//------------------------------// // Court // Story: Mother // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// Twilight held a powdered donut in her hooves. She took small bites of it and tried to ignore the odd looks of her family. Mind you they were evenly split between her ‘adorableness,’ and Cadance’s soot covered fur. Eh six of one half dozen of the others? “So what happens now, Princess?” Twilight Velvet asked, polishing off a second donut before taking a sip of coffee. A mug she kept far from Twilight’s little hooves after seeing her almost desperate look. Twilight’s shoulders slumped. This may be the worst part… no coffee! She reached for the cup of apple juice, then paused, her horn glowing as the lavender field wrapped around the cup and lifted it up off of her tray. And straight up embedding it in the ceiling. What in the??? Everyone stared up at the plastic tumbler, then over at Twilight, who attempted  to sink into herself. “I’m sorry… I didn’t… It should have!” Luna smiled, gently nuzzling into Twilight’s mane. “It’s alright. I was expecting this to happen.” “Y-you were, Mother?” Twilight looked up at Luna, trembling a bit as she pressed into Luna’s muzzle. “Yes, you have to remember Twilight you are a foal…” Luna trailed off quietly as Twilight tensed under Luna’s chin. “And foals have unpredictable magical surges…” Twilight groaned, hiding her face in her forehooves. “It’s alright, Twily! You’re what, two, right?” Shining Armor reached over and mussed up Twilight’s mane, causing her to glare up at him before nodding firmly. “My physical form appears to be two but I am one thousand and three actual years old.” Twilight sighed and pawed at the tray. “Let's just go with two.” “Well then, you should grow out of those surges in no time. Probably another year at most.” Shining Armor smiled, shoving the fact that Twilight was in reality over a millennium deep into his mind. “Oh goody… I’ll only be a walking deadly weapon for another year.” Twilight groaned, covering her face again. Luna tapped her chin. “Well what if we got you fitted with a power limiter? Not a suppressor, but just a limiter. You could wear it when we go out and keep it off at home. You don’t have to worry about hurting me, and Spike is a strong dragon. Right Spike?” Spike looked up from the ruby coated donut he was taking a bite of and gave Twilight a thumbs up. “You betcha!” Twilight hesitated before nodding. “Okay. You’re right, Mother. It’ll be safer…” Hold it together Twilight. Think about other ponies, not just yourself. Besides imagine the research you’ll be able to do… wait… research! That’s it! My third option! I don’t have to be just a foal or just a mare. I can be both! A huge smile lit up her face as she nuzzled Luna eagerly. “I figured it out, Mother! I’m not exactly a foal nor am I a mare anymore. I’m both! This will be the greatest research project of my life! How many ponies could ever create a thesis about being a baby!” Luna smiled, licking Twilight’s cheek. “I knew you could figure it out. Just remember this isn’t only a research project. I want you to live and grow… To become the mare you want to be once again. But until that day I will care for you.” She glanced at the time and frowned. Now that I’ve met her other family, I don’t want to take her from them… but, she is my daughter. I want my chance… Luna shook her head, ears pinned back. Selfish to the end aren’t you? Twilight Velvet looked towards the time and sighed. “If we want to get on the docket today we had better head for the courthouse.” Luna blinked in surprise. She opened her mouth before Velvet shook her head. “Pr-Luna, Night and I always knew how this would go. Since the moment we brought Twilight home with us we knew that one day you’d be returned and healed, we knew at that time you’d want to be with Twilight, and we’ve had the time to ready ourselves to give custody of her back to you. Princess Celestia made certain we understood all of that. Though, I suppose we allowed ourselves to love Twilight too much…” Luna stomped her hoof down onto the floor, cracking it. She winced, but shook it off. “Enough of that! Certainly there must be a way in which we can all remain in Twilight’s life!” Night Light took a sip of his coffee and hummed. “Well… legally, legally you should have custody of Twilight.” He held a hoof out. “Just hear me out. You are her mother, her biological mother, and you should have your chance to be with her. Especially since she’s still a baby. I hear your grumbling, dear, but physically you are.” He smiled as Twilight humphed, crossing her forelegs while sitting in her old high chair. “So, legally, yes, Luna you will be her Mother but, off the books we will have an agreement. Velvet and I will remain Twilight’s Mom and Dad. We’ll be there for you if and when you need help. But nopony needs to know about that but us.” Luna nodded with a small sniffle “Thank you Lord Night Light...Lady Velvet...I swear to you that I will raise Twilight with both your input and assistance.” Twilight sighed, wanting to state again that she had already been raised. Boy, ponies really do have a problem looking under the surface of things...Still, might be interesting to see what all I can get away with… Twilight smiled at that thought and found her attention drifting from what her parents were discussing. She still had most of her donut on the tray to her highchair. Eh. Even when I had the glamour on I could lose myself in food… She took another large bite of the donut and soon was licking the powdered sugar off of her hooves. Luna covered the smile on her muzzle with a hoof as she watched Twilight lick the sugar off her hooves, ignoring the powdered sugar covering her face. She looked over to see Twilight Velvet wetting a cloth napkin under the faucet and washing Twilight’s