Dream Child

by ShadowStar_IMHP

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Tantabus, Princess Luna
Length: 12535

The Tantabus was a magical construction. It was made for one reason to cause Luna to have nightmares every night to punish herself. Why then did it escape? What was controlling it? When Luna finds out the truth her life is turned upside down.

A thousand years ago Nightmare Moon fought Celestia at the castle of the two royal sisters. The destruction was devastating. Wild magic and falling stonework were too much for the pregnant mare to escape. Her dying wish was her foal could be saved. Sometimes wishes get answered in the most unexpected ways.

The Tantabus acted with a mind of its own. It had a goal, it had its own desires, it took the form of a unicorn, it wanted to live. The reason why will change Princess Luna's life.

Published 2018-07-02 07:30:07 UTC
Last updated 2018-12-02 01:15:00 UTC

Prolog

Prolog

Celestia's sun rose up into the sky sending it’s warming light across the land. Birds start singing and ponies rise for another day. “AGGGHHHHHH, Silver tells Celestia to turn down the sun!” Silk Sheets groaned as the sunlight shined on her face. She grabbed her blanket and covered her face hiding from the morning’s light.

“Now dear we have work to do.” The blue coated and silver-maned stallion Silver Setting said as he got out of bed noting that somehow his wife ended up with all the blankets. It wasn’t so bad after all it was in the middle of summer. The Longest day of the year in fact.

“It’s too early! A pregnant mare needs her sleep.” The pouting voice from the bundle of sheet said. He so loved his wife but there are times when she could be a bother. He went over and tugged on the blankets revealing the White coated rose red-maned mare underneath.

She rolled out of bed and made her way to the water closet. “Stupid morning...Ohhh” her grumbling halted when she stopped and sat down her hoof going to her barrel.

Silver rushed over “You alright? Do I need to get a healer?” She smiled at her loving stallion “It’s alright we got told to expect this.”

“Expect what? Morning sickness? Maybe I should tell Proper Prance that you need the day off?”

“I just felt the baby first kick silly. She seems a morning pony.” She laughed as she guided his goof to her barrel to feel the baby move. A look of joy came upon his face “He’s moving”

“He, You do know the chances of a colt is about one in five right?”

“I lucked out when a beautiful mare like you said yes.” he went to kiss her but her hoof placed on his lips stopped it. “Morning breath, brush your teeth first!”

After the morning ritual was over Silk Sheets was once more doing her duty as maid of the Princesses. Her hoof steps echoed off the walls of the castle of the two sisters. She came to the door of Princess Luna.

Confusion came to her face as she leaned in listening to the sounds of Luna talking? Who was that other voice it was so arrogant? A shiver ran down her spine as she moved away from the door. Taking a deep breath she called out. “Princess Luna? Do you need your room tended to?”

“NO, GO AWAY!” The hall seemed to vibrate with the command. “As you wish Princess.” A part of Silk wanted to enter to see who was that odd voice speaking with Luna. The rest of her wanted to run as fast as she could away.

“What is wrong with you Princess Luna?” She sighed her voice was not even heard even by her. Thinking back to the stories her grandmother told her about how Luna was so playful. The bearer of the Element of Laughter, Loyalty, and Honesty. Silk couldn’t imagine such a sad and depressed spirit could be such. The nobles avoid her whispering negative gossip about her.

Soon she came to the chambers of Princess Celestia. Silk Sheets smoothed out the fresh sheet she laid down. Her magic flared as she fluffed the pillows and done the finishing touches. Everything has to be perfect.

Then she felt a harder kick inside her swollen barrel and sat down brushing her baby bump with her hoof. “Oh... that was a strong, my little one! Be gentle with mommy.”

“MMMEEEE!” The yell was heard all around the castle as the rumbling started. Stone cracked and the sky turned dark. Silk rushed to the window seeing the moon rise up to block the sun. Beams of shadow flared out from the eclipse and she turns to run one of the black beams struck her. Crying out in pain she fell.

“SILK!” Silver Setting came rushing in and saw his wife struggling to her hooves. “oh no...” He ran over and help her to stand. “Silk are you alright?” The sounds of battle and stone falling to the ground heard in the background.

“What.. what’s going on Silver?” She asked as they both started hurrying out of the hall and for the exit of the castle.

“It’s Luna... The Princesses they are fighting. Something happened Luna all... She’s mad I tell you, totally mad.”

“I told you something was wrong with her!” She stumbled feeling a sharp pain in her midsection. Then a stone fell striking her.

“NO!!” He grabbed her in her magic and ran as fast as his hoofs could. He got outside to see Celestia fall into the main hall. The Figure of Nightmare Moon Laughing high above.

Around him, the very trees seem to twist and turn dark. He saw ponies screaming in agony as they got struck by the strange black beams. A Pegasus wings suddenly lost all its feathers and became bat-like wings as his eyes became slit like a dragon.

“HELP ME! MY WIFE...” He saw a group of guards helping other ponies.

“Over here! I’m a healer what happened.” A Mare with a white coat and soft pink mane said as she motioned to a cot.

He laid down his wife who was gasping for air “My... baby. Save... her.” Then Silk Sheet gave her last breath. Just as a blast of Rainbow light came from the Castle of the two sisters. High above the image of the Mare in the Moon appeared.

“SILK” Silver held his wife as the medic sighs seeing the damage done.

“I’m sorry... so sorry there nothing I can do.”

Silver Setting looked to the lowering moon and the image on it. “CURSE YOU LUNA! CURSE YOU TO TARTARUS!”

“Save...her.” A mother’s last breath her last wish was heard. The Elements heard her cry. They couldn’t save the life the foal it was too young to live with the body it had. The faint glow a mere speck of a soul caught in the light of Harmony. The Element can give the soul another chance, there is more than one way to save a soul.

In the now formless shadow that was the Mare in the Moon, the spark struggled against the waves of madness. The light flickering as the power that was Nightmare Moon threatened to overwhelm it.

Then a blue sphere formed around the spark of a soul. From the darkness came a glowing from. Bluecoat dark blue mane and tail, Princess Luna. Or at least what remains of the goodness that lies inside her. The form was not of flesh and blood but of spirit. Magic manifested.

She settled down beside the orb of her magic sheltering the soul even more from the madness of her own darker side. A mother’s cry has been answered the soul saved.

Luna started singing to the young soul. “Hush now, Quit now. Rest your sleepy head.” Her voice soft a mere whisper in the sea of madness. Together the two souls waited for a thousand years.

When next the Elements felt the soul they couldn’t give it a new body. The Soul was still too weak for life. It needed to be protected to grow, it needed a mother.

Luna restored and she took her first breath in a thousand years never knowing that within her was the second spark of life. Her magic will still protect the soul letting it grow.

Author's Note

I like to thank Sanguine Eyes for proofreading and edits. I'm sure we missed some mistakes so if you see any send me a message and I will fix it asap.

I love the stories of Luna adopting a foal. However, there is one thing that bothered me about them. She makes the choice instantly with the sudden expression of motherly love. I wanted to write a story where she doubts herself. After all, she was Nightmare Moon and the show did express her Guilt over her past very heavily. Feeling such guilt she would be afraid to take care of a foal. I wanted to touch on that. Adopting a child even normally is a major step.

