//------------------------------// // Luna's Hearth's Warming // Story: Mother Moon, Joys of Parenthood // by ShadowStar_IMHP //------------------------------// It was almost time for Hearth’s Warming and throughout Canterlot the ponies were decorating. In the royal castle Neat and Tidy the two castle decorators were finishing up on the grand hall decorations. Both were twins the only thing different was their mane’s colors one silver the other a golden yellow. “Wonderful decorations Neat and Tidy. I see there are figures on the hearth already.” Celestia spoke as she entered the hall. “There is more this year than before.” Luna followed her sister into the hall looking at the fireplace mantle had an assortment of Celestia figures. Though there were more of her sister she did see some of herself as well. “Why are there so many? I thought the tradition was one doll for a pony.” “These are the award-winning figures from across the land. Each represents a different city. This year some send both figures of you and your sister. So we ended up with more than we have space for. Some were quite a cleaver making the two figures interconnect like so.” Neat’s horn glows a golden hew and two figures move together with the bases of both fit like puzzle pieces. “This piece when viewed from above mimics the Equestrian Flag. Even have both your cutie marks in the center.” Celestia moves closer spotting another set of figures of Cadence “Cadence got more this year as well.” Tidy nods “Indeed she has been more outspoken lately. She always been popular, but now she displaying a bit more assertiveness.” Tidy looks to Luna “I think your training in combat might have unexpected effects.” Luna blinks “Really? Part of the training is self-confidence.” Luna then spots another set of figures that fit together this time Luna and Celestia were looking down at a figure of Nightshade. “I see Nightshade also has a few fans.” “Ah yes, that from Ponyville. She did make quite a rememberable display during Nightmare Night.” “That reminds me. I think we should decorate the personal suites for Hearths warming. Perhaps have our private ceremony in Nightshade’s suite. That way she can open her presents in peace out of the public eye?” “Very well Princess we will start decorating your suites right away.” Tidy states as he brings a notebook up to make a memo. “No, tidy. I think for the private suites it should be... well us as a family to decorate. A little normal life activity.” “Ah, yes that a good idea Princess. We shall deliver the decorations to your doors tonight.” “Indeed a good idea Luna. A nice family gets together will be enjoyable. Should we include Prince Blueblood?” Celestia taps her chin thinking. "I would include Princess Cadence and Shining Armor but they already left to go to her parents." “He is family and I'm sure it be more enjoyable for him than that snotty Upper Crust yearly Hearth's Warming Party,” Luna replied. Celestia then looks to Neat and Tidy. “Thank you Neat, and you as well Tidy. I have Hearth’s Warming cards to send out.” With a turn, Celestia turns heading out. Luna nods joining Celestia on the way out of the hall. Once at the suite she enters “Okay Peppermint you have the rest of the day off. I’m taking Nightshade shopping, and to say goodbye to Buttercream and Cream Puff before they leave for Baltimare. The sounds of a chair being pushed aside and a purple filly running under the couch were her answer. “Sorry Princess but Nightshade... being a bit stubborn." Peppermint heart states as he rights the chair then goes to the couch. “Nightshade if you don’t go, they leave anyway without saying goodbye to you. Don’t you want to say goodbye?" “NO, BYE BYE!" Nightshade screams as she leaps in the air throwing a tantrum and a stuffed cow at Peppermint Heart. Then Luna lights her horn and Nightshade was caught in the blue magic field. Luna looked down at her daughter. “Nightshade we need to get going stop arguing.” “NO!” The little filly crossed her hooves sitting down in front of her Mother. “I don’t want them to go either, but pouting here isn’t going to stop them.” Luna’s horn lights up and Nightshade lifts off the ground still pouting. Luna looks at her daughter who was now hovering upside down. “Me being your mother, you don’t get the option of not going.” “She... didn’t break anything did she Peppermint Heart?” “Oh no just lots of stomping and throwing stuffed animals. Typical royal pain.. er.. royal temper tantrum.” “She can be a hoof full, we don’t pay you enough.” “Nonsense, I think she holds back. I heard about how she thew vases as Gentle Breeze during that first magic surge.” Luna shakes her head wondering what stories the staff share about her daughter. “Have a Happy Hearth’s Warming Peppermint Heart.” “You too as well Princess Luna.” “Now come along Nightshade we going to be late and miss them.” “NO!” Nightshade continues to swings her hooves about to no avail as Luna carried her out of the suite and along the halls of the castle. At one time Nightshade would not be distracted easily. Once she would hold a grudge for a thousand years. Now having the body of a foal not even a year old all the pretty lights and decoration for Hearths warming distracted her. “ooh ah” Luna sighs trying