//------------------------------// // Moon Dust's Welcome Back To The Royal Family Party // Story: The Family of The Night // by Night--Mist //------------------------------// It had been a couple of weeks since the battle with Nightmare Moon in Moon Dust's psyche. He had been getting way better. Nightmares were very few, and not very strong. He was walking a lot more, with a few stumbles and trips here and there, but Artemis always assured him he would get the hang of it. Lord Thunderhoof was found guilty of bribing Orphanage inspectors to pass the Orphanage's inspection without actually taking a look inside, and was also charged for association in child abuse. New Caretakers were selected after undergoing thorough back round checks and tests that were monitored by Princess Celestia herself, and she also enforced some of her castle staff to ensure the new caretakers stayed in line while caring for the little ones. Some of the orphans were even adopted by castle staff members and their families. Also seeing the state the orphanage was in, Celestia, Luna and Cadence, all made generous donations to see it brought to the standards of nearly being a castle itself. The fillies and colts were greatful, and hoped the princesses would come and see them from time to time. Today, was a special day though. Pinkie Pie had insisted on a party for little Moon Dust. Even though it wasn't his birthday, she wanted to make him feel more welcome. Even though they knew Moon Dust was shy, they agreed, reminding Pinkie Pie not to make things too exciting for their son. She agreed, for this was more to let Moon Dust get introduced to some new ponies his and Moonlight's age. Moonlight of course, since the battle with Nightmare Moon, always kept an eye on her brother, making sure no pony would treat him unkindly. Some older ponies tried to pick on him, but when she appeared, they didn't advance farther, though, they didn't back off either....... not until Daddy Artemis arrived on the scene. Then they cowered back, and apologized, not showing any more teasing to Moon Dust afterwards. Today, she was helping Moon Dust get ready for the party..... or at least, helping him have fun while Luna and Artemis tried to get them both ready, as they were currently getting a bath right now in the family tub, both Moon Dust and Moon Light in the shallow end. After getting some Shampoo in their manes, Luna took a small pail of the warm water and using her magic aura, poured it gently over their heads. "Brbrbrbrbrbrbr," Moon Dust blurted, shaking off the excess water in his mane. Luna giggled at his cuteness as now his mane was all over the place, some of it covering his eyes. "You little goof," Luna chuckled as she straightened out his mane. "Hehehe. Sorry Mama," Moon Dust apologized. "Nothing to apologize for sweetie. You're just having fun. But we do need to get ready for the party," Luna stated. After a little more soap to the fur, and a couple more rinses, Luna and Artemis pulled their little angels out of the tub, and dried them off with towels. Their puffed out, and they giggled at each other. "Now we're all fluffy," Moonlight said. "Now, let's get it all nice and smooth," Artemis said as he pulled out a brush. "NEVER!!!" Moon Dust exclaimed as he made a gallop out of the bathroom door. "Hey! Get back here you little Rascal!" Luna said as she giggled and chased after him, holding a brush as well in her aura. Moonlight giggled at her little brother's mischievousness has Artemis began straightening out her fur and mane. They then walked out and found Moon Dust giggling as Luna was finishing up brushing his mane. "Hehe, I tripped again, and Mama caught me," Moon Dust exclaimed. Moonlight giggled at her brother's adorableness. Soon, both siblings had their manes and fur nice and neat, and as Artemis and Luna finished their own fur and manes, they placed their regalia on themselves, than on Moonlight. Moon Dust understood that even though he was part of the family, due to his situation of coming back into the fold, he had no regalia yet. But it mattered little to him, he was just happy to be part of the Lunar Family. Soon, every pony was ready to go, and Artemis let the entire family settle on his back. Moonlight flew up, and Luna merely had to climb on, after grabbing her little boy by the neck and placing him between her hooves once she was on. Artemis smiled, and soon, trotted out of the Lunar chambers, getting the regular announcement of the Lunar Family was on the move. Artemis's mammoth size and powerful build made him look indestructible. The guards would be lying if they didn't say that they didn't feel intimidated by him. But any pony could tell Artemis had a very soft loving heart, with how his family relaxed on his back, and he showed no annoyance when Moonlight would get a little playful while riding as a passenger on his back. He always had a cheerful smile. As the Lunar Family neared the ballroom, that sat next to the Lunar Gardens, two guards banged their spears on the ground in unison to announce the family's arrival. Just as they entered, "SURPRISE!!!" The Lunar Family was caught off guard, the sudden springing out of nowhere act fightened tiny Moon Dust, he hid in his father's mane. Rainbow Dash chuckled and asked, "What do you think, pretty cool right your hignesses?" "We think you overworked it," Artemis joked. "Just a bit," Luna chimed in. "Oh, what?!..... Over worked it?" Rainbow groaned as they trotted forward. "Weehee!!" Screamed Pinkie Pie as she charged towards Moon Dust. Artemis grabbed her by the neck in the nick of time, and threw her over to the swimming pool that was set up. "Weeee!!! " Pinkie screamed in joy. "Oh, and I was overworking it your highness?" Rainbow Dash shot a joke back. They all chuckled, and trotted more forward, as Luna calmed her sons nerves. "I suggest a might of a lighter surprise in the future. You have to remember, Moon Dust's nerves get shaken easy, after all he's been through," Luna suggested. "Right, I'll remember next time your majesty," Rainbow Dash promised. "Now, what should we do first for Moon Dust? Food and Cake? Presents? Games? Luna, dear sister, what do you say?" Celestia asked as she trotted up to them. "Hmmm..... I say food and cake first. That way, he'll have the energy to open presents and play games with every pony later on. And remember Tia, Moon Dust gets the first slice. I don't want a repeat of what happened at the Harvest Moon Ball?" Luna warned. "Lulu, that was ages ago. I can control myself. And of course I'll let Moon Dust have the first slice. He is the guest of honor after all?" Celestia kept her head high to show she was being truthful. Luna chuckled and soon set Moon Dust in a booster seat next to her and Artemis did the same for Moon Light. "Um, Mommy, what kind of cake is it," Moon Dust asked as he saw the chefs of the castle rolled out a huge cake along with other delicacies. "Well, they're a family favorite. We call it Lunar Surprise, reason it's so big..... well, your dad has quite the appetite..... and so does Auntie Celestia," Luna teased. 