Turquoise was lying on a long couch in her home above the dark streets of Ballistar. The capital city of Unicornia was clouded over and so dreary, compared to the brightness of Canterlot. Leaving the Sun-lit skies of Equestria behind was the one true regret she had about marrying Armus and moving here. She loved the luxury she enjoyed here, far more than she and her sister had at their disposal in Canterlot, and she enjoyed the fact she could go outside whenever she wanted to... as long as the guards were with her. But even that minor inconveniance was easily endured for the freedom to go where she wanted to and see the lower-class ponies bowing to her, almost as low as the ponies in Equestria bowed to Celestia herself.
Turquoise had always been the more vain of the twin sisters, and she loved the attention. After living for nearly four months in Ballistar, she was as convinced of Unicorn superiority as Armus himself, and she'd become a 'proper' unicorn in Armus' mind, supportive of his ideals in action as well as voice. This has drawn him even closer to her, and they both shared an almost passionate love for one another.
But for now, even Turquiose had to admit she wasn't going anywhere very far for a while. In her eleventh month of pregnancy, she was big, round and heavy, her thin build not as capable of carrying a foal as Twilight's alicorn body, with the strength of the Earth Pony included in Twilight's abilities. So she moved only from her bedroom to the bathroom and a parlor joined to these for the daytime, where she was sitting now. Servants catered to her every whim, even a few unicorn mares helped her with parts of her day where Armus did not trust the lower-class ponies that close to his beloved wife and their sacred foal, such as bathing.
This day, however, Turquoise was feeling... unsettled. She wasn't sure why, but she knew instinctively it had something to do with the foal. She'd had the House doctor, a sorceror with great skill in medicine and alchemy, check her over, but he'd found nothing untoward with either her or the foal. That reassured Turquoise greatly, even though the feeling wasn't dispelled. She winced slightly, feeling the foal gently kick her. She'd seemed restless the last couple of days... 'Maybe that is it.' Turquoise thought. "She's restless and she's transmitting it to me." Turquoise said to herself.
Seeing it was nearly mid-day by the lovely clockwork timepiece in the parlor, Turquoise slid off the couch onto her hoofs slowly, then headed for the bedroom. Maybe an afternoon nap might help relieve her restlessness...
=======
At about the same time, Twilight was resting in the Sparkle mansion, not being able to sleep that well that night with her foal being quite active at the moment. She had returned to her family home at the onset of her eleventh month of pregnancy, where there was more care and she was closer to the Palace and the medical unit there. The little one was kicking her on what seemed like a regular basis the last hour or so, so Twilight eventually got up and stretched, then walked out of the bedroom and into the adjoining parlor. She called Grey Stone.
"Can I help, Miss Twilight?" Grey Stone asked.
Twilight gave him a weary smile. "Yes, Grey Stone. Could the kitchen make me something light to eat? Maybe something with fish in it?" She asked.
"Of course, Miss Twilight. I shall bring it forthwith. " Grey Stone replied before he left, returning promptly with a salad that had shredded fish tossed through it and covered in sweet chili sauce.
Twilight's eyes brightened as she saw the snack. "Thank you so very much, Grey Stone. This is perfect."
"I am glad it satisfies you, Young Miss." Grey Stone said as he left Twilight to eat. Grey Stone himself would not have tried it, but for Twilight, it tasted superb.
Velvet came walking slowly in little while later, as Twilight finished her meal. "Can't sleep, Dearest?" She asked Twilight.
"Yes, Mama." Twilight confirmed. "She's been restless all night, and I can't get to sleep."
Velvet nodded as she slipped up onto the big couch next to Twilight. "Foals can be like that, as their time to come out draws near." She informed Twilight. "It's usually a sign that your time is coming close. Relax and we shall see what happens." Velvet nuzzled Twilight lovingly as they moved a little closer together.
Twilight chuckled. "I hope she's good about coming out quickly." Twilight said. "I don't think either of us want this labour to go on for a protracted period."
"A quick birth is always a good thing." Velvet agreed. "But sometimes it can be too quick. Things will take their course as they have done for millenia." She stated to Twilight.
"But I read that several foal-care specialists say that quick births are preferred, because there's less danger to the foal and the mother." Twilight told Velvet.
"Show me where you've read this." Velvet said calmly, and Twilight levitated a book across from one of the many huge bookcases...
=======
The sound of metal clashing rang over the Royal Guards arena in the lit darkness, the sounds kept from the population of Canterlot by special shields. Off-duty guards-ponies and some of Luna's Lunar Guard watched as two sword-wielding alicorns went at it, their swords and other magic-derived weapons clashing as they practised and one of them honed their skills against the assaults of the other.
Both Luna and Stellar were being hard-pressed by one another. Luna had the experience over her younger apprentice, but Stellar had a lot of interesting memories and the imagination to make them work for her. After Stellar despatched several flying etherial swords Luna had sent after her, Luna saw Stellar create a construct the likes of which she'd never contemplated. The etherial mini-gun that Stellar now bore with a mischievous grin spun up and spat shells that, while essentially only magical energy, could be just as deadly as the real thing to an unarmored opponent. But since they were both expecting to be fighting at a lethal level, both alicorns were wearing full armor, and the few bullets that hit parts of Luna simply shattered.
Luna shot from the ground, sliding through the air with speed and grace, trying to keep Stellar from gaining a bead on her, as well as sling other weapons at the gun-wielding alicorn. Eventually Stellar was forced to abandon her powerful weapon and bring enough shields up to nearly cover herself completely, to ward off the multiple blades and other weapons Luna was bringing to bear. Just as her shields were about to shatter, she Blinked and reappeared right on Luna's back, grabbing her and giving her a series of swift horn-strokings that made Luna shriek and fall to the arena floor.
"Cheat! Thou is not supposed to do such a thing!" Luna shrieked at Stellar as the younger alicorn landed gracefully.
Stellar grinned as her helmet's face-guard opened. "Why not? It worked, didn't it? And without hurting you, Mistress." Stellar pointed out.
Luna snorted fiercely, then shook herself. Eventually, Luna took a deep breath and managed to speak up in a controlled voice. "You are right, Stellar. You did make me lose all concentration on fighting you, which was the goal of the exercise." Luna finally agreed. "We keep forgetting that hoof-to-hoof-combat is one of your fortes, and you will use your skills at the most opportune times for yourself... again, as a warrior should." Luna made her armor retract, as did Stellar. "We concede this match to you." Luna said, now smiling.
Stellar bowed deeply to Luna, as the sound of hoof-stamps came from the surrounding bleachers. The alicorns turned and waved to the spectators, then headed for the exit. "Your skills with magic constructs is refining itself well, my apprentice." Luna told Stellar. "How are your studies with circles and arrays coming along?"
"I'm... having a little difficulty with the flight acceleration array I've been working on." Stellar admitted.
