//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Sparkle Family Surprise Visit in Canterlot // Story: Twilight’s Little Comet // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// The next morning, Twilight and Comet were waiting for the royal chariot to arrive outside the Golden Oaks Library. Comet was feeling a little nervous to be outside. He was afraid that ponies might offend him like his aunt, uncle and cousin have treated him. He stuck close to Twilight for protection, which she accepted. Spike arrived with Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and a whole lot of luggage that Rarity insisted on bringing. Spike was having trouble keeping the stuff balanced. He was carrying at least 20 bags. “I thought I told you to tell the girls to pack light,” Twilight said to Spike. “I… I did,” Spike said, dropping the bags and panting heavily. “Most of… Most of this… this stuff is all Rarity’s.” “We all packed one bag, but Rarity insisted on packing a lot of things,” Rainbow Dash said, crossing her hooves. “It took... an hour... and a half... just for her to pack her own version of essentials,” Applejack said. “Rarity, ya really should know how ta pack light.” “Oh, dear Applejack,” Rarity said. “We are going to Canterlot! A place full of high dignitaries and sophistication. I will not be known as an unsophisticated pony with no style and manners.” Applejack was eating an apple at the time while looking at Rarity with an unamused expression on her face, and then she belched out after Rarity finished that last sentence. “Exactly.” Applejack sighed, angrily. Just then, two pegasus-drawn carriages came down with two pegasi in golden armor strapped to them. The pegasus guards saw a lot of bags. One of the pegasus guards groaned and said, “The Princess said to pick up some guests and escort them to Canterlot, and have them pack light. That... does not seem light.” “Told ya,” Applejack said to Rarity, making her grumble. “Rarity, just pack stuff for a small visit,” Twilight said. “We’re only going to be gone for two days.” Rarity sighed and said, “Fine.” Rarity then started unpacking her bags, and started filling one bag with what the others were bringing. Comet didn’t bring all that much because he didn’t have any things. As soon as Rarity finished, and put her luggage of leftover stuff inside the library until they get back, they all got onto the chariots, and Twilight called out, “Alright, boys. We’re ready.” The royal pegasus guards nodded, and started running, and took off into the sky, heading towards Canterlot. The Pegasus Guards dropped off Twilight, her friends, Spike, and Comet at the place Twilight and Spike used to live in before Princess Celestia gave them the assignment in Ponyville. Twilight headed for the door and opened it up. “And this... is where I used to live,” Twilight said, showing the others the place. The other girls were amazed by how big it was. “This... was your old home?!” Rarity asked. “It’s so... big!” “Yeah, Twi,” Rainbow Dash said, looking around. “This place is just about twice as big as the library in Ponyville.” “Could ya really afford a place like this?” Applejack asked. “Well, I didn’t really buy it,” Twilight said. “Princess Celestia just gave me this place for my studies.” “Wow,” Pinkie said. “I’ve never seen so many books! It’s almost like the library!” “Wait until you see the library here, or the Canterlot Archives,” Twilight said. Comet caught something in his sight, and saw a book under a stool. He lowered herself, reached under the stool, and pulled out the book. He then read the cover out loud. “Identity’s Persecution: The Impossible Pursuit.” Spike walked over towards it and picked it up. “Huh. I didn’t know Twilight had a copy of this book.” He then opened it and inside was a library card. He then checked the check in date and said, “Uh-oh. Twilight! This book has to go back to the Canterlot library by noon today!” “WHAT?!” Twilight shouted, teleporting towards Spike. She checked the card and said, “Oh no. I got to get this book to the library as quick as possible!” “You know what, I’ll take it there,” Spike said. “You go to your parents’s house while I take this book to the library. I’ll meet up with you guys at your parents’s house.” Spike then headed out the door, taking the book with him. Twilight smiled, looked down at Comet and said, “Thank you for that. I always return my books to the Canterlot Library. Which was why I was the ‘Best Book Borrower’ there.” Rainbow Dash scoffed and said, “Yeah, like that’s a real thing.” “Oh, it is,” Twilight said. “They even have a picture to the pony who has the best borrowing of a library book by the check out desk.” Rainbow Dash was wide eyed at that statement, but then she shut it, did a facehoof, and groaned. She then said, “You are such an egghead.” “Whoa,” Comet said. “That’s a big hourglass.” Twilight walked up towards Comet and said, “Yes. Yes it is.” “How much did that thing cost?” Comet asked. “Don’t know,” Twilight said. “It was actually here when I moved in. Alright, everypony, leave your stuff here, and then we’ll get to unpack tonight.” “So, where are we heading?” Pinkie asked excitedly. “The castle?! The Opera House?! Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?!” Twilight shook her head, giggling. She then said, “Nope. We’re going over to the housing complex where my parents are living. Spike also said he’ll meet us there. So we should get going right now.” They then continued on towards the housing district of the city of Canterlot, with Comet walking beside Twilight sports he wouldn’t get lost along the way. Meanwhile, Spike rushed through the doors of the Canterlot, heading towards the desk where an old mare was sitting there. She saw Spike coming towards her. Spike jumped up onto the desk, out of breath, trying to speak. “I’m... here to... return... this... library... book...” He then fell onto his back, panting and holding the book up. The old mare took it in her hoof, adjusted her glasses and read it. “I take it that Twilight brought this book with her to where she was for the past few days?” the old mare asked. “Not... exactly... Dusty... Pages...” Spike said, trying to get his breath back. He then inhaled as big as he can, and let out an relaxed exhale. “We found the book under a stool back where we were living before we moved to Ponyville.” “Ponyville?” Dusty Pages asked. “Oh, that's where the Summer Sun Celebration was being held this year.” She then thought of something. “The Princess said that Twilight Sparkle has found a unicorn colt that resembles her and who originally used to serve the cult created by Nightmare Moon and is taking care of him now. Is that true?” “Technically, Twilight’s DNA matched with the colt’s but his spirit was somepony else’s,” Spike said. “Turns out, he’s not really a foal made by Nightmare Moon’s cult, but by a spell casted onto Twilight. He was a completely different species that happened to find a cursed Equestrian artifact that can transport the holder of it, but in either spiritual form if that holder is already dead or in full body if he or she is still alive, under the light of the full moon. But it was banished from Equestria because it transforms the one using it into a monster that’s the exact age that the creature was before the transportation. Guess this time, that monster was Nightmare Moon.” Dusty Pages breathed out in relief that it wasn’t another threat, and said, “Well, as long as other ponies don’t do any harm to the colt. Well, as long as you’re here, I’d like you to give a message to Twilight.” She then whispered into Spike’s ear as she was telling him. The group arrived at a house in Canterlot. Twilight walked up towards the door and knocked on the door. Soon, the door opened and standing there was a blue unicorn stallion with a darker blue mane. He was surprised to see who was standing there. “Twilight?” the stallion asked. “Hi, Dad,” Twilight said smiling. “How have you been doing?” “Get in here,” Twilight's father said, pulling her in for a hug. He then noticed the others. “Ah, these must be the friends I heard about.” He then noticed the colt behind Twilight’s hind legs. “And the princess explained about... that little colt right there. Come on inside, all of you.” Then the group walked inside. Night Light then called out to somepony else. “Velvet, honey! They’re here!” “I’m coming!” came the voice of another mare. A light gray mare with a striped purple and white curled mane came into the room. She was Twilight’s mother, Twilight Velvet. “Hey, Mom,” Twilight said. “Twilight! It’s so good to see you, sweetie!” Velvet said, until she hugged her daughter as well, before she saw her friends with her. “Girls, meet my father, Night Light, and my mother, Twilight Velvet,” Twilight said to her friends and Comet. She then looked back at her mother and father and said, “Mom, Dad, these are my new friends.” Twilight’s friends nodded in response as Twilight said their names. “We have Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack...” She then pulled Comet closer to her with her hoof, before lifting him up and holding him against her chest. “And this little colt right here next to me... is Comet Moonstone.” “Well, it’s nice to meet you all,” Night Light said. The girls made pleasurable replies back, until Twilight looked at her parents smiling, “What? What’re you both smiling at?” “Oh, Twilight,” Velvet said, smiling. “You honestly think we wouldn’t get a chance to meet the new colt