SteelEagle

Lotus beamed with excitement at the prospect of two new customers! Of course, she could sell them on everything. A couples massage, a couples steam, couples facials, even couples hotstones! Hmm...couples. Oh, and they were so young! It dawned on her that it would probably be best if she didn't start upselling them too hard. She didn't want too ruin the clearly very romantic mood. "Oh, vhat a good mare she is! You two will simply adore the luxury and relaxation, yes. Indeed, I suggest you start with a private steam!" Lotus said as she led the way. Gallus for his part was just happy to know that somecreature knew what to expect here. He had never had another creature give him a massage or a spa facial or whatever it was that happened here. He thought stones might be involved, and that seemed scary. Still, he was confident that Silverstream at least knew they were not doomed to die in the sauna and she was not slowly leading him to his doom. That would be an unfortunate development and very greatly cramp his already cramped style. He followed the two mares to the sauna, looking around and expecting everything to just shoot flames. "Is this the one where we burn to death?"

Sunny wasn't shocked in the slightest that Zipp figured it out. First off, she was a pretty smart pony on her own account and she never seemed to be caught off-hoof. Or if she was, she was good at keeping her balance! Must be a pegasus thing. Secondly, well, it could only be a few things. She would have been shocked if the culprit was some half-sentient ooze instead of something domestic. So when a disgusting but not very unusual clump of purple mane hair was pulled out and revealed as the cause of their misfortune, all she could do was act a little mebarassed. "Oh, huh. I guess that does explain it, then. Sorry, I guess the new manecare products I'm using were a little more effective than I thought," she said as she found a wastebasket and started to clean up the mess, never really considering the fact that there were now two mares with purple manes in the house! "Fast and efficient as always, Zipp! Thank you so much."

Rarity felt some relief. Not a lot of relief. She reserved that for Applejack's eventual recovery, which now she was well assured of. Instead, she felt small relief as she opened up the suitcase containing the stressed but relieved fashions. It was a mess. A beautiful mess, like her, but a mess nonetheless. She swiftly changed into a black and grey number with a more subdued hat with a delicious trim. She gave one to Amby well, though it was much too large. She found a couch to fall on, and did so dramatically next to Amby and Zap. Twilight kept her eyes closed for a few moments longer when Rainbow dash spoke to her. She had to process a lot, namely the desire to turn the entire sport of rugby into a pastime time in the past tense. In time, she did respond. "No, it would not be right. Not for her. The magical healing spells I could use solve individual problems she faces, but without proper healing they would come back...uneven. Wrong. We can help fortify her natural healing powers, but...well, she would need to consent to that. And she is no position to say anything at the moment," she sighed, then slowly pet Rainbow's head with a wing, "I'm sorry you are going through this, Rainbow. But she will need your love," she looked at the children, "and theirs, to fully recover."

Applejack nodded along with a smile. "A hayburger? Well, that ain't a bad idea, is it? Think Ah'll get somethin' similar," she said winking, as she leaned in and gave her son a kiss on his forehead. She then looked over at Ambrosia and pondered for a minute. "How about a grilled haybacon ranch salad?" She asked, trying to remember just what was the least Haydonalds item could be on the Haydonalds menu. she liked the older, simpler Haydonalds menu. Just Hayburgers and fries for her, thank. Now everything was getting to be so health conscious but this was Haydonalds! Why the heck did they have to make it so weird and complicated? She was becoming an older mare. Maybe Rainbow could russle up some clouds for her to yell at. She stood up. "Amby, be careful with your dress. We don't want to get it too messy," she said as she looked at the line- thankfully, not too long. They came at the right time, right before the lunch rush. Timing! She trotted into line and ran through the order while her delightfully well-behaved and amazing children did well to not burn the place down. When the time was right, Applejack put her front hooves on the counter. "Howdy! Ah'll take one double hayburger, two foal's meal hayburger and hayfries with waters, an' a grilled haybacon ranch salad with an apple par-fay. Uhh, please," she ordered with a belated smile, taking her hat off to toss her mane. The younger mare behind the counter nodded and gave her the total, her receipt magiccally zapping onto the counter. Applejack fished out the bits- since when was everything so dang expensive?- and trotted to the side to wait for her family's food.

