“It’s a Birthday, it’s a birthday, it’s almost Twilight’s birthday!” Pinkie Pie announced while she bounced eagerly in place. She glanced around quickly and pulled a hidden lever, dropping the floor out from under her and sending her plunging down a slide to her party cave, giggling the whole way down. “Making that slide was the best decision, ever!”
After she landed, she trotted over to a large filing cabinet and pulled out Twilight’s file. “Okay, let’s see... likes... dislikes… huh, that's weird!” She pulled Twilight’s birth certificate out and frowned, seeing an indent on the back of it. “That’s funny! The indent says 995, but the front says 985… that's a super funny 8 though! Maybe Twilight knows why her birth certificate is super wonky?”
After a few minutes, she was back in her bedroom, clutching Twilight’s birth certificate, humming as she shoved it into her mane and bounded downstairs. “Mrs. Cake, Mr. Cake, I’m going over to Twilight’s! I think she’s hiding a super big secret from all of ponykind and it may be what destroys everypony we love!”
“Alright, Pinkie. Just be back by the twin’s bedtime,” Mrs. Cake answered before pulling cupcakes from the oven.
“That’s right.” Mr. Cake glanced over to his wife, rolling his eyes. “We need you to watch them while we clean up after closing.”
“You betcha!” Pinkie waved and took off like a bullet towards the crystal palace.
Twilight leafed through a large book and sighed, shutting it and laying her chin on it. “So bored…”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “Well, why not have another magic duel with Starlight?”
“She’s visiting Sunburst in the Crystal Empire. She’ll be home in time for my birthday Saturday.” Twilight sighed, putting the book back in its spot. Her ear flicked as she heard a familiar voice yelling her name.
“Twilight! Twilight!”
“I’m in the library, Pinkie!” Twilight called out with a smile. Pinkie will help me get rid of this boredom!
Pinkie poked her head in and grinned. “Found you! Oh hey, Twilight, isn’t this supposed to be a ballroom? I mean, I went to the library first, but nopony was there, so I just started looking in every room here!”
Twilight rubbed the back of her head and poked her tongue out. “Well… Yeah, but the normal library was too small for all my books.”
Pinkie rubbed her chin before nodding. “Yeah, okay, that makes sense.. oh! I wanted to talk to you! It’s super-duper important!”
“Well, I'm always here to help in any way I can, Pinkie Pie. Would you like some tea first?” Twilight smiled over at Spike.
“Nah! Oh, but I could go for a huge mug of hot chocolate!” Pinkie beamed over at Spike. “And make one for yourself too!”
“That sounds great. Spike, may I have some hot chocolate as well?” Twilight smiled over at Spike as he rolled his eyes. “Also, why don’t you take a few bits and buy yourself that new issue of Power Ponies you’ve been asking for?”
“Really? You’re the best, Twilight!” Spike raced over to Twilight and hugged her tight before sprinting towards the kitchen.
Twilight shook her head and laughed. “He’s such an easy one to please.” She then turned her gaze to her friend, ready for whatever insanity she might bring on to help with her boredom. “So Pinkie, what’s going on?”
“Well, you know how your birthday is on Saturday?” Pinkie asked, sitting down across from Twilight.
“Well, yes. It is my birthday after all,” Twilight giggled.
“Right! So I was in my party cave to check if I had anything planned for this year when I found something really, really weird!” Pinkie reached into her mane as Spike walked back in carrying a tray with two large cups of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies.
“Here you go, Twilight. Is there anything else you need?” Spike bounced from foot to foot as Twilight levitated her saddle bags over and gave Spike several bits.
“No, I should be good. Have a fun time with your friends, and eat something healthy for lunch!” Twilight called after his retreating figure.
“No promises!”
Twilight winced as the door slammed shut. Ugh, I wish he’d learn to shut that door a bit softer… oh well, he’ll be with his friends the rest of the day, probably eating junk food and downing colt cola… I should plan a nice healthy meal for when he gets home. She shook her head. “Anyway, you said you found something weird about me in your party cave? What was it?”
“Right! So I was looking at your file, and everything looked just fine-arooni, but then I noticed your birth certificate wasn’t in the right spot, so I picked it up!” Pinkie took a deep gulp of her hot chocolate and bit into a cookie “Mmm, Spike makes good cookies!”
“Wait, my birth certificate? You have my birth certificate? How? Why?” Twilight tried to stay calm as her mug trembled in her magic.
“It was easy! I have a copy of the birth certificate of every pony in Ponyville, and every donkey and mule and-” Pinkie stopped as Twilight shoved a cookie into her mouth with a burst of magic
“I get the idea, Pinkie. So, you have everyone’s birth certificate.” Twilight sighed, looking down at the table.
“Yep yep yep! Anyways, yours was backwards, so I noticed something really weird! Twilight, did you know that you have two birthdays on your birth certificate? Oh! Does that mean you were born twice? Is that even possible?” Pinkie pulled the official document out of her mane, and Twilight stared at it. The picture attached was her as a newborn staring up at the camera and that stupid eight…
“So the copy you got had a mistake on it. That happens, Pinkie. Even magic isn’t perfect.” Twilight glanced away as Pinkie narrowed her eyes at the document in question.
