We Are All Made of Star Stuff
My name. You know what? Screw this. It's not like it even matters to you. No one has cared much about me, not my father, not my mother, neither of whom I've ever met or known. Not even the foster parents I live with care for me. To them, I'm just a burden, a chip on their shoulders, a money vacuum-cleaner. The list just goes on.
Wait, you're still listening? Well maybe you at least deserve my name.
Moonbeam Crater.
My cutie mark had made itself appear on my dark blue pelt when I stargazed after my fifth set of foster parents said they were fed up with me. I remember looking up at the stars and moon and forgetting about all life’s troubles for a while. I still stargaze today when I feel down, the night sky is just like a hole in the ground, an escape from everything. The silvery half moon complete with dark grey circles of craters had made itself apparent that the night sky was my passion. I felt that the starry canvas was my real home. Why? No idea, it just felt right.
My life wasn't exactly normal until one week changed all of that in the most catastrophic of ways.
I was a troubled kid so to speak; Dead parents, 12 previous foster homes, and 3 arrests. Not a poster child right? I had wanted to join the Royal Guard, but after being arrested, those dreams were smashed like a hammer to a glass goblet. I was a unicorn, using magic, which was a very good talent of mine, had come in handy when I wanted to get back at bullies and nasty foster parents. I was very talented as my teachers in school noted, but needed to use my real powers for good instead of evil. I was a straight a student and was supposed to be the valedictorian for Fillydelphia High School. It was May so everypony was buckling down and getting to work. I didn't have to work so hard, I got most of the lessons the first time, so repeat questions kinda became a pet peeve of mine. I walked through the bustling city on the way home to my foster parent's apartment in downtown. The spring air was cool and refreshing against my fur, a great contrast from the flank-freezing winters.
"Sup Braeburn." I said, opening the door and seeing my foster dad's brother on the couch, cider in his hoof already. During the summers, Braeburn was my foster parent essentially. I lived in Appleoosa until school started in september. He was the nicest guy I ever met and really appreciated my work on his ranch. He was like a brother and a father to me.
"Well what took ya so damn long?" He asked, his southern drawl very apparent.
"I walk home dude. I hate the buckin bus. Too many assholes." I said.
"Damn city kids" he grunted, "don't know a stallion finer than you in all of Equestria."
"What the buck is that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Well first of all, you've got a body that would bring Iron Will tuh tears. Second, you are smart as the devil himself. And thirdly, you're just an overall nice pony. Only reason I see someone pickin on you is if they were jealous." He explained.
"Thanks Brae. Hey, toss me a cider will ya?" I asked him, making my way to the couch.
"You're not old enough" he smirked, reminding me of our summer together. I had out drank him twice when I was 16, humiliating him in front of the whole town.
"Shut the buck up Brae and pass me a damn cider!" I laughed as i plopped down on the sofa. A cider was tossed towards me as I grabbed it with my magic.
The tv was showing some crappy reality show.
"Hey Brae?" I asked him.
"Hm?" He responded midway through a drag of cider.
"How's AJ doing?" I asked. I had met his cousin a few times and we really hit it off. I hated this damn city, if I didn't have to be here I would be in either Appleoosa or the country outside Ponyville.
"She's fine. Why do you ask?" He smirked.
"I haven't seen her in a while. I bucking hate this city, and wish I could live out there with you all the time." I lamented, giving the coffee table a light kick.
"Well, Apple Core and Candy Apple are the only Apples who live in the city. Don't know how they do it but I wish you lived out here too. But Apple Core and Candy are nice parents right?" He asked.
"Nicest I've ever had. Just too citified" I answer.
That was true. Candy Apple and Apple Core were the nicest parents I ever had. They actually cared about me. I had never been arrested with them, and they really straightened me out. I would be sad to see them go when I graduate.
Speaking of the devil, Candy Apple opens the door and sighs. Her eyes then fell on me and Braeburn.