muzzle. Twilight moved her head to the side. “Mom! I can clean myself!” ...can’t I? “Oh Twilight, you are such a mess and so tiny… I guess I just forgot…” Velvet bit her lip, lowering the cloth as Twilight chewed her lip. Alright Twilight, it’s time to make your decision. If you want to write the greatest thesis ever about childhood in particular foal hood you’ll have to experience it… right? Just think of it as going native… As long as they don’t try to put a diaper on me at least. That would be way toofar native… just… give in. They are your parents… you a-are a toddler now. Twilight squeezed her eyes shut as she made her very difficult decision. “It...it’s okay. I am really tiny, aren’t I, Mom? And well… If I want to explore childhood I do need to be just that so… what I’m trying to say is.” Twilight took a deep breath. “I wanted to be treated as if I was my physical age…. Within reason! I am intelligent so don’t try to hide things from me, also I have been potty trained for fifteen years. I have no need nor want to wear diapers. I understand the necessity of training pants or a toddler potty but I put my hoof down at diapers! Otherwise… otherwise I guess.” Twilight made a circle on the high chair tray with her hoof. Velvet smiled, lifting Twilight’s dirty chin with a pulse of magic. “By admitting that you want this chance and understanding that the majority of ponies will have difficulty looking beyond your size, you have shown just how mature you are, Twilight, I can’t wait to read your paper. I know it’ll be amazing. But for now, your face is still covered in powdered sugar. And I’m sure you want to look nice for the judge. So hold still.” Twilight sighed as the powdered sugar was efficiently cleaned from her face before she was lifted from the high chair and set on the ground. Twilight stumbled a moment before falling back on her bottom. She watched as the ‘adults’ got ready to go to court. Okay, Sparkle. You are about to head to court to legally be given back to your Mother and to be made a toddler again… Why am I doing this? Have I gone mad!? I’ll just run! I’m sure Rarity will hide me or maybe I can figure a way to get back through the portal and live with Sunset Shimmer. Okay here I go one… two… “Twilight? Are you ready?” Luna laid down on her belly to better look at Twilight. “I know this is difficult and scary… I can’t imagine what is going through your mind, but I swear to you I will be the greatest Mother you could desire were you to give me this chance.” Luna smiled gently, running her hoof through Twilight’s mane. Twilight nuzzled into her Mother’s hoof, a sigh escaping her muzzle. On the other hoof… it’s only fifteen years… how hard could that be? Twilight stared down at her opponent, her eyes narrowed. Her opponent stared back, though his eyes remained big and cheerful. “Now, Twilight, Mister Bear isn’t going to hurt you! Just come say hi.” Twilight sighed and looked up at her advocate. The pegasus mare seemed nice enough, but Twilight was getting tired of sitting in the small foal room off the side of the courtroom. When they had first met, Twilight had been happy to greet her properly and engage her. Sadly though, it had caused Guardian Song to act funny around her. Yeah, I can imagine how I would have felt if I was in her place. Just play it cute and innocent, Twi. What could be taking so long? Princess Celestia is vouching for Mother and Mom and Dad are ready to give up custody… “Mama?” Twilight asked, cocking her head cutely Oh well nothing to do but play the part… “She is talking to the judge right now, Twilight.” She smiled gently, rolling a ball over to the Princess. “It’s a very funny case. Not many ponies grow down before they grow up!” Twilight withstood the desire to facehoof -barely- as she pushed the ball back to Guardian Song. Her advocate had already spoken to the judge while she had been watched by a bailiff. Twilight was dying to know what was going on, but apparently she wasn’t deemed mature enough to attend the hearing. So, I’m stuck in here… With soft toys, balls and not a single book! “Book?” Twilight questioned hopefully. I’d even read that stupid magazine ‘Ponies’ that Rarity gets “Fraid not honey, but look at all the wonderful toys!” Guardian Song looked up at the clock on the wall. “Actually I think it’s time to try and nap.” Twilight’s eyes grew huge. No way! It’s not even noon yet I do not need to go to sleep! “No nap!” “Come now, Twilight. You can curl up on the couch. And if you are a good little filly I’ll even tell you a story.” Guardian Song smiled while lifting Twilight into her forelegs, the toddler going limp. “What sorta story?” Twilight allowed herself to be set down on the couch. Even first time round the promise of a story was enough to get Twilight to lay down. “Well, lets see…” Guardian Song watched as her charge got comfortable before spinning a story of ponies which lived beneath the sea. As she spoke, she watched Twilight’s eyes slide close until slow breaths escaped her mouth. “Works every time…” Luna sighed as she listened to the judge drone on and on. Beside her sat Celestia, and behind her the Sparkles. Why is this taking so long… The Sparkles are voluntarily returning Twilight to my custody and Tia has vouched for my abilities as a mother. Perhaps it’s because we are asking that she be legally reclassified as age two? The judge took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “I’m certain the four of you understand just how unconventional all this is?” He shook his head. “In fact I’d have to say for a fact that I’ve never ruled on anything quite like this! The custody portion is easy enough. According to my records, Twilight Sparkle is almost seventeen. She’s still a minor, and her foster parents have voluntarily chosen to rescind their custody back to her biological mother. Said