to figure out if it was good her former darker side was now a foal or not. There were times when she looked at her daughter and swore her eyes were cold, calculating, then others... the sound of foalish laughter stopped her though and she looked back seeing Nightshade in a pose with one of the wreaths around her neck. “How did... never mind.” With a quick thought, the wreath went to a passing maid. “Please take care of that Glitter Dust.” “Of course your majesty.” The maid didn’t even seem surprised. Even the staff was getting used to the mischief-maker that was Nightshade. It wasn’t long after that Nightshade settled down and riding on Luna’s back the two walked the streets of Canterlot. With guards following of course still far enough away that the illusion of privacy was there. The lights and decorations of the holiday were on full display as they continued to the train station. Luna smiles brighten seeing what she can truly say was her best friend, Buttercream. “Buttercream! Good, I was afraid we miss you, Nightshade was pouting that you two were leaving.” Buttercream was loaded with bags. Saddlebags were stuffed hanging off her sides. The baby stroller had items stuffed in any nook and cranny she could find. There was even a pouch or two in the carriage with Cream Puff. Luna holds back a laugh seeing the filly stuffing her stuffed bunny in one of those pouches. “Almost Luna. Luckily the train running a little late. OH, that reminds me almost forgot to give you this.” Buttercream pulls out a package and hands it over to Luna. “Happy Hearths Warming Luna. Open it!” “You didn’t need to get me anything, besides it not Hearths Warming yet.” “I won’t be here for Hearths Warming. So do it now come on.” Luna smiles and opens the package lifting a blue sweater with white snowflakes designed in it. “Oh... Buttercream’s beautiful. I um... well” A flash and a package appear before Buttercream. “I needed help, Pinkie Pie gave me a few ideas.” Buttercream opens the package and gasps. Tossing the wrapper aside it revealed a brand new Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield. “Luna... this is a Kitchen Aid Mixer. His products are some of the best.” “It was nothing a few hundred bits. Just change for me.” “hun... hundred bits?” “Closer to three.” “I.. this is too expensive I can’t.” “Expensive? I have been going over my account records I think I make three times that per day if I include interest.” Buttercream’s ears lay back then she shakes her head. “This what I get for being friends with a pony that has a bank account older than most banks. Luna I need to show you what life is like for a... well common pony. A cheap version of this item can go about 50 bits.” “really? Well, I did want top-quality and the reviews for this item were very good.” “Thank you, Luna. I will cherish it every time I make a cake, just what am I going to do with it now?” “I got that taken care of.” With another flash of magic, the mixer was gone. “There if I remember right it in your living room. Luna looks down spotting the two foals in Buttercream’s baby stroller. Nightshade was trying to hide under the covers it was almost good enough if her tail wasn’t showing. “Looks like you got a stole away.” With a glow of her horn, Nightshade comes floating out via the telekinetic. “Has she been giving you trouble?” “She doesn’t want you to leave. I’m with her, we are going to miss you two.” “We going to miss you as well, but my mother hasn’t seen Cream Puff since she was born. It only a week then we are back.” Luna felt shocked when Buttercream hugs her, then she returns it with her hug. “Got to tell me all about it when you get back. Happy Hearths Warming Buttercream, you too Cream Puff.” Luna adds a sound barrier around Nightshade to cut out the wailing. She smiles sadly as the two boarded the train. Looking up she spots that Nightshade wasn’t wailing and dropped the sound spell. “Finish fussing? They are going to be back soon my foal it’s just a week.” Pouting “No” crosses her forelegs floating in Luna’s magic. “Come on Nightshade. We still have some shopping to do." This got Nightshade stopping her fussing and she looks at Luna. “Oh this going to be a good doozy!” Both Luna and Nightshade gasp in surprise and turned to look at the Pink pony of surprises Pinkie Pie. “How... when did you get here Pinkie Pie.” “Oh, I took the train to see It’s right there.” The Princesses turn to look at the train pulling into the station. “But it just arrived.” “Of course how else would I get here?” Pinkie Pie says tilting her head. Luna looks at a very confused looking Nightshade shakes her head then looks to the Train as the rest of the Mane 6 got off the train. “Princess Luna, and Nightshade. We getting a Royal reception.” Rarity bows before the princesses then did a double-take seeing Pinkie Pie standing by them. She shakes her head chalking it up to Pinkie being Pinkie. “Ah Lady Rarity, no we were here to say fair well to our friend Buttercream. She and her daughter are spending Hearth’s Warming with her family in Baltimare.” “As much as I wish to be Princess Luna, I am not a noble.” “Really? Hmm. Well, I and Nightshade have some shopping to do. We see you at the Play I’m looking forward to watching your performance.” “Happy