On The Mark

By Bernard Doove and Jeff Hartt

After defeating an attempt by Chrysalis to take over Equestria and dealing with the invading forces of the Storm King, Mark Wells hoped that he and his friends could settle down for peace and quiet for a while. However, the human-turned-pegacorn prince must cope with an assassin, a fanatically ambitious mare, changeling Queens, and an alliance of his most powerful foes. But possibly the most frightening challenge is his venture into parenthood.

Book Three of "Off The Mark" series brings to a conclusion the arc of Mark Wells' evolution from a hapless transformed human to one of the most influential beings in his new world. Along the way, he not only revolutionizes the relationships between species and nations, but also those of the mares closest to him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bernard Doove
• Release date: Nov 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005282530

Bernard Doove

I was born and bred in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. I've always been a voracious reader, but I rarely wrote anything until I discovered the anthropomorphic (furry) fandom. Nowadays I am involved in many aspects of that fandom, including participating in conventions both locally and internationally. I have an orange tabby named Romulus who tries to make it difficult for me to write, but he purrs a lot while doing so, so I forgive him.

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ON THE MARK

Story copyright © 2020 Bernard Doove & Jeff Hartt

Smashwords Edition

A production of The Chakat’s Den

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or any portions thereof, in any form.

Cover art by Maggephah © 2020

Other books by Bernard Doove

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1: New Generation

Chapter 2: Evolving Relationships

Chapter 3: Target And Victims

Chapter 4: Assassin’s Revenge

Chapter 5:School Dazed

Chapter 6: Surf And Turf

Chapter 7: New Careers

Chapter 8: Compromises

Chapter 9: And Now For Something Completely Different

Chapter 10: Hearth’s Warming

Chapter 11: Families

Chapter 12: Learning Their Place

Chapter 13: Crisis

Chapter 14: The Greatest Showmare

Chapter 15: Responsibilities And Repercussions

Chapter 16: Critical Developments

Chapter 17: Crystal City Conflict

Chapter 18: Catching Up

Chapter 19: Questions And Challenges

Chapter 20: Royal Command Performance #2

Chapter 21: Look Who’s Back

Chapter 22: So Long! I Must Be Going!

Chapter 23: Anyone For Tea?

Chapter 24: Circumventing Surveillance

Chapter 25: Fateful Campaign

Chapter 26: After The Battle

Chapter 27: Getting Back To Normal

Chapter 28: Mates And Foals

Chapter 29: Relationships New And Old

Chapter 30: Friends And Family

Chapter 31: Mark’s World

Art Credits

Foreword

Foremost, I must advise that this novel is a direct sequel to Off The Mark and Further Off The Mark and has established characters and scenes from those books. Therefore, it’s advisable to read them before this one.

After two years, three months, and over 715,000 words, the story that I began after reading someone’s appallingly bad tale on a similar theme has finally concluded. It was my goal to cover all the major events of the canon show from around the middle of Season Three as experienced by the protagonist. Therefore, it was appropriate to bring the story to a close after the time-skip final episode.

So, does that mean that there might be more Mark Wells stories? Perhaps, but there is also the next generation to consider. Time will tell. For now, this is Completely Off The Mark!

Bernard Doove, aka Goldfur

I'll start with a quote that the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic heroine Twilight Sparkle would certainly approve:

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends;

they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors,

and the most patient of teachers."

― Charles W. Eliot

Thank you for sticking through to the conclusion of the story. This has been a labor of love throughout and I want to again thank Bernard for allowing me to join him on this journey. Also, my lovely wife Dee has been incredibly patient with my side-hobby gobbling up huge amounts of my spare time.

I don't know what will be the next story that my Muse leads me to, but I look forward to sharing it with you.

Jeff Hartt, aka Airy Words

1: New Generation

When I first arrived in Equestria, I felt frightened by my unexpected transformation into a small green-coated winged pony but fought through it as best I could. Despite my abundance of caution for high places (no, I’m not going to call it ‘fear of heights’), I persevered through countless injuries and embarrassments until I mastered the aerial element. When I battled Tirek, I knew there was a good chance that I would be killed, but despite the worst case of butterflies in the world, I still faced him. Then there was the time that Starlight almost murdered me which left me trembling despite fighting her off. And, of course, I was scared nearly out of my mind when I attacked the Storm King knowing that I was overmatched. But nothing compared to the heart-freezing terror that gripped me when my wife said those six little words:

I think my water just broke.

It’s not as if we hadn’t prepared for this moment. A mare giving birth is hardly a novelty in this world. It’s just that this mare was my wife and she was about to go into labor and give birth to our first child. I admit that I froze up for a moment. A sharp poke in my chest made me jump though.

Did you hear Trixie?

Yes, love. You caught me by surprise. Just relax while I get things rolling.

I gave Trixie a kiss, got off the bench seat, and headed for the door to our suite. Opening it, I found that the morning shift had already taken over. Penumbra was there and she raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Aren’t you up a little early? It doesn’t even look like you’ve groomed yourself.

We have a code F, I replied.

Penny’s eyes opened wide. Oh! On it! She shot down the corridor in a blur.

Code F, Your Highness? queried one of the door guards, alert to a possible problem.

I gave him a nervous smile. F for foal. Princess Trixie is going into labor.

I see, sir. I presume to expect several visitors?

You better believe it! I replied fervently.

I retreated into the suite and opened all the curtains to give us plenty of light. I then prepared our bed with a waterproof sheet and extra pillows. I got that done just before our maid Whisk Broom came in. She wrung her hooves a couple of times, giving me only a brief disappointed glance for finishing her task before she had the chance to do so. The mare then bowed quickly and left.

With the bed ready, I went back outside and reassured Trixie that everything was underway. Grateful that I now had a horn in my stallion form, I lifted my wife in its telekinetic field and levitated her inside, making her comfortable on the bed. I then fetched a glass of water for her, brought over a jar of cookies, poured her something to drink, drew one curtain to get the sun out of her face, and got her a glass of water.