'Hey!" Celestia snapped, before chuckling herself. As the meal was finished, presents soon came after. There an assortment of gifts. Some cute attire for Moon Dust to try out, most, if not all, were special requests made to Rarity to make, and she had some her own young colt line for the little prince to try out. And than there was toys most boys his age were playing with. Just as Moon Dust thought everypony was done giving him presents, Luna said, "Wait we have one more dear." She then levitated it in front oh him. It wasn't huge like many of his presents had been, but something about it looked special. Moon Dust looked up at Luna and Artemis and Artemis stated, "This is from all the royal family. Me, your mother, Moon Light, Celestia, Cadence, Shining Armor, Lovestruck, even your cousin, Blueblood, pitched in, as well as Twilight Sparkle." "Go on and open it sweetie," Luna urged her son on. Moon Dust unwrapped it, and saw what appeared to be a box you find most jewelry in. He than opened it up and saw something he never expected. There, sitting in front of him, was a crown, as black as the night sky, and crescent moon shaped gem, that glowed hue of sky blue. And on either side of it, lay silver shoes he had seen his family wear when they had to attend important events. And below the crown was necklace that showed the symbols of all the grown ups of the royal family. Celestia's sun, Luna's Moon, Twilight's star, Cadence's heart, and Shining Armor's shield, even Blueblood's cutie mark made it upon there. "Now this regalia isn't normal like most others out there. While you grow, the attire changes size to fit you perfectly. And in time, the symbols of your own cutie mark will also appear, as well as your sister's and Lovestruk's cutie marks. We figured to make your crown's gem glow blue since your sister's glows pink, so you know who's crown is who's," Luna stated. Moon Dust was at a loss for words. He had started off with so little, and now, he was receiving so much. He couldn't hold back his tears of joy any longer, and hugged Luna, burying his face in her chest fur. Luna was a little surprised at her son's reaction, but than she wrapped her foreleg around him, and held him close. Artemis smiled, and just as Rainbow as about to interrupt, Celestia shushed her, and stated, "Let Moon Dust have a moment. This is all happening really fast for him, and it's a might overwhelming. Let him settle his mind on his own." Everyone nodded in understanding, some dawwing at how Moon Dust was reacting. After a bit, Moon Dust whipped away his tears, and Luna asked, "Do you think you wanna go and play with the other fillies and colts dear? We can put on your regalia later." Moon Dust nodded, and soon Moon Light removed her own regalia, and led Moon Dust to their friends, along with other new children. The CMC were coming up with all kinds of ways to help Moon Dust and Moon Light get their cutie marks in the future. As Luna watched, she sighed motherly. "I know that look. You are happy our son is finally free of Nightmare Moon's control, and that he's getting a little more social," Artemis pondered a guess. "Yes. But I still worry about him honey. Even though he's gotten stronger since he first came to us, he still has trouble on his hooves, even when walking. I fear This may persist. And his memories of the Orphanage. Those aren't memories so easily repressed. They'll still haunt his dreams, even if we can dissipate most of the fright," Luna admitted. "That's not all though, is it?" Artemis pried. ".... No. Because circumstances, that I blame no pony but myself for, robbed me of him. I never got to hold him in my arms when he was just a tiny little foal, like I did his sister. I never got to give him a mother's loving cuddle as a baby. Never got to hear him say his first word, or take his first actual step. Never got to see his first magic burst like we did Moon Light. So many things I never got to do with him. How do I get past that? That guilt?" Luna stuttered as her lip began to quiver. Artemis pulled her in close. "I understand honey, there are many things I wish we could have done too. But we can't change the past. It could upset the balance of things at present. But, maybe....." Artemis stopped mid-sentence. "Maybe... what?" Luna inquired. "We'll talk about it more with the rest of the Royal Family, well, the grown ups at least," Artemis gestured over to the direction of Moon Dust's location. Luna saw that Moon Dust was starting to look drowsy and out of energy. She flew over and caught Moon Dust as he collapsed onto her foreleg, and then looked up at her sleepily. "It looks like a little Prince of the Night could use a nap," Luna teased her son. "But I'm not ti-" Moon Dust couldn't even finish as he passed out in his mother's hug she had started to give him. She then set him on her back, and folded her wings to make it so her son wouldn't roll off her as he slept. Artemis trotted by, and nuzzled Moon Dust as he slumbered. "Peacful dreams my son," He said, before trotting the other direction to let Moon Light and the others know that Moon Dust was tuckered out. When Luna made it to the Lunar chambers, she set Moon Dust on the den bed and tucked him in, before kissing him. "Such a tiny thing you are," she smiled, before grabbing a clover cola from the fridge and laying there with him so he wouldn't panic when he woke up.