//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 "First Day Pt. 1" // Story: The Son Of Luna // by DanielScratchAnimations //------------------------------// The morning sun shun brightly into Luna’s chambers hitting the lunar monarch’s eyes thus waking her from her much needed slumber. As her eyes adjusted to the harsh brightness of the sun she looked down, to her happiness to find the object (or more accurate the child) of her affections lying underneath her curled up in a small ball still wearing the new clothes that were made for him. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her muzzle, as she kissed the young boy’s forehead lovingly. *I wonder what he’s dreaming about...* Luna thought, as she looked over him seeing that her wings were wrapped warmly around him protectively. Luna contemplated for a moment before deciding, *I’ll just have a small peek, no more no less. * she thought, already closing her eyes and preparing her spell to enter her son’s dream. Before she could however, she felt light movement underneath her tell her that he was waking up. Slight disappointment washed over her however she dispelled it quickly and looked down at the waking prince. “Nngh…m-momma?” Daniel asked groggily, oblivious to the world around him. Luna couldn’t help but smile, gently nuzzling back to the waking world. “I’m here my little one, don’t fret” she stated lovingly, looking down to her son. *I’ll always be here for you…* she thought, as her wings wrapped more firmly around Daniel. Daniel’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the sun’s brightness however, when they did he looked up at his mother smiling warmly, tears flowing from his eyes as he did so. A worried look quickly took place on the newly made mother’s muzzle. “W-what troubles you my little one?” she asked, in a motherly tone. Daniel only shook his head, clinging to his mother in a tight embrace as his tears flowed. “N-no momma, I-I’m not sad.” He looks up to his mother, his smile still present and his face beaming with an inner light she had never seen before. “I-I’m just so h-happy that it w-wasn’t a dream.” Luna was struck with immense feelings, unlike any emotion she’s experienced, and it made her smile back at her son, returning the warm embrace as tears started to form in her eyes as well. The thoughts of last night coming back to her and a steely determination flooding her heart and mind as she looked at her son. “Well of course it wasn’t a dream, you’re here with me and I promise that no matter what happens I’ll protect you with all the power I have.” Luna stated, through the tear that immense feeling taking over her. Daniel looked up at her, excitement, and joy in his eyes. “R-really? D-do you promise?” he asked, with all the passion a child of his age could have. All Luna did was hold him closer to her, letting her son know in the most heartfelt way she knew how that everything she said was the truth. This small act between them, to anypony or any other creature on this world could only look to be any ordinary embrace, but to them it was a lifelong promise that only a mother and her child could ever share. “How do those muffins taste Daniel?” Asked Vinyl, smiling at the slowly growing mess of muffin crumbs Daniel made. Daniel smiled ear to ear, his face covered in crumbs as he swallowed what he had left in his mouth. “It’s REALLY tasty.” He stated simply, flashing a large toothy smile. Vinyl simply laughed at how adorable the young prince was acting, as Luna wiped the crumbs off Daniel’s face causing him to flinch still smiling. “Daniel, a prince shouldn’t eat in such a messy manner.” Luna stated, taking on a scolding tone as she did. Daniel giggled, as he continued to eat the same way he has been for the past 20 minutes. “It’s fine Luna, after all he’s still a child he has a lot of time to learn how to eat like a proper prince.” Vinyl stated casually, ruffling Daniel’s hair causing him to giggle in amusement. Luna stopped cleaning abruptly, her face losing its previous smile and changing to a neutral yet, somber expression. Vinyl quickly flinched, putting a hoof on Luna shoulder she smiled to her. “Hey, don’t worry we’ll figure something out I’m sure of it.” Luna looked at Vinyl giving her a halfhearted smile nodding softly to her trusted friend. When Vinyl joined the Lunar Guard, she was the only mare in her platoon, probably the first one ever to join the ranks willingly she was proud of that fact. However, never in her wildest dreams would’ve thought that she would be friends with one of great monarchs in equestria. It came as a surprise when Luna asked her to discuss what had happened the night before, not only because it was unexpected but the way she requested it sounded desperate as if she had been stripped of all hope she couldn’t say no. She stayed, all through the night, listening to everything that had transpired prior to her leaving for Daniel’s