There was a perfunctory knock on the door which opened even before I responded. A portly yellow unicorn mare with a blue and white mane stepped inside and I gave a relieved sigh.

Thanks for coming so promptly, Calming Hooves.

She gave me an amused smile. As Princess Trixie’s midwife, I am rather obliged to be prompt if only to help her by calming down the expectant father.

My wife snorted and stifled a laugh. Trixie thinks you have your work cut out for you. Her eyes indicated the three tumblers of water by the bedside, all untouched.

I honestly didn’t recall fetching any of them.

Calming Hooves nodded with a knowing smile as she went over to her patient. Relax, Your Highness. It’s far too soon to be stressing yourself out like this. You need to be calm and ready for when Princess Trixie needs you the most. She proceeded to examine Trixie while I immediately forgot what it was she said.

To my immense relief, Steady Flight turned up right then. May I come in, sir?

I nodded, glad of the company. Come in, Steady, and drop the ‘sir’. I need a friend right now, not my valet.

Yeah, I figured as much, he said as he came over to my side. I was seven years old when my eldest sister had her first foal. Despite having five children, this was Dad’s first grandfoal and he was a nervous wreck. I never thought I’d be the one giving emotional support to my father.

"Do you think I’m a nervous wreck?"

Not yet, but I see the signs.

Gah! We planned for this! The pregnancy has been trouble-free. There’s absolutely no reason for me to be so worried.

Yep, but you’re plagued by the ‘what-ifs’ right now, aren’t you?

I nodded guiltily.

Steady turned to the midwife. Hey, Calming – how long before Mark is needed?

Not for a long while yet, judging by the signs. Do us both a favor and get some breakfast into Prince Mark. Maybe a stiff drink too. I’ll send word when you’re needed.

But what if Trixie needs something? I asked.

My assistant, Nurse Gentle Touch, will be here soon and will be able to provide help as needed.

What about breakfast for my wife? Can she even have breakfast?

I sent your bodyguard to the kitchen to let them know to send a light meal up to this suite.

Steady put a foreleg around my withers and gave me a gentle pull. Come on, Mark – let’s get from under hoof.

I allowed myself to be dragged out of the room, resisting just long enough to say, Love you, Lulu!

Penny met me in the hallway and we made our way to the dining room where we found Twilight already halfway through her breakfast. One thing about the mare had not changed with the ascension to alicornhood or her elevation to Princess of the Realm: her table manners still left much to be desired.

Through a mouthful of food, she said, Good morning, Mark. I’m told that Trixie’s gone into labor.

Yeah. Well, actually, her water has broken. I don’t think she’s started contractions yet. I think. I dunno.

Sit down and have something to eat. It’ll be a while, so no point in worrying over it just yet.

I parked myself at the table and a servant hastened up to take my order.

I’m not really hungry, I said.

Twilight just rolled her eyes and said, He’ll have two eggs over easy with hay-bacon, four pancakes with extra maple syrup, and a café latte.

The servant nodded and left for the kitchen. I arched a querying eyebrow at the alicorn.

You’re going to be hungry and you’ll need your strength to support Trixie later.

I suppose you’re right, I grumbled. When do you think you’re going to have your foal? You’ll have to take all of Trixie’s court duties for a while.

Twilight shrugged. We still don’t know when I’m due. The hybrid nature of the foal throws the rulebook out the window. We already determined long ago that I won’t be laying an egg like Chryssy, but other than that, we have nothing to go by. All we know is that the foal seems to be healthy so far. There’s never been any situation like this before in the recorded history of either of our species.

I suppose not. Heck, even though I encouraged Thorax to ask you to marry him, I admit I was as surprised as everypony else that he was able to give you a foal. I assumed the sterility of his drone form carried over to his elevation to princedom… princehood? I shook my head. I know that Shining and Chryssy from the other dimension have had several foals, but their roles were reversed and the biology slightly different.

Twilight chuckled. Neither of us expected Thorax to be virile, either. Otherwise, I might not have gotten pregnant at all that Season. We thought we were pretty safe in that regard.

That seems most unlike you, Twi. You don’t normally leave those things to chance or wishful thinking. Methinks you subconsciously, at least, wanted a foal.

The alicorn shrugged. I won’t argue with you because I’m happy that I was wrong.

I smiled. You were such an unlikely couple but you’ve proven over and over again how much you two care for each other. It’s easy to see how an emotivore like Thorax can fall deeply for someone who loves him like you do, but I have never quite grasped how you came to do the same for him.

A distant dreamy look came into Twilight’s eyes. "It’s something that you have to experience for yourself. First of all, he is intensely loyal and dedicated to his friends, which appeals to me. And while it’s true that I found him interesting and fun to be with, it’s the sheer intensity of a changeling’s emotions that make the difference. When I say that I feel immersed in his love, it’s not just hyperbole. The more time we spent together, the more intense the feeling became. In the end, it was impossible not to love him."

So, you’re a love junkie, I concluded with a smirk.

Twilight giggled. I suppose I am. If it wasn’t for the fact that we already shared so many interests and goals, I’d have to say I married him because I was addicted to his love. However, that was just the icing on the cake. He’s been a wonderful and supportive husband despite our differences and responsibilities.

The servant came back just then with a tray laden with the food that Twilight had ordered for me. I suddenly realized that I was hungry and started to tuck into it. As I chewed on the first mouthful, it occurred to me that the alicorn had been keeping me preoccupied to prevent me from worrying about what was happening upstairs. Clever girl. Let’s see if she was this calm and collected when it came time to give birth to her and Thorax’s foal!

Mmm… this hay-bacon is especially good this morning.

Of course, the moment that I got word that I was needed at our suite, my nerves came crashing back again. I galloped all the way there, offending the sensibilities of the more staid palace staff, no doubt. Trixie had gone into full labor and wanted me by her side, so I took one of her hooves in mine, stroked her mane, and did all the other things a helpless stallion could do while his mate did all the real work. Fortunately, I recalled the example of Fluttershy helping Cadance during the pink alicorn’s labor to go by: lots of encouragement and always keeping a soothing tone, regardless of how much my stomach was doing flips.

