Maternal Instinct

by Night--Mist

First published

What happens when Velvet Sparkle, mother of Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor finds a little one on the streets of Canterlot?

Velvet Sparkle Finds a little pony in a basket and it's parents are nowhere in sight. It's a pegasus, but there's a lot more to him then anypony knows. Watch what happens as Velvet Sparkle's maternal instincts are resurfaced.

Warning: This story contains cute scenes and babyish things for a few chapters. Do not read if you are faint of heart.

Rated teen to be safe.

Please leave a positive comment and constructive criticism. Thank you.

A Mother's Choice

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Velvet Sparkle was doing her regular shopping around the Canterlot market. she was grabbing what she needed for dinner tonight for her and her husband. Night Light of course was busy with the other nobles at the castle, trying to defend the common folk as he always did, and getting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and a few nobles on his side every time. Of course a few were too high strung to listen until the princesses cut in. Of course she knew her son Shining was off keeping the Crystal Empire safe with his wife Princess Cadence, and Twilight was off taking care of her princess duties as the Princess of Friendship.

With her children gone and living their own lives, Velvet was feeling quite lonely. Sure, she still had her husband, but things had been a lot more quiet since her children had left home. Now, she was no old mare, that much was certain. She was still in her prime and could take on any mare half her age. But what she wanted was to have little hooves running through the house again. So many time, she wanted to speak with her husband about having another foal, but all these nobles never gave her husband a moments peace, and to try and bring the subject up wouldn't be the right time.

Getting back to the present, Velvet had just finished up her shopping for dinner tonight. They were going to have spaghetti and garlic bread, and for dessert, her favorite, Lunar Eclipse Cake. As she was making her way past the castle, all of the sudden, she heard a soft whimper. "Whatever in the world?" She pondered as she scanned the area and came to spot a basket sitting on a bench near the castle. How the guards had not spotted it yet was beyond her, but she knew that was the source of the noise. Once she came upon it, she set down her groceries and lifted the blanket with her magic. What she saw inside sent her heart a flutter. Inside was a cute little sleeping pegasus. He had fur as black as night, and his mane color reminded her of the peppermint candy canes as it was colored red and white. He was cutely sucking on his hoof as he slept in the foal basket.

Velvet looked around, but there seemed to be no pony giving her the odd face that would say 'What are you doing around my foal'. This was leading her to assume the foal had been abandoned. As her eyes turned back towards the sleeping foal, something else caught her attention. There was a not sitting on the bench. She picked it up in her magic and read:

To whoever reads this note, pleas listen,

I found this foal in the wilderness a few weeks ago. He's only two months old at most. Where he came from I do not know. But I have been looking after him up to this point. The reason I am no longer there, I have a confession. I am a criminal mare, who has been on the run. But after taking care of this foal for a while, I realized it was time to turn myself in. I couldn't take this foal with me and have be raised into a life of crime. He deserves more then that. I know I have done many wrongs in my life, I just hope that by letting this foal find a better home and turning myself in, I can do something right. The reason I haven't taken him to an orphanage is because they would know who I am before I'd have a chance and would think he's my son and have him raise by a cruel family. I don't want that for him, so if you find this letter, and the foal, I hope you understand. Give him a good life and a good home.

Sincerely,

His anonymous guardian
P.S. His name is Peppermint Twister from what I read on the pendant around his neck.
P.S.S. He needs mother's milk. I tried feeding him formula, but he threw it back up.

"Oh, my goodness. For a criminal mare, she sure cared about him," Velvet said to herself.

She looked back in the basket and gaze upon the sleeping foal once more. As he cutely yawn and turned in his sleep, Velvet's mind was made up. She would take this little foal in as her own. He was just too cute. Now she knew without question Night Light would be all for it, even without an explanation. Plus she had a friend who lived right next door who was an expert in potions that were for maternal purposes and knew she had a potion that helped a mare produce milk once more for little ones. She would make a stop there before going to her house. She soon picked up the foal basket along with her belongings, and headed back to her house on Midnight Boulevard, named after her ancestor, Midnight Sparkle, mortal decedent of the Princess of Night.

Once she received the potion she needed from Gentle Heart, Nurse Red Heart's unicorn sister, she made her way inside. And not a moment too soon. She heard little Peppermint Twister begin to stir as he woke up. After drinking the potion, she soon lifted the blanket and saw navy blue eyes starring at her. "Hello there my little one. Have a good sleep sweetie?" She said cutely to him.

The colt merely tilted his head as he looked at her. She giggled as she picked him up in her magic. He yelped for a second once he felt weightless. Then he was amazed he was floating. "That's it dear, Mama's got you," She soon set his swaddled form in her hooves and rocked him. He soon got comfortable and buried his face into her chest. "Hmhmhm, tired already. But you just woke up," Velvet teased.

Peppermint blushed and covered his face with his hooves. "Ah, where did Peppermint go? Where'd he go?" she said starting to play with him.