dinner, she couldn’t believe the princess that controlled the sun itself could be so cold to someone her sister considered as a son much less her nephew. *She has no right to judge him by his looks, she hasn’t even talked to him. * Vinyl thought coldly, personally glad she joined the lunar guard instead of the solar like her parents wanted. She was interrupted from her thoughts, by a hand being placed on her hoof, gently squeezing and pulling on her. As both Luna a Vinyl notice this, they both gazed upon the child that was the subject of their worry. “I-Is something wrong?” Daniel asked, looking up at both with a concerned look. Both the princess and her guard smiled, doing their best to alleviate his concerns. “Of course, everything is perfect my little one.” Luna said softly, nuzzling him gently and placing a small kiss on his nose. Vinyl chuckled, again ruffling his hair but also giving the little prince a nuzzle of her own. “Come on lil guy, what could be bothering your mother she’s the strongest out there, as for me it’ll be a long time before you can best me at anything.” Daniel’s smile returned, giggling at the affection given to him, reaching out his arms to hug them. One they accepted and gladly returned, as they nuzzled Daniel lovingly. “Oh! I almost forgot, Daniel how would you like to meet kids like you?” Vinyl asked, pulling herself away from the warm embrace. This caused Luna and Daniel to look at her with surprise, Luna looking at her with more worry than anything. “R-Really? I can play with the other kids?” Daniel asked, excitement starting to rise in him. Vinyl nodded, smirking happily as she chuckled. “Of course, didn’t think you would be the only kid, here did you? ”Daniel started to jump excitedly in his seat, unable to contain his anticipation to meet other kids his age. “Umm…Vinyl, may I speak to you for a moment.” Luna worriedly stated, gesturing for her to go to the farthest corner from where the young prince was eating. Vinyl nodded, understanding what the princess wanted to discuss as she trotted into the corner. Daniel simply got up off his seat, and began to jump on Luna’s bed excitedly. “Are you sure about this Vinyl? I’m concerned, since even my sister didn’t accept him…” Luna whispered, trying her best not to be heard by her beloved son. “I am Luna, he needs more interaction with other children his own age. Especially, during this time, if we want show the citizens of the town that he poses no threat to society the council may change their ruling to something more…pleasant.” Vinyl stated, keeping her voice as low as Luna’s. Luna looked back, seeing Daniel jumping excitedly to meet others his own age. She nodded, trotting to Daniel a concerned look on her muzzle. Daniel sees them approaching and ceases his jumping, looking at his mother in confusion. “Son, come here and sit next to me, we need to talk…” Luna told him simply, as she sat at the edge of her bed, a little fear welling up inside her chest. Daniel did as he was told looking up at his mother curiously, sitting down next to her his feet swinging up and down looking down at his hands nervously. “Daniel, I understand that you want to meet other children your own age. However, you must know that we aren’t familiar with a being such as you, so most if not all others here may treat you differently…” Luna admitted, trying her best to say it in the nicest way she could think of. “D-Does that mean, no one will like me?” Daniel asked, his excitement being taken over by the fear in his heart. Luna lifted her hooves defensively, trying desperately to show that she didn’t mean it that way. “N-No! Of course not, I’m sure they will love you it’s just you need to let them get used to you and I’m sure you will get many friends.” She said, panicking trying her very best to bring up his spirit once again. Daniel looked at his mother nervously, while he hugged his legs closer to his body. “D-Do you really think so…?” Daniel asked, clear that he was now getting scared of the possibility of being feared. Suddenly, Vinyl wrapped a hoof around the young prince’s shoulder nuzzling him gently, doing her best to brighten up the mood. “Well duh kiddo, doesn’t matter what you look like I’m sure you will make more friends than anyone here.” Daniel smiled, giggling at the affection shown to him as he immediately cheered up. Luna nuzzled her son, picking him up in her magic and placing him in between her forelegs. “Daniel, I won’t tell you that everyone will accept what you are, but I want you to look for the ones who look at you not as a different creature but as a friend, and trusted comrade.” Daniel looked at his mother not with fear or sadness, but confusion he had heard the word ‘friend’ before however the word ‘comrade’ made no sense to him. Regardless, he nodded his head in understanding if comrade meant the same as friend. Luna nuzzled him gently, hope filling her heart that everything turns