I suppose I could tell you about all the cliché things that occur during childbirth such as the moans of pain, the cursing of the sire, and the bone-crushing grip on my foreleg during contractions, but throughout it all, Calming Hooves reassured us that everything was proceeding perfectly. Nevertheless, it was an immense relief to both of us when the first cries of the newborn foal reached our ears and the midwife made her announcement.

Congratulations! You are now the parents of a beautiful unicorn filly.

I was so happy for Trixie as she had gotten the child that she had hoped for. Maybe a son for me next time although I didn’t think that my wife would be in a hurry to go through this again soon. The filly was still a little slick with birth fluids and Calming swaddled her in a small blanket before passing her to Trixie. Although my wife was tired and frazzled from labor, she nevertheless looked proudly at her unicorn daughter. We could both get a good look at her now. She had a bright yellow coat and her little mop of mane was green like me but with a mauve stripe through it. She was the cutest thing I had seen in my entire life!

You did well, Dowser, Trixie said quietly.

We both did, Lulu, I replied, kissing her on the cheek.

Calming Hooves gave us a few more moments before saying, We still need to deal with the afterbirth. Gentle Touch will take your foal to Doctor Bellows in the meantime. He’ll give her a thorough check-up, shots, and booster spells before bringing her back.

Trixie was reluctant to let the foal go but I gently pried her out of my wife’s grasp while murmuring reassurances. Gentle Touch was a cream-colored unicorn mare with bright orange hair and the kindest eyes I had ever seen. The nurse carried the foal in the glow of her magic into the living room where the doctor had been waiting in case he was needed. From there, I heard him instruct her to place my foal onto his portable examination table.

I rubbed my chin. Hmm… we’re going to have to start thinking of a name for our child. Don’t want to keep referring to our child as the foal all the time.

Childbirth is messy and it took a little while to finish up and replace the bedding. The nurse returned shortly after we were done and Trixie was starting to get a bit impatient. The look on the mare’s face as she approached us changed that to dread.

What happened? I demanded. Is there something wrong with our foal?

No, the foal is perfectly healthy, she hastened to reassure us. It’s just that… well… see for yourselves.

She drew back the blanket to reveal a pegasus colt with a pale bluish-green coat and mauve mane with a green stripe.

That’s not my daughter! exclaimed Trixie.

I… I know, Gentle Touch protested. But one moment she’s on the scales as we measured her birth weight, and the next moment, this colt was in her place.

We stared in disbelief at the incredible story. If it wasn’t for the colt’s mane which was an exact reversal of the filly’s, I would have dismissed it instantly. Let me have the foal, I ordered, extricating him from the nurse’s grasp. When he was in my forelegs, I looked at him closely. He was the son that I had been wishing for, no doubt about that. He opened his eyes and looked at me and I saw that his left eye was green while the right was blue. He burbled happily and I was both charmed and confused. Who are you? I asked softly.

There was a brief flash of light and suddenly I held a yellow unicorn filly in my hooves. The heterochromic eyes never left me.

Umm… Lulu… I held out the foal to Trixie and her jaw dropped and eyes bulged.

Almost snatching her from my grasp, Trixie took the filly and brought her into an embrace. She sniffed her scent and declared, "This is our foal!" She nuzzled and crooned at the filly who giggled in response.

I looked at the midwife for answers but she looked equally perplexed. Then the foal began to squirm and appeared to be looking for something. Trixie eventually relaxed her hold and the filly made a beeline for my wife’s udders and started suckling hungrily.

"Well, at least that is normal," I said.

There was another flash and there was now a colt feeding at his mother’s teats.

"But that can’t possibly be," I added.

Trixie gave me a flat look. If there was even a shred of doubt before, there’s no possibility that my foal was sired by anypony but you, Dowser.

I shrugged, conceding the point. Now that I thought about it, I recognized the effect from looking in the mirror when I transferred to my Marklestia form and back, though the burst of light was brighter with my foal. Given my unusual nature, it seemed the most likely explanation for what had to be an unprecedented situation.

We watched the foal feed for a while, mulling over the situation. Eventually, I said, "It seems that we both got the child that we wished for. He… she… they are going to cause quite a stir."

Trixie thinks you are the Prince of Understatement. What are we going to name… them?

A word suddenly sprang to mind. How about Gemini?

The colt switched back to a filly. Trixie looked at her while she considered my question. Trixie assumes this name is from your home? Is it associated with a being possessing a dual nature?

An ancient god, actually.

My wife smirked. You don’t like setting your expectations for our child low do you, Dowser? She looked thoughtful for a long moment before eventually nodding with approval. It suits them. Trixie just hopes our foal will settle down to one form for more than a minute at a time, otherwise, they are going to have an awkward childhood.

I think we should hold off the public announcement of the birth until we know a little more about Gemini.

A wise idea, Birthmark Bombshells.

My mouth twisted in a smirk. Twilight is going to have a hard time topping this!

A smile crept onto my wife’s face. She carefully leaned over to kiss me. You always know what to say to make Trixie feel better, Dowser.

Thankfully, Gemini settled down into one gender for more than a minute at a time although changing who was holding them often prompted a switch. Nevertheless, when we settled them down that evening, they were a filly for the rest of the night.

Twilight was amazed, to put it mildly. Trixie burst out laughing at her coruler’s unintentional impression of a fish out of water. Some research later confirmed what we already believed – Gemini was unique in the history of Equestria, changelings naturally excepted. We had fraternal twins in one body and it was going to be an adventure finding out what that meant for our first foal. And they definitely weren’t going to be the last if my wife’s words had any weight.

As we stood gazing at the peacefully sleeping Gemini, my mate nuzzled me and said, Trixie would have been disappointed if our foal wasn’t unique and she wonders what our next will be like.

Me too, darling. Me too.

