> A Polarizing Revelation > by RamenWolf1485 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The purple-coated mare trotted up to the large wooden door, it was now or never. She couldn’t hide this any longer, and with her new recognition, she had no choice. Princess or not, she was determined to get her life in order. She knocked on the door. Simple, really. A simple knock. Oh but what if she wasn’t in her room?? What was she to do? Panic? No, that wouldn’t look good… Wander the halls? Nah, that wouldn’t look good as a Princess… oh what is she thinking? She didn’t want to be a Princess… too much responsibi- oh good the door is opening. “Twilight! Or should I say Princess Twilight! What brings you to my room this late? I thought for sure you’d depart back to Ponyville with your friends.” The tall alicorn goddess stood before her. She was wearing a pink robe and holding a cup of afternoon tea with her magic, something she did routinely, to pass off the stresses of the day. “Princess Celestia, uh… can we talk? Please? In private?” She was determined to get this over with quickly. “Of course, Twilight. Come on in.” She backed up and allowed her student* to trot through. “Princess…” She started, taking a seat on a stool, “I… dunno where to begin.” “Just take it easy, Twilight. Something tells me something is bothering you. Now what is it?” “I don’t want to be a Princess.” Celestia had to fight to keep from spitting out her tea. “Umm… could you repeat that?” “I… don’t think I can handle being a Princess.” “Whatever makes you think that? You’ve proved to everypony over and over again that you have the capabilities to carry out the responsibilities of a Princess.” “That’s just the thing, Princess… I… already had a large responsibility.” She trailed off a bit. “And what would this ‘responsibility’ be?” Celestia just had to know. “…I’ll just… Uh…" Twilight stammered. Feeling her words fail her, she turned towards the door and hollered "CALE! Let him in, please.” A blue stallion with a black Stetson hat poked his head through the door. "Now?" "Yes, now." Celestia just stared, “Twilight what on-” but the question died on her lips at the sight of their new guest. In walked a small foal. A small alicorn foal. His coat was white as snow, his mane and tail seafoam green on one half, rich purple on the other. His eyes were lavender, much to Celestia’s shock, like Twilight’s. He wore a small black Stetson and black leather vest. Twilight became nervous, “Umm… Princess Celestia… This… is my son… Polaris Jr..” Never in the history of Equestria had the sun set so fast. Celestia sat there in shock, struggling to come up with an intelligent response. Finally she stammered out, “T-twilight? Y-your…” She gulps, “Son?” She was dumbstruck. How had she not noticed? How had she not been told? Who was the father? Was it the stallion at the door? Questions raced through her mind like a million angry paparazzi. “Yes… I have a son…” She looked down as the small colt trotted up to her and nuzzled her leg, eliciting a smile from her. “When did this happen?” “Right before you sent me to Ponyville to study the magic of friendship…” She looked down, “I had a relationship with one of your nephews…” “Blueblood?” She asked nervously. “…No.” “Oh thank goodness…” “It was Polaris.” “…P-Polaris? Prince Polaris? The Prince of Hearths Warming? How… why…” She was dumbfounded. Then she realized the foal's name was Polaris Jr… how did she not catch that? “We… well… we hit it off pretty well… He was the only friend I had outside of my brother, Shining Armor. And… I don’t know… We just… One night… went all the way. I didn’t want it to stop… and well, here he is.” Celestia was at a loss for words. Her best student had been sleeping with her late nephew? And had borne a child in secret? It was all so much for the goddess to take in at once. “But… you know the rest…” She sighed sadly. Polaris Jr. was trying to hop up to his mother, so she pulled him up in her lap and cradled him. “Yes. We tried to send him on a diplomatic mission to make some sort of trade deal with the Northern Troll Tribe… I couldn’t attend it, but Polaris… his magic wasn’t always the best…” She looked away, “I should have gone instead…” “Don’t beat yourself up, Princess… It wasn’t your fault…” she held her foal in her forelegs and stroked his mane. “But… you… he...” She looked up and chuckled, “Oh, Polaris, you silly nephew. I should have known you would go after Twilight. After all you did talk about her and ask about her a lot…” A tear formed in the corner of Twilight's eye. "I miss him..." she whispered, "He was... the only stallion I ever loved... Liked that...." Celestia felt herself tearing up as well, and quickly changed the subject to something less mournful. "I have to ask Twilight: why did you keep this a secret this whole time? You didn't think to tell your new friends or your neighbors? What about your parents and your brother, shouldn't they know? What about-..." She choked on her words; so much for a less mournful subject. "...what about me?" "I was worried about whay everypony would think… What if the media got a hold of it? Celestia's star student and the Prince of Hearth's Warming Eve? Not just having relations but having a child out of wedlock? It would be a whole scandal! Think of what could have happened! The media would see it as one giant sex scandal put on by the royal family! And- and then, I could've been blamed, and- and I would've been thrown out by my family and then I'd just be a single mom living on the streets! And without the Element of Magic, there would be nopony to save Equestria from the next disaster! And- and-..." She broke down crying. Polaris looked worried and gave his mother a kiss and a nuzzle for re-assurance. "Twilight!" Celestia interrupted her, tears streaming down her eyes as well, "Twilight.... Please..." She leaned in and stroked Twilight's mane, as they both shared a teary-eyed smile. "I'm sorry, Celestia. I should've trusted you more... it's just I was so scared, I didn't know what to do..." "Twilight, my most faithful student... there was no need to hide him from view. Remember, you can always trust me, and your family as well... I don't think any of us would have looked at you any different. You shouldn’t be ashamed. I can see you're raising a happy, healthy