Night Dust: The Child Prodigy (prototype story)

The Night was calm in the Crystal Empire, very few ponies were still out this early in the evening. Some ponies were sitting at cafe tables, enjoying a nice evening dinner with their friends and family, other ponies were walking home with shopping saddle bags on their back, or carrying them by the use of their magic.

On the far north east side of the city, at the Crystal Empire Military Academy, a moss-green stallion with yellow eyes, who wore an army vest and hat, was about to brief the new recruits with a new attack technique.

Soldiers all stood in the packed Gym hall, mumbling amongst themselves about the new training

"Men, you are all called here to be briefed on this month's new weapon" he bellowed to the armored ponies that stood straight, and focused all their attention on the general.

"Yes, General Bullet Stain, SIR!" they replied with a mighty shout.

"This attack formation will require a set of two different teams, The first Team will act as a defense unit for the attack unit's counterattack maneuver. I have selected special Type B classes of Unicorn's, who will act as the main defense for our forces, Type C Unicorns and Earth Ponies will provide the new attack tactic we have devised."

The gruff Unicorn's horn emitted a dark blue aura as a small image displaying the colt prince appeared before them, "As you know, our once great Leader, King Sombra, was a cunning ruler, and had forced many of our own people to become subjects to his dangerous weaponry, however, through some successful interrogation of the Crystal Blood prisoners we have discovered and developed the new ultimate weapon for you all."

He took a quick glass of water that was waiting for him on the side stage, and continued as he switched images, "As you can see, we have discovered that magic beams can be fired from the horn at a rapid speed, through the use of a unicorn's tail. Your training will be consisted of learning to control the firing output of your magic, whilst the earth ponies in turn will be responsible for your stamina output and not to overuse the ener-," before he could finish his sentence, a Pegasus pony of golden brown mane and blond coat burst through the door.

"General Bullet Stain, sir" the young Pegasus saluted, "URGENT MESSAGE FOR YOU, SIR" he shouted in a rather high pitched tone.

"Get a hold of yourself son, what is it?" he asked in a calm tone.

"Sir, message from the C.E Hospital sir...." the sweaty Pegasus said slowly, "Its your wife sir, she's in pain, she's requested that you be there....." he finished

Bullet Stain's eye's widened, his breath had shortened and he began to panic, he turned to his officer who was taking note's on the situation, "Officer Gears" he shouted, "I leave you in charge of the rest of the briefing, tell Commander Snake I need to see my wife at once" he said as he headed off with the Pegasus pony who waited for him at the door

Thirty minutes had passed since he left the Academy, Bullet-Stain galloped as fast as he could, he wanted to be sure that his love would be alright, "This is too soon, they said it wouldn't be for another few weeks".

He noticed the white glow of the familiar building he knew, he burst through the doors as several ponies jumped in shock as he ran toward the nearest nurse, "Excuse me, but can you tell me where I can find my wife, her name is Sunny-Sweet" the nurse ran through her clipboard as he stood there with a panicked expression.

"Ah, your wife is located in Emergency room D-13, just pass through that hall turn right and its the third door on the left." she replied.

"Thank you" he bowed to the nurse and quickly made his way to the emergency room, as he got closer he could screams of pain coming from the room, he rushed in to see nurses and doctor's crowded around an emergency bed, a sun coloured Pegasus was breathing heavily and crying in agony, she noticed him appear from the doorway and smiled weakly at him.

"Bullet.....you're here..." she exclaimed in a weakened tone.

Bullet took his hat off and rushed to her side, holding tight to her hooves, "It's alright my love, I'm here, and I shan't leave until you make it through." he declared, keeping his voice steady as he could.

Sunny Sweet smiled weakly at him, but her face twisted in agony as the doctor's urged her to keep pushing, she felt more relieved with her husband supporting her through the painful trial.

"That's it, keep going, your doing great!" said one of the nurses.

Sunny kept pushing with all of her strength, eye's closed and hoof clenched, she pushed as hard as she could and let out a cry of pain, she stopped as a shrill cry of a young baby pony could be heard. She opened her eye's slowly, breathing heavily and sweating from the pain as one of the nurse's held a young aqua colored filly, with blue and black spiky hair, and lime green hooves.

"Its a colt," said the nurse, she wrapped him in a red blanket, and handed him to Sunny, who breathed a sigh of relief and tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Oh... my son..... Bullet.." she cried softly, "This is our son"

Bullet knelt down beside her, slowly took the foal and held him close, "Hello my son, I am your father, and this is your darling mother." he whispered to the sleeping filly, Sunny blushed at his comment and sighed.

"What shall we call him?" Sunny asked as she slowly touched her newborn's forehead.

Bullet glanced out the window, he noticed the moon and caught a glimpse of a glowing moon rock fall toward Equestria, "...Night Dust, how does that sound?"

She smiled warmly at him and closed her eye's, "Its perfect" she whispered tearfully.

Bullet handed their son back to her, she laughed softly with joy, cradled him close and whispered, "I love you..... Night Dust."

The next morning, Bullet Stain and Sunny Sweet left the hospital with a sleeping Night Dust placed in a saddle bag, on the front of Sunny Sweet's chest.

"I've been granted leave from work for about three weeks" Bullet Stain said happily, "So we can spend our time together as a family."

Sunny smiled at him and snuggled gently at him, "We'll be happy forever, right?" she asked.

"We will, our son is the beginning of something greater, than we can imagine" he said softly.

As they headed for home, a gold Chariot pulled by two military Pegasi pulled up next to the family, Bullet stopped abruptly, as he glanced at a young grey stallion with messy brown mane and blue eyes, stepped out, Bullet bowed on one hoof as did Sunny Sweet.

"General Bullet Stain, I received the new's about your new born child, and I would just like to say, congratulations on becoming a father," the young colt declared.

"Commander, I humbly accept your words of kindness, I hope you can understand my sudden disappearance of last night." he panicked

The old stallion chuckled a bit as he raised a hoof, "Silver Snake is just fine, thank you, and you" he said to the shy mare with the filly in the saddlebag, "I would also like to congratulate you on becoming a mother, it must be exciting to know that raising a child will be a joyful burden."

Sunny chuckled a bit as she glanced down at the sleeping filly, "All I want for my family, is to be happy, in their unique way."

"Of course," Silver Snake replied, "I must return to my duties, before you go , Bullet" he called, "You needn't worry about your job, Captain Liquid will be overseeing the development of the training while you're on leave."

"Thank you, sir, I wasn't too worried, but I'm glad you've briefed me on this." Bullet said with a sigh of relief.

"Very well, Goodbye." he called as he hopped back into the carriage.

Sunny and Bullet stared at the carriage as it flew toward the academy, "Let's go home, shall we?" Sunny said gleefully.

Bullet smiled and nodded in agreement.