Rarity did not need Ice Storm to tell him of what the snow meant. He had seen the pirate's opening moves more than a few times, and he also knew something that this off-universe version of the pirate did not. By the time you saw the snow, it was already too late. He gave the other universe's Ice Storm a wearied, worried smile. "My dear, it is already too late. We're already in her sights and she has our position. Once we drop you off, we're going to be attacked," Rarity rolled his eyes. "Uggh. What a determined hassle Ice Storms can be. Err, no offense intended of course," he said, patting her on the head anxiously. He then turned to his crew and started yelling orders- raising an aetheric shield and activating certain enchantments to keep them aloft regardless of what happened- or so they hoped. They picked up speed as they approached the landing, with the snowfall increasing in tempo and maliciousness. The crew stayed calm, but the tension was rising- it could be felt like a tingle running from tail to neck, each new lap coming with more dread. Rarity's tail flicked about in increasing nervousness until they reached the landing. The vessel did not come to a complete stop, however- they were going to be making a moving drop, and then see if they could outpace the pirate. That was unlikely. The ship could not be seen but the aetheric waves it was sending could easily be felt, and through the folds of the air one could see the arches of the ship as it cut through the spaces between vision. It would be a rough go, regardless. Rarity used his magic to lower the boarding plank and turned to Ice Storm. He took his hat off and gave it to the smaller mare. "I believe this is your final stop, Miss Storm."

Her mind wandered a bit, deciding just what it was they should eat. The responsible mother in her suggested some nice, healthy salads and fruits. Something healthy and kind to the body that would see the Apples through to the end of the day the right way. Of course, she wasn't always the most *responsible* mother of all time, simply the *best*, and being the best meant sometimes you shirked responsibility in favor of doing something everypony would like instead. And it was with that solid piece of parenting in her mind that she decided to instead take them to someplace they would like to eat, instead of someplace they should eat. "How about Haydonald Diner?" Applejack asked, her voice edging in excitement. Everypony who wasn't ashamed of eating some darn fine hayburgers and fries despite how sloppy they could get loved themselves some Haydonald Diner! The diner was one of the busiest places in town. Applejack knew that it wasn't the fanciest places a pony could eat and that was probably the single greatest qualities you could ask for when you were eating with little fillies and colts. That, and she reckoned they would like hayburgers and fries more than the dainty stuff. Applejack hitched her cart to the outside and helped anypony out who needed it, making sure to inspect her colt in public for any more damage. Once inside she took a deep breath of the warm, warm air and nodded to a table nearby. "Take a seat and get comfortable. Whatcha wantin?" Shew asked, her own mind already settled on some old favorites of hers. She used to save it for aftr a rodeo or something else exhausting...but now it qualified as 'two kids in town' fare as far as she concerned, and she thought of it fairly.

Sunny was knew for a fact that she had problems with the Brighthouse. Ever since Sprout crashed into it, there were so many plumbing and structural issues that she was surprised there hadn't been more problems. Yeah, the town pitched in for a restoration that made it secure but that didn't mean all the problems were fixed. Now four young mares lived in her house and while she enjoyed that a lot, it also meant the plumbing had taken a turn for the worse. She should have just hired somepony and was about to when Zipp chimed in. Zipp wanted to fix it, so now Zipp was fixing it and Sunny was helping her. Well, if by help you meant she handed tools that she mostly knew to a mare who knew them much better, then she was helping. She hoofed over some pliers and went back to leaning on the counter, tapping her hooves lightly as she spent half her time looking at her face. Did she have zits? No, she didn't. She checked her teeth- yep, looking good. Okay, she was bored, but being bored with a friend trumped excitement without one. "Thanks for this, Zipp. Certainly saving us some bits on professional help," Sunny said as she looked around. She was thirsty and if she was thirsty doing little, then Zipp had to be thirsty as the working mare. She probably needed to get Zipp something to drink, and she trotted out of the bathroom momentarily to get some juice. "Want some orange juice?" Sunny asked as she opened the fridge and ignored a slight drip in the back, investigating its too barren contents. She lived with two Princesses, why wasn't there more food? There should be more food. Sunny brought out the juice and poured herself a glass and Zipp a glass, if she wanted. "Made fresh from Aunty Orange's All Natural Hoof-Grown Oranges!" She asked as she trotted back in and sat on the counter. "The pipe isn't about to burst and send me flying, is it?"

