Baby Blues

“Dear Sister, I’m beginning to worry about Twilight.”

Celestia craned her neck. “She’s fine, Luna. She’s just been a little under the weather.”

“No, I don’t think so. I mean...her symptoms are not of any sickness I have seen before. They are rather…odd.” The princess of the night simply put.

The elder white alicorn sighed softly, “I…I shouldn’t say anything.”

Luna raised a brow curiously. “Why? Are you hiding something from me, Tia?”

“Well…yes, I am. I don’t think I can tell you, though. I don’t think you’d be very fond of the news.” Celestia replied, bowing her head slightly.

“Sister, you can tell me. I’m listening, you know.”

“I think that the Royal family will be welcoming yet another addition within a year or so. At least four, to be exact.”

Twilight flushed the toilet for what felt like the fifth time that morning, watching her breakfast swirl down the drain wearily. It had been a week since the night of the Gala and she had shown no signs of improvement. She had missed two meetings with the Princesses and knew that she just couldn't miss another.

Another thing that worried the Princess was that she appeared to have gained at least a half-pound or so. This was odd, since her stomach had refused to eat anything solid for days and if it did, it would revolt minutes later. Not to mention she found it hard to walk; her hooves would ache slightly, as if she had just ran a marathon. Needless to say she wasn’t improving in the least bit.

She sighed and went to the sink to brush her teeth, again. As she did so, Twilight backed away from the mirror a few feet and stood up on her hind legs to examine her stomach. Indeed, it looked bigger than before, but not too concerning.

“It’s just extra weight,” Twilight assured, not quite believing herself. “I’ll work it off soon.” She was about to leave when she hesitated. “Unless…no, I don’t think so. It must be retained water…Then again…UGH!”

The Princess stormed out of the bathroom irritably, stomping over to Spike’s bed, where the little dragon had been sleeping in that morning. She nudged him gently, yet firmly, effectively waking him from his dream. “Spike, wake up, we’re going to the hospital.”

“Wha? Why? Is something wrong?” Spike groggily replied, rubbing his eyes to scope the sleep out of them.

“No, nothing is seriously wrong, we just need to go. I think I’m going to get a checkup, this sickness I’ve had hasn't improved in the least bit and I’m beginning to worry.” The purple mare answered, packing her saddlebag.

“’Bout time,” Spike mumbled, climbing out of bed. Knowingly, he asked, “Train, teleportation, or wings?”

“Flying is out of the question; I can hardly even walk because my hooves are so swollen. And you already know that my magic weakens when I’m sick. I don’t think I have much energy to summon a teleportation spell, much less levitation.” Twilight explained.

“Wow, what’s gotten you so whiny all of a sudden?” As soon as he finished his sentence Twilight shot him a frustrated glare. Spike raised a brow, “And moody?”

Twilight’s glare softened. She sighed. “I’m sorry Spike, my emotions have been out of control lately and I find myself angry or sad at times. I don’t know why.”

“It’s okay Twilight; I know you've been frustrated for the past week. You've been stressing yourself too much with worry and paranoia; you just need to relax.” Spike replied.

Twilight smiled. “Alright then, all we have left is the train. We’re taking the train. Spike, can you please go get a few guards? I don’t really feel like walking.”

Spike rolled his eyes and walked into the hall to oblige his surrogate mother/sister’s demands.

Trixie hurriedly trotted into Ponyville’s non-emergency doctor’s clinic, biting her lip nervously. It had been a rough week; she had to deal with the constant morning sickness, migraines, and slightly achy joints for several days before a doctor could squeeze in an appointment for her.

The blue unicorn approached the reception counter, saying, “I’m here for an appointment with Doctor Feelgood.”

The receptionist smiled, “Alright, just fill out a few applications and we’ll call you in as soon as he’s ready.” She passed a pen and a clipboard filled with papers to Trixie, who held them in her magical grip.

Trixie did as she was asked; quickly signing the application and briskly giving it back to the receptionist before pacing into the waiting room. As soon as she left, however, another unicorn wearing a cape (which masked her identity) walked in and went to the counter.

“Hello, I’m here for Doctor Feelgood.” She whispered in her apparent deep accent.

The receptionist nodded, “He’s booked for now and until nine thirty, but I can fit you in for ten fifteen if you can wait that long.”

“That’s quite alright with me,” The unicorn agreed almost immediately. She too was given an application to sign and in moment she too rushed into the waiting room.

Seconds later another mare burst in, this one looking very frantic. Her familiar poofy pink mane and pink fur was easily recognizable. Pinkie Pie galloped to the counter, breathing heavily. “I’m *pant* here for *pant* Doctor *pant* Feelgood!” She wheezed.

“Well you’re not so much in luck anymore; he’s currently already booked for two other ponies. However, if you’re patient enough you can wait in the waiting room until ten thirty, if you want.” The receptionist calmly replied, pushing an application paper towards the pink pony.

