor in his body settled his nerves and mood. I could not understand what was going through his head. I have not been a father long enough to emphasize and Scootaloo was not a hippogriff. Perhaps that would change in the very near future. Although my feathered father then looked at me with a smile and said, "Anyway! I'd say I've had my fill for now. I'm going to check on the family and see about trying out one of those fancy seapony necklaces. I think I'm in the mood for a swim today."

"You should go check out the local seapony living areas. Very exotic down there. Maybe they've already seen it and can show you the way." I replied before also downing the rest of my drink. There was no need to stick around at the bar now that our conversation was finally finishing up. My papa bird and I shared a big warm hug before parting ways. He went soaring east towards the shoreline to track his family down as I pondered my next course of action. Until one idea came to mind.

I went right back to the room I was sharing with Novo and got properly dressed while also fetching my wallet. And I made certain to ask for a key to Celestia's room at the receptionist desk. She had gotten to them ahead of time and they handed me a spare key with no questions asked. It was high time I finally got out there to do some souvenir shopping. I had already scouted out the area in the outlying sections of town to give me an idea of where to look. Although I should not head out without informing anyone. I was part of the royal entourage and they needed to know where I would be if I was stepping away from the resort.

The first person to come to mind was Celestia. So I returned to the beachside VIP area to find her taking a seat at the bar for a cold drink while listening in to the radio. It sounded like there was a sports game playing somewhere with the newscaster getting fired up about it. With a quick tap on Celestia's shoulder, I whispered to my beloved. "Hey. I've got some souvenir shopping to do, so I'll be in town. Just let anyone who's looking for me know I'll be back in a while."

Celestia did not take any issue with my request to step away for a while. But there was one caveat in the way. "Oh, got to get a few things for Fluttershy and the girls? We'll be here...but first... I'm sorry, but we really shouldn't let you wander off without an escort. It's just part of royal protocol, dear."

"I guess that's just one of the conditions of dating royalty, huh?" I said with a snickering smirk. Not that I minded. We were in good company. I then asked, "Could you...request for someone other than Shining Armor? The guy's already off-duty and I don't wanna take away any time he should be spending with Cadence."

"My thoughts exactly. And I think I know of just the stallion to keep an eye on you while also being good company. Just a second here..." Celestia replied before tilting her head back just a bit to lift her horn higher. Her golden yellow aura flared up around it while she remained silent. But only for about seven seconds. The aura faded before she then looked at me with a smile. "He should be here in just a moment."

"A telepathy spell, right?" I asked with Celestia only nodding in confirmation. I was tempted to order another quick drink for myself while I waited, but I did not want to get too liquored up so early in the day.

The sound of great wings flapping reached my ears as someone set down just outside the bar. And a familiar voice spoke proudly to us. "You called, your highness?"

Good old Seaspray had shown up while still clad in his dazzling iridescent armor. And he was standing at attention. Celestia then turned to him with a smile as she explained, "This good man is heading into town to do some shopping. Could you please keep him in good company and safety?"

"Of course, your highness! I shall guard this gentleman with my life." Seaspray spoke with a bow of his head. He then turned to me with a smile on his beak and said, "It would seem we're seeing quite a bit of each other lately, my good sir. Shall we be off?"

"I just can't get away from you lately, can I? Just messing with you, admiral. Yeah, let's go. I've got a list of people to get some goodies for." I replied before bidding Celestia farewell for the moment. The two of us made our way back through the hotel's lobby to head out through the front door and into town. I had no issue with Seaspray being my most frequently selected bodyguard, what with him being such a charming and amusing fellow. Just in case he got the wrong idea from that sarcastic jab from a minute ago, I then spoke up to him. "Really though, I appreciate your company, admiral. I enjoy having some time alone now and then, but it's hard to say no to some time with you."

"Ha, think nothing of it, my liege. And I do believe we will be seeing each other much more often once her majesty places a crown on your head." Seaspray retorted with a smile. We kept our voices down while we strolled along just in case someone might be near enough to listen in. From the cooling air conditioned lobby to the warm rays of the outdoor tropical sun, we were focused more on each other than our surroundings. "Crowned as our rightful king, wed to a glorious queen, and father of the heirs of the throne... There will be much reason for you to be there regularly eventually, I am sure."

"Man... That really will happen one day, won't it? I'll need to figure out how we'll make it work... And there has to be a more expedient way to get to and from Capricorn Island without wasting time. Novo's not my only beloved..." I muttered while contemplating the inevitable future. I love Novo. And I have every intention of finally having a family with her. But she will be just one of my many beautiful lovers. Not just a lover. A wife. And the mother of our future children. I would need to see them regularly and frequently. How often would I need to be there? A few times a month for a few days at a time? This issue will only grow more complicated as my family grows... But we will find a way to make it work. We must.

Seaspray must have noticed the vague display of stress on my face as I began to think too far ahead too quickly. It was...a daunting thought. For as madly in love Novo and I are with each other, I should never put her before Fluttershy. Or Rarity. Or Celestia. Or any other wonderful woman who will become so much more to me. My escort suddenly draped a wing around me to shield me from the harsh glare of the sun on a cloudless day. "Easy there, your majesty. Let's not put all our eggs in one basket. These things have a way of working themselves out. One day at a time, yes?"

I scolded myself as I heard his words. As important as it is to engage in family planning, there are some things that should be taken as they come. And I was not alone in this. It would be unhealthy to carry the responsibility on just my shoulders when it is a life they and I will all share. "Right... Right. One day at a time. Thank you, Seaspray."

"My pleasure, your majesty. Now then! Back to the matters at hand, shall we? Where to? You lead and I shall follow." My escort said with his head held high. My thoughts went to the list of friends and family who were waiting for me back in Ponyville. And I had even remembered to bring a list of the names I was getting goods for. My wife and circle of five dearest friends. Scootaloo and her two best friends. And I should not forget Spike. And while Gladesong's name was also there, it was mostly out of courtesy. I strongly doubt she would really be able to appreciate anything I could get for her at her current age.

"Right... Let's see here... Ten people I need to get gifts for... Where to start?" I retorted while first thinking of Twilight Sparkle. She was the first person in Equestria who even spoke to me after all. She would be easily pleased with a book, but I had to be mindful that it would be one she did not already have in the library she watches over.

I had to be mindful of everyone on the list with every shop Seaspray and I entered. I needed to make certain to not overlook anything that one of them might appreciate. Finding a book for Twilight was easier than the others. I found various books about the local land and its history that brought to mind an atlas. I knew for certain I had never seen anything like it and snatched up a copy. Rarity was the next to come to mind. While jewelry was an obvious choice, it might not be a good idea to get her one that would clash with her usual style or ensembles she tends to weave. Most of the jewelry on display had a very...distinct look that felt like it belonged more around the Cantercun area and not in Ponyville. Exotic, but not practical for a fashionista from outside the area. I also suddenly remembered that bracelet I almost never see Rarity without. In her eyes, no piece of jewelry could compare to that one. With jewelry off the list, I spoke with a bemused smirk. "When in doubt, there's always edible goods."

"Hmmmm... I recognize most of these names. Although I can't say I know any of those fine ladies well enough to provide a suggestion..." Seaspray mumbled as he looked over my shoulder at the list in my hand. He was just trying to be helpful. And he only knew my friends due to having served in the War of Preservation with them.

"It's fine, admiral. I'll figure something out. A book for Twilight... No books for Spike, he's got plenty of those around him. Definitely gonna get some wine for Rarity. They must have some local brands she hasn't tried... Applejack would probably appreciate some strong drink too. Maybe some tequila... Rainbow Dash too, so long as she keeps that stuff strictly at home. Pinkie Pie would appreciate candy... For Fluttershy... Maybe music? Probably something instrumental that she can listen to while just doing things around the house. Hopefully something her little wildlife friends will enjoy too what with them coming and going indoors all the time. The shops even offered a service to have my purchases delivered to the hotel so I would not be burdened with lugging them around with me. There were even some turntables with big bulky headphones available that I could use to sample vinyl records to know whether or not Fluttershy would like the music on them.

Try as I might, I could not figure out anything to get for the three fillies on my list. I was very aware of their interests and talents, yet could not find anything that might fit them on an individual level. Seaspray even seemed to notice my difficulty in picking anything out as we went from shop to shop while leaving without buying anything. He looked over my shoulder and asked, "Having trouble picking out a pleasant gift, my liege?"

"It's just these last three here... They're all kids. I mean older kids. Preteens. Spike should be easy to please since he's a dragon, but... I'm having trouble with these three... Ah, screw it. Like I said. When in doubt, go for edible goods." I finally said with a sigh. I started browsing the edible selections and found quite the haul. Not just candies, but zesty roasted snacks with local spices too. Some looked so good that I had to get some for myself. While I know Spike would appreciate gemstones, I did not want to be predictable. That little guy can eat anything.

With my shopping done and my purchases being packaged up for delivery to the hotel we were all staying at, it was time for some lunch. And Seaspray's keen eyes were quick to pick up on vendors positioned on street corners. "Ah, one of the joys of traveling abroad. Sampling the street food of exotic locales! Right this way, my good man."

It really was a good time to sample the local cheap fare readily available on the sidewalks. Seaspray and I started with something simple. A type of street corn on the cob dish. Boiled corn covered in a layer of mayonnaise, spices, and a type of crumbled cheese. That dish was so unbelievably flavorful that I had to go back for seconds. But I did not want to fill up too much on just one kind of dish. Seaspray and I went about and found a real entree of a street food item for the main course. They were basically...pizzas with tortilla crusts, hefty doses of beans, spices, and even a plant protein ingredient that reminded me of a falafel. Absolutely delightful. And we washed it down with frosty glass bottles of fruity beverages. And with there still being a full week ahead of us, I was looking forward to trying out more of the street food available our corner of Cantercun.

Seaspray and I lounged gracelessly on a bench together while feeling very satisfied with our lunch options. I let out a long sigh as I said, "That hit the spot... At least until dinner. We should probably not fill up too much out here."

"I concur, my lord. These Cantercun locales certainly know how to eat. Everything about the tropics feels festive. Even right down to the cuisine. At least until the festivities make way for a quiet siesta. At least I think that's what they call it?" Seaspray spoke before letting out a yawn. That was exactly why I did not want to chow down on too much food in the middle of the day. I had already taken too many naps for one vacation anyway. Even Seaspray suddenly came to this epiphany and jerked his head upward with his eyes wide open. "No! There is no time to waste away the hours during this dearly deserved reprieve of ours! It's only the early afternoon! Any sleep can wait for after sundown!"

"Heh. Well said, admiral." I said before forcing myself to sit up straight. Although I still could not fight the incoming yawn. It proved contagious as even Seaspray too yawned just afterward. "Man, I need a pick-me-up..."

Seaspray defiantly sprang to his feet as he hopped down from the bench. "So do I... Wait right here, my good man! I'll procure something to give us a bit of energy. Just as a reminder, you can't stand coffee, yes?"

"Yes, please don't serve me coffee. I can't stand that devil's brew... I mean sure, I'll drink it if it's the only option available... Fine, just get me the strongest stuff you can find!" I stumbled over my words a bit before finally relenting with my suggestion. I never drink coffee for pleasure. Even with stuff like sugar and cream, I still do not find the beverage enjoyable. Seaspray went trotting off while I stayed where I was. That little rest spot was bordered by a pair of towering palm tree that cast some needed shade over me. Alone with my thoughts, I turned my gaze up at the leaves with the sun trying to shine through.

It was another good day. If every day in Cantercun would play out like that, I would go home a happy man. I could only hope the girls back home were treating themselves to a good time in spite of autumn's bitter chill. Probably having daily get-togethers. Maybe even sleepovers. I understand my six closest friends got up to a lot of fun as a group back before I showed up. Now that there was only ladies in our little circle, they were probably getting back into old routines.

But what about the younger ones? I could only imagine what Smolder, Gallus, and Ocellus were up to. This is their first year in Ponyville. They were still getting the hang of living in a town where they were happy and welcome. They must have been quite the odd sight too. A dragon, a griffon, and a pretty little love bug trio seldom seen apart when in public...

Thinking of them filled my heart with a sudden anxiety. That list I had. It only listed the first ten concrete closest friends I made in Ponyville. But more friends had joined that circle very recently. In my attempt to focus on those who had been in my memory the longest, I had overlooked three young souls. "Oh no... I need to make another sweep of the shops... I can't forget those three."

Not even a minute after coming to that realization, Seaspray came trotting my with something wrapped under one wing. "There you are! And fortunately for you, I did not bring coffee! Take a look. I was told this brand is supposed to give you wings. Too bad I already have my own!"

Seaspray reached under his wing and pulled out a pair of drink cans that were covered in a frosty layer of condensation. An energy drink? I checked the contents and found that it carried a hefty dose of caffeine. Much more than a cup of coffee. I popped mine open while Seaspray did the same with his. "Looks like a good find, Seaspray. Cheers."

That fizzy drink could not be chugged, but we still drank ours as quickly as we could. Just to save time and get back out there to enjoy the day. "Woo, that's good. And I'm ready for another round of shopping. I just remembered that there's three more friends of mine I really should bring something home for."

"Last minute shopping? Then let's be off, my good man. Lead the way." Seaspray replied before following me along as we revisited some shops. The admiral then asked, "Who are we picking up gifts for this time? Anything I should be looking for specifically?"

