//------------------------------// // To Be a Parent - Ch. 4 // Story: Two Lives Becoming One // by manuccia //------------------------------// Princess Celestia’s bed chambers were large and elegant, yet surprisingly cozy. On the northeastern wall there was a luxurious balcony looking out towards the great cities of Manehattan and Baltimare. On the balcony sat a simple wooden table. The regal white alicorn herself and her ever faithful student were enjoying a simple lunch. Twilight silently sat in her seat; staring at the daisy sandwich that occupied her plate. She really didn’t feel hungry and only nibbled on the crust of her meal. She sighed, slowly pushing the plate away from her. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous. ‘I know the Princess usually likes me to solve my problems, but she is always willing to help. Why does this question scare me so much?’ The Princess of the Sun took one last judicious bite of her slice of cake. Levitating her napkin, the Princess whipped the excess pink frosting off her muzzle. While doing so she noticed the student’s aloof demeanor. Celestia has known Twilight for many years and she knew when Twilight has something on her mind. “I’m glad you came today Twilight,” Celestia said breaking the silence. “I enjoyed eating with you, but was there something you wanted to talk to me about?” “Nothing…” Twilight answered quickly. ‘I don't really need to know… stop right there.’ Twilight reminded herself why she was there. ‘This isn’t about me… this is about the stallion I call me husband… the stallion that wakes up every morning and takes care of me…’ She took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts. “I-I need help looking for a mare,” she answered. “I have been looking for her for months now and I haven’t made any progress.” “What’s her name?” “She is a Pegasus… her name is Rising Sun…” Celestia was shocked. She didn’t expect to hear that name anytime soon, let alone from her student. “Why are you looking for her?” “Soarin’ has been with me every step of the way helping through my pregnancy. He is the best stallion I could ever ask for and I want to thank him,” the studious mare responded. “This mare was his adoptive mother; she took care of him and raised him into the stallion that I fell in love with. Father’s day is coming up and I wanted to do something special for him and I was hoping to find her.” Images of the blue maned colt filled Celestia mind. The colt she took in as her son. “I need to tell you a story Twilight…” Celestia took a moment to prepare herself. “I assume Soarin’ told you about what his parents did to him?” Twilight nodded. “As you know foal abuse is rare in Equestria, and even when it does happen there always plenty of ponies willing to adopt a foal,” Celestia explained. Twilight was ready to give out the exact crime statistic, but her mind told her she should let her mentor finish her story. “When I first met Soarin’ he was a battered, bruised, and broken colt. I’ve only heard of abuse cases; never seen them first-hoof,” Celestia said sadness in her voice. “When I first saw him I didn’t want to believe that his father tortured him and mother neglected him. He told me he hurt himself trying to fly and I believed him because I didn’t want to believe the alternative,” Celestia said shamefully. “I took him back with me to the castle and gave a hot meal and a bath. That is when I found out his wing was broken.” “I took him to my personal doctor to have him examined. The doctor took me aside and told me that the bone in his wing was shattered. I used that to justify my denial; that it was just a flying accident and his parents were out looking for him, but that didn’t last. The doctor told me that the only way his wing bone could’ve been broken was if it was deliberate, and that it was his opinion that the colt, Soarin’, was living in an abusive household.” Twilight remembered when Soarin’ told her about this, but he never talked about his time with the Princess. “I had found a family to take him in,” Celestia said. The white princess decided that Twilight didn’t need to know that she almost had another brother. “But for some reason he clung to me for comfort and protection.” “Could it be because you are a Princess?” Twilight asked. “Still he didn’t know me other than being the ruler of Equestria. He clung to me because I was the first pony to show him love. He felt safe around me, so I took care of him.” Twilight was confused. “What about Rising Sun?” Twilight asked. “That’s an alias… my alias.” “What!?! You’re Rising Sun…” Twilight yelled the shock evident her voice. “Yes…” “Then why did you send him to Cloudsdale?” “As much as I would like to believe it wasn’t true, the royal court would have never accepted a pegasus as my son. I could’ve raised him, but I would never been able to protect from all the bullies and rumors,” Celestia answered. “I sent him to Cloudsdale so he could have the life he deserved, but that