"And what might that difficulty be?" Luna asked, surprised.
"The normal acceleration arrays we use on our etherial weapons don't negate one factor." Stellar explained. "It's not necessary for the array to do so since the objects being accelerated aren't living, or even made of matter. But for accelerating a living being, the one factor I've found isn't negated by the array is Inertia." She told Luna. "The ones I've tried so far are limited because the inertia factor tends to tear badly at the body as one part of the body accelerates faster than the rest as it passes through the array. I need a way for the array to counter or dispel inertia completely before I can truly make an array that can accelerate a living being as fast as they can an etherial or material weapon."
Luna nodded as they headed into the showers. "Indeed. Such a factor is one of the reasons arrays have been limited, as you now know from experience." Luna agreed. "Can you see any solution?" She asked.
"Maybe." Stellar answered. "I'm working on something at the moment that might work, I just need to do some experiments using a friend to help." Stellar replied as they stepped into the showers and started to wash off.
Luna nodded and sighed with relief as the medium-hot water soaked into her coat and relieved the muscles that had been so hard-pressed that evening. She and Stellar started doing stretches under the spray. Stellar had actually taught Luna her special stretching routines, something the elder alicorn had never considered part of a fight before now. But she had found that they did help relieve the stress from the fighting, and made it easier to begin their mock combat as well. Luna found she actually felt much better once they'd finished their stretches and washed each other clean of their sweat. They both shook themselves from soaked to damp, giggling a little, then used their magic to dry themselves before serving mares came and groomed them. Stellar did appreciate the mares doing this for her. She'd actually had a couple of them she'd come to know teach her how to properly groom and preen herself since her knowledge had been lacking, even she had had to admit to herself. Once they were both groomed and clean, Luna donned her regalia as Stellar got into her Lunar Guard armor and they walked back from the arena to the Palace proper. Night Court could only be held up for so long...
= = = = =
When Night Court slackened off, as it usually did towards the middle of the night, Luna spent time with Stellar on book-learning and personal instructions. There were a lot of areas of knowledge that, while Stellar had access to Twilight's considerable knowledge, only fixed themselves properly in her mind when she actually used them. Such was the case now as Luna and herself were reviewing the history of the Griffon kingdoms, including Griffonia and Griffonstone as well as their predecessors. It allowed Luna to refine her knowledge of the present as well, while allowing Stellar to access and fix Twilight's knowledge in her memory as her own.
Then, as they were reviewing the beginnings of the current King of Griffonia, Argent Glimfeather, Stellar felt a sharp pain inside her rear quarters, causing her to hiss and curl up. Luna immediately looked concerned. "What is it, Stellar?" She asked, fearing she might have wounded the younger alicorn without either of them realising it.
But Stellar had realised what it was even as it happened. "It's not me, Mistress." She said as she uncurled and stood. "I think the foal is coming." She told Luna.
"Great Elysia!" Luna exclaimed as Stellar walked off the dais. "I shall have the medical facility alerted and my sister woken." She told Stellar as the dark blue alicorn got to her feet as well, attendants scrambling in around them.
Stellar nodded. "I'll go and get Twilight and bring her here, then." She replied, and after calling out "Close the doors! Night Court is concluded for the night." To the door-guards, she teleported back to the Sparkle home.
Luna gave orders to the attendants "Go and get Doctors Rubber Hose and Melody Lane." She said as she walked out to the rear doors of the Audience Hall. "Have the on-duty attendants warned they're about to get a very special patient, one we have been waiting on for four months."
"Yes, Your Highness!" They said, and scrambled off.
Luna looked to a squad of fast-flying Night-wing guards. "You six. These are your assignments: bring Team Harmony and Spike the news. You, go and make sure the special express that is waiting at Ponyville is ready to bring them here."
"At once, Your Highness!" The seven guards saluted and took off.
Luna headed for Celestia's chambers, to inform her sister of the news. Celestia had already informed Luna that she wished to be present for the birth, and Luna acknowledged her sister's place with Twilight as she gave birth.
=======
Twilight was sitting in the parlor off the bedroom she and Stellar shared when they were home together, reading a treatise by a well-published supposed 'expert' in the field of maternity care. Velvet was sitting beside Twilight as she had done many a time since Twilight returned to Canterlot, talking with her daughter about birthing and raising foals, passing her experience on to Twilight.
Velvet chuckled. "My dear daughter, Doctor Straight Lace's theories on foal-rearing, while interesting, comes from a pony who has never given birth or raised foals herself." She told Twilight. "If she had, she would have found most of her theories will not stand up to the way foals act and react to their parents. You certainly didn't fit into any of her theories." Velvet said with a chuckle.
Twilight smiled and winced, as it felt like the foal had kicked her again. "She's certainly active tonight." Twilight told her mother.
Velvet nodded. "She will be, right up until the birth." She assured Twilight. "You were the same, always treating my bladder like it was a hoofball." Velvet chuckled.
Twilight was grinning, but then gasped and wriggled. "Mama!" She said as she curled up on herself.
"Twilight!" Velvet exclaimed, then checked as a rush of fluids came out of Twilight. "Oh my! Your waters just broke."
Twilight growled. "No kidding." She replied through gritted teeth as she felt the first major contraction.
"Easy, Daughter." Velvet said as she rubbed Twilight's belly. "We mares have been giving birth since way before Time started being recorded. You will do just fine." She assured her daughter.
Then Stellar appeared in the living room and moved into the parlor where Twilight and Velvet were seated. Seeing her sister confirmed her feelings, then she nodded at Velvet. "Luna's started getting things ready." She told Twilight and Velvet.
Velvet smiled and nodded. "Good. I'll go get your father." She rose and left.
Stellar moved to Twilight. "So, she really wants out, then?" Stellar asked Twilight.
"Yeah, no shize Sherlock." Twilight replied, grunting. "Hey... we didn't send a message. How did you know?"
Stellar chuckled. "I felt it too, Sis. Twins, remember?"
"Oh buck, I forgot you can sometimes feel what I do." Twilight said, hoof-facing herself. "Can you feel the contractions?"
"I'm not sure." Stellar replied. She checked Twilight's teats. "Yeah, you're bagged up nicely and are ready to feed her when she comes out." Stellar told Twilight.
"Uhhh... good. I was worried that, since I didn't go..." Twilight began
"Yeah, through pregnancy normally, you might be lacking there." Stellar finished.
Twilight nodded. "So... Luna's really getting the Royal med-unit ready for me?" She asked.
Stellar chuckled. "Oh yeah." She confirmed. "Even Celestia left strict instructions that she was to be woken."
"Oh Faust." Twilight groaned. "I'm going to have the Palace in an uproar."
Stellar giggled. "That's what happens when the Diarch's favorite and substitute daughter goes into labor." Stellar pointed out to Twilight.
