Being Brave part II

The night sky had painted itself with every constellation known to ponykind. Not a speck of cloud or a wisp of fog was to found anywhere in the sweet spring air. Princess Luna must've picked this evening especially for Cory. And why not? Of all the residents in Equestria who had come to enjoy the evening air, Cory was the happiest of them all. Not only had he been given a home, a job, a talent, and even an infinite of friends, he was now about to received something he had always dreamed of: A Family. Two families to be exact.

The entire Twilight and Apple clan had gathered to the center of Sweet Apple Acres, surrounding a large bonfire that glowed a glorious red among the darkness. The air had caught up with the scent of cinnamon and cider, which to no surprise was being served as the main beverage. Up in front was a bare, wooden podium with a microphone, tuned and ready for any upcoming announcement. Right at the edge of the podium was a writing desk, complete with a set of quills, a bottle of ink, and a few adoption papers ready to be signed by Twilight and Applejack.

All his fragile existence, Cory had dreamed for this moment to come. For somebody (or somepony in this case) to take him in, love him, and raise him as their own. Now that it was finally becoming a reality, he could not think of what to make of it. With all the smiling pony faces surrounding him, and every "We love you Cory" and "Welcome home cousin," His heart seemed to get bigger and bigger by the minute.

It was at this moment Cory was shaking hoof and hand with his new earth pony relatives while Applejack introduced their names to him. Music was being played to the tune of a country guitar and a mean fiddle. Ponies were laughing, playing, joking and sharing a joke or two. All centered around him, for this monumental occasion.

"Over there's Cloudchaser, this here's Orange Swirl, that there's Dosie Dough, Apple Dumpling, Apple Leaves, Half Baked Apple....Don't worry keeping track of names little brother!" Applejack Reassured "You've got you're whole life to know the Apple family!"

"And the Twilight family too!" Twilight added who was trotting beside him.

"AND THE PINKIE FAMILY THREE!!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she jumped out of nowhere with a rather emo looking pony beside her.

"Hope you don't mind." She continued "But I brought my sister Maud over to celebrate her new cousin.She's really, really excited to meet you."

Cory waved at Maud while Maud just stared back.

"You're more handsome than I thought." She said with face that looked like stone. "Oh, and I like how you smell of a few minerals."

"You sure she's excited?" asked Cory with a puzzled look.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Pinkie "I haven't seen her this excited in my entire life!"

"I know it doesn't look like it." Maud added "But underneath this abnormally unethusiastic exterior, I am very, very happy now."

Then she walked over to him and gave him a small hug. Though it felt like a statue was embracing him, the warmth was all the same. Suddenly the music died down while everypony focused their attention on Twilight and Applejack as they approached the mic.

"ALLRIGHT Y'ALL!!" Said Applejack with a mic in her foreleg and a bout of enthusiasm "We're gathered here to celebrate the birthday..."

"And adoption..." Twilight added.

"OF CORY AGEES!!" They said together.

"Come on over little brother!" Said Applejack.

Everypony got out of the way for Cory as they made what looked like a small passageway leading to the podium. All around he could hear uproarious applause and see tears of joy as he walked on up.

"We're so happy to have you." Said a tearful earth pony.

"Welcome to the family Cory." A watery eyed Unicorn added.

As he took his first steps on the stage, his fragile existence flashed before his eyes. Just less than a year ago, he had no family, no friends, no reason to keep going on. Now, he had a new life to look forward to, with two families and a large group of friends that would love and fight for him to very end. If only his friends back home would see him now. He walked up center stage as everypony by the bonfire turned to face him. Everything turned silent, with the exception of a few crickets and the strum of a banjo in the background.

"On behalf of the whole Twi-Apple family clan," Said Applejack as she approached him "I hereby dub these adoption papers ready to be signed."

As she said this, two earth ponies carried the desk of quill and paper front and center. It was then that Twilight levitated the two quills off the surface and dipped them in the ink bottle.

"Cory." Said Twilight "As your new mother, I will make it one of my solemn duties to make sure your life is as fruitful as anypony could ask. So, wherever you go, whatever you become, I will always be with you."

Then she gently leaned over and kissed Cory on the cheek.

"You're gonna do great things Cory, and I'll be on your side no matter what. You know? Funny thing. I always secretly wanted to have a protege on my side, just I was with a Celestia. I just never thought it would be someone from another world. For the record, I never thought he would turn out to be my son. But some of the best things in all the world come from the unexpected. And for that, I am proud to have you under my wing, and it couldn't have happened to a better son."