foal, and that right there is a lot of responsibility in itself.” She put a hoof to Twi’s chin and brought her face up to look at hers, “Twilight… Since you left for Ponyville so long ago I always treated you like a student who wanted to succeed. Now I know better. You are growing up to become a well-educated adult mare now. I should have realized this sooner.” she sighed. "B-but i've been lying to you and everypony i care about this whole time!" The tears kept flowing. "T-twilight, please, calm down. Here..." She levitated a teapot over and poured an extra cup of tea, "Drink this. It's a special brew Luna came up with. It's good for calming one's self." She levitates it over to her. Twilight takes the up with her magic and took a drink. The tea flowed down her throat and into her stomach, warming every inch of her body and giving her mind a sense of calmness. She picked up a napkin and dabbed her eyes, "...Being silly." "There's the Twilight i know and love..." Celestia smiled. "I'm- I'm sorry..." "Twilight, relax... Now, there is something that is bothering me..." "W-what?" "How did you give this adorable little colt a normal life? I mean it seems you kept him out of public's -- and Pinkie's -- eye for nearly two whole years!" "Well, wasn't easy... But, there's a stallion, back home in Ponyville... he offered his assistance with my foal. He was the only one who knew because he stumbled upon me... uh, "feeding" one day, and he offered his help.” She blushed, recalling how exposed she was that day. "Does he have a family?" Celestia was quite curious as to why a random stallion would have Twilight's trust. "A wife and eight foals..." "Eight foals?! My goodness. No wonder you trusted him quickly." "Ya... Seeing as he had the experience... I allowed him to help. He insisted I not pay him but I did anyways... I tried so hard to give little Polaris a normal life. He got to socialize... I home-schooled him a bit using early foalhood books. I just... didn't want anypony to actually know. I mean I guess they would not have minded, but..." Celestia cut her off, "Twilight, they are your FRIENDS. Need I remind you that you wrote me the letter about judging a pony?" She chuckled. "Y-ya, but-" "No buts, Twilight. I don't ever think your friends would ever condemn you for any reason. You yourself said that friendship could overcome anything." "...Right. I forgot." She looked back up at her former mentor-turned-colleague, "But you do see why I came to you, right? Not just to ask about relinquishing my role as a Princess... but because you can't hide a lie forever. I know it was wrong for me to have... done that... back then, and out of marriage... but looking on it now, I don't think it was wasted... I don't think I'd be the mare I am today." Celestia chuckled, "I'd have to agree, Twilight... and Polaris here seems to agree as well." She motioned to the foal who had curled up and fallen asleep in Twi's forelegs. Twilight looked at her little colt... she thought back to all the times she spent with him, "I wouldn't trade him for the world..." She sighed and kissed his forehead. Celestia's heart melted at this sight, "Very well then, Twilight. You still want to go through with the relinquishing of your status as a very regal and royal Princess?" "Princess, I must. from now on I want to live openly. I'm going to have some explaining to do, but I think can handle it. But... only if you want to, Princess." She stared up at her mentor. "Well... I've been thinking this over the whole time..." She sighed, "I guess there's really nothing I can do, it's not my life. I understand you'd rather take care of your colt than be a Princess... to subject you to both would not be very suitable for just about anypony... Very well... Please just stand over here..." She stood up and laid her cup aside. Twilight followed suit, but sat the now-asleep Polaris gently down on Celestia's bed. "Twilight Sparkle." She began to use the royal 'we', "Thou has asked permission to relinquish thine title as Princess Twilight Sparkle. Does thou come to terms with thy fate?" "Y-yes!" She said confidently. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, it is hereby decreed that thou should now be relinquished of thine title of Princess... and thus returned to thine original state of which thou was before." Her horn started to glow, engulfing Twilight in a white glow. Twilight seemed a bit nervous as she was lifted into the air, the white light completely engulfing her. She felt herself get lighter, her back burned like hot ashes. All of a sudden she was blinded by the light.... and then everything went back to normal. She stood back up, struggling to see, as all that could been seen were stars now. As her vision came into focus, she noticed Celestia was busy straightening the room back as some things had gotten spread about the room. Polaris was still sound asleep on Celestia's bed, but it seems he migrated to one of her pillows. "Oh wow... That felt weirder than when you first transformed me... Ugh..." She glanced back at her... back. "No wings... phew... I thought they were a bit clumsy anyways. Rainbow may complain about it but... It's for the best." She giggled. "Well, now Twilight, having second thoughts?" Celestia chuckled. "Nah... Besides, I'm gonna see if she can help train Polaris to fly anyhow..." "Think you can handle it? I don't know how your friends could handle you suddenly being back to your old self again... plus this revelation about you having a son..." "Princess... I'm sure i can handle this. You taught me that... Like i said, though... it shall be difficult. But I think I can push through it." She smiled wide. "Well, then, Mother Sparkle, you have my blessings." She chuckled. "Oh, Princess..." "By the way... you may want to stick around a little longer... The last train to Ponyville left an hour ago..." She looked out the window, "Also it seems i cause a bit of chaos at the same time. At the time you came in i was just lowering the sun... after you announced him i think i may have dropped it... no worries, it's still intact." She laughed, "Oh, Luna will hold that one against me for years." "Is my old room still here, Princess?" "Of course! Im surprised we haven't used it since you left... Anyways, Twilight, please. Stay the night with us." "It would be