Twilight sighed. "Yeah... I guess she really does have as much emotional investment in me as Mother and Father do." Twilight agreed.
Stellar nodded. "Hey, could be worse. You've got the best facility in Equestria to give birth in, especially for this little one." Stellar nuzzled Twilight lovingly, making Twilight nicker back at her.
Then Velvet and Night Light walked in. "We're ready." Night Light said, both wearing their side-bags.
Stellar nodded. "Okay, I'll teleport you to the Audience Hall, then I'll bring Twilight more normally." She told their parents.
Velvet and Night Light nodded, and Stellar's horn lit up. A split-second later, the pair were standing in the Audience Hall, where two of the Princess' mares-in-waiting were... waiting. They smiled at Velvet and Night Light. "Please, come this way. The Princesses and doctors are standing by." They said.
Velvet and Night Light nodded and followed.
=======
Turquoise was resting comfortably, asleep in her bed, when she felt a huge pain rip through her plot. She cried out, coming awake immediately, alerting her staff. The unicorns came in quickly and dithered around her as she was able to rotate herself onto her barrel with some help. One of them, a nurse that Armus had employed, checked her over and said "Mistress! The foal is coming!"
Turquoise nodded. "I understand." She said as she panted with the pain. "Please, somepony alert Lord Darkblood and the hospital. Then get the mobile bed."
"At once, Mistress!" Two of the servants replied and left quickly. One came back with a low, wheeled bed and the four of the attendants helped her onto it. They wheeled her out of her room and down to the yard, where a special coach was being equipped to carry her to the hospital. Four earth pony stallions were being hitched up, being handled and supervised by two unicorn overseers, as the attendants helped prepare the coach for Turquoise. It was ten minutes later that the coach drove out the gates of the Darkblood estate and headed for the hospital.
= = = = =
Armus Darkblood was watching a group of newly-graduated sorcerors performing a large joint-spell together, testing their abilities to work as a large, coordinated unit. They had just completed the task successfully, when Armus saw one of his runners heading through the other senior sorcerors towards him. Frowning, he motioned his guards to clear a path towards him, and they stood firm as the runner reached him and bowed deeply. "My Lord! Lady Darkblood has gone into labour!" He stated before Armus had even said a word.
Normally Armus would have severly chastised the runner for not obeying the proper forms of greeting and recognition of his rank, but the announcement was one he had been waiting to hear for a month and so important that he signalled the runner to rise. "Get my coach ready." He told the runner, who bowed and raced off as the head of Armus' guard looked at him and nodded, signalling to the others to form up around their master. Armus was moved quickly down through the rows of assembled sorcerors and students to the main exit, where his coach pulled up beside the entrance, the runner hanging on the back. The guards took their places as the runner opened the door for Lord Darkblood, and once he was settled, the coach and guards headed off at a quick pace towards the hospital.
=======
After teleporting Velvet and Night Light to the Palace, Stellar picked Twilight up in her magic and flew them along across Canterlot. Twilight had her wings spread more for comfort and control than true flight, since Stellar was carrying her, and it felt better. "Thanks, Stellar." Twilight said to her sister. "I don't think I'd have lasted being carried in a stretcher or in a carriage."
"That's okay, Sis." Stellar replied. "I hope when it's my turn that you do the same for me."
"Damn straight." Twilight replied, to giggles from Stellar. "Another one of yours?" She asked.
"Yep." Stellar answered as they came around the palace and headed for the West Wing. There, doors in the side of the palace's third floor were open, a medical team waiting for the sisters as they approached. Stellar touched down like the properly-trained flyer she now was, and carried Twilight through to the medical unit as the doctors checked Twilight over.
"Princess Sparkle is having contractions every three minutes, Your Highnesses." Dr Rubber Hose reported to Luna and Celestia where they were waiting, as Stellar and Twilight passed through the sterilisation field and entered the delivery room. Dr Melody Lane was waiting as well, and started giving Twilight the full series of checks as Stellar was helped into a robe. Twilight was also covered over and relaxed on the table as Stellar took her position near Twilight's head, holding one hoof in her own.
Velvet and Night Light then walked into the waiting area, to join their diarchs as Twilight grunted in pain, another contraction hitting her hard. "Greetings, Your Highnesses." They both said to Celestia and Luna, giving short but deep bows.
"Greetings, Velvet Sparkle and Night Light." Celestia said, and Luna gave them a warm smile. "It seems things are going well."
"Yes, we missed out on seeing our first grand-foal born." Velvet reminded them. "But not this time." She grinned happily.
"Indeed." Luna then said. "It seems everything is going to plan this time, so far."
They watched as Stellar moved closer to Twilight and nuzzled her as Twilight started to push, Dr Lane urging her on gently, as Dr Hose joined them.
=======
Having arrived at the hospital and having been taken to a ward not unlike the Palace medical unit in Canterlot (If not as fancy), a very tired Turquoise was slowly pacing, her lovely turquoise eyes wincing in pain as she felt the contractions coming. Watching her was a medical team and her husband, Armus Darkblood. Armus sat to one side as the team helped Turquoise pace slowly, monitoring her progress, until they made her lie on the table, ready to give birth to her foal.
To anypony who saw Darkblood, they might be fooled into thinking the stallion was brooding as he watched his wife in labor, but those observant enough would just see past the mask, to see his true anxiety. He was concerned for Turquoise, not just for the foal. A small part of his heart had come to care for her in a way he'd never cared for anypony else in his long life, and while it concerned him that he should relax his normally hard emotional self with her, something about this was undeniably affecting him deeply. He hadn't loved his first wife, Prince's mother. No, their marriage had been a political arrangement, and neither had felt anything for each other. But with Turquoise, it was different. Even Darkblood had admitted to himself that he'd taken the two mares out of Love, and not just for their perfect genes. With Tourmaline gone, though, that casual affection had all been focussed on Turquoise, and it had blossomed into something rare for Darkblood: True Love.
To the medical team's surprise, Darkblood rose from where he sat and moved to Turquoise's head, holding her hoof in a loving manner and saying soft words to her as she lay there. Even Turquoise was pleasantly surprised, but she nuzzled his hoof gently and smiled at Darkblood, as he leaned down and tenderly nuzzled her in return.
"Not long now, Your Lordship." The Doctor said as she checked Turquoise's progress.
"Do you hear that, My Love?" Darkblood said. "Soon, you will hold our sacred daughter in your hoofs, and she will know you." He told Turquoise.
"I know, My Love." She replied, wincing and crying out in pain as a contraction hit her hard...
=======
An hour after her waters broke and at almost the exact same time as Turquoise, Twilight cried out as well, as another big contraction hit her, then she pushed with all her might, to feel her foal move inside her. "She's coming out!" Said Dr Lane, as she saw Twilight open right up and a tiny horn and muzzle start to emerge.
