"Keep your tail straight, dear," Rarity said sharply as she brushed the mane of her son. "I want you to be at your best for the Princess’ visit."

"Geez, mom!" Gem pulled away. He hated being groomed. It was painful, and humiliating, and he preferred his mane waves instead of straight. "What's the big deal anyway? You see her all the time. Ouch!"

"Forgive me dear, but that's what happens when you don't stay still." The brush slid along his mane. "A visit from Princess Celestia is a great honour, even if she happens to be a close friend ours. [i]Please[/i] remove those hideous gills from your neck."

"But, mooom!" Gem protested. "I'm boring without them!"

"Utter nonsense!" Rarity humphed. "No child of mine is going to be a mismatched mass of body parts! Your father and I raised you better than that!"

"Rarity," Spike stormed into the room. "The—"

"Spikey, this is hardly the time," the mare grumbled at him. "Can't you see I'm busy—" She froze. Spike was not alone. "Y-your Majesty." Rarity bowed, dropping the brush on Gem's head in the process.

[i]Ouch, Mom![/i] Gem snarled. [i]That's it![/i] The moment he turned around to leave, his body froze as well. This was the first time he'd seen the princess up close. Gem always considered himself beautiful, yet compared to her, he felt like an ugly duckling.

"I'm [i]so[/i] glad that Spike greeted you—" Rarity raise her head "—[i]without warning me[/i]" she finished with a slight hiss. 

Gem tried not to snort. [i]Oooh, you're in trouble now dad.[/i]

"My apologies, Rarity, but I'm afraid we'll have to postpone our dinner." Celestia stepped in. "I just wanted to tell you myself." 

"Oh." Rarity's ears grouped down. She had been looking forward to the event for months. "Oh, we understand. At least Spike was thoughtful enough not to leave you waiting at the door." Rarity glared at the dragon silently shouting "you should still have warned me!" The dragon offered a guilty smile.

"Is this your son?" Celestia went up to Gem. "He certainly has grown into a fine young draconequus."

"Three parts donkey, one part mule," Rarity snorted. 

[i]I won't forget this, Mom![/i] Gem pouted at her, green flames in his eyes.

"Is that the Element of Generosity being ungenerous?" Celestia laughed behind her hoof. "Just this once don't listen to your mother, Gem. She becomes spitefully faced with beauty greater than her own."

"Majesty!" Rarity gasped.

"Just a little good fun, my dear. It wouldn't be fare for Spike and Gem to be the only ones feeling uncomfortable."

Rarity frowned, a layer of blush covering her face. However, she couldn't hold a candle to Gem. The draconequus' entire coat was as pink as Pinkie Pie.

"Sadly, I must be on my way," Celestia sighed. "Thank you go—"

"Will I see you again?" Gem interrupted her, asking through his ears. The colour of his coat changed to crimson.

"I'll come to see you on the morning after, Gem." Celestia smiled and walked away, followed by Rarity who had already started discussions about the Princess next visit.

[i]The morning after,[/i] Gem thought, his smile widening. [i]She'll see me on the morning after.[/i]

"You’be go no chance?" Spike whispered once the mares had left the room.

"Thanks for the encouragement, Dad," Gem grumbled. As cool as his father was, he had both his honesty and common sense glands removed.

"No problem." Spike gave Gem a pat on the back. "Age difference is a b—" The dragon stopped abruptly. "A bad thing."

"You're eight years younger than mom, Dad." Gem rolled his eyes.

"Well, yeah, but it's not like it's a thousand," Spike countered. "Besides, I'm me. Let's go eat."

Gem didn't say a word. His mind was set. [i]I'll find a way to make her like me if I have to twist time itself![/i]

[hr]

"Hello," the young alicorn approached. She had been noticing him for a while, yet only now finding the courage to address him. "Can I sit next to you?"

The creature smiled and moved aside. Celestia still wasn't clear what he was—dragon or stallion—she only that he would come every morning and watch the sunrise, longing in his eyes. He looked at her and nodded, shifting slightly to the side. Celestia let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm Celestia," she said joining him on the hill.

"I'm G— Discord," the creature smiled at her, then looked back at the sun. "I'm time's Discord."