Hearth’s Warming Princesses.” Twilight Sparkle smiles and waves as the group separate. “They aren’t nobles... I wonder.” Luna mumbles to herself as they head to the shopping district. It wasn’t long before they came to the shops that Nightshade whacked her upside the head. “TIA!” “Celestia where?” Luna looked around expecting her sister. “NO, Tia...” Nightshade points to a shop. “Oh, you think there a present in there? Alright, let see what we can find.” A mischief smile comes to her face matching her daughters as they walked along the shop shelves. “TIA!” Nightshade motions to some cushions one was a sky blue with gold trim. “Indeed that does look like her. Alright, we got her gift.” ------------------------------ Time has passed on and the day of Hearth’s Warming has arrived. In the private suite of Princess Nightshade, the Royal family was sitting by the fire. “Ah, a nice family get together. Much more relaxing than going to Upper crust Hearth’s Warming party. I thought I would have to be very vocal about how abusive you were Aunt Celestia. Treating to take my weekly allowance if I didn’t”.. Prince Blueblood makes air quote motions with his forehooves. “Spend Quality time with the family. On the plus side, I don’t have to listen to Father introducing me to yet another Proper Noble Unicorn Mare.” He sighs and picks up a mug of hot cocoa. “Your welcome Blueblood.” Celestia sips her tea and notes Nightshade has disappeared. “Where Nightshade?” Just then the deep purple glow of Nightshade magic moved a small box in white wrapping decorated in crayons over to Luna. “Seems it time for presents.” Taking the gift from her daughter she opened the box and gasps. Lifting a small figure of a silvery pegasus with a deep blue mane. Tears came to her eyes and she wipes them away. Luna had on the deep blue sweater from Buttercream on. “Luna? What is it.” “it.. a figure of Shadow Striker. Not quite right but close enough... but how.” She saw a card in the box. Dear Princess Luna The other day I was walking Nightshade when she saw a porcelain shop. After a game of 20 questions, I figured out what she wanted. This figure is the result of those many questions. I don’t know who he was but it was clear he was important to Nightshade and this was your Hearth’s Warming gift. Signed Peppermint Heart. Luna horn glows and Nightshade was snatched up and given a hug. “Thank you Nightshade.” “Aww, I wish I could have met the... wait how did Nightshade know what her father looked like?” Blueblood lowered his mug puzzling it over. “Blueblood I guess you can learn another top secret. Nightshade is older then she looks. Her body new but her mind was once Nightmare Moon.” “Nightmare? Well, that kind of explains a few things. Is she safe?” “PBTHHHHHHH” the little purple filly blew a raspberry at him. “Of course Blueblood. She was once the Nightmare, that is no longer the case. Besides, do you want to be known as the Stallion who locked up a baby? To all extent and purpose, Nightshade is a foal in mind and body. Just has some memories from long ago, but her life begins on that Summer Sun Celebration.” Luna adds lowering down Nightshade and seeing the filly run to the gifts again. “I would have to agree to that. Not even my father would dare use that in his plots.” A gift wacks him upside the head. “Very funny Royal pain.” He takes the gift and opens it to see a gold compass. “It lovely Nightshade. Oh, look even got the compass rose to match my cutie mark.” A large present was pushed slowly to Celestia it being too large for Nightshade to use her magic on. “Thank you Nightshade.” Celestia opens it to see the sky blue pillow. “A lovely cushion” She rises and moves the cushion to sit and as she lowers a loud “BBBBBBBFRRRRFFFFF” sound was heard. “A whoopee cushion.” From outside the royal suite, the guards could hear the laughter of Blueblood, Luna, and the joyful glee of a filly. In Ponyville Pinkie Pie smiles. “Nope Not yet. That wasn’t the doozy.” ------------------------------ Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie walk into the court chamber. They expected to see Celestia but on the throne was Luna. “Oh, Luna what’s the problem? We came as soon as we could.” Twilight speaks up glancing at the other ponies gathered. Nobles and newspaper ponies were in attendance. What was going on? “The problem was I became aware you weren’t rewarded properly for saving me and Nightshade, not to mention saving all of Equestria from Nightmare Moon. All six of you need to bow now.” Luna stood up and walked down the steps. “It not often done in modern times but there is no reason I can’t use my royal right, so. For service to the kingdom above and beyond the call of duty. By the powers vested in me, I grant you, six heroes of Equestria, the noble rank of DAME. From this day forward you are so knighted.” She smiles “Arise Lady Twilight Sparkle, Lady Rarity, Lady Fluttershy, Lady Apple Jack, Lady Rainbow Dash, and Lady Pinkamena Diane Pie.” “Dame.... me a real noble. Lady? Oh my.” Rarity rises only to fall back onto a couch Pinkie Pie pushed into place just at the right time. “Now this is the Doozy!” Pinkie Pie says as she bounces around the others who were stunned. Luna smiles “Happy Hearth’s Warming my friends.”