"That's it, Twi." Stellar said. She leaned forward and touched Twilight in the center of her back with her horn, and a small nerve-block spell took Twilight's pain away, leading to her crooning in relief.
"She's... not wasting... time, is she?" Twilight said between puffing.
"Nope. She wants to meet her parents and grand-parents, as well as her aunties." Stellar said, grinning.
Just then, Stellar looked behind her to see all of Team Harmony crowd into the room with the others waiting for them. Even Spike and Starlight Glimmer were there. "Look, Sis, all our friends are here as well." She told Twilight, who grinned and waved as best she could to them. The soundproofing meant all they could do was wave back, but it was enough.
Then, with a final cry from Twilight, the little foal entered the world completely...
=======
Turquoise grunted as she pushed, but her foal seemed more reluctant than Twilight's to come out. "Okay, I can see a horn..." Said the doctor. He gently checked over the foal, to see if there was anything blocking her from coming out. Luckily, the umbilical cord was not around the foal in any way, making the team breathe a sigh of relief at that. "Careful, My Lady. Don't push too hard. We don't want you tearing yourself on her wings..."
Armus held Turquoise to him as she cried out, the head of the foal finally sliding free from inside her...
=======
After Twilight's foal had come out, Stellar waited as the foal was cleaned and then given to her. "Hello, you little bundle of cute." Stellar said to the foal, who grinned up at her and wriggled. Stellar noted her lovely blue fur-color, a true cobalt blue. Then she frowned. Looking the foal over, her eyes widened as she saw a detail that made her gasp, just as Twilight delivered the afterbirth. Stellar grinned ecstatically, then moved to a panting Twilight. "Hey, Twilight, guess what?" Stellar asked.
"Wh... what?" Twilight gasped. "Is she... all right?"
"Better than all right." Stellar answered. "And we're going to have to throw our chosen names into the shredder."
"Huh?" Twilight asked, looking up. "Why?"
"Because this isn't a filly I'm holding." Stellar said, as Twilight's eyes grew almost impossibly wide. "We're the proud parents of an alicorn colt!"
That statement made all of the medical team look around in surprise. "A colt?!" They all asked.
"Oh yeah! And he's a little heartbreaker already!" Stellar said with a huge grin.
Twilight laid her head back down and grinned, then chuckled, then laughed out loud at this. "A COLT!" She yelled, and tears started coming out of her eyes as she lay there. Stellar soon joined her as they laughed together, hugging and nuzzling their new son...
=======
It took twenty minutes after Twilight's foal was born, but Turquoise soon delivered Armus' daughter to him. He smiled as she was lifted up and taken away to be cleaned. "You've done exceptionally well, Turquoise Love." Armus told her. "She is beautiful."
Turquoise smiled even through the pain as she lay there on her barrel. "I'm glad." She replied, through the panting.
When the filly was brought back, Turquoise looked her over. She was a very deep blue, almost black, with a cobalt-blue patch on her flanks, and a black mane and tail with a single white stripe showing in both. "She's so beautiful." Turquoise said.
"Like her mother." Armus agreed.
Turquoise smiled and nodded as she nuzzled Armus, then her foal. "And I know her name, too." She said.
Armus frowned at that. "I thought we had agreed on what to call her." He said, harshness creeping into his voice.
"So did I." Turquoise admitted. "But now I see her, one detail changes everything. And it is my right to name her as I see fit."
Armus' harsh face softened as he thought on this. "And what detail is that?" He asked.
"Around her horn-base." Turquoise told him. Armus looked, to see a white circular patch curled around the foal's horn, tapering on one side, like a crescent moon. "Her name is... Nightmoon." Turquoise declared.
"Nightmoon." Armus repeated, nodding to himself. "That is... perfect." He had to admit.
"Little Nightmoon." Turquoise said, hugging her foal to her, tears coming from her eyes as she softly kissed her daughter's horn.
=======
Stellar walked up to the viewing window, looking at everypony outside with the biggest grin they'd ever seen on her face. Everypony was mouthing 'what?' at her. Stellar chuckled, then breathed on the glass and wrote 'COLT' backwards to her. The looks on everyponies' faces, not even excluding Celestia and Luna, showed signs of astonishment and questioning. Stellar just nodded and hugged the foal to her. Just barely heard through the glass was an enormous out-pouring of "EEEEEEEEEEE!", Night Light holding his hoofs over his ears as even Celestia gave voice to her excitement.
Stellar laughed and turned back to where Twilight was being tenderly cleaned up. "And I have his name, too, Twi." She told Twilight as she moved to in front of her.
"Oh? I thought we were... oh yeah. Colt, not filly." Twilight answered.
"Uh-huh. Take a gander at this." And she showed Twilight the colt's forehead. Around his horn was a patch of white fur in the shape of a six-pointed star.
That made Twilight gasp. "How?" She asked, as Stellar ruffled the colt's little white mane.
"I guess being inside you had more effect than we thought." Stellar said.
"Okay... so what name have you come up with for him?" Twilight asked.
Stellar grinned wide again. "Cobalt Star." She declared.
Twilight looked surprised, then smiled back. "It.. it fits... and does lead on from his great-grandparents." She admitted. "I like it."
Stellar nodded. "Welcome to the world, little Blue." Stellar said.
"Huh?" Twilight asked. "I thought his name was..."
"It is." Stellar said. "But a colt this awesome has to have a cool nickname, and 'Blue' suits him perfectly."
Twilight frowned at a beaming Stellar, then her face softened and she started chuckling. “Okay, Blue it is. But you’re not to use it around him until he can distinguish between his name and nickname.”
“Sure, Sis.” Stellar said, and handed Cobalt Star to Twilight.
Twilight looked into Cobalt Star’s gorgeous emerald-green eyes and nuzzled him lovingly. To her surprise, he nuzzled back and gave a little squee of his own. Stellar chuckled as Twilight’s heart figuratively turned into gooey chocolate mud at this. “Yep, a real heart-breaker he’s gonna be if he can do that to you this young.” Stellar said softly to Twilight.
= = = = =
After Twilight had been transferred to one of the normal rooms, Stellar sat and watched Twilight feed Cobalt, his little tail spinning as he drank from his mother. Twilight murred softly, the feeling of Cobalt suckling was wonderful. "He's so cute in... well, almost everything he does, hey Sis?" She asked Stellar.
"Oh yeah, Twi. We have a totally incredible little colt here." Stellar had to agree.
"Hopefully, he'll keep it as he grows up." Twilight said, sounding a tiny bit concerned.
Stellar chuckled. "Are you kidding, Twi?" She asked. "He'll have the most amazing group of aunties any colt could hope to have, and a cousin who's an alicorn herself. He's going to also have the best place to grow up in, in Ponyville. And with both you and I looking after him... He's not going to lack for anything." Stellar told Twilight.