doesn’t mean I forgot about him. I visited him on a regular basis.” Twilight’s mind was in overdrive processing this information. She remembers Soarin’ saying that he has a special connection to Princess Celestia. “That’s why you created the alias?” “Yes,” Celestia answered quickly. “A Princess showing up in Cloudsdale would be big news, but nopony would care about a simple pegasus spending time with her son in the park.” Twilight always knew had a motherly aura to her, but she didn’t think that she was an actual mother. The fact the Rising Sun was an alias made sense given the lack of information she found. Now came the hard part, now she has to the Princess of the Sun to take a personal day to visit Soarin’. She sighed. “I was wondering if you could… I mean if you aren’t busy…” “You want to know if I could spend a day with Soarin’.” “Yes, but I understand if you can’t… I mean you are a princess,” Twilight stammered. “No, Luna can take over my duties that day, and I would mind spending a day with my son,” Celestia said. A wide smile grew on Twilight’s face. Her plan was coming together and she was prepared to say that Father’s day is going to be the best day of Soarin’s life. Twilight finished her lunch confident that her mission had been completed. *** Soarin’ quietly trotted into the living room of the Twilight foalhood home. Twilight was gently sleeping on the coach, her mother giving her tired filly a warm, motherly smile. Soarin’ had just returned from his lunch with Shining and Crescent. He enjoyed bonding with the two stallions. They ate at Pony Joe’s. Soarin’ told Shining about the twins and they toasted to the health of Soarin’s foals. Soarin’ trotted over to the sleeping mare and extended his muzzle towards her neck and lightly nuzzled her. He saw a small blush grow on her face and she mumbled something about how much she loved Soarin’. Soarin’ turned towards Twilight mother and sat next to her. “Mrs. Spark… I mean Star, can I ask you something?” Soarin’ asked. “Of course,” she answered softly, not wanting to wake her daughter. “What about?” “Your parents…” Since Crescent told him about Star’s parents. A thought plagued Soarin’s mind, one that was connected to his parents. Could she ever forgive them? “Oh… well…” Star sighed. “I assume Crescent told you.” Soarin’ nodded. She took a deep breath. “What did you want to know?” she asked. “Does it still bother you?” “I could lie and say no, but it does. I still remember the day when my parents kicked me out. They were so cold… so detached; they treated me like a tenant who couldn’t pay their rent,” Star explained. “I still remember the letter I got after I told them I was pregnant. I thought they would help, but they didn’t. They said they were so embarrassed they no longer considered me family and that they would never want me back. It hurt Soarin’, I can’t even imagine what you went through, but I found solace. Solace in my husband… my Crescent and later in my foals.” “Would you ever forgive them?” Soarin’ asked. “If they truly changed, I would,” Star answered. “Have you ever seen them again?” “Yes, it was a few days after Twilight was accepted to be the Princess’s student. The school held a welcome party for new students and they were there. I was just going ignore them, but I couldn’t. They went around bragging about their granddaughter was going the Princess’s protégé and how their daughter raised a fine young filly,” Star said her voice starting to tense up. “I ignored it at first, but when I saw them pick up Twilight I lost it. I never wanted them near my foals, so galloped as fast as possible and grabbed hold of my filly and held her tight. I was furious at them, disgusted at them. I told the whole crowd how they abandoned their pregnant daughter and the only reason they acknowledged my existence was to mooch fame off a little filly. They never changed and I don’t think they will,” Star said. She sighed, calming herself down. “Why did you want to know?” “I don’t think I could forgive my parents… I would like to think that I could, but I don’t think I can,” Soarin’ admitted. “That understandable,” she reassured. “I was going to start dinner, why don’t you come help,” Star said standing up from her chair. "I would like to spend quality time with my son-in-law." “Ok,” Soarin’ replied, “I’ll be there in one moment.” Soarin’ turned to his sleeping wife as Star trotted to the kitchen. He gently placed a kiss on her forehead. “I love you Twilight and I promise that I will the best husband I can,” he whispered in her ear. He moved down to her swollen abdomen and laid a hoof across it. He felt a slight kick from one of the foals. Tears welled in his eyes as he felt what seemed to be... a... a tiny hoof. “My little foals: I promise to always love and support you and that I’ll be the best father I can…” Soarin’ took a few moments to compose himself before he trotted to the kitchen, a wide smile on his face. All he could think about is his family.