"Well hello kiddo? How was school?" She asked, sitting on the adjacent loveseat.
"Same crap, different day." I said, waving a hoof in the air.
"English a drag?" She asked.
"Yeah, essays over spring break. Speaking of which, do you think I could go with Braeburn over spring break?" I ask.
"Core was just talking about that. He said you asked him yesterday. He and I have no problem with that. Braeburn, could you pick him up tomorrow afternoon?" She asked.
"Not a problem. I gotta get going, just wanted to drop by and say hi. See ya tomorrow Crater." He said, downing the last of his cider.
"Peace Brae." I said as the door shut.
"Better get started on that essay." Candy told me.
"Sweet Celestia Candy! He hasn't even been gone 5 seconds!" I said, exasperated.
Nonetheless, I grabbed my bag and headed down to my room.
I was working for hours, dinner came and went. I stopped for 10 minutes to eat, and tried to finish the essay before tomorrow. Suddenly around 10 o'clock, there was a knock at my door.
"Moonbeam?" Candy's voice came from the other side of my door.
"Yeah? I grunted
"There are some very important people out here to see you!” She said, an unnatural urgency in her voice.
“Alright, Alright. What’s the big d-” I was cut off by the sight in front of me.
There, in the small den, her ethereal mane and tail flowing and sparkling with the light of a thousand stars, stood Luna. The princess of the night.
What is going on? Why is the Princess of the Night in our den?
“Y-Your majesty?” I stammered trying to collect myself in the presence of the Princess.
“Please. Lead me to your room Moonbeam, we need to talk in private. It is information that you need to hear and understand first before I tell your parents” She spoke, a very authoritative tone to her voice.
I obediently obliged, however shocked that the conversation would take place a alone in my room. I was obviously embarrassed at the state of my room, trash scattered across the floor, uniform shirts and pants all over the place, my cowboy hat and jacket were the only things that were hung up neatly. I did some rather quick magic work and cleaned up the room. Luna smiled, knowing what I was doing, and entered my room. She sat down on the bed and ushered me to sit beside her.
“Yes your majesty?” I asked.
“First off, start by not calling me ‘your majesty’, you can call me mom” She said.
WHAT IN TARTARUS?!
“I’m sorry. I think I misheard you. Could you run that by me again?” I said, scratching my head.
“I said, call me mom, or mother, or even mommy if you like” She said once again.
“With all due respect your maje-sorry, Mom, why do you insist that I do this?” I asked her, obeying her commands as I didn’t want to die a painful death.
“Because your parents are still alive. I am your biological mother.” She said, looking me dead in the eyes.
“What? You can’t be serious. I mean why” I tried to ask the question but she cut me off.
“Why did I never find you earlier? Why did I never take care of you? Why did you have lies planted in your brain for 18 years? I was the reason for that. I know you must be seething with rage and sorrow about my decision to abandon you as a foal but you must-” She explained before I cut her off.
“I’m not mad. I mean, I guess I am a little mad after 18 years of lies and foster parents, but I’m glad you’re here. I get why you didn’t want to have a foal, I mean, you’re a princess, that would be a scandal! I still do have one question though, who and where is my real father?” I asked her not breaking eye contact.
“He was a guard, probably where you get your strength, my my you really have grown up to be a strong stallion. His name was Moonbeam Shield, a unicorn Night Guardsman. I loved him with all my heart and it pained me to see him die at the hands of the Changelings. He breathed his last in my arms in a castle corridor after taking a horn to the chest.” Tears were now flowing down her cheeks, her distraught attitude caught my attention and I embraced her. My warm body flooding hers with the pleasant glow of warmth. She hugged me back, squeezing slightly and sobbing all the while.
“I was pregnant with you and I could not risk raising you on my own, so I gave you away.” She wept.
“Mom,” I moved back from the hug, looking her in the eyes, “I understand, I always loved the night sky. But now at least I know why, because my mother creates and manages the stars. Is that why you show up in my dreams as well?” I ask her.