What Dreams may come

Chapter 2
What dreams may come

The voice filled her dreams. It was there in the bad place protecting her. Time had no meaning in the bad place. All she knew it ended in a rainbow. Then she heard the voice again calling to her. She associated the voice with someone that cares for her. It protected her from the bad place. Like what other foals would call mommy. So when she opened her eyes and looked at the face of Luna the first time she felt her first word was right. “Mommy?”

“I shall tend to the paperwork right away.” With a nod from Celestia Raven headed out to get the papers and rooms ready.

The shock was clearly seen on Luna's face and in that time the nurse stepped forward “Do you know your name, Sweetie?”

She blinked “um… is it Sweetie?”

Celestia’s horn lit up the door locked and a golden shine covered the walls “Doctor Checkup, Nurse…”

“Pink Lemonade your highness”.

Celestia nodded “What I’m going to tell you is beyond just patient confidentiality it’s national security. We found her soul trapped and we freed her. Her body Was created by magic this is her first day alive. Given you two are in charge of her well being you need to know her true origin but it does not leave this room.”

Star Shine looked to Celestia “Who are you? Where am I? Do you know my name?” Her strings of questions came to a halt when her belly rumbled and she crunches her snout.

“Nurse Lemonade, I think she can have something to eat. Perhaps a soup light easy to digest.” Doctor Check-up said then nodded to Celestia and Luna. “I have other duties to tend to. Don’t worry I take my oaths very seriously. The protection of the” smiles “ Little princess as every patient is our top priority.” With that, he headed out.

“I shall fetch some nice soup for the sweetie.” Then headed out leaving the three alone.

Celestia stepped forward “To answer your questions I’m your Aunt Celestia. Well, that is if Luna wants to be your Mommy.” She looked at her sister with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“You... you don’t want to be my Mommy?” Star’s lower lip quivers tears welling up in her teal eyes.

“TIA!” Sighing Luna leaned in and nuzzled Star “you are scaring her. Don’t let mean old Celestia bother you. I am happy to be your Mommy, that is if you want me to be your mom.” A pair of deep purple fore hooves wrap around her neck in a tight hug she returned the hug back.
Celestia smiled seeing the touching site. “I leave you two alone. There are a bunch of news reporters and others waiting.” She came over and smiled at Star Shine “Take care of your Mommy for me. I think you are just what she needs.”

“She needs me?” Star looked confused between Luna and Celestia.

“Sister, what are you doing?” Luna looked at her sister knowing that the solar monarch was manipulating things.

“Your new Mommy has been sad a very long time. Even her big sister couldn’t help. But a cute little star like yourself could finally let her be happy again.” Celestia smiled and nuzzled Luna then Star.

“We talk later Luna. For now, bond a little with your new Daughter.” Smiling she headed out to face the masses.

Luna and Star were then alone in the hospital room the walls a soft blue. Luna then looked to her Daughter. “I would like to name you Star Shine. I think it’s a pretty name do you like it.”

Star settled down and then smiled “Star Shine! I like it.”

“So Star I know you are a special little pony but I want to know how do you know how to talk? Why did you call me Mommy at first?”

“Your voice... the singing I remember hearing it in the bad place.”

“The bad place? What’s that?”

“It scary, all dark. The other voice was there too all mean and angry. Then the singing voice came and I felt safe.”

Hearing this Luna felt a lump in her chest. The filly indeed was banished to the moon with her there was no other place she could think of that matches such a description.

“No, be sad! Aunt Celestia said I make you happy not sad!”

Luna smiled and bumped Star’s nose. “I’m just sad you had to be in the bad place. You do make me happy, I'm very glad you aren’t there anymore.”

A tilt of her head Star thought about it “Okay. That was looooong time ago the pretty lights took me out of bad place to place of stars and doors and stuff.”

“Magic Doors?” Luna looked at the filly with a realization.

“Uh huh. Though sometimes it was bubbles. I figured out I could open the other places and meet other ponies. We played and I learned stuff. There this nice teacher Cheerilee, but she never remembers me. None of the ponies remember me.” Fear came to her eyes and she reached for Luna. “You won’t forget me too will you?”

“No my little Star. I won’t forget you.”

Star settled down again “Good, He said ponies won’t forget me here.”

“He? Who is this he that said that.”

“Oh, he’s a funny thing. A bird claw on one arm, a bear claw on the other. He had a horn and antler. Oh and funny eyes big yellow ones with red pupils.”

“Discord.” A touch of anger entered Luna’s voice.

Star didn’t seem to notice the change in tone. “Yup, he showed me this purple cloud thing and said if I was brave enough and wanted to be a real filly hard enough I will be. He was right here I am. Thought it was scary and I don’t remember what happened after I jumped into the cloud.”

Just then a knock came from the door and Pink Lemonade came in followed by another pink pony with bright blue eyes. “Oh, there she is!” Pinkie Pie said and zipped past Nurse Lemonade and Luna to smile at Star. “I came as fast as I could when I heard it was your birthday!”

“Wha... Pinkie Pie how you get here?” Luna blinked at the pink pony as she blew up a balloon in one breath, and it floated as if filled with helium.

“I took the train silly.” Pinkie said as she passed the Purple balloon to Star.

“Now Pinkie I said I would take you to her room. If you promise not to disturb her and Princess Luna.” Pink Lemonade set a tray down in front of Star Shine then removes a covered dish of Vegetable Soup.

“Here you go some nice healthy vegetable soup, and some apple juice.”

“Thank you, miss Lemonade.”

“That’s no meal for a birthday. Where is the cake?”

Luna looked at Pinkie Pie “Now Pinkie the doctor said she has to start eating gentle meals. Nothing to hard to digest so no cakes for now. Remember even if she’s about five it is her first day of life. You don’t expect a newborn to eat cake do you.”

Pinkie sat back and brought a hoof to her chin. “I guess. But Star Shine didn’t get born like a normal foal.”

“If I not normal. Where do Foals come from?” Star Shine asked with wide teal eyes.

“When a Daddy Pony and a Mommy Pony Love each other very much... Mhmm” Pinkie looked down at Pink Lemonade’s hoof that was now in her mouth.

“That’s not important for now Sweetie. Go ahead and eat your soup. Oh and Pinkie I let her have a cupcake if you behave.”

Pinkie nodded and the hoof is removed. “Oh, I got a super special Cupcake here!” She reached into her mane and brought out a chocolate cupcake with deep purple icing and rainbow sprinkles. “Happy Birthday Star Shine!”

With a smile, the filly shoves the cupcake into her mouth. Getting the frosting all over her mouth.

“Star Shine that was for after your dinner.” Luna Sighs “She’s almost as bad as Celestia.”

“Princess I’m sorry but there is only one hour more for visitation. As of right now, Star Shine has no legal guardian but If you like we could... ignore the technical rules and let you stay the night.”

“That be fine Nurse Lemonade. I do have my nightly duties to attend to.”

“you going to leave me?” Star shine’s lower lip quivers.

Luna leaned down and kisses Star’s horn “Only for a little bit. I will be back in the morning. Besides I’m not going yet we got to fill that belly of yours with more than sugary sweets.”

“But it was GOOOD!”

“I KNOW! It was my best!” Pinkie Pie said next to a face hoofed Pink Lemonade.

“Come on Pinkie you delivered the Cupcake and wished her a happy birthday.” Pink Lemonade dragged Pinkie Pie out the door. “Bye Princess Luna, Bye Star Shine!”

Only when the door closed did Luna wondered how Pinkie knew Star Shine’s name. Luna turned to her daughter who started slurping the soup right out of the bowl. “Here Star shine let me help you.”