Twilight nodded. "Yeah." She sighed happily and gently nuzzled Cobalt's tail, which led to him head-butting her teats playfully. Twilight squeaked at that, as Stellar giggled behind a hoof. Twilight glared at Stellar who grinned back. "He's definitely a happy little foal, isn't he?" Twilight asked Stellar.
Stellar nodded. "Yeah. He must have absorbed all the happiness and love there was around him in Ponyville when he was there." She agreed with Twilight, as Cobalt stopped suckling and whimpered softly. Stellar picked him up and, after wiping his mouth, she put Cobalt over her shoulder as she sat there and ran her hoof up and down his spine gently. Eventually, Cobalt gave out a long, low burp, making Twilight giggle. Stellar grinned. "Even his burps are cute."
"Yeah... I haven't heard any foal burp like that before." Twilight agreed. "The Cake twins certainly didn't do anything like what Cobalt just did. They were nowhere near that... restrained." Twilight admitted.
Stellar put Cobalt back down before Twilight, and she gently nuzzled him as he playfully squiggled around on the bed. Stellar then cast some of the magic-restraining spells they'd gotten from Sunburst on Cobalt, and sighed with relief when they took effect. "Now he's safe." Stellar said.
"Yes. He's not going to go and blow holes in the Palace when he sneezes." Twilight agreed. Then Cobalt wrinkled his little nose and did sneeze. There was a pretty little shower of sparks from his horn, but nothing else. "Wow! He managed to over-ride the spells a little." Twilight said, amazed.
"Maybe because he's so charged up." Stellar suggested. She gently nuzzled Cobalt on his shoulders, and he flipped his wings out, gave a little shiver, then furled them again. Stellar smiled, laid down and nuzzled Cobalt on the muzzle, and Twilight saw Cobalt nuzzle back, nose-to-nose with Stellar.
"Damn but that's just so..." Twilight started to say, but then Cobalt turned to look at her, gave out a little series of burbles and crawled to her. Twilight held her breath, then lowered her head and met his nose with her own, nickering softly as Cobalt gripped her muzzle with his little hoofs.
"He knows his mama." Stellar said softly to Twilight.
"Yeah." Twilight's face showed how wonderful she was feeling inside at that very moment, as Cobalt nuzzled Twilight's muzzle lovingly.
Then Stellar looked up to see a number of faces looking around the corner of the doorframe: Velvet, Night Light, Luna and Celestia in the vanguard, the others peering out from behind them. Stellar looked at Twilight with a huge grin, then gestured them in. They all gathered around the bed, looking admiringly at little Cobalt, who looked back with wide eyes. Then Velvet put her head right down to gaze at Cobalt lovingly. To everypony's surprise, Cobalt gave a squeal and booped Velvet on the muzzle, giggling as Velvet pulled her head back in surprise.
Stellar had to tuck her head down behind the bed as she tried hard not to laugh, as Twilight hid her muzzle in her hoofs. Night Light had to stifle a snort of laughter as Celestia looked at Luna, both snickering.
Applejack just gave a chuckle. "Little guy's got a sense a' humor." She stated.
"And a really awesome color, too." Rainbow Dash added.
"He's just so cute." Fluttershy gave her opinion, as Cobalt looked up at Fluttershy, his eyes open wide as he slowly flapped his big wings. Fluttershy smiled softly, opened her wings and copied him, making Cobalt giggle.
"And he's such a happy little foal, too." Rarity commented.
Pinkie Pie popped-up eye-level with the bed, which caught Cobalt's attention. He slowly crawled forward, wings fluttering slightly, then pounced forward and gripped her muzzle, squealing in triumph as Pinkie giggled.
Night Light smiled at the sight. "He's quite active for a newborn." He said, looking at Twilight.
"No more than Flurry Heart was, according to Shiny and Cadance." Twilight replied.
"Apparently, being very active from birth seems to be a characteristic of alicorn foals, if the two we know of is anything to go by." Celestia then added to the conversation.
"So, what is his name?" Luna asked.
"Cobalt Star." Stellar told them all.
Velvet looked surprised, but then grinned happily. "Very appropriate." She replied. "I believe Canopus Star and Sirius Star would have approved."
Celestia smiled, then she put her head down to Cobalt, wondering if she was risking getting booped like Velvet. But Cobalt just looked up at her with wide eyes and stretched forth his little head, to touch noses with the Solar Diarch. There was a soft round of "Awwww..." as Celestia and Cobalt shared a soft touch, then Celestia moved away and let Luna do the same. But this time Cobalt gave a little coo and nuzzled Luna happily.
"Well, Sister, it seems Cobalt likes you." Celestia said as she smiled.
"Maybe it's because you're close to his own color." Rarity suggested.
"Perhaps you are right, Rarity." Luna replied as she moved back and let Night Light move to get a nuzzle from Cobalt, who burbled happily as he nuzzled his grandfather. Luna chuckled. "It seems that Cobalt prefers his grandfather." She said, winking at Velvet.
Velvet snorted, but then grinned. "Perhaps." She replied, but when she moved to Cobalt this time, moving a little slower, he happily nuzzled and then gripped Velvet's muzzle with his forehoofs, holding her so he could look her face over. To happy "Awwww's", they were amazed as Cobalt gently licked Velvet's nose with his tongue.
"Seems tha young'un's tryin' ta say he's sorry, Velvet." Applejack put forward.
"I would agree." Celestia added as she looked on.
"Heh. He sure knows how to put on the Cutes." Rainbow Dash said as she moved for her turn greeting Cobalt, as Velvet moved to hug Twilight. Cobalt poked his tongue out at Rainbow Dash, who looked shocked, but then grinned and poked her tongue out back at him, which got a giggle and a nuzzle from Cobalt.
Applejack moved up next and rubbed noses with Cobalt as well, getting a burble of babytalk as he looked up at her hat, gesturing for it. "Y'all wan'ta look at this, then?" She asked Cobalt, taking off her hat and putting it where he could sniff it. Cobalt inspected the head wear and then turned to look at Fluttershy as Applejack put her hat back on.
Fluttershy put her head down to Cobalt with a soft smile, and Cobalt let go a long coo as he nuzzled her muzzle, then moved to nuzzle right up along Fluttershy's head as he fluttered his wings again. "Aww, ain't that jus' tha cutest thing?" Applejack said as she watched this.
"Indeed." Rarity said with a soft smile as she took Fluttershy's place.
Cobalt looked at Rarity, then the others gasped as he sat up, assumed a haughty air and said "Baa!" emphatically.
Rarity smiled and replied "Indeed! Baa!" as she leaned down and nuzzled Cobalt, who burbled and nuzzled back.
Pinkie Pie giggled and gave Cobalt a big grin. Cobalt grinned back and gave Pinkie a raspberry with his little tongue. Pinkie giggled again and did the same back to Cobalt, who squealed with laughter and grabbed Pinkie's muzzle, nuzzling her close, to chuckles from everypony there.