“Of course. Even though I could not be your true mother, I still wanted to see you happy, so I did my best in the dream world.” She said, her voice quavering slightly.
“So does this mean I’m a prince?” I asked half-heartedly.
“I suppose, Celestia does not even know about you yet.” She thought.
“I don’t want that. I like my life as it is right now, but this makes it better. I now know my mother is safe and alive, something I never had before, and I want you to know that I cherish that Mom. I love you.” The last part came out automatically.
I had never said those 3 magic words to anyone. Luna’s eyes filled up with tears as she embraced me again.
“I’ll have to take you to Canterlot. I’ve called for an emergency meeting of the princesses.” She said.
“WHAT?!” I jumped up, scrambling to find my shirt and tie.
“Oh don’t mind that. You’re technically royalty after all.” She giggled.
I looked up and saw her admiring me. I knew she couldn’t help it, after all, she had never seen me in the flesh in 18 years.
“Shall we inform your foster parents?” She asked.
“Might as well.” I said, taking her hoof and raising her off the bed. She got to her feet and walked out.
Apple Core and Candy Apple’s initial response was understandable. But they soon realized that it was out of their control. I told them I would be back here by next week and then I would be off to Ponyville for the summer since Braeburn and I would not be going to be in Appleoosa but rather the Apple family reunion at Sweet Apple Acres. Luna escorted me to the train station and sat me in her train car. Beginning my long ride to royalty.
Canterlot was nothing compared to Fillydelphia. A small city but it there was a different air to it. Luxurious was all I could say. I was escorted by several guards to the great hall. There, 3 of the 4 thrones were filled by alicorns. Celestia in the middle, Cadence on her left, separated by a dark blue throne, and Twilight on her right. Luna approached the steps, hugging my side close to her.
“Luna, what is the meaning of this, we were all in the middle of very important business.” Celestia said in a stern tone.
“I assure you, this is important, or rather, he is important.” Luna said, motioning her head towards me.
“Luna, what are you-” Celestia started.
“Celestia, Cadence, Twilight, I’d like you to meet my son, Moonbeam.” She said, cutting Celestia off.
“S-Son?” Twilight stammered. A look of shock painting its way across everypony’s face
“Sister, why do you tell us now? Why not earlier?” Celestia asked.
“Because I was afraid. I didn't want you to judge me.” Luna answered
“Who was his father?” Celestia asked again.
“Moonbeam Shield.” She said, a tear pushing itself back into her head.
“One of your favorite guards. I always knew you had a thing for him. I could sense it.” Cadance said, closing her eyes and recalling.
“Moonbeam Crater is his name, after his father of course.” Luna said.
“He certainly is a looker.” Twilight said looking me over. She was quickly shut down by a blush from me and a death stare from Luna. Despite knowing me for less than a day, she was taking her role as a mother very seriously.
“Uh, Thanks Princess Twilight” I sputtered.
“Don’t mention it,” She twirled her mane around with her hoof, blushing slightly.
This day just keeps getting better and better. A princess is trying to flirt with me. Nope, avoid that, remember why you’re here.
The discussion turned to my life before Twilight wanted to talk to me alone. Luna was otherwise engaged and didn’t notice my disappearance.
“First off, let me get this straight. You know the Apple family right?” Twilight asked me, pinning me against the wall.
“Uh, yeah. Can you, you know, let me down?” I asked.
“Fine, but you gotta kiss me first.” She smirked.
“Fine,” I groaned.
Her lips met mine briefly before she pulled back and let me go.
“Rarity can suck on that” She mumbled.
Figuring it was just some stupid bet, I got back on my feet.
“Why do you ask about the Apple family?” I asked her
“AJ talks about you a lot. Says you’re a great guy. Personally I think she has a crush on you.” She giggled.
Well, this day is getting more and more interesting by the second.