Luna stayed with her daughter till the filly fell asleep. As she closed the room’s door she shook her head “Me a Mother...”

“Yes, I thought you be a good mother to the little dear with all the help you provided to the foals of Ponyville.” The voice of Discord said from a receptionist desk. There the mix matching spirit of Chaos was dressed in a doctor’s outfit.

“Discord! What have you done? You lead that little foal to the Tantabus and it could have destroyed her. If I hadn’t reabsorbed it...”

“Oh yes yes yes. I’m well aware of what might have been, but that wasn’t what happened, was it? I trusted you, Twilight and the other bearers to save the day. Like what did happen.”

“Where did she came from Discord.” She stomped the floor so hard it cracked the tile.

Discord rose up and drifted over. “My, my, here I gave you a chance to right a wrong and you get all mad. All I did was a good deed. I never imagine being good could cause such chaos. All those dream and nightmares in Ponyville. As for little Star Shine, you should thank me, Luna.”

“Why Discord? Why should I thank you for risking the soul of a filly.”

Discord smiled and looked at Luna “Because Luna, you were the one who killed her Mother.” With that Discord snapped his talon and vanished leaving a shocked Luna in the hallway.

Author's Note

I like to thank Sanguine Eyes for proofreading and edits. I'm sure we missed some mistakes so if you see any send me a message and I will fix it asap.

Sadly it seems I don't know where to take the story from here. I might add more if there is interest in me adding more chapters. I want to keep the focus on Luna and how this filly affects her life if I do continue.

Dream a little dream

Author's Note

Warning! I do not have a Proofreader or Editor going forward. If grammar and spelling is an issue for you I'm sorry in advance.

I have disabilities and Dyslexia is just one that affects my writing skills. If you need to tell me something is wrong please tell me how to correct it. I using grammar and spelling checkers off the internet. I'm sure they missed something, I just don't know what.

Hope you like this bit of Luna giving her daughter a shower!

Dream a little dream

Chapter 3
Dream a little dream

She walked into the Hospital room a cup floated in front of her in the blue glow of her magic. The drink she picked up at Pony Joe’s. A Double Chocolate Mocha with an extra shot of espresso. For some reason he made her swore not to let Pinky Pie find out about it. Normally she is ready to sleep at this time. Her Moon has been set and the Sun was now in the sky. If it wasn't for Joe's concoction of sugar and caffeine she would be dead on her feet.

A foal's scream echoed down the hall and the drink fell to the floor as Luna rushed to Star Shine's room. Her horn ablaze ready to cast whatever spell she deems fit. Only to come to a confusing halt spotting Star being comforted by Pink Lemonade. Under the filly was a yellowish puddle. "What's going on?"

Oh, nothing to worry about Star Shi..." The filly rushed to Luna tackling her leg "I'M LEAKING! Am I going to die?" Luna blinked at the puddle, the face of the nurse as she tries not to laugh, and the terrified filly below her. "No my little star you are not going to die. Seems you just had an accident." Luna sat down to hug the filly noting the wet tail. Her eyes looked for any sign of harm.

"To be sure how about you tell me what happened Star?" Dr. Checkup walks in behind Luna smiling.

"Um... okay. I felt funny and pressed the button Nurse Lemonade told me to press when I needed help. She said I might need to use the potty and help me down from the bed. Then the feeling got worse and then... I leaked!"

"It's a good thing too. A sign that the dehydration wasn't as bad as I feared and Star should be able to leave our care soon. Now, how about you give Star Shine a shower, Princess. It is good for both of you."

"I should have this puddle cleaned up by the time you are done." Pink Lemonade nodded as she headed out to get a mop and bucket.

Luna leads the filly into the surprisingly large bathroom. Then she thought it made sense they were in Canterlot. Wealth likes privacy, and the hospital gave Star Shine one of the hospital suites designed to be large enough for an Alicorn. She motions to the squat style toilet it was elongated with a splash guard near the front. “This Star Shine is the potty. You stand over it with your legs on each side.”Luna moved to stand over the toilet. “Then you...” how do you explain going to the bathroom?

“You do what you need to some call it pee, tinkle, or like you called it leaking. So this where go you when you feel that funny feeling you felt. When you are done, you press this button.”She moved her hoof and presses the flush button. Water flowed into the toilet and rushed to the drain in the back. “Any Questions?”

Star looked at the potty and the buttons. “What does this button do?” She presses it and a squirt of water shot up to Luna’s nether regions. “AGH... That’s there to help clean up after going to the potty.”

Star lower lip quivered a little having heard the agh. “Did I do something wrong?” Luna smiled and nuzzled Star “No, no, you just surprised me is all. Now let's get you cleaned up.”She went to the shower stall then noted Star wasn’t with her. Looking back Star was pressing the button to cause the water to shoot up.

“Star do not play with the button.” “But it’s fun! Squirt, squirt.” She giggles making the water jump.“Star get over here, now.” Star ears lay flat against her head as she realizes she got fussed at. “Am I in trouble?”

“No, it’s no harm done. Just the potty, not a toy. Besides, I think the shower much better! Truthfully the best invention in the last thousand years.” She motions to the stall. “Just get inside and the waterfalls on you making it easy to clean.” Star Shine looked at the stall like shower. Her hoof slipped on the tile and she fell to her barrel.

“You okay Star Shine?” “I’m okay.” Luna nodded then started the water taking the shower head handle with her magic she wetted down Star's coat. “It’s chilly!”

“Oh, I should have checked first. It will warm up soon I let it run as I apply the shampoo.” She set the shower head aside and applies some shampoo onto Star and lather it up. Star took a hoof-full of bubbles and dabs the on Luna’s chin. “You got a beard!”

“Oh so are you!” She adds a bubble beard to Star. Together they laughed before Luna rinsed her off. “There you go all cleaned up.” She then uses her magic to bring a towel over and dries Star off. Then lifts Star up and onto her back. Luna noted by the time she entered the hospital room Star Shine had fallen asleep.

“Is it a bad thing she sleeps so much?” Looking puzzled as she levitated Star Shine onto the bed. Dr. Checkup came forward and checked the filly’s breathing.

“That something I wanted to talk to you about. It’s an oddity I been looking into. Seems she has the regenerative powers of an Alicorn. At the same time, her white blood cells are lower. My guess is given her unique nature she recovering faster, but it using both her magic and normal energy to do so. It’s why we notice she’s craving carbs and sugar.”

“The cupcake... Did Pinky Pie know?” Luna shook her head “We had to use my blood as a base for her body. Seems she inherited my Alicorn regeneration, but shouldn’t she be an Alicorn then?”

Shaking his head Checkup replied. “Part of being an Alicorn is the higher than normal magical abilities. Not only do you have the magic of all three tribes you can harness much more magic than a normal pony. Even pre-ascension Twilight’s power level just a small amount compared to her current magical well. Star Shine here just has the unicorn magic, we don’t know how much magic her body can hold due to it being used to recover. So her sleeping so much isn’t a bad thing. My worry is her immune system, unlike a normal foal she didn’t get any immunities from her mother. So the Alicorn recovery might be a failsafe.”

The two left the room and headed for the main lobby. “Will she be allowed out of the hospital soon?” Checkup nods “Her recovery is coming along fine. I would like for her to have a physical therapist visit her twice a week to help build proper muscle development. Other than that I don’t see any reason she can’t. I am coming by myself once a week for a month. The only fear I have is how she reacts to illness. That what I will be looking for when I visit. I clear her for check out two days from now.”

