Well...... That was Unexpected.
Night Mist was just going about his basic routine. He had become part of the ODSP. That stood for Offensive Delta Squad Pegasi. They were an elite division of the Wonderbolts and Royal Guard combined. They were sent in to perform tasks only few outside their group knew about. The Princesses of course knew, but ponies such as Rainbow Dash were not in the loop, not unless she were to join up. But her attention was focused on being in the spotlight, not hiding in the shadows. Something Night Mist was one of the best at, being a bat pony alicorn, like his brother Peanut Butter. But his time spent in the ODSP had sharpened that skill, along with many others he didn't even know he had. He of course remembered how his mother had advised against his choice, but knew she couldn't stop him. He had a warrior's spirit. And Shining Armor promised he would help train Night Mist to be able to look after himself, and soon after, Night Mist surpassed his mentor's abilities.
He had even developed something he called "Echo Sighting". A form of Echo Location that, when he used it, and had his eyes shut, he could see the scene in a bit of a gray scale, almost as if he were present at the scene. A good way to eves drop on conversations that were threats to the crown, and a few malcontent nobles trying to brag how they would acquire a position they did not earn. Of course, some unicorns were wise to his game, so when they put up noise cancellation spells that prevented any outside ears from hearing, he was bested. Not that it mattered. If he suspected trouble, he had other ways of getting ponies to spill the beans. All thanks to his ODSP training.
But today was a day off for him. Both Spitfire and Shining Armor ordered he take a leave of absence, and rather than explain to his mother why he disobeyed his chain of command, and face her motherly wrath, he followed their orders. He knew that if any threats arose, they'd call on him. He was actually quite happy to get some time off.
But what concerned him was how, when he arrived at the Castle grounds, aside from Guards who were required to stand their post, all others seemed to have simply vanished. This felt strange to him. He half expected to see the hustle and bustle about the castle, like he did when was just a toddler. Oh how he missed those days. Not that he hated being an ODSP, he just remembered simpler times, when either his mother, or his random caretakers, be they relatives, castle staff, or he and his siblings former wet nurse/adopted big sister, Tempest, or as many knew her as Flizzle Pop Berry Twist, were chasing him, PB, Shadowmane, Autum Breeze, Onyx, Fire Star, Sky Hooves, And Tornado Blitz around the Castle halls. Course, it was more of a game for the grown ups, since they could have easily caught the Lunar Siblings in their magic, including Tempest, when they restored her horn.
But right now, everything was uncomfortably quiet. He half expected Cerberus to leap out at him from no where, or Illusion. (a.k.a. Discord Turned permanent pony.) or his aunt Eris to pull some prank to humorously send his heart racing. But no pony was here. Mustering up the courage, he continued to make his way through the castle. It was as if the ponies simply fled the place, as if it had been haunted, the only thing that reassured him it wasn't was that the guards were standing their post. Emotionless faces staring straight ahead. He figured he'd try for the Lunar Den, perhaps he might find one of his siblings there. He flew to the Lunar Chambers and opened the door...... Empty. Not a pony in sight. Not even the royal maids could be seen cleaning anything. He thought for sure one of them would be playing the Playstation Lunar, a console developed to honor Princess Luna some time after her return from the Moon. Not even his dad, Artemis was anywhere. And he was a hard stallion to miss. His size would have most of the ODSP with their tails between their legs. Not that he'd do them harm, but you had to admit, he looked mighty. Night Mist himself wouldn't dare cross his dad, or his mom for that matter. They had more power than they let most know about.
With the Lunar chambers being a dead end, he figured the Solar Chambers were as well, Celestia usually didn't retire to her chambers til her duties were done. "THE THRONE ROOM!!! OF COURSE!!!" Night Mist Exclaimed.
He knew he'd be bound to bump into somepony there. Especially his aunt. There was always a pony requiring her attention. Some of them more then others. Some of them, when he been present, he wanted to throw them into the river and have them go over a water fall, for how petty and selfish their demands were. Perhaps he could scare a troublemaker or two while day court was in session. He soon neared the throne room doors. He tried using his Echo Sighting. But he got nothing. Perhaps the matter was private that other castle staff weren't meant to hear. Not that any were around at the moment, aside from once again, some guards off in the distance. He opened the throne room doors to make his presence known................... "Odd, the throne room is empty. It's almost never empty at this time. What is going on?" Night Mist Rhetorically asked.