He made Silverstream laugh, points scored. Yes, he needed to think of this like a game. Helped calm the nerves. He was feeling less nervous every day around her, but that only told himself just how nervy he was base. If anycreature knew just how much of a coward he really was, they'd hate him. Or maybe that was just the imposter syndrome talking because how else could he get hippogriff like Silverstream to even give him the time of day? She was just so damn excited all the time about everything. One time, he could swear she nearly exploded when she learned about hydrothermal dynamic generation of Cloudsdale weather factories. That bird loved new things, so maybe burning alive in a Sauna would be a cool new experience that she would remember forever- or however long fried birdbrains like them would last. "The whole day?" He asked incredulously. "Wow. Well, she'd know. I think Professor Rarity keeps this place afloat. What else is there to do at a spa other than...I dunno, burn to death, drown to death, or get coddled to death?" He asked as they entered the spa. When Silverstream went to the service counter, the first spa sister responded quickly as she trotted out of an adjacent room. "Hello! Ah yes, ze Silverstream pahrty of two?" Lotus asked as she trotted up to the counter. She looked at the two students and smiled wide. "Oh! You are students from ze school yes? How exciting! Have you ever been to ze spa before? Experienced such luxury, no?"

Over the hours, ponies had filtered in and out. Close friends had come by and more than a few tears had been shed, but it was then that more arrived to try and help. Rarity had been the first to arrive, and had to be sent home after having a total freakout. She had gone home indeed, made some beautiful fashions indeed, and came in wearing her insurmountable stress on her head. A manic disaster of a hat that perfectly reflected her underlying emotions and her tear-stained dress were countered by a suitcase full of clothes. One was marked 'intense mourning fashion' and the other was 'relieved but terribly stressed fashion'. She found Rainbow Dash first off. "Rainbow! Rainbow Dash, please!" She said as she lifted both suitcases up, her eyes twitching in deep anxiety and terror as she waited for Rainbow to tell which was more appropriate. Soarin' was on his way to Ponyville anyway to deliver some good news to RD, that the Wonderbolts were on the verge of naming her Captain of the Reserves- third-in line for control of not just the Wonderbolts team, but the whole organization. He was proud and jealous. Ever since his semi-retirement from the team he had been in charge of the training squadrons and had applied for that role himself. Too bad nopony told him that competing against Rainbow Dash was like competing against the very wind and skies itself. Oh wait somepony had...she had. Still, he was happy for her and was flying into town when he heard what had happened and went to go find her at the hospital, his heart in his throat. Once there he saw that she was busy with Rarity, but he did see Big Mac and Zap Apple and went to see the little colt himself... Fluttershy had cried herself to a short rest after being sent home. She then steeled herself as best she could for whatever news would come. Nothing could really prepare you for this, but Fluttershy knew that she had to be strong- if not for herself, than for the kids and for Rainbow Dash. They were all too important. And so she marched her way to the hospital. For once, Angel Bunny clung to her neck in a hug and not as a total...something impolite. When she arrived, she took a deep breath and approached Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow, what do you need me to do?" Pinkie Pie had arrived. Pinkie Pie left. Pinkie Pie ate all the sugar in Sugarcube Corner as she stress ate. She then baked more, ate more, and then baked some more to bring with her to the hospital when she returned. She pronked her way there, though her face wore conflicting emotions. When she did enter, a sense of calm did in some way come over her as she watched the emotions of others being what they were. She stopped pronking, wore the right face, and trotted in with a sympathetic face. "Hey, everypony. Does anypony want something to eat?" A bright, *angry* flash of purple lit the world outside of the hospital as Twilight Sparkle popped into existence. The doors flew open as the ruler of Equestria trotted in. Hers was the countenance of fury and sorrow, and no small amount of concern. She marched her way towards the back silently, giving a weary and apologetic nod to Ambrosia and Rainbow Dash, with the doctors who tried to stop her gently pushed aside and then pulled along with her as she entered Applejack's room.