“Thank you Doctor Checkup. I will be back this evening.” Checkup nods “She will be in the physical therapy room. I’m sure it be fun for her. Doctor Gentle Wind is very good with foals.”

Covering a yawn Luna looks about “What did I do with my coffee?” A cough brought her attention to a Janitor with a mop bucket and him motioning to the trash bin with a Pony Joe cup. “Sorry.” Her ears lay flat as she passed the Wet floor caution sign before heading out.

Dare to Dream

Chapter 4
Dare to Dream

The knocking at the door brought Luna from her rest as she blinked away the sleep from her eyes the door open. “Sorry to wake you, Luna. You did say you wanted to be awoken early so you can be there for Star Shine.”

Incoherent mumbles were the reply as the lunar princess crawled out of bed and stretched like a cat. “COFFEE!” Her demand echoed off the walls with the force of the Canterlot voice. Celestia rolled her eyes, and a mug of the steamy brew was levitated over.

“Really Luna, the royal Canterlot voice?” Luna rolled her eyes as she sipped the brew. “Sorry, Sister I haven’t slept much the last few days.”

“I noticed, I also noticed it been easier to wake you. Make me wonder if having Star Shine’s soul in you if she wasn’t drawing on your own energy to survive.” Luna looked at her sister with a raised brow. “What do you mean Celestia?”

Celestia led her to the next set of rooms a suite meant for guests of Luna to use when visiting. Sadly they have never been used. “You slept through the whole Changeling invasion, Luna. Before that, it took you nearly a year to recover your magic. Now we know Star’s soul was within you all this time. I’m wondering if she was affecting you. We might call it a magical pregnancy, she was growing in you, drawing on your magic and energy to the point she even started looking like you. Like a biological mother’s body would divert what’s needed to the foal your body and spirit was taking care of her first.” Celestia stopped at the suite door. “But for now, we have more important things to do then theories about how Star came to be.”

Celestia opened the door letting Luna enter, then followed after. The room was decorated in soft pastels mimicking a sunrise. The main chamber had a fireplace to the left of the room, plenty of shelves, the center of the room had large lunching couches, to the right was a basic kitchen. There were two doors one on each side of the fireplace leading to bedrooms. Luna saw the castle decorators Neat and Tidy.

A pair of twins stallions both soft blue bodies and white manes. Identical twins so alike that it was rumored that even they forgot who was who. “Is the Suite to your liking Princess Luna? We tried for a split between the night motif of your chambers and the more sunny motif of your sisters.” Said the twin on the left said: “Of course the sleeping chambers follow your own design but with purple accents instead of blue.” The other added.

“It’s truthfully wonderful work,” Luna said as she looked around and notice three others in the chamber. One was a unicorn with a soft white coat and black mane and had a red ribbon bow around her neck and a black boater hat. Her cutie mark was an umbrella and bag, both items were also beside the mare. The mare noting being looked at bowed “Greetings your Highnesses I’m Practically Perfect. I’m here for the nanny position. I have a list of credentials from my former clients ranging from the Oranges of Manehattan to the Swiftwinds of New Pegisis. All with highest recommendations.”

Luna looked over the mare “I grew up quite literally in the shadow of someone who everyone saw as truly perfect.” Looking over at Celestia then back to Practically. “I hated it and won’t subject my daughter to suffer similar anguish. I’m sure with your record you can find employment elsewhere.”

“What... Very well as you wish your majesty.” With a short bow, she picked up her bag just as a letter flew into the room and right to her. “Hmm seems I got another job offer. One Banks family of Biton.” She headed to the balcony opened her umbrella and lifted up into the air flying away.

“That one interesting enchanted umbrella. I wonder where she got it.” Celestia said as she watched the nanny disappear into the clouds.

The Next nanny in the line was a yellow stallion in a stuffed dress and gray wig the two royal sisters looked at each other than to the stallion. “And you are?” Luna asked.

“Miss Doughfire, Princess, I here to prove my worth as a nanny.” Another look her sister then to the obvious stallion in drag. “You're a Stallion, why are you in such a getup?” “No, I’m not... I’m an elderly mare. Lost my stallion years ago to drink, poor Copper got hit by a runaway cider wagon.”

“Guards” Two guards came to lead the cross-dressing stallion away. Luna looked Celestia “I have no problem with a stallion watching my daughter but one that lies so? Just bring up to many questions.”

The third nanny was shaking with nerves. Her coat was a soft pink called sundown if Luna recalled correctly. The short curly mane and tail were persimmon just a few shades darker than her coat. “I hope we didn’t scare you, miss...”

“Primrose your majesty. I... I got my paperwork here... um somewhere.” Primrose started looking through her saddle bag. She pulled out a few papers and handed them over. “I just got certified.”

“Just got certified and you think you apply for a job at the castle?” Celestia asked looking at the nervous mare.

“Well, you see I didn’t think I could but... a friend of mine in Ponyville told me to try. The worst thing that could happen is you say no right?” then more fearful “right?”

Luna looked at the first letter on top of the papers.

Dear Princess Luna

Hi, it’s me Pinky Pie! She’s nervous, but she’s really good with foals and helped out at the orphanage all the time before she got her license as a nanny. So give her a chance will ya?

Your friend Pinky Pie

P.S. if you can’t trust a fellow bearer of Laugher who can you trust? Well, maybe AppleJack but she was too busy apple bucking to write to you as well.

P.S.S. I’m also got the welcome home party ready for Star Shine the day after tomorrow!

Luna levitated the letter to Celestia. “Take a look at this Celestia. The other papers seem fine as well. Not often someone gets a recommendation from a bearer of one of the elements.”

“It’s up to you Luna.” Luna looked at Primrose. “Because my friend Pinky Pie gives you such a high recommendation I shall like to employ you for the post.”

Luna blinked as her front hoof was tackled “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” With her other hoof, she nudges Primrose back. “Star Shine will be coming home the day after tomorrow around five you have till then to move in.”

“I can’t wait to help take care of your daughter!” Primrose went to her new chambers to look about.

Luna looked at Celestia. “How do you think Pinky Pie knew Star Shine was coming home two days from now? I only talked to the Doctor about it this morning.”

Celestia sighed, “From what I heard from Twilight it’s best not to wonder about it. I’m thinking that mare has chaotic magic like Discord.”

“I need to head to the hospital Star Shine is going to have some physical therapy and I said I would be there.” The two mares headed down the hall. Celestia put a hoof on Luna’s side “I want to talk to you about something in private Luna.” Then she headed into a study room.

Once the door was closed Celestia cast a privacy spell. “Luna... I have been thinking, perhaps you should cancel night court.”

Luna blinked “But my duty to our Ponies. I can’t set aside my duty just for a few more minutes with Star Shine.”

Celestia slammed her hoof on a desk looking away from Luna “BUCK Duty.” Celestia looked back tears in her eyes. “A thousand years ago I chose duty over family and we both know how that turned out. What is worst I did the same thing not too long ago. A filly needed me to be a Mother, and I chose duty.”

“You are talking about Sunset Shimmer.” It wasn’t really a question but the shock of seeing Celestia emotions play out was surprising.