Room after room he searched, of course knocking on most before peaking in. But they were all empty, devoid of ponies.He half expected to find at least his sister, Twilight Sparkle Cadenza, or his Grandma, Velvet Clover Sparkle, in the private castle Library. But there was nothing. Finally, his stomach betrayed his want to find somepony, and seeing as it was half past high noon, he figured he'd head to the royal kitchen in the Dining area of the Castle to grab a bite to eat. He was used to cooking his own meals these days, having been part of the ODSP, so, on the likely chance he was to find the Dining Area devoid of pony life as well, at least he wouldn't starve. That brought back another memory of the head chef mare, Funnel Cake, cousin of Cup Cake, who most called Mrs. Cake, was chasing him around, demanding he try her latest dish she named after his family, ending in a cake to his face, which he laughed at.
He soon came upon the entrance to the dining hall, the aroma of something sweet tasting hit his nostrils like if Nightmare Moon and Day Breaker were going head to head in a battle. This was unexpected, but welcoming. Finally, there would be at least somepony around he could talk to. The guards were trained to not speak or flinch unless ordered by his mother or aunt, or if their life was on the line. A rule he thought was silly, but couldn't do much to change it. But at least, if there were cooks, or at least one cook in the castle, they might be able to let him know what is going on.
He soon opened the door, and, "SURPRISE!!!" Came a crowd of voices.
Night Mist jumped. Startled to see so many familiar faces in one place. He soon caught his breath from the shock. "Wow, and here I thought I was supposed to be a master of stealth," he chuckled.
"Oh come on, Nighty. You know no pony can beat mom at that. She's the one who invented stealth," Shadowmane stated.
"But you come pretty close. Took me forever to get everypony in here to keep their voices to a minimal, especially all your siblings. I saw them ready to charge towards the door open it before you could. Thankfully, they held their reserve," Luna chuckled.
"Happy Birthday son," Artemis said, as he ruffled his son's mane.
"Oh, it is my Birthday, no wonder Daddy Shining told me to take time off," Night Mist deduced.
"Yep. It took all my will power not to spoil this surprise," Shining Armor stated.
"Trust me, he got a crick in his neck from trying to restrain himself," Tempest added.
"You guys all had me worried. Aside from the guards, the rest of the Castle was empty of ponies," Night Mist admitted.
"Well, we all had to be in one place for this to be effective for everypony," Peanut Butter stated.
"I'm just glad all my siblings were able to make it here," Night Mist hugged each.
"Ahem," pouted another voice.
"And I'm happy my cousin has graced us with his presence," Night Mist stated in a sarcastic tone.
"Thank you for respecting your elder," Blueblood spat.
"More like toddler if you ask me," Autum Breeze mumbled as Blueblood trotted off.
"I sometimes wonder how in Equestria we are related to him, Aunt Tia," Night Mist whispered to Celestia.
"It's far too long and boring a story to explain," Celestia admitted.
"Well, why don't we get this party rolling?" Night Mist suggested.
"Hit it Pinkie," Twilight Sparkle commanded.
Soon, Pinkie and Vinyl Scratch started up a tune, and every pony started grooving. It was a great party. Everything to entertain both Night Mist and every pony else was present. Everything from Pin the Tail on the pony, to a show from the Wonderbolts, including Rainbow Dash and Spitfire. And soon came the tradition at every Birthday Party. Blowing out the candles on the cake. They rolled it over to Night Mist. Now, granted, Night Mist and his siblings did not have exact Birthday dates, but Night Mist was identified the youngest, based on his size when he was first adopted by Luna as a foal. So, they chose his adoption day as his Birthday, since he was the first adopted into the Lunar herd. And his siblings were spread out. for it felt unfair that they should all hold the same birthday for being found on the same day.
Soon, the cake was in front of Night Mist. "Now don't forget to make a wish like you did the past few years sweetie," Luna kissed him.
"Alright, you win Mama," Night Mist surrendered.