Then it was Starlight Glimmer's turn. She moved to look at Cobalt, feeling a little apprehensive, but Cobalt frowned at her, then grabbed her muzzle and almost pulled her to him, nuzzling her tenderly. Another round of 'Awwww's" filled the room, as Starlight actually shed a tear at the little colt's perspecacity. She gave Cobalt a kiss on the forehead before moving away, to let Spike come close.
Cobalt actually moved to the edge of the bed, to look at Spike from feet to crest. He let forth a "Boo-ooo!" before waving his hoofs at Spike, who chuckled and hugged the little foal gently.
Everypony laughed softly at that, as Cobalt turned and crawled back to Twilight once again. Twilight gently picked him up and cuddled him as Cobalt snuggled into his mother. Stellar was enjoying a hug from both Velvet and Night Light as the others all looked with soft smiles at the touching scene. Then Cobalt sneezed again. Everypony but Stellar and Twilight jumped back, expecting a big explosion of mana, but just the shower of tiny sparks came out of Cobalt's horn again, and he looked relieved.
"Yeow! I thought he was gonna do what Flurry Heart did!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Stellar chuckled as Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity all nodded. "Don't worry, we applied the spells Sunburst found to use on Flurry Heart to Cobalt just before you came in. He's safe to be around, apart from the fireworks show he puts on when he sneezes." She told everypony there.
"Ain't that a relief." Applejack commented. "We had enough problems with Flurry Heart an' her explodin' horn after she was born."
Twilight was gently stroking Cobalt's spine as he lay against her, slowly curling up for a nap as everypony looked on. "Not going to happen this time." Stellar told them. "We've got this all under control, thanks to Flurry Heart and Sunburst the Crystaller."
Twilight looked up at Celestia and Luna then, her face serious. "Princesses." She said. "I know... this might be asking a lot, but... would you do us the honor of being Cobalt's godmothers?"
Velvet was a little shocked, but Night Light just nodded. He knew Velvet was still keeping the truth of Twilight's relationship with Celestia unacknowledged, but he knew the depths of the feelings they had for each other. While neither wanted to admit it publically yet, this would allow Celestia to have a much closer relationship with the Sparkle Family on a more open level than just former teacher and student. They would become as close to family as they could without actually being adopted or married into the family, and all out in the open.
Celestia, meanwhile, looked at Luna and they both nodded, their minds completely as one on this issue. "I can state for my sister and myself... we would be privelaged to be the godmothers of the newest prince of Equestria."
"That's right. He IS a prince, isn't he? Or will he have to wait until he comes of age?" Stellar asked.
Celestia showed a solid affirmation on her face over this. "He is the son of a princess of Equestria, and an alicorn in his own right. We..." She indicated herself and Luna "have the right to name Cobalt Star as Prince of Equestria. And we will do so publically at his Presentation within the Chapel of the All-Mother in ten days' time." Celestia stated before them all. "You are all witnesses to this." Celestia looked around at the medical staff and guards standing in the background. "Let no pony doubt: Cobalt Star is a prince of our realm, now and forever."
"Huzzah!" Proclaimed the Guards, as applause came from the others there.
"Habbah!" Cobalt exclaimed in a sleepy voice, then dropped back to sleep again, getting a round of soft giggles and chuckles from everypony there, even the normally-staid Royal Guards.
=======
Turquoise sighed softly as she sat in one of the private rooms at the hospital. Nightmoon was between her forelegs, crushed back against her and hiding under her big wings. The figures she was hiding from were fourteen members of the Concilium Sorcerus. Seven stallions and seven mares stood in the room, standing around Armus, and they looked somewhat impatient.
"How can we tell if the foal is truly an alicorn if she will not let us examine her?" One of the older stallions asked.
"Perhaps if you didn't scare her, Lord Canteris, she might come out and deign for you to check?" One of the younger mares retorted.
"Me? Scarey? I'll have you know I have fifteen grand-foals, and none of them are scared of me!" Lord Canteris replied, looking insulted.
"Please, Councillors." Armus then said. "There is no need for this bickering, especially not in front of my recovering wife and new-born daughter!" He said sternly, making the others' grumblings subside. "I am sure Nightmoon will allow herself to be examined once she has become used to having others besides her parents present around her."
As the others started suggesting what to do, one of the older mares moved from the group and approached Turquoise and Nightmoon. Letting Nightmoon alone for the moment, she moved to Turquoise and nuzzled her with a warm smile. "Congratulations, Lady Darkblood." She said in a comforting voice. "She is beautiful... well, what we can see of her is lovely." She gave Nightmoon a grin.
Turquoise chuckled as Nightmoon's opaline-green eyes peeped over the top of her wings at the gentle voice she heard. "Thank you, Lady Dreamblossom. She is indeed a lovely foal." Turquoise agreed. "And very aware of everything going on around her, too. I have never seen a foal who was so... active this early in life."
Dreamblossom gave Nightmoon a lovely, gentle smile, and the little alicorn's wings lowered a little more, revealing her cute face. Her little nose was twitching as she scented the air for the scent of this older mare. Then she sneezed, a sound that attracted attention from the others. Dreamblossom saw Nightmoon's horn-base light up, but a suppressor ring around her horn glowed, catching the surging mana and transferring it to a large ceramic container to one side. "Well, I see Armus has made provisions for her mana-surges." Dreamblossom commented.
"Yes. We did learn after hearing what happened with Flurry Heart." Turquoise revealed. "We still do not know how they managed to stop Flurry Heart's mana-surges permanently, but this captures them effectively and allows us to keep her mana for examination."
Dreamblossom nodded as Nightmoon extended her neck and head out from behind her wings, her wings sliding down and away behind her as Dreamblossom slowly lowered her head to the new-born alicorn. With years of experience with foals, she allowed Nightmoon to scent her, reassuring the foal that she was no threat. When Nightmoon tilted her head to one side, Dreamblossom did the same, eliciting a grin from Nightmoon, a grin that Dreamblossom happily returned. Dreamblossom lit her horn-tip up, sending feelings of love and joy to Nightmoon, whose eyes widened and she moved forward slightly, flipping her wings to her sides.
"Can you turn her suppressor ring off for a moment?" Dreamblossom asked Turquoise.
"I can turn the effect down so she can respond." Turquoise answered, touching her horn to the ring and changing its glow.