“She was an orphan like Star Shine is now. Lost her parents in a fire and I took her in. I should have adopted her; I should have been there as a mother. Instead, I had to be the Princess, and I had to be a teacher. I’m not sure what was worst, how I was blind to your pain, or how I ignored the pain Sunset had.”

Luna came over and gave her sister a hug. “Don’t follow my mistakes, Luna. Don’t make the same mistakes I made. To Tartarus with the nobility, buck the night court. Your Duty is to your family, to your daughter.”

“I didn’t know you were hurt so much as well, Celestia.” “No, it’s shame more than pain. I did the same mistake over again. Both times the pony I cared about fall into darkness. I couldn’t set aside being Princess Celestia and it cost Sunset her happiness here in Equestria. Now I see you taking in that filly and I couldn't stay quiet and risk seeing you follow in my hoof steps. Make sure she knows she’s the most important thing in your life.”

Luna nodded “I shall think about it. The only petitioners I get are Nobles that think they can con me to agree with something you already denied. Like they don’t think we talk about what goes on in our courts.”

“Have anypony that wants to see you get a private audience on request. There no reason for you to sit in an empty throne room holding court. You can have them brought to a receiving chamber for a one on one. It might even be more inviting that way.”

“That’s a good idea, Celestia. Are you going to be okay? I do have to get going to the Hospital.”

“Yes, I just need a moment to pull myself together. We can’t have somepony see the bright sunny Princess with tears on her cheeks.”

Luna nuzzled her before heading out to the hallway. A look to the guards “No one gets in without Celestia permission.” With that Luna headed for the hospital. The weight of how much her life had already changed because of that filly felt. Just how many more changes are going to happen? She didn’t notice the shadow form of a draconequus slip out of the chamber where Celestia had her cry. Discord snaked his way down the hall following the mare of the night.

Author's Note

Once more I apologize for any grammar and spelling errors. I don't have an editor and use grammar and spelling programs.

Fun fact is I wrote more for this chapter. After reading it over I realized that there a natural gap where a break is needed. This would make the next chapter shorter so I'm tossing in Discord to add his own special filler!

I was really worried I wrote the part with Celestia wrong. It's really important for the progress of the story.

Tell me what you think.

Dreams and Discord!

Chapter 5
Dreams and Discord!

Luna once again walked the halls of the Canterlot hospital. A smile on her mussel as she nods to the staff that greeted her. This time she finished her coffee before arriving. As she walked she didn’t notice that she was being followed. Her ears did swerve as some monitor equipment started beeping oddly though. Looking at one of the rooms where such an event was going on she spotted the patient tripping into the Doctor in such a way their lips met. Judging by the shy looks of both it wasn’t completely unwanted.

Star sprang up to her hooves as she walked in. “You were almost late! Miss Lemonade was about to take me away.”

Pink Lemonade face hoofed. “Not away Star Shine. Just to the physical therapy room where Dr. Gentle Wind is going to be helping you. Your mother was told about it yesterday.”

“I still wouldn’t be here for her. Aunt Celestia said I was to help my mommy. I can’t do that if I’m away.”

Luna came and nuzzled her daughter then lighting up her horn she transferred Star to her back. “Well, I’m here now and let go and see this Doctor Gentle Wind. Lead the way Nurse Lemonade.”

Pink Lemonade walked out to the hall only to stop as a yellow ball with a red star, and blue stripe bounced by. “Who brought a ball into here?” A fellow nurse was running after it so she just shrugged and led her charge to the physical therapy room.

The Therapy room was larger than most set up with various aids in recovery. Luna thought for a moment it was more of a playground. There were swings, a jungle gym, a ball pit, trampoline, and items she thought were more what she expected to like the set weights, stairs, and other exercise equipment. There were a walking guide rail and fall pads to protect a pony when they fell. A Unicorn nurse was guiding a colt earth pony along the walking path another mare was watching at the end of the rail. His body was a rusty red and he had a brown mane. At first, Luna wondered why the colt was there. Then she saw the artificial rear leg. She shook her head to clear it of the curiosity and sadness. What could have happened to him?

With a childlike innocence Star Shine, pointed with her hoof “Look mommy he a pirate!” Pink Lemonade once again found herself face hoofing. “Star Shine it’s not nice to point out another trouble.” Boulder Dash had stopped walking and looked over at the princess and Star Shine. He blinked and look at his fake leg. It had a cup on the part of his leg he still had and came down with a springy metal curved C forming the part that held up his body. “It does kind of look like a pirate leg!” The colt smiled and took on a more of a spring in his step.

Luna looked at the mare tending to the colt. “Primrose?” The mare looked over “Oh Princess Luna I didn’t expect you here.” Luna walked over with Star Shine riding on her back. “My daughter having her therapy session today.”

“Um... Hello.” Boulder Dash hobble over “I heard you say I looked like a Pirate. Thanks, I didn’t think of losing my leg would make me look cool!”

Star shine smiled “That what I thought when I saw you. What happened?”

“Um... well I was climbing and I slipped.” His mother came up “I told him not to go climbing alone. It was a good thing I was nearby. And he’s still grounded once he’s out of the hospital.” Then she realized who she was talking to. “Oh... I’m sorry your Highness” she bows down “This is Boulder Dash, my son. We lived in the mining town of Gemstone.” She nervously brushed her front hoof against the floor “Him being here in the hospital why I needed the job.”

“Would you like to come to my party? It’s going to have balloons and cake and stuff and um...” She looked to Luna but from behind Primrose came “And games!” Pinkie Pie hopped over. “I got the invite right here.” Passing the party invitation to Boulder Dash.

All but the Foals looked around and at each other before looking at Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie Pie why are you here?” Luna asked the Pink Party Pony. “I just said I had the invitation silly. I also wanted to check up on my friend Primrose. She been sad sense the accident.”

“Thank you, Pinkie. You have always been a good friend even way back on the rock farm.” Pinkie nodded “Well I need to get going. Lots of party planning to do! See you at the party Primrose.” Luna turned in time to see a pink blur go out the door.

“Ah Pink Lemonade I take it this is my five o’clock?” Luna turned to the voice seeing a slightly smaller than normal earth pony mare with a light purple and blue mane and tail. Or she thought she was an earth pony just a heartbeat later she spotted the mare’s left wing. Where the right wing should have been was just a scarred over stump.

Unlike her mother, Star Shine haven’t developed the skill of keeping her curiosity in check. “What happened you your wing, Miss Wind?”

There was a slightly sad look on the mare face. “I fell from very high up. But enough of that I’m here to help you.” She used her single wing and looked at a chart “Muscle atrophy... interesting but not bad according to the file. Okay so let's start with simple ball playing. Your Highness, you can help as well. First thing I want to do is have us sit down and simply roll a ball between each other.”

“How Boring! I have a much better idea.” The voice of Discord came from nowhere and everywhere at once. The walls of the room shifted colors to mimic a sunny day and with a flash Discord appeared in a 1930s male style red and white swimwear. “How about a little swimming! I hear it’s very good fitness.” With a snap of his tail and there was a kiddy pool in the middle of the chamber blue with pictures of fish swimming on the inflatable sides.

“MISTER DISCORD!” Star Shine went to hop off of Luna but was caught by Luna’s magic before landing. She wiggled in the grip of the spell trying to break free as Luna looked to Discord.

