Canterlot castle is usually quiet at night with the occasional hoofsteps of a guard or servant making their rounds. Recently though the halls have been filled with the hoofsteps and giggles of a little colt named Peanut Butter playing hide and seek with his foal sitter Luna assigned to him when she is doing her royal duties. A royal blue bat pony mare with a sea green mane and yellow eyes named Ocean Shine walks down the moon lit hallways with a watchful eye as she seeks out her charge. Soft giggling can be heard echoing through out the hallway as Ocean Shine could see a light brown tail with streaks of dark brown sticking out from around the corner on the other side of the hallway. She slowly creeps up on Peanut Butter as she reaches the end of the hall. Peanut Butter hides under his favorite blanket as he soon feels a pair of hooves wrapping around him and hearing a playful roar from Ocean Shine as she scoops him up while he holds his Luna plush and blanket.
"I found you Peanut Butter."
Ocean Shine giggles while tickling the wiggling colt hiding under the blanket.
"Nuh uh no see me."
Peanut Butter wiggles his way more into his blanket hiding his head while giggling. He pauses for a minute as he hears his stomach start to growl. Ocean Shine smiles a bit, biting her bottom lip to hold back a laugh.
"Sounds like somepony needs his midnight snack." She says as Peanut Butter sticks his head out with only his eyes and nose sticking out of the blanket.
Peanut Butter nods as he is placed on Ocean Shine's back by her and clings onto her as she goes to the kitchen.
They reach the kitchen before Ocean Shine sets Peanut Butter on a chair and he puts his blanket and plush on another chair while Ocean Shine gets his snack of two apples and milk in a sippy cup. He starts to eat his snack as Ocean Shine smiles seeing him happy and content. While Peanut Butter eats his snack one of the night guards enters and sees them at the kitchen table.
"Sorry for the interruption. I heard noise coming from here and investigated." The guard admits.
The guard leaves the kitchen with Peanut Butter looking at the door before turning his attention back to his food with a smile and a small chirp.
A few minutes later Peanut Butter is finished eating and looks at Ocean Shine with bits of apple on his muzzle. Ocean Shine gets a clean rag and wipes off the bits of apple on his face causing him to giggle as he is cleaned up.
"Pway?" He asks.
Peanut Butter puts his blanket back on him. Ocean Shine looks at him with a smile before putting him on her back before exiting the kitchen.
"When we get back to your playroom we'll play some more,"
Ocean Shine walks through the halls of the castle to Peanut Butter's playroom with him on her back. As she turns the hall to reach the playroom a guard bumps into her which results in them both falling down on their flanks. They both start to get up and look at each other, slightly blushing.
"Oh I'm so sorry I didn't hear you coming." The guard apologizes as he gets up.
Ocean Shine gets up as she turns to pick up Peanut Butter.
"It's okay, it was my fault for not paying attention to where I was going."
"By the way why did you have a plush toy on your back?"
She turns and looks in shock and horror as she doesn't see Peanut Butter and sees his plush toy and his blanket.
"Oh no oh no no no no no, where did he go?, if he's not with me by the time Princess Luna is back from night court I'm as good as fired, he must have switched with it while under the blanket after his snack time."
Ocean Shine runs around the hall frantically looking around to find Peanut Butter by retracing her steps.
"Who are you talking about?" The guard asks.
Ocean Shine looks at him with wide eyes, a frown and the bottom of her left eye twitching which causes the guard shudder a little.
"Princess Luna's son Peanut Butter, I'm his foalsitter and he's ran off to who knows where in the castle by now, please don't tell any of the other guards I don't want this getting out, but can you please help me find him?"
Ocean Shine holds onto the guard as the bottom of her eye titches more. The guard looks at her and after a few seconds just as he opens his mouth Ocean Shine runs off in a panic. The guard sighs and picks up Peanut Butter's things and follows Ocean Shine.
"The name is Moon Light by the way." He shouts as he follows her.
Moon Light catches up to Ocean Shine and gives the plush toy and blanket back to her as they both roam the halls.
After an hour of searching Ocean Shine is still in a panicked state of mind as she and Moon Light continue their search.
"Come out Peanut Butter, this isn't fun anymore," Ocean Shine says.
Ocean Shine looks outside and sees the moon is slowly starting to set making way for Celestia's sun to rise. She runs faster around the castle with Moon Light following behind her.
"Oh no why of all times does he pull this now?" Ocean Shine asks herself.
She walks around the hallway checking each room before sighing in frustration as Moon Light helps her.
"Where could he have gone?" Moon Light asks.
"I don't know."
"I'll check another hallway."
"Okay."
Moon Light runs into another hall of the castle and continues his search checking the rooms and any space Peanut Butter could hide in. While walking down the halls to check the next room Moon Light bumps into another pony and falls on his flank again.
"Oh I'm so sorry for-" He says before he looks up to see Princess Luna standing in front of him and immediately stands in attention.
"I-I'm so sorry your highness I didn't mean to bump into you."
"It's quite alright, have you seen a pony named Ocean Shine anywhere in the castle?, I need to relieve her of my son Peanut Butter, hopefully he hasn't caused her too much trouble."
Luna gives Moon Light a warm smile on her face looking down at Moon Light
He freezes for a minute before answering her.
"Um y-yes I have she should be down the hall that way princess."
Moon Light is gently shaking trying not to have it show in front of the princess while pointing Luna down one of the halls. Luna smirks getting an idea that her son is up to some kind of mischief.
"Thank You. You may carry on."
Moon Light sighs in relief after she heads down the hall.
As Luna walks down the hallway Moon Light directed her to go down Ocean Shine continues her frantic search for Peanut Butter in another part of the castle. She looks outside and sees the sun is rising as she faints from her hyperventilating due to her elongated panicked state in the middle of the hallway she is in.
In the other side of the castle Celestia enters her throne room and is about to sit on her throne until she notices a small ball of brown fur hiding almost behind her throne. She smiles and levitates it with her magic as she sits on her throne placing it in her front hooves keeping it warm as she starts her duties.
Luna has been walking down the hall for the past few minutes and finds herself near her sister's throne room trying to find Ocean Shine. She sighs before she looks around to see where she is within the castle.
"I should ask Celestia if she has seen Ocean Shine,"
Luna opens the doors and walks inside the room to see the sight of her sister with a small ball of brown fur wrapped in her hooves.
"Sister, have you seen Peanut Butter's foalsitter Ocean Shine?" Luna asks.
"I have not Luna. But I think she's a bit busy at the moment trying to find this adorable ball of fur I found behind my throne."
Celestia points down towards her hooves with her head down. Luna comes up and has a closer look and sees that it's Peanut Butter fast asleep. She giggles a little from this.
"He really is my son, I had a feeling he was up to something after I can across a guard that was probably looking for him, thank you for finding him sister." Luna thanks.
Luna lets out a small chuckle and a warm smile before using her magic to put him on her back before she walks out of the throne room. Ocean Shine slowly comes to from her fainting spell in the hall she passed out in as she hears hoof steps coming from the other end of the hallway. She's frozen in fear as she sees who is causing the hoof steps, it is Princess Luna. Ocean Shine is Frozen as Luna comes towards her.
"P-P-Prin-Princess Luna I'm so sorry Peanut Butter sneaked away from me while I wasn't looking and I can't find him, I've looked almost all over the castle with Moon Light's help and still can't find him, p-please forgive me."
Ocean Shine bows in front of Luna. Luna stays silent for a few seconds before giving a warm smile.
"There is no need to apologize, if anypony is apologizing it is this one for worrying you sick." Luna assures Ocean Shine.
Luna levitates Peanut Butter off her back and gently pushes him with her muzzle as he slowly stirs and opens his eyes. He looks around before seeing Luna in front of him.
"Mama." Peanut Butter mumbles as he rubs his eyes with his front hooves.
Peanut Butter smiles wide before hugging Luna tight around her neck. Luna looks down at him while he was clinging to her.
"I know you missed me my little pony, but mama is very upset at you for scaring your foalsitter by running off like you did, now be a good boy and say you're sorry."
Luna turns Peanut Butter towards Ocean Shine with her magic. He gives her a pouting look and crosses his hooves until Luna gives him a stern look with her eyebrow raised, no expression in her eyes and a slight frown on her face. He looks down looking as if he was about to cry before looking up at Ocean Shine with tears welling up at the bottom of his eyes.
"Sowwy." Peanut Butter says.
Ocean Shine sees that he is about to cry and gives him his plush toy and blanket with a small smile. He sees them and smiles clinging them close to him.
"I forgive you. Just don't do that ever again okay?, you had me worried sick about you and thought you were hurt." Ocean Shine says.
Ocean Shine sees Peanut Butter is getting sleepy again as his eyes struggle to stay open. He nods slightly before closing his eyes and falling back asleep. Luna manages to get his blanket out of his grasp and wraps it around her son before placing him back on her back between her wings securing him in place.
"I too apologize for my son's actions, you may take the next night off if you would like to." Luna says smiling softly.
"Thank You Princess Luna, you're son is forgiven, foals will be foals I guess, colts especially."
Luna chuckles at what Ocean Shine said.
"Indeed"
Luna turns around to head to her chambers as Ocean Shine goes home.
As she approaches her room Luna stops in front of the doors to her room before looking at Peanut Butter curled up in his blanket deep in sleep on her back and smiles.
"No matter how much trouble you cause you still manage to be so cute." Luna says as her horn lights up.
Luna uses her magic to open the door and enters her room before she quietly shuts the door. Her room resembles the night sky with dark and light blues and the shining of the small gems in the curtains like the stars at night. She gets on the bed with Peanut Butter who is still encased in her magic as she lays down placing him down in her front hooves and placing one of her front legs over him. As soon as she does Peanut Butter moves closer to her and smiles with a soft sigh. Luna simply smiles and lays her head next to his and drifts off to sleep.
Peanut Butter and the Stormy Night at Night Court (Editing)
As the sunsets on Equestria, Luna is already awake as she looks down at her sleeping son before gently moving off her bed and going to her balcony outside her room to raise the moon. She sees that the sky full of clouds and turns her head towards Peanut Butter as her horn lights up as the moon rises behind the clouds. She turns around and closes the doors to the balcony and locks them shut before the rain starts. She goes to the bed and looks down towards her son who is starting to wake up. His little hazel eyes looking up at his mother with joy and happiness along with sleepiness.
"Well good evening my little Peanut Butter." Luna says with a smile and a happy tone in her voice as she levitates her son and nuzzles him gently making him giggle while she places him on her back before heading to the bathroom to take a bath and give Peanut Butter his bath.
She enters the bathroom as Luna's horn glows to turn the nob to turn the water on and gets some bath toys for Peanut Butter to play with. She brushes her teeth as Peanut Butter wiggles around on her back still waking up.
After a few minutes Luna gets Peanut Butter's tooth brush while levitating Peanut Butter in front of the sink with his toothbrush near his face. He moves his mouth away from it with Luna moving the brush towards his mouth with the same result.
"Now now sweetie, you have to brush your teeth." Luna says.
Peanut Butter turns his head away again, "No!"
"Don't you want your mouth feel good?, if you don't brush your teeth you can't eat apples."
Peanut Butter gasps and takes the toothbrush and brush his teeth.
The tub is full and Luna places him in the tub before getting in herself to clean him up. Peanut Butter giggles as he feels a bubble from the soap Luna is using land on his muzzle and pops causing his eyes to go big as his mouth is shaped as an 'O'. Luna sees this and smiles as she cleans Peanut Butter's mane.
"What was that Peanut Butter?" Luna playfully asks.
"A bubble." Peanut Butter says.
"Yes it is, such a smart colt."
He giggles as Luna looks at him as she rinses his mane and tail and lathers them up and rinses them before putting in conditioner and letting him play while it soaks in his mane. Peanut Butter plays with his toys and splashes around in the tub while Luna finishes washing her mane as he turns the rubber sea pony around and pretends to be a sea monster as he raises his head and roars. Luna watches as he plays and decides to play along.
"Oh no a sea monster, it's gonna eat me." Luna says with a silly tone in her voice.
Peanut Butter jumps and clings to Luna.
"Raar nummy." Peanut Butter says as he continues to pretend to be a sea monster.
"I guess the sea monster ate my little Peanut Butter, which means more blueberry pancakes for me." Says Luna as she and Peanut Butter get out of the tub and wraps herself and Peanut Butter up in their own towels.