It was at this moment she and Cory started tearing up.

"I love you Cory." She said as she embraced him.

"I....I love you too... mom." Cory replied as he hugged her back.

"Awwwww" said everypony in the crowd.

Now it was Applejack's turn as Twilight went over to sign her name on the paper.

"Cory." She said as she placed her hoof on his hand. "As one of your new siblings, You should rest easy knowin that you're in good hooves now. You are gonna love being part of our family. I mean, you got the playful ones,"

Applejack pointed to Applebloom a few fillies playing jumprope, which ended up with them getting tangled up on the ground and laughing

"The Strong ones,"

Then she pointed to Big Mac and other Brawny stallions flexing their chests, to which Big Mac replied with a prideful "Eeyup"

"And our lovin matriarchs, Granny Smith included."

Finally, she pointed to Granny Smith and her elderly kin.

"You got a question, one o them's probably got the answer. And of course, there's your's truly, who makes sure her sibling is safe n sound."

It was then she leaned a little closer to him.

"Cory. You have our unbreakable, unshakable undeniable promise,"

She mimicked a pinkie promise as she said this.

"..that we will support you like a tree holds it's sap. So to all those out there who did ya wrong, this is my message to them. They mess with you again, they mess with whole apple family!!"

To which everypony replied with a cheer and a "Woo-Wee."

"Welcome home brother." She said as she embraced him

"It's good to be home, sister." He replied as he embraced.

The audience made a few "Awww" and "Hooray" sounds as Applejack went over to the adoption papers. And just like that, they were signed, sealed and delivered by The two ponies.

"Now, you are legally one us!!" Cried Applebloom as he hopped again onto Cory's shoulders

In a split second, the crowd went into uproarious applause. Stallions threw their hats up, fiddles and guitars played all over, and balloons and fireworks spewed out from Pinkie's cannon, lighting the night air with a canvas of hues. This was the happiest moment of his life. What was once an empty existence had now become full. Now his life was truly complete, and it was just about to get better.

"Alright ya'll, let's move on to the naming ceremony!" Said Applejack.

"Huh?" asked Cory

"Well, since your'e a member of two pony families now," Twilight explained "We think it's best to give you a pony name."

"Makes sense I guess." He replied.

"Our loving elderly are just about ready to reveal Cory's new name" Applejack continued "And we'll know in a few moments."

At the edge of the stage stood Granny Smith and a circle of other older Ponyfolk murmuring one thing and debating another. Then, after a few tense seconds, Granny Smith stepped out of the huddle.

"We have made our decision." She said as she hooved an envelope to Twilight and Applejack. Then, with her magic, Twilight carefully opened the packaging and unfolded the paper from inside. Sweat was now pouring down Cory's back. What will my new name be? He thought to himself. Will it be a name of an apple, or some kind of constellation? The two ponies read through the parchment as a smile grew across their faces and the crowd grew silent.

"From this day forward." Applejack proclaimed as she tuned to Cory. "You will now be known as..."

She and Twilight nodded.

"CAPRI-CORE!!" They shouted together.

Everypony kicked their heels in the air in a standing ovation.

"Cause you're an Apple to the core.." Explained Applejack

"And as bright as a constellation in the sky.." Twilight added. "And don't worry. You're nickname's still Cory."

"Twilight." Said Applejack "Since you're the new mama of this lucky feller here, how bout you lead us all in song."

"Well." Twilight chuckled. "There is one song we do when welcoming new family members."

Then she trotted over to Fiddlesticks and whispered something in her ear, to which she made a rather gleeful yes and started to play her violin. It was then everypony gathered around Cory in song.

As they finished their song, they all gathered around Cory in a group hug. It was at that moment he looked up into the sky where two comets flew within the lunar abyss. It was the warmest he ever felt.

"So, you're gonna keep me this time. Right?" Cory asked.

"Kid!" said Applebloom as she climbed on top of him and gave him a noogie. "You're stuck with us for life!"

"Hey, cut with the mushy stuffl" Said Pinkie Pie. "This is supposed to be a celebration."

"LEEEEETS PARTY!!!!!!!" And party they did, way into the night, with Applejack taking the lead.

Then, as the partying died down, and Apple and Twilight family gathered around Cory once more for a family photo.

"Say best family adoption ever." Cried Pinkie.

"BEST FAMILY ADOPTION EVER!!" Cried Everypony else.

The camera flared, the picture was processed, and the memory was preserved. Cory was truly home at last.