The sun was slowly setting, over the horizon, illuminating the land of Equestria in its crimson aura.
Up in the towers of Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia had just returned from an important meeting with the delegates of Saddle Arabia.
“Oh, I’m glad that that’s over,” Celestia sighed, plopping into bed.
Rolling to the left, Celestia happens to see a box of memories. Memories of a certain Dragon Prince, during his last ten years on Earth, with Scorpan. Memories which Scorpan had saved the trouble of carrying over to Equestria.
With a newfound interest, Celestia’s mood instantly perks up, as she raised her head up, and levitated the box over.
“I've been meaning to see what my baby's been through, all those years,” She said to herself with peaked interests.
Levitating a photo album, Celestia smiled with pride and amusement, while looking at the photos of Spike's accomplishments in some martial art tournaments he's participated in, along with some achievements he made in school, and the ones he's made in the communities he served.
Celestia chuckled to herself in amusement when she sees a photo of Spike, in a school play, as a fish-much to the boy's dismay. She was also taken by surprise, bedazzled to see her son, taking part in the Chinese New Year parade, in Chinatown, showing off some kung fu moves, all the while surrounded by Chinese dancers don up in brightly colored dancing lion costumes, with a huge Chinese dragon puppet slithering behind him.
Celestia smiled at the captured moments of where her beloved son was truly happy. However, at the same time, she felt sad, because she wasn't a part of those moments. Even more so when she saw some moments where Spike displayed a sense of nobility and kindness.
For example, in one photo, Spike gave an umbrella to an elderly woman, after she lost hers to the storm's wind. Another was when, during Chinese New Year, he gave a red envelope, containing money, to a poor family.
Needless to say, these memories have touched Celestia's heart, “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered, shedding a tear drop.
Then, she looked at a memory of her son, in China, at a temple of Long Mu - Chinese for Mother of Dragons - Goddess of parents and children, and Chinese symbol of filial devotion and parental love.
Then, as if by accident, Celestia's horn glowed intense, and the whole room was washed away in her magic.
After a moment of collecting herself, Princess Celestia looked to see that she was on Earth, in the middle of the Yuecheng district of China. Looking to her left, Princess Celestia was shocked to see both Scorpan and Spike, in human forms, and sitting before a puppet show.
"Spike? Scorpan?" Celestia called, but received no response. It wasn't long before she noticed that none of the humans passing by took notice of her. Especially since she's in an alien world, where ponies like her are considered a myth. Upon taking a closer look, Celestia could see that Spike was still a child. Therefore, she quickly understood, this is all a part of Spike's memory.
Taking a seat beside her son, Celestia listens with content, as the Chinese puppet show narrates the story of Longmu.
“According to legend, Longmu was a simple girl from a poor family, named Wen Shi. One day, she went to the Xi River, where she discovered a beautiful stone, which she took it home with her.”
“However, she later learned that it was actually an egg when it hatched into five baby dragons. Overwhelmed with pity, Wen Shi adopted the little dragons and raised them, not as pets, but as children. Eventually, the dragons grew big and strong, but their bond with Wen Shi never died. For they came to recognize and love her as their real mother. Thus, she was given the title as Long Mu: Mother Of Dragons.”
“And to this day, Wen Shi was deified after her death, becoming the goddess of mothers and love.”
After the puppet show came to an end, the narrator concluded in Chinese, which is translated in English as, “And so, little children. That is why we come here, every year in the first week, on the fifth month of the lunar calendar. To pay our tributes to Long Mu, for she has truly invoked to instill us all the feelings of love, loyalty, and responsibility for our loved ones, whether they are related by blood, or aren’t even the same species.”
With that, the children all turned to their family members, and/or guardians, and they exchanged loving embraces. Celestia watched as Spike and Scorpan both embraced each other. However, at the same time, Spike had a look of longing when he sees other children with their mothers.
Even though he was cared for, under Scorpan’s protection and guardianship, it was clear, Spike was longing for a mother’s love.