“Are you sure about that Twilight? I mean, every other birth certificate I've gotten is an exact copy of the real thing, so it doesn’t make sense... “ Pinkie’s eyes widened as she looked up at Twilight with a beaming grin. “You know, if you were born twice that would mean you get double birthdays! Oh, that would be fantastic! I’d be the first party pony ever to throw a double-birth birthday party!”
Twilight’s eyes widened at Pinkie’s excitement as she chewed viciously at her lip. No way I can ever have a double-birth birthday party… no way. “No Pinkie. I wasn’t born twice. I.. I…” She looked at her friend. “I swear that I want to tell you the truth, but I just can't.” She turned her gaze down to the document in front of her before looking back up at Pinkie a single tear running down her cheek. “Please… don’t make me.”
Pinkie frowned, her ears flicking as she thought before finally shaking her head and smiling. “It’s okay Twi-twi. Nopony but you and I ever have to know about this!” And, to Twilight’s relief, she grabbed the document roughly folding it and causing the picture of newborn Twilight to fall onto the table. Twilight stared at it.
“Pinkie… Pinkie wait… Maybe, maybe it is time. Maybe you need to know who, and what, I am….” Twilight’s ears pinned back against her head as she gripped her tail. “What happened seven years ago.”
Nestled on the coast of Equestria was the Village of Saddle Moor. It was a smaller town, even compared to newer villages just starting out, The village was home to roughly thirty families, all of whom followed the Church of the Sisters. While most ponies tend to shy away from those who were overtly religious, they were content, eager to live their lives. Community was a strong sense of pride to them, and they regularly engaged in parties and festivals that brought them all together.
Today was such an event. Twilight Velvet smiled broadly as another family arrived, a wrapped dish resting on the mare’s back. “Hey! I’m so glad you were able to make it!” She trotted over to the unicorn family as their teenage daughter took off to join the other foals. “It looks like we may actually make the amount of bits we need to send the high school foals to Canterlot. With the Sisters’ blessing.”
“With the sisters’ blessing” was echoed by the arriving couple as they dumped several bits in the fund raising box and moved to join the rest of the families. Velvet sighed, smiling as she returned to blowing up balloons.
“Ah, dear Velvet, doing this all on your own? Where is Brother Night Light?”
Velvet stopped with a smile on her lips. “Father Moral Compass, I’m so glad you and your wife Sun Ray were able to make it. Sadly, Night Light was delayed in the Capitol and won’t be home yet for another month.” She shook her head. “Something about comets being spotted.”
The dark brown earth pony nodded, fixing his collar which had gotten loose due to a strong breeze. “So does it look like we’ll be making our goa—”
Without any thought or warning, every living being in Saddle Moor dropped to the ground. Sadly, it included two pegasi stallions who had been playing ball high above.
The red unicorn took a deep drag on her cigarette as she watched two policeponies hurriedly paint a white line over the road. “So, what do we know, if anything?” She lifted an eyebrow towards one of the officers, who was trembling. “Hey, buck up! Tell me what is going on!”
“Ah, yes! Yes, of course… About six hours ago we lost all contact with the village of Saddle Moor. a few of my deputies trotted towards the village and…” He spread his foreleg out to indicate the two stallions passed out less than ten feet past the painted line. “It..it’s eerie, Ma’am. Even the birds are silent.”
The unicorn nodded as she watched an earth pony volunteer being outfitted with a magical mask designed to give him clean air. “A gas leak maybe… but why does it stop so suddenly.” She took another drag as the stallion took a step over the white line. “Just keep walking slowly. You are on a rope. f things go bad we’ll pull you back quickly.”
The stallion nodded. He took several slow steps, his hooves clip-clopping on the stone road until, just six feet over the line, he crumpled to the ground. As he hit the ground he was yanked back. The unicorn mare yanked the mask off and checked him over. “Unconscious but breathing, pulse is fine… Get me mane, urine, and blood samples stat!”
As she finished speaking, a unicorn stallion fought forward, having just been dropped off by a cab. “What is going on here? Let me through!”
The unicorn mare trotted over to him and offered her hoof to him. “Deep Inquiry from Royal Department of Science and Health.”
The stallion frowned, but he took her hoof. “Stable, I’m the physician of Saddle Moor. What in Equestria is going on here?”
Right before Deep Inquiry answered, the unconscious stallion groaned. His eyes opened. She looked up to see the deputies in the road standing up. Confused bird calls followed and she smiled. “We aren’t sure yet. Come with me, Doctor?”
Doctor Stable shook his head. “No! I have to get to town, my wife and village need me!” Ignoring the cries for him to stop, he galloped past the white line and down the road.
Deep Inquiry frowned, taking another drag before turning to the other government workers. “Well, what are you waiting for? Horns on the fritz? Get out there and find out what caused all that!”
Velvet got back to her hooves, trembling as everypony else got to their hooves. Quiet murmurs reached her, until a scream caused her ears to pin back. She turned towards the scream and quickly, wished she hadn’t, as she saw Cloud Burst lying on his side. His neck was twisted at an unnatural angle, and his head was cracked open. She turned her eyes away as her breakfast escaped.
“Mom! Mom!”