In a corner, a nurse rose to protect a cream coated and yellow mane color unicorn with a broken horn. Her eyes seem empty with sadness. Discord turned the walls into a living sea painting. She rose up and put her hoof on the wall. “Clown Fish!” She said as she was looking at a clown fish peeking out of a sea anemone. Then gasps as a great white shark comes into view then swims away. The nurse came over and gives the filly a hug and starts pointing to the other fish.

“What are you doing here Discord?” Luna said looking at the spirit of chaos.

“Dear Lulu, can’t I visit my favorite little dream pony?” Discord lifted up and floated over plucking Star out of the field of magic and cuddled her. “Give your Uncle Discord a hug!”

“UGh not in front of the colt!” Star Shine struggled in Discord’s grasp as the others in the room look on.

“Oh in the colts have cootie phase already. My how you are growing up.” He snapped his tail and Star Shine appeared in the swimming pool complete with inflatable aids. “Now for the rest of these adorable foals.”

“Don’t you dare!” Doctor Gentle Wind charged right up to Discord. “This is a medical building, not a playhouse. We do things here to help these foals recover we can’t just let them do anything they want. A mistake now could render them harmed permanently.”

Discord snapped his bear claw and all the foals in the room ended up with cotton candy. “Why can’t I offer to bring a little joy to these sweet little ones.”

“Discord, as much as I would love to have your help.” Luna said with just a touch of sarcasm “Like Doctor Wind said you could make things worse.”

“Nonsense I’m reformed. On the up and up your honor.” Discord changed to appear in a prison outfit. “I served my time after all. One thousand years give or take.”

Doctor Gentle Wind narrowed her eyes. “What about when you sided with Tirek? Have you paid for that? Well, I have! If it wasn’t for you betraying us I would still be flying! Your buddy hit Cloudsdale a city in the sky. What you think happened to all of us Pegasus when we lost our magic! We had enough warning to evacuate but not everyone made it out. I was in the last group holding a foal when we had our magic taken. I chose to fall on my back breaking my wing then risk that foal from being hurt. I wasn’t the only one that fell... not all made it. It’s all your fault!”

The room was quiet and with a snap, everything but the cotton candy vanished. “Is it true Discord?” Discord looked to Star Shine and the heartbroken face she had. “I... um....” With a flash, he was gone. “Fishy go away...” The unicorn foal tapped the wall again where the fish was. Though now the nurse knew how to get the foal active. “Come on Sea Berry I know a few books about fish.”

Pink Lemonade came up to hold the now crying Gentle Wind. “I’m sorry... I lost hold. I shouldn’t have yelled out like that in front of the foals.” Gentle said as she wiped her tears. “Just seeing him I couldn’t hold it back.”

Star Shine rushed forward and gave Gentle a hug. “I’m sure Mister Discord didn’t mean it. I’m sorry you got hurt.”

“Discord has done some bad things in the past. He’s learning to be a good being and I won’t keep him away from you. Sometimes it’s hard to forgive somepony when you were hurt because of them.” Gentle Wind looked about “Pink Lemonade can you start the therapy I... I need some time to myself.”

“Of course.” The activity of the room soon went back to normal. The nurses let the foals enjoy the cotton candy treats before returning to their therapy. Luna looked to where Gentle Wind went then over to the area where the balls were located. Sitting down she found Star Shine snuggling up against her. “I think I sit this round out Nurse. Seems my little star wants to be close.”

“Is Miss Wing going to be okay Mommy?” Star said as she stopped a ball Lemonade rolled to her. Then she rolled the ball back.

“I might have to visit her in her dreams tonight to make sure she doesn’t have a nightmare. She’s angry and seeking someone to blame. True Discord did help Tirek, but he was also betrayed himself by Tirek. He now knows what that feels like. I also know that when Discord was a bad guy he didn’t like hurting ponies.” Well, at least physically Luna added quietly to herself. “Before Tirek took Discord’s magic none of the Ponies were physically hurt. Discord was at least keeping Tirek from outright hurting others. Cloudsdale was after Discord was betrayed. It’s important to know that Discord wants to be a good pony now.”

The physical activity soon progressed to bouncing the ball and then rolling larger and heavier balls. Soon Dr. Wind returned and took the place of Pink Lemonade. “I’m sorry I lost control of my nerves there.”

“It’s understandable Doctor. I had to restrain my anger over him a few times.” Star Shine rose up and gave Gentle Wind a hug. “Thank you, sweetie.”

Soon Dr. Gentle Wind was guiding both Boulder Dash and Star Shine. Luna watched as the Doctor skillfully mixed exercise, treatment, and fun. “She’s quite good isn’t she,” Primrose said as she watched the two foals.

“Indeed and I think a friendship is blooming. Which is good because if I remember you didn’t state you were going to bring your son.”

Primrose ears fell back and she looked to the Lunar Princess. “Well... we are kind of living with my aunt and I was hoping to talk you into letting him stay at the castle once I knew I had the job.”

Luna nodded “I shall let Neat and Tidy know that. Perhaps the next suite over should be yours and your family.” Primrose head lowered “It just be me and Boulder Dash.”

Luna’s head turned to look at her nanny “What about his father? Or others of your herd?” Primrose shook her head “His father took off soon after I discovered I was with foal. I had my family helping.”

“Such dishonorable actions. Thou shouldn’t suffer... sorry I tend to slip into old Equish when angry. You shouldn’t suffer so. Give me this fiend name and I have him brought before us... me.” Primrose head snapped up “No no... please don’t Princess. There is nothing to gain but some petty revenge. You have given us a home, employment, and a future. Really I prefer it this way.”

“As you wish Primrose. For now, I will keep my mussel out of it.” She looked to the smaller pony “But as a friend, I prefer to be able to help when you ask.”

Later that night Luna was heading back to the castle. The moon was up and the stars were shining with a vibrant she rarely displays. Indeed the Lunar princess was at peace with herself something that hasn’t truthfully happen in a long time.

“How did you do it? Dealing with this... feeling.” The voice of discord shattered that peace as she let out a loud sigh. “What do you want Discord?”

The mismatching spirit of chaos appeared flying through the air like an Asian style dragon his serpentine body rising and falling like waves in the wind. “I asked a question. This... what’s the word guilt? A tightness in the chest, upset stomach, and all around icky. Wait that’s heartburn.” He burps and a flaming heart pops out of his mouth and he blew it out and swallowed it again.

“Discord that was disgusting, even for you. I guess you really do feel guilty.”

Discord sniffs “Really, not my fault Tirek attacked Cloudsdale. Even if I restored her wing it will vanish again after a time. Chaos magic doesn’t do anything long term. I figure having a day flying then the next grounded again will make things worst. Same reason I don’t magic Scootaloo the ability to fly, it breaks her heart if she was grounded again after.”

“So how did you put up with it... oh wait you didn’t. You tortured yourself for years with that Tantabus thing.” He spun around so he was backstroking swimming in the air.

“I’m just figuring that out Discord. When I really have the answer I tell you. We just have to trust our friends that it’s alright to forgive ourselves.” She thought about something “Discord please tell me about Star Shine’s biological mother. What do you know about her?”

“Not much, I was a lawn decoration at the time. I did have a wonderful view of you curb stomping Celestia. You always were more of the combative type. All I saw of her mother was a white unicorn with a rosy mane and tail. Dying in her stallions hooves and calling out for her foal to be saved before she died. Just as the rainbow harmony cannon of deus ex machina fired. As you went up and away so did the mare’s foal soul followed the pretty lights. That all I knew till after the Tirek thing. Did you notice your black markings didn’t fade? Unlike the others when you gave Twilight your magic, you subconsciously kept enough to protect Star Shine’s soul. I hid her from his senses. Don’t ask why I’m chaotic after all. Completely forgot about that little soul till just before Tirek drained me to come after you.”