Peanut Butter starts whimpering as Luna comforts him by nuzzling him as he looks up at her with his brown eyes as she finishes drying him off causing her to smile softly. She giggles while he stares at her with his brown eyes and quivering bottom lip.
"All clean now my little pony." Luna says as she dries him off with his towel.
Peanut Butter giggles as he is dried off with the towel.
A few minutes later they head to the kitchen as Peanut Butter looks towards the windows of the hallway and sees the rain hit the windows with a small tap as it hits the window. He gives a small smile and sighs happily. Through out the walk to the kitchen he stares at the windows watching it rain and listening to all the tapping of the rain until Luna turns to enter the kitchen and sets him on a chair before she starts to get everything together for the blueberry pancakes. Peanut Butter just watches the rain hit the window in the kitchen. Suddenly there is a flash of light followed by a roar of thunder a second later. The next thing she hears is crying, a small screech and the falling of a couple chairs. she feels Peanut Butter on her back pressing the side of his head on her neck trying to hide hearing a muffled whimper from him. Luna turns her head and nuzzles his head gently trying to calm him down.
"Shhhh it's ok, it's only thunder it won't hurt you." Luna says doing what she can to reassure the frightened colt.
"Pwomise?" Asks Peanut Butter still on the verge of crying as his eyes are still full of tears clinging to Luna tightly.
"Promise." Luna responds in a cheery voice. This calms him down a bit though he still is clinging onto her.
Once the pancakes are finished Luna places Peanut Butter in his chair and gives him his plate of blue berry pancakes is in front of him. The sweet smell of the pancakes hits his nose he starts to smile as Luna uses her magic to tie a napkin around his neck knowing he'll make some sort of mess. She puts a small amount of syrup on his pancakes before allowing him to eat.
After about five minutes he looks at her with crumbs of pancake on his muzzle and the napkin and giggles. Luna smiles before it fades away to her slanting her lips to one side he is eating as he is already half done with his pancakes.
"Slow down Peanut Butter or you'll get a tummy ache." Luna warns Peanut Butter.
"Otayths mahmah" He says before swallowing his food.
"Don't talk with your moth full either. You need to be on your best behavior today since you will be joining me at night court today after the incident with Ocean Shine." Luna says before she drinks a bit of her tea.
"Do I has ta?" Peanut Butter whines as he gives her the puppy dog eyes and sticks out his bottom lip for extra cuteness.
"Yes you do and that cute trick won't work on me. I invented it little one." Luna says seeing right through his tactic.
His responds by pouting before finishing his breakfast.
After ten minutes they finish their breakfast and Luna takes a damp napkin and wipes Peanut Butter's muzzle clean before taking off the napkin around his neck and setting him on the floor as he follows her out of the kitchen and towards the meeting hall. On the way there Peanut Butter tries to mimic Luna's posture and walking pattern. Luna turns her head around to make sure he didn't run off and sees this and giggles softly as she continues walking down the hall. Luna's horn glows as the doors to the room open and she enters with her son right next to her now hiding under her as he hears other ponies in the room as well. It's a huge room covered in shades of blues and bits of white and gold with a large round glass dome above to light the room. Luna sits on her throne in a box seat put at eye level with the other nobles with the throne being slightly higher as she has Peanut Butter sit right under her. A silence falls in the room when he is visible. A cough is heard as one of the nobles speaks up. The noble is another bat pony like Peanut Butter though his coat is blue and his mane silver and looks more regal in appearance with fancy clothes and slicked back mane.
"Good Evening your highness. I see you brought young prince Peanut Butter with you." He says in a regal sophisticated accent.
"Yes I did. It will keep him out of trouble." Luna says with a soft giggle.
She whispers to a near by guard. He leaves the room. After a few more comments about Peanut Butter most of them saying how handsome or how cute he is makes him start to blush and hide under his wings. Luna smiles and nuzzles him before beginning. It's been only half and hour until Peanut Butter is bored and tries to sneak out to play. Luna notices his attempt and uses her magic to put him back under her. Peanut Butter pouts and looks up at her.
"But mama I bored." Peanut Butter whispers with a whining tone in his voice.
"You brought this on yourself little one. Maybe you shouldn't have ran from your foalsitter." Luna whispers back somewhat scolding him.
He just pouts and looks down. The brown colt is bored out of his mind and wants out.
About two hours later he sees an opening as a servant enters with a cart with a cloth over it with lunch on it. He quietly sneaks on it before it is wheeled away. What he didn't take into account is his tail sticking out. Even though he tries to hide a lot of the time he usually forgets to tuck his tail in. Luna notices this and lifts his tail up with her magic and lets the cart wheel away from the throne. Peanut Butter hit the floor with a soft thud as the cart wheeled away. He turns around and looks up at Luna who is very unhappy with what he did as her face shows it. He knows he's in trouble.
"Big Twuble?" He asks.
"Yes my son. Very big trouble." Luna replies with a stern look on her face and her voice nearing royal Canterlot voice.
He looks down and whimpers. Luna fully lifts him up with her magic and has him look right at her.
"You had your chance to behave. Now you're in trouble for trying to sneak off. No desert for a week and no toys as well." Luna says sternly before setting him under her with her magic and uses it to keep it there.
Peanut Butter starts crying not wanting to be grounded. To a colt it's worse enough not having dessert for a week. But no toys made it even worse.
"I'm sowwy mama." He says and looking up to her with tears in his eyes trying to get out of his punishment.
"While I accept your apology you are still punished." Says Luna before lunch is over and work resumes.
Another hour passes and Peanut Butter is now fast asleep from his crying while night court continues. Luna checks on him every once in a while by tilting her head down. As much as she hates to punish him she had to he won't learn if she didn't. Luna has one of the servants get Peanut Butter's blanket. Five minutes later the servant comes back with it and gives it to Luna. She puts it on top of him while she listens to one of the nobles as the sound of rain is heard in the background. After another hour Luna feels movement under her and looks to see her son facing her rubbing his eyes. She smiles at how cute he looks when he is just waking up.
"Hi mama." Peanut Butter says groggily still waking up.
"Did you have a good nap?" Luna whispers while two nobles argue in the background.
He nods as he turns over and sees a book in front of him.
"That is for you to start reading. If you need any help just ask me and I'll help you when I'm not busy. Besides if I didn't teach you Aunt Twilight would get mad at mama and teach you herself and trust me you don't want that." She whispers.
Peanut Butter remembers the last time Aunt Twilight was over. While at first it was fun after about three hours of non stop reading he wanted to run as far away as he could. Though being as little as he was at the time it wasn't very far. He cracks open the book and practices on his pronunciations while the rest of the night court goes by smoothly besides a couple of debates here and there.
Just as night court is about to end a loud crash of thunder is heard in the hall. Next thing that is heard is a loud screech of a certain brown bat pony and the slamming open of a door. Luna looks down and sees Peanut Butter is missing. With a sigh Luna gets up and calls the night court to a close and tries to find her son. Even though he ran off this time she isn't mad at him since thunder does scare him.
Peanut Butter has been running in the halls trying to get to one of his hiding spots which this time is a small part of the library in the castle that Luna setup for him. He dashes into the library and goes to his little corner full of daring do books and other books of brave ponies fighting monsters and in the middle is a large soft cushion. Though one thing is missing from his spot. His daring do plush. He looks around for it trying to find where it could have gone. He starts to cry again and remembers why it's missing. He's always has had Daring Do with him while Luna reads to him since at times the stories got scary and had Daring Do around to make him feel brave. Another crack of thunder is heard. Peanut Butter screams again while crying scared out of his mind trying to hide from it. He feels something soft wrapping around him it feels like feathers. He looks up and sees Luna. He clings to her as she sits on the nearby cushion and uses her magic to grab a near by book.
"There there Peanut Butter mama is here. How about I read you a story? Will that make you feel better?" Luna asks looking at her son who is still clinging to her tightly.
He nods while his head is still buried in her coat still crying.
"Ok I'll read you a story." Luna says as she cracks the book open and starts reading.
Through out her reading she still hears the sobbing from her son though it has slowed down and softened. By story's end it's silent in the library as Luna sees Peanut Butter sleeping soundly. Luna shuts the book quietly and puts it away before using her magic to hold the sleeping bat pony close to her as a way to not wake him up. She gets up and leaves the library to head back to her bedroom to lower the moon. As she makes her way back Luna runs into Celestia in the hallway.
"I see you had a busy night Luna." Celestia says looking at her nephew.
"He was a hoofful today sister. He tried sneaking off a couple times so he's punished for a week. But I also found out he's terrified of thunder. There was a loud crash just before I was done for the day and he darted off scared senseless. I found him in his reading corner though. You should have seen the look on his face. Pure terror and fear. I almost cried at the look at his face. Thankfully reading him a story worked." Luna says.
"I see. Just to let you know I received a message earlier from Twilight. She and her friends will be visiting in a couple weeks. Don't tell Peanut Butter though. They want it to be a surprise. Especially Pinkie Pie. Knowing her she has a plan for him." Celestia says in a whisper.
"Thank you for letting me know. You have a good day Celestia." Luna says before continuing her way to her room.
"You too Luna." Celestia says before continuing her way to her throne room.
Luna enters her room and sees that it's a lot cleaner without all the plush toys around. She goes to the doors leading to her balcony and opens the curtains to lower the moon. It's still raining out as she uses her magic to lower the moon and then closes the curtains and settles down on her bed as she pulls Peanut Butter close to her as she puts a blanket over them both before she falls asleep with her son.
Over the past two weeks the leaves have slowly changed colors and are starting to fall off. Fall is in the air in Equestria. After Peanut Butter's punishment Luna asked Celestia to watch over Peanut Butter and show him the leaves and the fall festival with Twilight Sparkle and her friends she didn't tell Celestia why other than she made plans and wanted her son to spend time with Celestia along with Twilight and her friends for the day. Luna wakes Peanut Butter up early to get him ready for the day. Peanut Butter has also been improving on his pronunciation and has been getting better.
"Time to wake up Peanut Butter." Luna says as she nudges her son to wake up.
Peanut Butter stirs and cracks his eyes open. His mane all messy as he slowly stands up and stretches his wings.
"Ok mama I'm up." Peanut Butter says sleepily.
"You have a busy day today little one." Luna says while levitating her son with her magic and placing him on her back before heading to the bathroom.
Luna smiles as she helps him get ready for the day. After his bath Peanut Butter's light and dark brown mane is spiked and slicked forward with the light and dark browns separate switching between the two shades as it goes down the back of his neck. His tail is done in the same style. Though with only one streak of light brown and going down the top of his tail.
Luna takes Peanut Butter to the kitchen and walk in to see Celestia is already making breakfast.
"Aunt Tia!" Peanut Butter says with a happy tone of voice.
Celestia turns around and smiles at the brown colt.
"Good Morning my nephew. I hope you're ready for the day." Celestia says as she plates up chocolate chip waffles.
Peanut Butter is placed on a chair with his chocolate chip waffles in front of him. Luna cuts his waffles up before giving a small kiss on the top of his head.
"You be good for Aunt Tia ok?" Luna says.
"I will mama." Peanut Butter says.
"Good boy. I'll see you later ok?" Luna asks.
"Ok mama." Peanut Butter says.
"I have to go now. Mama loves you Peanut Butter." Luna says before hugging him.
"Love you too mama." Peanut Butter says hugging her back.
Luna leaves the kitchen in a hurry. Celestia sits down and wraps a napkin around Peanut Butter's neck.
"Do you need help with eating or do you think you can eat on your own?" Celestia asks.
"I can do it Aunt Tia." Peanut Butter says with a happy tone in his voice.
Celestia smiles and eats. Peanut Butter manages to feed himself with little mess. When it comes to spending time with Celestia he is always on his best behavior. More than he is with his foalsitter. Especially with today.
A few minutes later there is the sound of hoofsteps in the hall and plenty of talking as the door to reveal that it's Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Peanut Butter has a big smile on his face when they all enter the room as he wipes his face and jumps towards Twilight.
"Cousin Twilight yay!" Peanut Butter exclaims while in mid-air.
Twilight catches him in mid air and hugs him.
"Be careful Peanut Butter you could have hurt yourself. But I'm glad to see you again. You've gotten so big." Twilight says.