"It is your name! Your beautiful name!" Applejack burst out, her heart unable to contain itself as she picked up her daughter, kissed her like she needed to be kissed, then put her down as she felt a twinge in her back. "And yer lil' apple tree will be just as special as you," she said as she started looking for Ambrosia seeds. "Alright sugarcube, while I do this I want you to dig yerself tha right hole like we taught ya," Applejack said, her heart trembling with excitement. Soon her daughter would leave a mark on these fields that would last generations, that would be known by future Apples as Ambrosia Apple's Ambrosia Apple tree. The love she put into it would reflect in the quality of the apple, and if tended well and proper, would be making ponies happy for a century or more. Twilight sat down, making herself comfortable. She had her own role to play but not at this moment. She could not help but smile. She loved many things about the Apples, but their adherence to their cherished traditions was an invaluable part of both their familial and personal legacies. Some ponies considered it old fashioned, but Twilight considered it an undeniably vital part of Equestrian history. It was also very cute. "Ambrosia, what can you tell me about...Seedling day?" Twilight asked, ready to be educated by her student.

Moonlight just about ran through the handsome zebra roommate. Her mind was on issues infinite and deplorably quaint, as she tried to get her betrayed heart to feel something other than its rueful mix of sorrow and anger. Still, that was no reason to be particularly unkind to the strapping fellow from Unyasi, even if some level of pettiness couldn't help but sneak in. "It's, it's okay, like, don't worry about it," a silent second followed. "You're *much* cuter than he is, anyway!" She said, her tail upturned at Remington as she stormed off- but only after kissing the Zebra on his cheek as totally awesome revenge. After all, unlike Remington the zebra hadn't just drugged a young, vulnerable filly with soda and then emotionally devastated her for no good reason! It was *emotional* hotness she was after! Once she was far enough away, she allowed her lip to quiver, a tear to start rolling, and her pace to to turn into a gallop towards her room with a full, ugly cry as her little pony mind couldn't take it and could only respond with the utmost dramatics.

Applejack knew 'bout the necessity of preening a pony's wings. You learned a thing or two when you married one of those flighty types and had a birdcolt for a son. Still, it felt that it was a different venture when it was your own wings. She figured there would be a bigger sign that something was wrong, like a lot of pain or a discoloration. Instead, she would have to learn it was more due to a subtle itch, a change in weight, something minor added on something minor. She allowed her wings to spread once theyw erer in private. Unlike a natural born pegasi who was groomed to understand the intimacy of the action, Applejack would never fully grasp the innate private nature of the act. It was like cleaning a leg after working out or taking leaves out of your mane, right? "Sure, if ya want. Ah reckon you've got more experience. See anythin' particularly worthy of bein' in that quilt?" Applejack ashed as she sat down on all fours and curled, allowing her wings to remain out and giving rainbow the space she would need. Applejack was trusting of her wife, and happy to contribute to the family project as best she could.

Applejack felt stuck for a good solid minute, or what may as well have been a minute or an hour, her back legs kicking around fruitlessly as they tried to find purchase on a ground that did not exist. Once she was freed and she was freed quickly thanks to Rainbow's intervention- she felt dizzy and confused for a small bit. Her wings flapped out of sync and she buzzed around a little as she only slowy came to grips and back to her full faculties. well, that could have been a lot worse. The cloud pillar was hard to penetrate at first but once you went through the exterior it was...well, clouds. That could have been a lot worse and for the sake of their family Applejack was more than a little happy to report that her head could, indeed, break pillars like a true champion of some weird, barbaric sport from Fet Loch. She listed to Rainbow discuss the fine art of flying. Applejack nodded along, listening a bit closer this time. Trying to ger her body to be as smooth as it was on the ground was roiugh, and she was never as agile as Rainbow in the first place. Still, she was pretty proud of what she had managed to do so far. Not bad for a first time flier, eh? Maybe she should sign up for the flight camp. Show all those foals what was what, right? "Well, maybe Ah *like* flyin' into pillars, right? Ever thought of that, ponygirl?" Applejack teased before she nodded. "Yeah, Ah'll try ta go slower. Reckon Ah might have some issue with that...how y'all get yer wings ta not start flappin' all panicked like. Just experience or is it instinct?"