Unsurprisingly, Trixie succumbed to tiredness and I left her enjoying a sound sleep. My wife insisted that our newborn stays in the room with her but we had the nurse there to keep watch over both of them. Hopefully, Gemini would not disturb their mother too soon.

Meanwhile, with Twilight taking care of Day Court all day, I was pretty free for the moment. Calming Hooves last piece of advice to me before she left was to take every opportunity to rest, or even sleep. For the first few weeks with the new foal, I would be finding precious little time for either. No, not even with a castle full of servants to help, she insisted. Recalling Shining Armor’s bleary-eyed countenance after the birth of Flurry Heart, I decided not to argue. There was one thing that I had to do first, however.

There were several ponies eagerly awaiting news of the birth. Since there were only the midwife and her assistant in the room with us then, word had not got out as yet. Penny tried to pry an answer out of me the moment that I stepped out of my suite. Thankfully, good sound insulation defeated even bat pony hearing. I merely smiled and told her that she would have to wait until I rounded up a few more of our friends. I found Steady Flight, Starlight Glimmer, Raven Inkwell, and Crimson Boulder in the sunroom where we liked to gather informally. All eyes turned to me and Penny punched me in the shoulder.

Okay, spit it out! the bat pony demanded.

Mother and foal are both doing well, I said with a proud smile.

Unicorn or pegasus? Steady asked.

Is it a colt or a filly? Starlight added.

Yes, I replied with a grin.

There was a moment of puzzled silence before Steady said, I know that you’re probably worn out and not thinking straight, but those were either/or questions, Mark.

Are you quite sure about that? My grin grew wider.

Wait! Trixie didn’t have twins, did she? Raven asked. There wasn’t a hint of that beforehoof though.

Mark said, ‘mother and foal’ singular, Starlight pointed out.

I said, Quite correct – only one foal and they are doing well.

Crimson narrowed his gaze at me. You’re dancing around with words, aren’t you? Fine. If you want to play that game, I’ll remind you about it next training session.

Oops! No thanks! "Okay, you got me. But after the surprise that Trixie and I got, I thought it only fair to spread the joy. The truth is – yes – is the correct answer." I back-winged out of reach before Starlight could punch me. Sorry, Glim-Glam – I saw that coming a mile away! Pity I missed Crimson though. Gah! So that’s what the floor tasted like.

Speak plain Equish or I’ll see how far I can bend this leg.

Penny – you’re supposed to be protecting me! I protested.

She gave me a flat look. Your best defense is to do as he asks, she advised.

But I’ve been telling the truth all this time! URK! Okay! Okay! The foal is a shape-changer! They’re both a unicorn filly and a pegasus colt.

The room went silent for a long moment before Starlight started howling with laughter. Steady just shook his head in disbelief.

Only you, Mark. This could only happen to you.

Gotta agree with you, I said as I got back to my hooves after Crimson released me. "But at least I should be able to look forward to both playing hoofball with them and trying out Rarity’s latest fashions together."

Aside from our foal’s unique trick, they proved to be like any other newborn pony. The biggest problem we had was keeping a magic surge suppressor on Gemini when they were in unicorn form because it would fall off whenever they switched into a pegasus. Having seen what Flurry Heart did to the Crystal Castle, we were in no hurry to find out if Gemini could be equally destructive to Canterlot. Upon learning of this problem, Twilight teleported to her parent’s house and, sure enough, they were able to lend us a spare regulating maneclip. They kept it just in case their granddaughter needed an emergency spare. Sure, our foal wasn’t an alicorn, but we weren’t taking any chances.

Once Gemini’s shape-changing had settled down into long periods in one form, we decided to make the formal announcement of the royal birth and made arrangements for a reception for friends and family. Cadance and Shining brought along Flurry and Button, of course, along with the changeling nanny that they had acquired. One of the evolved drones from Thorax’s hive had expressed an interest in a career in foal care. Cadance had heard about it and took her on as an example of cooperation with the changeling race. This relieved Sunburst of part of the burden that the role of Crystaller put upon him, enabling him to resume his studies. Although, I heard that Twilight wanted to talk with him about another role now that Flurry Heart was old enough.

However, it wasn’t any of our Crystal Empire guests whom I most wanted to see. Eventually, Fluttershy turned up with a certain draconequus known for his pranks. I wasted no time in introducing him to our unusual child who obligingly changed as we spoke.

I said, Discord. This kind of phenomenon is not completely unknown to me. One of my elementary school classmates had a cat with an even split between black and calico coloration on her face. It’s called a chimera cat. Two sets of genes in one body. I put on my most serious face. Would you care to explain, Resident Chimera?

Discord chuckled, though only after a nervous glance to Fluttershy. Oh, I had nothing to do with this, Mark. You can’t think to blame me for whatever mixed-up soup of genetics is floating around in your body, now can you? Heck, after the Chaos Heart incident—

Cadance interrupted. "Flurry Heart."

— yes, that one. Anyway, I had my bits on an alicorn mare with a green coat and teal eyes. He frowned and looked down at our foal. Pity. I got good odds, too.

I took advantage of his distraction to catch Trixie’s eye and give her a wink. Crossing my forelegs across my chest, I said in a dark tone. No. I’m asking if you had a much more active role in providing a chimera’s genetic material to my wife.

What?! Discord’s head spun to face me and a few smaller Discords fell out of his ears, screeching the same thing, though in a higher pitch.

Trixie gasped. Oh no! He knows!

WHAT?! The draconequus’ head kept spinning around until it was looking at my wife again.

It’s alright, darling. We’ll make it work somehow. Our love-foal will not be without the love it needs, no matter what happens, she said passionately.

Fluttershy suppressed a grin long enough to let out a cute whine and say, Oh, Discord. How could you?

WHAAAAAAT?!

Discord’s head spun around another 270 degrees until he was looking at his marefriend. At that point, his neck had twisted around too far for him to keep his balance and he toppled over.