my honor, Princess." she trotted over and levitated Polaris onto her back, trotting out the room, "Goodnight, Princess Celestia." "Goodnight, my most faithful student..." Celestia watched her close the door and retire to bed. "Celestia... you did good... Still... it's a bit disheartening... Oh, who am I kidding, this is more likely what she wants anyways... no use debating about it to yourself! Oops... I'm talking to myself... Memo to myself, stop talking to myself. Ugh... forget it..." She laid down and fell asleep quickly, that reversal spell having taken a lot of energy from her. Twilight had conjured up a baby bed for her little foal, who was still sound asleep. "Oh, Polaris... you caused me more trouble today than usual." She giggled, then walked over to a window, looking outside, "Polaris Sr... I don't know if you can hear me... but... we did good. I love you, Poley... you'll always be my stallion~" She smiled and wiped away a tear, returning to her bed and snuggling up under the covers, the silent breathing of her own foal putting her in a deep, dreamless slumber. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. The lavender mare stirred in her bed. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. She turned herself over, “Five more minutes, Spike…” Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. Riiiiiiiiiiiiii-BANG. A lavender hoof had come mercilessly down upon the poor alarm clock. The figure in the bed stirred, and rose. Twilight’s mane was a disheveled mess, probably from tossing and turning all night… ugh what a night. Twilight looked down at the now smashed clock, and with a quick CRACK, repaired it with her magic. She then stretched out her body, forelegs first, then rear legs… and lastly, wing-… oh, right, no more wings. Oh, well. She was happy it was two less appendages to stretch. She looked over at the crib nearby her bed, where Polaris was still sleeping softly. Didn’t seem like he stirred at all during the night. The sight of the snoozing foal brought a smile to Twilight's face. With a groggy yawn, she picked up the clock to examine the time. “7:46AM?!” She stared dumbstruck at the clock, “OH NO! The train to Ponyville leaves in 14 minutes! Oh, nononononono…” She leapt out of her bed and started piling all her belongings into one single suitcase, which she had modified before-hoof to fit anything, that way she wouldn’t have to lug around so much luggage like Rarity. She gently lifted Polaris out of his crib and put on her foalcarrier at the same time. She ended up putting her suitcase in the foalcarrier and Polaris on her back. She started galloping out the door when she heard a small “Mommy…” She looked over her shoulder and giggled. How could she mix that up? She switched Polaris into the foalcarrier and the suitcase to her back, and trotted down the hall quickly. The navy-blue alicorn arose from her bed. She stretched out every part of her body and shook her mane into place, before hitting the floor and trotting over to the closet, and pulling out a dark-blue robe. After tying it to herself, she trotted down to her sister’s room. “Tia?” Being a Princess of the night, Luna spent most of it outdoors, observing her stars and making sure nopony messed with the moon, however unlikely that would be. “Princess Luna… surprising to see you up this early. One would think a Princess of the Night would sleep most of the day, but you continue to surprise me.” Celestia stood looking out her balcony towards the train depot. “Something in my mind told me that my sister was worried about something.” Luna trotted over to her sister, “Now, what be the matter, dear sister?” “Twilight…” She sighed. “Is this about her foal? The one that shares the name with our late nephew?” “How did…” “You forget, I am a Princess of the night. I can enter a pony’s dreams. Last night Twilight was dreaming of what her friends might think of her and her foal. Tis’ not a pleasant dream.” Luna looked to her sister. “…So she’s still unsure.” She sighed again, “I should have known… but why keep it a secret for so long? Surely somepony picked up on it.” “Even we do not know why she would hide him. Maybe it was fear of rejection…” “She did mention something about an uproar in Equestrian society if it got out she had a foal out of wedlock with a member of the royal family…” “That, indeed would bring up an uproar.” Luna looked out the window, “Do you think that maybe she was afraid you wouldn’t accept her growing up?” “W-what?” “Tia… you have been nothing but a mother to young Twilight. She looks to you not only as her mentor but as a mother figure.” “But, I…” “Yes, you are not the young mare’s actual mother. But that did not stop you from raising her like you would your own.” She turned back to her, “Twilight understands this, it seems. If you had a daughter get heavy with foal at a young age, wouldn’t you be mad? Even if it was that foal’s choice?” “Well… Uh…” “She was afraid you would reprimand her for a decision she chose on her own. She wanted to keep this foal, so she did. Even in the absence of his father, she managed to find a ground to stand on and push forward.” “…Luna.” “Tia… How much did it hurt for Twilight Sparkle to relinquish her position as Princess alongside you and I?” “…How… you entered my dreams.” “Indeed I did. After exiting young Twilight’s dream I took a look into yours. What I saw worried me. You seemed… depressed. Not knowing what was going right or wrong. You looked at Twilight like the daughter you haven’t had. Seeing her with foal made you realize she was grown now. She could make her own decisions. And you had a hard time accepting that… I saw the memory that appeared in your dream… where you reverted Twilight back to what she used to be, a unicorn. That seemed to hurt more than anything. And I think I know why.” “…Really?” Luna nodded, “Like most mothers, they want their foals to follow in their hoofsteps… While this is not true for all mothers, it is for a lot. And you wanted Twilight to be able to follow in your hoofsteps and be a Princess alongside us. But that simple dream shattered when she asked to be relinquished of her own duties as Princess Twilight Sparkle. You couldn’t bring to bear that she was grown now, able to make her own decisions… and not rely on another pony’s decision for her.” “…Luna you’re