//------------------------------// // Unexpected Motherhood // Story: Twilight has a Baby?! // by Lotus Moon //------------------------------// Cries echoed in the forest as Princess Twilight Sparkle flew overhead. Not one to ignore a pony in need, she swooped down and went to investigate. Trotting through the forest, she followed the source of the sound. To her surprise, it was...a baby Changeling! Twilight stumbles back and fell on her rump, speechless. What was a baby Changeling doing out here? How did it get here? She looked around, thinking it might be a trap, but after some surveying, she could see that it wasn't. This foal...er, larvae was completely alone. Looking at it closely, the larvae was pretty cute. It had a small curved horn and a few small holes on its legs as well as the largest, adorable green eyes. The larvae stopped crying when it sensed twinges of Twilight's adoration and stared at the purple alicorn. The two stared at each other before the baby giggled and let out small cooing sounds. 'I know I shouldn't bring him with me, if anypony finds out, I don't even know what they would say. And if the Princesses found out, Celestia only knows how they'd react! But...I just can't leave him alone out here.' She thought. Unable to resist the adorable creature, despite what it'll grow to become, Twilight picked it up in her magic aura and brought it home to her castle. *** Back at the castle, Twilight tiptoed around, shushing the baby each time it cooed. But then she remembered that sneaking around wasn't necessary. All of her friends were pretty busy for the next few days. Rarity was in Canterlot at her boutique (with Spike accompanying her), Applejack was in Appleoosa in a competition for the largest apple, Rainbow Dash was away with the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy was off on a trip to see the butterfly migration, and Pinkie Pie was babysitting Pound and Pumpkin while Mr. and Mrs. Cake were away. Breathing a sigh of relief, Twilight took the larvae to the bathroom, carefully removed it from its green, sticky hatch shell, and cleaned it up. It was then she found out the larvae was male and had transparent wings to match his body size. She carefully dried the small holes in his legs as well as his wings and sighed heavily to herself. "I wonder who left you out there. Even if it was Chrysalis, I doubt she'd be cruel enough to abandon one of her subjects." She said, carefully drying him off. Even if that is the case, why did I bring him back to Ponyville? I can't keep him a secret. Not from my friends or the Princesses. And I don't even have a clue how to care for a baby, much less a Changeling. So what do I do now? She thought, cradling the larvae in her forearms. The larvae cooed and sucked on her hoof, making Twilight's heart flutter. A strange feeling washed over her, something unfamiliar yet also calming. Looking down at the child in her grasp, she felt...happy...nostalgic even. Seeing her reflection in the baby's large eyes reminded her of her own foalhood and being held by her mother. A sweet and soothing smile set on her face, Twilight shifted to hold the baby in her left wing as she walked to her room. Once there, she grabbed a blanket and extra pillow, setting it on her bed. She knew this would have to do because it would be strange if she went to the furniture store and asked for a baby crib. Everypony knew she didn't have a coltfriend and it would be hard to come up with a plausible excuse as to why she wanted a crib. But the larvae seemed completely satisfied with the pillow as long as he could stay near Twilight. She gently laid him on the bed and he rolled around, giggling contently. "You're so cute. So innocent. I don't think I could give you up if you're found." She smiled to herself as she climbed on her bed. "While I will continue to worry about your possible discovery, I should give you a name. I can't just call you Changeling larvae or you forever. So what should I call you? I think it should be appropriate to you." She tapped her chin with her hoof and thought for a little. Coming up with a name for a child, no matter what species, was a little difficult. Soon she gasped and smiled brightly. "Shadow Fang. That'll be your name." The larvae stared at her for a moment as if to register his new name then smiled, little fangs showing. "You like your new name?" Twilight picked him up, gaining an excited giggle. "You're so cute, my little Shadow Fang. I wonder what I should do now. I've given you a bath and you seem pretty happy. If my memory serves from what I've seen, you'll need diapers and toys and fo-" Twilight blinked and her thoughts raced. What do Changelings eat after hatching? All that's known about them is that they feed on love. Is that also how it is when they're just born? Looking down at Fang, Twilight saw him staring up at her with curiosity. "Can't hurt to give it a shot," Twilight mumbled and held him closer. She mustered up a healthy amount of love to feed him. Feeling the love surround him, Fang was a little startled by the sudden energy. Slowly, his small body absorbed it, and ever so slightly, Fang grew. Surprised, Twilight didn't hesitate to grab a quill and scroll with her magic and scribble down what happened. While she would treasure her newly adopted son, she would also study him as a start to learning more about Changelings and if they can possibly adapt. Fang let out a small yawn and snuggled in the Princess' arms for a nap. Twilight couldn't help but smile to herself as she watched him dream in her arms.