"Uh... That's a really good question, admiral. I haven't known either of them for all that long. I need to think about this..." I grumbled as I tried to ponder the various interests of those three back home. The first thing to come to mind was jewelry, but Smolder already had those pearl earrings. And with how much value a dragon places on the first piece of jewelry given to them by a potential mate, they would probably be the only jewelry she would ever need.

Then there was Gallus. As one of my few guy friends in Ponyville, he was a little tricky to figure out. Comic books are something he enjoys, but I did not find anything that featured characters he recognized. It appeared certain regions have their own fictional series that are less known or popular elsewhere. I saw some familiar series like the Power Ponies and even Project H, but he could easily get those back home.

I tried to focus on getting something practical for Gallus. He had never had much and would likely appreciate less trivial gifts. And then something caught my eye. On display was a variety of tropically theme pocket knifes. The kind with several tools built in. And I remembered when I first met him. Gallus had been living far off the grid quite a ways into the Empty Plains. He must have picked up on some survival skills along the way. Confident that he would appreciate such a tool, I snatched one off the shelf. "That's one down. Now for the girls..."

"Pocket knife, sir? A little something for an outdoorsman? Or perhaps a jack of all trades? Something like that should come in handy on a daily basis." Seaspray replied as he observed my choice. He took one of the other knives on display and extended some of the tools built into it. "Might I ask who this is for?"

"You might remember him. Gallus. That blue griffon boy who came home with us? You might've even seen him at the big party up in Canterlot." I explained while even taking a moment to examine all of the functions on the knife I picked up for my fluffy blue friend back home. A sturdy blade, corkscrew, little pair of scissors, the works. A little something for everything.

Seaspray's eyes lit up as I mentioned the party where everyone and anyone had a good time. "Ah, I do recall! The blue griffon gentleman with you, yes? Right, I saw you two sharing a drink. He seemed like such a fine fellow. Although...I don't recall him serving. What earned him the privilege to be invited?"

I sighed as i thought back to something foolish I almost did. An act fueled by traumas I could no longer clearly remember. "I owe him my life, admiral. I was...not well after we returned home. Traumas still lingered in my head and...he saw the warning signs and told someone who could stop me if I tried something..."

The hippogriff stallion beside me remained silent for a good moment before he could offer a reply. "I... I understand. My men and I were spared from the greatest traumas of the war since we did not see the carnage up close. I did not know that you..."

"It's fine, Seaspray. I can't even clearly remember the worst of it now. Those specialists in Canterlot are a godsend when it comes to healing mental injuries." I said with a smile. I then led my friend along as I tried to find something for Smolder and Ocellus. But where to start?

I was tempted to get another pocket knife for Smolder, but I doubted she really needed one. I know she does go out to forage for wild berries now and then. And she has traits and abilities Gallus does not. Much greater strength, fangs that can gnaw through wood and stone with ease, maybe even claws that can pry open bottles. She would not get as much use out of such a device as Gallus would. And she even received a hatchet from Applejack for her birthday. Come to think of it, I would need to be careful to not gift her too hard after getting so many gifts all at once recently. What to do... "Seaspray. You remember Smolder, right? The orange dragon girl who would deploy our sensor crystal grids? Got any ideas on what she might like?"

"How could I forget her? She was assigned to bunk with you during that whole ordeal. As for her interests... I can't say I spent enough time around her to get a feel for her talents and interests." Seaspray replied honestly. It was not like anyone in the militia had time to engage in hobbies with what was available at the time.

Out of ideas, I settled on getting Smolder something edible. Bags of roasted beans and nuts spiced up with spicy seasoning. She could surely take the heat. But now all that was left was Ocellus. What should I get that lovely little love bug?

Ocellus was arguably the hardest one to think of a gift for simply due to how few her needs are. And she knows how to entertain herself like the rest of her friends do. Exotic snacks were out of the question. She gets most of her nutrition from me specifically. Kind of a weird thought in hindsight that I personally feed Ocellus with something produced by my very essence...

Instead of something practical, I tried to think of something that was at least meaningful. And it did not take long for me to find one. In one shop was a variety of jewelry on display. And I confirmed they were not any of that silly themed jewelry. It was the real deal. Gemstones and precious metals. And one of them instantly caught my eye. A pair of sterling silver earrings. Ocellus could easily wear them in her natural Changeling form or in her favorite dragon form. But it was the shape the earrings had been molded into that truly made them feel like they were meant just for her.

Moths. Each earring sported an elegant shape and engraving of a moth with wings spread. And I knew just how elegant moths can be. Ocellus had even assumed the form of a giant moth during this year's Nightmare Night festival. There was no mistaking it. They would be perfect for my little love bug.

I took the earrings in hand. They would not just be a simple gift. This one carried meaning. Fluttershy had her wedding band. Rarity had her opal-studded silver bracelet. Celestia had her gold ring with an amethyst embedded in it. And Smolder and I would be bound by her pearl earrings. That set of beautiful silver moth earrings would be the set that Ocellus would wear for me in the same way I wear my ring for her. And Seaspray must have noticed how I was smiling dreamily while thinking of my precious little beloved back home. "Hmmm... Have someone special on your mind, my liege?"

He already knew. Seaspray knew that Novo was not the only woman who found a place in my heart. I turned to him and whispered cautiously to avoid arousing suspicion in the other customers in the shop. "A very special young woman back home. A mare who wants to marry me. I want these...to be her ring."

Seaspray's eyes lit up as his beak parted with a smile. He then replied with an equally hushed tone, "Ah, I see. Another lucky lady? Or perhaps...another bride to be your queen? Whoever she may be, I hope you two will be very happy together."

"We will... We are. I...miss her dearly." I sighed as I felt an ache in my heart. I was surrounded by loved ones during my time down there in Cantercun. But Ocellus... A love so pure was a rare one. I wanted to hold her in my arms right at that moment. To give her the happiness that had been denied of her for too long. I turned away from Seaspray as I whispered under my breath, "I miss you, love bug..."

That was it. We were done shopping and the goods were set to be sent back to the hotel. I felt accomplished by then. My souvenir shopping was done. I would hopefully not forget anyone else before the end of our vacation. How long were we even out there for?

Seaspray and I wandered about to just take in the sounds and sights. And to pick up another snack in the form of another street corn on the cob. I could not get enough of those. But then Seaspray happened to notice something up ahead before I could. "I say... Isn't that the captain and his missus?"

Sure enough, there they were. Shining Armor and Cadence were out for a stroll through town as well. But they were heading away from us. Before I could wonder if we should interrupt them, the two of them stopped outside one establishment. And they looked pretty excited about it too. They turned to each other before trotting inside with a giddy spring in their step. "What the... What's got them so happy?"

The two of us hastened our pace to reach the spot the happy couple had been standing. And it looked like...Shining Armor and Cadence had entered a night club. Except it was one open at most hours of the day too? There was a certain air about the place even just by the exterior. Something retro... Seaspray then winked at me and asked, "Care for a little adventure, my good sir? Vacations are perfect for trying something new."

"I'm no good on a dance floor... But sure. Maybe we can hear some good jams while we're here." I replied before we headed on in. It felt odd entering such a place in the middle of the afternoon. Or perhaps it was a an all day club for anyone who wanted to get out of the sun for a while. But the design of the lobby... There was something...funky about the design aesthetics. Glass cases with certain memorabilia on display ranging from electric guitars and flashy suits for ponies, neon light displays on the walls and even with some groovy chandeliers... I glanced at Seaspray and asked, "Wait a minute... Did we just walk into a disco here?"

"Ha! I think we did! We've got some of these scattered around Capricorn Island too. It's just that most foreigners never know where to look." Seaspray replied while I could see where he was coming from. With all the architecture on Capricorn Island sharing that beautiful white finish, one would not know where to look until they just happened to stick their head inside the place. But now that we had found one... I was intrigued. The disco trend died out decades ago on Earth, but it appeared to be alive and well in Equestria.

We could even hear the thumping of some heavy bass through the walls from just the lobby alone. And when we glanced down one of the halls to the side, we caught a glimpse of Shining Armor and Cadence entering what was probably the main room of the place. And seeing those two slip through the door where there was likely lots of flash, flair, and disco balls waiting... "You know... I seem to recall something they told me about their high school days. Even showed some photos too..."

"Ahahaha, so I've heard. The captain and his wife were the prom king and queen of that year. Never had the chance to see any photos of that time though. He and I have seldom met in person outside of Capricorn Island before that mess on the Empty Plains." Seaspray chuckled as we approached the doors leading into where the real magic was happening. It turned out to be a double door with glass panels that allowed people to watch from the outside. And what a sight it was in there. "Mmhm, nothing quite like the spectacle of a disco dance floor. After you, my good sir."

I could feel the doors shaking with the thumping of the base when I put my hands on them. What a sight. The center of the room had a floor composed of thick glass or plastic panels that cycled through a kaleidoscope of colored lights shining from below. The ambient lighting around the room was kept dim to really allow the colors from the dance floor to really shine. Colored stage lights were shining towards the center to send their beams all over the place on the polished surface of a rotating disco ball hanging from the unusually high ceiling. A pair of ponies were even out in the middle grooving to some tune that sounded like it would have been produced in the late 70s or early 80s where I came from. Dressed in shiny satin suits, the mare and stallion rocking some funky afros, the two really knew how to pull off some groovy moves even while maintaining a bipedal stance. "Man, I would've never seen anything like this back home... I was born too late for disco."

The place was not even just for locals and tourists alike to come out of the sun for good music and good fun on the dance floor. It was also a place to get some cold snacks. Around the outer perimeter of the room were tables and booths for patrons to relax at. Pony waitresses glided from table to table to take and deliver orders. All while sliding around on roller skates. The unicorn mares had an easy time just carrying around goods with levitation magic, but anyone who did not have access to magic either did so on their outstretched pegasus wings that only added to their skating finesse or on wide platters draped across their backs. I will always be impressed with the balance the ponies of Equestria have when carrying goods without hands. And everything the waitresses served... They were either cold drinks or ice cream.

My eyes narrowed as I scanned the far end of the room beyond the lights, colors, and specks of light rotating all over the place from that dazzling disco ball. There was an ice cream bar at the far end that was about as retro as one could expect. Complete with chrome stools with round seats topped with red cushions. Everything about that establishment gave me a nostalgia rush I did not even know I could have. Was there such a place in Ponyville that I had not seen yet? Perhaps I need to shake up my usual routines in town and take another look around. Ponyville is a bigger town than one would expect and there are areas I still have not seen there. Although first thing was first. Seaspray and I had already enjoyed some zesty and spicy goods for lunch. It was time to chase it down with something cold and sweet.

The two of us began to circle around the edge of the room to avoid the dance floor for the moment. But we still kept an eye on the couple grooving to that funky disco beat. I was even walking with a bit of a strut to my step as I vibed to the music. But Seaspray started to look a little antsy when we were halfway across the place. I looked back and asked, "Uh... Admiral? What's wrong?"

"Mmph... Pardon me for a moment, my liege. For this is my song!" Seaspray chirped before he suddenly pushed himself up onto his hooves with his great wings spreading and reaching back to hold himself up. Was he really about to crash the party?

He most certainly was. As soon as Seaspray stepped onto that kaleidoscopic dance floor, he turned around and began to expertly moonwalk straight back towards the center of the room with every step going in time with the percussion of the music. Where did Seaspray of all people learn how to groove?! He must be a lot of fun to have at parties with his men.

The couple out on the dance floor did not even mind the towering hippogriff joining in. Quite the opposite. They split up to let him get between them before Seaspray began to boogie in a manner closer to a man than a stallion. Even his armor began to play into his performance. That glorious iridescent armor basically turned Seaspray into a mobile disco ball, causing even more of the colorful rays of light shining towards the center of the room to erratically reflect all over the place. He was utterly glowing with color. As wild as and weird as it was to see Capricorn Island's commander of the royal guard just getting down like anyone else in a disco hall, he had quite a bit of flair to how he moved. He utilized those huge balancing wings to make some majestic sweeps that bordered on angelic in movement. I even caught a glimpse of Cadence and Shining Armor at the other side of the hall. While Cadence looked dazzled and was even applauding, Shining Armor was just gawking with his jaw hanging wide open. No doubt he never knew Seaspray even had such a side to him.

The song only went on for another minute, but that sixty or so seconds made for quite the show between the pony couple and the towering and beautiful hippogriff stallion serving as a feathery pillar for them to dance around. And the crowd burst into applause as Seaspray took a bow. Only for a whistle to ring out over the hall. No one noticed, but Seaspray and I did. It looked like it came from Shining Armor. I looked across the hall along with Seaspray and saw the guy pointing over to the ice cream bar over yonder. Another song was starting up for the couple to dance to, but Seaspray politely saw himself off the dance floor. He and I then met up with the happily married couple as they took a seat on some of the stools. Shining Armor then called out over the next funky melody that was just getting started, "How long have you been able to jam like that, admiral?! Or are hippogriffs just great dancers by default?"

"Ohohoho, my good stallion! I'm certain that my fellow avian cousins in general have a natural gift for flash and flair!" Seaspray laughed while even I cracked a smirk at his logic. Birds. Really. There are few creatures who can put on such displays through either song or dance than feathered beings. From the glorious display of a peacock to the extremely flexible vocabulary of a humble mockingbird, birds are the prima donnas of all life on dry land.