a psychiatrist.” She giggled, “Well… I guess you’re right…” She sighs, “I wanted Twilight to become what I wanted her to be… I never took into account what she really wanted… Now I know… I sound so foolish.” “You are not foolish, dear sister. You just looked at it from a mother’s perspective. Now, can you accept Twilight’s fate?” “…I… I think I can.” She bent down and hugged her younger sister, “Thank you, Luna…” Luna smiled and hugged back, “’Tis was sisters are for, Tia.” She broke off the hug and nudged her, “I think you have a train to catch. If you are as interested in her foal as your next dream put forth… I’d go and try to find out about him for myself.” “Oh… that… sounds good, Luna. You can hold things down here, right?” “But of course.” “Ok… I’m off.” She quickly straightened out her mane and rushed out the door, before peaking back in, “Oh, and ummm… forget that last dream I had…” “The one that included Starswirl the Bearded?” “…yes.” She blushed. “Forgotten.” She chuckled, oh the dreams her sister would dream… “Thanks, Luna…” She rushed back down the hall. A particular sky-blue pegasus waited at the train depot. He kept pacing back and forth, waiting on somepony to show up. He checked his watch. Huh, not long until the train departed. But where was she? He finally sat down on a bench, convinced they were going to miss the train. He took his black and gold-rimmed Stetson off and laid it aside, letting his purple-white-purple mane flow freely for a few. He looked up towards the Castle and noticed a purple dot coming in quickly. The pegasus slapped his hat back on and stood up, “TWILIGHT! HURRY UP! WE’RE GONNA MISS- OOF!” He fell backwards as the mare teleported and accidentally teleported on top of him. “OH, I’m so sorry, Cale! I didn’t mean-“ “Save it, Twi, the train is about to leave! C’mon, I already paid your ticket.” Calecune grabbed her hoof and hurried the mare and foal onto the train just as the doors shut magically behind them “Oh goodness… I thought I was going to be late…” Twilight sat her suitcase down on the nearest bench and put little Polaris down as well. Polaris took to looking out the window as the train lurched forwards, causing Cale to fall over. “Ow… I swear…” He got back up and dusted himself off, “Ok, you grab everything? I notice the wings are gone. Guess she took it well?” “Mmmhmm. She took it better than I had thought she would… Now to focus on how to tell my friends.” “Ick. Well, good luck there, Twi.” He smiled at her, “I’m gonna go get some food, need anything from there?” “A daffodil and daisy sandwich, please.” She glanced over at Polaris who was intrigued by the scenery outside. “Alrighty, be back in a few.” He trotted over to the door and opened it, stepping out and into the next car, right as Rick Coltsley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” came on the train’s speakers. “OH COME ON!” he grumbled to himself. Twilight giggled, knowing that the song had an adverse effect on Cale. She looked over to Polaris to make sure he was ok, and smiled knowing that him being able to finally get out and see the world was piquing his interests. She reached over and grabbed her suitcase, opening it and beginning to dig through it. She was so busy digging through the case, she never noticed a familiar white alicorn sit down beside her, “Twilight. Lose something?” She popped her head out and nearly gasped, “P-princess Celestia? W-why are you here?” She hadn’t a clue why the Princess would follow her. After all she already gave her reasons to why she wanted to not be a princess, and had relinquished her position. Was it possible Celestia had regrets and was going to force it back onto her?? “Don't worry Twilight. I’m not here on royal business nor am I here to turn you back. I know now that this was your decision.” “Well, why follow me, then?” “I wanted to learn more about your foal” She said calmly. “Well…” She glanced over at Polaris. Oh good, still occupied by the passing scenery, “What do you want to know, Princess?” “Memories, experiences… I want to see how this adorable little colt has fared over the course of his life… that and I want to see how good of a mother you are. And the trip to Ponyville is quite a long one, so this would be nice…” She smiled at Twilight. “Uh… Ok, here…” She reached into her suitcase and pulls out a large photo album. She opens it to a picture of Cale in a burn treatment center. “Uh… Twilight. This isn’t Polaris.” “I know, but just listen…” Cale strolled into the kitchen, “Hey Twi, Misty sent over some homemade muffins for ya…” he sat the tray of muffins on the table. “Thanks, Cale!” “Thank her, not me. Hey, whatcha doing?” He wandered over to where she was, “Boiling water for tea?” “Yup. I’ve taken up drinking a lot of tea lately.” Both were oblivious to the fact that the teapot was being levitated off the stove and rising above them. “I love tea, 'specially when it’s-HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! YOWCH!” Cale jumped in the air and started screaming in pain as the teapot poured its boiling hot contents all over him. “CALE! Oh my gosh!” The teapot crashed to the ground and she looked over at Polaris, who was giggling like mad, “Polaris Sparkle!” He snapped to attention and his ears drooped, he knew he was in trouble. Cale, on the other hoof, was in pain. The water had landed on his rear, and he was running around the room like crazy. Twilight grabbed Polaris and rushed Cale to Ponyville Urgent Care where he was treated for second degree burns on his flank. Not a good day for the stallion, as he was out of work for 2 weeks after that. “Was he ok?” Celestia became concerned. “Yeah, he recovers quickly. That was back when Polaris was still really young, so he didn’t know it was wrong.” “That's nice to hear. Who is Misty?” “Cale’s wife. Misty Fly of the Wonderbolts.” “Darn right she is!” Cale had wandered back into the car carrying a couple daffodil and daisy sandwiches. “Cale!” Twilight exclaimed, taking one of the sandwiches with her magic. Cale did a double-take at the regal alicorn sitting in their booth. “Oh, uh… h-hello your Highness…” Cale bowed to Celestia. “No need to bow, Calecune.” She giggled, “I’m not on royal duty.” “Oh, ok, thanks…” She stood back up and sat beside them, “Aw nuts, does this mean you want some food