Velvet looked up in relief as her teenage son Shining Armor galloped over. “Oh, thank the Sisters! I thought you and Rocky were going to go sailing!” She wrapped her forelegs around her son, trembling as he held tightly.
“We were just about to climb in the boat when whatever that was happened… Boat is gone but Rocky and I are alright…” Shining Armor nuzzled into his Mother’s coat. “M-mom was that Mister Cloud Burst…”
“Shh... he is in the embrace of the sisters…” Velvet shook her head as Moral Compass covered the stallion’s body with a picnic blanket. “I… I think we should head home.”
“Yeah, let’s get going Mom…” Shining Armor led his mother towards the road to come face to face with a unicorn in a full hazmat suit. Their jaws dropped as they saw twenty or so unicorns with their horns lit, scanning their entire town.
Velvet swallowed hard and nosed her son forward. hey took slow steps away from the hazmat ponies and towards their home which overlooked the sea.
It had been four weeks since the incident had occurred, and the town of Saddle Moor had been deemed to be just as healthy as it had been prior. Not that Velvet really noticed as she lay her forehead on the seat of the toilet, her horn weakly glowing as she flushed it. Several moments later she rose to her hooves and went to the kitchen. There, she saw Shining munching a bowl of Oat Loops.
“Are you still feeling sick, Mom?” Shining Armor asked, trying to finish his math homework without his Mom noticing.
Velvet sighed. “What am I going to do with you, Shining? Even my own colt doesn’t do the work I assign. And I think i’m getting over the worst of this bug.”
“I dunno, Mom. Maybe you should make an appointment with Doctor Stable. We can watch the littles today and do study hall otherwise.” Shining Armor smiled, putting his math homework into his bag. “Come on Mom… Do it for me?”
Velvet sighed. “Oh… Alright. But I expect everypony to have a short essay ready for me tomorrow. Deal?”
“About any subject?” Shining Armor asked, cocking his head
“Sure, why not! Now get going.” She kissed his cheek, chuckling as he made a face and headed out the door.
Velvet looked over the dirty dishes left on the table and rolled her eyes. “That colt… without their blessings he’ll never find a filly.” With a jerk of her head the dishes were in the sink and she was on her way to get checkout by Doctor Stable. A spring was in her step as she remembered Night Light was due home today! Nothing could have made her upset!
Velvet stared at the floor in shock. “Run it again…”
Doctor Stable sighed, pulling his glasses off before laying them down on his desk. “Velvet, I ran it six times…”
“Run it again! I can’t be! It’s not… I didn’t! In the Sisters’ name!” Velvet trembled as she stared at the floor. “I could never… never!”
“Velvet… it isn’t just you, there are a lot of pregnancies… You are the ninth one I’ve diagnosed in the last two days.” Stable shook his head. “Every one of you exactly four weeks along…”
“Nine… but that…” Velvet trailed off as she felt Stable’s hoof lift her chin.
“Go on home, Velvet. Night Light is due home soon and you need rest and to pray. All we can do now is wait.” Stable packed up the test results and floated them into Velvet’s saddle bag. “I’ll be at Night Light’s welcome home party tonight. If need be I will speak with him.”
“O-of course. In Sisters’ blessing.” Velvet touched her hoof to Stable’s before walking out of the office.
“In Sisters’ blessing,” Stable echoed, shaking his head and adding Velvet’s case to the eight others.
Night Light smiled, tipping the cab driver as he stepped out in front of his home. “Oh it’s so nice to be back! Thank you for the ride.” The pony took the bits and headed back out of town as Night Light walked up the steps to see his son outside painting one of his little figures. “Mom got on you about paint staining the table again, eh?”
Shining Armor looked up and grinned. He set his stuff back and embraced his Father. “Dad! Welcome home! Nah, Mom is in the bedroom. She's been really quiet since I got home. She’s been sick so I convinced her to go see Doctor Stable.”
Night Light hmmed and set his bags next to the door. He walked into the bedroom. “Velvet? Honey, I’m home… Shining says you’re sick? Would you like me to make you my world famous turnip soup?”
Velvet looked up at Night, her ears pinned back, the fur under eyes stained by tears, and her eyes glossy and red. “Nighty…”
Night Light climbed onto the bed and took his wife into his hooves. “Shh. Whatever it is, honey, I’m here…”
Velvet burst into fresh tears. She clung to him, her tail curled up towards her barrel as she levitated the test results to rest next to Night Light.
After a moment he opened the folder and blinked at the paperwork. “You… we’re pregnant?”
Velvet whimpered, clinging to him while she nodded.
Night Light beamed. “That’s fantastic, baby! I’m so excited I’m going to be a Daddy again! Honey, what is it? Talk to me.”
“...Night… I’m only four weeks… It...it happened the day of the black out I wrote you about. A-and it’s not just me. Doctor Stable said I was the ninth… I didn’t I…” Velvet sighed lightly as her lips were covered by Night Light’s.
“I know that, Velvet… What a blessing our village has received from the Sisters!” Night Light beamed at his wife, kissing away her tears.
Velvet finally smiled with a hiccup. “Y-you’re right… Such a blessing!”