Once the memory trip was over, Celestia's tears became waterfalls.
That Night
Princess Luna was at the balcony of her tower, concentrating into her magic, before she finds herself in a starry void, surrounded by dreams, contained in bubbles.
“Let’s see,” Luna said to herself. “Where should we begin?”
It wasn’t long before Luna spotted a bubble flashing, which she took instant notice it was her sister. Concentrating her magic, Luna cast herself into her sister’s dream to see what’s up.
Luna watched from the bushes, seeing her sister, cuddling with a dreamy infant apparition of her nephew.
“Coochie coochi coo!” Celestia cooed, while tickling the baby, earning some playful giggles in return. “Boop!” Celestia said, playfully touching a wingtip on baby Spike’s nose.
Spike giggled, and turned himself into a playful little puppy, as he runs out of his mother's grip, and runs around the field. Celestia giggled, as she gave chase,
Princess Luna smiled with content, seeing her sister’s smile, as well as the sight of her adopted nephew as an infant.
'My, he certainly is adorable,' Luna frowned, looking away sadly. 'If only I had the moment to know him more,' Before she knew it, the whole scene before her changes, and Luna finds herself surrounded by several windows of memories of her sister, and Spike.
Luna looked at one of the windows, which emitted a flash of light, washing over her. Soon, Luna finds herself in a classroom, where Princess Celestia was sitting behind a desk, watching as little foals and creatures were conducting researches on potions that made some plants to grow big and strong.
It didn't take long for Luna to spot a younger Twilight Sparkle, who was then a unicorn, with Spike, about four years old, working together on a potion of their own. Twilight was experimenting with some potions, while Spike was taking notes. Once Twilight concluded their potion is ready, the unicorn filly added a single drop to an empty flower pot, resulting in a huge, exotic flower. Both Luna, and Princess Celestia of the past, looked amazed.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!" Twilight cheered happily, bouncing around the room, while young Spike tried to calm her down.
"Twilight! Calm down!" Spike tried, only for him to be picked up by Twilight, as she magically spun him around, celebrating for their success.
Both Luna and Celestia couldn't help but laugh at this adorable scene, unfolding before them.
"Enjoying them, Lulu?" A voice asked, startling Luna, as she looked behind her to see Princess Celestia, herself.
"Tia! Don't scare me like that!" Luna berated her older sister.
Celestia could only chuckle, "Sorry, Luna," Princess Celestia shrugged. "Though, it's not like I didn't let you into my dreams to see my memories on purpose. I just thought you'd like to see these moments I've treasured with my son. A way for you to get to know him better, like you wished."
Luna blushed, as she turned her head back, seeing how Spike, as a kid, was so fully of energy, and so loving towards Celestia, and to some of the ponies around him.
"He's so adorable," Luna admitted. "I never thought that when I return from the moon, I'd be an aunt, and to have someone like Spike, for a nephew."
Celestia couldn't help but nod in agreement, “Oh, you have no idea how many times I kept telling that, to myself," Princess Celestia replied. “To think, that the Dragonfire that our teacher, Starswirl had taught us so much about, would be my son.”
“And that’s good, is it not, sister?”
“Oh it’s wonderful, Luna,” Celestia sighs nostalgically. “I’ve always wanted to see a chosen guardian of the Dragonfire, someday. But I never counted on becoming a mother to such a sweet, beautiful baby.” Celestia said, while gazing lovingly at the memories of her little boy.
Luna looked at the memories and smiled, “Looking at these memories, we are certainly surprised. Thou hast a natural instinct for mothership.”
“I know. And it’s wonderful,” Celestia looked lovingly at the memory of her past self, giving Spike a pony ride, literally, followed by a memory of herself putting baby Spike to sleep.
Luna looked sad, seeing how Spike was the one who gave Celestia’s joy each day, as well as comfort each night that follows, and vice versa. She was well aware how much grievance her sister had endured following her banishment to the moon, and how the young dragon was one of the things that gave her comfort.