“T-that’s fine! I can wait! I’ve watched paint dry for over five hours before, seriously! I’ll tell you the rest of the story later!” Pinkie finished the application within seconds and then zoomed off to the waiting room.

A few minutes later a royal guard entered the hospital doors, wordlessly approaching the front desk. The receptionist was frightened.

“M-may I help you, sir?” She squeaked.

“Princess Twilight needs to see a doctor immediately. She’s been feeling ill for a week now and she shows no signs of improvement.” The guard demanded.

The receptionist nodded her head rapidly, “O-of course! Bring her in!”

The guard went back outside and returned moments later, another guard with him. In between the two guards was Twilight, clearly embarrassed while Spike walked next to her. The purple mare cautiously walked towards the counter and meekly said, “Good morning…I’m so sorry to interrupt anything, but I’m afraid I’ll need to see a doctor. I need to get checked in case I have anything seriously wrong with me.”

The receptionist quickly nodded, “Right away, your majesty! Come with me, I shall bring you to a private room.”

Twilight nodded and dismissed the guards with a single gesture of her hoof before following the receptionist down the hall.

Trixie nervously clapped her hooves together as she waited to be called in. It felt like it had been an eternity until finally Doctor Feelgood poked his head out from behind the door.

“A Ms. Trixie Starsparkle? Are you here?” He called.

“Y-yes, Trixie is here.” The blue mare responded, getting to her hooves. She followed the doctor down the hall, only to pass a cream-colored mare with a long brown mane, along with her obnoxious brown-furred son. It was quite obvious that she was expecting, as her hefty, well-rounded stomach hung below her waist as she walked.

“Mom! Mom! Can we please get McRoyalty Burger on the way home?! Please?!” The brown colt inquired pleadingly as he followed his heavily pregnant mother to the exit.

“Button, stop asking me! I already said yes!!” She responded with a slight hint of annoyance in her tone.

Trixie hadn’t realized that she had stopped following the doctor until he called her name again. “Trixie? Are you coming?” He asked. Trixie snapped out of her reverie and nodded, picking up her pace. They finally reached a room where Trixie was ordered to sit in a chair while the doctor examined her and asked questions.

“Now, Miss Trixie, what seems to be the problem here?” The yellow stallion with a brown mane and mustache inquired, folding his hooves together.

Trixie gulped. “I…I…um…Trixie has been feeling…unwell…and she thinks that she might be…gravid.” She delicately stammered out.

The doctor’s stoic pokerface twitched into a smile, understanding what the mare was trying to say. “Ah, don’t be embarrassed. We get a lot of calls from concerned ponies thinking that they’re expectant. Don’t worry; I’m sure we can shed some light on this claim rather quickly. But let’s not jump to conclusions immediately. Now, please lay back and relax, make yourself comfortable and I’ll do the rest, alright?”

Trixie nodded and did as she was directed to, leaning back into the chair as she relaxed her tightened muscles. She closed her eyes, waiting to feel the touch of the doctor. Instead, she was surprised to feel coldness on her belly, and some kind of liquid being poured on top. She yelped in surprise, shivering at the chilly sensation. When she opened her eyes, she noticed the doctor squeezing a tube of a clear blue substance over her belly.

“I know it’s cold, but you need to stay still.” The doctor said. Trixie watched as he picked up a small transducer and slowly moved it across her belly, gliding it around in different areas, particularly around the small bulge that had formed over the week.

A monitor that stood next to the chair lit up and an image gradually came into view on the screen. What appeared to be a small pony fetus that had to be at least a few days into development was revealed on the screen, leaving Trixie to stew in confusion. What was that thing, and why was it inside her?

The doctor grinned, “There it is.”

Trixie bit her lip, “What…”

“Oh, of course.” The doctor chuckled. “That’s your foal.”

Trixie trotted out of the examining room in pure shock. Her magical grip held a folder filled with prenatal vitamins, a few pamphlets, a few copies of the ultrasound pictures, among other personal items recommended by the doctor. She couldn’t believe that it was true. There really was a tiny pony growing inside of her. It was small, and it was going to take a while before it grew into the next stage of development, but it was still a living creature nonetheless.

Her eyes wide, her jaw slacking, and her heart racing, Trixie shakily took a few intakes of well-needed air. She found it hard to breath, as reality started to set in. “How is Roses going to react? Will she kick me out? She already has to deal with Snips and whoever her husband is; will she allow me and the foal to stay as well. She couldn’t possibly agree to that, two more mouths to feed? I certainly can’t afford my own home, much less a foal. I don’t even have a job! And even if I did, I couldn’t possibly raise a foal on my own! I don’t even know who the father is.” She thought aloud. Trixie was so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn’t even see herself bump into somepony.

“Sorry, I—“ Trixie looked up at the caped figure in front of her and gasped. It was Rarity. What was she doing here?!

“….You. What are you doing here? What am I doing here? No, what are you doing here?!” The two mares quarreled in unison.