too, Princess?” “Please, just call me Celestia.” She looked to him, “And no thanks, I’m fine.” “'aight, just let me know if ya do…” He pulled out a book on the Wonderbolts and sat on the bench beside Twilight. Twilight turns to another page in the book, showing a cake, “This was Polaris’ first birthday!” “That cake sure looks good…” Celestia licks her lips. “Misty made it for him. Polaris was still a secret to everypony but me, Cale, and Cale’s family.” She sighed. “Must be hard hiding something like your own son from the public eye… How in Equestria did you manage to do that when your friends were over?” “Well, Polaris spent a lot of time at Cale’s. I hired Cale as his foalsitter for a while. He has 8 foals of his own, and he said one more wouldn’t hurt, so I hired him, even though he said I didn't need to pay him.” “I still can’t believe… 8 foals?! How does he stand it?” "We manage" Cale said without looking up from his book. “Wow… I’m going to have to meet them soon…” Twilight giggled as she turned another page, “This was taken when I first tried to give him a bath. It took the combined efforts of me, Cale, and his 2 oldest sons, Lightnin’ Bolt and Sparks, just to get him in the water!” The picture showed the 5 ponies trying to push a struggling Polaris into the tub. Celestia laughed, “Oh how fun that must have been!” “Took us about an hour and by then all the water had gone cold!” They both laughed. Cale just looked at the pair and shook his head, chuckling, “Mares.” He said, returning to his book. Twilight and Celestia continued going through the picture book, laughing and carrying on like two best friends reading another’s private journal, with Celestia asking questions and Twilight answering them, mostly about Polaris. But then they got into mane care, taking care of your tail, all things that made poor Cale fall asleep. Celestia and Twilight were having the time of their lives… Then the train came to a slow stop. “Are we there already? Wow. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!” Twilight giggled. “Twilight, I haven’t laughed this much since Luna started trying to use the indoor plumbing after reverting from Nightmare Moon!” She chuckled. “Glad we could do this, Princess!” “The pleasure is all mine, Twilight.” She got up, “Now, would you mind showing me to the library? I’d like to see this amazing young foal’s living quarters.” “Of course!” She exclaimed, “Polaris, Cale! We’re home!” Cale jumped up almost immediately, “WE’RE HOME? OH YES!” He grabbed his book and bag and jetted out of the car. “Well that escalated quickly.” Twilight giggled, “Must be missing his family. No worries… Polaris, sweetie… come to momma.” Polaris quickly jumped onto her back from the seat, and the three of them exited the train, much to the shock of some of the ponies waiting at the station. Course when you’re a Princess, it just draws that kind of attention. “Ummm… Celestia?” “Yes, Twilight?” “…Wouldn’t you need your guards?” “Well, under normal circumstances, yes. But I am in the presence of one very powerful unicorn.” She smiled warmly. “Who would tha-… OH!” She giggled, “Thank you, Princess.” The two started off from the station, giggling every now and again at the reactions of some of the ponies to seeing their Princess trotting through town, a lot of them bowing at her sight, and a few too dumbstruck to even remember. Finally, they reached the library, and Twilight pulled out her key. “I dunno why I locked up the place… Well, Spike has a spare so I guess it’s alright.” The pair trotted in, and everything was pitch black, “Ugh… Spike forgot to turn the lights on…” She used her magic to flip the switch. “SURPRIIIIIIIIIIIISE!” Yelled an entire crowd of ponies… all of them Twilight’s friends. Above them a large banner that said “CONGRATULATIONS PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE “And had a crudely drawn picture of an alicorn Twilight, probably done by the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Oh… crap.” > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight stood there, frozen in place, unable to move. Her friends had prepared a personal party for her coronation and alicornization… great, just right after she had relinquished that. What a way to go. She stood there as her friends stared at her with big grins. AJ was the first to break the awkward silence. She leaned over to Rainbow Dash, smile still being held, and whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “Yuh think we overdid it?” “Not sure, maybe she’s just in shock.” Rainbow replied. “Somethin’ ain’t really righ’ here.” AJ dropped the smile and put her hoof to her chin, scanning over Twilight, “Twilight… Where’re your wings?” “Uh… I… Uh…” Twilight couldn’t think. Dear Celestia this was gonna be way harder than she thought! “Wait…” Rainbow dropped her smile and examined her as well, “WAIT! WHERE ARE YOUR WINGS?” “W-well, you see, Dash… they’re… uh… gone.” “G-g-gone..? Y-you mean… we can’t… Fly together now… but… why would… no…” She started crying and flew for the door, but AJ grabbed her tail by her mouth. “Whoa there, nelly… Dontcha wanna let Twi explain the situation first?” She reasoned, mouth full of rainbow-colored tail. Rainbow turned around, tears streaming down her face, “I-i…” She took off, slamming the door as she whizzed past the Princess, who had just walked in with Polaris. “Something wrong with Rainbow Dash?” The regal alicorn asked. “She’s… upset… your… YOUR HIGHNESS!” AJ bowed immediately, as did Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy, “D-didn’t ‘spect tuh see you ‘ere…” Celestia chuckled, “Well this is an informal visit, no need to bow, I’m not on royal duty at the moment.” The three ponies raised their heads, “Ah, That ‘splains it…” Rarity stepped forward, a slight frown on her face, “So, Twilight, darling… what ever happened to your lovely wings?” “Twilight will explain that in due time, but I think it’s high time we reveal why I traveled here with her, and also the reason she lacks her alicorn look.” Celestia smiled down at Twilight, “Twilight came to me about a night ago, with a request… a request to be de-crowned a princess and turned back to her normal self.” Pinkie gasped, “WHAT?! Why would Twiley want to do that? I mean, we had this party all set up and I knew it was gonna be a blast but