“You two certainly have the love,” Luna commended.
Celestia nodded in agreement, while wiping a tear with the tip of her wing, “Of course, you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Lulu?” Luna looked at Celestia, questionable. “Before you became Nightmare Moon, I remembered how fond you were with children. And how much it made you feel.”
Past
It was during when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were maturing into adulthood. At this part of their life, they were old enough to fill in the roles of teachers at their former professor's school for gifted unicorns.
It was no surprise then, that little accepted unicorn foals would cry on their first day in Starswirl's school, missing their families. Furthermore, the rules at the school were very strict, especially at nighttime when they are expected to be asleep at the start of their curfew, and aren't even allowed to stay up to look at the night sky and admire its beauty, or to study its stars and constellations.
Luna could not bear to watch the little foals cry, especially during her favorite time, when all should love and admire her night, just as they did for her sister's. And so, she decided to living things up, by throwing a party. Much to Starswirl's, and his fellow strict teachers' disapprovals.
Midnight Frenzy by Duo Cartoonist
"You are too young to be up late!" Starswirl scolded.
"Loosen up and celebrate!" Luna sang.
"Hooves are banging on the floor!"
"That's a nice beat, do it some more!" With that, Luna continues to sing, as she danced together with the children around her.
Younger Celestia couldn't help but join the groove, "Stop that!" Starswirl berated the destined sun princess. "Stop that!" He scolded to another pony who was just having fun.
Present
“All I wanted was for all the little foals to love me, via my night,” Luna replied. “I wanted to have what you had during the daytime.” Luna looked away. Not in embarrassment, but in shame. “I was young back then,” Luna replied. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“Lulu....” Celestia tried to speak.
“I’m truly ashamed for what my actions have led to,” Luna frowned.
“I know, Lulu,” Celestia said, putting a wing for comfort. “And I’m also ashamed for not being there for you. But that’s all in the past. And I just want you to know, Luna. That no matter what happens, I will always love you. And besides, we both have a loving boy for a son, and a nephew.”
Luna looked, seeing a series of memories, in which Spike was doing all sorts of activities, out of his devotion for his aunt, whilst believing it would make her come back sooner. In one sequence, he was offering moon cakes, by a statue of her, together with a pot of flowers, and a letter that reads: "For Auntie Luna, please come home soon. Please, sign Spike, your nephew."
Luna felt touched at these gestures, “I’ll never get over the fact that right now, I’m really an aunt,” She smiled.
Celestia sighs, “As do I, Luna,” She began, before frowning sadly. “Even more, it's hard for me to accept the fact that Spike is not the same adorable little child I lost, years ago.” Celestia and Luna both watched, to see the dreamy apparition of child Spike morphing into his current, teenager appearance.
With a loud yell, teenage Spike threw out a punch, and a kick, before he started doing a series of blocks, punches, kicks, and stances as a demonstration of his skills and knowledge of the martial arts.
“My goodness!” Luna exclaimed, watching the teenager doing his moves, before he suddenly found himself surrounded by ninjas.
“Bring it!” Spike challenged, as the ninjas all leapt at the Dragon Prince, throwing kicks and punches, which the boy was quick to block, dodge, and countered.
The two alicorn sisters watched, as Spike fought off the ninjas bravely.
"That's what frightens me," Celestia frowned sadly. "How closer we are, and yet, there's that distant between us that simply cannot be mended so easily."
Suddenly, a scythe comes flying and hits the boy from behind resulting a wail of agony from Spike as he fell to the ground.
“NOOOO!!!” Celestia screamed, even more horrified when Fear Haunter suddenly appears as he pulls the weapon out of Spike's back and lifts the boy up. Celestia tried to rescue Spike, but a web of dark chains stopped her, and with a crooked smile, Fear stabs Spike in the chest causing him to disappear in a burst of fire. “SPIIIIKE!!!” Celestia wailed before she and Luna were instantly teleported in a starry realm.