Night Mist finally closed his eyes, and thought up his wish. And as he blew out all the candles, there was a flash of light, and a puff of smoke. Everyone coughed, as they were taken by surprise from the light show. When they're breathing steadied and their vision came into focus again, they found a peculiar sight. There, were foal versions of the Lunar Siblings (Twilight, Spike and Flash included) And Sunset Shimmer, the solar daughter, within the area of the Lunar and Solar Herds. "Oh come ons Nighty. You couldn't at weast have tuwned Bwue Butt intos a mawe," Tornado Blitz complained.
"Uh," came childish filly voice.
The voice came from what appeared to be a filly version of Blueblood, but he was also the age many of his Lunar cousins were now. "Oh..... well, didn't see that one comin," Tornado Blitz admitted.
Tempest Chuckled, "Looks like you weren't the only ones who got changes."
It was true. Many of the ponies who had previously been more aged, now had their youthful figures again. Seemed they had to thank Night Mist for that one. Speaking of which, where was Night Mist? "Has anyone seen Nighty since the flash?" Luna asked.
Everypony scanned for a moment, then Artemis noticed something, and said, "Um Luna."
"Hm? Oh!" Luna explaimed, as she felt a jolt in her tummy, and looked to it.
It had been rounded out for pregnancy. "Why you little sneak," Luna gestured to her belly has she nuzzled it.
"It would appear he wished to have his first Birthday with his siblings again. Though I feel he didn't think that wish through, like he should have," Artemis stated.
"Why didn't he wish to celebrate turning one years old?" Cadence asked.
"I think that was his intention, but his mind seemed had a poor choice of words when he made his wish," Artemis explained.
"Well, that's a bummer," Rainbow Dash said.
"This won't be easy to explain back at Wonder Bolts' HQ," Spitfire stated.
"Tell me about it," Rainbow Dash said.
"Eris, any chance you could whip up one of your mind potions to not send the rest of Equestria into a panic mode at this turn of events?" Celestia inquired.
"I think I can whip up something. And this time I have Illusion to help," Eris answered, soon flying off with Illusion.
"Well, we best get these little ones back up to the Lunar chambers, I already hear their tummies rumbling," Tempest pointed out, already willing to take on her former role as wet nurse again to help Luna, Cadence and Celestia out.
"Indeed. Everypony. Please feel free to have your fill of cake and ice cream while we get our little ones fed," Luna announced.
"Dwat. I wooked fowawd to cake," Onyx pouted as he rode on Artemis's back.
"Don't worry, we had another cake already on the way to the Lunar Chambers to have privately as a family, after everypony left. Just looks like we'll have to give it to you in smaller bites now, after your mother's give you your main meal of course," Artemis said.
"I just feew sowwy fow Nighty. He not get to have any cake," Autum stated.
"Oh, he'll get his fill. Just not the usual way," Luna assured Autum.
Luna couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. This had not been the first time Night Mist had gotten himself into an awkward situation. She just wasn't sure how long her tiniest charge would stay "gobbled up by his mama" this time, as she used to state to tease her lunar charges in the past, when they didn't know about the birds and the bees. She'd just have to wait and see.
Author's Note
The End.
This was a little idea I had planned in celebration of my Birthday earlier this week. But I got so busy, I hadn't gotten a chance to post. Plus, all the family showed up for this one. Couldn't get to my computer to post it. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the little one shot. I don't plan to make more chapters. This was just a one shot within my MLF:FiP universe.
Let me know what you think of it. Apologies for Misspellings or grammar errors. Grammar was never my strongest subject, and.... *Dreamscape computer disappears.* OH COME ONS!!!
Dreamscape Luna: Sorry dear. But you need to rest in Mommy's tummy. You keep her awake when you use that dreamscape computer.
Me: Otay. *I pout in my dreamscape, sleeping within the dreamscape.
Luna (In real world): That's better. *Nuzzles her tummy.* now for some sleep. After some pickles of course. *Starts munching on pickles.*
Artemis: What is it with Pregnant Mares and pickles?
Shining Armor: That's a mystery I never solved.
(Also, ODSP was to honor Halo's ODST's from all the games. I feel they should have given those guys some more attention within the Halo games. Been on a bit of a Halo Binge after seeing Halo: Infinite.)