"We're gonna have sooooooo much fun today. Yep yep yep." Pinkie Pie says as she hugs both Peanut Butter and Twilight Sparkle.
"Well let's get started shall we?" Celestia says as she puts the dishes in the sink.
"I have something for Peanut Butter actually. It might be a bit big. But since it is cooler outside I thought it would be the perfect time to give it to him." Rarity says as she pulls out a white box with a ribbon tied to it.
Celestia helps Peanut Butter open the box to reveal a black hooded jacket with Luna's cutie mark on the back.
"Here's the best part." Rarity says as he horn glows.
The jacked softly shines like the night sky in the glow of her horn. Peanut Butter smiles as he sees it shine. Celestia puts it on him zipping it up most of the way.
"Thank You." Peanut Butter says hugging her.
"You're quite welcome dear." Rarity says returning the hug.
"We should get going if we are to make it to the surprise." Celestia says.
Everyone leaves the castle with a few guards not far behind. The day is cloudy as the cool wind blows gently. Peanut Butter smiles as he sees the leaves in shades of oranges, reds, yellows and browns as some fall off the trees and land on the ground.
After about ten minutes of walking the sound of carnival games and laughs can be heard. The ringing of bells and cheers of other ponies.
"We're here my nephew. Cousin Twilight and I have somethings to attend to here. But you can go have fun as long as you stay close to cousin Twilight's friends. A guard will accompany you as well." Celestia says.
"Ok Aunt Tia." Peanut Butter says feeling a bit disappointed.
"Don't worry Princess he's in good hooves. Besides he probably would want to keep close to the most awesome flyer in Equestria. Isn't that right Peanut Butter?" Rainbow Dash says.
Peanut Butter nods as him, Rarity, AppleJack, Rainbow Dash and the guard head out as Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy went their own ways.
"Ya know I may have somepony ya may like ta meet." AppleJack says.
"Who is it?" Peanut Butter asks.
"Mah little sis AppleBloom. Ya two seem to be around the same age. Give er take a year er two." AppleJack says.
"That would be nice." Peanut Butter says.
After about five minutes of walking Peanut Butter stops as he sees an apple vender as his eyes widen as he smiles big and his mouth opens as his fangs glow from his mouth watering. The guard looks at Peanut Butter and notices this and uses his magic to put a harness on Peanut Butter.
"Not now Peanut Butter." Says the guard.
Peanut Butter starts tugging and tries to bite off the harness.
"Why are you putting a magical harness on him?" Rarity asks.
"His bat pony instincts have been surfacing recently. So he has been required to have a separate set of eyes on him. We usually have a night guard watch him. Though I've been trained to catch the signs. We should get him a few apples. But he has to stay over here. Otherwise he'll cause trouble." The guard says.
The guard gives AppleJack a few bits for apples and goes to the stand and gets a bag of them and returns. She takes out an apple and gives it to Peanut Butter.
"Here ya go Peanut Butter." AppleJack says as Peanut Butter takes the apple.
"Thank You." Peanut Butter says as he bites in the apple.
"I thought this was only in vampire fruit bats." Rarity says.
"I've studied bat ponies for years and you are partially right. While vampire fruit bats and fruit bats go after fruit. Bat ponies usually have a craving for fruit that they can't fully control at a young age though it peeks in the fall season." The guard says while Peanut Butter eats the apple.
"At least he has good taste." AppleJack says followed by a chuckle.
Peanut Butter finishes his apple when something else catches his eye. It's princess Luna and she isn't alone. She's with one of the guards he sees when Ocean Shine watches him every once in a while. Peanut Butter points with his hoof in their direction and looks at the guard.
"I see mama." Peanut Butter says as the guard and the others see Luna with the guard.
"Yes that's her. But let us leave her alone right now." Rarity says.
"Why?" Peanut Butter asks.
"You'll understand when you're older little one." The guard says with a smile.
"Ok." Peanut Butter says.
He sees a carnival game and points to it. Everyone heads towards the carnival game and see it's a matching game with ducks with colored dots on the bottom. The guard takes out a small bag with bits in it and gives the vender the money to have Peanut Butter play. The prize depends on what color dot he gets. Peanut Butter watches the ducks and pulls one out. It has a gold dot on it and wins a big prize. He chooses the giant Ursa Major plushie. The worker gives it to him and he hugs it and smiles before Rarity uses her magic to hold onto it for him. They continue through out the festival playing a few more games and giving Peanut Butter an apple whenever his cravings strike him.
Two hours later trumpets can be heard as they all turn around to see all the princesses on a large stage. Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight stand in front of all the attendees at the festival.
"Greetings my little ponies. It is with great honor that we bring in the fall with Canterlot's Fall Festival race. We have quite the line up this year." Celestia says.
"The rules are simple. Follow the path laid out for you and be the first one back here. Also no magic or flight can be used." Luna says.
"The prize for the winner is one reasonable request from the princesses." Cadance says.
"With that let the Canterlot Fall Festival Race begin!" Shouts Twilight as a spark from her horn raises up in the air and pops.
There was a loud thunder of hooves immediately after. Peanut Butter looks up at the guard with a smile.
"I wanna see the race." Peanut Butter says in an excited tone of voice.
The group makes their way up to the front near the stage. Peanut Butter sees Luna with a smile until he sees her nuzzling the stallion she's been with during the day though now he is in armor both of them smiling. The smile on his face fades away as Luna looks towards the crowd and sees him upset and she dismisses the restraining spell that the guard is using and uses her magic to comfort him. To her surprise he's trying to get away from her.
"What's wrong Peanut Butter?" Luna asks in her motherly tone.
"Mama don't love me no more." Peanut Butter says as he starts crying.
Luna is shocked to hear that as she gently bounces the colt in her embrace.
"Mama loves you very much. Why do you think otherwise?" Luna asks.
Peanut Butter points to the guard next to her.
"My mama." Peanut Butter says to the guard clinging to Luna with a mad look on his face.
Luna realizes what is wrong and looks down towards Peanut Butter.
"Peanut Butter don't be rude. This is Lunar Shine he's Ocean Shine's brother. He's mama's special somepony." Luna says.
Peanut Butter buries his head into Luna's coat. Lunar Shine chuckles a little as he gets closer to Peanut Butter.
"My sister has told me a lot about you Peanut Butter. I think we'll get along just great. That's if you let me." Lunar Shine says looking at Peanut Butter with a warm smile.
Peanut Butter looks up at him from Luna's coat. He doesn't know what's going on and looks at Luna.
"Mama happy?" Peanut Butter asks.
Luna looks down at him with a smile.
"Mama is very happy." Luna says smiling.
Peanut Butter smiles a little and extends his hoof to Lunar Shine as a sight of approving of him. Lunar Shine extends his hoof out and has his hoof meet Peanut Butter's.
"I take that as a sign of approval?" Lunar asks.
Luna and Peanut Butter nod. Just then the Ursa major toy Peanut Butter is placed on the stage next to them and the remaining apples.
"Looks like you had fun today it seems." Luna says with a chuckle.
Peanut Butter nods as he makes himself comfortable as an audible "Awwww" can be heard in the crowd.
Twilight's friends join the princesses on stage to watch the race. Through out most of the race Peanut Butter is curled up to Luna and soon falls asleep. Lunar Shine is next to Luna. Twilight is talking to her friends. Cadance joins them since Shining Armor is back at the Crystal Empire. Twilight then looks over at Luna and her cousin and then to Luna.
"Luna?" Twilight asks.
"Yes Twilight?" Luna asks.
"I know this maybe sudden. But when do you plan on putting Peanut Butter in school?" Twilight asks.
"I wasn't really thinking about that. He's technically almost four months old since coming to Equestria. Even though he looks like an eight year old colt. Along with the fact he's a bat pony." Luna says.
"That is true. I have one idea. But I don't know if you or him will like it." Twilight says.
"That depends on what it is." Luna says.
"You can have him come to Ponyville in the summer months and I can give him a head start by tutoring him and if he likes Ponyville enough maybe enroll him in the school there. It's just a thought. But might be something to consider." Twilight says.
Luna looks down at a sleeping colt thinking.
"I'll have to think about it. It's not a bad idea and I know your intentions are good. But I don't know if he's ready yet. I've tried giving him a head start and he has a very hard time when it comes to even the basics." Luna says.
"He probably learns differently like Rainbow Dash does." Twilight says.
"Probably." Luna says.
Peanut Butter starts moving around signalling he's waking up from a deep sleep. He looks up at Luna with a sleepy look in his eyes.
"Hi mama." Peanut Butter says sleepily.
"Hello Peanut Butter. Did my little moonbeam have a good nap?" Luna asks.
Peanut Butter nods.
The roar of running hooves can be heard in the distance as it quickly gets closer. Peanut Butter looks out and smiles as he sees the runners in the distance. They all cross the finish line as everyone cheers.
After the winner ceremony was completed the princesses and Twilight's friends go back to Canterlot castle. Luna carrying her sleeping colt on her back thinking of Twilight's offer. She feels conflicted about it. On one hoof he gets to be around other foals his age and where he'll be safe and get an education. But at the same time she doesn't want to have her son go so far. She feels trying Canterlot schools first would be a good idea. But will keep Twilight's offer as a back up plan if they can't handle him.
When they reach the castle Luna decides to put Peanut Butter in his new room that has been worked on whenever Peanut Butter wasn't around and was kept as a surprise. The room is a dark blue with streaks of a light blue and a light that looks like the moon. She tucks him in his new bed and kisses the top of his head and leaves the room quietly and sees Celestia in the hall after she lowered the sun.
"Sister can I talk to you alone?" Luna asks.
Celestia nods and they both head to a secluded part of the castle.
"What's wrong Luna?" Celestia asks.
"Twilight asked about Peanut Butter and him going to school. She suggested him going to Ponyville and giving him a head start and have him make friends there. But I'd rather keep him here in Canterlot. Though I'm not sure about the schools here and I don't know if he's ready let alone if they can handle him." Luna says.
Celestia is quiet as she thinks of what to say. It took about five minutes until Celestia speaks.
"I'd say look into it. If you want, let him go to a Canterlot school for a week and see how it goes. If it doesn't do well I'd suggest taking her offer." Celestia says.
Luna looks into the distance before raising the moon.
"I'll do it. But he'll have to have a guard nearby." Luna says.
"Of course." Celestia says.
"I'll have him start in a couple weeks after Hearths Warming Day." Luna says with a sigh and a bit of sadness.
Celestia comes over and hugs Luna trying to reassure her.
"It'll be alright Luna." Celestia says.
"I know. But I'm still worried." Luna says.
"I'll see you in the morning Luna." Celestia says.
"Ok. Good night sister." Luna says before she takes a deep breathe and heads to take care of her royal duties.
As the fall months passed and the air grew colder as snow starts to fall. Winter has arrived in Equestria and to the ponies they know that Hearths Warming is upon them and is celebrated as both the founding of Equestria and to spend time with loved ones. All ponies except for new born foals and Peanut Butter that is. Decorations are out and the mood is in full swing as Peanut Butter wakes up in the early morning to the smell of gingerbread cookies in the air that is making its way from the kitchen to his room and through out the rest of the castle. He rubs his eyes with his hoof and moans a little as he rolls out of bed and stretches with his mane still messy and follows the scent to the kitchen. He opens the door to see Pinkie Pie baking. She notices him and gives him a big hug.
"Good morning sleepy head. Did the smell of my yummy treats wake you up?" Pinkie asks in her usual joyful hyper tone of voice.
Peanut Butter nods groaning a little from still waking up.
Pinkie Pie giggles a little bit.
"Today is a special day so I'm making special treats." Pinkie says while getting back to baking.
"What is today?" Peanut Butter asks.
Pinkie turns her head and gasps as her eyes get big and has a shocked look on her face.
"You don't know about Hearth's Warming Eve? How can you not know about the most superly awesome holiday of the year?" Pinkie asks.
"Mama and Aunt Tia have been really busy lately so no I haven't." Peanut Butter says.
Pinkie still has a shocked look on her face.
"It's where you get to eat all the candy and treats you want." Pinkie says.
"Really?" Peanut Butter says.
"Yep yep." Pinkie says before the kitchen door opens to reveal Luna walking in.
"Good Morning you two." Luna says.
Peanut Butter smiles a bit.
"Good Morning Princess Luna. I was just telling Peanut Butter about Hearth's Warming Day." Pinkie says.
