Soarin’ told Star about his parents. How they never really cared for him. He told her about the time when his father would come home and beat him and how he would call out for his mother’s protection and she would ignore him. Tears were running down his face. For the longest time he blamed himself for what his parents did to and it always bothered him, but being with Twilight made it better.
Star was appalled and she was on the verge on crying herself. She had her hooves wrapped around him and she comforted him like a mother would comfort a foal. The thought that a pony would do that to their own foal made her sick.
“On my sixth birthday my dad particularly upset because he got turned down for a promotion to Captain. He took it out on me because I was his ‘embarrassing Pegasus’ son was the reason for it,” Soarin’ said solemnly. “While he was hitting me I tried to fly away. He grabbed me with his magic and broke my left wing. That was when I told him I was going to run away and he told me that he wouldn’t miss me and he hoped that I would die.”
Star noticed that Soarin’ stopped. “It’s ok,” she said rubbing a hoof on his back.
"I spent five days living in an alley. I didn’t care because I wasn’t around my dad. I remember falling asleep one day and I woke and saw Princess Celestia standing over me. She took me to back to the castle and gave me a bath. She got a doctor to fix my wing and I…” Soarin’ began to choke up.
“You looked towards her for comfort and safety because that is what you desperately needed,” Star said. She pulled out of the embrace and sat next to the stallion.
“I did and the princess showed me love. She showed what it was like to have a parent that cared; to have a mother that loved her foal. I spent a few weeks living with Celestia in the castle. After that I moved in with Spitfire and her mother,” Soarin’ said his eyes starting to dry. “She would visit me whenever she could. She would help me with my homework, take me to the park, or just spend time with me,” Soarin’ said a small smile growing on his face.
“That’s good to hear Soarin’, anypony would lucky to have you as a son,” Star said. “Now I guess I owe you an explanation.”
“I guess.”
“I remember that it was a particularly cold winter night. I was visiting the Princess to request more funding for the Royal Observatory. I worked there with my husband and I still do. The guard led me to the medical wing…”
Star Sparkle followed the guard into the quite medical ward. It was mostly used for guards who caught the flu or something small like that, but she was lead into the Princess’s personal room. Star looked inside the room as the guard told the princess of her presence. Princess Celestia was sitting on a bed with a light blue Pegasus colt curled up next to her. She could hear their conversation.
“How does your wing feel?” Celestia asked looking at the cast wrapped around the colt’s wing.
“It still hurts a bit,” he responded timidly. “I’m getting tired.”
“Then get some rest my little pony,” the white alicorn said gentle draping the colt with her wing like a blanket.
The colt snuggled into the Princess. “Good night momm-,” Soarin’ tried to stop himself. He looked up to the Princess and saw a look of shock on her face. “I’m sorry, please don’t hurt me,” Soarin’ sped out, frantically back away from the Princess. His hit the head board and he tried to hide under the pillow.
The Princess slowly moved closer to the frightened colt. She picked him up and cradled him in her hooves. “It’s ok my little colt. Don’t be afraid. I would never hurt you,” she cooed in his ear. Celestia never saw herself as a mother, but her instinct told her he had to do this. She sat him down on the bed pillow and tucked him in. “Good night Soarin’,” she said softly placing a kiss on his forehead. “Sweet dreams my son.”
“Soon after the Princess asked me about what I did as a mother. I had a feeling she kept visiting you,” Star explained. “One thing I would like to know is: What ever happened to your parents?”
“I’m not sure, but Princess Celestia told me that they were paying for the crimes they committed.”
“That’s good to hear…” Star said. “Soarin’ is was nice to be able to talk to you, but I should probably get going. Crescent is going to wonder where I am,” Star said standing. “Soarin’ you are a great stallion and as long as you are with Twilight you are family to me. So that means if you ever need anything you can come to me.”
“I will and thanks.”
“Good night Soarin’,” the mare said preparing to head home.
“See you soon,” Soarin’ said waving good bye to the unicorn. Soon after Twilight’s mother left and got into to his bed. He drifted off to sleep, his thoughts filled with the mare he holds dearest.
**
Celestia silently sat on her neatly made bed. Celestia had very few pictures in her bed chambers. She had a picture of her faithful student, her sister, and her son. The picture of Soarin’ she cherished the most was taken at a mother’s day celebration in Ponyville. When Soarin’ was nine, Celestia took him to the celebration and they entered an apple pie eating contest. They won. In the picture there was a pink maned Pegasus sat with a young Soarin with gold medals around their necks. Princess Celestia smiled at the memory. She felt bad for hiding who she was when she was with Soarin’, but it was necessary to protect him. She sighed slowly placing the photo back on the nightstand.
“Hello dear sister,” a voice came from Celestia balcony.
Celestia turned and found her sister, Luna, standing on her balcony. “Hello Luna, your night is beautiful as usual,” Celestia commented.
“Thank you,” Luna said trotting over to her seated sister. “When were you going to tell me that you were a mother?”
Celestia was surprised at her sister's question. “I’m sorry Luna I haven’t told you yet,” Celestia apologized. “I was not trying to hide it from you.”
“I understand.”
“How did you find out about it?”