now we can’t have an alicorn party or a party at all because Twilight is no longer a princess or an alicorn and without those two things you can’t have a princess nor an alicorn party, and I had prepared this special punch from boysenberries, which are really good berries though I don’t know why they rhyme or sound like poison, though I get there are poisonberries but I don’t know about that, maybe Zecora kn-MMMPH!” Her mouth was suddenly full of AJ’s hoof. “Pinkie!” she turned to the Princess, “Sorry, Princess…” Celestia merely chuckled, “It’s quite alright, my little pony… As I was saying, Twilight wanted to become her old self again. And why you may ask? Well…” “I’ll take it from here, Princess…” Twilight stood up, and began to speak. Suddenly Polaris ran up to her from underneath Celestia, and grabbed her front right leg, holding tightly, nuzzling her leg. “Oh, Twilight, who’s this little fellow here? He’s absolutely adorable!” Rarity squeed. “Twilight, who’s the cutie-patootie little colt there???” Pinkie hopped on over. Fluttershy merely sqeaked, but trotted over to examine the little colt anyways, wondering who the adorable thing belonged to. “This… uh… this… is… uh…” Twilight was at a loss for words, but her son wasn’t. “Mommy…” He kept nuzzling her leg, and looked up at her with his big, soft, lavender eyes, just begging for attention, “I’m… hungry.” Every mare there, the Princess included, nearly had a cuteness-induced heart attack, in which AJ, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie next realized what the little colt had said. “MOMMY?!” They all exclaimed as one. Polaris ignored them and nuzzled Twilight's leg again, “I want food…” Twilight smiled down at him, “Ok, sweetie… mommy will get you something~” She got up, “Girls… excuse me while I fetch my son some food.” She escorted him out of the main lobby and into the kitchen quickly. “Did that colt really just call her ‘mommy’?” Rarity seemed shocked. “Darn tootin’! She even called him ‘her son’, boy howdy, this is insanity, Twilight, a mother… who woulda thunk?” “You mean, who would have thought, Applejack.” Rarity corrected her. “Yea, whatever.” “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait…. WAIT! So Twiley is a mommy??” Pinkie scooted between AJ and Rarity. “It sure seems thataway.” AJ replied. “I’m sure Twilight is proud… only one question… why did she not tell us? By the looks of that colt, he’s well past a couple years old. I’d say she had to have been pregnant before even first coming to Ponyville.” Flutterhy interjected, “Maybe she was just scared that we’d… dislike her. Or maybe something less cruel… like just not like her anymore?” “Fluttershy, darling, what would make you think that?” “Obviously, somepony ‘ere forgot ‘bout the letter incident.” “Oh, right… I cannot believe I forgot about that day.” “So, let me get this straight…. Twiley has been hiding the fact that she’s been a mommy for HOW LONG?” “Probably a while, given how old the colt seems… probably a bit over a couple years old, I daresay.” “What makes you a specialist on foals, now, Rarity?” “Unlike some ponies in this room , I actually read educational materials, not some dirty old magazines or do-it-yourself ones…. Although I do have a subscription to Hoof-Stitched monthly…” “…Righ’. Anyways, why don’t we jus’ get on in there and find out why she’s been hiding this colt?” “Maybe she’ll let me hold him… oh he’s soooo cute~ I’m going to go get a better look at the little guy~” Fluttershy squeed, making her way for the kitchen. “Well, might as well. We are not going to get any answers just standing around.” Rarity followed after her. “Of course!” Applejack followed suit. “Hey! Don’t forget me!” Pinkie hopped along behind them. Twilight was busy pouring a bowl of Cheerios for Polaris, and sat the bowl in front of him. The young colt gathered up what magic he knew and levitated each piece to his mouth, to eat, of course. He only could levitate one at a time, due to the fact his magic had still not fully developed, “Eat up, Polaris~” Twilight giggled as she exited the room opposite the doorway from the main library, into the storage room. Fluttershy was the first to enter the kitchen, and made her way to the young colt. Polaris turned to look at her as he popped another Cheerio into his mouth. “Umm… Hello… little guy… oh you’re so cutesy-wootsey with your little cowpony hat~” She took her hooves and put one on either side of his face, smashing his face into a “o” shape. Polaris squirmed and whined as the yellow mare grabbed his face. Suddenly he vanished in a flash of light, and reappeared on the opposite side of the table. He started backing away from Fluttershy when he bumped into something. Something… warm. He spun around hoping to see his mother but instead came face-to-face with Rarity. “Oh, he’s just a darling little colt~!" she chimed. "I could use him as a model for a clothing line for foals! That way they can be fabulous at a young age!” She tried to pick him up, as Fluttershy walked around the table. “Oh… d-don’t be scared little guy…" the pegasus cooed, trying to keep her voice calm. "You’re just… so cute… Eeee!” It wasn't easy. Polaris scrambled away again. He then backed into yet another soft object, this time when he spun around it was Applejack. “Howdy there, littl’un… My, sure is a fancy hat ya got there… Migh’ expensive ah reckon… can ah… try it on?” She started for his hat but he disappeared yet again. This time he re-appeared in a dark closet, and sighed, finally able to get away from all those mares. All he wanted now was to find his mom, and hide behind her. Convinced he couldn't find his way out, he started trying to produce a light with his horn. After a few unsuccessful attempts, he had one that stayed lit. As far as he could tell, he was somewhere in the back of the pantry. He turned around- “HIYA THERE! I’M PINKIE PIE! AND I’M HERE TO MAKE YOU SMILE!” Polaris backed against the wall as the pink mare jumped out in front of him. He opened his mouth as if to cry, but nothing was coming out. “Oh, c’mon! Let’s turn that frowny, upside downy!” She said, as her head seemed to flip a full 180 degrees. Polaris was scared stiff, he had had enough… He jerked away from Pinkie and yelled out “MOMMY!”, and instantly vanished in another bright light. “Aww…. Guess he