Luna sees her son is still sleepy and hugs him.
"I see somepony is still sleepy." Luna says with a smile as she nuzzles Peanut Butter.
He nods and groans a little bit. Luna lifts him up with her magic and takes him back to bed.
"We have a big day ahead my little moonbeam and I want you to get as much sleep as you can get. You have to dress up for tonight's play. Which means you'll have to wear your regalia like it or not." Luna says as she tucks him into bed.
"But mama I don't wanna." Peanut Butter whines.
"I know you don't like wearing your regalia. But this is a formal occasion so you have to. Please do it for mama." Luna says.
Peanut Butter knows it would make her happy if he wore the regalia and nods in agreement to wear it even if he hates it.
"Thank you my little moonbeam this means so much to mama. Now get some sleep my son." Luna says before nuzzling him and gently kissing the top of his head.
Luna quietly walks out as her son slowly falls asleep. She makes her way back to her room and seals the door with her magic as the rustling of paper is heard as she retrieves Peanut Butter's gifts and wrapping paper from the closet. She begins to try to wrap Peanut Butter's gifts and attempts to finish before Celestia, Peanut Butter and herself have to prepare for the play that night. A gentle knock on the door is heard soon after she starts. Luna freezes hoping it's not Peanut Butter.
"Luna are you in here? It's me Lunar Shine can I come in?" Lunar asks.
Luna opens the door with her magic as Lunar walks in and sees Luna tangled up in tape and he chuckles a little before helping her with the gifts.
"I see you're a bit tangled up with things my love. How about I give you a helping hoof?" Lunar says while getting the tape off of Luna.
"Thank you dear. Sorry for the mess. I'm trying to do this without Peanut Butter knowing. But it seems like I don't know what I'm doing myself." Luna says with a light chuckle.
"It's ok. I can remember when I'd help mom wrap gifts for Ocean Shine when she was little. Let's just say I was mummified in tape when I first tried." Lunar says as he starts wrapping.
"You'll be seeing a rare sight tonight at the play." Luna says.
"Oh? What could that be?" Lunar asks.
"Peanut Butter in his regalia." Luna says.
Lunar Shine chuckles at this. Since he's never seen Peanut Butter in his regalia.
"That is a rare sight to see. I take it he hates wearing his regalia?" Lunar asks.
"No he doesn't. But he knows it would make me happy if he wears it tonight so he puts up with it. Though I never like it myself. But appearances have to be kept sadly." Luna says as she looks at her hoof for a couple seconds thinking.
"You look beautiful either way to me Luna." Lunar Shine says.
Luna blushes and kisses him.
"You're always my handsome stallion Lunar Shine." Luna says.
"Glad to know that." Lunar says before finishing wrapping the last gift.
"Now to put these away and get some sleep." Luna says as she uses her magic to put away the presents before laying on her bed inviting Lunar Shine to join her for a well needed cuddle before a long night ahead of her.
Lunar Shine joins her and after ten minutes they both fall asleep.
Later in the day Lunar is awoken by a small whimper coming from the edge of the bed. Lunar sees it's Peanut Butter and nudges Luna trying to wake her up.
"Luna wake up we have company." Lunar says.
Luna wakes up and sees Peanut Butter with his blanket and looking upset.
"What's wrong Peanut Butter?" Luna asks.
"Can't sleep mama." Peanut Butter says with a whimper.
"Awww would you like to sleep with us?" Luna asks.
Peanut Butter nods. Luna uses her magic to bring him up to her and Lunar Shine. The trio fall asleep with Peanut Butter in between them both. As the day goes on Celestia takes care of some small royal details before taking the rest of the day off to prepare for the play. Lunar Shine stirs slowly and wakes up as he can hear Peanut Butter mutter something in his sleep. Lunar can't make out what he is saying. But then Lunar feels Peanut Butter curl up close to him. Lunar smiles and wraps his hoof gently around the small colt. A small coo could be heard from Peanut Butter as Luna starts to stir as well.
"Good evening beloved." Luna says gently before giving Lunar a kiss.
"Good evening to you too." Lunar whispers.
Luna sees Peanut Butter curled up to Lunar and smiles.
"He's warmed up to you a lot recently." Luna says.
"He has. I thought it would take longer than this for him to warm up to me. Maybe because I'm a bat pony like him and finds it easier to find comfort in me. He was muttering something in his sleep earlier though I couldn't make out what it was." Lunar says.
"I know what he's saying. I've seen his dreams a few times recently. But I won't say what it is." Luna says before getting up to get ready for the play.
"I'll watch over him while you get ready." Lunar says.
Luna nods with a smile and goes to the bathroom and runs a bath for herself. She looks into the mirror as she brushes her teeth with her magic holding the brush. When the tub fills with water she turns off the faucet and gets in the tub and starts to wash her mane. While she washes her mane she's lost in thought reflecting on how much her life changed. She went from a princess with a secret relationship with her closest guard and yearning for a foal of her own to having that relationship be made public and having a son of her own. Life for her is great.
Back to Lunar Shine and Peanut Butter the small colt starts to stir and opens his eyes to see Lunar Shine.
"Good Evening Peanut Butter." Lunar Shine says with a smile.
"Where mama?" Peanut Butter asks while rubbing his eyes.
"She's taking her bath now." Lunar says.
Peanut Butter curls up to Lunar again.
"Warm." Peanut Butter says.
Lunar Shine chuckles as the colt curl up to him. Luna comes into the room a few minutes later.
"There are my boys." Luna says jokingly.
Peanut Butter looks up and smiles at Luna.
"Hi mama." Peanut Butter says.
"There's my little stallion. Now go with Lunar Shine and get ready while mama cleans your regalia." Luna says.
Peanut Butter pouts by puffing his cheeks as he and Lunar Shine go to the bathroom to clean up. Lunar Shine fills the tub and goes first as Peanut Butter brushes his teeth before Lunar Shine steps out and helps Peanut Butter in the tub and washes his mane. After his mane is washed he is allowed to play while Lunar Shine brushes his teeth. Peanut Butter plays and watches Lunar Shine and giggles. Lunar Shine looks over and giggles.
"What's so funny Peanut Butter?" Lunar asks with a chuckle.
Peanut Butter points to Lunar's mane since it hasn't been combed yet and is still messy.
"Oh is that it?" Lunar says.
Peanut Butter nods. Lunar then works on his mane before taking Peanut Butter out and getting him ready. They walk back to Luna's room groomed and clean. As they enter Luna turns her head and sees them.
"There are my two handsome stallions." Luna says while putting on her earrings.
"Mama pretty." Peanut Butter says.
Luna blushes as she uses her magic to levitate Peanut Butter's regalia. Peanut Butter pouts again. But he complies and lets her put the regalia on him. It consists of Silver with swirls of Bronze and some gold. To Peanut Butter his regalia is cold and really uncomfortable whenever he wears it. Lunar Shine is dressed in his lunar guard armor as he waits outside the room to escort Luna and Peanut Butter to the chariot.
A few minutes later Luna exits her room with Peanut Butter behind her as the trio make their way to the chariot. When they walk outside to the chariot the chill of the wind makes Peanut Butter shiver a bit before they get into the chariot and warm up before they head to the theater. While on the way Peanut Butter is curled up between Luna and Lunar to warm up.
They soon reach the snow covered theater and are being escorted to the royal box seats from the entrance. While walking to the doors Peanut Butter hides behind Luna and Lunar Shine with his ears down afraid of all the attention and all the noise around him. Luna catches a few ponies talking about Celestia arriving earlier with a foal behind her as well. But she dismisses it as rumor since there are others talking as well and could dismiss it as other ponies conversations being mixed in with what she was listening to. She notices her son's shyness and nuzzles him before turning to Lunar Shine.
"He's still not used to the attention. Can't blame him though I was the same way at his age. Tia was a bit more outgoing than I was." Luna says to Lunar Shine as they get inside the box seats.
Luna looks to her left and notices that Celestia is in her own box. However Celestia looks preoccupied with something since her head is looking down though she can't tell what is occupying her. Cadance is with Shining Armor on the left of the theater by the stage while Twilight on the right side of the theater with a young Pegasus guard next to her across from Cadance and Shining Armor with Shining Armor glaring at the Pegasus. Luna smiles softly at the sight of Twilight and the guard since it reminds her of Lunar Shine and herself. Peanut Butter nudges one of Luna's foreleg to get her attention. Luna looks down.
"What's wrong Peanut Butter?" Luna asks.
"Can I please have hot coco mama? I'm still cold." Peanut Butter asks before curling up under her.
"Of course you can." Luna says in her motherly tone.
Luna tells one of the servants to get him and herself some hot coco.
A few minutes later the servant returns with the hot coco and it even has marshmallows in it. Luna gives Peanut Butter his hot coco and cools it a little for him before she lets him take a sip. He takes a sip and smiles right before the play starts. Through out the play Luna explains to Peanut Butter the meaning of Hearth's Warming Day and how Equestria was formed. He smiles and listens to her while watching the play and sipping his hot chocolate as the first act finishes. At the end of the play Peanut Butter looks up at Luna and looks up to her with sleepy eyes.
"Sleepy." Peanut Butter says as they leave the theater.
Outside the theater Peanut Butter sees a faint shadow and figure that is about his size if not a little smaller in the ally next to the theater before it suddenly turns and disappears into the night. Peanut Butter doesn't know what it was so he went into the chariot without question. On the way home he curls up to Lunar Shine. Lunar smiles and covers Peanut Butter up with his wing and looks at Luna.
"He tires out quickly it seems." Lunar says.
"Well he is a foal after all one minute hyper and the next tired out. Though your sister has mentioned he's been a bit...... Lonely and at times distant as of late. Hopefully with him going to school that will change. But we'll find out if that changes after that. He needs to interact with other foals around his age. But I'm not sure what will happen until it does." Luna says.
"What if it doesn't?" Lunar asks.
"We may have to adopt another foal if he doesn't improve or get worse and possibly have him be with Twilight for a while. I know it maybe too soon. But I'm worried about him Lunar." Luna says as she nuzzles him.
"I understand. If things don't improve by then I'll look around the Canterlot orphanages." Lunar says as the chariot lands.
"Thank you my love." Luna says.
The chariot lands in front of the castle entrance. Luna places Peanut Butter on her back as they make their way inside and up towards Peanut Butter's room. When they reach his room Lunar quietly opens the door and they enter the room. Luna places her son on the bed and takes off his regalia before tucking him in. Luna and Lunar quietly leave his room. The halls of the castle are quiet except for the hoofsteps of Luna and Lunar. They go into Luna's room to retrieve the presents to place the presents under the tree and head towards the room where the tree is. When they get there they see Celestia there with presents of her own.
"Greetings dear sister.I didn't expect you to be here." Luna says in a hushed voice.
"Hello Luna. I see you have gifts for Peanut Butter." Celestia says.
"Yes they are. What gifts are those?" Luna asks.
"They are for many other ponies including the Elements of Harmony, You, Peanut Butter and others." Celestia says.
Luna sets her gifts down except for one and turns around and gives Celestia a suspicious look.
"Good night dear sister. I'll see you in the morning." Luna says as she makes her way back to Peanut Butter's room.
"Good night Luna." Celestia says.
Luna quietly enters her son's room and quietly places the gift on his night stand and leaves. Lunar Shine is waiting outside of the room and they head to Luna's room to spend time together.
Outside the small figure from earlier stands near the castle before turning back into the darkness of the ally as the sound of crunching snow from the figure is all that can be heard through out the quiet night in Canterlot.
Throughout the night Canterlot Castle is mostly silent with the only sounds coming from the occasional night guard patrol. That is until the sound of soft hoof steps can be heard slowly approaching Peanut Butter’s room. The door opens to reveal a dark blue unicorn with a sky blue and lavender mane. As she quietly enters the room she sees a brown pony fast asleep in the bed, most likely dreaming of what he’ll get in the morning.
“So this is where you went? Eager to see your cousin I see,” Celestia says quietly.
The unicorn spins around in surprise to see Celestia just outside the door. “But I want to see him now Princess Celestia,” the unicorn says.
“You will see him in the morning when he is awake. If you wake him up now he’ll be miserable and he shows it,” Celestia said. “Come Star Light, it’s time for you to go to bed.”
Star Light sighs as she begins to follow the princess. “Okay Princess, I’ll wait until tomorrow.”