Everypony lost it and we all laughed. Discord picked himself up... literally. In bold defiance against the law of gravity, his clawed hand yanked him off the ground. The draconequus glared at me while dusting himself off with a feather duster. Hmmmph. One more mark in the ‘Mark’ column for you, Mister. Just for that, I won’t be taping your foal announcement card to that mirror for your buddy back home.

All Fluttershy had to do was clear her throat behind her coltfriend to make him cringe.

... until next week, he finished.

While we all had a good laugh about it, I was slightly disappointed that Discord didn’t have any insights beyond what we had figured out for ourselves. Time would tell if we would learn more, I supposed. And while some of the nobles were aghast at Gemini’s odd nature, at least this royal foal would have no problems sitting on the throne as a Princess to satisfy the conservative members of the elite.

The guessing game as to when Twilight would give birth ended three weeks and four days after Gemini’s arrival. As with Trixie’s labor, Twilight just had Thorax in the room with the midwife and her assistant, so I waited along with everypony else to find out what the foal would turn out to be. Unlike my child, Twilight’s was expected to be some unique mixture of characteristics of its parents’ two species.

The birth was quick. Calming Hooves suspected that the foal instinctively assisted to make it easier. Because of this, Twilight was nowhere near as tired as Trixie had been and she and Thorax invited us to come into the suite to see their new son.

There was no mistaking the foal’s dual heritage. He had a coat of green fur a couple of shades lighter than mine, but that stopped halfway down his legs which were encased in shiny purple chitin. His wings were purple too and had features of both pegasus structure and dragonfly wing feathers. From his father’s heritage, the foal got a slightly jagged horn shape, compound eyes the shade of amethyst, and a beaming smile. But the most telling trait from his mother was the color of his mane and tail. They were the same shades of dark blue streaked with red as found in Twilight’s tresses.

What’s his name, Mama? Nyx asked, staring fascinatedly at the foal.

We’ve decided to call him Regis Novellus, Twilight said proudly.

Ah, book-pony – never change!

After a long debate, Applejack and Steady Flight had split the pot for ‘Best guess as to what Trixie and Mark’s foal will look like." After a perfunctory discussion, it was unanimously decided that no one was remotely close in Twilight’s pool. The bits ended up going to Canterlot’s orphanage. That was quickly followed by contributions from Applejack and Steady Flight.

However, Discord was declared the overall winner with the extra entry he paid for:

"None of you will get either right."

I bought him an Eyrish whiskey on the rocks. Igneous rocks. I think he was touched by the gesture.

# # # # # # # # #

2: Evolving Relationships

Pony pregnancies being ten months in Equestria, it wasn’t long before the next mating season came around. That’s when I learned that nursing mothers didn’t go into heat, so Trixie and Twilight were spared that for this year. Naturally, I was not. Twilight offered me a solution though.

I know of a spell that induces lactation in new mothers who have trouble feeding their foals. If you’d like to share nursing duties with Trixie…?

Somehow, I could not quite wrap my head around that idea. Nevertheless, was I being selfish not offering to share the burden with my wife? I decided that was best answered by her.

Feeding our foal is Trixie’s job! she told me most emphatically. Besides, Lady Rarity would be most disappointed if you are not there for her this Season.

I blinked several times, stunned by that bald-faced statement. I know that Trixie had been fine with sharing me with Rarity last Season, but she was effectively giving me carte blanche to be alone with my occasional marefriend. Not that Trixie had lost interest in love-making with me when we had the time (and energy!) to spare, but she had made it abundantly clear that Gemini was her priority for several months. This was one step beyond that though.

It’s almost as if you want us to start a herd, Lulu.

Of course, Dowser. Rarity would make a fine addition.

I stared at her for a long moment. But herds are illegal, I pointed out.

My wife gave me that flat look she reserved for when I said something particularly dense, and I knew that I had somehow stuffed up big time. Then she sighed long-sufferingly.

"Trixie sometimes forgets that you’re not born of this world, Stark Fells. To be precise, herds are not a legal form of marriage. De facto herds, though, are very common. You don’t think every unmarried mare who wants a foal raises it by herself, do you? While that’s true for some, many are in a herd relationship with a married couple and the foal is raised within the family."

Why haven’t I heard about this before? I complained.

Probably because you spend too much time among the nobility. They are the reason why herds are not a legal form of marriage.

And why is that?

You are already aware that mares have the right to ask any stallion to sire a foal with them, regardless of whether that stallion is married to another mare or not?

I had learned long ago that the disproportionate number of mares to stallions had necessitated that practice. Yes, but only those stallions near their status in society.

Trixie nodded. Yes, yes. Obviously. Usually. Well, that tradition includes the nobility, and while those stallions have the right to refuse, they frequently don’t. They are males, after all.

I felt slighted but I couldn’t really disagree with her.

However, she continued, no noble wants to have children born out of marriage having a legal claim to any form of rights particular to the nobility, and especially not any inheritance. Therefore, centuries ago, they successfully enshrined in law that herd relationships are not marriages. They had zero hope of banning them, but this law effectively worked around that problem. Fortunately for those already in herds, this only had the effect that the nobles desired and didn’t affect the relationships of the commoners.

I see. It makes sense. So, what you’re saying is that not only is a herd arrangement with Rarity not a problem, you’re encouraging it? I queried.

As Trixie said, Lady Rarity would make a fine herd mare for the royal family. Trixie knew that you had strong feelings for her long ago, but you chose to marry Trixie, she replied smugly.

I admit that I was glad that Rarity and I could continue our unusual relationship, but I never expected it to be quite like this. Every time that I think I have this world figured out, I get thrown for a loop. At least I didn’t have to worry about Rainbow Dash any longer. While it had been fairly obvious that she and Applejack had a growing attraction for each other last Season, a year later, it was pretty blatant. On the surface, they still bickered but, lately, they could hardly keep their hooves off each other in public. Maybe Dash would still seek me out one day for stallion service, but until then, I was happy that she was content with her marefriend.

I said, I won’t leave you to cope with Gemini alone since all our support is here. I’ll invite Rarity to spend the Season in Canterlot this year.

