As was usual for a Saturday, I was in Ponyville in my Marklestia form. What was not typical was that all my herdmates were with me as well as my daughter, Pearl, and interdimensional visitors, Cadence and her wife, Chryssy. My best friend, Steady Flight, had been accompanying me to my home away from home for several months now, and the final two guests were Fancy Pants and his wife, Fleur de Lis. The latter was a sure indication of why so many had joined me here today – it was time for Rarity’s Summer Fashion Parade! Frocks, swimwear, and other warm weather-inspired garments were in my future, not to mention the spicier gear.
We were currently gathered at Twilight’s castle, the venue for the event, having a light lunch. At least, I was. My modelling coach Fleur De Lis recommended I eat sparingly before a show, investing my energy in strutting the catwalk instead of digestion. And if my wives chose to eat lightly to maintain their gorgeous figures, I was never going to complain. Besides, with less attention paid to eating, there was more time for conversation, and we caught up with the news from our friends.
Cadence looked over to me with a smile. “By the way, thank you for using your pink-maned form. With two Celestias in the room, neither of whom is my auntie, it’s a little disorienting, and I don’t have my wife’s extra senses to tell you readily apart.”
Chryssy giggled. “Until Mark opens her mouth! She may sound like Celestia, but she certainly doesn’t talk like her. I do wonder though – how is it that she can change her mane length and color when the original pony can’t?”
Celestia said, “Actually, if I use spells, I can emulate those changes, but it’s not an innate ability like Mark’s. However, I believe I have worked out how he does it.”
My eyebrows rose. “Oh? Do tell. The changes come so naturally to me that even I don’t know how I do it.”
“First of all, I have a question. Have you ever been able to do a pink full-size mane version?”
I frowned as I tried to remember all my past transformations. After a long moment, I shook my head. “I can’t recall any such occasion. My pink mane and tail have always been average-adult- size. Let me try…” I attempted to go full-size while retaining its current hue. However, as soon as it began growing longer, it switched to the pastel stripes. Several more tries gave the same result. “Nope – can’t do it.”
Celestia gave a satisfied nod. “That jibes with my theory. The chaos magic that enables you to take on my form doesn’t just take into account my present-day appearance. My mane did not always wave like this, and of course it took a long time before it grew this large. And, as you already know, my natural mane color was pink before my growing power changed it to the auroral colors. I believe you are regressing – taking the forms of my younger selves. I propose an experiment. Mark – deliberately try to turn into a young version of me.”
I was intrigued. I got out of my chair and thought about how to go about that, then shrugged when I realized I had no clue. So, I just tried to think younger. After a long moment when nothing happened, I felt something change.
“Oh! She’s gotten smaller!” Pearl exclaimed.
Loopy trotted to my side. “’Tis true – Mark is now slightly shorter than me.”
Rarity studied me from horn to hooves. “Is that it though? Can she get younger still?”
Celestia said, “I’m over eleven centuries old, Mark. You should be able to regress a hundred years younger than when I was that size.”
I tried again, recalling how the change felt and attempting to apply it. This time, I definitely noticed the difference as I was only a little bigger than Rarity. “Hey, Cadence – could you come here, please?”
The Crystal Princess trotted over and stood side by side with me. She grinned. “We’re practically twins size-wise now.”
Celestia laughed. “Oh! It’s been so long since I have seen myself like that. However, if I’m right, I believe you should be able to regress a bit further.”
“I don’t want to turn into a toddler foal,” I objected. “I might not be able to change back.”
“Don’t worry,” my much larger doppelganger replied. “I don’t think that will happen, and even if it does, I know an aging spell.”
“Okay, here goes.” I tried imagining myself as young as possible. This time, I came out shorter than Rarity.
My wife cooed with delight. “You make such a gorgeous filly, darling!”
Celestia nodded in satisfaction. “I was a teenager when I ascended, exactly as Mark looks now. My theory is that your transformation magic emulates me as an alicorn irrespective of age, but since I was not always an alicorn, this is as young as you can get.”
“That’s a relief,” I replied, momentarily startled by my younger-sounding voice. Then I grinned and easily switched back to full-size wavy-maned form, then a moment later to Luna-sized pink-maned form, then back to filly before returning to my pre-experiment configuration. “Now that I know what’s going on, I’ve got a handle on it. This does open up some interesting possibilities.”
“It certainly does, darling!” my wife exclaimed. “I can already envision a new fashion line for fillies that you can model for me.”
Not what I was meaning, but inevitable, I guess.
# # #
As always, the fashion parade was a roaring success. I already had set aside a bathing costume for the next time we went to the beach.