As they walk out of Peanut Butters room, Celestia turns to Star Light and says, “You’re my daughter now, there's no need to be so formal with me.”
“I’m sorry Princess, I mean Celestia,” Star Light says. “This is all still so new to me, I don’t know the first thing about being the daughter of a princess.”
“There's no need to apologize,” Celestia replies, as they continue to walk down the hall. “I understand that this is all a little overwhelming but you’ll get used to it in time. For now just worry about getting a good night's sleep, and having a good day tomorrow.”
As they walk up to the door to Star Light’s room Celestia turns to her and says, “lets get you tucked into bed.” Star Light jumps up onto the bed and Celestia pulls the covers over her with her magic.
“Goodnight my child, sweet dreams,” Celestia says as she gives Star Light a kiss.
“Goodnight Celestia,” Star Light says, as she fades off to sleep. Her dreams are filled happy thoughts on what the next day, as well as her new life, has in store for her.
Celestia watches as her little filly fades off to sleep, before heading to her own room so she could get some sleep.
______________________ (the next day)
Peanut Butter stirred as the warm light of the morning sun shone in through his window. Rolling over he spots the hearths warming gift, that Luna left for him, on his bed side table. He stretches and grabs the gift, getting ready to open it. He rips the paper off to find a night guard action figure, complete with its own armor and spear.
As Peanut Butter started to play with his new toy, Luna walked in followed closely by Lunar Shine. “Good morning, Peanut Butter,” Luna said as she hugged her son.
“Good morning, momma,” Peanut Butter replies, “thank you for the toy.”
“You're very welcome, now get out of bed and I’ll help you get washed up,” Luna says.
Peanut Butter hops off the bed to follow Luna to the bathroom so he can get washed up. “I’ll wait for the two of you out here,” says Lunar Shine, “then we can go greet the others.”
“Okay Lunar, we won't be long,” said Luna as she gave Lunar Shine a kiss on the side of his muzzle. Peanut Butter rolled his eyes at the display of affection, and walked into the bathroom. Luna followed him into the bathroom to help him wash and brush his mane and tail, brush his teeth, and get washed up.
After Peanut Butter got washed up and dried off, Luna helped him get into his regalia. Then they all walked out of Peanut Butter’s room together, and proceeded to the great hall to join the others.
_____________________ (meanwhile)
Celestia makes her way through the hallways of the castle approaching Star Light’s room. Along side her was one of her pegasi day guards, “so sergeant Swift Skies you know the plan right?” she asks him. “Of course Princess Celestia,” Swift Skies responded, “you go in first and have a talk with her, while I wait out here with her gift for you to call me in. Then after you give her the gift, I wait with her while you greet everypony else as they arrive. After that I escort her to the grand hall where you’ll introduce her to everypony just as planned,” he concluded.
“Very good Sergeant,” Celestia says.
“I always do my best to remember a plan Princess,” says Swift Skies, “but for now feel free to focus on Princess Star Light, after all Hearth’s Warming day is a day meant for spending time with loved ones not chatting with a single guardspony.”
“Don’t sell yourself short Sergeant Skies,” says Celestia.
“Never meant to Princess, I’m just saying that she is more important right now then I am,” he said with a smile, “besides, we’re here.
“So we are,” says Celestia. As she reaches the door, she peers in expecting to see Star Light still asleep in bed after her little adventure last night. She is surprised to see her already up and over by the balcony, staring off into the distance. She starts to worry when she spots a tear in the corner of her eye.
As she enters the room, she sees Star Lights ear swivel towards her, “good morning Celestia,” Star Light says with a sad tone.
“Is something wrong my child?” Celestia asks in a worried tone.
“It’s nothing,” says Star Light as she continues to stare out the window.
“Come now,” says Celestia, “I know something’s bothering you. You’re my daughter now, you can tell me anything and I promise you I’ll do my best to understand.
“I used to watch the sunrise with my mother and father before they left for work in the morning,” Star Light says. “Last year on Hearth’s Warming Eve was the last time I got to watch the sunrise with them. They went out shortly after to get the groceries for dinner the next day and never came home,” she said before she broke down into tears.
“I’m so sorry Star Light,” said Celestia.
“It’s okay Celestia,” said Star Light, “I had to talk about it eventually, and besides they’ll always be watching over me, and holding onto that special place in my heart.”
“Do you think there's room for one more in there?” Celestia asked while looking Star Light in the eyes.
“I think I have room for one more, mom,” says Star Light, as she hugs Celestia.
As Celestia breaks the hug she says, “Now on to happier things. The guests should be arriving at any time and I want to introduce you to everypony. But first I have something for you,” She said as she called for Swift Skies who was still waiting outside.
Swift Skies entered and passed Celestia a large wrapped package, who then placed it in front of Star Light. Star Light looked at it for a second before ripping off the wrapping paper and opening the box that it was covering. Inside was a set of regalia that looked like somepony had captured light from the stars and forced it into the polished metal. Celestia helped Star Light put it own before studying her, “it’s a perfect fit and accents your coat nicely, almost like somepony knew exactly what color and size it needed to be,” she said with a smirk on her face. This caused both Star Light and Swift Skies to start laughing.
“Now that that is taken care of, I need to go greet the others,” Celestia said to Star Light, “Sergeant Swift Skies will bring you down when it is time for them to meet you.”
“Okay mom,” said Star Light as she watched Celestia leave the room. She stuck her head out the door and watched until Celestia had turned the corner down the next hallway before she spun around to face Swift Skies.
“Did you get it?” she asked the guardspony.
“Of course I got it,” said Swift Skies. “One Solar Orchid as requested,” he said as he pulled the flower out of a hidden pocket in his armor. “I just can’t believe you got Discord to not only tell you the location of this legendary flower, but also to add this magical pocket to my armor so I could keep it hidden from her long enough to get it to you,” he said.
“Oh that was easy,” said Star Light with a sly grin, “I just told him I’d sick Fluttershy on him if he didn’t help me.”
“That was quite the devious move little one,” came the disembodied voice of the draconequus in question.
“Hello Discord,” said Star Light, “will you be joining us for hearths warming day?”
“Sadly no,” said Discord, “I’ll be spending the day with my dear friend Fluttershy, Something about Cloudsdale and her family.”
“Well, have fun with that,” Star Light told him, “and thanks again for all the help.”
“Glad I could be of service to a Princess of Equestria,” said Discord as he appeared just long enough to give a little bow, “farewell young Star Light, and may the warm light of chaos always shine upon you.” As he disappeared a small package landed on the ground where he had been, on the tag it said “use it well”, “I wonder what that means?” asked Star Light as she opened the package. Inside was a small flute with strange insignia on it, attached to it was a note that said “a tune played soft and sweat can soothe the raging beast”.
Swift Skies jaw dropped when he spotted it, “that’s a flute of pacifying, I heard they were all destroyed when Discord first rose to power.”
“I guess he saved one,” said Star Light as she look it over, “but I wonder why he would give it to me.”
“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” Swift Skies told her, “in the mean time I suggest you keep it close, you never know when you might need it. Now, lets go join the others shall we, Princess Celestia has to be ready for us by now.”
“Right, lets go,” said Star Light, as she picked up the flower she had acquired for the princess.
_______________________
“Good morning Twilight, my dear friend,” Celestia addressed Twilight as she entered the castle along with spike. She was followed closely by Shining Armor and Cadance, “and a good morning to you as well Cadance and to you Shining Armor.”
“Good Morning Celestia,” they said in unison.
“Is this all of you?” Celestia asked, “I figured the other elements would be here as well.”
“They all had their own plans for today,” Twilight began. “Apple Jack stayed in Ponyville at Sweet Apple Acres with Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith, they had some relatives from Appleloosa coming over, while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are visiting their families in Cloudsdale,” Twilight continued. “Pinkie Pie went back to her families rock farm, and Rarity’s parents took her and Sweetie Belle to Manehattan for the week,” Twilight concluded.
“Well it’s a shame they couldn’t make it,” Celestia said with a slight pout, “but I’m glad that family is the reason for their absence.”
“That’s all well and good,” said Cadance, “but I for one would like to know where little Peanut Butter is.”
“Do I detect a hint of jealousy?” asked Twilight with a slight grin.
“Well I keep dropping hints to your brother but he doesn’t seem to be catching on,” Cadance replied in a less than subtle tone, cause Shining Armor to stumble a bit and Celestia and Twilight to giggle.
“Tis quite the conversation we have walked in on,” said Luna with the hit of a smile on her face. “Though if it progresses any farther, it won’t be suitable for young ears,” she said while gesturing towards Peanut Butter.
“There’s the little guy,” said Cadance as they all walked over to Luna, Peanut Butter, and Lunar Shine. “Good morning Peanut Butter, I have something for you.”
“We, have something for you,” said Shining Armor as he walked up beside Cadance. “But it will have to wait until he opens his gifts with the rest of us,” he said, more to Cadance then to Peanut Butter.
“Fine,” said Cadance, “I’ve waited almost a week, I guess I can wait another ten minutes.”
“Actually, you’ll have to wait a little longer then that,” said Celestia, “There's somepony else I would like you to meet first.”
“Did you just say there is somepony you want all of us to meet Auntie?” asked Blueblood as he walked in, followed closely by Ocean Shine.
“Indeed I did Blueblood,” Celestia replied, as Lunar Shine walked over to greet his sister.
“Have you finally found a coltfriend dear sister,” Luna asked her.
“Nope,” said Celestia. “Now, instead of you standing here all day guessing I think I’ll just show you,” she said. She nodded to one of her guards that had entered while they were all talking. The guard returned the nod and turn to talk to somepony in the hallway, “She’s ready for you to enter now,” he said. “Okay,” came the reply from a young sounding female voice.
All eyes turn to the young filly entering the room, and they are quick to notice the royal regalia she is wearing. “Everypony, I would like to introduce you all to Star Light,” says Celestia, then after a quick pause she adds, “my daughter.”
As soon as the words leave her mouth, the room erupted into a storm of questions. “When did this happen?” asked Luna, “and why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“How did you keep her a secret?” asked Cadance at the same time as Luna.
“Is she a noble or just a commoner?” asked Blueblood, although no one seemed to hear him.
Celestia was about to use the royal Canterlot voice to stop all the questions, when she heard a soft melody rising over the noise. As they all stopped shouting, they turned to see Star Light playing the pacifying flute she had gotten from Discord.
“Is that what I think it is?” asked Twilight with a shocked look on her face.
“If you're thinking it’s a pacifying flute, then yes it’s exactly what you think it is,” said Star Light with a smile on her face, “and before you ask, it was a gift from Discord that received this morning and no you can’t borrow it to study in the name of science.”
“How did you know I was going to ask?” asked Twilight with a sheepish smile on her face.
“Celestia told me all about you, Princess Twilight, former student of my new mother, and the element of magic,” said Star Light.
“Well, I guess that explains why Pinkie Pie told the rest of the girls to send along an extra set of gifts for a young female unicorn,” Twilight said as she pulled another set of gifts out of her saddlebags.
“I see you know the same magic pocket spell as Discord,” Star Light said to Twilight.
“How did you know that Discord could perform that spell?” asked Celestia.
“He used it on Swift Skies armor so he could help me get a special surprise gift for you, which I want to save for last,” answered Star Light, “he also used it on my mane, though I think that one was supposed to be a prank, I find it quite useful.”
“Well with that shall we start handing out the gifts?” asked Celestia.
“Indeed, let the celebration begin,” said Luna with big smile on her face.
So they began opening gifts, with everypony getting a few. Peanut Butter got a new ball with a pattern that matched Luna’s mane from his mother, a chess game from Cadance and Shining Armor, a coupon for three free donuts from Donuts Joes from Celestia, a beginner to intermediate level flight book from Twilight, and some other gifts from the missing elements. He also got a school bag complete with book and other supplies.
Star Light got a set of weighted unicorn magic training balls complete with a manual from Celestia, a beginner level spell book from Twilight, a book a filled with songs made for pacifying flutes from Pinkie Pie which Twilight swore Discord had something to do with, so other gifts from the rest of the elements of harmony, and just like Peanut Butter she also got a school bag and supplies. When she got them Celestia told her that she was enrolling her in the school for gifted unicorns. Luna claimed that Celestia was just trying to upstage her, which made everypony laugh.