Mother Princess Luna Noctis Everfree has passed all mentality tests required since her return from exile. In addition, Princess Celestia Solis Everfree, Luna’s elder sister and Twilight’s Aunt and former educator, has vouched for her little sister. In this case I would normally ask the minor, as she is a teenager, what exactly she desired. But that’s where things get difficult.” He took a sip of water and shook his head. “Guardian Song has already spoken on behalf of Twilight Sparkle as she is now unable to speak for herself. I have had unicorns scan her for any illusions or age magic and both have come back that there is none. Twilight Sparkle is physically a two year old foal. I have to ask myself why this is and I expect an answer.” Celestia sighed and cleared her throat. “If I may speak, your Honor? I can tell you exactly what has happened, though I respectfully ask they remain off the official record?” “A request and not an order? Very well, then. Stenographer, please do not document anything Princess Celestia says until I give the okay.” He waited a moment before gesturing to Celestia. “The floor is yours.” Celestia smiled gently at Luna before walking before the Judge’s bench. “The story goes back over one thousand years, your Honor. During the battle with the Nightmare, it seems once again I had missed something vital with my sister. She was pregnant… I would not know until later that night when Luna’s cry of anguish drew me to the moon… Seeing Luna trapped as she was.” Celestia closed her eyes, swallowing. “But next to her was something worse. A foal, an alicorn foal laying on its side as if it was dead. Luna begged me to save her. So I took her home. She had a pulse but it was weak  I didn’t have much time. First I stored her earth pony magic away. She began to breathe, but was still struggling. Heartbroken, I also stored her pegasi magic and watched as her tiny wings withered away before they had ever even felt the breeze. I was certain I had doomed my sweet beautiful niece to a mortal existence. I kept her with me, having named her Twilight Sparkle. It wasn’t long before I noticed she wasn’t growing. Two months after her birth she was still as if she had only just been born. That’s when I realised she was still filled with dark magic.” She levitated a glass of water over and took a sip, looking up at the judge who simply nodded that he was listening. “I also realised it was helping to keep her alive… keeping her immortal. If I rid her of it I was sure to make her mortal. I couldn’t take Luna’s daughter away from her. I knew that Luna would return in one thousand years. If the dark magic was keeping Twilight alive I’d ignore it. That began the almost-millennium of trusted foster parents for my niece, and I found I was correct after five hundred years. Twilight by then was a happy one year-old foal. It was only as she grew closer to age two that I realized my mistake. My dear niece was beginning to retain memories, she was starting to have a self, and she was curious-oh so curious. I knew she’d see ponies growing and figure out that she wasn’t. It was only a matter of time. And with the Nightmare prophesied to return, I didn’t want to give Twilight any reason to side with the Nightmare against her Mother… So I placed a glamour on her. It was very powerful one that affected sight, smell, touch, and sound. Twilight would grow that way, develop become a mare. But it took so much out of me. I tied the spell to the Elements to allow me to still be able to raise and lower the sun and moon.” Celestia sighed and shook her head “The rest is history. Twilight Velvet and Night Light took Twilight, home knowing one day her Mother would want her back. Twilight was allowed to live and grow. I was able to return Twilight’s earth pony and pegasi magic to her recently, however, when the Elements were absorbed back into the Tree of Harmony. The glamour I had linked to them fizzled out and…” Celestia’s shoulders slumped. “I simply am incapable of holding it any longer. I almost lost all of Equestria to Chrysalis. I love my niece but I… can’t doom my ponies for her. So that’s why we are asking she legally be recognized as a two year old. Because she truly cannot be any older until she grows up.” “And how quickly is Princess Twilight Sparkle growing?” He asked, feeling a headache forming under his horn. “The dark magic has fully left her body. She is growing one year per year just like any pony,” Celestia replied, trying not to look worried. “Alright, well after everything I’ve heard, and Twilight’s advocate’s opinion I am ready to issue my ruling. On the request to transfer full custody of Twilight Sparkle from Night Light and Twilight Velvet back to Luna Noctis Everfree the court rules in favor of this. As of this moment Luna Noctis Everfree will be responsible for Twilight Sparkle’s custody and wellbeing.” He stopped talking a moment as Luna was hugged by her sister and the Sparkles before clearing his throat. “In regards to reclassifying Twilight Sparkle as a two year old foal, the court finds in favor due to the very unique qualities of this request. However! If after the age of five if Twilight Sparkle has shown she still retains the mind and personality of a mare she may request a retrial in regards to her reclassification and may if the court finds in her favor retake her status as a full grown if short mare. Are we in understanding?” Luna nodded, clearing her throat. “Yes, your Honor. I’ll make certain to tell her once we return home to Ponyville.” The judge nodded. “Alright that ends the case of Everfree Sparkle. Case dismissed.” And with that he banged his gavel and shook his head as the four parties vacated his courtroom. He briefly wondered whether or not he’d see young Miss Sparkle in three years. Time will tell… “Send in the next case!”