“Me? I’m here for an appointment, thank you very much! Now may I ask why YOU are here?” Rarity snarled. Her eyes locked on the folder in Trixie’s telekinetic  grip, knitting the white unicorn’s eyebrows into a frown. “What have you got there?”

“None of your business, for both answers.” Trixie replied tartly.

As soon as she left, Rarity scowled. “Well, she certainly has an attitude.” The fancy fashionista trotted over to the door of the same room Trixie had emerged from and rapped her hoof repeatedly until Doctor Feelgood answered.

“May I help you?” He offered.

“It’s ten fifteen, and I was told that you were going to be prepared for me at that time. Now, if I may ask, are you?” Rarity asked.

“Well…I suppose. Come on in, miss…?”

“Rarity.”

“Rarity. Alright then, why don’t you take a seat over there and we’ll talk.”

*20 minutes later*

“Well Miss Rarity, I’m afraid that you are, as you claimed, pregnant.” Doctor Feelgood confirmed.

Rarity sighed, “I was afraid of that. Oh sweet Celestia, what am I going to do? What will my friends think? That I just randomly slept with a stallion I don’t even know and now I’m going to have his baby as a single mare? And what about Sweetie Belle, what am I going to tell her; that she’s going to be an aunt at age eight?!” Shrieked the white unicorn.

“Miss Rarity, you need to calm down, if your blood pressure rises higher than it should you will—“

*plop*

“—pass out.” The doctor sighed and pressed a button on his pager and said into the small device, “Nurse, get me a wheelchair. We’ve got a K.O. in room seven. Again.”

“So what is the diagnosis, Doctor? Am I retaining water? Do I have some kind of magical virus? Or do I have a foreign disease?! Or—“ Twilight was hushed by Doctor Feelgood as he placed his hoof over her lips.

“Shh. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of this mystery. Now just lay back and relax and I’ll do an ultrasound to see if you’re retaining water or not.” He said gently but firmly. Twilight nodded and laid back into the chair, averting her eyes to avoid the indignities below. It was bad enough that she had to see a doctor, but requiring an ultrasound? The purple Princess was mortified.

What if there was something truly wrong with her that would prevent her from performing her duties as royalty?

Twilight suddenly shivered as she felt a cold liquid pour onto her stomach. Lifting her head she noticed the doctor squeezing some sort of translucent blue goo onto her stomach. Then he picked up a transducer and slowly moved the device across the surface of her protuberant belly.

The screen on the monitor next to the chair lit up and an image appeared, an ultrasound. Although the image was in black and white Twilight could vaguely identify what looked like a blob in the middle of the picture. She feared the worst; she dreaded that she had some kind of tumor growing within her.

Doctor Feelgood squinted to get a better look and smiled when he realized what he was viewing. Turning off the monitor, he turned to Twilight and said as he wiped the goo off her stomach with a cloth, “Congratulations, Princess! You’re going to be a mother.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped. She was going to be a…a…m-mother?! No, it couldn’t be possible…but it would explain the unusual symptoms. “Are you sure??” She questioned, wanting to make sure that the doctor was playing some kind of sick joke.

Doctor Feelgood shrugged, “The monitor doesn’t lie.”

“Oh no…what am I going to do? I can’t raise a foal! I’ve got too much on my hooves, especially now! There’s no way I can manage!” Twilight squealed, a few errant strands of her mane going wildly askew.

The doctor placed his hoof on the alicorn’s back and said cheerfully, “I wouldn’t worry too much, Princess. You’ll be just fine! Also, doesn’t this make you queen rather than Princess? I mean, you’re the first alicorn in thousands of years to have a foal. Oh boy, this week’s confidential is going to make a profit!”

Twilight screamed again.

Pinkie Pie bounced into Sugar Cube Corner excitedly; she had just gotten the big news from the doctor and she couldn’t be happier. She couldn’t believe that she had worried so much. This was gonna be a breeze!

At the moment Mr. and Mrs. Cake were cleaning up after a busy morning, preparing themselves for the afternoon sugar rush, as they called it. They both turned their heads and smiled for the first time in days when they saw their employer/adopted daughter burst through the doors with a wide grin on her pink face.

“Oh hello dear, I assume the doctor’s went well?” Mrs. Cake asked.

Pinkie giggled, “Oh yeah! It was awesome! In fact, I just got the most amazing news in the whole wide world! It’s even better than cupcakes!”

“Well if it’s better than cupcakes, than I’m certainly interested. Nothing’s better than cupcakes.” Mr. Cake said jokingly.

“So what’s the news, dearie?” Mrs. Cake enthused curiously.

Pinkie squealed before saying, “I’m gonna have a foal!!” She beamed, standing up on her hind legs to expose her small yet well-rounded stomach.

The smiles on both of the Baker’s faces instantly disappeared. Mrs. Cake stood slack-jawed while her husband fainted in shock. Pinkie licked her lips, “Is anypony else craving a cupcake right about now?”