We all started to put in orders for some good cold eats as the barista went to work on putting together some colorful works of edible art. Some of us got milkshakes styled up with a big dollop of whipped cream and all manner of toppings while I went for something I do not normally get. It was a good time to try something new. I ordered a fitting banana and strawberry sundae drizzled with fresh hot fudge. Being in the tropics demanded fresh fruit. And oh my goodness, that rich fudge complimented every ingredient in that bowl. From the vanilla ice cream to the two types of fruit. Good food, good music, and a good show out on the dance floor for us all to watch.

We were not the only ones to arrive for much longer. I started to notice some familiar faces beginning to file into the place one by one. Almost as if something was drawing them there. Celestia was the first to arrive. She was followed by her sisters and parents. Then Sky Beak and his family began to file in along with Skystar. Ember entered with Rain Shine, but looked uneasy about all the sounds and lights. A bit too much too fast? The way she clutched the Bloodstone Scepter close to her body showed that she looked a bit overwhelmed and apprehensive. I was honestly surprised that Rain Shine was even less fazed with how serene and quiet village life tends to be back in the Grove of Silence. Ember soon caught sight of me and hurriedly rushed over to me. "A bit loud in here, isn't it?!"

"Yeah, but it's a good kinda loud!" I laughed while turning around in my stool and grabbing her in a big hug. Ember relaxed almost instantly as I held her in an unfamiliar place. I know for certain the dragon lands have nothing like a disco hall. Such music and lights were a lot to take in so suddenly for someone who had known only rocky volcanic wastelands for more than a century.

Ember rested her head against my chest with her eyes squinted shut. At least for a moment. I then spoke into her ear, "Your people never had music like this, did they?"

"No..." Ember mumbled as she began to gradually loosen her embrace. Bit by bit, she started to look more relaxed as she turned around while at least holding my hand. She turned her head from side to side as she observed the flash and flair of the dance floor and all that color shining everywhere. And she even began to subtlety bob her head to the tempo of the music blaring across the hall. "But...I think I can get used to this... I like this melody."

"It'll grow on you fast. If there's one thing all societies love, its good music." I replied while guiding Ember to the empty stool next to me. She would appreciate having something new to eat. But before I could let her know that we were seated at an ice cream bar, I happened to notice the Bloodstone Scepter in her other hand. And I remembered who was watching from it. "Hey, what about them?"

"Huh? Oh... Uh... Hey! Mom! Dad! How's the view?" Ember asked with her eyes locked onto the red stone atop her scepter. And she soon gritted her teeth as she resisted the urge to laugh. She looked over at me and said, "They just want to enjoy the show. They're really taken with what's happening around here."

"I don't blame them. Even I would be lucky to see a place like this back where I came from. As for you, how about something sweet and cold?" I replied before motioning my hand toward the back of the bar before us. There were lines of spray bottles filled with all sorts of flavors for drinks with the ice cream kept somewhere out of sight inside the counter below.

Ember had no idea where to start. So she got more than one item at once. One milkshake and one sundae. Nothing like some comfort food to soothe her nerves in a new environment. While Ember focused on just trying some new sweet treats as her tail began to swish in time to the music, Rain Shine then strode over our way while greeting me with a serene smile like she always does. Between the flashing lights of so many colors and the thumping soundtrack filling the air, I could not help but crack a smirk at the mare of nature before me. "You look a bit too chill for being so far outta your element right now."

"You speak as if such sound is new to me." Rain Shine replied while flashing me a playful wink. She then explained, "Places like this are no stranger to my people and I listening in for entertainment. The only trouble is finding a way to reach into these halls when there is so little natural material linked to the earth."

Those kirin really do have an ear to the ground when it comes to listening to whatever is happening all over the world. But they could not see what was happening. And Rain Shine's eyes did widen in wonder as she finally got to see a disco hall instead of only hearing one. "But there is nothing quite like getting the full experience with all of one's senses."

"Disco, baby. There's nothing else like it. Hearing it is one thing, but you're missing out if you can't see it too." I replied while leaning back against the counter with sundae in hand. It was strange. The atmosphere was wild and jumping, yet also had a certain serenity about it. One could be getting some real energy flowing out on the dance floor, or relaxing at the ice cream bar or booths to relax and unwind with some cold treats. Get on the dance floor or be a casual observer? There was something for everyone there.

I could see Sky Beak's family over yonder with Silverstream looking like she really wanted to get out there and dance. Skystar too, but not so much with Terramar. He looked content to just watch alongside his parents. Although I would not put it past Sky Beak and Ocean Flow to get out there for a duet. And then there was King Orbash and Queen Sunflare. I am absolutely certain they had never seen the inside of a disco hall before. Although they surely knew nothing of how to dance to much more modern music. But they marveled at everything around them.

It was only after the couple left the floor with a bow after the end of the next song did Silverstream and Skystar rush onto the dance floor to put it all to good use. There were cheers and whistles from family and friends as the two young ladies stood high on their legs with wings spread wide. It was the first time I had ever seen Silverstream assume such a stance. And as the beat got started, the two feathery ladies got to grooving. Those sweeping wings, the movements of their arms and hands... They were dancing much more like women than mares. And what flourish! Hippogriffs really do excel at the art of dance in ways other equines cannot.

"A snack and a show, huh? I can get behind this." Ember said from beside me while looking like she had already gone through her previous set of cold treats before starting on another. Those dragons and their bottomless bellies. The Bloodstone Scepter was still propped up beside her while I was left wondering if Torch and Blaze were doing their own bit of dancing where no one could see them. Ember then took a quick look around and said, "Where is she?"

"Huh? Where's who?" I asked now that I was wondering just how did our entire entourage show up in the same place. If it was just me, Seaspray, Shining Armor, and Cadence, I would hardly bat an eye. But by then, just about everyone who was attending our vacation as a group was there. Almost everyone.

"Novo. She told Rain Shine and I to meet up here. She didn't say why and she didn't follow us inside." Ember replied before going right back to focusing on the sundae bowl in one hand. Of course Novo would be the one to round everyone up like that. Did she insist on everyone showing up at that disco hall together? I wonder if she instructed Seaspray to subliminally guide me there in the end. But if that was the case, where was Novo anyway?

Whatever the case, we were all enjoying the show. With my sundae done, I went and ordered something I had not tasted in years that felt way too fitting for such a retro location. A root beer float. I had to make a point to eat some more filling and healthier fare for dinner after such a sugar rush. But right when the current song ended and the two dancing hippogriff ladies exited the stage with a bow, the next song did not start right away. Did someone make a request backstage with the DJ running the operations?

Even most of the lights went out. People got chatty around the room as even the dance floor's many illuminated panels turned off. But only for a moment. A single row of them all turned on in a uniform shade of light blue. And there on the central panel at the edge was a hoof. One exposed without fur or feathers hanging over it. But above it was a very wide bell-bottom cuff of a pair of pants. My eyes began to go wide as the music started up again with a song oozing with funk. I chugged the rest of my drink, risking a brain freeze in the process, before gazing at who was stepping out onto the dance floor. "Oh no she didn't..."

With every step forward, another row of light panels would become illuminated with that beautiful sky blue. There was no mistaking it. Novo was smoothly and confidently strutting out onto the dance floor as the song's prelude filled the hall. Standing tall, her wings spread wide and reaching back to serve as a counterbalance, she was dressed for the occasion. And with such a swagger to her! Her wide rounded hips swayed in a manner much closer to the gait of a human woman. She knew I was watching. Golden bracelets hung loosely from her wrists while a pair of matching round loop earrings hung from her ear tufts. But covering her body... A sleeveless shimmering ensemble that was totally right out of the disco scene. Her very light pink feathers coating her arms and over her shoulders complimented perfectly the light blue color of her attire. The cuffs at the end of her pants flared out to form bell-bottoms, leaving her vibrant pink hooves exposed to further compliment the color. But the pants became more formfitting the further up they went. And as she turned, I flinched as I saw just how provocatively they hugged and accentuated the rounded motherly curves of her flanks. The only thing missing that would complete the look was a thick afro on her head, but there was no way she could pull that off with her crest of blue and magenta feathers. Not that she needed to, that glorious creature. With a swish of her majestic magenta tail feathers, I swear I saw Novo smirking at me. The queen of Capricorn Island was proving herself to be a true disco queen!

With a sudden raise of her arm, Novo began to get down with moves I did not even know she had. Her poise and balance was impeccable as she danced like a woman instead of a mare. She was the envy of every woman in that disco club. Such style and grace. All while just so provocative and sexy! It was a struggle to turn my eyes elsewhere as Novo grooved to the beat filling the air. When I did manage to look away, I carefully scanned those I knew around the edges of the dance floor. Sky Beak's family were very entertained as they swayed and vibed to the tune, but Skystar... She looked a little uncomfortable to see her own mother putting on a show for the man of her dreams.

My eyes turned to Equestria's royal family. Orbash and Sunflare watched with such inquisitive look of entertainment and joy, Nightmare Moon and Luna were even tapping their hooves to the beat, but Celestia was... Her jaw was hanging wide open. She no doubt had never seen Novo get down quite like that. I bet she was jealous. The Princess of the Dawn being thoroughly upstaged by her own best friend. What sort of fun did Novo get up to on her better days before I met her?

Man, the way her hooves slid over the dance floor as those colors cycled in a manner that must have been in time with the tempo of the music... The swishing of those angelic wings as she masterfully maintained that biped stance... And the hip movements that caused those long tail feathers to flag... Novo has always been bold and never afraid to flaunt her beauty, but this was taking it to another level. And I was not the only one there dazzled with how unabashedly sexy she was coming off as. I heard a number of bystanders catcalling her at times. Not that I could blame them. My eyes kept going back to her rump. The way the lights reflecting off of the disco ball glided across her shimmering blue attire and especially along the contours of her flanks... It was almost as if Novo was putting on a very subtle mating dance for her future king. I tried to keep my libido in check, but I had a strong hunch Novo and I would soon find ourselves in bed somewhere before long.

The twirls, the sweeps, the complete domination of everyone's attention... Novo was such a feast for the eyes. I glanced at my fellow companions at the ice cream bar and found them all to be watching with frozen wide stares and jaws hanging open. All except for Seaspray. He was watching with a knowing smirk. A smirk that broadened when his gaze met mine. He did not even have to say anything. He knew much about his queen and the many skills she picked up over her very long life.

At long last, Novo made a move as the song sounded like it was nearing the end. But not quite before the melody began to fade out. She did a quick twirl and began to moonwalk right off the dance floor. Right over to the ice cream bar wile Seaspray left his spot behind me. No one said anything. No one interfered. Everyone only watched. She slid our way on those smooth pink hooves, suddenly spun around, brought one arm down on the counter before looking right at me with such a smirk on her beak. "Hey there, handsome. You come here often?"

Applause filled the room as the music finally started to fade out. And I was at a loss for words. At least for a moment. After taking a deep breath while trying to stabilize my own racing thoughts about exactly why Novo must have surely conspired to have everyone gather there, I finally asked, "Since when did you have moves like that?!"

"Ha! Baby, I'm a mare of many talents! You pick up on a few things over the centuries when you regularly mingle with the locals." Novo chirped proudly with Seaspray even noticeably chuckling. He must have been subtly guiding me around. I would not put it past him to be Novo's right hand man in getting me to the right place at the right time. Novo then snapped her fingers to get the attention of the bartender. "Hey! This disco queen's in the mood for a shake. Chocolate and cherries."

I am not sure what exactly the bartender whipped up, but it was thick with rich chocolate and chunks of finely blended cherries topped with whipped cream and a single cherry. Novo was embracing the mood of that disco hall even as more dancers made their way onto the dance floor. They were all inspired by that sexy disco queen livening the place up. Novo slurped in satisfaction from her drink before noticing the eyes of our friends and companions on her at the counter. She looked at Rain Shine first and asked, "What's the matter? Never seen a real lady get her groove on where it matters most?"

Rain Shine stammered in a way I had never seen or heard her do before. "I... It's just... Goodness, I have only heard the sounds of these clubs. But never have I seen what happens here... Certainly not like this!"

Ember then butted in and reached a hand past me to gesture towards her friend. "Yeah, where'd you learn how to do all that?! I'm pretty sure that wasn't typical...queenly conduct back there."

"Queenly?! Honey, I was as queenly as can be right there! A disco queen, that is!" Novo cackled before taking another long swig of her sweet drink. She then smirked at the Dragon Lord and said, "When you've been around as long as I have, you pick up on a lot of tricks along the way. And I found that I excel on the dance floor. Especially when they light up!"

"You just keep finding ways to surprise us..." I snickered before ordering a nice cold bottle of cherry cola to compliment Novo's snack. With the next song helping mask our own conversation, I glanced at Novo meaningfully while she noticed my gaze. "But I love that about you, Novo. There's never a dull moment with you."

"Back at you, baby. You make me happy to wake up every day." Novo replied sweetly before she and I tapped our glass containers together. Even there in the thick of a place of fun and music, we did not forget about just how madly in love we were with each other. We enjoyed the show and the tunes, all eyes eventually leaving the disco queen. She had her turn in the spotlight and now it was someone else's turn. But that was exactly what Novo was waiting for. The instant she and I set aside our empty drink glasses and bottles, she reached out and took hold of my hand. When my eyes met hers, Novo cast me a knowing smile. "Come with me, baby."