Lunar Shine gave Luna a solid gold pendant in the shape of her cutie mark, which almost mad her cry. As they hugged both Peanut Butter and Spike found other things to do so they didn’t have to watch.
When they reached the end of the gift giving everypony looked to Star Light expectantly, awaiting the gift she had gotten Celestia that had required Discords help in procuring. Nopony was expecting her to pull out the fabled Solar Orchid. They were even more shocked when Peanut Butter pulled out its twin, the Lunar Orchid, to give to his mother. As the two foals gave their mothers their respective flowers, both of the royal sister broke down into tears bringing their respective foals into hugs.
________________________
As the festivities wrapped, a lone foal gazed on with a sad expression. The foal wished to be inside with the others but it was not to be. The foal turned and walked off into the snow. Inside the castle Peanut Butter took a brief look out the window just in time to see a mysterious shadow slip down an alleyway, and he briefly wondered who could be out in the cold on Hearths Warming Day.
Peanut Butter's room is dark with only a small night light to illuminate the room slightly as he sleeps peacefully in his bed. As Luna opens the door and walks in quietly to wake him for his first day at school. She approaches the bed and gently nudges Peanut Butter wake.
"Time to wake up my little moonbeam. It's time to get ready for school." Luna says softly.
Peanut Butter groans a little and looks at Luna sleepily. His mane in mess and his eyes half open.
"Too sleepy mama." Peanut Butter mutters before rolling over.
"I know. But you need to get up." Luna says as she uses her magic to levitate him to the bathroom and starts his bath as Peanut Butter brushes his teeth.
As soon as he finishes brushing his teeth Luna helps Peanut Butter into the tub and starts to wash his mane, Coat and wings with shampoo letting it soak into his coat.
"I don't wanna go to school." Peanut Butter mutters.
"How do you not want to go some place you haven't been there?" Luna asks.
"I dunno." Peanut Butter says.
"Silly colt. Now close your eyes time to rinse off your coat." Luna says before she pours water on Peanut Butter.
After his bath Peanut Butter is dried off before his coat and mane is brushed before Luna helps Peanut Butter put on his jacket that Rarity gave him then a scarf is wrapped around his neck and sunglasses are placed over his eyes. Luna and Peanut Butter go to the kitchen to eat a breakfast of pancakes before Luna takes him to school. Most of the time breakfast is quiet until Luna speaks to Peanut Butter.
"Now Peanut Butter I know you're scared of going. But I want you to have fun and make friends ok?" Luna says.
"I'll try mama." Peanut Butter says while he eats his breakfast.
"That's all I ask for. I'll be walking you to school today. But Lunar Shine or Ocean Shine will walk you to school and one of Aunt Tia's guards will pick you up." Luna says.
"Ok mama." Peanut Butter says as he finishes his breakfast.
After eating, both Luna and Peanut Butter go on their way to the school house. After leaving the castle the sounds of the city can be heard all around them from the sound of other pony's conversations to shops opening up and ponies walking around as well as the smells of the city as well. The smell of the fresh baked bread in the bakery hits Peanut Butter's nose as he starts to smile. He starts to think this won't be that bad after all.
They soon reach the school house after about ten minutes. It is a large white building with an archway over the entrance with a sign that reads "School" in big bold red letters. Peanut Butter whimpers at the size of the building. The castle might be larger. But that is his home and not the school. The nervousness he had earlier turns to fear as he hides behind Luna clinging to her foreleg.
"I don't wanna go mama." Peanut Butter says while clinging to Luna.
Luna uses her magic to get loose of the young colt's cling.
"You'll be ok my little moonbeam." Luna says.
Just then a unicorn walks towards them from the front doors of the school. His mane is white and his coat is grey. He soon stands in front of Luna and Peanut Butter in what could be described as a professional stance with him standing tall before bowing to Princess Luna.
"Nice to see you again Princess Luna. I take it this is your son?" The Unicorn says.
"It's nice to see you too Chalk Dust and yes he is. Though he is a bit scared right now." Luna says.
"Most foals his age usually are. We did as best as we could to fit his needs from what you told us and we'll follow your other request as well." Chalk Dust says with a bit of a chuckle.
"Thank you." Luna says before setting Peanut Butter down.
Peanut Butter whimpers and looks up at Luna.
"Don't worry everything will be alright. You'll be with the other foals to make friends with." Chalk Dust says.
"It'll be ok my son. Here's your lunch it's your favorite sandwich with some other stuff. Be good and make friends little one." Luna says as she places his lunch in his saddlebag.
"I will mama." Peanut Butter says shyly.
Luna gives Peanut Butter a kiss at the top of his head before she leaves as Chalk Dust leads Peanut Butter to his class. The hallway is painted with a soft sky blue colors and the floors are white tile almost as if they are walking on clouds as the only sound that can be really heard is the hoofsteps of Peanut Butter and Chalk Dust and the muffled sounds of teachers giving lectures in their classrooms. They soon reach a classroom that has sounds of the other students and the teacher on the other side the door. The door itself is a oak wood door with a small name plate on it though Peanut Butter can't really see the name. Chalk Dust opens the door with his magic to reveal a classroom that has the same blue walls as the hallway though they are covered mostly in class projects. The desks are lined up neatly as about twenty other students look at Peanut Butter walking into the classroom. They first notice his sunglasses and his wings as they start whispering to each other about him.
"Class settle down and have your attention. This is your new classmate Peanut Butter. Say hello to him everypony." Chalk Dust says.
"Hello Peanut Butter." The other foals say in unison.
"Um H-Hi." Peanut Butter says quietly while putting his head down avoiding eye contact with the rest of the foals.
A small pink pegasus filly raises her hoof into the air trying to get the teacher's attention.
"Yes Cotton Mix?" The teacher asks.
"Why is he wearing sunglasses and have weird wings?" Cotton asks.
"Very good question. That's because he is a bat pony a subspecies of Pegasi that is usually seen at night. However you may have seen them in Princess Luna's Lunar guard. The reason why he wears sunglasses is because a bat pony's eyes are very sensitive to light and to him seeing in sunlight is like how we'd see in pitch black darkness except all white and he would be in pain." The teacher says.
Chalk Dust directs Peanut Butter to his desk and he follows and places his saddle bags next to his desk. Chalk Dust then leaves as class begins. During class Peanut Butter gets bored of the lessons and starts to day dream of being back home in the palace and thinks about what he could be doing there. If it was playing in the snow at night with Ocean Shine or curled up with Luna and Lunar Shine as Luna reads a story to him. His mind then drifts off to another thing which was who is the figure from Hearth's Warming Eve that he saw after the play. Who was it? Or what was it? Questions run through his head trying to figure it out. While day dreaming he feels a slight push and snaps out of it and sees the teacher next to him.
"Peanut Butter please pay attention in class." The teacher says.
"I'm sorry." Peanut Butter says with his head down.
The teacher continues her lesson and not long after Peanut Butter day dreams again. Though this time it's about the other foals in his class. They kept giving him odd looks and he can hear their whispers about him and doesn't want to do anything with them. Two hours later the bell rings for lunch time which snaps Peanut Butter out of his day dream and gets his Power Ponies lunch box in line with the rest of the class as they line up and head to the cafeteria. When the class reaches the cafeteria they all sit down together at one side of the table. That is other than for Peanut Butter as he decides to sit at the end of the table where no other ponies were as he opens his lunch box to reveal a fluffernutter sandwich, An apple, A peanut butter cookie and apple juice as he eats his lunch quietly. The teacher notices this and writes in her notebook. Peanut Butter feels content with not being around the other foals while eating his lunch as he keeps to himself and finishes while the others are talking and eating.
The bell rings an hour later as they all start to line up and head back to the classroom for class to start again. When they go back to the classroom they all take their seats and lessons continue. Again Peanut Butter's mind wanders off again. He really doesn't want to be here.
"It's boring and there are a lot of ponies here I don't like to be around a lot of ponies. I wanna be home. Though it's lonely there. But it's at least away from these other ponies. They're all mean to me. They don't like me cause I'm different. Why? Why don't they like me? I just want this day end." Peanut Butter says to himself.
He takes his pencil as he starts to draw in his notebook. He doesn't pay attention to what he is drawing as he looks out the window as he lets his hoof move on his own. After about five minutes he draws a picture of himself and his family and another foal smaller than him playing with them. Suddenly a blue magic wraps around the page as it's slowly torn from the notebook as Peanut Butter looks up to see the teacher with a frustrated look on her face.
"Please pay attention in my class Peanut Butter. Next time you'll be going to Principal Chalk Dust's Office." The teacher says.
Peanut Butter puts his head down and looks away. During class Peanut Butter decides he's had enough of school and puts his jacket on and tries to hide in it. He doesn't care anymore. He just wants to go home and not come out of his room or at the very least the palace. He doesn't like it at school. To him it's unwelcoming and that there are too many ponies around him. He doesn't understand why he's feeling this way. He just does. His breathing picks up as his heart starts to beat faster and his eye go wide causing him to panic. He quietly grabs his saddlebags and sneaks out of the classroom before the teacher notices.
Peanut Butter makes it outside and runs off towards the castle. What was a quiet pleasant morning in the city is now a loud afternoon of city life as Peanut Butter folds his ears to muffle the noise and runs into a nearby ally way to escape the noise. Though the ally way doesn't help much. Though it at least made the sounds in the main streets die down a bit. Just then Peanut Butter starts to cry softly. But another sound catches his attention. It's a whimper. But it's not just a whimper. It's one of a foal. He figures out the whimper coming from a box near by. Peanut Butter lifts it up to find the foal that is whimpering a small pegasus colt curled up trying to keep warm. His coat looks a lot like Luna's and his mane is almost a sky blue and his eyes are sea blue. The young pegasus is shivering and tries to hide from Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter doesn't know what to do. He is up against the wall about curling up with the foal to keep him warm. But he knows that's what Luna did whenever he was cold. He lays behind him and keeps the colt close to warm him up covering the foal up with his wing.
Just then a Unicorn guard is standing in front of them with a stern look on his face looking down at them. Peanut Butter's expression goes from content to concern as he looks up at the unicorn guard.
"Big trouble?" Peanut Butter asks.
"More than you can imagine." The guard says as both Peanut Butter but he wouldn't let go of Moon Dust.
"Young prince please let the foal go so we can get back to the palace." The guard says.
"No. Not without Moon Dust." Peanut Butter says.
"Fine. But only to make this easier on me." The guard says lifting the two up with his magic.
They head towards the castle as Peanut Butter is not sure what punishment awaits him.
As the guard enters with Peanut Butter and Moon Dust in tow enter the palace an argument going on near by between a white blonde maned Unicorn and Celestia.
"I told you Auntie Celestia that... that.... THING is nothing but trouble, he should have been placed in an orphanage as soon as he set hoof in here." The unicorn says.
"You do not call your cousin a thing Blueblood, he part of this family as much as you are." Celestia says.
BlueBlood cannot find anything else to say in his hot headed state and storms off furious out of the main hallway. With him gone Celestia turns to Peanut Butter with the same face of anger as she uses her magic to lift Peanut Butter off the floor and into the air.
"Was the other one with him?" Celestia asks.
"Yes and the young prince wasn't going to let him go, shall I take him to the medical wing?" The guard asks.
"Please do he looks like he can use medical attention, as for this one I'll take care of personally." Celestia says giving Peanut Butter a stern look.
Peanut Butter looks down and away from Celestia. Celestia walks into her throne room where Luna awaits next to her throne with Peanut Butter levitating next to Celestia before she sits on her throne and places Peanut Butter in front of them.
The room stays silent for a couple minutes until Luna speaks.
"Peanut Butter why did you run away from school?" Luna asks.
Peanut Butter remains silent with his head down avoiding eye contact with his own mother and aunt. The room falls silent again as a guard enters the throne room with a letter.
"Princess Luna we just received a letter for you concerning the young prince." The guard says before giving her the letter.
After the guard leaves Luna uses her magic to open the letter and reads it.
Dear Princess Luna,
I write this as part of your conditions with Peanut Butter being at my school and I regret to inform you that with his actions through out the day as well as him running away. After a discussion with the teacher and staff we decided that we cannot accommodate his needs. According to the teacher he was assigned with Peanut Butter daydreamed through out the day which disrupted the education of the class for the day and before his leave he isolated himself from the other foals multiple times while he was observed. Attached is something he drew during class and thought it would be of interest to you. Please do not bring him in tomorrow. I hope you understand the reasoning behind this.