The two mares untangled themselves, their embarrassed blushes evidence that both of them could live with. Or die with, based on how awkward everything felt. Rainbow's wings were splayed out and unmoving as she looked at and felt every inch of Twilight's body as they disentangled. She didn't know what to think except that something needed to change because of all the things that RD handled poorly, awkwardness was probably the thing she handled very worst of all. Still, she made sure that she wasn't hurt- yep. She seemed good, physically at least. Same with Twi. She was very good physically, Rainbow knew that. "Haha, yeah, I'm fine. You don't get to be a Wonderbolt without taking your hits now and then. Are you doing okay? I wouldn't want to be held responsible for a state crime just yet. Too young for exile," Rainbow joked as she made sure the pair were fine off and safe. Rainbow's eyes couldn't help but look at the cave. She never really liked being in enclosed places like that. not to any sort of pathological level, but pegasi preferred the open skies. That, and darkness. Not the biggest fan. Though as the cold wind started to whip around and the sun started to dip, it did look more appealing than the alternative. "Well, I guess we can stop here for the night. Better than being out here in the elements," Rainbow laughed as she started hovering towards the dark, dreary cave.

Rarity felt a white hot flush of embarrassment come over her. Not for herself, really, but for Applejack. Clearly their little play tools had somehow had a more averse effect than she had planned. And in front of the others, to boot! Oh, Applejack, you silly mare. Rarity herself felt relatively unscathed and nonplused about the whole ordeal, she even found it more than a little amusing, but it was clear as day that Applejack could not handle it. And if she could not- well, Rarity was nothing else if not a creature of boundless empathy for all of Equestria's creatures, as beautiful and misbegotten as this one was. And so she, too, felt a wave of awkwardness climb through her as she tried to think of a way out of the situation. Luckily, Applejack at least provided a starting point. "Y-Yes, oh yes. Yes we are. Applejack is preparing to compete in the...Fet Loch games!" She said with great excitement. "Yes, yes. The Fet Loch games and they have a fierce, umm, a very fierce...seeking challenge. Yes! A seeking challenge. And we are...training, she is training I mean I don't why I said we ahaha, she is training for it. And we shouldn't really be surprised, I mean, Rainbow Dash some of your training methods are also unusual. Must you always be stretching in the rain, hmm?" Rarity offered a completely bullhockey shot in the dark. "Anyway, yes, the Fet Loch games. Isn't that right girl- err, Applejack? Yes, isn't it?" She said, nearly unintentionally cooing before realizing and stiffening herself back up. "Annnnnnnyway, I believe we must...depart...yes, because I still have a most *dreadful* hangover. Goodbye, dear friends, and just remember- training! For the Fet Loch games!" She added once more, as if trying to convince the very sky itself. That, and she needed to get out before the fabric pony got too upset.

"Hehehe, welll make sure to keep'm that way lil' missy," Applejack said in a playfully stern tone as she continued offloading the seed bags. When she was done she took a step back and admired the land and her daughter, and the future of both. Today would be a special day, and it was important that Twilioght was here for it. Ambrosia could do things that most of her family line could not and while she had been told by others to ignore and continue the traditions as normal, she knew for a fact that to do so would disrespect everything that made Ambrosia who she was. So today's family tradition would have to change, and it would open up a new chapter in a very long book with all the unique and wondrous factors that made Ambrosia so special to Applejack. Applejack pointed at a patch of dirt that had been pre-dug to the right size and depth. "Today's yer seedlin' day, Amby," Applejack said excitedly. Every Apple planted a new tree when they were Amby's age, the day of a change of season closest to their birthday. They got to pick the type of tree and therefore the type of apple they would create, and it would be their tree. Nopony could harvest it but them, nopiny could tend to it but them. You'd plant a new one for every major life event- a cutie mark, becoming an adult, getting married, foals, retirement, the works. AJ had a few more- apparently saving the world a few times qualified! For most of the family it was a special earth pony tradition, where the love and affection they felt for kin and home spread into the very earth beneath them. Ambrosia was different, and as such Applejack wanted to make sure Twilight was on hoof so she could help with the magical portion of it all. "So, what sorta apple tree n' apple do ya wanna have for yer very own?" She asked as she bent down to be closer to her daughter.