“To the Sisters who stay in the sky, guiding the Sun and Moon, guiding each of us towards our fate, we dedicate ourselves to you from the tips of our ears to our four hooves. In Sisters’ Blessing.” Moral Compass smiled at his flock as they replied in kind. “We thank you for the blessing you have bestowed upon our village and we swear to raise these gifts in the blessing of your word!”
A pony mare hesitantly stood up “Father, I have no disrespect, but do you not feel that we should contact that government doctor who was here after the blackout?”
“And for what reason does the government need to be aware of our blessing? Were the Celestia seated upon her throne in Canterlot truly one of our ladies she will already know… Now, let us pray.” Moral Compass opened his bible as the mare sat back down.
The rest of church passed quickly. Velvet was soon walking out, accompanied by her son and husband. “Ten of us… it’s so incredible. Were it happening anywhere else I don’t think I’d have believed it.”
Night Light chuckled. “I told you this was the best place for us to raise our family. Oh! Speaking of family I got a telegraph from Clear Dawn this morning. He’ll be here on the four o'clock train.”
Shining Armor grinned widely “Uncle Dawn is coming? Awesome. Any idea why?”
Night Light shrugged. “Not really, I sent him a message about the pregnancy a few days ago and just got a brief message he was coming. Now I expect you to be of your best behavior. Don’t drive him insane with questions of serving the false lady.”
“Dad, you know I won’t do that… Can I go with you to pick him up?” Shining’s eyes shined hopefully as Night Light shook his head.
“Sorry Champ, your uncle said he wanted to talk with me privately. You help your Mom clean up the house and we’ll all go to the next town over for dinner and you can order anything you want.”
Shining sighed before nodding. “Sure, Dad. See you later.”
Velvet kissed Night Light’s cheek before they separated. Night Light ran to catch a cab right out of town.
Night Light sighed as he sat at the bar next to his white furred brother. “Dawn, I’ve told you I don’t drink… Now, come on. Shining Armor and Velvet are waiting for us.”
“Light, I don’t give a buck that you don’t drink. Any stallion who learns their mare cheated on them and is pregnant by it needs a drink. A good hard one before we get back on that train and head back to Canterlot.”
Night Light shook his head to the bartender who set a beer on front of his twin brother. “Water for me please. And Dawn… I told you, Velvet didn’t cheat on me. Her pregnancy is a gift to us by the Sisters for being so devout.”
“That is a bunch of bull dick, Night! Mares don’t just get pregnant!” Clear Dawn drained his beer. “Dammit, Night. I just want you safe and happy.”
“Then understand this, Dawn. I am happy… Besides Velvet is not the only.” Night Light took the glass of water with a nod of thanks as Clear Dawn stared.
“What? What in Equestria do you mean ‘not the only’?”
“Simply that. Doctor Stable has diagnosed ten pregnancies, all due on the same day. Velvet is only one of them… Look, Dawn if I thought Velvet had cheated on me.” Night Light shook his head. “But, you didn’t see her the day I found out. She was broken, an empty mare. But since that day she has lit up even more than we learned we were having Shining. Please brother… Just come to town and see for yourself?”
Clear Dawn thought a moment before paying the bar keep. “Alright, I have to head home in the morning but I can stay the night. Let’s go get Velvet and the kid and get dinner.”
Velvet smiled gently as her brother in law came in the room. “Did you have a nice chat with the Father?”
Clear Dawn sat down with a groan. “Yeah, I suppose what I could understand of it. I don’t get it, Velvet. Why do you and Night live in this village with all these loonies?”
Velvet rolled her eyes. “Considering Night and I are these so called ‘loonies’ that's a bizzare query. But, I don’t know. We moved here when Night was offered the job and just kind of found a place here.” Velvet smiled. “It’s a good place to raise foals…” She went back to her knitting as Clear Dawn watched her create a small hat.
“What, no horn hole?” He cocked his head, remembering the information he had packed away.
“Well, we aren’t certain what the foal will be. All we know if we already love them.” Velvet smiled before blushing. “Besides, when I made Shining’s hat I always made the horn hole to large.”
Clear Dawn nodded. He smiled and embraced his Sister in Law “I need to head out to the train station. But let me know how the pregnancy goes, okay? And I’ll be back soon as the kid is here.”
“You trust me now?” Velvet asked, hopeful.
Clear Dawn nodded.“Yeah. This is just too weird to be anything but legit. I’m going to have Shining walk with me if that's alright?”
“Of course, don’t tell Night, but Shining told me he's planning to join the guard rather than become clergy.” Velvet smiled pulling back as Clear Dawn laughed, snapping his saddle bags into place.
“My muzzle is sealed. Until next time, Velvet.”
Shining Armor stood by the front door, eager to walk with his uncle. Clear Dawn smiled. For most of the walk he let Shining babble about the guard before he paused him.“Hey Shining… How do you feel about all of this?”
Shining Armor slowed his trot and frowned. “Well, it’s weird, but I think I’m excited. I always wondered what it’d be like to be a big brother.”
“I think you’ll be the best big brother, Shining. And I need you to start now. If anything weird happens I want you to contact me, alright? I can’t be certain your Mom and Dad will.” Clear Dawn paused before the small train station as Shining Armor finally nodded
“Sure, Uncle Dawn. I’ll do that. I better head back home. Have a good trip back!”