I did not refuse. Novo had a good reason for us to be where we were. It was not by chance that every last part of our entourage had gathered at that disco hall just for her to show up in glorious disco attire to but on a show. She was not there for them. She was there for me. And a joyful anticipation began to set my nerves alight. I knew in my gut that even with what we had planned with my beloved Celestia that night, there was still enough time left for us to have a very fulfilling moment between husband and wife. Even if we had not truly said our vows yet.

Novo kept her head down as she led me through the back halls, the walls decorated with more memorabilia that felt strangely vintage to me. The ceiling was lower than the dance hall, forcing Novo to walk on both hands and hooves. But my eyes were soon drawn...elsewhere. The bobbing of her wide mare hips covered in a layer of shiny light blue satin... And she knew it. "Something catch your eye back there, honey? I saw how you were eyeing my best bits during that little performance."

"If I didn't know better, you knew exactly what you were doing when you picked out this outfit. Just...the way they strain the fabric... I can see every inch of these curves..." I mumbled as I could not keep a hand off her. My hand slid over Novo's flank while I tried to keep my libido in check. And Novo let out a sultry chuckle as she felt my caress. There was no doubt in my mind. We would soon be making love together.

Novo soon locked us both in one of a series of rooms at the back of the establishment while no one we passed asked any questions. It appeared to be a changing room with lots of disco dance attire hanging around with neon light displays around the place. There was a big cushy couch there as well. A place to change into outfits for a good time on the dance floor? Or also a quiet place to rest between performances? The music from the hall was much duller in there. Perhaps there was some extra insulation in place in the walls. Nice and quiet. Just the way we wanted it.

I was gently pushed back onto the couch before Novo once again rose onto just her hooves. The ceiling was too low for her wings to reach as high as before, but she made it work anyway. The tops of her wings pressed against the ceiling as if holding onto it for support. She looked down at me with a smirk while I smiled back at her. Good lord, she looked stunning in that attire. Even without it shimmering with stage lights shining down on her. "Man, you look good in blue..."

"Mmhm, I do. And not too dark a blue either. I always looked nice flying with all this pastel pink against the sky. Color coordination is important in fashion, honey. But I bet your sweet little Rarity already taught you that." Novo giggled as she gently swayed and placed her hands behind her head. She was standing much more like a woman than a mare. It impresses me how flexible the limbs of the equine races of Equestria are. Evolution gave the people of this magical world very interesting results.

I thought back to my dear Rarity. The most beautiful mare in all of Ponyville. A commoner with beauty fit for royalty. I hoped she was finding ways to have a fun time back in Ponyville in spite of autumn's chill. But my attention was quickly drawn to Novo again as she slowly turned around to sway in place with a subtle yet sexy dance. She cooed to me with such a sultry tone, "But it's not just color that makes an ensemble work. It's the design too. I so do love this getup on the dance floor. Especially...down here."

I bit my lower lip as Novo rubbed a hand over her right flank. Those shiny pants hugged her curves so tightly, but not so tightly that it was in danger of ripping open. She feinted ignorance of what she was really doing as she said, "I've never had to trim any fetlocks around my hooves. That vibrant pink is always exposed. And it goes so well with this blue under those wide cuffs. Especially with how..."

Novo brought her other hand to her left flank. And she gave her rump a good squeeze as she spoke with such a sultry inflection in her luscious voice. All while she looked over her shoulder at me. "With how these hug and compliment my wide...round...foal-bearing hips."

She was seducing me. And I was making no attempt to restrain my libido. But as she performed for me, that sultry tone carried a hint of somber longing. Novo spoke so sweetly to me, "It's been so very long since a foal last passed through these hips... I want the next one to be yours."

There was not just lust in Novo's voice. There was love. Just like there had always been. And there was no love greater than the love that would fuel the creation of a precious little life with the man of her dreams. And I whispered to her in need, "Nothing would make me happier."

"Good to hear, honey. Every queen needs to know how to make her king happy." Novo trilled as she slid her hooves to walk backwards towards me. She then lowered her hips and sat right on my lap. Only to begin grinding against me as I inhaled sharply through my teeth. "And I know what would make you happiest, my love."

She knew me well. Novo, with her eons of experience in the art of love, could read my heart like a book. And she was right. I whispered lovingly to my queen as a painfully stiff bulge began to form in my shorts, "I'd be so happy if... Nothing...would make me happier...than having a child with you... A little baby boy to love..."

I needed her so bad. And Novo needed me. As that tent in my shorts pressed between her veiled hips, Novo sighed and panted lustfully. Her beak hung open as she continued that wonderful lap dance. She was preparing herself as much as she was seducing me. Her hands finally began to reach for the waistline of her pants as she cooed, "Then do it, my love... Give your queen your child. Make me bear your heirs."

Bit by bit, Novo teasingly lowered her pants to reveal more and more of those beautiful round flanks covered in her pale pink plumage. Slowly replacing that shimmering blue with feminine pink. They jiggled ever so slightly, hips and curves blessed by pregnancy and eventually motherhood. Until finally Novo's vibrant and needy pink marehood was revealed. Her feminine scent was strong, those folds moist and glistening. The same folds that our children would emerge from in hopefully not the too distant future. Lust and love in my heart, I caressed my queen's motherly hips. "God, you are just so beautiful..."

"And this beauty belongs only to you, baby. My sweet swan king..." Novo gasped as my hands caressed and soon firmly gripped those full soft flanks, supple flesh covering a layer of powerful muscle. Until I could take it no longer. I needed to fill her. And maybe it was not too late. Perhaps her womb was still open. It was not too late to try and insure that our efforts would bear fruit.

I hastily began to undo my shorts to free what Novo needed. She lifted her hips from me to allow me to slide my shorts down enough to reveal my very stiff erection. And as I took hold of her hips to guide her back down, Novo smiled lovingly at me over her shoulder. "Do it, James... Breed your wife."

And I did. I brought my queen's wide hips down and plunged my shaft did into her fertile folds. There was only one thing to do as she and I gasped in bliss. To breed. To create a beautiful little life together. One that would know happiness and love, one that would be cherished by their father and their many mothers. One that would know the love and kinship of their many brothers and sisters. It was all I could think about as joy filled my heart. "Make me a father, Novo..."

"Only if you make me a mother, baby." Novo cooed as she put her strong legs to work. She put in the most effort, lifting and lowering her hips to take me deep into her while my hands helped her maintain balance. My fingers rubbed and pressed firmly into those glorious flanks while me eyes feasted on the beautiful disco queen about me. That shimmering blue, the vibrant pink of her exposed rump, and her flowing mane and tail feathers draping over me. What a sight to behold, seeing so much of my beloved as we worked together to bring a new little into the wonderful world of Equestria.

I was just so in love. And with not just love for my beautiful queen. My heart pined for one who did not yet exist. The precious little foals that would complete our family. The pleasure engulfing my shaft with every press of Novo's hips against mine was only intensified with the knowledge that we were creating something beautiful together. And I could not hide what was in my heart. "Oh god, Novo... I wanna make babies with you... Beautiful little baby birds..."

"Oooooh daddy... Do it, honey... Do it..." Novo lustfully beckoned me as she masterfully and slowly worked her hips. Dancing as much as she was pleasuring me. A true queen of the disco dance floor as much as she was queen of her people. And as her wings spread ever wider in a glorious courting display, she cooed with her eyes closed. "I wanna be big... I wanna be full..."

I could see the movement of her arms. Novo brought her hands low to rest over her belly. And the tone of her voice was filled with lustful longing. "I want to be heavy... Heavy with your children."

Her words sang to my heart. We truly desired the same thing. To love and be loved. And to love new little lives we would create together. The children of man and mare. We were mother and father already. But not to each other's offspring. We needed sons and daughters of our own. And my mind raced with joyful anticipation. Who would be born first? Darling little Sirius? Or beautiful little Vega?

Novo's sweet words drove me to do me part. I could not let my lover do all the work. With my hands gripping her hips, I lifted mine in time to meet hers. A delightful gentle impact was felt. One that made me grunt in need while Novo moaned and chirped so beautifully. I needed to do it. I needed to fill her. "I...want to make you heavy and full, Novo... Need to...get you pregnant..."

"Then get me pregnant, James... Give your mare a foal to love together with you!" Novo called with such joy in her voice. Joy that was rarely so vocal. We redoubled our efforts, the tempo of our dance rising. With every fall of her hips and rise of my own, a firm thump filled the air. One of flesh meeting motherly mass cushioned with soft feathers. We were so happy. Happy that we were creating together. Creating something beautiful, pure, and irreplaceable. We were creating life.

"Let's... Ooooh yes, baby... Let's...fill the sky with a constellations of our beautiful little stars..." Novo sang to me as she began to have much more trouble speaking. Instead of words, I only heard a wordless song filling the air. A song sung with one of the loveliest and soulful voices I had ever heard. I was not so vocal, but my body was burning. Pressure was building in my loins. I was so eager to give my queen my gift. To sow my seed in her fertile womb so we would have the children we needed.

I began to thrust much harder into my beloved. Words failed me. I wanted to tell her how dearly I wanted to have a family with her. That I loved her so much that I wanted to be more than just her lover. I wanted to be her husband. And if need be, I would serve as her king. Just for her. But Novo spoke for me. We were rapidly nearing our climax. And she looked over her shoulder at me with such excitement in her eyes. "Do it, my love... Fill me. Breed me. Be a daddy! Be a king! Give me your heirs!"

All I could do was say one thing as I plunged deep into her one last time. Her name. Novo. I called the name of my beautiful queen. The wonderful mare who would become mother of my children. And as I groaned her name with my seed bursting deep into her, Novo called loudly to me as her body was wracked in with her own climax. "Ah! Yes, baby! Give me your sons! Give me your daughters, my love! Please... Make me...yours...!"

She was mine. And I was hers. And we...were just so happy. That moment was a small eternity even if it was all over too soon. That rush, that sense of accomplishment and triumph, faded so quickly into a gentle afterglow as Novo and I wheezed in blissful fatigue. For just that moment, all that mattered was each other.

I found myself embracing Novo from behind even while her soft cushioned rump pressed against my hips. My face rested against her back as my hands found their way to her belly. That smooth satin texture of her shimmering attire was an unusual sensation against my cheek. And with my hands on her belly, I came to a realization. My seed was hardly leaking back out of her. And Novo brought her hand to mine as she cooed to me. "So warm... I feel it deep in me..."

My eyes widened in delight. My seed had made its way into her womb. It really was not too late after all. There was still time to try and insure our firstborn would be conceived before we returned home. My fingers roamed meaningfully over my beloved's belly as Novo spoke again with a sigh of longing. "Our baby..."

"Our little ones..." I whispered back to her. I prayed at that moment. Prayed that our efforts would bear fruit. And I whispered to my dear Novo, "I want to be a father again... To all of them."

Novo gingerly rested her fingers over mine. And her soulful voice whispered to me with such love on every trill of her words. "James... They're gonna love you. All our little boys and girls... They're gonna adore their daddy. You're ready, honey. And so am I. I've...been ready for so long."

I allowed Novo to touch my one hand while the other slid under the fabric coating her upper body. I wanted to feel her purely. Those smooth feathers forming a layer over her belly. A layer of powerful equine muscle shielding a delicate cradle within. One that would grow larger and rounder as it would press out to form a beautiful pearl within the oyster that was one of the finest mares in all of Equestria.

I had witnessed the beauty of pregnancy in my dear wife back home. Fluttershy seemed to glow with a subtle golden aura at times, I swear. And she loved it. It did not bother Fluttershy at all when it became difficult to fly. She weathered the changes in her body with such grace. She savored every single day of it. I could only imagine what those changes would look like on a mare such as Novo. Her and...

My eyes widened as I suddenly realized what just happened. I was supposed to be saving myself for that evening. For a very special woman. And now I had spent myself too soon. I muttered to Novo while continuing to hold her, "I guess this means...we'll have to reschedule our little meeting with Celestia tonight..."

Novo was not as surprised as me and gently rubbed the back of my hand. "Huh? Oh... No no no, don't you worry about that, honey. You've still got plenty of time. Take it easy, rest for the next several hours, and I promise you'll be ready for tonight. I didn't forget about your little sun queen. That's why I planned this for now and not later today. You've got time to find your second wind."

I suppose she was right. Another seven or eight hours would be more than enough time for my body to recover and be at peak performance by the right time that night. I sighed in some relief as I remembered that such an amount of time was more than enough for the average man to get himself ready for another round with his woman. I let out a quiet snicker as I said, "Yeah... That's a good point. I'll be ready when the time comes."

"You better be, honey. Because..." Novo giggled before pressing my hand more firmly against her belly. Her sassy tone made way for a much softer whisper. "Our little ones will need brothers and sisters from their sweet sun mama eventually."

"We really will be just one big family, won't we?" I sighed with such joy in my heart. A royal family with queens from across the land. With beautiful little brothers and sisters loved by their royal mothers, whether born from them or not. Celestia would love Novo's children as much as Novo would adore hers. And every other mother in our family... I felt hope. Hope for the future for my family and I.