Sincerely,
Principal Chalk Dust
She looks at the picture and gasps a little placing her hoof to her mouth in shock. She looks at him again with a concerned look on her face.
"Luna you have to be firm with him." Celestia says.
"I know, but read this." Luna says as she gives Celestia the letter.
Celestia takes the letter and reads it. After a minute the stern look from her face fades away as well.
"Can you tell us why you ran away?" Celestia asks calmly.
Peanut Butter tries to hide under his front hooves and starts whimpering. Luna looks down and taps her hoof on her head before looking back at him.
"Were the lessons boring?" Luna asks.
He nods with tears in his eyes.
"Well school isn't fun sweetheart, did the other foals bother you?" Luna asks again.
He shakes his head no.
"Did you not want to be around other foals?" Luna asks.
He shakes his head again.
"You don't want to be around a lot of foals don't you?" Luna asks.
He nods.
Luna looks at the picture again. She looks at Peanut Butter with a worried look on her face.
"You, want a little sibling to have around don't you?" Luna asks.
He nods again.
"Even though your actions at school are understandable, running away is not the right way to deal with things, you will still be punished for it." Luna says.
"I think we should check on our guest in the medical wing." Celestia says.
Luna looks at Celestia with a confused look on her face.
"What guest dear sister?" Luna asks.
"Peanut Butter didn't come here alone, the foal he brought over looked very malnourished, so I had him taken to the medical wing to have looked at, I’m having guards check the local orphanages to see if he was in one of them or was a run away." Celestia says.
"I see, we must be on our way then, we will discuss your punishment later, you are to stay here until we return, do I make myself clear?" Luna asks.
Peanut Butter stays silent and nods before looking away as Celestia and Luna go to the medical wing.
Celestia and Luna reach the medical wing of the castle and are greeted by one of the nurses in front of the medical wing at a desk.
"Hello princesses. The foal is right this way." The nurse says before leading them to Moon Dust.
"What is the foal's condition?" Luna asks.
"Better than expected. But not by much I'm afraid. He's quite malnourished and his coat and mane are a mess and filthy to boot. It took a lot of convincing to get him to trust us to even examine him." The nurse says before stopping at a door.
"Any news on where he came from?" Celestia asks.
"We relayed all we could to the guards and haven't heard back yet. He won't talk to us so we don't have a name." The nurse says.
Celestia's horn lights up as the handle on the door glows yellow from her magic and twists it downwards before the door gently opens. The princesses and nurse enter and see the dark blue pegasus colt staring back at them before trying to hide from them. Luna takes a couple steps towards Moon Dust trying to get a better look at him. He jumps towards the doctor's desk and hides behind the chair screaming in fear.
"I won't hurt you little one, you're safe here." Luna says softly.
Luna tries again to get closer only to be met with the same result with Moon Dust going in the opposite direction. Luna notices this and lays down on the floor of the room and places her head on her hooves. Celestia gives Luna a puzzled look from Luna's actions. But remains silent.
A couple minutes later Moon Dust peeks his head out from his hiding place behind the examination table. Luna stays still not moving. Moon Dust is careful as he slowly creeps closer to Luna. He gets closer and looks around her with the occasional poke with his hoof. After a few laps around Luna poking her every once in a while he mimics Luna's position in front of her. Luna opens her eyes and sees Moon Dust imitating her.
"See, I said I wasn't going to hurt you, can you tell me your name?" Luna asks.
"M-Moon Dust, who you?" Moon Dust asks.
"Nice to meet you Moon Dust, you have such a pretty name, my name is Luna." Luna says.
Moon Dust blushes as Celestia and the nurse have their mouths open as they watch Luna and Moon Dust.
"Do you have a home Moon Dust?" Luna asks.
"No." Moon Dust says.
"Where are your parents?" Luna asks.
"I dunno." Moon Dust says as his expression changes from happy to distressed.
Luna notices this and crawls slowly to Moon Dust before taking him into her embrace by wrapping her hooves around him. Moon Dust smiles and makes himself at home in her embrace.
"Well we now have a name so the search will be easier hopefully." Celestia says.
Meanwhile in the throne room Peanut Butter hasn't moved from his spot since Luna and Celestia left and is silent. The doors are heard opening as the sound of hoof steps are heard. Peanut Butter turns his head and sees BlueBlood enter the room with a look of disgust on his face.
"I was looking for Auntie Celestia, but looks like all I found is an abomination in here." BlueBlood says.
"What do you want Blueblood?" Peanut Butter asks scowling at Blueblood.
Blueblood comes closer to Peanut Butter circling around him like a shark that is about to attack his prey.
"Now look here you thing, I don't know what Auntie Luna sees in you, but I will not stand for it do you hear me?, you are nothing but a worm, no, even less than that, you will never ever take the throne, nor do you deserve to be in this family." Blueblood says in a sneering disdainful tone in his voice.
He gets up onto his hooves and looks Blueblood in the eye as tears well up at the bottom of his eyes as he grits his teeth and stares at him.
"Oh did I hurt your feelings?, I'm surprised something like you could have those, you are nothing, you will never be anything, you're better off running away." Blue blood says.
Peanut Butter snarls as he jumps towards him quickly and manages to catch Blue Blood off guard as he lands his hoof to Blue Blood's eye with a hard hit causing Blueblood to lose balance. Peanut Butter jumps on top of him and continues to punch Blue Blood before Blue Blood's horn starts to glow and lift up Peanut Butter and slams him against the near by wall.
"How dare you attack me vermin, just for that I'll make sure Auntie Luna gets rid of you, do you hear me?!" Blue Blood says while still using his magic to retain Peanut Butter.
Peanut Butter struggles to break free as a large gust of wind blows and creates a cyclone around Blueblood.
A few seconds later Blueblood is heard gasping and wheezing as his horn flickers out causing the magic holding Peanut Butter as he gets out and charges towards Blueblood and manages to land a hit harder than the last time to Blue Blood's muzzle and knocks Blueblood back again and hits his horn causing it to crack from the angle of the fall. BlueBlood shouts in pain as Peanut Butter is on top of him again continuing his assault. Guards enter the throne room and try to separate the two with their magic as another strong gust of wind blows through the hall, blowing back the guards as Peanut Butter continues his assault.
Luna, Celestia and Moon Dust who is on Luna's back make their way back to the throne room while they hear the echos of the doors from the throne room as screaming and yelling follow. They pick up the pace until they see a beaten up Blueblood with a black eye, cuts and his cracked horn.
"What happened?" Celestia asks in a shocked voice.
"Why don't you ask the monster that attacked me like the animal it is?" BlueBlood says.
"Young Peanut Butter got into a fight with Blueblood, as you see this is the result." The guard escorting Blue Blood says.
"What did you say to him Blueblood?" Celestia asks.
"I didn't say anything to him. He attacked me for no reason." Blueblood says.
"You're lying, he hasn't had a violent bone in his body until now, but I'll deal with you myself at a later time, Luna please take Moon Dust else where, I'll let a guard let you know when it's okay to come to the throne room or I will come to your chambers myself." Celestia says.
"But Peanut Butter is my responsibility, I should handle him myself." Luna says.
"Please Luna don't argue with me right now, we'll talk about this later." Celestia says in a stern and concerned voice.
Luna sighs and nods before teleporting to her chambers to give Moon Dust a bath as she waits. Celestia makes her way to the throne room as wind pushes her back slightly and sees Peanut Butter pinned down by three guards and sees he is still struggling to get up snarling, looking up at her as she withstands the tornado force winds. Celestia's horn glows as she gets closer to Peanut Butter.
"Hold him still." Celestia says.
"We're trying your highness, but he is putting up a really good fight." One of the guards say in a strained voice.
Celestia taps her horn to Peanut Butter’s forehead as a flash of light fills the room followed my a loud scream from Peanut Butter before the light fades away and Peanut Butter lays on the floor knocked out and the winds stopped. She looks over him and sees a few cuts of his own and his coat rustled up.
"I'm so sorry nephew, please forgive me." Celestia says before levitating him on to her back and bringing him to Luna.
Meanwhile Luna is in the bathroom giving Moon Dust a well needed bath. With the tub full of bubbles Luna cleans up Moon Dust while he plays with the bubbles. A bubble lands on his muzzle which makes him giggle. Luna smiles and giggles at this sight. She wonders what could have happened to such a sweet foal and who his parents were and where they are. After washing Moon Dust clean of soap left in his mane and coat she levitates him out of the tub and wraps him up in a towel. Just as she places him on her back a loud scream is heard. A chill went down her spine. She knows that voice from anywhere. It came from Peanut Butter. She tucks her wings on top of Moon Dust before opening the door with her magic. As she opens the door Celestia stands in front of her with Peanut Butter on her back knocked out an beaten up. Luna stands in shock.
"What did you do to him sister?" Luna asks with a bit of anger in her voice.
"I had to use a knock out spell. I'm sorry Luna it was the only way. He was resisting the suppression spells from my guards, he was a danger to himself and others." Celestia says.
Moon Dust sees Peanut Butter passed out on Celestia's back and whimpers. Luna notices this and turns her head back and nuzzles him before turning her head back to Celestia.
"What exactly happened there?" Luna asks.
"It's apparent that BlueBlood must have said something to make him angry, but I never thought he could put up such a fight against three of my guards and still be able to fight their magic combined, I've heard bat ponies can have a temper, though this is never expected." Celestia says.
Hoofsteps are heard as both princesses turn their heads and see it's Lunar Shine with a look of shock seeing Peanut Butter on Celestia's back. He picks up the pace of his steps until he reaches Celestia and regains his composure.
"I'll take him off your hooves Princess Celestia, as for a bat pony's temper yes it can get bad, but to go up against three guards and still manage to just stand is something unheard of." Lunar explains.
"Is that so?" Celestia asks.
“Yes.”
Celestia places Peanut Butter on Lunar Shine's back.
"Hopefully this is a one time incident, that still doesn’t explain the sudden wind though." Celestia says.
"Agreed. I'll stay by him and talk to him when he wakes up, Princess Celestia, as for wind, what do you mean?" Lunar asks.
“There were extremely strong winds when he was riled up, they came out of no where.”
“Odd, I never heard of such things.”
"I'll go with you to catch you up on what happened, along to discuss about the little one on my back." Luna says while motioning her head to Moon Dust.
Lunar looks at the foal on Luna's back. Moon Dust hides from him making Lunar chuckle a bit before they go to Peanut Butter's room. As they walk Celestia watches them with a concerned look on her face. She stands in the hall for a couple more minutes before she returns to her throne room.
The walk to Peanut Butter's room is quiet with only the sound of hoof steps against the floor of the castle. Luna has a distressed look on her face as she looks at Peanut Butter. They reach the door to his bedroom as Luna uses her magic to open it letting Lunar Shine in and helps him set Peanut Butter on his bed.
Luna and Lunar lay down on the floor at the other side of the room next to each other as Moon Dust is placed in between them. Moon Dust curls up close to Luna as soon as he sees Lunar next to her. Luna rubs the colt's back gently.
"So who's this little guy?" Lunar Shine asks curiously.
"This little stallion is Moon Dust, Peanut Butter found him when he ran off from school we don't know where or who his parents are, but until then he'll be with us,” Luna answers before turning her head to Peanut Butter.
“But on the subject of Peanut Butter, between his escape and what was reported to me, the school doesn't want him back, honestly I don't know what to do, that was the only one close to the castle,”
She sighs and looks at Lunar.
“But if I take up on Twilight's offer either I'd have to send him to Ponyville by himself or we all go together, he doesn't want to be around a lot of foals and he kept day dreaming, along with what your sister has told me I'm worried about him." Luna explains.
Lunar stays silent for a couple of minutes processing what Luna has told him.
"Maybe taking Princess Twilight's suggestion isn't a bad idea, obviously he's no ordinary foal, maybe she can help him." Lunar says as he offers a hoof to Moon Dust.
Moon Dust peeks out from Luna's coat seeing Lunar's hoof in front of him. He looks up at Luna to see her smiling at him.
"Don't worry little one, he won't hurt you." Luna says to Moon Dust.
Moon Dust extends his hoof and taps Lunar's hoof before pulling back his hoof. Lunar keeps his hoof out towards him. Moon Dust taps Lunar's hoof again before crawly slowly to him. Luna smiles at this.