“See you, champ.” Clear Dawn gave his ticket to the conductor and took his seat in deep thought. Something weird was happening in Saddle Moor.
“And if the Princess is involved I’ll eat my barding.”
Clear Dawn walked slowly back to the barracks, his brow furrowed as he chewed his lip. I need to talk to the princess, but if my brother finds out… He laid his head against the wall with his eyes closed until he felt a touch on his shoulder. He turned to see the captain staring down at him, a small smile on her lips.
“Bad trip to see your brother, soldier?”
Clear Dawn sighed, sitting on his haunches. “Yes… No… I’m not exactly sure…” He stood up after a moment and saluted. “Ma’am! My mind was elsewhere, ma’am!”
The captain of the guard snorted. “At ease, at ease. We’re just two ponies talking right now, okay, Clear Dawn?”
He nodded, sitting back down. “Alright, Steel Resolve... “
She sat next to him. “Alright, so you left on a one-day emergency family leave, quite irate with your sister-in-law and swearing to bring your brother home away from the loonies. Yet, I notice your older brother seems to still be in Saddlemoor and you aren’t irate anymore. You appear almost lost. What happened?” Steel quietly listened as her soldier and friend told her everything that he had learned and how it was affecting his own family.
“So that's it… something super bizare is happening in that town… something that is affecting my family and everything in my body is screaming to inform the princess, but…” His head lowered as his ears pinned back.
“But, you are afraid what will happen if it gets back to your brother and sister-in-law,” Steel finished for him, then stood up. “Come on, get up… Fix your barding.”
He stood up as well, his horn glowing. “What’s going on?”
“We’re going to talk to the princess. Don’t worry, I’m certain this can be handled without the princess having to investigate herself.” She placed a hoof on his shoulder. “Family is very important to the princess, you know that.”
Clear Dawn smiled and nodded, following his Captain’s lead as they headed to request an audience.
Princess Celestia sat calmly as she listened to the entire report. She sighed upon its conclusion. “I see. Well I understand, Sergeant, that you’d prefer that your brother not find out you spoke to me about this. So I will monitor this from afar. Deep Inquiry put in a request a few days ago asking if she could return to Saddlemoor to study what could have caused the event.” She brought her hoof to her chin. “I wonder how the two are connected...” She shook her head. “I’m prepared to give the families affected 10,000 bits per child as long as they allow Deep Inquiry to run her non-invasive tests. Clear Dawn, I have a mission for you as well.”
The stallion felt himself stand straighter as Celestia’s full attention was on him.
“This is your family. You’ll have the best view of what is really going on. Talk to your family, send letters, visit. Most importantly, be there for them and your new niece or nephew. If you find out something that seems… ‘off,’ I do request you report them to me.” She shrugged her wings after a moment. “Saddlemoor doesn’t believe I’m the true Princess of the Sun and know me as the false lady. Therefore, if I can avoid it I’d prefer to remain here and not cause them heartache.”
“I understand, Princess. Thank you for putting your trust in me.” Clear Dawn saluted properly as he and his captain were dismissed.
Celestia shook her head. “Raven, make sure that Deep Inquiry is informed that her request is to be granted.”
Raven nodded and marked it down, watching as Celestia appeared to stare off at nothing for several moments.
What will come of all this, I wonder…
Clear Dawn opened the letter from Night Light that arrived a few weeks later, relaxing on his bunk.
Hey big brother! Velvet and Shining send their love. Sorry it took so long to get back to you after your letter, but frankly, it’s been chaos here! A doctor from the government came last week offering each family 10,000 bits per year per baby if we allow her to do non-invasive tests. Well, after a few days of praying we all agreed. This extra money will really help because Velvet’s pregnancy is already half over! I know what you’re thinking and you’re right; Velvet is only 8 weeks pregnant. The doctor, Deep Inquiry, seems to think the babies will be here sooner than later. They check all the mares on a daily basis. It is a bother, but I love hearing the foal’s heartbeat. For some reason the ultrasound isn’t functioning, but that’s okay since it means we get a big surprise!
Love you,
-Night
Clear Dawn folded the letter and checked his calendar. “Let’s see… this is the event… and we’re here, so I’d say I’ll have my niece or nephew in another two months. I better request leave now.”
“Why don’t you head up there for a day or so?”
Clear Dawn turned in surprise and smiled. “Captain! I guess you overheard me talking to myself.”
“Mmm, you’d be guessing right, Sergeant. Now as I said: head back to your brother for a few days. I bet they’re all frantic trying to get the nursery done in such a short amount of time, so surprise them. It’ll be good for all of you!”
Clear Dawn considered for a moment and nodded. “I’ll take the night train to get there in time for breakfast. Velvet makes some amazing pancakes.”
Shining Armor yawned widely as a knock beckoned him towards the door. “Don’t ponies understand we’re supposed to sleep in on Saturday?” He opened the door and a wide grin appeared on his face. “Uncle Dawn!”
Clear Dawn set his bag down and ruffled Shining’s mane. “Hey, slugger! Thought I’d come surprise all of you. I’m here for a few days, so I’ll see if in that amount of time your dad and I can figure out the crib.”
“I wouldn't bet on it. If I remember correctly it took you stallions a full week when we were having Shining.” Velvet smiled as she emerged from the kitchen, her belly particularly prominent and a maternal glow about her.