we heard so much about, did you?” Velvet then walked over towards Comet, who was still in Twilight’s hoof. She smiled down at Comet and said, “I was wondering when we would get to meet you.” Night Light walked up to Comet as well. He then said, “He sure looks a lot like you, Twilight. I never thought that would be possible.” “It was really odd for me as well,” Twilight said. “But, at least he’s a good colt.” “Absolutely. But I think he’s just the sweetest little thing,” Velvet said, as she began to tickle Comet’s belly with her hoof which made him giggle, and kissed him on the forehead, making him warmly smile. Twilight then put Comet down, and looked back at her parents. “Mom, Dad? Could I talk to you both in the kitchen for a moment?” Twilight asked, and Velvet and Night Light replied with nods. Twilight’s friends and Comet were checking around the place while making themselves at home, and Spike was showing them personally, except he arrived a few minutes ago and stayed with Comet in case he needed comfort. Meanwhile, Twilight, on the other hoof, was talking with her parents about Comet. But after hearing her story, they felt touched by their hearts, concerned for Comet’s hard life and how Twilight experienced his arrival. “So, let me get this straight, honey,” Velvet said. “You went to get a book you accidentally dropped back. You then saw a dark tunnel hidden somewhere in the forest, leading to a underground maze. You went to explore it. Found a baseball diamond that looked like an eyeball. Got ambushed by the ghost of Nightmare Moon. She shot a beam towards you. That blast made you pregnant, making the process go in seconds. Then Nightmare Moon tried taking that foal as her new body and then was rejected. And now you don’t know what happened?” “Yep,” Twilight said. “That’s why I decided about this for a few days before now.” “Are you sure you want to do this, Twilight?” Velvet asked. “He was abused by his aunt, uncle and cousin and then kidnapped by criminals before arrived here in Equestria,” Twilight said. “I want to help him as much as he needs it since he’s still recovering. Wouldn’t you do the same thing?” Velvet and Night Light looked at each other in concern about how harshly Comet was treated, and smiled about Twilight’s decision. Night Light than said, “Alright, Twilight. We’re so proud of you wanting to take the initiative. Although... it feels like you’re doing things out of order.” “I know,” Twilight said. “But, a colt like Comet needs a loving family. I’m gonna be the pony who’s gonna give it to him.” Just then, her stomach growled. Her face turned red in embarrassment. “Haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast?” Night Light asked. “That’s okay, Twilight,” Velvet said. “In fact, we were just about to head out to the diner. Why don’t you and your friends join us?” Twilight looked over to her friends, Spike and Comet. She then looked back at her parents and nodded. They were going out for lunch. The Mane 6, Twilight’s parents, and Comet were walking through a certain part of the city of Canterlot. Rarity was amazed by all of the restaurants there. “This row of restaurants is astounding!” Rarity said. “Each of them 3 to 5 hooves! They must have really good food if it has great ratings!” Twilight scoffed and said, “Don’t get your hopes up, Rarity. I’ve eaten at all of those restaurants. Believe me when I say that they charge ponies like you’re going to eat more than one plate of food, but they give you three freeze-dried blocks of food not even rats would want to eat.” “Oh, Twilight,” Rarity said, rolling her eyes. “Don’t you think you’re exaggerating just a bit?” Just then, they got surprised by a bunch of rats that came up towards a 3 hoof ranked restaurant, stopped, and headed towards an alley, squeaking all the way from the restaurant to the alley. “Um... those rats said that they were hungry... not desperate,” Fluttershy said. That made Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Comet laugh. Rarity on the other hoof was surprised that rats agreed with Twilight. “That’s why we’re going to a place where most ponies usually enjoy their favorites,” Velvet said. They headed towards a diner. The group walked into the diner, and everypony that was there were enjoying their meals, before they stopped what they were doing and looked at the group, except only at a certain unicorn colt who looked like Twilight, but in random colors that resembled hers a little. Twilight saw Comet behind her hind legs feeling uncomfortable so the ponies there wouldn’t look at him, but Fluttershy gave them a stern stare, asking them to leave the colt alone, before they went back to eating. “It’s okay, Comet. We’re right here,” Twilight said, making the colt feel