Luna looked at the spirit of Chaos “Let see if Pony Joe is still open. I treat you to a coffee.”

“Oh is it a date? Tia will be so jealous.” Luna rolls her eyes hearing the reply.

Author's Note

Once again I wish I could do better with Grammar and Spelling. I blame Discord for messing around with my brain causing me to have Dyslexia and other learning problems. If you are the type that can't enjoy a story with a few errors then I'm sorry for you. This is free and a product of me just wanting to have fun. In the end, I'm writing for my enjoyment, not yours. I'm more than happy to correct the errors you find. Just send me a message and I will fix it.

This was a hard one to write. How to write Discord, discord at the same time does not do something that would harm the foals? I think I pulled it off and done something that rarely done. Made Discord face the consequences of his actions. Now Discord can you please stop messing up my computer! I have a plan for you to get in the limelight later!

Life is but a dream

Chapter 1
Life is but a dream

.

Her wings burn from the flight back from Ponyville, it was the only physical sign of her ordeal. Emotionally she was a wreck. Thanks to Twilight and her friends, no Luna reminded herself, my friends. Twilight and the others were her friends. Just the idea of such was something she had to get used to. Friends after all this time.

It was those friends that help stopped the Tantabus from escaping the dream realm and entering the real world. On one hoof it was a relief, all the guilt she held she finally let go of. On the other hoof, a new worry was worming its way into the Princess of the night’s mind. Why did the Tantabus become self-aware?

She landed on her patio with just a brief nod to the Pegasus guards before entering. Quickly she shut the door and headed to a picture of a moonlit glade. Her horn flared with magic moving the picture aside to reveal a bookshelf hidden in the wall. A brief scan and she removed the book she wanted. It was a simple black boot with red binding, the lettering bright gold with the words ‘Fear Magic by Lord Sombra’.

The book among others she got was supposed to be in the restricted section of the Library archives, being a Princess does have its perks. She went to her desk and flipped the pages to the one she wanted the Tantabus spell. Having gone through the spell many times she knew it by memory, but something must have been wrong. The original use was a form of torture, nightmares every night to torment the victim. She, of course, used the spell on herself.

In the rush to figure out what happened she forgot one simple thing, locking her bedroom door. There was nothing to stop the other celestial monarch from walking into her sister’s bedroom. Even if the door was locked Celestia had an extra key just in case. Besides it wasn’t needed she didn’t give her sister time to realize her mistake as she knocked on the door and just a second later she opened it herself. “Luna, is it true? Were you torturing yourself with nightmares?”

“SISTER! Aren't you too old to barge into my bedroom?...”

“Don’t change the subject, Luna. I just got the letter from Twilight. The Tantabus spell, one of King Sombras creations?” Celestia came over and nuzzled her sister. “I’m worried about you Luna.”

Sighing she returned the nuzzle and nodded “It’s true I used it on myself. I never wanted to forget what happened.”

“That was not you Luna.”

“Please, Tia I know that. Twilight and the others finally got me to accept it. Still..”

“What’s got you worried you are all tense up.”

“It’s the spell it shouldn’t have acted that way. I don’t know how much you know about the spell but it was made to target a victim subconscious, to generate nightmares every time the target tried to sleep. The very nature of the spell would make it impossible for it to move from one pony to another. There even a safeguard against it, Sombra didn’t want the Tantabus to come after him. It shouldn’t have got away from me Tia.”

Celestia looks down at the book looking over the spell herself. “Strange but that was what happened. It jumped from subject to subject then tried to rip a hole in reality itself. Or that what I got from Twilight message and we both know how detailed she can get.”

“It’s true somehow not only did it get away from me, it also knew it was in a dream reality it knew there was a way to escape to the real world.”

“You think there was an outside interference? Someone messed with the Tantabus?”

“That’s the only thing I can think of. Someone not only learned I was using such a spell but changed it and done it all without anyone knowing. I’m afraid the only one I can think of that knew enough about the Tantabus spell to do such is...”

“Sombra himself.” Celestia finished her sister's sentence. “I have an idea we can trace the spell residue magic, but we have to work fast before it fades too much. To my lab!”

Celestia didn’t wait as she turned and galloped out of the room and down the hall not noticing Luna face hoofing. “Sister, even after all this time you still show why the Element of Magic chose you.” She rose up and followed her sister with the spellbook stopping just long enough to close and lock her bedroom door.

The lab was more of a room of forgotten projects. Tables of artifacts and displays of intellectual permute were on display. When one lived for thousands of years there is plenty of time for hobbies. Luna noted most of Celestia’s were more focus on learning, science, and magic. Her own such chambers were filled with more artistic pursuits. Her eyes fell on one of the new computers and judging from the dust it hasn’t been used often. Both her sister’s and her own computer were gifts from the creator Qwerty. The fellow had a strange name but he was fundamental in the making of the typewriter and later the computer. Luna made a mental note to use her’s more than just computer games, well as soon as she was finished with Pac-Pony.

“Sister with the Day Court, your school, and handling those nobles, as well as other issues that come up during the day. When do you have time for all of this?” Motions with her hoof to the various projects.

Celestia looked around “Well, with you back I had some time. Kind of been making up for when you were gone.”

Luna shook her head “Dream Magic my expertise you were always the more general expert. What do you have in mind about this Tantabus problem?”

“Well, like I said that kind of magic wouldn’t be easy. There bound to be some traces to the source if we work fast.” Her horn lit up and she drew a rune circle on the floor. “Step in the circle and I cast a spell to isolate the magic residence that doesn’t match your own. Then we can isolate it and trace it back.”

Luna nodded her ears down along her skull. She was worried someone had tampered with her and the last time that happened... Shaking her head she cast that thought aside she just spent a whole night dealing with the that no need to bring up past pains. Once in the circle, she lifted her head determined to find out what was happening to her. “Okay, Tia let’s get this over with.”

Celestia nodded and her horn lit up. The golden glow flowed from her horn to the rune pattern on the floor lighting each up in a magical display. Her student twilight would use her fancy magic scanner device but Celestia still found the tried and true old ways still worked best.

Soon Luna’s body was glowing with her own magical aura thought no spell was active the magic of the rune circle reviled her magical frequency. And there just where Luna’s heart would be was a faint purplish hue different than the blue of her aura. “There it is... it’s near your heart, odd I would expect any other magic affecting you to be on the outside.”

Luna blinked “Do you... is it remains the Nightmare? Am I still not free of that monster?”

“No... it not her. Luna I’m going to try to isolate it. When I say leave the circle but be careful not to break it.”

“Sister I did take magic lessons as well. I do know rune magic even if you were always the better at it.” With that Luna felt a tingling as Celestia’s magic entered her chest to isolate the foreign magic. When Celestia nodded Luna stepped back careful not to step on the chalk runes.

Celestia was showing signs of stress whatever had affected the Tantabus was not easy to isolate from Luna. Sweat formed on her brow and she even panted with the strain. Finally, it was done and she looked at the rune circle and gasped. Luna own gasp was heard as well as both sisters looked on at the cause of the Tantabus attack.