Trixie nodded. A fine idea. I will have the servants prepare a suite for her.

So, that’s how I came to spend the majority of my Season with my marefriend. Trixie had seen the same thing in Rarity and me that I’d seen in Rainbow and Applejack and she approved. I have the best wife! I told Rarity about Trixie’s views on our relationship and she had to agree with my assessment. While the white unicorn still had no intention of having foals yet, becoming an official part of a herd sat well with her, and of course, with me too. I made sure to make my feelings for her well evident.

The first evening when the Season had forced my change into my Marklestia form, Rarity and I sat on the balcony of her suite looking over the lamplit city. She was snuggled up to me and I had a wing around her while we quietly watched the night sky. Then we looked at each other, turned, and wordlessly, we kissed.

It had taken me a while to understand but I had finally realized something about myself. Or more specifically, about Marklestia. I had always thought my feelings were the same whether I was a mare or my normal stallion form, but I was mistaken. Marklestia definitely had the hots for Rarity and that feeling was certainly returned. I had been too close to the situation to recognize it but Trixie had seen it and acted for the benefit of all three of us.

When we finally broke apart, Rarity said, I suppose that makes things official, darling.

Almost, I replied. I think we should let Trixie give us her blessing in person.

Should we go see her now?

Not if it means waking her. I’ll have a servant pass a message to Trixie to let her know we’d like to see her at a convenient moment.

Yes, Gemini does tire the poor dear out. She will doubtless be in a more receptive mood if she gets to choose the moment.

Speaking of Gemini, are you ready to be known as Auntie Rarity? I asked with a grin.

She returned it with a smile of her own. Part of the perks, darling.

The Season was just the annual speed bump in our regular royal duties. With Rarity returned to her work, we triarchs settled down to the business of running Equestria again. High on the list of major projects was Twilight’s School of Friendship initiative. Unlike the alicorn’s castle, the new institution did not build itself and it needed to be completed in time for the new school year. Of course, constructing the building was only one part of the task. The biggest job was signing up students. Getting enough ponies to participate wasn’t a problem – it was all the other races that had to be persuaded that a mixed-species school was a good idea.

Aside from the obvious inclusion of some changelings from Thorax's hive, a Canterlot griffon couple decided they would send their two cubs and, with the help of Princess Gilda, Twilight managed to get a promise of a third cat-bird student from Griffonstone. Queen Novo was a lot more helpful and she was going to send two hippogriff pupils – a brother and sister. Then there was an Abyssinian, two minotaur calves – male and female, two does, a parrot, a diamond dog, a buffalo, and even a yak. Tempest Shadow arranged to have a yeti girl and a young storm beast sent to learn our culture. It took a couple of months to acquire a zebra student, but the greatest surprise was the sphinx. Although she wasn’t any older than the average pupil, she was already a lot bigger than all but one of the others. When classes started, the yak girl would take the prize for largest being on campus! Good thing she was, by all reports, super friendly. Anyway, it certainly was going to be a very diverse class when the school opened. I hoped Twilight hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew.

Naturally, there were the inevitable snags, and the biggest had the initials E.E.A. While the Triarchy was responsible for the budget and thus the financing of the construction, it turned out it also needed to be accredited by the Equestrian Education Association. Frankly, I knew next to nothing about the organization except that they were responsible for the codification and regulation of every aspect of all Equestrian schools. I was shocked when Twilight showed me the massive tome that contained every minute detail that needed to be complied with for the new school to gain accreditation. I had a terrible sinking feeling despite Twilight’s cheerful confidence. Anything that hidebound was not going to sit well with the alicorn’s radical new ideas. Nevertheless, this was Twilight’s baby and it was up to her to make it work. My focus was definitely much further abroad.

While it was business as usual in Equestria, the new lands in the Southern Protectorate presented regular problems. Rooting out sympathizers of the Storm King was the hardest and at the same time the most important. The former rulers of the territories and cities were still unaccounted for. They had all been replaced with leaders who had flourished under the yeti’s rule. To a being, they were resisting changing back to how each region was run before it had been invaded. However, they were difficult to extricate from their positions of power so that new leaders could be elected. It was a slow process and Tempest Shadow sometimes had to resort to military action for the most recalcitrant. That was the last option on our list and we only authorized it when all else failed. Many civilians hailed our forces as heroes for liberating them, but we certainly didn’t win friends in every place. The yeti clan that birthed the Storm King had resorted to occasional guerilla-style attacks in the high mountains of South Abyssinia. Their home village had been located but all the adults had left. After the first attack on our troops there, the remaining citizens were relocated for their safety. Now the search was underway for the warriors’ hideout.

It was one of those recently rare quiet occasions when my wife and I could spend a little quality time with our foal. I relaxed on a chair, watching my mate sweet talk Gemini. Trixie’s back was propped up against the headboard by a thick pillow and she had our child in her lap.

Say my name little one. You don’t have to say ‘Great and Powerful.’ Just ‘Trix-ie’… ‘Trix-ie’.

Our little filly gazed up at their mother and giggled.

Trixie’s smile did not change. Let’s try ‘Mom-my’… ‘Mom-my’.

A shift into pegasus colt form but the same delighted giggles.

I smirked. Are you trying to be funny, dear? Because you are certainly succeeding.

That earned me a dark glare that drew a wave of snickers from Gemini. Trixie blinked a few times then gave our little one her best scowl. Peals of laughter this time. Trixie proceeded to pull ever weirder faces which set off even more enthusiastic laughter.

I was about to warn my wife not to make Gemini die laughing when I heard many hoofsteps outside our door followed by a brief conversation. A few seconds later, somepony knocked. Your Highnesses, Tempest Shadow has asked to give you an urgent report.

I looked to Trixie and saw the same surprise that doubtless appeared on my face. The provisional leader of the Equestrian Southern Protectorate reported to the Triarchy weekly basis, always in person except for last week because of an ongoing operation. Now she was reporting in three days early, and late in the evening.