Clear Dawn walked over and wrapped Velvet in a hug and kissed her cheek. “And there is the most beautiful mare I’ve ever seen. Pregnancy just makes you shine!”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Dawn. Now come on in; I’m making pancakes!”
Dawn smiled as he let himself be led to the guest room by his eager nephew.
“And we again thank The Sisters for how easy every one of the pregnancies they blessed us with have been, and swear to them that all of these foals will be brought up in the ways of your blessed church!”
“We swear!”
Moral Compass smiled down at his congregation. “Again, I thank you all for coming and recognize brother Night Light’s sibling as family. Even if he does serve the false lady, we pray he will reflect on this sermon and re-evaluate his life!”
As everypony headed to leave, Clear Dawn glanced at Night Light. “Was that a veiled attempt to get me to quit being part of the guard?”
Night Light shrugged. “With the Father, one can never be completely sure. Every now and then I get a lecture of concentrating too much of my life to the Night Sister.” He shook his head. “Sorry, Father, I’m an astronomer. The stars are best visible at night. Anyway, forget the sermon; let's get some sodas and tackle that crib!”
“Can mine be a beer?” Clear Dawn sighed after a moment.
“Sorry, big bro. The best you’ll find here in Saddlemoor is root beer.” Night Light chuckled as Clear Dawn groaned.
“Fine, fine... root beer it is.”
Neither stallion noticed the red-maned unicorn mare watching them through narrowed eyes as she took a long draw from her cigarette.
Clear Dawn stared down at his cards, chewing his lip. He took a sip of the drink beside his right hoof. He was on a really good streak. All he needed was one more card to win another hand. “Shining...Do you have a two?”
“Sorry, Uncle Dawn. Go fish!” The colt grinned as he took a swig of his colt cola. His Uncle groaned plucking another card from the pile.
“Velvet, you have to let me teach him to play poker! Boy would be a card shark!” Clear Dawn looked over at where his sister-in-law was resting, rubbing her heavy and swollen belly. “I’ll even teach the foal. It’ll be fun!”
Velvet laughed and shook her head. “I told you, Dawn...No gambling! Oh!” She paused, her hoof still resting upon her belly as her ears folded back. “Night!” She cried out as Clear Dawn and Shining Armor got up.
“Mom? Mom is everything okay?” Shining Armor rushed to his mother’s side. She smiled up at him, smoothing his messy mane with her magic.
“Everything is fine, honey. It’s just...Your baby brother or sister is ready to say hello!”
Shining’s eyes widened as he raced to the stairs. “Dad! Dad, hurry! It’s time! It’s time!”
Loud galloping was heard as the Night Light appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his mane mussed up from having just woken up, but a huge grin on his muzzle. “It’s time? Oh boy oh boy!” He ran over to Velvet and held her hoof. “I’m here, baby. Just take some deep breaths. Can you walk? Should I telegraph for a cab?”
Velvet nuzzled into her husband’s mane. “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m certain I can make it to the barn.”
Clear Dawn frowned at the mention of a barn. “Why would we be going to a barn, Velvet? Shouldn’t we be heading over to the clinic?”
Velvet shook her head, her muzzle still in Night Light’s mane. “With all the mares due at the same time, Moral Compass and Doctor Stable felt it was most likely that the Sisters would arrange for all our beautiful gifts to come at the same time. And, well, there’s not enough room at the clinic for ten mares to give birth in a comfortable or safe manner. Looks like you scheduled your leave perfectly, big brother! Shining, go get your Mom’s bag and let's head out!”
Clear Dawn glanced around the barn. He obviously couldn’t see much as each mare had a curtain around them. He had scrubs and a mask on as he turned back to Velvet. She was doing her lamaze breathing and accepting ice cubes from Night Light’s magic. He frowned, not seeing his nephew. “Where is Shining Armor, Night?”
Night Light looked up. He frowned in thought before smiling. “I’d have to say that he’d be with Melody. He’s had his eye on that filly for a while. I think he’s hoping to help her raise her foal.”
Clear Dawn smiled and nodded “A good colt you have, Night.”
Night Light grinned before turning back to Velvet. “I like to think so. I know it’s mostly from Velvet, but I like to think I had a bit to do with it.”
Clear Dawn smirked. He stepped back to go find his nephew even as he heard his voice calling for help.
“Help her! Something is wrong!”
He turned to see Melody being rushed past him. Deep Inquiry was pulling on scrubs as she galloped past, shouting orders. Shining Armor stopped in shock next to Clear Dawn as Melody was taken into another room.
“Th-they won’t let me back Uncle Dawn...Why won’t…” Shining looked up at Clear Dawn, tears in his eyes.
Clear Dawn wrapped a foreleg around Shining Armor. “Hey… listen, you go and be with your Mom and Dad. See your new sibling born. I’ll stay here and wait for news.”
“Y-you promise, Uncle Dawn?” Shining bit his lip as his uncle nodded. “Alright. Let Melody know that… I’m here, okay?”
“Soon as I see her, buddy. Go on.” Dawn nudged Shining Armor with his muzzle, urging the colt back to his Mother’s curtain. He then turned to the door and waited patiently.