After the show, Rarity, Steady, and I took the portal back to Canterlot and my private quarters where I kept my ever-growing collection of gowns, evening dresses, business and casual attire, and of course, lingerie. Some time back, Steady had suggested that we take a few glamor shots of all the outfits before putting them away, and Rarity had not only thought that to be a wonderful idea, she also insisted that she accompany me to ensure that they were fitted as perfectly as when they were paraded down the catwalk. Steady volunteered to do the photography, to which I readily agreed. It was his hobby and I’d seen his work. Besides, one encounter with the likes of Photo Finish was one too many in my books. Steady’s work was just as professional in my opinion.
Steady made two albums of each collection – one for me and one for Rarity. Then my wife realized that we could do the same with all the past collections, so after every show, not only did we do a photo shoot of the latest designs, but a number of my past favorites were trotted out once more.
“I’m so glad that I get to see all the outfits that you modeled before I began coming to your shows,” Steady said as I posed with one of the very earliest sexy outfits that I had in my collection. I still loved how the lace looked on me.
I gave Steady a coy wink. “It’s a good thing that you’re still single – I’m sure I’d be making your wife quite jealous right now.”
As my best friend blushed, Rarity asked, “Why are you still a bachelor, darling? A stallion like you should have many mares looking for a relationship.”
Steady shook his head. “I lost my heart to a mare a long time ago, but she’s already taken. No other mare measures up to her, so I have no interest in making a romantic relationship with anypony else.”
“Ooh! Have I met her? I’m curious to know what kind of pony makes your heart soar.”
Steady smiled sadly. “You see her regularly and I know you would like her.”
“Have you ever told her how you feel, darling? Even if she’s in a relationship, she may be flattered by the attention. Or she might be able to let you down gently so that you can move on to somepony else that would be happy to have a stallion like you.”
My friend chuckled humorlessly. “It’s a lot more complicated than that. Besides, if you’ve already found the perfect mare, it’s hard to make do with the next best pony, and unfair to them too. I’d always be making comparisons and finding them coming up short.”
I said, “I think you’re overthinking this. I know I was conflicted back before I married Trixie. I had several mares interested in me then, each of them marvelous in different ways. And while I did make a choice eventually, it was only after I got married that I found out that there was always more to learn and love about my wife, and that I could love more than one pony. Take it from a former confirmed bachelor – waiting for the perfect woman is dumb. Almost everybody has to settle for good enough. I got lucky, I know, but I understand now that I could have been happy with any of the mares who wanted me.” I looked over to Rarity and gave her a smoldering look. “And one of them persisted and made my life even better, starting an ever-growing herd of wonderful mates.” She blushed and smiled coyly before I turned back to Steady. “So, either tell that mare how you feel or forget about her, but either way, move on with your life.”
Steady sighed. “Perhaps if she wasn’t a friend and I didn’t see her so often, forgetting her might work. But I’m afraid of hurting the relationship we have by seeking more.”
Rarity said, “If she truly is a friend of yours, then telling her how you feel won’t harm that relationship. But since you’ve implied that we all know her already, perhaps I can help ease you into that revelation. Maybe even suggest the best way of doing it?”
My best friend had forgotten all about his camera by now. I moved up to him and laid a comforting wing around him. “You know we’ll have your back, Steady. I’ll be your wing-stallion… or wing-mare if you prefer. I’m sure a few words from a prince or princess would add clout to your true feelings.”
Rarity joined us, giving the stallion a chaste kiss on the cheek. “I’m certain all the girls will back you up too. So, tell us – who is this mare who has stolen your heart?”
For a long moment, I thought Steady was going to refuse to tell us, but then he sighed in resignation. “You’re not going to give up on this, are you?” We both shook our heads. “You have no idea yet what complications this will bring, but you asked for it. Her name is…”
Steady turned his head to look me straight in the eyes. “…Marklestia.”
# # # # # # # # # #
What! Mark has never shown any interest in guys beyond friendship. And that just his name for his alternate ego.
well that is going to make things a bit awkward,, or will it?
awesome chapter.
YESSS!!!
We know from before than Mark had certain affection towards his friends when Cadance had the talk with him.
Maybe Mark gets to be a mother for once ♡
Ha!
Trollestia'sCelestia's prediction of Steady Flight becoming Mark's husband is coming true!Hope I got the right meaning for this obscure reference.
Another one bites the Must?
Wait, if Mark can do big Celestia with young Celestia mane, can he do young Celestia with big Celestia mane? I kinda wanna see him try that combination and just turn into a walking ball of colorful floaty mane.
Oh..... that..... that is definitely a massive curve ball there.
Mark be either:
♡
Or he will be:
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Not sure it will be his human self facepalming if so.
Mark was interested in the past before Marklestia was a thing if i remember correctly. But it was rhe flight lessons that started it all.