Trixie gave me a nod, wordlessly agreeing with my thoughts. This had to be something important or dire. Let her in, please.

Tempest was preceded by our two door guards and four more who positioned themselves around the suite before the remaining soldiers allowed her to enter. I noted there were at least four more guards in the hallway.

You look most fetching in your armor, Tempest, said my wife.

Indeed, the unicorn wore a standard set of Equestrian officer’s gear, though she had not been allowed to bring in her helmet or saddlebags. Trust only went so far when it came to the welfare of royalty in their chambers.

Tempest Shadow bowed formally. Thank you, Your Highness. The spells woven into the breastplate saved me from a homing arrow on more than one occasion.

Fizz! Fizz!

Everypony’s attention turned to Gemini, who was jumping up and down in their mother’s grasp. Buzz! Buzz! They pointed vaguely in the direction of the newcomer’s horn.

Tempest aka Fizzlepop put on a gentle smile and moved closer to the bed. The unicorn mare that kept legions in line with merely a disappointed frown now gave a theatrical gasp and let several colorful sparks escape her horn.

Eeeeee! Fizz! Fizz! Eeeeeeeee! Our foal jumped even higher and laughed even louder, clapping their hooves together as fast as they could. Trixie rolled her eyes and I had to chuckle. All that effort spent to get our child to say their mother’s name, or (barely acceptable) their father’s. So naturally, who was the pony graced with the honor of being the first name uttered by our child?

There was no denying it. Auntie Fizz (no pony else should even think about calling her that), was the most entertaining being in existence. Even Discord couldn’t get this kind of reaction. However, while Fizz was unquestionably popular with our foal, we did not begrudge it because Gemini was having a similar effect on Tempest. The normally taciturn mare was a different pony when with our child and, little by little, Tempest was opening her heart again to others. This boded well for her future and Twilight was particularly pleased that extending the hoof of Friendship to our former foe was paying off so well. I was happy that my recommendation to make her our provisional leader of the Protectorate had worked out. Under the circumstances, I could wait a little longer for Gemini to say Daddy.

I smiled, hating to bring the moment to an end. Do you mind if I ask why you came to Canterlot early and obviously straight from the battlefield? And why the guard on our room has been tripled?

Tempest Shadow tore her eyes away from her number one fan. Hmm? Oh. Quadrupled, actually. That’s because I learned of a serious threat to your life, Your Highness. The mare then went back to making silly faces while sending up the occasional tiny firework that exploded against the ceiling to the unending delight of my now-daughter.

This time, it was my turn to blink a few times. Well, that put a damper on the evening.

# # # # # # # # #

3: Targets And Victims

Ummm. Care to be a bit more specific? One could not go wrong when asking for more details about a potential assassin. I was rather attached to living and seeing my foal grow up. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Penumbra move up close to my side.

Tempest held up a hoof to forestall giving me an answer. After a few seconds, several balls of static erupted from her horn and weaved around each other as they spiraled upwards, exploding into clouds of sparks when they hit the ceiling. Not only was that trick new, I had to admit it was also fairly impressive. My foal caught their breath, switching rapidly between their two forms as if trying to process the scene in every way possible. Then they settled on pegasus colt and clapped their hooves together. Yay! Fizz Fizz! Moooooooooooore!

The unicorn laughed. That’s enough for today. Time for your nap, I think.

No nap! Gemini opened their mouth to say more but closed their eyes when a huge yawn overtook them. Trixie pulled a baby blanket (a gift from Fluttershy) over the foal’s withers and gently stroked the frog of one hoof down Gemini’s face. I’d seen this before and it never ceased to amaze me. No magic involved, just the timeless knowledge of foal-rearing. In stages, Gemini settled down and got sleepier with each slow pass of Trixie’s hoof. In less than a minute, they were letting out little snores on my wife’s chest.

Trixie looked up at Tempest once she was sure our foal was truly asleep. My wife said in her quietest voice, Trixie takes it you asked for the extra guards?

The red mare nodded as she sat down as I moved up next to my wife. Yes, Your Highnesses. As you know, my troops have been searching for the group that has been launching attacks against the military and civilians. A week ago, an informant told me where to find their base deep in the mountains. Their leader was known only as ‘Overseer.’ He came from the Storm King’s clan and acted as the empire’s spymaster and ‘population manager’. Completely loyal. He left immediately after the Storm King’s defeat was announced.

My troops took up positions outside their walled-off mountain cleft. Numerous arrow slits allowed the Overseer’s followers to cover every approach to their base with overlapping fields of fire. He chose to answer my call to return to his previous job with magic blasts and a very well-aimed arrow. Not that I was serious, mind you. He knew his brutal subjugation of the conquered territories could never be without consequences. I simply tried to spare his clansmates the same fate he would suffer.

When a castle servant offered Tempest a glass of water, she shook her head and continued. That’s when I gave the signal to attack. The two dragons loaned to us by the former Dragonlord and their subcontracted diamond dog clan were most useful. While my soldiers and one dragon kept the foe busy by attacking the front gate, his brother and the diamond dogs quickly found one of the base’s escape tunnels and widened it. Within an hour, the defenders were sharing their cramped compound with an angry, fire-breathing dragon. By the time he tore the gate open from the inside, there was very little left for the rest of us to do. Picking through the wreckage, we found that all usable intelligence had been disintegrated or burned even before the dragon arrived. I did find Overseer who laughed at me despite his grievous wounds. He used his final breath to swear a blood oath, which is very powerful among the yeti. He said something I must report but I’m afraid I do not understand. ‘Our Princess will kill your Prince.’

I accepted a goblet of water from the servant and stared at the liquid inside as I considered. There was only one way I could think of to interpret this. I glanced up at my wife who gave me a very concerned look. Gemini chose that moment to start fussing so I put down my glass and stroked her mane until they settled down again. Tempest, were you involved with the Storm King’s raid on the Southern Wastes changeling hive? It would have happened about a year ago.