out okay. “Vinyl, please go find Ivory Sparks and bring her here today Daniel is to go with Starry Swirls to the schoolhouse.” Daniel looked up at his mother stars in his eyes, excited beyond belief. “Really momma, I can really go to school?” Luna only nodded, as Vinyl exited to find the mare in question. “YAY!” Ivory was surprised to say the least, at the request given to her just an hour ago as she and her daughter walked down the hall to the lunar princess’s chamber. “Are we really going to meet the princess mom?” Asked Starry swirls, as she jumped up and down around her mother excited beyond belief. Interrupted from her thoughts, she looked at her overly excited daughter, smiling expertly putting a hoof on the young filly’s head, immediately gesturing her to calm down and listen. “Now Starry, you have already met Princess Celestia before, why are you so excited to meet her sister?” Ivory asked, chuckling softly at her daughter’s enthusiasm. Starry’s eyes became star-filled, as she spoke. “Mom this is the PRINCESS of the NIGHT she’s Celestia’s most trusted general and the personification of the moon itself my very favorite time of day.” Ivory rolled her eyes, her daughters use of words was always impressive, so it didn’t surprise her in the slightest anymore. “I understand, but please behave yourself you’re not just meeting the princess of the night and her adopted son.” Starry’s eyes went wider, if that were even possible, as she looked at her mother in shock. “Luna adopted a son, who?” She asked, curious to know what her mother does. “I don’t know as much as you think, from what I’ve been told Daniel was found after the recent battle in the badlands and was experimented on since infancy.” Ivory stated simply, knowing her daughter would fully understand and accept the seriousness of the situation. Starry’s eyes went wide, her mind processing the information as she looked down. “S-So he’s like you mom?” she asked bluntly, with the same untamed curiosity as any child her age has. Ivory simply nodded, not interested in going too deep into her past. The rest of they’re walk went in relative silence, as Starry prepared to meet the colt that she would be going to school with. The chamber of the lunar princess, was overflowing with the laughter of Luna and her newly adopted son to the point where any creature that passed by couldn’t help but feel a little giddier as Ivory knocked on the door. The joyous noises that filled the room died down, as a magical aura surrounded the door in front of the two guests as Vinyl opened the door for them both. “C-Commander Scratch, how are you?” Ivory asked, bowing to her out of personal habit. Vinyl lifted her hoof, smiling knowingly. “Please Ivory, no need Luna has told me your connection to the crown if anything I should bow to you.” Ivory only chuckled slightly, waving a hoof at Vinyl as they continued their conversation. Meanwhile, Starry with her natural child-like curiosity sneaked past her mother and the commander to meet the prince that shares a similar past her mother has. Starry was surprised, while she might’ve been prepared for a pony, or a griffon, tartarus she was even prepared for a small dragon but, nothing from neither school or her personal studies in magic and mythical creatures could’ve prepared her for what was jumping up and down on what she assumed was the lunar princess’s bed. What she could only assume was a colt, was a little taller than her as far as she could see as he was jumping. A very bright patch of silver hair on his head, adorned with a black wool shirt that looked brand new, as well as leather pants that she’d only see a select few ponies wear around the marketplace. He was in every sense of the word ‘different’, and that struck a cord in her that caused her heart to race in her chest. However, before she could examine him more her eyes fell upon his, those bright red eyes that looked like one of the most precious rubies. Were looking right back at her. Daniel was surprised, the filly that stared at him for the first time unlike most who looked at him, not with fear, or hatred but with curiosity. Daniel was so entranced with the filly, her coat was a dull grey and her mane was simple white, but her eyes, those bright gold eyes looked deep into him causing his heart to race, losing all sense in what his body was doing. “Watch out!” Daniel quickly snapped out of his trance, but not in time to realize that while he was in his trance his body continued to jump on his mother’s bed and he was currently falling due to him jumping off the edge of the bed. “AHHH!” Starry flinched, afraid of the sight of seeing the colt fall. However, that sound was never heard as Starry opened her eyes to see the prince surrounded by sky blue aura floating just above the floor. Vinyl and Ivory’s sighs could be heard, as Starry turned to see both had just barely noticed and were now inside the chamber as Vinyl was