There, Princess Luna embraced a heartbroken Princess Celestia; pipes breaking, resulting a two long waterfalls to pour.
“Sister, breathe!” Luna comforted. “Breathe! It is alright. That was simply a nightmare you were having. It didn’t happen in the waking world.”
Celestia sniffled, “But it could!” She frowned. “My baby...I just can’t....I can’t stand the thought of my little sunshine getting hurt,” Celestia cried.
Luna looked puzzled, “If you worry for him that much, then why didn’t you just bring him to stay with us in Canterlot?”
"Because that still doesn't make a difference," Celestia sobbed. "Even now, I'm still haunted by that wretched day, when my baby was attacked," Celestia sniffled, failing to suppress some tears back. "I fought so hard to keep him safe. I did everything I could in my power to keep him, my people, and everyone I cared about from harm. I tried so hard to keep everyone close. But in the end...." Celestia burst out crying, hysterically. "My baby was taken from me! That's what kills me! Everyone I've ever loved, they're all taken from me! All because I wasn't strong enough!!! I CAN'T CALL MYSELF A MOTHER, IF I CAN'T KEEP MY BABY FROM HARM!!! I'M NO RULER OF EQUESTRIA!!!!!!"
With that Celestia collapsed on the floor, crying loudly in her hooves, her wings covering her face. Luna watched from the side, crying because her sister was crying. Luna had never seen her sister shedding this much tears before. Though, in truth, the night princess too had known the pain deeply. Prior to being banished from the moon, both she and Celestia have had many loved ones come and go, lost through times. Even more when Luna watched her own adopted children, struggling through their daily lives before her rise as Nightmare Moon.
No doubt, Celestia was forced to endure the horror and tragedy on a greater scale very few creatures can scarcely imagine, with the separation of her son being the major breakdown for her already grief-stricken heart.
Luna projected a mirror to look at herself, seeing only a weak little foal. Once before, she used to be proud and strong, like her sister. But now, she's merely a shadow of her former self. Nevertheless, it never stopped Luna from trying to help her sister heal.
Concentrating into her magic, Luna projected a door, with the symbol of a dragon circling around a fiery orb that appeared to be a reminiscent of yin and yang imprinted on the front. Opening the door, she welcomed a certain figure who stepped into the astral plane, over to his discouraged mother.
Sensing his presence, Celestia slowly withdrew her wings, to see Spike, looking at her, in sympathy. Concentrating into his magic slowly, her cutie mark appearing on his hands, and several wires of magics flowed from his hands and feet, connecting with Celestia's, merging their magics together. It was at this moment, another memory flashed before her.
Celestia recalled having once performed this magic, with her and Luna's former mentor, Starswirl, in which they would often concentrate their magics, syncing together, learning how to have a better flow of energy through their body, syncing it with the energy best known as chi around them. Back then, Starswirl was the closest thing she and Luna had for a father.
Later in life, Celestia taught this to a younger Spike, prior to his tragedy. Now, here they are, doing this again, like mother and son.
Knowing what she needed to do, Celestia shifted herself in human form, don up in plates of armor, over a flowing white dress. The first thing Spike did was controlling one of the wires, raising his mother's hands up, beckoning her to dry her tears, which she did. This, however, did little to help with her sharp breathings.
Nevertheless, mother and son began their training session, syncing their magics in complete harmony, moving their bodies together in a fluid motion, which helped for Celestia to feel the stresses and sorrow flowing off of her, making her less teary in the process, though her tear stained eyes remained.
Luna sat on the sidelines, watching how it all played out. Soon, it became apparent that the magic flow between them converted into the gentle, yet strong flow of water. Then, in flashes of fire and light, Spike and Celestia both changed from their human forms, into their true forms, while still maintaining their harmonic movement together.
Still sad, and yet smiling, Celestia felt herself relieved of her heartache, with her son before her, appearing strong and proud. In light of their renewed love, their whole body glowed in a magic aura.