//------------------------------// // (Bonus Chapter) Celestia meets the baby prince // Story: A New World, A New Conflict // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// Today was supposed to be a day of celebration for the nation of Zebrica. Their beloved queen was going to give birth and everyone had been looking forward to it. None more than the expecting parents. Of course, Celestia would be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t that excited. She loved children whole heartedly. She had been glad to hear that her friend, the king of Zebrica, was going to have his own little bundle of joy. A little jealous, but glad all the same. Now, as she walked through the halls of the palace, she was anything but glad. There was not a single smile to be found anywhere in the kingdom. The very air was filled to the brim with despair. The guards, standing stoic as ever, weren’t all that they seemed. Celestia could see it in their eyes. They died a little this day. There was one reason for all this sorrow. Quean Neighfertiti was dead. The beloved queain had to be one of the wisest, kindest rulers Celestia had ever known. Neighfertiti had been a close friend and pretty much the only mare that could tame the rowdy King Ahkenaten.  She hated seeing him now. He was broken…shattered, a ghost of his former self. He hadn’t come out of his bedchambers since his wife’s burial. Finally, she came to the royal chambers. The little room with the newborn infant, Trotankhamun. She was hesitant to go inside. It wasn’t her place to care for the infant. The king was still in mourning and to intrude upon his offspring…. The baby’s cries reached her ears. Celestia herself had a rather…strong maternal sense. It’s why she loved her little ponies so much. Hearing an infant’s cries was too much for her stand, so she rushed inside. “Shh, shh,” a young zebra maid cooed over a little, black crib. “Be quiet, little prince.” The little prince did not heed her plea. Instead, he bawled even louder. Celestia couldn’t’ take it and stepped further into the room. The zebra maid gasped when she turned her head to view the trespasser. She quickly bowed. “I am sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t see you come in.” “That is alright,” Celestia strolled forth. “How is the prince?” “He won’t stop crying,” the maid sighed. “I’ve tried literally everything I know and none of it works. He’s a hooffull.” Celestia peered over the edge of the crib. What laid inside had to be one of the most adorable little babies she’d ever laid eyes upon. That’s saying something given her lifespan. The baby prince was such a small thing, but at least he looked healthy for his kind. “Oh he’s not a hooffull,” Celestia cooed. “He’s barely half of one.” Instantly, the young prince ceased his wailing and stared up at her with his sky blue eyes. Celestia was an immortal and that granted her quite a few abilities. Along with immortality, it allowed her to see the potential in others. The young prince’s was astounding. Most creatures had a ‘potential’ similar to that of a river. The prince’s was a vast ocean. That intrigued her. She couldn’t help but list several theories/and or plans for the prince’s future. But when the prince held out his hooves for her and whimpered, she paid not one of them any heed. She leaned her head down to him. “Hello there, little prince.” “He’s…stopped crying?” The maid said incredulously. “Yes he has,” Celestia never took her eyes off the giggling infant. “Pray tell, what is his name?” “Trotankhamun,” the maid bowed her head. “A great name,” Celestia honestly said. “You may leave us.” “Princess?” The maid looked confused. “I think I may be able to solve our little prince’s crying problem,” Celestia explained. “It will only take me a moment.” The maid bowed and then trotted out of the room. The door quietly closed behind her. “Hello Trotankhamun,” Celestia said. “How’s your first day?” The baby prince didn’t answer. He just softly chewed on her mane, looking up at her with curious eyes. “I know,” Celestia nodded. “Not the best and I’m sorry for your loss, little one. It will be hard for you in the years to come, but your father shall be there for you. Do not worry about that.” Suddenly, a scroll flickered to life over her head. Celestia sighed. ‘I thought I told the nobles to not message me without warning.’ “I apologize,” Celestia softly said to the babe. “It seems I don’t have the time to…” When she pulled back, she heard the softest whine. It wasn’t loud or anything like that, but it broke her heart hearing it. She glanced over to the bed and smiled. “Perhaps you would like to join me?” The baby zebra rocked back and forth with her mane in his hooves. Celestia giggled and picked the baby up in her magic. Trotankhamun laughed like crazy as he flailed in the air. He was just the cutest thing she’d ever seen. Celestia pulled herself onto the bed and laid down. Trotankhamun was softly placed at her side. “Are you comfortable?” Trotankhamun babbled in his baby language and nuzzled against her. “I’ll take that as a yes,” Celestia giggled some more. With a flourish of her magic, she opened her message. She spent the next moment reading it and sighing all the while. ‘Really? The nobles are complaining about wheatgrass?’ She sometimes wondered if the nobles just used complaints as ways to show her that they were important or something. All the while she thought this over, Trotankhamun had apparently made her tail his new home. He was busy rolling back and forth, babbling now and again. This brought Celestia a bit of happiness through her agitation. Seeing the baby smile so reminded her of her own motherly wants. She had never found the right stallion to settle down with. For the most part, that stemmed from the fact that she was immortal. There were few male immortals and none of them tickled her fancy. Using her magic, she erased the words on the paper to make room for her reply. Golden lines appeared on the paper as her very thoughts were given form. Unbeknownst to her, Trotankhamun’s stomach growled. He didn’t know why it was, but it made him upset. He wanted to cry and get her attention, but then something ticked in his brain. He stumbled over to her lower belly. Celestia didn’t pay the prince heed for a few seconds, caught up in answering the dumb noble complaints. She did take heed when she felt something wrap around a nipple. Looking down, she saw the baby prince trying to suck milk out of one of her tits. Celestia smiled and rolled her eyes. “Hungry little one?” The prince’s sucking continued. Now currently, she wasn't lactating so he was getting nothing. Given her age however, she had learned a little 'lactation spell' in case of situations like this one. Celestia’s horn lit up and answered the little zebra’s plea. Little gulping noises could be heard as the little prince drunk the milk to his heart’s delight. Celestia lightly nuzzled him. “Drink up. There’s plenty to spare.” Returning to her letter, she resumed writing. “Princess,” the maid said as she trotted back in. “I thought I’d ask if you’d like…” She gasped upon seeing Celestia breast feeding the baby prince. “I’m sorry, princess. I’ll take him….” “No,” Celestia said more forcefully than she intended. “He’s fine.” To prove her point, Trotankhamun let go of her tit. His mouth was covered in his milk as he happily nuzzled against her side. The sun goddess giggled. “Someone had a happy meal. Didn’t we?” She used her wing to cuddle him closer and nuzzled her muzzle against him. “Didn’t we?” The prince nuzzled back, before pulling a face. “Oh,” Celestia smiled knowlingly. She brought the prince in front of her. “Someone needs a burping. Is it you?” She brushed her muzzled lightly against his little tummy. It didn’t take long for the baby zebra to let out a big belch. Celestia gave out a mock gasp. “It is you. Oh, but you must be careful, little one. A prince does not burp.” Trotankhamun laughed and grabbed hold of her muzzle. He babbled on in his infant tongue. She couldn’t understand him, but his intent was clear. ‘Awww, I love you too.’ The solar princess didn’t know for sure, but she had a feeling the little prince would go places. Looking into his innocent, gleeful eyes, she made a vow to protect him no matter what. “You’re just a little bundle of joy,” Celestia cooed. “Aren’t you? Aren’t you?” She kept nuzzling him, using her wings to tickle his sides. The baby prince laughed and flailed his hooves about. The maid smiled as she watched the little tickle session.  Maybe the world wasn’t that bleak after all.