just barely able to catch Daniel before he fell towards the stone floor stopping him just an inch away from the floor. “Are you alright Daniel?” Vinyl asked, as she rushed to Daniel’s side worried for his condition. Daniel looked at Vinyl, a light blush on his face, embarrassed by the fact he was so distracted that he nearly hurt himself looking at the filly. “Starry, honestly couldn’t you be patient for a few more minutes while I talk to the commander?” Ivory scolded her daughter, as she entered the room. “I’m s-sorry momma, I didn’t mean to startle him…” Starry said guiltily, looking to Daniel with concern. Daniel looked to Starry in surprise, this filly the one who caused his heart to quicken and his mind to stop working for several seconds wasn’t afraid of him? “I-It’s okay…n-no harm done.” Daniel said nervously, trying his best to hide his blushing face. Both Vinyl and Ivory look at each other confused, but upon looking at both the young children here they smiled knowingly. “Well, I suppose it’s time for you two to start heading to your classes.” Ivory stated, smiling as she pushed her daughter closer to the young prince. It took no time for Vinyl to catch on, as she displayed the same knowing smile and followed along with Ivory’s plan. “Yes, Daniel you should go with miss Swirls to your first class.” Daniel stopped staring at Starry’s eyes and looked at Vinyl nervously. “Y-You’re not c-coming with us?” he asked, a little fear in his voice. Vinyl shook her head nuzzling Daniel gently. “Sorry buddy, I have to talk to Ivory about something, but I promise me, and your mother will come and get you from school.” “Where is Luna by the way, I thought she wanted to speak with me?” Ivory asked, looking around the room to see if she had simply missed the lunar monarch. “She’s dealing with political matters that involve the topic I wish to speak with you about.” Vinyl answered, silently gesturing to the young prince in between them. This gesture however, was noticed by both Ivory and Starry the ladder knowing better than to give anything away but, worry plaguing her mind as she trotted up to the colt that captured her eyes. “Come on Daniel, I promise it’s a lot of fun and there are lots of nice ponies and other species.” Starry said, grabbing the hand of the distracted colt. Daniel was surprised, blushing at the sudden touch. “U-Umm…okay.” Daniel agreed, looking down trying to hide his face. *Hmm…he’s warm…* thought Starry a small blush showing on her small muzzle. Shaking her head, she smiled up at Daniel leading him quickly to the direction of her schoolhouse. “Come on Daniel, we don’t want to be late.” Daniel while surprised at first, couldn’t stop himself from following the filly that has made his heart speed up with a large smile on his face. “Have fun, please look after Daniel okay Starry?” Ivory called out worry in her voice. “I will mom!” Starry called back, louder due to them not stopping. With that Daniel was off to his first day of school. “Now, Ivory please close the door we have…a lot to discuss.” Vinyl asked, her voice taking a stern tone. “So, are you excited, for school I mean?” Starry asked, still trotting ahead of Daniel holding his hand with her hoof. They had just exited the castle, and were now entering the market place of the small town. Daniel was more nervous than he’s ever been, not only is this the first-time walking through the market place since arriving, but he also was with a filly that was around his age. “I-I guess…it’s my first time.” Daniel said quietly, trying his best to keep up with Starry. Starry began to slow down still pulling Daniel, but allowing him to catch up to her. “Yes, my momma told me your just like her, aren’t you?” she asked bluntly, but with nervousness gripping at her heart. Daniel nodded, now walking beside her. “Yeah…” he simply answered, looking away not really interested in remembering his time in that dark place. Realizing that Daniel didn’t want to talk about this topic, she cleared her throat and quickly began to change the topic. “W-Well then, Daniel do you have any questions before we get there?” “Umm…what is it like? My momma didn’t tell me a lot about school…” Daniel said nervously, unsure on how to talk to Starry. “Ah, well school is a place of learning where we learn how to do things like, math, and science, and at the end we are taught basic combat moves to protect ourselves in case of an attack. It’s a place for all creatures like, dragons, griffons, and even some hippogriffs.” Starry explained, trying her best to simplify everything for Daniel. Daniel became more curious, which drowns out the nervousness plaguing his mind. “What are dragons, griffons, and hippogriffs?” Daniel asked curiously, not knowing any of the creatures Starry just mentioned. Starry was confused at first, but smiled at the chance to teach the young prince about some of the other species in this world. “Well, if you must know…”