//------------------------------// // Importance of Honesty // Story: My Son, My Soldier, My Hero // by That_Random_Pony //------------------------------// Celestia's daily routine went the same as always, but Seargant Dasher and his squadron had different posts. Because of how loud Draco was when Dasher took care of him, Celestia put a mute spell around the room. Though he was small, the strange colt wailed whenever his mother left.  Dasher tried nearly everything to calm him down. Playing peek-a-boo with him, feeding him his milk, trying to get him to stand didn't even work. He was at his wits end with Celestia's son, but he was a Solar Guard. He'd gone through way worse than a small headeache.  "Let's see, let's see," he sighed, looking through some of the books Celestia bought for Draco.  All the while, Draco cried on his mother's bed, his nose starting to run. Dasher was so caught up with finding something to distract him, he didn't notice the silence. Perched on the window sill was a fiery red and orange bird. It cocked it's head interestedly at the creature sitting on her owner's bed. Draco crawled to the window and used the ledge to support himself.  "Brrrr," he hummed. Philomena cautiously moved back as its small appendage reached out to her.  He giggled much as he kept walking to the side, trying to grab the pretty bird. Philomena spread her wings and let a puff of fire flare from her wings. Draco laughed in amazement at the phoenix's attempt at intimidating him. When Dasher heard the sound of her caw, he turned back to the toddler.  "What are you doing out of your cage?" he asked out loud. Philomena glanced at the unarmored stallion, giving Draco his opening.  She screeched in surprise as Draco's hands grabbed hold of her, making him lose his balance and fall onto the bed. He laughed as he snuggled Philomena, her struggles pointless against his strangely strong grip. Dasher chuckled awkwardly as Celestia's pet kept squirming, hoping in the back of his mind she didn't burn him.  "So, little guy," Dasher said softly. "Ready for a story?" "Ah!" he shouted, squeezing Philomena against his side. She huffed in defeat and did her best to stay comfortable in his iron grip. Dasher opened the small book, an image of the sun popping up. "Once upon a time, there was a small filly named Celestia," he began. "She was just like every other pony, but different. She was very nice, just like all the other ponies, and loved making friends. But, she wasn't a unicorn, or a pegasus pony. She was an alicorn!" Draco pointed in delight at a picture of his mother when she was a filly. Philomena sighed and preened a few feathers while she waited for the story to be over.  "Her mommy and daddy weren't around a lot to be with her," he continued. "So she had to take care of herself. Sometimes, her mommy would visit her, and they would play and laugh. But she wasn't alone." A picture of an indigo colored mare with a starry mane sprouted, Draco gurgling in wonder.  "Her name was Luna. She lived with her big sister Celestia, and thuy always played together," Dasher read. "They also liked to prank each other." A double-pop-up picture showed Luna tossing a pie into Celestia face, the second being the former smacking whipped cream into her face while the latter laughed with a feather in hoof. Draco giggled at their funny faces.  .                                                                                           Celestia trotted back to her chambers, glad to be done with day court. Today wasn't as bad as most others, and it was only going to get better once she saw her son. She dismissed the patrol around her chambers before entering.  She raised a brow in amusement when she saw Dasher covering his head under the pillows. "Ready or not, here I…" he paused when he saw Celestia.  "…" "Having fun, Dasher?" she giggled. The Seargant quickly leaped off her bed, messily fixed it, and stood at attention. "I'm teasing. Where is Draco?" Dasher nodded towards her desk, where she could see her son's little feet. She smiled softly, taking off her hoof shoes to silently sneak closer. She could hear his stifled giggles as her shadow covered his toes. Celestia dropped onto her knees and cooed,"Where's Draco?" "Herr-aj!" Draco laughed happily as he hugged his mother's snout, and let Philomena free. Celestia giggled as he climbed over to slide down her neck and sit on her back.  Dasher smiled at the sight of Draco's love, reminding him he had his own foal to play with. "Princess, if you don't mind I'd-" "You don't have to ask, Seargant," she smiled. He nodded happily and waved goodbye to Draco.  Dasher exited, and Celestia properly jumped onto her bed, tossing Draco in front of her. He laughed as she tickled him with her wings, right under his chin. After a few seconds of squirming and giggles, she brought him his bottle and levitated her own late-night snack from her hiding place. She broke a piece of her banana off and brought it to her mouth while Draco hummed as he played with her flowing mane.  "You've worn those clothes for a while," she smiled. "Maybe Mommy can buy you something to wear, hmm?" Draco gurgled at her baby-talk, then pulled the empty bottle away from his mouth and belched. Celestia giggled at the small burp, but stopped when she realized something. His body wasn't like a pony's, and since ponies rarely wore clothes, there was no way he would have anything to wear. To get some new clothes, she would have to let yet another pony know of Draco's existence. Her son climbed onto her side, laying his head on her chest and smiling sleepily. She tried brushing his ruffled hair, but the more she tried, the more ragged it looked.  With a small sigh, she put her hooves under his arms and raised him above her. "What am I going to do?" she sighed. "I can't keep you a secret forever." Draco cooed before rubbing his gums against his fingers. For a second, she envied his reliance on somepony else, knowing he didn't have to worry about anything. Though he didn't know anything at that point, she still thought how lucky he was. He put his hand on her snout and gurgled,"Herr-aj." Celestia shook her head softly, then lowered him close to her. "Mo-mmy," she cooed. "Mo-mmy." "Herr-aj!" "No, Mo-mmy," she repeated. "Mo-mmy." "Heraj!" Celestia giggled, planting a kiss on his forehead before laying him beside her. "Heraj." "You'll learn in time," she giggled. "C'mere." She snuggled him closer, just like they always slept.  Her pet phoenix cawed from her cage, which she was glad to be in. Celestia shook her head when Draco giggled, reaching out to her. When she inched away, he started fussing and bent his tiny fingers. Celestia gave Philomena a small gesture to come over, which she shook her head at.  "Philomena, I'll bring you those Saddle Arabian seeds you like so much," she called. The phoenix stood taller at the offer, then flew out of her cage to nestle beside Draco. Now that he was drained of energy, he cuddled her more gently than before. She was still hoping she could wriggle herself out, come morning. As Draco's snores came, Celestia stared at the midnight-blue crown sitting on her night stand.  It's times like these I wish you could help, Luna. I don't know the first thing about mothering, nor do you, but still. You know how these ponies react, and I'm just not sure they would take kindly to Draco. He's nothing like we've ever seen, but I can't get help if I'm hiring an entire staff sworn to secrecy. The crown reflected the moon's beams, the light directing itself to her public balcony. Celestia was certain it wasn't just coincidence. A tear and a smile formed on her face, the former falling down her cheek and onto Draco's cheek.  "I know," she whispered. "Trust in our subjects. Just like mother taught us. Thank you, Luna. I'll see you soon, little sister." Draco snores were accompanied by Celestia's gentle breaths. In the meantime, Philomena wiggled her way out of his grasp and flew back into her cage, wiping a wing over her eyes.