didn’t want to play…” Twilight, upon hearing Polaris' cry for help, burst down the door, nearly bowling Rarity over. “OW! Now really, you really should-!” But she couldn’t finish as a bright light engulfed the room and Polaris reappeared one last time. On seeing his mother, he ran straight to her, crying. Twilight quickly scooped her son up. She cradled him in her forelegs as she sat down on her haunches. “There there, Polaris… Calm down… mommy’s here… Mommy’s here…” she whispered and started stroking his mane. As Polaris let out a choking sob into his mother's embrace, Twilight stared down the 4 mares in the room, including Pinkie, who had just fell backwards out of the pantry. “Now WHAT in Equestria happened here?!” Her face was turning red from fury, her son was upset and she knew something went down. “M-ommy… they… sniff… wouldn’t leave… me alone… and… … s-….scary…” Polaris buried his face in his mother’s shoulder and kept crying. “Twilight, darling… we were just-“ “Tormenting an innocent young colt! Shame on you! All of you! You should know better than to crowd a young foal like that! Especially when he’s not really had any sort of social contact! You could have traumatized him!” Oh, she was furious. “Oh, Twilight… we’re so sorry… we just… wanted to meet him…” Fluttershy hung her head in shame and dug her hoof at the ground. “Ya, I’m sorry too, Twiley… Guess we should’ve asked first…” Pinkie took the mop bucket off her head and laid it aside. “Ah’m sorry too, Twi… We shoulda known he wouldn’t be used tuh company…” “Rarity?” Twilight glared at her. “…I’m… I’m sorry too, I got carried away with my own dreams, I forgot I was dealing with a darling little colt… I’m so sorry, Twilight…” Twilight sighed, “You’re all forgiven, but remember next time, don’t, and I mean DON’T crowd my son.” She said sternly, getting up as Polaris lay on her back. Celestia took this awkward pause to enter the room, “I assume you all have met Polaris, then?” She smiled, trying to act like she hadn't been watching from the doorway. “Princess! Where have you been?” Twilight looked to her. “Uh… Mare’s room. I might have eaten too much cake at your coronation…. Ugh…” She hung her tongue out, “Anyways I see we may have had a small… spite, here.” “Princess… We’re awfully sorry but we just… got carried away…” Rarity looked down. “I’m guessing you accidentally ganged up on the poor colt?” She chuckled, “It’s fine, as long as Twilight has forgiven you it’s quite alright.” “Thank you, Princess…” “So does this mean we get to throw Twilight…” Pinkie gasps, “A BELATED BABY SHOWER?????” She bolted into the main lobby. “Oh boy… This will be… interesting.” Twilight shook her head, “Typical Pinkie…” Suddenly a voice came from upstairs, “Would you guys KEEP IT DOWN down there? Some of us are trying to sleep!” “Seems we woke up a sleeping dragon, eh, Twilight?” AJ chuckles. “I nearly forgot he was asleep! Oh well, I’ll make it up to him in the morning…” She giggles. Tomorrow would prove to be a very... interesting day. That is, if Twilight can find Rainbow Dash, who seems to have been forgotten in the foray. Only time, and friendship, will tell if she can accept this... unusual fate for her friend. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight stood before her friends, they were just wrapping up a belated baby shower for her colt, Polaris, “I just wanted to thank everypony for coming out to this… Well, even if it is only the five of us, Polaris, and Princess Celestia. Really, you girls are the best… I-I never thought-…” “Twilight, ya know we’re always here fer ya, no matter what!" Applejack interrupted. "Ah can understand why ya needed ta hide the young’un, but you still shoulda trusted us with this. We’re yer friends! And nuthin’, Ah mean nuthin’ is ever gonna change that, sugarcube.” AJ winked at her. The rest of the mares chimed in with their own exclaimations of approval. “Thank you, Applejack… and I’m sorry, girls. I’ll-... I'll try to stick to that next time.” “So does that mean we get to play with little Poly, now!?” Twilight giggled, “Yes, Pinkie, but don’t scare him now~” Pinkie jumped up and immediately appeared next to Polaris, “Heya Poly! I’m your Auntie Pinkie Pie!” “Oh, brother…” Twilight turned as she giggled. “Twilight, when you have a moment?” The regal Princess stepped towards her. “Yes, Princess?” “How are you feeling?” Twilight looked back to Polaris and her friends, he seemed to be enjoying himself this time, a big change from what had happened just the day before, “To tell you the truth, Princess… relieved. I never expected them to take this so well.” Celestia looked her deep in the eyes, “But they are your friends, are they not?” “Well…” She scratched the back of her head, “Yea, of course!” “Wasn’t one of your lessons you wrote in your letters to me about putting faith in your friends? No matter what it was?” Twilight thought for a moment, “Oh…. Yea… It was, wasn’t it?” Celestia ran a hoof through her mane and smiled, “Then I daresay you have chosen your friends well.” She chuckled, “Ya, I guess I did, didn’t I?” “Would you need a moment to enjoy the gifts that you and your foal have received?” “Why do you ask, Princess?” “If it’s not too much trouble, Twilight… I would like to take a few minutes to ask you a couple of questions.” She sat down. She looked over at her friends, of which Rarity was busy embarrassing Polaris with a little sailor’s outfit, to which each of them were going “D’awwww!