The viciousness of the storm only grew, though the ship did well by ducking below it and towards the ground. They were still naked and barren against the many indignities of the storm at this location but they could withstand all but the extremes of it, rather than the assured destruction that would assured by trying to stay in the air. Still, down here it was also easier to see the potential harm that the storm could do, the ravaging of the land and the trembling ponyfolk that called it home all but guaranteed. It was a most terrible thought, one that the crew did well to bury for the time being as they strenuously worked to keep the vessel in flight despite the growing alarm that was evolving in the hearts of everycreature aboard the vessel. Apple Bloom wasn't as confident as others were in the safety of anycreature, in the sky or the ground. They were flying low enough that through the portholes she could see the ponies below. And was that a Diamond Dog? Huh. It took all types, she figured. So much running. Luckily, despite the terrible, awful rain, the tornados that were starting to touch down were doing so far out of town and didn't appear to be heading towards it. Which was good. Good. Yeah, she wasn't scared. She was brave. Even if the situation continued to get worse, she'd breath right and focus on what she could do. She'd get through this, even if she could swear she saw the tornados start to turn...

Twilight nodded solemnly, trying her best not to crack at how absolutely adorable that tone of voice was. "No, not even one. Well.." she played at thinking about it before turning her head around, "maybe once in a while, but then they probably can't eat anything but well seasoned grass for weeks. Blcch!" Twilight blanched playfully. Okay, maybe she was overplaying it a bit but it was fun. And truthfully, she didn't think it healthy for the very young fillies to look at models as...well, role models. Not because there was anything wrong with what they were doing, but the beauty standards of the industry were so outrageous that if you grew up thinking that was the ideal, you would likely grow up thinking you were lesser for failing to reach it. It was a recipe for disaster. If she wanted to be a model of course she would have everypony's support- just better she come to that conclusion later, and not use it as a basis for how she viewed herself. They made their way to the field, one of the few open places in the orchard. In a few moments, Applejack would show up as well. She was pulling a cart with some difficulty- she wasn't recovered fully from her many injuries, but she had come a long way a lot faster, and that was evident by the cart packed full of seeds she had brought with her. The mare and cart came to a stop nearby. "How's tha trainin' goin' today, you two? Ah'm not gonna find mahself havin' ta clean up any magical goop or gack down thar, am I miss Princess?" Applejack asked Twilight in a playfully stern manner. Twilight acted offended. "I'll have you know we unicorns are a very clean species. Is that not so, Ambrosia Apple?" Twilight asked in a faux haughty manner, exaggerated for effect while Applejack started to remove the different seed bags from the cart.

Rarity didn't know what this 'Nightmare' was. It seemed like it was being used as a verb, like it was a thing to be done. But Rarity had heard a lot of crazy things over the past few years and had long ago stopped trying to make sense of the worlds that he could not truly ever know. All he could do is provide his own perspective, as limited as it was. "Yes, well, it isn't as if Luna is *gone*. She is just...almost always in the dreamworld, to soothe the nightmares many of us have had since the event," Rarity sat back and sighed. "I understand going mad with affection as much as the next stallion, but I do think becoming a terrorist because your wife is caught up in her work seems like a dramatic overstep. But what do I know, my ex-wives would probably claim I drove them batty!" He said with a hearty, if somewhat hollow, laugh. "We will get you what you need. It should be no problem. As for food, we eat at 9 AM, 2 PM, and 7 PM. You are free to join us when and how you will," Rarity said as he got up. "I do have a ship to captain. Please, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to get me. My office is always open for beautiful mares," he said with a wink before trotting off for duty. (OOC- Feel free to develop anything you want for the next few days. We can always play that!) It was a few days of easy travel that followed. The ship was not large nor especially fast but it was smooth and cut across the sky with ready authority. Rarity allowed his confidence to grow that they would indeed avoid any trouble, and they passed other ships without incident. This would remain the case until they were deep into Germaney, mere hours away from the Sun's Residence. It was cloudy- the pegasi still kept up their work despite the events and a small storm was being pulled together many miles away, affecting the cloud pattern. It helped obscure what was happening to some extent. Rarity was walking the deck nearly alone, with only a scant few crew on the deck. This was the final period of adjustment. Soon they would be finished with everything but the easiest flying, and only need to prepare to offload Ice Storm at the town's landing. It was for all intents and purposes not as dramatic as he had been worried that it could have been. Maybe this Ice Storm would help Celestia and help Twilight. He wasn't certain. His job was just to get her this far. To say he had his doubts would be an understatement, and he was pleased to see them quashed. It was then that the snow started to fall from a clear, clear sky...