“When I was corrupted by Nightmare Moon I always tried to fight her corruption. While I was imprisoned on the moon the spirit would leave my body so I would suffer and hopefully break. When the Nightmare would leave me I would have enough magic so I would watch the dreams of sleeping ponies,” Luna explained. “One time I entered the dream of a colt named Soarin’. It was more a nightmare and I saw the abuse his parents put him through. I know foal abuse is rare, but I continued to view this colt’s dreams. I was worried about him, so I used what little magic I had to give him some refuge from the abuse in his sleep.”
“I continued to help him through help him, until one time his nightmare started to stop. Instead of dreaming about his parents, he dreamt about a mare that cared for him. A mare the love and cared for him, and that mare was you sister.”
“I’ve tried to be a good mother.”
“I’m sure you have been sister,” Luna stated. “I’m sorry but I have duties to attend to, I’ll see in the morning Tia.”
“Have a good night Luna, I’ll see you at breakfast.” Celestia rested her head and rested her eyes.
***
Soarin’ was trotting through the lively streets of Cantelot. He was wearing a simple white collar and black tie. He usually didn’t like dressing up, but this was important night and he wanted to look nice for Twilight. He was head towards the Sparkle household; he needed to talk to Twilight’s father. Soarin’ read that is tradition to ask the mare’s father for his blessing to propose. ‘I don’t need to ask, but I don’t want to hurt Twilight’s relationship with her father so I will.’
Soarin’ reached the Sparkle’s house.
*knock* *knock*
While Soarin’ waited for the door to be answered checked his saddle bag. Inside of it was a small black box holding a gold necklace with the charm in the shape his cutie mark, a winged lightning bolt. Soarin’ was nervous because in a few hours he is going to be asking Twilight is she wanted him to be her stallion and husband.
The door slowly opened and Soarin’ was greeted by Shining Armor.
“Hello Soarin’,” Shining greeted. “Aren’t you taking Twilight on a date?”
“Yes, but I need to talk to her dad, Crescent,” Soarin’ said fearing his conversation. He knew that Crescent didn’t like him and has no indication that he ever would, but he hoped that this might help. ‘Maybe when he knows I want to marry Twilight he might give me a chance.’
“Of course, he is in the kitchen,” Shining said letting Soarin’ in. “He’s right in there,” Shining lead him to the kitchen door. “Have a nice date with Twilight and be good to her.”
“I will.” Soarin’ entered the kitchen and saw Crescent sitting at the table. He was sipping a cup of coffee reading the newspaper. “Hello Mr. Sparkle,” the Wonderbolt greeted. Crescent set the paper down on the table and looked towards Soarin’. He knew that he wasn’t happy to see Soarin’.
“Don’t you have a date tonight?” he asked trying to keep his voice calm.
“Yes, but there is something I need to ask you.”
“What could the great Wonderbolt possible need?” Crescent asked sarcastically.
‘Ok Soarin’ just ask him,’ Soarin’ tried pump himself up. “I would… uh like your blessing to marry your daughter, Twilight,” Soarin’ asked.
“No,” Crescent replied curtly.
“What?” Soarin’ asked. ‘Did he say what I think he said?’
“I said no. I don’t want you to marry my daughter,” the unicorn explained. “And if you know what’s good for you, you will break up with Twilight and stop seeing her tonight.”
Soarin’ stood in stunned silence.
‘He doesn’t want me to marry her, why didn’t I expect that?’
Soarin’ loved Twilight and couldn’t break her heart, but he didn’t want to ruin her relationship with her father. ‘What if I propose and Crescent doesn’t want to see his daughter? I could never live with myself if I caused something like that.’ Soarin’ never really had a father and he knew what it felt like, and he knew that he didn’t want Twilight to go through that.
“If that is everything, you can show yourself out,” Crescent said shooing Soarin’ off.
Soarin’ hung his head and trotted towards the door. He trotted out of the door and looked out towards the city. ‘I could go meet Twilight,’ Soarin’ thought looking towards the Golden Pegasus. ‘Or I could go home. I might break her heart, but at least she will still have a father. What do I…’ Soarin’ thoughts were interrupted by somepony calling his name.
“Soarin’… Soarin’…” the voice called.
Soarin’ turned and saw Twilight’s mother leave her house gallop towards him.
“Oh hi Mrs. Sparkle,” Soarin’ said sadly.
“Soarin’ where are you going?” she asked. “You have a date with Twilight.”
“Crescent wants me to break up with her,” Soarin’ said.
“I heard, I want you to go and propose to Twilight,” Star said grabbing Soarin’.
“But…”
“No buts, Twilight loves you and you love her. I want you to marry her because I know you will treat her right. So you are going to go eat with her then ask her, you got me.”
Soarin’ saw Star staring into his eyes. He didn’t know which scared him more: Twilight’s father or her mother. “But I don’t want to ruin Twilight’s relationship with her father.”
“Don’t worry about Crescent, I’ll deal with him,” Star stated reassuringly.
“Ok.”
“Now go be with my daughter,” Star said pushing him.
“I will and thanks,” Soarin’ said heading towards his date.
“Make my daughter happy.” Star watched as Soarin’ flew towards the Golden Pegasus and her daughter. All she could think about was her daughter and how soon she was going to be getting married. She retired to her home, she had to talk to her husband.