"We will. You. Me. Them. And every precious little boy and girl born into it. We love you, baby. And we know you love us all. Even when we're not in the same room with you." Novo cooed with her fingers rubbing over the back of my hand. At last, she could not resist any longer. Novo lifted her hips from my lap as barely a drop of my seed oozed from her thoroughly satisfied marehood. With her pants still around her knees, she carefully turned around and pulled me into a wonderful embrace and kiss. Her beak clamped over my lips as her tongue reached out to mind. Such a succulent kiss made all the sweeter by the lingering sweet and sugary notes of our prior drinks on our tongues and breath. Oh what a wonderful moment...

Novo soon began to kiss me down the middle of my chest before suddenly taken my entire spent shaft into her mouth. Was she really ready for more? But instead of bobbing her head, all I felt her do was slide her tongue around my flaccid length. And before I could feel myself start to be ready for another round, she released me from the confines of her beak with such a cheeky smirk on her face. "Just had to get daddy all cleaned up before we head back out. And my goodness... What a lovely blend of flavors, you and I."

I grinned so sheepishly at that strange sort of praise. My length had been coated in both her juices and my seed. I wonder how such a pungent cocktail would even taste... I was not bold enough to try and do the same for a mare. Not at the time, at least. But as Novo lifted herself high to allow her hands to start gripping the waistline of those shiny bell-bottom pants, I suddenly had the presence of mind to say, "Hey, hold on. Don't want us leaving any...evidence in a rental suit."

"Rental?! Ha! James, this getup is mine. I keep it on hand whenever I travel abroad just for such occasions." Novo laughed before getting the waistline up high enough to sync with her top. It was as if the point where they separated disappeared to create a shimmering blue suit that was a single piece of fabric. She then looked over her shoulder at me with a very knowing smirk. "That means this won't be the last time you see me in this baby on the dance floor."

"Ohohoho, you spoil me, Novo. Anyway, let's get back out there before someone wonders why we've been in here for so long." I snickered with some strange glee at the thought of seeing Novo grooving on the dance floor back home. But when I stepped past Novo as she dropped back down onto her hands with her impressive wings folding, her hand intercepted mine when it reached for the door. I looked at her while she did the same. All with a meaningful smile on her beak. We could stall for a moment longer. Our faces drew near as our eyes closed before we just stood there, brows touching with our hands clasped. "Love you, Novo."

"Love you too, sugar bear." My queen whispered back to me. We did not embrace. We did not kiss. We just...savored each other. And I felt such peace.

Without budging, I whispered with my eyes still clamped shut. It was hard to not be worried when we were in a very public establishment. Making love in one of the back rooms of a disco club? Unbelievably risky for anyone in a position of authority. And Novo got especially vocal towards the end of it. "You think anyone overheard us in here?"

"Doubt it. Between the music out there and the sound insulation in here? Almost no chance unless they were right outside the door. And it's not like anyone down here knows much about either of us. Anonymity is a useful tool when traveling abroad." Novo whispered back to me. When we did finally peak outside, it really looked like no one had come by recently. Probably because everyone, even the employees, were staying close to where all the action was at. We slipped away unseen and soon returned to the dazzling colorful displays of the disco hall.

The ice cream bar's patrons had been shuffled around a bit. Terramar and Silverstream were at one end enjoying some ice cream sundaes. Both of their orders were covered in thick layers of hot fudge. I only just then remembered that chocolate is not commonly used on Capricorn Island and is almost exclusively imported. They were not missing out on an opportunity to enjoy something they seldom get to try back home. Silverstream especially was scooping big chunks of her treat into her beak. And soon had to stop as some brain freeze set in.

The rest of the bar was taken up by most of the royal family. Celestia especially got herself what I could only describe as a dessert that had everything but the kitchen sink. A big bowl of ice cream scoops coated in just about everything available from fruits to sauces. Her sweet tooth was calling with a foghorn. Novo sauntered up beside her best friend and took one look at Celestia's treat before saying, "Always the sweet fiend, eh?"

"And still the disco queen of Capricorn Island, aren't you? I completely forgot you had moves like that, Novo!" Celestia laughed while the place was still loud and bright with sound and light everywhere. I did not recognize who was on the dance floor at the time.

It sounded like Celestia and Novo had a history when it came to dance clubs. At least when they became a thing in more modern times. I leaned closer to them and asked, "You ladies had some kinda routine involving places like this?"

Novo all too happily turned to me and said, "Oh, you better believe it! Hitting the clubs has always been one of our happiest little rituals for years. Two royal sexy beauties like us always turns plenty of heads. We just haven't done it for a few visits."

I put the pieces in my head while being careful not to say anything. When considering Novo's decades of mourning the loss of her first husband, such activities were probably deeply needed distractions for the queenly widow. Celestia was truly there for her just as much as Novo was there for Celestia in her darkest moments. "You two know how to have fun together. Always have, right?"

"We sure do, honey. Nothing really gets your groove on like good old disco. Something infectious about that genre." Novo chuckled with her wiggling an eyebrow at me. She still had a lot of energy in her. Probably even enough for an encore.

Celestia then looked my way and said with a more subdued smile, "It's just such a shame about what happened to the disco genre in your world."

"Yeah, disco died a very unfair death where I come from. And it had nothing to do with the fashion and music." I replied as I thought back to what I had learned about that black mark on the culture of music. But that is a subject for another time. Not wanting to well on that topic, I then had a cheeky idea. "In any case, how about a little duet for old time's sake? You two had a routine like that, right?"

Celestia looked all too happy to be given such a chance. "Sure! Just let me finish this ice cream up and I'll be ready."

"Don't go too fast there, honey. Nothing ruins a good time like a headache. And it looks like we've got a few takers to tide us over." Novo replied before pointing out at the dance floor. Whoever was out there had just finished up and the song had faded out. Only for most of the room to go black again. Was that normal for those who made requests? Novo certainly thought so. "Uh oh. Someone's going for a more personal touch here. Who's up next?"

"I think...I have a pretty good idea of that." Celestia replied with a noticeably giddy tone. And instead of one row of floor panels lighting up the instant someone stepped onto the dance floor, two rows lit up. At opposite ends. And my eyes widened as I saw who was stepping out of the dark. "Oh my goodness, it's just like old times! Ladies! James! Watch closely!"

Shining Armor and Cadence. The happily married couple emerged from the shadows as every row of floor panels they stepped up flared up with light and color. And the look of the attires they had rented out... It was like they had stepped out of the 70s and into the 80s. Even the music had less of the groovy feel of true disco music and leaned more into the synth tunes of the 80s music scene. And I had a strong hunch that was a genre the two lovers on stage were intimately familiar with.

What were the attires they had decked themselves out in? They must have gone digging through the back stash of rental outfits the place had to offer. Shining Armor was keeping it simple with a stylish black blazer, red necktie, and a ridiculous set of blinder sunglasses over his eyes. Cadence though... Colorful. That was all I could describe her dress. She had adjusted the style of her mane to give herself some wild curls towards the end of her long locks. A pair of light blue shoes with narrow heels were being worn just on her rear hooves that complimented her vibrant pink coat as well as much of her attire. With an equally blue bracelet on one hoof and a gown of faded purple with bold pink sashes, Cadence was looking utterly festive. But I did not recognize such a style. It felt like it was not a type one sees these days very often. I leaned towards Celestia and asked, "What's the occasion? Or...what're they doing?"

"It's just like in the old class photos. This is what they wore to their senior proms. I heard it was quite the fun time back then. Fun and...groovy." Celestia replied while giving me a playful wink. My eyes went wide with intrigue. A blast from the past? I could hardly wait.

Oh, those two groovy lovers. They started simple with the tapping of hooves along the floor that one would expect from an equine. Only for the two of them to bring their hooves together to help support each other on just their hind hooves. There was nothing sophisticated about how they twirled and weaved across the flashing panels of the dance floor. There was a certain sense of camp that could only come out of the era they grew up in.

The twinkling of that disco ball, the flashing of the stage lights, the alternating patterns and colors of the floor panels. Everything went about to create a very different feel as the two veterans of a not so distant era of music danced together. I never knew the 70s. And I barely had any recollection of the 80s. I almost envied Shining Armor and Cadence for having experienced an era I surely would have loved. And I found myself enthralled as I watched them. As if taken by a sense of nostalgia for an era I thought I remembered despite having never experienced it before.

Celestia and Novo were paying close attention to the music and eventually left their spots. Were they about to step in and take the floor once Shining Armor and Cadence's turn was up? Applause filled the air as the two of them eventually took a bow before even touching their horns together. No doubt reminiscing about their first romantic encounters back in high school. It was inspiring to see such a love enduring years later. A type of love I had not been fortunate enough to know. And as they left the dance floor, Novo and Celestia stepped onto it from opposite ends as yet another song started up.

The two royal friends approached on hands and hooves. At least until they reached the middle. With a flap of their wings, they pushed themselves up to assume biped stances and began to step and weave around each other with arms swaying and reaching high. I was concerned for Celestia since her wings were not quite as large as Novo's. They would not be able to provide as much of a counterbalance. But she compensated by using momentum to keep herself upright. Neither stayed in one pose for long. And while Novo was definitely better dressed for the occasion in her golden rings and shiny blue outfit, Celestia's golden regalia reflected the many rays of colorful light quite beautifully. And the crowd was going wild. While not many recognized Novo, everyone knew who Celestia is.

Cadence quickly pulled up a seat near me along with Shining Armor. And they both had such a giddy spring in their steps. I leaned over and asked as soon as they finished ordering milkshakes, "Did you two just take a walk down memory lane out there?"

Shining Armor let out a laugh before lowering those goofy glasses to the edge of his snout to better see over them. "Did you like it? We went digging through the catalogue and found just enough stuff to recreate some of our favorite getups from back in high school. Just look at Cadence! Can you imagine her being the prom queen like this?"

He was not wrong. Cadence looked dazzling. Maybe it was just me, but she did look a fair bit younger. Then again, the ponies of Equestria tend to age well. She could probably pass for how she looked fifteen years earlier with how she had styled herself up. Looking at the two of them, I then said, "That was a big day, right? Just look at you now."

"It really was. I found my true knight back then. And we never looked back!" Cadence giggled before their orders were served and they clinked their glasses together. It was a goo time. Good music and good dancing for all to see. I was glad to be there.

I think we just about all had a sugar crash by the time we all began to leave the dance club bit by bit. The sun was just starting to get low in the western sky by then. Nothing would clear us up better than a heartier meal at the buffet back at the resort. And for the rest of the evening, I took it easy. Enjoying the evening on my own terms and my own time. I wandered and rested, keeping conversations to a minimum. The rest of our stay there could be used to catch up on lost time.

It was more than just about savoring some personal time away from familiar surroundings. I was resting. Making certain my body had recovered enough for someone very dear to me. That was also part of why I was keeping away from the rest of our entourage. I did not want to be tempted by any of my beautiful lovers before the time was right. Being so far away from one's usual routines and responsibilities and surrounded by nothing but relaxation... It tends to allow for lust to build easily when in the presence of someone one is very in love with. And I had no shortage of love to give and receive there on the beaches.

What a beautiful night. It set in quietly as the beaches started to go empty with only the crashing of waves along the sandy shoreline. I was happy. And the time was near. Novo would come knocking at Celestia's room before long. She had slipped away somewhere with Celestia. But before that... I was needed somewhere. I had made a promise for that evening.

I headed out the door that led to the beach. The sun was setting somewhere in the west by then, the sky to the east being much darker. And the beaches were going empty. I was wondering if I was the only one who had remembered the promise. But there she was. Leaning against a palm tree beside the walkway was Ember. And she looked so radiant with how the warm orange glow of a flickering torch cast its glow over her beautiful blue scales. She looked my way with arms crossed and spoke with a smug smile. "You remembered."

"I admit that I almost forgot. I'm glad I didn't." I retorted with a hint of shame in my heart. I approached Ember while leaving my sandals behind. I reached out for Ember with the Dragon Lord gently taking hold of my hand. There was no sign of the Bloodstone Scepter in her presence. "Did I keep you waiting? Are you alone?"

"Only for about five minutes. And Mom and Dad have turned in for the night. I guess even the dead need to sleep in the next life." Ember said with a smile as she took hold of me. No one was around to see us. Just the way we wanted. Ember began to lead me down the walkway and onto the soft and cool sand of the beach. It is a different feeling to walk on the sand when the sun has been out of sight for a while.

Ember led me to what may have been the best spot of beach. The spot where the waves stop just short. Except I think they reached further inland than they did during the midday. High tide was in effect by then. The two of us sat beside each other with no one around to cramp our style. I looked at Ember and asked, "Do the dragon lands have stuff like this?"

"No, not really. But we do have some big lakes over there. They have hardly any waves like these though." Ember replied with a glance. Those landlocked lakes are probably not quite the same scale as the great lakes from my homeland. Ember then let out a sigh before turning her attention entirely towards the darkening ocean before us. "So dark out there at this time of day... Almost scary. But I feel compelled to defy the darkness."

"It's really a shame we're on the east coast. I bet the sunset looks amazing on the west coast right now." I retorted as I felt so disappointed to be seeing nothing but the encroaching black of night spreading over the eastern ocean. And it is much harder for me to be awake in time to see the sunrise in the east. I sighed and said, "Novo and I managed to wake up early enough to watch the sunrise here yesterday morning. That...was something special."

I felt Ember's hand gently wrap around mine. I turned my gaze to hers as those beautiful scarlet discs met mine. She asked with a hopeful smile, "You think we could watch that sunrise together while we're here?"