~” and the look of disgust on Polaris’ face was frankly hilarious to his mother, “Go ahead, Princess… I think he’s preoccupied for the moment.” She sat in front of her. “In that case…” She magicked up a platter with a teapot and two cups on it, “Tea, my faithful student?” “Sure!” Twilight took a cup with her magic as Celestia used hers to pour the tea. Celestia took a sip then began, “I wanted to know more of why you kept him hidden for the past two years. A young colt or filly needs to be socialized fairly early after they’re old enough to at least talk a bit.” Twilight looked back at her foal, now playing with AJ’s rope, and sighed. Turning back to the Princess, she started, “It’s… slightly complicated, Princess… I was… trying to protect him… ultimately I dunno if I regret that decision or appreciated the fact I did it…” “What do you mean?” Her left eyebrow raised as she took another sip. “I mean… I know he was supposed to be socialized but… Look at him… He’s not a normal colt…” “Ah… Is the fact that he is indeed an alicorn the reason you did it?” “To an extent… I mean… When’s the last time an alicorn was born?” Celestia racked her brain for an answer, “To be truthful it’s been a very, very long time… Definitely not within the last 1000 years or so. Not even Cadence was born one, and you know the story behind that.” “But you do see where I’m coming from? The second it gets out that a pony gave birth to an alicorn…” “…The media would immediately latch onto it and start tearing it apart. Yes, I can see where you’re going with that. But still, jeopardizing your son's being by keeping him sheltered…” “…The Thing is I was so young when I found out… And you know… he was a part of the royal family…” “You thought that would affect the Royal Family? How so?” “Like I said yesterday when you reverted me back to normal… Scandals!" Twilight almost shouted, before looking back over at her party guests to make sure they hadn't noticed. "What if it had gotten out that your nephew knocked up a young student! There would be investigations, inquiries, I’d have to appear in court… the Royal Family could be forever blotched with a rape charge!” She was breathing quickly as she ranted. Celestia suddenly hugged the ranting unicorn, “Calm down my little pony…” She let go and looked into her watering eyes, “Twilight Sparkle… that may have been the case, but I can assure you I’ve dealt with far worse scandals in the last 1000 years. And we always make a comeback. And no, before you start, I would never, ever think of you any different than the small filly who turned her parents into potted plants on her entrance exam to my school~” She giggled. “Wow…. Thank you, Princess…” “Just be thankful of something….” “What would that be?” “It wasn’t Blueblood.” Twilight burst out laughing and nuzzled her mentor, “Thank you, I really mean it.” “I’m always here for you, Twilight. But there is something else that bothers me…” “What would that be?” “How come your own family doesn’t know?” “Well, if Shining found out I had a foal before him…” They both looked at each other and burst out laughing. Twilight stopped and looked up at the Princess before hearing a, “Howdy, Rainbow Dash… nice ta see ya finally show up!” The unicorn's ears perked up and she glanced over at the front door. “Go, Twilight. Comfort your friend; I’m sure she’d like to apologize for just taking off on you.” “Right… Thanks for the talk, Princess!” “Anytime, my faithful student.” She sat back and continued on her tea. Twilight trotted back into the living room; Rainbow Dash, upon spotting her friend, immediately drooped her head, “Umm… Hey, Twilight…” “Rainbow, you ok?” Twilight stroked her friend’s mane. “Nope… I feel… dumb. I didn’t mean to storm out like that, Twilight. I’m actually happy for you. I mean, your son really looks like he’d be a great flier. Just…” “You wanted to help me learn to fly…” “Yes, that’s EXACTLY what I wanted to do! I was SOOOO looking forward to it! I could finally teach YOU something instead of you teaching me something!...” She flopped back on the couch. “Oh, Rainbow, don’t be sorry. I know you were just… unaccepting… at first.” “But... I AM sorry… I shouldn’t run out on my friends like that…” she looked at her, “Friends still?” Twilight giggled, “Rainbow, we never STOPPED being friends, ok? And I accept your apology.” She went over and gave her a big hug. Rainbow Dash hugged her back, “Thanks, egghead.” Twilight rolled her eyes and they both shared a friendly laugh. “OH! I almost forgot…” She pulled out a box, “I got this for the little squirt.” “Oh? What is it?” Twilight took it and started to open it. “It’s, uh, my old pair of flight goggles. I’ve had them since I was just a young filly in Cloudsdale. I figured the squirt could use them when I get to train him!” She smiled wide. “Rainbow, I-… Thanks, he’ll love these… and I’m sure he’ll love having the greatest flier in Equestria as his guide!” “Heh, no problem. Now where is the little squirt?” “He’s over there playing with Pinkie Pie.” “Right… I need to get to know the little guy better… HEY POLARIS!” Twilight laughed, then calmed back down, smiling. “Twilight, somethin’ botherin’ ya?” AJ approached her. Twilight was staring at the ceiling with her eyes closed and smiling, “I’m fine, Applejack… Just… happy. Really happy. They say that friendship is magic… And now I know why. With the magic of friendship comes happiness, and with happiness comes a blessed life… I’m so blessed to have such good friends like you, Rarity, Fluttershy, and the rest… Even now, with this new revelation… I feel like we can get through anything.” “Wow… Twilight… That’s some deep thinkin’ there.” AJ chuckled, “But yea… I understand.” She looked over to Rainbow showing Polaris some basic wing exercises, “Looks like yer son has takin’ a likin’ to Rainbow Dash.” Twilight looked over to the pair and giggled at Polaris trying to use his small wings to copy Rainbow Dash. “ Yeah, just like that! Hey, you’re not bad at this!” Rainbow smiled, seeing the young colt copy her almost move-for-move, “Keep this up and you MIGHT… and I mean MIGHT… be able to challenge me one day!” She laughed and winked at him. Polaris smiled at her, a signal saying he understood. “Hey, Twilight!” Rainbow called to her, “How about we take a girls night out?!” “Oh, darling… that sounds wonderful!" Rarity chimed in. "We could finally get to catch up on the past 2 years we’ve missed of this adorable colt’s life!” The white unicorn seemed to be excited. “Oooooh… Like a PARTY?!” Pinkie popped up behind Twilight. “Well… Ah reckon Mac’ll not mind if ah skip mah chores fer one day… specially fer this.” AJ chuckled. “Oh, Twilight… That would be… incredible. I mean if you don’t mind…” Fluttershy squeaked. Twilight thought it over for a moment, her smile making it clear she already had her answer. “Sure, why not?” The girls showed their approval by letting out a loud “YES!” “And I know just the place!” Rainbow chimed in. “And where would this be, deary?” Rarity seemed to be suspicious of the tomboyish-pegasus. “How about… we go to…” Fluttershy seemed to be bitting her hooves. “…a BAR! I know of one just outside Ponyville…” “WHAT?!”