Twilight was pleased with the work he had done so far. She had so commonly seen creatures come to her with ideas not fully tested, thoughts not fully formed. He knew what he had, knew the backstory, knew the dilemma, and knew how to appeal to her for aid. Ice Storm had been sent to the area around Griffonstone as part of a deal Twilight had made with the Aquelian government: Bases for Bases. New Equestrian bases near Griffonstone and Eagg Water Bay, griffon bases near Corralwood Cove and Seaddle. She was happy to hear that Ice Storm was doing that job well, even if the additional duties she had taken upon herself were not fully adored. This Emperor fellow was a bunch of hot air and had been since his time in Beakbreak City, though his turn to banditry was a bit much. As was his attempt to get some of the tribesponnies of the Basin on his side. The So-Called Tenochtitlan Emperor was nothing of the sort, but if the goods being offered were enough to get some gullible tribes to send their warriors to aid the bandit lord it could prove a problem. Even then however her powers were limited. Griffonstone was not an Equestrian city- it was Aquelian and the griffon government's seeming disinterest in its well being did not translate into her having the official power to do as she pleased there. The Tenochtitlan 'Emperor' was another story. The vast majority of goods and trade that the area had came from Equestria and could not be replaced by anything of the sort from Griffonstone. "I see. First off, you have my congratulations. You have certainly accomplished a lot and I believe you will have a bright future in the region. There is plenty of work to be done and plenty of local griffons who would be willing to work, and you seem like somedragon with a good sense of how to run it all. If you wanted my encouragement, you have that," she starts as her eyes closed, lost in thought for a few moments. "And something will need to be done about the Tenochtitlan. I can inform Tenochtitlan tribes that the flow of goods will stop if they continue to work with this bandit lord." She sighed. "However, as for Norton Breakbeak, I may not have the power you think I do. Griffonstone is part of another nation, and they full well know what is happening there. They simply do not care, but their lack of empathy does not translate into political power for me to enforce my will in their borders. Therefore, beyond officially notifying the Aquelian government that this Norton Breakbeak is considered a bandit in Equestria and is involved in the illegal transfer of goods and interference with approved trade, i cannot directly do anything," she finishes before allowing her mood to brighten. "That does not mean I do not have resources available, however. I have a griffon who knows the city well. He can very likely help your operations in and around the city, both in terms of securing passage of goods and discovering likely smuggling routes that this Breakbeak is using. He also should have some...connections," she said, giving the dragon the information on Gallus. Indeed, the student didn't care at all about griffonstone but he wasn't bold enough to resist a request- or a demand- of the pony who had given him his future. "I can also give you more indirect resources and aid, both to help you through these troubles and to help you build this city into something grand."

Ambrosia was really trying to impress her- or well, just wanting to show off for herself. It was hard not to use magic on everything and anything once you learned what you could do, but even the most eager student could only go so far before their body failed them. Twilight noticed the struggle but did not comment on it. "Very good, Ambrosia. Just make sure to still use your hooves for it once in a while or Applejack will go crazy," she said, doing her best googly eyes and a giggle before continuing. She thought about it for a while and considered that it was more possible than not that Applejack would indeed go crazy if her daughter never picked up an apple again. Yep, the loony bin for the Applemare. The walk continued along the paths as the filly told Twilight her dream. It made sense. Few ponies had a love of dresses and fashion that could rival rarity and nopony who could claim it could likewise claim to match her undeniable talent and skill. And Ambrosia? Well, she certainly qualified for the former, at least as far a fillies her age went. Twilight had to stifle a giggle. A little unicorn filly who wants dresses and to be a model for Rarity. If Applejack wasn't careful, rumors would spread! Though to be honest, they already did...jokingly. "Oh? That does seem like a lot of fun. Though they have very restrictive diets. No candy for a model!" She said as she rounded a bend and started leading Ambrosia into a field.