The mare shook her head. At that time, I was overhauling the army’s air defenses. I heard there was an operation in the barren lands to the east of the newly conquered city of Sisophon. I was not in the ‘need to know’ for the details.

The Storm King conquered the hive and killed their queen. Queen Chrysalis and, by extension, I had assumed that their hive and all their drones were killed, but it looks like we were a bit hasty.

Tempest shook her head. That’s not the Storm King’s manner of operating. He always used his resources in creative ways. The more unusual, the better.

Trixie said, So at least one of the hive’s princesses must still be alive.

I frowned. And now she is out to kill me. Either by coercion or free choice.

Tempest’s lips tightened into a thin line. Because Overseer was involved, I doubt it was her idea.

Trixie gently set Gemini down onto the bed. Tempest Shadow, who came with you through the portal to Canterlot?

The unicorns’ eyes went wide and her horn sparked once. She barked out, Lieutenant Rancid Clover, front and center!

A large earth pony mare marched into the room and saluted.

Tempest said, What did you get for your baby brother for Hearth’s Warming?

Rancid Clover grinned. A set of Abyssinian throwing knives. I’ll have them sharpened when he gets a bit older.

And your older sister?

The soldier’s smile fell. You know she died in a training accident two months ago. Why are—

Tempest interrupted. Code 37. Target: Prince Mark Wells.

Oh! She glanced at me and saluted again. By your leave, Your Highness?

I nodded. The earth pony left the room, barking orders.

Anypony else? I asked the Commander of our Foreign Forces.

Yes. The apprentice from your Guild of Mages. Because he does not report directly to you, I dismissed Hexbreaker as soon as we arrived. She winced. That may have been a tactical error.

Penumbra nodded to two of the guards stationed around the room. They filed out and I heard them gallop down the hall. The remaining four guards repositioned themselves.

I picked up my goblet again. Now we just need to figure out the most unobtrusive way an assassin could get to me.

Sir!

Penumbra never called me that. I stopped with the water halfway to my lips.

Please set the goblet down and move away from it.

I froze for only a moment, then did as she requested, being sure to not spill a drop. Corporal Broad Stripe moved in from her corner of the room, covered the container in a bubble of yellow magic then stared at the liquid as her horn glowed. After a few seconds, she said, Some sort of nerve poison.

Trixie said, Go find Gilded Tapestry! She left just a minute ago.

I took a couple of deep breaths while two more guardsponies left our room to be replaced by another pair. Penumbra started quizzing each to verify their identities. After Broad Stripe had passed inspection she asked, Should I destroy this, Your Highness?

I shook my head. No. Take it to the apothecary. I doubt our assassin will try the same trick twice, but if there is an antidote, we need to know what it is.

Trixie said, And take two guards as an escort.

Yes, Your Highnesses. The soldier levitated the goblet off of the floor in her sphere of magic and carried it out of the room.

When Penumbra was done verifying the identity of the replacement guards, she came back to my side.

Thanks, Penny. I owe you one.

Just doing my job, Your Highness. Please take your other form.

Oh, yeah. More powerful and presumably less vulnerable, despite being a bigger target. After changing into Marklestia, I noticed the tendons in the bat pony’s neck were visible from clenching her jaws closed. Probably angry with herself for letting me get that close to death. She was in one hundred percent focused, on-alert professional mode right now.

I turned to see Tempest Shadow kneeling with her nose almost touching the floor. Your Highnesses, I have failed you. I offer my—

Enough. I really wasn’t in the mood.

But I did exactly what the Overseer expected of me. My actions—

Trixie interrupted this time. Tempest Shadow. Your Triarchs do not expect you to be aware of everything this Overseer could have planned. Your new orders are to find the Southern Wastes Hive and secure it. Report back when you have done so. Inform us if there are any survivors among the changelings.

I added, We especially need to know if there are any other princesses still alive. When the last princess dies, the hive dies.

The unicorn stood and bowed. Immediately, my lieges.

After she had left, Penny said, I recommend you and your wife stay here this evening, sir. I’ll make sure everyone is fully screened before they enter your suite.

Everypony’s head turned to the door and the conversation going on outside. After several seconds, the door opened but the guard pony stayed in the hallway upon seeing Penny’s upraised hoof. Report.

The guardspony said, The real Gilded Tapestry has been found, Your Highnesses. She was unconscious in one of the castle pantries. The last thing she remembers was talking with a young apprentice mage just before he cast a spell.

About what Trixie expected. Guard, please use the portals to go to Friendship Castle and ask Princess Twilight and King Thorax to come to our chambers as soon as they are able.

At once, Your Highness. He bowed then galloped away.

My wife turned to me after picking up Gemini, who had started fussing again. The Great and Wise Trixie decided our co-regent needed to be informed. This was the most expedient way to do so. Also, we could use more of a changeling perspective on this.

I mulled that over. I agree. But there is one more changeling I want to talk to.

Queen Carpacia? I believe she could get here tomorrow evening for a round table discussion. Trixie wants the Elements to be there as well.

I nodded. And the Old Pillars of Equestria. I think with all of us together, we can devise some strategies. No. I meant our resident psychopath in the basement. She has first-hoof knowledge of what their clan can do. But that can wait until our special visitors arrive tomorrow morning.

Twilight teleported Penumbra and me directly to the entrance of the dungeon. The familiar lavender shield appeared so quickly that I would have sworn she teleported with it. We materialized into the center of a ring of mages and soldiers, all facing outward. Those weren’t the only precautions for this trip. Following the suggestion of Twilight and Thorax, I agreed to stay in my short-maned Marklestia form until the threat was over. Also, I would be wearing my crown with the Changeling Stone whenever I left the safety of my chambers.

The purple alicorn touched me on the shoulder with a hoof. Are you good, Mark?

I smiled. As good as can be expected. Thanks, Twilight.

She glanced briefly at Penumbra before dropping her shield. That’s when I noticed at least three shields covering the entire group of ponies. Twilight grinned with a twinkle in her eye. I’ll go get your special guests.