"That's better." Dreamblossom said, and she touched her nose against Nightmoon's, who burbled and nuzzled the older mare. Dreamblossom let her horn light up fully and touched Nightmoon's little horn, which lit up in response to the scanning spells Dreamblossom was sending across into it. Nightmoon giggled, but kept nuzzling the older mare, as Dreamblossom checked over what the responses to the scans had been. "Oh, she is powerful, this little one. Very powerful." Dreamblossom said. "Definitely not just a unicorn. Her Itineris system is far too developed for a baby unicorn." She probed a little deeper, as Nightmoon's horn-magic changed colors. "Yes... I sense... unicorn... and pegasus magic." She said, as Nightmoon seemed to press harder against Dreamblossom's head. Then the magic changed again. "And there it is." Dreamblossom said, as everypony else in the room was listening. "It is more dormant than the others, but she also has Earth Pony magic... and something else as well, far stronger than the other magics." She told the others.
"That must be her alicorn powers." Armus suggested.
"Possibly." Lord Canteris conceded. "Are you sure... no. I will not question the veracity of readings taken by one of the wisest amongst us." He stated to the others, who nodded in agreement.
"I thank you for your confidence in my abilities, Lord Canteris." Dreamblossom replied, not moving away from Nightmoon just yet.
"Then I assume you accept my claim that Nightmoon is a true alicorn from birth?" Armus asked the councillors.
"For the time being." One of the others acceeded. "However, she will need to undergo further testing as she grows older. But for now, congratulations are indeed in order, Lord Darkblood. Your plans and breeding program have finally paid off, and given Unicornia the Royal Alicorn it has needed for so long."
There was a general consensus from the rest, as Dreamblossom stopped scanning Nightmoon and simply enjoyed interacting with the alicorn foal. Nightmoon was softly crooning as she nuzzled both her mother and her newest friend.
= = = = =
After Turquoise and Nightmoon were transferred to the Darkblood Estate, Lady Dreamblossom and a couple of the other senior sorcerors had come with them, Dreamblossom helping Turquoise to settle Nightmoon in a small parlor off the main bedroom, while the others spoke with Armus.
"If you ever need advice or help with Nightmoon, Lady Darkblood, do not hesitate to send me a message." Dreamblossom said to Turquoise. "I will always endeavor to help you with your delightful daughter."
Turquoise smiled widely. "And I thank you for that, Lady Dreamblossom. With my parents dead, I can use all the advice and experienced wisdom you can give me."
Dreamblossom nodded, then lowered her head to nuzzle Nightmoon again, who crooned happily and burbled at the soft touch of the older mare. "And I shall be keeping an eye on you too, my little one. Such as you are rare and precious enough to warrant as much of my attention as I can give you." She kissed Nightmoon on the horn, then moved away. Nightmoon looked sad, her little lips starting to tremble, until she felt her mother's gentle touch as Turquoise hugged her gently. Nightmoon watched Dreamblossom walk away to Armus, then turned her attentions back to her mother.
Dreamblossom smiled warmly at Armus. "Lord Darkblood... I will admit to you, I felt that perhaps you might not have been the best parent to raise such a beautiful filly as you have sired..." Dreamblossom looked back at Nightmoon and Turquoise for a moment, then looked at Armus again, "But I find, to my surprise and approval, that you have proven to me you can be the father she needs."
Armus gave Dreamblossom a warm smile back. "I thank you for your renewed confidence in me, Lady Dreamblossom." He replied. "Will you do the castings for Nightmoon as soon as it is possible?" He asked, escorting the older mare out of the room and down the stairs to the main foyer.
Dreamblossom nodded. "I shall do them before the week is out. In two day's time, the full moon will be in the proper aspect for the best possible reading."
"Excellent." Armus said. "We shall be waiting on tenterhoofs for your advice."
"Be assured, Lord Darkblood, I shall be over as soon as my castings are completed and the results properly tabulated." Dreamblossom told Armus, as they reached the front door of the Darkblood mansion. "I will not leave the path of Nightmoon's development and future to chance. Everything shall be done to assure her path is exactly as it needs to be."
"Then we shall be ready for you." Armus replied. "Thank you for coming."
"A great pleasure, My Lord. I am privelaged as well as thrilled that I should be amongst the first to behold and acknowledge our new Princess, as I hope to be there when she is crowned Queen of Unicornia." Dreamblossom said in reply.
"I assure you, barring interference from Mort himself, you will be there." Armus answered as Dreamblossom stepped out the front door, her attendants waiting for her. "A good night to you, Lady Dreamblossom."
"And a better night to you and yours, Lord Darkblood." Dreamblossom replied, then she turned and was surrounded by her retinue, as they headed for the two carriages waiting for them.
Armus turned back into the house, allowing his staff to finish the evening's visitations by cleaning up. He found Turquoise and Nightmoon were now in the main bedroom, awaiting his arrival. Armus was divested of the rainments and badges of his office, then after being groomed, climbed onto the bed with Turquoise and settled down with Nightmoon between them. Nightmoon crooned and rubbed herself against her father, who gave her a big, warm grin and nuzzled her back.
Armus was surprised just how deep his feelings were running now. He often prided himself on staying aloof, keeping his feelings locked down and beyond affecting his judgement. He knew he'd certainly never felt this way for his son, Prince. The colt had been such a disappointment in the end. But raising him had been a learning experience for Armus. He would not make the same mistakes with Nightmoon. But she invoked so much more inside him, even more than Turquoise had done. Maybe this was what being a true father felt like. He let Turquoise place her head on his forelegs, as Nightmoon curled up between both their forelegs where they crossed, and he went to sleep that night with a feeling of contentment and love that he had never truly felt before... and was still trying to understand.
=======
Four days after Cobalt's birth, Twilight was lying out on the long terrace overlooking the gardens of the Sparkle Family home. Cobalt Star was snuggling into her forelegs as they enjoyed the fresh spring weather. Before them, on the open lawn, Stellar was doing a series of exercises with her great-sword, slinging it around, switching from fore-hoof to fore-hoof and being generally flashy with it. Her wings seemed to balance her as she stood on her hind-legs, but Twilight had been noticing that something was... different about Stellar's bipedal stance. She seemed to balance on two legs far more effectively than most ponies could, even to kicking out with one leg and balancing on the other leg for what would be an extended period of time with any other pony.
For herself, Stellar was finding that her skills were still improving with all the practise she could get. The great-sword of Canopus Star was becoming more than familiar to her, it was like it was an extension of her will, her strength, and her skill. She'd found that she was pretty much ambidextrous as well, able to hold the two-hoofed weapon in either hoof and with either left- or right-hoofed holds. She struck out with the sword in a forward thrust with her left hoof, then flipped the sword around behind her, spinning in place and swapping hoofs as she did so, then thrusting out with it in her right hoof, slamming it through a second opponent that had been behind her with equal speed and precision. By the time she was finished, she'd actually managed to work up a good sweat and was feeling much better for it. She slid the sword away in its scabbard, then made it retract back into the HS-pocket with her armor. She then started walking back towards Twilight, shaking herself and loosening her muscles, ready for a cool-down stretch.