“Push! Push! Push! Come on, Velvet! Just bare down hard!” The doctor called up to the straining unicorn mare who was squeezing the hooves of both her teenage son and husband. “I see them! Come on! One more good, hard push!”
Velvet screamed as she gave a final hard push. She soon heard a loud, healthy cry. “Are they okay? Are they healthy?” She tried to see her foal as it was laid on her chest, the doctor smiling.
“There she is. Mom. Great job! She is a beautiful unicorn!”
Velvet stared down at the squealing newborn on her chest. A tuft of dark blue mane stuck up, showing the nub of a horn. “My foal! My beautiful little filly!”
Night Light and Shining Armor grinned as they hugged Velvet. Shining Armor glanced out the curtains to see his uncle, who was slowly walking outside. He frowned before he turned his attention back to his new baby sister.
Clear Dawn walked over to Deep Inquiry. She was leaning against a chariot, smoking a cigarette. Her magic seemed to be flickering a bit as he walked over.
“I saw you come out here…” Clear Dawn narrowed his eyes, ripping the surgical mask off as the mare glanced over at him.
“Sergeant Clear Dawn, am I right? You’re one of the Princess’s personal guards. What are you doing in this tiny town?”
“My brother and his wife Twilight Velvet,” He started before being cut off by the mare as she took a small puff.
“Right, that makes sense. Family… So why are you out here while they are in there?”
Clear Dawn snorted, pawing the dirt. “I told you. I saw you leave Melody’s room with a bundle in your magic.”
Deep Inquiry narrowed her eyes before she shook her head. “The foal was stillborn. The umbilical cord got wrapped around his neck. I brought him out here so none of the other mothers would see him. No need to ruin their day, hmm?”
Clear Dawn closed his eyes. “Buck, my nephew… He and Melody were planning…” He shook his head. “Maybe it was for the best. They’re both still so young. Will you be returning the foal for burial after an autopsy, then?”
“Yes… of course.” She smiled before stamping her cigarette out. “Now why don’t you get back to your family and celebrate the birth of their foal?”
Clear Dawn frowned, but nodded. He turned and headed back to Night Light and Velvet. Shining Armor looked at him with big eyes. Clear Dawn frowned. “I’m so sorry, Shining.”
The colt’s ears pressed down. Velvet looked up from the sleeping filly in her forelegs. “Go to her, Shining. She needs you.”
Shining Armor nodded. He galloped from the room, quickly spotting Melody. She was curled up, sobbing. “The-they said it was a colt… Soul Fire…”
Shining Armor nuzzled to her, nosing into her mane as they both looked at the empty bassinet.
Clear Dawn washed his hooves before walking over to where Night Light was holding the newborn filly. “They’ll be alright, Night. They’re so young… Plenty of time.” He shook his head before smiling at the purple-furred unicorn who was slumbering in his brother’s forelegs. “So, will you introduce us?”
Night Light smiled at his brother and gently set the filly in his arms. “Of course. Clear Dawn, this is Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle, this is your Uncle Dawn.”
Clear Dawn smiled down at the tiny pony. “Hey there… Don’t you ever worry, Twilight Sparkle. If you ever need me, I’ll be right there for you.” He kissed her forehead. “I promise.”
Pinkie held a hoof up to stop Twilight from continuing. “So… there were nine of you?” After a moment Twilight nodded. “All of you born on the same day?”
“Same day? Try same minute.” Twilight stated with a small snort. “Well, while that is true it is known I was the last born. Well, last born alive. In order was Eclipse a female pegasus, Comet Tail a male pegasus, Harvest Moon a female earth pony, Dusk Storm a male earth pony, Moonlight Glow a female unicorn, Darklight Song a male unicorn, Midnight Shadow a female pegasus, Corona Blaze a male pegasus, and…me Twilight Sparkle a female unicorn… Soulfire…stillborn male.” The one who was meant to be with me… She reheated her hot chocolate with a small warming spell as Pinkie continued staring at her. “Are you ready for me to continue now?”
Pinkie simply nodded as Twilight took a sip of her drink.
Princess Celestia flipped through the file that Deep Inquiry had delivered to her. She paused and glanced up to see Clear Dawn waiting patiently. “So it seems the births went mostly well, all the foals excepting the male stillbirth were all fully formed and had excellent Apgar scores. And you were present for your nieces’ birth? A unicorn filly named Twilight Sparkle?”
“I was in the barn yes, however, I did not see her born. The mother of the still-born colt is my nephew Shining Armor’s filly friend. They didn’t allow him to stay with her once she and the baby went into distress. I promised him that I would stay close to the door so I could tell him what was going on. As such, I was the one who saw Deep Inquiry leave with the colt wrapped in a blue blanket.” He reached into his saddlebags with his magic pulling out a rolled scroll. A small picture almost fell to the ground which Celestia caught with her magic and brought to her she smiled. It showed a very proud yet tired mare cradling a tiny purple-furred unicorn.
“Your niece?” Celestia smiled as her guard grinned.
“Yeah, cute little thing isn’t she? She already has Night wrapped around her little hoof. Hel-er heck she’s working her devious ways on me. Ah, actually they are having a special baptism for all of them. I was hoping…” He trailed off as Celestia returned the picture.