better. A waitress there walked up to them and asked, “Can I help you?” “Table for 12,” Velvet said. The waitress looked back down at Comet, who was shaking nervously with big cute puppy eyes. “Aww… is this sweet little cutie pie with you? He’s so adorable,” she said. Twilight nodded, as she rubbed her hoof on Comet’s head. The waitress then looked back at Velvet, and got 12 menus out. “Right this way, everypony,” the waitress said normally, as she figured out that Comet was an innocent foal, which she now didn’t mind. They were eventually escorted to a row of tables big enough for all of them to sit at. In the sitting order from left to right was Spike, Comet, Twilight, Velvet, Night Light, and at the end of the row of tables were Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity. They were all handed menus and they looked at what to order. Later on, the group had finished their meals. Even Comet, which the waitress could now easily handle delivering the plate to him, since she still thought he was cute. But, it was good. He couldn’t believe how good a hayburger was. “I never thought a hayburger would be so good,” Comet said. “Must be my current form’s taste buds. My last one can’t handle pony food.” “All creatures have a different kind of taste bud,” Spike said. “Dragons, for example, can bite through gems like they’re rock candy.” Pinkie Pie hummed, licked her lips and said, “Rock candy...” “Well, I am glad that you all enjoyed the meal,” Velvet said. She then got out of her seat, and headed towards Comet and said to him, “You are a very good colt. You may not have been originally born a pony until now, but I know that you can be happy.” “I’m not too sure,” Comet said. “What if t-they treat me… l-like I’m… different than all of them?” Twilight pulled Comet into a hug and said, “That’s not true, Comet. You are a good hearted foal who needs love. Not hatred.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right. That waitress was even so nice to me,” Comet said. “She just thought that you were just an adorable little colt, darling. Nothing else,” Rarity said sweetly. Twilight looked out the window towards the castle. She smiled and said, “And I know just the pony who can help.” Rainbow Dash looked over towards Twilight and asked, “Wait… You’re thinking of having Comet talk to Princess Celestia, aren’t you?” “I think it’s a marvelous idea, Twilight darling,” Rarity said. “This food is unacceptable,” came the voice of a mare. The mare has a light magentaish gray coat, a pinkish gray mane with light raspberryish gray stripes, wore a white shirt with pockets, black legging, and a dark purple jacket. “I won’t allow even one hoof on this diner’s rating. Not even a single princess would want to eat here.” The group was looking towards the mare. Comet leaned towards Twilight and asked, “Who is that?” Twilight sighed and said, “Zesty Gourmand. She’s a strict food critic with a weird sense of taste. She’s so picky. Whenever she comes to inspect a restaurant, she threatens to shut them down unless they make major changes, and give up their individual ways of cooking.” “Wow,” Pinkie said. “That is... so... rude.” Pinkie Pie furrowed her brows when she said that last word. “Nopony tells somepony how to cook or what to serve. It’s like somepony telling Rarity how to make dresses the same style. Or Rainbow Dash how to fly properly. Or Applejack to make the apple treats properly in an elegant manner.” “She has a point,” Rainbow said. “Ya said it,” Applejack said. “Yes, yes,” Rarity said. “If somepony made me make dresses the same style, I’d have to shut down my own store.” “But Miss Gourmand!” the waitress serving her said. “The cook has prepared the food exactly how you wanted it to be in your order!” “Well, this isn't how it is supposed to be served,” Zesty Gourmand complained. “I’m telling you that this diner won’t have what it takes to be able to satisfy any princess.” The waitress looked towards Twilight, smirked, looked back at Zesty Gourmand and said, “Actually, just to let you know, we have the student of an actual princess dining here. In fact, she would usually come here whenever she wants to get out of the castle for something to eat, including Princess Celestia herself.” “Hmm?” Zesty Gourmand asked. She looked around until her eyes caught Twilight, Celestia’s prized pupil, who was smirking at her. “Oh, so her so-called prized pupil thinks she can come dining in such a low class restaurant.” Twilight walked towards Zesty Gourmand and said, "No, it’s the restaurants you ranked three hoofs or lower that are low class. Ponies expect something that can fill their stomachs and enjoy their meals. The restaurants that you made changes to, they aren’t that filling. It’s their choice on what