"I'd love to. Especially with you." I spoke with a whisper. Ember's eyes narrowed in quiet joy. And her grasp on my hand tightened. I could feel a growing fire in my heart in her presence. She just looked so lovely in the darkness. That bright inextinguishable blue... "Thank you for being here with me."

"No. Thank you for having time for me." Ember said with a growing grin on her face. Without hesitation or apprehension, she did something that spoke volumes about her heart. She reached out and placed a kiss upon my lips. Ember then spoke sweetly, "I've really been enjoying myself here. Every time I see you, it's like a new adventure. With new stuff to discover. Especially with that...dance club. That was loud, but a really fun kinda loud."

"Yep. It gets funky in those establishments. I wanna head back there sometime. Even if only for the ice cream bar." I retorted with a chuckle. One that even got a laugh out of Ember. Even if one does not know how to dance, that place had enough going for it with just its snack bar. Plenty to see and do even as just an observer.

Ember leaned against me while I did the same. Even without the glow of a sunset over the eastern ocean, there was a certain tranquility in the air. The Dragon Lord asked softly, "Have you been...busy with your queens lately? I saw how Novo stepped away with you back there."

A long sigh escaped my lips while Ember's hand tightened its grip on mine even further. That smirk on Ember's lips... She knew where the conversation was going. "She... I... I guess there's no way around it. In places like this... Where certain responsibilities don't apply and...life gets less complicated... You start to focus on simpler desires. Like... I see why so many couples on their honeymoons after marriage see these settings as an ideal place to start making a family together."

"You mean...you and your queens have been breeding together." Ember said with a chuckle. And not a bitter one. I felt...embarrassed over such an archaic term to describe the desires of Novo and I to have children together. Although Ember then added, "I see what you mean though... I don't know what it is about this place. It just...brings out the simplest desires when I have time to just let myself think. To relax... To eat great foods... To...be with...you."

Ember turned her head to look at me while I did the same. Neither of us smiled. But our eyes said enough. My beautiful beloved then asked, "Have you...succeeded in your efforts with them?"

I let out a long sigh. There was no reason to lie to her. "Don't know yet... It takes days for such a thing to set in. But we're hoping. Novo and Celestia arrived while in heat. I really hope that...new little lives will begin by this time next year."

"Right, I thought I noticed a certain kind of...pheromone around them. You really are that devoted to bringing heirs into this world... It's such an admirable desire." Ember said softly before reaching out and kissing me upon my lips. I just sat there and took it. I would never deny Ember a moment of intimacy. But she then began to gently push me back down and into the sand. "And I have not forgotten my vow to you... The future father of my successors."

My heart began to race as Ember rested atop me with wings spread. She looked so radiant and beautiful with her wings spread. She was...displaying herself to me. Hands resting on my chest, those scarlet eyes above a noticeable flirtatious smirk... I needed to ask. "Ember... Are you... Like them?"

That smirk became a more meaningful smile as Ember whispered to me. "We dragons have a fire in us that never goes out. Right there in our stomachs. Even in the dead of winter, it keeps us warm. But... Down here..."

Ember brought her hand lower. Sliding over the pale blue ventral scales lining her underside. And it rested just above the slit between the two scales I knew hid her cloaca. She smiled sweetly at me as she said, "Every now and then... I feel little cinders of warmth down here. Somewhere below my stomach. Inside my...egg chamber. Just like I feel now."

Celestia and Novo were not the only ones of my royal lovers to come to Cantercun during their most fertile times. And my body was beginning to burn in need. Ember was fertile. And before I could even consider a response, she brought her hand to my face for a tender caress. All while she whispered to me. "I don't think I've ever been so tempted... To just...breed with you... To finally...have offspring together... Would you do this with me if you could?"

My heard was pounding in my chest. Even with all the protocols of dragon courtship set aside for the moment, to think that... I asked softly while trying to keep my libido in check, "Would you really let me become a father of dragon children tonight?"

Ember asked an equally loving question in turn as those beautiful scarlet eyes gazed down at me in the shadows. "Would you make me the mother of yours?"

We embraced. For just a moment, Ember and I allowed our love to surface. No words were spoken. No requests or confessions were made. We merely allowed our hearts to do all the talking. Our lips touched. Our throats hummed in song. Our tongues danced together. And what a flavor I felt. Ember did not skimp out on dinner, but her ice cream snacks from earlier mingled with the subtle flavor of sulfur on her breath. She tasted delicious. And when that kiss finally ended to let us gaze at each other, I felt compelled to ask a new question. "Is the act of having children sacred to dragons?"

My beautiful blue beloved giggled at me before she said, "Compared to what needs to be done before they get to that point? Nothing carries a higher risk than the act of courtship. Once that's done...and both sides say yes... Breeding comes easy. But that doesn't make the hatchlings any less precious."

Ember sighed wistfully as she brought my hand to her belly. And that smile began to fade as her voice took on a more somber tone. "I shouldn't keep you waiting... I can see it in you. How dearly you want to be a father of dragon children. I wish I understood myself better. I wish...I could figure out how my heart works more easily..."

It has always been easy to forget how long Ember has been around. She is at the very most six times my age. And yet she appears so young for a dragon. I gently lid my fingers over her smooth scaled belly before Ember spoke with a more somber smile on her lips. "I want to see that day... To see you cradle our hatchlings in your arms..."

"I'm a very patient man, Ember. I've had to wait for important stuff before. And I'll keep waiting for when you have an answer ready for me." I said softly while casting her a smile of my own. I then brought both hands to her face to gently slide my fingers along the length of her jaws. And then over the curves of her horns as she swooned at my touch. My voice whispered to her, "I'll wait for you. My beautiful blue rose."

She was the one who got in the last word. Ember brought both of her hands to mine and held her in place once my hands returned to the sides of her face. What a beautiful smile... She hissed a lovely thing to me. "Keep taking good care of me and I'll always be in bloom for you."

We said very little during the remainder of our time together. Just holding each other and savoring the splashing of the waves against the darkened beach. When I finally escorted Ember back to the hotel, she was so reluctant to let me leave. But she knew someone needed me. And with one last discreet kiss, we parted ways. And I tried to focus my frustrated libido on who I was about to see.

I felt giddy as I entered the lobby of the hotel after waiting several minutes for Ember to go on ahead. So soon... Celestia and I could finally embark on giving each other what we truly wanted deep in our hearts. There was no better time than during a little honeymoon in the tropics. The clerk at the front desk passed me a spare card for Celestia's room with no questions asked. I was being expected. And upon stepping inside, I found the room dark and empty. I turned on the lamps nearby to set up some cozy ambience and waited. And I was not kept waiting long. There was a knock at the door. I asked softly, "Hello?"

"I'm here, honey. And Celestia is none the wiser." A familiar and beautifully deep voice replied from the other side. I quickly opened the door to let Novo in with her swiftly stepping inside. We were both trying to be discreet to all eyes and ears around us. The lovely hippogriff queen whispered to me the instant the door was shut, "How're you feeling, honey? You ready for your sexy sun queen?"

"I'd say I am. Rested and ready. I'm sure I won't disappoint her." I replied while feeling rather worn out after such a day. But not so worn out that I was not in the mood for intimacy with one of my beloveds. It would be the perfect way to end another day in that tropical paradise. Novo and I soon got comfortable on the bed while I disrobed into just my boxers. "You think she'll be much longer?"

"I say...give her ten minutes. I made sure to serve us up some chamomile tea to help us relax for a good night of sleep.." Novo replied before she looked my way with a smirk. I tried to avert my eyes, but that smile never went away. "You excited, love?"

My heart fluttered. We were really dong this. We were going to insure that Celestia's heat cycle would not be squandered. "Yeah... I'm nervous, but... I want this. You sure she'll want it too?"

Novo snickered under her breath before saying, "After all she said to you when you were on your way to see my place for the first time? You better believe it, honey. A mare doesn't say things like that to her man unless she's dead serious about having babies with him."

I flinched at those words. The only reason she knew about that night was because Novo had read the journal entry I wrote during that flight and I had completely forgotten that part was even in there. Novo then rested her hand over mine while I stared at the ceiling to let my mind wander. Her touch got my attention with my gaze meeting hers. I asked softly, "Are you sure you want this too?"

She did not hesitate. Novo even appeared amused with her surprise to my question. "Of course I do, James. It might not be in a hippogriff's nature to be one of many in such a relationship, but you convinced me that we can make this work. You're too sincere with how you love for me to not find it admirable. This isn't a herd or harem you're building. It's a family. And I'm honored to be part of it."

Novo then gripped my hand a bit more firmly before speaking with a more confident smile. "And besides... My heart still only belongs to one man. And he's right here before me."

"You spoil me, Novo." I said almost in jest. But I still found myself blushing at those words. That wonderful and very experienced goddess of a queen always knows how to make me feel like the luckiest man who ever lived. Truly an example of a perfect woman. I then looked at her and said, "I just want all of you to be happy. To...never regret letting me be yours."

"And we'll always be happy as long as we have you, baby. Because we're yours just as much as you're ours." Novo whispered sensually before placing a kiss on my cheek. A kiss that soon met my lips. It was so tempting to turn all of my attention to just Novo, but we needed to be patient. There was another who would be joining us soon.

And soon she did arrive. Novo and I suddenly flinched as we heard the distant sound of the door's lock loosening. The glorious queen beside me inhaled sharply with her eyes wide with excitement. "Here we go."

The door opened just around the corner. And we heard the approaching taps of hooves. The Princess of the Dawn then stepped out into the open with her gaze falling upon us in surprise. "Novo?! I think you're in the wrong room. Did you get lost?"

I felt it was best to let Celestia's best friend explain even as I felt myself tense up in some giddy unease. Novo smirked at her friend and said, "No, I'm pretty sure I'm right where I need to be, honey. Just like you."

Celestia began to back up and out of sight with her smile becoming crooked. "In that case, you should've let me know the two of you wanted some time together. I'll check back on you again in..."

"Huh?! No no no, get over here, Celestia. We've been waiting for you and you're not missing out on this." Novo quickly barked before beckoning her friend closer. It was daring of Novo to give demands to someone who was her superior, but she just might have been the only person in the world who could get away with it. Celestia hesitated while I also held out a hand to her in invitation. After a moment more, Celestia did begin to approach us while I even made room for her on the bed. "That's better. What's the matter, honey? I thought you were looking forward to an evening with your man."

"I was! It's just... I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here with us." Celestia replied before she set herself down on the bed and leaned into my embrace. She closed her eyes and asked, "What are you two up to?"

I finally had to speak up. Celestia appeared just a little uncomfortable with the situation. "Do you not want Novo here?"

Celestia let out a sigh before saying, "It's not that... It's just...I..."

"You're not used to being the only one of your king's queens in bed with him, is that it?" Novo asked as she reached one massive wing high and draped it over both of us. She pulled the two of us into her and said, "We're all his queens, Celestia. You know he loves you as much as he loves me. There's no playing favorites here."

"Ahaha... I guess I just need to adapt... We've only really had each other when we've had times to...hold each other like this." Celestia chuckled weakly as she rested her head against the side of mine. I found myself smiling while I did the same. "I love you, my dear... My sunshine..."

"Love you too, Celestia. Always." I whispered to my beautiful beloved. I wanted her to get comfortable first. Just to ease her in before we would finally reveal to her the reason why I was not the only one waiting for her.

Novo waited patiently and watched as Celestia grew increasingly at home in both mine and her embrace. And finally she asked the question that would set things in motion. "Celestia... Why haven't you taken the opportunity while it's still there?"

Celestia turned her gaze to look past me while showing a gaze of confused curiosity. "Opportunity? I'm not sure I follow..."

"Honey. I can smell it on you. You're deep in your heat cycle. When are you finally going to give your king an heir or two?" Novo replied with a tone that was uncharacteristically lacking in humor. Even her eyes displayed a certain seriousness that she rarely showed around either of us.

Celestia's eyes opened wide. She appeared shocked and uncomfortable, but I swear I saw just the faintest smile on her face. As if part of her was failing to hide a certain desire deep in her heart. "Novo! That's... I... You... That's none of your business!"

"Of course it's my business, Celestia. Because your children will be my children too. They'll be the babies of every lovely lady in our family. We're all in this together, aren't we?" Novo replied with that serious facade starting to crack. She found some amusement in Celestia's vocal response while I was stuck in the middle. It would be for the best to let them speak first. Novo then asked, "So then... Why haven't you done it yet? I still remember all those sweet things you said to your man the night before he and I first met. Those lovely desires to have a family with him. To give him a son..."

Being reminded of that night and how Novo found out about it produced the kind of reaction I expected. I winced while Celestia turned a very annoyed glare at me. Her tone became as dry as a desert when she said to me, "You just had to write that down, didn't you?"

"Again, I did it for the sake of posterity..." I mumbled while Novo failed to contain a hearty snicker. In hindsight, the resulting conversation we had in the Ivory Palace's library was hilarious to behold. But I suppose all comedy has to come at the price of someone's misery.

Novo let out a suppressed chuckle before saying, "Don't be so embarrassed, dear. Those were all beautiful words that came straight from the heart. I knew you had a motherly side in you, but not to that extent. So tell me. You want to have a family of your own. You want this wonderful man right here to be the father of your foals. To be your king. And now that the opportunity is here, why haven't you acted on it?"