There within a bubble of blue of Luna’s magic was a filly. It was the size of a five year old curled hovering in the bubble. Thought clearly seen it was also ghostly see through with a faint purple glow.

“Luna why was there a soul of a filly within you?” Celestia asked as she looked at the spiritual child.

“Um... I don’t know. Nor do I know why it’s in a protective spell of my magic I have no memory of doing such a thing or why?”

“It’s something to figure out later. For now, we need to act fast without you sheltering her she would fade away.”

“You mean...” Luna looked at Celestia watching as her sister rushed to a set of books causing many to fly off the shelf pages flipping.

“Worst than death. Without a body, a lost soul could disperse or become corrupted and become a Windigo or other such lost spirits.”

Luna came beside her sister. “Tell me what you need, sister. I won’t let a foal suffer such a fate!”

Celestia looked at her sister “We need to build her a body, I’m going to need some of your blood for a base. Sister... this would mean the child would be of your blood. Your Daughter.”

Luna blinked her eyes wide and ears erect then she looked at the Filly she could already see the purple glow was fading. “Maybe she already was... if I was. But No how could I be with child? It matters not I accept. The filly would need a mother and if she been with me all this time...”

Celestia nodded and got a bowl from her alchemy station she added a few ingredients as she chanted mixing them. “Is that Zebra enchanting your doing sister?”

Celestia didn’t stop her chanting only answered with a nod then with her magic she lifted a sharp small blade. “We need just a drop of blood. Then all the power both of us can muster to make this work.”

Luna nodded and offered her hoof flinching just a little as the blade poked the frog of the offered appendage. Just a few drops fell into the golden mixture before it turned a deep blue of Luna’s magic. Celestia then took the bowl over to the rune circle and set it down under the floating bubble of magic. “Together. One, Two, three.” Both horns lit up and channeled the combined magic of both celestial sisters.

Within the circle, the magical bubble of Luna’s magic popped and the spiritual filly was exposed to the magical might. The mixture below rose into the air and seemed to cover the filly. Then there was nothing but the glow of magic. Luna almost lost hope when she saw it a small speck of form quickly growing. Cells replicating in increasing speed as the fetus took form. Soon she saw the figure of the filly now fully physical. deep purple body and a dark blue mane and tail. The spell ended and the filly landed on the floor. The filly was thin sickly so.

“Congratulations sister, it’s a Unicorn filly. You're a mother.” Celestia said as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Luna was magically drained so she went over and lifted the filly into her hooves and held her.

“Tia... she’s so frail.” She held the whimpering child close to her chest oddly near the very area where the soul was sheltered before.

“We need to get her to the hospital. I did all I could. I was winging it as the pegasi say I’m just glad it worked.”

Luna nodded and with a bit of magic, she still had placed the curled up unicorn filly onto her back and with her sister the two headed for the Canterlot Hospital.

————

Canterlot Hospital

The hall outside the waiting room was packed. From News reporters to nobles all sharing gossip and theories all with a touch of fear. Not surprising given how two Alicorns running to the hospital got a lot of notice. Royal guards stood at the doors limiting those from entering the room where the two sisters waited.

Celestia sat on a beach with her assistant Raven standing ready with a notebook and quill. “We going to need adoption papers made. It’s the best way to explain her appearance. The poor dear a victim of unknown magical events.”

“Isn’t that a lie Celestria?” Luna asked stopping her pacing.

Celestia smiles at her sister “It is the truth from a certain point of view. We don’t know how her soul was bound to you. How long she been bound nor what happened to her.”

Luna rolled her eyes “And that is why honestly chose me.”

Celestia looked at Raven. “Have Neat and Tidy redecorate the closest suite to Luna’s chambers into the child’s rooms with a room for a nanny. Even as Luna’s daughter we can’t have her staying up all night so a nanny will be needed.”

A white coated unicorn stallion walked into the room brushing his Silver mane. “Your Majesties, the filly is stabilizing. She was drastically dehydrated and suffered from malnutrition but showed no other signs of health problems.”

Luna spun on her hooves. “Can we see her?”

“Of course if you follow me, Princesses, I will take you to her.” With that the Doctor headed back to the doors he came through. As they walked to the child’s wing of the hospital Luna looked to her sister.

“Celestia are we sure it’s best for me to adopt this filly? Would it be better to give her to a loving family?”

“That is an option if you want Luna. Could you really let go? She has been with you for a long time. The shield spell that protected her... I think it was cast a thousand years ago.”

Luna stopped and looked at Celestia “You mean...”

“Yes, Luna she was banished to the moon with you. It makes sense why the spell was within you. In a magical way, she has been joined to your own soul. She even has the same shade of mane as you do.”

Luna returned to walking as they came to the room where the doctor waited. “Thank you, Doctor.” She said as she walked in. There on the bed, the filly tucked up in a blanket. An I.V. tube running from her right foreleg to the bag. A soft pink coated and yellow maned nurse mare was gently brushing the filly’s blue mane. Thought still asleep the filly was still whimpering softly.

Walking over Luna started singing softly “Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.” She leaned forward and kissed the filly’s little horn and the filly stopped whimpering and settled down.

Celestia smiled and looked at Raven. “Seems we will be needing those adoption papers.”

The nurse smiled at Luna “Do you know her name, Princess?”

Luna blinked and looked to the nurse than to the filly. “Star Shine seems to fit her nicely.”

The filly eye’s open and looked at Luna “Mommy?”

Author's Note

I like to thank Sanguine Eyes for proofreading and edits. I'm sure we missed some mistakes so if you see any send me a message and I will fix it asap.

The New Normal.

The new normal.

It has been a week since Star Shine came to live in the castle. It was an hour after bedtime for Star Shine and there were no appointments so Luna took a flight to relax. So it as a bit of surprise seeing a mass of pillows and blankets on Star Shine’s patio and the very filly looking at a book.

“It’s past your bedtime.” She said as she lands next to the filly’s nest of blankets. With a slow turn of her head and a guilty look Star Shine answers. “Um... I wanted to see the stars. They are so pretty and I got this book.” Holds up the Young Astronomers guide to the stars book.

She was so cute looking all guilty like that Luna just sighed and settled down beside her daughter. “Well, there is no kindergarten tomorrow so I let you stay up.” Leaning down she nuzzles Star. The filly snuggles up against her side and Luna covers her back with her wing.

“Now how about I tell you about my wonderful night sky. I was the first astronomer after all.” She looks up and motions to a group of six stars. “That is called the friendship cluster. The center star is really a nebula that why it has that slight purple hue.” Star shine looks at the cluster of stars “kind of looks like Princess Twilight’s cutie mark... “ a soft yawn “If it was lopsided.”

Luna blinked and looked at the cluster again “Your right it does look like Twilight’s cutie mark.”

She smiles and motions to another group of stars “That is the Manticore Leo. Legendary Manticore who battled the earth pony, Tremble Hoof. It was a legend even when I was a filly.” She looked down and noticed Star Shine was asleep. She leans down to nuzzle her and hears a mumble breath “love...you mommy.” “And I Love you my little Star.”

On another balcony Celestia smiles and heads inside.

Author's Note

I know this is short. It's a better ending then what I had first thought of. Even if it's short it's such a touching moment I think it works. Seems I needed time to let my mind relax before ending this story.

Just like before I have no editor and my grammar and spelling is poor. I was born deaf and Phonics don't work if you can't hear! Add Dyslexia and it's a recipe that makes writing difficult.