to serve and how to decorate. Not yours.” Zesty Gourmand growled and said, “Food is an art. Not something to fill their stomachs. The way you ponies make food is unworthy.” That made everypony in the restaurant gasp. The ponies there looked at Zesty Gourmand in shock. Twilight sighed and said, “You’re a food critic. If you think that food is an art, than you’re the wrong kind of critic.” Twilight turned around, and headed back to her table, as the ponies at their tables clapped their hooves in applause. But then the group started heading out of the diner after paying for their check. Twilight then said, “Remind me to tell Princess Celestia about this.” The Mane 5 nodded in response. The group arrived at the castle to speak with Princess Celestia. The guards let them all pass, as Twilight and her friends, including Comet and her parents, went into the throne room to see Princess Celestia sitting there. She was expecting them. “Hello, Twilight,” Princess Celestia said to her student. “Hello, Sparkle Family, and my fellow Elements of Harmony.” Twilight and her family and friends bowed, leaving Comet to stand up correctly. Princess Celestia then looked down at Comet, “Hello, Comet. Have you been enjoying your days here in Equestria?” “I’ve... I’ve been trying to enjoy it,” Comet said. “But...” He sighed. “Is something wrong, dear?” Princess Celestia asked, concerned. She then thought of something. “Do you miss your family?” Comet then started shedding some tears. “I haven’t seen my parents in three months. They… they left me there for their trip.” Twilight stopped bowing, walked over to Comet, and pulled him in for a hug. Twilight shushed him, trying to calm him down. Twilight softly said to Comet, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Comet hugged Twilight, as Twilight nuzzled the colt. The princess walked over and nodded at her, meaning it was time to talk to her friends about her other problem. “Twilight? What exactly did ya want to talk about with the princess?” Applejack asked. “Is something else on your mind, dear?” Rarity asked. “Girls, the reason why Celestia invited you to come with me, Spike and Comet here was because… I wrote to her about Comet’s good behaviors in Equestria, but there’s something else. Comet, there’s something important I need to tell you.” “What is it, Twilight?” Comet asked. “Remember when we found you in the Everfree Forest?” she asked. Comet nodded. “Well, there’s more.” “Comet, the reason why you’re like this… is because when you found the Crystal Eye of Nightmare, you passed away from a terminal illness,” Celestia said. “You mean? I wasn’t sleeping at the hospital?” Comet asked. “I’m… I’m never going back?” “I’m afraid so,” Twilight said. “I felt the same way when Nightmare Moon returned, because Princess Celestia was supposed to appear for the Summer Sun Celebration to begin, so Nightmare Moon appeared instead. Like I told you before, I was scared, and I didn’t know how to stop her or what to do. But thanks to my friends, we stopped her together.” Comet looked up at Twilight. He had eyes of curiosity, but still had tears in them. He then said, “I... I didn’t know.” “It’s okay. But the sad thing about you is that, like the princess said, the reason why you died was because you got sick,” Twilight said. “W-what?!” Comet asked. Twilight then nodded, “It’s true. Like how your abusive family fed you, your body was too weak and thin to survive, because you needed food and nutrients to keep your strength up, until you got very ill, and then you died. It tore me apart, hearing how much you’ve suffered. But I didn’t want you to suffer anymore since I’ve taken you in, because I made a promise to take care of you and that you’d have a better life.” Comet then started sobbing lightly. Then he opened his eyes and then asked, “Wait. If I died back there, how am I alive here? It doesn’t make any sense.” Twilight sighed, then said, “That’s also another thing. Come here.” Comet crawled over to Twilight, before she lifted him up and placed him on her lap, and spoke, “Remember the day when you asked me about how you got here? The night you arrived, it was... unexpected... for my friends and I.” “What happened?” Comet asked. “You see. A lot earlier before I usually go to bed at night, I was on my way back to the Golden Oaks Library so I could help Spike finish unbox everything from my old library at Canterlot so we could move in to Ponyville. When I saw a book I accidentally dropped from my saddlebags on my way back, I saw a dark tunnel in the Everfree Forest. It seems that I suddenly found a maze leading to a small stone-hedge, until I found the exact same diamond like you did, but suddenly, I was ambushed by an evil spirit. The ghost of Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna’s dark side. She intended on making a new body for her to use and take over Equestria in an eternal night.” “How was she going to do that?” Comet asked. “She intended on using a spell to make me or one of my friends pregnant. But instead of waiting 11 months, it went by in a minute. She fired that spell, and it was heading towards me, until suddenly, I was hit. It was extremely painful when it was happening. I somehow became heavily bloated in seconds until I asked my friends for help before my water broke. When we got to Fluttershy’s cottage, my friends helped me deliver the foal. The foal somehow had no color, nor soul. It was intended to be a vessel for Nightmare Moon. But before she could get into the body, the soul of something else entered it. Your spirit.” “M-me?” Comet asked. “Yeah. Nightmare Moon tried getting another shot in, but she was hit by a powerful source of goodness and kindheartedness. Her soul, we honestly didn’t know where it went. The foal aged to the age you were when you were alive. And that’s how we found you at the Castle of the Two Sisters and why you’re living with me and Spike now.” He knew the pain he went through, but what he didn’t realize was that he died in his world, and his spirit entered the vessel of a magically born pony that had no soul until one entered it. And Twilight gave birth to that foal which he now was. He then realized that Twilight was his mom now. Comet could somehow feel tears coming out of the corner of his eyes. He then felt the tears now coming out of his eyes. Comet then jumped onto Twilight, and wrapped his forelegs around her body as best as he could. “It’s okay,” she told Comet, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. You had every right to know. and I’ll do my best to take care of you.” Comet smiled and buried his head into her chest without piercing her with his horn and said, “Thank you.” “For what?” she asked. “For saving me. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you.” Comet felt Twilight wrap her forelegs around him. “Comet, I know you miss your family,” Twilight said. “You have been through a lot of emotional pain, too.” Comet nodded, until he once again spoke up. “Twilight?” Comet asked, and then Twilight looked down at him. “Can... Can I ask you something?” “Of course,” she said, pulling Comet closer. “You can ask me anything.” “Since you gave birth to me, does that… make you… m-my mommy?” Comet asked. “Yeah, I guess it kind of does,” Twilight replied, “But are you sure about this? You’ll miss your parents more, and I don’t want to replace them.” “You won’t, Twilight,” Comet said to her, “As long as I remember how much they loved me and how much I loved them, they’ll never leave me, so… can I stay with you? Please?” Twilight smiled down at him, until she brought a foreleg around the little colt and pulled him closer to her for a hug. “Of course I will let you stay,” Twilight said. “But how about this? To be honest, I have been thinking about making you a part of my family since you were reborn and settling in.” Comet looked up at Twilight in shock and asked, “You... you have?” “It wouldn’t be fair for you to live the rest of your life without a mother,” Twilight said. “I want you to have a loving family. If you would have that.” Comet looked up at Twilight, shedding tears, and starting to smile. He snuggled into Twilight’s chest a lot more, saying, “Yes. I... I would love to have a family again. Thank you... thank you… Mommy.” Twilight smiled, along with all the other ponies looking at the two while Twilight kept hugging her son. “I’m glad you’ve made the right decision, Twilight,” Princess Celestia said. “Now, if there is anything else you need to tell me, let me know.” “Actually, there is one more thing, Princess Celestia," Rarity said. “It’s about that food critic, Zesty Gourmand.” Twilight then walked over to her parents, and reintroduced Comet, “Mom, Dad, say hello to your new grandson, Comet Moonstone Sparkle.” Comet ran over to his new grandmother and wrapped his hooves around her chest and nuzzled with her fur, until Velvet hugged him back. “We’re honored to have you part of the family, dearie,” Velvet said, resting her chin on top of Comet’s head. “I am too, Grandma,” Comet said, as he was still hugging his new grandmother. From above, using an camouflaging invisibility spell, Princess Celestia’s sister, Princess Luna, was watching the group from above. “Thou young foal did live a sad life,” Princess Luna said, making sure nopony heard her. “Tis sad he had been brought to life from a spell by the ghost of the monster that we have taken form for the past thousand years. We shall make sure he gets good dreams.” She then teleported out of the room.