My hand rested over Celestia's gilded hoof. A very heavy question. Made all the heavier by the crown on her head. And Celestia could not let her eyes meet ours. "It's... Yes, I want it someday... But...it's not something I can act on so freely. Especially when considering how it might effect all of Equestria! My children will be heirs to the crown! Everyone will know them! That's not something I..."

"Enough with the crown!" Novo made a move neither of us expected. She suddenly reached out and snatched Celestia's golden crown right off her head and flung it across the room into the cushioning landing of a sofa in the corner. Celestia was so stung by this one act that she was left speechless. And I knew better than to speak up then. This had become a conversation between friends, monarchs, and lovers bound to the same man. "Celestia. Honey. You may be at the very top of Equestria's governing hierarchy, but you're still a mare. And you're still the future wife of this wonderful man. That's the only thing that should matter right now."

Celestia looked so very confused. She wanted to speak, but could not find the right words. I did what little I could while she and I remained in the embrace of Novo's wing. I slid off Celestia gilded shoe and gently held her hoof with nothing between us. Novo then let out a sigh as she smiled gently, "You really did pick up on a lot of bad habits during that millennium, didn't you? The weight of the world was never meant to be carried on the shoulders of one mare. I may have worn a crown for much longer than you, but I never had to focus on so much during my reign. You were never supposed to reign without Luna by your side... And it would be unrealistic to expect all those old habits to get phased out after only a few years, wouldn't it?"

Of course. The millennium following the birth of Nightmare Moon. For exactly a thousand years, Celestia reigned alone. And I bet the entire worldly population of viewed Celestia's absolute sovereignty as a mark of pride and admiration instead of a tragic and unreasonable burden. How long ago did Luna return to this world? Maybe only five years? Even with Nightmare Moon herself further easing the burden of reigning over Equestria, and even moreso with her mother and father now serving as royal advisors, the memories and routines picked up during that previous millennium would not fade so easily. Even there in my embrace, Celestia still had a few chains shackled to her psyche.

The Princess of the Dawn let out a long sigh before gazing past me at her best friend. She looked so tired, but managed to display a smile. "Novo... Truly, thank you for always being there when I needed a shoulder to lean on. I'm worried I would've gone mad without you... You really are my best friend."

"It's always been a pleasure, old friend. And it pains me to see when that crown digs a little too deeply into your judgement." Novo replied softly while even setting aside her own crown to insure she and Celestia were still on even footing. There was no queen or princess in my embrace at that moment. Just two wonderful women I was so very in love with. The two of them brought their heads forward and nuzzled up against each other. Novo cooed to her friend, "That's it, honey. Don't think about the crown tonight. Don't think about the throne. Even royalty needs time to just focus an being themselves. At the end of the day, even a kings and queens are stallions and mares."

A quiet sob hissed from Celestia's lips. Even while her smile did not fade. She leaned into Novo while Novo did the same for her. And I put my arms around both of them. The beautiful Princess of the Dawn whispered, "Thank you... I really needed to hear that tonight."

The two of them began to pull away while Celestia and I remained draped in Novo's wing. The glorious queen of Capricorn Island. began to speak gently to her friend. None of her usual sass was in her voice. Just the tone of a woman who was much wiser than Celestia in fields she had little to no experience in. "You've had a taste of being a mother before, Celestia. I still remember when you first showed up on my doorstep with little Cadence. And you raised her into a fine mare."

A nervous giggle escaped Celestia's throat. But she did not speak much about it. "I...had my reasons for adopting Cadence. But things changed over time. And...I'm just glad she grew up to be so happy and healthy."

"See? You do have the makings of a good mother in you. You technically already did it once." Novo chuckled before pulling Celestia and I closer under her wing. A hint of Novo's usual soulful sass returned to her voice as she asked with a smile, "So then what's stopping you from finally having a little one of your very own? I don't have to be the only queen MILF around here."

Celestia was not the only one who was left skittish at those words. I too bit my lower lip while trying to not laugh. Although I did notice Celestia glance at her crown over yonder. But she then squinted her eyes shut and turned away. Doing everything she could to not think about it. That night was about us and not about her role as the Princess of the Dawn. She soon whispered, "It's true... I...have wondered at times...if I would ever have...foals of my own."

My hand more firmly gripped Celestia's hoof. A fire flared up in my heart. She then turned her gaze to me as she then said, "I thought...I would never know what it's like to fall in love. That my crown wouldn't allow it. But then...when I brought you to this world..."

I leaned closer to my future queen before she rested her head on my shoulder. Her voice wavered as I allowed her to speak through tears. "So many things could've gone wrong... I could've chosen someone else. There could've been so many complications. The entire project could've failed. But...by bringing you to our world... James... Oh, my love... Could there have ever been a better option...than bringing you to our world that day?"

There was no stopping me. I tightly embraced my beloved while squinting my eyes shut. Celestia's tearful joy was infectious. I too felt my eyes grow hot with tears that soon squeezed out between their lids. "You gave me a life I never would've found back home... You don't know what you've done for me, my love..."

"I doubt I ever will truly know... But I certainly didn't expect...to finally fall in love. To be held by a man who understands the value of the simple things in life." Celestia whispered to me before placing a kiss on my ear. But that kiss was followed by a statement that tickled my heart. "And as I said on that night... I would gladly bear a son fathered by humanity's champion."

My body suddenly grew hot. When I turned to look into her eyes, Celestia gazed back at me with a joyous smile. "James... Please. No more waiting. If it happens... Then it happens. I want to forget about the crown for now. And just...be your mare."

Novo was respectfully silent while her friend and I gazed into each other's eyes. I whispered with a hand on my beloved's shoulder, "Then...will you make me a father, my love?"

"Yes. Gladly." Celestia giggled before her lips met mine. And that kiss instantly deepened into a dance of our eager tongues. We hummed and sang, our passion igniting. There would be no more waiting. We were in love. A love that was more or less born from a miracle. Born from a single decision made almost on a whim. There would be no more waiting. It was time. Equestria would finally have an heir to the throne.

Novo did not get in the way. She gently released us from her wing and merely watched as Celestia and I indulged in each other. My hands slid over her shoulders, our kissing being constant and heated. Celestia's magic went to work in removing the remaining pieces of her royal regalia. Her gilded shoes and her bejeweled peytral. They clattered gently against the soft carpeting below as her body became bare. She was as radiant as any true member of Equestria's royal family, but there was no sign of her royal heritage on her anymore. At that moment, Celestia was just a mare. My mare.

We kissed and caressed. And soon I felt something take hold of me under my shorts. I hissed with a sharp inhale as an unseen force dragged my boxers off me to reveal a billowing golden aura wrapped around my stiffening shaft. Enough hours had gone by since my moment of intimacy with Novo. I was rested and ready like we had planned. I could feel subtle sensations. Like a hand sliding up and down my length. Celestia's eyes were filled with a genuine hunger as she prepared my body. There was no turning back by then. I leaned forward and whispered lovingly into her ear a beautiful truth. "I want to have to have babies with you."

Celestia gazed lovingly into my eyes even as her golden yellow aura coated the lengths of her horn and my manhood. And her word were equally sincere and sweet. "And I can't wait to carry our little ones."

My beloved kissed me along my face as I sharply gasped at the jolts of pleasure filling me. Her invisible magical hand tightening its grasp around my length in a masterful way. And she continued to whisper into my ear with such a lovely inflection in her tone. "I want to know what it's like...to carry a child of my own. To know what it means to be a mother for real."

I tried to find the right words to say. But I was silenced. Celestia brought her lips to mind and kissed me most deeply as her beautiful wings spread wide. She and I wheezed in heated need before she whispered to me with those beautiful eyes gazing into mine. "Let's create a child together, my love. Our child."

My soul burned with need. Those were words I needed to hear. This was not merely an act of shared pleasure. It was an act of fulfilling a most beautiful desire. What could be more beautiful than for two lovers to come together to create a new little life together? One that would grow and become a happy wonderful citizen of the world we loved? One who would come to know the happiness we knew of living in a borderline paradise like Equestria. Celestia's grasp on my shaft released when I began to place soft fluttering kisses along her neck. She gasped and shuddered, my arms gently guided her down and onto her back. We were filled with a mutual desire. To make love. And to make life.

I was already inside her before Celestia's head touched the bed. I gripped her hind legs and brought my hips to her full feminine flanks with my length buried to the hilt. And I felt it. That wonderful warmth. Too warm. The warmth of a mare at her most fertile. And my heart was filled with renewed purpose. I could not leave this task unfinished. I needed to breed my beloved. To give her the foal we desired while she was still able to receive it.

Celestia only grew more beautiful as the seconds went by. Those joyful sighs and whimpers as I plunged deep into her over and over. I could see it in her mane. It gradually lost its constant and almost ethereal properties. It went from constantly billowing with all the colors of an aurora to becoming still and solid. I could see her mane actually start looking like a thick mane of individual hairs. She looked so radiant... Even if it was involuntary, I could not help but feel like my beloved undying sun queen had momentarily relinquished her immortality. To become mortal just long enough to creating a precious child with her mortal lover.

Even if such a concept was not the case, it only made me love her more. I thrust into Celestia while trying to not bring us to a climax too soon. Such a radiant woman of a mare... But I was then reminded that we were not alone.

Novo made her presence known. Relaxing beside us, she gently took hold of Celestia's hoof. Celestia gasped lightly as she turned her head to gaze up at her best friend. All while Novo spoke sweetly to her. "You're doing fine, honey. Just let your man be good to you."

Celestia was bushing furiously as she realized her best friend was serving as a witness to this wonderful occasion. I too felt a little uneasy, but was too madly in love with both of those wonderful mares to let that stop me. That initial sense of awkward surprise made way for a thrill in my heart. There was nothing to be nervous about. This was normal for polygamy. Nothing but love between a man and the wonderful women who had found love with him.

The Princess of the Dawn could not even find words between Novo's tender support and the pleasure being shared between her and I. Novo's presence went from being odd to invigorating. Novo may not have been around as long as Celestia, but she had centuries of experience in fields Celestia did not. She was a master of the art of love. Of being a loving wife. And of being a mother. And she was now supervising the start of Celestia's journey down that path as well. Celestia finally found the will to speak as she gasped, "What...did I...ever do to...deserve a friend like you?"

"You fell in love with the man I love, honey. A man who has enough love in his heart for many mares." Novo said softly before even placing a kiss on Celestia right between the eyes. This prompted an adorable giggle from the beautiful sun princess. They truly were the best of friends. And Novo whispered a wonderful desire to her. "I want us to raise our kids together, honey. My little ones will be yours and yours will be mine. All right?"

Celestia did not even have words to say to that. But her face said it all as she softly whimpered in ecstasy. She was overjoyed at the thought. As was I. To just imagine... Sons and daughters. Princes and princesses. A brand new royal family of half brothers and sisters born from multiple mothers and one father who would adore them all. And as I began to renew my efforts to bless my beloved Celestia with the gift of motherhood, Novo leaned towards me and brought her beak to my lips. "You've always been so good to us, my love."

I was sandwiched between two wonderful mares and the love they held for me. Celestia's body and mine were locked together in a dance of sincere and loving baby-making while Novo clamped her beak over my face to let our tongues dance together in the deepest kiss a hippogriff could offer. I was drowning in love between those two beautiful royal mares. One of which was surely already carrying our first child. The other would hopefully join her on that journey by the time morning came.

What an experience... While my upper body was receiving love from Novo, my lower body was giving pleasure to Celestia. And Novo made certain to do her part to spur me onward as she whispered into my ear. But not so quietly that Celestia could not hear her. "We are your queens, baby. But one of us isn't one yet. Go ahead, my love. Turn your little sun princess into a real queen."

Those words sang directly to my heart. And I truly wanted that. I wanted to turn my beautiful Celestia into a glorious matronly queen. And judging by the little squeal that came from her, Celestia was happy to hear such a thing as well. Novo was balancing being loving and lewd in such an impressive fashion. Her hand tightened its grip around her best friend's hoof as she look back at Celestia. "You're gonna be a queen MILF just like me, honey. I can't wait to see your little fillies and colts."

"They'll...be so...beautiful...!" Celestia beamed with an almost drunken smile while tilting her head back. I squinted my eyes shut as I sped up the thrusting of my hips into her full and firm flanks. What would our sons and daughters look like? Oh, how radiant they would be... My imagination went wild, trying to picture the almost godly forms of our future children as mares and stallions. They would be the envy of the most extravagant of Canterlot's finest...

The pressure was building in my loins. And I was leaning further forward with my head coming down with Celestia brining her head for to gaze into my eyes. We were getting so close. All while Novo served as a witness to what would hopefully be the moment our first child would begin to exist. I gasped in desperation, "Celestia... My love... My queen..."

"Make me your queen, my sunshine... Let me bear your heirs..." Celestia gasped with such joy on her face. She then suddenly wrapped me in her wings as I feverish thrust my hips into hers. So desperately trying to bring us both to climax. My beautiful sun queen gazed into my eyes as she whimpered, "James... My love... My king! Be my king! Be...the father of..."

It came so forcefully. Celestia and I could no longer string words together as it all came crashing down on us. Quivering and groaning, barely even able to say each other's names, my seed came flooding into her womb. But in my soul, I prayed. I pleaded that this wonderful moment would let us have what we desired most. Praying for a child to come to be. A beautiful royal child. A filly. A colt. I did not care which. I just...wanted us to finally be a family.