"Let me guess if he's an orphan you want to adopt him huh?" Lunar asks as Moon Dust gets close to him.
"Yes, Peanut Butter has hinted that he would like a younger sibling to play with and it may help him as well, also it looks like Moon Dust is making himself right at home." Luna says.
"Well he is cute, but do you think you can handle two foals?" Lunar asks in a monotone voice.
Luna looks down towards the floor.
After about ten minutes she looks at Lunar Shine and nods.
"Yes I feel like I could do it, but let's hear back from the guards first before we make that choice." Luna says.
After an hour of talking between Luna and Lunar Shine there is a knock on the door. Luna uses her magic to open the door to reveal Celestia standing in front of the doorway.
"Luna, it's time for your duties." Celestia says.
Luna nods and looks at Lunar who nods as well. Just then Ocean Shine enters the room. She looks confused as she sees Peanut Butter sleeping on the bed and a trembling foal in Luna's embrace.
"Ocean Shine, we need you to stay here and keep an eye on Peanut Butter. He's, had a bit of a rough day." Luna says while putting Moon Dust on her back.
"Understood your majesty." Ocean says.
Luna gets up and leaves with Moon Dust. As Ocean Shine looks at her brother Lunar Shine with a concerned look before he explains what happened. As he explained what Luna told him Ocean's expressions on her face changed from concern to shock. After Lunar explains what happened during the day he gets up and hugs Ocean Shine before leaving the room for guard duty. Ocean Shine sets her saddle bags down and takes out a book to read while she waits.
Peanut Butter wakes up a few hours later and finds himself in his room on his bed. Ocean Shine is passed out in the corner with a book at her hooves. The door slightly cracked open as Peanut Butter stretches and sneaks out of the room as quietly as he can. He enters the hallway and sneaks around to find a window that he can open. As he walks he listens for hoofsteps to make sure no pony was following him. After a couple minutes he finds a window and quietly walks towards it. He unlatches the window and cracks it open. He looks behind him before jumping out the window spreading his wings and gliding his way away from the castle in the winter night and towards the Everfree Forest.
In Peanut Butter's room Ocean Shine opens her eyes and looks at Peanut Butter's bed to see that he isn't there. She gets up quickly in a panic and looks around the room until she sees the door is open and rushes out as she hyperventilates. She swiftly turns her head left and right down the hallway and notices the open window. Her eyes go wide as she runs searching for a guard.
"Guard!, guard!, is anypony here?" Ocean Shine shouts as three guards quickly arrive.
"What is the matter miss Ocean Shine?" One of the guards asks.
"Peanut Butter isn't in his room and I don't know where he is, please help me." Ocean Shine says before breaking down into tears.
The guards leave and gather others to search the castle. After ten minutes of searching the castle guards look towards one another and nod knowing what they need to do.
"Get Princess Luna, quickly." One of the guards says before one of them heads to Luna's chambers as fast as they can.
A couple minutes later a loud cry can be heard through out the castle. Just then the guard from earlier returns to Ocean Shine and catches his breath.
"The princess and your brother request your immediate presence." The guard says.
Ocean Shine nods and heads to Luna's throne room as the crying becomes louder as she gets closer. When she reaches the throne room she pushes the door open and enters seeing Luna laying on the floor in tears as Lunar Shine and Moon Dust try to comfort her. Lunar Shine looks over at Ocean Shine with a concerned look on his face confusion in his eyes.
"Ocean Shine please tell us what happened." Lunar Shine says as he continues to comfort Luna.
The look on her face turns from panic to sadness and guilt as she looks away before she speaks.
"I...I.....I fell asleep while he was sleeping by accident and when I woke up he was gone. I'm so sorry." Ocean Shine says before quietly shedding her own tears.
Luna looks up after hearing Ocean Shines response. Her face turns from sadness to anger as she gets up with tears still falling from her eyes, Looming over Ocean Shine like a fierce storm cloud above a town ready to unleash it's fury onto it.
"Get out of the castle now!, you are not welcome here anymore!" Luna shouts as her voice booms and echos through out the castle before slamming her hooves down.
Ocean Shine nods and walk off silently not objecting while being escorted by a guard. As soon as the door closes Luna holds Moon Dust and Lunar Shine close to her as she cries again. She nuzzles them both before looking at Lunar Shine.
"Send guards out through Canterlot., check everywhere, if he was foalnapped I want the pony's head on a platter, if he ran away, bring him back here safe, I will see if he's dreaming, wherever he is." Luna mutters before nuzzling Lunar Shine.
"Yes your highness."
Luna feels something soft brushing against her and looks down to see Moon Dust nuzzling her trying to cheer her up. She smiles at him and nuzzles him back taking him into her hooves and holding him close and nuzzles him back.
"Thank you little one for trying to cheer me up." Luna says with a small crackle in her voice from her earlier crying.
Moon Dust stays close to Luna, his eyes half shut with a slight yawn as he looks up at Luna. She smiles and wraps him in her fore-hooves to let him sleep. Moon Dust slowly passes out as Luna looks out one of the stained glass windows.
At Canterlot Castle, Celestia tends to Star Light who just heard the news of her cousin running away. She looks down, crying as Celestia nuzzles her. She has ordered some of the day guard to continue the search. Luna, Moon Dust, and Lunar Shine are asleep in Luna's chambers after she cried herself to sleep. Celestia looks through papers and signs some of them as diplomats and advisers talk with her about political issues that they feel need to be dealt with and disputes with other ponies through out most of the morning. Just as she was going to eat her lunch, a loud bang is heard from doors opening. She sees one of the guards race towards her.
"Princess Celestia, we have news regarding young Prince Peanut Butter." The guard says as he catches his breath.
"What news is this?"
"Somepony claimed that they saw something flying towards the Everfree forest, should we send a search party?"
"Yes, immediately, I'll sent a message to Twilight and her friends to have them help too."
"Yes your highness."
The guard rushes out as fast as he came in closing the doors behind him. She decides to let Luna sleep and gain back her strength as her food comes. She takes a bite from her sandwich as she looks out the window. Her face shows a mix of concern and hope as she eats. She sighs as she looks out the stained glass towards Canterlot and the Everfree.
"Please be safe my young nephew." Celestia says softly.
Luna searches the dreamscape for any sign that Peanut Butter is dreaming or asleep ignoring her own rest in the process. She finds nothing as she enters Lunar Shine's dream to have some comfort from his loving embrace while checking every once in a while. Lunar Shine nuzzles her before they curl next to each other.
"Please don't leave me my love." Luna says softly with sadness still in her voice.
"I would never do that."
"Good, I just want to know why."
"We don't know what happened to him right now, but if he ran away, I would like to know that too."
"I know, but I feel like it is my fault some how."
"It's not your fault, we'll continue the search for as long as it takes."
"Thank you my love."
"Anytime."
As the day turns into night in the waking world Luna wakes up and sees Lunar Shine next to her and sees Moon Dust curled up under one of her front forelegs and on top of the other just as she left him. She smiles at the sight of them before turning her head to the setting sun as she gets up to raise the moon. Lunar Shine and Moon Dust stir and wake up as Luna raises the moon. Lunar Shine goes to Luna and stands next to her.
"How are you feeling my love?" Lunar Shine asks.
"I'm still worried sick and upset, I plan on looking for him tonight, no matter where it takes me, I want my foal back home."
"We'll find him."
Just as they turn around from the balcony there is a knock on the door. Luna opens it and sees that it is Celestia.
"Why hello sister, what brings you here?" Luna asks.
"We have a lead on where Peanut Butter might be, but you may not like it."
Luna's face brightens and runs towards Celestia hugging her ignoring the last part of what she said.
"Where is he?, please tell me, where is my foal?"
"He might be in the Everfree forest, I have a search team looking for him now."
Luna's bright look on her face turned to horror as her breath starts to go fast. She suddenly collapses as her eyelids flicker looking towards the window.
“My, foal, be, safe.” She prays softly before she completely passes out.
~10 Years Later~ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The moon is high in the warm summer night in Canterlot as Luna looks out towards the Everfree forest. She looks down and sighs as Luna enters her chambers before heading towards the lunar throne room of the castle. Just then a gust of wind blows and Luna turns around to shut the doors to her balcony and stops and squints towards the balcony and walks to it.
She goes onto the balcony and sees a moon lily siting on the railing in front of her. She uses her magic to levitate it and smiles before walking back in and placing it in the vase nearby a picture of Peanut Butter as a foal before leaving her chambers.
As she walks the halls of the castle, she runs into Moon Dust, who is now officially part of the Lunar guard.
“Hello my little guard.” Luna teases.
“Mom, I’m not little anymore.”
“So you say, another Moon Lily was on my balcony, seems like tonight will be an eventful one, I suggest you go outside and join in on the action as our mystery pony visits,”
Luna walks past him and smirks with a giggle.
“Who knows, you might catch them if you’re lucky.”
“No one has been able to catch them ever since they started showing up about two years ago.”
“Well, luck runs out eventually.”
“True, I’ll go outside then.”
“Good boy.”
Luna goes her own way and Moon Dust goes his way.
Moon Dust exits the castle and stands by the royal gardens looking up towards the night sky.
A half hour later the sound of yelling is heard by the front of the castle and getting louder as Moon Dust looks at where the direction the noise is coming from. Just then a strong gust of wind blows towards him. He drops his pike and takes off his heavy armor as a cloaked figure quickly flies by. Moon Dust runs and jumps into the air and flaps his wings.
“The chase is on I guess, let’s make this fun shall we?” The figure remarks.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The figure makes a sharp turn right around a tower and then a left. Moon Dust Does the same, and catches up with the figure. The figure looks back and grins. Just then another gust pushes them further just as the figure goes up high enough for Moon Dust to see bat wings from the figure.
“Let’s see if you can catch me after this!” The figure says as they stop mid air against the moon and dives down, closing their wings spinning.
Moon Dust stops and dives after the figure before the figure leans up and suddenly vanishes from speed. Moon Dust stops again and perks his ears up and turns around, speeding towards the other side of the castle.
“Ouch, that’s new!” A voice shouts.
Moon Dust flies to the other side of the castle and sees the figure trapped in a net on the ground and guards surround them.
“Caught you now.” Moon Dust says triumphantly.
“Clever stallion, did you come up with this?”
“I did actually, I was ordered that if you were ever caught to bring you to Princess Luna.”
“Oh goodie, aren’t I special?”
“Apparently you are, we usually sent trespassers to the dungeons.”
“Well, take me away.”
The unicorn guards light up their horns and levitate the hooded pony and walk inside the castle.
Once inside they walk down the halls of the castle as the throne room is on the other side of the castle. Just then a strong gust knocks down the guards and drop the figure who levitates and flees.
“Like I’d make it that easy?” They say before going down the hall and turning left.
“Get back here!” Moon Dust shouts before giving chase.
Moon Dust chases them down more halls as eventually the figure gets out of the net and throws it to the side and starts to gallop on their own. Just then the figure hits another figure and looks up to see Luna. Moon Dust stands at attention.
“We were going to deliver our guest to you, but he slipped out of our grasp, Princess Luna.” Moon Dust informs.
“That is quite alright Moon Dust, it reminded me on how you and your brother ran around the halls.”
”Yeah Moon Dust.” The figure remarks.
Luna looks down at them with a raised eyebrow.
“You have no room to talk, I do believe it is time to find out who you are.” Luna says.
“I thought you would have figured it out by now with the moon lilies I leave behind on certain dates.”
“Though this isn’t a special date, unless.”
“The day your lost foal returns home.”
The figure removes their hood to reveal A peanut butter brown bat pony with peanut butter brown main with dark brown streaks and a hazel left eye and an emerald green right eye. He sports a goatee and wears glasses as he looks up to Luna. She gasps with both hooves to her muzzle as her eyes well up.
“Is, is that you?, Is it really you?” Luna asks with a crack in her voice.
“Yeah, it’s me mom.”
Moon Dust’s jaw drops and his eyes go wide.
“Buh, buh, but how?” Moon Dust asks.
“It’s a long story, get Aunt Celestia too, she’ll probably want to hear it as well over tea.”
Luna quickly grabs Peanut Butter and hugs him tight and cries. Peanut Butter smiles and squirms.
“I missed you too mom, but, I, can’t, breathe.”
Luna quickly lets go as Peanut Butter gasps before all three walk towards the royal gardens.