She checked her son for any unusual bumps and bruises. She checked him again She moved his mane around, she checked his eyes, you would swear she had heard that he had been dropped off of a mountain. It was all too much for Topaz, who slowly but surely melted away with 'Zappers' and 'Zappy' being useful pieces of information for later. Applejack for her part was soon content with the fact that there was nothing too wrong. "I think so," she replied to Ambrosia as she picked him up. Well, mostly fine. The question he asked made her question her abilities though. Despite all of the physical evidence being, fine, he sure did ask a weird question. She cocked her eyebrow. "Uhh, no. Yer a pegasus," she made sure his wing feathers were all in place. "Though if ya were a zebra, Rainbow'd have a lot of questions for me, Ah'm sure. You'd still be the most handsome zebra ever, though," she laughed before making sure he was going to be fine as she transported him like a precious little foal to the cart. She nodded for Ambrosia to head into the cart before she hitched herself to it. "Who wants ta have some real lunch?" She asked, trying to move on from this horrifying, terrible, no-good injury. They'd had some snacks, but growing ponies needed real meals!

Muziki was delighted at hearing she was going to win a prize! Wow, her! A winner! She didn't think she would be a winner when she walked into the shop, but now she was a winner! What did she win? Were there prizes for being the mostest politest customer? What did the Equestrians give as prizes? She hoped it was delicious candies or a song and dance or maybe even a popcorn. She didn't know why they called it popcorn. Did the popcorns grow in popcorn fields? She did not know. But she knew it tasted good with the butter! And maybe she could get some today. Why, if she got a prize today she would be a very happy filly and she would have to tell everycreature about her excellent fortunes! And then, as she contemplated this, she seemingly won her prize. Her delicious prize, the candy corn! For free! For her, the winner! "Mimi ndiye mshindi! Muziki mshindi!" She said excitedly, beaming and jumping up and down in excitement as she took the candied corn. She'd have to share it with her momma and poppa later, so they could also win with her by having their tastes exploded with the joy of candied corn. She didn't know where they grew the candied corn but it had to have been a magicalplace full of joy because of how it made her feel. It made her feel special, like a winner, because she had won the candy corn! She got ahold of herself after a few moments, trying to remember just what treats she had come in here for. She put the candy corn with a hungry lick of her lips in her open tiny cloth saddlebag and re-arranged her hat just a tiny bit so it didn't fall off. She then pulled out her small bits bag. it had once been a bigger bits bag, but as her saddlebag could tell from the various chotschkies in it, Las Pegasus businessponies had found a good mark in Muziki. She turned to the shop-mare with a trusting smile. "I'm Muziki. I'm here with momma and poppa doing a performance at one of your casinos! This city is very bright," she said with a giggle. "I want good treats, and umm, I have this much!" She said, revealing her last twelve bits.

Hygiene was always a complicated subject, especially when it concerned developing fillies and colts, as well as the myriad differences inherent in the various pony species. 'Wingpits' were known more academically speaking as the auxiliary joint, and it could indeed produce a foul smell after exertion. It was easy enough to control and manage as various small feathers could be preened to reduce any lingering odors. And baths. Spells too! Actually, the more she thought about it, the more it seemed there were too many methods of dealing with something so simple. Almost as if younger ponies cared a tremendous amount about...appearances... She had to stifle her laugh as they breached the surface and started walking along the beautiful country trails of Sweet Apple Acres. It was often pleasant enough to visit the orchard just for the sweet sounds and smells of the Apple family at work. Tree bucking in the distance, the flap of wedded wings and the hearty laugh of loves well shared. A microcosm of the joy that friendship could bring, all of it enriched by the wonder and beauty of nature, and the cherished history that seemed driven on every blade of grass. "So Ambrosia, have you given any thought as to what you want to do when you grow up?" She said as she idly picked an apple off the dirt and dropped it in a basket with her magic.