Twilight watched Stellar as she walked along on her hind-legs, seemingly totally at ease with the normally-unusual stance. She was shaking out her fore-limbs, exaggerating her sway, grinning and stretching as she walked along. "You look happy." Twilight commented.
"Oh, I love a good workout, Sis." Stellar replied, stretching over backwards until her horn touched the ground between her back hoofs, something that had Twilight's eyes opening wide with astonishment. Then she trotted up the stairs, still on her hind-hoofs, and started doing stretching exercises as Cobalt made little noises as he watched, fascinated by his second-mother's movements. "There's nothing like it to keep one supple and ready for action."
"Yes, well..." Twilight started to reply. "But... you're still standing on your hind legs, Sis. You haven't dropped back to all-fours for nearly an hour." Twilight pointed out. "Most other ponies would have gone back down after only five minutes at the most. How can you be so comfortable just on two legs?"
Stellar shrugged. "I don't fully know, Twi'. But I have a theory, and it's to do with my origins." Stellar revealed as she plopped her front hoofs down and stretched out her back legs to her sides until her belly almost touched the ground.
"Your origins?" Twilight asked.
Stellar nodded. "Yeah. We know I come from another culture, one that has a lot of bipedal races in it." Stellar reminded Twilight.
Twilight nodded. "Yes, I remember." She confirmed. "Kind-of creepy, in a way. Then again, griffons spend a good deal of time on their hind paws, and minotaurs, diamond dogs and sphinxes are bipedal, so I guess it's not that unusual for Equis, just for ponies in general."
Stellar nodded. "Yep. But one thing I have noticed about myself and what I do know, Twi'." Stellar then said. "A great deal of my fighting moves and martial arts moves are designed for somepony who's bipedal." Stellar pointed out.
Twilight's eyes widened and she nodded back. "Yes, you're right! But... how can that be?"
Stellar walked down the stairs to the lawn again and picked up a bucket of water that had been warming in the sun. She poured the warm water all over her and shook out, even flicking it off her wings. "I think... it's just a theory, mind you, but it does fit the facts of what I know... maybe my former body might have been a bipedal or anthropomorphic pony." Stellar told Twilight. She flashed out her wings, holding her forelegs above her as she radiated heat out of her body, drying herself almost instantly. "Damn, but I love being able to do that." She grinned.
Twilight blinked as her mind went into power-contemplation mode. "That... that's... kind-of weird... but it does make sense." She agreed. "If the races in whatever your former culture was were mostly bipedal, it stands to reason everything to do with it would be designed around that stance." She thought out-loud.
"Exactly." Stellar agreed. "So why wouldn't I feel comfortable standing and moving that way?" She asked.
"That's very true, Sis." Twilight said, frowning. "But you aren't going to do it all the time, are you?" Twilight asked.
"Not outside of practise or fighting... mostly." Stellar answered. "After all, it is not usually seen, and I can run a lot faster on all-fours, as anypony knows." She grinned. "Plus if I spent my entire time standing up, then I'd stand out for all the wrong reasons. I'd rather stand out for the right reasons."
"Yes, that's always better." Twilight agreed as she got up. "Could you watch over Cobalt for a while? I have to go and get something to eat." Twilight asked Stellar as she dropped to all-fours and approached the couch.
"Of course, Twi'. Go and get something good into you. I'll look after Blue." Stellar replied as she nuzzled Cobalt, eliciting a coo of pleasure and a nuzzle back.
Twilight nodded as she got up, nuzzled Cobalt as well and headed inside.
= = = = =
Later, as she headed back outside, Twilight heard a loud squeal of delight from Cobalt Star as she walked back out onto the terrace, a sound that made her smile. But what did not make her smile a few moments later was seeing Stellar jumping rope by herself, with Cobalt tucked into a pack on her front and bouncing ever-so-slightly with Stellar as the rope whirled around them. Twilight could see that Stellar was hopping from one rear-hoof to the other occasionally, skipping quickly as Cobalt giggled and watched. He was wearing something on his head, Twilight could see, and his wings were firmly tucked into the pack.
"MA! MA! MA! MA! MA! MA! MA! MA!" Cobalt was calling out every time Stellar hopped, and Twilight couldn't figure out if he was talking to Stellar, calling for her or just saying 'More!' every time the rope passed him. Twilight eventually settled down and just watched, realising that Cobalt wasn't in any danger at all... really, although a part of her was screaming to get Cobalt away from Stellar.
Every so often, Cobalt would let out a squeal and giggle when Stellar changed hoofs, and Twilight just shook her head. "My son, the adrenaline junkie." She said more to herself than anypony else. "Ah well, between the two of us, he's going to be as fit as can be and as learned as can be." Twilight said with a smile.
Eventually Stellar stopped skipping, and Cobalt let out a disappointed-sounding "Beh!"
Stellar chuckled. "Sorry, Blue, but I have to get ready for my night job soon." Stellar told him, as she coiled up the skipping rope and slid the pack from her, Cobalt frowning as Stellar put him down in front of Twilight.
"What is that on his head?" Twilight asked, sensing the magic in it.
"It's a special little helmet for Blue, Twi'." Stellar answered. "It keeps his little head safe from bumps and being rattled around while we do anything. It's got an inertial-dampening spell on it." She explained.
Twilight was impressed. "Good thinking, Sis." She told Stellar. "Anything else for him?"
Stellar nodded. "I'm working on a harness for him, too, so we can take him flying with us." She told Twilight. "It'll help him with his flight magic, and if he falls, it'll slow his descent rate to where he can hover if he has to, even with the suppression spells on him fully-active. And if he hits the ground, the same type of inertia-dampening magic will make sure he doesn't feel a thing." Stellar grinned at Twilight and Cobalt.
"Oh, that will be fun, taking him flying from an early age." Twilight agreed.
"Aren't Shiny, Cadey and Flurry coming over later this week for Cobalt's Presentation ceremony?" Stellar asked as she stretched her muscles again.
"Oh yes, they are." Twilight answered. "They're going to adore Cobalt."
"And little Fluffers is going to see an alicorn younger than she is." Stellar added, grinning.
"That's going to be interesting." Twilight agreed.
"Should we take him to the Crystal Empire and let Cobalt go through a crystalling as well, do you think?" Stellar asked.
"I'm not sure." Twilight replied. "We can always ask Cadance."
Stellar nodded as Cobalt watched a butterfly float serenely across the terrace. "Boooh!" He commented as his big wings flapped, his magic almost having him lift off the long couch Twilight and Cobalt were resting on.
Stellar chuckled. "Oh yeah, he is going to love flying with us, Sis." Stellar said. "I have to go get ready, Sis. See you and Cobalt for Dinner."
Twilight nodded, and Stellar headed inside, as Cobalt watched everything around him. Twilight gently nuzzled the baby colt, and he rolled his head back and returned her nuzzle, making soft noises as he almost radiated his love for his mother.