He soon pulled his hooves away and began to babble, "Apa ba ba da."

"There he is, there he is," Velvet said as she began to tickle him.

He giggled for a while until she heard hoof steps and deep familiar voice say joyfully, "What's going on in here?"

She lifted her head up and saw Night Light staring at her. "Now, who is this cute little guy here?" He asked.

"This is Peppermint Twister sweetie. I found him on a bench outside the castle. How the guards did not see him before me is beyond me. Or maybe their completely blind," Velvet said.

"Well, looks like I'll have a word with the princesses. But, how do you know he's abandoned?" Night Light asked.

Velvet soon levitated the note to him, and he read every word. "Oh my, well, it's a good thing you found him when you did. Who knows what could have happened to him. I can already see the look in your eye. You want to take this colt in as our son don't you?" Night Light guessed.

Velvet replied, "Honey, I know to some it seems a bit odd to have a pegasus in a unicorn family, but he's just so adorable. I can't just let him go."

She nuzzled little Peppermint and he gurgled happily as she did. "I have nothing against it sweetheart. We just have to go to the orphanage tomorrow and let them know. I know how much you wanted another foal to care for, and I was about to offer you the chance, but it seems a cute little rascal showed up and gave you the chance already," Night Light said.

Peppermint began to playfully bat Night Light's face and giggled. "Feisty little guy isn't he?" Night Light commented.

"Indeed," Velvet said, before hearing somepony's tummy rumble, "And it looks like mama needs to give this little one his dinner."

"But I thought you couldn't.... You went to see Gentle Heart I take it?" Night Light pondered.

Velvet nodded and Night Light replied, "Well I'll take the groceries and go cook dinner and dessert for us dear."

"Just don't burn the bread again honey," Velvet said.

"I'll try dear," Night Light said.

Soon he trotted off and Velvet set Peppermint near her teats so he could nurse. Having done this with the last mare that cared for him, he showed no hesitation, feeling hungry. He just hoped this new mare would stay with him. He soon fell asleep as he nursed, and Velvet nuzzled him before she said, "Sweet Dreams, my little Peppermint."

Unicorn and Dragon Siblings, Alicorn Aunts, and One Crazy Uncle

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It had been a week since Velvet found Peppermint out in Canterlot. Word had soon reached the ears of Canterlot Castle. Blueblood of course argued that a unicorn could not adopt a pegasus. Celestia and Luna of course set him straight afterwards. When Twilight heard that she had a baby sibling, she was ecstatic. Shining Armor was just as excited to see his little brother, and of course Cadence couldn't wait to offer her babysitting services to her new little brother.... in law.

Speaking of which Velvet just got a letter from both of her children that they would be visiting today. Night Light was busy getting the house ready. And Velvet... well, she was busy keeping an eye on the little explorer. Three days after they had found him, he began crawling all over the place, meaning daddy Night Light had to install gate guards to keep him from getting into places he shouldn't. She watched as he tried to reach for the Television but couldn't reach for how tiny he was. "Are you wanting to watch Daring Do again?" She teased him.

Peppermint Twister gave her a toothless smile. Soon there was a knock on the door. Velvet answered it and was greeted with a small herd. "Hi Mom," Twilight said, embracing her mom in a hug.

"Hello to you too, my little princess of friendship," Velvet said.

"Hi there Velvet. Been a while," Spike said.

"Spike, how's my number one dragon? You've grown. Last time I saw you you were just this big," Velvet said as she made her hoof look like she measured smaller version of Spike, which made him blush and scratch his neck.

"It's good to see you again Mother," Shining said as he nuzzled her.

"And you as well son," She nuzzled back.

"A pleasure to come visit you again, mom," Cadence said.

"And I am pleased to see my daughter of love again," Velvet replied, hugging her daughter in law.

"So, where is the little trooper I keep hearing about?" Shining asked.

Velvet was about to speak when she felt a bump on her rear left leg. She looked down and saw Peppermint hugging her leg. "Here's the little guy," Velvet said as she picked up the baby pegasus.

Cadence's heart was sent a flutter as she said, "Awww, he's the most adorable little colt I've ever seen."

Peppermint giggled as she started tickling him. Shining smiled as he saw his new brother. "Looks like I've got a new royal guard to train up," shining Said.

"And who says the new little prince will be a royal guard. I think I could see him becoming really great philosopher," Twilight argued.

"We'll see, I mean, he's still a little guy," Shining said as he bopped his brother's nose gently. Peppermint grabbed his big brother's hoof and hugged it. "Wow, and he's got quite a grip for a little guy. Hmhm."

The family soon walked in and Velvet soon let him crawl around again. "He's quite the little scamper, isn't he," Cadence said as she sat on the couch with Shining and Twilight and watched Peppermint Twister crawl around the living room.

"Indeed. So much energy, I don't know where he gets it," Velvet said as she sat in her rocking recliner.