11715990
All these squares mare a circle... Or a heart shape
11715970
There foals will be lethality adorable...
Weaponised cuteness!
11715935
Its only going to be awkward if they make it awkward
What surprises me is that Discord wasn't there to snap a picture of Mark's face to see the look on his face when Steady confessed.
Honestly I believe that when Mark played that heat trick on him, plus when Trixie walked in on their argument and then the explanation of Mark's past while drinking was the point of his infatuation of him in his Marklestia form.
Now this ending of the chapter has developed more chaos then even Discord could have produced. Wonder if that gave him even more energy for him and Fluttershy to have some epic "yay" time.
🎹 ominous music sounds echo about Canterlot...🎹
sound of rolled-up newspaper smacking someone Chill it, Discord!
Mark: "huh. This is one of those "I should have seen this coming, and probably did as a mare long ago, but since I'm stallion most of the time I keep forgetting" things, isn't it?"
Honestly though, why wouldn't he accept? They're already at that dynamic, just swapping out the labels shouldn't be too hard.
I always wondered if Mark given his ability to change gender might at some point have to contend with a stallion looking to woo him, have to admit Steady being the candidate is a bit of a surprise. I half expecting getting a gender swapped worlds version of one of his already mates to be prime candidate or one of this wives using some form of gender swap potion secured from Zecora would be how it would go.
It might be interesting to see this go a route where Mark gets to better appreciate his wives by getting knocked up as a result of this and experiencing pregnancy and birth following the next heat season.
Saw that one coming, and yeah I can see how that would make things complicated... or interesting, we'll see
Always love seeing this one update!
And I feel like a lot of us saw this one coming, but it's still great to see what shenanigans ensue!
Two things. One, why can't people just accept that the sisters are BORN alicorns.
Two do you really have to go there with Steady, why can't they just be friends for gods sake
11716740
There is no canon explanation on how the sisters came to be alicorns. On the other hand, we have two canon examples of ponies ascending to be alicorns. The weight of evidence is against you.
I think you've missed one of the themes of this series.
11716765
I point to Flurry. And the basic fact Faust that made the characters said they were born alicorns
11716848
I point to Season 6 episode 1 - The Crystalling. Twilight has just met the new foal and Celestia says: "The birth of an alicorn is something that Equestria has never seen!" Out of the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Plenty of stuff in Lauren Faust's proposal for the series did not make it into the show, and thus into canon.
Hehehe. I'm smirking, but not surprised. This one has been a long time coming.
11717624
they predate Equestria.
11717734
Not in canon.
As they are after the unification.
But transphobes be transphobes, of course they'd dislike other LGBT+ content
11719306
yes canon.
and it's me jsut wantign him to have a buddy, nothign more. no every one needs to be a romantic interest for Mark
11719313
11719306
Just taking a liberty here off our good mr Doove, but before this becomes a thing and the story comment section (once again) becomes a cluster fuck, how about taking the matter to the PM, hmm?
11719719
Good points. Also... Nice 👍
11717734
Fair point 👍
11717641
I actually was disappointed it never was developed any further, looking forward to all the fun to come.
Chaos is to be made one way or another 👍
11717624
Quite surprised that it's get argued around at all.
Fimfiction Authors usually like to enjoy freedom of canon after all
Especially plot point etc. . .
11718751
Matrix Neo teached me to take the Blue Pill 👍
11719731
Alas my good sir, the wonders brought to us from the moistest and morally ambiguous insides of the interwebz and the internationally waters based defunct oil drills turned med labs can only take one so far. Mark will have to enlist the aid of Fernandos World of Guy Sluttery correspondence course to learn the art of the unrelenting pelvis as well as elocution and vocal lessons to serenade his ladies fair.
He will embark upon the most holy of endeavors: rocking their world
11719758
Absolutely gut busting. Where do the creator get the ideas from? 👍
11719793
It should also be of note Chris Voight (the creator) is one of the lead animators for Bluey.
11679873
Nope.
Even told him I'd be willing to commission more, but that he'd have to finish the owed chapter first.
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Why does the reply never show up in my notification with you guys?
As for him, while I sincerely hope its not anything serious, it doesn't speak well to his character to flake on you like that. Far be it from me to call someone I don't know into question, just some food for thought
It's not a problem if Mark was truly bisexual. The problem comes from anyone, author included, tries to guilt trips Mark into accepting Steady as a boyfriend.
The biggest problem now for Goldfur is to write the story in a convincing way that is.
Steady Flight: "Hello! I'm in love with you. Basically, RUN!"
Why not enjoy the best of both sides ?
Steady can also help with the burden if needy mares.
Double win-win!