“Of course, now…” She frowned “Did you see Deep Inquiry return the colt’s body for burial? I know how religious Saddlemoor is…”
Clear Dawn tucked the picture into his barding before he shook his head. “No, she said she would after an autopsy…” He trailed off as he saw Celestia’s ear flick. “Is…there a problem?”
“How likely do you believe that your nephew’s filly friend or her parents would have signed off on having the colt’s body donated to science?” Celestia’s eyes narrowed as Clear Dawn’s widened giving her the answer she had been suspecting. “Deep Inquiry sent me this report on the live births and of course the still-birth. Said report also included a signed donation form which I must now assume to be naught but a forgery or worse a forced signature taken during the worst moment of that young mare’s life.” Celestia shook her head “Either way, it is obvious I can no longer rely on her word alone. I need some pony who I can trust to help monitor these foals. Somepony who has reason to care. Clear Dawn I need you. I need you to stay in Saddlemoor. Spend time with your family. Love and teach young Twilight Sparkle. But most importantly… watch Deep Inquiry. Report to me weekly.”
“Of course your Highness! As for a report, here is my report of what I saw and experienced during the birth.” He passed the sealed scroll to her. “Is there anything else before I go pack?”
“No, just remember. Report only to me… I have a bad feeling.” Celestia closed her eyes with a sigh. “Be safe my little pony.”
“And I dedicate you Midnight Shadow in the name of the True Sisters. As they watch from above guiding the Sun and the Moon. May you grow in their love and love them in return.” The small purple pegasus foal fussed as her father sprinkled holy water over her forehead.
Clear Dawn glanced around the small chapel it was filled with the residents of Saddlemoor proudly watching as the nine foals the gifts from the sisters as they were known. He mentally frowned. If he had not known he’d have thought all nine of them were related. For all we know they may be… He smiled at his brother who was holding little Twilight Sparkle who caught his own eye with what he could only say was a questioning look. He simply smiled at his little niece as he watched Midnight Shadow’s Mother return to the first two pews where all the infants and their families were.
Everyone of them has the same fur color, the same eye color, even the same mane color. Excepting the stripe of color in their mane…
Clear Dawn did his best to space out during the sermon as he and Twilight stared at one another. Night Light noticed and with a grin passed the foal to her Uncle who took her in his embrace. To his surprise unlike when he held Shining as a foal she didn’t cuddle to him instead she kept staring at him. Almost as if she was trying to understand who he really was. He placed a gentle kiss under her horn as she finally broke eye contact and allowed her eyes to close.
Princess Celestia, per my last report the foals were all baptized last Sunday, Their growth has slowed some but already my niece resembles more of a yearling than the newborn she should be. As of yet, she is not speaking but I will not be surprised once she does. Night and I have a gentle colt’s wager on what her first word will be. He says that it will be Mama. I am certain however it will be book.
Clear Dawn looked up from the report he was working on to see Twilight Sparkle staring up at him a book held in her magic he smiled “Another chapter? Well, I don’t see any reason why not. Come on let's go sit on the couch.” He grinned as his niece almost seemed to teleport over to the couch. He cast a for your eyes only spell on his report and walked over to the couch and sat beside Twilight taking the book from her magic. While Night and Velvet insisted on reading the normal foal books Clear knew Twilight had no joy from them. This was her favorite The Unification: The History of Pre and Early Equestria. “Let's see… Chapter five: Counselor Puddinghead why Equestria is not called Earth.”
Twilight Sparkle sat beside her Uncle and listened to every word. This was far more enjoyable than listening to Mother and Father reading from those… so-called books. Twilight did not care what a rabbit felt like. Now the unification of ponies. That caught her interest.
The door slammed open and Clear and Twilight both looked up to see Shining Armor he glanced at them a moment before he raced upstairs. Twilight Sparkle wasn’t capable of understanding him quite yet. He avoided her most of the time. It was… puzzling. Before her Uncle could continue the chapter her Mother came in.
“Really Dawn? She's too little for such a book.” Velvet tsked as she lifted her baby into a cuddle with her magic. Twilight frowned but allowed her Mother to nuzzle her.
“I keep telling you Vel she brings me the book herself,” Clear noted the page they were on before he closed it. “Shining Armor ran upstairs. Problem at school?”
Velvet shook her head. “I’m not going to push him, Dawn, he and Melody have been… arguing. Poor colt. He knows the statistics of romances failing after well… Anyway, just let him be, hopefully, he’ll come to you when he is ready. Twilight Sparkle and I however have a date.” She giggled pulling a coat onto Twilight. “A play date, Bliss has invited Twilight Sparkle to come to play with Eclipse while we chat over coffee. We’ll be home in a few hours.”
“I’ll keep an eye on Shining have fun Velvet, Twilight Sparkle.” Clear Dawn caught Twilight’s eye the filly did not seem thrilled it was almost as if she was headed into a mandatory meeting. Hmm…
“Well, here we are! I just know you and Eclipse will have so much fun!” She knocked on the door as Twilight stood between her forelegs. She was going to knock again when she heard the blood-curling scream “Bliss!” She used her magic to break the door down not noticing that Twilight was slowly falling behind her. Not noticing as her eyes sought out Eclipe’s who was smiling as her Mother screamed in pain.