As they chatted, they heard another knock at the door. "Were you expecting more company?" Twilight asked.

"No, but let's check it out," Velvet replied.

She opened the door, and there, standing before her, were three very important figures. "Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? Discord? What brings you to our humble abode, your majesties?" Velvet asked.

"We heard there was a new addition to the Sparkle family. So, we thought we would come and see the little one," Celestia said.

"Yes, we have been cooped up in the castle fr days, we needed some time to escape, and we kept hearing about how cute the little colt was," Luna said.

"And I heard this little one's bit of a troublemaker, at least for the snotty nobles," Discord said.

This made everypony laugh. "Come in," Velvet said and the royal sisters and lord of chaos soon trotted in with her.

"Hello your majesties, Discord," Shining said.

"So, where is the new little prince," Luna said.

Velvet soon levitated her son and he giggled as he was lifted off the ground. "This is our little Peppermint Twister," Velvet said.

"Awwww" the royal sisters said in unison.

All of the sudden, Discord wiggled uncontrollably, making Peppermint laugh and clap his hooves. "That can't be right," he said to himself out loud.

"What's wrong Discord," Celestia asked.

"Well, it's not that anything's wrong. It's just odd. I feel... a magical presence coming from Peppermint," Discord said.

"But... how can that be? He's a pegasus," Velvet pointed out.

"I understand that. But he possesses magic. I don't know how to explain it. There must be something we're missing," Discord said as he scratched his chin in puzzlement.

"Well, I can look through the Canterlot archives. I think I may have read something about it, but I have to read through them again just to be sure," Twilight said.

"Well, we better keep this under raps. If news spreads about a pegasus foal having magical capabilities and we tell them we know not why, there will be panic," Celestia warned.

"I agree. We must be careful about who we let know about this little one's magical potential. Now that does not mean you can't take him out and meet other ponies. Just don't let word slip. The new little prince will get enough publicity with his new status," Luna agreed.

"Alright, we'll be sure that we don't reveal that little bit of information," Velvet said.

"Well, now that that's settled, I do believe we have presents for the little prince," Celestia said.

"You read our minds aunt. We did too, as did Twilight and Spike," Cadence said.

Spike was the first to give him a present. Velvet helped him open it and it revealed a hoof gauntlet. "Spike this is rather unique," Velvet said.

"Well it took a while to find the right material with help from Twilight. It's known as a Ember Gauntlet. wear it, and you'll be impervious to any attack that involves fire, magic based or by dragon breath. Had to shed a few scales of mine to help achieve it. It's difficult to find or make these, since most Dragons in the area are ill tempered," Spike informed Velvet.

"Well it's very thoughtful of you Spike thank you," Velvet said.

"Anything for my new little brother. Oh, I should mention that it has a spell that was cast by Twilight so that while he grows, it does as well," Spike said.

"That's good to know," Velvet said.

"Twi, it's your turn," Spike said.

Twilight, of course had given him a children's book for a present. It was the first book Velvet had read to her when she was a little filly when she went to sleep at night. Shining revealed toy armor for foals, showing he was definitely eyeing his new brother to become part of the Equestrian Royal Guard. Cadence revealed a soft comfy pillow that was in the shaped of the crystal heart that floated at beneath the Crystal Castle. Discord of course had given him a goofy puppet show, Celestia was one to kindly give him a gift through magic that would help his wings and legs grow strong with each passing year as he got older.

Luna was last. "Well, I know he probably won't need it, but, being adopted by a mortal descendant of my line," she paused as she revealed a black crown with a crescent moon in the center with her magic and continued, "I feel it is only right he should have the attire to help ponies recognize his position."

Everypony smiled and Peppermint crawled over and hugged his, well, shall we say grandmother, on the muzzle with all four hooves, hiscrown dropping over his eyes a few times. Luna could only giggle at his cuteness along with everypony else. Just then, the little prince yawned. "Aww, I think it's time for this little pegasus to get some rest. Velvet soon levitated him gently and set him in his favorite blanket, wrapping him snugly, before sitting in the reclining rocking chair and rocking her son to sleep. Everypony dawwed at the moment, well, except for Spike and Shining who had fallen asleep to the lullaby with their new brother. Soon Velvet set him in the cirb set up in the living room and place a sound mute spell on his ears, so no noise would wake him.

"It seems even to this day, your lullabies are undoubtedly effective to this day on some pony and some dragon mother," Twilight said, as she dawwed at all the boys sleeping.

"Shining never could let go of his colt side. That's why I know my own son's weakness. And Spike is of course still a baby dragon, so, it's no surprise there," Velvet giggled.

"Indeed," Twilight agreed.

"Well, I can see that you inherited my voice of song. And that lullaby was simply angelic," Luna said.

"I see many great things for that little colt in the future. But for now let him have peaceful dreams," Celestia said.

Everyone agreed and soon chatted about things that had happened over the months. There would be much they would find out in the days to come.