Like a flurry of extravagant fireworks, it ended all too soon. And I felt such joyous fatigue as I rested atop my beloved. I remained wrapped in her wings while I scooped Celestia into my arms. I whispered to her, eyes closed as I basked in her radiance. "I love you."

"And I...love you... My sunshine..." Celestia cooed to me with her breath huffing with a fevered wheeze. And she continued to whisper to me with her head resting against her beautiful and still mane. "I feel it... The fire is going out... Just...sweet relief..."

"You know what that means, honey. You're gonna have a baby." Novo giggled deeply even as her hand continued to gently clutch her best friend's hoof. She saw everything. That wondrous and experienced motherly queen served as a witness to what would hopefully be the moment Celestia and I created our first child together. Celestia could not even find any words as she drunkenly gazed up at her best friend. Only for Novo to scan her friend's beautiful form before speaking with a smirk on her beak. "I have to say... You look hot with your hair down like that."

Celestia managed to bring her other hoof to her lips as she giggled weakly at Novo's observations. Celestia's glorious mane and tail were still stiff and looked more like actual hair now that they had lost their usual ethereal properties. "It's a natural response, Novo! They lose their motion when I...get a little too relaxed."

"Hey, I believe you. I'm just saying I don't normally see your hair look like this when it's dry. It's a good look for you, honey. And every queen should look good for her king now and then." Novo said softly with her fingers gently rubbing over her friend's wrist. I turned my gaze up at her as I basked in the afterglow. Between Novo and Celestia... I felt so at ease. So happy and fulfilled. And my beautiful queen reached out and kissed me right between the eyes before she whispered to me. "You performed splendidly, baby. We love you."

"I...don't think I'll ever find a way to convey just how much I love you two... How much I love all of you." I spoke with a crooked smile. I really do not know how I do it. To love so many... To want to take that love and create new lives with those wonderful women... I believe it. There are few men who have the integrity to do that. And I felt blessed to know that I was one of those fortunate few. I wanted to make all of my wonderful lovers just as happy and fulfilled as they made me feel.

"You don't have to tell us, dear... You listen more than you speak anyway, right?" Celestia giggled as she tried to pull me further up her body. I assisted her and brought my lips to hers. Such joy was in our hearts. She then looked up at Novo and asked, "I suppose...we're well on our way to being more than just friends..."

Novo chuckled beautiful before she said, "You got that right, Celestia. You and I have always been best friends. But before long... We'll be family too. Our little ones will be brothers and sisters... Oh baby, I can't wait to see those sweet little things finally meet each other..."

There were tears in Novo's eyes. But not the slightest show of sorrow. And I felt such emotion simmering within me. A family of royal children... Born from different mothers, but still brothers and sisters all the same. Some coated in fluffy feathers with beaks instead of lips. And some in the form of true colts and fillies. Was this the beginning of a new era of kinship between Equestria's mainland and Capricorn Island? Celestia only replied with a drowsy smile of her own, "I...want that too..."

We were all so tired. It was such a long day. And with such a fulfilling end to it. Celestia and I would not be able to stay awake for much longer. But I did not want it to be just us in that bed that night. I turned my gaze up at Novo and whispered, "Novo... Please stay with us tonight."

"I'm not going anywhere, James. I'm staying right here. Celestia's not your only queen after all." That wonderful queen coed to me. I finally found the strength to remove myself from Celestia's beautiful body. And with some effort, the three of us were gently tucked under the blankets with the room going dark. Novo was on my right while Celestia was on my left. And I felt a hoof and avian hand resting upon my chest. I could barely see them in the dark, but I felt their elegant equine bodies against me. Novo whispered to me with that wonderful and soulful voice of hers, "What a day... You two feeling all right?"

"Very, Novo... Just... I... I'm so happy. I shouldn't have waited. I should've listened to my heart more. Thank you for always being there for me when I need someone to talk some sense into me." Celestia spoke with a yawn. I placed my hand over her hoof to let her know that I was there for her too. But I understood why my words did not carry as much weight as Novo's. Hers was a wisdom that could only be gained through centuries of experience.

"What're friends for, honey? Just know that you're the mare of a very special man. And he will always love you. Won't you, baby?" Novo cooed whimsically as I felt her talon gently slide over my chest in a ticklish manner.

I could not stop myself from letting out a snicker at Novo's playfully prodding. And I whispered in kind. "Always. I... I can't let either of you go now. I...love you too much to turn back now. I want this to work. I...want us all to be happy together in the end."

"We will be, James. We will... I'm convinced now. And we love you." Celestia whispered to me as I felt a kiss being planted on both sides of my face. One from the soft and supple lips of a mare. The other from the firm yet magically flexible tip of a hippogriff's beak. And that was enough. It was time to sleep. We still had a full week ahead of us.

There were no interruptions in my dreaming mind that night. Perhaps Luna and Nightmare Moon were too aware of what was going on with their sister and I that night. And when I awoke, I felt so...sad. I remembered being happy. Too happy. I remembered being in the presence of...someone small. Several of them. And I remembered holding them. I felt so loved... And they loved me. They did not want to be put down. If my arms were full, they would rest atop my shoulders. I was amused, but also eager to please the little creatures with me. Were they...mine? My children?

Celestia and Novo were still sleeping peacefully at my sides. And they looked so equally radiant together. I very carefully threw the covers towards the edge of the bed to reveal their full forms. They looked so similar, yet so different. But the Princess of the Dawn and the queen of Capricorn Island were equally beautiful. All while possessing beauty only immortal royals could display. And it was a tight fit. The three of us could only barely fit on that bed.

I could not bring myself to even try to leave the bed just yet. I did not want to disturb my two beloveds just yet. And I did not want to leave their sides. Novo's hand and Celestia's hoof still rested on opposite sides of my chest. All I could do was rest my hands over theirs. All while I sighed and gazed at the ceiling above in the morning sunlight. "What did I do to deserve such love... To deserve such...fortune?"

Was I truly worthy of such powerful love from so many wonderful women? Especially those at the height of Equestria's governing powers? In a moment of weakness, I considered the possibility of just...going away. To let them find someone better for them. But I scolded myself for such a thought. No. We had already come too far to even entertain the notion of giving up. And I almost laughed at myself. I could not let myself have doubts now. These relationships... The more who come into this wonderful family of mine, the higher the risk. There was no room for doubts or pessimism. For this endeavor to succeed, I would need to always believe in tomorrow. And that was something I would always be able to do in this wonderful world of Equestria. And as long as I had them. I would never had been able to hold onto such hope back home on Earth...

Between the touch of my fingers and the gentle breeze of a ceiling fan above, Celestia and Novo began to stir and soon lazily opened their eyes to gaze at me and each other. Novo spoke first as she grinned so lovingly at the two of us. "Good morning, you two. Sleep well?"

"Yes... I... I still can't believe that really happened last night..." Celestia replied softly yet nervously. But she did not appear disturbed or regretful. Only a smile was on her lips.

My hand wrapped its fingers around Celestia's hoof. My eyes met hers and I asked, "Any regrets about last night?"

"No! No, not at all! That was... It was...wonderful. Thank you... And thank you, Novo. I... I needed to hear everything you said." Celestia giggled weakly while not being all that awake just yet. But she was joyous. As was I. The previous night was just the beginning of a new chapter of our lives.

"I was just doing my part as a good friend who knows better, Celestia. And as a fellow wife of this wonderful man." Novo chuckled deeply while I bit my lower lip. Always so eager to shower her man with praise, that wonderful mare. Only then did the two of them roll out of bed and onto their hands and hooves. There was no way I was getting out of bed before them. The two glorious monarchs shuffled to the front of the bed while straining their necks before even giving me an impressive display of their wings. They were not trying to put on a show. They were just getting a good morning stretch going. At least for the moment.

Novo, always one to flaunt her love for her man, smirked at me as she looked back over her shoulder. I noticed all too late. With her wings still spread wide, she lifted her tail feathers aside to give me a good view of her vibrant marehood nestled between the rounded curves of her motherly flanks. My breath caught in my throat. It was too early for such antics, but I would be dishonest if I said I was displeased with her shameless display. Celestia soon noticed as well and barked with her eyes wide in shock. "Novo, it's too early for that!"

But the queen of Capricorn Island was not having her friend's rebuttal. She lifted her beak high as she balked at Celestia's protest. "And why not, honey? When you're as sexy as we are and so in love with a wonderful man, you shouldn't be afraid to flaunt it to him when no one's looking. Don't you wanna look sexy for your king now and then?"

I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh at the sheer unorthodox audacity of Novo. There truly is no other queen like her on the planet. And Celestia could not find a way to refute her much more experienced friend. Her impressive wings suddenly drooped as a crooked and defeated smile formed on her face. "I guess I still have a lot to learn about being in love... I... James and I haven't known each other all that long, all things considered. I don't even know what it means to be a wife yet."

Novo looked at Celestia and brought her wing down to gently stroke her friend's back. "No need to apologize, honey. All this confidence is the product of eons of experience. You'll get there eventually. And I'll be there to give you all the advice you need. You got a question about what it means to be in love? You just ask mama here."

"Pffft, Novo... You never fail to amuse me! Or frustrate me." Celestia joking retorted as they two old friends shared a laugh. I too cracked an amused smirk as I enjoyed the morning show happening before me. But we still reeked of sex. A morning shower would be needed before anything else happened.

I was surprised by just how much more crowded it was in that shower stall with a second mare of their size with me. But we made it work. Novo and Celestia stepped around me to get full exposure to the falling water. And they looked equally enticing when soaked to the bone. But while I had my eyes closed to rinse the shampoo out of my hair, my two royal lovers sprang a trap on me.

Something pressed against my sides. And when I opened my eyes, I found myself locked between the two amazing mares. Novo and Celestia had their shoulders pressed firmly against me to pin me between them. They had even curved their bodies to lock me between them by having their flanks touch. With their faces parallel with mine, I saw what they wanted. Their eyes told me everything.

There was no alarm in me. They just wanted to love me in that moment alone where no one would see us. Back and forth, Celestia and Novo placed a kiss upon my lips. And I was all too happy to partake. Back and forth, from beak to lips, I was showered with tender kisses that I was all too happy to give right back. And that was not all I wanted. I reached as far back as my arms would allow and slid my hands down the sides of their bodies. Until my fingers rested against the sides of their bellies.

Celestia and Novo instantly stopped with their alternating kisses and released a simultaneous sigh. They knew what I was trying to feel for as they rested their brows against the sides of my head. My fingers tenderly caressed my beloveds. I prayed in my heart that it was happening. That life was beginning in the wombs of those two beautiful royal mares. And my eyes met Novo's as she whispered lovingly to me. "They're yours."

"And I'll love them forever." I responded with a tender gaze of my own. There was a quiet joy in the air as we stood in the falling warm water of our morning shower. Just savoring each other and anticipating our futures together.

Celestia opened her eyes and gazed into mine while I was still lovingly pinned between her and Novo. She whispered in longing, "I hope it won't be the last time..."

We all just wanted one thing. To love and be loved. And to bring more little lives into this world to love and raise together. And I whispered that desire to them. "I just...want to see our family grow."

"And this family of ours will grow, honey." Novo cooed to me. She and Celestia placed kiss after kiss upon me while I kissed them right back. Only for Novo to whisper again. "One foal at a time."

I almost felt like I was in a haze when I stepped out of the shower. The bathroom was full of steam. I could barely see anything in the mirror. I was practically drunk on love and hope. And my two royal beloveds could not stay out of my arms. They leaned into me, beckoning me to hold them. And I did. We were just so in love... So eager to finally have a family... To be ore than lovers. To be father and mothers to a new generation of precious little ones who would grow up happy and healthy. We kept whispering such loving words to each other. Hopes for the future.

It was a struggle to find the will to leave the bathroom. We just wanted to be together and nothing more. But our entourage would grow concerned if we did not show up for breakfast. I reluctantly started to get dressed while Novo helped Celestia dry and straighten her mane and tail. I let out a happy sigh as I allowed my thoughts to go back to the previous day. "This really is the perfect place...to just let things happen. All that honeymoon magic..."

I noticed Celestia's golden regalia stacked untidily on the sofa nearby. But when I reached for them, Celestia finally stepped up behind me with her body dried and bare. She shook her head while reaching for me arm. "Leave them. Just until we're ready to go home."

This caught my attention. Celestia had always looked comfortable while wearing her usual gilded attire. Not to mention she always looks great in them. But she spoke to me with a smile of longing. "I...want to spend the rest of our stay here...away from those. Away from those royal responsibilities. I just...want to be me while we're here. Not as your queen, but your mare."

There was only one thing I could say to such a wonderful statement. I turned to Celestia and began to pull her into an embrace. "I love you."

"And I love you... But let's not keep everyone waiting. Novo's already gone ahead to keep everyone distracted in case they start wondering where we are." Celestia giggled sweetly before placing a kiss upon my lips. I did not even hear Novo leave the suite. But leave it to that cunning queen to look out for us.

And so began another wonderful day in paradise. And my heart was full of hope. If fate deemed it acceptable, hopefully the Alabaster and Olympia would return home with two passengers more than they arrived with. Only time would tell.